![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
svgurlThis is what I've read, am reading, and what I'm going to read! There are mostly Agatha Christie books and a couple of others (Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and a CS Harris novel). Might have some spoilers, but I'll try to be vague.
What I've Read:
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Recluse star Evelyn Hugo asks unknown writer Monique Grant to write her biography. I was interested in the premise, but disappointed the execution. I shipped the main couple even before the reveal but I do think the relationship itself was fairly shallow, which was a consistent problem with the book - how shallow it was, especially in regards to dealing with race and sexuality. There were some interesting parts, but I guessed the ending and the twist felt in poor taste. I wish we could've learned more about Monique too. I would've liked to know how the twist affected her earlier on, to say the least.
What Angels Fear by CS Harris - the first of the Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries that came recommended to me. A woman is found murdered and his pistols are at the scene. After a tragedy during his arrest, he is on the run, trying to find the real murder, with a little help from new and old acquaintances. An interesting read. There were parts that were real page turners and others that dragged. The characters do come off as cliche and stereotypical, even though the leads are still likeable for the most part, but I was intrigued enough to get the second book and am willing to keep going for now.
A Body in the Library by Agatha Christie - A husband and wife wake up to an unfamiliar dead body in the library and Miss Marple helps solves the crime. It was enjoyable. I did figure out at least one twist, but I think that comes from recognizing hints after you've read a lot of AC books.
They Do It With Mirrors by Agatha Christie - Miss Marple visits an old friend at the request/concern of another, where there is an attempted murder followed by a successful one. I did like the conclusion in terms of how Miss Marple came to it, but was mixed on the book as a whole.
A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie - The newspaper announces a murder will take place and invites people to join at a certain time/location. People think it's a game and show up, only for there to be a real attempt and another murder. It's not my favorite AC novel but I do think there were some clever aspects and I liked the variety of characters/relationships. I didn't guess the twist, though maybe someone else would've.
A Pocket Full of Rye by Agatha Christie - A businessman dies after drinking his morning tea and the autopsy finds the cause was taxine and ingested during his breakfast. Very family centric drama and I went back and forth on whether it was the obvious one or the one meant to be the obvious one. I wasn't all that into the character though so it wasn't long but a slower read.
At Betram's Hotel by Agatha Christie - An old fashioned hotel with a secret of its own. I've been making my way through all the Miss Marple stories and this was another one of them. It felt like there was a lot going on and the plots just shoved together, and the ending was unsatisfying.
Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie - A newlywed's visions and memories from her new house lead her, her husband, and Miss Marple to solve a decades old crime. I did like the couple - they were sweet and I was rooting for them. I was 50/50 on who the murderer was. It felt one direction, but I dismissed it. Either way, I did like this one.
What I'm Reading:
The Flatshare by Beth O' Leary - a woman and man share a one bedroom apartment, the deal being that they will be there on opposing schedules, but slowly get to know one another via notes and messages. This came recommended to me by my sister's friend and I was curious, and I don't know if I'll finish. The POV switch from chapter to chapter, which is fine, but while the dialogue is normal in her POV, in his, it is this weird chatspeak format, like "Name: text". I don't know if I can deal with it because I'm already annoyed and I'm only a few chapters in.
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton - a groundshog day mystery where the protagonist has to solve a murder and wakes up in a new body of a guest at the manor he's at until he finds out the truth. I usually don't read two books at once but I needed something to get away from the first one. I'm a quarter of the way in and I'm definitely more hooked with this book and very curious to see where it will go.
TBR:
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri - a fantasy novel set in ancient India about a princess and a maid servant fighting for their individual freedom.
When Gods Die by CS Harris - the second novel in the Sebastian St. Cyr novels. A young wife of an old marquis is found murdered in the arms of the Prince Regent.
Murder in Old Bombay by Nev March - set in late 1800s India, a former Captain turned investigator looks into the deaths of two women that have been suggested to be suicide when the widower of one insists it wasn't.
The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie - a series of threatening letters have been causing havoc in a quiet village and Miss Marple is on the case.
What are you all reading? Any recs? :D
What I've Read:
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Recluse star Evelyn Hugo asks unknown writer Monique Grant to write her biography. I was interested in the premise, but disappointed the execution. I shipped the main couple even before the reveal but I do think the relationship itself was fairly shallow, which was a consistent problem with the book - how shallow it was, especially in regards to dealing with race and sexuality. There were some interesting parts, but I guessed the ending and the twist felt in poor taste. I wish we could've learned more about Monique too. I would've liked to know how the twist affected her earlier on, to say the least.
What Angels Fear by CS Harris - the first of the Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries that came recommended to me. A woman is found murdered and his pistols are at the scene. After a tragedy during his arrest, he is on the run, trying to find the real murder, with a little help from new and old acquaintances. An interesting read. There were parts that were real page turners and others that dragged. The characters do come off as cliche and stereotypical, even though the leads are still likeable for the most part, but I was intrigued enough to get the second book and am willing to keep going for now.
A Body in the Library by Agatha Christie - A husband and wife wake up to an unfamiliar dead body in the library and Miss Marple helps solves the crime. It was enjoyable. I did figure out at least one twist, but I think that comes from recognizing hints after you've read a lot of AC books.
They Do It With Mirrors by Agatha Christie - Miss Marple visits an old friend at the request/concern of another, where there is an attempted murder followed by a successful one. I did like the conclusion in terms of how Miss Marple came to it, but was mixed on the book as a whole.
A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie - The newspaper announces a murder will take place and invites people to join at a certain time/location. People think it's a game and show up, only for there to be a real attempt and another murder. It's not my favorite AC novel but I do think there were some clever aspects and I liked the variety of characters/relationships. I didn't guess the twist, though maybe someone else would've.
A Pocket Full of Rye by Agatha Christie - A businessman dies after drinking his morning tea and the autopsy finds the cause was taxine and ingested during his breakfast. Very family centric drama and I went back and forth on whether it was the obvious one or the one meant to be the obvious one. I wasn't all that into the character though so it wasn't long but a slower read.
At Betram's Hotel by Agatha Christie - An old fashioned hotel with a secret of its own. I've been making my way through all the Miss Marple stories and this was another one of them. It felt like there was a lot going on and the plots just shoved together, and the ending was unsatisfying.
Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie - A newlywed's visions and memories from her new house lead her, her husband, and Miss Marple to solve a decades old crime. I did like the couple - they were sweet and I was rooting for them. I was 50/50 on who the murderer was. It felt one direction, but I dismissed it. Either way, I did like this one.
What I'm Reading:
The Flatshare by Beth O' Leary - a woman and man share a one bedroom apartment, the deal being that they will be there on opposing schedules, but slowly get to know one another via notes and messages. This came recommended to me by my sister's friend and I was curious, and I don't know if I'll finish. The POV switch from chapter to chapter, which is fine, but while the dialogue is normal in her POV, in his, it is this weird chatspeak format, like "Name: text". I don't know if I can deal with it because I'm already annoyed and I'm only a few chapters in.
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton - a groundshog day mystery where the protagonist has to solve a murder and wakes up in a new body of a guest at the manor he's at until he finds out the truth. I usually don't read two books at once but I needed something to get away from the first one. I'm a quarter of the way in and I'm definitely more hooked with this book and very curious to see where it will go.
TBR:
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri - a fantasy novel set in ancient India about a princess and a maid servant fighting for their individual freedom.
When Gods Die by CS Harris - the second novel in the Sebastian St. Cyr novels. A young wife of an old marquis is found murdered in the arms of the Prince Regent.
Murder in Old Bombay by Nev March - set in late 1800s India, a former Captain turned investigator looks into the deaths of two women that have been suggested to be suicide when the widower of one insists it wasn't.
The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie - a series of threatening letters have been causing havoc in a quiet village and Miss Marple is on the case.
What are you all reading? Any recs? :D
no subject
Date: 2023-06-16 06:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-06-16 08:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-06-16 01:02 pm (UTC)AC rarely disappoints!
Currently reading Lisa Scottoline's Damaged. I like her books as she mixes mystery with family. This one centers around a troubled ten-year-old kid and murder may be in the mix.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-16 09:01 pm (UTC)Too true! The nice thing is that there is very little explicit violence so it is more my type of mystery.
That sounds interesting! I haven't read anything by her - I will put her on my list to check out.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-17 12:55 pm (UTC)The entire story takes place in St. Mary Mead and is excellent.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-20 06:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-06-18 08:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-06-20 06:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-06-29 06:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-06-30 12:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-06-20 04:51 am (UTC)Love hearing about your Agatha Christie kick! :D
As for me, I'm reading The Story of Us by Catherine Hernandez – it's pretty early days still, so I'm not sure yet if I'm on board with the conceit, which is that the book is narrated by a newborn baby.
no subject
Date: 2023-06-20 06:35 pm (UTC)Thanks! I have been enjoying going through them. Just one more Miss Marple book left which makes me a little sad lol
Interesting! I don't think I've ever read a book with that kind of POV. I'd like to hear what you think when you finish it to see if it is worth checking out.