The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Fiction - 5 stars

In this full-length novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the sudden death of Sir Charles Baskerville is said to have been caused by the gigantic ghostly hound which has haunted his family for generations. However, when Dr. Mortimer involves Sherlock Holmes in the mystery, Holmes characteristically dismisses the theory as nonsense. Claiming to be immersed in another case, he sends Dr. Watson to protect Sir Henry, the Baskerville heir, and to observe the suspects first hand. Mystery abounds in this story, and Megan and I thoroughly enjoyed Conan Doyle's deliberate use of character to keep the reader out of the loop. While it stands on its own as wonderful story, for its time, I can imagine that reading each chapter in The Strand was something for which people held their breath.  Megan and I both recommend it highly!
                       

 

Death Without Company by Craig Johnson

Mystery - 4.5 stars

Book #2 in the Walt Longmire mystery series is just as well-written as the first. In this book, the sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming is investigating the poisoning murder of a Basque woman whose story is so intriguing, Walt can't let it go until he's figured out the puzzle. Including realistic scenes of hand-to-hand fighting, shooting, and even drowning, this book is one I couldn't put down. I recommend it for any mystery fan.  

Cold Dish by Craig Johnson

Mystery - 4.5 stars

George and I got hooked on the Longmire series on A&E this summer, and because we both fell in love with the show, we decided to read the first book in the series. We are both so glad we did as the show is so different from the books. Cold Dish is such a fantastic first novel for Craig Johnson. It introduces Walt Longmire, Sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming, and a supporting cast of characters that will quietly and subtly knock your socks off. Walt's best friend, Henry Standing Bear, is a perfect example. Henry, like Walt, is a Vietnam War veteran. He is not content living too far away from the Cheyenne Reservation on which he grew up, and so he owns the local bar placed just outside the Reservation boundaries. He is a big, tough man whose quiet ways and thoughtful presence make him oh so popular with the ladies. Vic, the deputy from Philly who cusses like a sailor and gives Walt a really hard time, is also an attractive woman and competent forensics investigator. The best aspect of the books is Johnson's humor. I found myself laughing out loud many times at Vic's attitude and at the self-depracating comments that almost always escape Walt's lips. George is on book 5 right now, and has loved them all. I can't wait to start on the second one! However, it may have to wait until I get done with my next Mother-Daughter selection.

Ratking by Michael Dibdin

Fiction - 3.5 stars

This book is the first in the Aurelio Zen series of mysteries. I enjoyed the writing style, as Dibdin wrote in a very vivid and conversational way. The story - the patriarch of the Miletti family is kidnapped and Zen is assigned to invesigate - weaves in and out of the lives of the Miletti's, their closest companions, and Zen himself. Zen lives with his mother and is in a relationship with an American woman. He's been caught up in controversy and assigned to a desk job in Rome. But, in the end he's a cop through and through. I really enjoyed the book and I'm really excited to read the next. However, I will say I enjoy the short-lived BBC series more than I enjoyed the book - mostly because of Rufus Sewell.

The Name Of This Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

Youth Fiction - 4 stars

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is the story of Cass, a survivalist with a curious streak, and Max Ernest, a talkative but un-funny young boy with a big heart. In their desire to solve a mystery, they uncover an even larger conspiracy that involves a quest for eternal youth. Because it is filled with humor, intrigue, and imagination, I'd recommend this book to any young reader, or old reader for that matter.

Portobello by Ruth Rendell

Fiction - 3 stars

Just to show everyone that I don't only read children's books, I had to post this. I finished this book just before Christmas, and it was a decent read. It is a character-driven mystery written for people who have some knowledge of British dialect and culture. Complete with an anti-hero, an obsessive compulsive savior-figure, and other complex (if not a little weird) characters, Portobello is the cause and effect story of events happening in the Notting Hill community along the Portobello Road. I loved it because, well, I love anything British.  It is definitely not feel-good, but depicts a snapshot of characters who could really exist. A slice of life piece, if you will, for the suburbanites.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Youth Fiction - 3 stars

For our Halloween book club meeting, Megan and I read The Westing Game, a sort of murder mystery using clues and character development to tell the story. Megan loved this book and read it in two nights. It took me much longer to get through it, partly due to a lack of spare time, and partly because of the way the book is written. It skips around a bit, and you have to piece things together, including chapters. Overall, it was a good read, and it teaches some good lessons. The best part of reading the book was the meeting with all of the great Chinese food. Awesome, Susan!

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Fiction - 4 stars
This first venture into the Agatha Christie novels proved to be a quick, satifying read full of well-crafted suspense. Before it was published as a novel, Murder on the Orient Express was published as a serial in the Saturday Evening Post, from July 1 to September 30, 1933. I can only imagine the wait for the next chapter in those days to find out who the culprit was in this quiet, provocative thriller. I can see why Christie published more than 130 novels, and why Hercule Poirot is such a classic literary figure. With his analytical skills and his obvious sense of morality, Poirot is the classic detective hero.  Great summer read!

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Fiction - 4.5 stars

Just finished this on my Nook (started in February, so that's not a bad timeframe for me) as part of my pact to alternate between classics and modern. I am so glad I read this as I have only read The Hound of the Baskervilles, and that was written long after these stories. I loved them, and I really came to see Holmes and Watson in a different light.  These stories also give a glimpse of Victorian England as it really was, the similarities to and differences from modern society were definitely intriguing. I am hooked!

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Fiction - 3 stars
Dark Places is the story of Libby Day, a depressed and angry thirty-something who, at seven years old, testified against her brother for the murders of her mother and sisters. In her thirties, she becomes a person of interest for a club called the "Kill Club" and is told that she may have been wrong about her brother. An interesting look at the farm culture in the 80s, this book has the elements of a great story, but it falls flat, mainly due to the writing style. Not my favorite book.

The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters, Volume One by Gordon Dahlquist

Historical Fiction - 3.5 stars - This is a really interesting book. Part sci-fi, part adventure, it is the tale of one woman and two men who attempt to solve a political mystery full of cruelty and intrigue. I really want to pick up the second volume to see what happens. It took a little bit to get into it (and I took a break for Jean Brodie), but for the most part, it was a quick and interesting read.

A Splash of Red by Antonia Fraser

Fiction - 3.5 stars - Another Jemima Shore mystery, this time involving a popular novelist. Lady Antonia Fraser writes a very satisfying book, and while this, like Quiet as a Nun, is not the caliber of her historical biographies, it, too, is very good.

Quiet as a Nun by Antonia Fraser

Fiction - 3.5 stars - Antonia Fraser, the great historian, has also written some fiction/mystery novels. This is one of them, and it is really decent. Jemima Shore is a TV reporter who helps to solve the murder of an old friend at a convent. It is not quite the quality of her historical biographies, but it is a good story and it is well-written.

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Fiction - 5 stars - Sherlock Holmes at his finest. This is a scary, suspenseful tale of murder, but also an easy read that you could finish in a few sittings (or one if you've got some time). I borrowed it from Zachary, and couldn't put it down. If you've never read any Sherlock Holmes mysteries, this one is definitely one to start with.

American Psycho by Brett Easton Ellis

Fiction - 4 stars - This book is disturbing on many levels, but it is the best use of deliberate detail that I have ever read. Everything holds the same weight (the description of the microwave=the description of the woman he's killing). I refused to see the movie as Christian Bale is one of my favorite actors, and I can't see him in this horrific part. It's definitely worth reading if you can stomach it.

Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin

Fiction - 3.5 stars - A good read and interesting story, this book keeps you enthralled to the very end. Very graphic images of children dying horrible deaths are disturbing, so if your constitution isn't up to it, don't read it. But, in all it was good, despite the historical inaccuracies.