Her Perfect Life By: Hank Phillippi Ryan

 

The problem with reading one of Hank Phillippi Ryan's books is that you are compelled to read it as quickly as possible and then in a blink of an eye, your finished...and you have to wait for the next one. Her Perfect Life pulls the reader in from the get go, and it is impossible to put down.  You get the feeling that if you close the book for just a moment, you'll miss something.  It's hard to discuss Ryan's books for fear of giving away a major, or minor, plot point, so I'll just say, set aside a long afternoon, or start in the early evening, put on a neck brace, because the twists and turns come at you at break neck speed, and enjoy the ride!

A Changing Light By: Edith Maxwell

Yet again, I find myself a little stunned at how much I enjoy this series!  I never would have thought that a Quaker Mid-Wife series would be my thing, but there is something about Rose that is so engaging and appealing, I can't help but be sucked in!  A Changing Light moves with the times as new advances in the world mirror the advances in Rose's life.  The annual opening of the carriage manufacturers plants/showrooms brings all the locals and many foreign representatives to Amesbury.  It also brings another murder for Rose to become involved with.  With exquisitely painted scenes and visits from characters form pervious books in this series, A Changing Light is a wonderful exclamation point to this beautiful series.

The Saturday Evening Girls Club By: Jane Healey

This was such a delightful surprise. A simple tale of 4 young women coming into their own in the North End of Boston in the early 1900s.  Set against the back drop of the actual Saturday Evening Girls Club (look it up-do some research-it's quite an amazing organization), 2 Italian and 2 Russian Jewish immigrant girls balance the new century their families' traditions and their own desires to each for their own American Dream.  Filled with interesting characters, this is a loving told story that just makes the reader feel good!

A Time to Swill By: Sherry Harris

Oh, Chloe...the poor girl can't catch a break.  In the second installment of this fine new series, Chloe returns from packing up the rest of her belongings in Chicago to make a go of setting up roots in Emerald Cove.  Of course, there are complications with this plan.  A ghost ship, a corpse, a possible threat to her new home and new job.  What I adore about Harris' novels (in this series and her Sarah Winston Garage Sale series) is that she manages to throw extra mini-mysteries into each story, so it's not just the murder that needs to be solved.  These extras complicate and distract the heroine as well as the reader, to keep everyone on their toes, until the oh, so satisfying conclusion!

 

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell By: Susanna Clarke

WOW!  This was one of the most creative novels I've read in a long time.  A little history, a little mystery and a little magic all intertwine in this beautifully flowing tome.  The cast of characters is a stand out for me in this one, and I'm sure for most readers.  Ms. Clarke has managed to write a massive novel, that doesn't drag at any point, and completely engages the reader at all times.  Truly extraordinary writing and storytelling!

Hunting Humans: The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers, Vol. 2 By: Michael Newton

A re-read, because I ran out of new things to read.  Found it as fascinating this time as the first time.

 

A Caribbean Mystery By: Agatha Christie

It was so nice to see Miss Marple take a vacation, less nice that several people were murdered around her, but these things happen in the world of Agatha Christie!  Set on St. Honore, guests and employees start dropping like flies, and people's mental health is questioned.  Miss Marple and a crusty old gentleman manage to solve the murders and save a life-never underestimate the aged!!!!

The Clocks By: Agatha Christie

I saw the first hour of this Poirot on Masterpiece and missed the ending, so I was thrilled to finish the book and get the ending!!  I had guessed partially correctly!  There is a great twist that answers a question that's not really posed-which only shows, yet again, how brilliant Ms. Christie is; to supply three endings to a story that only really asked for one solution!!

 

The Mirror Crack'd From Side To Side By: Agatha Christie

A meticulously plotted mystery that lays out all of the facts for the reader to figure out who done it, and, of course, once Miss Marple reveals the truth, it's easy to see that it was all right in front of the reader.  Absolutely brilliant!

Double Sin and Other Stories By: Agatha Christie

A collection of shorts: well 7 shorts and one medium.  Some with Poirot some with Miss Marple, some stand alone. Some I've read in another collection, some were totally new to me.  All have Christie's, inimitable style and wow factor.

 

The Pale Horse By: Agatha Christie

A stand alone with a fantastic twist that I didn't see coming!  A consumer poller, a dead priest and three witches all lead to the Pale Horse.  Gallop into his story of murder and intrigue and you won't be disappointed!