The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (1962) by Joan Aiken #WitchWeek2024

🐺 Willoughby Chase is home to Sir Willoughby, Lady Green, and their only daughter Bonnie. Due to Lady Green's illness, Sir Willoughby is taking her to the Mediterranean by ship. They arranged for a distant cousin to take over Bonnie and the estate into her care - Miss Slighcarp's care. Bonnie won't be lonely because her orphan cousin, Sylvia is arriving from London, where she's been living with her poor but proud aunt Jane.

🐺 Sylvia's train journey through snowy countryside to Willoughby Chase is far from uneventful. She was terrified by a pack of wolves that are menacing the train, one even tried to attack Sylvia's compartment when the train's stopped middle way. Fortunately Sylvia's fellow passenger, a man called Mr. Grimshaw, courageously averted the danger. Sylvia had no idea that a more terrifying pack of "wolves" is awaiting her at Willoughby Chase; more terrifying because these are wolves in sheeps' clothing.

🐺 Bonnie and Sylvia, despite of differences in personality and upbringing, soon find themselves best friend to each other. But Miss Slighcarp has her wicked intention. With Mr. Grimshaw's help she planned to take over Willoughby Chase. She dismissed the loyal servants, tampered Sir Willoughby's will, and things like that. When Bonnie and Sylvia hampered her, she sent them to a horrid orphanage owned by equally wicked woman if Miss Slighcarp's friend.

🐺 When things get most nasty for the girls, they plan to run away. Luckily for them, few of the loyal servants don't desert them. The goose boy Simon also proved to be a valuable friend to them. However, what can they do to thwart the enemies plans, if Bonnie's parents were really dead inside the drowned ship?

🐺 I happened to read two books about horrid orphanages almost in a row. However, the one in Thursday's Child felt almost like adventure compared to this one, where Bonnie and Sylvia were most unfortunately put into. I was glad that Bonnie and Sylvia had each other's company to bear their misery. And if there's one blessing in disguise from this hardship, it's the resilient and experiences the two girls now possess as the result. That short experience strengthened them to be wonderful women in future.

🐺 This is my first Joan Aiken, and I'm grateful to have found this wonderful author. It certainly won't be my last read of her.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Read this book for:

Witch Week 2024 #WitchWeek2024

hosted by Chris @ Calmgrove and Lizzie @ Lizzie Ross

Possible Reads for Novellas in November & Nonfiction November 2024 #NovNov24 #NonficNov24

We are just two months and several days away from the end of 2024; how could time fly that fast!? Reading wise, I'm so grateful that many bookbloggers or booktweeters keep hosting my favorite reading events. Two of them are coming next month, and I've been compiling my lists (and even started reading few of them!) of some possible reads, with emphasize on "possible". I might read more or less, or substitute the titles. Anyway, here they are:

Novellas in November 2024 #NovNov24

hosted by Cathy @ 746 Books and Rebecca @ Bookish Beck

Warrior of the Light: A Manual (1997) by Paulo Coelho - a special read for special occasion, which I will explain in the review.
Wigs on the Green (1935) by Nancy Mitford 
Maud Martha (1953) by Gwendolyn Brooks
The Old Maid (1922) by Edith Wharton
A Single Rose (2020) by Muriel Barbery

Nonfiction November 2024 #NonficNov24

hosted by Liz, Frances, Heather, Rebekah, and Deb

Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy (1996) by Frances Mayes
The Golden Mole: And Other Living Treasure (2022) by Katherine Rundell
Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident (2013) by Donnie Eichar


Would you join one or all of them? What books you plan to read next month?

The Thief of Always (1992) by Clive Barker #RIPXIX

Book Beginnings on Fridays (hosted by Rose City Reader)

The great grey beast February had eaten Harvey Swick alive. Here he was, buried in the belly of that smothering month, wondering if he would ever find his way out through the cold coils that lay between here and Easter.

🏠 February isn't a beast, the evil monster of this children horror fantasy. It's the dreary cold month when Christmas is behind but Easter is still quite far, and Harvey Swick hated it. So much so, that when a smiley man called Rictus invited him to the Holiday House where one can always have fun, he couldn't resist. He'll just peep in for a while, and would come home immediately, no big deal.

🏠 But it is a big deal - it's a huge one! The Holiday House is a magical place, owned and created by a Mr. Hood. He lured innocent children who are thinking they are only playing truant. True, once they enter the house, they could get everything they ever want - food, toys, and all. But what a price they must pay! Though they only realize this after, when there's no way back. Not only that, the House also steals time. One spend each day in four seasons, spring in the morning, summer at noon, autumn every afternoon, and the day ends in winter. It's not just the weather, each day the children spend one day at the house, they lose one whole year of their times at home, so that, after spending a month there, thirty years have elapsed at home. That's what Mr. Hood is - the thief of always!

🏠 Harvey learned about this powerful magic after he managed to escape the House with his friend Wendel. Only to find that thirty years has elapsed since he left his parents, who has been bitterly thinking he's dead. Harvey realizes that he must return to the House and somehow fight Mr. Hood and his four servants to be free of the magic, to return to their happy lives, and to rescue many children who had came before him. He wouldn't live peacefully thinking he has left them trapped there forever, would he? But how could he do that-a mere boy against those powerful and cunning evil monsters?

🏠 I have never read Clive Barker before, but this is such a perfect horror fantasy a child could have wanted to read. It tackles common problem of children, that of wanting to avoid uncomfortable situation; it also overflowing with pleasant things every children want: gifts, toys, sweets, food, games. Imagine having Halloween and Christmas everyday without having any effort to arrange it, just enjoying!

Quoted for Friday 56 (hosted by Head Full of Books):

There was A Bonfire Night supper waiting for them when they got back into the House.

But it's not just about that, this book also reminded children, that there are a lot of things more valuable than those fun: love and family. It was indeed a wholesome read for this season, which reminds us to be always grateful for each day and season.

"Hopes like birds on a spring branch; happiness like a warm summer sun; magic like the rising mists of autumn. And best of all, love; love enough for a thousand Christmasses."

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Read for:

R.I.P XIX

A Christmas Murder (2024) by Mary Grand

🎄 I don't usually read something Christmassy in October, but this seemed like a decent cozy mystery, and I ran out of good audiobook, so I dug in. And I'm not disappointed, it is a wonderful murder mystery, which can actually happen anytime during any season. It's not really Christmassy, I think, just a midnight mass, Christmas meals, and some gifts.

🎄 Susan was asked for helping as a host at the Bishopstone Manor hotel by the owner, an Indian woman called Meera. Their upcoming family guests are prominent figures, and this gig is very important for the newly re-opened establishment. Duncan Fern, a newspaper mogul, is now bringing his extended family for annual Christmas holiday. His second wife Kirsten, his famous crime writer son Bryson, his sensitive daughter Hailey are there. Also coming are Bryson's food critics Victoria, Hayley's fitness enthusiast boyfriend Lewis, and the last one is Duncan's second man Antoine.

🎄 Between making sure that their bedrooms are cozy enough at night, and in charge of the music during dinner, Susan has first hand opportunity to get to know (rather too intimately) the family members. How Duncan is mean to his family, using threats against them, for example. He is the victim, by the way, which I knew right from the first. He died of poisoning from his own medication. Susan woke at night witnessing one of them sneaking outside the manor, and into Duncan's room. Her job enables her to snooping around their belongings, leading to finding clues after clues of the murder. Contrary to police's opinion, it was, indeed, murder, because Susan was twice attacked by one of them. It only shows that she is onto the right track. But who is the killer? Everyone had the motive, and seemingly opportunity to commit the murder.

🎄 This is actually quite a proper murder mystery, instead of a sloppy cozy mystery I thought it would be; a psychological soft thriller if you like. Everybody had secret and dark past, and not until near the end did I guess the murderer. Susan cleverly deduced how the crime was done, but not the why or the real motive (cause everyone had prospect), and certainly not the who.

🎄 Like in usual cozy mystery, there is the love prospect for the heroine, and a bit of struggle in her personal life (her ex husband). But I loved that these aspects were just a small background of the main stage, which was the crime mystery. I loved this one, and would like to read more from Mary Grand.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mini Reviews for #AgathaChristieSS24: October

THE HOUND OF DEATH

A man called Anstruther heard from his friend of an intriguing story about the blowing up of a Belgium convent, when some German soldiers invaded it during WW2. The locals said it wasn't caused by high explosive, but by a miraculous power of a nun who brought down a lightning bolt from heaven. What's left from the building was a wall with powder mark in the shape of a giant hound. The nun now lives with a doctor in Cornwall, and is often haunted by her dreams. Visiting the nun, Anstruther suspects that the doctor, who was medically studying her behavior, might not be fully honest. But the question remains, what had really happened? Has the nun been hallucinating, or does she really possesses supernatural power? The story was ended by another "explosion", and this revealed more or less of what had really happened.

This has prospects to become a gripping and intriguing story, but the end was somehow anti-climactic. It's more of a Halloween story than a mystery.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

THE VOICE IN THE DARK

Mr. Satterthwaite is tasked by his friend, Lady Stranleigh, to investigate her daughter's claim that their house, Abbot's Mede has been haunted. "Luckily" for him, Mr. Quin is staying at the inn nearby, and would be available anytime Mr. Satterthwaite needs a chat.

Margery, the daughter, reveals to Mr. Satterthwaite that the last two months she has often been hearing voices in the dark, while she is alone in her bedroom. The voice tells her to "give back what is not yours; give back what you have stolen".

Her mother's maid, Clayton, was Lady Stranleigh's fellow survivor of a shipwreck that took away her elder sister. She, Clayton, was the key to this mystery, which is not just about voices in the dark, but also a murder, as well as an attempt of murder. It's a wonderful one, actually, and Mr. Satterthwaite solved the mystery by himself, for once.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman #1970Club

Book Beginnings (hosted by Rose City Reader)

Mrs. Pollifax had attended church that Sunday morning, and her hat--a garden of pale pink roses and green leaves--still sat on her head as she ate lunch in the sunny kitchen of her apartment. She had a tendency to be absentminded lately about hats--in fact since beginning karate lessons she had become forgetful about a number of things--and since she would be going out again soon she had anticipated the problem by placing her hat where it could not possibly be left behind.

👒 If that opening lines can't intrigue you to read on, I don't know what can. Floral hats and karate lessons don't usually go together in one paragraph. But that's what Mrs. Pollifax is - if you haven't familiar yet with the series - unexpected. The first book in the series, The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax, is a strong proof.

👒 Still assuming you haven't read the series - what are you waiting for?? - Mrs. Emily Pollifax is a sexagenarian widow who loves gardening - hence her floral hat - but isn't prepared yet to lead a quite and monotonous life, alone in her apartment. So she went to CIA headquarters and unexpectedly got hired by a Mr. Carstairs to be... a spy! Well, not a proper, as she's unqualified, but she's done her first courier job perfectly in Albania, that Mr. Carstairs, her boss, was quite both surprised and amused.

👒 This time she was tasked to go as tourist to Turkey, to assist Magda Ferenci-Sabo, a defecting Russian spy and double agent to leave the country. She only have to arrive at an hotel at certain time, and be at the lobby with a battered copy of Gone with the Wind as a sign. It's sounds easy, but as usual, Mrs. Pollifax's innocent impulses and affectionate heart brought things to totally different direction; more dangerous, but also more exciting. And along the mission, Mrs. Pollifax found friendship with unlikely people and allies.

👒 Davida @ The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews has recently reviewed this book, and I agree with her comment that it is even better than the first one. I see Mrs. Pollifax is becoming more adept to her new "profession" - she's been taking Karate lessons anyway - and in more than one occasion she quickly took initiative for further plans or actions. The writer, Dorothy Gilman, also brought more colorful characters to assist Mrs. Pollifax in her mission, including some gypsies. They helped brighten the story and some hilarious moments came from their encounters. But what I loved most is Gilman's picturesque portrayal of Turkey, especially the hilltop caves at Göreme where Mrs. Pollifax and co. used for hiding place, they were gorgeous!

(abandoned) cave dwellings at present-day's Göreme
National Park, Turkey

And here I quoted one beautiful landscape at night:

Friday 56 Quote (hosted by Head Full of Books)

They were passing over the Galata Bridge now, and the lights of moving tugs and boats slashed the glistening inky water with long ribbons of gold. Even at midnight the bridge was filled with traffic: miles, trucks, and donkeys bearing fruit and vegetables to the markets and merchandise to the bazaars. Pale moonlight etched out the silhouette of the mosque at the foot of the bridge and touched each passerby with a high light of silver.

👒 Needless to say, I loved this book! It has a perfect balance of mystery, suspense, comedy, love, and friendship, with a touch of cold war and exotic place.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Read for:

The 1970 Club

hosted by Simon and Karen

The Dead Mountaineer's Inn by Arkady & Boris Strugatsky #1970Club

❄️ Published in 1970 in Russian, this book is a locked room mystery with a touch of science fiction. It follows a police inspector, Peter Glebsky, who is on vacation to the titular inn, in order to stay away from his job and family. Also staying at the remote inn and ski chalet, a bunch of eccentric people. There is a famous magician, Du Bramstoker, with his nephew Brun - an adolescent with indeterminate sex (what is it, a boy or a girl?). Then there's a physicist Simon Simone, a wealthy man Moses who's perpetually drunk, and his beautiful wife.

❄️ Then strange things start to happen. Small items are missing, but other stuffs appear mysteriously, voices are heard where no one had been. Are those only innocence though annoying pranks, or, as the inn owner indicates, a supernatural manifestation? He seems to believe that the dead mountaineer - whose legend inspired the inn's name - is still present.

❄️ Things then begin to get more serious; a murder, no less! The latest guest who has arrived right before an avalanche blocked the mountain pass, is found murdered in a locked room. Glebsky had no other choice than investigating the crime, albeit reluctantly. The deeper he investigates though, the more he's confused. There are too many strange unrelated things happening, which ones were pranks, and which were true? And who's telling the truth, who's been prankster? Was the murder a usual crime? Or was there aliens involved like what some of the guests have been incredulously insisting?

❄️ This is such an eccentric yet entertaining story. It's weird but funny at the same time. You'll keep wondering whether this is a clever and complex murder mystery, a huge joke, or a science fiction? And my advice if you want to read this book is, don't google or read any synopsis or blurb beforehand. Just read the book with open mind. It will be more fun. Knowing what it is before reading would totally ruin it! All I can say that I had fun reading it. The book was well constructed, and represented the vibes of the 1970s - that's why mystery novels of vintage era are always my favorite, when everything was still simple and, therefore, more meaningful.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐1/2

Read for:

The 1970 Club

hosted by Simon and Karen