Nancy Drew: The Hidden Staircase (1930) by Carolyn Keene

🕵🏻‍♀️ I remember perfectly when Nancy Drew entered the reading radar of my younger self; it's in between the Enid Blyton and Agatha Christie phases. I also read Hardy Boys, but only a few, it's not as riveting as Nancy Drew (or Alfred Hitchcock's Three Investigators, which came to me at the same phase). The Hidden Staircase was the second in the series, and if I have read it before, I completely forget. So, I have read it as if it's my first Nancy Drew - and I loved it!

🕵🏻‍♀️ Nancy Drew is an only child of the Drews; her mother had died, so she lives with her father, a criminal lawyer. One day, as she's alone in the house, a man called Nathan Gombet confronted her. He demanded to see Mr. Drew and accused him of having swindled the his money (which Nancy's 100% certain as impossible). Nancy threw him away finally, but the visit rather worried Nancy. Then she met two middle-aged sisters who lived in a dilapidated mansion house called Twin Elms. They believe the house was haunted; footsteps were heard at night, things or foods were mysteriously missing, and things like that. So, when her father left for a week on a mission, she decided to stay in the house to investigate, and helped the kind ladies to find peace again at their house.

🕵🏻‍♀️ Nancy checked every room, every walls, to find hidden doors or entrance where an intruder could have come from outside (as she didn't believe that ghosts are the culprit). It must have been a joke, or else, a crime. But none existed, or so Nancy thought, because I have immediately saw something fishy when the rooms and furniture were described. I was literally screamed at Nancy: there! you must check there! And I was right at the end. I guess I've read too many mysteries that something out of ordinary immediately intrigued me. Anyway, no entrance was found, but a person did enter the house at nights, and stole things. Worse for Nancy, her father was missing too! Are those two facts connected? And what about Nathan Gombet who swore he would get what he thought is his rights?

🕵🏻‍♀️ On the whole, it's unexpectedly a fast-paced mystery/detective/adventure thriller with wonderful plot, and satisfactory ending. I loved how Nancy Drew was portrayed; an independent, resourceful, highly intelligent girl who is generous and kindhearted. I liked how Nancy defended her father against Gombet's accusation. You know right away how she had been brought up with love and respect by a respectable parents. It is nice to know for sure that your father wouldn't do anything bad.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Agatha Christie Short Stories 2025: AUGUST Reviews #AgathaChristieSS25

THE BLOOD STAINED PAVEMENT

As the Thursday Murder Club reconvened, Joyce retold her eerie adventure in Spain. While sketching during her holiday, a young couple arrived to stay at the same hotel. At the same time a red car arrived, and a striking woman in red came out of it. She was the husband's old acquaintance, and was the very opposite of his subdued wife's plain appearance. The three of them went for a swim on a little island.

Meanwhile, Joyce spotted a red taint on the pavement, which a local man shared that it's believed to foretell a death would occur. And right enough, the wife that stayed at the hotel was found dead, while her husband and friend were out swimming.

This story reminded me instantly of Evil Under the Sun. And in this instance, Miss Marple correctly guessed what happened, while the others didn't even think it a murder case. It mixes superstitions and a good plot of murder. However, as it's too closely similar to one of Christie's famous novels, it just felt redundant.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

THE MANHOOD OF EDWARD ROBINSON

Edward Robinson is engaged to a sensible girl called Maud, under whose thumb, had agreed to marry very soon, despite of his preference to postpone until his prospects improve. Edward loves to read novels, and always admires the self-confidence of the men in those stories. He impetuously entered a competition, won a 500 pounds prize, and bought a car. Edward didn't tell Maud about this, as he knew she would insist to save the money for their wedding.

On his Christmas holiday, Edward drove the car into the country - again, without telling Maud. He felt the thrill of freedom as he sped on with his shiny red two-seater along the country road. After sunset he parked his car, and had a walk before leaving for home. However, he mistakenly took another red car when he came back, which was exactly like his, and found a diamond necklace on the its side pocket, and a note with instruction to meet someone at a local village. Edward impulsively obeyed, and met a beautiful young woman who thought that he's the brother of a man she knew. It turned out that the necklace was a stolen object, but Edward played along. How would Edward free himself from this exiting but dangerous situation? And what would Maud do to him when she knew the truth?

This is neither a murder nor mystery story, but it's an exhilarating one that promised to make a very fun and satisfying reading!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Quartet in Autumn (1977) by Barbara Pym #20BooksofSummer2025

🍁 Letty, Marcia, Norman, and Edwin are four early-sixties co-workers who work on the same office. It's not very clear what office that is. I think it's more of a social organization. What kind of work the quartet is doing, I also have no idea. One thing is for sure, they are on the brink of retirement. I believe Pym made their jobs vague on purpose; to emphasize the meaninglessness late middle-aged people might feel in these circumstances. They were there, having their own desk, etc., but with no particular job to do. Like an outcast whom everyone just wait rather impatiently to formally get rid of them. 

🍁 They (and their jobs) are so insignificant, that even the organization won't hire replacements when they're retired. Yet, they are the same as everyone else; they have hopes and fears, searching for happiness, and with a little apprehension about the new life they're about to embark. From the quartet, Letty and Norman are never married. Letty is a kind and caring person, and embraces her independent existence. She was promised to share a country house with her bosom friend, but the friend decided to marry the vicar at the last moment, which threw away Letty's hope. But does she really want that kind of life? Norman is living alone at his bedsitter. He's rather a cranky, eccentric old man, maybe a bit jealous of his friend Edwin, a pious widower, who lives comfortably at his own house. 

🍁 Marcia is the most eccentric of all. She, too, a widower who lives comfortably at her own house - a quite big house with garden. But she's an eccentric miser, who hoards tinned foods and places them neatly on her kitchen cupboards, and keeps her expensive clothes but wears worn ones instead. She and Letty were first to go into retirement, while the two men were still working. The quartet had had a forced intimation during their working together, but strangely, they were closer together right after Marcia and Letty retired. This fact just highlighted the notes of loneliness they all feel - alone, helpless, and insignificant - a feeling that people in sixties and beyond always feel; deeper and deeper until the end.

🍁 In a way, this is not a very cheerful story to read, especially when you are in mid thirties or younger. But for middle-agers like me, it served as a warning, or a glimpse of what to come. It is a little scary, but as it's inevitable, it's better to prepare early, is it not? Back to the story, don't worry, it's not as bleak as it sounds. It's actually rather funny and entertaining, and a happy little twist awaits you on the last corner!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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20 Books of Summer 2025

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The Swiss Summer (1951) by Stella Gibbons #20BooksofSummer2025

🗻 As forty-something Lucy Cottrel, who's been boring with city life of London, received an unexpected invitation to spend summer at a Swiss chalet near Interlaken, she couldn't possibly resist. Lucy's marriage is a happy, but childless one; and she's been longing for a quieter life. Then, on her visit to her friend's house, the friend took her to an elderly widow called Lady Dagleish. The rich old lady owns a chalet on the Swiss Alp, built by her late husband, who, the very opposite of his wife, loved nature much more than social company. Seeing how delightful Lucy Cottrel was when the Swiss chalet was mentioned, Lady Dagleish invited her in a whim, to accompany her companion, Freda Blandish, to stay at the chalet during summer to do inventory of its contents.

🗻 Longing to stay away from London social life, Lucy accepted the invitation, and off she goes one fine morning, boarded on a train, and "pinned on her coat was a bunch of gentians given to her in loving farewell by her husband". Not without apprehension, though, for she knew nothing about Mrs. Blandish, whom, on their first meeting, seemed to dislike her. But the prospect of spending three months on the Swiss Alps, at a quiet chalet, restored her hopes.

🗻 At first, Lucy was delighted with the fresh mountain air, the serene view of the Jungfrau summit from her bedroom window, and the prospect of taking a walk up the mountain everyday. Not even the sour-faced Utta, the loyal servant of Lady Dagleish, seemed to be a nuisance. However, Lucy's dream of quiet life was soon diminished; first by the appearance of Astra Blandish, Freda Blandish' daughter, then the arrival of more people. Lucy was much appalled that Freda Blandish hid the fact that she invited those people from Lady Dagleish, and hoped that Lucy, too, would not reveal it in her frequent letters to Lady D. Lucy hated the situation, but she's the kind of person who can't say no, and to accept things as they are is more convenient than creating a scene. Midway through summer, two young people arrived at the chalet (they are actually permitted by Lady D as Lucy's guests - Bertram and Peter), and soon, love is in the air for the young girls, Astra and Kay (one of the guests).

🗻 However, Mrs. Blandish - who had been promised to inherit the chalet upon Lady D's death - went finally too far by receiving a paying guest. Paying to herself, that is - and of course, hiding it from Lady D. Lucy didn't like it, and Utta the caretaker, hated them all, out of her loyalty to her boss.  

🗻 On the whole, it is a charming story. Its main attraction is, firstly, the beautiful Swiss Alps scenery, and its fresh, cool mountain air, which I could almost feel during my reading. Then, the colorful characters; each portrayed vividly by Gibbons, which provided some of the hilarious scenes along the story. Although this story has neither strong plot, nor character growth, I enjoyed every scene. From the walking and climbing of the hills, the beautiful scenery, the cafe with red and white checked tablecloth where they stopped for rest and a cup of coffee or apricot ice, the youngsters' adventures, and love makings. Each provides delight and freshness to our otherwise rather dreary existences! I also loved the ending, while it's not too conclusive for some characters, it's satisfying and even rather poetic. It is, anyway, a vignette of happy life, in a short period of holiday, that left deep impression to hold on to as long as we live.

 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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20 Books of Summer 2025

hosted by Annabel and Emma

The Healing Season of Pottery (2023) by Yeon Somin #WITMonth #20BooksofSummer2025

🏺 My first interest of this book was pottery. I always admire people who are passionate about something - either hobby or career; and you rarely read about pottery. Add "healing" with that, and an image of a cat sitting near the potteries - well, it sold me instantly! And I think it would be a good choice for this year's #WITMonth. A feel-good story with a tinge of slow-burning romance, set in an Asian country.

🏺 Jungmin has just quitted her job as broadcasting writer, and is now living as a recluse at her apartment in Chestnut Burr Village (what a name for a village!). After days of holing-up, without ever once going out, Jungmin suddenly emerged. She wanted to find a cafe, but stumbled instead upon a quiet pottery studio. The owner invited her in, and what with a cup of coffee and fresh smell of clay, Jungmin felt calm and composed for the very first time after a long while. And so, it's not a wonder that Jungmin started to learn about pottery.

🏺 As the story unfurls, we get to know more of the other members of Soyo Workshop, and most importantly what Jungmin had had experienced to shape her like that. I loved the interaction of the owner, Johee, and the other members: Jihye, Gisik, Jun, and Hyoseok. They all had a troubled past, and were struggling to build a future. Working the pottery wheel seems to be what everyone needs to shake off the past, while shaping a way to better future. In short, pottery was portrait here, not only as a hobby or pastime, but a way to embrace life.

“Whether it’s pottery or life, it takes more than one attempt for them to come out right. And all that effort makes the end product more valuable, too.”

🏺 As is in most Japanese feel-good novel, the pace is quite slow. I enjoyed it every time they work on the pottery; I could almost see the end products. It's pretty satisfying when they sold out all the vases, dishes, and bowls during a bazaar. And I agree, that a handmade pottery product, no matter how imperfect it was, is a perfect gift to someone who means a lot to us - it's private and unique; especially when the dish or vase had been made with that person always on the maker's mind.

🏺 As a feel-good novel, this is actually a bit dark. What Jungmin had experienced is deeper than what I had thought at first); it's a layered psychological problems that I think need more than pottery to heal. But on the whole, it's a slow-paced heartwarming read. I loved the end!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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20 Books of Summer 2025

hosted by Annabel and Emma

Dear Mr. Henshaw (1983) by Beverly Cleary #20BooksofSummer2025

✍🏼 Leigh Botts's favorite writer in the world is a children books' author, Boyd Henshaw. Since Leigh was in second grade, he has been writing letters to "Dear Mr. Henshaw". At first because of his teacher's assignment, but then he keeps writing because his mother told him too. Being a famous writer, you would think that Henshaw would ignore these childish letters; one in particular containing a list of questions that Leigh made Henshaw answer. But funnily, Henshaw wrote back with his list of questions for Leigh to answer. And composing these serial letters containing the answers are how Henshaw taught Leigh to be a good writer.

✍🏼 Leigh's parents were divorced, and he lives with his mother who can barely support for both of them. His father is a delivery-truck driver who's always on the road (the reason why his wife divorced him), and his support checks often came late. Leigh misses him, and is always waiting for his father's calls (that are almost always late too). The one thing that helps Leigh is writing a diary, as encouraged by his favorite author Mr. Henshaw. And through this diary, and occasional letters to Mr. Henshaw, Leigh grew up towards adolescent, slowly realizing that his dreams of normal life of a family might never came true, and that he could actually be a writer someday!

✍🏼 All in all, it is a heartwarming epistolary novella, with a lovely main character. I loved how Mr. Henshaw, though we knew nothing of him, and his writings to Leigh were never actually revealed, has become the lighthouse of Leigh's otherwise bleak existence. Through his silence, rather than over-indulgence, Mr. Henshaw has built in Leigh, courage, resilient, and self confident. He was what Leigh's father lacked of, continual presence and guidance. Thanks to his suggestion of writing a diary, Leigh could pour out his frustration and disappointments into writing, and with that, he also sharpens his skills to be a writer.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
  

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20 Books of Summer 2025

hosted by Annabel and Emma

Agatha Christie Short Stories 2025: AUGUST #AgathaChristieSS25

Our two stories for August seem to be a mixed theme. There's one engrossing murder mystery for the Tuesday Night Club (Miss Marple) to solve, and another, a delightful - apparently - non mystery story.

THE BLOOD STAINED PAVEMENT

(A Miss Marple story)

 
The Tuesday Night club listen to Joyce's story when she accidentally painted drops of blood on the pavement during a holiday, which she was told to be a warning that a death will occur within 24 hours. Soon after a woman drowns. Joyce was shocked, but Miss Marple is not one to believe in coincidences...

The story was published in the Royal Magazine in the UK in 1928 and in the US, under the revised title Drip! Drip! later that year. It was then included in the 1932 collection of The Thirteen Problems.

THE MANHOOD OF EDWARD ROBINSON

(A non detective story)

A young man wins the lottery, buys a car, meets a beautiful woman and accidentally steals a necklace.
The story was inspired by Agatha's Christie's love with her own car and the thrill and freedom of driving. It was first published in the UK collection The Listerdale Mystery in 1934 and then in 1971 it appeared in the US collection The Golden Ball and Other Stories.

While it's not promising any mystery, it still sounds like a delicious story to read!


The Reviews:
1. My own reviews for both stories