The Spirit Murder Mystery (1936) by Robin Forsythe #RIPXVIII

👻 Eileen Thurlow is what you would've called in 1930s as a spiritualist. She is an ardent supporter of spiritualism, and is learning to become a medium. She persuaded her uncle to do a séance to prove her theory that a faint music she had been hearing lately wasn't of this earth. Skeptical at first, John Thurlow eventually agreed. And he did hear a faint organ playing! He checked outside, the sound wasn't heard anymore.

👻 Still curious, John Thurlow decided that night to investigate the source of the organ sound, bringing his pistol for precaution. The next day he was nowhere to be found. Few days later his dead body was found on an empty corner, together with the body of another man who had been missing several days before. John's head was smashed with a heavy tool, while the other man was shot. The other man was known to have been jealous when his girl got intimate with John Thurlow. So, were they killed each other in an amorous duel?

👻 Algernon Vereker, a painter slash amateur sleuth, is sojourning in the same village. And he wastes no time to investigate alongside Inspector Heather, with whom, a sort of sporting competition is running. Can he beat his rival this time?

👻 This turn out to be highly entertaining. Séance, a mysterious music, even an apparition in the room where Algernon is alone, made this a perfect Halloween read. The crime itself is ingeniously crafted, I think. Because there are two murders at the same time. If John had shot the other man first, the man couldn't have been able to smash John's head after that. And vise versa, it's impossible for John to shoot the other man after his head was smashed.

👻 The solution is well thought and unexpected. The how, in this case, is the more interesting question than the whodunnit. After my second read of Antony (Algernon) Vereker's mystery, I admire Vereker's wonderful deducting ability. Similar to Christie's Hercule Poirot, Vereker doesn't do the detection alone. He gathers his facts through the helps of his easy-going womanizer friend Manuel Ricardo (Ricky) - with whom he enjoys some funny, witty banters - and his rival Inspector Heather (yes, they exchange facts during the investigation). And like Poirot, Vereker's strong point is, what Poirot used to say, his grey cells.

👻 All in all, this is a highly entertaining mystery. Eerie atmosphere: checked. Suspenseful actions: checked. Difficult mystery solving: checked. End result: a superb read!

Rating: 4 / 5

This is the 5th book of the series, re-published by Dean Street Press, and I read this for:

#RIPXVIII

British Crime Classics Challenge 2023

For Bingo Card: Spooky Mystery
For Monthly Theme: Spooky Mysteries

Six Books Saturday #3: Bookish Books to Read Next Year

#SixBooksSaturday is my personal monthly bookish meme, inspired by Six Words Saturday, which I've stumbled upon Travel with Intent. It's basically to list six books of random category, which I'd decided on the spot. Anything is possible according to my whim. I post Six Books Saturday on last Saturday of each month. If you're interested, you are, of course, welcomed to join me. There's no rule, really. You can post six anything about books. 

This time around, I usually begin to make plans for the next year - reading wise. I've been having a soft spot for feel-good books-about-books lately, and so, that is theme I explore today:

Six Books-About-Books I Want to Read Next Year

What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

The Door-to-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn

The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

Have you read any of them? Or do you have more suggestions for other equally good books with similar theme?

Next Six Books Saturday: 25th November 2023.

Blogger-Inspired Wishlist, Ep. 10: #1962Club

Blogger-Inspired Wishlist is a feature where I post recent additions to my wish list, which had been inspired by reviews from my fellow bloggers. It includes some synopsis, as well as some excerpts of the review which have intrigued me, complete with a link to the blogger's original post. 

This episode is rather special. Last week I've had fun with #1962Club hosted by Simon and Karen. Not only I got to read three new-to-me authors, I have also found a lot of interesting books, read and reviewed by fellow participants. And today's episode is all about those books I'm adding to my wishlist, inspired by those amazing reviews!

Unlawful Occasions by Henry Cecil

Inspired by Mallika @ Literary Potpourri 

Synopsis:
Mrs Vernay and her husband live in a flat above the Chambers of Brian Culsworth Q.C. in the Temple. One day Mrs Vernay receives a visit from a Mr Sampson and she gets the impression that he is a blackmailer. She then immediately seeks advice from Mr Culsworth in his chambers below. Mr Culsworth's client, a Mr Baker is bringing an action to recover his share on a win on the pools. The story of these people becomes inextricably linked in a brilliant novel of suspense and humour.

From Mallika's review:
"The answers to all these questions and the predicaments of the various characters provide the element of suspense in the book and keep one engaged and reading (and indeed guessing) right till the end. There is a fair bit of humour (wry humour) as we do this, mostly in Mr Baker’s thread, and many instances find the reader at least smiling even if not laughing out loud."

Birds (Poems) by Judith Wright

Inspired by Brona @ This Reading Life 

From Brona's review:
"Birds is Wright’s personal, reflective collection that evokes a similar response upon her readers. We all have our own experiences and memories of certain birds that these poems bring to life. By capturing such precise details and describing the mannerisms of each bird, Wright allows the reader to bring to mind the birds that they know intimately, finding their own connection through her words."

The Twelve and the Genii by Pauline Clarke

Inspired by Liz @ Adventures in reading, running and working from home 

Synopsis:
Max discovers that the wooden soldiers which once belonged to the Brontes are alive and determined to return home.

From Liz's review:
"Where nowadays we’d read of social media posts, in this fine book we’re treated to a brisk debate in the local paper’s letters pages about whether they are the soldiers and where they should go, and when Philip gets involved and sends off to let an American academic know, the peril increases. The whole village gets a sort of collective excitement about it all, with many of the inhabitants longing to see what there’s rumoured to be seen, not all for financial gain."

Hand in Glove by Ngaio Marsh

Inspired by Reese @ Typings 

Synopsis:
The April Fool's Day had been a roaring success for all, it seemed - except for poor Mr Cartell who had ended up in the ditch - for ever. Then there was the case of Mr Percival Pyke Period's letter of condolence, sent before the body was found - not to mention the family squabbles. It was a puzzling crime for Superintendent Alleyn.

From Reese's review:
"Though not her best, still a pretty strong entry in the series, I thought. I find her later ones a bit weaker as a rule, but this was amusing, and the obfuscation worked on me--I'd picked the wrong person for the murderer."

Mine for Keeps by Jean Little

Inspired by CLM @ Staircase Wit 

Synopsis:
Away at school, Sally Copeland has always dreamed of going home, but now that she’s there, she feels frightened and unsure of herself. Will her brother and sister accept her? Will she be able to do things for herself? And what will it be like to go to a regular school and be the only one with cerebral palsy?

From CLM's review:
"Mine for Keeps was Little’s first book and immediately established her as a talented children’s author, skilled at depicting young people with disabilities or other issues without sentimentality.  However, they weren't "problem books" per se because her characters were so universal. Mine for Keeps reflects her own experience transitioning from classes for the visually impaired to a mainstream school at about the same age as Sal."

The Wells of St. Mary’s by R C Sherriff

Inspired by Ali @ Heavenali 

Synopsis:
The trouble began when Lord Colindale, millionaire newspaper-owner and ‘strong man’ of British politics, came down for a week-end to Colonel Joyce’s country house. For a year Colindale had been forced out of public life by crippling rheumatism which neither the specialists nor the watering-places of Europe had been able to alleviate. By chance they had visited the Wells of St Mary’s , once famed for their cures, now derelict on Joyce’s land. At Henry Hodder’s insistence Lord Colindale had drunk the flat, metallic water.
When it was announced in the newspapers that Colindale had been cured by the waters and Colonel Joyce had given the well to the town, there was no limit to the exploitation which the people, under Jim Blundell the mayor, could envisage. But Henry, who had come to regard the well as his own, knew the secret of its healing power. All set to put money in his purse, he waited until the Casino was half-built before demanding his share of the profits – as the price of silence.

From Ali's review:
"Although there is a murder in this novel it is not a crime novel – it has the pace of a thriller in parts but is also really quite funny. The committee is wonderfully portrayed – and various moral conundrums brilliantly explored. This was a real treat."

The Moonspinners by Mary Stewart

Inspired by Rosemary @ Scones and Chaises Lounges 

Synopsis:
Young, beautiful, and adventurous Nicola Ferris loves her life as a secretary at the British Embassy on the lush island of Crete. Then on her day off, she links up with two hiking companions who have inadvertently stumbledupon a scene of blood vengeance. And suddenly the life Nicola adores is in danger of coming to an abrupt, brutal, and terrifying end . .

*Actually, this book didn't impressed Rosemary much, but somehow, something tells me I might find it quite entertaining. So, I'll give it a try!

Apple Bough by Noel Streatfeild

Inspired by Gareth @ Somewhere Boy 

Synopsis:
The Forums are a musical family, and one child, Sebastian, shines out as a prodigy. He is a brilliant violinist and when his talent is recognised, he is wanted the world over. Myra, Wolfgang (named after Mozart) and Ettie thought it was wonderful at first, but after four years of touring the world with their brilliant brother they've changed their minds. Now, what they long for, is a home of their own, not a hotel in Vienna or Venice or Moscow.
But to their mother and father, a life of travel is exciting - all any child could want. How can the children make the grown-ups see sense?
Myra makes a plan - 'Operation Home' - and is determined to make it succeed.

From Gareth's review:
"A tiny part of the appeal of The Growing Summer was that it centred around four children with the bizarre surname of Gareth, which made it special to me. Apple Bough is about four children with the no less bizarre surname of Forum. 
...If it seems unusual to name a book after a house that’s hardly ever glimpsed, it seems less so as you come to realise how closely the children’s dreams of stability are bound with the memory of their old house. Apple Bough is not just their home, it’s an emblem of home."


Have you read any of them? Spotted one or two of your favorites?

The Cornwall Sabbatical (2023) by Jonathan E. Cox: A Non Fiction

Thanks to The Book Guild and NetGalley for providing me review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

🔶️ Subtitled as 'Observations Through a Returning Pirate's Kaleidoscope', this is the debut book of Jonathan E. Cox, former journalist who returned to his mother land of Penzance, Cornwall, to study for a postgraduate writing degree at Falmouth University.

🔶️ Jonathan Edward Cox left Cornwall in his teens, and for thirty years he built a career in journalism and financial analyst abroad. Then, Covid-19 came, and, like for most of us, changed the direction of his life. As he returned to Cornwall with his Swiss wife, Cox realized that Cornwall had taken a huge change, some to the better, but some not so welcomed. This book chronicled his new view of his beloved changing Cornwall.

🔶️ The book opens with his first day at the university. It's a pity, that Cox doesn't explore more on this subject. I would have loved to get more glimpses - only tiny glimpses - of the university life. Cox mostly explores places - cities, villages, landmarks, beaches. During these travels, he reminisces his childhood, what the place had used to be, what it had meant to him, and how it becomes today. And with that, he would present some history and statistics on related subjects. I have nothing to complain about the travels - those are what I picked this book to read for, to get into places I've never been before, to breath in the atmosphere - but I would be more pleasant with less statistics; I never like statistics. One or two is okay, it is a non fiction anyway, but this book has too many for my taste.

🔶️ What I cherished most is the local folklore stuff like The Hal-an-Tow during Flora Day, a festive event in Helston. Flora Day is a spring festival to celebrate the end of winter and mark the arrival of the new vitality and fertility with the trees and flowers bursting into life. [helstinfloraday.org.uk] Tradition has it that early on Flora Day morning, youths go to the neighbouring woods to collect branches of sycamore. On their return, they are joined by other young people, dressed to represent the characters in the Hal-an-Tow song. [helstonhistory.co.uk] I think it was the culminating moment of Cox's growing emotional re-attachment to Cornwall and his mother land. His two daughters visited Helston for this particular event, and it was an heartwarming family moment for them.

🔶️ Second of my favorites is when Cox explaining about some landmarks which have literary significance. Godrevy Lighthouse, for instance, was Virginia Woolf's inspiration behind To the Lighthouse. In Landewednack village, there is a cottage called The Mariners', whose window is the inspiration of E.M Forster's A Room with a View. And in Bolventor, we get the legendary Jamaica Inn, on which Daphne du Maurier had titled her book published in 1936. 

🔶️ All things considered, this was quite an exciting book to get to know Cornwall. Cox wrote it straightforwardly with some dry, sometimes wry, witty humor. You'll feel quite refreshed by the sea breezes after finishing the book. And if you plan to have a Cornish holiday, this book is the perfect guide for you, especially to warn you about the seagulls. What about seagulls? Well, you need to read the book to get at it, hint: they are quite funny! ;)


Rating: 3,5 / 5


**The Cornwall Sabbatical: Observations Through a Returning Pirate's Kaleidoscope was published on 28th September 2023.

Murder in Williamstown (2022) by Kerry Greenwood #AusReadingMonth

🧧 The Honorable Phryne Fisher is the most famous Australian female private detective. Live in St. Kilda, Melbourne in the 1920-1930s, she enjoys her aristocratic status, though never forgets her humble origin. In her 22nd case, Miss Fisher is assisted by her devoted assistant Dot, and her three adopted children: the twins Ruth and Jane, and Tinker. These three young persons have been taught by their adoptive mother to be a good detective.

🧧 The story begins with two separate mysterious occurrences. Threatening cards which have been found in Phryne Fisher's mailbox is one. The other is embezzlement of fund at the Blind Institute, where Ruth and Jane is volunteering. Then Phryne finds the murdered body of a Chinese man when she's taking a walk with her newest lover, Jeffry Bisset. I've kept wondering how these three would be made connected?

🧧 Meanwhile, at the end of each chapter, we follow the fate of two girls - one of them called Peony - separated from the main events. From the snippets of their dialogues, we could feel that they are in misery. But of what kind, we are kept in the dark. Perhaps this would be the binding element of the whole mystery? Peony is a common name for Chinese girls, right? Chinese girls in misery, a Chinese man murdered, there's something in it, surely.

🧧 Phryne's friend and former lover Lin Chung's secret reticent is also mysterious. Is there something fishy going on within the Chinese community in Melbourne, then? The climax comes at a party held by a prominent Chinese man called Hong, to which, Phryne and Jeffry Bisset are invited. Hong is killed at his own party. Phryne tries to catch the runaway murderer, but she is detained by several Chinese men.

🧧 This was my first Phryne Fisher mystery, and I had been excited to find another promising series of cozy mystery. I regret to say, though, that it wasn't as good as I've expected. I am a fan of Masterchef Australia, and this story reminds me of what Melissa Leong, one of the judges, used to say when she tastes a dish, where every single element is good by itself, but not that good when eaten as a whole; the dish lacks 'cohesiveness'. And that's what this story is lacking, cohesiveness. The case of embezzlement at Blind Institute and threatening letters turn out to be just detecting exercises for Tinker and the twins, respectively. Phryne works the deduction and solves the mysteries long before the climax of the main case begins. And that two cases don't have any connection whatsoever with the murder after all. That is so disappointing!

🧧 The murder itself is lacking complexity, Phryne does a minimum work of detection, there's not much of suspects, and all happen too quickly. The solution is disappointing too. When we reach near the end, there's a party held by Phryne, with everyone involved are invited, that feels like  deflating balloon.

🧧 My favorite element of this book, however, is the narration. I listened to the audiobook, narrated perfectly by Wendy Bos, a Melbourne based actor and voice over artist. After hours of watching Masterchef Australia, I've got to love Australian accent. And Wendy is everything that I expect in a narrator. I would like to try another Phryne Fisher, as long as it's narrated by Wendy Bos, who knows, it might be better than this one!

Rating: 4 / 5

I read this book for:

AusReadingMonth

The Weather at Tregulla (1962) by Stella Gibbons #1962Club

💙 First published in 1962, The Weather at Tregulla is a charming book penned by Stella Gibbons, telling the story of Tregulla, a quiet little seaside town in Cornwall, and how the place influences its inhabitants' fate.

💙 Una Beaumont has lived in Tregulla since she was born nineteen years ago. She desperately wanted to leave the dull, stagnant town, and pursue her dream to be actress in London. But, alas, when the time of departure is approaching, her mother died; and with her, the inheritance money her parents had allocated for her, vanished. Una's hope is dashed, and now she might never leave Tregulla and its unchanged people, whom she had known since she was born.

💙 Enter Terrence and Emmeline Willows, who rent a cottage owned by the Trewyns, Barnabas and Hugo - Una's childhood friends - and their mother. The Willowses are brother and sister who live in Bohemian style. Terrence is a selfish moody painter, while Emmeline, an eccentric girl. Una is immediately infatuated with Terrence; more, I think, because she saw her chance of leaving her dull life in him, than actually attracted to him.

💙 As the story progressed, I could see what kind of person Terrence is - his carefree way of life, his dubious friends, his selfishness. Like most talented artists, he cares only about his paintings. Nothing is more precious than that. I was worried all along about Una. She isn't the kind of girl I would have befriended - she is a bit into herself. All she cares about is her needs; she doesn't even care about her grieving father. Still, Una doesn't deserve a man like Terrence. He will make her unhappy.

💙 Hugo Trewyn, the brooding younger brother, is also in love with Una. He never shows his feelings; I think he feels insecure about his deformity; that he's incapable of making the high-spirited Una happy. Una, of course, never treats him other than a childhood friend. If only her father isn't that apathetic concerning his daughter. I understand Mr. Beaumont's grief, but if he loves his daughter, he must have tried harder to step up from his cocoon and provide her more guidance.

💙 The other Willows, Emmeline, is falling in love with Barnabas Trewyn, which he reciprocates. However, unlike Una, he notices Emmeline’s eccentricities, her bohemian way of life, and her circle of friends. Emmeline herself is trying to break free from her brother, and to get more respectable life as young Mrs. Trewyns. But she's just a woman. Everything depends on Barnabas. If he proposes to her, her dream will come true. Her only chance is Barnabas. And Barnabas has doubts.

💙 This book might seem like an ordinary romance story, but it's much more than that. First and foremost, there's the helplessness of our female characters to pursue their dreams. As women, both Emmeline and Una, are depended on their relatives. Other people direct their fates, their lives. They can't choose for themselves. The only way to freedom is by marriage. But apparently, love, hardwork, and talent only aren't enough to secure a woman's happiness. Dozens external influences play the biggest part. And in this sense, 1960s wasn't much different than in the 19th century.

💙 What I loved most about this book is Tregulla itself. I am no fan of seaside town, but Gibbons portrayed Tregulla vividly and charmingly, that I really wanted to, at least, visit it. The numerous different events that lead to our heroines' fates are intricately woven amidst the changing landscape or weather of Tregulla. Una might feel Tregulla lifeless, but I think it's just because she has never experience living outside it, and so, cannot fully appreciate its beauty.

💙 All in all, it's a wonderful book, beautifully written by Stella Gibbons. Another satisfying read, made available again, thanks to Dean Street Press. And who wouldn't want to read the inside of that gorgeous cover?!

Rating: 4,5 / 5

This book counts for:

The 1962 Club

The Holiday at the Dew Drop Inn (1962) by Eve Garnett #1962Club

💐 Holiday at the Dew Drop Inn is actually the third and last book of the One End Street series by Eve Garnett. I found it accidentally while searching for books to read for the #1962Club. It contains some references of the adventures in the first two books, but it doesn't hinder us to enjoy this book as a standalone.

💐 The story is about Kate Ruggles, the second of seven children of Mr and Mrs. Ruggles. The Ruggleses is a working class family who live in No. 1 One End Street in Kent. Mrs. Ruggles is a washerwoman, while Mr. Ruggles, a dustman. Despite living in poverty, they are comparatively a happy, kind, and loving family.

💐 The story opens with an invitation for Kate to spend another summer holiday at the Dew Drop Inn, in the fictional country village of Upper Cassington. She had gone there the year before with her twin younger brothers, but now she's going alone. Preparations are made for the journey, including a brand new macintosh and a pair of boots, presents from Mrs. Beasley - a customer of Mrs. Ruggles. Kate never owns a shiny mackintosh before - being poor, her things are usually leftover from her older sister - and she, therefore, is very proud of these presents.

💐 Upper Cassington is a quintessential country village, and it's people are mostly simple and kind. The Dew Drop Inn is owned by Mr and Mrs. Wildgoose, who adores Kate. Kate arrives at the right moment too, only ten days before the Flower Show - an annual competition held for Lower and Upper Cassington, the Concert, and the Fair, begin. She is tasked by Mr. Wildgoose to enter all categories in competition for children, and also to participate in the Concert by reciting something. This naturally alarms Kate very much, but Mr. Wildgoose ensures her that they will work some of the competitions out together, while she can count on her old friend Mr. Shakespeare to help her in the flower growing category.

💐 And so, Kate's days are full of excitement from working, learning, and training. But it's not all hardworking, she's having fun too in learning new things. Few adventures during the preparation also add charm to this visit. But the best part of this holiday are, first, the fair and concert, then, her father and the twin's arrival to spend the holiday with her! Though the end of summer comes too soon, she leaves Dew Drop Inn with a swelling heart - full of happy reminiscences to enlighten the next dreary months to come.

💐 I love everything about this book, the flowers, the baking stuffs, every entry of the competition, and the fair, which cheer everybody up! But most of all, I loved the people - none of them are condescending towards a poor girl like Kate. Not even the handsome Lord Glenheather, he's so sweet and gentlemanly towards Kate - he never treats her like a child. Mr and Mrs. Wildgoose are a kind couple. I loved the way Mr. Wildgoose treated Mr. Ruggles like a pal, despite their different background.

💐 Some readers might think Kate is too good to be true as a character, and perhaps this story seems unrealistic, because there are too much good things, and all. But I still love it. In the world where we are confronted with ugly things every day, this kind of story is a perfect counterbalance to make us feel warm and contented, even for just a few days. Needless to say, I would often revisit this story in future.

Rating: 4,5 / 5

This book counts for:

The 1962 Club