There is nothing more satisfying than reading a book while sipping a hot cup of tea.
2024 brought with it health issues and other things that needed attention in the family. So the blog was neglected. As things have eased somewhat (and hopefully will remain so), it is time to write about what I have been reading. The Ruins by Scott Smith had long been on my TBR and in January … Continue reading Two Books with Supernatural Elements
As 2023 draws to a close (where did it go?) I am scribbling a few lines about my last finished read of the year: Virgil Markham's The Deadly Jest. https://www.dustjackets.com/pages/books/17913/virgil-markham/deadly-jest-the The book opens with an avaricious and unnamed English Lord who wants a particular object for his collection and is willing to try even illegal … Continue reading Last read of 2023: The Deadly Jest by Virgil Markham (1935)
The year is almost done and I have so many books yet to be reviewed so here are brief notes on five mysteries of the silver-age. An Affair of the Heart by Jean Potts (1970) Jean Potts is one of my favourite authors because of her hold on human psychology. In this book, an advertising-agency … Continue reading Silver Mysteries
My favourite reads are of vintage hue but sometimes I do venture into more modern era, hoping for an author or series I can fall in love with. Here are such reads for this year: The Aosawa Murders (Eugenia) by Riku Onda; Trans. Alison Watts (2005) This Japanese book which is a mystery involving the … Continue reading Modern Mysteries
"Who", asks the detective to the PYT sitting next to him, "is the dejected chap at the end of the table? The one who seems to be contemplating drowning himself in his glass of water?" That man, the girl replies, is the one who has just got engaged to her. Oh! Oh! Quick change of … Continue reading Friday’s Forgotten Book: Dead Man’s Secret by Mary Plum (1931)
The Barretts are a decent, normal, loving New England family of four but are also facing a crisis. First the father and bread-winner, John, is laid-off. Then the elder daughter, Marjorie, starts exhibiting signs of schizophrenia. As her medical bills mount, the family finds it difficult to stay afloat. Also it seems that the doctors … Continue reading A Book for Halloween: A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay (2015)
Everything in New York reminded one of the prevalent dust to which, almost immediately, it seemed, one was condemned to return. If one didn't seize that day, a contractor would. Linn Tremain, who as a young man, had gone to Florence to get an education in art, made an Italian woman his mistress and finally … Continue reading #1962 Club: Portrait in Brownstone by Louis Auchincloss
Susan Elspeth Page brought up her niece, Barbara, after her sister Lily's death. When Barbara turned seventeen and Susan was ensuring that she get a successful debut, Barbara ran away with their neighbour Louis Gurning, a boy nobody approved of in Philadelphia. In fact, Louis' own father asked him to leave Philadelphia after the elopement. … Continue reading Friday’s Forgotten Book: The Golden Swan Murder by Dorothy Cameron Disney (1939)
There are certain books that begin extremely well but end on a most disappointing note. Today's book is one such. Elizabeth Daikin, an heiress, finds herself at a loss after the death of her widower father. She suspects that Dyke Sanderson, a young, handsome man she is love with is actually after her money. She … Continue reading Friday’s Forgotten Book: Speak No Evil by Mignon G. Eberhart (1941)
Mysteries are the mainstay of my reading. However, my blogging friend George (check out his wonderful blog @ georgekelley.org ) is a sci-fic afficandio. My foray into sci-fi is limited to a few novels, mostly Star Trek related. Influenced by George's enthusiasm for this genre, I borrowed this book from the library though its mammoth … Continue reading SSW: The Best of Science Fiction (ed.) by Groff Conklin (1946)
a hot cup of pleasure 