The Five Red Herrings by Dorothy L. Sayers

Campbell is dead and, unfortunately, almost everyone had a reason to kill him. Eventually the police narrow it down to 6 suspects, but each one has an even faker sounding alibi! Good thing famed sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey is staying nearby on a fishing holiday. But will even he be able to tell fact from fiction?

4 stars–and that’s being a little generous.

I had the hardest time keeping the 6 suspects straight. Even when the murderer was finally revealed, I had to flip back to the beginning to remember who it was and why that person had motive. But I blame that on the length of time it took me to read this book because I kept putting it down and coming back weeks later to try again. Most of this book is boring. It involves train-times and missing bicycles and painting techniques. It is all sorts of little details and police work stuffed together and twisted about. You really have to pay attention to all 6 suspects and remember all the details of their days and find it in you to care about the police running around checking facts.

And if you’re smart enough to catch onto the Really Important Clue in that mess of details, good for you.

The fun thing about this book and the multiple suspects is that they all have a plausible motive and means. There is a great scene near the end where all the police officers (another mess of people I couldn’t keep straight) sum up their theories about who they think did it. I loved the energy in that scene. And I did love the eventual solution, because it fits so neatly in all the chaos.

Of course, I also loved Lord Peter. I’m a long time fangirl.

Most of all, I loved the accents. This book begs to be read out loud. In fact, with the Scottish brogues, I dare you to understand a word they’re saying without whispering it under your breath. It is almost incomprehensible and delightfully fun to decipher. (“‘Och, ay, imph’m, ye’ll dew weel tae gie’t a mulch o’ liquid guano and aspidistra tonic.'”) To say nothing of the guy with the lisp! It really shows how Sayers can shine with personalities.

It was fun and worth the eventual payout but what a trip to get there!

Agatha Christie’s Marple

Agatha Christie’s Marple (otherwise just known as Marple) is the perfect show for when you need a quiet night in. My Grandpa Buck introduced it to me and I thoroughly enjoy it.

Each episode runs about the length of a movie and so far (I’m only on Season 2) follows the plot of Christie’s novels starring Miss Marple. I’ve quite lost my heart to Geraldine McEwan’s Miss Marple, though it appears there are two different ladies who played the role on the show’s long run. (2004-2013!)

I’m down with a violent head cold (and yes, fairly certain it is only a head cold) and the show is almost as soothing as my cup of tea.

Agatha Raisin

I read the first (and half of the second) Agatha Raisin book and generally enjoyed it but did not find it super remarkable. The TV series based on the books, though? Absolutely fabulous. My Mom and I watched all the episodes over Christmas break. 

The story follows a very successful career woman who decides to take early retirement and move to a quiet English village. But life does not stay quiet…people around the village have a habit of turning up murdered. 

There is a great collection of side characters and the show really isn’t afraid to murder-off important ones. I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope they continue to make more episodes. 

Miss Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries

I’ve been a fan of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries for years so when I saw they were making a spin-off TV show set in the ’60s about her niece, I knew I had to watch it! 

It does not disappoint. Peregrine Fisher might lack some of her aunt’s polish, but she makes up for it with pizzazz. Joining her is Detective James Steed and the members of the “Adventuresses’ Club.”

The “Adventuresses’ Club” lacks some development (despite many members, only 3 people play a relevant role at any given time) and Detective James Steed is no Detective Jack Robinson (but then again, who is?). Despite this, the show is engaging and the mysteries varied and interested. I definitely recommend giving it a shot if you enjoy Miss Fisher. 

I only hope there will be more than 4 episodes! 

Wisconsin Murders by August Derleth

4 stars

Published in 1968, Wisconsin Murders: An Enquiry into Mayhem and Homicide in the Midwest by August Derleth recounts 16 Wisconsin murders, most of which took place in the 1800s. The victims (and murderers) range considerably, from kidnapped children to spurned former lovers to seeming strangers. A surprisingly high number involve poison. The author clearly did his research and frequently quotes from newspapers of the day. Each chapter begins with the murder, names the suspect who eventually went to trial, and concludes with the result of the trial. Sentencing varied considerably, as did claims of guilt, innocence, or insanity. 

I personally found the author the best part of the book. The maxim ‘guilty until proven innocent’ clearly did not appeal much to him. ‘Guilty and anyone who says different doesn’t know what they are talking about including the misguided jury’ might be a better term. He frequently spurns psychologists and the insanity plea, mocks “modern” criminal justice reform, and bewails the lack of a death penalty in Wisconsin. You really have to appreciate his out and out gumption while reading. (That or you won’t make it far.) 

While a strong variety, this is a very random collection of murders and I really wonder what the criteria for inclusion were. 

Laura by Vera Caspary

Remember my enthusiasm when I found out my favorite movie was first a book? Well, it finally came in at the library! 

Plot: Laura Hunt’s mysterious death has shocked New York. The ambitious young woman has been found dead, shot in the face in her apartment. Lieutenant Detective Mark McPherson has been assigned to the case. As he uncovers more about Laura, he becomes increasingly obsessed with her. Soon he realizes he’s been seduced by a dead woman—or has he?

Thoughts: I love this movie. I could probably quote most of it.  There is something about the scene where McPherson, played by Dana Andrews, is staring at the portrait of Laura and falling in love with her even though he thinks she is dead that wins my heart every time.

I set such high expectations on this book that I don’t think it ever could have lived up to them. It was a really good read and yet not quite what I hoped for. It was wonderfully written. I liked the changing viewpoints. I liked the story. The twists are good. Yet, it wasn’t the movie. The pacing felt off. Lines were delivered in different settings and certain, critical scenes from the movie are non-existent in the book.

However, separating the book from the movie…it was a solid read. It was one of the most enjoyable noir reads I’ve found in a long time. The author uses light and darkness, shadows and storms, flowers and foreshadowing, to highlight scenes and create atmosphere. There were many themes laced throughout the story. The romance was somewhat more believable than the movie (oops, not comparing those two anymore) and I thought the balance of the three suitors and what they represented to Laura was interesting. Laura herself is a very complicated character. We get glimpses of her from a few different perspectives and it is interesting to try and figure out what is false and what is real. Womanhood itself gets examined in this story. Is Laura a doll? Dame? Femme fatale? Society woman? Country girl? Are the women around her grasping, slutty, innocent, or confused? This isn’t so much a whodunnit as a examination of human character. I think that is why there is less “shock value” with the final twist at the end. The point isn’t so much “Who killed Laura?” as “Who was Laura?”
I liked the ending. It was somewhat different than the movie. 

Overall, I would give the book a solid 4 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed it and might have loved it if I didn’t know the movie so well.