The State of the Card:
I made a lot of progress this week, finishing books for Amateur Sleuth, Trick or Treat, Lethal Games, Splatter, Halloween and Psych.
- Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie: I read this one for the Halloween square. I had been planning to read one of Ngaio Marsh’s “theater” mysteries, because this particular square includes a fancy dress component, but my library holds didn’t cooperate. This is a perennial favorite, and I have read it for this square before – Ariadne Oliver is always worth reading.
- The Family Plot by Megan Collins: I read this for Psych, although it would have fit in a number of places. It was okay, but not my favorite type of book. People who enjoy the “domestic thriller” genre will probably enjoy it more than I did.
- Five Red Fingers by Brian Flynn: this Anthony Bathurst mystery is set in the world of horse racing, so it was a great fit for Lethal Games. I enjoyed it, although the solution was silly.
- The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson: I read this one for Trick or Treat, which is the square that combines YA mystery & horror. Johnson is very obviously a Christie fan, and this one was very entertaining.
- Concrete Blonde by Michael Connelly: I am a Harry Bosch fan. I’ve read the entire series a couple of times, and anything in the Harry Bosch Universe (except for the Mickey Haller books, which I find meh) are an autobuy for me. This is the third book, and is where the series really hits its stride. A fantastic entry. I read this one for Splatter.
- The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor: Female vicar named Jack, and her daughter Flo, are exiled to a weird little town steeped in darkness after Jack gets into some sort of trouble at her last parish, and someone immediately begins trying to kill them. I read it for Amateur Sleuth, and liked it a lot.
I only have four more squares and I’ll black out my card. I’m hoping to complete the card by October 1!