Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1932
Genres: Short story collection, Mystery, Crime, Thriller
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
''The Thirteen Problems'' is a short story collection by Agatha Christie, featuring Miss Marple.
Several guests have gathered in Miss Marple's house: her nephew, Raymond West, Joyce Lempriere (an artist) , Sir Henry Clithering (ex-Commissioner of Scotland Yard), Dr Pender (a clergyman) and Mr Petherick (a solicitor). Each of them decide to tell stories of unsolved mysteries--- the solution of which are generally only known to themselves, and the other guests have to figure out the solution. In each case, nobody, except Miss Marple, can figure out the solution. The first six stories are told in this setting. The next six stories are set several months after the first six stories, when both Miss Marple, and some other people, are staying as guests in the house of Colonel Bantry. The last story is about the investigation of a suicide that is perhaps a murder. Sir Henry Clithering does the investigation, though Miss Marple already guesses the solution...
Sir Henry Clithering and Miss Marple are the two characters who appear in all the chapters. I'd first met Sir Henry in ''The Body in the Library''. In this book, this character gets more, much more depth. I liked this character. And Miss Marple is excellent as always. Her village parallels are really interesting!
I enjoyed this short story collection, a lot. The first few stories were actually quite predictable, but the last seven or eight stories are really unpredictable and absolutely puzzling! Though the first few stories are predictable, there is a kind of atmosphere in them, a kind of charm in them, that makes them really very delightful and really very enjoyable to read. All the stories in this collection are wonderful! My favorite stories in this collection are ''The Companion'', ''The Affair at the Bungalow'', and ''The Blue Geranium''. They were really delightful reads, these stories. There is atmosphere, there is suspense, there are so many puzzles.
4 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1949
Genres: Novel, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
Of all the Agatha Christie novels that I've read, ''Crooked House'' has one of the most unexpected, surprising endings. Not only this, ''Crooked House'' is a delightful read, from the beginning to the end. It is a suspenseful novel, with well developed characters and a wonderful narrator.
The narrator of this novel is Charles Hayward. He loves Sophia Leonides, granddaughter of a wealthy entrepreneur, Aristide Leonides, who is of Greek origin. Charles and Sophia meet after a long time. But Sophia tells Charles that they can't marry right now. Why? Because Sophia's grandfather, Aristide, has recently died, from poisoning. It is apparent that Aristide has been murdered.
Charles's father is an Assistant Commissioner of the Scotland Yard. Charles decides to figure out who actually did the crime. He visits Three Gables, residence of the Leonideses. A gigantic house with a lot of family members living peacefully.
Charles gets acquainted with the members of the family. Brenda, Aristide's second wife, who is more than fifty years younger than her late husband. Sophia's parents, Phillip (who keeps an impassive expression and keeps himself busy with his books), and Magda (an actress). Roger, Aristade's other living son, and his wife, Clemency. Edith de Havilland, an elderly spinster and the sister of Aristade's first wife. And Sophia's siblings: the moody, handsome, Eustace, and the intelligent little Josephine. There's also Laurence Brown, the children's tutor. And there is an elderly Nannie.
Every member of the family seems to suspect Brenda, Aristide's young wife. Brenda seems to be the one with the strongest motive and opportunity. But Charles finds Brenda to be a helpless, lonely woman who can never be capable of committing a murder.
Who has murdered Aristide Leonides?
This is a novel that has deep, well developed characters and a lot of suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the solution came so unexpected. It surprised me. Surely it has one of the most unpredictable endings, among the Agatha Christie novels. An excellent novel, highly recommended! It is probably, right now, one of my favorite Agatha Christie books.
4 out of 5
(On a separate note, I'll not be very active in blogging for the next few weeks, as my exams are approaching! I'll be active once again from early December, after my exams end).
Author: Robert Galbraith (J. K. Rowling)
Published: 2013
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Crime
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
The Cuckoo's Calling is the first crime novel by J. K. Rowling, written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.
Earlier this year I had read J. K. Rowling's first adult book, ''The Casual Vacancy'', and I had really liked it. I found it emotional, with depth and good characterization. This novel, ''The Cuckoo's Calling''... it was just amazing. It was a really delightful and engrossing read, a cleverly written mystery. And the chemistry between the protagonist, the private detective Cormoran Strike, and his secretary, Robin, was really wonderful. I found it a very enjoyable read.
Well-known model Lula Landry dies after falling from the balcony of her penthouse apartment. It is guessed that she committed suicide, after some investigation.
Cormoran Strike is a private detective. He does not get many clients. One day, John Bristow, the brother of the late Lula Landry, comes to him and tells him that he suspects that Lula didn't commit suicide. She might have been murdered. Bristow asks Strike to investigate the case. Because it isn't really likely that Lula committed suicide. A neighbor of Lula, Tansy Bestigui, claims that she had heard shouts and quarrels from Lula's apartment just before Lula fell. Also, two mysterious figures were noticed around Lula's home in the CCTV footage. Strike accepts the case, and with the help of his temporary secretary, Robin, he starts investigating.
Cormoran Strike had once been in the army. He had lost a leg in Afghanistan. He is going through personal problems after having broken up with his long-term girlfriend, Charlotte. Homeless, he is forced to sleep in his office, and he wants to hide the fact from Robin. Robin is Strike's temporary secretary, but as she helps Strike with the case, she develops a deep friendship with Strike, and regrets the fact that she has to leave him within a few weeks. She helps him, a lot, in the investigation.
The investigation brings Strike across a lot of people. The security guard, Wilson. Lula's handsome driver and aspiring actor, Kieran Kolovas-Jones. Tansy Bestigui, the woman who claimed to have heard quarrels from Lula' s apartment but whose claims were not taken seriously because she was on drugs. And Lula's closest friends. Lula's boyfriend. Lula's unpleasant biological mother. And a lot of other people. The case is not simple, as it requires a lot of research and investigation.
I really found it an enjoyable mystery with a good premise, puzzling storyline, and depth and good characterization. The character of Cormoran Strike is deep and really well developed. We get to know a lot about Cormoran, his childhood, his relation with his family members, his sad and problematic relationship with Charlotte. These backgrounds give the character much depth. Much focus, a lot of focus, actually, is given on Cormoran's personal life and background. ''The Cuckoo's Calling'' was not just a mystery; it was about Cormoran Strike as well. Strike's secretary, Robin, gets much importance and depth as well. Most of the novel is told from Strike's point of view, but some parts are also told from Robin's point of view. I really liked how Strike and Robin form a close and deep friendship, and how she helped him with the case. She was such an intelligent, understanding character!
The cast of characters is quite large. We come to meet many people who Lula knew, her friends, family, acquaintances, even people whom she barely knew.
Strike's investigation of the case was really enjoyable and I couldn't really guess the solution! I couldn't even guess it!
Though the novel was a bit slow paced at the beginning, it was really engrossing. It was such a cleverly written, well developed mystery with excellent characterization!
4 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1942
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Crime
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
Mrs Bantry wakes up hearing the screams of the housemaid, who says that there is a body in the library. It is the body of a dead young woman. Nobody in the house has ever seen this young woman before. Mrs Bantry calls her friend, the wonderful Miss Jane Marple, to solve the mystery. It is then revealed that the dead woman is Ruby Keene. Circumstances and investigations lead to more discoveries, and the case seems puzzling and difficult. Then... the charred remains of a girl is found from a burnt car, and it is guessed that the murders of this girl and Ruby Keene are perhaps connected...
While I cannot say that I loved this one, ''The Body in the Library'' was definitely a very enjoyable read that made me puzzled and kept me guessing. There's not much suspense in this one, but the novel was definitely very interesting! While the main investigation is done by Superintendent Harper, Inspector Slack, Colonel Melchett, and Sir Henry Clithering, Miss Marple is the one who solves the whole case, who succeeds in making everything clear. The solution to the mystery was quite clever .
I really like Miss Marple. It is my third Miss Marple novel (I previously read ''A Murder is Announced'' and ''4.50 from Paddington'') and I am looking forward to read more Miss Marple novels! She is such an interesting character. Her ''village parallels'' were really very interesting.
''The Body in the Library'' was a puzzling and enjoyable read.
3 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1939
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Horror, Crime, Suspense, Thriller
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
And Then There Were None... ah, it was such an intense,
baffling, scary mystery!!! It was so impressive and overwhelming! It was so
very suspenseful and scary, and it is certainly the best among the Agatha Christie novels
that I've read till now. It was SO intense, so powerful and psychologically intense! I LOVED it.
And Then There Were None kept me tensed and guessing. It was so intense, suspenseful.
The plot is about an island, the Soldier Island. Eight people are invited to the Soldier Island. The eight guests are: Justice Wargrave, Vera Claythorne, Anthony Marston, General MacArthur, Phillip Lombard, Mr Blore, Dr. Armstrong, and Miss Brent. After
their arrival there, they find out that there are no other people in
the island, except themselves and two servants, Mr and Mrs Rogers. There are just these ten people in this island. Nobody else. The owner of the island is apparently a Mr. Owen, whom nobody (not even the servants) has ever seen.
Atmosphere in the house, and the island, is somewhat odd, strange. All the guests find a paper in their room, where the nursery rhyme ''Ten Little Soldiers'' is written. Everybody is startled by the atmosphere of the house, but this turns into dread and fear when the guests start dying, one by one... And within a short time, all the guests come to guess that none of them will leave the island alive... and a constant fear arises: who will be the next victim? Along with many other questions. Who is the murderer? Is he one of them?...
''And Then There Were None'' builds up an excellent atmosphere, an atmosphere that is filled with scares, intensity, suspense. The psychological impact on the characters because of the events, is portrayed very well. Some of the characters, and the situations, have so much depth. The novel kept me guessing. And the solution was so excellent.
I loved this one. ''And Then There Were None'' was extremely suspenseful, thrilling, and an absolute page turner.
5 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1957
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Crime, Suspense
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
The first Agatha Christie novel I read was ''A Murder is Announced''- a Miss Marple. Since then, I have read several Poirot novels, and ''4.50 from Paddington'' is my second Miss Marple.
I really enjoyed ''4.50 from Paddington''. Miss McGillicuddy is traveling to her friend, Miss Jane Marple, from Scotland. On her way, her train comes parallel to another train (the two trains are running on parallel tracks). Miss McGillicuddy witnesses something terrible. She witnesses a man strangling a woman, in the other train... She has a brief glimpse of the crime--- she couldn't see the man's face.
Miss McGillicuddy tells her friend, Miss Marple, about the crime that she had witnessed. Miss Marple is eager to find out what actually happened. But it is a really difficult task- how would she guess where the body of the murdered woman is? However, after doing some research, she guesses that the body is somewhere around a country house, Rutherford Hall.
Miss Marple decides to take the assistance of an acquaintance, Lucy Eyelesbarrow. Lucy, a highly educated young woman, works as a housekeeper. Miss Marple asks Lucy to temporarily take the job of a housekeeper at Rutherford Hall, and try to locate the body. Lucy agrees, and soon finds herself in Rutherford Hall, and works hard to find clues and locate the body.
Most of the investigation, in this novel, is done by Detective Inspector Craddock and Lucy Eyelesbarrow, while Miss Marple solves the mystery.
As the story progresses, it becomes complex and interesting. I really enjoyed it, and I really enjoyed the characters. Miss Marple's warmth is very remarkable, and Lucy Eyelesbarrow- she was just amazing! I loved how she takes both her tasks so seriously: while she works hard to find clues to solve the mystery, she also works hard to take care of Rutherford Hall, and people living there. She was really a wonderful character.
It's always delightful to read Agatha Christie's novels. Her books are so pleasant. The characters, the situations, with dry humor now and then- all these are so charming. ''4.50 from Paddington'' was no exception. The novel kept me guessing, and the solution was really wonderful. The book was delightful and interesting, often suspenseful, with well developed characters, and humor.
3 out of 5
Author: C. S. Lewis
Published: 1953
Genres: Novel, Adventure, Mystery, Fantasy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
The Silver Chair is the fourth book (in publication order) in The Chronicles of Narnia.
Eustace Scrubb, whom we first met in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, is transported, along with his classmate Jill Pole, to Narnia. They are informed that King Caspian, whom the Pevensies helped to come to the throne in ''Prince Caspian'' and with whom Eustace traveled to the end of the world in ''The Voyage of the Dawn Treader'', is now an old man, and he has no heir. He had a son, Prince Rilian, but ten years ago, he had disappeared. Eustace and Jill now have the duty to find the lost prince. Aslan tells Jill some signs which they should follow in order to find the lost prince.
In this book, Eustace and Jill come across a variety of adventures. They come to know how the Prince had disappeared. Their companion in their adventures in Puddleglum, a Marsh-wiggle, a creature with long arms.
''The Silver Chair'' has many new settings, and some new creatures are introduced. The readers get to know about the Underland.
Puddleglum was such an interesting character! And I obviously liked Eustace and Jill.
The Silver Chair was such an enchanting, such a magical, such an entertaining novel! I loved it. I loved all of the adventures. My favorite chapter in this book was ''The Queen of the Underland'', because it was such an intense, such a suspenseful chapter!
4 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1941
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Suspense, Adventure, Thriller
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
N or M? is the first Tommy and Tuppence novel that I read. I absolutely loved the two detectives, Tommy and Tuppence. They were so pleasant, charming characters. Especially Tuppence, who has such a warm personality!
The novel is set during the World War II. Tommy and Tuppence are feeling bored because they have no work to do. But very soon they get a difficult task. Their work is to find an enemy agent. N and M are two enemy agents. One of the agents, or someone in connection with them, is living at the Sans Souci hotel. Therefore, Tommy and Tuppence go to the Sans Souci hotel, with false identities. Tommy stays in the hotel, introducing himself as Mr Meadows. Tuppence introduces herself as a widow, Mrs Blenkenshop.
Anyone, among the guests, can be ''N'' or ''M''. There are several guests: Mrs O Rourke (a scary-looking woman), Miss Minton, Carl von Deinim (a refugee who escaped Nazi persecution), Major Bletchley, Mr and Mrs Cayley, and Mrs Sprot, who is staying with her little daughter, Betty. Who, among them, is actually the enemy?
N or M? was such an exciting, suspenseful thriller! I enjoyed every moment of it! Tommy and Tuppence are wonderful, and Agatha Christie builds up the suspense, the thrilling situations, excellently.
I loved how the two detectives solve the case, the steps they take, the plans they make, that would lead them towards the identity of the enemy. The characters were developed very well. There were plenty, plenty of clues. The book kept me guessing! The solution to the mystery was really very good.
And the suspense that the novel had! It was excellent. N or M? was definitely a very, very wonderful, really very entertaining, suspenseful mystery.
4 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1940
Genres: Novels, Mystery, Suspense
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
Sad
Cypress is the first courtroom drama in Agatha Christie's Hercule
Poirot series. In this novel, Elinor Carlisle is accused of murdering
Mary Gerrard. All the evidences are against Elinor. It is apparent that
only Elinor had the motive and the opportunity of committing the
murder. But Peter Lord, a doctor, loves her so deeply that he does not
care if she is really innocent or not. He just wants Elinor to be saved
from the gallows. For this, he asks Poirot to investigate the case, find
evidences that might be used in Elinor's favor. When Poirot starts
investigating, he realizes that things are not as simple as they seem to
be.
I
didn't really love Sad Cypress. I expected more from it, after coming
across so many positive reviews. But however, I enjoyed it. I didn't
feel boring while reading. The first part, told from Elinor's
perspective, was really quite entertaining, deep and even intense at
times (Elinor's thoughts were really intense). The second and third
parts were well-paced and nice as well. The characters, especially
Elinor, were well developed. But it didn't have the suspense that I have
found, so far, in Christie's novels (there was a lot of suspense, though, in the first part).
The solution of the mystery was okay, I didn't think it was bad. It was
a compelling read, but it could have been better with a little more
suspense.
Author: C. S. Lewis
Published: 1952
Genres: Novel, Fantasy, Mystery, Adventure
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
Edmund
and Lucy are living with some relatives. Their cousin, Eustace, is a
nasty boy. One day, Edmund, Lucy and Eustace are transported to Narnia
through a painting in the wall of the house! They find themselves in a
boat called Dawn Treader. They are reunited with their friend, King
Caspian, whom they helped to get his right to the throne, in the
previous book of the series, Prince Caspian. King Caspian is sailing
towards the east. There are two different aims of this journey. Caspian
aims to find the seven friends of his father. Secondly, going towards
the east, they plan to travel to the World's End, where nobody has been
to before. They believe that Aslan's country might be there. During their travel, they come across many adventures and dangers.
Though
just a year has passed in our world, in Narnia three whole years have
passed. At first I felt this a little odd, as in the previous book, a
thousand years had passed in Narnia though in our world just a year had
passed. But later C. S. Lewis explained that you never know how much
time has passed in Narnia until you get there.
Only
a few characters that appeared in the earlier books appear in this one:
Edmund, Lucy, Caspian, Reepicheep, and Aslan. Several new characters
are introduced.
I
really liked Voyage of the Dawn Treader. So far, the Narnia series has
absolutely fascinated me. I must admit that I did feel a bit more homely
with the first two books, but this one was splendid as well. I really
liked the adventures. You never can guess what the characters will come
across! And also there was a suspense as the reader is not sure what
they might find at the eastern end of the world. Among the adventures my
favorite was the one where Eustace learned his lesson. I also loved the
description of the sea people! I liked Ramandu as well.
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1937
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
The first chapter of Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile
is a bit confusing. A lot of characters are introduced. A lot of
suspense is built up. And the first chapter contributed a great deal to
the excellent development of suspense.
I
really loved Agatha Christie's ''Death on the Nile''. Not only is it an
excellent mystery, but it also has so much emotional intensity. The
large cast of characters is so well developed, and the situation,
suspense and mystery... oh well, so excellent! The book waits for a long
time until the real crimes take place. Within that time, the characters
and incidents are developed, they get deep... And that was absolutely
necessary for the excellent depth found in the story.
Linnet
Ridgeway is a famous, wealthy, beautiful woman. One day her friend
Jacqueline de Bellefort comes to her and tells her that her boyfriend,
Simon Doyle, is badly in need of a job. Linnet agrees to employ Simon,
and within a short time, Linnet and Simon fall in love, and soon they
get married. Jacqueline is furious because her best friend and her
boyfriend betrayed her...
On
their honeymoon, in Egypt, Linnet and Simon come across Jacqueline. It
becomes apparent that Jacqueline is following them, to annoy them, to
make them uncomfortable, to take revenge. Linnet and Simon decide
that they have to get rid of this problem.
Linnet
and Simon are traveling on the boat Karnak. Also present in the boat is
the famous detective, Hercule Poirot. Linnet and Simon ask Poirot for
his help. They ask him to talk to Jacqueline. He does so. Things get
rather complicated with several situations... until one midnight, Linnet
Doyle is shot dead...
Who
could have shot Linnet? Apparently, Jacqueline didn't, because she had
alibi. Who could have then murdered her? And from what motive?
This time, Hercule Poirot is helped by Colonel Race, who is also traveling on the boat.
Death on the Nile will
certainly remain among my favorite Agatha Christie novels! I adored
it... I loved it. I loved the way the characters were developed. I loved
the way the suspense was developed. I really admired it's depth. I
admired how, while Poirot investigates the murder, backgrounds of so
many characters are revealed. And the solution to the mystery was
extremely, extremely satisfying as well. The setting was also really
wonderful (most of the story is set on the boat, Karnak). I loved how
each of the incidents were so cleverly constructed and solved.
5 out of 5
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Published: 2001
Genres: Novel, Romance, Suspense, Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
A Bend in the Road was amazing!!! I really liked it. It tells a story of love, memories, and the things caused by love and secrets of the past.
Miles Ryan is a deputy sheriff. A couple of years ago, he had lost his wife, Missy, in a hit and run. He believes that it was done intentionally by somebody. But nobody knows who killed his wife. And Miles is still looking for that person who ruined his life, and the life of his son.
Miles is an affectionate father to his son, Jonah. Jonah's teacher wishes to see him because Jonah is having some problems with his lessons. Miles meets the teacher, Sarah Andrews. Sarah offers to give extra attention to Jonah. Over time, as Miles and Sarah come across each other frequently, a friendship develops between them, which eventually develops into love, deep love. Both are very serious about the relationship. And to Miles, Sarah is the best thing that has happened to him since his wife died.
But then secrets unfold... terrible secrets of the past unfold that may greatly affect this love they have for each other.
I have to admit that I could guess who had actually killed Missy Ryan. In spite of being a little predictable, the book didn't fail to impress me. At all. In fact, I really, really liked it. The whole novel is a wonderful mixture of Sarah and Miles's relation and Miles trying to discover who had killed his wife, and the secrets that are revealed. The two plots are hugely intertwined; both serve as the main plots of this novel. There was also suspense at times. Though I could predict the identity of the killer, this didn't make the novel less enjoyable for me. In fact, the novel kept me wondering what would happen next. It was a wonderful page-turner.
A Bend in the Road is filled with emotional intensity. First, there is the love story of Miles and Sarah, which is quite sweet. It doesn't get cheesy at all. Secondly, the deep feelings that are revealed with the terrible secrets.
After I had finished reading it, it made me ponder for some time. It was very moving, very intense, and beautiful.
4 out of 5
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Published: 2005
Genres: Novel, Romance, Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
I liked True Believer. I really did! As a book by Nicholas Sparks, it is much different from his usual-themed, cliched novels.
I like Nicholas Sparks's books. I enjoy reading them. But I cannot deny the fact that his books are cliched and sappy. . They are enjoyable and feel-good, but yet nothing great. But SOME of his books are exceptional. I loved Safe Haven, for example. And it can also be said in the case of True Believer.
True Believer is an amazing book. It really is. It is a beautiful love story, surrounded with an excellent background AND setting. And moreover, it is not just a romance novel. It is a romance AND a mystery.
Jeremy Marsh is a journalist. In his career, he has exposed many quacks, many fake psychics. One day, he gets a letter from a resident of a small town, mentioning about mysterious and ghostly lights seen at a cemetery of that town. The writer of the letter requests Jeremy to come and investigate this. Many residents think the lights to be the presence of something paranormal. Jeremy is interested, and arrives in the town.
The writer of the letter, Doris, explains a legand that is connected with the appearance of these lights. Jeremy goes to the town library to do some research works in order to investigate the matter, and there he meets the librarian, Lexie.
Lexie, who initially does not want to get involved with Jeremy, gradually starts spending more time with him, and gradually they fall in love. Two stories follow: Jeremy, with the help of Lexie and the local people, investigating the matter, and the love story. Lexie feels that this love is very unlikely to lead them anywhere: she is happy with her small town life, and he is accustomed to city life. Where will everything lead?
If does sound like a typical Nicholas Sparks novel where a girl and a boy fall in love and there are so many difficulties to unite them. But it isn't. Perhaps mainly because of the surrounding characters, backgrounds, and the setting. This novel has an amazing setting! A much better location than the other Sparks books that I've read! The supporting characters also contributed a lot to the story! And also, the two main characters were unique. They were really unique and remarkable. I loved the novel not just because of the story, but also because of these aforementioned things: the amazing setting and the amazing main and supporting cast. The mystery is not something that raises too much suspense, nor is it so interesting; but however, as it is present as a background, it is one of the things that make this book so wonderful.
I liked this book. A lot. It has become my second favorite Nicholas Sparks book, after Safe Haven.
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1926
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
The narrator in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is Doctor Sheppard. One evening he is invited to dinner to Fernley Park, the residence of Roger Ackroyd. Ackroyd reveals to Sheppard a hidden fact, centering the late Mrs Ferrars and her late husband. Doctor Sheppard leaves the house after conversing for some time with Ackroyd.
At his house, Doctor Sheppard gets a phone call. It is from Parker, the butler at Fernley Park. Parker informs him that Ackroyd is dead! Sheppard runs to Fernley, but Parker denies having made any such phone call. They break into Ackroyd's study, and discover that Roger Ackroyd is... dead.
The magnificent Hercule Poirot steps into the case, and taking Doctor Sheppard as an assistant, he starts investigating.
Who can have murdered Roger Ackroyd? In this case there are so many suspects. A stepson who has been missing since the death of Ackroyd. A butler with mysterious behavior. A maidservant. The housekeeper. Ackroyd's sister-in-law and niece, with whom he was never generous with money.
I was amazed with the twisted ending. Just AMAZED. I could have never even guessed it! It was so unpredictable. So unexpected. So amazing. Great twist, great ending!!!
I enjoyed reading the book. Well, Agatha Christie is always amazing. And so is Hercule Poirot. I guessed now and then throughout the book, but none of my guesses actually matched. Just as I was so amazed and delighted with the ending, it also took me some time to accept the twist. But however, the whole novel is excellent, and it brings me again and again into commenting about the ending, which was just unpredictable and excellent.
4 out of 5
Author: Sidney Sheldon
Published: 1994
Genres: Novel, Thriller, Suspense, Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
Before reading Nothing Lasts Forever, I had read three other Sidney Sheldon novels: The Stars Shine Down, The Sky is Falling, and Are You Afraid of the Dark?. I thoroughly enjoyed reading all three of them, but I must also say that I found none of them excellent. They were sometimes predictable and often silly. But they were very enjoyable reads. I was satisfied with them, but didn't find any of them excellent.
But I am really glad I read Nothing Lasts Forever. It is an impressive novel. And I mean it. It is a really very impressive novel. Though there are sometimes indeed some of the Sidney Sheldon cliches and a few times it did get silly, yet I found it a very pleasant and impressive novel. It was not a masterpiece, but I was really pleased with it.
Set mostly at a hospital, the novel's central characters are three doctors: Paige Taylor, Honey Tuft, and Kat Hunter. They work in the same hospital and live in the same apartment. The novel explores the lives of these three women: their feelings, their passions, their desires, their past, their pain.
The novel begins with a lengthy prologue. Kat Hunter has been murdered. Honey Tuft had almost closed down the hospital (reasons revealed in course of the novel). And Paige Taylor has been accused of murdering one of her patients because the patient had left her a huge wealth. But Doctor Taylor says that it was euthanasia. She knew nothing about the inheritance until after the death of the particular patient.
Most of the novel is told in flashbacks, starting with the time Paige, Kat, and Honey had joined the hospital. It tells the story of their stressful job, struggling personal lives, painful and secret pasts. And their meeting such odd and unfortunate fates.
One of the things that I like about Sheldon is the characterization in his books. In Nothing Lasts Forever the characterizations are definitely effective and deep! Along with the life of the three protagonists, the stressful life of doctors is also very well described in this book. (I really appreciated the epilogue, where what happened to most of the characters, is described).
I definitely enjoyed this one! The last chapter was so very emotional. As I mentioned before, some of Sidney Sheldon's cliches can be found now and then, but the overall novel is impressive and pleasant.
4 out of 5!
Author: Sidney Sheldon
Published: 2001
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
While I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sheldon's The Sky is Falling, I won't really say that it was a great read because it wasn't. However, it's an exciting, suspenseful and adventure-filled quick read that would be worth a read. However, don't expect anything too good from this book because it can be very predictable and sometimes slightly silly. But despite that it is a fun, exciting and suspenseful read!
The Winthrops are one of the most prominent and famous families of America. However, great tragedies occur- within a year, all five members of the family is dead, apparently because of accidents.
Our protagonist is Dana Evans, a famous anchorwoman for the press. Viewers simply love her. She has just returned from Sarajevo and has adopted an orphan, Kemal, whose family members had been killed because of a bomb.
After coming to know about the co-incidental death of all the five members of the family, Dana is curious to know more, and becomes suspicious that it might be more than accidents, that it might have been murders. Her growing suspicion leads her to personally investigate more about the matter, and she herself falls in danger. Because of her investigations, someone is planning to have her killed. She can understand that she is being watched all the time. Her life is in constant danger. Who is innocent and who is not? Who is against her life and who is not? She continues her investigations, even with the grave perils lurking everywhere around her, and ultimately comes across revelations- revelations that has dangerous results.
Obviously I enjoyed reading this novel! It was a fast paced and quick read! But however, as I mentioned before, it was very predictable and slightly silly. For example, I could easily understand who were the villains and who weren't just by seeing the incidents and the behaviors of the characters. Characters are well developed, but it was easy to guess who was evil and who was innocent. Really.
Last month I had read another Sheldon novel, The Stars Shine Down, which I liked but also felt was irritating at times. However, The Sky is Falling was absolutely not irritating! Rather, it was really interesting and enjoyable!
Author: Sidney Sheldon
Published: 1992
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Suspense, Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
The Stars Shine Down is the story of Lara Cameron, who grew up in poverty and with misery, but established herself as one of the most successful real estate developers. The books tells the story of her life, of the successes and difficulties that she comes through, her feelings, her lover, her career. She accomplishes everything: fame, wealth, reputation, the man she loves, everything. But then she is risked with downfall: everything she has is in danger.
The Stars Shine Down was an absolute page turner and a fast read. From the very beginning of the novel, it was engrossing. However, the middle part did seem a bit ridiculous. Again and again there was Lara builds this, Lara builds that, Lara accomplishes this, Lara accomplishes that. Though at first it was nice to read about these, soon they became so frequent that it seemed like they were being repeated. As soon as, however, Phillip enters the story and Lara falls in love with him, the story changes it's style and becomes more likeable.
The character Lara had great depth. As the novel described her life in such detail, Lara really became an excellently-developed character.
The novel is not really a ''thriller''. It's something of a mixture of drama, mystery, suspense, and some romance. The truth behind the mystery was surprising. The ending was also wonderful and nice. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. It was a quick and light read.
Author: Heather Graham
Published: 2005
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
Rating: 2 out of 5
Review
Heather Graham's Suspicious takes place in Everglades. In the novel, a successful alligator farm is situated in Everglades. Police officer Jesse Crane is startled after three deaths take place. A couple have apparently been murdered, and the remains of an alligator is found near the place where they died. Secondly, a man has been eaten by giant alligator. Along with these tragic incidences, Jesse is startled to see Lorena Fontier, the new nurse in the alligator farm. Lorena looks like a girl from a rich family, so what is she doing in this area as a nurse in an alligator farm? There is certainly something fishy. Jesse thinks that Lorena's presence here has a motive.
Lorena indeed has a purpose of coming here. Several years ago, her father had died. Her father had done researches that may have dangerous results, and Lorena has reason to believe that it is this alligator farm that has these formulas of her father, and that her father's death might be connected with this alligator farm. Eventually, Lorena confides in Jesse, and Jesse decides to protect her and investigate her doubts. Soon Lorena and Jesse fall in love, but danger is lurking behind.
I didn't like ''Suspicious'' that much. The characters were described in detail but sadly, they hardly had any depth. There was suspense at times, but that was very inadequate and infrequent. I didn't enjoy it very much. The characters are not developed well; the storyline is interesting but the lack of depth and suspense makes it disappointing. But however, it was not boring. This is my first Heather Graham novel and though I didn't like it, I appreciate Graham's writing style and will look forward to read more of her writings someday.
Suspicious was a quick read and though not likeable, it was not unpleasant or terrible.
2 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1927
Genres: Novel, Adventure, Thriller, Suspense, Crime, Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
The Big Four takes place over a rather vast time- more than six months, I think- and deals with a rather complicated plot. While I've come across several negative reviews about this book, I must say that I really admired this one. I liked the structure and style of The Big Four. I liked the overall story.
Captain Hastings travels from Argentine to England to meet his dear old friend Hercule Poirot. Poirot, however, is himself planning to go to South America in order to deal with a case that offers him a generous sum. While Poirot and Hastings are talking, a mysterious person appears at Poirot's residence, who is very sick and weak, and tells Poirot about The Big Four, which is, apparently, a vast criminal organization. The man tells Poirot about the four people who run in this organization. Very soon, while Poirot and Hastings are absent, the intruder dies, apparently murdered.
The Big Four, as Poirot tells, is a vast and powerful organization that plans to take over the world, that is planning to control the world and change the world in an adverse way. The four people who control the organization are: Number One, Li Cheng Yen, a Chinese man who is the head. Number 2, an American man. Number 3, a Frenchwoman. And there is the curious Number 4. It is Number 4 who repeatedly keeps meeting Poirot and Hastings, but every time with a different, genius disguise- disguises that are so genius that even Poirot has difficulty guessing who the person actually is.
Poirot decides that he will unravel the identity of the Big Four. He cancels his trip to South America. He takes a dangerous decision...
In this novel, Poirot takes the responsibility to solve several cases- and each case is, in some way or other, related to the Big Four. Poirot works to unravel the identities of Number 2, 3, and 4. Will Poirot be able to solve this huge problem? Will Poirot be able to save the world from such an incidence?
The novel is filled with wonderful adventures! Hastings narrates the adventures in a superb way. And the presence of Poirot is wonderful as well. The disguises of Number Four were also quite interesting. The novel has some interesting twists.
The novel is more a suspenseful adventure than a mystery. We see our two dear old characters, Poirot and Hastings, involved in dangerous adventures in order to unravel the Big Four. It also has some scares and a lot of suspense and thrills.
The organization, the Big Four, was itself very scary! As Hastings notes, the Big Four seems to have some ''superhuman'' qualities, as it comes to know about every actions and decisions of Poirot.
Overall, I really liked this adventure-filled novel.
4 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1936
Genres: Crime, Suspense, Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
I was pleasantly surprised by Agatha Christie's Murder in Mesopotamia. In fact, I really loved it! Murder in Mesopotamia is an amazing mystery novel (you cannot even guess the solution!), filled with wonderful clues and suspense and mystery and occasional scares, some great characters, and a wonderful solution!
The novel is set in Iraq. An excavation work is going on in the search of the remains of the ancient Mesopotamian civilization. Dr Leidner is a world-famous archealogist working on this dig. Dr Leidner's wife, Mrs Leidner, has recently been having a bad time... she's being too nervous and scared sometimes, and claims to have seen faces on her window.
To keep Mrs Leidner company and to try to keep her free from stress, a nurse, Amy Leatheran (the narrator of this novel) is appointed. However, the nurse hears rumors that the people working on the excavation (the people live in the same building) are no longer jolly and friendly; rather, something very strange is going on among them, they have lost their past laughs and jokes... rather, the situation among the excavation staff seems overly formal.
Nurse Leatheran, upon arriving there, comes to realize that something is wrong. However, Mrs Leidner takes an instant liking on her. Eventually, Mrs Leidner confides to her about her fears: that she believes that her first husband, whom she believed was dead, wants to kills her because she married another man.
The nurse doesn't think of it too seriously, but the next day, Mrs Leidner is mysteriously found dead.
No stranger could have entered the house because no one noticed any stranger. The murderer seems to have been SOMEONE living in the house...
This one was simply amazing! It was deep and excellently written. I liked how the mystery became deeper and more puzzling. I liked how the suspense was built up strongly. I liked the characters.
Of course, Hercule Poirot was present in this novel! I have read a couple of other Poirot novels, but this one was the most amazing Poirot novel that I've read, as of now.
I liked Nurse Leatheran, a lot. I liked the co-operation between Poirot and the nurse. As the nurse describes, their co-operation became something like that when a doctor and a nurse go over a medical case.
All the characters were quite unique. There were loads of clues, but I really could not even predict how it all happened! The ending simply surprised me! I loved this one. This was a deep and amazing novel.
4 out of 5
