Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson

Information

Goodreads: Nine Liars
Series: Truly Devious #5
Age Category: Young Adult
Source: Library
Published: 2022

Summary

1n 1995, nine graduating Cambridge students travel to a country estate for a final farewell party. Two do not make it till morning. The police believe the dead students interrupted a burglary, but one of the survivors is not so sure. Fast forward a few decades, and teen sleuth Stevie Bell takes the case when one of the survivors goes missing.

Information

Nine Liars continues the story of Stevie Bell as she and her friends join her boyfriend David for a short study abroad in England. Though the draw of the story might be said to be the unsolved 1995 mystery David’s new friend Izzy puts before Stevie, the book gives equal weight to concerns such as Stevie and David’s troubled relationship, looming college applications, and a feeling of loss as the Stevie and the others head towards graduation and a parting of the ways. Personally, I found myself more interested in the cold case than Stevie’s continued relationship drama. But the culprit is obvious from the start, and Stevie proves strikingly clueless in solving this mystery, until the very end, when she magically pulls out some tangential evidence that would never hold up in court. The disappointing reveal of how it all went down, combined with Stevie and David’s excruciating on-and-off again relationship spell the end of my interest this series.

Though there are initially seven suspects for this case (which I personally think is too many characters to introduce at once–and Maureen Johnson seems to realize this since she utilizes a sort of dramatis personae as a shortcut to give readers their appearances and main traits), there are, sadly, only two viable suspects based on the evidence. This meant that I waited eagerly for the entire book, not to discover who had committed the crime, but why. The reveal is a major letdown and made me feel a bit miffed that I had read an entire book for such a halfhearted attempt at a motive.

Because there are only two main suspects, and because it is obvious that the 1995 case was not a burglary attempt, but a murder, it is absolutely baffling that Stevie struggles so long with this case. Readers know that nine people went to an isolated estate in 1995, and two were killed. One of the survivors says that she believes one of her friends killed the others. Then that survivor disappears. Stevie, for the bulk of the book, honestly seems not to consider at all that one of the other six is behind the modern-day disappearance. She even casually goes off to spend a day with them in the isolated estate, without ever raising the possibility that she has willingly hanging out with a potential murderer in a place no one can save her.

Why? I guess because she is more concerned about feeling jealousy over David’s new friend Izzy? As in the past few books, Stevie and David have to have complications in their relationship. I never really liked them as a couple, however, so I only felt annoyed and frustrated by Stevie’s imaginings. Most of their drama is not organic, but tailored just to keep the will-they, won’t-they plot going. It all feels especially misplaced here, where most of their scenes together are dedicated towards a big build-up of when they will get to sleep together, and then wham! Drama! Jealousy! Confusion! Spare me.

I keep waiting for this series to impress me because it seems so popular, but Stevie never really seems to do in-depth sleuthing or any remarkable detecting. And the relationship drama takes up as much space as the mystery, when I really just want the mystery. Book five ends with a cliffhanger, but to me it feels like this series should just end.

Wretched Waterpark by Kiersten White

Information

Goodreads: Wretched Waterpark
Series: Sinister Summer #1
Age Category: Middle Grade
Source: Library
Published: 2022

Summary

The Sinister-Winterbottom twins have never heard of their Aunt Saffronia, but now they and their older sister Wilhelmina have been unceremoniously packed up and whisked to her house for an entire summer. Aunt Saffronia, however, seems to have no interest in children and decides to drop them off at a waterpark for the week. Fathoms of Fan is not a normal waterpark. The attractions all have spooky names and employees are disappearing. When Wil disappears, too, the twins will have to gather their courage to solve the mystery and reunite their family.

Review

I had high hopes for a middle grade mystery series that begins in a Gothic waterpark. Yes, a waterpark where the rides are named things like the River Styx and where actual ghosts seem to be the employees. Unfortunately, Wretched Waterpark proves a rather dull (and easily solvable) mystery that cannot even be saved by its characters–who are all one-dimensional. It also functions mostly as a set-up for the rest of the series, so readers receive no satisfying feelings of closure at the end. I had put the second book on hold at the library, but canceled the request when I realized attempting to finish Wretched Waterpark was more painful than entertaining.

Wretched Waterpark desperately wants to be quirky and weird, but achieves mostly confusing and slow. It begins in a whirlwind–the Sinister-Winterbottom twins and their older sister Wilhelmina are whisked away to an unknown aunt’s house. The aunt seems to float above the ground and to have no need to eat. She dumps them at a waterpark for the week, leaving only cryptic instructions. So far, so good. Clearly the Sinister-Winterbottoms have some sort of paranormal family that is involved in some sort of mission, and they’re part of the family team now! Right? Well, unclear. The rest of the book is mostly the twins Theo and Alexander trying to figure out why everyone at the waterpark is weird, which maybe is not the right question to ask. Because apparently the waterpark was ALWAYS a weird death-themed attraction for children that invited them to sit in mausoleums and wear dubious magic lockets. It’s just only recently had actual disappearances of people. Yeah, readers are not getting many answers here, either about the Sinister-Winterbottom family or the waterpark. They’ll have to wait for book two!

The characters might have given something for readers to enjoy even if the plot is confusing, half-baked, and lackluster. Unfortunately, they are extremely one-dimensional. Theo is the risk-taking twin obsessed with churros. Alexander is the cautious twin. And Wilhelmina never lifts her eyes off her phone. That is apparently all readers need to know. There is nothing else interesting or exciting about them. They have no hopes or dreams or hobbies. Readers are, it seems, supposed to find the numerous churro and phone references absolutely hilarious, but personally I find it annoying when authors identify one character trait and never let it go. Readers don’t need to hear Theo whine about churros every five pages in lieu of her having an actual personality.

Wretched Waterpark admittedly has a fascinating premise. But I need more than a premise to impress me. I need some follow-through. Without an interesting plotline, interesting characters, or any sense that the mystery has been successfully solved by the end, I can’t be invested in this mystery book. I really wish I could. But I won’t be continuing with this series.

The Case of the Rigged Race by Michael Hutchinson (ARC Review)

Information

Goodreads: The Case of the Rigged Race
Series: Mighty Muskrats Mysteries #4
Age Category: Middle Grade
Source: ARC from Publisher
Published: September 2022

Official Summary

The Mighty Muskrats are back with a chilly new mystery!

Windy Lake First Nation is hosting the annual Trappers Festival, and the four Mighty Muskrats are excited about the sled-dog races and the chance to visit with family and friends from far and wide. But during the Teen Sled Race, the lead dog is the victim of a frightening accident that may be more than it seems.

Between mysterious strangers seen lurking by the trail and a loud group of animal rights protestors, the Muskrats have a lot of suspects. Despite the chill of winter, the case is heating up for Sam, Otter, Atim, and Chickadee!

Review

The Mighty Muskrats return in their fourth mystery! This time, Windy Lake First Nation is hosting the annual Trappers Festival, but it looks like someone might be trying to rig the dogsled race.  The Mighty Muskrats have various suspects–a group of animal rights activists trying to interrupt the events and a couple of gamblers who might have big money on the race. The four solve the mystery methodically, searching for clues, examining the evidence, sending off lab samples, and talking to suspects.  A winning mystery for children who enjoy detective series.

Mystery series for children have a long history and there are, of course, numerous examples of titles that have done very well and continue to have sustained popularity.  So it’s exciting to see a newer series with more diverse representation. Author Michael Hutchinson is a citizen of the Misipawistik Cree Nation, and a love and respect for the way of life embraced by the Windy Lake First Nation imbues every page.  Protagonists Sam, Otter, Atim, and Chickadee all bring their own understanding of their culture and traditions to the story, sharing them with the other characters, but also with readers.  The ending message is that we should all seek for understanding–a lesson the Mighty Muskrats demonstrate for readers, showing how open discourse can lead to positive resolutions.  I think readers will really connect with the Muskrats, their desire to bridge the gaps between people, and, of course, their curiosity and bravery!

Fans of children’s mystery series will not want to miss out on this contemporary one.  The mysteries are age appropriate, and the protagonists take realistic steps to solve them–modeling for readers the scientific process, the rules of deduction, and more.  But the stories never feel overly educational.  They’re fun!  And the plot is full of just the right amount of action to keep readers engaged.  I hope for another installment soon!   

A Caribbean Mystery by Agatha Christie

Information

Goodreads: A Caribbean Mystery
Series: Miss Marple #10
Age Category: Adult
Source: Library
Published: 1964

Summary

While vacationing in St Honoré, Miss Marple learns of the death of a fellow guest. The authorities assume it was Major Palgrave’s health that gave out, but was Palgrave actually ill? What was it he was saying to her just the night before? Miss Marple tests her wits once again as she tries to uncover who wanted the Major dead, and why.

Review

A Caribbean Mystery adds a bit of novelty to the Miss Marple series by moving the amateur detective from her home turf of the village of St. Mary Mead to a tropical island. However, human nature, according to Miss Marple, is much the same everywhere. So when a guest at her hotel dies overnight, Miss Marple’s mind begins working. The authorities believe the death was natural, but Miss Marple believe something is wrong. Watching Miss Marple baffle the local police force is always rewarding, though, in this case, the culprit is unusually obvious from the start, making A Caribbean Mystery a bit more lackluster than other books in the series.

The fun of reading a Miss Marple mystery is, of course, that everyone overlooks Miss Marple because she is an elderly woman and they thus believe that 1) she is none too bright and 2) her gentle mind could never conceive of such shocking things as murder. The joke, of course, is that Miss Marple’s age is precisely what gives her the edge she needs. She has experience. She knows people. And she knows how the world works. Yes, some things change, and Miss Marple might lament the passing of old traditions, but human nature remains the same. And Miss Marple’s mind is as keen as ever.

Unfortunately, in A Caribbean Mystery I did not particularly feel like I needed Miss Marple’s keen mind. Though it feels gratifying to solve a mystery, often the best mysteries are the ones I could not figure out, but that seem inevitable once the solution is revealed. In this book, however, I knew who the murderer was right away. The rest of the book was just Miss Marple trying to figure it out, and I was baffled that she seemed so much less certain than herself than usual. One recurring theme through the series is that Miss Marple is pretty sure who it is, but wants further proof or to catch them in the act. Here, she does not seem to fully consider the true culprit until it is almost too late. Considering the nature of the crime she is trying to prevent, that seems odd because her options are more limited than usual.

Even so, a Miss Marple mystery always remains a pleasant read. I enjoy matching wits with Christie and watching Miss Marple confound the authorities time and again. I eagerly await Miss Marple’s next case.

The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side by Agatha Christie

Information

Goodreads: The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side
Series: Miss Marple #9
Age Category: Adult
Source: Library
Publication Date: 1962

Summary

Heather Badcock is meeting her idol, the film star Marina Gregg, when suddenly she seems overcome by an illness. In a few minutes, she is dead. Poison is the cause, but was it meant for Heather or for Marina? Miss Marple matches wits once again with a killer as she tries to uncover the real motive behind the murder.

Review

The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side takes on a more somber tone than previous installments in the series, as Miss Marple finds herself aging and treated as a child by her disrespectful caregiver. Even though her mental faculties are as keen as ever, Miss Marple has to face the fact that her physical health is not quite what it once was. And that times are changing. Many of her old friends are gone, the village has grown with the addition of a new Development, and family-owned shops are being replaced by supermarkets. Miss Marple’s personal struggles receive almost equal weight to the murder mystery, adding a personal touch that is sometimes missing in other books, when her musings about the old days are treated a bit more like a joke. Indeed, I would say that Miss Marple’s aging gives the story more interest than the murder mystery, which lacks enough clues to make it truly engaging.

Miss Marple has always been a grand protagonist because she challenges stereotypes about the elderly. Ageism is rampant in many societies–despite the fact that everyone faces the possibility of growing old one day–and Christie’s Miss Marple books have always subtly challenged it by presenting readers with an old woman who whose wits are sharper than anyone else’s around her. But The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side is not subtle. In this story, Miss Marple is even older than previously–the book is full of wistful mentions of her former cases, her former friends. And she is, while not bedridden, practically forbidden to leave her house, and at the mercy of a caregiver who treats her like she no longer has the ability to think clearly or make decisions for herself. The worst of it is that, the more she is treated with contempt, the more Miss Marple seems to start to wonder if perhaps she is not a bit too old, if perhaps she ought to give in. Readers, of course, know that Miss Marple can still vie intellectually with the best of them. But Miss Marple, as an old woman, is not allowed to speak for herself; there is no one to listen. The others always know better.

All of this gives The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side a bit of a melancholy air, as if Miss Marple is ready to say goodbye not only to solving mysteries but also to life. I admit I was more concerned about her emotional wellbeing than I was about the mystery, which lacked enough clues to make it really intriguing. The police turn up plenty of possible suspects, but I knew who the culprit was from the first. I just could not figure out the motive–and I do not know that there were really enough clues that I could have figured it out. Readers need Miss Marple to explain it all at the end. But my favorite mysteries do not rely on the detectives pulling out some obscure knowledge at the end, to cause wonder and surprise.

Still, I think The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side will be one of my favorite Miss Marple stories for the sensitivity and empathy with which it depicts aging. Christie, at the time of publication, would have been 72, and perhaps feeling herself the doubts of those around her. How long could she keep going? Would her writing still be up to par? Not often do the concerns of the aging get so much attention in literature. It is refreshing to see Christie remind readers that Miss Marple, even if seemingly funny with her old-fashioned ways, is still human and still worthy of respect.

Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie

Information

Goodreads: Death on the Nile
Series: Hercule Poirot #16
Age Category: Adult
Source: Library
Published: 1937

Summary

Famed detective Hercule Poiret is approached by the young and beautiful socialite Linnet Doyle while on vacation in Aswan.  She wishes Poirot to stop her old friend Jacqueline de Bellefort from following her and her new husband Simon–previously Jacqueline’s fiance.  Poirot decides he can do nothing to stop Miss de Bellefort from appearing in the same public places as Linnet.  But then Linnet dies.

Review

Death on the Nile is one of of Agatha Christie’s finest works, a masterpiece of characterization as well as a truly clever mystery.  Fans of the genre will delight in the plot’s intricacies and red herrings, its myriad of suspects and potential solutions.  Even though I had already seen the movie directed by Kenneth Branagh before reading the book, Christie’s incisive prose and compelling narration kept me engrossed to the very end.  A must read for every Christie fan!

Much of the fun of this book comes from the glamor and the atmosphere.  The setting seems practically dripping in diamonds, and I am not one to turn down a mystery set among the scandalously wealthy.  There is just something especially compelling about secrets kept by the upper classes, try as they might to maintain that they are superior to the rest of humankind.  And there is something especially poignant, of course, about a young life cut suddenly short–a life that seemed to everything before it.  Branagh’s luscious setting and slick production features are really the perfect fit for this story, if you are interested in watching the film (which does differ slightly from its source material).

The setting is spellbinding, but the characters are gripping, too.  Christie is a master at describing human nature, and she spares no one from her perceptive wit.  I was initially drawn in by the gorgeous and wealthy heiress, Linnet Doyle, but was eventually  absorbed by all the supporting cast, from the overbearing and haughty invalid woman to her downtrodden niece to the grumpy doctor.  Most of the people on board the ship have a secret, and it is always great fun disentangling them all when the investigation begins.  Who is guilty and who is guilty of…something else?

Altogether, I was delighted by this offering from Christie.  The prose, the characterization, the setting, and the puzzle all combine to make a thrilling mystery.  I have not read many Poirot stories, but this one assuredly has made me keen to read the rest!    

They Do It With Mirrors by Agatha Christie

Information

Goodreads: They Do it with Mirrors
Series: Miss Marple #6
Age Category: Adult
Source: Library
Published: 1952

Summary

Miss Marple’s old school friend Ruth confesses that she feels uneasy for her sister Carrie Louise, and enlists Miss Marple to investigate.  Carrie Louise, it turns out, has married a philanthropist whose dream was to set up a reform school for delinquent boys.  Now she lives with her husband, a servant, and an assortment of family members who may or may not resent having to share their home with a number of troubled youth.  Initially Miss Marple cannot quite seem to find anything wrong, however.  Until someone dies.

Review

They Do It with Mirrors seems to break new ground with its unique–for Miss Marple–setting, a reform school for troubled boys.  Though the list of possible suspects might seem to be immense, however, Miss Marple and the detectives quickly narrow down the list of possible suspects to the immediate friends and family, thereby making the setting apparently superfluous; the same incidents could have taken place in just about any wealthy home.  Once readers realize that the boys are not particularly relevant, the steam in the engine runs down a bit, though readers will be eager to see how Miss Marple solves this particularly puzzling crime.

For me, the title of the book proved perhaps the most interesting part about it.  Miss Marple has, by now, solved her fair share of perplexing crimes, most of them involving her well-to-do acquaintances.  The formula risks growing stale.  However, the title promises some sort of sleight of hand, some unusual trickiness that the other stories perhaps do not reach for.  I am not sure that the book fulfills that promise, however.  Though Christie provides her customary surprise ending, I admit I was not dazzled.  Readers know from the start that some sort of distraction was put in place to enable the criminal to confuse the witnesses and I rather wanted something more.  It is a fine ending.  It is a Christie ending. I just wonder if Christie needs to start doing something that feels new?

Even so, however, I can help but enjoy each of the Miss Marple stories.  Christie has a real gift for characters, and her descriptions of the key players always prove a highlight of her stories.  She is both perceptive and wittiy, and gives readers a real sense that she is about to plumb the depths of human nature.  Her observations make for fine reading, even if no mystery were involved at all.

Though perhaps not a standout in the Miss Marple series, They Do It with Mirrors is still worth a read, especially for those who are avid fans of Christie or for those who have not yet many of her works and may find this one more surprising than a veteran reader.    I will certainly be carrying on with my goal to read all the Miss Marple stories!

4:50 from Paddington by Agatha Christie

Information

Goodreads: 4:50 from Paddington
Series: Miss Marple #8
Age Category: Adult
Source: Library
Published: 1957

Summary

Elspeth McGillicuddy is sitting in her train when another train runs parallel to hers. For a brief moment, she sees a man strangling a woman to death. Then then the train is gone. But, with no body to discover, the police do not believe her story. It is up to Jane Marple to bring the murderer to justice.

Review

4:50 from Paddington proves a delight, largely from the addition of the capable Lucy Eyelesbarrow as a protagonist. Realizing that she may be too old to go running about the countryside looking for bodies, Miss Marple enlists the help of Lucy–a young woman who made her fame (and money) from being the perfect domestic help. The team-up of two strong, intelligent women is one I wish had been repeated in future works, even if the ending of this one seems a bit abrupt.

The capable Lucy really does prove the highlight of the story, as the rest takes on features familiar to avid readers of Christie. The basic premise is that Luther Crackenthorpe, a wealthy invalid and widower, has a will stipulating that his estate will be divided among his children upon his death. But, of course, the share due to each will increase should one or more of the children die, giving each of the potential heirs a clear motive to dispose of their siblings. The first murder begets more and more, as if the perpetrator of the crime simply cannot stop themselves–until the sensational climax. It is a formula that Christie uses with variations in several of her works, so she really does need to rely on characters like Lucy freshening things up.

The climax, one must admit, might be a little too sensational, even for a thriller like this. Miss Marple, as some of her fans might be sad to learn, sits rather quietly by in this novel, until the end. Lucy goes to her with clues and the two consult, but Miss Marple only takes action to reveal the murderer in the final pages, in a scene not entirely believable. And not only because the clues leading to the perpetrator prove lacking in this mystery, but also because the means of discovery is just so odd. I am not sure it would actually work.

On the whole, however, Christie always spins an engrossing mystery. Even her novels that are not her best always engage and perplex me. She can turn a phrase as well as she can craft a puzzle, and I look forward to continue reading more of Miss Marple’s cases.

A Pocket Full of Rye by Agatha Christie

Information

Goodreads: A Pocket Full of Rye
Series: Miss Marple #7
Age Category: Adult
Source: Library
Published: 1953

Summary

Businessman Rex Fortescue is found dead in his office after drinking a cup of tea. But why does he have a pocket full of rye? Only the mind of Miss Marple is keen enough to realize the significance of the action, and how it ties in to a decades-old wrong.

Review

So far I have enjoyed my read through Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple books immensely. Christie’s shrewd mind not only routinely provides readers with unexpected plot twists and seemingly unsolvable mysteries, but also offers keen observations of human nature. Sadly, however, though I found A Pocket Full of Rye a perfectly serviceable book, I do not think it one of Christie’s finest. I prefer mysteries that readers have a sporting chance of solving, but A Pocket Full of Rye ends abruptly with information discovered off-page by our amateur sleuth. The mystery thus starts out in a promising manner, but may leave readers ultimately unsatisfied.

Many of Christie’s mysteries seem to follow the formula of one murder begetting multiple murders, and A Pocket Full of Rye proves no exception. However, Christie’s trick is to take an old formula and so something new with it. In this case, the police (with the aid of Miss Marple) must figure out the connection between a pocket full of rye and a dead man. More clues emerge, but Miss Marple’s explanation still puzzles the police. Where is the method in the madness? I admit I could not figure it out and still think it a conceit that was created merely for novelty, and not because it makes a lot of sense in the story.

The characters sadly are almost all rather disagreeable, so there are few figures for readers to sympathize with or cheer on. Miss Marple and Inspector Craddock, of course, prove the exception, as the ones attempting to bring the murderer to justice. But the reality is that, once a person knows how this book ends, I am not sure if there will be enough to bring them back for a second read. Christie is a masterful storyteller with incisive prose, of course, but there is just no joy to be found in spending time with the characters here.

The ending itself is rather disappointing. Miss Marple seems to make several leaps of logic to scenarios that are highly implausible–but that turn out (of course) to be correct. Normally, a good mystery should give the reader an aha! moment, a sense of satisfaction and completion. A Pocket Full of Rye does not really do that because the solution seems to come from nowhere. The ending feels like it needs more lead-up, as well as a bit more to tie up the loose ends.

A Pocket Full of Rye is a solid mystery, certainly one worth reading by any fans of Agatha Christie’s. I do not, however, see myself prioritizing it for a reread in the future.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Information

Goodreads: We Were Liars
Series: Liars #2
Age Category: Young Adult
Source: Library
Published: 2014

Summary

Each summer, the Sinclair family goes to their private island near Martha’s Vineyard. On her fifteenth summer, Cadence Sinclair Eastman wakes up on the beach one day with no memory of how she got there. Two years later, she returns to the island, hoping to remember what happened that fateful night.

Review

We Were Liars is the perfect summer read, a story that takes readers on a journey to an idyllic island where youth is eternal and summer is full of possibilities. Even Cadence’s slow realization that her family is damaged and that her past harbors a terrible secret cannot wholly take away the magic and the beauty that the novel evokes. It made me think of beach days and cloud watching and first kisses. The tragedy slowly creeps in, however, as Cadence regains her memory, mingling pathos with beauty. Nostalgic, atmospheric, and experimental, We Were Liars is not a read I was expecting, but one that will linger with me.

The official summary of We Were Liars is so vague, that I have in fact never desired to read the book. I had, after all, no idea what it was about, except a vague understanding that it usually makes lists for best YA thrillers/mysteries. But, since the library seemed short on audiobooks, I decided to pick it up just to have something to listen to. And I began to imagine the most shocking and disturbing possibilities for the big reveal that I was sure was coming. But…I was also baffled because We Were Liars did not read like a thriller. It reads like a story of first loves, and a bit like a story about grief. I was prepared for a story along the lines of McManus’ books, and got something totally different. And I began to understand why all the summaries of We Were Liars are so purposefully vague.

The real delight in We Were Liars is that it is a meandering story with seemingly little idea where it is going. Cadence narrates her fond memories of summers on the island, revels in her crush on Gat, and slowly starts to realize that the perfect Sinclair family is anything but. She says she wants to uncover the mystery of her amnesia, but does not always seem dedicated to that. Instead, she recalls favorite moments of the past, ponders her current sense of displacement, occasionally feels guilt about her privilege and, above all, tries to make sense of the broken edges of her family. The story is a like a bit of dandelion fluff floating on the wind. To say anything more is to ruin the ending.

Since We Were Liars is somewhat of an experimental book, I can imagine that the experience is not for everyone. For me, however, it was a beautiful look at love, grief, and family–all the messiness that makes up life.