The Murder on the Links

 

I liked this story. True to form there were a lot of characters to choose from. What an interesting place to have someone found dead. Monsieur Renauld did like the golf. Enough to have have to do with the design of a golf course. Was it a women's crime or a man's?

The character I'm most annoyed with is Poirot's assistant Hastings. As one reviewer did say "Shut up! Shut up! Hastings" He was so annoying crying about Poirot never giving him a chance at solving the crime. While all he did was critique Poirot. And talk about how he has no one to love.

The story I felt took a curve on the romantic side. It was a side unusual to read on Poirot being a bit soft. The story kept on path with Poirot solving a case while he was asked to help Renauld. Pretty much stayed on the area of the Villa.

Poirot's saying of using his little grey cells was the way Poirot always went. Gets him to notice things other police don't. Like Girlaud not using all his grey cells. Like  missing the watch (time).

If it was Jack Renauld or the housekeeper Francoise, The Duveen Sisters, Bella and Dulcie. Madame Daubreuil, or Marthe. Even a background mystery on Madame Renauld and Georges Conneau can't be pushed aside because facts seem to twist to fit a theory.

Sturdy and on course Poirot solves the case. It may of been a bit difficult with things changing and Hastings taking a tantrum. But it got solved. With a little bit of softness at the end.

I give The Murder on the Links __________> 5

Until the Robin Walks on Snow

I liked this story. It's really nice to be able to read a story based on true facts in (story form.) Even though it's fiction. I find that some authors try to write from true facts only to get caught up and write like they are teaching a history lesson.

I liked the idea that light was brought on the babies that are born prematurely.  I liked how the author focused not on the baby's challenges. But how others (including family) see the baby. Especially since was never told of the Eastern European people.

Sure you hear baby after baby being lost. But the times mothers, fathers, and even doctors had limited knowledge what to do.

The hope and strength that Marianna and Helena had that this baby would survive was very strong. And the children already that Marianna and Andrzej had, plus grandfather Nikodimas all surrounded Marianna with the support and love she needed. A rare find.

Sadly the rest of family and doctor seemed cruel. With statements like trying to cover the shock to see a stick of flesh just lying on Marianna's chest. Or the doctor saying It's the smallest baby he saw dead or alive. Again back then people just were scared.They knew not what to do. And whatever they think they said.

As everyone's faith strong Antoni seemed protected by the love of the Blessed Mary.

There is a silver lining with a harsh winter with snow. The robins had arrived bringing the hope of warmer, greener weather.

It is not spring "Until the robin Walks on Snow"

I found it interesting from the research that the author did and gave a little insight of how her culture, Eastern Europeans have lived.

.The natural thing a mother would do is make do to keep her baby warm and protected to lay baby on the chest. Shows for decades everyone is the same. To bond with baby. Baby hears mothers heartbeat.

.Many believe that our fate is written before we are born. 

.Antoni's family of Catholic faith baptized Antoni in a Polish church. Because their custom is a male will go with the father's faith. And a female, her mother's faith. Brother and sister would be going to different churches.

. an extra chair is not only set out at Christmas time. But for all the years. Encase unexpected visitors showed up at the door.

Short, sweet and to the point of a family just trying to live life.

I give Until the Robin Walks on Snow 5__________>

 

Verity

This wasn't the first book I have read from this author. I do agree that this story is so much better. The author does have a way with adjectives for sure. From reading the first sentence, "I hear the crack of his skull before the spattering of blood reaches me". I knew I needed to go on.

It's clever to have an author write from a villain's perspective. To have the author write the opposite of the author's life. Truly believable? hmm...

I feel the things that Jermey did came natural to him. He had no regrets of Verity and Lowen. The person I feel sorry for is the son Crew. He got stuck in the middle of this.

Who could pass on the opportunity that was given to Lowen? It was a big job to continue on with someone else's stories. But man seeing what was going on in that house I'm not sure I would of stayed. Lowen never asked why. Didn't she wonder why Vertiy was there? Of course how can you have suspense without romance?

What is done is done. After everything Lowen found out and read of Verity's she still became the author that she wanted. I guess she got both 15 minutes of fame and a paycheck. Got the guy of her dreams, and a baby of her own and be a step mother to Crew.

All the knowledge now that Lowen had she still believed in her heart she was thinking and doing for "her family"the right thing to do. Who is to say she is wrong to think how she feels?

I think Verity's character was intriguing. You think she didn't know what was going on. With deaths of their daughters Chastin and Harper, Vertity kept it together as much as she did. 

Even I thought what had happened was from someone else. 

A tragedy for Vertity. I say even Crew. But to know how clever things where orchestrated,

I give Vertity 5___________>