The Guest List

I was told that I should check out this book. It is compared to Agatha Christie novels. Ok so I gave it a try. Not bad. Yes it does have similarities to Christie's novels.

We have a destination wedding to Ireland. Which becomes the never ending wedding. And the guest list is everyone that you can think of. Loud and obnoxious friends of the groom. A bridesmaid that is sad and carries so much hurt. The MC that is a friend of the bride, and his wife. Also the bride Jules, and groom Will (or is it Steve?) And last but not least you have Aoife and Freddy who run and cater the venue and event.

Will, or Steve is exactly what Olivia (bridesmaid and step sister) had written to Jules. Don't marry him, he is not what you think. Everyone has issues with him including Charlie (brides friend and MC) his wife Hannah. He felt privileged nothing he did was right for his father. So Will used that to dominate his weak friends, and women.  Everyone is capable of doing whatever. The guests have baggage along with skeletons and secrets. And all this gets hashed out at the wedding.

I never decided to solve the crime earlier in the story. But since the story was long, even with short chapters (a lot of chapters) toward the end is where it starts to pick up. Must of been 6-7 chapters in a row it goes fast. Clues started to pop up and then I try to put the pieces together.

What I was thinking at first leaning toward the folklore of Ireland. I grew up on stories of the bog people. My father was a good storyteller. I guess that's where I get my love of books. It's always on a deserted island where the ground is soft, black and wet. That someone/s is held close. It can be hungry for a long time.

We find out how each one is connected to the person who is murdered. Shocking it is. And like Christie one by one the guest list gets ticked off. Until we find the person/s that hate so much and maybe raised hell around a graveyard and the spirits.

I give The Guest List 4_____> 

Only because all of the book except several chapters were slow.

I'm hoping another of the author books are just as good or better. Some highlights I give on Goodreads.

 

The Mammy

The Mammy is a re-read for me. Several years ago I watched the movie Agnes Browne. I wanted to find out about the kids. What happened to them. I discovered that there was more to the story of Agnes Browne who is " The Mammy". 

And what I found interesting and different to begin with Agnes Browne and Marion Monks have a friendship that people would love to have. "We're here for a good time, not a long time. And having a friend like you is as good as it gets".

Agnes with seven kids and a widow. Marion and her husband Tommo Monks help out. She is by Agnes side all the time. Mark her eldest, looks at his mammy in a different way now that she would have no more children.

Marion has health problems and Agnes is there for Marion with her at doctors.

Meanwhile Cathy gets her bangs cut by a nun. And Agnes has enough with the nun. Throws a cucumber at her then goes to jail. At trail the question, why? I couldn't put it better myself. Agnes laughed. "Ha! What policeman would arrest a nun on my word as quick as I was arrested on hers"?

Thought it interesting when Cathy had her Confirmation that they would go to relative to friend's house and was given money.

Agnes meets the Frenchman by accident. Looking in his store at a carpet. Cathy was with her. He tried talking to her. But they didn't understand a word each other said. But Cathy and she laughed and said he was handsome anyway.

There was an outing for all the kids. But they went separately. The funniest was Mark who didn't have a tent and Agnes bought him one. Unfortunately it was a teepee.

Agnes grieves for 3 days @ Foley's and was surprised Monica knew about Marion's daily visit to church. "Hello God, it's me Marion".

Agnes felt better stepping into the church for Marion's funeral. She heard a warm voice say "Hello Marion, it's me God!"

Well having a date with Pierre was a mistake. After a night of drinking Agnes comes out of bar and throws up. Not just that, she throws up her false teeth. Puts them in her pocket and when Pierre asks her out on date she throws her teeth in with tissue stuck to it. Sounds like Arf! Arf! The night turned out pretty good. Except for the kiss.

Mark found a trade. By 1st helping an older man start his fireplace on weekend where he could not since he was Jewish and it was Sabbath. It's good for him to be nice and genuine. 

With Agnes and Mark working when Christmas rolls around each could give. Mark buys a tv for the family. And Agnes gives for the kids. Especially Mark he will get tools for his  trade. Agnes pays for  a newspaper everyday to see what's on the telly.

To get the rest of money for Mark's tools Agnes tells the boys to go and get the union check that is the Christmas benefit that Redser would of gotten. With Trevor and Dermot's mouth gets them in trouble. They run in a stranger's room. This stranger hears all about Marion, their dad, Mark's job.

Surprise! Surprise! Who shows up at the house is Cliff Richards! The famous singer with tickets sold out.

"Sometimes this turbulent, tragic, sad, and busy world turns on it's head and comes to a sudden halt. Just to accommodate someone's dream... Dream on Agnes Browne for everyone's sake. Dream on!"

Always! 5___> 

Why Didn't They Ask Evans?

Enjoyed this story! one of my favorites so far of Agatha Christie.

A lot of twists and turns as AC writes.

One thing I have taken away from the story is a couple of times I was saying "No don't tell everyone your true identities and why you are doing what you are doing." Trust no one.

A good pair Frankie and Bobby are.  Solving a murder and figuring out who is who. So many characters with so many questions of who exactly are they. 

And what was surprising is the question of why didn't they ask Evans? Really was put in the back story. Never to be solved. But it was. And finding out about Evans, surprise!

So who did what? The doctor, neighbors, in laws etc.. A variety to choose from.

The pieces of story I liked are on kindle

Now to see Hugh Laurie's adaption!

I give Why Didn't They Ask Evans?

5