The DollHouse

This was one of those books that was a Free Friday Nookbook. I must say I enjoyed it very much. I love how the author intertwined a good story of all sorts with the history of New York in this case, back in the 1950's. The characters were interesting. The author went back and forth then and today, which bothers me in books. But not The DollHouse. It told a story than, in 1950s and followed it up today 2016, which made perfect sense. DollHouse named for the "Dolls" who lived there.

Who knew that Rose a journalist, would find a story in history of the Barbizon, a women-only hotel in the last century. And the tallest in the neighborhood back then. The whole idea was to create a private club type building for women. Hotel guests had to supply three character references. She found out from the other ladies that they stripped the place of all it's character when they went condo. The powerful feeling like walking into a Moroccan bazaar was gone.

Darby McLaughlin so new to the city and naive, with book in hand titled "The Art of Conversation" tried to learn to be on her own. Rose tried to get this story written but to no avail. Seasoned as she was, the rest of the office were of bright young things. She preferred long-form writing, which didn't put her as a young bright thing. But Rose went about to do her story. She liked collecting facts and making a story out of them. At its perfection, science and art.

She had to tell this story of this hotel, of these bright young things. It just wasn't Darby, it was the other women also who came from different backgrounds.To be models, secretaries who tried to make it in a man's world. Because for Rose she seen some of her own life in theirs. Rose wanted to find out the ones who live there now what they thought of change from a women's hotel to a condo.  Darby McLaughlin was the link how women were treated in 1950 and the way they are now. She found the girls come to NY City only to learn a skill until they found "Mr. Right". Rose followed the story and found another part of Darby's story, Esme Castillo. Why were they fighting? And what else happened? What did she do with her life that makes her so unforgettable ? She made a friend Esme. Had a boyfriend, Sam. Sang in a jazz club and tried to do the right thing by her friend Esme, when she did the wrong thing. Her fault I guess, just to care.  It's about losing people you love, being alone in a big city with nothing more than four walls of your apartment"

 And after that Darby seemed to just fade in the distance. As Rose puts it Darby had a swagger almost, an elegant mystery.

Connecting their stories with Rose, Rose who was pushed aside by a married boyfriend, her dad with dementia (that I know all too well), and was giving a good stiff talking to by Darby and Stella (one of the other ladies). Rose had fears. If lonely and scared, deal with it now, they told her. Life only gets lonelier and scarier no matter how many people fill your home and heart. "It's up to you". So Rose did just that. Made decisions about her dad and Jason who she became closer to after the mess of Griff.

I give The DollHouse 5 

Will be looking forward to other books of this author.

Where'd You Go Bernadette

What can I say about this book. I'm glad I got the chance to read it. At times it seems far- fetched. Other times it was a little confusing to follow. But definitely laugh out loud parts. From the reference to parents being Mercades parents to the crazy things it seems what Bernadette did. And a trip to the Antarctica.

I can see Bernadette putting her whole self into raising Bee. I felt that way. When my son was born I too put my heart and soul into him.

In the beginning of the story it read to me as a typical rich family, until I started reading about Bernadette giving up her career to raise her daughter and let her husband run with his career as a Microsoft Employee. But not that she had no faults. She contributed losing her career too. Doesn't excuse her husband Elgie of his role and what he did. Taking the funny part aside and the neighbors/school community like Audrey and family, Soo Lin etc... 

It comes down to what really is all about Bernadette. She is creative and when a person's creativity is stifeled they can do off the wall stuff.  So in that point you could say Where'd she go? Bernadette had to slip away in order to get her life back on track, for her family.

I did make visible some highlights I thought funny etc on Goodreads that complete my review.

I give Where'd You Go Bernadette 4 

I'm glad I read the book. I haven't seen the movie yet but characters they picked does not fit what I imagined in my mind. 

Death on the Nile

Another juicy Agatha Christie novel. I like the fact that the Hurcule Poirot's series is a series that need not to be read in order. Also liked how there was a nod in the story of Hercule Poirot from Murder on the Orient Express.

Death on the Nile is a good one to read. I had to stay alert to the characters and scene that was written. Not only did one mystery occur a second one happened in a matter of days. 

As Poirot started out he was asked about vacation, (holiday). And he said" How true is the saying that man was forced to invent work in order to escape the strain of having to think." Which I knew that Poirot's enjoyment is work. You know there is going to be a murder /mystery. For he does travel and finds work.

All kinds of characters on the trip of Egypt. I'm really not sure if there was any characters that stood out for me. Sure there were rich, not so rich, and ones that were just servants. I try not to guess what's going on because I want to be surprised. But this story was slightly predictable. The whole Linnet, Simon, and Jacqueline scene toward the end there, I know was bringing questions into my head. But Joanna, Linnet's friend, her aloofness was a bit to take til when I found out why she was so overly dramatic.

I like how Mrs Allerton was a kind of character that saw good in people and took to Poirot. She always believing there is happiness in the world. Even though "love can be a very frightening thing." " That is why most great love stories are tragedies"as Poirot would say. 

 Than there is always the servant's and elderly like Louise Bourget, Miss Bowers, Dr Bessner, etc.. that suspicion always fell on.

Again all characters were separate but intertwined at the same time. Three murders, and robberies all as one. Some as thinking why is character only have a small part? To find that they had something to do with the murders or robbery. The cold-bloodedness that strikes Race and Poirot to have the murders that some were thought have done is not ringing true.

Of course we have the interviews of Hurcule Poirot and Inspector Race. But we know who is going to solve these cases. Who made me laugh this time was Poirot. He had some doozy's. Like he likes an audience. "I must confess. I am vain, you see. I am puffed up with conceit. I like to say " See how cleaver is Hercule Poirot!"

The end of the story Mr. Ferguson, a character that portrayed to be something else said,"It is not the past that matters but the future." Hmm.. I wonder if Christie could see something in the future?

I give Death On The Nile 5 

I look forward to another Agatha Christie novel. Who knows where that will take me :)

Murder on the Orient Express

The last time I read this book it was when I was younger. And when I was younger I really didn't get the jest of what the characters were doing. So to re read it now brings a whole other excitement. I didn't realize that Agatha Christie wrote series books. I believe this is #10. The train started out in Syria. And a murder happens in Yugoslavia. I don't think I really had any favorite characters. Except Mrs Hubbard gave me a chuckle with talking about her two rather ugly children. Haven't heard anyone say that about their own grandchildren. LOL! Or is it her children? Hercule Poirot is the main character detective. He is so clever. Reminds me of a Inspecter Clouseau. Only not quite so clumsy. Well said about this murder. Cleverly planned jigsaw puzzle. I like that 😀 I think I liked his latter solution. And that's my opinion. This is the first book with Poirot as a character and first Christie book too I read. So don't know if Poirot says this at the end of his cases, but he should. "Having placed my solution before you, I have the honour to retire from this case". Can't wait to see the remake of the movie and can't wait to read another Agatha Christie book. She sure knows how to write a mystery that's going to leave you saying What? I thought it/he she was different. I give Murder on the Orient Express 5  View my Guestmap Free Guestmaps by Bravenet.com

Blood Country: A Nashville Sideman Mystery

A new author for me. Wasn't a bad book. I liked the story. The character Joe Rose pretty straight forward, no mincing of words. Interesting that he is a "gumshoe" with an education with a degree in music.
Also a read from Nashville being that my son is soon going to visit.

I could tell a man wrote this book. The way things were phrased of the country music scene. I'm pretty sure I've never heard a woman say she was a sideman. Plus most characters in the story were men and were written hardcore and women a tool. Although I did learn a few things about country music.

I try not to figure the mystery out even know I have a pretty good idea what it was about. Few things I picked up with the women in Rose's life, Patty and Cathy what their actions meant. Also with being in Nashville and country music there has to be a Roxanne. A bit harsh saying she was a talentless slutty bitch. But hey, it fit!

Twist at the end. When you think it was figured out and we finally knew who killed Billy something changes. Vern (country music star), C.C. (Vern's uncle), Allen, Sutton, Roxanne, Monica, even Jessica Apple hmm... who killed King (Vern's father)? Not who I thought.

I liked the vibe this story was giving, certainly not my everyday Nashville book. But I liked the mystery being in the country music capital.


I give Blood Country: A Nashville Sideman Mystery 5 

Got my eye out for Dan Jewell's other books