A Fall of Marigolds

There is not a lot of times that I come across a book that I like that isn't really a mystery, which is the genre I like. A Fall of Marigolds I did enjoy.

I do like how the story does intertwine with one another from back in 1911 and 2011, on.

Clara is a woman who wants to make a path for herself. So she leaves the comfort and safety of her home to go to New York. Manhattan  no less. Seems to be doing good. Thinks she met someone interested in her the way she would like. Sadly that was short lived because of a fire. And he dies. From then on she fights to stay independent and decides to go to Ellis Island and work at the hospitals. So traumatized she never goes off island. She does connect to one of her patients. She feels that she is in a in between world from the fire and this, just like her patient who lost his wife. And the only thing he had of hers was a scarf with bright marigold flowers. This scarf would be the one thing she could clean up and keep safe for him. Clara was brave to get off the island to find out about Lily the patient's wife. And all along Clara keeps the marigold scarf . Through the generations.....

 In 2011 Taryn is married and finds out she is going to have baby. Only to try to tell her husband  only to find her husband is killed. As someone that works with fabric Taryn finds that she has this scarf she needs to find a match. And she finds that it saved her life too on 9/11.

My review really doesn't do the story justice. All I can say it is a story of hope, pride, strength, and love.

From Clara finding the strength to complete the story of a patient and his wife. To find love herself and come to find peace in what happened in the fire at her job in Triangle Shirtwaist Factory about Edward.

Taryn after all the years after 9/11 she finally finds the marigold scarf. Not til someone else a florist, finds her to give the scarf back after helping her that day. He dedicated his life to find the owner at least at that time of the scarf. Not only can she tell now her daughter about the scarf's history, but she can rest assure that her husband did know before he died on that tragic day.

After meeting people relating to Clara. Taryn gets to keep the scarf for her as well as her daughter who will prosper from the scarf.

It's good to have some history in a story. That way it's easy to look up to want to know more. Enough not to make it feel you need to know facts on the subject.

Two things ring true Marigolds "they can bloom in the fall, even after a frost. Even after other flowers...."

And "Everything beautiful has a story it wants to tell" true to Taryn's motto of her store she has a story to tell.

I give A Fall of Marigolds 5 

Looking forward to reading more of Susan Meissner

 

The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding

I read Poirot's Christmas. It was good, but when I spotted this book and read the beginning. How AC put her ingredients of her favorite Christmas mysteries together like a recipe  I knew I had to read it. 

I was not disappointed. Her book started out with the story of The Christmas Pudding. 

A ruby was missing from someone acting for the Commonwealth. It was not just a jewel but a historical possession. Who do they call but Hercule Poirot. With much convincing Poirot agreed to solve this case. Edwina Morecombe had a old fashioned Christmas for Poirot to see. Plus central heating and bath water being perfection for Poirot to do the job.

How did Poirot get a hold of ruby? It was in the pudding of course. Not for long it took someone to steal it. Along with Poirot getting the facts and suspicion  of others.The children decided to put on a play for Poirot to make him feel welcome. They didn't know but Hercule had his own surprise for the kids.

Also very helpful was the cooks. He was so grateful that he told one that when he returns to London he will send her a present. Poirot is never that generous. 

I think he was so taken back that he did enjoy himself. Otherwise he would be alone.

Of course there was no doubt that Hercule Poirot got his culprit.

He enjoyed it very much. He said to himself that he had had a very good Christmas. And to think he did not want to go

Next Up is The Mystery of the Spanish Chest

A story of challenge and jealously. Hercule Poirot yet is looking into another mystery. Asked by a friend of his. This story shows a bit of Poirot not shall we say all pinned up. He looks at Miss Lemon in a different way.

Of course he solves the case of a man found in a Spanish Chest who thought he could see his wife doing who knows what. Not so festive at the party for him. Only does Poirot find that another has put him up to it. Jealously!

This room needs cleansing. The lingering memory of hate.

The Underdog

Poirot gets a visit from a Miss Margrave that her employer has sent her to find the best detective, and we all know that Hercule thinks/and knows he is the best, to look into the murder of Sir Atwell. Lady Atwell goes though what she knows. Leads Poirot to stay at the Mon Repos. Which will bring all that were there on edge. And eventually people will crack.

I'm having bit of trouble with this story. It's one of those stories that I'll be reading again. I watched the episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot and believe it was altered from the story AC wrote. For that I think the series was about some chemical coding being altered and stolen. A reread definitely.

I reread the story of The Underdog. And what I read before is not what I read just now. It comes down to someone who worked with someone for a long time who just broke.

“No, I have looked for the good-tempered man, for the man who is patient and self-controlled, for the man who for nine years has played the part of the under dog.

There is no strain so great as that which has endured for years, there is no resentment like that which accumulates slowly.”

I am not sure where I got the idea of a chemical encoding. Maybe from the show.

Four and Twenty Blackbirds

This story was interesting. Poirot's friend Charles  asks Poirot for dinner. Established that one of the patrons is a regular. And something was weird about him for a few weeks. He came in on specific days. Except at a time where it was a different day. Not only that this man had the same food. Not this time. Hercule Poirot took upon himself to solve this case. Oh yeah the man was found dead. One thing lead to another and Poirot found out what happened. A switch a-roo and money. There is something I noticed. That his sidekick Hastings was not around. One time the way it was written I thought something might of happened to Hastings. This was Hercule's valet George's time in the limelight.

The Dream

Interesting a man having the same dream and actually the dream coming true. Poirot gets summoned by this man. And can not go in detail with Poirot. Which makes Poirot a little confused and more determined. Of course Poirot gets to the bottom of it. For love, and money. Who knows, maybe both.

Greenshaw Folly

This story is a Miss Marple story. In my option is the darker of them all. Leave them asking for more. Of course the tv episode is different. I have to admit I was a bit distracted with this story. Another reread for me. What I did comprehend it was a will that was drawn up and people wonder if they are in it

What my take on these super stories is Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple seem to annoy the police and/or the people with their thoughts and know how. Which to me just makes them the best at what they do. All thanks to Agatha Christie for bringing them alive on these pages.

The Adventures of the Christmas Pudding gets a 5_____> 

And a reread for me

 

The Christmas Pearl

It’s not everyday a book comes along and it hits the nail on the head. This is what I’ve been feeling recently.

As I get older I think to myself, “What’s going to happen to me?” Nothing is the same. Things are changing. Christmas is materialized and the spirit is not there anymore. And your family, the grandkids, children have their own agenda. What’s a mom, grandmother, wife to do?

This is exactly what Theodora thought. She lost her husband. Her parents passed, along with her brother. And the person who took care of her, Pearl. Her children grown had kids of their own. And no one had that Christmas spirit. No one believed anymore

Theodora’s house started talking to her. Telling her she needs to do something to be able to live her rest of her life in peace.

As Christmas is magical who walks in is Pearl. She takes over her old job. Of course Pearl needs to earn her wings. So she sets to get Theodora and her family on the right path.

Bumps along the road. A lot of walking down memory lane. Theodora stands together with her daughter Barbara. Barbara finds her voice, gets her kids in line. And sets her husband straight.

After all that Pearl needs to go. Theodora asks to come with her. Which is understandable. I would miss my husband too. I know I miss my parents and brother all the time. Christmas time is especially hard. Pearl says she needs her family. And her family needs her.

The story gives a nod to some of the Christmas movies we see. And that is one way it is a nice story.

I give The Christmas Pearl 5————>

I always liked Dorothea Benton Frank’s books

 

The Christie Affair

There was so much chatter around this book that I decided to read it. It was said in a time of Agatha Christie's life she went missing for I believe it was 11 days. No one really knows what happened to her or where she went. That is the story.

The author Nina de Gramont, built a story around Agatha Christie's disappearance. Although an intriguing thought it just dragged on. It wasn't for me til I got around the 85% of the book it started to take off and have some juice to it.

We know that Agatha didn't stay with 1 husband. So it makes sense to build that thought of an affair. Not only for her husband but for Agatha too.

I found myself getting a little confused on which character was speaking. I feel the author kept going back and forth.

There was a murder in this story. And there was very little mention of it to solve. And I thought the story should be around Agatha. Where half the book talked about Nan who was the mistress. We finally find out that the murder had something to do with Nan.

It was nice to read about Christie in another light. That she not only had passion for her Piorot, she had a passion that she could be better and deserved more. Then what she got.

I give The Christie Affair 4 

I would of like to give a 3 but the story was based on truth loosely.

 

Drop Shot

 

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What can I say. I think I found the books that I like from author Harlan Coben.

I don't know what it is about the character Myron. But I like him. Maybe because he doesn't hang around to impress people. He does care.

This story focused on tennis. Who was good at it. Who was going to be good at it. And who is going to make the advertisers the most money. And of course there is murder.

Myron gets involved because of a girl name Valerie. Why is he so interested? Because he feels obligated to find the truth. With his friend Win lets him know to be careful. And Win always has his back. If a famous coach can abuse one young girl, who's to say he doesn't do it again. With Myron looking into this murder he stubbles into something that went wrong I think 6 years ago. Why would 2 people break into a tennis club? To steal? To steal what? Or is it just to play tennis?

What happened to that scene? Another murder and how it was covered up. Myron sifts through all info. With Win by his side to help keep yes Myron's love save. Jessica and Myron are still going. It is wild for Myron to find who the killer/s are.

We get to know more about Myron. Even Win and Myron's office manager Esperanza.With Myron's witty come backs with his friends I do believe it makes the story a feel good mystery

I'll be looking toward #3. 

I give Drop Shot 5________>