The Body in the Library

I try not to solve mysteries. Especially Agatha Christie ones. It only ends up that I'm wrong anyway. This one was kind of a funny one. A lot of things going on. And a lot of twists. I must say some didn't make sense. But it did work out. Story was good!

There is a body in the library. Ma'm there is. Mary Bantry trying to get her husband Colonel Bantry to check it out. But he doesn't believe that there is a body. So what is a person to do?

Call Miss Marple of course, Mary Bantry's friend. She's good at bodies.

Miss Marple comes and surveys the scene. Of course she has her ideas. Two murders. Why? Two twists, mistakes get made.

Miss Marple tries to convince The Bantry's just because someone may have a bad reputation doesn't mean they killed them. But who did, and why the library?

Miss Marple says people including policemen are too trusting in this wicked world.

Is that how people see Miss Marple? A straight backed old lady with a familiar face. Or is it just certain people think that Miss Marple should stop being a noisy body?

Miss Marple's methods of untwisting the strange could be called amateurish. Shame for the two that were murdered. For money or for attention. Either or Miss Marple solves the mystery. But at the end someone really doesn't know what's going on. And someone/es does.

I give The Body in the Library 5_____>

 

The Truth According to Us

 

I can see why this book was titled The Truth According to Us. From the Romeyn Family the secrets and stories they told were according to them. It was believed to be their truth. You tell enough, you start to believe it.

The fixed history in this book about a small town in the Depression period was very interesting. How this one family was mainly the center of whatever was brought about. Romeyn Family owned a sock factory. Employed half the town. And class and privilege how it looked from this small town America.

The sock company never moved down to the next generation. Felix one of the sons didn't want to go into the business. But was always looking for that next quick buck. And from the start Felix and his best friend got in trouble.

Jottie, Felix's sister never forgave Felix. Her true love no longer . But she never knew how and why til the end when everything came out.

A terrible period of time to live in. Felix was thought to be a bootlegger. He kept odd hours. He would come and go anytime. Even days and nights. As small towns go Jottie and her 2 sisters helped raise Felix's 2 kids, Willie and Bird. With the help of their brother Emmitt.

Willie wanting so much to have her father around. Needed that connection with him.

All stories and secrets would not come to life if it weren't for Layla. Layla was sent to Macedonia to write a guide book. She was from a privilege family. She didn't know at the time she wanted a normal life. As she dug up information she was also unveiling about the Romeyn Family. And because she made a mistake with Felix that made her wise up. Things became clearer for everyone.

Except for Willie. I felt for her wanting her father. Jottie coming to decisions about her lost love and Sol who loved her. The actions of Layla and Felix did some damage to Willie. Confronted things came to a head. Felix did though pay more attention to Bird and Willie. 

Felix still came and went when he wanted. But Willie knew he still will be back to see her and Bird.

Jottie still took care of Willie and Bird. And tried to make peace of what she learned. As for Layla she follows her own path. Maybe Emmitt was there?

I did like the story. But it was so so long for me. It repeated and stretched for me. Especially a pet peeve of mine calling each other honey. How much can read the same thing.

I do agree though with a review about the author. Maybe I feel this way because the author has no co author here. She was a co author of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (which I enjoyed even though it was through letters. It was to the point)

I really wish I could give this book a 5. But it just was too long for me.

I give The Truth According to Us 4______>

 

The Marriage Lie

I started reading Kimberly Belle's books just a little while ago. The 1st book I read was fantastic. I felt The Marriage Lie wasn't so much intense, like before. But it had another quality to it. The story showed a person/s that are so connected when one is missing the other's world seems to crumble.

Iris and Will's life seemed like a perfect fit. Then a plane crash happened and Iris's world crumbled. I don't think I would believe it too. Like Iris, I want prove. As the story moves on Iris finds out that Will may not be who he is and is/was going where he said he go. Secrets can be a dangerous thing even if the person was/is trying to protect you. So is it justifiable to lie? The person who is doing the lie thinks it is necessary. But can go too far by upsetting the other person's life to the extent that they may be sick or be in danger.

I don't think Iris was responsible for knowing what she did about Will. It's good that she had her brother Dave with her. I would too have a need to find out. It's natural to find out who is this man she married and why.

I don't think Will actually changed. I think he was trying. But something about that neighborhood and how his parents were. Some neighborhoods are like little parts of a private world.

I think Iris used her knowledge of people as a psychologist as best she knew. She found her center toward the end with Corban. But through the story she did lose course. Especially loving someone that much is blind. And with the tragedy she is not herself.

I think Iris and Evan would be friends. Somehow their paths would cross. And after Iris did to Will at the end I still think Evan and her will find each other.

I was looking for other culprits. And missed Corban. Thought it was weird that he was his only friend at a gym? Will? Didn't put it together.

Iris has a fight between loving Will and how he made her feel after her finding out. Then hating him. Yes perfectly normal. You can love someone and hate that they are doing something wrong or someone doesn't like. I really did feel for Iris. How shitty he made her feel.

When Iris pushed that button at the end she knew deep down it was the right thing to do. If you love let it free to account for the actions that Will did. Yes her closure was to find out  the truth and set things right so Will can atone.

One thing though I would not of taken care of a man (Iris's father in- law) the way she did. At the end she got hurt.

I give The Marriage Lie 4______>

I still look forward to read another story.

 

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__________>