Mystery

The Late Mrs. Willoughby (Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney #2)

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By Claudia Gray

The most invigorating and interesting experience of Juliet’s life was to be repeated! She would have to pray for forgiveness, taking such delight in circumstances that had proved tragic to another. “I quite agree, Mr. Darcy,” Juliet said. “Let us investigate.”

I found this one pretty much on par with the first of the series. The detection on the part of Miss Tilney and Mr. Darcy (and an unexpected friend and ally) still dragged, but I enjoyed the slow burn relationship of our two detectives. The writing almost feels like Jane Austen and is top notch. I found the authenticity of the characters to Austen’s original creations rather remarkable with one exception. That would be Willoughby, who is much darker than Austen painted him. I suspected the murderer right from the beginning but allowed myself to be deflected by subsequent happenings. But that’s a murder mystery for you.

**Spoilers for Book #1**

Miss Tilney is invited by her new found friend Marianne Brandon for a visit to Delaford. At the same time, Mr. Darcy is invited to Willoughby’s estate because it turns out they went to school together. They were not friends: Willoughby bullied and mocked Jonathan throughout their schooldays. In Austen, Willoughby is a cad with little character but popular and charming. In this book, he is very mean and nasty which I found inconsistent with Austen’s creation. It’s not really explained why Jonathan or another old school friend, Bamber, are invited. Jonathan reflects that he thinks it was for entertainment because Willoughby got his kicks out of mocking him and making a joke out of him. For someone described as so handsome, charming, rich, and sports-oriented, one would think he would have more sources of entertainment within his reach, and have had lots of real friends rather than two old schoolmates he hadn’t seen in years. When unhappy and unpleasant Mrs. Willoughby is poisoned, the game, as they say, is afoot. Since it appears that Marianne is a top suspect by virtue of the events in the previous book, the daring duo, along with another guest, scientifically oriented Bamber, who asks to join them, investigate informally. Despite the stabilizing influence of her happy marriage and her sister Eleanor, the town of Barton still remembers her unrestrained behavior with Willoughby little over a year before. All eyes of the town, the constables, and others who don’t really know her, turn to Marianne as the culprit. Not to mention the fact that she is already a “known murderess.” (Completely choosing to ignore the circumstances whereby she was responsible for killing Mr. Wickham.) This attitude was an irritant and a frustration. Even when evidence and suspicion start to indicate that Mr. Willoughby, not Mrs. Willoughby, may have been the target, Marianne still cannot escape suspicion.

Some still thought Mrs. Brandon had done it… Others thought Willoughby’s had been the hands that delivered the poison, but that it had been done at Mrs. Brandon’s urging. Another camp held that Mrs. Brandon had known nothing of it, but that she was the reason for Willoughby’s action, which meant she was nonetheless to blame.

The poor girl just cannot win! As the three detectives consult, observe and uncover evidence, a lot of time and effort is spent only to realize or discover they are not really making any progress. They spend a lot of time running around in circles. This slows the book down and it was a little boring. However, my interest did not flag completely because there are side stories involving Colonel Brandon and his ward, the daughter of his former love Eliza, Eleanor and Edward Ferrars, and especially the continuing up and down development of Colonel Brandon’s and Marianne’s romance. Even Edward Ferrars’ estranged mother, Fanny, and Lucy Ferrars (nee Steele) make an appearance. Also Jonathan and Juliet are both very lovable.Neurodivergent Jonathan especially is a very sympathetic and well rounded character you can’t help but root for. The book ends with Juliet and Jonathan still good friends, but each clueless that the other’s feelings are developing into love. Actually, Jonathan is still confused about his feelings because he’s Jonathan. They part with little hope of meeting again despite their warm friendship.

“The courses of Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney might well have parted there forever, had it not been for the extraordinary circumstance that would, in the fullness of time, reunite them.”

Book 3 is on the docket!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

The Murder of Mr. Wickham (Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney #1)

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By Claudia Gray

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**3 1/2 stars**

“I have learned one thing already,” Emma said, “and will forever heed it.” “To what do you refer?” “That house parties are more trouble than they are worth, and we shall never, ever have another one.” Knightley smiled. “On that subject, we are in complete agreement.”

Despite flagging somewhat in the middle, I ended up quite liking this one. The Darcys, along with their 17 or 18- year-old son, Jonathan, the Brandons, the Wentworths, and the Bertrams have all congregated at the Knightley’s home for a House Party. Also joining them is Juliet Tilney, daughter of Catherine and Henry Tilney. She is a happy mix of her parents best qualities, thankfully inheriting her father’s intelligence. Emma had gotten to know Juliet’s mother (our novel-loving heroine is now a novelist herself) and had a notion that she would do what she could to expand Catherine’s sheltered daughter’s limited horizons, much as what was done for Catherine so many years ago (not to mention Harriet Smith.) The connections between Austen’s characters that see them all invitees to the same party are complicated. Unfortunately, all is not well with any of the couples except possibly the Knightleys themselves (although they will have their own troubles before the book is over). Although the love is still there for all of them, everything is far from idyllic. With all of these couples, it is the husbands that have the most to learn in order to get their lives and marriages in order.

Elizabeth and Darcy, now married 21 years, are a little estranged due to the death of Lydia’s 5-year-old daughter, Susannah, 8 months ago. They took her in and raised her practically as their own upon the death of her mother. Elizabeth is still heartbroken, but Darcy seems strangely unaffected by her death, which hurts and confuses Elizabeth. They also part ways on how to deal with the peculiar ways of their son Jonathan. Today, he would be diagnosed as high functioning autistic. He is socially inept, does not understand the subtle rules of societal behavior, is very uncomfortable with crowds, and all of the other usual symptoms, positive and negative. He was bullied in school and works very hard not to be an embarrassment to his parents, particularly his father.
Upon first meeting him, Juliet Tilney is struck by his unusual demeanor and lack of social graces.

Did Jonathan’s parents keep him locked in the attic of the famous Pemberley? That sounded like something out of a Gothic novel, but how else could he be so unfamiliar with the basic niceties of small talk? Or he could be a simpleton, in need of Christian kindliness and forbearance. His deportment seemed to indicate otherwise, but Juliet decided not to make any assumptions. Perhaps it would be best to speak slowly and patiently. “I hope you enjoy your breakfast,” she said, enunciating clearly.

She soon realizes her misapprehensions as to his intelligence and character.

The Brandons are still newlyweds, and predictably are still trying to navigate married life, their contrasting personalities, and age difference. Marianne actually loves her husband greatly but Brandon does not understand her feelings towards him, assuming she looks upon him as a secure haven she quite likes and respects, but somewhat of a consolation prize after the loss of her true love.

The Wentworths have suffered a serious financial reversal thanks to the pride and foolishness of Captain Frederick Wentworth. In seeking to ensure their daughter’s future prospects and stay on par with Anne’s noble family, he fell victim to a swindle. In his shame, Frederick has turned into an angry and bitter man, despite his supportive wife, who always cared little for luxury, status, and finery. Afterall, her happiest days were spent at sea with her once even-tempered and in command husband.

The Bertrams have been married for 4 years. There is nothing wrong with their marriage per se except that Edmund, although still a good man at heart, has become a know-it-all pompous prig and Fanny is timid, watery, and idolizes him. I am thinking that her deference to him in all things probably contributed to what his character has become. She is very pious and shy. “She was always declaring herself wicked for such vile offenses as failing to get the tea ready on time or riding her horse in hot weather. Often it made Edmund smile.” Although Edmund is very appreciative and protective of her, Fanny senses that his love for her is not on par with hers for him which adds to her diffidence and reserve. I think it is fair to say that they have not been good for each other. And now Fanny harbors a terrible and disturbing secret that she fears to tell Edmund about. I actually found Fanny and Edmund’s journey to enlightenment, wisdom, and a healthier happier marriage the most compelling of the four couples.

As they are somewhat awkwardly getting to know each other on the first evening of the house party, a most unwelcome visitor forces his way into their midst. It is no surprise when he is murdered (see title of the book) and every one of the 8 guests have strong motives. This was well-contrived on the part of the author. It is safe to say that whoever murdered Mr. Wickham did the whole company a service. Being intelligent and liberal minded, Juliet and Jonathan are drawn together by their desire for justice when they see that the magistrate in charge of the investigation (Frank Churchill) is determined to blame the crime on an innocent wandering gypsy or one of the staff. They proceed to investigate while concealing their unconventional and, in the light of the times, improper, partnership.

While the author is establishing the couples’ troubles, their motives for murder, and the early days of the investigation, the book got a little slow and lackluster. However, both Jonathan and Juliet are likable intelligent protagonists. I enjoyed the appearances of some familiar Highbury personages: Miss Bates, The Eltons, and Frank Churchill and his daughter. Jane sadly died in childbirth. The callbacks to the original books were amusing and well done.

Darcy sat at the small desk near their bed, writing a letter. Elizabeth might have teased him about contriving to keep such even lines, were she not equally occupied with letters of her own.

Maybe I am too easily pleased, but I thought the author stayed true to what Austen’s characters might have become and the circumstances of their lives and histories. I was afraid the author would be too afraid to have the killer be a beloved main character, but she didn’t chicken out. I picked this book up because I needed something “low stakes” after finishing two emotionally demanding novels. But by the end, the likability of the two detectives and their developing relationship, as well as the mystery itself, had me hooked. I do believe I will continue with this series.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Big Little Truths

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By Liane Moriarty

Now she was crying all the tears she hadn’t yet let herself shed, and there were a lot of them, and Bonnie was trying to hug her, and Jane was trying to do the same, and everyone in the car except Celeste was weeping with voluptuous abandon, and Celeste was pulling tissues from the packet and tossing them about like confetti. “Find something to cry about, Celeste,” said Jane as she noisily blew her nose. Celeste pretended to dab under her eyes with a tissue. “I never got to speak to the nice man in the blue T-shirt at the library!” “Oh, and he was so cute!” said Renata. “Now he’s gone forever,” Celeste fake-cried. Then she stopped and said, “You know what? I’m actually genuinely sad about that.” Their tears tipped right over into teen-girl hysterical laughter.

4 ½ stars
I can’t quite give it 5 stars, but mostly because that’s what I gave Big Little Lies. It was a worthy sequel. Set 10 years after the events of the first book, it was good to become re-acquainted with the three good friends, plus Bonnie, plus Renata, plus Celeste’s mother in law, Mary Louise. Mary Louise was not in the first book at all, but Liane writes in her introduction that she had such an intriguing role in the mini-series (thanks to Meryl Streep’s portrayal,) that she pushed her way into this book. She does have a great character arc. Renata’s role (played in the series by Laura Dern) was thus expanded as well. But this sequel to BLL has nothing else to do with the TV series. Although there are marriages and even lives on the line in this one, the stakes didn’t seem as high as in the first book. The happiness and security of vulnerable innocent children were not in peril in this one. Jane is not a struggling young single mother and fragile outsider. She is happily married (to Tom of the first book), although there is one big problem to resolve, and Ziggy, her bullied child, has grown to be a great kid. In fact, all of the kids are pretty great (Renata’s Amabella, Madeline’s Chloe, Celeste’s twin boys, and Bonnie’s Skye.) There was one there that I was really worried about for quite awhile, but I think he will be OK. Although there are repercussions for the parents and their children stemming from the killing of Celeste’s abusive husband 10 years ago, the group is now dealing with another unrelated shocking event.

The format is Liane’s signature one where the book begins with something deeply upsetting and mysterious occurring. We look back on that event through the perspective of the teens, who clearly know more than they are telling through their school counseling session with “Brenda.” Meanwhile, we also alternate between their parents and other main adult characters and the happenings in their lives leading up to what the kids call “D-day.” At last, all roads lead to the big explosion culminating in shock, awe, and huge reveals. In this one, even more than in her others, we have a fully fleshed out aftermath following the climax that was incredibly satisfying and hopeful. At every stage, we have twists, turns, and reveals that both dismay and gratify. Adding to the picture is that along with the parents, we have the stories of their teenagers with agency and personalities of their own. There were a lot of tales to tell: both funny and worrisome alike.

My love for Big Little Lies stemmed largely from the suspense. There is a violent death that begins the story. As we meet the players and get to know them, we fear for the characters we have grown to love and be invested in. Not only that they may be guilty of murder but also that one of them may be the dead victim, the identity of whom is part of the mystery. In this, the sequel, I always felt like the big reveal was going to be shocking in a juicy way, not a devastating one. So again, the stakes were not as high as they were when the vulnerable and powerless are involved. I was not tempted to skip ahead to save my sanity but enjoyed the ride as we made our way to the climax. Now that I think about it, that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Although this book ended with hope and enough closure to satisfy me, there were some loose ends that I could definitely see might be tied up in a third book. But one centered on the teens navigating their lives as adults. We saw the beginnings of what their characters might prove to be. I would like to see more of them.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love

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by isthisselfcare

Granger caught Draco watching her as the house-elf vanished. “What?” she asked. “I await your Manifesto,” said Draco. Granger sniffed. “I’ve come to terms with the fact that there are some parts of wizarding society I shall never understand.” “But you accept them?” “No,” said Granger. “I tolerate them.” “Hm.” “Don’t worry, I shan’t begin a house-elf revolution within your halls.”

I didn’t realize that the last book I read (Once, Again, Always by Amanda Gayle) had started its life as Draco/Hermione fanfiction when I got it from Netgalley. If I had, I probably would not have put my name down for it. I had never heard the term “Dramione” which is fiction that imagines a love story between the two enemies of the original series. I’ve never “shipped” the pair, though I’ve been aware that some yearn for that love story. Mostly this is because Ron is my favorite character and I love him. The first book threw me into a bit of a Harry Potter fan fiction rabbit hole and I emerged with this book. The reviews were wonderful across the board, and I was intrigued. 15 % into it, I was completely charmed and thoroughly hooked. I was thrilled that it measured up to the hype. As I got deeper into it, I was lost in admiration of the writing and the way J.K. Rowling’s world was expanded on, altered a bit, and picked up 15 years later. I was emersed in that world, and in awe of author’s take on Rowling’s creation. It recalled how I felt while reading the original series. It made me happy like that.

15 years on from the 2nd Wizarding War, Hermione Granger has straddled the Muggle and the Wizarding World. She is a respected surgeon, professor, and scientist at Cambridge University and in the Magical World she is a renowned “Healer.” She is as famous as Harry Potter and even has her own Chocolate Frog Card. I think that gives you an idea of her status. Draco Malfoy hasn’t changed a bit except that he is more mature and has rejected his former racist attitudes toward non-purebloods and deeply regrets his involvement with the Death Eaters.

…vivid memory returned, of Bellatrix’s handiwork, stark against Granger’s skin. Of Granger, limp and wrought-out, lying like a dead thing on the drawing room floor. Of the blood oozing out of the fresh-carved letters. Draco had never used the word Mudblood again, after that. Draco hid his own inner arm shame from the world, but he would’ve thought that Granger, of all people, would’ve been able to heal hers away. Clearly, she still bore the mark of Bellatrix’s knife.

He is considered, along with “Pothead” and “Weasel” One of the foremost Aurors in the country. For this reason, much to his irritation, he is assigned to protect Hermione Granger who is working on a secret medical project so important, the current minister of magic (Shacklebolt) fears that her life may be in danger. What Hermione is working on is an ongoing mystery in the novel and the reveal is worth the wait.

The book is told from Draco’s point of view. His feelings for Hermione progress from bored irritation to utter devotion, as Draco must stay handy and on the look out for any potential dangers she may face as she works on her project. It is very “two steps forward one step back” as their relationship develops. Despite their personality conflict however, their mutual respect, almost from the beginning, is never in doubt. Though it is very well hidden. The snark is top-tier.

The book is part romantasy, part rom-com and part swashbuckling adventure and quest. With a little horror and thriller thrown in. It is the whole package as far as plot, and is also rich in wit and dialogue. The author takes great care to bring in people and elements from the original series, but not too much. This is the love story that never was between the bossy insufferable swot and the shallow, morally questionable, and bad-tempered womanizer (as they see each other.) Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, for example, are still great friends with Hermione, but they are definitely peripheral to the action. They have moved on and academia-loving Hermione frankly doesn’t have that much in common with them (as we already knew anyway.)

When’s the last time Pot and Wheeze even read a book?” “Is that a rhetorical question?” asked Granger. “No. Answer me.” “Damn it.” Granger lapsed into silence….

The two share a grudging if respectful professional rapport with Draco.

The author sticks close to canon while imagining the future but sometimes she diverges from it pretty significantly. But it was good. Both of the Weasley twins are still alive, as are Nymphadora Tonks and Lupin. In fact, Tonks is the Head of the Auror Office and Draco’s boss. Poignantly, Hermione was never able to reunite with her parents.

However, Granger continued. “I Obliviated both of them during the war. Sent them to Australia to keep them safe. By the time I’d found them again, it was too late to reverse the spell without risking damage to their minds. They’re living quite happily in Adelaide and have no idea that they ever had a daughter.”

As a mother, that killed me. Some of the departures are a little strange. Ron is now in a serious relationship with Luna Lovegood, and Neville Longbottom is with Pansy Parkinson and part of Draco’s social circle. (I’d liked to know how that happened!) Also, in this book, Wizards and Witches are limited as to how much magic they can use at once, and often have to wait to recover their full strength if engaged in lengthy and challenging confrontations or undertakings.

Wizardkind is still (kind of endearingly) clueless about much of the Muggle world, although Owls have now been pretty much replaced with “Jotters”, a kind of text message machine. (Distributed by Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes) and even embraced by Draco’s traditional and old fashioned mother. Draco wants to learn the computer.

The internet was a thing that Draco was not quite certain he understood, but Granger could write things like ‘cat’ or ‘house’ or ‘oncology’ in a box, and information about the things came up, and pictures, too. It seemed extraordinarily useful. An instant encyclopaedia. Granger said that the entire contents of libraries were on it…Granger…explained the cloud and Hackers. The cloud was interesting, conceptually. The Hackers’ lack of axes or other violent weaponry disappointed him. Granger confirmed that there was usually no bloodshed involved. Anticlimactic, overall.

The book is over 700 pages so this review barely scratches the surface. It seemed so authentic. I was in a state of constant awe while I was reading it. It was a great love story. When Draco and Hermione finally come together it got a little too spicy for me, but the author (who injects her own voice periodically) thoughtfully and courteously gives the reader an Adult Content Warning. “Please scroll down to the tilde (~) if you prefer to skip to softer things.”
And bonus! It has pictures! This book is available for free (per one of J.K. Rowling’s requirements for fan fiction based on her books) on a website called Archive of Our Own and can be downloaded to e-readers. If you love Harry Potter and can’t get enough, I highly recommend this book.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

All Shall Be Well

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by Deborah Crombie

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Kincaid heard something in her voice, a shade of worry or aggravation, and remembered how she’d sounded on the phone that morning. Probably some bloke, he thought, and realized how little he knew about Gemma’s life.

Just what had been his relationship with Jasmine Dent? Were they lovers, with Jasmine so ill with cancer? Stealing a glance at Kincaid’s abstracted face, Gemma was shocked to realize how little she knew of his personal life.

For me, the main attraction of this series is exploring the beginnings of the strong marriage and family life that I have learned Duncan Kincaid and Gemma Jones forge later in the series. Also, I like mysteries. On it’s own merits the book was enjoyable but underwhelming on the personal front and the mystery front. the two main characters are nice and smart, but are kind of boring. The writing is a little too simplistic and straightforward. But it was well paced and kept me turning the pages: when one step of progress in the (possible) murder investigation or the character’s personal lives was tackled there was always another to look forward to. First there are the meetings with each of the “suspects” in turn (although it is not positively established there is really a murder), Gemma and Duncan investigate separately and then consult together, Duncan reads the victim Jasmine’s journal, He travels to where she was brought up, the suspects are re-interviewed in light of new information, the contents of the will, and so forth.

Does Deborah Crombie play fair with the reader as far as laying out the clues to solve the mystery? I don’t think so.

 **Spoiler**

There is a tie between the murderer and victim that provides the motive, but I didn’t detect any clues to that prior to when it is revealed at the very end. And putting the murderer and victim together was pure coincidence. We are led to believe in one motive when it turns out it was something else entirely. That was fair and actually very well done. But it leaves some unanswered and unexplored questions created to establish the red herring motive. What attracted a posh handsome chancer to a struggling little mouse like Meg? It is established that he latched on to her before there was any hint that she might be coming into money. The answer is never revealed or explored and it might have been interesting. She is trapped and in the thrall of her dangerous lover who is a vile narcissist and main suspect for the murder. Of course the reader is on tenterhooks as to whether, although she is under no illusion as to his character, she can escape his clutches and the sexual hold he has over her. It is a source of suspense and we hope she sees the light and escapes. When she does it is very much an anticlimax after all the build up. She finds her backbone out of nowhere and tells him she is leaving him with virtually no drama or fallout.

 We are led to believe one character is one kind of person, when, with no hint or foundation, he is not. We are given every reason to hold him in contempt and distrust and he is provided one of the strongest motives. When a loser of a character based on what we know about his past is “shrugging guilelessly…drinking thirstily… and licking his lips” that telegraphs “bad guy” to me. Or am I crazy? And then when he takes the woman who inherited the victim’s flat there by surprise, “The light from the table lamp bounced off the [eyeglass] lenses, shielding his eyes from her.” He had no business there. It sounded like he must have followed her. But we are asked to disregard those tells that have been fed us and his unremitting history of weakness and asked to believe he is actually a good guy who has learned from his mistakes at long last. It seemed very contrived to provide a hopeful ending to two characters who turned out not to be murderers.

**End Spoiler**

Maybe they will appear in a later book? Apparently this reappearance of some characters does happen in the series which is one of the reasons I am still attracted to continuing it at some point. I did enjoy google-earthing the real streets and buildings in England that are characters travel on and go to.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Mad Mabel

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By Sally Hepworth

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“How many seven-year-olds do you know who are friends with eighty-one-year-olds?” “It’s not ideal,” she agrees, after a moment’s consideration. “But beggars can’t be choosers.” I feel a rare moment of pity for the child. “You’re not a beggar, child.” She laughs. “I know that. You’re the beggar. I’m the chooser. Because I choose you!”

“What do you think happened to Ishaan, Ms. Fitzpatrick?” Baldy says, adopting a patronizing, kindly voice.
It feels like a remarkably ridiculous question. “I think he got dicked by the dangling dong of destiny, that’s what I think.’

I guess I’m kind of a cheap date as far as books are concerned. If a book can make me laugh I’m in the author’s pocket. If a character can make me laugh, it’s hard for me not to like and care about what happens to them. If a book can both make me laugh, cry, and keep me on the edge of my seat…well. Elsie “Mad Mabel” Fitzpatrick’s acerbic wit kept me buoyed throughout. All of Sally Hepworth’s books that I have read, so far, are dual timeline. All of them have hooked me with the children in peril trope in “the past” of the story, and kept me hooked when that same child (or children) experience the fall out as adults. Mad Mabel is no different in that way from the three others by her I have read. I gave the previous book I read by this author, The Mother-in-Law 5 stars, but I loved this one in a different way. I admired the character development in the former more than I liked the characters. Unlike that one, all of the protagonists in this were extremely likable and admirable, and there were many of them. I was cheering for them all the way, and their outcomes, with one exception, were very satisfactory. Well, two exceptions. One worthy character’s fate was a little over the top fortunate, but I generally don’t mind that at all. Usually, the happier the better for characters that deserve it.

81-year-old Elsie has lived on Kenny Lane in Melbourne for 60 years. Only she and her friend Daphne know her true identity: Mad Mabel, the youngest person ever to be convicted of murder in Australia. Soon though, her neighborhood, Melbourne, and the whole country (if not the world), will know her true identity. One of her neighbors whom she didn’t make any secret of being at odds with drops dead, and Elsie discovers the body. This sparks a chain of events which at first will cause her to be a target of public gossip, a witch hunt, and even a police investigation. It isn’t long though before Elsie, finally thrust out of her reclusive existence, decides to tell the world the real story of her life and how she became the notorious “Mad Mabel.” Thanks to a pair of small-time podcasters and her own actions and events, she gradually reveals her true self behind the prickly and intimidating exterior, and earns her neighbors’ good will, loyalty, and even love. And let’s not forget the influence of Persephone, a precocious 7-year-old whom Elsie describes as an “irritating little despot.” It is a story that is full of tragedy and injustice although there are some bright spots, so not unremitting. Elsie’s voice is so engaging and worldly-wise, I didn’t feel crushed by all that befell her. And of course, the knowledge that because she is finally telling her story, people will at last know the truth, was a lifeline. The book alternates between Then and Now. The Now parts, although there are some scary moments, provide a respite from her sad Then parts. Yet I was always OK with going back to Then because her story was so interesting and told with the wisdom of age. Plus, I wanted answers. (One of the answers I still want is who is that supposed to be on the cover of the book?)

The truths that are revealed by the podcast are pretty blockbuster, and one was a genuine shock. One reveal, I had guessed right away. In fact, I found it so obvious that I suspect Sally Hepworth never meant it to be a big secret from any careful readers. The fallout in the present time despite some devastatingly sad past occurrences, was overall good, if not great. I was perfectly fine that some of the outcomes turned out to be almost fairytale. I love that in all of Sally Hepworth’s books. She really puts you through the wringer, but, at least so far in the books I have read, it is all worth it.
She is now in my tippy top echelon of favorite authors. I’ve loved all the books I’ve read by her and am grateful she still has some I have yet to read. I meant to stop at the 80% mark and leave the rest for another day. But I couldn’t put it down. I can’t remember the last time I was moved to tears at the close of a book.

One more quote:
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”— Albus Dumbledore

Rating: 5 out of 5.

The Mother-in-Law

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by Sally Hepworth

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I’m not warm, I’m not especially kind. But I can be strong.

I believe this is the first book of Sally Hepworth’s that really made it big. It’s the one that brought her to my attention. Despite great reviews, I avoided it for a couple of years, reading instead 2 later books by her which I thoroughly enjoyed. I assumed that if the book was about a Mother-in-Law she had to be Evil. That’s what the synopsis seemed to suggest as well. And if the Mother-in-law was evil, that meant the husband had to be either complicit, stupid, or weak. Now that’s fine in romantic woman’s fiction as our heroine will suffer or be deceived by said hubby but dump him on the way to a better life with another man who is worthy of her.

But this wasn’t so simple or predictable. First and foremost it is a study of characters. Not just one. In the first chapter we learn that Diana, the Mother-in-Law, is dead. At first it looks like suicide, and then it looks like murder. There are many confusing things about it which will not be answered until the last pages. The past is told in flashbacks by Diana and Lucy, the Daughter-in-law, in first person. They are joint protagonists even though Lucy is the only one still alive in the present and dealing with what turns out to be a murder mystery and investigation. At about a quarter in, I liked both of the two women who didn’t understand each other because they didn’t know what I, the reader, was learning. And as I learned more and more, I felt saddened by their adversarial relationship when they could have been allies and even friends. Such waste! Diana, Lucy’s mother-in-law, is not warm or kind, but she is a good woman who wants the best for those close to her. She just goes at it in a way that most people would disagree with. She adores her husband Tom and he adores her. She has founded a charity, and works very hard at it, to help down-on-their-luck pregnant immigrant women get the supplies and care they need. I interpreted Diana as having a borderline personality disorder perhaps partially caused by her difficult past. She seems to have developed an inability to feel or show empathy for those close to her. She is very complicated, confusing and mysterious. Lucy has married Ollie, Diana’s son. Lucy is also a good person: a bit of a free spirit, very nice, and with a strong moral center. She and Ollie love each other very much. Lucy’s wonderful mother died when she was only 13 and she meets her fiancé’s mother hoping that she and Diana will become close friends or even have a loving mother-daughter relationship. That hope does not last long. Their first meeting sets the pattern which is repeated over and over until near the end. Diana is very reserved and formal at their first meeting. Ollie asks his mother what she thinks about Lucy, and Lucy overhears Diana say “I think she’s fine.” She is very hurt by this “damning with faint praise” assessment. When Diana’s society friends explain that “Nothing good ever started from fine”, she doesn’t get it. To Diana,

“fine is an appropriate seal of approval for the son’s new girlfriend. Love is obviously too strong a word, and even like would be overstating after a mere evening together-Heaven forbid I be one of those overbearing women that fawned all over the new girlfriend begging to be best friends…. As far as I am concerned, If Lucy loved my son and he loved her she was fine by me. Absolutely fine“.

And of course she doesn’t know that Lucy overheard her comment. Not that she would really try to explain herself. Diana’s first impression of Lucy is that she has been spoiled and adored her whole life and so is rather weak. But Lucy is actually very strong, as Diana learns. And Lucy is not faultless in the rocky relationship. Diana makes such an unpleasant scene over the price of the wedding gown Lucy loves at the bridal shop, that she walks out embarrassed and hurt. But later, she realizes later that Diana did her a huge favor. Lucy never talks to Diana about it. Diana never tells Lucy that she didn’t like the dress not only because of the price, but because the dress did not reflect Lucy’s off beat fashion style and made her look “generic.” There were so many times a heart to heart between the two would have healed the breach. But Diana does not do heart to hearts. Only the reader is allowed to see Diana’s side of things, and even then she does things that are really inexcusable. Even when she becomes aware of her mis-steps she never goes back to set things straight. “She’s a good mother, I have to admit. It occurs to me that I’ve never told her that.” And she never does.

As the story goes on, Lucy and Ollie have children, and the breach between them grows very wide. Even, we are told, to the point of physical violence though we do not know the circumstances right away. So when Diana’s death looks like murder, all eyes turn to Lucy. Our suspicions turn to Ollie. Because though Ollie is a good person, he is weak and not all that bright. Diana recalls an incident involving Ollie and his sister Nettie in their pool when Nettie almost drowns trying to save her little brother:

That’s when I realized. Some people jumped in and tried to save someone who was in trouble; others did anything they could to save themselves. Ollie hadn’t meant to drown Nettie, he was simply following his instincts, just as she was following hers. My children had just shown me who they were.

By the end, I was desperate for Diana to see the light and for the two women to come to an understanding. I was intrigued by the mystery of Diana’s death and the fates of everyone in the family. I won’t say anymore but I found the ending more satisfying and hopeful than it had any right to be.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Let the Bells Ring Out

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By Milly Johnson

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Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous’, Einstein said. Freud disregarded such nonsense: everything could be explained was his mantra; whereas Jung believed coincidences were a manifestation of a deeper order in the universe. Certainly, after Clifford’s ‘experience’ he was more inclined to believe in the magic of them. ‘Accept the mystery, Jane,’ he’d say. ‘I am a happier man for doing so.’

One of Milly’s specialties is telling the stories of women (and sometimes men) who are victimized and dominated by their (usually narcissistic) partners who finally see the light and find the strength to stand up for themselves and escape. Usually into the loving arms of another man (or woman) who is kind, strong, and worthy of them. Although I love Milly Johnson’s writing and eagerly anticipate these characters’ final victories and the comeuppances in store for their abusers, it’s all starting to get a little old. Let me put this feeling about this aspect of Milly’s books in context. I have read every Milly Johnson book at least twice and some several times. Even when I first started reading Milly some of her female characters (usually self-inflicted) plights were way too much for me. But sometimes as much as the designated doormat in her cast of characters frustrated and sometimes even infuriated me, the situation was usually balanced out in some way. For example, an epic take down of the abuser( The Yorkshire Pudding Club), or the woman (or man) having the epiphany fairly early on, and determined and committed to her escape route (The Queen of Wishful Thinking.) What I can’t abide is what happened in this one.

We follow a diverse group of English men and women who are struggling in their lives in some way and are traveling for Christmas. Due to a rather mysterious storm, they end up snowbound together on a luxurious private train. This is very similar in structure to Milly’s 2020 Christmas themed novel, I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday. We first meet Tom, the attractive owner of a Taxi service who is chauffeuring a beautiful and posh young woman, Elizabeth, to a Manor on the outskirts of Durham where she is meeting her fiancé and their two sets of parents for their annual celebration. It is apparent immediately that her relationship with her fiancé is not only unhappy but toxic. Jane is an elderly woman who has been recently widowed and missing her wonderful professor husband and happy marriage. Wherever she is going she is not looking forward to it. It is clear that those who remain in her life do not appreciate her. Grace and Frank are a married couple and we learn that something happened in their lives that turned Grace from a lovely woman to a cold, snappish, and sour killjoy who holds something against her very nice and warmhearted husband. “Roo”, or Ruby, is a lively young woman who seems a bit eccentric but nice. She is not a fan of Christmas and has suffered a recent setback. Tim is a middle-aged man who is grumpy and standoffish. He is a big guy with a white beard who ironically works at playing Santa Claus at Christmas. As they make themselves at home on the train, they are surprised and delighted that every luxury they could wish for, from accommodations, to food, to drink is theirs for the asking. As they get to know each other and each other’s stories even the least sociable and closed down among them start to open up. With the others’ help and advice they start to understand and come to terms with truths about what has damaged them and their lives. Paths forward to healing slowly reveal themselves to each of them. As the 7 castaways become friends they start to notice strange things going on in some of the train cars. They are not alone.

This was a likable and enjoyable book in many ways, and of course happy endings abound at the end in true Milly Johnson fashion. There were some twists and turns I saw coming a mile away, but a few I didn’t. Unfortunately, Two of the main women characters, Elizabeth and Grace, got me so frustrated and angry that I almost wished they had been left with the unhappy endings they deserved! Almost. The story is told, as in most ensemble type books and movies, by visiting each character as they contribute to the present day plot while their backstory is unwoven. Most if not all of Milly’s stories involve (heavenly?) enchantment to some degree, but this one, like her other previously mentioned holiday tale, is all about the Christmas magic.

As usual Milly weaves good stories around each of the engaging characters. They deal with grief, estrangement from loved ones, disappointment in love, unrealized potential, or greedy or rotten families. All written with plenty of Yorkshire dialect, humor, and a light touch. My first problem was that every single time we came to Elizabeth’s turn in the spotlight, it was one horror after another showing how badly she was treated by her horrible family, her horrible fiancé, and his horrible family. She reflects on their horribleness, clearly sees how she is being gaslighted and bullied, but still never wavers from going back to her toxic environment. Even as a clear path to living her dream in life and love unfolds before her! She acts like a lifetime of misery is preferable to rocking her boat. She comes to her senses at the last second but even then has to be driven away by the nice guy. We never see her stand up to confront her rotten family and fiancé. I imagine they were all kinds of gobsmacked and irate over her rebellion, but we never have the pleasure of reveling in their downfall. All we get is a glimpse of them in the rear view mirror as they are sprayed with the gravel of her getaway taxi. Not even an engagement ring-toss out the window.

I’m not going to dwell on Grace, but she was a stone cold b***ch to her kind, popular, and patient husband. Yes, they experienced a horrible tragedy together, but to Grace it was all about her. She blamed her husband for something completely out of any human control. Both women held on to their painful circumstances much too stubbornly for me. They continued on their roads to disaster despite almost miraculous escape routes being provided right in front of them. To add to my exasperation, I even started to despise poor Frank for putting up with Grace so patiently for so long. I have never given any of Milly’s novels less than 4 stars, but sadly, I couldn’t give this one more than 3 in the end. It was Dawn in Summer Fling, my least favorite character in my least favorite novel by the author, all over again. Kind of a bummer, actually.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Northanger Abbey

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by Jane Austen

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Although I had never read this novel before, I knew the plot backwards and forwards thanks to the two BBC productions I have watched numerous times. Also I listened to an abridged version several years ago. I had started Val McDermid’s modern re-working of Northanger Abbey and it was not going well. It started me to thinking, “why am I reading this, when I still haven’t actually read the real one”? I decided to listen to it again since I have had the unabridged version in my Audible library for years. It was very funny right from the the start. It did go well. Of course I knew all the ins and outs of the plot. But I probably would have enjoyed it more if it were the first go round of any kind. Also, I suspect I would have picked up even more of the humor if I had read it on the page.

The book begins with Jane Austen informing the reader of all reasons why Catherine Morland, our heroine, is not suited to the role. In fact, The Narrator (Austen) pulls no punches in eviscerating Catherine and detailing her lack of heroic qualities. Brains? Nope.

She never could learn or understand anything before she was taught; and sometimes not even then, for she was often inattentive, and occasionally stupid.

Beauty? Nope

…and Catherine, for many years of her life [was] as plain as any. She had a thin awkward figure, a sallow skin without colour, dark lank hair, and strong features…” No mention of “speaking, twinkling, intelligent, or laughing gray eyes, you will notice. But… At fifteen, appearances were mending…she had now the pleasure of sometimes hearing her father and mother remark on her personal improvement. “Catherine grows quite a good-looking girl-she is almost pretty today.”

Talents and accomplishments? Nope.

Her taste for drawing was not superior. though whenever she could obtain…any…odd piece of paper, she did what she could in that way, by drawing houses and trees, hens and chickens, all very much like one another. Writing and accounts she was taught by her father; French by her mother: her proficiency in either was not remarkable, and she shirked her lessons in both whenever she could. What a strange, unaccountable character!—

I laughed aloud at the idea of a house, a tree and a chicken looking very much alike. After being assured that Catherine’s father “is not the least addicted to locking up his daughters” we read that her mother was a woman of useful plain sense, with a good temper, and, what is more remarkable, with a “good constitution.”

So having assured us that Catherine does not fit the mold of a Gothic heroine she eventually plops her in the middle of a plot worthy of any respectable gothic romance. In her own mind. For Catherine is a little obsessed with gothic novels. Taken to Bath by well off family friends, Catherine is drawn in and befriended by the manipulative Isabella Thorpe and her crass brother who tries to worm his way into her affections. She also meets the upstanding and witty Henry Tilney and his nice sister Eleanor. Catherine develops a tendre for him and he seems to reciprocate her feelings. Eleanor invites her to their ancestral home, Northanger Abbey, for several weeks, and Catherine is in a state of shivery delight that the Tilney’s ancestral home is an actual Abbey.


Her passion for ancient edifices was next in degree to her passion for Henry Tilney…With all the chances against her of house, hall, place, park, court, and cottage, Northanger turned up an abbey…long damp passages…narrow cells and ruined chapel…the hope of some traditional legends, some awful memorials of an injured and ill-fated nun.”

Although unlike the films, the Abbey does not live up to her imagination, (not an “antique chimney”, dirt, or cobwebs in sight-Neither “awful forebodings of future miseries” nor “sighs of the murdered” either) she finds plenty of fuel for her fantasies. She convinces herself that Henry and Eleanor’s intimidating, strange-acting, and hot-tempered father murdered their mother (or possibly has her imprisoned somewhere in a secret cell.) When she is caught snooping in a place she should not be by Henry, he sets her straight and makes no bones about what he thinks of her deluded fantasies. In the face of his disdainful take-down she comes to her senses with a decided ker-plunk. (But he still likes her.) Ironically, it is after her wake-up call when General Tilney genuinely does her a shocking cruelty and even puts her life in danger by his rude and heartless actions. So maybe not so detached from reality after all.

Although Catherine Morland is not the crispiest chip in the bag, I grew to like her very much. She is kind and good-hearted, and if she is sometimes silly it stems from naivety and innocence rather than brainlessness. I was completely won over by this passage:

[Henry Tilney] looked as handsome and as lively as ever, and was talking with interest to a fashionable and pleasing-looking young woman, who leant on his arm, and whom Catherine immediately guessed to be his sister; thus unthinkingly throwing away a fair opportunity of considering him lost to her forever, by being married already… he had never mentioned a wife, and he had acknowledged a sister. From these circumstances sprang the instant conclusion of his sister’s now being by his side; and therefore, instead of turning of a deathlike paleness and falling in a fit on Mrs. Allen’s bosom, Catherine sat erect, in the perfect use of her senses, and with cheeks only a little redder than usual.

And she shines in comparison to two other women in the story: Isabelle Thorpe and Mrs. Allen. Mrs. Allen makes Catherine seem sensible and resolute and Isabelle highlights Catherine’s virtues by being her opposite. That Catherine has been able to attract the friendship and liking of such a role model as Eleanor Tilney also speaks very well of her. And how can one be too hard on someone who is such a voracious reader of novels? Unfortunately, although witty and tolerant, I found Henry a bit prosy and self satisfied. Not as likable as the Henry Tilney of the films.


“Henry,” said Miss Tilney, “you are very impertinent. Miss Morland,…He is forever finding fault with me, for some incorrectness of language, and now he is taking the same liberty with you. The word “nicest,” as you used it, did not suit him…”Very true, said Henry, “and this is a very nice day, and we are taking a very nice walk and you are two very nice young ladies. Oh! It is a very nice word indeed! It does for everything. Originally perhaps it was applied only to express…”

And blah blah blah.

But that aside, I found myself chuckling at the wry humor, admiring Austen’s characterizations, and the skewering of the gothic novels of her day. Even though I am an old Gothic reader myself, I am not at all tempted to read one of the many of Catherine’s reading list based on the little snatches we are favored with in Northanger Abbey. I now have read all of Jane Austen’s books except Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice several times. I guess you could say I’m saving it.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Pawn in Frankincense (#4 in the Lymond Chronicles)

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By Dorothy Dunnett

Evil matters. So does love. So does pity. My pilgrim,’ said the Dame de Doubtance gently, ‘you have still three bitter lessons to learn.’

The penultimate scene of The Disorderly Knights foreshadows the age-old ethical dilemma that one is devastatingly confronted with in this, Pawn in Frankincense: When does the greater good outweigh the good of the individual? When it is a matter of life or death, how does one choose the sacrifice, and how will one live with the consequences of the decision?
Francis Crawford of Lymond’s hand is stayed by the redoubtable Philippa Somerville just as he is about to execute the malevolent and malignant Graham Reid Malett a.k.a. Gabriel. In the devastating scene Malett has shockingly revealed that Francis has a baby son who is under his power and if he dies, his son dies. Nevertheless, Francis, knowing the depth of threat Malett represents to the world is determined to carry through killing him after besting him in mortal combat. He is willing to sacrifice one child (Is GRM even telling the truth?) to save thousands.

And a child’s voice, echoing his in turn said, “No!”… No, Mr. Crawford!” cried Philippa forbiddingly, and ducking under the snatching arms that tried to prevent her, she ran forward…..sinking on her knees she shook, in her vehemence, Lymond’s bloodstained arm…There is a baby. You can’t abandon your son!” …Philippa Somerville, who believed in action when words were not enough, had leaned over and snatched the knife from Lymond’s left hand.

It is enough. Gabriel escapes back to the Ottoman Empire as, thanks to Lymond, he is persona non grata anywhere in Europe. There, in this book, he will betray his brothers, the Knights of St. John, and abandon all pretense of Christianity. He will successfully consolidate the power he craves under Suleiman the Magnificent while planning the entrapment and downfall of Lymond using his son as a pawn in the game.

The final scene in the preceding book has Lymond in front of a church altar vowing to find and save his lost son while somehow destroying Gabriel. Pawn in Frankincense is his quest.

We start out in Baden, in the Swiss Confederation, where Philippa, accompanied by Lymond’s sidekick, the usually very confused Jerott Blythe, has snuck away from her mother Kate and tracked Lymond down. She has come, she says, to look after the baby once he is found. One may ask, how could Lymond agree to take a 15 year old schoolgirl, the daughter his one of his closest friends, on such a treacherous journey?

As I have said before, and am now saying for the last time, I cannot tell you with what awe my family and friends, not to mention yours, would receive the idea that I should ship a twelve- year- old girl along the Barbary coast——’

Not surprisingly (if one has gotten to know her) Philippa prevails. And thank God for it. She provides the only safe haven and flashes of light in a book full of tension, fear and horror. Somehow, we know that she will always be all right. She is a master of “the feat of keeping her head, her reason and her sense of the ridiculous amid conditions of civilized lunacy.” Not that she doesn’t have a difficult journey. At one point, Lymond decides he must place killing Gabriel over finding his son and sends Philippa back home. He thinks. Philippa decides to continue the hunt virtually on her own and ends up entering the Sultan’s harem to protect the young toddler (because of course she finds him) from the cruel tentacles of Gabriel. As she writes to her mother, Lymond’s good friend,

Dear Kate. As you will see from the address, I am staying as a concubine in the harem of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, son of Sultan Setim Khan, son of Sultan Bayezid Khan, King of Kings, Sovereign of Sovereigns; Commander of All that can be Commanded, Sultan of Babylon, Lord of the White Sea and the Black Sea, most high Emperor of Byzantium and Trebizond, most mighty King of Persia and Arabia, Syria and Egypt, Supreme Lord of Europe and Asia, Prince of Mecca and Aleppo, Possessor of Jerusalem and Lord of the Universal Sea….There are two hundred and ninety- nine other girls here: but no one else from Northumberland. Tell Betty I have the dearest little black page.

We meet and continue our acquaintance with many intriguing characters, some fictional, some not. Some lovable, some not. They include Marthe, a young woman who could be Lymond’s twin. Sybilla’s child? But that’s impossible. Isn’t it? We learn there are two supposedly indistinguishable babies in peril, the other one being Gabriel’s own son from an unspeakable union. At times it seems we are in a retelling of the Odyssey, at others, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Ladyhawke, or an Errol Flynn pirate movie situation. Even once, a very strange romantic comedy fake marriage, one bed trope. At one point, horribly, Sophie’s Choice came to mind.

Dunnett’s books are very cinematic thanks to the lush realism of her descriptions. She is merciless with what she puts Lymond and those he cares for through and they will not emerge triumphant unscathed. In one of the last chapters, I was physically trembling as I read. I love Dorothy Dunnett, but thanks to this at times painful book, I kind of hate her too.

Rating: 5 out of 5.