Audiobook Review: Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie

October 31, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

Opening sentence: “Mrs Ariadne Oliver had gone with a friend, with whom she was staying, Judith Butler, to help with the preparation of a children’s party, which was to take place that same evening.” I was drawn to this particular book in Agatha’s vast catalogue for two reasons. The first: timing (there’s nothing like a […]

Review: The Colour of Bee Larkham’s Murder by Sarah J. Harris

May 9, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

Opening sentence: “Bee Larkham’s murder was ice blue crystals with glittery edges and jagged, silver icicles.” If you love a unique protagonist, then you need to give this book a read ASAP. Thirteen-year-old Jasper Wishart has autism, synesthesia (a condition where for every word, sound, object or person, he sees colours – read more about […]

Review: The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side by Agatha Christie

April 23, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

‘Out flew the web and floated wide; The mirror crack’d from side to side; ‘The curse is come upon me,’ cried The Lady of Shalott.’ – Alfred Tennyson Well, it had to happen sooner or later… I’ve finally read an Agatha Christie book that I didn’t particularly enjoy. I finished this feeling underwhelmed and a […]

Review: The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

March 2, 2019.Reading time 6 minutes.

Opening sentence: “I forget everything between footsteps.” If you’re planning on giving The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle a read – and I think you should – maybe allocate a little more time than usual. Coming in at just over 500 pages, it’s a longer novel anyway but let this picture give you an idea […]

Review: Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie

February 23, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

Opening sentence: “My dear M. Poirot!” Cards on the Table has an interesting line in the foreword by Agatha Christie: ‘(this) was one of Hercule Poirot’s favourite cases. His friend, Captain Hastings, however, when Poirot described it to him, considered it very dull!’ Interesting, as when I started reading I feared I was going to […]

Review: Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie

January 24, 2019.Reading time 5 minutes.

Opening sentence:“Gwenda Reed stood, shivering a little, on the quayside.” To give it its full title – Sleeping Murder: Miss Marple’s Last Case is, ironically, my first ever Miss Marple read. But why start with her final book, you ask? Well… I assure you there is method to my madness! I decided 2019 would be […]

Review: Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie

December 22, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

This edition published by HarperCollins 1998 (First published 1938) / 219 pages Opening sentence: “Stephen pulled up the collar of his coat as he walked briskly along the platform.” ‘I feel like reading a book to get me in the Christmas mood’, I thought. ‘Yes, why not see what Poirot is up to over the […]