I’ve only become aware of It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? today and am delighted to share my contribution: #IMWAYR is a weekly place to share extra #booklove in the form of what you have read over the last week, what you are currently reading and what’s coming next, hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.
So far, over the first week of this year, I have finished three books:
First up – as per one of my goals this year to try to listen to more audiobooks, and another to revisit some classic crime – is BBC Audio’s dramatisation of Agatha Christie’s The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding, from Audible. I did start listening to it during the festive period but even though it’s pretty short, it still took me until 2018 to finish! It’s a good adaptation with the reliable John Moffat playing Poirot, plus elegant support from Sian Phillips and a typically over-the-top blustery performance from Donald Sinden.
Next was book number eighteen in Simon Brett’s Fethering series of whodunits, The Liar in the Library. I have read most of this series and enjoy the classic amateur sleuth structure, their gentle (without being cloyingly cosy) tone and their relatively undemanding plots. This is another solid entry in the series. Read my full review here.
Finally, and with a total change in tone, was Dark Pines by Will Dean. This is a dark, atmospheric and moody mystery thriller, albeit with some surprisingly laugh out loud moments. The final climactic showdown is an absolute masterclass in tension. Read my full review here.
I am currently reading:
The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor. Although I’ve only just started this, as I wrote on Twitter earlier today:
…and that was actually my face, in that order!
Loving it!
I am also – as per the above goals – listening to Hugh Fraser (AKA Poirot’s Captain Hastings) reading Agatha Christie’s The Sittaford Mystery, via Audible. I had listened to him read Hercule Poirot’s Christmas over the holidays and was really impressed: the way he was able to bring to life all the characters, each with such a different voice it sounded like multiple actors, was incredible: male, female, young, old, stuffy pompous MP or young Spanish señorita. If you’ve listened to a lot of audiobooks, it may sound silly that I was surprised but I wasn’t sure what to expect and thought it really might just have been ‘someone reading out a book’. I sometimes struggle with audio as I seem to take in information better in writing, so at the moment, I am probably only going to listen to audiobooks where I’m at least familiar with the story, which is perfect for catching up with classic crime!
And next on my #TBR pile:
Her Last Lie by Amanda Brittany
She thought she was free of the past. She was wrong. Six years ago Isla was the only victim to walk free from Carl Jeffery’s vicious murder spree. Now, Isla vows to live her life to the fullest and from the outside it appears perfect. Determined to finish her book Isla plans her final trip to Sweden, but after returning from Canada and meeting a man she never thought she would, her life begins to derail. Suddenly Isla is plagued by memories of the man who tried to murder her, and the threat that he could be back causes her to question everything, and everyone around her.
Sounds intriguing!
And finally, If I Die Before I Wake by Emily Koch
How do you solve your own murder? Everyone believes Alex is in a coma, unlikely to ever wake up. As his family debate withdrawing life support, and his friends talk about how his girlfriend Bea needs to move on, he can only listen. But Alex soon begins to suspect that the accident that put him here wasn’t really an accident. Even worse, the perpetrator is still out there and Alex is not the only one in danger. As he goes over a series of clues from his past, Alex must use his remaining senses to solve the mystery of who tried to kill him, and try to protect those he loves, before they decide to let him go.
This has been getting great reviews, so I can’t wait to get started!
I hope to be able to share more #IMWAYR #booklove next week!
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