Closed Casket

By: Sophie Hannah

Libby audiobook 9ish hours

Published: 2015

Genre: murder mystery, Hercule Poirot

I need to stop getting "Agatha Christie" books that weren't written by her! Sophie Hannah was pretty true to Christie's style, but I much prefer actual Christie books.

Wikipedia summary: "Lady Athelinda Playford, the author of a popular series of children's mystery novels, summons her children, lawyers, Hercule Poirot, and Scotland Yard detective Edward Catchpool to her home, Lillieoak, in Clonakilty, Ireland. At dinner, she announces a shocking change to her will. She has disinherited her son Harry and daughter Claudia in favor of her charismatic secretary, Joseph Scotcher, who is terminally ill and has only weeks to live. She intends to take Joseph to her own doctor and make all efforts necessary to save his life. Harry's wife Dorro lashes out, while Claudia and her fiance, Dr. Randall Kimpton, are disdainful. Joseph is alarmed by the change to the will but spontaneously proposes marriage to his nurse, Sophie Bourlet."

 

There were plenty of clues, misdirection, etc. Poirot is of course the hero of the day when he solves the mystery. It was okay, but I kind of wanted Bridgette the cook to be the killer. I'm not sure why the story was told from Catchpool's POV. It was almost like he was Poirot's Watson. I think lawyer Michael Gathercole was my favorite character.

It's Okay to Not Finish . . .

I was listening to Kristin Hannah's The Four Winds and I wasn't enjoying it. Her writing is wonderful, but Elsa (Elsinore) as a spinster in 1921 just wasn't working for me. I felt sorry for her, but also frustrated. My one favorite quote before I quit listening was from her deceased grandfather. "Don't be afraid of dying. Be afraid of not living." The Walcotts and their social standing were off putting. I was curious about The Age of Innocence, but don't think I'll get it and read it. 

I just decided to move on even though I truly think Hannah is a talented author who crafts a strong story. The vocal work was fine; I just didn't like it.

Home Again

by Kristin Hannah
loaned to me by M. Wegner paperback 393 pages
genre: mostly realistic, relationships

Madelaine Hillyard - her mom died when she was six, her dad was a cruel, controlling, belittling man (and rich, too), she got pregnant at age 16, her boyfriend left, she was a single mom who worked her way through med school and become a cardiologist

Angel DeMarco - was the bad boy who got her pregnant and took off when he was 17, always fought with his "perfect" brother and tried to win his alcoholic, abusive mother's love. Became a superstar actor who went through women, drugs, and alcohol like a fish through water. Until his heart condition became critical.

Francis DeMarco - a priest, always there for Maddy and her daughter Lina. Lonely, in love with Madelaine but even more in love with God. Striving to do the right thing.

Lina Hillyard - rebelling against her "perfect" mom and wanting to know who her father is. Angry girl testing boundaries (which her mother struggles to put in place).

It wasn't really a wonderful book, yet I couldn't put it down. I wouldn't call it Christian fiction - it didn't have a strong reliance on Scripture or a gospel message. But it wasn't just a tawdry book about people getting whatever they want, either. I don't want to put any spoilers here, but it wasn't shocking how the story turned out. I would read other books by her, but they're not going to be top of my list.

Comfort & Joy

by Kristin Hannah
CD, Hennepin County Library, 6 hours

Read by Sandra Burr

This book honestly surprised me. For a while it seemed like a fairly typical romance . . . but a little lame. (Self-absorbed main character, pondering her life and traumas a bit too much.) But then there was a plot twist that had me really caring about what happened and wondering how it would all end.

In the end, a sweet story. I liked it. But it isn't one I'd necessarily recommend to others . . .