 Hello book lovers! This week, I'll be discussing my second Miss Marple read, A Caribbean Mystery! A Caribbean Mystery (Miss Marple #9) by Agatha Christie (5 stars) The sunny island of Saint Honore is just what Miss Marple needed to relax. But evil doesn't rest. And when Major Palgrave dies suddenly, Miss Marple knows her vacation is over. The detective was sure that the major's death was murder, and if she didn't act quickly, it would not be the last... Review Many of you who have been keeping up with AZE for the last couple of months know that my first experience with Miss Marple did not go well. I read Murder at the Vicarage, the first book in the Marple series, a couple of months ago and was quite disappointed. Although the storyline was intriguing, the characters in the novel were mundane and uninteresting- making the novel boring and drawn out. (For my full review of Murder at the Vicarage visit: https://www.theaze.com/blog/book-review-bookstore-picks-part-two ) Luckily, this time around, it was a completely different experience. A Caribbean Mystery was a gripping novel filled with riveting plot twists. Unlike Murder at the Vicarage, the characters featured in this book were vibrant, bold, and memorable. I also found that this Marple read was similar to Evil Under the Sun (Hercule Poirot #24). Both books, although in different series, took place on an island and featured fascinating characters. Despite this, I loved A Caribbean Mystery because it was captivating and fast-paced. Almost every character in the book appeared suspicious which made guessing who the killer was that much more exciting! I can say with certainty that I'm delighted to have given Miss Marple a second chance. I'm quite excited to read the rest of the Marple books. Which picks in the series are your favorite? Leave your recommendations down below!
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 Welcome back to AZE readers! Today, I'll be discussing a Hercule Poirot pick, Mrs. McGinty's Dead! Mrs. McGinty's Dead (Hercule Poirot #28) by Agatha Christie (4.5 stars) One night in the small town of Broadhinny, an old woman is barbarically murdered in her cottage... Days later, police confirm she suffered a brutal blow to the head. Evidence points suspicion to the lodger, James Bentley, whose clothes contained Mrs. McGinty's blood and hair. However, something was just not right. When Superintendent Spence asks Hercule Poirot to help, the great detective is sure he can save the innocent man- what he doesn't realize is that his life is now in great danger... Review "For, you see, mon cher Spence, if Mrs McGinty is just an ordinary charwoman- it is the murderer who must be extraordinary. Yes- that follows clearly. It is the murderer and not the murdered that the interest of this case lies," said Poirot. Mrs. McGinty's Dead just might be on my list of Poirot favorites! This unputdownable pick had me hooked from the very beginning. As always, the writing was superb and the characters were unforgettable. However, this time around, it was the plot that captured my attention. There's nothing as fascinating as a clear-cut case that turns out to be just the opposite. From the first page of this novel the audience is faced with a remarkable question: did James Bentley kill Mrs. McGinty? The countless clues assured officers that he was guilty, but how can a case be so effortlessly solved? It's as if the evidence was meant to be found... If Bentley wasn't a killer that meant he was being framed, and THAT meant that Poirot and his readers were dealing with a brilliant mind. This case was not only filled with excitement, it was filled with intrigue. Christie poses dozens of questions and twists that have readers on edge until the very last page. However, the best element of this novel is that no one is who they appear to be. Although someone may not be guilty of murder, they're surely guilty of something... Mrs. McGinty's Dead is a great book for readers who love both thrillers and detective mysteries! Ready to guess who killed Mrs. McGinty? Pick up a copy of Hercule Poirot's 30th case!  Welcome back readers! This week, I'll be sharing my first Tana French reading experience... Let's get started! Broken Harbor (DMS #4) by Tana French (4.5 stars) One night in a half-abandoned “luxury” development in Ireland, Patrick Spain and his two young children are mercilessly murdered. His wife, Jenny, fights for her life in intensive care. At first, detectives think it’s going to be an easy case to solve. But as time goes by, too many details become unexplainable- the half-dozen baby monitors pointed at holes that plague the walls, the files erased from their home computer, and the story Jenny told her sister about an intruder... Will the Dublin Murder Squad solve the case? Review Now I know what you're thinking. "Erika... Did you read the fourth book of the Dublin Murder Squad series before reading the first three?" Yes, I absolutely did. After doing a lot (and I mean a lot) of research on Tana French and the Dublin Murder Squad Series, I discovered that the series didn't need to be read in the exact order it was published. While there are some that do need to be read before others, dozens of DMS fans recommend not reading In the Woods (Dublin Murder Squad #1) first because many find it off-putting. So, after reading many forums, the order that was most recommended was:
This novel can be read as a standalone. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's chat about Broken Harbor. As you know, this novel was my first experience with Tana French. I have to be honest... I wasn't crazy about it... AT FIRST. In the past, I've explained that I prefer concise and vivid writing- French's writing, while very vivid, is also very wordy. HOWEVER, after a couple of pages I was absolutely captivated by the characters and the plot of the story. Although I didn't love French's detailed and lengthy word choice, I was able to look past it and soon became completely enthralled by the storyline. After reading 100 pages or so, I found myself devouring Broken Harbor. I read the first 200 pages in the span of two days and finished the last 250 pages in one sitting! Mick "Scorcher" Kennedy, the protagonist and prime detective on the Spain case, was one of the highlights of this novel. Scorcher was witty, comical, and sarcastic- my favorite kind of character. Despite this, what hooked me was the plot itself. An atrocious murder had been committed in a desolate town, and the more I read, the more eager I was to find out the truth. The moment I began reading this story, this case was all I could think about. Who would commit such a heinous crime and why? After hours and hours of reading, I even asked my family and friends who they thought was the culprit... I can say with full certainty that I'm a Tana French fan- not for her writing style particularly but her ability to create intriguing characters and storylines. I recommend Broken Harbor to readers who enjoy detailed and flowery language, character-based novels, and classic detective mysteries! This novel is NOT a good pick if you're in the mood for a quick, thrilling read. However, if you think you can look past the fact that French's diction is quite lengthy, I really suggest picking up a copy of Broken Harbor! I have already purchased a copy of Faithful Place and will be starting it soon! Have you read Broken Harbor or any of Tana French's works? Share your thoughts in the comment section!  Hello bibliophiles! After tallying the Instagram polls, it's finally settled! New blog posts will go live every Sunday. Despite this, I am trying my hardest to work out a way to bring back two posts a week! In the meantime, book reviews related to adult fiction will be available on AZE while bookish pieces related to children's literature will be accessible on Spanish Classroom. The link will be down below! Now that I've mentioned the latest scheduling info, let's chat about this week's book! Today, I'll be discussing one of Gillian Flynn's most popular works, Sharp Objects. HBO's newly adapted miniseries, based on this very novel, premieres TONIGHT at 9 PM EST. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn (4.5 stars) Soon after her release from a psych hospital, reporter Camilla Breaker faces a troubling assignment- to return to her hometown and cover the gruesome murders of two young girls. For years, Camilla has barely spoken to her hypochondriac mother and manipulative half sister. Now, back in her childhood bedroom, she finds herself identifying with the girls too strongly. Taunted by her demons, she must revisit the story of her past if she wants to uncover the true story. Review Okay wow. I am SO happy I decided to give Gillian Flynn a second chance. Those of you who follow AZE on Instagram (@theazereads) know of my last experience with Gillian Flynn. I picked up a copy of Gone Girl towards the beginning of this year and was absolutely captivated by the author's writing, the story, and especially the characters. However, after the ending, I was furious to say the least. I spent months avoiding my peers' suggestions to try her other works. "You won't be disappointed," they assured me, but I did not want to be let down again. Then, a couple of weeks ago, one of my trusted book friends, @thrilltalkbookblog (Miranda), recommended I pick up Sharp Objects. Because I've done buddy reads with Miranda in the past and know that our taste in books is very similar, I decided (with my guard up) to purchase a copy of Sharp Objects and start it right away. It's absolutely no surprise that I was hooked from the very first chapter. Flynn has an astounding way of capturing her audience through exquisite word choice. However, while it felt amazing to feel so familiar with the characters and setting, it also felt frightening at times. Even though Flynn's novel is gripping, there's no doubt that it's dark. Because of this, there were times I wished her writing wasn't so illustrative. As twisted as Sharp Objects may be, it truly is a brilliant piece. Although Flynn's diction and writing style are remarkable, her ability to create authentically wicked characters is even more extraordinary. While the plot is gripping, this book is unquestionably character-based. Each personality plays a significant role, and it isn't until the end of the story that the audience truly sees how each character serves to piece this sinister puzzle together. I wouldn't recommend this novel to all mystery fanatics because it may be too intense for some readers. Luckily, Sharp Objects is a great pick for fans of the mystery and thriller genres who are up for a dark, wicked read. Have you read this piece or other Gillian Flynn works? Share your thoughts with us below! To visit Spanish Classroom go to: https://www.santillanausa.com/spanish-classroom  Welcome back to AZE bibliophiles! Today, I'm back with a new post, but it's not a book review... I recently began an internship at Santillana Publishing as a reader/blogger. I'll be writing book reviews and other bookish posts for Santillana USA's blog- Spanish Classroom. The blog specializes in providing teachers and parents with resources and other fun, bookish information regarding the publisher's education books as well as their immense selection of children's literature. What does this mean for AZE? Because I'll be reading material for Santillana while I also read for pleasure, I'll be posting bookish pieces on here only once a week. In the past, I've uploaded new material both Wednesdays and Sundays. But now, YOU'LL decide whether you'd like to see AZE's bookish posts on either Wednesday or Sunday! In the next couple of days, I'll be taking a poll on Instagram, @theazereads , so you can pick which of the two days you'd prefer! Fortunately, this doesn't mean I'll be writing less! Although I will only upload ONE piece a week on AZE, you can expect to read dozens of upcoming reviews on Spanish Classroom under the "BOOKS AND AUTHORS" or "FEATURED READINGS" tab. These pieces will be based off Santillana's wide selection of comical and heartwarming children's stories. To check out my FIRST piece for Santillana, a review of Guillermo Fesser's Get to Know Bernardo de Galvez, check out: https://www.santillanausa.com/spanish-classroom/get-to-know-bernardo-de-galvez-a-clever-history-filled-story-that-everyone-will-enjoy.html Thanks so much for your support, and tune in to Instagram, @theazereads , to decide whether you'd like to see more of AZE on either Wednesdays or Sundays! |