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Michele W. (shelsbooks) - Reviews

1 to 11 of 11
The Black Curl
The Black Curl
Author: Constance Little, Gwenyth Little
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 6/26/2013


Oh my. Well, the book started out good enough with a believable protagonist and interesting cast of supporting characters. There was a teaser: who is that woman with the limp and why did she start with fear when she saw our young gentleman? Add to this the Little's trademark humor and as a reader, you think you are set. Unfortunately the whole thing sort of dissolved by the end into a messy heap. I understand that this was the Little sisters' last book and maybe they were just sick of writing. Certainly don't start reading their work with this book - it is not a good example of what they were capable.


The Black Thumb (Rue Morgue Vintage Mystery)
The Black Thumb (Rue Morgue Vintage Mystery)
Author: Constance Little, Gwenyth Little
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 5
Review Date: 8/21/2015


This is the best of the Little sister's books I have read so far! It is fast paced and humorous, at times I laughed out loud. It takes place in a hospital with a student nurse as our protagonist. Very enjoyable!


Carved in Bone (Body Farm, Bk 1)
Carved in Bone (Body Farm, Bk 1)
Author: Jefferson Bass
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 252
Review Date: 7/9/2015
Helpful Score: 2


I enjoyed this book tremendously! Wonderful setting, interesting characters, a little bit of science, a little bit of humor and lots of action. I read Bill Bass's nonfiction work Death's Acre first, but that really isn't necessary to appreciate this great read!


The Chinese Parrot: A Charlie Chan Mystery (Charlie Chan Mysteries)
Review Date: 6/18/2013
Helpful Score: 1


I enjoyed this Golden Age mystery quite a bit. It was not quite as engaging as the first in this series, A House Without a Key, but still had many good points of its own. In this adventure, Charlie is pressed into service (in more ways than one!) to deliver an extremely valuable string of pearls to the mainland. As readers, we meet many characters. Some are crucial to the advancement of the plot and some are not, but all add to the sense of place and are nicely developed. There is a nice twist at the end, but I'll admit to a little impatience in getting there.


The Crying Sisters
The Crying Sisters
Author: Mabel Seeley
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.8/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 7/10/2010
Helpful Score: 1


The Crying Sisters is an atmospheric mystery set in a little lake resort (think 1930s) in northern Minnesota. The author does a great job of building up the tension and presenting a sense of place. I also enjoyed the interaction between the protagonist and the character of a two-year-old boy. It's hard to get little ones right, and I think the author did a good job with this. Very enjoyable!


Favorite Brand Name: Cooking for Kids, Kids' Party Food
Review Date: 6/8/2010


Lots of kid-friendly ideas for parties, snacks, lunches and entrees. Many photographs of the various recipes. Nice cookbook.


The Little White Horse
The Little White Horse
Author: Elizabeth Goudge
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 34
Review Date: 7/9/2015


Lovely, lovely story! My favorite childhood book along with A Wrinkle in Time.


Murder Is a Collector's Item (Emma Marsh Mysteries)
Murder Is a Collector's Item (Emma Marsh Mysteries)
Author: Elizabeth Dean
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 8/14/2013
Helpful Score: 2


I enjoyed this mystery. It was lighthearted but not silly. Written in 1939, it contained interesting information about the antiquing business during the Depression. I also enjoyed the conversation and slang that was used, some of it still employed today. The characters were likable, people I would enjoy reading about again. I did have to re-read several sections because I did not follow where the author was leading me and an abundance of characters lead to a little confusion. Overall, I would certainly recommend this to fans of golden-age mysteries.


THE RISING OF THE MOON
THE RISING OF THE MOON
Author: GLADYS MITCHELL
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.3/5 Stars.
 3
Review Date: 7/26/2009


One of my all time favorite mysteries. Wonderful English countryside setting with an atmosphere of growing uneasiness. Great portrayal of childhood innocence/coming of age. A fabluous, escapist read!


Seagulls in the Attic: Making a New Life in Cornwall
Seagulls in the Attic: Making a New Life in Cornwall
Author: Tessa Hainsworth
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 4
Review Date: 7/9/2015
Helpful Score: 1


I found this to be a delightful book! It details the decision a young woman and her husband make to leave the frantic life they were leading in London and make a new home in Cornwall. She gives an account of her first year as a postwoman for the Royal Mail delivery service. I actually laughed out loud in several places and was moved to tears near the end. This is a happy story, though, so no fears! Highly recommended.


She Shall Have Murder (Jane Hamish Brown and Dagobert Brown, Bk 1)
She Shall Have Murder (Jane Hamish Brown and Dagobert Brown, Bk 1)
Author: Delano Ames
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 5
Review Date: 4/16/2010
Helpful Score: 2


I really enjoyed this book! It is the first in a series and sets the characters up nicely. The mystery is set in London in the 1940's and is well written. I enjoyed the believable characters and the sparkling good humor.


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