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Kristen I. (krisbooks) - Reviews

1 to 14 of 14
Banking on Death (John Putnam Thatcher, Bk 1) (Otto Penzler's Classic American Mystery Library)
Review Date: 7/7/2007
Helpful Score: 3


An extremely enjoyable mystery written in the early 1960s and set on Wall Street. Lathan is a talented writer and her detective, bank VP John Putnam Thatcher, is likeable. A fun insight into American life in the 1960s.


The Bat
The Bat
Author: Mary Roberts Rinehart
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 7
Review Date: 8/24/2007
Helpful Score: 3


I found this book extremely suspenseful and enjoyable. It is one of Rinehart's best. If you like older mysteries, you definitely need to give this one a try.


The Black Dudley Murder (aka The Crime at Black Dudley) (Albert Campion, Bk 1)
Review Date: 3/31/2007
Helpful Score: 3


A very early Albert Campion mystery. Suspenseful and fun -- recommended for Allingham fans or fans of early 20th century mysteries.


The Broken Vase  (Tecumseh Fox, Bk 3)
The Broken Vase (Tecumseh Fox, Bk 3)
Author: Rex Stout
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.2/5 Stars.
 9
Review Date: 7/7/2007
Helpful Score: 2


An interesting mystery featuring detective Tecumseh Fox. A violin virtuoso commits suicide after a dismal performance. Was he driven to it by a nefarious killer? This mystery has a different feel than Stout's Nero Wolfe mysteries but I enjoyed it and would recommend it to fans of classic American mysteries.


Corpses at Indian Springs
Corpses at Indian Springs
Author: Philip Wylie
Book Type: Paperback
  ?
Review Date: 4/1/2007
Helpful Score: 2


A great 1940s American mystery, set in an affluent summer resort, with an extremely likeable Indiana Jones-type professor as amateur detective.


Fog of Doubt (Inspector Cockrill)
Fog of Doubt (Inspector Cockrill)
Author: Christianna Brand
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 8/13/2007
Helpful Score: 2


The New York Times stated: "A mystery in the classic Christie-Carr-Queen manner," and if you enjoy those authors you probably will like Brand, too. But I find Brand to be a more subtle and nuanced writer. Her books, including this one, really delve into the psychology of the characters, and the final revelation sneaks up on the reader. A very enjoyable book.


Generous Death (Jenny Cain, Bk 1)
Generous Death (Jenny Cain, Bk 1)
Author: Nancy Pickard
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
 6
Review Date: 11/5/2006
Helpful Score: 3


A great example of a well-plotted and well-written cozy mystery. Very enjoyable.


Girls Fly!
Girls Fly!
Author: Lynn M. Homan, Thomas Reilly
Book Type: Hardcover
  ?
Review Date: 7/28/2007
Helpful Score: 1


When Charlene's brothers tell her that she cannot be a pilot because she is a girl, she gives them a lesson in the rich history of women in flight. A very nice book for elementary age children. The pictures are gorgeous!


King and Joker
King and Joker
Author: Peter Dickinson
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 7
Review Date: 2/3/2007
Helpful Score: 1


Peter Dickinson's mysteries are always unique, and this book is no exception. An extremely enjoyable, somewhat disturbing, intelligent novel.


The Mind Readers (Albert Campion, Bk 18)
The Mind Readers (Albert Campion, Bk 18)
Author: Margery Allingham
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.3/5 Stars.
 18
Review Date: 8/24/2007
Helpful Score: 1


One of Allingham's more unusual premises: two schoolboys discover the ability to read other people's minds using a special gadget. When one of them vanishes, detective Albert Campion becomes involved. An odd book, but I enjoyed it and would recommend it.


Mr. Donaghue Investigates  (Ulysses Donaghue, Bk 1)
Mr. Donaghue Investigates (Ulysses Donaghue, Bk 1)
Author: Anna Shone
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 7
Review Date: 8/24/2007
Helpful Score: 2


An extremely enjoyable book that has the feel of an older mystery. The writer is very talented and the characters are engaging.


Murder at Christmas: And Other Stories from Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine
Review Date: 9/2/2007
Helpful Score: 2


An enjoyable and eclectic collection of short mysteries with a Christmas theme, from Golden Age and modern mystery writers. I particularly liked "Death in the Christmas Hour," a very unusual story about Christmas toys coming to life one hour each year. Yes, even toys can commit murder! If you enjoy reading mystery short stories, you probably will like this collection.


Sergeant Verity Presents His Compliments (Sergeant Verity, Bk 3)
Sergeant Verity Presents His Compliments (Sergeant Verity, Bk 3)
Author: Francis Selwyn
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 8/24/2007
Helpful Score: 1


An unusual and well-done mystery set in Victorian England. Definitely recommended!


The Wilberforce Legacy
The Wilberforce Legacy
Author: Josephine Bell
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 2/4/2009


Interesting cross between classic British mystery and suspense novel, set on an island in the 1960s. Although the plot verged on preposterous at times, it was entertaining, and I really enjoyed the author's writing style, especially when she was describing the thoughts or motives of the various characters. Recommended for fans of older-style British mysteries.


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