Books - August 2022

[smallhobbit]

6 books so far this month, but I still have two out from the library.

The Mushroom Tree Mystery by Ovidia Yu

The latest Crown Colony mystery, hot off the press - or at least as soon as the copy came into the library!  Maybe not quite as good as some of the earlier ones, but still an excellent study of the Japanese in Singapore.  It's set at the point at which America is bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which adds to the tension.  Su Yin remains a great character. [F17]


Death of an Airman by Christopher St. John Sprigg

The August Shedunnit book was the 12.30 from Croydon which I read earlier in the year, so I went with one of the other titles.  This one had the added bonus it was available in the local branch of the library so I didn't have to wait for it.  A decidedly convoluted plot, but one which appealed greatly to me. [E8]


In Spite of Myself: A Memoir by Christopher Plummer

This was recommended to me, but I can't remember who by.  I didn't realise there were over 600 pages.  Plummer had a fascinating life - I'm not sure I would have liked him - but I was sufficiently drawn into the story to read it within the three weeks of a library loan (yes, I could have renewed it).  I hadn't realised how many films he was in, or the scope of his theatre involvement over many years. [A8]


Eight Skilled Gentleman by Barry Hughart

The third, and last, of the Master Li and Number Ten Ox Chronicles.  Again it was clever, and certainly kept me reading, but I wasn't quite as convinced as I had been by the earlier two books.  I am, however, pleased to have read it. [B8]


Photo-Finish by Ngaio Marsh

I'm coming to the end of the Inspector Alleyn books.  This is another story set in New Zealand, and featuring both Alleyn and Troy.  It is a classic GAD story, although written in 1980 and perhaps loses something because of that.  I had an idea of who the murderer was, so the ending came as no great surprise. [D8]


Poison for Teacher by Nancy Spain

This is the second book I've read by Nancy Spain.  The humour doesn't appeal to me, so I'm probably not the ideal audience.  And there didn't seem to be a particularly wide collection of possible suspects. [C8]


[Letters refer to which of my reading lists each book belongs to.]

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Interesting mix. I've not read the later Ngaio Marshes. Glad to see you're still enjoying Ovidia Yu.

[dariaw]

Very cool books! Been meaning to try Yu and Marsh! I love Plummer as an actor and know about a lot of his work in theater/film but not much about his personality/behavior offset - what makes you think you might not like him? Believe me, it's not so I can defend him - I just like hearing the tea!

[smallhobbit]

I do like to have some variety in what I read. Some of the letter Marsh books are good, like all authors some seem better than others. I did feel this was a throwback to an earlier period but in a more modern setting. I really enjoy Ovidia Yu and her sense of place and time.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. I'd start with some of the earlier Marsh. I can thoroughly recommend Ovidia Yu, in particular the Crown Colony books. OH started them a couple of months go at my suggestion and is racing through them.
Plummer came from a privileged background and was very much of the fast cars, women and lots of drink set. We'd have had nothing in common. The title of the book really sums up his life - a fact he readily admits.

[dariaw]

Ahh that makes sense! I also have nothing in common with all that but can find it interesting to read about!