Mystery Movie - Crooked House

This is an Agatha Christie mystery without Miss Marple or Hercules Poirot and I think it is the best of her works.    “Writing Crooked House was pure pleasure and I feel justified in my belief that it is one of my best.” (Agatha Christie)

The 2017 movie of Crooked House is a mystery film directed by Gilles Paquet-Brenner, based on Agatha Christie’s 1949 novel of the same name.  The movie stars Glen Close and Gillian Anderson.

"In this classic Agatha Christie detective story, former diplomat Charles Hayward has returned from Cairo to London to become a private detective. When Aristide Leonides, a wealthy and ruthless tycoon, is poisoned in his own bed, Detective Hayward is invited to solve the crime. As the investigation deepens he must confront the shocking realization that one of the key suspects is Aristede's beautiful granddaughter, his employer and former lover; and must keep a clear head to navigate the sultry Sophia and the rest of her hostile family."

This film has lots of atmosphere combined with a secretive and eccentric family for a creepy feel.  The conclusion is a bit of a shock.  It is well done and reminds me of some of Hitchcock's best work. A must see for Christie fans, and mystery fans in general.

If you have seen this movie, please share your thoughts.

Here is the movie trailor:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfLpwich4AE

Review - Murder at Blackwater Bend

Stella Kendrick, a wild-hearted Kentuckian "Dollar Princess" shipped off to England for an aristocratic marriage and her soon-to-be groom Viscount "Lyndy" Lyndhurst must navigate culture clashes, scandal, and a high society killer in Clara McKenna's second historical mystery set in England's New Forest region at the turn of the 20th century.

I reviewed the first in the series, Murder at Morrington Hall (click here).   Now is time for the second book.  Is it as good as the first? Better?  Read on to find out.

Author: Clara McKenna

Copyright: April 2021 (Kensington) 352 pgs

Series: 2nd in Stella & Lyndy Mystery series

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: historical cozy, amateur Sleuth

Main Characters: Stella Kendrick, Kentucky heiress shipped to England to marry a Viscount sight unseen. 

Setting: 1905, Hampshire England

Obtained Through: Library

Book blurb: "Wild-hearted Kentuckian Stella Kendrick cautiously navigates the strict demands of British high society as the future Lady of Morrington Hall. But when petty scandals lead to bloody murder, her outspoken nature could be all that keeps her alive...

Following a whirlwind engagement to Viscount "Lyndy" Lyndhurst, Stella is finding her footing within an elite social circle in picturesque rural England. Except tea time with refined friends can be more dangerous than etiquette faux pas--especially in the company of Lady Philippa, the woman Lyndy was once set to marry, and her husband, the ostentatious Lord Fairbrother...

Outrage erupts and accusations fly after Lord Fairbrother's pony wins best in breed for the seventh consecutive year. The man has his share of secrets and adversaries, but Stella and Lyndy are in for a brutal shock when they discover his body floating in the river during a quiet morning fishing trip...

Suddenly unwelcome around hardly-grieving Lady Philippa and Lyndy's endlessly critical mother, Stella faces the bitter reality that she may always be an outsider--and one of her trusted new acquaintances may be a calculating killer. Now, Stella and her fiancé must fight against the current to catch the culprit, before they're the next couple torn apart by tragedy."

Stella Kendrick is smart, free spirited, stubborn, and independent with scars from her father's ill treatment of her.  Mr. Elijah Kendrick, Stella's cold hearted, self-centered father is a self-made millionaire, who is uncouth and rude.  Viscount Lord Lyndhurst, Lyndy, is the intended groom who is marrying Stella for her money to save the family - but he has fallen for her in truth.  The Earl and Lady Atherly are Lyndy's parents. Lady Atherly is an insufferable snob who can't stand Stella. Lord Atherly is kind and just loves his expensive archeology hobby.  A rather rough man known as the snake-catcher helps Stella several times with his amateur veterinarian skills on her beloved horse.  He gets mixed up in the killer's net. 

The setting is New Forest, the former royal hunting grounds for King William the Conqueror centuries prior.  In particular the streams where Lyndy attempts to teach Stella to  fish.  The wild areas are used for many scenes.

The story is setup first introducing many of the characters for this story. The murder is just one aspect, there is Lyndy's mother scheming to marry Lyndy off to somebody else who has money but is "proper". Another subplot is Stella's loyalty to her unlikely friend, the snake-catcher. Another subplot is Stella's father's involvement with an opportunistic reporter much younger than himself.  There are many suspects and Lord Fairbrother turns out to have many haters.  The story had many interesting aspects to keep my flipping the pages.

 

The climax is realistic with the police supporting Stella and Lyndy as they confront the killer.  Well done. All the questions are answered and the wrapup shows some progress for Stella.

This is a great addition to the series and shows even more of Stella and Lyndy's growing relationship based on regard and affection for one another rather than money.  The mystery was solid with several facets of the investigation and layers of what was happening.  This is a fun historical mystery if you don't mind family drama.  I am rather done with Stella's horrible father.  Otherwise this is a well done historical cozy mystery.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list

A year in the New Forest highlights the beauty 

of the novel's setting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ1nHXsmtcQ

2021 ANTHONY AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

The Anthony Awards are given at each annual Bouchercon World Mystery Convention with the winners selected by attendees. The award is named for the late Anthony Boucher (William Anthony Parker White), well-known writer and critic from the San Francisco Chronicle and New York Times, who helped found the Mystery Writers of America. The Anthony Awards will be presented at Bouchercon New Orleans on August 28, 2021. Our congratulations to all the nominees.

Best Hardcover Novel

  ° What You Don’t See by Tracy Clark 

  ° Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby 

  ° Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier

  ° And Now She’s Gone by Rachel Howzell Hall 

  ° The First To Lie by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Best First Novel

  ° Derailed by Mary Keliikoa

  ° Murder in Old Bombay by Nev March

  ° Murder at the Mena House by Erica Ruth Neubauer 

  ° The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman 

  ° Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden 

Best Paperback Original/E-Book/Audiobook Original Novel

  ° The Fate of a Flapper by Susanna Calkins

  ° When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole (on my TBR)

  ° Unspeakable Things by Jess Lourey

  ° The Lucky One by Lori Rader-Day

  ° Dirty Old Town by Gabriel Valjan

Best Short Story

  ° “Dear Emily Etiquette” by Barb Goffman

  Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

  ° “90 Miles” by Alex Segura

  Both Sides: Stories from the Border

  ° “The Boy Detective & The Summer of ’74” by Art Taylor

  Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine

  ° “Elysian Fields” by Gabriel Valjan

  California Schemin’: The 2020 Bouchercon Anthology

  ° “The Twenty-Five Year Engagement” by James W. Ziskin

  In League with Sherlock Holmes

Best Juvenile/Young Adult

  ° Midnight at the Barclay Hotel by Fleur Bradley

  ° Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce

  ° From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

  ° Holly Hernandez and the Death of Disco by Richard Narvaez

  ° Star Wars Poe Dameron: Free Fall by Alex Segura

Best Critical or Nonfiction Work

  ° Sometimes You Have to Lie: The Life and Times of Louise Fitzhugh, Renegade Author of Harriet the Spy by Leslie Brody

  ° American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of American CSI by Kate Winkler Dawson

  ° Howdunit: A Masterclass in Crime Writing by Members of the Detection Club edited by Martin Edwards

  ° The Third Rainbow Girl: The Long Life of a Double Murder in Appalachia by Emma Copley Eisenberg

  ° Phantom Lady: Hollywood Producer Joan Harrison, the Forgotten Woman Behind Hitchcock by Christina Lane

  ° Unspeakable Acts: True Tales of Crime, Murder, Deceit, and Obsession edited by Sarah Weinman

Best Anthology or Collection

  ° Shattering Glass: A Nasty Woman Press Anthology edited by Heather Graham

  ° Both Sides: Stories from the Border edited by Gabino Iglesias

  ° Noiryorican by Richie Narvaez

  ° The Beat of Black Wings: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Joni Mitchell edited by Josh Pachter

  ° California Schemin’: The 2020 Bouchercon Anthology edited by Art Taylor

  ° Lockdown: Stories of Crime, Terror, and Hope During a Pandemic edited by Nick Kolakowski and Steve Weddle

Review - The K Team

"From bestselling, award winning mystery author David Rosenfelt comes a new series – a spinoff of the much beloved Andy Carpenter mysteries – about a dynamic new investigative team featuring a determined former cop and his loyal German Shepherd."  This is a new to me author and series, but I'm a sucker for K9 dogs in stories.

Author: David Rosenfelt

Copyright: March 2020 (Minotaur Books) 301 pgs

Series: 1st in K Team Investigations series

Sensuality: Some sprinkled language

Mystery Sub-genre: Private Detective

Main Characters: Corey Douglas, retired cop now investigator with his K9 German Shepard

Setting: Contemporary time, Paterson, New Jersey

Obtained Through: Library

Book Blurb: "Corey Douglas and his K-9 partner, Simon Garfunkel, have recently retired from the police force. Not ready to give up the life yet, they come up with a proposal for fellow former cop, Laurie Carpenter, and her investigating partner, Marcus. Laurie and Marcus – who help out Laurie’s lawyer husband Andy on cases – have been chafing to jump back into investigating on their own, so they are in.

They call themselves the K Team, in honor of Simon. Their first job as private investigators comes to them from Judge Henry Henderson, who's known as a very tough but fair judge, and they've all come up against him in court at one time or another. Though it's hard to believe, Judge Henderson is being blackmailed and extorted, and he doesn't want to involve the police--he needs the K Team to figure out why."

Corey Douglas, former 25 year career cop, is a still a cop in his outlook and lifestyle. He is also a classic movie buff. Simon Garfunkel is Corey's best friend and a top notch police dog. Laurie Carpenter is the official leader of the team and a former police lieutenant. Marcus Clark is the third member of the K team, and he is the muscle: tough and scary. Sam Willis is the computer hacker that helps them out occasionally but Corey doesn't like his methods. Judge Henderson, known by lawyers as Hatchet, is no-nonsense and rather hard-nosed.

The plot has several twists and some danger lurking. The case is certainly far more involved than I suspected at the beginning. I found it a page-turner as I wanted to get to the bottom of all the revelations to the truth of the matter.  

 

The climax is more police involvement and not the traditional mystery killer reveal. That is okay since there are other tense moments throughout the book to make up for it.  

For those who have read and loved the Andy Carpenter mysteries, be forewarned.  This series isn't like the Carpenter series. It is the investigative side with none of the courtroom or legal side and Laurie isn't the main character as you might expect.  This is also a bit different style, not the snarky humor but more dry humor.  This series is a toned down, lightened up noir (bet you never thought you would hear such a combination!)  That is because Corey is that sort of character.  Since this was my first introduction to David Rosenfelt's writing, I found it funny and enjoyed the story.  I gather some who started with the Andy Carpenter books first have a hard time with Corey as the main character and the dry humor, but I am looking forward to the next in this series.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list 

  

Find out more about the author and 

his love for rescue dogs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnf677sqPl8

Guest Post - Ashley Weaver

Please welcome Ashley Weaver, author of the Amory Ames mystery series and the exciting new Electra McDonnell historical mystery series.  I will be reviewing her debut novel in the new Electra McDonnell series soon.

Ms. Weaver is also the Technical Services Coordinator for the Allen Parish Libraries in Louisiana. Weaver has worked in libraries since she was 14; she was a page and then a clerk before obtaining her MLIS from Louisiana State University. She lives in Oakdale, Louisiana.

How My New Series Was Born

A few years ago, I developed a fascination with World War II. I began reading several nonfiction books on the topic, everything from the Blitzkrieg to the SAS to the Navajo Code Talkers. It’s a subject that has innumerable facets to be explored, so many absolutely incredible rabbit holes to follow. I even read the riveting account of a serial killer operating in Occupied Paris!

It was while reading an excellent book by Ben Macintyre entitled Agent Zigzag, however, that I was inspired to write my own World War II tale. Agent Zigzag is the true story of Eddie Chapman, a petty criminal and sometime member of a safecracking gang, who ended up becoming a double agent for the British. I loved the idea of someone who was initially on the wrong side of the law using their talents for the Allies. I thought it would be especially interesting if that person was a woman. And so the idea for Electra McDonnell was born!

World War II proves a particularly good timeframe for the story
of criminals with a code of honor. It was a time when everyone was pulling together to “do their bit” to stop Hitler and his armies. Whether it was victory gardens, creative rationing, scrap drives, or buying war bonds, people wanted to help in whatever ways they could. Having my character, Ellie, possess a skill set that is considered dishonest in peacetime but invaluable in a time of war creates an interesting dynamic. When she is asked to break into a safe to retrieve some important documents before they can be handed to the Nazis, she has the opportunity to help the war effort on a larger scale. Not only is she able to help the cause, which is something she genuinely wants to do, but she is also able to take pride in her work in a way that she hasn’t been able to before.

Researching for this book allowed me to take a close look at England—London in particular—at the start of WWII. The Blitz has not quite started in A Peculiar Combination, but I found that, even before the bombs began to fall, there was a sense of unity and shared purpose among the British people. As various countries fell before the advancing German army, it became increasingly vital that Great Britain prevail against the Nazi onslaught. The mindset of determination and resilience was something I tried to work into my characters. Even though Ellie and her military intelligence contact, Major Ramsey, come from completely different worlds, they are equally determined to do whatever necessary to stop the enemy from succeeding.

I also particularly enjoyed getting to research the art of safecracking for this book. It was fascinating for me to delve into the workings of locks and develop at least a basic understanding of the mechanisms and how they can be thwarted. I even bought a lockpicking set to practice with, though it will be a long time before I come anywhere close to Ellie’s level of skill!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thank you Ms. Weaver for your sharing a little of the behind the scenes of your new series.  I'm looking forward to reviewing it since I too am fascinated by WWII history.