For those of you who are looking for a fun read on these cold winter nights (and who happen to enjoy mysteries), here are my top two mystery/detective reads from the month of January:
An elderly lady dies—when her doctor was under the strong opinion she would live. Lord Peter Wimsey gets curious and stumbles upon a track of crime and murder. The intricate trail leads from a beautiful Hampshire village to a fashionable London flat–and many places in-between.
As a seasoned reader of hundreds of detective stories and mystery novels I have never (to my recollection) been so astounded at the “how” of the murder. My hat is off to the masterful and fresh method Dorothy Sayers cooked up for her plot of leaving no trace of murder on the body. It was clever and unique in a genre that abounds with repetition.
Sparkling dialogue and fun characters round out this delight of a novel. First published in 1927. Excellent detective fiction.
Lena Campbell never knew her grandfather—but she always dreamed of visiting Wyoming. When she receives word that her grandfather is dead and his Wyoming ranch belongs to her, she jumps at the chance.
Only later does she learn that her grandfather Garth McKay was murdered, and the murder is still unsolved.
Despite this shadow hanging over her, Lena thrives in her new life—and unexpectedly finds love there. Then a new revelation breaks the McKay murder case wide open again, and leaves her reeling…
A tranquil and cozy western mystery. It picks up speed and intensity in the second half, and I gladly stayed awake ’till past midnight to finish it. It feels very much like a cousin to a Mary Stewart mystery/suspense novel. But with all the fun of Louis L’Amour and Agatha Christie. A new favorite among Elisabeth Grace Foley’s works (author’s website for those interested). Published in 2020.
It’s 5 days into January, and I’m still having trouble picking my top 10 reads of the exciting year 2020. There were a lot of good and notable books that I simply don’t want to leave out. But I’m here to do my best! The list is in the order read. A pretty even blend of fiction and non-fiction, same as last year…
The Lost Art of Dress by Linda Przybyszewski
A fascinating look at applying the unchanging principles of art and design to clothing in any era. One of the best books on fashion and clothing I’ve ever read. A valuable addition to any woman’s wardrobe strategizing. The review on this list HERE is what persuaded me to pick this book up, and it describes it very well.
Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton
Eve in Exile by Rebekah Merkle
There was one flaw that really stuck out to me, but other than that, a most enjoyable read. Good. Very good.
That Hideous Strength by C. S. Lewis
Likely my favorite of Lewis’s Space Trilogy. Very good, and still perfectly relevant to our times today. This is one I’ll be reading again for sure.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Poignant. Insightful. And utterly hard for me to put down. Not just because it has a lot to say about the value of old books, either. 😉 It’s a gripping bit of fiction about a fireman who works burning books for an oppressive government. Society and the government have ruled books to be obsolete and even dangerous, and the few book owners left in the world are being imprisoned or burned with their books. And then, one day, he secretly opens a book and starts reading…
The writing style was a bit hard to get used to at first, but the story was worth the putting up with it. There are a few books that are so poignant that at the end they just leave your heart aching with the nobility shown, the character, values, and the worthiness of sacrifice. “Shane” by Jack Schaefer is one of those unforgettable poignant tales. So is “The Two Towers” by Tolkien. And this one was too–in a slightly lesser way. The famous “Carry the Fire” theme from “The Road” by Cormack McCarthy fits well with the theme of this book.
This tale drives home the importance of unabridged books. And not revising facts to suit your current times.
Mountain Meadow by John Buchan
A fine book by the Scottish author John Buchan. The story of an older, dying gentleman in England who embarks on a search to find a missing husband in the grim wilds of Canada. John Buchan’s tales are unique, and call for rather a special taste in literature. They’re not everyone’s cup of tea. But I love them, and I found this one to be just as fine and enjoyable as the others.
Animal Farm by George Orwell
A wonderful classic laced with historic truths. I finally got around to reading it, and I’m so glad I did. If I had children, this one would be among their required reading.
Clint Eastwood; Master Filmmaker at Work by Michael Goldman
The most surprising book of the year award goes to this one. I had no intention to read it, and stood debating with myself in the bookshop if it was worth the .50 cents just so that I could sketch one or two of the photographs for a job I was working on.
I bought it, and promptly read it cover to cover.
It is not a biography of his life. Nor an overview of his films.
It is indeed a simple portrait of a master filmmaker at work; as the subtitle states. But more than anything—reading between the lines about mixing sound and lighting a shot—it seems to really be a book about leadership. And of project management, working with individuals, handling a team, delegating tasks, and long term work relationships built on respect and integrity—a 240 page study on the Clint Eastwood method of leadership.
There is a bit on the artistic design aspects of various parts of film-making. As an artist I found the chapter on Eastwood’s theories of lighting particularly enjoyable. Ever since I read it back in October, I’ve found myself pulling it off the shelf to reference certain excerpts about his artistic ideas.
A fascinating read.
Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
My opinion of this novel is complex, and far too much to fit into a review here… 🙂
The Peacemaker by Ken Sande
A great study on this topic. I’d recommend reading it in conjunction with “From Forgiving to Forgiven” by Jay E. Adams
It’s so hard to not put these on my top 10 list–so here are a few honorable mentions:
“The Secret of Chimneys” by Agatha Christie, “A Gentleman from Texas” by Hearnden Balfour, “Whose Body?” by Dorothy Sayers, and “Through the Wall” by Cleveland Moffett are the top four mystery/detective reads of 2020. Every single one of them was delightful!
My top western reads of 2020 are “Haywire” by B. M. Bower, “Paso Por Aqui” by Eugene Manlove Rhodes, and two short-stories by Elmore Leonard: “Jugged” and “Three-Ten to Yuma.”
Last two stellar mentions are “The Old Man and The Boy” by Robert Ruark and “Ruggles of Red Gap” by Harry Leon Wilson. The latter was where author P. G. Wodehouse got his inspiration for the famous butler Jeeves!
~Published in 1925 by Hodder and Stoughton Limited, London
The book in the photos is the second printing; 1925
As a long-time fan of Sapper’s famous sleuth, Bull-Dog Drummond, I’ve been quick to pick up other books of his and read them whenever I have a chance.
Out of the Blue is a collection of 13 short stories. And Sapper’s ability to tell short stories is superb. Compared to selections from the best short-story writers collected and lauded in literature books, these stories are perfectly competent to hold their own beautifully–and are in a class with the best. The writing in these stories shows a fine skill that was honestly a delight to read. Or, as they would’ve said in the 1920’s when this was written: it’s as fine as dry champagne. Most of these tales run very much in the suspense/thriller vein.
Of the 13 stories however, only three of them were as excellent as far as the actual story itself was concerned: “Out of the Blue,”“Stubby,” and “The Porterhouse Steak.” The others tended to turn right and wrong upside-down and dump them in a sprawling heap of confusion. Things like “rationalizing” or excusing murder and adultery. Though the writing craftsmanship mentioned above stayed steady and good throughout all 13 tales.
This book is one of the rare titles by the famous Sapper.
The Lone Ranger by Fran Striker (Gaylord DuBois under the pen-name of Fran Striker)
Published in 1936 by Grosset & Dunlap
Illustrated by Paul Laune
As a child I was a huge Lone Ranger fan and gobbled up every bit of Lone Ranger that I could. From the old radio shows of the 1930’s, the ’38 Republic film-serials, to the Clayton More TV shows and the 1956 movie.
Later on, Hans Zimmer’s score came along, and I was delighted to have as epic a rendition of the music as anyone could ask for–one which took a lot of that old music both from the original composition and from the 30’s radio shows (which had been discarded, chopped short into a tiny theme, and largely forgotten during the TV show years of the 50’s and beyond) and brought it back to life by weaving the old bits of it copiously into his score. And doing what I always held was impossible–taking that fabulous piece of music and making it even more marvelous.
And then came the day that I finally got an afternoon to read the 1936 Lone Ranger book by Gaylord DuBois, and see how it measured up to the rest of the vintage Lone Ranger world. I have read other later vintage books about him, but not this original one.
Firstly, I must say that the LR’s personality, and the overall tone of the book quite surprised me. It doesn’t fit it with Clayton Moore’s serious, steady, portrayal. The 30’s radio show Lone Ranger is a bit more prone to lightheartedness, but not as much as this character. This version of the Ranger is much more like a jovial character from one of the Clarence Mulfords tales, or the jovial cowboys from the autobiographies of the real west, than like the Lone Ranger. He’s jovial and cheery. He’ll ride along laughing for half an hour about a practical joke he played on the bad guys, lay in the dust grinning when a bullet misses him, and is quite different from the well-known 50’s version.
Besides having a lighthearted personality, he also goes in the other direction and gets a little rougher than the Clayton Moore version. Even when speaking to the good guys. Also, he drinks tea all the time instead of coffee. 🙂
Real Lone Ranger fans will be shocked that he is seen without his mask by a girl. The story of how he got Silver is changed. And several other minor things.
It is a fun read, but not exceptional—very much like reading an extended version of the radio show episodes. It is a great adventure tale for children though, and would be sure to please any fans of those Old Time Radio shows. It’s written for a similar age range as the Hardy Boys books.
Seven children and their mother strike out to make their living off the land of a broken-down farm in Delaware. Amid thieving neighbors, poverty, and challenges of transportation, they charge ahead with cheery disposition in their new surroundings to refurbish the old home-site and “get-ahead.”
“A portrait of
American family life”– a tale of entrepreneurship, sibling
loyalty, and the far-reaching realm of motherhood. It is clearly
1800’s literature, written for an audience of girls.
In many ways it is
in much of a similar vein as it’s contemporaries, like the Elsie
Dinsmore books. Or many of the Lamplighter tales. Unlike Elsie
Dinsmore, however, these children are hearty, have many interests,
and actually do things. They think as entrepreneurs. They also
have a healthy joviality (they are sober not
somber Christians!) and sense of humor—which
flavors this book quite differently from Elsie Dinsmore, and is an
immensely important distinction between this and most children’s lit
of the day.
I enjoyed reading it, and would have even more so had I discovered it when I was young. However, the ending two chapters felt terribly rushed–much like a race to marry off all the children and tie up as many “happily-ever-after” endings as possible. I didn’t like that at all. Aside from that, it read along the lines of a mild version of Swiss Family Robinson, a more “civilization-farm” version of My Side of The Mountain, or the first Boxcar Children book: a family setting out to make a home and get along with their own two hands and ingenuity. A la 1880’s style.
~Originally published in 1928 by Little, Brown, & Company (edition in photos is published by Grosset & Dunlap).
Lynn Hayward, a 22-year old young man, is growing bitter and fed-up while living on his family’s run-down ranch. His father is an angry, controlling, cripple confined to the house who refuses to allow any entrepreneurial endeavors or part with a penny to serve his family. Poor, estranged from each other, and letting everything crumble about their ears in poverty the Haywards are in a bad way. Until a difference in Lynn’s mindset–the way he thinks of himself–leads him to undertake a big change…
A fun ranch tale set between the Wind River basin and Green River basin in Wyoming. One of my favorite of B. M. Bower’s westerns so far! The characters were quite easy to sympathize with and I quickly got caught up in the story.
Many of Bower’s books are different from your average western in having a family/community setting vs. the lone guy facing the world with no ties and no one to answer to except the law. And this one is no exception. She doesn’t tend to follow the stereotypes of the western genre in her writing. Unless they happen to serve that particular plot, of course.
Aside from an abrupt and unbelievable character twist with Lynn’s father in the end–which I still haven’t gotten over–it was a fun story with the point (as Elisabeth Grace Foley noted on Goodreads) that what a man sows he will reap.
It also ran strongly on the general effects that a man’s thought patterns–how/what he thinks about himself–will change his kind of life. If he mentally refers to himself as “hay-wire” he likely ends up living like he is: thinking “hay-wire” leads to trash piles by the door, un-mended fences, and decaying sheds. Along those lines it reminded me (strangely enough!) of Jennifer Scott’s books Lessons From Madame Chic, At Home With Madame Chic, and Audrey Hepburn’s Sabrina. All three of which have the same truth running through them as a theme.
If you like B. M. Bower, you’ll love this one–it’s on my “Top-10” list of her novels!
~Through the Wall by Cleveland Moffett (1863-1926)
~Copyright, 1909
~Illustrated by H. Heyer
In an elite restaurant in downtown France (on the Champs-Elysees, to be exact), a man is shot. Not at all the proper sort of thing to do in a ritzy place. Meanwhile a mastermind criminal and a mastermind detective are pitted against each other–which is quite predictable and usual in detective fiction–the cause of the strife, however, is a beautiful girl’s prophetic dreams, which is decidedly not usual.
Peter Whimsey, in The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Clubpraised this book. It seems to have been well thought-of, and oft-read in it’s own generation, but has largely been sitting around and gathering dust ever since. Merely 11 ratings on Goodreads, at the time I’m writing this. But long forgotten roads and books have held a fascination for me, and it’s apparent history of shelving-after-fame intrigued me.
It was a good, entertaining detective novel of the sort I’d given up ever finding again. I thought, when I finished all 60 of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries at the age of 15, that I had come to an end of stories like that. And I’d resigned myself to the fact that I’d never have the pleasure of watching one unfold before my eyes again. Until years later I found this novel—and discovered with joy that there was indeed one such tale still waiting to be relished.
I do love a good Agatha Christie novel, and Dorothy Sayers is grand fun too. Their stories are great and special in their own way, but they have a different sort of flavor to them all of their own. They have added a lot to the detective culture for sure, but sometimes I got a craving for the old Sherlock type flavor again. And this book, Through the Wall, runs very much in that vein and has the same “Sherlock Holmes-ish” feel to it. With the one exception of the ending perhaps, which almost feels like a Bulldog Drummond film.
The detective himself is not like Holmes. He’s far more normal, and has no strange eccentricities—like Holmes’ scratching away Jack Benny style on violins, or studying in opium trances. This detective, Coquenil, is a bachelor just like Holmes, ’tis true. But he’s an ordinary man aside from his unique knowledge of criminal history and high intelligence.
If you compare Holmes to Coquenil there’s one big practical difference. The stakes. Holmes lives a solo and detached life. No kith, nor kin, nor ties to speak of, nothing that he loves deeply with every fiber of his being—besides his own life. At least not that I can remember. If there was it must have been fleeting. Even his ‘love’ of justice and right is only a part time love. He’ll readily set it aside when it suits him.
Coquenil is not a lone wolf. He functions in a more realistic world with relationships; a dog, a dear mother, and tight friendships–he is a man who has many deeply rooted loves. His own life is not one of them.
He has ideals he won’t sacrifice. And people who he loves far, far deeper than life or job. And that makes him different. The stakes are higher. Higher than they can ever be with Holmes.
When Holmes fought his mastermind Moriarty, the highest stake, the worst thing Moriarty could do, was kill him–Holmes the great detective–and his reputation. But Coquenil’s death was a trivial thought to him. The mastermind he matched wits with could rip away from him far, far more in one hour than Holmes could ever dream of losing in a lifetime. But enough on that.
The plot is complex. The characters are engaging and easy to sympathize with. The pacing is excellent. There are many unique layers. It’s a bit overly theatrical in a few spots with the “new” technology of a lie detector and such. Overall it’s very well told, and the perfect book for a leisurely, rainy day.
Satisfying and entertaining. A nice contribution to the world of American detective fiction.
As I’m pondering and recording my year’s adventures and accomplishments, I’ve decided to join up with the Top Ten Favorite Books lists. Both to leave a little trace for me to re-visit in future years, and hopefully to be as enjoyable for you to read as a few other folks’ lists have been for me today!
Notable information includes the fact that this list does not contain any re-reads. Only new material that I’ve delved into for the first time. 🙂 I hesitate to write up lists like this because every year seems such a let-down compared to some past lists. Especially after that one fabulous year when I first discovered Rushdooney’s legendary Institutes, some fine western memoirs, and dear P. G. Wodehouse all at the same time, but alas, I’ve grown to realize that that intense joy of discovery simply won’t be realized often. And to relish the cream of each year’s books with gusto!
In no particular ranking order here’s the list—a pretty even blend of fiction and non-fiction:
The Return Of the King
A rousing climax to a long tale, as others have aptly said. This book is so well known it needs no description.
But to me–despite going into it wary because of it’s fame and a few misconceptions–it was a heart-piercing finish to one of the most beautiful and heartening tales I’ve ever read in my life. Just the sort to buck you up, rekindle a gleam of courage, and make you lift your chin into the cold Northern wind unwaveringly. Lest you think I’m getting a little fanciful in my old age, I don’t think it’s perfect, but it’s very grand indeed and never to be forgotten. Some stories touch you deeply. And manifest in tangible ways for the rest of your life. This is one of those for me.
Left of Bang
Every time I go to town (yes, I live mostly in the countryside!) for shopping, friends, restaurants, or on long travels–I think of this book. It’s a veritable textbook on reading atmospheres, body-language, and people to correctly predict events and have a keen situational awareness. Fascinating and immensely practical.
The Read-Aloud Family
A fine book about the merits of reading aloud in families. And of the impact of stories on children. I borrowed this one from our county library, but found it so wonderful I shall have to find a copy for my own personal library.
Behold Your God; The Weight of Majesty
A fine study on the attributes of God.
Highly recommended.
The Power of Less
A good book for people like me who have far too many interests and projects going on at once! Likely not helpful for everyone, but it came across my desk at just the right time for me. All about small areas of focused potency rather than large areas of vague impact. I disagree with some of the author’s philosophy, but altogether a good, practical read.
Your Carriage, Madam!
A book on posture and deportment for ladies. Amusing and practical. If you read it, get a 1930’s edition. The 1934 version was the one I read. I don’t think I’ll ever watch Ginger Rogers, Jean Arthur, or Myrna Loy movies the same way again! The author has a very interesting take on what made the 30’s stars so glamorous…
From Forgiven to Forgiving
Solid. Biblical. Practical. A help for general relationships and the Christian life. Written more as a help for pastors, but it’s great for average folks like me. Would be especially helpful for anyone who has a hand in raising little children too!
(Warning: Reading this book while watching MCU films may lead you to disagree with everyone else on the true extent of a major hero’s supposed maturity and character arch. I’m not to be held responsible for any such disillusionment.) 🙂
Summer Moonshine
A wacky love-triangle in the midst of trying to sell one of the ugliest old country-houses in England…
Nothing serious or life-shattering. As usual per Wodehouse novels it’s light and silly. A frivolous, complicated, tangle of a plot. But it’s as delightful a rest as I can ask for, with some utterly delicious wording and paragraphs. His novels always help me take my own trying situations with more grace and lightheartedness. A dose of him is better than a vacation! Wodehouse is truly the ice-cream of the book world.
Strong Poison
A rousing good detective story. Sayers is an excellent writer, and this one and Murder Must Advertise are the cream of her detective series. According to me anyway. 🙂 Her writing is a pleasure to read. And I do love a good mystery.
I didn’t read this particular edition though…mine was an old hardback without the new introduction…
Perelandra
The second in a trilogy set in outer
space. These tales are laced with beautiful truths and half-hidden
gems. I enjoyed this one more than the first book in the series.
Notable Mentions:
Temple Tower
Simply a nice little adventure novel. Book #6 in the Bulldog Drummond Series. Much like a fun 1930’s detective B-film. You have to have a taste for this sort of literature, and I’ve found it’s not for everyone. But to those who love it, this is a fun lark.
Jeeves and the Wedding Bells
Not a true Wodehouse. It’s a continuation of the Bertie and Jeeves tales by another author. Sebastian Faulks was authorized by the Wodehouse estate itself to write this. Obviously not Wodehouse himself, but very satisfactory nonetheless–he does a fine job at what could have only been a very challenging and daunting task! And the perfect ending to a long series of Bertie and Jeeves novels. A nice bit of light reading.
P.S. I’m currently finishing out the year reading John Buchan’s deliciously titled The House of Four Winds from 1935. It’s the last book in a trilogy. And so far it is stacking up to be a blend of fine writing and hearty Scottish flavored adventure…I think I’ll find it deserves to be on this list as well, but doubt I’ll finish it before the new year!
A first-hand account for children of the Battle of Britain during WWII!
From convoy ships, to RAF fliers, to the blackouts in the civilian lives of England, this book covers a wide scope of basic information to give a simple and clear overview of one of the most important battles of WWII.
Author Quentin Reynolds was an American journalist and war correspondent–and actually present during the Battle of Britain. He writes from his own personal experience which gives it a unique touch. [Also of note in his long and full career, is the fact that he was one of the writers of Jimmy Stewart’s detective film Call Northside ‘777.]
The Battle of Britain has been a personal favorite study of mine for years, and while this is not my favorite book on the subject, it is the best children’s book I have found. And, even though it is simple, it’s a fun read for adults as well. The plain fact that it’s a first-hand account is reason enough to sit up and take notice of this particular book. When a man’s boots have trod the mud and sidewalks, and he has breathed in the atmosphere, dust, and determination through his own sweating, eating, and living–something is noticeably different. It tells.
This is a great book. Simple. Clear. And the perfect foundation from which to spring into more detailed study. A great starting place. A nice piece in a WWII collection. And a fine addition to any child or youth’s library!
~Edition in photos published by The Saalfield Publishing Company (a cheaper re-publication, with one illustration)
~Originally published by A. L. Burt Company (with multiple illustrations, and better quality paper)
~Original Publication Date; 1934
Four chums set out on a rural winter camping trip to solve the mystery of the “ghost” that is driving the real estate price down on an elderly woman’s deserted rental lodge. They’re determined to settle the mystery over a ten day Christmas break–in the snowy blizzards of Vermont…with two rifles and a sled loaded with food...
This tale reads like a Hardy Boys book. It’s one of the ever-popular mysteries from the Golden Era of children’s mystery series. The four main characters are good friends from the local high-school. Although not named Hardy, that is what these young men are–to the hilt. They live and love the strenuous life and never shun discomfort, hardship, or a long cold tramp through the wilderness–even when a short trip of ease by a cozy automobile could have been acquired.
They do appreciate and relish comfort, as seen in their going to very great lengths just to acquire a comforting cup of steaming coffee, and by changing an entire campsite simply to get a cozier bed. But—because they live the rugged life meanwhile—when they wrest their hot drinks, soft beds, and glowing fires from a life filled with the frosty physical exertions of work and adventure, they enjoy it to a satisfying degree never experienced by those who live in luxury and comfort by habit.
The Mystery Hunters are typical of their type of the 20s, 30s, and 40s boy detectives: neat, brave, manly, game, respectful, fun loving, and hearty. They’re also good shots and armed, which isn’t as typical. And they have the usual gift of seeing humor in life, unusual slang exclamations of their era, and of course good-natured teasing.
One thing that sets this gang of boys apart from your average mystery chums in the 30’s is their sharp attunedness to beauty out in the wilderness. Often these authors will describe the beauty, but seldom does he have the boys comment and be affected by it as in this book.
“…Accordingly he stepped out onto the hard-packed snow before the cabin, his eyes quickly taking in the lake and the surrounding country. For a moment he paused, taking in the beauty of it all, unconsciously drawing a breath of deep satisfaction.
The sun was rising over the tops of the spruce and hemlocks and striking fire on the sheet of ice. Icicles gleamed from the roof slope of the big hunting lodge. At the edge of the timber a rabbit hopped out into the clearing, looked around with a jerk of his brown head, and then streaked off into the undergrowth.
‘By ginger, it’s a dandy morning. And those sleepyheads in there!’
Tim knew it was warm and comfortable in the sleeping bags, but the beauty of the new morning was worth looking at.”
Page 69
The Mystery Hunters At The Haunted Lodge is book #1 in a series of four:
#1. The Mystery Hunters at The Haunted Lodge (1934)
#2. The Mystery Hunters at The Lakeside Camp (1934)
#3. The Mystery Hunters at Old Frontier (1934)
#4. The Mystery Hunters on Special Detail (1936)
Although enjoyable for a large age range, this series was written for boys, about ages 10 to 16.
This tale is a great gift for any adventure loving boy’s library–just the sort I’d give to my nephews (and nieces too, for that matter)! My own copy has a permanent place on the shelves of my personal library. It’s a very simple tale, but a good one. A perfect winter mystery!
