Books I've Read

Candy Q. is still in Abarat, or is it THE Abarat, I'm not sure, getting into mischief, or rather, since she is the good guy, as it were, foiling the plans of the bad guys. There's another book coming? Yikes! I read the hardcover with the color illustrations, I would recommend YOU read that edition, too!

The awful Phelan family is moving up in the world. Good story.

Bettina is writing her memoirs about her life as young girl in rural Australia. A fairly calm story with a surprising, sad, ending.

Charlie Peace moves to a small town with his family (including Little Fetus) and father-in-law, who is installed in a bungalow NEAR, but not too near, Charlie's new house. I enjoy reading Mr. Barnard's books very much. His writing is very clear, although I never figure out who-done-it. On reading it again, I see that the plot is is not resolved, but we can see things have been set in motion and where they will lead. Perhaps this is a more "mature" device, rather than spelling everything out for the reader. Although THIS reader often needs things spelled out!

Woman writer who co-opts teen boys to manipulate their lives is murdered. Charlie Peace helps the investigateion. Pretty good, as usual.

Charlie Peace goes the inauguratory meeting of a literary society for an obscure writer who was killed in a murder/suicide back in the 1932. Lots of words I could have looked up if I had some Post-Its!

I must make note that on page 138 the dog Zoe enters and eyes a box of chocolates. It is implied that Mavis gave the dog a chocolate. Chocolate is toxic to dogs, so I hope not!

A new M.P. junior Minister of Education gets notes suggesting he is adopted. Very good.

An overbearing actress is murdered. A very good story with a surprise ending. .

D. C. Charlie Peace finally shows up to lend a helping hand to find out who murdered an obnoxious hotel manager at the Ketterick Arts Festival.

Sixteen great short murder stories.

An old professor from Oxford is killed after visiting a rural university in Australia. Good story, ending came surprisingly quickly.

Author Graham finds a teen-age girl on his doorstep claiming to be his daughter. I really like this author's books. LATER: Checked it out again, accidentally, so I READ it again.

The veterinarian's wife recounts the course of a murder in her village. Really good, several surprises.

Eve's mother has recently died, then a strange letter arrives hinting at a relationship her mother may had many years ago. A severe climax leaves no happy endings here.

Detective Constable Charlie Peace sorts out runaway teens.

Detective Constable Charlie Pearce finds out who would want to murder a piller of the church.

Man moves into house, find bones of child in attic. Interesting story. Charlie Peace investigates.

Inspector Perry Trethowan of Scotland Yard goes to Norway with his sister for a convention of Romance writers. Charlie Peace appears near the end. Very good story!

A body turns up in the parking lot of an Indian restaurant. How did it get there? Who is it? Surprisings answers! .

Merlyn returns after a twenty-year absence to find his relatives are even awfuller than they were. Now someone wants to kill him! Charlie Peace makes inspector.