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The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated Cocaine Blues (Phryne Fisher, #1) in Books

Oct 5, 2020  
Cocaine Blues (Phryne Fisher, #1)
Cocaine Blues (Phryne Fisher, #1)
Kerry Greenwood | 1989
6
7.4 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
After reading many reviews filled with praise for Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher mystery novels, I finally decided to give them a look. The idea of a 1920s amateur sleuth in Australia was certainly a draw. That the sleuth is a woman was also attractive, particularly since I always loved Miss Marple, as well as Christie's books staring the adorable duo of Tommy and Tuppence. The question is could Greenwood's debut of this series live up to the creative twists mixed with charm and elegance that made Christie so famous and beloved. Find out in my review of "Cocaine Blues" here.
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2017/10/01/looking-for-the-next-agatha-christie/
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2627 KP) rated Two Truths and a Murder in Books

Aug 19, 2026  
Two Truths and a Murder
Two Truths and a Murder
Colleen Cambridge | 2025 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Truth: This is Another Good Mystery
Phyllida is back in Listleigh and surprised when she is invited to a dinner party a neighbor is throwing. But the favor she is asked gets forgotten when another guest announces she’s witnessed a murder. The next morning, her sister is found run over by a car. Did the killer get the wrong sister?

I got excited when I realized this book was riffing on one of the few Agatha Christie novels I’ve actually read. Of course, it takes the premise and goes off in some other directions. It took me a little while to get into the story, but I did get hooked before we reached the logical climax. This book builds on some developments from the previous one, which I liked. And I enjoyed getting to know the new characters and spending time with the returning ones. The historic details are fun as well. While Agatha Christie fans will especially enjoy this series, anyone who loves a good mystery will be glad they picked it up. And that’s no lie.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2627 KP) rated Murder at Mallowan Hall in Books

Jan 22, 2025 (Updated Jan 22, 2025)  
Murder at Mallowan Hall
Murder at Mallowan Hall
Colleen Cambridge | 2021 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder in Agatha Christie’s Library
Agatha Christie and her second husband, Max Mallowan, are throwing a house party when an unexpected guest arrives in the middle of a summer storm. The man says he is a reporter who has an interview lined up with the famous author. While Agatha doesn’t remember it, she instructs Phyllida Bright, her housekeeper, to set him up in one of the guest rooms, at least for tonight. But the next morning, Phyllida finds the man dead in the library. She doesn’t think the police are up to solving the crime, so she jumps in to find a few clues for them. But who was the victim? And who would want to kill him?

Fans of Agatha Christie will get a kick out of the wink and nods in the set up. But everyone will be hooked on this mystery, which had the clues and red herrings well layered to keep me guessing until the ending. While we got to know Phyllida and a few other characters well, I did feel like we got too much of her thoughts, which slowed things down and kept us from getting to know the suspects better. Only a handful of scenes were told from someone other than Phyllida’s point of view, but when it happened, it always made sense. And one of those scenes was absolutely perfect that way. While current events don’t play a big part in this 1930’s set book, it does give us a clear picture of what life was like for servants during that time. I’m hoping to get to the next book soon.