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The Ultimate Droodles Compendium
The Ultimate Droodles Compendium
Roger Price | 2019 | Art, Photography & Fashion, Humor & Comedy
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
You can also find this review on my blog: bookingwayreads.wordpress.com

Thank you to Smith Publicity for sending me a final copy of The Ultimate Droodles Compendium: The Absurdly Complete Collection of Roger Price’s Classic Zany Creations by Roger Price to read and review for my honest opinion.

I’ve never heard of Droodles until the moment I got this in my hands and I will say this was a humorous read! I enjoyed every moment of it and laughed hysterically. This compendium was a wonderful collection of these witty and clever doodles that allows the reader to leaf through, picking and choosing which Droodles to look at.

If you have ever wondered what was funny in the 50’s and 60’s, then this compendium is a perfect representation! Some of the explanations after certain comics explained a social and/or political situation that was going on back in that era but with a bit of flair. The comedy within the pages of this book are not only mild and amusing, but some also lacked in my opinion. All in all, the comics were entertaining and many contained multiple of different ways to interpret them.
  
The Dangers of Candy Canes
The Dangers of Candy Canes
Laura Levine | 2007 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Deadly Slip While Decorating
When one of Jaine Austen's clients, Seymour Fiedler of Fiedler on the Roof Roofers, is sued for wrongful death, he hires Jaine to put down her pen and solve the crime. Seems that Garth Jankin fell off his recently reroofed house while decorating for his neighborhood's annual Christmas decorating contest. Since Garth had numerous enemies, Jaine quickly decides that the tiles must have been loosened. But who would do something like that?

As with the books, this story is very funny. Jaine can't resist temptation, and spends time talking about her need to lose weight while eating Christmas candy. A sub-plot about Jaine volunteering with a group that mentors underprivileged girls almost slows the story down at times. In fact, it makes the ultimate climax seem a little abrupt. But Jaine is a charming character and I love spending time with her. The other characters are interesting as well. And several red herrings keep this story interesting and fun until the end.

NOTE: This story was originally released as part of the anthology Candy Cane Murder. If you’ve already read that book, you don’t need to get this story a second time.
  
What Time the Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust
What Time the Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust
Alan Bradley | 2024 | Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Flavia’s Surprise Return
Mrs. Mullet, the long time de Luce house keeper, is being questioned about a murder. Turns out, she’d been making breakfast for a gentleman in the village, Major Greyleigh. He’s been found dead on the floor of his cottage and the last thing he ate was the breakfast prepared by Mrs. Mullet. Flavia knows that Mrs. Mullet wouldn’t hurt anyway. She also knows that the mushrooms everyone thinks killed the man weren’t poisonous. Can Flavia figure out what is really going on?

I had thought the series ended with the previous book five years ago, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this up for preorder. It was fun to revisit Bishop’s Lacey and catch up with Flavia. However, I still find her cousin Undine extremely annoying and not as funny as she is supposed to be. The pacing of the mystery was good, but there were parts of the plot I didn’t care for. And I certainly could have done without all the talk about the crime scene. I’ve often found this series uneven, and this entry fit that description for me.