Monday Book Review - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Welcome to Monday and this week's book recommendation.

THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD by Agatha Christie

 

I've recommended Agatha Christie before. Last time it was MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS. Well, this one blows my previous recommendation right out of the water. It was SO GOOD. For the past few days my husband has listened to me go about my business, all the while muttering to myself "I still haven't figured out who murdered Roger Ackroyd".  Now I know. And you need to read this book because it will blow your mind.

What is the key to a truly good mystery? When the author gives you everything you need to solve it and yet you still can't do it. And when the identity of the murder is finally revealed, your jaw drops to your shoes. This is a truly good mystery. And it doesn't matter if mysteries aren't usually your bag, read this one anyway.

Looking for a read that will leave you open-mouthed for hours? You've found it.

Monday Book Review - Think of a Number

This week's book recommendation really lines up well with Mondays. What day of the week do you feel more homicidal than Monday? It's the perfect day to start a really good murder mystery, and not to worry because I have just the thing.

THINK OF A NUMBER by John Verdon

 

Can you ever really retire from being a homicide detective? It doesn't look that way for Dave Gurney, who's have a hard time adjusting to life without murder. Which might explain why, despite his reluctance and his wife's dismay, he can't turn away an old acquaintance from college that's requested a meeting. It seems he's getting threatening letters, from someone he doesn't know but seems to know him a little too well. Well enough to read his mind...

Are you intrigued yet? Pick it up and you will be within a few pages. The mystery is just too irresistible, the clues like puzzle pieces waiting to be put together. Not only is it well written, but it's well thought out. The mystery is elaborate and elegantly simple at the same time. Believe me, there's no guessing this ending but you'll have a wonderful time trying to figure it out. 

I think my favourite thing about this book (aside from the perfectly thought out mystery) was the main character. I found him especially sympathetic and his relationship with his wife provided a fascinating dynamic to the story. This book has layers upon layers of puzzles, complexities and secrets, all propelling the story forward, keeping your eyes glued to the page. It's one of those books that make you go into work the next day looking like death because you had to stay up all night reading it. A truly wonderful read. 

The Mystery of a Good Mystery

I've been reading a lot of detective novels of late, and by a lot, I mean two. First, there was THE SHERLOCKIAN by Graham Moore and lately I've been enjoying THE MANUAL OF DETECTION by Jebediah Berry. Normally, I wouldn't say I'm much of a mystery buff, but I've been enjoying these detective novels so much that I'm starting to really warm to the genre. And I think what makes both of these novels great, is their ability to keep the whodunnit completely unguessable right up to the bitter end.

It's a very rare and precious skill to able to craft a good mystery. I'd say ninety five percent of the time, when I sit down to read one, I already know who did it within the first chapter or two. But to be completely dumbfounded page after page, desperately trying to assemble the clues as you creep towards the end, that is something brilliant. And to be perfectly honest, I don't know how they do it. It's like a really good magic act. The slight of hand is so subtle you don't even realize it's happening.

What is the best mystery you've ever read? Of course, we have to give props to the Sherlock Holmes stories, those are undoubtedly the best. But, aside from such an obvious choice, which mystery left you so startled and amazed you never forgot it? What was it that made it so unforgettable? I'm not just asking rhetorical questions here either. I really want to know. Because when I finish my current detective novel, I want another one. So, help a fellow reader out!