Three Act Tragedy was my Agatha Christie read this month. It took me a while to get in to this book as I found it a little difficult to keep track of who was who, but once I did, I enjoyed it. I did have an inkling of who the murderer was this time and I was right. I must be starting to get in the mindset of Agatha herself, or maybe not, I'm sure it was just a lucky guess.
Have you ever read a book that left you unsure of whether you enjoyed it or not? I feel like that about The Liar's Chair by Rebecca Whitney. The story certainly kept me interested and I really wanted to keep reading to find out what happened, so does this mean that I enjoyed it? Perhaps I've got this feeling because I just didn't like the characters, there wasn't one in the whole book that I warmed to. Or perhaps it's because it's not the type of book I'd ordinarily read, it's quite dark and a little unsettling. The jury's out, why not read it yourself and let me know what you think.
I've read very mixed reviews of The Ice Twins by S K Tremayne so I was interested to see what I thought of it myself. Well, to put it bluntly, I found it long and drawn out and I really wanted to give the mother a slap, she was just so slack. She had all these doubts in her mind about what really happened the day one of her twin daughters died, so why didn't she just ask the surviving twin? It could have all been over in a couple of chapters. And don't get me started on the father. I persevered with this book till the end but I really wished I'd been reading something better.
As I've said before, I find Amanda Prowse books a bit hit and miss, some I've really enjoyed and some just haven't done it for me. I'm afraid The Christmas Cafe is probably the Amanda Prowse book I've least enjoyed. I found the first three quarters of the book totally boring and then all of a sudden, it sprung to life and I enjoyed the last quarter. I just wish the first part had been as good as the last.
I think these reviews show that it's been a funny kind of month where my reading has been concerned, a bit hit and miss but that's the thing with books, you don't know whether you're going to enjoy them or not. I'm looking forward to seeing what May brings.
Quite a mixed selection of book there. I love watching Agatha Christie on the TV but i have never read any, and i don't know why because i love murder mystery books.
ReplyDeleteI had very mixed feelings about the Ice Twins, I thought it was quite a dark read, but like you, wondered why the other twin was never questioned about what happened. I've read a few Amanda Prowse and agree, they can be hit and miss.
I try to aim for one book a week, although lately i haven't managed that, the Conn Iggulden novel i'm reading at the moment has more to concentrate on and people to keep tabs on so it's taking longer but i am enjoying it.
I'm the opposite, I've only ever seen the odd Agatha Christie on TV but I used to read a lot of her books when I was in my teens, not that I can remember any of them now so I'm enjoying working my way through them all. My favourite Amanda Prowse is Clover's Child, I thought that was really very good and there's been other good ones too but this wasn't one of them, unfortunately. As I usually read in bed, I tend to go for lighter books where I don't have to concentrate too hard, but I don't think you mind too much if it's good and keeping you interested.
DeleteYour description of the Ice Twins just made me laugh - I feel that way so often when I watch certain movies or shows.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if anyone else felt the same way. I was nearly yelling out, "Ask your daughter". The story was so drawn out, there actually wasn't a lot to it.
DeleteA varied selection. Thankfully I generally don't have many misses among the books that I read. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI'm actually quite careful about the books I choose to read so it isn't often that I have a miss either, it just so happens that this wasn't a very good month at all.
DeleteOh dear, not a good reading month. Have you ever read The Leaving of Liverpool by Maureen Lee. One I enjoyed thoroughly and must read again, but I'll talk to you soon about a couple of others that I wonder if you've read that you might like. I'm reading The Puppy that came for Christmas and am enjoying very much. Hope next months reads are better. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of Maureen Lee's books but I know my mum has. I think there's quite a few in her Liverpool series. Glad you're enjoying your latest book, I've read a few animal books which I've really enjoyed.
DeleteI haven't read a book in ages. When I do read I have to be in the right mind for different genres. Sometimes I really feel like crime and sometimes simple chick lit.
ReplyDeleteI was an avid reader as a child and in to my early teens and then it dropped off in my late teens and I just didn't have the time when the children were little. It's only these past few years that I've really got in to reading again, though I only read when I go to bed usually, I have lots of other hobbies to be getting on with throughout the day.
DeleteI won't be reading the Ice Twins! I know what you mean about not being sure if you are enjoying a book. The one I'm reading at the moment I don't much like the characters but I need to carry on and see what happens in the end!
ReplyDeleteLisa x
I thought you might have read The Ice Twins, it seems to have been a very popular book but it really wasn't for me. That's exactly how I felt about The Liar's Chair, the characters were really awful but I had to know how it ended.
DeleteI actually sat a while yesterday and read ... and it was great. I found myself thinking I must do this more often!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean when you say "Have you ever read a book that left you unsure of whether you enjoyed it or not?". This happened to me last year, I was determined to finish the book, which I did and then spent time wondering was it really worth it? (For the life of me, I now can not remember what the book was).
I really like reading, and come the summer you can't beat sitting in a comfortable chair in the shade relaxing and reading ... roll on summer!!
I did enjoy your reviews and they are always good to read because you tell it like it is.
All the best Jan
I'm so pleased that I've got back in to reading, I really do enjoy it. I'm glad I'm not the only one who sometimes wonders if they've enjoyed a book or not, some just really aren't worth persevering with, are they? I usually read in bed but when I go on holiday, it's lovely to sit and relax with a book, I can get through quite a few during that fortnight. I'm glad you enjoy the reviews, I tend not to really go in to the stories as it can sometimes spoil it for the reader, but I do like to give my opinion and say whether I've enjoyed the book or not.
DeleteLike you I find it hard to get into the way of things with some AC books. Whey you get your head around them they can be good though. Shame about the one you were not so keen on. Enjoy your next month of reading!
ReplyDeleteI haven't found an Agatha Christie book I haven't enjoyed yet but I sometimes have a bit of trouble remembering who's who at the beginning. I usually struggle on with a book even if I'm not enjoying it as sometimes they turn out quite good, but not this month.
DeleteI hear you on those books that you are not really enjoying but have to read to the end to find out what happens. I usually skip to the last few chapters in that kind of book!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good solution, you're not wasting so much time then.
Deletein my country the series of Agatha used to run on national channel ,it was when i was in my teens and enjoyed lot the thrill and suspense
ReplyDeleteThe Poirot series can be found on lots of the channels here now. It's amazing how Agatha Christie became so popular in so many different countries, and still is all these years after her death.
DeleteOh it sounds as if April has not been the best of months for you reading wise Jo. I have had 'The Ice Twins' on my Kindle for some time but have still to make a start. Interesting to read your opinions about it. Hoping that your May reading is more satisfying.
ReplyDeleteI've had better months reading wise, I just hope that May is better. I've read mixed reviews of The Ice Twins so you may find you have a totally different opinion of it than I have, it's interesting how one person can have a different view on a book than another.
DeleteSome interesting reads here. I read the ice twins and totally agree with your review!xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the only one who had that opinion of The Ice Twins. I can see how some people may enjoy it though, and I've read very mixed reviews so it's obviously one of those books which causes a difference of opinion.
DeleteI used to read 4 books a month, but I'm down to 1 or 2 at the moment... Hopefully that will pick up as the year goes on.
ReplyDeleteCan you believe I've yet to read an Agatha Christie book?
I think it can depend on the time of year or what else we've got on as to the number of books we're getting through. You should definitely give Agatha Christie a go, I've yet to find one I don't like.
DeleteWhoa - you're making me want to read some of these....I don't think I've ever read an Agatha Christy book - only seen the movies....
ReplyDeletexxx
I read lots of books that I see mentioned on other people's blogs, I think a review can really sell a book to you. I'm reading one Agatha Christie book each month, starting from the first one she wrote and working my way through them in chronological order. I've read sixteen now, just another fifty to go.
DeleteI'm off to read my first Agatha Christie after I'm done with my Elizabeth Gilbert. Excited.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll enjoy it, I look forward to hearing which one you've chosen, there's plenty to pick from.
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