Ginger Reviews Murder, She Wrote: Aloha Betrayed by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain

Hello, everyone! It's been a while, bit I'm happy to be back with another cozy mystery review. If you love armchair travel as much as you love mysteries, this one might be just the ticket.

In Murder, She Wrote: Aloha Betrayed, Jessica Fletcher leaves Cabot Cove behind for the beautiful island of Maui, where she's been invited to teach a course on community involvement in police investigations. Her co-instructor is retired detective Mike Kane. Before long Jessica finds herself investigating the death of a well-liked college professor whose fatal fall from a cliff doesn't seem accidental at all. The victim had been passionately involved in a local environmental controversy, so there are plenty of suspects and motives to sort through.

One of my favourite things about this book was the setting. Author Donald Bain (and co-author Mrs. Fletcher, of course) clearly wanted readers to feel as though they were taking a Hawaiian vacation alongside Jessica. There are descriptions of the scenery, local traditions, Hawaiian customs, and enough tropical atmosphere that I could almost feel the sunshine warming my whiskers. If you enjoy mysteries that double as travel adventures, this one delivers.

Jessica is kind, observant, endlessly curious, and somehow manages to make everyone around her feel comfortable enough to reveal just a little more than they intended. I also enjoyed her partnership with Mike Kane. He makes an excellent investigative companion without ever overshadowing Jessica.

The mystery itself unfolds at a relaxed pace. Rather than racing from one dramatic scene to another, the story takes its time introducing the suspects, the local politics, and the relationships surrounding the victim. That's exactly what I want from a cozy mystery. It gives you plenty of opportunities to play detective from your favourite reading chair—or your favourite sunny windowsill, if you're a kitten like me.

I will admit there was one odd subplot involving an obnoxious secondary character that felt out of place compared to the rest of the novel. I think you'll understand what I'm referring to when you read this book for yourself. It didn't seem to fit with the overall story, which made it stand out even more. Fortunately, it's only a small part of the book, and it didn't stop me from enjoying the mystery as a whole.

Overall, Aloha Betrayed is a lovely blend of tropical vacation and classic Jessica Fletcher sleuthing. If you're looking for a cozy mystery filled with beautiful scenery and a puzzle that's enjoyable to unravel, I'd happily recommend packing Murder, She Wrote: Aloha Betrayed in your beach bag.

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KitKat Reviews Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Hi friends. I just finished Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng, and I’m still sitting with it. It’s one of those books that lingers quietly after you close it.

I’ll be honest: I went in expecting a domestic thriller. A missing girl, a mysterious death? That setup usually means twists and secrets. And yes, there are secrets here. But this isn’t a thriller in the usual sense. It’s slower, deeper, and more emotional. It’s literary, but not in an intimidating way, just beautifully written and full of truth.

If I had to label it, I’d call it a literary family drama with elements of mystery. The story starts with Lydia, the middle child of the Lee family, found dead in a lake. The question isn’t just what happened, but why. And in trying to answer that, Celeste Ng pulls apart every thread of this family’s life.

The Lees live in 1970s Ohio, and that setting matters. It’s a time when a mixed-race family (Chinese-American father, white mother) stands out. The small, subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways they’re treated differently ripple through everything. It shapes how each person sees themselves and each other. You feel the isolation in every page.

What struck me most was how real the family dynamic felt. Everyone’s trying, in their own way, to love and be understood, and they're failing just enough to make it hurt. The parents want the best for their kids, but they’re weighed down by their own regrets. The children are desperate to be seen, but no one really knows how to talk about what they need. The title says it perfectly: Everything I Never Told You.

The writing is evocative and spare, the kind that lets emotions creep in quietly. You can almost smell the 1970s kitchens, hear the hum of a house full of silence. It’s beautiful, and sad, and sometimes painfully true.

If you want a story that captures the ache of family, identity, and everything we leave unsaid, this one’s unforgettable.

Buy Now from Amazon

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Zorro's Quick Take on "The Nancy Drew Files, Case #64: The Wrong Track" by Carolyn Keene

Hey there, mystery lovers! 

Zorro here with a rapid-fire review of "The Wrong Track" by Carolyn Keene. It's book 64 in the Nancy Dres Files series. 

This one's a blast from the past, copyright 1991. Grab your ski gear, 'cause Nancy's hitting the trails.

Action-packed? You bet. Nancy's at a cross-country ski resort, undercover as a ninja teen reporter. Except without the ninja part. Nostalgia hits hard with VCR tapes and fluorescent ski suits – totally rad.

Nancy's not lounging in a cozy cabin. Nope. Sauna lock-in, a whack on the head, she even gets poisoned and she's back on her feet in no time. She's tougher than a nails, no "paws" for a breather – get it? Cat humor, there

Fast-paced like a laser dot. Nancy’s on a mission, no time for catnaps. Perilous situations, twists, and turns. You're in for the thrill ride with this one. 

Enjoyed it for what it was – a quick, action-packed Nancy Drew mystery. Nan-tastic!

You can even get the Kindle version here! Wow, it's been digitized! 

 

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Butterball Reviews #MurderSheWrote: Hook, Line, and Murder #JessicaFletcher #CabotCove #Mystery

Meow, fellow book lovers!

It is I, your favorite feline connoisseur, Butterball, here with an exclusive review of "Murder, She Wrote: Hook, Line, and Murder." 

Now, let me tell you, I was thrilled when I pawed my way into this book, for it whisked me right into the captivating world of "Murder, She Wrote," long after its television glory days. 

But, as my keen senses detected, there were some whiskers out of place.

First, let's give credit where credit is due! Authors Donald Bain, Renée Paley-Bain, and of course, the astute Jessica Fletcher herself, have done a serviceable job in crafting a tale that transports us to Cabot Cove's murky mysteries once more. 

In this novel, Mrs. Fletcher enters a fishing competition. Sheriff Metzger's wife, Maureen, tags along and is promptly kidnapped. One might call this book a thriller or suspense rather than a cozy mystery, so perhaps it might have been more up Zorro's alley than my own.

I must admit, my whiskers weren't fully quivering with delight as I delved into this particular novel. The writing style was rather bland, for my discerning taste. The prose lacked the purr-sonality that would have made it a real page-turner. The story, despite its thrilling premise, was more like a gentle grooming session than a heart-stopping chase.

Now, don't get me wrong; the characters were as charming as ever. Jessica Fletcher, with her keen intellect, continues to be the reigning queen of amateur sleuths. The supporting characters were a delightful bunch too, but their interactions seemed meek and mundane, like a lowly scratch on the furniture.

Despite my disappointment, the nostalgia factor whisked me back to a time when mysteries were solved with a twinkle in the eye. I appreciated that this book allowed me to reunite with cherished memories of Jessica Fletcher's brilliant deductions. My tail twitched with contentment at the familiar setting of Cabot Cove and the aroma of intrigue that always filled the air.

In conclusion, "Murder, She Wrote: Hook, Line, and Murder" was a delightful opportunity to saunter back into the world of the legendary Jessica Fletcher. While the book may not have clawed its way to the top of my recommended reads list, it's still a worthwhile jaunt for anyone seeking a comforting visit to yesteryears. So, cozy up with a cup of milk and a purring friend, and dive into the mysteries of Cabot Cove once more.

Find "Murder, She Wrote: Hook, Line, and Murder" at Amazon

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Zorro Reviews The Nancy Drew Files #106: Flying Too High

Title: Flying Too High (The Nancy Drew Files 106)
Author: Carolyn Keene
Genre: Action Adventure / Female Sleuth / Series
Status: Read
Cats?: Zero

Zorro Says:

You love our reviews of Nancy Drew books, so here's another one!

What could a book called Flying Too High be about, you might be asking. Well, you'll be thrilled to hear that Nancy goes undercover as a trainee fighter pilot!

Hard to believe? Not a bit! It's established early on that Nancy Drew is already a great pilot, so why shouldn't she fit right in among the other air force cadets?

Flying Too High is a real stunner. If you like your mysteries action-packed, this is the Nancy Drew for you!

Nancy's been called in by the admiral to investigate the death of one young pilot. Was it an accident?  A technical malfunction?  Or was it sabotage (aka MURDER!)?

We all know Nancy Drew is up to any task, but this one puts her through the ringer. Boy howdy, does it ever! I lost track of the number of explosions that took place over the course of the story. Exciting stuff!

Here's a line from the book, to give you a feel for what Nancy goes through:

"In the couple of days since she'd arrived at Davis Field, she'd been knocked out, her plane had been sabotaged, and she'd had a computer screen blow up in her face."

And you know what? That's not the half of it! There are even more explosions to follow! Lots of action in the air! It's non-stop!

If you're looking for a Nancy Drew novel that's all action (and even a hint of romance), you got it here.  Dive right in!

Find Flying Too High at Amazon

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Butterball Reviews #British #Thriller Make Death Love Me by Ruth Rendell

Title: Make Death Love Me
Author: Ruth Rendell
Genre: British / Thriller
Status: Read
Presence of Cats: None

Butterball Says:

On how many occasions have I lamented living so much of my life without ever having read a Ruth Rendell mystery? I suppose one might say I'm making up for lost time by reading every one that crosses the Mystery Cats' desk.

Today I inform you of my latest read, a book perhaps more in the style of a thriller than a classic murder mystery. I say "thriller" only because we, the reader, watch the crime play out in its entirety. We are aware of the culprit, we are aware of the crime... or, at least, we think we are... until the grand finale, when everything changes.

Make Death Love Me boasts a copyright date of 1979--a mere 40 years ago, and yet we are immediately aware of all the changes that have taken place between that time and this.

Alan Groombridge works in a small bank in a small town. Every day, he removes 3,000 pounds from the safe and fantasizes about stealing it. He could easily live on that money for a year, he figures--a clue that we are gazing into the past, for what feline could live on 3,000 pounds these days?

When the bank is robbed, Groombridge sees this as his opportunity to escape with his coveted 3,000 pounds. Meanwhile, the bank robbers flee with cash and Alan's young coworker, Joyce.

We spend the majority of the book watching the situation go from bad to worse for our bank robbers and their hostage.  At the same time, Alan Groombridge reinvents himself in London, commits a slight bit of identity theft, and lives out his fantasy.

Hark! Has nobody died?  Isn't this book entitled Make Death Love Me? Indeed it is. Why so, if it is not a murder mystery? Where is this death we've been promised?

Ahh, now, that would be telling! I shan't give away the ending by revealing who dies, or how.  You will simply have to read Make Death Love Me for yourself to enjoy the intriguing narrative leading to death.

Find Make Death Love Me at Amazon

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KitKat Reviews The Baby-Sitters Club #Mystery 1: Stacey and the Missing Ring

Title: Stacey and the Missing Ring
Author: Ann M. Martin
Genre: Juvenile / Nostalgia / Mystery
Status: Read
Cats?: Yes, there's a cat named Mouse!

KitKat Says:

It's not often that I get to read the first book in a series that features characters I remember fondly from kittenhood, but here we have one with The Baby-Sitters Club Mystery #1: Stacey and the Missing Ring.

It's been ages since I've read a Baby-Sitters Club book, but I loved this series as a kitten.  So when this mystery crossed our desk, you better believe I got my paws on it right away.  I couldn't wait to dive right in!

Reading this book really took me back.  It begins with three chapters of reminding you who all the characters are: the girls in the club, their families, their clients.  This takes a while, but kids like repetition, and this is juvenile fiction, after all.

Then we get into the juicy stuff: the babysitting.  No, I'm kidding.  THE MYSTERY. As you've probably guessed from the title, this mystery involves 13-year-old Stacey and a missing diamond ring.

See, diamond is Stacey's birthstone and she's been begging her mom for a (diamond) birthstone ring. Mother and daughter have an argument about it, and Stacey tells all her friends.  As luck would have it, she babysits for a fancy new client and, sure enough, that client's diamond ring goes missing. Stacey is blamed.  No, it's worse than that.  Stacey is accused of stealing.  And when she won't confess, the client threatens to tell all The Baby-Sitters Club's clients she's a thief.

I really felt for Stacey, when she was accused of a crime she didn't commit.  It's hard enough for that to happen to you as a grown-up, but when you're thirteen, the trouble is compounded by the fact that you're a kid and nobody believes you.  She has no way of proving she didn't steal the ring, and even her best friend seems to think she's guilty.

Nobody, cat or kitten, would want to find themselves in Stacey's predicament.

But Stacey comes up with a clever way to solve the problem. That, paired with a bit of luck, leads her to the solution.

Is there a lot of investigation in this book? No. Does it include all the components you expect to find in your typical mystery? No.  There's no questioning suspects or anything along those lines, but there are enough red herrings that I thought I had this mystery tied up and I was wrong, wrong, wrong.  But I don't mind being wrong.  The ending surprised me and put a little smile on my face.

The Baby-Sitters Club Mystery #1: Stacey and the Missing Ring took me on a trip down memory lane. I would recommend it to people who are currently thirteen years old, as well as grown-ups who read these books when they were young. If you're as much of a sucker for nostalgia as I am, you're sure to enjoy it!

Find Stacey and the Missing Ring at Amazon

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Ginger Reviews The #Cat Who Went Bananas #Cozy #Mystery

Title: The Cat Who Went Bananas

Author: Lilian Jackson Braun
Genre: Cozy / Pets / Amateur Sleuth
Status: Abandoned
Cats?: At least three

Ginger Says:

I'm breaking my own rules, here.

I have a bit of a personal policy about not reviewing books until I've read them to completion. If I have no intention of finishing a book, I wouldn't normally review it.

Why have I broken my rule for The Cat Who Went Bananas?

Because it's bad.  It's really bad, really poorly written. Dick and Jane Solve a Murder, with a heavy helping of Grampa Simpson rambling. When you're constantly asking a book "Why are you telling me this?" that's not a good sign. Honestly, it was a struggle to get through the first three chapters. By that point, I knew I wouldn't be reading the rest of the book.

Sure cats have nine lives, but they're all too short to waste on bad writing.

The reason I wanted to review The Cat Who Went Bananas (or at least comment on it) anyway is that this book comes from a series that's been around for decades. The earlier "The Cat Who..." books are fantastic. I've reviewed one written in 1967 very positively.

When I got my paws on a copy of The Cat Who Went Bananas, I put it aside for a time when I wanted to treat myself. Sometimes you need to cozy up with a good book, and if you're lucky, you're familiar with a series that can give you just the feeling of warmth and comfort you need.

The fact that this terrible book is part of a series that was formerly fantastic is what disappoints me the most. I had high expectations based on other books in the series.  This book doesn't meet those expectations. Nowhere near.

How the mighty have fallen.

Ever since I put this book down, I've been thinking about successful series on a grander scale. Not just books, but television too.  No matter how good a series is in the beginning (or wherever its golden era is situated), at some point that series is going to be in decline. I really respect creators who know when to pull the plug, but I also understand the urge to keep on truckin, especially if the series is making big money.

As a reader, do you prefer to follow a series into the abyss because you're comfortable and familiar with the characters? Or do you stop buying those books as soon as they're past their prime? I can think of a lot of TV shows I've stopped watching even though I really liked them earlier on.

What about you? Can you think of a series (whether it be books or television) that dropped off in quality? Did you keep reading or watching?  Or did you dump it like yesterday's trash? Let us know in the comments.

If you're curious about The Cat Who Went Bananas, I invite you to form your own opinions. I won't be finishing it, but maybe you will. Maybe you'll love it!

Find The Cat Who Went Bananas at Amazon

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Zorro Reviews #KidLit #Mystery: Murder on the #Canadian

Title: Murder on the Canadian 
Author: Eric Wilson
Genre: Action Adventure / Murder Mystery / Juvenile Fiction
Status: Read
Cats?: Nope.

Zorro Says:

I admit it: I'm hooked on Juvenile Fiction. Ever since I read my first Hardy Boys mystery last year, I haven't been able to kick the habit.

My latest kidlit read is Murder on the Canadian, A Tom Austen Mystery written by Eric Wilson. Yes, our amateur sleuth is a young lad. Yes, he's hilarious. And yes, he's about to solve a murder on a train.

Great cast of characters in this one. So much personality. There's nothing worse than dull characters in a murder mystery, and you won't find any here.  Young Tom loves Hardy Boys mysteries and detective novels, but he's no kid genius. There are a number of clues an adult reader picks up on that Tom doesn't notice. This builds tension.  You're sitting there going "That's a clue, Tom! It's a clue!"

He gets there eventually, I should mention. Kid's not a total dope. In fact, he does a better job at solving this murder than I would have, as a kitten. I shouldn't be so hard on Tom.

There's a great action sequence toward the end of the book, as well.  Something to look forward to.

Murder on the Canadian is a fun read. I honestly wasn't prepared for how much I would enjoy this one.  Big personality, lots of fun suspects, a smattering of jokes, and a physical struggle that could mean the difference between life and death.  What more could a cat ask for?

The agonizing sound of a woman's scream hurls Tom Austen into the middle of a murder plot on board the sleek passenger train The Canadian. Who is responsible for the death of lovely Catherine Saks? As Tom investigates the strange collection of travellers who share Car 165, he gets closer and closer to the truth . . . and then without warning, he is suddenly face to face with the killer, and his own life is threatened in the most alarming possible way.

Find Murder on the Canadian at Amazon

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Butterball Reviews #British #Mystery A Guilty Thing Surprised by Ruth Rendell

Title: A Guilty Thing Surprised (An Inspector Wexford Mystery)
Author: Ruth Rendell
Genre: British Detectives
Status: Read
Presence of Cats: A brief appearance by a ginger named Ginger (very creative...)

Butterball Says:

As I recall, it was a mere one year ago when I lamented the fact that I had gone so very long in life without ever having read the words of one of Britain's finest mistresses of mystery.  Ruth Rendell represents quality writing and intriguing plots, the likes of which this cat has not seen since Agatha Christie.

A Guilty Thing Surprised is not the first Inspector Wexford Mystery, and though I have not read any other books in this series, I did not feel this fact hampered my enjoyment in the least.

Because the setting is a manor house in England's green and pleasant land, one is immediately transported to the time of Agatha Christie's writings.  Thus, it feels oddly anachronistic when the servants are reportedly listening to The Beatles and stacking the dishwasher.

The copyright date on this book reads 1970, which leads one to believe it is set in perhaps the late sixties: a time of change, when the older generation believes they have betters, and the younger generation believes they can one day become their betters. And perhaps they are correct.

When the lady of the house is murdered in the woods, suspicion falls upon the usual suspects: the husband, the family, the servants. Motives abound.  Whether she was murdered for love or money, there is no short supply of characters who might have wielded the weapon.

There are hints of piquancy and salacious goings-on behind the scenes, but I must say the resolution is salacious in the extreme! From the very first pages, I thought things were perhaps heading in a direction KitKat would most enjoy. Was I correct in this assumption? Ah, that would be telling!

For now, I'll only say that I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the world of Inspector Wexford, and I hope to visit again very soon. Highly recommended for lovers of Agatha Christie's masterful works!

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Zorro Reviews The Charmed Bracelet (Nancy Drew Graphic Novels: Girl Detective #7)

Title: The Charmed Bracelet (Nancy Drew Graphic Novels: Girl Detective #7)
Author: Stefan Petrucha
Illustrator: Vaughn Ross
Genre: Action Adventure / Female Sleuth / Graphic Novel
Status: Read
Cats?: Zero

Zorro Says:

Last year KitKat inspired me to read a Hardy Boys mystery for the first time. When The Charmed Bracelet showed up on the Mystery Cats' desk, I swiped it too. (Sorry, KitKat. You can read it next.)

Why did Zorro, your action/adventure cat, want to read a Nancy Drew mystery? Easy answer. Just flip through this graphic novel and the first thing you'll notice is all the car chases and squirming around in air ducts. Nancy Drew is a total ninja in this graphic novel. Early on, she saves her boyfriend from being struck down by a murderous motorcycle. Okay, the motorcycle itself wasn't murderous. The guy riding it was. But wouldn't that be cool if the motorcycle was a sentient being intent upon Ned's ultimate demise?

Maybe I should be writing Nancy Drew graphic novels!

As you might have guessed by my description, the Nancy Drew in this graphic novel is a contemporary version of the character. She's a kick-ass super-heroine, for the most part.

Bess and George are no delicate doilies either. While Bess is interpreted as a bit of a femme fatale, George is her usual tomboy (KitKat's type, I'd venture to guess) and self-proclaimed "Girl Computer Whiz."

There are two mysteries to be solved in The Charmed Bracelet. One involves a stolen computer chip. The other is more personal: Nancy's boyfriend Ned is being framed for crimes he didn't commit.

Despite the dual mysteries, The Charmed Bracelet is a quick read. Maybe too quick? I'm not a big reader of graphic novels, so I'll be the first to admit I'm not overly familiar with how the pacing usually works in this style of book. I'll pass it along to KitKat, but I don't think she's a huge reader of graphic novels either, so the Mystery Cats probably can't provide an expert opinion. But, heck, we never claimed to be experts! We're just cats who like mysteries. And, as a cat who likes actiony thrillery tales, I thought it was a neat little read, but with an emphasis on "little." This glossy paperback has a total of 112 pages, and a whopping 24 of those pages are bonus materials and ads for other books! 

If you're a Nancy Drew aficionado, you'll surely want to investigate this graphic take on the franchise.

Find The Charmed Bracelet at Amazon

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Ginger Reads The #Cat Who Ate Danish Modern: A #Cozy #Mystery

Title: The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern

Author: Lilian Jackson Braun
Genre: Cozy / Pets / Amateur Sleuth
Status: Read
Cats?: Two, and one's got a knack for presenting clues!

Ginger Says:

I've seen Lilian Jackson Braun's "Cat Who..." books on library shelves since I was a kitten, but this is the first time I've actually picked one up to read.  I always wondered how these stories were told.  For some reason, I assumed I would be reading a book told from a cat's point of view.  As it turns out, that wasn't the case.  Once I got over the initial disappointment of being told a human story instead of a cat one, I really got into it and had a lot of fun with this book.

The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern features a journalist named Jim Qwilleran who used to work the crime beat.  Now he's down on his luck, living in a run-down apartment with a Siamese cat named Koko.  When his boss assigns him to an interior design magazine, Qwilleran's not keen.  He's clueless about design. It's really not his world... that is, until a crime spree breaks out!  Every property he visits seems to get burgled, someone dies, the police raid it as a brothel... the list goes on!  Finally, some crime to investigate. Qwilleran's back in his element.

Now, his cat Koko doesn't accompany him on his investigations.  That would be pretty neat, but I guess you'd get a reputation if, as a journalist, you brought your cat along to interviews.  So Koko stays home while Jim is out and about, but still manages to bring attention to clues leading to whodunit.

When I first picked up this book, I didn't quite realize its age.  I was barely three pages into the novel when I said to myself, "When was this written?!?"  There are certain concepts, relationships and turns of phrase that struck me as outmoded.  That's when I checked the copyright date: 1967.  No wonder the book's got a bit of a Mad Men feel about it.

All in all, I ate this book up.  It's very witty, consistently amusing, and the characters are a lot of fun: big personalities that keep you wanting more.  This is probably my feline bias talking, but I would have enjoyed more time with the cats.  Yes there are cats in the book, but it's primarily a human story and a human investigator.

Having said all that, if you're looking for a big-city cozy mystery set in the world of 1960s-era interior design, The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern certainly fits the bill! 

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Zorro Reads Catch a Killer by George Woods #Action #Adventure #Thriller #Mystery

Title: Catch a Killer
Author: George Woods
Genre: Action / Thriller / Police Procedural
Status: Read
Cats?: Zero

Zorro Says:

After reading that Hardy Boys mystery a couple months back, I've kept an eye out for other nostalgic action/adventure type books written for young people. That's why I picked up Catch a Killer by George Woods.

That Hardy Boys I read had a copyright date in the 1920s. Catch a Killer isn't that old. It hails from 1972. A quick Amazon search tells me this book isn't easy to get your hands on. There's no ebook version available, as far as I can tell. If you want to read this book, you'll have to buy a used copy of the hardcover or paperback.

The reason I figured this was juvenile fiction is that the copy I picked up was an educational edition printed specifically for a school board. It comes complete with follow-up activities and questions for students.

I half understand why a school board might pick this book for young people: the main character is twelve years old. But just because you've got a kid in your book doesn't make it a kids' book. Catch a Killer doesn't strike me as a juvenile fiction so much. Reminds me more of a police procedural TV series from the 1970s in the vein of Columbo. Except a lot of it takes place in the woods.

Andrew, the aforementioned 12-year-old, ends up witnessing a crime. His bad luck, because that crime is the murder of two police officers. The killer immediately takes Andrew hostage and leads him on a night hike through the wilderness.

They're on the run.

Since the only police on-scene are now dead, will investigators think it was young Andrew who killed them?

The way this book was written is very effective. You get one chapter about Andrew's experience, one about the investigators trying to solve the double homicide, yet another about the killer's childhood and upbringing. Instead of vilifying the young man, the author shows the reader what drove him to kill. By then end of the book, even the boy he takes hostage feels empathy toward him.

Since we know who the killer is, the two main mysteries in this book are: 1) what made the killer kill, and 2) will Andrew be blamed for the crime?

In order to find out, you'll have to track down a copy of the book and read it for yourself. I enjoyed it, and any reader nostalgic for adventure novels from the 70s should like it too. The book's a product of its time. Very reminiscent of police procedurals from that decade, but also delving into the psychology of the killer.

If you want to Catch a Killer for yourself, you can find copies at Amazon.

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KitKat Reads The #Witch Tree Symbol, A Nancy Drew #Mystery by Carolyn Keene

Title: The Witch Tree Symbol
Author: Carolyn Keene
Genre: Juvenile / Nostalgia / Mystery
Status: Read
Cats?: None, but there is an angry bull.

KitKat Says:

Inspired by Zorro's review of a Hardy Boys Mystery, I decided to give Nancy Drew a go.  I've obviously heard references to this series, and I'm aware it's been popular for generations, but I've never read a Nancy Drew book for myself. Better late than never?

With a copyright date of 1955, I was more than a little afraid of what I was getting into with The Witch Tree Symbol--particularly because the action takes place in Amish country. I figured a book written in the 50s would resort to broad stereotypes in representing Amish people.

I was surprised (and relieved) to find I was wrong. I'm not Amish, so I can't speak with any degree of authority on the matter, but it seemed like a fair and thoughtful representation of the families it depicted.

Not just that, but Nancy Drew is an intrepid investigator. She's pretty fearless.  I can see why the series has been so popular throughout the years.

Having said all that, would I rush out to read another Nancy Drew mystery novel?  Probably not, and here's why: I found the writing style outdated and impersonal. I don't mean that as a dig. These books were written, what, more than sixty years ago? Times change, trends change, tastes change. I really like to get inside a character's head and feel what they're feeling. That's pretty much impossible to do when the narrative bobs at the surface of the action.

I still think that, if you've never read a Nancy Drew mystery, The Witch Tree Symbol is worth your while.  Aren't you curious what you've been missing out on all these years?

Whether you read Nancy Drew as a youngster and you're looking for a spot of nostalgia or you've never read this series and you don't mind starting with #33, you might want to spend a day with The Witch Tree Symbol.

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What's New, #Mystery #Cats?

Hey, Mystery Cats! What are we reading?

KitKat Says:

Zorro's Hardy Boys review inspired me to dive into Nancy Drew. I've never read the series, if you can believe it, but I'm starting with The Witch Tree Symbol. Antique furniture and the Amish--what's not to love?

Zorro Says:

Haven't started it yet, but there's a Linwood Barclay waiting for me. Been hearing great things about his books for years. He's a bit of a hometown hero, too. So time to take him for a spin with The Accident.

Ginger Says:

Next on my list is Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris. I read Shakespeare's Trollop in the Lily Bard series and gobbled it up. I absolutely loved it. I'm not sure if Definitely Dead (A Sookie Stackhouse Novel) will appeal to me quite as strongly because it's paranormal and that's not really my thing, but if it isn't to my taste I'll pass it over to KitKit.

Butterball Says:

It is always most difficult to choose a book to read after one has devoured an Agatha Christie mystery as brilliant as The ABC Murders (which I shall have to review on the blog sooner rather than later), but I have selected a Martha Grimes novel to follow. I must admit I've judged The Old Fox Deceiv'd by its eerie cover. I am very much looking forward to exploring its interior.

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Zorro Reads The Hardy Boys: The #Mystery of Cabin Island

Title: The Mystery of Cabin Island (Hardy Boys, Book 8)
Author: Franklin W. Dixon
Genre: Juvenile Fiction / Action / Mystery
Status: Read
Cats?: None

Zorro Says:

Need a break from modern-day life? If you're like me, you're craving a simpler time. Well, here's one way of finding it: read a book from your childhood.

And considering The Mystery of Cabin Island (Book 8 in The Hardy Boys series) was first published in 1929, chances are this is a novel that came out long before you were born. If not, congratulations on exercising those nine lives. You must be a cat. Also, way to master the internet!

A lot of kittens grew up reading Hardy Boys Mysteries. Maybe you're one of them. Or maybe you're human--I don't know your life. But if you read this series as a child, this book has the nostalgia factor going for it. If you've never read a Hardy Boys Mystery, aren't you even the slightest bit curious why people are still reading them almost a century after they were written?

I read The Mystery of Cabin Island over the Christmas holidays. Perfect timing because, guess what? That's exactly when it's set. Boxing Day, the boys head out to the eponymous (Butterball's teaching me big words!) Cabin Island. Ice boats! No electricity! Thrills! Chills! (Literally! Did I mention they've got no electricity and it's the dead of winter?)

And of course they've got a mystery or two to solve. Stolen medals. A missing nephew. A missing butler! Non-stop action. If there's one thing the Hardy Boys do consistently, it's suck you in to the next chapter. Bet you can't read just one!

I probably don't need to talk you into revisiting the Hardy Boys. I'm sure just the mention of them has evoked a strong reaction in you, hopefully of nostalgia.

Why not go back in time with The Mystery of Cabin Island?

With two mysteries to solve, Frank and Joe must climb aboard their iceboat the Sea Gull to reach Cabin Island, where a belligerent stranger orders them off. Sabotage to the boat, danger to themselves, and a ghostly prowler do not daunt the Hardy boys in their search for Johnny Jefferson and for clues to stolen antique medals. How the teenage investigators outwit a ruthless foe and succeed in solving both mysteries makes for mounting suspense in this brisk-paced adventure.

Find The Mystery of Cabin Island at Amazon

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