Second reading. I have to admit I picked it up again because they AMC filmed it last year and I needed a memory refresher.
Leaphorn isn't in this book.Second reading. I have to admit I picked it up again because they AMC filmed it last year and I needed a memory refresher.
Leaphorn isn't in this book. It is Jim Chee all the way.
B. J. Vines' house has been burglarized and all they took was a box from his safe. Mrs. Vines wants it back before BJ returns from the hospital (?). Tries to hire Chee to find it. When Vines he returns he tells Chee he needn't bother because it isn't missing. A man is killing people, including the people who took the box - the People of Darkness or worshippers of a native church involving the peyote lord. Peyote is illegal and the sheriff harasses them.
Years ago, the members of the church had been warned to stay away from work one day. This particular day the oil well blew up. What did these people know? Because everyone else got blown up leaving a bone here and a bone there, virtually unidentifiable.
I have been reading the Hillerman books since the mid-80s when I came across Dance Hall of the Dead at my brother's SO's house. ...more
A re-read for me. While I could remember certain parts of the story, as in methods used, I didn't remember the killer or any other real details. Also,A re-read for me. While I could remember certain parts of the story, as in methods used, I didn't remember the killer or any other real details. Also, I think I may have enjoyed it just a bit more the second time around....more
Just as enjoyable, if not more so, on the second read. It didn't have to take me two months to read it, I just wanted to stretch it out.
Humor on everyJust as enjoyable, if not more so, on the second read. It didn't have to take me two months to read it, I just wanted to stretch it out.
Humor on every page. I just opened to a random page. Her new friends have taken her to Oxford. They go to all the friends want to see. Helene, who is only there for a limited time, has a breakdown in the street: WHEN WILL WE SEE WHAT I WANT TO SEE? You can see this stuff anytime while I go home next week. They finally saw her point.
She meets all sorts of new people, mostly friends of friends, or wealthier friends who can afford to go to London every now and again.
If you read and enjoy 84, Charing Cross Road this will also be enjoyable. She finally takes the trip she has wanted to take for many years, unfortunately after her "pen pal" has died. But she meets his widow and grown-up children, goes to where her beloved book store formerly stood. A most enjoyable trip....more
I think I liked it better the first time. I didn't remember the murderer. But I still like John Christmas.I think I liked it better the first time. I didn't remember the murderer. But I still like John Christmas....more
"There are coincidences.... But they shouldn't happen too often"
I've had multiple reads of this. And I have seen the films. Unfortunately, some of the"There are coincidences.... But they shouldn't happen too often"
I've had multiple reads of this. And I have seen the films. Unfortunately, some of the films don't adhere that closely to the book. And then they can become confused in your mind. So I re-listened to a chapter or two, knowing that I had dozed off, and not knowing whether I missed something or the item I am remembering is from a movie and not from the book.
It wasn't in the book.
This is a multiple read for me. But always enjoyable....more
This is the book where Sayers introduces us to mystery author Harriet Vane. She is about to be convicted of murdering a former lover (possibly scandalThis is the book where Sayers introduces us to mystery author Harriet Vane. She is about to be convicted of murdering a former lover (possibly scandalous in itself) when Lord Peter Wimsey declares his love for her. The Dowager Duchess likes her, too.
Peter commences to propose to her every five minutes and she just isn't interested. Still, he persists and tries to prove her innocence. Enlists his police friend Charles and Miss Climpson and her Cattery.
Not sure how many times I have read this one, but it is multiple.
Very entertaining. Includes a look into Harriet's Bohemian friends....more
Excellent rendering by reader Stanley Tucci. I have seen the movies and this was a re-read for me.
Drifter meets a good looking waitress at a roadside Excellent rendering by reader Stanley Tucci. I have seen the movies and this was a re-read for me.
Drifter meets a good looking waitress at a roadside cafe. Finds a way to stay around. Turns out good looking as an older husband who owns the cafe. Trouble takes off from there.
Cain is excellent at his best and this is one of his best. He did one, Rainbow's End, based on the D. B. Cooper story that I had trouble getting into. And I am not too sure about The Cocktail Waitress but I am still working on that one. ...more
Usually when I buy a second copy of a book it is by accident or forgetfulness. I looked at the sample and fully remembered having read it. But I startUsually when I buy a second copy of a book it is by accident or forgetfulness. I looked at the sample and fully remembered having read it. But I started laughing at the thought of checking her parents in to the Chelsea Hotel so I bought it again. She checked them in to a hotel down the street from the Chelsea Hotel. ...more
Possibly ★★★ 1\2. But it looks as though my rating is about the same as the first time I read it. No memory of the resolution of this book. Maybe it wPossibly ★★★ 1\2. But it looks as though my rating is about the same as the first time I read it. No memory of the resolution of this book. Maybe it was the fact that I didn't hear it all at one time. It had to go back to the library for a while. So I may have forgotten part of the beginning of the book while I waited to get it again.
This was at least my second reading, if not my third or fourth. And I've seen the movie innumerable times (especially since I have the dvd). And, yet,This was at least my second reading, if not my third or fourth. And I've seen the movie innumerable times (especially since I have the dvd). And, yet, on every reading I wonder if I am misremembering. Agatha Christie has that effect on me. I always think, that can't be the way it was.
I am assuming that "white horses on the sea" is the same as "white caps". In every Christie book there is always some turn of phrase that leaves me momentarily puzzled.
This is a very powerful book. Shows the disillusionment of a young soldier (in this case, German). But disillusionment affects most young soldiers. The old send them in to battle while they stay safely at home. Paul and his friends have a heated discussion, after a hearty meal scavenged from a French town they have evacuated. A comic scene is created when they come under fire after cooking a magnificent meal and must carry their food on the run to a foxhole while under fire. While enjoying their apres repast cigars, they get into deep discussion as to who to blame for this mess. Apparently not the Kaiser, but possibly the generals and armament makers. What else is new?
There are problems with an officious noncom until that noncom himself gets a taste of the front that they have already had.
An enjoyable book. I just found out that there is a sequel, The Road Back....more
Finally finished my "re-read" of this book. Makes me wonder if I actually read it before. Of course, the first time would have been in the '70s so I gFinally finished my "re-read" of this book. Makes me wonder if I actually read it before. Of course, the first time would have been in the '70s so I guess I could be excused for not remembering everything about it.
I did enjoy it this time around. Much of it is based on Hemingway's WWI experiences - ambulance driver, injury and apparently much of the romance.
This edition had Hemingway's 1948 introduction, along with a foreword by Patrick Hemingway and an introduction by Sean Hemingway. These were very informative. I recommend getting hold of the Hemingway Library Edition.