This month I have …
“We interrupt this regularly scheduled book of the month post to bring you this important classic crime comic strip…”
January started with a lot of catching up on my blog. I published 20 posts, but of them 6 of them were reviews for December reads. Nevertheless, January was also a month for a variety of different posts. For example, I posted a rare review for film (Mr Monk’s Last Case (2023)), and I wrote about two plays, one of which I saw live (Murder on the Orient Express (2024)).
Some of my reviews were also a little more in depth, as I wrote a post comparing John Dickson Carr’s The Murder of Sir Edmund Godfrey (1936) with L. C. Tyler’s The Three Deaths of Justice Godfrey (2024). They both centre on the same unsolved true crime and it was interesting to examine how they approach it.
In addition, I started my Green Penguin challenge, the first title for which you can read about here. I am on track with this goal so far, having finished February’s book last night. Finally, January saw the posting of my 1900th post, the topic for which concerned the blurbing of Agatha Christie’s Crooked House (1949). What makes a good blurb? How has the style of blurbs changed over time? These questions and more are gone into, with this post, so do check it out.
In terms of “Book of the Month”, I decided to award the accolade to one modern title and one classic. The modern winner of the prize goes to…
I found Tyler’s novel a very accessible entry point into 17th century history and the political turmoil of that period. I also felt he adopted a creative approach within his narrative for exploring the possibilities of the unsolved true crime he uses in his story.
We then come to the classic crime book of the month which is…
Douglas and Dorothy Stapleton are a writing duo that I have not returned to for quite a few years, but reading Late for the Funeral (1953) reminded me how good they are. I really enjoyed the plotting in this novel, which is effective at keeping you guessing and questioning what has gone on.
Both titles are ones that I would recommend.
Looking ahead into February, my first read of the month was a bit of a trial in several ways, but my second read was far more fun and enjoyable than I anticipated. I don’t have fixed plans for what else I will be reading this month, but I do hope to post at least one ranked list.
What was your favourite read of January? What books are you hoping to read in February?