2013 A to Z Reading Challenge Book List Title and Author--COMPLETED!

I'll be updating this as the year goes on, trying to complete 2013 A to Z challenge.

Title Challenge  26 of 26---DONE

A--"Above Suspicion" by Helen MacInnes My review.
B--"A Body in the Backyard" by Elizabeth Spann Craig  And the review
C--"The Case of the Howling Dog" by Erle Stanley Gardner.  My review here.
D--"The Dishonest Murderer" by Frances and Richard Lockridge  Go to Review
E--"Eye of the Needle" by Ken Follet Check out the review here.
F--"Four Lost Ladies" by Stuart Palmer My "Four Lost Ladies" review here.
G--"Gaudy Night" by Dorothy Sayers "Gaudy Night" review
H--"The Helena Diaries" by Jana Deleon  The review
I--"In the Blood" by Steve Robinson  The review
J--"Joker in the Deck" by Richard S. Prather   My review
K--"Killer Cupcakes" by Leighann Dobbs          My review
L--"A Lighthearted Quest" by Ann Bridge  Review of this book.
M--"Murder on Wheels" by Stuart Palmer  And the book review.
N--"No Cooperation from the Cat: A Mystery" by Marian Babson   review
O--"One for the Money" by Janet Evanovich.  The review
P--"The Pale Horse" by Agatha Christie  My review
Q--"The Queen of Scots Mystery" by Cecilia Peartree  My review
R--Rumble on the Bayou by Jana DeLeon My review
S--"Senior Snoops" by Madison Johns.  My review.
T--"Two to Mango" by Jill Marie Landis.  My review of "Two to Mango"
U--"The Unspinnable Big Clock Scandal"  The review of the book.
V--"Valentined" by Patricia Rockwell   My review.
W--"The White Cottage Mystery" by Margery Allingham--the review.
X--"Faux Reel" by Jerusha Jones  review
Y--"You Bet Your Life" by Stuart M. Kaminsky  My review
Z--"Zero Minus Ten" by Raymond Benson The review

Author Challenge  26 of 26--DONE

A--Allingham, Margery "The White Cottage Mystery"   The book's review.
B--Bridge, Ann "A Lighthearted Quest" My review of this book.
C--Craig, Elizabeth Spann  "A Body in the Backyard" Here's the review.
D--DeLeon, Jana  "The Helena Diaries" My review.
E--Evanovich, Janet  "One for the Money"  My review
F--Fleming, Ian "Live and Let Die"  Review of book.
G--Gardner, Erle Stanley "The Case of the Howling Dog"  Check my Review.
H--Hamilton, Donald  "The Death of A Citizen"   My review
I--Ink, India  "Scent to Her Grave"  My review
J--Jones, Jerusha "Tin Foil"  Here's the review
K--Kemelman, Harry  "Tuesday the Rabbi Saw Red" My review
L--Lockridge, Frances and Richard "The Dishonest Murderer"   Review of this book.
M--MacInnes, Helen "Above Suspicion"  My review.
N--Noble, James  "Murder by Degrees"  The review
O--Ormerod, Jayne "The Blonde Leading the Blonde"  Review
P--Palmer, Stuart  "Four Lost Ladies"   My review here.
Q--Quinn, Spencer "Dog On It"  Review
R--Rockwell, Patricia  "Bingoed"  My review
S--Sayers, Dorothy "Gaudy Night"    Review of "Gaudy Night"
T--Trent, Gayle  "Between a Clutch and a Hard Place" My review.
U--Underwood, Julia  "Murder of No Account"   The review

V--Van Dine, S. S. "The Bishop Murder Case"    The review
W--Winters, Jill  "The Unspinnable Big Clock Scandal"  My review.
X--Alexander, Lloyd  "The Book of Three"  My review
Y--Young, Suzanne "Murder by Proxy"   My review
Z--Ziglar, Zig  "Born to Win"  My review here

Reading Challenges joined

I joined 2 reading challengers last month, and found a couple more I want to join.  I'm just posting this to keep them all together so I remember which ones I joined!

I've joined the Mt. TBR Reading Challenge .  The goal is to read some of the books I've had, but haven't yet read, and make the pile smaller.  I thought I could read the Mt. Blanc level, which is read 24 books during the year. 

I've also joined the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013.   My goal is to read at least 8 Vintage Mysteries, published before 1960.  I finished that goal, and am working now on reading 16 Vintage Mysteries.
  
 As of today, I'm also joining the What's in a Name 6 Challenge.  There are 6 categories with the requirement to read one book in each category.

I'm also joining the 2013 A to Z Reading Challenge.  Basically, you have to read 26 books with titles starting with the different letters of the alphabet, or read 26 books with the author's last name starting with the different letters of the alphabet.  Or you can do both challenges.  

Murder On Wheels by Stuart Palmer review

Murder on Wheels was originally published in 1932, and is the second of the Hildegarde Withers mysteries.

The story opens with a traffic accident, but there isn't anyone driving the car.  A witness says that the driver jumped backwards out of the car, and is laying in the street a block or two away.  He is found with a rope around his neck, and died because of a broken neck.

Inspector Oscar Piper is called to the scene, and his friend, Hildegarde Withers, soon appears.  They had been involved previously in an investigation, and this time Withers and Piper become involved in a competition to see who can solve the mystery first.

There are several twists and turns in the story, and it is based on an unlikely premise, but is still quite entertaining.  The story involves twins, love triangles, an overbearing grandmother, deception, and an old, swearing, and ugly parrot.

I enjoyed this story, and will continue to read more in the series.



This is the 13th book I've read for the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013
This book fulfills requirement  #19  Planes, Trains & Automobiles category of  the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013
This book also fulfills a requirement in the  2013 A to Z challenge.  Title--M.
read March 17-18, 2013

The Case of the Howling Dog by Erle Stanley Gardner review

While The Case of the Howling Dog was the first published novel for Gardner (in 1934), it was not the first time he had been published, as he had many stories published in many magazines of the time.  This was the first of the Perry Mason novels.

Perry Mason is a lawyer who gets involved in the investigation of crimes to protect his clients, and has an adversarial relationship with the police.  He comes close to the line between legal and illegal, and may have even crossed it.  The discussions he has with secretary Della Street and his assistant, Jackson,  reveal the reasoning for his actions.

His courtroom actions are well written and exciting.  He makes several assumptions based on his knowledge of human nature, and his masterful manipulation of the courtroom proves his assumptions to be correct.

I had read some of the later Mason novels, and was surprised at how different he was portrayed in this first one, compared to the ones I had read.  He was a lot more rough around the edges, and seemed to find the police an enemy, rather than the arm of the law.  This book is definitely a story of the time, as his attitude towards the police is an indication of how the police were often corrupt at that time, and he also uses a racial slur when talking about the Chinese cook which really gets your attention and makes you realize how times have changed and how much attitudes have progressed since the 1930s.

Even with its faults, I enjoyed this and would recommend it keeping in mind that it was written in a different time.



This is the 12th book I've read for the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013

This book fulfills requirement   #8.  Dangerous Beasts of the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013

This also fulfills a requirement in the  2013 A to Z challenge.   Title--C   and Author--G

 Read March 16-17, 2013.

Above Suspicion by Helen MacInnes review

Above Suspicion , published in 1941, was the first published book for Helen MacInnes.  This is also the first book of hers that I have read, and it won't be the last.

The story takes place in 1938, when Hitler and his Nazi henchmen are in power, and demonstrates the beliefs of that time, from the German believer, to the American worrier, to the English peace lover.  By describing the characters so well, you can understand how they developed their feelings, and how some of them change their beliefs based on what they observe.

The plot revolves around a couple, Richard and Frances Myles.  Richard is a professor at a British college, and they travel regularly during term breaks.  This term, they are asked by a friend involved in the British espionage organization to travel to France and follow directions that should lead them to an important member of the British spy network.  He feels that since they have traveled during many other term breaks, this would be in character and keep them above suspicion.  They agree to help out.


This was a book that I didn't want to put down after I started it.  I was involved in the characters, and was enthralled with the character development.  I was a little disappointed at one point at the chances that the main characters took, after seeing what they had already seen, and their trust in people, but then I'm a little cynical, and it ended up being an important part of the story.

I will be reading more of Helen MacInnes, and wish I had known how well written her stories were years ago. This book was made into a movie, also entitled Above Suspicion, starring  Joan Crawford, in 1943.






This is the eleventh book I've read for the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013.

This book fulfills requirement   #28.  Book to Movie of the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013

This book also fulfills a requirement in the 2013 A to Z challenge.  Title--A and Author--M

I'm also using this to fulfill the  Up or Down category in the 2013 What's in A Name 6 Challenge
Read March 15-16, 2013.

In The Blood by Steve Robinson review

In The Blood was published in 2011, as an ebook.  

In The Blood is the story of a professional genealogist, Jefferson Tayte, who travels to Cornwall, England, on behalf a client.  His goal is to prove some family connections for his client in the U.S. and a family in Cornwall.

He becomes involved in a modern day murder, and in some historical intrigue.  A young Cornish woman from the past, her writing box, and her dark family secrets cause mayhem and death in the present, and Tayte is in the middle of it all.

I found this to be a well-written, interesting book.  The premise of a genealogist getting involved in mystery and murder drew me into reading this to begin with, but the writing and characters kept me reading.  I was impressed by the way the author presented the past and future being intertwined.  I'm looking forward to reading more about Jefferson Tayte.




This book is fulfilling a requirement in the 2013 A to Z challenge.  Title--I.
This is also part of the Mt. TBR Challenge

Read Mar 13-15, 2013

A Lighthearted Quest by Ann Bridge review

This is my 10th book read for the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013.

This was first published in 1956.  Julie Probyn, a journalist, is asked to find a childhood friend who has gone missing in Africa.  His sister is temporarily running the family estate after the death of their uncle, but wishes to return to her job, which is very good paying.  As Colin is the only son, it is his responsibility to take over, but no one knows precisely where he is, and the family hasn't heard from him in almost a year.

Probyn begins her quest with the idea that it won't take her long to find her missing person, once she gets to Africa.  She knows people there, and the society of the day means that all of the British people are aware of each other, and she is sure she will be able to find out where to go to look for him.  Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be the case, and she spends more time that she had anticipated, and runs into more obstacles than she expects.

Probyn has a way of getting people to tell her more than they intended, and has the brain to make sense of the clues that are dropped her way. She becomes involved in quite a bit of danger while on her quest.

Really enjoyed this book, and the glimpse it showed of a different era and mind set.  I will probably read more Ann Bridge books, now that I've discovered her!




This book fulfills requirement   #37. Get out of Jail Free of the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013
The special category is An Author New To Me.

This also fulfills a requirement in the 2013 A to Z challenge.  Title--L and Author--B
Read March 8-13, 2013

Live and Let Die by Ian Fleming review

Having finished the eight books required for the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013, I've decided to continue and complete the next level, and read 16 this year.  This is number 9.

This book was published in 1954, and was the second of the James Bond novels. Gold coins are being smuggled into the United States, and Bond is sent to America to find out who is doing this.  He finds out that Mr. Big, a criminal mastermind, is behind the smuggling, and is working for SMERSH, the Russian Spy organization. Mr. Big is also involved in Voodoo, which helps keep Mr. Big in power.

This is a classic Bond book, that involves danger, women, drinking and traveling around the world. 
There is a lot of racism and sexism in this story, but it is typical of the attitude at the time this was written.  It can be a little jarring in the present day to see it in the story, with stereotypical descriptions of both people of color and women.  It is amusing, however, to see what was considered a considerable fortune at the time this story was written, and compare it to the value of that amount today!

I enjoyed the story, and would recommend it to anyone who can deal with the racism and sexism that was in existence at the time this story was written.



This book fulfills requirement #27 Psychic Phenomena in the  Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013.
This also fulfills the  2013 A to Z challenge. Author--F

The Mysterious Mr. Quin by Agatha Christie review

The Mysterious Mr. Quin by Agatha Christie is a collection of short stories featuring Mr. Satterthwaite and Mr. Quin.  The stories were originally published in magazines in Great Britain between 1924 and 1929, and the book was published in 1930.

Mr. Satterthwaite is a quiet, older man, a good listener, who loves good food, and is a keen observer of what goes on around him, although he usually doesn't become involved in it.  He meets Mr. Quin, who somehow affects Satterthwaite, causing Satterthwaite somehow to become involved in different situations.  Satterthwaite's observations, led by a question or two by Mr. Quin, manage to solve problems that have come up.

This collection of 12 short stories is very interesting and easy to read.  They involve murders, suicides, lovers, fraud, and robbery.  A nice variety of crimes throughout the stories.

Although I love Hercule Poirot, Miss Jane Marple and Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, my favorite Agatha Cristie characters are Satterthwaite and Quin.  If you haven't already read this, I would recommend that you do!





This book fulfills requirement # 5. Jolly Old England category of  Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013.
 Read March 12, 2013

The Dishonest Murderer by Frances and Richard Lockridge Review

The Dishonest Murderer by the husband and wife team of Frances and Richard Lockridge was published in  1949.  It is one of the Mr. and Mrs. North series of mysteries.  I've read other books in the series, and was happy to find one that I hadn't yet read.

Jerry North is a publisher, and he and his wife, Pam, are invited to attend a New Year's Eve party at the apartment of Admiral  Satterlee, who is publishing his memoirs with Jerry's publishing house.

Pam meets Admiral Satterlee's daughter, Freddie, and makes a connection with her.  Freddie has recently become engaged to Senator Bruce Kirkhill, and is expecting him to arrive at the party around 10 P.M. and begins to worry when he doesn't arrive.

As it turns out, Kirkhill has been found murdered in a bad neighborhood, dressed shabbily, and looking like a bum who had frozen to death after passing out in the cold.  Freddie calls upon the Norths to help with the investigation, because she is afraid her father, the Admiral, may somehow be involved.

I enjoyed the story, although I liked another one in this series I had previously read more. 



This book fulfills requirement   #6. Yankee Doodle Dandy category of the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013

This also fulfills a requirement in the  2013 A to Z challenge.  Title--D and Author--L
read March 8-10, 2013

Crows Can't Count by A.A. Fair (Erle Stanley Gardner)

 Crows Can't Count by Erle Stanley Gardner writing as A. A. Fair, was published in 1946.  It is the  10th  of 29 Cool and Lam detective stories.

When Cool originally hires Lam, the detective agency was doing a lot of divorce work, and other low paying jobs.  When Lam got involved, the cases become more dangerous, but much better paying.   Because of this, Lam convinces Cool to make him a partner, and it becomes the Cool and Lam detective agency.  Crows Can't Count takes place after Lam's return from serving in the South Pacific during WWII, getting a medical discharge after suffering from Malaria.  

The case starts off simply enough--a man wishes to find out who has put a piece of jewelry up for sale, as he believes it belongs to his ward.  Cool is thrilled with the money he offers them for this simple job, and sends Lam to find out.  

This simple job soon turns into a murder investigation, with Cool and Lam involved, much to Cool's distress.  The job takes them from Los Angeles to Columbia and back again.  There are several twists and turns, attempted murder, smuggling and other criminal discoveries, before the solution is revealed. 

Very well-written, enjoyable mystery, as are most, if not all, of the books written by Gardner, either under his Gardner name or as A.A. Fair.
  

This book fulfills requirement #35. Genuine Fakes category of the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013.
Read February  26-March 4, 20113

Two to Mango by Jill Marie Landis review

"Two to Mango" is a cozy mystery set in Hawaii.  I got this  book when it was on sale just to see what it was, and enjoyed the book quite a bit when I got around to reading it.  The main character is Em Johnson, the manager of the Tiki Goddess Bar in Hawaii, but other important characters are her Uncle Louie, the owner of the Tiki Goddess, and the Hula Maidens (definite characters!)--a hula troupe made up of older women.

Apparently, the Hula dancers and teachers are extremely competitive in Hawaii, and a big competition is coming up.  A Hula Dance teacher, and leader of a famous Hawaiian Hula Troupe, dies.  When it is discovered that the teacher had been murdered, everyone in the competition is possibly in danger or a suspect in the murder.

Em becomes involved because the Hula Maidens sign up for the Hula Competition.  The last competition they entered resulted in their total humiliation, and they are hoping, with Em's encouragement, to redeem themselves. Between looking for the killer, and making sure the Hula Maidens don't embarrass themselves again, Em is kept very busy.

This is the second in a series, and I'm looking forward to reading the first--Mai Tai One On--and any other additions to the series.



This book counts for the 2013 Mt. TBR challenge.

It also fulfills a requirement for the 2013 A to Z Reading Challenge.  Title--T

A Body in the Backyard by Elizabeth Spann Craig review

This was an interesting cozy mystery with Myrtle Clover as the main character; a quirky, older, retired teacher and part-time reporter on the local paper.  She lives across the street from her son, the local sheriff.   She's feisty and independent, but he wants her to take it easy.  She gets back at him when he annoys her by putting a collection of garden gnomes in her front yard, where he will see it every time he leaves his house, which annoys him.

In this story, Myrtle wakes up one morning and finds a body in her backyard.  He's been killed by having his head bashed in by one of Myrtle's garden gnomes.

The victim is also a cousin of  her friends, Miles,  who lives a few doors down the block from Myrtle.  Miles is not happy about claiming the less than desirable relative.  Myrtle and Miles decide to investigate, in spite of her son, as the killer strikes again.  They run into several interesting characters during their investigations, and discover several possible suspects.

I'll be reading more of Elizabeth Spann Craig's books! This is the fourth in the Myrtle Clover series.  I've read a couple of the other books in the series, have enjoyed them all, and am looking forward to reading the rest.  I hope this series continues, as I'm looking forward to further adventures.



This book qualifies for the  Mt. TBR reading challenge.

It also fulfills a requirement in the  2013 A to Z challenge.  Title--B and Author--C

This book was read in January, 2013.

Four Lost Ladies by Stuart Palmer review

This was the first Hildegarde Withers I've read, but it won't be the last, I really enjoyed it. I will probably go back to the first one, and start from there.

Four Lost Ladies by Stuart Palmer was published in 1949.  It is the 11th of 18 Hildegarde Withers mysteries.   She is an amateur sleuth, who tries to assist the New York Police Department, in the person of Inspector Oscar Piper, to bring criminals to justice.

Withers, a retired teacher, is at loose ends at the beginning of this story.  She had met Inspector Oscar Piper in an earlier book, developed a friendship with him, and been involved in some previous investigations with him.  However, in this story, he doesn't have much time for her and can't let her get involved in any of his current cases.

Withers becomes concerned about a former neighbor, Alice, who hasn't sent her a Christmas card as she always does.  She mentions to Piper that people can just go missing and no one cares or does anything.  He points out that thousands of women go missing every year, and most of them have their own reasons for doing so, and most often it is not a concern of the police.

Withers then determines to find out about her missing neighbor.  She travels to the neighbor's original hometown to talk to relatives, who haven't heard from her, and don't care--except for the missing woman's namesake and niece, Alice AKA Jeeps, who ends up joining Withers in her investigation.

The investigation leads Withers into discovering other missing women. She believes she has discovered a plot involving a man finding women, romancing them, stealing their money, and killing them.  She proceeds, with the assistance of Jeeps, to try and discover the perpetrator, and what he has done with the bodies.

This was an interesting and exciting story, with a nice feel of a different era, and a different point of view of women.  I recommend this story.



This book fulfills requirement #3  Amateur Night of the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013

This also fulfills a requirement in the  2013 A to Z challenge.  Title--F and Author--P

And I'm using this book for the Lost and Found category of the 2013 What's In A Name 6 Challenge
read March 2, 2013.

Case of the Vanishing Beauty by Richard Prather review

The Case of the Vanishing Beauty by Richard Prather was published in 1950, and is the first of his many Shell Scott mysteries.  I've read many of them, and was delighted to find this one that I hadn't already had the chance to enjoy!

Georgia Martin comes to Scott's office, to hire him to find her missing sister, Tracy.  When he reluctantly agrees to her terms, she then asks him to accompany her to a nightclub Scott wouldn't have expected her to visit, to provide protection.

They get to watch the main draw for the club, the knife-throwing act of Miguel Mercado.  Scott then has a slight altercation with Mercado, and he meets and dislikes the owner of the club, Maggie Remorse. 

After leaving the club, they are followed by someone, who opens fire on them.  Scott returns fire, and the other vehicle takes off, but it is too late for Georgia Martin, who manages to say, "I killed Nardo", before she dies.  After discovering Nardo is the leader of a cult and still alive, Scott decides to continue his investigation to find the missing sister.  While investigating he discovers what the link is between the  nightclub and the cult, and is drawn into a lot of danger. 

The story is exciting, violent, humorous and very enjoyable.  I would recommend this if you can keep in mind that it was written in  the 1950s and is not what is today called politically correct.  It was Prather's first published detective novel, and while quite enjoyable, his later novels were even better. 



This book fulfills requirement   #4. Leave It to the Professional category of the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013
read February 15-18, 2013

Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers review

Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers, published first in 1935,  is part of her Lord Peter Wimsey series.  However, while Wimsey is involved in this story, the main emphasis is on Harriet Vane.  Wimsey doesn't have a major presence in the book until past the halfway point.

In a previous book, Wimsey had helped the falsely accused Vane to prove her innocence in the murder of her former lover.  Her trial and her unconventional choices (such as living with her lover) caused quite a bit of notoriety for her, but she is finally coming  somewhat to terms with it.  She is invited back to her Oxford college reunion (known as the Gaudy), and then becomes one of the victims in a series of nasty pranks at her former college.

She is convinced to try to solve the mystery of who is playing these mean-spirited games before the college--and women's education--gets some unwanted bad publicity.  She determines to do her best, but eventually the pranks escalate from mean-spirited to threatening and at that point she calls on Wimsey for his assistance.

The book is imbued with the flavor of Oxford life in the 1930's, and brings the feel of that period to life.  The book also follows the struggle of Vane as she tries to deal with her feelings from the trial and the ensuing notoriety, and her feelings about Wimsey.

I enjoyed much of this book, although it seemed to move along a little slowly sometimes.  I was also disappointed that she felt she had to call upon Wimsey to solve this, although I'm aware that this was written in the 1930s and to be expected.



This book fulfills requirement  #20  Murder is Academic category of  the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013

This also fulfills a requirement in the  2013 A to Z challenge.  Title--G and Author--S
read January 29-Feb 10, 2013
 

White Cottage Mystery by Margery Allingham review

The White Cottage Mystery by Margery Allingham was first published in 1927, serialized in the Daily Express in the United Kingdom.  It was the first detective fiction published by Allingham, and was published in book form in the 1970's, after being edited by her sister after Allingham's death.  It is also the first Margery Allingham book I've read, although I am sure it is only the first of many.

Eric Crowther is the victim, shot dead at the White Cottage.  He is not a very nice person--he is a blackmailer.  There are many suspects that have motives for ending his life, but unfortunately, the suspects all have alibis or good explanations as to why they can't be the guilty party.

The investigator in charge of the case is Chief Inspector W. T. Challenor, with assistance from his son, Jerry.  Jerry became involved in the crime when he gave a young woman a ride to the White Cottage, and then, just minutes later--while putting up his convertibles top nearby, he hears the shot and rushes back to the scene along with a constable that was near.  He is attracted to the young woman, and is worried that she is also a suspect, among several others, of killing Crowther.

Throughout the book you first suspect this one, and then that one, until the solution is finally revealed.  The story is interesting, the many motives and alibis make it difficult to determine the correct solution, which is a surprise at the end.  I recommend this book if you enjoy the Agatha Christie books.



This book fulfills requirement  #1  Colorful Crime category of  the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013

This book also fulfills a requirement in the  2013 A to Z challenge.  Title--W and Author--A
read January 13-16, 2013

Casino Royale by Ian Fleming review

Casino Royale was the first James Bond thriller, published in 1953.  When reading this book, one must keep in mind that it was a different time, with different attitudes, values, and concepts.

James Bond, an agent for MI-5, is sent to northern France, to the Casino at Royale-Les-Eaux, to try and bankrupt Le Chiffre, a member of the Soviet secret service, and the treasurer of a French trade union controlled by SMERSH (the Soviet Secret Service), playing high stakes baccarat.

He is accompanied by Vesper Lynd, the assistant to the Head of Section S (the Soviet Union) of MI-5.
Bond has a poor opinion of Vesper, and of women in general, thinking they are a nuisance and not suitable for espionage.  This attitude is prevalent throughout the book.

René Mathis, from the French Deuxième, and Felix Leiter, from the American CIA, are sent as observers. They both have pivotal roles in the events in this story.  Both Mathis and Leiter return in other books about Bond.

Not wanting to give away the plot, and the twists and turns, I won't go into the details, but there is an exciting baccarat game, a chase scene, torture, death, romance and betrayal, not necessarily in that order.

The book is quite different from the movie, but is a great read.  I enjoyed the descriptions of the Casino, and of the different characters.  It kept me interested to the end.  I particularly liked the baccarat game, and the change in Bond during his convalescence after the adventure.

I would recommend this book, with the caveat that it was created in the early 1950's, and reflects the attitude of the era.

This book fulfills requirement   #7. World Traveler category of the Vintage Mystery Challenge 2013
read January 1-5, 2013
This is also one of the books in Mt Blanc TBR Challenge1 out of 24.

2013 Mt. TBR Reading Challenge

I've decided to do a few challenges this year, and the 2013 Mt. TBR reading challenge is one of them.  TBR stands for "to be read", and any books you mean to read, and have before Jan. 1, 2013, count as long as you read them between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2013.  Although there are other types of books in my list, the likely-hood is that most of the books I'll read are mysteries.

I'm going to try for the Mt. Blanc level, which is to read 24 books from my list.  I don't think it will be that hard, as I've already made a dent in my pile (actually, I don't have a pile, as most of the books I've gotten in the last couple of years are e-books, so easy to take with me everywhere!) 

Since the books that you read since Jan. 1 count, I'm going to make a list of the books I've read since then that qualify for this challenge, although I only learned of this challenge today!

January books-
"Casino Royale" by Ian Fleming-- I don't know how I managed to miss this one when I originally read the James Bond books.  I'm glad I finally read it, as it was the first James Bond. My review here.

"A Body in the Backyard" by Elizabeth Spann Craig--interesting mystery with Myrtle Clover as the main character, a quirky, 80-something, retired teacher and part-time reporter on the local paper.  I'll be reading more of her books! This is the fourth in the series.  I've read a couple of the other books in the series, and have enjoyed them all.  My review of "A Body in the Backyard".

"Two to Mango" by Jill Marie Landis -- See my review here.


"Bingoed" by Patricia Rockwell--The main character is Essie Cobb, a 90 year old resident of Happy Haven, an assisted living facility, who decides to investigate the death of Bob Weiderley, another resident who dies just after having won a game of Bingo.  Essie is assisted by her friends and fellow residents, Opal, Marjorie and Fay. I enjoyed this book! this is the first book in the Essie Cobb Senior Sleuth series.  I'll be reading more!

February books--

In the Blood by Steve Robinson--The main character is Jefferson Tayte, an American, a professional genealogist sent to England to investigate a client's family tree.  While there, he gets involved in kidnappings and murders, and helps to solve the crimes.  I like the thought of a genealogist as the main character, and I thought the book was all right as a first in the series, and will probably read the second someday.

So my books read are:
January--4 books
February--1 book.
Five down, 19 more to go!

About this Blog--Vintage Mystery 2013 Challenge

I've decided to join a mystery reading challenge, Bev's Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge for 2013, and wanted to have a blog just for the mysteries I read.  Here is some info about the Challenge--

Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge 2013: Scattergories

General Rules:

*All novels must have been originally written before 1960 and be from the mystery category (crime fiction, detective fiction, espionage, etc.).

*Each book may count for only one category.

*You are welcome to count these books towards any other challenges as well.

*Challenge runs from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. Sign up any time between now and November 30, 2013.  Any books read from January 1 on may count regardless of your sign-up date. 


You can find out more about the challenge and the different categories at My Reader's Block.
Since books read since January 1, 2013 will count, I'm going to write reviews about some of the earlier books I've read this year, if they fit into any of the categories, in my next few blogs.

After looking over my reading over the last couple of months, and the books I've bought that I haven't read yet, I will be writing reviews for books in the following categories-

#1  Colorful Crime  **White Cottage Mystery by Margery Allingham 1928
#3  Amateur Night  ??Haven't decided on book yet
#4  Leave it to the Professionals   **Case of the Vanishing Beauty by Richard Prather   1950
#5 Jolly Old England   ??Haven't decided on book yet
#6  Yankee Doodle Dandy ??Haven't decided on book yet
#7  World Traveler  **Casino Royale by Ian Fleming 1953
#20 Murder is Academic   **Gaudy Night by  Dorothy L. Sayers  1935
#35 Genuine Fakes ??Haven't decided on book yet