MURDER on the ÎLE SORDOU by M.L. Longworth

Murder on the Île Sordou by M. L. Longworth was published in 2014 by Penguin Books and is the 4th book of the Verlaque & Bonnet Provençal Mysteries series.

A recently renovated luxury hotel on the secluded island of Sordou off the coast of Marseille is the setting for travelers seeking a week's long rest, relaxation, and solitude. Two hotel guests are the story's main protagonists, Antoine Verlaque, a wealthy magistrate from the Aix-en-Provence, and his love interest, Marine Bonnet, a law professor. Both want to keep their professions to themselves while on this much-needed vacation. But fortunes being what they are, their secret is soon revealed. 

As the guests settle in for their week of R&R, a shot rings out during the night, which no one seems to pay much attention to until the dead body of one of the hotel guests, the well-known actor Alain Denis, is found the following day. A police investigation ensues, which includes a collaboration between Judge Verlaque, Professor Bonnet, and their police inspector friend Bruno Paulik, along with a stormy sea that prevents anyone from leaving the island; it becomes evident that the murderer is among them. 

This story is not filled with many twists and turns, although there are one or two. Yes, there is a murder, but it's not graphic or bloody, making me think of this story as more of a cozy mystery, which I enjoy. 

The many characters are vividly described, though one or two can easily be pegged as stereotypical. Although fictional, the locale's atmosphere, cultural references, and culinary delights are beautifully depicted in this story, which reminds me more of a travelogue at times than a mystery, and that's okay.  

The main characters are opposites attracted to each other. Antoine Verlaque comes from money and is stuffy but likable. Marine Bonnet is more grounded and makes a good foil for him. Their back-and-forth banter, along with that of Marine's friend Sylvie, is entertaining. Unfortunately, I have not yet read any other Verlaque & Bonnet Provençal Mysteries, of which there are 9, but I will. Regardless, Murder on the Île Sordou is a good read, especially if you are a Francophile or enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle.  

My Personal Rating is ⭐⭐⭐¾

MURDER on the ORIENT EXPRESS by Agatha Christie

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie is a work of fiction first published in 1934 in the United Kingdom by the Collins Crime Club. 

The story takes place on the Orient Express, an elegant long-distance train service. When a murder occurs, the list of passengers on this particular trip is almost as long as the soon-to-be list of possible suspects. 

The plot of the book revolves around the murder of Ratchett, a passenger on the train whose real name is Cassetti, a man described as truly evil who had escaped punishment in the U.S. for the kidnapping and subsequent murder of 3-year-old Daisy Armstrong, which took place before the start of the novel. 

Hercule Poirot is a masterful detective, independently wealthy, and a highly moral man. Ratchett, now a passenger on the luxury train, approaches Poirot in the dining car and tries to engage the services of the world-renowned retired Belgian police officer and private detective to act as security for him because he has been receiving threatening letters. He believes someone is trying to kill him. Unfortunately for him, no amount of money will tempt Hercule Poirot to work for the despicable Ratchett.

As the story unfolds, Hercule Poirot has just finished up a case in Syria when he boards the Taurus Express, a train to Istanbul, for a few days of vacation. Upon reaching his hotel, a telegram is waiting for him that informs Hercule of a development in another case he is working on and that he needs to return to London as soon as possible. Poirot arranges passage on the Orient Express. However, he is informed that no first-class compartments are available, and he is relegated to second-class. While he waits for the next train for his return trip to London, Hercule runs into his old friend, M. Bouc, who happens to be the director of the Compagnie Internationale des Wagon Lits and a former coworker on the Belgian police force. Bouc makes arrangements for Poirot to take the carriage of a passenger who has yet to show up for this ill-fated train trip. Still, he must share it with Hector McQueen, the personal assistant of the soon-to-be murder victim. When the train reaches Belgrade, Bouc has Poirot's luggage moved to compartment number one, previously occupied by M. Bouc, who then moves to the Athens coach. Having now moved into the first-class compartment number one. Poirot's compartment is now directly next to Mr Ratchett. It is also two doors down from Mrs. Hubbard, another passenger who will provide critical evidence in the murder.  

When the train runs into a snow bank and is stuck there for several days, it's up to Poirot, with the aid of M. Bouc and Dr. Constantine, the coroner aboard the Orient Express, who is called upon to examine Ratchett's body, determine the victim's time and place of death, and also happens to be around for most of the evidence gathering done during the investigation to solve this most brutal murder. Poirot's 'little gray cells' work overtime, but is he up to the challenge?  

Those readers who love a good whodunit will love this book. It keeps you guessing right to the end.

My Personal Rating is ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

 

4:50 From Paddington (aka What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw!) by Agatha Christie

 

4:50 From Paddington is a famous work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie. It was published in 1957 in the United Kingdom and simultaneously in the United States under the title, What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw!  

Mrs. McGillicuddy is taking the train to visit her good friend, Jane Marple. While gazing out the window, she witnesses a woman being strangled on another train running in the same direction. Unfortunately, the murderer has his back to the window. Hence, the description of the killer Mrs. McGillicuddy relays to Jane is limited. Miss Marple believes her friend, but as there is no mention of the crime in the news, Jane decides to investigate and find out who the victim is, what happened to the body, and identify the murderer. 

After several train rides later and armed with a map, Miss Marple pinpoints the general location of the body on the grounds of Rutherford Hall. Jane enlists the aid of Lucy Eyelesbarrow to gain employment as a cook and housekeeper at the Hall, as well as to be Jane's eyes and ears in trying to locate the body. 

The irascible and infirmed Luther Crackenthorpe is the current primary resident of Rutherford Hall whose father made his fortune in biscuit manufacturing and who, unfortunately for Luther, left the Hall in trust for his eldest grandson, Cedric. According to the terms of the will, Luther can live in the house for his lifetime and receive the income from the capital left by his father. Upon Luther's death, that capital was to be divided equally among Luther's surviving children, increasing the share due to the living children as each sibling died before Luther and making a good motive for murder. Two of Luther's children died before the start of the novel; Edmund, the first-born son, was killed during World War II. and his younger daughter, Edith, died four years before the beginning of the story, leaving behind a son, Alexander, who will inherit Edith's share. The remaining children are Cedric, a painter; Harold, a married businessman; Alfred, who makes shady deals; and Emma. Others at the family home include Alexander's father, Bryan Eastley, and Alexander's friend, James Stoddart-West. Local physician Dr. Quimper spends much time at the Hall, too. Partly looking after Luther, but mostly because he's in love with Emma. 

As Lucy Eyelesbarrow investigates, she finds fur from a woman's coat and a cheap powder compact. She brings her discoveries to Jane, who has determined that the murderer removed the body from the railway embankment. Lucy continues her search and ultimately discovers the woman's body hidden in the stables at Rutherford Hall, currently used to store Luther Crackenthorpe's collection of antiques.

The investigation continues under the purview of the local police, specifically Inspector Craddock, who also happens to be a friend of you guessed it...Miss Jane Marple. More clues, questions, another murder or two, and a twist in the ending make this mystery a must-read for Agatha Christie fans.

My personal rating is:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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