Tag Archives: mysteries

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

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I have always struggled to find a book suitable for teens. Having little interest in whimsical, fantasy books and heavy-themed adult novels that I had trouble relating to, Ruta Sepetys’s Out of the Easy was the novel I had been waiting to discover. Her nuanced themes within her writing create intriguing and relatable characters and plotlines in her book. The most captivating aspect of her novel is the main character Josie Moraine. Through this character, Sepetys encapsulates the aspiring and anxious mind of a 17-year-old girl coming of age.

Set in the 1950s, Josie Moraine lives in the shadows of her mother’s notorious reputation as a prostitute. Josie longs for a life outside of New Orleans to cut the ties with her mother and fulfill her dream of attending an elite college, miles away from her haunting city. However, these dreams of escape begin to tremble at the news of a mysterious death in the Quarter. Torn between an investigation that might help her discover who she is and working to raise the money to leave New Orleans, Josie struggles to find the balance between what decisions will shape her future for the better. Undergoing the pressure of her reputation tainted by her mother, Josie’s important relationships, such as with her best friend Patrick and her lingering love interest Jesse, begin to falter. Josie’s strenuous search for her true identity causes everything she worked for to crumble, leading her to push away the people she needs and loves.

When Josie is in this state in the novel, Sepetys perfectly captures this pivotal moment as a teenager, when you feel like everything and everyone is against you and you begin to lose sight of why it is that you try. However, this feeling sheds light on the importance of knowing when to hold on and how to let go. Soon in the novel, Josie finds her strength and rediscovers her identity, not in her mother’s ignorance, but in the people who have always been there for her. Josie lets go of the murder investigation, which caused her to question the existence of her father and how the discovery of him could tell her who she is. But Josie no longer needs that reassurance and finds it, instead, in the future of who she will become.

Out of the Easy is one of those books whose structure makes you feel like you’re in a movie. The novel’s realistic dialogue and nuanced characterization enthralled me into Josie’s world and allowed me to have a haunting peek at what it meant to be a teenage girl in this period. I can’t wait to read this book again and unveil any details I may have missed.

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

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Murder at the Vicarage is Agatha Christie’s first mystery novel featuring the character of Miss Marple. The story is narrated by a local reverend named Leonard Clement in the seemingly quiet village of St. Mary Mead, England. This novel involves the mysterious death of Colonel Protheroe. The Colonel was generally hated by the local residents, so it was not surprising when it was discovered that he had been shot to death. However, the murderer’s identity remained a mystery. The police are baffled by the case until an elderly resident of the village decides to assist them. This unlikely detective is an elderly spinster named Jane Marple.

Miss Marple makes for an interesting character. She seems more like an observant neighborhood gossip than an actual detective. While Agatha Christie’s novels featuring Hercule Poirot may be more well-known, her Miss Marple books are almost as good, in my opinion. Miss Marple’s personality certainly differs from Poirot’s in many ways.  Hercule Poirot has a ridiculous moustache and is amusingly pompous. He is a professional detective who has achieved widespread fame for his work. Miss Marple is just an amateur detective. She is more elderly than Poirot and seems more like a nosy neighbor who happens to solve mysteries. However, she is just about as shrewd and intelligent as Poirot.

This book was certainly baffling and had me guessing at every turn. Various suspects confessed to the murder at different points in the novel, making it very difficult to guess the murderer. I enjoyed the relatively quaint setting of the story. Everything takes place in a small village, so the characters are well developed by the end of the story. Miss Marple turns out to be a very charming character, and she is surprisingly astute and perceptive. I would highly recommend this novel, as well as the other books by Agatha Christie featuring Miss Marple.

Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie is available to download for free from Libby.

Japanese Tales of Mystery & Imagination by Edogawa Rampo

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Japanese Tales of Mystery and Imagination is a collection of nine mystery and psychological horror short stories, such as “The Caterpillar” and “The Red Chamber”. I’ve read this again and again and never managed to get sick of it.

Each short story managed to scare and surprise me. Edogawa added an unexpected twist to each of them that I could not have predicted. Every story didn’t disappoint; they were spine-chilling page-turners.

Of the nine short stories, “The Human Chair” was the most memorable. It left me with the feelings of disgust and horror at once. I remember hearing my heart in my ears and being so engrossed with the story that I had refused to do anything until I finished it.

With his imagination and straight-forward writing, Edogawa wrote excellent, disturbing worlds driven by corrupted human motives. What really disturbed me was how realistic these stories seemed. If someone had read to me any of those stories and told me it was a true story, I would’ve believed them. That’s where the feeling of horror comes from.

For most, the stories in Japanese Tales of Mystery & Imagination aren’t very high on the horror spectrum. I would highly recommend this book to readers that are just starting to get into horror stories, but don’t want to start off with a book that’s overwhelming. However, I think all readers could be able to enjoy this book just as much. Overall, it’s a fun read and is deserving of your time.

The Labours of Hercules by Agatha Christie

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The Labours of Hercules by Agatha Christie - Agatha ChristieA string of Pekinese kidnappings…a romance left half-finished by the strange disappearance of a young woman…a malicious Parisian gangster fleeing to one of the most remote places on Earth…the largest political scandal in England…a stolen painting and a kidnapped schoolgirl…a series of women dying under odd circumstances, only connected by a mysterious religious sect…an innocent woman on the verge of being framed for a dastardly crime…. 

The only thing that connects these decidedly unusual yet distinctly unrelated cases is one man, and one man alone: the great Hercule Poirot (and his mustaches).

Based on the original Labours of Hercules, Poirot endeavors to act in his namesake by carefully selecting twelve special cases before his retirement from detective work in order to cultivate vegetable marrows.. From the Nemean Lion to the Erymanthian Boar, from the Flock of Geryon to the Capture of Cerberus, Poirot will stop at nothing to bring criminals to justice, and, on occasion, to take matters into his own private hands.  

While writing short stories isn’t standard fare for Agatha Christie, this collection of twelve short stories is the perfect mix of murder, intrigue, and Hercule Poirot (featuring his little grey cells) that any fan of the celebrated Queen of Mystery will surely not be disappointed.

-Mahak M. 

The Labours of Hercules by Agatha Christie is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. 

Fall!

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It’s almost the first day of fall (September 22, specifically) and there’s no better way to kick off this wonderful season than giving you some tips to have the best time ever. Autumn 2018 is definitely going to be one for the books!

When I think of fall, football games, pumpkin patches and other outdoor activities come to mind:

-Show some school spirit and spend a Friday evening at your school’s football stands with your best buds to cheer on your home team! If you’re not a huge football fan, no worries. . .

-You can head on over to a pumpkin patch with your family or friends! Have a competition to see who can pick the biggest, oddest or most colorful pumpkin and definitely snap a few photos for social media.

-And if you’re into the spookiness fall has to offer, find some brave friends and walk through a haunted house or maze–if you dare.

Now, what’s fall without tasty treats?

-First of all, pumpkin spice lattes are now back in season and personally, I believe fall practically wouldn’t exist without these warm cups of goodness.

-Actually, pumpkin, cinnamon, and vanilla anything is ideal. Whether it be scones, muffins, pie or even pumpkin pie frozen yogurt, satisfy your sweet tooth craving and dig in!

-Or if you’re into baking, look up some fun DIY recipes to bake and share with your family. They’d appreciate your effort and thought–and they’d enjoy the deliciousness of fall flavor!

Lastly, I wouldn’t be writing for this blog if I didn’t have any book recommendations. Grab your fuzzy blanket, light a candle and get reading.

–Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. A heartwarming novel about a young girl in seemingly miserable situation who crosses paths with the adorable Winn Dixie, a lovable dog who lights up her life.

–And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. Written by the “Queen of Mystery” herself, this novel keeps you on your toes until the last page. (As do many of her other books–check them out!! They make for a great nighttime read.)

–The Fault in our Stars by John Green. An oldie but a goodie. Who doesn’t like to read a teenage romance novel every once in awhile? Green’s unique love plot dances in and out of humor, sorrow and everything in between.

Even if you’re bogged down with schoolwork, SATs or college applications, try giving yourself some personal time to relax and enjoy all autumn has to offer! I hope this post could give some inspiration to have some fun during the last few months of 2018!

-Jessica T.