The Last Coincidence by Robert Goldsborough with L.J. Ganser (Narrator)

It becomes a family affair when Lily, Archie's sometimes enamorata, comes to him for help. She needs someone to threaten a young man who has been making advances (and more) toward her niece. Archie does help with that but then becomes a suspect when the young man turns up dead. As do Lily's niece and nephew. 

Goldsborough builds out Lily's character a bit more in this book as well as her sister's but otherwise this wasn't a book I enjoyed a lot. I can't really put my finger on why but I think it's because it took so long to get to the mystery and I just wasn't expecting so much exposition. 

Three stars

Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe Mysteries #4

This book came out in 1989

Follows The Bloodied Ivy

Followed by Fade to Black

Borrowed as audiobook from Blackstone Audio

Opinions are my own

The Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah

This was a very interesting story wherein Hercule Poirot helps a young detective find the reason why three people were murdered in a hotel. And why all three had cufflinks left in their mouths.It was an okay story but it was not a Hercule Poirot story. It felt like the characteristics were just shoehorned in. If it hadn't been a "Poirot book," I think it would have been more enjoyable to me.

I reread this book but this time listened to it. It's interesting that the narrator really brought Hercule into focus for me. I still don't think this was done in the Agatha Christie style and this really could be any other detective, but hearing the voice and the accent brought it a little closer to what I had been hoping for.

Three stars

New Hercule Poirot Mysteries #1

This book came out September 9, 2014

Followed by Closed Casket

Borrowed as audiobook from Blackstone

Opinions are my own

The Bloodied Ivy by Robert Goldsborough with L.J. Ganser (Narrator)

Walter Willis Courtland, a balding man in his 50s, calls the house. His friend, Hale Markham, fell into a gorge. To be fair, it was nighttime and the man was in his 70s. But, by all accounts, he was a hiker and knew the terrain really well. Wolfe isn't interested. But the case piques Archie's interest. Markham was a right-wing author and professor who had a number of devoted fans but just as many enemies. So Archie goes up to investigate, against Wolfe's wishes. 

Another good addition to the Wolfe series by Mr. Goldsborough. 

Four stars

Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe Mysteries #3

This book came out in 1987

Follows Death on Deadline

Followed by The Last Coincidence

Borrowed as audiobook from Blackstone Audio

Opinions are my own

Death on Deadline by Robert Goldsborough with L.J. Ganser (Narrator)

Goldsborough has done an amazing job capturing Stout's stories and cadence. This book is no different. In it, Lon Cohen relates to Archie that his newpaper might soon be under new leadership. The new owner is a right-wing magnate who is more concerned about sales than about the truth. 

The current owner inherited from her husband, but only a little over a third of the shares. Her stepson, stepdaughter, and nephew all own chunks as well as her lawyer and the current editor. While some of them are guaranteed to work with her, she's going to have to work on others. Either way, she's going to fight the takeover. At least, until she ends up dead of an apparent suicide. Wolfe doesn't believe it and is on the case. 

Four stars

Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe Mysteries #2

This book came out in 1987

Follows Murder in E Minor

Followed by The Bloodied Ivy

Borrowed as audiobook from Blackstone Audio

Opinions are my own

Murder in E Minor by Robert Goldsborough with L.J. Ganser (Narrator)

It's been several years since Archie and Nero were betrayed by one of their own. In that time, Nero has taken on no new cases. While Archie has adjusted to the new normal, he would prefer they were acting like the detectives they are. 

Even though most people know that Wolfe is no longer in the business, he still gets occassional calls, including one from a young woman who says that Wolfe knew her uncle in Montenegro. This turns out to be the truth and she comes to the apartment. It seems someone has been sending threatening letters to her uncle, who is the maestro of the New York Symphony Orchestra. And when the man ends up dead, Nero feels honor-bound to try and clear the name of the man who the police have arrested, the niece's boyfriend. 

Four stars

Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe Mysteries #1

This book came out in 1986

Followed by Death on Deadline

Borrowed as audiobook from Blackstone Audio

Opinions are my own

The Seventh Sinner by Elizabeth Peters

The first of the Kirby mysteries. Jacqueline Kirby, librarian extraordinaire, is in Rome. She bumps into a young man and woman and is soon introduced to their circle of friends. Then, one of that circle is killed and Jacqueline is off on her first murder...

Three stars

Jacqueline Kirby #1

This book came out ini 1972
Followed by The Murders of Richard III

Audiobook from Audible Premium Plus
Opinions are my own

Lady Osbaldestone and the Missing Christmas Carols by Stephanie Laurens

Once again, Lady Osbaldestone's three grandchildren are joining her for a village Christmas. They had so much fun last year that they begged to come back. This year, her granddaughter Melissa (a cousin of the original three) is also there. Her older sister was invited to a house party but Melissa has hit her teen years hard and her mother is scared to take her. Therese decides to do what she does best. Meddle but only from a distance and only when she should.

This year, there is a new organist who has a mysterious past. There is also a female visitor to the village. One who knows her own worth and is ready to wait for the right husband. 

Again, Laurens-light. Not super-complicated but not a lot of depth either.

Three stars

Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Chronicles #2

This book came out October 18th, 2018

Follows Lady Osbaldestone's Christmas Goose

Followed by Lady Osbaldestone’s Plum Puddings

Borrowed as an audiobook from Audible

Opinions are my own

Reread as audiobook from Blackstone March 2025

The Murders of Richard III by Elizabeth Peters

Jacqueline Kirby is visiting and old friend in England. While there, she is invited to go with him too a country manor where a group of current day Richard III sympathizers will reenact his life before a letter is unveiled proving that Richard did not kill the princes in the tower.
But someone begins playing malicious pranks on the guests portraying Richard's rivals in the same order that Richard supposedly killed them. 
Not my favorite Kirby novel but still shows Jacqueline's amazing sense of humor. And is amazingly better as an audiobook.

Three stars

Jacqueline Kirby #2

This book came out January 1st, 1974
Follows The Seventh Sinner
Followed by Die for Love

Audiobook from Audible Premium Plus
Opinions are my own

Reread as Blackstone Audiobook April 2025

Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters

I often wonder why I don't love the rest of the series as much as I love this book (other people love ALL the books) but I think the crux of this one for me was the added "love story" between Amelia and Emerson. I mean, here's this thirty-two-year-old spinster who's got some money and some freedom for the first time in her life. She's more practical and headstrong than most of the women in her time period. Who else would pick up an obviously starving young woman off the streets and decide to keep her? Evelyn turns out to be a wonderful acquisition, fallen woman though she is, but it's still an unexpected event. For anyone other than Amelia Peabody. And then there's her love of Egypt. It's not just because the country is popular. No. Amelia is really interested in the past and her love of languages interests even the irascible Radcliffe Emerson. Yes, he yells at everyone, including her, but digging up the past is serious work and he believes that no one can do it like him. Throw in a mysterious mummy and you've really got some issues for him to deal with.

Great book, totally worth reading and re-reading. And listening to.

Four and a half stars

Amelia Peabody #1

Followed by The Curse of the Pharoahs

This book came out in 1975

Borrowed as audiobook from Overdrive

Opinions are my own

Reread as audiobook from Blackstone April 2025