Dolores Gordon-Smith

It's 1926 and Jennifer Langton is working as a typist at an estate agent when she gets the chance to view a house. A house that the agents want to rent out. But arriving at Saunder's Green she finds the house familiar, and in the garden she sees a monster. Later that day she recounts everything to her close friend Betty and her husband Major Jack Haldean. Haldean having had experiences in solving mysteries.
An enjoyable mystery, with the story starting slowly, setting the scene then the clues are introduced. Though the book was written in the modern times it had the feel of the 'Golden Age of Detective Fiction'.
Although this is part of a series, though the first one for me, it can easily be read as a standalone story.
A NetGalley Book… (plus d'informations)

This story aims to be a World War 1 spy thriller and mostly carries it through. A flawed ending spoiled it for me. It begins with an exciting chase scene in Germany, a British spy narrowly evades capture after learning there is a highly placed traitor at home. Of course the identity of the traitor is a mystery and the remaining story is a cat-and-mouse hunt for him/her. The story turns into a sort of country house mystery as the hunt progresses.

The plot has plenty of potential; there's several clever twists and turns, and the "Frankie's Letter" of the title is a smart hook. Irish Independence "freedom fighters" are brought into the mix to ally with the Germans against the British. The characters are not well-developed, but they don't need to be, as the plot carries the story. The protagonist is an attractive character as well as a good narrator.
It's an OK read, but be prepared to be let down by the ending.… (plus d'informations)

It’s 1922 and Jack Haldean, young crime writer and former Royal Flying Corps pilot, is enjoying the local fete on a beautiful summer’s day in rural Sussex. When his friend is murdered, Jack steps in to solve the crime. I can’t remember how the police figured in this one, but I do remember being pleasantly surprised at the quality of the mystery, and that I enjoyed it even though I saw the murderer right away.

I find it amusing that the title of this book works because, although the French pronounce the French word fête fet, the English pronounce it fate. Much like the French word valet (va-lay) which the English say is val-et. (Just going to do it our way.)

4 stars… (plus d'informations)