English Country House Murders, edited by Thomas Godfrey

This was a fantastic collection of short stories spanning the decades of the great English Country House Mystery genre, with contributions from just about all of the greats. So well edited, the choices from the obvious authors were unusual ones, and real treats, but for me ther great finds were the authors I was unfamiliar with. Country House Mysteries are one of my greatest escapist treats, so this whole book was for me like having a wonderful box of chocolates.

My favorite stories are starred below.

The Lighthouse, by P.D. James

OK but not excellent Adam Dalgleish mystery. The setting was great- Combe Island, a retreat for the great and well known, and it held so much promise, but the inexplicable inclusion of SARS was bizarre, and the book was ultimately unsatisfying.

The Problem of the Wire Cage, by John Dickson Carr

A very appealing and cleverly constructed 1939 whodunnit, with a bit of an un-fair trick to it, but still, very clever and fun. The body of obnoxious Frank Dorrance is discovered- after an afternoon filled with tennis and threats- dead in the center of the clay court, with only one set of footsteps leading to the body. Dr. Fell, Carr's hero, works out how it was done, with some very Nancy Drew-ish red herring characters along the way. Very enjoyable.

The Mistress of Alderley, by Robert Barnard

Very good mystery. This was fun, it had a pretty classic set up, but with a very modern approach, and the characters were unusual enough to feel fresh. Caroline knows she is Marius' mistress, and that he will not divorce his wife, but she is sure that he has bought her Alderley House, and that they have a very special relationship. When Marius is murdered, however, Caroline learns that all he has told her has been lies, and the unraveling of the story was quite satisfying.

The Vault, by Peter Lovesey

Excellent and atmospheric procedural set in (and under) Bath. Well plotted, with ties to both the history of Bath and also to the novel Frankenstein, which has surprising links to the area- this was very satisfyingly done.

Diary of a Chav: The Fame Diaries, by Grace Dent

Another delightful entry into Dent's series. Not the strongest, but happily this one seems to kind of wind up Shiraz's search for a way to return to school, which made me very glad.
I hope she writes more of these, but am beginning to sadly suspect this is the last- I'm so glad I got to read them.

Diary of a Snob: Money Can't Buy Me Love, by Grace Dent

Second book in Dent's hugely enjoyable new series, based on Poppet Montague-Jones and her adventures in trying to find herself amid the trappings of quasi-royalty and her eccentric family. Really fun.

Diary of a Snob: Poor Little Rich Girl, by Grace Dent

87th in line to the throne, Poppet Zanzibar Montague-Jones has led a very sheltered life, but things get real in this fantastic start to a new series by the always enjoyable Grace Dent. Loved it.

Diary of a Chav: Ibiza Nights, by Grace Dent

Fun new addition to Dent's wonderful Diary of a Chav series. Shiraz and her friend Carrie go off the rails a bit in this one, but Shiraz's charm carries the day, and it was a quick fun read, if not the best of the series.

Stagestruck, by Peter Lovesey

Very good mystery set in a theater, featuring Inspector Peter Diamond. Fair play procedural, and done well.

The Dead of Winter, by Jane Adams

Not very good locked country house mystery. A group gets together to reenact a sceance that had gone terribly wrong a hundred years ago, and a snowstorm traps all the participants. Too many coincidences, and just not great.

Few Eggs and No Oranges, by Vere Hodgson

This was an absolutely incredible diary by a woman living in London throughout WWII- it was astonishing in the courage that people had during unimaginable terror and deprivation, and breathtaking in how seriously wonderful the English spirit was during those times. Long- 624 pages- but I could not put it down. Her daily entries breathed with life, and the detail with which she recorded the progress of the war taught me more about WWII than I have ever known. Stunning. Everyone should read this.

Miss Buncle Married, by D. E. Stevenson

Sequel to Miss Buncle's Book, and still charming, if a little too sacharine. Miss Buncle (plot spoiler lol!) marries, and moves to a new village, where further match-making and life-changing ensue.

Miss Buncle's Book, by D.E. Stevenson

Lovely, fanciful and warm novel. Miss Buncle, when strapped for cash, decides to write a book- thinly veiled about her village and neighbors. Its publication is a surprise success, and the ramifications of her descriptions of her neighbors and friends lead to upheaval within the village. Charming.

After the Armistice Ball, by Catriona McPherson

Well done between the wars mystery. Classic set up- society heroine, missing diamonds, a death, but very neatly done- I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

The House on the Cliff, by D.E. Stevenson

Lovely D.E. Stevenson book. Light and cozy romance with a great dose of real-estate porn- struggling actress Elfreda inherits a family estate, and learns to leave Lond'ns bright lights for country pleasures.

The ABC Murders, by Agatha Christie

My first e-book! I read this on my awesome new Kindle-fire, which I love more than words can say. I chose to read an Agatha Christie first, to combine the familiar with the new, and it was a match made in heaven. Great classic Christie, amazing new format. so cool.

Comfort and Joy, by India Knight

Light and charming Christmas book. Upscale Bridget Jones-y characters, celebrating Christmas over many years. Rather like One Day without the tear-jerkyness.  

A Killer's Christmas in Wales, by Elizabeth Duncan

This was a bit of a dissapointment plot-wise, but I really enjoy the North Wales settings of Duncan's EXTRA-COZY mysteries, and although the characters don't ring to life, and the plots are a wee bit threadbare, still, the thrill to my heart of the murder happeining at Conwy Castle, and the frequent mentions of the train from Chester to Llandudno etc keeps me reading her books. Rhys Bowen's Constable Evan series was better, but seems to have stopped.

A Dark and Stormy Night, by Jeanne Dams

Pretty blah country house mystery. I have no problem with mysteries featuring older protagonists, but some of the characters in this spent more time worrying about slipping on the stairs than about the killer loose in the house, and that kind of put me off. I was hoping to adore this,  as I love a good locked door country house storm-isolated inheritance plot, but I did not, and will not try another by this author.