Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie (★★★★☆)
Print • Owned (Amazon) • Mystery • 1937
Short synopsis: The tranquility of a lovely cruise along the Nile is shattered by the discovery that Linnet Ridgeway has been shot. She was young, stylish, rich, and beautiful, a girl who had everything – until she lost her life. Despite the exotic setting, nothing is ever quite what it seems…
My second Agatha Christie novel for this challenge, and it was another 4-star read for me! It’s a slower-paced novel, with the murder not happening until more than 100 pages into the novel, but once that happens, everything kicks into high gear and doesn’t stop moving until the end. I had a feeling about this murder and who might be the culprit, and while my instincts were correct, the reasoning was all wrong. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, but thankfully I could flip back to the first chapter where everyone is introduced and their reasons for being on the ship are revealed. That was helpful! This was my second Christie novel where everything took place in a closed environment (this time, it was a ship) so I think I need my next Christie to have a different type of setting/plot. But so far, so good on this challenge of mine!
The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline (★★★★☆)
Audiobook • Library • Historical Fiction • 2020
Short synopsis: The Exiles is the story of three women—Evangeline, Hazel, and Mathinna—who are all struggling to survive in their own ways. It’s the 1840s and Evangeline is sentenced to 14 years in prison for assault (the circumstances of which are a little suspicious). She’s also pregnant and has to endure a harrowing overseas journey to complete her sentence at Van Diemen’s Land, a penal colony in Australia. Hazel is also on that journey—she’s been sentenced to 7 years for stealing a silver spoon. And Mathinna is an Aboriginal girl who has been forcibly removed from her tribe and “adopted” by the white governor of Van Diemen’s Land.
This was such a heavy book. It was one of my suggestions for March book club, and I think it will lend to a very good discussion, but I couldn’t listen to more than an hour a day of the novel because it was so harrowing. (I really struggle with plots about prison; it’s a big anxiety trigger for me.) But it was also so interesting. I knew little about how Australia was colonized and even less about how it was essentially colonized as a penal colony. It’s something I would get an offhand reference to in historical romances (“he was convicted and sent to Australia”), but I hadn’t realized how horrific it truly was, and how it displaced Aboriginal people. There were a lot of hard things in this novel, but this was also a beautiful portrait of female friendship and female empowerment. I loved the way the women came together in this story, and I thought the novel wrapped up in a wonderful way. It’s a novel I would have a hard time recommending to everyone, but if you’re not scared off reading a heavy historical book, pick this one up.
Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean (★★★★☆)
E-Book • Library • Historical Romance • 2022
Short synopsis: Adelaide Frampton is known as the Matchbreaker—she uses her superior skills as a thief to help brides avoid the alter. Henry, Duke of Clayborn, has spent his life building an impeccable reputation free from salacious gossip. When the two find themselves on a breakneck journey across Britain to stop a wedding, Clayborn finds it impossible to resist this woman who both frustrates and fascinates him.
I haven’t read a Sarah MacLean romance in quite a while, and I missed her books! In my opinion, she’s writing the best historical romances out there, even if they may be a bit anachronistic. But eh, it doesn’t bother me and I’d much rather read about a badass group of women taking over London than the true reality of women during this time period, you know? This book was so much fun—I loved Adelaide’s character so much and the way she easily went toe-to-toe with Henry. The way they fell in love with each other was so sweet, and I loved the way everything came together at the end. There were so many badass ladies in this novel—from the leader of the “girl gang” that Adelaide is a part of to all the women who are part of their network in different inns and bars throughout London. If you’re looking for a fun historical romance that’s full of female empowerment, give this one a try! (And, really, all of Sarah MacLean’s romances.)
What are you reading?
I’ve only read two Agatha Christies, and that is one of them! I liked it, although the language around the people in Egypt was a bit dated – but it was a really fun read!
I’m reading a Japanese book called Breasts and Eggs, it’s kind of strange but I’m invested now!
Is it terrible that I don’t think the languages around the people in Egypt even registered with me? I think I need to go back – my edition was a more recent one so I wonder if those got removed somehow? Or I just missed them completely, ack.
I like the sound of Heartbreaker! Requested it from the library.
Yay! I hope you love it as much as I did!
I just borrowed The Exiles from the library! I have read two of her other books and have enjoyed them. Have you already read Orphan Train? That one was my favorite of hers so far. I think that I always meant to read Agatha (my Mom is a huge fan) but I do not think that I ever did. I actually borrowed a couple of them once and then did not read it in time. I need to get on that! I must have missed the post where you talked about your challenge — what are you trying to do!? I would love to hear if you don’t mind repeating!
I did read The Orphan Train and I loved it! I think I liked Orphan Train better than Exiles, but that’s probably just because Exiles had a strong prison plot. What other book by hers have you read?
My Agatha Christie challenge is to read 6 books by her this year! Nothing too fancy. 🙂
I also read A Piece Of The World which I didn’t like as much as Orphan Train. Those are the only two so far but I have Exiles on my shelf!!
You know what? I think I’d prefer a non-fiction book about Australia re: penal colony. I just feel like historical fiction might gloss over some of the worst bits. Hmmm…this is something for me to think on.
I am reading a JD Robb book (the newest In Death) on my ereader and just finished a physical book, so the excitement of picking up a new book is just around the corner for me. What will it be?!
I don’t feel as if this book glossed over any of the details, but I do understand what you’re saying! I would love to find a nonfiction book (or even a long-form podcast series!) about this colonization because I know so little about it.
I have been meaning to read more book by Kline. I have only read The Orphan Train, I think. I will have to check out The Exiles at some point. I just finished reading “The holidays and a wedding.” It’s set in 2000 when Christmas, Hanukah and Ramadan all overlapped. It’s an odd time to read that book but it’s tough to get holiday books during the holiday season. It’s snowing right now so we are back in the winter season here so it wasn’t the worst time to read it and it was a cute novel. Now I am reading “Family family” by Laurie Frankel which I’ve heard very mixed reviews on! I JUST started it but am enjoying it so far!
Ooh, I can’t wait to hear what you think of Family Family. I got that book from BOTM and I’m hoping to start it soon. I’ve heard some mixed reviews, too, which makes me sad!
I loved Death on the Nile- when I was 12. Ha, that’s when I started reading Agatha Christies! It was always one of my favorites. I love closed environment mysteries! I always wonder what I would think of Agatha Christie if I had never read them, and was just starting them now. I’m sure I would have some issues with how dated they are- but I love a good mystery, and she’s definitely the queen.
I honestly don’t find them to be TOO dated! I just try to remember when they were written and give her a bit of a pass with some of the language. Mostly, they’re just cozy mysteries that feel like snuggling up with a warm blanket!
Your Agatha Cristie challenge makes me want to pick up a novel by her too. Never read one.
We started watching a new tv show last night “The after party” and I believe it is a modern Cristie version Maybe you enjoy that too.
I have put down the exiles as it sounds very interesting. I have read “the orphan train” by this author and really liked it. That was also a heavy topic but I live historic fiction.
The two I’ve recently read – this one and Murder on the Orient Express – are great starters for Agatha Christie. I also read And Then There Were None by her, and I loved that one, too!
I also read The Orphan Train and really enjoyed it, too!
I’m on a Sarah MacLean kick right now too, though it’s her Bareknuckle Bastards series. Her writing is *so* good and Intotally agree that her women are badass!
I find with Agatha Christie that I often can guess who the murderer is, but not necessarily the motive. She has such a great way of making convoluted yet specific motives. I suggest a Miss Marple mystery next! Either 4:50 from Paddington or A Murder is Announced.
I loved the Bareknuckled Bastards series! All of her books are so, so good.
I’ll check out a Marple mystery next – thanks for the recs!