Miss Buncle's Book

Miss Buncle's Book by D.E. Stevenson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was surprised how much I liked this book. Set in a quaint English village, this gem from the 1930s has stood the test of time. Miss Buncle needs money and decides the only solution is to write a book, under a pseudonym, of course, about her life and her neighbors. Funny and charming with interesting characters; this is a quick, enjoyable read.

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Mariana

Mariana by Susanna Kearsley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoy Susanna Kearsley's books, and this one was no exception. This is one of her earlier novels, and you can definitely see how Kearsley's writing has matured over the years in comparison to her later books The Rose Garden and The Winter Sea. Mariana is an interesting take on reincarnation and memory. However, a few things kept it from falling into my 4 star category. More character development was needed, both in the past and present. The ending felt rushed after so much build up--an epilogue or additional chapter might have tied up loose ends. I suspected the twist, but really wish more time had been spent fleshing out how the threads tied together. Overall enjoyable--a solid 3 stars.



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The Shadowy Horses

The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I loved the archaeological and historical tie-ins, but I didn't love this book as much as The Winter Sea and The Rose Garden. If you haven't read Susanna Kearsley before, you can start here, but you might be a bit disappointed if you have read some of her other novels first. Don't get me wrong, it's not a terrible book. I did feel the relationships were underdeveloped and she barely scratched the surface of what she could have tied in historically. Overall an enjoyable read.

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Dick Francis's Refusal

Dick Francis's Refusal by Felix Francis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was hesitant when I heard it was a new Sid Halley book, but I liked it. Sid has lost his edge a little, but having kids will do that to you. Enjoyable addition to the series and the ending made me hope for more to come.

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