In which I review "The Novel Habits of Happiness"

image credit: amazon

The title first caught my eye: The Novel Habits of Happiness. What are the new habits of happiness? I'd come to the conclusion that, for the most part, what makes us truly happy has stayed virtually the same: social connection, a feeling of being needed or of worth, being able to love and be loved in return. Sure and there are novel ways of achieving those things, I suppose. Also, I smiled, thinking that it could be a pun, and that the person's novel habits of happiness are indeed derived from novels, books. AND the book is by Alexander McCall Smith, whose modern adaptation of Emma I liked and reviewed here.

It was only 257 pages, it was shelved under "mystery," and it promised a series of reads if I enjoyed this book. So, thinking I had nothing to lose, I took the plunge. Yes, you might be saying, but what did you think of it??? This is, after all, a review. Well, touche, yes this is a review. And now that you know the why and wherefore, here are some thoughts I had on The Novel Habits of Happiness.

The book is set in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the heroine is an early 30s philosopher named Isabel Dalhousie. Throughout the novel, Isabel references philosophers and goes off onto philosophical questions and ideas throughout her day. I found this interesting, as sometimes I find myself thinking of the deeper morals and implications of things, and these thoughts could be set off by any number of things. If you're looking for a real mystery novel, this book is not for you. While shelved as mystery and called an amateur sleuth on the inside cover, Isabel is commissioned by a worried single mother to investigate her son's persistent claims that he had a past life. Delving into the paranormal, though she does not really believe it herself, Isabel investigates around the area of Scotland the young boy seemed to be referencing. I will not say what she found, or to what conclusions she came to with the mother.

I'll only say that I enjoyed visiting with Isabel, her husband Jamie, their little boy Charlie, and the numerous quirky characters that make up Isabel's life in Edinburgh. The pages given to Isabel's work on her philosophical magazine, The Review of Applied Ethics, were interesting and I did not mind that most of the story was about her life and characters, as opposed to more plot-driven drama and suspense.

If you're looking for a cozy read, with some interesting characters, and just a hint of mystery, give this book a try. By my reasoning, if you enjoy it, there's more in the series to check out (and I have and so far I am enjoying them as well.)

The only qualm I had, which not everyone will have, is that though Isabel was so generous and open-minded about so many things, and prided herself upon these facts, I found her to be close-minded and dismissive on the subject of religion. When God or Protestantism or anything hinting at a deity appears, Isabel seems to have the view that many have been "Enlightened" past that stage, where ethics and morals are the foundation themselves, and not a belief in a higher power being the cornerstone which leads to such morals and convictions. Now, I'm fine with a character being atheist, really, but it bothers me when they believe themselves to be "above religion" and to almost scoff or pity the folks who hold on to a sense of belief, likening it to the tooth fairy (I can't remember which of the Isabel novels I saw that idea in, but it was there!) On all other points though I found Isabel to be kind and intelligent, dealing in mysteries only to help others caught in them.

So while this isn't a fully comprehensive review, it has bobs of this and that and gives the feel and idea of the book and series, I hope. Those are my thoughts, and I'd love to hear yours. Have you read any Isabel Dalhousie novels? Does anyone else find philosophy and morals as interesting as I do? (I'm sure some do!) What mysteries do you love to read?

Anon Sir Anon

Since I have been silent on here for a couple of months I have so many books that I need to review. However, after some thought, I shall do the book I was going to review first. And, hopefully, since it is winter break and I should have more time on my hands, I can soon write the other one I was thinking about.

Source: http://inkpenauthoress.blogspot.com/

What is this book? It is the lovely blogger Rachel Heffington's second novel. And folks, it is wonderful. Anon Sir Anon is the first of the Vivi and Farnham mysteries. (Yes, it is going to be a series! I love getting into series. You really get to know the characters that way.)

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23528961-anon-sir-anon

It is one of those delightful "cozy" murder mysteries. (Why is a murder cozy? Well, I think you know what I mean.) It is set in an English village post WWI. 1930's, I believe. Farnham is an eccentric old Shakespearean actor. He has been experiencing rather ill health lately, so his niece, Genevieve Langley, is sent to take care of him. Vivi is expecting to have a quiet time out in the country with her old uncle, but little does she know he is quite the amateur detective. And there is a murder to solve, and it's up to Vivi and Farnham to figure it out.

No matter how I write or describe it, the plot and story will sound a little old and familiar. Maybe you think such Agatha Christie mysteries have been beaten to death. Oh, but you would be wrong. This book, while being your "typical" cozy English murder mystery, is satirical and witty and fun! And though I did think of the suspect, I pushed the thought right out of my mind because it seemed impossible and I did not want to be right.

There were clues, but the murderer was not obvious. In fact, sometimes the lines get crossed and you are almost certain (along with Vivi) that it is somebody else. I really don't know how to review this without giving too much away. Therefore, I am going to stop talking about the plot and stick to the quirky cast of characters.

First, there is Farnham. He is a Shakespearean actor living in an old, dilapidated manor. He often quotes Shakespeare and is eccentric and grumpy. (Not truly grumpy, you understand, as that wouldn't be fun; rather, he is characteristically grouchy but really lovely underneath such crustiness.)

His friend, Dr. Breen, the lovely eternal bachelor who is charming and rough. He and Farnham have been friends forever, and he is the one who brings the murder cases to Farnham. They have an ongoing bet that Farnham cannot solve the case before the local police. (A bet the doctor has always lost.) I was smiling at his rough but kindly ways, and I think he and Farnham make the perfect companions.

Now to the other titular character, Genevieve Langley. I loved Vivi! She is not pretty (no, not even in the classic L.M. Montgomery way of saying a character isn't pretty and than making her an uncommon beauty.) Vivi's attraction stems from her wit and vivacity. I think I am going to love seeing her and her Uncle's relationship grow as the series goes on.

I really can't describe the other characters, for fear I may give something away. Let me just say that the man Vivi thought quite awful and pegged for a murderer was not attractive, but I honestly thought she was seeing him in a rather harsher light than need be.

source: http://mashkulture.net/2011/11/30/stanley-kubricks-photos-of-1940s-new-york/

       
(Book time period-ish. I think Vivi would be a big reader like her Uncle :) )

I loved Whistlecreig, the quirky characters, the Jeeves-like butler, and... oh, just Rachel's style. She can always make me smile. And think as well, though she hides her serious thoughts under wit and mirth. If this is any indication of the books to come, I shall be eagerly awaiting all the adventures of Vivi and Farnham! I would highly recommend, as this book is especially good when read curled up under a blanket with tea on a cold day.

Review of Rear Window

So Rear Window was my first taste of the infamous Alfred Hitchcock. It was good, but.... not what I was expecting! What I mean is, I thought it would be more of a Agatha Christie or typical gangster or something... but it was everyday life, the whole movie took place from one room, and no murder or body was shown. No policeman really, either. Just Jimmy Stewart, the lovely Grace Kelly, and Thelma Ritter.

Photographer "Jeff" has broken his leg, and is stuck in his apartment for weeks. He takes to people watching... and believes his neighbor has murdered his invalid wife!

At first everyone discredits this. He didn't even see anything, really. But then his glamorous girlfriend, Lisa starts to think he may be right. But his detective friend Doyle discredits Jeff after a brief search for clues. So Jeff, Lisa, and Jeff's nurse Stella decide to solve this thing for themselves!

        

It is mostly suspense that makes this murder mystery, not wild chases or blood and gore. It is unlike any other movie I have ever seen. Most of it was just "people watching." They developed these neighbors so much! And we never actually "meet" any of them really; yet they each have their own little story.

I was especially interested in the lonely woman in the apartment across the way. I loved her ending. So perfect for her!

And Grace Kelly is a perfect, blonde haired, blue eyed, tiny waist-ed little doll! My goodness, her outfits were gorgeous! How she stays with Jeff when he is so dismissive.... he really doesn't deserve her! ;)

And the nurse made for a little humor. She was quite funny, without even meaning to be most of the time.

So overall, this movie was nice but a little slow. The suspense, however, makes up for the slowness at the beginning.

A Glimpse into the World of Mysteries

Hey friends! Sorry I haven't posted in a while but all the sudden my life got rather busy. Now that the pace seems to be getting back to normal, I can do a blog post that has been bouncing around in my mind for a while. For around a month now I have had a Miss Marple Mystery binge. For those of you who may not know, they are mystery books written by the infamous Agatha Christie, the "Queen of Mystery." She specializes in murder mysteries, but they aren't gruesome, the books center on suspects and clues, like a whodunit mystery. The Miss Marple series is about a little old woman, living in the small English village of St. Mary Mead. Miss Marple of the white hair and china blue eyes, innocently gossiping and knitting... and solving murder mysteries!

It all started when my aunt (who turned me on to Anne of Green Gables that led to all of my old fashioned obsessions…) recommended them to me. Luckily, she had all the books and knew which ones to start me on.

I actually started with Agatha Christie’s last Miss Marple book: Sleeping Murder. Well, I was hooked. I zipped through that one, and was shocked absolutely shocked at who it turned out to be!

Well, when I told my aunt how much I enjoyed it she casually mentioned there were MISS MARPLE MOVIES TO GO ALONG WITH THEM! She asked if I’d be interested, I, of course, was and I met the dear Joan Hickson, who plays Miss Marple.

They were wonderful adaptations of the books. I would read one Miss Marple, then immediately watch the movie that went along with it. I literally get chills every time I think of the ending to Sleeping Murder!

The next Miss Marple I read was entitled Murder is Announced. It’s about a small town village. The villagers are reading the local newspaper when they come across a strange advertisement. There is a murder to be announced at Miss Letitia Blacklock’s! So, of course, everyone is fascinated. They all come, under false pretences, to see what it was all about. Well, Miss Blacklock didn’t know what it was about! She said she hadn’t put that ad in the paper! Well, then imagine everyone’s surprise when the lights go out and a real murder is announced….

The next book I read was The Mirror Crack’d, which is supposed to allude to Tennyson’s poem The Lady of Shallot. “Out flew the web and opened wide, the mirror crack’d from side to side, and the curse has come upon me! Cried the Lady of Shallot.” Which, of course, coincides with a certain red-headed heroine’s novel that we all know and love! Anyway, the book is about an aging film star who buys the mansion in St. Mary Mead, where Miss Marple lives. The actress, Marina Gregg, hosts a garden party. At this party, one of her fans, Mrs. Heather Badcock, is killed when she consumes a poisoned drink supposedly meant for Marina Gregg! Can Miss Marple solve this mystery before there’s yet another murder?

This was a lovely movie adaptation. Marina Gregg isn’t exactly as I pictured her, but she did a great job! Cherry was exactly as I pictured her and did a fantastic job too. The end was tied up very nicely and you could see both sides of the story. A toast to the ingenious Miss Marple!

The third mystery was Murder at the Vicarage. This was actually from first person point of view, which was new, and it was from the point of view of the vicar, who I’d never met before. This is also the first of the novels, that I’d read, where there are outlines of the room and markings to show the body, clues, etc., which was rather nice to see! Anyway, the vicar and his charming young wife are introduced. We go on to see all the cast, and see each of their motives for wanting to get rid of the disagreeable Colonel Protheroe. So, when the Colonel is found dead in the Vicar’s office, he’s the prime suspect! Can the Vicar, with the help of our lovely Miss Marple, clear his name? Find out in Murder at the Vicarage.

The movie was lovely for Murder at the Vicarage. They took out a few minor characters, but the main plot remained unaltered, so I really didn’t mind. Fantastic finish! A must see.

          The next in my reading was The Body in the Library. This centers on a dear friend of Miss Marple’s, a Mrs. Dolly Bantry. Mrs. Bantry wakes up one morning to find her maid screaming something about a body in the library. It can’t be true! Sadly, it’s only too true. A fashionable, bleach blond girl is found lying strangled on the library floor…and no one seems to know who she is! Can Miss Marple get to the bottom of this for her dear friends sake?

          This was a great movie, although one of the more graphic ones. It doesn’t show the head, but it does show the body and describes vividly some unpleasant scenes. Nothing too horrid, though. A very well done movie, as they all are.

          

         What Mrs. McGillicuddy saw seemed rather different than her usual. It is also known as 4:50 from Paddington, one of her more well-known mysteries. Miss Marple’s friend, Mrs. McGillicuddy, was riding over to St. Mary Mead when another train pulled up to her coach, when she witnessed a woman being strangled in the opposite coach! The murderer was facing away from her, so she didn’t see his face. Worst of all, no one seems to believe she saw it; especially since no body was found, but one person believes her…. Miss Marple! And she won’t let it rest until this mystery is brought to light.

          A Caribbean Mystery was one of my more recent reads. Miss Marple is on a relaxing vacation in the Caribbean islands…. That is, until one of her fellow vacationers is found dead! Everyone assumes he died of a heart attack, being an older gentleman, but Miss Marple has her suspicions…. And if her hunch is correct, she needs to get to the bottom of this before another innocent person is murdered!

          The movie to this was very interesting. I especially liked Miss Marple’s accomplice, Mr. Rafiel. J This movie was a nice way to spend the ten hour trip in the car on the way to our spring break destination!

         

A Pocketful of Rye is an intricate and suspenseful mystery…. With a very surprising ending, in my opinion…. And it follows the old nursery rhyme: the King was in his counting house…. The Queen was in the parlor eating bread and honey…. When a blackbird came and pecked her on the nose! There are several murders in this one, alluding to a rather deranged killer. There are many suspicious people, as no one seemed to like the deceased, Rex Fortisque, and many people stood to profit by his death! Find out who is behind this intricate plot in A Pocketful of Rye.

          

The Moving finger was one of the last Miss Marple’s I read. It all starts with some “poison pen notes going around a little English country village. All harmless enough… until it seems a suicide has been committed because of it! But was it suicide? Luckily, Miss Marple is on the scene! Can she figure out who is righting these silly, nasty letters before it’s too late?

          This book was very good, and has a delightful twist at the end. Also some romance is thrown in, which doesn’t usually happen in the Miss Marple novels.

          Nemesis is a sort-of sequel to A Caribbean Mystery. It has overlapping characters, references to the earlier book, etc. So I would recommend reading A Caribbean Mystery first. But you must read Nemesis! It starts out when poor Mr. Rafiel dies, leaving Miss Marple a mysterious post-mortem letter… to solve a mystery! Almost no details are included, just a ticket to an English Garden tour. Even with a lack of information, Miss Marple is hooked, and she won’t stop until Justice is served!

          Murder with Mirrors is the last book I read. Its original British title was They Do it with Mirrors. It all takes place in a mental institute, just crawling with potential suspects! But Miss Marple believes this was an inside job, one of the family. At, first there’s just strange goings-on, but when someone turns up shot, things turn dangerous…. On top of that, it’s thought someone is trying to poison the mistress of the house, who is Miss Marple’s dear childhood friend! Nothing seems to match up, but Miss Marple is determined to get to the bottom of it, for her dear friend Carrie Louis.

There is one last novel, called Bertram’s Hotel. I can’t give you a very good synopsis. I’ll try to do a quick post on it later. My aunt hadn’t found the book until later.

          This was my first glimpse into the world of mysteries, and it is fascinating! I am now reading another series, a bit more modern, called The Tea Shop Mysteries. It’s set in Charleston, South Carolina. Theodosia Browning owns a tea shop in the historic district. Mysteries seem to just throw themselves in Theodosia’s way… with interesting tidbits on tea and delightful mysteries, these books are a rare treat! A modern Miss Marple, if I do say so myself. J I hope y’all enjoyed this post! Sorry that it’s been a little while since I posted. I had spring break and lots of work! I think my schedule should be getting back to normal soon!