I’ve finished off two good reads which I promise to tell you about soon but now let me tell you about my current reads. Yep, I’ve started three books in the past two days.
First, is the very atmospheric story of My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier. This is a tale of suspicions and death complete with a brooding young master and a beguiling woman. I’m loving it. Just read this passage of what Philip thinks of the woman he blames for the death of his uncle:
“Since my journey to the villa she had become a monster, larger than life itself. Her eyes were black as sloes, her features aquiline like Rainaldi’s, and she moved about those musty villa rooms sinuous and silent, like a snake.”
Oh but what a surprise for Philip when he finally meets Cousin Rachel. Has anyone read this? I’ve only read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier but I get the feeling I’ll be searching for more of her books after I finish this one.
My next read is a book for the Southern Reading challenge, Sights Unseen by Kaye Gibbons. In a small North Carolina town, young Hattie grows up only knowing her mother as the changeable stranger. The woman who can be adoring one minute and the next might be having fits over strangers who she thinks are stealing her soul.
“Mother was depressed almost always, and her sadness was fractured only by wild, delusional turns of mind, with brief periods of stability that were celebrated and remembered by my family as though they were spectacular occurrences, like total eclipses or meteor showers.”
I couldn’t stop reading this and in just one sitting got up to page fifty.
Finally this evening I started The Lighthouse by P.D. James. I’ve read a couple of James’ books and like the series. This one happens to be the 13th book and you know me, I wouldn’t normally skip ahead but it’s the read for my mystery book group which meets next week.
So far I know that Inspector Adam Dalgliesh is going to have to go to Combe Island. A place where the country’s important and powerful men go to getaway from the rigors of their professional lives. There are no casual visitors allowed and no cell phones.
Hmm, sounds nice aside from the fact that someone died and all signs point to murder.
Alright, my cup of tea and these very good reads are waiting for me now. More book talk tomorrow.
P.D. James has been on my list for the longest time. I really ought to get started with the first in the series!
Also, I’ve given you an award–come by and check it out: http://tiny.cc/3OU2R
Yes, because you are awesome 🙂
I have read so many rave reviews about “Daphne du Maurier” book 🙂 I think I should get to one of her books soon 🙂
Inspector Adam Dalgliesh and I have visited with each other before. I’ve read the first two books in P.D. James series and enjoyed them quite a bit. The series has been around quite a while. I’m slowly working my way forward. It’ll be interesting to see how the older ones compare to her newer books.
I have My Cousin Rachel sitting on my shelf begging for attention! I just know that I’m going to have a serious thing for this author once I start! I have read several P.D. James featuring Dalgliesh (all out of order of course) including The Lighthouse. I loved this one! Pure, unadulterated murder mystery! Plus I love lighthouses…
I haven’t read du Maurier since high school and this sounds like just the book to pick up.
Good books and a cup a tea….sounds perfect! Hope you have a great weekend….
What yummy books you have started! You remind me I haven’t read a PD James in ages. It’s about time for another.
Last week many bloggers and readers picked Daphne du Maurier to be author of books that really stick with them. So I hit the store and grabbed a copy of Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel.
Yes, I’ve read My Cousin Rachel. It’s one of my least favorite Du Maurier books, actually. I loved Rebecca, Jamaica Inn and Frenchman’s Creek. The House on the Strand is fun reading, although I had some problems with the concept (time travel via ingestion of a drug, shotting one’s brain back in time while the body simply flails around in the present). There’s another one I read and actually hated, but I’m not sure which title is correct. I think it might be The Scapegoat. It took place at a glass factory. I’ve got Don’t Look Now and I’ll Never Be Young Again on my stacks. I love Du Maurier!!
My Cousin Rachel sounds so good! I really need to read more Du Maurier.
I really need to read more du Maurier. The only one I have read is Rebecca but I do own another couple.
First and foremost, Happy Belated Birthday!! Sounds like you had a great celebration. Sometime, you’ll have to post a photo of your silver necklace. I love silver jewelry!
I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying the Guernsey book. It’s been one of my best hand-sells at work. It’s very enjoyable and the perfect comfort read.
I hope your grandmother continues to improve. What a good granddaughter you are to go visit and help her. How long of a trip is it down to Monterrey?
Gentle Reader – Thank you bunches for the award! Made my day 🙂 And, I do recommend PD James and I would say start with the first. Right now I feel like I dropped in on an ongoing conversation with this one!
Veens – I highly recommend Rebecca. The movie was good too 🙂
Literary Feline – That’s me too. I’d only read the first two so I don’t particularly like jumping to the 13th in the series especially as I feel I’ve missed so much on the Inspector’s personal life but the writing is great so I’ll deal with it 🙂
Sandy – I hope you enjoy My Cousin Rachel. I really am liking it a lot. Plus we’ve had some horrible weather this evening and it’s the perfect book to curl up with. Gives it even more atmosphere! ha. And, the PD James is getting good!
Mike B. – It’s been forever since I’ve read Rebecca so I sort of feel as if I’m discovering a new author. I definitely will want to read more of her books.
Christine – I’m drinking my hibiscus tea! It’s yummy. I need to make it cold too. Have a great weekend girlie!
Stefanie – I love it when all books are going great. Although then you don’t know which one to pick 🙂
Matthew – Yay, so glad you get those. I wonder what you will think of them but am hoping you won’t be disappointed!
Bookfool, aka Nancy – Oh no, really? Too funny. Well, I’m liking it so that makes me even more excited about the other ones. I get the feeling I’ll be adding lots to my radar 🙂
Nymeth – You know for the longest time I thought she’d only written one novel! Yikes. Little did I know. I guess it’s just because at the big box stores I’d never really seen any of her other books aside from Rebecca.
Marg – I’ll be curious to see if Sourcebooks is releasing more of the du Maurier books. I would love to check out more that’s for sure.
Les in NE – Ah, thank you. It was great. I’ll try to remember to post a pic but it’s a lovely silver heart necklace with some little garnet beads on each side. My husband did good 🙂 My grandma is doing well and thank you so much for the good wishes. She’s just a bit depressed as she can’t move around as easily now but her doctor told her she should be able to move better as she continues to “exercise” and work her leg muscles. The trip to Monterrey is 8 hours from Austin (driving) – not fun but oh well, we’ve been doing this forever so I don’t even complain anymore – haha…
those look like some great books!
How funny that your group is reading the 13th in the series! Is everyone else caught up?
Oh, good choices. I’ve read all three, though the top two titles I read ages ago. I liked them all and need to reread the du Maurier sometime soon! And I have the next Dalgliesh book ready to go (of course).