The Mummy Case

 - by Elizabeth Peters

(Amelia Peabody #3) 

It's not you, it's me.

Ok, I'll admit. I struggled to finish this one and was pretty eager to see it end. Though I've only had time and energy to read before bed lately, I was "okay" with putting The Mummy Case down far too quickly; picking it up again seemed to be a chore, not a delight.

The first novel, Crocodile on the Sandbank, was what lured me into the series in the first place. I enjoyed the witty repartee between Emerson and Peabody; I could relate to Peabody, and found Emerson totally entertaining. And the mystery aspect of Crocodile was attention-grabbing enough to keep me reading with interest. The second novel (The Curse of the Pharaohs) ...meh, not so much. And this third one, even less captivating than the second. Not that Peters isn't a good writer. Not that the characters aren't amusing (although, for me, I found the series started to lag once Ramses the Egyptologist wunderkind was introduced). Something was just... lacking.

I suppose it's the fact I don't really enjoy reading so much light-hearted banter and goings-on amidst a mystery. Perhaps it's the serious-toned, dreadful mysteries I prefer (a la Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, Anne Perry). Perhaps light-hearted mysteries aren't my cup of tea?

Either way, it's not you, Elizabeth Peters – it's me…

Nevertheless, I am willing to read the next novel in the Amelia Peabody series, at some point in time, hoping that my stick-to-itiveness will be rewarded and my interest in the rest of the series will be rekindled.

The Devil on Horseback

- by Victoria Holt

 
The usual Holt equation = headstrong, smart (but penniless) heroine + the brooding could-be-cruel man who annoys her but ends up winning her heart.

The story is set in France, at the outset of the French Revolution. Strong-willed and clever, Minella, is suddenly orphaned when her beloved mother, an English school mistress, dies. She is given the opportunity to move to France, serving in the household of the haughty, arrogant Comte Fontaine Delibes as a companion to his wayward daughter, Margot. However France is on the brink of turmoil, as are Minella's feelings for the master of the house. It's not one of Holt's greatest, but fun brainless fluff nonetheless.

The Little Giant of Aberdeen County

- by Tiffany Baker

Meet Truly Plaice - the ‘little giant’ of a backwater town in Aberdeen County. Born with a pituitary gland disorder, acromegaly, Truly grows exponentially as the months and years pass; a far cry from her sister Serena Jane’s delicate prettiness. "Growing up", quite rapidly in Truly's case, adds to her misery as she endures ridicule and misunderstanding at the hands of her peers and family members, and is treated as little more than a carnival sideshow by community members. Despite her illness, and the many heartaches she has to endure as a result of it, she gradually makes her mark on the little community, battling issues of morality, love and choice. Truly rises to the occasion with a height of character to match her dimensions.

While an interesting concept, Little Giant is one of those books that could leave a reader indifferent when the last page is turned. While selections near the beginning of the book hold interest and are quite well-written (apart from a few minor inconsistencies in the story), the cast and storyline gradually lose their luster after only one third of the way through, almost appearing as though the author’s interest in them wanes as the stagnant plot trudges its way to its somewhat unmoving conclusion. The characters, who held such promise at the outset, ultimately fall flat and fail to affect; not even the unlikely heroine, Truly, can salvage the story.

Readers may also be frustrated by Baker’s wording, which oftentimes tends to be overly protracted with many unnecessarily padded descriptions, which do nothing to advance the story or develop the characters.

While this book has many winning aspects to it, they simply are not capable of tipping the scales. Unfortunately, not a particularly satisfying read.

The Quincunx

The Quincunx
-by Charles Palliser
800 pages (1990)
 

Fell flat

Reading Palliser's first epic, The Quincunx, is a bit like fishing – it requires a great deal of patience (and a good memory wouldn’t hurt either). Whether or not the “catch de jour” is worth all the effort or not is entirely another story.

Quincunx is a sprawling and ambitious drama set in early 19th century England. It takes the form of a narrative from the perspective of a young man who endures ruthless betrayal and misuse at the hands of countless relatives, with hopes of despoiling his inheritance. The plot is duly peppered with plenty of twists and turns, capable of confusing and puzzling even the most avid of bookworms. 

Granted, Palliser has obviously done his homework. Throughout the novel, he skillfully sets the scene with remarkable detail – sometimes too much so. As a result I found the actual story to be lacking any real depth, giving it a somewhat two-dimensional ambiance, amidst all of its rich detail. With all the unnecessary minutiae, secondary characters, and behind-the-scene goings-on, Palliser easily lost the “heart” of the plot. 

When push comes to shove, I feel Quincunx is a bit too overdone for my literary taste. I prefer the subtle and mysterious, to the blatant fan-fare of melodramatic storytelling. I failed to connect with the plot and its characters on virtually every level. Palliser has been hailed as the next Charles Dickens, but I honestly failed to see any striking resemblance in style to evoke such an esteemed comparison. Quincunx was disappointingly lackluster…a mediocre read at best. Nevertheless, I can justify giving it a 2 ½ star rating for Palliser’s fine attention to detail, if nothing else.

Death In Summer

Death In Summer
by William Trevor 
214 pages (1998)

well-written but odd story

Trevor’s Death in Summer is a well-written but odd story to which I found myself somewhat indifferent. Set in contemporary rural England, the tale revolves around two young people released into the world, recently discharged from a kind of asylum for young people, The Morning Star. We aren’t told exactly what kind of institution it is, however, based on the characters’ memories of it, it is assumed a mental institution. 

After living in an abandoned shack following their release, the boy and the girl who have grown up as friends, try to build normal lives in society. Albert, responsible, kind and sensitive, secures a job washing grafiti off walls and boarding with a middle-aged invalid, as her live-in caretaker. While Pettie, impressionable, brooding, flighty, and prone to acts of petty thievery, decides to apply for a nanny position at a manor — the home of wealthy widower Thaddeus Davenant and his small infant daughter. When Thaddeus’ mother-in-law decides to move into the manor to care for the child, there is no longer need for a nanny, leaving Pettie jobless. Unstable and imagining herself in love with Thaddeus (who she has only met once), Pettie sets out to prove her love and compassion for him and the infant, in her own distorted manner. Albert is instinctively protective of his vulnerable friend Pettie, and ultimately tries to help her out of the desperate situation she soon finds herself in. 

As the story unravels in third-person, the reader is afforded a glimpse into each of the characters’ minds. Since two of the main characters are afflicted with mental infirmities, the barrage of thoughts and purposes can get a bit confusing. The reader may also find the dialogue and certain details a bit puzzling at times, if they are unfamiliar with certain English sayings or allusions. 

Aside from its unique perspective, Death in Summer exhibited an over abundance of unnecessary information, thoughts and observations which often detracted from the thought at hand, and diverted any interest I may have had in a current scene or plot turn in the novel. Granted, it was not a “dull” read, but not an overly memorable one either… “lukewarm” immediately comes to mind. I feel the story-line itself had a lot of potential that could have been further developed into something more rich and impressive. Ultimately, it failed to involve and capture me.