The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

  "Why, he's Hercule Poirot! You know who I mean---the private detective. They say he's done the most wonderful things---just like detectives do in books. A year ago he retired and came to live down here. Uncle knew who he was, but he promised not to tell anyone, because M. Poirot wanted to live quietly without being bothered by people.                      -Flora Ackroyd, from the novel

Much attention was given to the 100th anniversary of Agatha Christie's first novel in October. Our Page Turners group has not read a single one of her MANY novels over our 12 year history. I set out to choose one for us and this was suggested as one of her best. I found it very entertaining. There was a lot of suspense, of course, but also a good bit of humor. Numerous characters were a bit hard to keep track of but Poirot is an intriguing one, to be sure.

The narrator of the story is Dr. James Sheppard who learns that there is a new person in the neighborhood---that would be Hercule Poirot (see quote). He has retired and moved to the small town of King's Abbot. Near the beginning of the novel, a man is found murdered---Roger Ackroyd, a wealthy man and pillar of the community---has been stabbed. As you would guess there are many suspects and it seems they all have secrets! Of course, M. Poirot gets involved right away. Not being very familiar with Christie's favorite detective, I was amused by his reminders to others to "employ your little grey cells." He admits he is famous for his "little ideas"---quite an understatement; he uses the purest form of logic to find the guilty one. At one point Dr. Sheppard says to his sister Caroline about Poirot,  "Modesty is certainly not his middle name."

In past years I was quite a fan of James Patterson. His suspense novels were certainly page-turners but often very gruesome. One does not get the graphic violence in Christie's work. She is more about the fun of figuring out "who dunnit."

I enjoyed the book and rate it a 4. It was good enough that it has me watching for Christie mysteries on TV. I am curious about a fairly recent release of The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict and a series of authorized Poirot mysteries by Sophie Hannah, one of which is The Killings at Kingfisher Hill. They are on my very long to-read list!

Page Turners meet this week. It will be interesting to see what the group thinks of our first selection of 2021. More then....

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Fifteen attended our meeting to discuss The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. We were quite a mix of those who had read little or no Agatha Christie and some more familiar with her work. Our talk was very enjoyable and it seemed almost everyone liked the book to some extent. Our average rating was 3.7. I shared some excerpts of a newspaper article in which Christie's books are called "cozies" because they don't focus on blood and gore and suffering but offer the fun of trying to solve a  mystery along with Poirot. I think we all could appreciate that, plus the humor she adds in places. The article I mentioned also said that this particular novel "came early in her career but has both her best twist and best final line." Doesn't that make you curious? Some attendees admitted getting involved in other Christie novels and TV movies, including me. A good start for a year of page-turners!

"With each chapter, we've added to the framework for bridge building. We've seen how recognizing the truth is the first step to racial reconciliation. We've also seen how acknowledging and lamenting the truth are crucial to reconciliation. We've discussed the importance of working through shame and guilt. We've talked about how necessary it is to confess as part of our practice of justice. We've explored the healing power of forgiveness and the crucial role of repentance, of turning and walking back toward God and those we've oppressed. But the next step is the costly one, especially to those in positions of power and privilege. What is it? Making wrongs right or, in more contemporary terms, making amends or reparations."                  -Latasha Morrison, from Be the Bridge

 

A few months ago a group in our church began to meet once a week to discuss racial relations. We began by reading and discussing How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. I learned a great deal from that book, most importantly that it is not enough to be able to say one is not a racist; one must be an antiracist. 

Be the Bridge is the second book in our study. I must say it was easier to read and, being written from a Christian perspective, it was more practical and inspiring to our group of church members. The book is subtitled Pursuing God's Heart for Racial Reconciliation. Morrison has organized the book in 3 parts which are indicated in the quote above, a summary of sorts. Morrison relates how she was shocked by her ignorance of African-American history when she took a course in college. Later while working with a mostly white staff in an Austin, Texas church, she was disillusioned about the impact she was having and was led to eventually found a nonprofit organization, Be the Bridge, which equips many churches around the world to respond to racism and work toward racial reconciliation.

In the book, Morrison uses stories from history and her own experiences to illustrate her points so it is both instructive and personal. There are many Biblical references, as well, and she adds prayers and/or litanies at the end of each chapter. I am glad I read Be the Bridge. My rating is 4.

The book reminded me of a country song (and those who know me well, know that I am often reminded of such!). It is an old song by The Judds called "Love Can Build a Bridge." I am including a link.

https://youtu.be/bWdjRJGhYbs

Miss Julia Knows a Thing or Two by Ann B. Ross

"Sometimes, regardless of how determined one is to mind one's own business, there are good and imperative reasons to speak one's mind and to go as far as to meddle in the affairs of others in order to make things come out right. In such situations it really doesn't matter how many new leaves you try to turn over."                 -Miss Julia, from the novel

I have read plenty of Miss Julia books and have never failed to enjoy them. This one, the 22nd in the series, is no exception--a rating of 5 from me. In this novel, Miss Julia commits to staying out of other people's business. Yeah, right! If you know Miss Julia you just KNOW that is not possible! The quote hints at her frequent rationalizing and it happens about every 3 or 4 chapters. This supplies a great deal of humor in the story.

Julia's next door neighbor and long-time friend Mildred is expected to take in a grandchild she knew nothing about while she is struggling with what to do about her husband who has dementia. Julia's good friend, Etta Mae Wiggins, is worried she will be out of work when her boss sells the Handy Home Helpers business. One could predict that it will be VERY tempting for Miss Julia to jump in and try to "make things come out right." So much for "turning over a new leaf"!

 

One reason I love Miss Julia so much is that we have several things in common. We are likely near the same age, both Presbyterians, hate parallel parking and tender-hearted toward children. Hopefully, I do NOT meddle in other people's business as much as she does! She sometimes uses expressions I remember hearing from family in Tennessee---especially "Well, they Lord!" Miss Julia's housekeeper, Lillian, is a delightful woman, very wise and a calming influence on Julia.

 

I highly recommend this series, especially to GRITS---Girls Raised in the South, and more especially the ones over 60!

 

 

 

A Time for Mercy by John Grisham

 "I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice."

                                      -Abraham Lincoln

I have read many of Grisham's novels and enjoyed them all. I read A Time to Kill and saw the film version years ago. That story captivated me. I believe it is considered a classic in some circles.

Young Mississippi attorney Jake Brigance, once again takes on a very controversial case---reluctantly, this time, but ends up giving all he can to save a 16-year-old accused of murdering a cop. He pursues the defense of Drew Gamble even through loss of earnings, threats of violence and actual assault. I would consider him a hero in his pursuit of truth, justice and mercy. 

This novel was definitely a page-turner!  I was rating it a 5 until the end left me somewhat disappointed, seeming to cry out for a sequel, so it gets a 4 instead. I I anticipate there will be a movie version soon. 

A Time for Mercy is designated Jake Brigance Book 3. I knew A Time to Kill was #1 and somehow I found I had missed #2, Sycamore Row. I have already ordered it from the library.