The Future Door By Jason Lethcoe

 

Book Description byBooksneeze.com

A mystery is afoot at 221 Baker Street, but will Griffin Sharpe be able to figure out the clues before the future catches up with the past?

When Sherlock Holmes moves out of Baker Street, a new tenant moves in—a mysterious woman named Elizabeth who has long been a fan of Holmes. When she discovers that Griffin and his uncle are also detectives, she becomes very friendly. So when Elizabeth goes missing along with a special invention, Griffin sets out to rescue her. But finding Elizabeth will take them on a race against the clock that bends time itself!

My Comments:

I have read "No Place Like Holmes" last year and was delight with the book. Hence I did not hesitated when I saw the second instalment of this book is being offered for review by Booksneeze. 

This second instalment did not disappoints me at all. In fact, I find it is better than the first book. Don't worry if you have yet to read the first book because you can still read this second instalment without reading the first book.

I like the way the author combine element of mystery with futuristic elements. For me, it's refreshing. It is certainly a page turner. I managed to finished this book in 3 hours.

Certainly recommend this book for kids around the age of 9 to 12 years old

I give this book 4 stars out of 5.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  . The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes (37 Short Stories and 1 Novel) by Arthur Conan Doyle

I missed the days where I go book hunting with my two crazy friends. Those were the days where PayLessBooks(PLB) stores were still around. PLB is still around now but now mostly consist of warehouse sale.

Last year went to a few of their warehouse sale and found that the books does not suits me. It's entirely my fault as I have bought so many from them previously that I found that I am in an awkward position. I already owned most of the books that capture my interest from their previous sales. Hence, I seldom go their warehouse sale anymore.

This is one of the books which one of my friends, Newton, spotted at one of PLB stall. He telephone me and told me I must get over the quickly. He said that he will ask the staff there to hold this book for me. I was reluctant at first because I have read most of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries. But he told me how nice this book was and the fine condition it's in. Well, that was how I end up buying this book. Mind you, it's not cheap. It was RM55-90.

After getting this book, it ended up in my storeroom under the piles of "Pending to be read" books.

My interest on this book awaken again after reading The Adventures of Arthur Conan Doyle by Russell Miller two weeks ago.

I found myself being captivated once again by the stories of Sherlock Holmes. And it's more meaningful now since I have read about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

This round, I admired not only the clever way Sherlock Holmes solve the cases but also I fell in love the proper English which this book was written. It's definitely different from many modern books. It's softer and refined.

There are 356 original illustration by Sidney Paget.Can you see the fine print? There were 636 pages in this book. That's the reason I took so long to finish this book, around a week. And I have skipped reading The Hound of Baskervilles. One fine day am going to come back to this book to read The Hound of Baskervilles.

For now, am happy that I have added this book for my collection. It's priceless to me if not to others

Sidney Sheldon's After The Darkness by Tilly Bagshawe

Last week I went to Big Book Shop Moving Out Clearance Sale. To my delight, this book was one of those on sale. Got this for RM7-50 only.

I feel in love with Tilly Bagshawe's works after reading "Sidney Sheldon's Mistress of The Game", purchased from BookXcess last year.

Sidney Sheldon's After The Darkness tells the exciting story of Grace Brookstein, the young and beautiful wife of billionaire Lenny Brookstein. Her life is the envy of all her friends and even sisters. What is not to envy? She have everything that a woman wants, a loving husband, a charmed life, rich and surrounded by tonnes of "friends".

That is until the death of her husband in a tragic sailing "accident". After his death, it was discovered that billions of dollars were missing from the company. FBI suspected Lenny and Grace took the money and had prepared to run away before Lenny's "accident".

Grace's life took a drastic dive. Not only that she become penniless, all her "friends" and her "sisters" also deserted her. She become the most hated woman in the country.

She tried to clear Lenny's and her name, she was drawn into well planned lies and deceit which sole purpose to make her as the "'scapegoat". When she became "dis-Grace", there was someone who "helped" and stood by her. She thought she had found a true friend.Unknown to her, this friend was a "wolf in sheep's clothing". Grace was used and betrayed mercilessly.

There was a surprise ending which drove the knife of betrayal deeper into her heart. A Judas.

Yes, this books is about false sense of security and betrayal. It's a world where the naive and those with kind intention were fed to the dogs. Lenny and Grace had showed kindness to their friend. But when no benefit can be had with association with Grace, these friend become like "pea forgetting the pods'". There were so many Judas in this book.

Some may ask, with so many betrayal and will this book make sense? Yes, the book makes sense. The betrayal were not overly exaggerate. I may not have a degree in Psychology but I know something about human nature and the need of survival. During desperate time, self preservation tends to dominate.

I have to salute Ms Tilly Bagshawe. I found that this book is equal if not more exciting that some of Sidney Sheldon's novel.

There are many exciting twist in the plot. None were confusing nor unbelievable. She really makes my heart bleed for Grace. I love the way how she developed the character "Grace" from being a naive sort of personality into a woman with inner straight-like a bamboo bending but not breaking under strong wind.

This is certainly a very good book. I wonder if Ms Tilly's next book will be able to surpass this one

No Place Like Holmes By Jason Lethcoe

Book Description From BookSneeze.com

The new resident in 221A Baker Street is about to give Sherlock Holmes a run for his magnifying glass!
When Griffin is sent to stay with his detective uncle at 221A Baker Street for the summer, he is certain that his uncle must be the great Sherlock Holmes! But Griffin is disappointed to discover that Holmes lives at 221B Baker Street and his uncle lives unit 221A. His uncle is a detective, just not a very good one. But when Griffin meets a woman with a case that Holmes has turned away for being too ridiculous, he and his uncle team up to help her. Along the way, Griffin shows his uncle just what it means to have true faith in God, even when the case challenges that. The woman claims that her husband was eaten by the Loch Ness Monster, but monsters aren’t real—or are they?


My Comments:

I have always been a fan of Sherlock Holmes stories and I am delighted to be given the opportunity to review this book by Thomas Nelson Publisher through their blogger review programme. As usual, I am not required to give a positive review. Just an honest review would do.

This books is geared towards young readers of the age 9 to 12 years old. It's well written and resonant the gentle teaching of the old school like respecting the elders. I really missed this type of books. The market is being flooded by too many vampires type of books for young readers and I think it is refreshing to get a hold of books that bears some of the former theme.

Adventures and excitement awaits readers of this book. It's certainly a page turner. At times, Griffin is portrayed more mature than his age. As usual with mystery and detective novels, this story has many twists and turns. Nevertheless, it is impressive how Jason Lethcoe managed to incorporate into the story, the believe in God, Prayer and a little faith can go a long without sounding to preachy.

One thing that I don't understand is why this book is classified as Non-Fiction. Aren't Sherlock Holmes a fictional character?

Overall, this is a good read worth 4 stars out of 5.

Inspector Singh Investigates : A Deadly Cambodian Crime Spree by Shamini Flint

This is the 4th book of Inspector Singh Series. This round the chubby and funny Inspector Singh landed in Cambodia. Got kicked by his "boss" to be an observer to the International War Crime Tribunal in Phnom Pehn.

When a key witness of the trial was murdered, Inspector Singh was roped in to help out with the investigation.

The authorities are determined to write off this murder as random acts of violence but knowing Inspector Singh, we know that he would certainly leave no stone unturned.

The investigation brings up a lot of heart ache and pain for everyone inclusive of Inspector Singh.

Before reading this book, I was really like "A frog under the coconut shell". I have no idea of Cambodia have such a violent past coz I never really bother to read up the country history and current event.

Frankly, I was horrified by the acts of violent against the so call "intellects" and their family members. The Khmer Rouge were so cruel against women and children. The scenes in this book were very vivid and descriptive.

I had a good laugh at page 137. Just too bad they didn't use the image of Ganesha statue and Inspector Singh side by side as the book cover. It would be very funny.

This is definitely a good read. Full of human and mysterious elements

Death Spins The Platter by Ellery Queen

Thomas Heng, a former colleague of mine introduced Ellery Queen(EQ) books to me. Since then I tried to get my hands on as many EQ books as possible.

He gave me a compilation of EQ's short stories. He got duplicate. Too bad I lend it to another person and that person never return the book to me. I really hate it when things like this happen.

Anyway, I was delighted to find this novel at one of the Pay Less Books Warehouse Sale.

Tutter King was a Star disc jockey. But then he was link to something shameful. During his final show, he announced that there will be a special announcement at the end of the show. During the intermission,  he was found dead in the dressing room with an ice pick in his chest.

There are the usual suspects. The low profile wife, the slutty mistress, the employer and the colleague. A reporter, Jim Layton, a reporter is trying to uncover the truth.

I may say this is not one of their(EQ is the pseudonym for two cousins) better book. Not much of a challenge in finding out the murderer. The pace of the story was quite slow in comparison to their other stories.

The Girl On The Landing by Paul Torday

Elizabeth has been married to Michael for 10 years. She married him because she was fond of him rather than love him. He can give her the emotional and financial security. He is pretty well off. Owns land in Scotland. They occasionally went to visit Beinn Caorrun, a gloomy house which he had inherited. Even with that they life that they live was monotonous. Everything were predicable.

That is till the went on a holiday in Ireland. In the holiday house, Michael thought he saw the figure of a girl in a picture on a landing. But when he went to inspect further later, he found that it looks like just a smudge.

After the vacation, Elizabeth noticed that Michael started to change. He is more spontaneous and fun. She likes the new Michael very much and felt she could fall in love with this man.

Sad to say, Michael's past start to catch up with him. Elizabeth slowly found out things from his past and got to know the reason for his changed behaviour. Things that is dangerous for her to know.

This book is more fascinating than The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce. It;s more mysterious and a hint of dark forces at work.

The plot was very skillfully woven and the tension was there till the very end.

Am glad The Big Bad Wolf Sale allows me to discover another author whose work I like pretty much.

The Big Dirt Nap by Rosemary Harris

This is the second Rosemary Harris book which I read. I love her Pushing Up Daisies. Got both books from The Big Bad Wolf Sale last year.

In this book, Paula Holiday gets to tag along with her friend Lucy to an all expenses paid trip the Titans Hotel. Lucy is there for a story while Paula is there to see the rare Titan Arum or better known as Corpse Flower( Rafflesia). 

Unfortunately for her, she gets to "meet" with a real corpse instead while her friend Lucy went missing.

Nick, was a man whom she met in a Bar was found dead with Paula's name card in his pocket. Starting then, strange things starts to happen to her. She felt that she is being tailed and spied on. Her home was broken into.

Paula waited for Lucy at the hotel but Lucy never show up. Lucy sent her strange messages which makes Paula fear that something bad had happen to Lucy. She started to dig around and found that Nick's murder and Lucy disappearance seems to be linked.

This is a very fast paced book. A lot of clues and stuffs like that. There was an unexpected ending in the story. The murderer turns out to be someone who is least expected in the story.

The Villa In Italy by Elizabeth Edmondson

I got this book from BookXcess to make up the amount in order to get the Members Discount price. Typical "kiasu" of me. Well, no regrets there.

The story is about four people from different background received a letter from solicitor telling them that a Beatrice Malaspina had bequest them something. Beatrice Malaspina was an unknown person to them. They were required to travel to a Villa in Italy to claim the bequest.

The four persons were :-

Delia, an opera singer
George , an atom scientist
Marjorie, a detective novelist
Lucius, a Boston Banker

When they arrived, they found that even the solicitor doesn't know what is inside the Will. There was instruction from this mysterious Beatrice that they are to stay in the Villa for 33 days to search for the Will. Failing which, their bequest would be donated to some organisation which they truly detest. And the search begins.

There is a little bit of everything in this delightful novel. Each of them have their own secret past and the sadness cum regrets that they had to bear till today.

The beginning for the novel was interesting. The pace slowed a bit by the middle of the book. Nevertheless it still holds my attention. Bits and pieces start to reveal themselves. Mainly of the four person's past. Mystery still continues on. Nobody seems to know how Beatrice managed to get so much personal information about them and knew their darkest secrets.

The end of the book was very fast paced. There are some parts where I felt lost on who is related to who.

Overall, it was a relaxing read. A charming book. A mystery with a hint of romance.

Inspector Singh Investigates " A Most Particular Malaysian Murder by Shamini Flint

Inspector Singh is with the Singapore Police Force. Kinda black sheep if the force coz he doesn't do thing according to the rules. He was sent to Malaysia to "help" out with a murder case. If he managed to solve the murder then "hooray!" but if he failed, the Singaporean Police Force will have a reason to force him into an early retirement.

The case? Involve the murder of a Timber Tycoon, Alan Lee. The main suspect is his ex-wife, Chelsea Liew, a Singaporean who used to be a famous model until she married Alan Lee. She stopped working after she married him. They have 3 kids. And there are rumours that Alan beats her up and that Alan had numerous affairs during their marriage

Finally she can't take it anymore and filed for divorce. They were fighting for custody of the kids. Looks like Chelsea have public sympathy. That is until Alan suddenly announced that he had converted to Muslim and declared all his kids to be Muslim.

Chelsea was outraged for this nasty trick of his. And had out of anger threaten to kill him.

Soon, he was found dead with a gun shot wound. Chelsea was arrested. This is where inspector Singh comes in. In normal case, this would not have involve Singaporean police. But this case had turned into media circus especially with the conversion to Muslim and all that.

There are several unexpected turns of events.

I love this book. Shamini seems to managed to touch a few controversial issue. Like what happen if conversion to Muslim is fake, what happen to the death body of the so call convert, the "harta pusaka", wife beating, environmental issue and a few others.

The only thing I don't like is the misplaced usage of the word "lah" in this book. She doesn't seems to get the hang of how the word "lah" is supposed to be use. For example page 122 "Don't go to airport, lah!" spoken by Mrs Wong to warn Rupert. The "lah" seems to have diminish the urgency.

Overall, I give it 4 stars out of 5. Am looking forward to her next book "Inspector Singh Investigates : A Bali Conspiracy Most Foul".