At Bertram’s Hotel by Agatha Christie

 

Title:  At Bertram’s Hotel

Author:  Agatha Christie

Narrated by:  Stephanie Cole

Publisher: HarperAudio

Length: Approximately 6 hours and 44 minutes

Source: Purchased from Audible

Do you have a favorite hotel or place to stay for vacation or a place that you would like to stay?  I have always wanted to stay at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

I am participating in the #ReadChristie2025 Challenge.  The challenge this year is exploring Agatha Christie’s works through her characters and their careers.  The theme for September was religious figures.  The missing man in this story is Canon Pennyfather, a scholarly clergyman who is staying at the Bertram Hotel.

Miss Marple is staying at Bertram’s Hotel in London for a vacation.  Her nephew Raymond has gifted her the trip.  When Canon Penny father goes missing, will Miss Marple be able to help find him?

My thoughts on this book:

·       This novel had a great setting.  It set up the scene perfectly at the start of the book.  It is a very English hotel that Americans like to stay at for the ambience.  English patrons are given discounts to have them stay there to be a part of the ambience.  It is old fashioned, but with modern amenities that Americans like such as showers, toilets, and central heating.

·       Miss Marple wants to visit the hotel as she hasn’t been there since she was a girl, and she has very fond memories of the hotel.

·       Betram’s Hotel is thought to be inspired by Brown’s Hotel in London which was a favorite of Agatha Christie’s.

·       This novel was first published in 1965 and has a fabulous 60’s setting.

·       I did not guess the ending of this one.

·       I enjoyed all the different characters such as the forgetful Canon Pennyfather, Chief Inspector Davy, flamboyant Bess Sedwick,  her daughter Elvira, and many more.

·       This was a more character driven story.  Miss Marple turned out to be a secondary character with Chief Inspector Davy driving the investigation.  The murder did not take place until well into the story.

·       This was a good cozy mystery to listen to on audiobook.

Overall, At Bertram’s Hotel by Agatha Christie is an interesting cozy mystery that is perfect for fall with a great setting.

Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks

 

Title:  Counting Miracles

Author:  Nicholas Sparks

Narrated by:  Holter Graham, Nicholas Sparks

Publisher: Random House Audio

Length: Approximately 10 hours and 45 minutes

Source: Checked out from the Kewaunee Public Library through Libby.  Thank-you!

What has been a good book that you have read through a book club this year?

Tanner Hughes was raised by his grandparents and spent his life in the military and on pursuits afterwards that had him traveling around the world.  He has never settled down anywhere or had a long-term relationship.  He takes time out of his travels to care for his Grandma when she is dying.  She tells him his father’s name and where to locate him.  After her death, he travels to Asheboro, Northa Carolina to look for his Dad.  Through a series of events, he meets Kaitlyn Cooper, a doctor and single mother.  They instantly connect, but can a man who has never settled down, settle down?  Will he find his father?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I read this book in August for the Page-turners Book Club at the Kewaunee Public Library.  We had a great discussion on the book.

·       I like how the story was of a mature romance between two people in their forties.

·       Jasper is an elderly man who lives alone in a cabin with his faithful dog, Arlo.  He has lived a sad life that mimics that of Job in the Bible.

·       The story was told through Tanner, Kaitlyn and Jaspers points of view.

·       I guessed the ending of this novel almost immediately, but I enjoyed the journey along the way.

·       The characters were very realistically written, including the teenagers.  Sparks writes good characters who seem true to life.

·       This was excellent on audiobook.

·       I like how the three main characters had to find where they belonged.

·       It was suspenseful at the end of the novel. I don’t want to ruin it with details – but it was excellent.

·       A mysterious white deer appears in the wood which brings out nefarious people.

·       Arlo the dog has his own moments of heroism.

·       I liked the references to faith and the Bible verses.

·       There was a great quote/section in the text about what marriage really means that stood out to myself and many of my fellow book club members.

Overall, Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks was a great story about family, faith, and finding yourself.