A Vote for Murder (Murder, She Wrote. #22) by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain. Narrated by Cynthia Darlow

A Vote for Murder 

(Murder, She Wrote, #22)

By: Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain

Narrated by: Cynthia Darlow

Published: October 2004

Published By: Blackstone Audiobooks 

Format Read: Audiobook, OverDrive App. 

Genre: Mystery, Series, Cozy Mystery

Rating: 3/5

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Beloved mystery author Jessica Fletcher is invited to Washington D.C. to a literary event hosted by a senator and his wife. When the chief of staff for the senator is found dead at the opening dinner party, Jessica uncovers a trail of shady politics, extortion and affairs.

A Vote for Murder is a mystery that tied in the importance of literacy with a murder the shined the spotlight on corruption. It was an interesting storyline that kept my attention, even though the literacy event did take a backseat to that of the politicians involved. Unfortunately I did have some issues with the final revelations, mostly pertaining to one character whose actions didn’t exactly line up with the initial traits given to them earlier in the novel.

Still I think that Jessica Fletcher is a wonderful character and I like how she always manages to stay poised and level-headed during the situations she finds herself in.

It is nice to come across a larger series where each book can be read as a stand-alone. Mention of previous mysteries are noted, but it isn’t necessary for the reader to have read them in order to understand the current installment.

Cynthia Darlow was a good narrator, however I was slightly disappointed that it wasn’t done by Angela Lansbury herself. After-all no one would be better suited to voice Jessica Fletcher than the actress who made the character famous.

I would recommend A Vote for Murder and the Murder, She Wrote series to fans of the television show and light mysteries. 

The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #4) by Rick Riordan

The Battle of the Labyrinth

(Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #4)

By: Rick Riordan

Published: May 2008

Published By: Listening Library

Format Read: Audio Book

Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Young Adult

Rating: 3/5

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In this 4^th installment of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series, our hero sets out on another quest. This time he joins friends Annabeth, Grover and half-brother Tyson, as they enter the labyrinth in an effort to stop the rise of the evil Kronos and his army.

I admit that I had a hard time getting into book 4. The thought of our hero’s travelling through a labyrinth initially had me intrigued. However as I listened along, I got somewhat overwhelmed by the vast difference in each room they came across. I also had a hard time picturing the monsters they battled on their journey.

Thankfully closer to the end of this audio book, I began to enjoy the story more. The pace really picked up and there was quite a bit of action. I really appreciated how the author included the God Pan to give his readers a lesson in the importance of preserving our environment.

Although this wasn’t my favourite book in the Percy Jackson series, I would still recommend it to fans of middle grade fantasy. 

Previous Books in the Percy Jackson Series:

1. The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympian's, #1) 
2. The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympian's. #2)
3. The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympian's. #3) 

The Hidden Staircase (Nancy Drew, #2) by Carolyn Keene

The Hidden Staircase (Nancy Drew, #2)

By: Carolyn Keene

Published: 1959

Published By: Grosset and Dunlap

Format Read: Hardcover

Genre: Children’s Literature, Middle-Grade, Mystery, Classics

Date Read: August 23, 2016

                                                               Rating: 3/5

Strange occurrences have been reported at the Twin Elms mansion and Nancy Drew is called in to solve the mystery. Meanwhile a new railway line is set to be constructed and her father is the representing lawyer. But when the landowners begin to demand more money from the railroad, Mr. Drew is caught in the middle, which puts his safety in jeopardy. The Hidden Staircase is the second book in the classic Nancy Drew mystery series.

After listening to the first book in this series in audio format, I decided to borrow a physical copy of this second book from my local library.

The Hidden Staircase was an interesting story that held my attention. As this book was first published in 1930, readers of today’s middle-grade generation may find the story dated. However I really enjoy this aspect of these books and would hate to see them updated for a more modern day audience. There is a certain level of respect that the books of today lack. Although the stories in this series may be overly predictable there is a wholesomeness to them that is comforting.

I would recommend The Hidden Staircase and the other Nancy Drew mysteries to those who enjoy classic children’s literature. 

1. The Secret of the Old Clock (Nancy Drew, #1) by Carolyn Keene

The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #3) by Rick Riordan

The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #3)

By: Rick Riordan

Published: 2007
Published By: Listening Library
Format Read: Audio-book
Genre: Middle-grade, adventure, fantasy
Date Read: July 4, 2016

Rating: 3.5/5

 Unlike the first two books in the Percy Jackson and the Olympian's series, The Titan's Curse begins in December, before the winter solstice. Not only has the Goddess Artemis gone missing, but Percy's good friend Annabeth has as well. It is up to him, Grover, Thalia and some newly introduced characters to save the day and the fate of Olympus too.

After being less satisfied with The Sea of Monsters, I was glad to welcome back my enthusiasm for this series again.

The winter time setting was a nice change from the usual summertime. I enjoyed learning more about Greek mythology with the addition of some more familiar names.

The way Rick Riordan weaves popular American landmarks and locations into his books make for great visualisations. I look forward to seeing where he will take Percy and his readers next.

Apart from my issues with the narration of these audio-books, I have one other slight annoyance. That is with Percy's lack of education about the Greek mythology that has consumed his life, ever since he discovered he is a half-blood. I would have thought he would want to better prepare himself after all that he has been through already. Hopefully the next book will bring some growth to this character.

Those two quips aside, I enjoyed The Titan's Curse and look forward to book 4. I would recommend this series to fans of middle-grade adventure stories.  

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan 

1. The Lightning Thief (#1)

2. The Sea of Monsters (#2)

The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #2) by Rick Riordan

The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #2)

By: Rick Riordan

Published: June 2006
Published By: Listening Library
Format Read: Audio book, OverDrive
Genre: Middle-grade, Fantasy, Adventure
Date Read: June 4, 2016

Rating: 3/5

A year has passed since young Percy Jackson discovered that not only is he a demigod, but the son of Poseidon. After school lets out he returns to Camp Half-Blood, which is in a very different state than he left the first time around. A Golden Fleece must be found and brought back to the camp in order to save it from destruction. Also Percy's best friend Grover is being held captive by a Cyclops on an island in the Sea of Monsters. In Rick Riordan's sequel to the Olympian's series, Percy and his friends Annabeth and Tyson head out on a quest to rescue Grover and bring home the fleece.

In this instalment of the middle-grade adventure series, Percy is a year older and wiser than when readers were first introduced to him in The Lightning Thief. Incorporating tales of the mysterious Bermuda Triangle, Percy puts to use the special traits he inherited from his father the God of the sea.

I really enjoyed the way Percy used the abilities he didn't know he had. They came to him naturally, as if cementing the fact that he was indeed the son of Poseidon. I was touched by Percy's relationships with his friends, even though his loyalties were often put to the test.

Although my favourite character from the first book played a large role in the quest for this book, Grover wasn't as much of a prominent character. The parts that did focus on him, however were quite entertaining. In his absence a new character by the name of Tyson became my favourite. Where he lacked in brains he made up for in strength, heart and loyalty to Percy, which made him so endearing.

As with the first book, I listened to The Sea of Monsters in audio format. It was narrated once again by Jesse Bernstein. Unfortunately I am not a big fan of his narration of this series. Although I believe his impressions of the different characters voices may be more appealing to a younger audience.

For some reason I wasn't as excited and captivated by this book as I was with the first. I wonder if this was because of my annoyance with the narration and if my opinion would be different if I had read a physical copy.

Still I do plan to carry on with the third book as soon as possible and would recommend it to those who enjoy a fun adventure story.

(Click the link to see my review of the previous book in this series)

1. The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1)

Little House on the Prairie (Little House, #2) by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Title: Little House on the Prairie (Little House #2)
Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Published: Originally 1935
Published by: HarperCollins
Format Read: eBook, Kobo
Genre: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Classics
Date Read: May 25, 2016
Rating: 3/5

In search of a new adventure, Pa (Charles Ingalls) packs up his family into a covered wagon and sets out for a new life on the Kansas prairies. Like in the first book, readers follow middle child Laura as they make the long and tiring journey from their home in the big woods of Wisconsin. Once on the prairie they must all work together to build a home and stable, while living in fear of an unknown place in Indian Territory.

As I re-read this classic series I am reminded of my original impression of the Little House books, from my early childhood. I remember my teacher reading this book to my class, introducing me to the pioneers and how they lived all those years ago. I remember having such strong emotions, as the Ingalls family faced danger on the open prairie. If only I could go back and re-live that experience of reading these books for the first time.

After all these years I am sad to say that I didn’t quite have the same reaction as I once had about Little House on the Prairie. I attribute this to maturity and a better knowledge of historical time periods. Although some parts were still disturbing, I felt desensitized because I have since read books that were so much more graphic. It also made me look at certain aspects of the story differently. Another reason why my thoughts on this series has change is due to the fact that I now know how edited Laura Ingalls Wilder’s stories were compared to her real childhood experiences. This is to be expected though considering the audience these books are directed towards.

I love how Laura and Mary looked up to their father. He was their hero even if he put their family in danger. They always found comfort that he would protect them from any harm. I always liked his character but I find that I mostly remember him from Michael Landon’s portrayal on the television series.

Unfortunately this time around I also saw Pa in a different light. He decided that he would pack up his whole family and try their luck in Kansas, even though Ma didn’t want to leave her home and family. During that time period a woman was expected to listen to her husband and do as he says. This really made me think about the life women led then and how they differ in our present day.

I tried not to read too far into the realities of their circumstances though as I really did want to enjoy the story. I still found it fascinating how they built their home and lived off the land, just like I did as a child. And I also still believe that this is a classic series that should be passed down for many more generations to come.  

The Queen (The Selection 0.4) by Kiera Cass

Title: The Queen (The Selection 0.4)
Author: Kiera Cass
Published: December 2014
Published By: HarperTeen Impulse
Format Read: eBook, Kobo
Genre: Novella, YA Lit, Dystopian
Date Read: March 3, 2016
Rating: 4/5

In Kiera Cass’s novella The Queen, readers are taken back to a time before America was chosen to be part of The Selection and even before Prince Maxon was born. Back to The Selection that would marry Prince Clarkson to a poor young “4” from Honduragua. This is Queen Amberly’s story. 

Last year I read the first book in The Selection series, with an online book club. It was something I was curious about but didn’t think I would enjoy. Much to my surprise I loved it! A couple of weeks ago I went out on bought the boxset. However The Queen novella came to the top of my To Be Read pile before the second book did and once again I dove into this strange world.

At only 72 pages long, this novella gave us an idea of Queen Amberly’s background and how she came to win the attention of Prince Clarkson and eventually the crown. Keeping in mind that I don’t know much about the coming books in the series, I came to really like her character and her determination to rise above her caste. We also learn more about Clarkson’s parents the former King and Queen. 

Although this story takes place before the rest of the series, I think it would be best enjoyed by those who are already fans of The Selection. The reason for this is that due to its short page count, it doesn’t go into a lot of detail about the world or the caste systems. I think that this would be confusing to a reader who hasn’t at least read the first book.