Once
upon a time, there was a kitten named Molly.Molly Kitten was a star.She was
a smiling star.She was a lighting star.Molly Kitten was a star because everyone
loved her.
Here Comes the Easter Cat, written by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Claudia Rueda, Dial Books, 2014.
This book is an excellent example of the ideal relationship between the text and the illustrations. The text on its own would not make sense, and the illustrations on their own would not make sense, but put them together and you have one adorably hilarious Easter book.
Hallowe'en Party, by Agatha Christie, Berkley Books, 1969.
I love Hercule Poirot -- of course -- and Ariadne Oliver, and the mystery itself was quite good, but there were still some rather large flaws in this book. All the charm was sucked out of Agatha Christie's writing by her rants (through several characters) about the 'youth of today', the mental health system, and the criminal justice system. I might have been fine if only one or two characters spouted negativity of their choice, but they all did, repeatedly, and that grew tiresome.
Mr. Parker Pyne, Detective, by Agatha Christie, Berkley Books, 1934.
Mr. Parker Pyne seems like a cross between Poirot, Lord Peter Wimsey, and a plain ordinary accountant. He is quite charming. The stories, however, do not quite measure up to Christie at her best.
Dumb Witness, by Agatha Christie, Berkley Books, 1937.
I found this Agatha Christie mystery especially engaging. Possibly because I am partial to small dogs named Bob. And partially because I did not guess the ending. But mostly because it was a well-crafted, engaging story.