Saturday, February 13, 2021

The Clock Strikes Twelve - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads:  The Clock Strikes Twelve by Patricia Wentworth

Rating:  Really Liked It!    
Source: Purchased

Description:  The Paradine family has gathered to celebrate New Year's Eve. Alas, when the clock strikes twelve old Mr. James Paradine, the patriarch, is found murdered. Yet, he seemed to invite his demise when he accused a family member of disloyalty. Now, Miss Silver must unravel the mystery of troubled love and sudden death.

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  I'm reading the Miss Silver books in chronological order and this was the next book in the list.  

My Impression:  Miss Silver may just be my favorite detective in all of mystery fiction.  She's just so fun of common sense and calmness and is always ready with a discreet cough.  She seems like an oasis of calm no matter how troubled waters around her just happen to be.  And in the Paradine house the waters are decidedly troubled!  There is more then enough family drama even without the stolen blueprints and the murder and the situation is just about to a boil when Miss Silver appears on the scene.  

The tense family situation is a Wentworth staple and Phyllida Wray is a pretty typical Wentworth heroine who has a tendency to go very pale at stressful times but for the most part holds up.  The mystery is a typical Wentworth mystery which means it was very well plotted with just the right number of twists and turns and red herrings.  If you've read and enjoyed the Miss Marple books then you really must meet Miss Silver!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I already have the next Miss Silver book on my shelf ready to go!

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you love Miss Marple you really need to try Miss Silver!

5 comments:

  1. That's good to hear about Miss Marple, I have a few Patricia Wentworth books on my Kindle. I may start writing down titles I want and stop requesting them all immediately from the library. There are so many books here at home and then the library holds come in so...I start on those.

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  2. I'm interested to read this author at some time.

    Anne - Books of My Heart

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  3. I haven't read any of these books and it's clear that I should. Thank you so much for your excellent review, Katherine:).

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  4. Miss Silver sounds like someone really special. And its great to have the next one on your shelf winking at you.

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