Welcome to Litsy!

Possibly my most reread book ever.

This was a re-read and it was a jarring one. I still think that Tey from a literary stand point is probably one of the best vintage mystery writers. There is an elegance to her writing and storytelling.

But this time what leapt off the page was the eugenic descriptions and classism. Perhaps my original edition had scrubbed the worst of these, or my lazy celtic brain had shunted them to one side, but couldn't escape them this time.

This battered paperback copy came to me from a friend, along with a ton of other paperback mysteries from his grandmother. I‘ve so enjoyed each one I‘ve picked up so far.

Tey is a delight. The dialogue throughout is witty, the characters are well-developed, and the observations of human nature are fascinating. The “mystery” picks up very late in the book, which meant I‘d formed my own ideas of how it would play out… ⤵️

“They think that Botticelli is a variety of spaghetti….If it comes to that, they don‘t know what spaghetti is.”
…
“I had just informed them that spaghetti and its relations were made from a paste of flour. That shattered for ever, apparently, Dakers‘ picture of Italy.”
“How had she pictured it?”
“Fields of waving macaroni, so she said.”

😂🤣🍝🌾

1. public school ridiculously early, like this week. My kid starts college at the end of the month.

2. I *love* school stories, of all kinds! This, Gaudy Night by Sayers, Cat Among the Pigeons by Christie, Witch Week by Ibbotson, Dragonsinger by McCaffrey, Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Sachar, The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N, Little Men by Alcott -- too many to count!

Today‘s book mail!

So, the two Tey novels in the back were used finds but I had to suck it up and buy the tagged book new. At least I bought it during the #FolioSociety sale! 😆

Did anyone else take advantage of their latest sale?

One of my favorite quotes: “If I were not a lady,” she said at length in clear tones, “I would spit!”

Latina temper! 🔥 😂😂

She‘s done! I so enjoyed this mystery, which I forgot was a mystery because it just kind of strolls along. Strong sense of place and character. This was my #doublebookspin selection, so I‘m proud! We‘re moving to our permanent home in two days so this book was super cozy to bunk down with amid all the chaos.

??‍♀️??‍♀️??‍♀️ ½

I love your slow pace and subtlety, but will I finish you in time to complete #bookspinbingo ? No? Maybe?

“…she remembered the day on which the fourth form had discovered her christened name to be Laetitia; a shame that Lucy had spent her life concealing, the fourth form had excelled themselves, and Lucy had been wondering whether her mother would mind very much about her suicide, and deciding that anyhow she had brought it on herself by giving her daughter such a high-falutin name.”

New week, new read! Looking for something a little lighter and cozier. #currentlyreading #doublebookspin

My second book by Josephine Tey. I enjoy her writing style. This story is built slowly and steadily around a girls physical training college. For me a ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for plot but a 4 star for writing...and Miss Pym is a lovely character❣️
#classiccrime

A perfect Autumn day here. Breakfast on the verandah with Josephine Tey💕 I so love this time of year! Garden project in the background.. I am putting an olive tree into a big pot. Hope you have a lovely day😊🌺
#australianweather #classicmystery

Reading is taking a back door this week, but I am reading snippets of Miss Pym Disposes between stitches😊 I have come away to a 5 day craft retreat in central NSW. A group or tribe of sewers, stitches, crafters meet every year to work on our projects and talk and eat! It supports this tiny town that used to rely heavily on logging. Last time I was here it was sooo dry.. now it is lush and green..
Happy reading.. or sewing!!
#travel #hobbies

“A bell clanged.” #FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

Two great mysteries in a collegiate setting by two grand dames of detective fiction.

#SchoolinLife #NoFemmeber @Billypar @Cinfhen

I'm judging from this cover that this book is ridiculously awesome. I have to stock the Little Free Library for the university I work at and this was a donation. Maybe I should keep it for myself? #judgedbythecover #marchintoreading #judgedbyitscover

Great book. Very slow build up (but that's not a complaint) and a real twist at the end