Welcome to Litsy!

Delightful. I can‘t remember the last time I read a book in one sitting. I love Fremlin‘s writing style. It kept me engaged even as I continually thought “what is happening? Wait…what?!?” I had no idea where the mystery was going and I would never in a million years have reached the ultimate solution, but it was a joy to be along for the ride. I must find more of her work.

@Mitch I opened my Christmas present a little early because I needed a pick me up. Oh, my friend. This is perfect. That stationery is gorgeous and that book! I can‘t wait to dig into it on Jolabokaflod. It sounds like something I will love. Thank you. 💖

I didn‘t like this as much as The Hours Before Dawn but it was entertaining. Imogen‘s thoughts & perceptive observations are often wryly humourous. There‘s an atmosphere of unease cleverly weaved in throughout. And when the mystery is explained, it‘s so simple yet one couldn‘t possibly have guessed. Brilliant how Fremlin has a flair to “put a plot that is exciting or terrifying against a background that is domestic, very ordinary, humdrum."

So very good. Fremlin‘s writing is fantastic! Perceptive, suspenseful, darkly humorous. Will most definitely be reading more of her work.

#CloakandDaggerChristmas

My 3rd read for #CloakAndDaggerChristmas is excellent. I read it for the "set during the holiday season" prompt. It's not quite a Christmas mystery, but with this & The Hours Before Dawn Fremlin has shown herself to be a master at depicting domestic unease & the subtle terror that builds when things close to home start to become unfamiliar. She's like a crossover of Barbara Pym & Ivy Compton-Burnett channelling Shirley Jackson! @Ruthiella

Xmas book club read - and whilst I didn‘t find this particularly Xmas themed I did find it darkly comic. A proper British domestic comedy, it would make a good BBC mini series… looking forward to discussing it at my club!

#wintergames #snowangels #promptmaze

Is Ivor dead or not? 🫣 I won‘t say.

Fremlin is always entertaining and highly perspicacious regarding human nature. I can‘t wait to read another.

I do NOT want to put this down! As is typical with all of Fremlin‘s novels.

Well, I‘m finally getting around to this Christmas read (of sorts 😆) and thoroughly enjoying it so far.

The author wrote from the 1950s onwards and has been compared to a UK Patricia Highsmith and Shirley Jackson as she wrote domestic thrillers and a bit of horror later on. If you‘re interested, I REALLY liked her first novel, The Hours Before Dawn.

Look, @Cathythoughts , I‘m reading it. 😆

Such an entertaining read. Ivor has just died , but there is mystery around his death & his widow Imogen keeps him very much alive for us with her witty musings ...great characters , suspense , humour & a bit of Christmas thrown in ✨✨✨✨✨ thanks @LeahBergen for posting this recently.. I went straight off & read it .... & loved it 👍🏻❤️

As the cover of this 1958 mystery states, this is “A Christmas Story With a a Difference”. 😆

Recently widowed Imogen‘s house is filling up with unexpected Christmas guests ... and then she begins to receive anonymous phone calls, accusing her of killing her husband.

I heartily enjoyed another of this author‘s books, The Hours Before Dawn (recommended by the lovely @Cathythoughts 😘).

#BookAdventCalendar
Day 4