During a party, a teenaged girl boasts of witnessing a murder. Later she’s found drowned in the apple bobbing tub, and Hercule Poirot is asked to look into the matter. This is near the end of the series, and Poirot is old but still sharp. I found the mystery itself to be a little disappointing; but nevertheless, it was an enjoyable beach read and should make for good discussion at the October book club meeting. Read 22-26 August.
53. The River by Peter Heller
What starts as an idyllic canoe trip for two college friends through the Canadian wilderness goes awry due to an approaching forest fire, an early fall, and encounters with some sketchy fellow humans. This was an intriguing combination of slow burn and wild ride, character study and nature story. It seems like it would be a standard survivalist thriller, but there are some compelling issues brought into question that would make for a good discussion. Read 21 August-2 September.
