Review: A Red Herring Without Mustard

A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



My only regret in reading this book is postponing it for too long.

I think much has been said about the 11-year-old heroine, and all of them are true. Her sardonic observations have made me laugh out loud quite a number of times. An example:

"Immediately in front of me, a sign painted in blood-red letters on the hulk of a pantechnicon said BEWARE OF THE DOC--as if the animal in question had gone for the artist's throat before he could finish the letter G." (p.253)

How the 70-something author (and a male one at that!) has managed to figure out the inner workings of highly precocious (and intelligent beyond her years) Flavia de Luce is beyond me. Sheer talent/genius, I guess.

Flavia is the little sister I never had. Reminds me of how I was when I was her age: a (sometimes prissy) know-it-all eager to conquer the world. I'm glad that Alan Bradley wrote one more book that I haven't read yet, I'm Half Sick of Shadows. Will be seeing you around, Flavia!



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Review: The Triumph of Caesar

The Triumph of Caesar by Steven Saylor

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Hieronymus, Gordianus' Massilian friend, sums up what I think of The Triumph of Caesar (p.288): "You used to appreciate a puzzle, Gordianus--the more baffling, the better. What's become of your powers of deduction? Gone to Hades, along with your powers of observation, I suppose."

Maybe it was the author's intention to lay down the groundwork for Gordianus' eventual retirement. After all, he has been Rome's number one private investigator for three decades. But still, I found the plot a little thin (But I still love you, Gordianus!). And the story's villain! I knew it was him, but I refused to believe it until I read his name. He's too insignificant to figure in the twist, I suppose.

I do hope with all my heart that this is not the last (in the series). I gave The Triumph of Caesar three stars because I know that there will be plenty of room for improvement in the next book. I hope...! (cross fingers)





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Review: The Judgment of Caesar

The Judgment of Caesar by Steven Saylor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



In this second to the last installment of the Roma Sub Rosa series, Gordianus again ventures outside of Rome--this time to find a cure for his wife's illness.

Egypt, as painted by Saylor, is quite fascinating--I'm now counting Alexandria as one of my future travel destinations. But I didn't find Egypt as novel as reading about Massilia. Maybe its because I've read too many books (or seen too many tv shows) about Cleopatra and the Ptolemies. Maybe it's just me.

There were quite a number of interesting facets to Cleopatra's personality that were not explored too much in this book--such as her intelligence and leadership qualities. Maybe I'll read more about it in "The Triumph of Caesar." After all, I totally agree with what Saylor said about Cleopatra: "As one of history's losers, Cleopatra was vilified and marginalized by those who triumphed over her."

I was quite happy with the reconciliations in this book. I do hope that the final reconciliation in "The Judgement of Caesar" will be explained more fully in the next book. I'm sure it will, though :)



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