ablaise is interested in reading...

A Daughter of Fair Verona (Daughter of Montague, #1)
Christina Dodd
Post from the Pagebound Club forum
Hello!
I'm travelling to Verona in June and would love any recommendations of books set in and around the city... Preferably summery in tone (as opposed to wintery!) and open to different genres!!
ablaise is interested in reading...

All of Us Murderers
K.J. Charles
Post from the British and Irish Crime Classics forum


I saw a post on the main Pagebound Club forum a few weeks ago that was asking about everyone's least favourite genre tropes. To flip that on it's head, I'd love to ask what everyone's most favourite mystery/crime tropes are?
ablaise commented on a post from the Pagebound Club forum
I don't read physical books, so my entire relationship with my library exists through Libby and hoopla. I have a Libby question I'd love to get some insight into.
Whenever I find a book that isn't in my library's collection, there's that option to "Notify Me" if the library obtains a copy. I throw all kinds of books in there so I don't forget they exist, but I'm curious. Do librarians see those and make book acquisition decisions based on them? And if not, is there a better process (especially in app) to request a book for Libby specifically?
I work a schedule that makes it all but impossible for me to go physically to the library, so I've never had the chance to ask. Would love any insights y'all have to share!
Post from the The Morrigan forum
ablaise commented on a post
Was so hesitant to start this book as I struggled through “Whose Body?” but, i’ve been thoroughly enjoying this one much more so far!
ablaise is interested in reading...

Morgan Is My Name (Morgan le Fay, #1)
Sophie Keetch
ablaise is interested in reading...

Thistlefoot
GennaRose Nethercott
ablaise commented on ablaise's update
ablaise started reading...

Gaudy Night (Lord Peter Wimsey, #12)
Dorothy L. Sayers
ablaise wrote a review...
This book is a lovely companion for those who enjoy Christie's books, true crime and aren't put off by the odd chemical symbol and discussion of synapses.
Each chapter takes the same approach: a quote from literature and an opening section; the story of the drug in question, covering a brief history of the chemical and key scientific figures associated with it; how said poison kills; any antidotes, now or at the time of Christie's use of it as a weapon; some real life cases, often ones contemporary to Christie; and finally 'Agatha and [insert name of poison here]', which discusses her application of the poison in the plot of one of her novels.
The book is well written for those with a basic knowledge of chemistry and biology (UK GCSE level), but I do feel that some of the discussion might be a bit much for others. It is worth skipping ahead if parts get too complicated. The real life cases are interesting and cover some well known scandals as well as more obscure historical cases. I did wish these parts were longer, but that's my interest in true crime showing! The descriptions offered of the physical effects of the poisons were very evocative and made me realize how sanitized Christie was at times in her own descriptions of victims.
I did miss a conclusion! A short chapter to tie things up would have been good, as it is the book just ends. The table at the back of the book in the appendix is SUPER interesting, and I shall be referring back to this when I next take on a Christie book and want to check the poisons out in more detail.
ablaise finished a book

A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie
Kathryn Harkup