Spring reading

It has really been a challenge squeezing in the time to finish a book lately. I am nearly finished Allingham's Pearls before Swine. As I mentioned earlier, I resolved not to start another mystery collection; I will either get them used and trade or check them from the library.

I am amazed at the sophistication of her work, especially compared to Christie's. I could whip through a Christie in a few hours, even a Maigret did not seem to take too long. This book is only about 200 pages and it is meatier, more complex and to me, a whole lot more interesting. Perhaps she was not as popular for those reasons - Christie appealed to a much wider audience. I suppose you could compare her somewhat more to Dorothy Sayers' work.

I should also get back into Sarah Vowell's Assassination Vacation. It is nonfiction on serious subjects the first three assassinations of American presidents, but she is such a hoot.