I read: Joanna Jędryka

Recently, I have been cooking more and I decided to try listening to an audiobook. This is my first attempt and overall I am very satisfied. Admittedly, the voice of Ms. Joanna Jędryka sometimes annoyed me. It is the voice of an older person and at the beginning I felt as if I were witnessing a conversation between two old ladies who were gossiping :P However, after a certain time, I got used to it ;)

As for the book itself, it is not a high-flying thriller but quite pleasant. A mini romantic subplot, a mystery and at the end, action. For me, it is just right for an audiobook :).

I read "April's Grave" and "Call in the Night" together as a twofer, and they've kind of merged in my brain, so I'll review them jointly.

Although they're technically Gothic novels, they both lack a brooding mansion. As a young teen, I used to devour these kinds of books. Anything with a chick in front of a big house on the cover, I'd gobble up. I might have loved both of these if I were still thirteen. But now, they were more funny than suspenseful.

I easily guessed the outcome of "April's Grave". With "Call in the Night", I guessed the ultimate outcome, but not the convoluted way it got there. It took so many explanations from so many characters to clarify what had actually happened that I didn't even bother trying to understand by the end, as I really didn't care much anymore.

However, they were entertaining in a nostalgic sort of way. In both novels, the story catalyst is that the heroine's sister has gone missing. And in both, the heroine just so happens to stumble upon a freshly dug shallow grave and digs into it just enough to discover, gasp, a human hand. Because that's what one does when one stumbles upon a freshly dug shallow grave.

Overall, while they didn't quite hit the mark for me as an adult, they did bring back some memories of my younger reading days.

This was not what I was expecting at all.

I wasn't very impressed with what I got. It was a perfectly readable book, but it wasn't the thriller that I was wanting.

It started off well enough. The initial setup was engaging and had the potential to draw me in completely. However, before long, I couldn't take Claire's quest very seriously.

It was obvious that she wanted to find her sister, but so much of the time she seemed more interested in catching the man. It was as if her priorities were a bit skewed.

If it were me and I was trying to track down my loved one, romance would be the last thing on my mind. I would be completely focused on the task at hand, which is finding my sister.

I'm not so sure Gina was even worth looking for. Maybe there were aspects of her that Claire knew and loved, but from what I could tell, she didn't seem all that special. But I suppose Claire wouldn't feel the same way I did. After all, Gina was her sister, and there are often bonds and connections that others may not fully understand.

Overall, while the book had its moments, it didn't quite live up to my expectations as a thriller.

This is just a nice simple read.

It isn't a very well developed mystery, but it is entertaining and managed to keep my interest throughout.

The story might be a little dated, which is evident in the mention of travelers checks.

However, this didn't stop me from finding some amusement in it.

The simplicity of the plot made it an easy and enjoyable read, perfect for passing the time.

Although it may not have had the depth and complexity of a more sophisticated mystery, it still had its charm.

The characters were likable enough, and the story moved along at a decent pace.

Overall, it was a pleasant little read that I would recommend to anyone looking for a light and entertaining mystery.

This book was just a quick, fun read.

It's not the kind of book that will be studied in literature classes or win prestigious awards.

However, it has its own charm and entertainment value.

The story is engaging and moves along at a brisk pace, keeping the reader's attention from start to finish.

You don't have to think too hard or analyze every sentence.

You can just relax and enjoy the ride.

And that's the point of reading anyway, isn't it?

To escape from reality for a while and have some fun.

This book does that very well, and for that reason, it's worth checking out.

Nancy and Ron both received 3 stars. This indicates that they have achieved a certain level of performance or quality.

Perhaps Nancy has shown proficiency in some aspects, but may also have areas for improvement. The 3 stars suggest that she is on the right track but could strive to enhance her skills further.

Similarly, Ron's 3 stars imply that he has demonstrated a reasonable level of ability. However, like Nancy, he might also have room to grow and develop.

It will be interesting to see how both Nancy and Ron build on their current achievements and work towards even higher ratings in the future. They could focus on identifying their weaknesses and taking steps to address them, while also capitalizing on their strengths.

Overall, the 3 stars for both Nancy and Ron serve as a starting point for their continued progress and success.

The following is the rewritten and expanded article:

This item is very dated. It seems to belong to a bygone era.

The design and features are no longer in line with the current trends and preferences.

It lacks the modern touch and functionality that people expect nowadays.

It may have been relevant and useful in the past, but now it has become obsolete.

It is time to consider replacing it with something more up-to-date and suitable for the present needs.

This will not only enhance the overall experience but also keep us in line with the evolving technological and social landscape.

We should not hold on to outdated things when there are better alternatives available.

It is important to embrace change and move forward with the times.

The book commences with our unassuming and pragmatic heroine, Claire, residing in New York City. She receives a frantic phone call from her gorgeous yet flighty sister, Gina, who is in London. However, the call gets disrupted, and Claire finds herself unable to return the call or establish contact with her sister once more. Filled with worry, Claire decides to take a flight to Paris, where Gina is employed as a model, in order to conduct an investigation.

This concise novel, which consists of fewer than 200 pages, was initially published in 1969. Given that it is an early work of Susan Howatch and was obtainable at the library book sale for a mere $0.50, how could I possibly resist? It closely resembles the style of Mary Higgens Clark or similar romantic suspense novels. It is not the kind of literature that I typically read, nor is it anywhere near as excellent as her magnificent Starbridge series. Nevertheless, it still offers some enjoyable light reading.

This book is truly great.

As I was reading it, I could vividly see myself in Claire. It had such a profound impact on me that I found myself reading it not once, not twice, but three times.

I really have a deep affection for this book. The story and the characters are so engaging that it's hard to put it down.

If there were to be a movie adaptation of this book, I would be absolutely thrilled. I can just imagine how the beautiful scenes and the intense emotions would come to life on the big screen.

I'm sure it would be a visual and emotional盛宴 that would吸引 countless viewers.

I can't wait to see if this dream of a movie becomes a reality.

This is one of those books in which the idea for the story is even not bad, but the execution is tragic.

Moreover, the translator, perhaps not knowing the Polish language too well, translates into random phrases.

Two stars, because it's holy.

This book had the potential to be really good with its interesting story concept. However, the way it was put together and translated completely ruined the experience. The translator's lack of proficiency in Polish led to some really strange and inaccurate translations, which made it difficult to fully understand and enjoy the story.

Despite this, I gave it two stars because there were still some redeeming qualities. Maybe with a better translation and more polished execution, this book could have been a real gem. But as it stands now, it's just an average read that could have been so much more.

3.5 stars.

I truly have a deep affection for gothic romantic suspense novels. This particular one is quite enjoyable.

Although it may be a bit dated, that's precisely what makes it fun. I absolutely love the insights it provides into life in another era.

Back then, air travel seemed so pleasant and civilized, in stark contrast to the often chaotic and hectic mess it is nowadays.

My only gripe is that one moment from Claire where she acts a bit TSTL (Too Stupid To Live). Seriously, when you come across a dead body, the very first thing you should do is call the police. It's just common sense. :)

This is my initial encounter with Susan Howatch's work, but I will most definitely be on the lookout for some of her other books. I'm eager to explore more of her writing and see what other captivating stories she has to offer.

Very light read. This is the work of Susan Howatch before she became the great novelist. It offers a glimpse into her early writing style and the beginnings of her literary journey.

The story may not have the depth and complexity that her later masterpieces possess, but it still has its own charm. It is a simple and engaging tale that can be enjoyed in a short amount of time.

Howatch's talent is already evident in this early work, with her ability to create interesting characters and a vivid setting. The language is accessible and easy to understand, making it a great choice for those who are new to her writing or who simply want a light and enjoyable read.

Overall, this is a great example of Howatch's early work and a must-read for fans of her later novels. It shows the potential that she had and how far she has come as a writer.