The Pie & Mash Detective Agency
by J.D. Brinkworth
Quirky but just okay (1/8/2026)
A cute, fluffy sort of cozy mystery. The plot seemed a bit all over the place, and I really had a hard time liking the main characters. Well, I liked the premise of the book, I'm not sure. I'll search out the rest of the series to read.
Clytemnestra: A Novel
by Costanza Casati
Strong women in mythology (12/6/2022)
I've been reading a lot of Greek mythology retellings recently, and this book stands up with the best. Clytemnestra is portrayed as a smart, strong, and courageous woman, who persevered despite all the horrible things that happened to her -- the death of her first husband, the death of children, the abduction of her sister. I really enjoyed reading her side of the story, and seeing her portrayed as more than just the vengeful wife of Agamemnon.
Casati did a phenomenal job of bringing Clytemnestra to life.
I'm loving all the recent books showing the part of the story that belongs to the women behind the Greek legends. Clytemnestra, as portrayed by Homer, Aeschylus, Euripedes, et. al. was really nothing more than an angry wife of a Greek hero. It's interesting to read more about her, and get the picture of a much more complex and powerful woman.