The second sickle

by Ursula Curtiss

Book by Ursula curtis

Genres: Mystery

218 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Daughter and sister of, respectively, US mystery writers Helen Reilly and Mary McMullen. She worked as a copywriter and columnist before becoming a full-time self employed writer.

Reviews

[Ernie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's literally an escaped maniac killing people with a sickle, a tool everyone has in their garden shed in the otherwise genteel seaside Connecticut town of Seacastle. The maniac is the least of the worries gnawing at Victoria's nerves as she leaves her beloved NYC for a weekend in an old dark house at the request of a gal pal with a deep, dark secret she refuses to confide. There's Lilac's fiancé, his brother, their aunt and cousin, plus Lilac's sister and her husband, all of whom want a piece of Lilac, and Victoria's job is to fend them off while Lilac runs some mysterious errand. It's all very amusing and suspenseful but at some point there were too many if's and Ursula Curtiss lost me in a flood of superfluous twists and turns.
THE SECOND SICKLE is her second novel, out of 23, several of which i've recently devoured with gusto. her later work gains in confidence and style. she figures out how to keep a reader on edge and craving more, ending chapters with a tantalizing spin. this early book is plot-creaky, but still fun, and of interest to anyone tracing her development over a stellar 36-year career.

[Stormcrow Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alas, my fifth Curtiss book and so far the one I've struggled with the most. (I also just noticed that GR has Curtiss name wrong above.)

I started it in early February, read the first two chapters and then hardly read anything for over a week. Eventually, I skipped it and read an entirely different book before returning to this. Since it's a library book, I felt obliged to read or return it so I decided to take another crack at it.

I reread the opening and then got to chapter three in which we face our first murder. First, it's presented so strangely since it takes place between the chapters. It just sort of happens. Second, our protagonist Victoria is covering for a friend, saying that Lilac is sick when she's actually been away on a secret journey of some sort. But now there's a murder, police are involved, and... she lies to the police! Immediately, this felt so absurd, I almost put the book down for a second time. I mean, there's no reason for it and she just incriminated herself!

Anyway, if it wasn't for the fact that I enjoy Curtiss as an author I'm exploring, I might have stopped there, but I pushed on. The rest of the book is fine, but it constantly stressed my credulity as she keeps this and other secrets from the police. The ending just seemed to throw so much backstory in at once that it was also unsatisfying.

And yet, I enjoyed this more than The Wasp. Unfortunately, it's getting the same rating, 2.5 rounded to three, but I wouldn't recommend it.

[Nattie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one just didn't do it for me. I thought it was confusing.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to finish it in the bright light of morning. Creepy stuff!