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Death at Greenway
"Irresistible... a Golden Age homage, an elegantly constructed mystery that on every page reinforces the message that everyone counts." – New York Times Book Review AGATHA AWARD WINNER! Recommended by New York Times Book Review • Wall Street Journal • Parade • Country Living • Chicago Tribune • South Florida Sun-Sentinel • The Free-Lance Star • St. Louis Post-Dispatch • CrimeReads • Nerd Daily • Red Carpet Crash • and many more! From the award-winning author of The Day I Died and The Lucky One , a captivating suspense novel about nurses during World War II who come to Agatha Christie’s holiday estate to care for evacuated children, but when a body is discovered nearby, the idyllic setting becomes host to a deadly mystery. Bridey Kelly has come to Greenway House—the beloved holiday home of Agatha Christie—in disgrace. A terrible mistake at St. Prisca’s Hospital in London has led to her dismissal as a nurse trainee, and her only chance for redemption is a position in the countryside caring for children evacuated to safety from the Blitz. Greenway is a beautiful home full of wondrous curios not to be touched, restrictions on rooms not to be entered, and a generous library, filled with books about murder. The biggest mystery might be the other nurse, Gigi, who is like no one Bridey has ever met. Chasing ten young children through the winding paths of the estate grounds might have soothed Bridey’s anxieties and grief—if Greenway were not situated so near the English Channel and the rising aggressions of the war. When a body washes ashore near the estate, Bridey is horrified to realize this is not a victim of war, but of a brutal killing. As the local villagers look among themselves, Bridey and Gigi discover they each harbor dangerous secrets about what has led them to Greenway. With a mystery writer’s home as their unsettling backdrop, the young women must unravel the truth before their safe haven becomes a place of death . . .
448 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 2021
409 people are currently reading
13953 people want to read
About the author
Lori Rader-Day
15 books1,058 followersLORI RADER-DAY is the Edgar Award-nominated, Agatha, Anthony, and Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning author of Wreck Your Heart, The Death of Us, Death at Greenway, The Lucky One, Under a Dark Sky, The Day I Died, Little Pretty Things, and The Black Hour. Lori’s short fiction has appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Time Out Chicago, Good Housekeeping, and others. She lives in Chicago, where she is the co-chair of the mystery reader event Midwest Mystery Conference and teaches creative writing for Northwestern University. She is a former national president of Sisters in Crime. Visit her at LoriRaderDay.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 514 reviews
August 31, 2021
There's a short time when I'm the only person who can say they have read a book—my book—and it gets a five-star rating. No shame. I worked HARD on this book. Hope you like it, too!
February 8, 2022
2.5 stars, rounded up
This book suffers from two issues.
The first is that the blurb/description of the book is incredibly misleading--it is touted as a suspenseful story set during World War II at the country estate of Agatha Christie that includes a deadly mystery. In reality, the "mystery" and "suspense" are so very minor that you might miss it if you blink. This is a historical fiction coming of age tale. There's a hint of a few suspenseful things that happen, but they mostly come as a backdrop to Bridey's growth as a person.
The second is that this book is way, way, way too long. The book itself is 448 pages. Fortunately I listened to it as an audiobook because the narrator was good and kept me engaged for the most part. But there are a plethora of POV characters and only a couple of them are really needed or add anything to the narrative. This book could have easily been 200 pages shorter and actually been better for it.
The core story about Bridget/Bridey and her life during and immediately following the war was actually very interesting and engaging as it was. I didn't think we needed all of the extra tangents that this book included and they just caused the story to bog down and become tedious.
If you go into this book with the right expectations (historical coming of age novel) and can tolerate a long, involved, meandering story, then you might really enjoy this one.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This book suffers from two issues.
The first is that the blurb/description of the book is incredibly misleading--it is touted as a suspenseful story set during World War II at the country estate of Agatha Christie that includes a deadly mystery. In reality, the "mystery" and "suspense" are so very minor that you might miss it if you blink. This is a historical fiction coming of age tale. There's a hint of a few suspenseful things that happen, but they mostly come as a backdrop to Bridey's growth as a person.
The second is that this book is way, way, way too long. The book itself is 448 pages. Fortunately I listened to it as an audiobook because the narrator was good and kept me engaged for the most part. But there are a plethora of POV characters and only a couple of them are really needed or add anything to the narrative. This book could have easily been 200 pages shorter and actually been better for it.
The core story about Bridget/Bridey and her life during and immediately following the war was actually very interesting and engaging as it was. I didn't think we needed all of the extra tangents that this book included and they just caused the story to bog down and become tedious.
If you go into this book with the right expectations (historical coming of age novel) and can tolerate a long, involved, meandering story, then you might really enjoy this one.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
January 17, 2022
2 1/2 stars, rounded up
Don’t be misled. While Death at Greenway takes place at Agatha Christie’s country retreat, she is not a character in the book. And if you’re expecting a murder mystery, you’re also going to be disappointed. This is more historical fiction than mystery.
The story involves a disgraced young nurse in training who takes a job shepherding children out of London and caring for them at Greenway. She is partnered with another nurse. A reader would have to be totally obtuse to think something isn’t up with this other woman. Bridey is that obtuse.
This is a very slow moving story and lacking in sufficient suspense. There is a murder which occurs about ⅓ of the way in. But it’s not like the plot involves a big investigation to determine who murdered the man.
The story is told from a variety of viewpoints; even one of the young charges at one point.
Rader-Day does a good job giving us a sense of the time and place. And Bridey is well developed. GiGi is a shadowy figure. The problem was there just wasn’t enough going on to keep my attention. The ending was a disappointment and lacked any excitement. To be honest, the whole book lacked excitement. The “crimes” that occur are solved in such a way that if you blink, you could miss the resolvement.
Moira Quirk is the narrator and does a good job (other than her child’s voice which is borderline grating).
Don’t be misled. While Death at Greenway takes place at Agatha Christie’s country retreat, she is not a character in the book. And if you’re expecting a murder mystery, you’re also going to be disappointed. This is more historical fiction than mystery.
The story involves a disgraced young nurse in training who takes a job shepherding children out of London and caring for them at Greenway. She is partnered with another nurse. A reader would have to be totally obtuse to think something isn’t up with this other woman. Bridey is that obtuse.
This is a very slow moving story and lacking in sufficient suspense. There is a murder which occurs about ⅓ of the way in. But it’s not like the plot involves a big investigation to determine who murdered the man.
The story is told from a variety of viewpoints; even one of the young charges at one point.
Rader-Day does a good job giving us a sense of the time and place. And Bridey is well developed. GiGi is a shadowy figure. The problem was there just wasn’t enough going on to keep my attention. The ending was a disappointment and lacked any excitement. To be honest, the whole book lacked excitement. The “crimes” that occur are solved in such a way that if you blink, you could miss the resolvement.
Moira Quirk is the narrator and does a good job (other than her child’s voice which is borderline grating).
October 16, 2021
3.5 Agatha stars
This one is more historical fiction than mystery/suspense but I enjoyed reading it and learning a bit more about Agatha Christie. Most of the story is told from Bridey’s perspective. She’s a nurse-in-training during the early days of WWII in London. A mishap at the hospital occurs and Bridey is sent to Greenway House with ten children (all under 5!) being evacuated from London.
She’s joined by another nurse and the two women try to figure out the best way to care for the children. Agatha Christie owns the house with her husband, and they have agreed to take in the evacuees to do their part in the war effort. I was a bit disappointed that there was only one cameo performance. It probably makes sense though as Agatha was frequently in London during this time.
The house itself is almost a character, a big white structure up on a hill with surrounding woods and very near the English Channel. It turns out the house is safer than London, but there are still bombings and close calls. The other nurse has some secrets of her own and soon there’s a dead body that has turned up.
This could almost be called a coming-of-age story as Bridey really comes into her own and becomes a strong character. There are definitely secrets and mistrust among the villagers, but I never felt a strong sense of tension and danger. There were a few times when I worried for Bridey’s sanity.
The author notes at the end are fascinating and talk about the research that went into this one.
Thank you to Scene of the Crime/William Morrow/Custom House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this one and share my honest review.
This one is more historical fiction than mystery/suspense but I enjoyed reading it and learning a bit more about Agatha Christie. Most of the story is told from Bridey’s perspective. She’s a nurse-in-training during the early days of WWII in London. A mishap at the hospital occurs and Bridey is sent to Greenway House with ten children (all under 5!) being evacuated from London.
She’s joined by another nurse and the two women try to figure out the best way to care for the children. Agatha Christie owns the house with her husband, and they have agreed to take in the evacuees to do their part in the war effort. I was a bit disappointed that there was only one cameo performance. It probably makes sense though as Agatha was frequently in London during this time.
The house itself is almost a character, a big white structure up on a hill with surrounding woods and very near the English Channel. It turns out the house is safer than London, but there are still bombings and close calls. The other nurse has some secrets of her own and soon there’s a dead body that has turned up.
This could almost be called a coming-of-age story as Bridey really comes into her own and becomes a strong character. There are definitely secrets and mistrust among the villagers, but I never felt a strong sense of tension and danger. There were a few times when I worried for Bridey’s sanity.
The author notes at the end are fascinating and talk about the research that went into this one.
Thank you to Scene of the Crime/William Morrow/Custom House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this one and share my honest review.
September 17, 2021
A lovely little historical thriller/murder mystery. (It's set in Agatha Christie's estate but she's not really much in the book.)
September 30, 2021
3.5 stars - Hmm, I'm at somewhat of a loss as to how to rate this book. On the one hand, I think it does not deliver as a mystery novel really at all. Based on the title and description, I was certainly expecting a mystery novel set at Agatha Christie's country home during WWII. That's not really the vibe here. On the other hand, I think as a historical fiction novel with strong mystery and romance elements in it, it's quite successful. The writing is really nice, the characters are pretty interesting, and I liked the setting. So I guess just make sure you know what kind of book you're reading getting into it and go from there
August 18, 2021
Damn it. This started out so well. But damn it crashed and burned
I didnt find this to be a mystery but historical fiction/literay. It focused much more on the war and the characters' lives in it than the murders.
Yes, characters had mysterious backgrounds and mysterious secrets. But they were mostly political and/or more human flaws rather than anything that revolves around creating suspense the murder.
Even within the genre of historical fiction/literary (and to be fair I'm not a reader of these genres) it meandered like a scenic dream through the mountains. And while I love a scenic drive through the mountains, I don't need it in a book that is supposed to be suspenseful.
The time jumps were jarring and often at times where suspense could have been built. It was like the time jump caused more meandering, somehow.
The narrator wasn't bad. She was good. The problem was that there are so many characters that she couldn't modulate enough for them.
The book did change POVs each chapter (though most were from Brighty's point of view). But either you need a cast or a narrator that could've handled more modulation for thr different characters
I didnt find this to be a mystery but historical fiction/literay. It focused much more on the war and the characters' lives in it than the murders.
Yes, characters had mysterious backgrounds and mysterious secrets. But they were mostly political and/or more human flaws rather than anything that revolves around creating suspense the murder.
Even within the genre of historical fiction/literary (and to be fair I'm not a reader of these genres) it meandered like a scenic dream through the mountains. And while I love a scenic drive through the mountains, I don't need it in a book that is supposed to be suspenseful.
The time jumps were jarring and often at times where suspense could have been built. It was like the time jump caused more meandering, somehow.
The narrator wasn't bad. She was good. The problem was that there are so many characters that she couldn't modulate enough for them.
The book did change POVs each chapter (though most were from Brighty's point of view). But either you need a cast or a narrator that could've handled more modulation for thr different characters
January 10, 2022
If you are expecting a suspense-filled mystery with Agatha Christie at the center, this isn't what you will get. Instead, you get a mystery via a historical novel set in the country home of Agatha Christie, called Greenway. This home was opened up as a refuge for children from London, during WWII. Bridey is a nurse trainee sent to help as redemption for a mistake made during her training in London. She has suffered extreme loss during the blitz and attempts to reconcile this loss while learning to love and care for the children she has come to be responsible. I thought there would be more of an atmosphere around Agatha Christie but we are left to discern it through her few appearances and those in her service. There is another so called nurse, Gigi, who comes to figure quite nominally in Bridey's emotional healing. She is not quite what she seems either. Both are entwined in mysterious deaths that really didn't resonate for me. Although attempts were made to solve the mysteries, they are not the whodunits that I was expecting.
The historical detail was amazing. The notes and interviews accompanying the book were an added bonus to the story.
The historical detail was amazing. The notes and interviews accompanying the book were an added bonus to the story.
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July 24, 2022No rating on this one as I did not finish it. The premise of this sounded really good. It started off well. The story concerns a trainee nurse Bridget Kelly who is blamed for a tragic death. Instead of just being let go by matron, she is sent off to look after children who are, for their safety, being evacuated from London during World War 2. She and the other nurse are sent with the children to Greenway. This is the holiday home of Agatha Christie. Bridget becomes known as Bridey and the other nurse, who is apparently also called Bridget, becomes Gigi. It soon becomes apparent Gigi isn’t what she seems.
When the body of a man is washed up it raises a lot of questions. However, if you are expecting a tight mystery you will, I suspect, be disappointed. It is more a historical story about the characters and very slow moving. I persevered, but then up about half way through decided I’d had enough. I simply didn’t care enough about the characters or story to persist. Others may like it, but it was not for me. Time to move on.
When the body of a man is washed up it raises a lot of questions. However, if you are expecting a tight mystery you will, I suspect, be disappointed. It is more a historical story about the characters and very slow moving. I persevered, but then up about half way through decided I’d had enough. I simply didn’t care enough about the characters or story to persist. Others may like it, but it was not for me. Time to move on.
February 14, 2022
I read this whilst at Greenway so the books descriptions of the house and gardens were easy to imagine.
Evacuated children and they carers take over Greenway and are there when a murder occurs, nobody really investigates it, then a nurse disappears and nobody really investigates it and there are a spate of mysterious deaths (and yeap nobody investigates them either)
The book for me plodded on with no real focus and a lot of the chapters added nothing to the story (it was as if the author had a list of historical events and they wanted to get them in rather then progress the mystery)
In all one of those usual historical mystery stories that's okay but not great.
Evacuated children and they carers take over Greenway and are there when a murder occurs, nobody really investigates it, then a nurse disappears and nobody really investigates it and there are a spate of mysterious deaths (and yeap nobody investigates them either)
The book for me plodded on with no real focus and a lot of the chapters added nothing to the story (it was as if the author had a list of historical events and they wanted to get them in rather then progress the mystery)
In all one of those usual historical mystery stories that's okay but not great.
January 10, 2023
Death at Greenway was an engrossing and atmospheric read, weaving a fictional narrative based upon real life places, people and world events.
At the height of the London Blitz in 1941, trainee nurse Bridget Kelly is assigned a new wartime job, after being involved in an unfortunate incident involving a wounded servicemen at a hospital in London. She's to accompany a group of young children being evacuated out of London for their own safety while the bombing raids continue. In addition to the stress of nursing the wounded, Bridget is also suffering what would now be regarded as a pretty hefty case of PTSD, following the recent deaths of her mother and all five of her younger siblings in a bombing raid. While her reassignment is a step-down in responsibility and her medical training will effectively be placed on hold, Bridget faces the realisation that her only option is to make the best of her situation.
From the time she arrives at Paddington Station to meet her new boss, Mrs. Arbuthnot, and marshal the children as they arrive with their distraught parents, Bridget builds the impression that not everything - or everyone - about her new assignment is as it seems. Mr. and Mrs. Arbuthnot are a curious couple with a somewhat hazy backstory, she clearly wielding the power - and holding the purse-strings - in the relationship. While Bridget has taken the opportunity to overstate her level of experience and seniority in the nursing profession, her new colleague - who oddly states that her name is also Bridget Kelly - seems to have even less, if any, practical nursing experience and appears quite lackadaisical when it comes to her caring duties for the children.
Their unknown destination, when they finally arrive, holds similar mystery. Greenway is the country home of renowned mystery novelist, Agatha Christie Mallowan, a shadowy figure who departs soon after the group's arrival to undertake her own wartime occupations. The remaining staff at Greenway and the local population aren't particularly welcoming to Mrs. Arbuthnot's entourage and there's the clear impression that the group are at Greenway under sufferance.
When a young man is found dead on the Greenway ferry dock, Bridget is called on to apply whatever expertise she has before the doctor arrives. She discerns that this is no natural death from drowning, the man has been strangled, and she recognises him as a person she and her nursing colleague encountered on the train down from London. Further intrigue follows - glimpses of individuals in the Greenway grounds at night, rumours of sudden deaths among the local population, several small burglaries, and then the disappearance of Bridget's nursing colleague, Gigi.
Death at Greenway isn't a traditional mystery novel. It's more historical fiction based around a framework of real places and events - a group of London "vacs" were billetted at Greenway in 1941-2 - with several mysterious sub-plots, some resolved more comprehensively than others. The sense of historical setting is wonderful, the level of research undertaken by author Lori Rader-Day evident from a fascinating Author's Note at the conclusion of the book, alongside the transcript of an interview she conducted with a surviving real-life child evacuee who was accommodated at Greenway.
Based upon the blurb, I'd expected Death at Greenway to have been more an homage to the work of Agatha Christie and to follow the "whodunnit" pattern of her works more than it did, perhaps by casting the two young nurses in the roles of unofficial sleuths. While the protagonist relies on her powers of observation to eventually identify a couple of miscreants, the book as a whole didn't really fit the mould of mystery so much as a more nebulous intrigue. I also found the main character difficult to warm to - I get that her emotional reticence was both a response to and a coping mechanism developed as a result of the personal trauma she's suffered, but she just never really engaged my emotional energy as a protagonist.
I'd recommend Death at Greenway to readers who enjoy wartime historical fiction, but caution Agatha Christie aficionados that the novel doesn't fit the mould of classic mystery that they might be expecting.
At the height of the London Blitz in 1941, trainee nurse Bridget Kelly is assigned a new wartime job, after being involved in an unfortunate incident involving a wounded servicemen at a hospital in London. She's to accompany a group of young children being evacuated out of London for their own safety while the bombing raids continue. In addition to the stress of nursing the wounded, Bridget is also suffering what would now be regarded as a pretty hefty case of PTSD, following the recent deaths of her mother and all five of her younger siblings in a bombing raid. While her reassignment is a step-down in responsibility and her medical training will effectively be placed on hold, Bridget faces the realisation that her only option is to make the best of her situation.
From the time she arrives at Paddington Station to meet her new boss, Mrs. Arbuthnot, and marshal the children as they arrive with their distraught parents, Bridget builds the impression that not everything - or everyone - about her new assignment is as it seems. Mr. and Mrs. Arbuthnot are a curious couple with a somewhat hazy backstory, she clearly wielding the power - and holding the purse-strings - in the relationship. While Bridget has taken the opportunity to overstate her level of experience and seniority in the nursing profession, her new colleague - who oddly states that her name is also Bridget Kelly - seems to have even less, if any, practical nursing experience and appears quite lackadaisical when it comes to her caring duties for the children.
Their unknown destination, when they finally arrive, holds similar mystery. Greenway is the country home of renowned mystery novelist, Agatha Christie Mallowan, a shadowy figure who departs soon after the group's arrival to undertake her own wartime occupations. The remaining staff at Greenway and the local population aren't particularly welcoming to Mrs. Arbuthnot's entourage and there's the clear impression that the group are at Greenway under sufferance.
When a young man is found dead on the Greenway ferry dock, Bridget is called on to apply whatever expertise she has before the doctor arrives. She discerns that this is no natural death from drowning, the man has been strangled, and she recognises him as a person she and her nursing colleague encountered on the train down from London. Further intrigue follows - glimpses of individuals in the Greenway grounds at night, rumours of sudden deaths among the local population, several small burglaries, and then the disappearance of Bridget's nursing colleague, Gigi.
Death at Greenway isn't a traditional mystery novel. It's more historical fiction based around a framework of real places and events - a group of London "vacs" were billetted at Greenway in 1941-2 - with several mysterious sub-plots, some resolved more comprehensively than others. The sense of historical setting is wonderful, the level of research undertaken by author Lori Rader-Day evident from a fascinating Author's Note at the conclusion of the book, alongside the transcript of an interview she conducted with a surviving real-life child evacuee who was accommodated at Greenway.
Based upon the blurb, I'd expected Death at Greenway to have been more an homage to the work of Agatha Christie and to follow the "whodunnit" pattern of her works more than it did, perhaps by casting the two young nurses in the roles of unofficial sleuths. While the protagonist relies on her powers of observation to eventually identify a couple of miscreants, the book as a whole didn't really fit the mould of mystery so much as a more nebulous intrigue. I also found the main character difficult to warm to - I get that her emotional reticence was both a response to and a coping mechanism developed as a result of the personal trauma she's suffered, but she just never really engaged my emotional energy as a protagonist.
I'd recommend Death at Greenway to readers who enjoy wartime historical fiction, but caution Agatha Christie aficionados that the novel doesn't fit the mould of classic mystery that they might be expecting.
December 16, 2021
I will be honest, I had no idea what Death at Greenway by Lori Rader-Day was about going into it, and my read was totally based on cover love. It was a pleasant surprise to end up with a story having to do with murder and the holiday home of Agatha Christie. The story isn't so much focused on the house or Christie, but on war, and the children and people staying in the home. I really appreciated the author's note at the end because there is nothing I hate more than having to wonder what parts of a historical fiction novel are fact and which are fictional. The story itself is a really slow burn so this is a great choice to do as an audiobook, but I loved having the physical copy thanks to a Q&A with a woman who was evacuated to Greenway that is included at the end.
The narrator for the audiobook is Moira Quirk and she did a really great job with all of the different character viewpoints in this book. I was glad to have it because of the slowness of the pacing, and she really enhanced the characters for me as well. Death at Greenway is a very serious read, but I loved the way Rader-Day infused wit and humor into the story as well. There were quite a few parts I thought were funny, and it was a great way to alleviate the heaviness of the overall plot. I did get a little confused at times with the different characters and I'm not quite sure I really understood EVERYTHING that happened, but overall, I got the gist of things and it was great! The historical aspect really shines, and you can tell the author had to do a TON of research for this novel. This was my first time reading Rader-Day but definitely not my last!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The narrator for the audiobook is Moira Quirk and she did a really great job with all of the different character viewpoints in this book. I was glad to have it because of the slowness of the pacing, and she really enhanced the characters for me as well. Death at Greenway is a very serious read, but I loved the way Rader-Day infused wit and humor into the story as well. There were quite a few parts I thought were funny, and it was a great way to alleviate the heaviness of the overall plot. I did get a little confused at times with the different characters and I'm not quite sure I really understood EVERYTHING that happened, but overall, I got the gist of things and it was great! The historical aspect really shines, and you can tell the author had to do a TON of research for this novel. This was my first time reading Rader-Day but definitely not my last!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 6, 2021
I really feel like the summary of this book is false advertising. I thought Death at Greenway would have something to do with Agatha Christie. Perhaps she would solve a mystery, or be writing one, or speak to characters about mysteries ... In the entire book, the famous novelist shows up for one scene in which she *checks notes* plays the piano. That's it. Otherwise, this book has absolutely nothing whatever to do with Agatha Christie.
I would have been willing to forgive the random background setting which is little more than name dropping and click bait, had the book been at all interesting. It's boring. It's really, really boring. There are too many characters that are indistinguishable from one another and major problems with changing narrative voice. It almost seems like the book is an Oprah Giveaway: "You get a chapter! And you get a chapter!" Not to mention the bizarre approach to omniscience where we are offered the thoughts of different characters in the same scene. Aside from all of that, the murder mystery is lackluster at best and contrived at worst. I was really disappointed with this book.
I always feel a bit badly when I negatively review an ALC. I am grateful for the advanced copy! Hopefully this review saves the time of someone who may not enjoy this book. If others love the book, I am sure they will find solidarity in the positive reviews.
I would have been willing to forgive the random background setting which is little more than name dropping and click bait, had the book been at all interesting. It's boring. It's really, really boring. There are too many characters that are indistinguishable from one another and major problems with changing narrative voice. It almost seems like the book is an Oprah Giveaway: "You get a chapter! And you get a chapter!" Not to mention the bizarre approach to omniscience where we are offered the thoughts of different characters in the same scene. Aside from all of that, the murder mystery is lackluster at best and contrived at worst. I was really disappointed with this book.
I always feel a bit badly when I negatively review an ALC. I am grateful for the advanced copy! Hopefully this review saves the time of someone who may not enjoy this book. If others love the book, I am sure they will find solidarity in the positive reviews.
December 1, 2021
3.5 thoughts soon.
December 26, 2021
This book bears very little relationship to the publisher’s description. Mentioning Agatha Christie is a red herring, since Christie barely appears at all and nothing about her has anything to do with the plot. And to describe this as a novel of suspense and mystery is inaccurate. Yes, there are some deaths that occur and some odd things that happen, but it’s not as if there is any sleuthing, nor is the reader expected to follow clues to solve anything. Instead, the author just sprinkles solutions here and there, in an offhand way, and some questions are never addressed at all.
The book is really a novel about Bridey Kelly, and how she grows emotionally and overcomes heartbreak during the course of World War II. If the publisher had fairly described the book, I might or might not have read it. As it is, I thought the story was meandering, murky and unsatisfying
The book is really a novel about Bridey Kelly, and how she grows emotionally and overcomes heartbreak during the course of World War II. If the publisher had fairly described the book, I might or might not have read it. As it is, I thought the story was meandering, murky and unsatisfying
September 20, 2021
The publisher's promo materials describe Death at Greenway as "a captivating suspense novel about nurses during World War II who come to Agatha Christie’s holiday estate to care for evacuated children, but when a body is discovered nearby, the idyllic setting becomes host to a deadly mystery.... Bridey and Gigi [the nurses] discover they each harbor dangerous secrets about what has led them to Greenway. With a mystery writer’s home as their unsettling backdrop, the young women must unravel the truth before their safe haven becomes a place of death."
Well... yes and no. Death at Greenway isn't your standard suspense novel. It's much more the story of Bridey's coming into her own: as a nurse and as an individual. Gigi plays a significant role, but it's really Bridey's book. Bridey and Gigi aren't working to "unravel the truth before their safe haven becomes a place of death." They're trying to figure out who they are, where they fit in this world at war, and where they'll fit in a post-war world.
So, Death at Greenway wasn't the novel I was expecting, but it was quite a good read all the same. Bridey is an interesting character, the sole survivor of a fire that killed her mother and siblings. Her working-class background adds to the challenge of trying to become a nurse. Basically, Bridey feels she deserves nothing and is determined to build close bonds with no one.
There's also death at Greenway and an on-again-off-again bit of amateur investigation, but this is a novel for readers of WWII and (dare I say it?) women's fiction, not for fans of suspense, who might well enjoy Death at Greenway, but will find the suspense only occasional.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own.
Well... yes and no. Death at Greenway isn't your standard suspense novel. It's much more the story of Bridey's coming into her own: as a nurse and as an individual. Gigi plays a significant role, but it's really Bridey's book. Bridey and Gigi aren't working to "unravel the truth before their safe haven becomes a place of death." They're trying to figure out who they are, where they fit in this world at war, and where they'll fit in a post-war world.
So, Death at Greenway wasn't the novel I was expecting, but it was quite a good read all the same. Bridey is an interesting character, the sole survivor of a fire that killed her mother and siblings. Her working-class background adds to the challenge of trying to become a nurse. Basically, Bridey feels she deserves nothing and is determined to build close bonds with no one.
There's also death at Greenway and an on-again-off-again bit of amateur investigation, but this is a novel for readers of WWII and (dare I say it?) women's fiction, not for fans of suspense, who might well enjoy Death at Greenway, but will find the suspense only occasional.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own.
August 11, 2021
I picked this up on impulse from Libro.fm's advanced listener program, and I'm really glad that I did. This was the perfect audiobook to listen to on a long car trip. The narration is very well done, and the story is absorbing right from the beginning.
One point: Although this story takes place at Agatha Christie's estate, and it's based on several real people that the author discovered through her research, Christie herself is only a very minor character. With books like this, I wonder if the Christie hook is primarily there to give the book a way to stand out in a crowded market.
Even if that's the case, this historical mystery is well done. The main character, Bridie, is complex and interesting, and the situation she finds herself makes for a great read.
One point: Although this story takes place at Agatha Christie's estate, and it's based on several real people that the author discovered through her research, Christie herself is only a very minor character. With books like this, I wonder if the Christie hook is primarily there to give the book a way to stand out in a crowded market.
Even if that's the case, this historical mystery is well done. The main character, Bridie, is complex and interesting, and the situation she finds herself makes for a great read.
June 14, 2023
For me, this book started out so slowly that it almost seemed to pause in mid air . . . then close to the end, it roared into life and raced to the end. Silly me! . . . After finishing it and setting it aside, I realized that I needed to read it again because all the clues were laid out starting from the beginning. Rather unusual in my estimation. Perhaps in three months or so, I will pick it up again and see if I can actually discern the essential information which will allow me to put the puzzle together before the end.
September 21, 2021
Death at Greenway may have it's foundations in factual events, but the story is an absolute mess. It seems like many authors who draw inspiration from Agatha Christie either in her real life or her writing style don't understand the brilliance in the simplicity of what she did. This is the case in this book, where Rader-Day tries to work in so many different storylines and mysteries that all she gives the reader a headache instead of a desire to keep turning pages. Bridey ends up as a children's nurse for kids removed from London at the estate of Agatha Christie. With her is another Bridget Kelly who doesn't seem the slightest bit qualified for the job. Then things get stolen from Greenway. Healthier older people in the village end up dead. People Bridey met on the train to Greenway show up milling around the village. A man is found drowned near Greenway. Are you keeping up? If you are, good for you, because the story, while mostly told by Bridey, occasionally veers off and is periodically told by other characters, which does absolutely nothing to improve the cohesiveness of the story. I wish I could find something redeeming about this book but I was really just grateful that I finished it.
November 19, 2021
I opened the book expecting a lovely mystery, but unfortunately, the plot left a lot to be desired. In the beginning, the characters sounded interesting, but they never developed into something likeable. They never developed into anything. I ended the book feeling no emotional connection to any of the characters.
The mystery was a murder, but never felt like a mystery at all. The victim is a character that we barely get to know and who never really had much of a tie to anyone. I think there was another murder, too, but it was so forgettable that I don't remember who it was. There are really no interesting clues that lead you to suspect who the murderer is, and you get to a point when you are so bored with the story line that you don't even care. 418 pages, and nothing really happens. The plot is scattered, and there are a lot of parts that don't seem to connect with anything or anyone else.
The mystery was a murder, but never felt like a mystery at all. The victim is a character that we barely get to know and who never really had much of a tie to anyone. I think there was another murder, too, but it was so forgettable that I don't remember who it was. There are really no interesting clues that lead you to suspect who the murderer is, and you get to a point when you are so bored with the story line that you don't even care. 418 pages, and nothing really happens. The plot is scattered, and there are a lot of parts that don't seem to connect with anything or anyone else.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2021
3.5 stars. This is an historical mystery, set during World War II at Greenway, Agatha Christie’s holiday estate. Bridey Kelly has arrives at Greenway House to care for children wo were evacuated from London for their safety. Bridey was a nurse trainee, who was dismissed from the program, but those working at the house believe she is a nurse. The home is wonderful with a library full of mysteries, but Bridey is more concerned about getting to know the other nurse, Gigi. Not only is Bridey concerned about caring for the children, but she is constantly worried about being bombed, with the estate being so close to the English Channel. When a body washes ashore, who it turns out was murdered, there is a mystery to solve.
Death at Greenaway is told from Bridey’s perspective. Gigi, the other nurse, has plenty of secrets that Bridey tries to find out and they are gradually revealed as the story progresses. There are also secrets among the villagers that help to sort out who Gigi is and perhaps what happens to her. I was a bit disappointed that Agatha Christie was not in the story, just one cameo appearance, but that didn't impact the story much. So as I said at the beginning, it is a historical fiction story, has a mystery, but is more of a coming of age story for Bridey, as a nurse during WWII. Bridey is an interesting character. Her mother and siblings were killed in a fire and she is a working class woman trying to become a nurse. Bridey has low self-esteem and not only feels she doesn't deserve much in life, but she doesn't want to get close to anyone either. It is nice to see her confidence grow as she investigates. This book has well crafted characters, plenty of subplots and an abundance of twists that will leave you guessing. I always enjoy seeing everyday people during the war and how they deal with situations as they arise. Make sure you read the author's notes about her research and how this book came about. Moira Quirk narrated this book and although this is the first I have listened to that she performed, it won't be the last. She gave voice to the characters with tone, accents and expression. The audiobook definitely added to my enjoyment of the story. If you are interested in historical fiction, coming of age, WWII and those who stayed at home and all with a bit of intrigue, then I recommend this one. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this audiobook upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
Death at Greenaway is told from Bridey’s perspective. Gigi, the other nurse, has plenty of secrets that Bridey tries to find out and they are gradually revealed as the story progresses. There are also secrets among the villagers that help to sort out who Gigi is and perhaps what happens to her. I was a bit disappointed that Agatha Christie was not in the story, just one cameo appearance, but that didn't impact the story much. So as I said at the beginning, it is a historical fiction story, has a mystery, but is more of a coming of age story for Bridey, as a nurse during WWII. Bridey is an interesting character. Her mother and siblings were killed in a fire and she is a working class woman trying to become a nurse. Bridey has low self-esteem and not only feels she doesn't deserve much in life, but she doesn't want to get close to anyone either. It is nice to see her confidence grow as she investigates. This book has well crafted characters, plenty of subplots and an abundance of twists that will leave you guessing. I always enjoy seeing everyday people during the war and how they deal with situations as they arise. Make sure you read the author's notes about her research and how this book came about. Moira Quirk narrated this book and although this is the first I have listened to that she performed, it won't be the last. She gave voice to the characters with tone, accents and expression. The audiobook definitely added to my enjoyment of the story. If you are interested in historical fiction, coming of age, WWII and those who stayed at home and all with a bit of intrigue, then I recommend this one. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this audiobook upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
June 14, 2021
Rader-Day delves into the realm of 'historical thriller' with DEATH AT GREENWAY, and what a great job she does. We are walking around the coastal home of Agatha Christie with a group of children who have been evacuated from London to escape The Blitz. The two nurses, Bridey & Gigi, sent to care for the children have little time to get to know each other and the staff at Greenway before a body is found floating near the estate. The game's a foot... sorry wrong detective, so begins the search for the killer. Populated with well crafted characters, plenty of subplots and an abundance of twists that will leave you guessing. Dame Christie pops into the tale, it is after all her home, just enough to lend an air of mystery. I felt very comfortable believing everything that happens in this story, great research job by Rader-Day to bring the era to life. I highly recommend this for all suspense/thriller fans.
June 4, 2022
An amazing story
This is an instant classic. Lori takes a historical fact and fashions it into an intriguing tale that will keep you enthralled until the very end.
This is an instant classic. Lori takes a historical fact and fashions it into an intriguing tale that will keep you enthralled until the very end.
August 20, 2021
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Two of my favorite genres are historical fiction and mysteries, but somehow this combination of the two didn't work well for me. The author did an excellent job of creating atmosphere, but the pace of the book was slow and meandered from one situation to another. It was hard to keep track of the multitude of characters and subplots, and the "mystery" seemed to be almost an afterthought in the retelling of the historical events. I seemed to be left with multiple unresolved questions. The book presented many different points of view, and these were clearly delineated in the chapter headings, but some of these points of view were from fairly minor characters. It was obvious that the author had done a lot of research, and I enjoyed the parts dealing with the evacuated children from London - but overall, this was just not for me.
Two of my favorite genres are historical fiction and mysteries, but somehow this combination of the two didn't work well for me. The author did an excellent job of creating atmosphere, but the pace of the book was slow and meandered from one situation to another. It was hard to keep track of the multitude of characters and subplots, and the "mystery" seemed to be almost an afterthought in the retelling of the historical events. I seemed to be left with multiple unresolved questions. The book presented many different points of view, and these were clearly delineated in the chapter headings, but some of these points of view were from fairly minor characters. It was obvious that the author had done a lot of research, and I enjoyed the parts dealing with the evacuated children from London - but overall, this was just not for me.
October 31, 2021
Death at Greenway by Lori Rader-Day is an immersive, expansive WWII tale of murder and revenge. Set at Agatha Christie’s real-life country home, disgraced nurse-in-training, Bridey Kelly, is tasked to help care for a group of children seeking safety from war-torn London. Still, danger is everywhere and with unseen evil lurking, Bridey has to navigate a mysterious web of lies. Well-crafted and multi-layered, Death at Greenway is a vivid portrait of a woman trying to outrun her past in hopes of finding her place in a broken world.
November 23, 2021
An atmospheric mystery set in Agatha Christie’s vacation home in Devon during WW II. A young nurse trainee, Bridget Kelly, makes a fatal medication error in a London hospital and is banished to the countryside to care for 10 evacuated children. ButBridget soon finds that her fellow nurse, her employers and even the local villagers all have secrets of their own. When a dead man washes up on the pier, many secrets begin to unravel. Not a “tight”mystery but more literary. Definitely good for fans of mystery but also for those who want something a little deeper.
June 23, 2021
DEATH AT GREENWAY is superb. Lori Rader-Day layers in what I call the "oh, no" factor ratcheting up the suspense and combines that with beautiful writing and an amazing setting. I loved it.
Read
November 8, 2021Dnf 42%
October 27, 2021
Lori Rader-Day always gives readers a unique story, something different from anything else they’ve read. I love that freshness, and the characters that help create that uniqueness. I’ve been introduced to dark sky parks, handwriting expertise, and a character who beat the odds of being kidnapped as a baby. And, in Death at Greenway, Lori Rader-Day takes a leap into another whole pond. Well, she actually leaps across the pond to merry old England when it wasn’t so merry during WWII. Historical mystery fiction! Oh, but she doesn’t stop there with delighting me. The setting is Agatha Christies’ Greenway home and South Devon, with London as the starting and ending points. As part of her research, Rader-Day visited Greenway and stayed there. She brings the authenticity of having walked the house and grounds to this story. Is it little wonder I’ve been looking forward to reading Death at Greenway.
After a beginning chapter in which Agatha Christie is at Greenway with her husband and house staff listening to the radio announcement from Prime Minister Chamberlin that England was officially at war with Germany (the listening world encapsulated in that kitchen scene), focus is changed to London, April 1941. London and its inhabitants are suffering greatly from the daily bombings of the German planes, with whole families dying in their homes, despite the air raids and shelters. There is a general consensus that the children of London must be saved, taken away from the city to the country, where they will be safe. Parents are handing over their children to organized evacuation operations, while the parents stay and work in London. Bridget Kelly, who is training to be a nurse, finds herself part of such an operation due to an egregious error she has made in treating a patient. Bridget is given the choice to give up her nurse’s training completely or be a part of an evacuation of ten children to an undisclosed country location. Bridget chooses to lend her services to the evacuation movement.
War is hell and chaotic, and Bridget starts her journey with the evacuated children, their sponsors, and another nurse in a crowded train station, with much shouting and hurrying and immediate caring for the children. As if the chaos of soldiers and children and parents saying goodbye to their children weren’t enough, the second nurse in the party introduces herself as Bridget Kelly, too. It seems everything in our protagonist Bridget’s life is surreal at this point. Mrs. Arbuthnot, who is in charge of the group, insists that they choose two dissimilar names, so protagonist Bridget becomes Bridey, and the new Bridget becomes Gigi. Bridey finds out quickly that Gigi is happy to let Bridey handle the children by herself for long periods of time while Gigi socializes with a group of other young people on the train. With two babies in the mix to care for, it’s quite the challenge. It’s a long train ride to their destination, which they finally learn is Greenway, home of the famous author Agatha Christie, in South Devon.
Greenway is beautiful, but the evacuation team and their wards are kept to several rooms and told not to enter others. However, they have lots of space outdoors to walk and explore. Agatha Christie is in residence at Greenway when the group arrives, but she doesn’t interact with the evacuee group. She leaves for London not long after. This story does not include or involve the Grand Dame of Mystery, but we do get some peeks at a habit or two of hers. I enjoyed learning more about the evacuation of children from London and the ten children or vacs, as they were called, at Greenway. Rader-Day weaves a fascinating story into the historical facts of this evacuation, and she even talked to one of the vacs still alive, little Doreen. The two nurses, Bridey and Gigi, carry a heavy responsibility, to keep these children healthy and safe, which is more of a challenge than Bridey thought it would be. Although Greenway is far from London, the German planes are still a danger, as they bomb nearby locations, causing the house and earth around the group to tremble in response. Bridey wonders why they were evacuated to somewhere on the coast and to a large white house on a hill.
So, what is this story? An historical fiction book or a mystery? For me, it was historical fiction with lots of mysteries running through it. There is murder, but everyone is so busy with the war that a full investigation is not forthcoming. But, still the murder adds to the mystery of what is happening in the small village of Galmpton, where healthy men are dying disproportionate to statistics. What is important in the story? What direction should the reader be focusing on? Oh, Rader-Day requires our undivided attention, so readers read closely and remember that characters tend to appear in a Lori Rader-Day book for a reason. Keep those little gray cells sharp, as the many threads introduced do have connections.
Some of the threads: Nurses who aren’t really nurses. Travelers from the train from London to Greenway whom Gigi talks to and who end up in South Devon, too. Man found dead in the River Dart, murdered. Other men in the village who seem healthy and too young to die are dying. Somebody is stealing jam and leaving a muddy boot print. Gigi’s wisht man has been seen by little Doreen. Mrs. Poole, the mother of a child kept by her from evacuating arrives at Greenway in distress, and then she is missing. Bridey is friendly with the local doctor, but when he makes a romantic move, she can’t respond. Gigi has hidden money and hidden motives in her role as an evacuation nurse. And much more. Rader-Day keeps it all flowing toward resolution, both on the worldly stage and the smaller one starring Bridey.
The first month or so of this story goes a bit slower than the rest of the time forward, but it doesn’t drag. It is an important time of setting up characters and mysteries and daily life of the evacuation, including what goes on in the village below Greenway. The reader is learning about who is who and who does what and that the Germans aren’t the only destructive force to fear. And then, a year has soon passed at Greenway, and lots of changes are taking place again. To tell beyond the early days at Greenway would deprive readers of discovering all the intrigue and revelations for themselves. There is so much good story still to come, and I was quite happy with the way it all wrapped up in the end, threads coming together and mysteries solved. I think the author was very much in tune with what ending was consistent with a WWII story, and it shows great judgment not to try and rewrite history.
Multiple characters are used to voice the narration of the book, which gives readers the edge of knowing more of what’s going on than any one of the characters. It’s Bridey’s voice we hear the most, which is fitting, as her journey is the one we are following to fruition. I enjoy this use of multiple voices in separate chapters. They’re like the different puzzle pieces used to make the picture whole. And, oh those characters, they are pure Lori Rader-Day magic, one of the things she does best. She brings characters to life with a deftness born of raw talent but perfected by hard work. The character of Bridget/Bridey shows such growth that I am actually proud of her, like she’s someone I really know. That’s how well-developed characters are supposed to affect readers. And, Gigi is a character who shows me not to judge too quickly or assume you know her too soon. So many characters have poignant stories in this book, and readers will follow them all through the sadness and the joy they invoke. Death at Greenway tells the stories of ordinary people inside the extraordinary story of war, and it feels very intimate. That’s the accomplishment of a skillful storyteller.
I thoroughly enjoyed Death at Greenway, and I think readers are in for a treat. Don’t get hung up in what category to pigeon-hole this book. Just enjoy the read.
I thank NetGalley and the William Morrow Publishers for an advanced reader’s copy of this book.
After a beginning chapter in which Agatha Christie is at Greenway with her husband and house staff listening to the radio announcement from Prime Minister Chamberlin that England was officially at war with Germany (the listening world encapsulated in that kitchen scene), focus is changed to London, April 1941. London and its inhabitants are suffering greatly from the daily bombings of the German planes, with whole families dying in their homes, despite the air raids and shelters. There is a general consensus that the children of London must be saved, taken away from the city to the country, where they will be safe. Parents are handing over their children to organized evacuation operations, while the parents stay and work in London. Bridget Kelly, who is training to be a nurse, finds herself part of such an operation due to an egregious error she has made in treating a patient. Bridget is given the choice to give up her nurse’s training completely or be a part of an evacuation of ten children to an undisclosed country location. Bridget chooses to lend her services to the evacuation movement.
War is hell and chaotic, and Bridget starts her journey with the evacuated children, their sponsors, and another nurse in a crowded train station, with much shouting and hurrying and immediate caring for the children. As if the chaos of soldiers and children and parents saying goodbye to their children weren’t enough, the second nurse in the party introduces herself as Bridget Kelly, too. It seems everything in our protagonist Bridget’s life is surreal at this point. Mrs. Arbuthnot, who is in charge of the group, insists that they choose two dissimilar names, so protagonist Bridget becomes Bridey, and the new Bridget becomes Gigi. Bridey finds out quickly that Gigi is happy to let Bridey handle the children by herself for long periods of time while Gigi socializes with a group of other young people on the train. With two babies in the mix to care for, it’s quite the challenge. It’s a long train ride to their destination, which they finally learn is Greenway, home of the famous author Agatha Christie, in South Devon.
Greenway is beautiful, but the evacuation team and their wards are kept to several rooms and told not to enter others. However, they have lots of space outdoors to walk and explore. Agatha Christie is in residence at Greenway when the group arrives, but she doesn’t interact with the evacuee group. She leaves for London not long after. This story does not include or involve the Grand Dame of Mystery, but we do get some peeks at a habit or two of hers. I enjoyed learning more about the evacuation of children from London and the ten children or vacs, as they were called, at Greenway. Rader-Day weaves a fascinating story into the historical facts of this evacuation, and she even talked to one of the vacs still alive, little Doreen. The two nurses, Bridey and Gigi, carry a heavy responsibility, to keep these children healthy and safe, which is more of a challenge than Bridey thought it would be. Although Greenway is far from London, the German planes are still a danger, as they bomb nearby locations, causing the house and earth around the group to tremble in response. Bridey wonders why they were evacuated to somewhere on the coast and to a large white house on a hill.
So, what is this story? An historical fiction book or a mystery? For me, it was historical fiction with lots of mysteries running through it. There is murder, but everyone is so busy with the war that a full investigation is not forthcoming. But, still the murder adds to the mystery of what is happening in the small village of Galmpton, where healthy men are dying disproportionate to statistics. What is important in the story? What direction should the reader be focusing on? Oh, Rader-Day requires our undivided attention, so readers read closely and remember that characters tend to appear in a Lori Rader-Day book for a reason. Keep those little gray cells sharp, as the many threads introduced do have connections.
Some of the threads: Nurses who aren’t really nurses. Travelers from the train from London to Greenway whom Gigi talks to and who end up in South Devon, too. Man found dead in the River Dart, murdered. Other men in the village who seem healthy and too young to die are dying. Somebody is stealing jam and leaving a muddy boot print. Gigi’s wisht man has been seen by little Doreen. Mrs. Poole, the mother of a child kept by her from evacuating arrives at Greenway in distress, and then she is missing. Bridey is friendly with the local doctor, but when he makes a romantic move, she can’t respond. Gigi has hidden money and hidden motives in her role as an evacuation nurse. And much more. Rader-Day keeps it all flowing toward resolution, both on the worldly stage and the smaller one starring Bridey.
The first month or so of this story goes a bit slower than the rest of the time forward, but it doesn’t drag. It is an important time of setting up characters and mysteries and daily life of the evacuation, including what goes on in the village below Greenway. The reader is learning about who is who and who does what and that the Germans aren’t the only destructive force to fear. And then, a year has soon passed at Greenway, and lots of changes are taking place again. To tell beyond the early days at Greenway would deprive readers of discovering all the intrigue and revelations for themselves. There is so much good story still to come, and I was quite happy with the way it all wrapped up in the end, threads coming together and mysteries solved. I think the author was very much in tune with what ending was consistent with a WWII story, and it shows great judgment not to try and rewrite history.
Multiple characters are used to voice the narration of the book, which gives readers the edge of knowing more of what’s going on than any one of the characters. It’s Bridey’s voice we hear the most, which is fitting, as her journey is the one we are following to fruition. I enjoy this use of multiple voices in separate chapters. They’re like the different puzzle pieces used to make the picture whole. And, oh those characters, they are pure Lori Rader-Day magic, one of the things she does best. She brings characters to life with a deftness born of raw talent but perfected by hard work. The character of Bridget/Bridey shows such growth that I am actually proud of her, like she’s someone I really know. That’s how well-developed characters are supposed to affect readers. And, Gigi is a character who shows me not to judge too quickly or assume you know her too soon. So many characters have poignant stories in this book, and readers will follow them all through the sadness and the joy they invoke. Death at Greenway tells the stories of ordinary people inside the extraordinary story of war, and it feels very intimate. That’s the accomplishment of a skillful storyteller.
I thoroughly enjoyed Death at Greenway, and I think readers are in for a treat. Don’t get hung up in what category to pigeon-hole this book. Just enjoy the read.
I thank NetGalley and the William Morrow Publishers for an advanced reader’s copy of this book.
June 6, 2022
For those seeking a rousing whodunit, be forewarned: Death at Greenway is not a blistering page-turned, but rather a satisfying slow-burn that inches towards its conclusion, perhaps, almost too slowly, but worth the time in getting there as the author carefully adds layer upon layer to the story.
The main character, Bridget Kelley—Bridey—is a nurse with a secret that haunts her, even far away from London, attending to evacuated children at Greenway, the home of Agatha Christie and her archeologist husband, Max Mallowan. When a body is discovered near the grounds, Bridey and the other main character, Gigi, set out to uncover the murderer, even if it puts them in harm’s way. I could almost imagine Bridey as a much younger Ms. Marple setting out to uncover the culprit!
What is most interesting about this story, which is a credit to the author, is that one character who makes but one very brief appearance, has enormous presence throughout the novel. And that character is Agatha Christie—the mistress, Missus M, Mrs. Mallowan. After all, it is her house which is the setting for the story and though she at times is upstairs in her room alone of a passing shadow in the hallway or stairs, her presence through her house , the constant references to her by there other characters, even her books in the library, give her presence. And as the mystery writer par excellence, her name alone in the story creates an underlying mood to the mystery in the novel.
With a delightful cast of characters in rural Britain from servants to bar owners to doctors, miscreants, and guests at Greenway, it is uncertain who has committed murder, and in true Agatha Christie fashion, in a story with more twists and turns than a coiled snake in the grass, the perpetrator of the foul deed is a surprise.
The main character, Bridget Kelley—Bridey—is a nurse with a secret that haunts her, even far away from London, attending to evacuated children at Greenway, the home of Agatha Christie and her archeologist husband, Max Mallowan. When a body is discovered near the grounds, Bridey and the other main character, Gigi, set out to uncover the murderer, even if it puts them in harm’s way. I could almost imagine Bridey as a much younger Ms. Marple setting out to uncover the culprit!
What is most interesting about this story, which is a credit to the author, is that one character who makes but one very brief appearance, has enormous presence throughout the novel. And that character is Agatha Christie—the mistress, Missus M, Mrs. Mallowan. After all, it is her house which is the setting for the story and though she at times is upstairs in her room alone of a passing shadow in the hallway or stairs, her presence through her house , the constant references to her by there other characters, even her books in the library, give her presence. And as the mystery writer par excellence, her name alone in the story creates an underlying mood to the mystery in the novel.
With a delightful cast of characters in rural Britain from servants to bar owners to doctors, miscreants, and guests at Greenway, it is uncertain who has committed murder, and in true Agatha Christie fashion, in a story with more twists and turns than a coiled snake in the grass, the perpetrator of the foul deed is a surprise.
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