Two Envelopes And A Phone’s Reviews > Close-Up on Death. > Status Update

I’m very happy with this, up to this point. When characters are snarky - especially Millie - there’s a bit of that Ramsey Campbell thing going on. And it’s reminding me of Dard, or Japrisot, or even Simenon (all in translation, to be clear), when it comes to the clipped, less-is-more, “how can matter-of-fact have this much meaning?” vibe. Calm, and powerful.

I like it; the writing style - first-person narration, and the dialogue - is terse, staccato. Cold, even. But overall, it’s an interesting start. Maureen O’Brien was on Doctor Who in the 1960s, and I confess, as a fan of the show, that makes this a fun book to check out. I know I passed on s sale-priced hardcover of a novel by Jean Marsh, who was also on the show, but this one is a Crime novel, more tempting.

I’m going to go to this right after This Symbiotic Fascination, because I think I’m going to need a somewhat light and trad whodunit to recover from that symbiotic fascination. Also, you’re gonna be mad, I might read The Late Lamented by Fredric Brown in Sept.; supposed to stick with only novels by women, but I did read two books by women to end August, and Brown is tough to put off. Please don’t hate this little git