The Stranger Diaries

Title: The Stranger Diaries

Author: Elly Griffiths

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019

Pages: 337

Genre: mystery

Obtained: ARC from publisher in exchange for an honest review






Synopsis: One of Clare Cassidy's colleagues is found murdered.  Who did it? Is the answer in Clare's diary?

Thoughts:  I really enjoyed this book.  It was a great mystery that kept me guessing.  I liked the writer's style and how she organized the book.  She jumped between narrators and showed some of the same occurrences from different perspectives.  It was repetitive at times, but didn't drag the story down because it was interesting to discover what each character thought about what was going on.  Also, the author did not overlap everything- just enough.  She wove in a short story by the writer who Clare, the main character, was writing a book about which added to the creepy feel of the setting.  The focus was on the mysteries (there was more than one), not gore and horror.  The setting of a private high school, part of which included an old building called Holland House, that had mysteries of its own, was a fantastic place for this story to unfold.  The characters were developed and interesting and there was even a dog, Herbert, who I would also consider a character.  I need to check out other books written by this author.  She has written two series that I have not tried yet.

I recommend this book to mystery lovers, dog lovers, and diary lovers. 


                                                                    

Today I enjoyed a delicious cup of Royal Garden tea from my tea of the month club by Plum Deluxe.  This is a black tea and peach blend that I have been enjoying hot, but will be making it iced as well, when the weather warms. I highly recommend this Tea of the Month Club.  It is a wonderful Mother's Day gift for tea lovers.  There are two options.  I get the one ounce of tea per month which is just enough for me, but there is an option to get one ounce each of two different teas per month as well.  Also, you get a one cup sample of another tea and discounts, offers, and free shipping on purchases.  I also enjoy the weekly email that arrives in my inbox each Sunday morning (the perfect time) with news from Plum Deluxe and a special thought to ponder for the week.