Mrs Jeffries Dusts For Clues: Emily Brightwell 2013 **

I appear to be in the minority here, but I didn't find this book to be entertaining in the slightest. Mrs Jeffries, the housekeeper of  a Scotland Yard Inspector solves crimes when she's not dusting the tables and cleaning the windows without her employer knowing. What a charming idea. Well yes, but the execution of the story just didn't work. Within the first page you are plunged into the latest mystery without any warm up or introduction. The characters 

(of which there were far too many to keep track of) go out searching for clues by day (I have no idea when any of them do their actual jobs) and come back to the kitchen in the evening and tell each other what they have found. After a while this became a tad boring, and nothing was really happening in any aspect of the novel. Just when it seemed that the story was getting better, suddenly an ending comes out of the blue that is hastily summarised within 10 or so pages. I didn't really enjoy it overall and found it dragging by the half way point. Maybe it would help to read another in the series, but I think I will be leaving Emily Brightwell's books for the time being.

Washington Square: Henry James - 1881 ****1/2

I'm a fairly latecomer to Henry James, being initially put off him because it appears he is no longer deemed popular in literary circles. I also tried to briefly to read 'The Aspern Papers' and gave up almost immediately.
'Washington Square' was something else entirely. Initially it was rather difficult to get into, but quite soon after I found myself falling in love with the style, the prose and the story. James seems so in tune with the moral and social conventions of his time, and I found myself amazed by the way women were expected to behave both in society and in private. Also, the idea that women are such timid, 'simple' creatures who only exist to marry rich and intelligent men was a theme that grated on me. Of course these ideals are not new to me, especially in literature of this period, but  I found it especially obvious in this story which spurred me on to read more and more.
The story revolves around only 4 principle characters. Dr Sloper, an imminent doctor, his sister Lavinia, his daughter Catherine and her suitor Mr Townsend. Henry James has managed to create a whole world in this tiny cocoon that barely ventures outside.
Catherine is an intelligent and headstrong girl, who falls for the charming and handsome Mr Morris Townsend at a social function. Although a seemingly decent man, Morris is poor and Catherine's father Dr Sloper does not believe that his intentions are purely honourable. Catherine has a rather comfortable fortune left by her deceased mother, and will stand to inherit even more from her father on his death. Catherine becomes infatuated quickly with Morris, and there is talk of marriage in the future. Her father however will not stand for the relationship, and does everything in his power to convince Catherine to break it off. Meanwhile, Catherine's aunt Lavinia is in the background, whispering words of encouragement to her, telling her to defy her father and marry Morris immediately. Dr Sloper decides to teach Catherine a lesson, and tells her that if she persists with her courtship, she will not inherit a single penny of his money and will probably lose Morris in the process anyway.
Wonderful story, intelligently written and captivating prose from a man who has risen quickly to the top of my favourite author list.

Valley of the Dolls: Jacqueline Susann - 1966 *****

'Valley of the Dolls' is a really spellbinding novel. Having seen the film many times and loved it (mainly because of my love for beautiful Sharon) I was keen to see how the film would have been transferred from the book.

From start to finish I began a rollercoaster of emotions. At first I was angry, then sad, then jealous, then devastated. 

The novel follows three women on the verge of making it big. Neely is a headstrong, talented and immature performer who is desperate to be on the stage, even if it means popping a few pills to keep her going. Anne, a stunning, intelligent and wary secretary who just wants to find happiness with a man and have her fairy-tale wedding and baby. And Jennifer, the ethereal, beautiful and lonely actress who is only known for her body, and simply wants to be loved for herself. As the years roll by, we see them at their best and worst, we see Anne be used by the men in her life, Neely losing her friends in the process of becoming a star, and Jennifer tipped over the edge by her husband's obsessive sister. Regardless of what happens in their lives, the 'dolls' are always there, waiting to be taken to raise them up, bring them down, and finally destroy their lives forever. 

One of the toughest books I have read, a book that frustrated me and made me wish it was over. Yet when I turned the last page I realised that the thing I was most sad about was that it was over and I would never experience it from the beginning again.

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