And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, 194 pages

I don't think I have read an Agatha Christie book in many, many years.  But, I must say this is one of the best mysteries I have read in a long time.  I believe it is on one of the lists that is a must read book.  The book reminded me of the movie and the game Clue. When ten people are invited to Indian Island by a mysterious person, they wonder why they are gathered together.  And, then they find out the shocking reason why.  But, when one by one the guests are found murdered, everybody becomes a suspect.  There are twists and turns and a surprise ending.  This was a very good book indeed!

The Islands of Chaldea by Diana Wynne Jones

The Islands of Chaldea by Diana Wynne Jones - 356 pages

Aileen is sent on a quest with her Aunt Beck, Prince Ivor, and Ogo to strike down the barrier surrounding Logra.  There is a prophecy that it can be done with the help of one man from each island.  So they set off to try to take down the barrier.  Along the way they face those who try to kill them, those who try to stop them, and the guardian spirits who try to help them succeed.

This is Diana Wynne Jones final book.  In fact it was finished by her sister Ursula Jones.  She did a fairly good job of writing so that you can not tell for sure where the writing switched.  Although you can definitely tell the ending was more rushed than a usual Diana Wynne Jones book.  Also, as the book went on there it became less detailed than usual.  Overall though it is a great ending legacy for the premier children's fantasy writer from Britain.