L. R. (twinkiestwice) reviewed Wonderful! on 9/19/2008 + 6 more book reviews

This has become one of my top five Patricia Wentworth Miss Silver mysteries. Its very good- especially when you compare it to the modern cozy, a thoroughly well written and engaging read.

Marion Brand is a lovely young woman who has spent the her 27 years in service to others- taking care of her sister and her lazy husband, working for a pittance, etc. Then, an uncle who she was unaware of due to a family quarrel dies and leaves her half his estate. Within an hour of finding this out, she discovers herself trapped under a train wreck with a stranger- the handsome and famous author Richard Cunningham- they hold hands to keep shock at bay, and rattle on nervously for hours about their lives, giving away intimate details that normally it would take months to disclose to a new acquaintance.

A few weeks later she has moved in to the new family home, sharing half of it with her uncles relations who resent her company, and a few days after this, someone is killed and Marion looks to blame!

What a way to begin a mystery! And thank goodness Richard Cunningham knows right off to contact Miss Silver, to protect Marion and her sister as a house guest in Miss Brand's home, and to get help identify the truth.

Wonderful read. This is a good cozy mystery, and perfect for an autumn read- or anytime one would rather cuddle down with a lovely book. Miss Silver could be compared to Agatha Christie's Miss Marple- save that Miss Silver works as a private detective and is hired to solve mysteries after retiring as a governess. However, they both have the same sharp eyes, ability to draw out their audience into sharing confidences, and penchant for knitting.

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