In the dentist’s chair
Agatha Christie: One, Two, Buckle My Shoe (originally published in 1940) Who wouldn’t be afraid of dentists? Surely even the great Poirot would faint when he had to think about his dentist’s chair. This dentist’s chair links to each other a banker, a mysterious foreign person, an ordinary middle-aged woman, a famous detective and some other common people. Poirot was lucky this time, during his usual dental check-up, only a few cavities needed to be filled, but his dentist was not so lucky because he died at the same day. The case seems to be a suicide, but something is troubling Poirot. I started reading this novel when I was waiting for my dentist. The story was very exciting and, although there were not many suspects, I still couldn’t figure out who done it. And that’s exactly how I like it! The political situation of the period provides the background…
Scarlet, Defender of the Universe
James Davis: Scarlet: Defender of the Universe (HarperCollins Publishers 2025) Scarlet, a nine-year-old girl, is smart and studies well. She feels that she doesn’t get enough attention at home, but of course her little brother is allowed to do anything. But now thanks to him, she saw an ad looking for someone to protect the Universe. She applies for the job. The ad was posted by Jasper, who is the current Defender of the Universe and is very bored alone. Moreover, he has no sense of fear, so a little protection wouldn’t hurt him either. Together they are immediately called to an urgent case. The planet Alpha 4267 KD4 is in danger, or, as its inhabitants call it: Earth. The story is very cute and funny, but it also deals with important topics such as family and the relationship between family members. The plot is very exciting and also logically…
The Mask of Aribella
Anna Hoghton: The Mask of Aribella (Chicken House 2020) Aribella is the daughter of a Venetian lacemaker. She likes to get up at dawn and go to the fish market – although she doesn’t have to -, where she helps her friend Theo. It’s only here that she feels she belongs. Her mother was lost ten years ago, but her father can’t free from the grief. She barely remembers her mother, but she misses her very much. One day she discovers a power in herself that she didn’t know about before. Unfortunately, others have seen it too, and they want to imprison her for witchcraft. At the last moment, she is saved by a mysterious stranger who introduces her to the world of the Cannovacci, people with extraordinary powers. Aribella can finally belong to somewhere, but this new world is overshadowed by an old secret and the whole of Venice…