Dolly And The Starry Bird (1982) - Plot & Excerpts
These mysteries, what will all the wonderful characters, action, humor, and romance, would make wonderful movies. This one, maybe because its set in Italy, forcefully reminds me of The Tourist. In a good way. In this book the protagonist is astronomer Ruth Russell, doing a research stint in Rome. She's wry, witty, and just pretty darn fun to hang out with. The cast of characters are weighted heavily toward academics, most of them being the type of people we all recognize from studies abroad. Johnson seemed to have just as much fun romping with academics and artists as he does with upper-society types. These books are well-written, elegantly plotted, always keep me guessing, and a whole lot of fun. Also, I love the way Dunnett deals with heroines at the ends of books. (view spoiler)[ In that she doesn't feel everyone has to be happily coupled up. (hide spoiler)]
I fell into the trap. I judged a book by the author (not the cover) I found and bought a book by a author I liked and expected to like the book too. I suspect most people have read these crime books based on their love of her historicals. Dolly and the Starry Bird was not great. Which tells me (I'm not a Dunster.... Not a starry eyed fan) the author had a special formula when she wrote the Lymond Chronicles.... Still she was a great writer.These crime novels (I read two) were books of her time, and not timeless crime novels.
What do You think about Dolly And The Starry Bird (1982)?
