The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield is a mystery about a young antiquarian bookseller and a mysterious author. When I first started reading the book, I didn't realize that it was a mystery. I thought it was a book about twins. And because it was so bizarre in parts, I almost put it down. At times, it gave me the creeps.

All of the mystery genre elements were present. It definitely had a spooky setting, in England with old dilapidated mansions. The characters were eccentric (to say the least), with love, hate, death, jealousy, and yes, twins. There were many twists and turns as the young bookseller writes the life story of the famous author and tries to find the real truth. There even were a few red-herrings.

What I didn't like is the way it seemed so...contrived: authors writing about authors, clues being within books, I don't know, if you didn't have a heap of literary references in your knowledge base, the clues and ideas would go right past you. I don't like horror stories and this had it's share of horror. Remember, I thought the book was about twins. I guess you'll have to find out for yourself.:)

Garden and weather log: Overcast, in the mid 60s, and windy. I worked in the front garden pulling out grass. It just wasn't that pleasant out for gardening. Clymatis vines are getting leaves and shoots are popping up. Amazing since FB got the plants from California. I'm surprised that they made it through the winter. One iris in the South garden is ready to bloom. The allium flower head is up about 2'. No other flowers yet. Saw a large bald eagle two days in a row. Sat. night we saw the Northern Lights streaking overhead. Hopefully, it will warm up.