Ann's comments (member since Sep 09, 2008)

Ann's comments from the Cozy Mysteries group.

I've not read the books, but the series title is quite amusing;>

Lol! That's too funny, Carol!:D

Hi Tobin! Welcome!:D

Carol, what an adorable cat you have! :)

I adore the first three books in Agatha Christie's Tommy and Tuppence books! But, the later ones weren't very good, IMO.
I also really liked Dorthy Sayers' CLOUDS OF WITNESS, but wasn't as impressed with STRONG POISON, though I'm still planning to read more of the Lord Peter Wimsey books!:D He's so amusing!

Kathryn, Background to Danger isn't centered around a murder. There are murders, but that's not the main plot - instead, it centers around a political plot (in a nutshell, photographs that could start a war...).

I just finished Background to Danger. I quite enjoyed it. I don't think it's truly a "Cozy Mystery" (I didn't see it on the cozy mystery website...), but it's pretty tame, all things considered. There are murders, but it's more of a political plot. Also, the mystery is more of a "how it will be solved" instead of a whodunnit. Still, I enjoyed and thought I'd share;)

Beth wrote: "I've been quiet in the group because I was vacationing in the Mayan Riviera and Cozumel for two weeks with my husband."
Sounds lovely!:)

Cindi wrote: "Where's a post saying what you're currently reading?

I don't know that there is one. Perhaps it would be a good thread to start up:)

Love the title of that book, Lynn!
And Happy Holidays! :D

I think it's a great challenge! I do agree that there are many people who can't/shouldn't have pets, but for those that can... well, let's just say I can't imagine my own life without my four-legged friends;)
And ditto Cindy! To spay or neuter pets is a wonderful idea!!! I've seen, I think, places that can help with this financially... but that's been a few years and I don't remember the exact organizations...

Thanks Lori!!! I had already purchased Gaudy Night because it looked like it followed Strong Poison. But, it's pretty long and I was a bit apprehensive. But if there's more goodies out there to be found, then I'll totally read!:D Happily, the books are pretty easy to read through.

I just finished Strong Poison. I'm sad I didn't like it more. I mean, I did like it, but there wasn't very much of Peter Wimsey in it, so I missed reading more about him and his friends, because that's what really endeared me to Clouds of Witness. :)

Hi Tamara!:D Sorry, I don't know of anything off the top of my head - but welcome to the group! (love your picture!!!) :)

The most recent Cozy-Mystery I read was Clouds of Witness by Dorthy Sayers. I gave it 5 stars. Here's my review:

"Clouds of Witness" was a very delightful book! In both the mystery and the characters, I thought Sayers came through brilliantly!

Lord Peter Wimsey (the main character and detective) is truly a humorous, clever, thoughtful, and lovable character! He breezes through life, always seeing the amusement and humor in situations, but doesn't lack the ability to understand people and events for the gravity they may hold.
Wimsey himself was a delightful enough character to hold my interest through the book, but add to this his good friend (and partner in crime-solving) Mr. Parker (adorable friends!) and Mr. Bunter (another more "proper" counterpart to Wimsey) and you have an entire book set to amuse!

Oddly enough, Sayers doesn't use a lot of description. In a way it reminds a bit of Jane Austin (though the feel of the books is not similar!), in her ability to convey the characters in their uniqueness and completeness through dialogue.

The mystery also is most interesting. And while I could have felt "cheated" by the ending, I didn't because of the various sub-mysteries that were occurring throughout the book. It is, in a way, three or four mysteries all revolving around one.

Additionally, the mystery centers around Wimsey’s own family, which adds another element to Wimsey’s character, and the mystery itself.

A note: the book does contain a few slightly graphic descriptions of the murder, but I stress the word slightly. I have read some Agatha Christie, and think that it’s probably on par with those. I am quite the queasy reader, and I had few qualms.
The only thing I regretted – if it could be called a regret – was the prevalent use of French. I can’t blame or criticize Sayers on this front, only myself for not having a better grasp of the language. That said, while a times I was dismayed because I did not understand every detail or clue, for the most part everything was eventually (and in a timely manner) translated or explained.

I really enjoyed this read! And am very much looking forward to picking up another Lord Peter Wimsey mystery!!

Good idea Kathryn! I'll have to grab some of my older reviews and post them here :)

I love the "Shopaholic" books by Kinsella!:D

Thanks for the recommendation, Kathie!:D I will have to look into some of those :)

I haven't read any Agatha Christie in a few years (I miss them though!). I'd say that the Tommy and Tuppence ones are probably the coziest that I've read of Christie's - does anyone know if any of her other books are that "cozy?"
I LOVED "The Seven Dials Mystery" but I'm not sure it was exactly cozy... it was a little disturbing finding out who was behind everything!!!
And I also loved "Destination Unknown" and "Man in the Brown Suit" - but again, not sure that they are as cozy as T&T (but still more so that Seven Dials).

I'd seen something about the Peter Wimsey DVDs on Amazon, but wasn't sure if they were good or not. I'll have to look into them now! Thanks;)