Mark Pghfan’s Comments (group member since Mar 06, 2014)

Mark Pghfan’s comments from the The Parlor PI's group.

Good point about the stick pile. I wonder what is behind that? Wouldn't it be amusing if Edwina was attacked not because she and Beryl are tracking down the story about Agnes' disappearance and rather by someone who opposed the stick pile? Ha, ha!

I not really familiar with any of the authors, other than Lucy Stone (which are always decent) and Carolyn Hart, a series I like and a book I think I already have! Deadly Valentine gets my vote for now, but anything with "chocolate" in the title is always a good idea!

I don't know why, but desserts (at least at that time) were all called puddings. Perhaps at some point, that was all the dessert they had!

I think you may be on to something, Tina. I wondered about the sister as well. After all, we only have the sister's word for what happened, and it was made very clear NOT to mention it to Michael, to cover for that story.

Let's start the second section. Investigation is in full swing. One of the things that is surprising me is that Edwina, who seemed at first to be a shy flower, is buying into the full-scale investigation of things. Did anyone else feel this?

Also, Prudence the gossip clearly must know that Beryl knows that she blabbed everything around the village, about what Beryl said. Yet she doesn't seem ashamed of it. Doesn't that seem a little unreal?

Welcome, Kaya! The discussion on our January book has started, but we do them in three pieces with spoilers only on the last section. So when you get the book, you can start up any time, and we will chime in!

In Arundel Hall, the protagonist was in fact in a very rural area, old mansion. You are remembering correctly!

I have just one more chapter in the first section to go. Another body has been found, so clearly, SOMETHING is afoot!

One of my goals for the new year is to read some things that aren't mysteries. It's tough, but I'm forging ahead!

General vote is probably better. I understand that there is a new movie tomorrow (Sunday) on the Hallmark Mystery channel, if any of you get that (I don't).

Right now, I have an impossible four books going on, two of them in audio. I want to get moving on this one. Since we are snowed in a bit here, today is a perfect day for it. I hope to move on to the second section of English Village, perhaps Monday. In case you are wondering, the other three are:

Stories from "A Moment on the Edge", mystery stories by female authors, as part of my "Female Sleuths" class, I think I mentioned.

Team of Rivals, about Abraham Lincoln's cabinet during the Civil War

Hidden Figures, about black women working as computer people and mathematicians during WWII and later (also a recent movie)

I'm trying to read some things outside of mysteries, but it is difficult. I couldn't do it without some audio (to listen in the car and at home!)

I was thinking Beryl Markham as well. Well known daredevil!

She certainly got the village talking quickly, didn't she? The biggest gossip had already told half the town! And now Edwina gets an attempt on her life, which seems to prompt her to get on board with Beryl and becoming investigators.

Right now, it seems to focus on the missing land army girl. I wonder if that will change? I'm only about half way through this first section, balancing getting too far ahead too early and wanting to move on with the book!

I should add, though published in 2017, it is set in 1920.

Here we are with our January read. Impoverished but genteel Edwina Davenport advertises for a lodger, to help make ends meet, money-wise. Her long lost friend, the American daredevil Beryl Helliwell answers the call and so begins a partnership in crime solving. Beryl likes good gin and apparently has a number of ex-husbands but no children. Edwina needs money and has a dog, which I assume is adorable given its name is Crumpet.

Right off the bat, Beryl comes to bat for Edwina, trying to combat Edwina's reputation as poor and suffering, with an outlandish tale of her being a spy.

Things are off to a rollicking start!

Well, then let's go! I started the book several days ago but didn't go very far, so we could all catch up. Look for the new thread! My copy is just under 300 pages, so part one will be ROUGHLY to page 100, or chapters 1 through 14. Then 15 through 28, then 29 to the end, with spoilers.

Yes, like Gladys. I was trying to figure out how that worked in. It does, in the end, though.

I can host. I have the book and started it already. Let me know when you all are ready.

I've finished the book a week or so ago, but no spoilers from me!

The benchers did seem to be destined for trouble, I was sure. But which one?

It looks like Tuesday or Wednesday it will finally be warm enough! Saturday morning as I type this and it is minus four in my backyard!

Nope. Didn't read it. Not really heard of it either, though the ad for the TV version has been on my screen for, it seems like forever!

Just got mine yesterday. Will start it soon.