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

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

I'm not sure if they want discussions of TV versions only on this site, given that it is for reading. I did find a discussion on the Masterpiece site: http://sharetv.com/shows/masterpiece/... If you want to start something here, Tina, go ahead, though I think there well be more action for this sort of thing at Masterpiece.

Did you find the video discussion? I watched The Big Four last night. I wait for discussion...

I'm sorry to be late in this final part of the discussion. I just finished last night and did not want to look at this last thread for fear of ruining the ending! Many SPOILERS ahead!


I have to say that I was plumping for Luis, only because he was neither a regular (like Natasha and some of the others) nor simply too likely to start with (like the unfortunate Mrs. S, Patty, Sugar.) I certainly didn't see the connection with Gwen, though. And I loved the twists and turns with Luis hitting Gwen but the tainted peanut brittle ultimately being the final killer. And it seems that when Horace fell, that was indeed an accident and not sabotage? And all the various real and not real parents of Kit? Whoa!

Krista, it was a great pleasure to have you with us. Its too bad that our nice little group has dwindled down to just us three (Tina, J and myself.)

I enjoyed the book greatly and look forward to the next one. And may even try to catch up on some of the previous ones I've not yet read.

Tina, I'm pretty sure tapioca needs to be cooked in order to eat it.

I have finished this section and am on Chapter 24. Still a good bit to go, but if anyone wants to start the third section, I am ready for it.

The plot still thickens, as we find that Baxter is not only a widower now, but broke and apparently not the father of Kat.

Wolf does seem to be involving himself in with Sophie again, and Alex seems both warm and cool to her.

So let's go through the suspects: Patty, yeah, still possible; Alex, I'm feeling he is more likely than I did in the past; Natasha, not at all; Sugar--no one has mentioned her, so I am considering that but wondering if I am trying too hard by including her; Mrs. Scroggins just seems too mean to be guilty.
Well, that's enough for now.

I had a busy out-of-town weekend and need to get caught up. I think I have read three of the Diva books, all of them through our chats, so I'm afraid I might be a little behind on the history of all of Sophie's beaux. Being a single gentleman myself, I am willing to believe we men are always on the up and up unless proven otherwise. Meanwhile, I will buckle down tonight and get reading!

Haven't got to the sleigh and reindeer yet, but I am about chapter 21. Yes, Natasha does indeed look guilty at this point, but frankly, I don't think she has the guts for such a thing. She might get her outfit dirty! Patty looks promising, as she appears to be a bit scatty, and, who knows, all the things Gwen and Baxter said about her might be true after all. We only have her side of the story at this point.

It is really more than generous how Sophie takes care of so many people--staying at her house and feeding them.

I can't say I have the same misgivings about Alex for Sophie. Why do you both think there is a problem there?

I have not heard; let's go ahead. I'll email her outside of this group.

I have moved on as will, somewhere about chapter 19 or 20.

I've already moved into the next section, but I wait for the next thread to start. Momentous things are happening! The thick plottens!

Tina, it appeared to be steak au poivre (crusted in crushed peppercorns.) Yes, things are getting interesting, and not just the cookie swap. Now we have three people vying for meanest person on the block: Edith, Gwen and, of course, the usual Natasha. Its hard to imagine what Max sees in her.

I am through this first section and ready to move on when you all are.

And how do you leave a cookie swap without your cookies? Crazy!

I started reading this last night and am enjoying it a lot (through chapter seven at this point.) I think this is the third "Diva" book our group has read and this one stacks up. I love the Alexandria Old Town setting--I've visited there a few times and think it is just wonderful. (Too pricey for my budget to live there, though!) And the murder rate seems unusually high. Interesting characters along with the regulars from previous books.

As J has noted, mysterious things are happening and Sophie is just the one to find out about them. Also loving the Christmas atmosphere, even though it is July.

And boy, Edith is one mean thing!

I'm all ready and will start reading this evening!

I do like the Diva series as well, so I'm up for that at any time.

I am perfectly willing to give it a try, if other join along. Probably will be a pricey book, though, and in demand at the libraries as well...

I can't motivate myself to read any further, so I'm afraid I'm dropping. I'm open to the film discussion--anything to get some of the old group back into the fold!

I'll continue a bit more, but I'm inclined to give it up if I'm not entranced by the end of the week. Sort of interesting, but long-winded and not very mystery-like at all. After all, we sort of got part of the ending in the prologue!

I think I am about at chapter 7 now. I'm happy to wait till others join, if they are planning to. I have been busy and have not had reading time like I'd hope.

Yes, I am, Tina. I knew Jane had a number of siblings but it seems to be quite an extended family. And not all of them nice (Edward.)

I'm about the same distance through the book. Slow moving, indeed, though I think it is important to show the development of such a well-known character (Jane) and a lot of characters (mostly Jane's rather large family) to get to know.