Sandy’s Comments (group member since Dec 14, 2015)

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Susan in NC wrote: "Lovely Large Print edition of We Solve Murders came through the hold system at my library finally!"

Enjoy! it is a lot of fun.

I am listening to this for my third (or more) read though I still find I don't remember everything.

The book is waiting at the library.

Jackie wrote: "Sandy, that sounds very good; did you ever read The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth ? Gave me an incredible res..."

Sounds good. Thanks for the recommendation.

I'm reading When the Earth Was Green: Plants, Animals, and Evolution's Greatest Romance about how plants shaped the earth and the animals. Excellent.

I was also satisfied with this wrap-up to the series. Cadfael re-visits life outside the monastery and chooses to return. He is united with his son, and I imagine an on-going relationship with his new family. All his finest traits are on display, including using his medical skills.

The murder is definitely a minor concern once Yves is released. I had nearly forgotten it when the murderer confessed. A fitting ending for a vile man.

The 'young lovers' troupe is hinted at in the future.

Judy wrote: "Good to hear you liked The Sunken Sailor: Inspector Tibbett #2, Sandy. I want to read this series in order, but Patricia Moyes seems to be one of those authors where ..."

Between my library system and Amazon, most seem are available to me, some on Hoopla (non-kindle eBooks through the library). Not sure I will ever make it through all 19-20!

Speaking of underwhelmed, I started and dropped Holmes, Marple & Poe at the 25% mark.

Onto Cadfael, a known quantity.

Judy wrote: "I've just read The Sunken Sailor: Inspector Tibbett #2 by Patricia Moyes and really enjoyed it, especially as it was set on the coast of Suffolk, near where I live. I..."

I have started The Sunken Sailor: Inspector Tibbett #2. I learned about skiing in the first book and now have mastered sailing. Excellent so far and wondering what I will learn in the next book.

Much to like in this Maigret: bit of fog, Mrs Maigret's frustrations, many pipes smoked, and Maigret being kind to a down-and-out young man. A couple of wonderful twists at the end. The American following him around to learn his technique added humor.

My library request arrived and I read the book last night. One of my favorite Maigrets.

I enjoyed the book though I have reservations. I didn't find the murderer's motive convincing, nor did I understand how Annie found out the secret relationship. Why kill Mark? And why was Betty found alive?

However, the setting and the characters are enjoyable. Even Diabolo was a pleasure in this book, after being rather annoying in the first book. I also liked Max better is this time, although he had very little to do with solving the mystery.

I will be reading the next in the series.

Finished it and liked it. The setting and the characters carry this series (for me).

I listened to this, read by "Hastings", and, as it was a re-read, I paid less attention than normal. My original rating was three stars, and I am going to reduce it to two. I find Christie's spy stories much less satisfying than her standard murders. I thought this plot was too convoluted with spies popping up everywhere. I do like Tommy and Tuppence as characters.

The final blow was the good German, that everyone liked, turned out to be English. I suppose it was the temper of the times, but that was a step too far for me.

In the US: is $2. This book was mentioned in the Poirot vs Marple thread.

Judy wrote: "Just noticed that there is going to be a new Miss Marple book by Lucy Foley - don't think I've read anything by her, has anyone else?
https://www.thebookseller.com/news/ha......"

I read The Guest List and only gave it two stars but mostly because I resented spending time with the disagreeable characters. The plot and writing were fine, and it kept me going to the end.

Sonia wrote: "Lucy Foley wrote one of the short stories in the Marple: Twelve New Stories book - Evil in Small Places. I thought it was believable as a Marple."

I thought that 'twelve new stories' was an advertising gimmick!

Judy wrote: "For anyone wondering whether to read this, it's one of the special offers in today's Bookbub (UK), at 99p on Kindle, not sure how long for though!"

Also in US.

Haven't started yet but expect it to be bittersweet, much like Shardlake. Sorry to be leaving Cadfael's world.

Judy wrote: "Who's reading this one? Fun to get back to Tommy and Tuppence, and interesting that they have aged in real time, unlike Poirot and Miss Marple who stay the same age!

I've started, not very far in ..."

Maybe Christie can age them as they are introduced in their youth?