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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

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?

Someone else in my library system has had this checked out for much too long for such a short book!

I have the book from the library but will be away from my physical books until Monday.

I bought the next in the series.

I am about to start Memorial Days. I have read several of her books and those of her late husband, Tony Horwitz, as well as seeing them both talk about their books. Could be either depressing or uplifting.

I am reading Loose Lips, second in series by a Christie aficionado, Kemper Donovan.

I am very glad the author explained the motive for the murder as I was definitely lost as to why! A bit confusing (as is the British hierarchy of lawyers) but the characters, major and minor, were great.

Would have liked an epilogue. Does murderer's wife get to keep the inheritance? Do the actor and his wife reconcile? Does Charles regret his marriage to the wealthy witch? I can anticipate a romance between actor's son and the spruced up actress.

Finished now and am debating spending an about-to-expire Amazon credit on the next in the series (vs four Lorac's). Loved the three main characters and their relationship.

Not one of my favorite Christie's (though not as bad as The Big Four). The plot is intricate, maybe too much so, and coincidences abound. Then I don't really approve of the Hastings and 'Cinderella' romance, though 'Papa' Poirot does, and it works out as far as we know. On the plus side, the Hastings / Poirot team shines with Hastings bumbling along.

I wonder if one of Christie's reasons for dropping Hasting so soon was that she could then include scenes where neither H nor P were present. Having a first-person narrator is limiting.

Whoops! the next three are on kindle.

Unfortunately, this is the only book in the series that is available to me. The library book I am reading is from 1962, and the others are for use in library only.

I have started this and am not very far in but love the voice of the author / main character.

In US: $4 on kindle

Judy wrote: "Thanks for suggesting Murder in the Museum, Frances, but sadly I think you're right about it being too expensive/difficult to get hold of.

It is not available on Kindle in the UK ..."

I think it is available on Kindle in the US but for $15.

Marcus wrote: "Read the Secret Adversary. I like Tommy and Tuppence. The story seems a little unrealistic to me. Too much unexpected and unreasonable exits in favor of the Adventures."

In my opinion, Christie's international intrigue are always unrealistic. She is better at local murders.

Regarding earlier comments, I agree it got bogged down with all the time spent in the camp and the troop movements lost me entirely.

In my opinion, Shardlake is very good at molding his behavior to what is needed for his preservation at the time. He has become sympathetic to the injustices of the time but cannot cut himself off from royal favor. So, I can see him supporting the rebellion, but without committing himself openly.

I listened to the last several hours well into the night as I didn't want to leave Shardlake in danger. I wasn't sure his lies about cooperating with the rebels would work, but Vowell, the second murderer, did him a favor by including him in the prisoner chain.

I know this was not the planned end of the series, but I think it serves very well as a closer. Barak and Shardlake are working together again. Barak and Tamasin's marriage seems to be solid. Tamasin has forgiven Shardlake and is bringing her children to play with Mousie. Nicholas has learned a lesson and is proceeding nicely in his law career. With Mousie and Liz, Shardlake has a family. After his experience with the rebellion, I think he would not hesitate to marry Liz, but either way it will be a caring relationship.

The father / murderer was one of the evilest characters I've met fictionally. I wish he would have got his just desserts much earlier in his life (though then there would have been no book).

I have not yet read the historical note nor listened to the podcast.

I have loved the three Robert Harris' books I've read.

Looks as though British Amazon is tracking our reading lists.