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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I was also upset about the cat. So unnecessary.

This was a reread and I remembered the cousin was the bad guy. Was he actually her cousin or had he killed him for control of the property at some point? He used a variety of names but must have kept his real name for trustee if he was her cousin.

Collier is going to have to improve his detecting skills without the American's help.

Jackie wrote: "I am in the process of buying a small house and I can't help thinking about naming it, since I have always wanted a house with a name, as if I lived in a village in one of Christie's novels.

The ..."

Not a problem! Nice to have a house with a name though the post office will demand an address.

Susan wrote: "Yes, it was definitely a thing wasn't it - growing large vegetables for the summer show! Very competitive, and I think we've seen these things in many a GA book. Who grew the biggest marrow, made t..."

Sometimes leading to murder!

I am reading The Mystery of the Crooked Man. It is filled with blatant Christie references without ever using her name. The protagonist is rather unlikable but interesting and humorously snide. Mixed feelings but I plan to persist.

I wonder if the author had to get permission from the Christie estate. So far the grandson has not been portrayed favorably.

It is fun to see how many references I can find. I know I am missing many. Almost wish I owned a copy I could highlight.

My first read of this was long ago and I don't really remember my reaction to the twist. I expect I was very surprised. It is an unforgetable twist and knowing it has colored subsequent reading. Now I try to guess, unsuccessfully, when Poirot suspects his friend. In my opinion, it does not stand up to rereading once the ending is known, unlike most of Christie's books.

Loved the Mah Jung scene. I listened to the book, and it sounds very true-to-life.

Judy wrote: "I'd like to nominate the second book in Clifford Witting's Inspector Charlton series, Midsummer Murder (nothing to do with the similarly named T..."

US: on kindle for $5

Susan wrote: "I can change it if it's too expensive. Is Dorothy Erskine Muir available in the US, Sandy? Shedunnit is looking at her in their new episode and I've never read anything by her. Sh..."

The three you listed are all $4 in the US.

Cluff is $17 on kindle in US, but the BL series is usually avai!able in libraries.

I have started this after listening to the Secret Life of Books podcast recommended earlier. It is a reread, so I listened to the spoilers. Don't remember much of the plot but remember the twist!

I am listening to an audio version narrated by Hastings (who is not in the story). Poirot is still a very 'new' character.

Bobby does not have to chase the murderer through the darkness in this one, so maybe he is feeling his age. He uses the technique of gathering everyone together for the grand reveal, with the exception of the murderer(s). I was surprised by the ending but, looking back, it was properly clued.

Punshon still has strange women in his characters. This takes place entirely outside London and Olive is only vaguely referred to in an offhand comment about girlfriends. I missed her.

Susan in NC wrote: "Thanks, everyone-don’t have a laptop, only an iPad. I think it’s an iPad privacy thing, actually, not remembering the sites visited, so you log in every time."

When I am on a tablet (Amazon's Fire), I use the internet connection to access goodreds.com

My version of the ebook has a short story at the end telling why Bobby joined the police. From Curtis Evans' introduction, there are five short stories and one will be included at the end of the last five books. Nice to revisit young Bobby.

Other than growing older and moving up the ranks he hasn't changed much. He complains about not being able to do as much as he could but still races through woods and pummels the bad guy.

I've barely started myself. So many books....

I also only use my laptop. Susan in NC, go to Goodreads.com. It is a two - three step sign in procedure.

I am reading Death in Kashmir, more spy thriller than mystery and exciting if unlikely. Wonderful characters. I wish the author had continued with this cast. (I'm assuming that she doesn't but haven't read any others.)

Judy wrote: "Ah ha, I see! Sorry, Sandy - I hope you are soon top of the list for St Cyr then. I haven't tried that series but have heard good things about it."

RE St Cy: Needs to be read in order and probably a bit melodramatic but exciting with interesting characters.

Judy wrote: "Hope you get to the top of the wait list for The Life of Crime soon, Sandy! It's a lot of fun."

I read Life of Crime a couple of years ago and agree it is a lot of fun. The book I am waiting for is the second in the post, the latest in the historical St Cyr series. Sorry to be confusing. I'm 4th in line.

Susan in NC wrote: "Judy wrote: "Has anyone read The Life of Crime: Detecting the History of Mysteries and their Creators by Martin Edwards?

I'm currently reading this and really enjoyi..."

I am on the wait list and chomping at the bit!

Judy wrote: "Haha Jackie, there used to be a lot of warnings about it in the UK, but I don't remember hearing anything about it in recent years!"

If you got to the end of the book you would know why you don't hear about the plant now. And that is one impressive photo! I pictured something about chest high.

, a loser in our latest poll, is free today in the US.