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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Frances wrote: "It took me a while to figure out whether this was set in the UK or US-they used dollars but talked of places that are in the UK (although I assume there a places with the same name in the US). I'm ..."

Regarding place names: there are not many original names in New England; we took the "new" England designation seriously.

Just read A Death in Diamonds, wherein Queen Elizabeth II very quietly solves mysteries. This is the fourth in the series and, unlike the first three, is historical, taking place in 1957. Nicely intricate plot.

Mike wrote: "I have added a new paragraph to my post of Feb 04, which I think may amuse everyone."

Oops!

Yes, a couple of unusual twists. I sympathized with the lawyer who came in at the end, was confused by the explanations, and wanted to know who this Gamadge was and why he was always on the scene.

I am about halfway through and enjoying it. Likeable amateur detective though not sure why he is involved.

In the US: The Man in the Queue is $1.

In the US: Three Hands in the Fountain, this month's Falco, is $2.

Loved The Wrong Hands, but read the first in the series first.

I'm with Judy: I think Vicarage is the better novel and Poirot the better character (in the first book - Marple picks up in later books). Vicarage has better characters.

In the US, The Corpse in Oozak's Pond, #6 in the Peter Shandy series, is $1.

Miss Marple is definitely the brains of this investigation. Amusing standoff between the annoying inspector and the vicar over the clock. I sided with the vicar though he had to relent eventually.

The comparison of this vicar's wife and the one in Who Killed the Curate? struck me. Both seem quite unsuited to the job.

Do you think Christie expected to continue with Miss Marple as a main character? She is very secondary to the vicar in this book.

Susan wrote: "I have enjoyed a quiet afternoon listening to this on Audible. Richard E. Grant is narrating and it is a lot of fun."

I wish I had chosen that narrator. I had Joan Dickson and it was strange listening to Miss Marple playing the vicar, Still enjoyed it of course.

Perhaps not as much of a deal as some, but timely for an upcoming read. In the US, Brother Cadfael's Penance is $4.

I am reading Men at Arms, in the Discworld series. Perhaps because I haven't visited Discworld lately, but I am finding this entry great fun.

A month late, but The Mysterious Affair at Styles is $2 in the US.

I've started Murder at the Vicarage and looked for an audio version narrated by Joan Dickson, forgetting that Miss Marple is not the narrator of the first book. It is a bit disconcerting to hear Miss Marple as the vicar.

While I agree with all the unresolved questions, I found the plot easier to follow than some Maigret's. I wonder if Simenon gets bored having Maigret always in Paris and just moves him around randomly.

I liked the reference to a younger, inexperienced Maigret.

I am reading Murder at Mallowan Hall, first in a series starring Christie's fictional housekeeper for an historical mystery challenge. Fine so far, but not compelling. Agatha and Max are very much in the background.