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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

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.

Welcome Sophia. Osman has a couple of excellent series going

Both books are $4 for kindle in the US.

While I still have ten hours left in Tombland. Will be late for monthly reads!

And for those in the US who are slightly behind in our buddy reads, Friends in High Places is $4.

In US, Close to Death is $2. Good series.

I have started now after clearing out a couple of library books. It is good to be back in Shardlake's world (at least virtually). However, I am sad Sansom didn't get to complete his vision of Shardlake's life and this will be it. I may imagine my own happy ending for him (I'm assuming he will still be lonely at the end of this book.)

I am only about to go to Norfolk and my reading time will be limited the next few days, so I expect to progress slowly.

I'm another that was really annoyed by Ted. And after a lot of attention given to people hearing 'Me, OK', including Olive(!), that plot point was entirely dropped with no resolution.

However, like Shaina, I enjoyed this book and for the same reasons. In addition, I thought the plot was nicely intricate, the feud between the two gangs was interesting and Olive got plenty of face time. And there was the new hire with his umbrella.

I may be the only one continuing on to the (bitter?) end. I started this last night and am enjoying it despite an unnerving supernatural element. No strange women!

Judy wrote: "Sandy wrote: Thank you! Undecided whether to listen now or later. I haven't even started Shardlake yet.

Sorry, I think it may be best to listen to the podcast I mentioned after finishing the book ..."

Thanks.