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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

In the US for those wanting to read the next two books from our challenge: The Complete Jack Haldean Murder Mysteries: Books 1-4 is $1. While it is called 'complete', GR lists other entries in the series.

Jessica-sim wrote: "Audible has a dramatisation in their plus catalog and it’s such fun! 🤣
I don’t think it would work as a first time read, the characters aren’t really well introduced but if you’ve read it before it..."

I listened to this last night and agree it would not do if I didn't know the plot already. Too many female voices at the beginning without realizing how they were connected to the family. However, an enjoyable evening's entertainment.

I forgot about the limp; it did disappear immediately. From Hastings first meeting with Poirot, I got the impression they were only slightly acquainted but later it seemed they had known each other quite well.

You can tell Christie is inexperienced as she starts both series with elderly lead detectives. It gives her no room for growth. She couldn't have anticipated such a long life for Poirot.

Sad but the tributes are lovely. Thank you for posting.

Neer wrote: "I have one. The First Time He Died by Ethel Lina White. First published in 1935, the book is available for free download @ Project Gutenberg Australia."

In US: $6 for kindle

Explains why I never get to the books I own.

Up next (i.e. yesterday's library pick-ups)


The Case of the Missing Maid
We Three Queens
Under Lock & Skeleton Key

And then there are our mid-month reads.

About to start Styles for our 2025 challenge.

Requested Dead Men Don't Ski from my library. It has been on my TBR for a while and the reviews look great.

I enjoyed this entry a lot. It is more of a traditional mystery than either the one with the haunting piano music or the one with the woman of extraordinary beauty (that Bobby never sees).

Susan wrote: "One of the things I thought about this was how complete it was as a first novel. Poirot is almost fully formed, he has his sidekick, so all is in place for the series. Where do we think this first ..."

However his sidekick didn't last long. I'm glad the TV series gave Hastings a longer run.

Bought Case in the Clinic for $1.

In the US: The Stranger Diaries is $2. First book in Elly Griffith's current series.

My 4-start review: Very good; I enjoyed the multiple view points and stayed up late to finish it. Good use of Gothic elements.

Judy wrote: "I found it quite entertaining, especially Stephen and Bridger at the start, and Stephen's disastrous attempts to be a footman! I was sorry not to see more of Bridger and pleased he helps to solve t..."

I was also sorry to not see more of Bridger. Stephen ignored him for quite a while after they both arrive at their new home.

This may have worked well as magazines episodes with each entry ending on, or starting with, a failed solution.

My review from my first read in 2022:
At times this seemed more like a Golden Age spoof than one written during the time period. Reminiscent of the author's The Poisoned Chocolates Case with all the tentative solutions.

I enjoyed my re-read as it is amusing if unrealistic.

Amazon usually confuses me, but all I see is an Audible version available in January. However, they also say I can't buy Impact of Evidence until April and I've bought it from them already (not the BLCC version).

Another re-read and I don't remember the plot.

his will be a re-read and I have the book from the library.

I know I'm a month late but I have this out of the library now and I WILL be reading it!

Excellent book; very atmospheric. I found the detective bland and much prefer MacDonald. I never suspected the murderer but was glad it wasn't one of the many characters I liked.

I am confused as to how the body was put in the car as I thought Rivers had determined the car doors couldn't be opened while it was in the garage.