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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Welcome to the group Ian.

Susan in NC wrote: "I’m done with group reads for Christmas week, amusing myself with light holiday favorites- like The Convivial Codfish by Charlotte MacLeod. This is another of her li..."

I haven't read that series. Will I be lost, or miss important back story, if I read #5 now?

Although I didn't much like our last Lord Edgington book, I read The Mystery of Mistletoe Hall, officially #4 in the series. The author makes it clear that it is meant to be a stand-alone.

I enjoyed it more than the last one, perhaps because we are back to country mansions under feet of snow, not boarding schools. There are nods to And Then There Were None. I was unsatisfied with the murderer and motive, but the plot is okay and there are many Christmas elements.

Murder at the Old Vic Theatre: A gripping, unputdownable and cozy Golden Age murder mystery (Book 2 - sorry no cover that I can find)

This may be a reprint of an earlier series (from GR):
The second book in the charming, unputdownable and cosy murder mystery series, Poppy Denby Investigates! Coming this Autumn 2024!

However, Poppy Denby is an 'old' series that already has five or six books.

I thought it was a wonderful wrap up to the series. I agree the plot was intricate and probably a bit unrealistic, but I found it interesting and thought it nicely brought past and future together for Bottando. I am not interested in reading about the four-some's further adventures so it was a satisfying ending, especially as they are set financially. (Also improbable, but a nice touch.)

I doubt Flavia shared her stomach problems with Jonathan and she had her mind on other problems. She should have been more suspicious if things had changed since their marriage.

I've started and was surprised that Flavia and Jonathan have been together for ten years. I never noticed if dates or time gaps were mentioned earlier, but there is only a year gap between this one and the last.

I've finished and agree that it is darker, and I also feel sorry for Elizabeth. I hope her parents get there soon and brighten her life.

The idiotic boss's comment regarding how many similar murders could go undetected was quite insightful for him. He is definitely one of the characters that enhances the series. Crosby's training seems to be proceeding nicely; he got a few answers right and was allowed out on his own for a bit.

I am starting this and, for those who do Audible, it is free (in US) until 12/31.

Susan in NC wrote: "Jackie wrote: "I am into my second read of this and I love Lady Lupin, so perhaps there is no amount of silliness that is too much for me. It's easier to keep all the village women (so few men!) st..."

I don't remember ever using the cast listing at the front of the book as much as I did for this one.

I've started one of my library Christmas books, The Santa Klaus Murder. Golden age and common set up: family gathers for the holiday and someone murders the patriarch.

Susan in NC wrote: "Sorry to divert from the book under discussion! I do hope try Lady Lupin #2 if it becomes available, I really am curious if she sharpens up, or continues to muddle along…"

I plan to continue as my library has all four books. Though Lady Lupin may try my patience before I get to them all. I appreciate how she conducts meetings.

I finished a short story collection, Christmas Crimes at the Mysterious Bookshop. Although I don't usually enjoy short stories as much as full length books, I found this to be an excellent collection. While there is always a variation in quality, I found no disasters and many memorable reads. Very glad I included it with my holiday reads.

This is the one buddy read I have read in a timely fashion (it is a Christmas book and completed a 2024 challenge in another group). The Gracie Allen comparison on my book cover is very apt, though I gather it was just an act for Gracie. Very glad her husband loves her, but I think she would become tiresome.

However, she is a fun character and I enjoyed the book.

I have it out of the library, but not sure when I will start. I have several Christmas books to get through. I love the series so it won't be too long.

I have it out of the library, but not sure when I will start. I have several Christmas books to get through.

Skipping this read as I am very far behind and it is a re-read. Enjoy.

I finished two books recently (pressure!). Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret, third in a series and really a novella. This is a series where the author talks to the reader, gives away future plot points (though not always fulfilled in the way one expects) and promises to follow the rules of GA mysteries. Quirky and amusing.

Then, Mr Campion's Christmas, a continuation of the Allingham series. This is the 12th continuation and, according to the author's note at the end, the last. Oddly, he mentions setting them in the 1960's and 70's but this one is set in 1962. It is more of a spy thriller than a murder mystery, but Campion had secret service connections. Lugg, Amanda and son Rupert are all present. I am tempted to add Ripley's books to my long list of TBR's.

Finished The Grey Wolf and loved it with reservations. Really can't say too much without getting into spoilers. Very intricate plot.

Pondering my next read: the Lorac that is already late and I own, or one of a variety of Christmas reads that I have out of the library. One of these fulfills a 2024 'requirement' in another group. Note that our buddy reads are not mentioned though I also have these out of the library. I got a bit carried away!

CrimeReads has a short article by Martin Edwards on The Theft of the Iron Dogs: A Lancashire Mystery, mentioning Lorac's love of the countryside.

https://crimereads.com/martin-edwards...

P.S. I'm finding this CrimeReads site harder and more annoying to navigate with ads popping up where they not wanted.

I've found that humor is a very personal taste.