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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

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.

He gave the money away so the money wasn't for his betterment.

I was concerned when Christina was introduced that the series was going to have a new love interest in each book. If they end up happily married, I will be content. She is an interesting addition.

Loved all the details about the salt works. I had no idea so much was involved.

The interaction amoung the three main characters is a real strength in the series.

However, I was less happy with the villain and his motive. I thought just wanting to be worse than his brother pretty weak. I am not a fan of reading about psychopath killers as there is nothing for the investigation to reason out. On the other hand, I found the archer character quite compelling. And the blind man's witnessing of the scene was excellent.

In US, Miraculous Mysteries is $1

Susan wrote: "Three Hands in the Fountain One of our buddy reads next month is currently 99p."

In US, $2

This and a nonfiction book (feeling guilty about all my light reading) are up next.

I enjoyed this. The different characters backgrounds were every bit as good as the mystery.

Hmmm.... I thought the ending weaker than the rest of the book. Maybe the author is setting up an ongoing villain to be met later.

I liked that the clock and Japanese karate both saved Fandorin's life. I hope the troubled young man finds peace in Tahiti.

Was there a hint that Fandorin is going to spend time with Clarissa? I will look at the synopsis of the next book.

What a fun PhD! Welcome.

I'm enjoying it as well. Particularly like the different character in each chapter (though there is one I would like to see less of).