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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

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.

I have, finally started this and agree that it starts with a bang. This and then Bobby Owen and I can put December behind me.

Nick wrote: "Hi everyone! I’ve been a lurker for a while. Generally, I’m fairly new to the golden age of detective fiction but I grew up obsessed with Detective Conan so I’m finally trying to educate myself. Cu..."

Lurkers are always welcome, whether they show themselves or not. Hope you enjoy our 2025 challenge.

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.