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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

The Icelandic series books range from $6 to $12 in the US.

Sandy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: Hell Bay is $3.49 used paperback on Abe books, ship from 🇬🇧. Makes me wonder if it’s available in 🇺🇸?"

From what I find none of the Hell Bay series are available on kindle in the US."

I am reading a new book, Death at the Dress Rehearsal. It is set in 1972, starring two older actors as the amateur detectives. Enjoying it. It is billed as the start of yet another series.

Loved the book; the setting of London during the Blitz was dramatic and added complexity to the investigation. All the characters were interesting and well-drawn; I felt I knew them all. Mr. Ramses might be my favorite; there was a hint he could pop up again. I would willing spend time with any of them, even the murdered man.

As discussed above, I also have a problem with elaborate murder methods that require timing and luck. In addition, I wonder how the murderer explained his 'missing' fifteen or twenty years. I remember some mention of visiting his homeland. Finally, I doubt people born in the tropics age quicker. While there is sun damage to skin, he left at age six.

I second the Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect recommendation. There is a Christmas book due next.

Glad to have you back!

Probably because I disliked the setting of this book, I enjoyed it less than the first. On the plus side, there is humor. The twist at the end was unexpected and added interest.

I own the Christmas book and may read that one in December but will skip the third book unless I hear great things about it! So, let me know Vanessa.

I agree that the author's notes at the end encouraged me to support him. I read the first of another of his series and gave it three stares. Murder at Everham Hall.

On to our other monthly read.

Jeri Westerson is the author of the King Henry VIII's fool mysteries that I like. Hope to try Crispin Guest sometime.

Fred wrote: "I finished "Murder Included" by Joanna Cannan. This had been on my Kindle for a long time. I usually like British police procedurals, but this was not my favorite. The detective looked down on the ..."

I also will be starting Moonflower Murders for the same reason.

I gave Unruly: The Ridiculous History of England's Kings and Queens four stars. My review:

An excellent way to get your history lesson; the author made most of these monarchs memorable. Lots of humor, with many asides, some of which (as a non-Brit) I didn't understand. Oddly (as the author is a professional), I didn't particularly like the audio version and stuck with print.

Also in the US, The Socialite's Guide to Murder is $2. I know nothing about this book but was attracted by yet another "guide to murder". Reading the GR description, I'm not sure why 'socialite' but the book sounds ok.

In the US, The Clutter Corpse, first in a new-ish series by Simon Brett, is $1. I've read them and liked them. Might be a bit more serious than Mrs. Parageter.

Started this now and not particularly impressed so far. Grandfather and the body have appeared so am hoping it improves.

In the US:

Judy is right, Impact of Evidence is $1 when it is by Lorac

Bleeding Hooks, $1

Horizontal Man, $5
In a Lonely Place $12
The four book collection, $20

Susan in NC wrote: "Oh, thanks Sandy, for the new-to-me nonfiction titles. I had meant years ago to read The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers, but had forgotten about it. R..."

The Autobiography is fiction but recommended as having good portrayal of Somers, not that there is really much known about him. From the Fool book, much is legend.

he first in the historical series is Courting Dragons.

I just finished Nicked, a humorous, swashbuckling view of what was probably a serious undertaking in its day.

I am also reading two non-fiction books: Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party: How an Eccentric Group of Victorians Discovered Prehistoric Creatures and Accidentally Upended the World and Fool: In Search of Henry VIII's Closest Man. "Fool" I am finding dry, but it has inspired me to read The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers. This interest in Henry's fool was tweaked by an historical mystery series using Will Somers (fool) as the main character.

I will be starting our monthly reads soon, to balance the non-fiction reads.

I will be reading this, probably starting in a couple of days. A quick trip to the library for a noon concert added a couple of books to my pile.

Vanessa wrote: "I was doing a very good job of keeping track of the characters, except for the guy that cut his hand. Every time he showed up, I had completely forgotten who he was.

I only started reading these ..."

I agree that I would have loved to hear Olive's reaction to Isobel's true character.

Susan in NC wrote: "I very much enjoyed the first book in a new-to-me historical mystery series, The Seeker byS.G. MacLean. It’s set in London, 1650s, during the Protectorate. I immedi..."

Glad to hear that The Seeker is good as I bought the series recently!