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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I am quite sad there is only one more book in the series. I wonder if the series will be tied up in some way with Flavia's promotion and their wedding.

I really liked this book: the sympathetic thief Mary and her aged lover willing to do whatever is necessary to get rid of his (almost) son; all the members of the religious community were interesting (poor Paul who will never get to go home); a truly evil murderer; Flavia learning the political ropes, practicing on easily intimidated Jonathan. There was an interesting historical backstory. Jonathan got to do his research. And I felt sorry for the naive man who thought his money would be doubled (after all it was guaranteed!).

I am also not familiar with the song, so didn't see any meaning. I wondered if it was intended to be an odd reference to Isabelle's switching interests.

Nike wrote: "I'm a true Agatha Christie lover but this is the second book I 've read where she doesn't stick to her traditional murder cases but to foreign affairs and agents and she doesn't do that very convin..."

I agree that Christie's spy books are nowhere as good as her mysteries. There was one I really disliked but I've forgotten the name. It is not part of a series nor was it Baghdad which I thought was a rather fun romp.

While I have read the other T&T books I can't remember if they are spy ones as well. We will be reading the others so watch the threads to see if they would appeal.

Frances, sounds like a wonderful trip and I am envious of both the trip and being able to sing well enough to be in a choir. I was asked to 'keep it down' in school classes. I do enjoy my private performances.

Finished The Wrong Hands. That and the first in the series were 5 stars reads for me.

In the US, Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Greatest Detective in the World is $2. I'm tempted.

Finished Cabaret Macabre and gave it three stars. The evil characters are fun to dislike, the plot is intricate, and the ending has twist after twist. Locked rooms are not my favorite and I ignore the unlikely murder methods.

Next up is second in another new series,The Wrong Hands. Interesting main character in this series: police detective, a murdered wife who was also a cop and with whom he has conversations, ballroom dancer, quirky sense of humor, and a pair of pet rats, Fred and Ginger.

I have a few new library books I need to read and return before I can start our mid-month books. I have started Cabaret Macabre, the second or third in a locked room series with a retired magician as the amateur detective. So far I have met the starring family, all of whom are interestingly distasteful.

Love Mapp and Lucia!

I am reading The Shakespeare Requirement, follow up to Dear Committee Members. No longer written in letters, but our main character and his college are still humorously dysfunctional.

Not sure if it helps, but 'In the Balance' is also known as 'Danger Point'.

Jackie wrote: "OK, I'll nominate In the Balance which is #4. I don't think I've read it but there's no telling. I haven't read it recently, anyway."

Interesting ... In the US 'In the Balance' is $12 on kindle according to Amazon, or free with kindle unlimited. I would imagine there are other options.

Susan wrote: "How can you remove them though, when mainly they are stuck in? I never personally used them when my children were small as I can't imagine if someone is going to drive aggressively, they would be l..."

Susan wrote: "How can you remove them though, when mainly they are stuck in? I never personally used them when my children were small as I can't imagine if someone is going to drive aggressively, they would be l..."

Big Ben due to be published in January in the US.
The Belfry Murder is available for $3.

I agree with Susan in NC that we have the benefit of hindsight in our view of Communism. It must have been very attractive to those who had lived under the Tsars; it promised so much.

Jill wrote: "I will nominate The Bungalow Mystery by Annie Haynes


"He had his tea as usual; when I knocked at the door with the tray (he always had afternoon tea), I found him..."

$1 on kindle in US

Finished The Port of London Murders (excellent book in case anyone is undecided about reading it) and Mad About the Boy? is up next.

Jill wrote: "I had never heard of Josephine Bell until reading this, and hope to be able to find more books by her. I really enjoyed this book, and think it deserves to be a crime classic. This was written just..."

The book was published in 1938, so pre-WW2.

Excellent book! Interesting three-dimensional characters and a very realistic setting. The police acted as one would expect. The plot was intricate and engaging as all these various threads came together.

My only quibble was that, in my opinion, the murderer would not risk his safety to return to kidnap June. It made for an exciting conclusion, however. The off-stage arrest of the married (?) couple was more realistic but much less dramatic.

Finished last night and absolutely loved it. The setting and characters were very well drawn, and the plot was interestingly intricate. Off to the spoiler thread.

I've read the first 2 - 3 chapters and am drawn in already: eager to see how these characters will be drawn together.