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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I have my copy from the library but need to finish two other buddy reads first.

P.S. For some reason I thought this was the last Cadfael so was pleasantly surprised that there are two more.

I am verging on the halfway mark, in print, and wondering how the Welsh can possibly pronounce such a collection of consonants. Quite different from the books set in the abbey. I think I have identified the young lovers ( once they meet).

Not my favorite Christie as there is too much international intrigue with foreign agents seeking mysterious papers that could destroy the free world. However it is a good introduction to our adventurous duo.

I have just started and am not much beyond meeting the Pekes. It is a reread but that doesn't mean I remember much. Heyer has already worked in a complaint about taxes.

I have two mysteries in process. Deadly Beloved, continuing my project of continuing my ignored series, and The Man Who Read Mysteries, a short story collection where the amateur detective takes on the style of his favorite literary detective. It has been lurking on my kindle for years.

I read Last Seen Wearing, a reprint of the 'first' police procedural by the US Library of Congress. It really is a police procedural as all the action is involves the police investigation. I liked it a lot and especially enjoyed the footnotes. It was written in 1950 and, as well as factual information, the footnotes explain many of the societal differences, with the Kinsey Report findings getting prominence.

He might also want to cover his identity given the loose lips of the characters. After saying 'I should not be telling you this...', they immediately spill all, including any wild rumors. Very human of course, but not complimentary to the palace staff.

I gave The Last Days of the Dinosaurs four stars.

My review:
A very interesting look at the end of dinosaurs / rise of mammals with 'personalized' views of the animals living through the calamity and its after affects. The author's enthusiasm is contagious.

A warning about the audio book: While labelled unabridged it does NOT contain the appendix where the author expands on what is known, what is suspected and where she gave free rein to imagination within the likely science.

Judy wrote: "Sandy, I agree about the cliffs and ropes - I always find those sorts of stunts hard to follow, although I suppose at least there was no danger of readers copying the murder and escape methods!

I ..."

I only wondered why the photo was noted and figured it must have been for a reason.

For US members: I found two versions of Murder by Matchlight available on kindle for either $1 or $10. And my library has a copy, saving me the dollar (or ten).

I am reading Death Under a Little Sky. Only about a third in but like it well enough to request the next book from the library.

Definitely agree; I enjoyed Mordecai immensely.

As usual with any 'locked room' aspect I was disappointed with the method of entry. My mind shut down once cliffs and ropes were involved.

This seemed more a series of episodes in Guy's life than a plotted story with a beginning, middle and end. Given the author's note at the end, he may have added a lot of padding to his idea to get a full-length book. Spending time with Guy and his friends is fine, but I could easily leave them to their own devices.

Regarding the plot, I found it hard to believe in the male victim's power over women, thus had trouble with the murderer's motive. It seemed as though the author chose the least likely suspect. And she was one of the reasonable characters I will miss.

I started listening to the audio book with a kindle version alongside, but there is too much going on for me to keep it straight on audio. Part of the problem is not remembering the characters from the first book very well. I am continuing in print.

Jill wrote: "I will nominate The Polo Ground Mystery by Robin Forsythe Hoping it is obtainable in US

Mr Sutton Armadale, the financier, was shot dead on the private polo groun..."

Polo Ground is $1 on kindle in the US.

Jill wrote: "I am now starting Lock No. 1 Georges Simenon. I like these short books of Maigret. They sort of feel like a palate cleanser between other authors."

I also appreciate the short length. Serves as a night's entertainment while I decide what to read next.

I finished this only minutes ago. I really like Mordecai Tremaine as the amateur detective.

I finished This Earthly Globe: A Venetian Geographer and the Quest to Map the World. I gave it four stars, rounded up. It is a series of travel logs united by the history of one man's desire to accurately map the world as it was being discovered. He used his political connections to maximum effect.