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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

My review of How to Solve Your Own Murder. I gave it four stars.

Very enjoyable with the two murders, old and new, meshing nicely. Implication this is the start of the series and I'm hesitant that will work.

I was sorry the narrator gave up his bookstore; it was an interesting feature. And I hope his landlady finds a new tenant.

I was a bit disappointed in the ending; I'm not in favor of complicated methods and the murderer's reasoning seemed weak. However, I enjoyed the book, the characters, and the narrator was great. I wonder if he will continue to 'help' in his uncle-in-law cases. They certainly got along well.

Have we read the story of the washed-up comic's comeback somewhere? Maybe in a short story collection? It was very familiar!

I have started now and like the story and the author's style. I wondered for a bit which would be the on-going detective but then noted the name of the series. However, I expect a connection will develop!

Edited above post - the entire series is available on kindle in the US. For some reason Amazon puts the last two books in their own series and does not show them on the author's page.

Susan wrote: "I read Catt Out of the Bag and liked it.

These are the books in his series:
Inspector Harry Charlton
1. Murder in Blue (1937)
2. Midsumme..."

Amazon in US:
1. Murder in Blue (1937) - available
2. Midsummer Murder (1937) - available
3. The Case of the Michaelmas Goose (1938) - available
4. Catt out of the Bag (1939) - available
5. Measure for Murder (1941) - available
6. Subject: Murder (1945) - available
7. Let X Be the Murderer (1947) - available
8. Dead on Time (1948) - available

On pre-order but NOT Kindle:
Case of the Busy Bees
There Was a Crooked Man

Each kindle book is about $5

Susan wrote: "I will nominate what sounds like a good summer read:

Murder on Paradise Island: A Golden Age Mystery

“Take my ..."

In US: $3 on kindle

This was a reread for me and I love the series: a mix of a smart Wooster and a wise-cracking Poirot, but humor is very personal.

I am reading The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club. Not a favorite so far but good enough to finish. The author has sub-plots involving 'every' possible post-WWI problem, and I don't find the characters riveting. I remember liking Major Pettigrew's Last Stand from many years ago.

Craftyhj wrote: "I am not sure if I should admit this or not but I am reading my first ever Sherlock Holmes; A Study in Scarlet."

Good place to start as it introduces Holmes and Watson, but probably my least favorite.

Susan in NC wrote: "I just picked up a hold from the library that comes highly recommended from a dear GR friend: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. Hoping to start soon, having company..."

I started that book today! I was inspired because I read a biography of the main character years ago, A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812. Excellent book and so far the novel rings true to the character as I remember her.

In the US: The Busy Body for $2.

I gave it five stars.
My review:
An extra star for 'unexpected'. This was not a book on my radar, and I only heard of the author because of his podcast. The setting, plot and characters were all well-done. There is a bit of snarky humor as well as a golden age flavor. I loved picturing the Crystal Palace that was the scene of the murder. Clues were fairly presented, and I could hear a warning sound from the podcast during the wrap-up. I'm looking forward to a series starring the (unnamed) Ghostwriter.

I finished The Murder of Mr. Ma, a Sherlock / Watson takeoff with two Chinese main characters set in 1920's London. I thought it interesting and amusing. It very much highlights the 'yellow peril' fear rampant in the West at that time. While the real Judge Dee character is Sherlock, the actual man lived a thousand years earlier and this one has nearly superhuman powers.

In the 'did not finish' category is Over My Dead Body. The premise sounded interesting, but I couldn't get into it and have too many other books waiting.

And Eleanor Farjeon is the sister of the Farjeon we know.

Very good news.

Carissa wrote: "As an FYI for anyone who is interested - the full-cast adaptation of Agatha Christie's "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" is available on BBC Sounds for the next 3.5 weeks! I just finished listening to it ..."

Thank you.

Jill wrote: "Am now starting Bleeding Heart Yard by Elly Griffiths, one of my favourite authors."

And I am about to start The Last Word before the library reclaims it.

Ruth wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I've just discovered at least the first four Feathering books are narrated by Ralph Cosham, who died ten years ago. I love his narration for other books. Nothing like anticipating the..."

It does get confusing. Audible just released Stephen Fry's narration of Harry Potter in the US. I loved Jim Dale but I'm still tempted (as though I have the time to re-listen!).

I have read the first four, liked them and intend to continue the series. It has been a couple of years so there is not much I remember except for the Singapore atmosphere.

Frances wrote: "I'm about a third of the way in and am enjoying this one as well-I do enjoy his writing, the short chapters are great, and I do like Mrs Pargeter as a character. Is she going to change house every ..."

My thought exactly (as you will see when you get to the spoiler thread).