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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Susan in NC wrote: "Silver Blaze? Is that an alternate title? I’ve never heard of it."

The Holmes story "The Adventure of the Silver Blaze" is the one where the clue of the dog that didn't bark in the night occurs, not Hound of the Baskervilles.

I noticed a tine correction between my old hardcover book and the audio. When they are talking about the Sherlock Holmes book with the dog that didn't bark, the book mentioned 'Hound of the Baskervilles' while the audio corrected it to 'Silver Blaze'.

I love this series; the books are an interesting mix of humor, solid police work, good plots and human characters with their personal lives.

The murderer in this one was worse than many, willing to eliminate any one between him and financial gain. I was struck by the timeliness of the major plot point given the publication date. We humans are very good at ignoring the problems we cause.

I also really liked this book. It is the first I listened to (as well as having a print version).

The plot was excellent and Sloan's personal choices added interest. Poor Mrs. Sloan!

Another I have from the library and will be reading soon. Couldn't find an un-abridged audio version.

I have it from the library and will be starting soon.

I've started another of our upcoming reads, Some Die Eloquent, on audio with a print version alongside. I do like Sloan.

Jessica-sim wrote: "Mwah I don’t know. I’m not really vibing with these books. The period descriptions feel very affected. The bircher musli and toblerone better turn out to be the murder weapons for all the attention..."

I'm currently reading a mystery set in the 1950's (Viviana Valentine Goes Up The River) and it has much the same problem: trying too hard with brand names and the bakelite phone. However the story is fine.

I'm reading The Framed Women of Ardemore House, one of my new book requests that are coming available with disturbing frequency (disturbing only because they are due back sooner thus creating reading pressure).

So far I am not deeply involved in the book, but liking it enough to continue. Unfortunately (?) when I return it I will have two other new books to pick up. Not the worst problem to have!

Susan in NC wrote: "Great points - and I did like the ending better, as I felt the police would have the confession and the two survivors to explain what happened (bizarre as it was)."

I doubt those two survivors would come forward voluntarily!

Very interesting precursor to 'And Then There Were None' and, in many ways, better (but I am not a great fan of ATTWN). I thought that it started great but then dragged a bit with all the accusations and rebuttals. I liked that the party guests knew one another and could each find, first a reason for being invited, and second a reason why someone would want to kill them.

However, I knocked off a star as some of the dialogue, including the explanation, went on too long and may of the killing methods were unlikely. And I didn't understand how the murderer could change records!

The ending was excellent: Peter figuring out the murderer, Jean recognizing the pen's danger and finally the two of them escaping without having to explain their presence. The police will have the confession to solve the crime.

Fred wrote: "Reading "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larson. I actually watched some of the movie, but decided since I got the book in a library book sale last year to read the book first then watch ..."

Always a good decision.

In US: The Secret Hours for $4

Judy wrote: "Must say I was a bit disappointed when Caroline picks the rare orchid - as this is so unrealistic in general, surely she could have decided to leave it there and save some wildlife, whatever attitu..."

I agree; wish a picture would have done. Though we might have missed the image of Jack holding her upside down by the ankles.

A Month in the Country sounds wonderful but not on sale in the US (available but not cheap). I've added it to my library 'for later' list.

We sometimes see possums here (Massachusetts) but they are often tailless because of the cold winters (not this winter however!).

P.S. I'm assuming James will be in the next book as well and does that imply Lloyd's suspects one of the natural history members of insurance fraud? Or am I expecting too much from such a light spoof?

I assumed early that this was written to be humorous (the Golden Platypus and the extraordinarily long name of one character gave it away) so read it with that in mind. Still didn't really work for me, but humor is always very personal. I loved the ending twist where she was saved by her shovel-wielding school friend instead of the tall handsome male interest.

It will be nice to visit their next location, but I doubt it is a series I'll continue.

Judy wrote: "I've finished this now and I really liked it, despite not usually being a fan of serial killer novels - just brilliant! I saved Curtis Evans' introduction for the end and thought it was very good, ..."

I suppose I'll heed your warning and save the introduction until after I read the book, but I'm annoyed. I like knowing about the history and the authors before reading.

I've started The Lantern's Dance, latest in the Mary Russell / Sherlock Holmes series. One of my favorite series and this entry is off to a promising start.