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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Judy wrote: "I've read Daggers at the Country Fair by Catherine Coles, the second book in the Martha Miller series, set in the 1940s. It was a quick, light read but I didn't thi..."

So much easier decision when it is the first book you don't particularly like.

I have a bunch of new book requests that have become available. I read Neighborhood Watch, which is a lot of fun. Who doesn't fantasize about murdering nasty rich people? I am now listeneing to How to Solve Your Own Murder which is off to a good start.

Upcoming is a mystery-adjacent book: Gardening Can Be Murder: How Poisonous Poppies, Sinister Shovels, and Grim Gardens Have Inspired Mystery Writers.

Finally there is a non-mystery: A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks. I am still, infrequently and slowly, working my way through The World: A Family History of Humanity.

And there are others whose pub dates are very close.

I really enjoyed this. I "suspected" the murderer / thief but mostly because she was such a major character and so very pleasant. Argyll's struggles with his conscience and wavering over decisions endear him to me. His parting gift to the widow was generous.

Loved the meeting with the boss shaming his rival!

I am currently reading this. I really like the characters and so far the plot is interesting. The author is having fun disparaging British transport and summer weather.

I have a similar complaint about this book as I did for Helen Passes By. There is too much dwelling on one aspect. This time it is the haunting music; last time it was Helen's beauty.

Read this and enjoyed it and am eager to find out more about her husband. I appreciated that there was a reason she could do all sorts of odd nefarious things. Made her a more likely sleuth than many amateurs.

I have had this on kindle for a long time but never wanted to say good-bye to Fen. I will be joining but have a few new books to read first. Many library requests are arriving at the same time.

I'm with Jill; not my favorites but good enough for a reread.

I am starting a new book Neighborhood Watch that, along with another non-mystery, is due back to the library soon so needs to take preference over buddy reads.

Judy wrote: "I've started The Luck Runs Out - I listened to it a few years ago, but am reading it as an ebook this time and so far am enjoying it more in this format. Looking forward to reading on..."

And I read it the first time and listened this time. Unfortunately, I fell asleep for the last few chapters so had to finish up this morning. A problem with audio books; they continue on even though you aren't listening.

My review of Mrs Plansky (three stars) and I've completely forgotten the book.

Not a mystery but more an adventure story (think of a slightly more realistic Mrs. Pollifax). It was slow starting but picked up once Mrs. Plansky took charge of her situation. Co-incidences abound but nothing very outlandish.

I definitely agree about many of today's cozy mysteries! It is usually easy to avoid them as the covers give them away (or highlight them for their fans). And I am one who likes romance in many of my mysteries (Sebastian St Cyr and Kincaid and James for examples). I even followed Stephanie Plum for too many books. Another well done example from GA is Alleyn and Troy.

Susan in NC wrote: "See, you’re a mod, so probably read more of the group reads then most members- I only read a couple of the Buddy reads a month!"

I don't read all the buddy reads (we try to make sure at least one mod reads each) but this month I'm following them all - and enjoying them.

I am working on this month's buddy reads; finished Simon Brett and have started Bobby Owen. And there are three more to go.

Keith wrote: "I have already read some of these and enjouyed them I still have a few of the titles I haven't read yet, I thought it worth while to spread them out a bit"

I agree; there are many series that should not be read one after another.

Jill wrote: "I am now starting Servant of Death by Sarah Hawkswood for our buddy read. I will try not to compare it with Cadfael, but looks like it could be difficult."

I am always impressed by the members who are onto next month's reads while I am still struggling with this month's. Good work.

I never signed up for notifications.

Judy wrote: "Not sure if this has already been mentioned, sorry, but this year's Bodies From the Library conference (tied in with the British Library Crime Classics reprints) is taking place at the British Libr..."

I 'attended' during covid when it was virtual and free. Loved it and still working my way through that reading list. Will check out the new recommendations. Thanks.

My only observation is that we have had much more likely elderly murders.

Neer wrote: "Have just started J. Jefferson Farjeon's Aunt Sunday Sees It Through. I have started liking him once again after recently finishing his The Double Crime. Anybody else likes him?"

I have read three of his books with the group and enjoyed them. The one I remember most (read last year) is Seven Dead. It is quite an adventure.