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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I was depressed by the fortune teller's advice at the end: that Emma should get on with her life. I had hopes that Ruby and Edgar would break up.

Pretty good entry in the series but Ruth Galloway and Griffith's other current day series (I can never remember the name) remain favorites. I have The Frozen People from the library so will be reporting on that series soon.

I am halfway through and not finding it as interesting as the other Griffith's I have read. Like Judy I find Max more interesting than Edgar.

In US: , #3 in Shetland series, is $3.

Glad to hear that the series get better Carolien. I was not looking forward to Madden without his police buddies.

The queens are well worth discovering and rereading and Sayers might be my favorite.

In US: is $2. A new series that I like. This may be #2.

Wow does Bernie go through a lot! I agree with Judy's comments. I was very glad when Bernie took time to explain what was going on because I got confused. The setting of the book is a major draw.

Also agree the ending with Inge's disappearance is true to the time. I would have liked Bernie to be happy but suppose that does not fit with the hard-boiled PI persona,

Opportunity to do a lot of audio books coincided with several Audible freebies about to expire meant I have tried several books that I have been ignoring.

In ascending order:

Murder in Fulbridge Village: A 1920s Mystery, I did not finish this one

An Occupied Grave, ok but no intention of continuing the series

A Body on the Beach, a very kind and patient set of experienced detectives training the younger team members. Interesting plot.

Fallen Into the Pit, by Cadfael's author and the lead character is as calm and understanding as Cadfael. His young son 'helps' with the investigation. Will consider continuing but I have too many series currently.

Mud, Muck and Dead Things, currently reading and liking it so far.

Meanwhile I await the library delivery of one of our buddy reads.

I read the next Maigret, Maigret and the Toy Village and found it a bit strange with Maigret's fascination with a young woman mirroring Bobby Owen's. Once again Simenon has written a concise and well-plotted mystery.

Judy wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I have very mixed feelings. While I liked the characters and the writing, I do not care for murders that are committed by psychopaths. There is no real motive to uncover and in this b..."

I too intend to try another as there were parts I really liked and Madden and his police cohorts were wonderful characters. Hoping for "normal" murderer next time.

My library request for the book has been "in transit" for (what seems like) weeks.

I liked this T&T more than the earlier ones, but then I like a nice domestic murder more than international intrigue. While "everyone" assumes Tuppence always recklessly puts her life in danger, looking at gravestones is not usually risky.

Interesting resolution to the mystery. Will the husband face any consequences for harboring a murderer?

Judy wrote: "Has anyone seen the TV adaptation of this one, from the Marple series starring Geraldine McEwan?

I'm a bit wary of watching it as it has Miss Marple added into the story (I wish they hadn't done ..."

Those sounds like ridiculous changes, and completely unnecessary.

I have started and find I am quite fond of Bernie. The pre-WWII atmosphere of fear in Berlin is very well done.

I really need to be completely sitting up before drinking my coffee so having it in bed never sounded good to me. I even have trouble reading in bed. Maybe having it delivered to a side table and chair which old bedrooms always had.

I am deep into T&T and am enjoying the middle-aged couple more than the youngsters. Listening to Hugh Fraser.

I have very mixed feelings. While I liked the characters and the writing, I do not care for murders that are committed by psychopaths. There is no real motive to uncover and in this book there wasn't a mystery as we met the killer early. However, the police's identification showed intelligent work and the chase scenes were exciting. I also liked the interaction within the Scotland Yard personnel, though I gather Madden will no longer be part of the team.

The twist at the end might be the final blow. I cannot fathom how the killer could have positioned a dead body into the driver's seat in a moving, burning car. I felt that was added simply to allow our heroine to be put in mortal danger.

I also did not care for the involvement of the Freud-like character. Probably in that time period such a concept was new and an explanation needed, but it is familiar to today's readers.

I switched from listening with book in hand, to reading only for speed.

I am reading it but losing patience with the plot at about the halfway point. Characters are great.

Elly Griffiths has started a new series with the first book just published, The Frozen People. It involves time travel (small shudder) so I was hesitant but have requested it from the library. I'm far down on the list due to my hesitancy.

However, CrimeReads has an interview with the author and it sounds quite interesting.

crimereads.com/elly-griffiths-on-vict...

I loved Ruth Galloway, like her other ongoing series (name escapes me but see today's deals), and am wavering regarding the Brighton magician series we are buddy reading.

Interesting ... I am halfway into River of Darkness and liking it less, though the characters are great. Could be an interesting discussion.

I have started one of our buddy reads, River of Darkness and loving it. Listening with a paper copy by my side.