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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I finished it last night and quite like the characters and the humor. I am not familiar enough with P G Wodehouse to completely understand one joke.

Murder at Mallowan Hall is $2 in US.

I have started a quite different take on the usual amateur detective, Three Bags Full, with a herd of sheep investigating the murder of their shepard. The brightest sheep is Miss Maple. Intriguing so far but I am not far into it.

Keith wrote: "'When Christ and His Saints Slept' fleshes out the 12th century Anarchy, the civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda (called Maud in the book to differentiate between her and Stephen..."

I actually own that one (a pleasant surprise) and need help with the politics surrounding Cadfael. Now to find time for a big book!

I haven't tried Sharon Penman; will have to add her to my TBR. Thanks.

Loved Otherlands: A Journey Through Earth's Extinct Worlds

Keith wrote: "I wonder why there are only a total of 21 votes altogether. How many are there on Goodreads?"

First, only members of "Reading the Detectives" can vote, not everyone on Goodreads. Second, while there are 1900 members of the group (the number is at the bottom of the home page), few are active. 20 - 25 votes is common. One election when your vote really does count.

And I just finished The Grove of the Caesars, Davis' follow-up series once Falco retires.

I am reading The Murder Wheel, second in a new series, set in 1938, specializing in locked room mysteries.

Judy wrote: "In the UK a lot of the Medieval Mystery series is on Audible Plus, meaning if you are a member they're included without having to use a credit. I also think the reader, Wanda McCaddon (aka Nadia Ma..."

True in the US as well

Jess wrote: "I've just finished Midnight at Malabar House a historical mystery set in 1950s India."

That is a series I'm following. Enjoy.

I also really liked this entry in the series. The mystery was very interesting with all the uncooperative villagers refusing to talk to Bobby. I was impressed that Punshon was able to weave all the various threads into a coherent whole. I had no idea how things would connect.

Glad to see more of Olive and that she can keep Bobby on track.

I've started now and the mystery is building.

Frances wrote: "Agreed-I do enjoy ECR Lorac, don't know the others, and certainly know from things like Virago Press that many out-of-print authors are well worth the read, but I have learned to use things like Go..."

Cyril Hare is a favorite of mine. The group just finished reading his series last month so you can browse our opinions..

I agree that the characters and their relationship are one of the joys of the series. And feel Crosby is not given enough credit by Sloan. Then the conversation with Miss Paterson at the end that Sloan is not going to even try to explain to Leyes.

I thought the resolution was well done. I never expected it, being too focused on the inheritance red herring, but it was fairly clued with Helen's fear once the police were involved and the fact that either host could have been the intended victim.

Susan in NC wrote: "I enjoyed it, but agree with Judy, a lot of people to keep straight! This continues to be a favorite series."

I second the 'favorite series' thought.

Rosina wrote: "The summary on Goodreads (quoted in the first post) is unhelpful in sorting out the characters, describing Mr Marchmont as 'fat and extravagant' (I'm not even sure if Mrs Marchmont was extravagant ..."

That is an incredibly inaccurate and misleading lead-in, and I suppose it originates with the publisher.

Judy wrote: "Apparently there is another book coming out next year!"

That surprises me. I thought the author, who started writing post-retirement, was happily travelling to every country in which Flavia has been published. But that was one interview and several years ago.

I will be joining in but have a book or two to finish first. Owned books always get pushed behind library borrows.

Christmas is Murder doesn't seem to be available on kindle in the US. The others are, but full price. Silent Nights is available on Kindle Unlimited if one has that service.