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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I'm not very far in but love the description of the meeting between Pettigrew's wife and her old friend. Each is disappointed in the other and each is surprised at how the years have aged her friend. I often wonder at recent photos of myself that do not match the face I see in the mirror.

My 1957 library edition has an author's bio on the back cover - written by Hare. It is every bit as good as his books. One quote " having planted a number of slow-growing trees and shrubs his current ambition is to live at least 100 so as to get some benefit from them". Another: "Literary output is curtailed by ... constitutional and incurable indolence."

Too bad he couldn't fulfill his ambition and cure his indolence.

I like the Maigret's, mostly for the author's style, Maigret's moral character, and their concise length. In my opinion, the books don't vary much so choosing a favorite isn't easy.

I have dropped many authors others love.

Rosina wrote: "Judy wrote: "Thanks Rosin, that makes sense. I think the rivalry between the different police is an interesting aspect of the book.

It tends to worry me that the murderers who are let off by the d..."

Entirely agree!

Susan in NC wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I am currently reading The Rise and Reign of the Mammals: A New History, from the Shadow of the Dinosaurs to Us, having greatly enjoyed the author's prior book about d..."

You've reminded me I left Philbrick's revolution unfinished. Loved Bunker Hill: A City, a Siege, a Revolution and always meant to continue,

I am currently reading The Rise and Reign of the Mammals: A New History, from the Shadow of the Dinosaurs to Us, having greatly enjoyed the author's prior book about dinosaurs. And I think it was recommended in this thread much earlier.

I just started Red Queen. I read a review and then saw the book on display at the library. The review said not to take it too seriously. Only thirty pages in so have little opinion yet.

Just finished and agree with all the above comments: disappointed in the ending and would have liked to know what happened with the newly weds. Also, Sheringham and the inspector were going to try to get Duff and the woman he loved together, as it was beyond their capabilities, but they never followed through.

Franky wrote: "Just curious. I have read Simenon before but never this series. Is it necessary to have read previous books in the series before reading this one?"

Not in my opinion; I see no connection and Simenon wrote them so quickly it is hard to tell the 'correct' sequence.

This was the first Maigret I listened to and it worked quite well. The book was over in a single afternoon, the plot was easy to follow, and the characters well-defined. I noticed Maigret was not forced to stay up for days on end, nor was the weather too hot or too cold. He probably found this one of his easier cases. He and I both felt sorry for the mistress who is unlikely to get her fair share.

Iain Pears' indecision may show on the cover of my library edition from 1993, first US edition. It refers to the 'Flavia Di Stefano' series.

I was quite happy with this book. I found the plot easier to understand than the first book, maybe because it was less about the art and more about human failings. I'm getting quite attached to our three main characters and it is interesting to see Venice through eyes other than Donna Leon's.

Susan in NC wrote: "I like this series, will continue trying it, but I got about a third through this one, it just meandered too much, found I didn’t care, returned it to the library. I like the general and Flavia, bu..."

Interesting ... I thought this book was more tightly plotted that the first and the art plot easier to understand.

In the US (or at least at my library) it is He should have died hereafter

This is the one buddy read I have completed. While the plot held no surprises and I missed the people from the abbey, I thought all the characters in this book were interesting and well-developed.

I plan to join in. I think this is one I have through Audible.

I've just started this last night. We have a lot of books this month.

There was nothing available in my library systems and 'had' to use one of my audible credits!

I have my library copy ready to go. It is quite old and may be from 1957. The pages are held in by a wish and a prayer,

Susan in NC wrote: "I’ve started The Cargo From Neira by Alys Clare"

I'll be interested to hear how you feel about the ending.

In the US, the last Edmund Crispin we read, Buried for Pleasure is $1.