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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Welcome Libby. I expect your 'to be read' list will balloon.

Wish The Rise and Reign of the Mammals: A New History, from the Shadow of the Dinosaurs to Us was a deal in the US as I liked his dinosaur book. Will get to mammals eventually.

Sarah wrote: "Thank you for your welcome. I'm on my public library's waiting list for Donna Leon's new novel, "So Shall You Reap," the 32nd in the series, before its US release on March 14, 2023. That's how much..."

They probably move the bodies quickly before a crowd gathers.

I've started our next Donna Leon and liking it a lot.

Welcome Sarah. You've named many of my favorite authors and others I would love to try. I also read Louise Penny's latest recently and agree with your assessment. We are reading Donna Leon as 'buddy reads' with the third one to be discussed very soon. This group pushed me to finally read the series and I'm loving it.

Craftyhj wrote: "I am gradually making my way though the Campion books on audio. I am currently listening to Traitor's Purse which is number 11 in the series."

I love Campion, the character. The group has read the series so you will find our comments in the old threads, and they are all still open. However, I know I will not remember the details of any one book.

I have two new books started at the moment, The Motion Picture Teller, set in Thailand in the 1990's and Secrets Typed in Blood, New York after WW II. Both are new books requests and I have two more waiting for me at the library. Motion Picture is a stand alone by the author of a series I follow 'casually' and the other is third in a recent series that I've read as they come out. It is easier to keep up with a new series than to catch up with a long-running one.

For those of you who follow Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway series, she was interviewed on the Shedunnit podcast and the next Ruth Galloway book will be the last (at least for the foreseeable future). Sigh.

I have read two mysteries recently, The Lost Man of Bombay, set in India in 1950, and Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone. Bombay is third in a series that I have been following. It has a prickly female detective who may get herself killed soon. The plot is exciting and seems true to the history of post-war, post-British India.

My Family is not about assassins as I had assumed and has a very unusual style of completely breaking the 'fourth wall', or not even establishing it in the first place. The narrator writes instructional books on how to write mysteries and follows Knox's 10 rules faithfully and explains every time he does so. The pages where the deaths occur are given in the narrator's preface. (I wonder how that works in an e-book?) Definitely written for laughs but still a good puzzle mystery.

Susan wrote: "It isn't about assassins, Sandy, but I did really enjoy it."

I found that out quite soon. Just finished it and I also enjoyed it.

Sid, I noticed you were missing but hoped it was for a pleasant diversion. So sorry and thank you for your opinions and recommendations. I will think of you as I continue Simon Brett's Decluttering mysteries. All the best.

I was surprised / suspicious of ivy having pollen as I never noticed any flowers but googled it and it does. Per google, leaves and fruit are poisonous to humans.

And I'm about to start another book that I assume is about assassins, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone

A book that has a similar premise to Killers of a Certain Age that I did like is The Old Woman with the Knife. Ageing assassins should not be taken lightly.

Jill wrote: "I read somewhere that this type of book is called "Henlit" as opposed to "Chiclit""

What a great name! As long as you don't mind being an old hen, aka 'a tough old bird'.

I tried The Marlow Murder Club, but wasn't interested enough to continue the series. A book that seems to be popular but I didn't even finish is Killers of a Certain Age.

Rosina wrote: "I wasn't sure if Mrs van Beer's revelation at the end was the truth? Do we believe her?

I recognised the name Sredni Vashtar immediately."

I wish I had recognized the rabbit's name; that was certainly an insight to the boy. I believed Mrs van Beer but not sure I should have. It is more a hope that the author wrapped up the book truthfully. But then this is the author's story, not fact, so what does he want us to believe?

I thought the structure of the book was compelling. The introduction of the jurors included vivid mini portraits. Then the main plot with the aunt and nephew, incompetent doctor and kindly but off-scene tutor. I found the rabbit's death scene devasting. The trial and jury deliberation seemed depressing true to life. After the epilog, I felt incredibly sorry for the child. A second tragedy in our monthly reads.

Both Death of My Aunt and Mystery at Lynden Sands are available, and cheap, on Kindle in the US.

Rosina wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Abigail wrote: "This says it’s a Kindle edition: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...."

When I click on the Ama..."

But still not available, sniff.

Abigail wrote: "This says it’s a Kindle edition: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...."

When I click on the Amazon link, Amazon says "not available". Hopefully another US member will double check.