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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

There were several points that confused me but I'm not sure if I will try to resolve them. The woman who tricked Bobby originally said she was hoping / planning to marry the dead man, then she is involved with one of the suspects, Banner, that has been in hiding since the murder. Was Jordan involved in the smuggling or merely an innocent receiver of stolen goods? I assume Pyne wasn't involved but got caught up in the excitement. Why were all these people gathered together at the end? Why would Banner know Jordan if he, Banner, knew nothing about the smuggling? I realize smuggling was not Bobby's case and I think it got short shrift.

I assumed Irma was planning suicide but not 'suicide by abortion'.

Vanessa, I agree only Jordan and Pyne were interesting suspects.

I hope the Brits have come to terms with garlic!

I did like the book though my comments probably indicate otherwise. Good sidekick and lots of Olive.

Sandy wrote: "Susan wrote: "We have Gordon Griffin as narrator. He doesn't work for me - sounds too elderly, so I prefer to read them."

Not our second narrator - luckily."

Regarding the elderly bit, at some point Falco mentions he is writing his memoirs after the fact (perhaps when referring to Pompeii) so maybe you could picture an elderly Falco?

Susan wrote: "We have Gordon Griffin as narrator. He doesn't work for me - sounds too elderly, so I prefer to read them."

Not our second narrator - luckily.

Love the audio books. A couple have a different narrator but I can hardly tell the difference.

Susan in NC wrote: "Sorry, missed this post - I read and enjoyed this one very much, even though it was yet another road trip! I don’t mind though, makes it more of an adventure travelogue then a mystery. Honestly, by..."

Re your spoiler: very accurate comparison

I have started two mysteries: our latest Bobby Owen and an historical mystery, A Disappearance in Fiji, set in Fiji (obviously) in 1914. Both off to good starts. I'm reading Bobby on my tablet and it is hard to see outside so I wanted a paper book for my back porch.

I have started this and really enjoyed the opening with Olive taking part in Bobby's first interview. An interesting plot so far. I expected a "cold case" to be years old, but this one is only a few months.

I have started How to Seal Your Own Fate, second in a new series. Like the first it bounces between the 1960's and current day. Mixed feelings so far but probably one I will finish.

Bobby Owen got bumped by a new book, sorry Bobby.

Jackie wrote: "I've started The Big Four which is a re-read, but I have no memory of what happens."

Not my favorite and that is the best I can say.

What a thrilling description of a storm. It reminded me of James in her poet detective series.

Regarding Brunetti's choices at the end, I don't think he overly influenced the pilot. The pilot made a well considered decision and he was correct as he landed them safely, given the conditions. He was killed because he was mistaken for Brunetti, not something anyone could have foreseen. Very sad. Being close to retirement is often deadly in fiction.

Finished and it is one of my favorites, nose to noe with A Noble Radiance. Off to the spoiler thread.

Frances wrote: "I also really enjoyed the characters and interactions between the various personalities, and loved the village which had been "discovered" by elites-hadn't realized that this had been going on for ..."

If I remember correctly Lee had a braid wrapped around her head which would be hard for Leslie to hide. Must be a wig.

I've only read the first and only some are available through my library system. I'm with Susan regarding level of enthusiasm.

I appreciated the author's note at the front of the book, where he doesn't want to be blamed for not doing something he never intended to do.

Or perhaps not changing in the case of the construction cranes looming over the burnt theatre.

I'm only a few chapters in and happy to be back, virtually, in corrupt Venice.

I read The Longbourn Letters: The Correspondence between Mr Collins & Mr Bennet, a recommendation from a member of this group years ago. The author does a good job with the P&P characters. A calm, quiet (and short) read.

I was inspired to pick up that book after dropping Unmarriageable. I decided it would be better to reread P&P, though I have much of it memorized, line by line.

Susan wrote: "I never clocked to that one. Really, I should have realised. I dread poor Falco having to tell his favourite sister when he gets home.

I'm really enjoying re-reading this series. I know there is ..."

Falco's daughter in the next series is an adopted daughter who will appear later. A very good series as well but second to Falco (in my opinion).

The brother-in-law's death is one of the moments in the series that I remember vividly.

Jackie wrote: "I'm reading A Novena For Murder but don't know if it is for an upcoming buddy read or someone just recommended it."

I added it to me TBR list in 2021, so maybe an old recommendation? Let me know if I should stop ignoring it.

The coliseum is the amphitheater that the emperor is building in Falco's day - still ten years away by his estimation. Called the Flavian Amphitheater on the map in the front of the book.

It was a reread for me but all I remember was the peppermint creams. A very kind, caring and dogged detective.