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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I've finished so can move onto Falco. Like Judy, one historical at a time. This Cadfael really gave us a vile villain.

I've finished this and appreciate Maigret, for the author's style and atmosphere, and for his belief a mystery should be read in a single sitting. Maigret gets to take short naps in this book; I was a bit worried by his very long periods without sleep in earlier books.

This will be a re-read and I've "started" in that I read the introduction. My 1980 library book has an introduction by Michael Innes that is interesting and quite complimentary. He doesn't take offense at Crispin's dig of Appleby from Scotland Yard in an earlier book.

I may be one of the last readers of this book as it is in bad shape.

This will be a re-read for me, on audio this time, and I don't remember the plot. But I love Falco and Davis' portrayal of ancient Rome and will take any opportunity to visit with the characters.

Welcome Adam. We read Marsh's series as a group and all the threads are still available if you are interested in our comments or want to add your own. Hope you enjoy Alleyn.

Susan wrote: "£1.99
Veg in One Bed: How to Grow an Abundance of Food in One Raised Bed, Month by Month [bookcover:Veg in One Bed: How to Grow an Abundance of Food in One Raised Bed, Month by Mont..."

I quite liked Canterfell Codicil. My review: A really fun read. As advertised, a combination of P G Wodehouse (with a smart Bertie) and Agatha Christie (with a wise-cracking Poirot).

I listened to the How to Train Your Dragon series a few years ago and especially liked the narration by David Tennant.

Speaking of the characters appearing in other books: GR has this as an Inspector Hazelrigg book, and he has such a minor role!

I found this a pleasant read. I liked Christmas and his cartoonist sidekick but not his woman friend. I hoped she would get attached to the good doctor and eliminated from the next book. Her aunt was the standard amusing widow. And I enjoyed rooting against the bad doctor.

However, I was not in favor of the resolution. I didn't think the victim, the murder, nor their rivalry, was believable, though their sister was. Why would the victim change his name after his effort to establish his credentials? Cutting off your nose to spite your face.

I doubt this is a book I will remember for very long, but I enjoyed it while I read it.

I absolutely loved this book: the trial scenes, adventure in French countryside and dogged investigation in England all came together perfectly. The characters were great.

I have got the latest Strike and Robin book from the library, The Ink Black Heart and that will be my next read. I've been rewarded for being a conscientious moderator by reading September's books in August, so can spend the weekend with Strike and Robin.

Sandy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I’m about halfway through SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard. I meant to read it when it came out, but my library loan ran out, and I f..."

According to GR's I finished SPQR five years ago but didn't expect to remember the details. Guess I was right.

Susan in NC wrote: "I’m about halfway through SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard. I meant to read it when it came out, but my library loan ran out, and I forgot about it. Read..."

Falco aroused the same interest in me, but I didn't get too far into SPQR. I think my library loan expired as well. And it takes a while to get to Falco's time. Good luck!

Finished The Maid and liked it a lot, perhaps the first half more than the second. It has an interesting and sympathetic main character.

I am about to start The Maid, very popular in my library system.

I liked this book very much and never expected the marriage proposal at the end. I wonder if this will affect his love of travelling the circuit or will Eleanor be allowed to travel with him, perhaps even as secretary (there is a war and Rosie the Riveter will be on the scene soon). Pettigrew is a wonderful character; he seems so very normal and unassuming.

I started this tonight and loving it; the office politics and government paperwork are true to life as are the tight cliques that form within any group thrown together for long periods. Pettigrew is a delight. I'm considering staying up late to finish it. Or should I keep it to look forward to tomorrow?

Like many of you I think there are large holes in the plot, starting right off with why did they involve Bobby? I don't believe in Gwen's fascination for men, nor her trophy collection.

I have also just finished Postern of Fate, the final Tommy and Tuppence, and I found that resolution unsatisfying as well. Christie actually aged T & T in real time; they are over seventy in the final book.

My review:

While it is pleasant to spend time with the conscientious Bobby Owen, I found this particular resolution quite unsatisfying and requiring a suspension of common sense. It was however an interesting story, with even more than four strange women. Bobby faithfully followed where the clues led, turned in his reports and always agreed with his superiors before presenting his own differing view.

Emma wrote: "I think this would have been the first LPW novel I read - our school library had a very wide selection of fiction - but it's not one I re-read often, partly because Wimsey hasn't, as Keith mentions..."

Yes, both Wimsey and Sayers improved with age.