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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Stayed up late to finish Marble Hall Murders. Wonderful book but you MUST read Magpie Murders first as that book is completely spoiled by this one (the author warns you).

Judy wrote: "I've just read Murder à la Mode by Patricia Moyes, the fourth book in the Henry Tibbett series, which is set in and around the offices of 'Style' magazine - a fascinati..."

Thank you for the reminder of that series. I have requested #3. I have so many, too many, series in process.

I am currently reading Marble Hall Murders. Not very far in: about halfway into the first occurrence of the Pund novel.

I had an audio version read by Joan Dickson, started it and remembered it is the young man who narrates the book. Returned that audio and got one read by a man (done quite well).

A very good Christie but not as a Miss Marple. She had a very minor role, and I wasn't sure how she solved the mystery as we had little insight into her thoughts. Maybe the first Marples were successful enough that Christie was asked to insert her in this book.

I have great hopes for the sister and the doctor but found the Megan romance distasteful. She acts like a child, is treated like a child, but once dressed as a woman, she becomes acceptable.

I have finished and heading for the spoiler thread. Loved the book.

I have finished and am disturbed / confused by the ending. Is Leslie going to remain missing, assumed drowned? That seems unfair to the family at Trimmings and Walter will remain under suspicion. Can Lee make a living without her photography? Her painting seems questionable.

I suppose Lee buckled Leslie's shoe after taking it off to heighten suspicion. Trying to picture shoes for a 5'10" woman and would they fit in that space. Evidently they did.

I greatly enjoyed the book regardless of my complaints. The plot was excellent and the characters interesting. Loved the practical actress. The motive was both unexpected and realistic as was the actress's pulling the dead cousin off her pedestal, freeing Leslie from her obsession.

I agree that Grant and Alleyn are much alike. I kept thinking Grant was going to find an artist to love.

I did the last time I read it. Don't remember a thing but it all may come back.

This is next up for me.

In the US, #9 and 10 of the series are on sale for $2.50 instead of $8.

In the US: books nine and ten of the Bradcote and Catchpoll series are $2.49 instead of the normal $8.

Wolf at the Door

A Taste for Killing

Jackie wrote: "My library only has an audio version read by Jennifer M Dixon.

Is this read supposed to start June 1? the topic says June 25? OH, wait, does June 25 mean the year?

I'm short on sleep so please ..."

Right the second time June, 2025

In the US: is $2. The group read this is 2022. It was only two stars for me, but I think others liked it more than I did.

Susan wrote: "I've read The Last Dance, Sandy. Yet to read the sequel. If you like that series, have you read Simon Mason? A Killing in November is the first in his Oxford series."

No, but I own it so hope to get to it eventually.

P.S. And I am hoping for a continuation of The Last Dance as I loved the first two.

I have picked up a few new series:

The Busy Body, snarky main character written in GA style by a podcaster who specialized in Christie.

Death at the Dress Rehearsal, set in the filming of a 70's TV show with two aging actors. I don't remember much now but I liked it enough to request the second book.

Two series by Leonie Swann, one with a crotchety old lady and her housemates as detectives, and the other with sheep - surprisingly good and #2 has just been released / translated.

I have had a large number of unfinished books lately. The review looked good but the book was not to my taste.

I have picked up a book I own, Murder, Maestro, Please, part of a series and the last one that I have access to. Love the humor. Old, small paperback with tiny print and the print goes right to the binding so very hard reading, but fun.

I've finished it but skimmed over some parts as I found the casual killings upsetting. Good adventure story but not much mystery. I have one more book in the five-volume set I bought, but after that I would have to pay full price for the remainder of the series. Not sure if I will continue beyond #5.

The reviews of the series say that the author writes in various crime genres. I haven't noticed the particulars, but each book is a bit different.

I have started now and agree about the brutality. Hard to take.