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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I have, finally, finished and found 3/4's of the book a slog. Loved the Conan Doyle story even though (as someone mentioned earlier) I could see the ending coming.

While the story with the lip-reading detective (The Finchley Puzzle by Richard Marsh) was loaded with coincidences and rather silly overall, the concept has potential. I can imagine a detective using a lip-reader when searching for information in a noisy group setting (bars, parties).

One early story I liked was The Magic Casket by R Austin Freeman. My favorite (other than The Poisoned Chocolates preview) may be the last, You Can't Hang Twice by Anthony Gilbert, as I enjoyed Crook's crooked methods.

Seeing as Vi's future husband was so good to take care of his old employee and find him a gardening job, I assume he will take care of his niece and her mother.

I am concerned whether Anne will want even more money from the business; she was already living beyond her means.

I am 3/4 done and am beginning to enjoy the stories more. Just read the original The Poisoned Chocolates Case.

P, S. The Christie article is an excerpt from yet another book that looks interesting, The Science of Murder: The Forensics of Agatha Christie

And there is an article on Christie and science I haven't read yet


ttps://crimereads.com/agatha-christie-science/

Martin Edwards has an article today in CrimeReads about his new book, The Life of Crime: Unravelling the mysteries of fiction’s favourite genre. It sounds interesting.

https://crimereads.com/martin-edwards...

Judy wrote: "Hope you both enjoy the book, Carolien and Klowey - I found it a fun read.

For those wanting to read another by this author, I noticed that Invisible Weapons, one of the detective ..."

Not in US - $10.50 here.

Guess we should be grateful to live in an age beyond round and square! I dislike coconut so am really disappoint if I get one of those.

I read, in one sitting, Poison at Pemberton Hall: the first Vita Carew historical mystery. I found it a pleasant enough read, with interesting characters and a plot that is a bit different. If the next two in the series are available on Kindle Unlimited I will continue.

Susan in NC wrote: "It is available as an ebook on Scribd.

Edited - sorry, it’s available as an audiobook, not ebook."

Murder in the Basement is also available on Audible so one wonders why not the ebook ....

Checking Amazon in the US:

Murder In The Basement - kindle available for pre=order in December. Nothing in my library system.

The Chuckling Fingers - kindle for $10, both book and ebook available in my library

Nothing Can Rescue Me: Henry Gamadge #6 - kindle $8, book available in my library.

I finished this last night and was disappointed. I found the detective siblings bland though I quite liked the local police inspector. The plot is one I dislike: an impossible crime using a method that I don't believe would work. I found the murderer too obvious in such a small cast of characters.

For my nit-picking complaints, why would Austin (hope I have the name right) send chocolates immediately after Vi told him she did not like them? At the very least he would have included a note explaining that he wasn't ignoring her tastes. Could the murderer safely assume Anne would not make it down to the second layer where the poisoned chocolates were when there wer so few left in the top layer? And I have no faith in his dying dash across the road to see her one last time.

I really liked Austin and hope Anne, and any future husband, doesn't interfere with the running of the company. It would have been better if she were out of the picture. I also assume Austin will do right by Phyliss and her child as he did with the elderly gardener. He and the policeman were my favorites.

I am halfway in and finding it a bit of a slog. So far my favorite story was the first by Conan Doyle.

Susan wrote: "Yes, I read the first couple and enjoyed them, Sandy. I am currently reading Donna Leon, but may go back to them :)"

Thanks. I'll decide when my request comes in.

I read Fifty-Four Pigs: A Dr. Bannerman Vet Mystery, the first of a new series. It took me longer than normal to finish it which could mean it is not gripping but may have more to do with a temporary vision problem (lost a contact lens). The setting is a rural community in Manitoba, Canada, in the dead of winter. The lead character is a bit strange: overly logical, not good at reading people, too curious for his safety, and quite sympathetic. I plan to look for the next book.

On to Murder at Monk's Barn which I have as an ebook so can enlarge the print. And still slowly wending my way through Capital Crimes: London Mysteries

Has anyone read the Death in August series? They look interesting and I requested the first from my library. Then remembered the group will be starting the Donna Leon series this month and two new Italian detectives may be one too many.

sabagrey wrote: "Abigail wrote: "I look forward to hearing your expert opinion on Crossed Skis, Sabagrey!"

could take a while until I *really* get to read it: "Want to read" list is long, and of limited use becaus..."

So very true for so very many of us. I read one book (often not even from my TBR list) then add three. But it's nice to have plans. Crossed Skis is on my TBR for some future date,

Working my way very, very slowly through Capital Crimes: London Mysteries and started Fifty-Four Pigs: A Dr. Bannerman Vet Mystery, a new book due back to the library soon. And the library may demand C Crimes back before I'm done. Luckily, they renewed The Moving Toyshop for me.

I have read this before and hope to again, but it will be later as I am rather over committed reading-wise at this time.

While browsing Audible, US version, I found many of Doon Leon's Commissario Brunetti series are free: #s 3, 4 and 8 - 22.