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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I've finished and I enjoyed reading it: the vivid Parisian atmosphere and Maigret being Maigret, functioning without sleep, living on pipe tobacco and threatening quietly. However, I feel there have been better plots. The personality reading using handwriting was more extensive than I found believable.

Judy wrote: "Good to hear you liked it, Sid, despite your reservations. I'll look forward to reading your review. I have started the book now and found the first few pages compelling - a very unusual and cinema..."

Quite a list - 75 books and with so many different titles. I might print it for future reference. I've gotten confused with the various titles and we aren't very far into the series yet.

I just barely started and agree the opening is quite dramatic. Looking forward to it as I like the author's style.

I have finished now. I would like to say I now know tax law, but that would be a lie. I got completely lost in all of the explanations.

I have finally started this and am so sorry there is only one more. Luckily my library system has several copies of the last book. I love Caudwell's wit and style.

Thank you. Guess I'll add it to my TBR. I ashamed how very long that TBR is.

I have, finally, started Bad Actors after ignoring it for a couple of non-reading days. Somewhat confused but Slough House does that to me.

Jackie wrote: "Lynnie, I think Louise Penny is much better read in order, since the characters and their relationships change, but am glad you are enjoying them despite starting so far into the series. I see the ..."

I agree completely and there are a couple of books that follow are almost continuations of the prior. I loved All the Devils.

I think Falco felt his silence (to not accuse the emperor's younger son of murder and treason) was being bought with the offer. He was offended and, as said, being difficult.

Susan in NC wrote: "Sandy wrote: "In my opinion, on a second reading and knowing where the romance is heading, much of the tension and hesitancy in their conversation is because they are not allowed to marry given the..."

Thus Falco has to save lots of money to buy his way into the second rank.

In my opinion, on a second reading and knowing where the romance is heading, much of the tension and hesitancy in their conversation is because they are not allowed to marry given their respective status. "Not illegal but won't be allowed" is stated at some point and even the emperor doesn't approve.

Carolien wrote: "Has anybody read Ruth Downie's Russo series set in Roman England? I enjoyed the first two and must go back to the series I think."

I read the first. I think it was about the time that I started Falco and decided they were too alike, and Russo would have to wait. Never have read the second.

This is one of my favorite series and I loved my reread of Silver Pigs. I am now about halfway into the follow up series which regularly refers back to Falco. I plan to continue my reread.

I discovered the audio versions part way thru my first read and think they add a lot. There are two different narrators but I haven't found that a problem. I saw a criticism that once that the narrator sounded too British, but I think it would be very strange if he sounded Italian. For those who have an Audible account, I got the series for free. (Discovered this after I used the library versions but snatched them up when I could.)

Jill wrote: "I am about to start Dartmoor, the Saving by B.J. Burton A story about the Dini, little people living on Dartmoor"

That sounds fascinating. Please report back when you finish.

Best laid plans and all that ... My library request for Bad Actors arrived so that may move to the top of the list as two of us need to read it before my time runs out.

I have our next four (!) mid-month books lined up and need to choose one. An embarrassment of riches.

I'm in agreement with the majority of opinions. I thought this was a very enjoyable read: great characters (Lady Crumble was perfect!) and an interesting setting - I learned a lot about aviation. I didn't get bogged down with the drug plot. I did wonder why the detectives were so convinced that the pilots had to be in on the scheme and know what they were transporting.

My nit-picking criticisms are the unlikely coincidence of Tommy's American 'father' showing up and his voluntary explanation of the entire set up. I suppose I have to give him credit for ensuring the innocent were not blamed and it was all evil Laura's fault. The first time I suspected her was when she left a note to be delivered later.

Hope to find more by the author.

Just started this and I love the author's light breezy style.

Frances wrote: "ChrisGA wrote: "I hesitate to say anything negative as I know many of you love this author's writing, but I was disappointed by how silly Lord P seemed. I listened to an audiobook, and the narratio..."

By the publication dates on GR, Wimsey was 1923 and Campion in 1929.

I don't mix up Campion and Wimsey, but do Campion and Nicholas Blake's detective, Nigel Strangeways. That one was published in 1935. A new detective every six years?

Jackie wrote: "Sid wrote: "Lord Ickenham is otherwise known as Uncle Fred. He appears in a couple of Blandings stores and one or two of his own, I think - but I've not read them."

I read a short story called "Un..."

A little investigation shows that I own an audible version of Stories by Heart which has that has that Uncle Fred story.

Thanks.