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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I am reading my 'blind date' book, a book that the library wraps in brown paper with a short description, so you don't know what you've got. (Tempted to sing the Joni Mitchell song). The book is The Lost Book of the Grail and, while I'm enjoying it, I am only half way in and feel it should be wrapping up. I may need to put it aside for a couple of books I can't renew and our upcoming reads.

The book is set in current day but each chapter starts with a few pages giving a bit more of the manuscript's history moving forward from 560 AD.

I recently finished Death of a Green-Eyed Monster, by the late M C Beaton. According to the preface, the current author and Beaton worked closely together when her health failed. There is another scheduled for next year and a short story already published.

I thought the new author did a good job portraying Hamish and his community (the books are quite formulaic) but other reviewers disagreed.

I enjoyed my bittersweet trip to the Scottish highlands.

Judy wrote: "Thank you very much for looking these up, Sandy. Did you notice if Silk Stocking Murder was available at a reasonable price in paperback?"

If you really want a paperback there is a used one for $40. However, the hardcover is $10. Most are used so the prices range widely.

P.S. The British Crime Classic editions (aka Martin Edwards) are usually available in my library systems.

In US on Amazon:

Capitol Crimes: $8

Death of an Airman: $10 for Martin Edwards edition, $4 for earlier edition

Weekend at the Thackery: $9.50

Silk Stocking Murder: not available on kindle

Mayfair Mystery: $5

Abigail wrote: "Just finished Jane and Prudence by Barbara Pym, which I found dreary, and moving on to a bit of escapism, [book:The Longbourn Letters: The Correspondence between Mr Collins & Mr Benne..."

The letters between Mr Collins and Mr Bennet intrigues me. I've added it to my TBR.

Horatia wrote: "Is one of the Cadfael books too late to qualify? If not I'd like to nominate The Rose Rent"

We have a buddy read of the Cadfael series in progress and are planning to read #10, The Pilgrim of Hate, this month. The Rose Rent will be on the schedule in a few months. Join the conversion if you are reading the series (and can remember ones you've read already).

Jan C wrote: "I finished it last night. I was apparently reading it (off and on) for 10 years. Who knew?

But I wound up enjoying it."

That is real stick-to-it-ness.

Jill wrote: "When I was small, we had a gas tap in every room and the hall for the lighting. We did not use them as we had electricity. There was one above my bed. One day I climbed up to it and turned the the ..."

We also had unused gas taps in my parents' house and my brother-in-law broke into one of the lines during a repair project. Such a surprise to find out it was still active.

I enjoyed this book a lot and already requested the next from my library. It is the only other they have, and only a single copy, so thought I should read it in case it disappears.

The bet between the two friends / detectives did not bother me at all. It seemed a likely follow-on from their former relationship and more a test of their skills than disrespect to the dead. Dalglish would never have stood for it however.

I thought the victim's plot to test the bishop's honesty was too elaborate to be convincing, but I could imagine the accident with the taps happening very easily. Safety regulations have their place.

I'm not too far in and loving it: the interplay between Bredon and his wife, as well as between Bredon and his friend from the Yard, is a treat. And I like Knox's humor.

I agree that Augusta reminded me of Marchmont; however, I didn't like Marchmont, and it carried over to Mrs. Peel (unlike the original Mrs. Peel from The Avengers TV program). All those hints of a mysterious past grate on me. Nor did I care much for the rest of the cast. The semi-mysterious Frechman who save Mrs. Peel's life was the final straw.

I did like Sparky and Fisher and would have loved to meet Herbert, and maybe Fisher's wife. And I liked the giant bouncer and wish he could have extricated himself from the mobsters.

I've started The Three Taps: A Detective Story Without a Moral and love the writing.

Susan in NC wrote: "Afraid only trip in our immediate future is a sad one - my father in law died in October 2020, but Covid restrictions put off a funeral. Then Covid spiked again last October, had to cancel memorial..."

So sorry. It looks promising for May (knock wood!).

Perhaps he wrote mysteries when he was in dire financial straits and in no mood for poetry.

Susan wrote: "I'm reading The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches (not a favourite in the series for me so far), The Club (good fun) and The Cuckoo's Calling (a mystery I..."

I love the Cuckoo's Calling series, but you should plan for some long reads. The books, like Harry Potter, grow longer and longer.

I also suspected Fielding as he was so good at inviting himself into the action. However, he would have to have been great actor as well. I hope they find something for him to do where he won't hurt the war effort.

Regarding the young lovers, I was a bit concerned that Vintner would not be able adapt to marriage. He was very hesitant when not overwhelmed by Frances' presence.

Colin wrote: "I'm back for another visit to the brownstone and having a most satisfactory time with Rex Stout's Homicide Trinity "

I don't manage to visit as often as I would like. I find the three novellas in one book a perfect length.

I agree about the afterword. One of those 'truth is stranger than fiction' moments.

And thank you for the review. I don't entirely with the reviewer, but always like to see others' opinions.