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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

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.

I'm reading a paper copy so I just ignore the words I don't understand.

P.S. I read this six years ago, so I feel better about forgetting the plot. A lot of pages turned since then.

I've started, love Crispin and his humor. I've read this before but so far all I remember is travelling with the butterfly net.

I was lucky and found a library reprint from 1977. Somebody checked off all the Blake books they've read.

Finished now. I suspected the narrator as his love for his wife seemed too good to be true. I thought he had written her original poison pen letters and thus caused her break down. Not sure how I feel about Day-Lewis's ending.

I am half done, and agree with all the above: strange story, confusion over poison pens, and Day-Lewis doesn't sound like a pleasant person.

I found myself mourning the imaginary books that were burned.

I'm half done and liking it a lot, partly in contrast to the prior book. Even Olive has improved and now seems a worthy partner for Bobby. I agree with Jill, the variety is excellent. As are Bobby's wry comments behind the agreeable facade he shows his boss.

Susan in NC wrote: "Jill wrote: "Just starting The Three Taps: A Detective Story Without a Moral"

Finished The Three Taps yesterday, starting Untrue till Death[bookcover..."

I added [book:Untrue till Death|53136015] to my February reading list as it qualifies for a challenge in another group and has been on my TBR since I read the first months ago. Hope I get to it.

Sid wrote: "I'm about half way through Blurb Your Enthusiasm: An A-Z of Literary Persuasion from NetGalley (not published until October) and loving it. I'm laughing regularly, nodding in agreem..."

That sounds great! I've added it to my TBR and hope I remember why in October.

Judy wrote: "Just remembered, when reading Chapter 3 I was struck by the doctor mentioning the villagers' " 'God save the Squire and his relations' attitude.

This is a near-quote from The Chimes..."

I hope the workers at least enjoyed making up their own lyrics even if they couldn't sing them aloud.

I've returned to an historical series with Falco's daughter, then have a couple of other historical series, (Magic in the Weave and The Betel Nut Tree Mystery) all of which are due back at the library.

On my latest library visit I took out a "blind date" book. The book is wrapped in brown paper with genre and short synopsis, and you discover your reading when you get home. I got The Lost Book of the Grail.

Regarding the author who only appeared in the first chapter, someone suggested that it was White herself breaking that third wall and telling the reader how the book was going to proceed. While I like this explanation, if true it didn't work for me as I expected her to reappear.

Sorry I couldn't find the post to give credit for the idea.

Judy wrote: "Sandy, thanks for the great comments. I really enjoyed the characterisations of the pets too! I do agree about Miss Asprey's fast walking being unbelievable - I felt as if this must be a clue to so..."

Didn't Jane write the letter with the marked stamp? The one that accused someone of not feeding her maid enough.

And, I don't have a problem with "elderly" good hikers, but they need to keep in practice and there was no indication that Miss Asprey did while Jane walked every night. Like Judy, I thought this would lead to something and it didn't, like the author from London in the first chapter.

This would never have been a favorite book, but the ending brought it down even further. I put "hysterical female" in the same class as "passing tramp" as unsatisfying resolutions. I'm disappointed that Miss Mack will be turned loose on London. She didn't seem to have much purpose in writing these letters, but she may find she can turn her talent to profit. I suspected the Spout House residents as White made so much of the hidden underwater stream, disappearing and reappearing. Finally, there turned out to be four letter writers and I wondered if other villagers took advantage of the opportunity to express opinions of their neighbors (as Jane did).

Petty problems: While I got a kick out of Miss Asprey being able to keep to three miles per hour and wearing out Jane, I don't believe it. Was it the doctor who saw Violet at the cottage? Why would he be there?

On the plus side I loved the characterizations of the pets: Charles Dickens guarding his cookie jar and adopting the classy car; the tuxedo cat who chose his next home; and the doctor's cat who forced him to read his note. I also liked all the author's snide remarks.

The first book has been on my TBR for over nine years and I own it so this would be the push I need. Book three is on kindle for$10 in the US. Various of the series pop up as deals now and again and I think they are readily available in my library systems. The author is approaching eighty and still turning out a book a year. I'm impressed.

Inspired by the Mapp and Lucia comments in another thread: has anyone read any of the continuations by another author? Are they any good?

P.S. Love all the references to Mapp and Lucia.

It took me quite awhile to accept the author's style. There are descriptions and comparisons that I don't understand, but I love her snide comments. I see the village and its major inhabitants as caricatures and not meant to be realistic. Now that the detective has appeared, while he is also a 'type', I find him more engaging than anyone else.

I am distracted by the novelist from the first chapter. Is she only a device to show the stifling atmosphere of the village or is she taking part in the action behind the scene?