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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Susan in NC wrote: "Jill wrote: "I like this opened, giving us a bit more about the politics of the time of which, I have been very interested. I was a bit worried about Cadfael getting found out about St Winifred's r..."

I didn't have time, or opportunity, to listen to this one and now I'm sorry I missed the aunt's voice.

I really enjoyed this entry, partly because of all the references to past books. I'm happy the saint approved Cadfael's deception and good to see him so proud and content with his son.

I was confused with the relationship between the two young men even when it was evident who they were. I suppose I don't understand the importance of penance and oaths in the 12th century. Is Matthew / Luc or Clairan the pilgrim of hate?

Sorry you've been unwell and hope all is back to normal soon. Even if it not one your best, your review is much more complete than my one to three lines I write.

I've started and, like others, am glad for the political update as I get lost with who's up, who's down, and which side we are supporting.

References to prior books makes this a series that is best read in order. Each may stand alone but you miss a lot without the characters' history.

I'm happy to spend spring in Cadfael's garden. I can feel that warm stone wall on my back.

I have really enjoyed Simenon's writing. He portrays a complete setting with very few words.

Susan wrote: "By the way, what did people feel about the new direction of the series? Was anyone as sad as I felt about Flavia being sent away to school?

Has anyone read on? Can you reassure us, who haven't, th..."

The next book, with Flavia in Canada, was my least favorite. But don't worry, she returns to Buckshaw by the following book.

I really liked Mothering Sunday.

This was also a re-listen for me; however, I like it as much as the others.

The Flavia short story is $1 in the US (Amazon, kindle) and is only 27 pages.

Jan C wrote: "Sandy wrote: "After enjoying the first half with French's quiet plodding and continental travels, I got bored with those aspects by the second half.

I agree with the earlier comments that a lot o..."

Either way it was only a half-great case and I hope French moves on to greater greatness.

Judy wrote: "Wow, no danger of you running out of mystery reading there, Sandy! Hope you enjoy them all after putting the Pignion Scorbion (a new one on me!) aside."

Nor of other reading. I returned from the library with six books, none from our upcoming reads.

I read half of Pignon Scorbion & the Barbershop Detectives before putting it aside. Like our monthly read, it is a modern GA that didn't work for me.

I have finished the Maigret and am listening to Flavia (a re-listen). Heyer will also be a reread and I always enjoy her wit. Then Cadfael and the next Knox is waiting for me at the library, with 2 - 4 other requests in transit.

Susan wrote: "Good point, Indeneri. She obviously has some kind of independent income we don't know about."

Maybe from her mysterious past.

Judy wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Diane wrote: "I do not have a kindle but am thinking of buying one. Too many books I want from the library, golden age mysteries, are only available now as ebooks and I don’t enjoy re..."

I had no idea I was so lucky! I will try to be more grateful the next time a borrow a kindle book.

P.S. Ask your librarian. I have always found them very helpful.

Diane wrote: "I do not have a kindle but am thinking of buying one. Too many books I want from the library, golden age mysteries, are only available now as ebooks and I don’t enjoy reading them from my computer...."

My library uses Overdrive and that makes it very easy to download their ebooks onto a kindle. There are a small number not available for kindle. The formats available are listed.

In addition, there are lots of free books available, even through Amazon, though some are very poorly edited. Other have mentioned Project Guttenberg as a free source but I have never used that.

Jill wrote: "I’ve only read 14 of the Hamish series as I got distracted by the Agatha Raisons and have read 24 of those. Too many series that I mean to follow up on, so trying my upmost to not start any new one..."

I was just the opposite: started with Agatha then found I liked Hamish better and hope to continue Agatha some day.

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.