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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Laurel wrote: "I'm not sure if this is the right place to suggest an author, or if they must be British, however, I would recommend Arthur Upfield. Arthur William Upfield was an English-Australian writer, best kn..."

I've read and enjoyed the first two of the series. They are an interesting portrayal of a country and time of which I am ignorant, as well as excellent stories. I noted in my review (which are really just reminders to myself) that racism is rampant as I expect it was in actuality.

P.S. This is a series that I mean to continue and never get seem to get to.

Murder in Hampstead sounds interesting and is available in Kindle Unlimited in the US so I may try it. Though I'm suspicious of glowing reviews since Fig Tree Hall.

For ongoing series, I will be starting the latest Laetitia Rodd, The Mystery of the Sorrowful Maiden today and have Murder Under Her Skin next, both due back in a week.

Susan wrote: "Jill, the new is always so enticing!

Sandy, which series are those? The ones you never continued, but liked the first book?"


Bryant and May, Full Dark House
Matthew Shardlake, Dissolution
Master Mer....., Death in Delft

And I was reminded of two more when looking up those:
Sir John Fielding Blind Justice
Betty Church Betty Church and the Suffolk Vampire

I have Constant Suicide in my three book volume so I may put up with the format and try that one. And I like Fell except for his hints that he has all the answers.

I read a few Agatha but then switched to Hamish Macbeth as I enjoyed spending time with him while Agatha annoyed me. I always meant to continue, but slowly as they are much the same (Hamish is also).

In 2022 I would really like to read three series where I have loved the first book but never went on to the second. Two were so long ago I will need to start from the beginning. Then our Aird reading reminds me I have several excellent series that have been simmering on the back burners. Finally there are at least two new-to-me series I am dying to try.

I was sure Rampole's (which I always see as Rumpole) wife would be right and the daughter would be involved. She was my least favorite character.

I struggled with this book (known to me as The Three Coffins). One reason is that I'm reading a version printed in the 1950's that has three books in a normal size volume. Thus, there is no wasted space: the margins are tiny (print goes right into the binding) and there is no space between chapters. The print is a reasonable size, thankfully. Then Dr Fell annoyed me (and the inspector) by hinting at how much he and knew and how obvious it should be. Finally I resented the locked room aspect (unfair of me I realize) when I was concerned more with who and why.

I've read it before and continued, very slowly, with the series. I will be starting my re-read later today.

P.S Ruth Galloway is a series that involves the personal lives of the detectives and their friends and family. I like that but many people don't.

Susan in NC wrote: "Tracey wrote: "I agree completely! My tbr list is groaning. Let's hope 2022 brings lots of reading time.

I like the sound of the Sparks and Bainbridge books, and want to read more Elly Griffiths t..."

I avidly follow her Ruth Galloway series, which definitely should be read in order. It is current day and Ruth is an archaeologist. She also has an historical series (1950's?) that I mean to read but haven't started yet. First book is The Zig Zag Girl. Then there are two other recent books seem to be the start of yet another series; they are excellent.

Notice I can only remember the title of the book I want to read, not the ones I've read.

Welcome Elletee (also a good name). I've never heard of Clifford Witting but I like humor with my mystery so will have to look into his books.

I'm going to have to review GR's list of the books I've read!

Susan wrote: "No, 12th May, 22, Sandy. We put the date and then the month in the UK."

Oops. I know that. Glad it is less of a wait. I am on my library's reserve list already.

That is almost a year away!

I discovered The Borrowers several years ago, as an adult, loved it, and read the rest of the series.

Susan wrote: "I always pictured Penelope Keith who, I think, did the Audible versions."

Yes, Keith's audios are very good (and I loved her in 'To the Manor Born').

Jill wrote: "I have just started Lonelyheart 4122 by Colin Watson Number 4 in the series"

I really like the humor in that series. I think I'm up to The Naked Nuns

Very happy for you Chris. A great holiday gift.

FYI, on GR I found "The Crime of Inspector Maigret" also published as "The Hanged Man of Saint-Phelien" and "Maigret and the Hundred Gibbets".