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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

The author made good use of a quote or two from Midsummer's Night's Dream playing off Wall, name of the victim vs character in the play.

I agree that the style is more spare and gritty and plan to continue with the series (of course I do have a four book volume).

I've never read Camus (math major and they didn't make us read much).

I really enjoyed reading book: warm characters I would like to know and a small village I would like to visit. This book probably benefited because my prior read forced me to spend time with people I didn't like at a function I would have hated. So I found Littlejohn a treat.

Parts of the book seemed quite familiar, especially the manner of and reason for the murderer's confession. Does anyone know what I might be confusing it with?

I loved the way a minor character, a birder introduced late in the book, had his entire romantic life, both past and future, covered in one paragraph.

I've also started, about half done, and like others, enjoy the humor and Littlejohn. I'm always happy to find a pleasant detective, who cares about the victim and treats the suspects with respect. Even the local police like him.

A good business plan. Thanks.

I found it interesting that money was required for Mark to become a priest. Maybe to pay for classes? Or to grease palms?

Megan wrote: "I have never actually taken part in a challenge, but this seems like a very interesting place to start. So many great choices here!"

Challenges are fun but it is only for your personal satisfaction, and a bit of structure to your reading.

Jill wrote: "I may be a bit late starting as the first book is book 6, I believe . And I need to read 2, 3,4 and 5 first. Good job the threads stay open, and I can catch up. I might not have bothered if I didn’..."

I might try that as well as my library has books 3, 4 an 5 ('try' is the operative word). January seems a long way away now.

I found out I have two more Tommy and Tuppence to complete the series. More books for the TBR.

For those in the US, The Hollow Man was published as The Three Coffins. Confusing.

Rosina wrote: "I have started reading the Pel series by Mark Hebden, The lead French detective (in Burgundy) often compares his job with Maigret's (the fictional one, not as if he were real). His ..."

The description of the Pel series sounds promising. Let us know how you like them (though I think I should get to know Maigret better before I add another French detective),

Frances wrote: "I'm about 1/4 of the way in-bought an omnibus edition of the first 4 novels -the first translated by David Bellos but then there are 2 different translators for the 2nd and 3rd+4th novels so it wil..."

I've read the Gamache novels and the similarity didn't strike me, but the physical description certainly fits. I noticed "Patron" and assumed it was a common French usage for boss.

Judy wrote: "Ooh, well done for getting hold of The Spotted Cat, Sandy, as it seems that one is hard to get hold of. Cheapest copy on Amazon UK is £109 - I will somehow resist. :)"

Yes, once I saw the price and that my library had it on the shelf, I had to take it our immediately. There is something about knowing a thing is rare that drives possession.

Inspired by our discussion of Brand's non-Cockrill book, I have The Spotted Cat and Other Mysteries from Inspector Cockrill's Casebook from the library and will be interspersing Cockrill among my other reads.

Next will probably be the latest Miss Kopp, Miss Kopp Investigates.

(Yes, I know October reads are coming due. I'll get there.)

I read Midnight at Malabar House, the first of a new series. It is set in 1950 following the partition of India.

My review: This is a very interesting look at the partition of India and Pakistan, yet another bit of history of which I know very little. I knew it was violent, but had no idea how violent.

Regarding the mystery and potential series, the lead character is extremely feisty and will need learn restraint. She has enough of a back story to be interesting but it does not take over the plot. The murder and investigation is complex, but I hope our main character doesn't always need to go rogue. I look forward to her maturing in later books.

I was thrilled when I found out Prescott was in Bedlam as he did not deserve the good fortune he thought he had and, hopefully, his letter denouncing Kitty did her no harm. I hated him when he wrote that letter; it was none of his business.

IMO, much of Sarah's messianic character was in Wood's mind. The resurrection is explained by Lower's eagerness to get the body. Wood had no way of knowing if she arrived in America, particularly if she changed her name. The boat was so crowded no one would take accurate notice of the people debarking. And I assumed the mother lied about her conception.

This was a very interesting book that I find myself pondering. If it were shorter, and life longer, I'd consider a reread.

I also gave this one extra credit for being a bit different. The bad guy got away (so far) and the not-quite-so-bad guy will be living with a treasonous reputation (and an unpleasant wife). I pondered the possible murderers towards the end of the book and couldn't think of a motive for any of them. Glad Peters came up with one.

I decided to rate the book four stars.

My review:
A fascinating book but I found it a slow read as the style reflects the period. I can not call it gripping and the murder mystery is not the prime interest, but I liked how the various narrators each interpreted, and reported, the facts from their own point of view. Even the final and most complete version is influenced by the narrator's feelings.

I appreciated the author's bios of the characters at the end as I recognized many as historical figures but others were new to me. Very interesting to think they all congregated around Oxford at the same time.

Abigail wrote: "Oops! Well, this book certainly teaches one not to make assumptions based on appearances . . ."

It demonstrated that quite well as the reality shifts with each narrator.