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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Thom wrote: "Sandy wrote: "This morning I read Rizzio, an historical novella about Queen Mary of Scotland and the murder of her secretary. It was a rather rushed read as the book was due, other ..."

I'm sure you will get a much more complete history with your book (if nothing else, it is twice as long). I'm tempted to read more but need to wait until my reading commitments are fewer. If you do read Rizzio afterwards, I would be interested in a comparison.

Judy wrote: "Near the end, I didn't understand Cousin Hat's reference to El Exaltida not being able to put his nephew's bicycle lamp down - can anyone explain this? Surely he didn't have a bike lamp in the chur..."

I think that the bicycle lamp was used to make either a shadow or a glow around the fake saint. Though that doesn't explain why he couldn't put the lamp down, unless he had become quite fond of it. He did become attached to things. It's all a bit hazy now and I doubt I understood it much better at the time.

As for the future of the island, I imagine extensive inbreeding combined with murderous tendencies will have wiped out the population.

I am about half through the second narrator, whom I like a bit less than the first, and I am moving slower. This may change, but so far I have not found a lot of repetition.

This morning I read Rizzio, an historical novella about Queen Mary of Scotland and the murder of her secretary. It was a rather rushed read as the book was due, other requests had arrived and I have no opportunity to visit the library this week-end.

I found the book quite engaging even though I knew much of the story, particularly the ending. The characters are vivid, the mood is tense and Mary is courageous and sympathetic. She should have married better. I would have liked a quick reread to appreciate the atmosphere and flavor but, as I said, the library called.

Back to Fingerpost!

Just finished the first narrator and peeked to see who the second would be. Boy was I surprised!

Thom wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I'm glad I was warned it was not an Inspector Cockrill nor even really a mystery. So, not expecting a classic mystery, I rather enjoyed it as a unlikely return to the fantastical isla..."

I have my own rating system: 3 stars is my normal read, with 4 better than average and 5 only for really memorable books. Two stars for below average which this book is (IMO), but I still enjoyed reading it.

I may never have rated a book one star as I don't finish books I don't like and don't feel I should judge on a partial read. Those move to my 'unfinished shelf' so I will remember I once tried them.

I'm glad I was warned it was not an Inspector Cockrill nor even really a mystery. So, not expecting a classic mystery, I rather enjoyed it as a unlikely return to the fantastical island we last visited with the Inspector. Brand also wrote children's books and this one had those elements.

I'm also still with the first narrator and enjoying his opinions of England: people, weather and cities.

Add me to the list of those who have started Fingerpost. I like it so far but it's intimidating given its size.

Susan in NC wrote: "I’m finally trying to finish (listening to) Bleak House by Dickens. I’ve started the audiobook several times over the last several years, usually during hospital stays, and it worked w..."

I started Bleak House on audio at the beginning of the summer and was enjoying it but other stuff got in the way. I hope to return sometime, but would have to revisit much of what I've read. Early congrats on completing.

Abigail wrote: "I’d say it was a mystery, Jackie, but glad to hear you’re enjoying it! I believe the author has now published at least two more in the series."

Actually book 7 is due out very soon and I'm on my library's wait list. I really like the series. From what I remember the author had to deviate from actual history as the books progress and less is known about our hero (or her life got dull). I believe the author tells you at the end what is true and what she invented.

It is barely a mystery though I believe at least the first one is filed as such.

Also posted on our White Swan thread:

Reading the following article on CrimeReads

https://crimereads.com/luxury-hotels-...

I 'discovered' a Christie memoir recently (2000's) published by her grandson, The Grand Tour: Letters and Photographs from the British Empire Expedition 1922. I've requested it from the library.

I will also post this under the Christie thread.

Reading the following article on CrimeReads

https://crimereads.com/luxury-hotels-...

I 'discovered' a Christie memoir recently (2000's) published by her grandson, The Grand Tour: Letters and Photographs from the British Empire Expedition 1922. I've requested it from the library.

I will also post this under the Christie thread.

I've finished and remembered the murderer correctly, but not the final twist. I didn't think about it at the time but leaving Brenda and Lawrence temporarily in jail and permanently under suspicion of murder was incredibly mean and selfish. I hope Charles' father quietly had them released and cleared. (Sometimes I make up my own endings. The author's book has ended and I continue the story as I want.)

I have The Madness of Crowds, the latest book in Penny's Three Pines series. So excited, and surprised I moved to the top this quickly. I suppose the library got many copies.

I will be reading it after I finish Crooked House and before our mid-month reads. Fingerpost is going to be very late!

I have finally started this. I want to listen to the book (Hugh Fraser!) and audio hasn't been convenient lately. It is a reread and I remember the romantic leads quite well. I think I've remembered murderer as the characters are introduced. Now to look for clues I missed on my first read. I expect I will miss them this time as well.

Old Filth is wonderful.

Susan in NC wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Rosina wrote: "I am going to nominate the first of three Inspector Wilkins mysteries, set in the 1930s, though written between 1970 and 2003!

[bookcover:The Affair of the Blood-Stain..."

This case is even worse: its a very large paperback taking up room on a physical shelf. The electronic purchases are impossible to remember.

Hope you can find time to read your Christie's Faith.

Rosina wrote: "I am going to nominate the first of three Inspector Wilkins mysteries, set in the 1930s, though written between 1970 and 2003!

: "The th..."

I bought a three volume omnibus of this series five years ago and would love to be 'forced' to read one.