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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Susan in NC wrote: "How about a visit to Roger Sheringham? I’ve got his third case on kindle, currently 99 cents in the USA, Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery[bookcover:Roger Sheringham and the Van..."

Oh good, one I own.

Welcome Anubha. you will find lots of discussions of Marple and Poirot in our threads. They are always open for new comments.

Oh dear! I looked at Wild Fire first and saw it was the final entry in the series. Then looked at Killing Stones and now I know more than I want to! My recommendation is to avoid the synopsis of Killing Stones.

Judy wrote: "One of the issues I had with the plot was that it was hard to believe Rachel would allow her faithful servant to stay after it turned out she was organising things like the poisoned chocolates and ..."

Rachel really seemed to be a glutton for punishment. Not only did she not fire the servant, she supplied a home for all sorts of people she didn't like. Why anyone would put up with Cherry and Maurice, or the whiny sister, is beyond me. Even her favorite, Christine, turned out to have no common sense. She had only to ask Richard if the lie was true.

I enjoyed the adventurous plot, The outsider, Gale, was the only character I really liked. While I routed for Rachel, I thought she was foolish to not change her will or at least lie and say she did. Another trope: hire a detective and then ignore his advice.

I thought the sister's attempt at forgery was a hoot. I was certain her unused sleeping powders were going to be a factor.

Alwynne wrote: "I finished a novella from 1982 newly translated into English Suspicion from Japanese author Seichō Matsumoto. Through the coverage of one woman's arrest and trial for murder, Matsu..."

I read Tokyo Express by the author last year and meant to read more. My review:

Excellent plot (though I zoned out of discussions of timetables) with two dogged detectives and a boss willing to follow a hunch. A bit of personality shown with the older detective but none for the main investigator. The style reminds me of Maigret.

I'm about halfway through and really liking it. I didn't like the only other Miss Silver I read so I may need to revise my opinion.

Susan wrote: "I nominate Post After Post-Mortem by E.C.R. Lorac

I know we have had a lot of books by Lorac, but this looks really goo..."

In US: $1

I really like Poirot-being-Poirot in this book. His little mannerisms seem fresh and new. While I enjoyed the book, I thought the plot got unnecessarily complex and the reveal not terribly convincing. The characters were excellent, even the minor players. I hope Poirot is right and Lennox finds love. But we know Poirot is always right; he has told us.

Frances wrote: "I'm about a third of the way in and enjoying this, although I fail to understand the "kind wealthy person who allows their incredibly annoying and demanding family to sponge off them endlessly" tro..."

Nor with the "nasty wealthy person who demands his family gather around for their yearly abuse and the changing of the will".

Interesting thought about Marple/Poirot crossover.

I have started my reread though, as usual, I remember little. Just met Mr. Goby who is one of my favorite minor characters. No sign of Poirot yet.

I have the eBook from the library and will be joining in soon.

I am really enjoying Playing Dead: Short Stories by Members of the Detection Club. Over halfway through and haven't hit any I dislike. Great collection.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I'm reading Come, Tell Me How You Live by Agatha Christie (writing as Agatha Christie Mallowan)

I'm about 3/4 of the way through & enjoying Dame Agatha's adventuro..."

I really liked it!

I like The Windsor Knot series.

Not my favorite. I had to review the first third of the book to get the characters straight and there aren't that many of them. Also, Olive only makes sandwiches off stage. I did like Bobby's reasoning at the end.

Sandy wrote: "After our buddy read of Bobby Owen I have The Art of a Lie, another new library book with a deadline."

I bailed on Art of a Lie. Wasn't particularly enjoying it then came a major twist that changed the book entirely. I could have learned about confectionary cooking if I had persisted. So I will be reading Playing Dead: Short Stories by Members of the Detection Club along with a non-fiction and our upcoming first of month reads.

The only hint of Edith and Laurence I remember was that Laurance always wanted, and got, what Kenny had. Glad it wasn't Kenny and glad his daughter, and child, will be joining him. The Shetlands need more children.

In both books there are minor characters I would like to see again. I the first book it was suspect who 'lost' his bird. This time it is Willy in the care home.

After our buddy read of Bobby Owen I have The Art of a Lie, another new library book with a deadline.

Litany of Lies: not in the US. sigh.

Just starting this now.