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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Rosina wrote: "I know I started this red herring, but everyone's comments have made me realise that while it would have been incredibly risky as a key intended element of the murder method, where it would take on..."

I agree completely. I got to tied up in the ways that wouldn't work and overlooked the fact it was NOT part of the plan. An excellent Christie twist.

And the latest Ruth Galloway, The Night Hawks is waiting for me!

I've started A Beautiful Place to Die, set in 1950's apartheid South Africa. The sense of time and place are vivid and I am learning a lot about the apartheid laws.

CrimeReads has an article about Christie's surfing adventures

https://crimereads.com/agatha-christi...

No, he moved the pipe belonging to one of the men to a different place and the pipe smoker sat in the new place when he returned.

Rosina wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I'm with you RC on the murder method. I think at a table for six, and even more so at a table for three, I would remember my seat and be suspicious of a moved pipe or bag."

One probl..."

Very interesting point. I don't remember and my copy is back at the library.

Susan in NC wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I have hopes of reading Bleak House this month. Aim high!"

Bless you - I have been trying to finish that for years off and on! I started listening to the audiobook in h..."

Oh dear. I'm already prone to unscheduled naps.

Lady Alexandra is my choice as well, though I remembered enough to not really be suspicious of her this time. Though I was never sure if I was thinking of this book or the short story. Does anyone remember the murderer in the short story?

I may see if I can find a copy quickly ...

I have hopes of reading Bleak House this month. Aim high!

Roman Clodia wrote: "I remembered this quite well and having loved it the first time, was a little disappointed this time: the characters are ones we've met before (the super-efficient secretary, the stuffy politician ..."

I'm with you RC on the murder method. I think at a table for six, and even more so at a table for three, I would remember my seat and be suspicious of a moved pipe or bag.

If Iris had been poisoned as planned, then suspicion would point to the waiter who served them before the toast, i.e. Victor.

I have started Anna Karenina for a summer long read challenge.

And, every time I pick up the book I note how inappropriate the cover is: young ladies in summer dresses, in punts, with no canoe in sight.

Hope to finish tonight (library trip planned tomorrow) but "have" to comment on how much this reminds me of Nancy Drew investigating with her two friends.

And the poet trying to sell his book, and keep bookstores in the black, seems quite timely. A couple of years ago publishers were limiting electronic copies of their new books to libraries.

From my exploration of Kindle in the US:

Death of a Busybody available, $8
The Billiard-Room Mystery: An Anthony Bathurst Mystery $3
Crossed Skis: An Alpine Mystery $8
The Spoilt Kill: A Staffordshire Mystery $8

I also own Death in Vienna, so it must have been available, and cheap, at some time.

Many of the British Library Classics are available in my libraries.

I've started and was hoping I could do better at keeping three of the students straight as the book developed, but Judy's comment has discouraged me. Liking it well enough so far and wish I could remember more of Murder Underground.

Susan in NC wrote: "Just started SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome this evening. I’m reading a few books right now, but plan to concentrate on the libr..."

Those library return dates are why I never get to the books I own.

I have a couple of non-mysteries in process: The Seeds of Life: From Aristotle to da Vinci, from Sharks' Teeth to Frogs' Pants, the Long and Strange Quest to Discover Where Babies Come From, a somewhat humorous look at the scientific history.

And Tiny Tales: Stories of Romance, Ambition, Kindness, and Happiness. McCall Smith probably jots off a couple of these during his morning coffee (or tea).

I started yet another series, The Frangipani Tree Mystery, set in Singapore in 1936. The lead character is a young woman, with a severe limp from polio, hoping to find a way to make it on her own (the theme of 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show'). I like it so far.

I read quite a few, often historical mysteries. I'm currently reading The Frangipani Tree Mystery, set in Singapore in 1936.

Reading Carolien's list, I am hoping for more in the Inspector Kubu series (Botswana).

India: A Rising Man
Japan: Jade Dragon Mountain and I'm on my library's wait list for The Decagon House Murders

charcoal wrote: "She must have been an early adopter, as I found a magnificent picture of Mrs Christie using a dictaphone in the 1950s. Wearing a deep red wool dress with matching jacket!"

Sounds more formal than today's outfit for working at home.