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

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

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.

charcoal wrote: "I started this in audio format several times but just couldn't take it in. Once I started reading the actual book I couldn't put it down! May be coincidence, but I found Mrs Christie's last books, ..."

That is a very interesting observation about using a Dictaphone and audio books. I wonder if it is true. I've heard that many authors read their books aloud to ensure they flow well.

I usually have a hard copy version available for times my mind wanders when listening.

P.S. Welcome to the group.

Jessica wrote: "Having read it I can completely understand the divided opinions in the non-spoiler thread. I was absolutely enjoying myself in Kent and London and liked Jimmy’s research. Especially when he decoded..."

I think your suspicion of only remembering the good parts will prove correct as I can't recall any of your 'but then...' situations!

Continuing my drive to wrap up a few series and read old library books before they are tossed, I finished Kissing Covens (aka Broomsticks Over Flaxborough). This physical book is the first American edition from 1972 and has the envelope in front for the paper check out slip.

It is a fun series. I had to get a couple of the next ones on kindle as my library system didn't come through for me.

Susan in NC wrote: "Speaking of library books, I’ve finished Squeeze Me and need to return it, and pick up the latest in a historical mystery series I enjoy, Death of a Showman [bookcov..."

Thanks for the recommendation. I liked the early Gaslight books so will check out yet another series.

Jackie wrote: "I haven't read Hiaasen for a long time (no idea why!) but I do remember he is funny."

Me too. I've added Squeeze Me to my TBR.

I've started This Time Next Year We'll Be Laughing, a memoir by the author of the Maise Dobbs series. So far it is an interesting view of how "average" Brits were affected by the two world wars. Winspear uses many of her family stories in her books.

Judy wrote: "I've finished the novella A Shot in the Dark, first in the 1920s Mydworth Mysteries series by Neil Richards and Matthew Costello, which was an easy rea..."

"To the Manor Born" is one of my very favorite TV series.

Tara wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Tara wrote: "After a few months away from Amelia, I am back for the next installment in the Peabody/Emerson adventure tales, The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog. The au..."

Luckily there is variety. I am a Rosenberg fan, perhaps because I listened to her first, but also because I like her Emerson.

I am not recommending this as I haven't read it and often don't like continuations, but I didn't even know it existed. There is a continuation of Campion that is up to eight books this month. The first is Margery Allingham's Albert Campion in: Mr Campion's Farewell.

Jill wrote: "My eldest son's teacher made him very upset when he was 7. She got each child to stand up and say what they had got for Christmas, when he got up and said Father Christmas had brought him whatever ..."

What a cruel thing to do!

This was a re-read for me but I remembered absolutely nothing. Very sad but at least I got to experience the book like new.