Shaina’s Comments (group member since Jul 10, 2020)

Shaina’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Thank you for the clarification, Sandy and Judy. I too will continue reading the series on my own. I agree there wasn't much to write or discuss about the books but I love Maigret's personality and the atmosphere of the books.

I have a question. Have we dropped the Maigret series? Just asking as I don't see them listed after May/June.

Susan and Judy, I appreciate all the mystery books/podcast updates you'll share in the group. I don't think I would get to half the mysteries I have read if not for all the recommendations from this group.

I can't wait to read Cat and Mouse next month. I have another BLCC reissue Scandalize My Name to tide me over while I wait for the next Christianna Brand. I finished Not to Be Taken by Anthony Berkeley last night, which was reissued by BLCC in March, and enjoyed it more than any other Berkeley mystery.

Ted annoyed me too! I completely understood how Bobby felt :) I enjoyed this book more than the last few in the series. I liked the explanation of why people were called what they were like Tiny, Sunday, etc I also enjoyed the Bobby impersonator (very funny and unexpected) and the office politics Bobby has to put up with.

I just started Dramatic Murder by Elizabeth Anthony. The detective doesn't seem too bright so far but I'm only 20% in so maybe that will change.

I'm currently reading Tour de Force by Christianna Brand, and I'm enjoying it more than the other Cockrill books.

Thank you so much for setting up this amazing challenge! Adding to what Abigail said about the wide world of mysteries, I haven't heard of a single author or book in this challenge and definitely look forward to exploring new authors in this genre.

I finished this last night. I enjoyed comparing the two inspectors and their styles. I found the Highland and Lowland bit informative and funny.

I read this last year and quite liked the book. This was my introduction to Scandinavia Crime fiction. I went ahead and bought a few more Martin Beck books and will join in from January.

Yoohoo! This is such an interesting mix of books. Thank you, Susan! Can't wait to begin. I have six new books to look forward to in the challenge.

I'm reading this book next week. Quite interesting to know how this group came about. I'm sure reading this book brought back those memories :)

I'm currently reading The Ink Black Heart and will read nothing else till I finish it.

This would suit me perfectly! I have already read Roseanna and will be happy to start with the second book in January.

Carolien, I loved that book and have 4 more in the series on sitting on my kindle. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I plan to read another from the series this year...taking it slow so I can savour them slowly as there are only 10 in the series.

I'm in for The Daffodil Affair. Already got it on my Kindle from KU.

I quite enjoyed the book esp. as it was very different from the others in the series so far. This book made me feel exactly like how I felt when reading The Secret Adversary the young couple, people not being who they say they are, the running around, spies, etc.

I like the blind man as a character and really loved Sheila Grant. We rarely get such strong women (the only others that come to mind are Christie's characters but I may be wrong as I'm not as well read as others in this group).

As for poetry, in school (India), we read Robert Frost, William Wordsworth, John Keats, T.S. Eliot, William Blake and some Shelley but no Shakespeare or others that are quoted in most Golden age mysteries.

Judy wrote: "Shaina wrote: "Just finished The Secret Vanguard and enjoyed it quite a bit. I'm now starting The Seat of the Scornful by John Dickson Carr thanks to B..."

Judy, I really cannot express how grateful I am to have found this group. I probably wouldn't have ever got to so many amazing mysteries. That being said I am now overloaded with so many series I've started thanks to the buddy reads. I really enjoyed The Seat of the Scornful and I hope to lay my hands on more of his work (I hope someone from KU is reading this)

I have been moving house over the weekend (it's crazy as anyone who has ever moved knows) and couldn't join the discussions. Heading there now to leave my thoughts.

Just finished The Secret Vanguard and enjoyed it quite a bit. I'm now starting The Seat of the Scornful by John Dickson Carr thanks to BLCC and KU

I'm 50% in and really enjoying the book. Susan, I too was so confused for a minute by that lorry and horse remark!

I finished Hamlet, Revenge! today. Didn't really enjoy it. Death at the President's Lodging was so much better.

I have one more book to go 'Lament for a Maker' before the buddy read. I have already read Stop Press.