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

Shaina’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I just finished this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I agree with most here about the wit and banter. I also suspected the husband would be found guilty but clearly, that didn't happen. I did not see that ending at all.

I'm definitely keeping an eye out for this series on the Kindle store.

I finished this book last night and was thinking about how to express what I felt. I agree with most here, that the author defending a pedophile priest was very disturbing. I found it even more bothersome to read how he was defended. Statements like "just fondled" and "He pleaded guilty to misbehavior with two young boys. He didn't rape them, he didn't seduce them, he didn't physically hurt them." really got me wondering how the author even wrote these lines. She could have used a better defense.

I, too, found the motive insubstantial and felt the book tried to use too many topics like incest, the church, racism, art, myths about pigs, etc. Last but not least Dagliesh trying for an arrest as he could not do so in his previous case sounded like he was trying to meet his arrest target for the year.

As this was my first Tey, I am unable to compare it to her other writing. I found the article for the Guardian quite interesting and realized the girl was named Elizabeth, the man says he knew Betty as "Liz" in the courtroom.

Carol@ I completely agree with your view. I, too, was glad Betty got what she deserved in the courtroom. I also agree she was extremely selfish.

As for the theory of the colour of the eyes and genetic, I thought it similar to the lines of phrenology which later evolved to genetics. This was quite a popular belief so I think the use of it by the author was clever, irrespective of if she believed it or not.

Judy@ as to her motive, there were several clues which I thought pointed towards what I thought her motive was. First, she has a photographic memory which helped her remember the details of that house and the residents. Her mother also says she loves reality not make belief which led me to understand she liked this real trouble and of course the fame and notoriety this incident gave her (again real not assumed). She was also acting out against her brother's engagement (loss of attention from him). She wanted the spotlight again and on a larger scale this time.

Thank you, Judy. That would be great!

Sure, Judy. Maybe you can choose a cheaper option available. I'll take any of his books which everyone can access. The Poisoned Chocolate case also seems interesting. I have it free with Kindle Unlimited but I'll let you pick any based on price if it doesn't work out for the others.

Oops! Sorry about that. Thanks, for letting me know. I'll look for something else. That's way too much.

Rex Strout sounds great to me to begin the new year (a new to me author). I would like to nominate Dead Mrs. Stratton by Anthony Berkeley. The reviews on GR looked great and again a new to me author I would like to read.

I came across this information when looking it up.
Dead Mrs. Stratton – Anthony Berkeley. Also known as Jumping Jenny, this is a case for Roger Sheringham, surely the most fallible of great detectives. Berkeley’s wit and flair for the ironic and macabre are on full display in this characteristically ingenious story.

First, let me say how glad I am to have read this as the first book of the month because it was a 5 star read for me. I loved it. (view spoiler)[I doubted the Sharps just a little till the man appeared in Robert's office.

I couldn't put the book down. I liked how there was always a seed of doubt planted by some piece of gossip in my mind about the Sharps. I enjoyed Robert's jealousy and loved his aunt. Such an interesting mix of characters and a wonderful plot.

I just wonder about the man who testifies seeing the girl get into the car. (hide spoiler)]

I started this last night. I hope to finish it today. Will comment on the spoiler thread once I'm done.

Sandy, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I too hope for book 6 soon but that's wishful thinking on my part.

I read Troubled Blood last week (couldn't wait and barely slept till I finished it). I loved it and hope you enjoy it too Sandy.

I just started The Spy who came in from the Cold by John Le Carre.

Carolien wrote: "Shaina wrote: "Halfway through The Color Purple by Alice Walker and slow going with The Monkey's Paw and Other Tales of Mystery and Macabre by [author:W...."

Carolien, I finished the book yesterday. It was really good but very emotional. I highly recommend it. I gave it 5 stars which I rarely do.

Halfway through The Color Purple by Alice Walker and slow going with The Monkey's Paw and Other Tales of Mystery and Macabre by W.W. Jacobs.

Please do, Susan. I would be happy if someone used the list and nominated some from them. I would like to read many of them.

Judy@ Thank you for waiting for my nomination however I don't think I will nominate any book this time. Maybe next year onwards or once I have read a few more GA authors.

As I'm new to the group I'm not sure about nominating books yet. I came across this link recently and maybe something from this could be nominated if possible.

https://strandmag.com/10-undervalued-...

Michaela wrote: "Shaina wrote: "I just finished Cocaine Blues

I recently got this one, as I loved the (parts of the) series, but don´t know when I´ll find time to read it! :P"

Michaela, I thought the same when I got the series in July. I managed to read the first 4 this month. They are quite short but they had me hooked from the start.

I read them between heavier books. I love the Miss Fisher Series on Netflix. That's how I heard of the books.

Judy wrote: "I'll be interested to hear what you think of The Floating Admiral, Shaina - I thought some bits of it were much better than others, but I don't remember now which authors' bits were my favourites!"

Judy, I really enjoyed the book. I liked the feeling of how each author tried to link their chapter to the previous one. I also like the various opinions of who they suspected at the end.

Tara wrote: "Shaina wrote: "I'm starting The Floating Admiral by The Detection Club. ..."

Tara, I really enjoyed the book. I must say what I enjoyed the most was the collated endings the various authors had written. Sayers in the introduction to the Detention Club explains the rules applied. The authors when writing the chapter were also supposed to share how they saw the story progressing and who they thought was the murderer and why. This had to be shared with other authors at the end and has been printed in the book.

I think I am going to read all the books in the series.

I just finished Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood. Phryne Fisher is amazing. Loved it! I think I will finish the entire series this year.

I came across this Channel on YouTube (radio shows/adaptations it has it all). I watched the Agatha Christie hour Episode 1 and really enjoyed it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOZCa...

The link to the channel is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWXO...