Ruth’s Comments (group member since Oct 06, 2015)

Ruth’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Judy wrote: "Shannon, I also love Morse, and the spin-offs Lewis and Endeavour. I liked the series of Grantchester a lot too, but didn't like the books when I tried them - again, I saw the TV series first.

Not..."

How did the Grantchester books differ from the series, Judy? I think I've got the first one downloaded on my tablet but I haven't got round to reading it yet.

Susan wrote: "Even worse, is when people review the books based on the TV show - I remember reading a review of, "..."

That's a bit cheeky isn't it! I've heard of similar things with books studied for an exam - they just watch the film not realising it could be different!

Everyman wrote: "But on the full site right above the list of discussions is a link for "unread" which gives you just the threads with unread posts in them. I use it automatically every time I enter one of the forums. It's great...."

I didn't know about that either, Everyman - thank-you. I get individual emails so I should get to see everything, but I've just gone to one of my groups and tried the unread button and found some discussions I knew nothing about!

Judy wrote: "Ann, that's great that you can get audio books from the library. I'm not sure if that's possible in my area - I know they used to be available on tape cassette and CD, though, so must investigate."

Overdrive is a great resourse Judy. Is this your library service? http://suffolklibraries.co.uk/elibrary

Nadia May also narrates Ngaio Marsh books well.

The BBC radio adaptations of Simon Brett's Charles Paris books narrated by Bill Nighy are also very good.

The right narrator makes all the difference I find.

HJ wrote: "what made them so likeable was missing in the books. "

That may be the key I think. If you start with the books you get to know the characters as they are written and there may also be additional elements you find enjoyable and those are the things that make the books so special. Then you watch a TV series based on the books and they may have altered those very elements of the main characters and plots that you loved to suit the visual medium and length of series/episodes. So it actually feels like a completely different story.

The same can be true the other way round - TV series to book - they may have introduced an element to the TV series which you really like, then you go to the books and its not there.

A recent pilot which wasn't Golden Age but had a crime element to it was based on Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins series. My partner hasn't read the books and really enjoyed it - hoping it will be turned into a series. I've read the books and found it a huge disappointment as they'd completely missed out 2 key elements that make the books so enjoyable for me and also completely changed the character of 2 of my favourite people - so it wasn't a success for me.

Ann wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Ann wrote: "The Lake District Mysteries by Martin Edwards have a golden age feel to them."

I've read his book on Golden Age Detective Writers and I also read his blog sometimes but I ..."

Thanks Ann.

Ann wrote: "The Lake District Mysteries by Martin Edwards have a golden age feel to them."

I've read his book on Golden Age Detective Writers and I also read his blog sometimes but I haven't tried any of his novels yet, Ann. Where do they fall on the cosy to gritty scale do you think?

Everyman wrote: "Ruth wrote: "So is the story of how Watson first meets Holmes at the beginning of A Study in Scarlet? ."

Yes.

Check it out.

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/244/24..."

Thanks Everyman.

Barbara wrote: "I'm almost at the end of reading one of the Complete works sets. It has been such a fun exciting read, it did take a bit because I read them before bed! I highly recommend them to all-especially th..."

Thanks Barbara - that's a really useful summary. So is the story of how Watson first meets Holmes at the beginning of A Study in Scarlet?

HJ wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Can you compare the style of the books to anything else?..."

I can't, I'm afraid. That was one reason I found it difficult to "get" her. But I liked them enough to read them all."

My library has quite a few of the books on e audio so I think I'll try the first one.

HJ wrote: "Ruth wrote: "HJ wrote: "I haven't seen the Phryne Fisher dramatisations yet, but they get rave reviews, and I loved the books. ..."

Oh that's interesting as I've seen a couple of the TV episodes o..."

Can you compare the style of the books to anything else?

I was just looking on Audible at something completely different narrated by Simon Vance and discovered that he has also narrated The Complete Sherlock Holmes: The Heirloom Collection - I'm so tempted, but it's over 50 hours long!

HJ wrote: "I haven't seen the Phryne Fisher dramatisations yet, but they get rave reviews, and I loved the books. ..."

Oh that's interesting as I've seen a couple of the TV episodes of Miss Fisher and wondered if the books were as good.

Amy wrote: "After seeing the Miss silver novels recommended so much I want to read one. They seem like they would be just my type a book. The problem is that my normally outstanding Library only has one of the..."

There is no story arc in the Miss Silver books so it doesn't matter which order you read them in. She sometimes mentions other books but there are no spoilers.

Susan wrote: "Looking forward to watching another one today, or possibly tomorrow, Ruth - as I have to go into work today. I am glad they made it particularly creepy - people often think of Agatha Christie as qu..."

Nothing cosy about this one!

Susan wrote: "I just watched the first episode of, "And Then There Were None." It was very good - it kept very much to the novel and was well done. This is from someone who really dislikes television adaptations..."

We watched all three episodes back-to-back last night and really enjoyed them. Very atmospheric. The music was wonderfully done with a menacing undertone running through it.

We were in Waterstones in Cheltenham on Monday and there was a lovely big display of the British Library Crime Classics on one of the tables - they looked so beautiful all laid out together.

Sandy wrote: "I just read the Campion story in Silent Nights and really liked his character. I hope to add that series to my "active" list soon!"

There were several authors in that selection that I'd like to try more of - a good way to try someone different.

Judy wrote: "Ruth, I'm intrigued to hear that Richard E Grant narrates the audiobook, as I love his voice.

I'm also looking forward to the new TV version of And Then There Were None - don't think I'll be able..."

Richard E Grant is a wonderful narrator - makes all the difference.

I've read that this new version of And Then There Were None is a lot grittier and dark than the usual Christie adaptations. We've recorded it as well. Anyone watched any of it yet?