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

Ruth’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Susan wrote: "I know we are not covering the Jill Paton Walsh novels in our challenge, but the second she wrote, "A Presumption of Death," is kindle deal of the day on the UK Amazon site today (25th Nov). I do h..."

I've read two of Jill Paton Walsh's Lord Peter novels and really enjoyed them. I particularly liked A Presumption of Death.

That's interesting - I'd assumed that if you didn't keep regularly requesting & reviewing books the publishers would turn you down. So, with the benefit of your experience, I think I'll keep it going as an occasional requester.

That looks really good. It's only going to be 99p on kindle so I will probably buy it when it comes out.

Have you been on NetGalley for long Nigeyb? I've had a couple of books from them but decided that I want to just write my reviews on here rather than on a blog, and also I don't want the pressure of having to read to a deadline so I'm not sure whether to carry on with it.

I've just finished Overture to Death by Ngaio Marsh.

Until recently I'd always thought that the progression of the story of the main character in a series was a modern phenomenon. For example you really need to read the Ruth Galloway forensic archaeology mysteries of Elly Griffiths in order because Ruth's story progresses through the series. But I didn't really consider that applied to Golden Age mysteries.

But reading this Ngaio Marsh book I realised I'd missed the introduction of Troy, Alleyn's love interest, so I'm going to go back and read Artists in Crime now.

I missed this book, and some others, because I stalled in my reading of Ngaio Marsh that I started last year when I got to Death in Ecstasy because I found it rather dull and abandoned it part-way through.

Do you think the quality of Ngaio Marsh's writing improves over time?

Other BBC podcasts I enjoy are Thinking Allowed, Great Lives, Four Thought and Beyond Belief. I've got them all saved as favourites on the BBC iplayer on my phone then I can listen to the current episode or go back and listen to any of the previous episodes.

Arpita (BagfullofBooks) wrote: "Speaking of podcasts, I listened to 'In Our Time' today and enjoyed the discussion about Austen's Emma. In case anyone is interested it is free to listen to from BBC radio."

Someone mentioned that to me this morning Arpita & your comment hss just reminded me to download it.

Leslie wrote: "I am reading an English satire/comedy of manners from the 1920s called Crome Yellow by Aldous Huxley. Nothing much happens but I am finding the characters a hoot! And t..."

I hadn't associated Aldous Huxley with comedy as I've only read Brave New World. Is it similar to Evelyn Waugh at all?

Really looking forward to this. Thanks for setting it up.

Hilary wrote: "Hmm probably Sayer's The Nine Tailors or Marsh's Opening Night"

I've just had a look at the synopsis of Opening Night, and I can't remember ever reading it! Oh joy - a Ngaio Marsh to read! There is another book set in the Vulcan theatre though isn't there?

Have you ever had a tune repeatedly running through your head who's title escapes you, and you've got no idea why it keeps popping up?

This has been happening to me for the last few weeks and looking at this group I've just realised that it's 'Watching the Detectives' by Elvis Costello!

It must be subliminal - my subconscious picks up the name of the group and associates it with the song without me even realising what's happening!

Judy wrote: "Ruth, my daughter is a huge fan of 'The Moving Toyshop' and I think it's probably her all-time favourite mystery - I must admit I didn't enjoy it as much as she did when I read it recently, but may..."

It's true that I enjoy certain books more or less depending on my mood - so another try might be worth it for you in the future.

The book that immediately popped into my head when I read this thread was The Moving Toyshop by Edmund Crispin which I have read many times.

I also re-read Nicholas Blake fairly regularly and also, like others Gaudy Night.

Strangely though, I wouldn't say that Edmund Crispin is my favourite mystery writer. It's just the particular combination of characters, story, setting and literary game-playing that make that book special for me.

Judy wrote: "I've got a free trial of Kindle Unlimited at the moment and just wanted to mention that our December read, The Santa Klaus Murder, is one of the titles that's available - they also offer several ot..."

Do you think you'll carry on with the Kindle Unlimited after the free trial Judy?

Nigeyb wrote: "According to a Dominic Sandbrook programme on UK TV the other night, only Shakespeare and the Bible have sold more books than Agatha Christie"

Looks like an interesting series - thanks for mentioning it Nigeyb.

Nigeyb wrote: "^ ^ ^ I can only endorse my own recommendation Ruth. I'm on page 24 of 272 of North Soho 999: A True Story of Gangs and Gun-Crime in 1940s London and it's a predictably compelling, ab..."

Paul Willetts is certainly on my list of authors to try now.

Thanks Nigeyb.

Jan C wrote: "I always think that if you skip a volume you may be missing a facet in the development of the character. "

That is a good point, Jan. I think perhaps I'll leave it a while and then try the second book at a later date (when I've got over my current obsession with books set in London!)

Wonderful! They both sound great. Thanks Judy and Arpita.

I love audiobooks Judy. The right narrator can really bring the characters to life and add an extra dimension to the story.

I'm usually listening to an audiobook at the same time as reading another in paperback. At the moment I'm reading a book set around present day St Martin's Lane in London while listening to An Expert in Murder which is set in the same area in the 1930s. This happened quite by chance but it's been a really interesting experience.

The next book in the modern day series (by Ben Aaronovitch) is set in Soho. So does anyone know any Golden Age books set in Soho? Preferably 1930s or 1940s.