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

Ruth’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Susan wrote: "I got an email from Dean Street Press today about a 1970's series being republished. Wondered if anyone was familiar with it? First book is: Death In The Grand Manor [bookcover:Deat..."

I got that one as well Susan and immediately added it to my tbr list. I agree they look fun with those covers.

I find it interesting that we can have this in depth discussion about the politics of a particular era as depicted in an Agatha Christie novel when she is so often accused of being simplistic and two-dimensional in her writing. I think this shows she's anything but.

On the subject of Communism and Fascism, I've always thought of them being on either end of something like a bracelet or piece of wire that you bend into a circle until the two ends almost touch.

Jill wrote: "I would have said it was more like ah-ha in an undertone"

That sounds more likely. In a slightly embarrassed way, an indelicate subject. At which point the deaf aunt would shout 'speak up can't you!'.

And how do you think that's pronounced? Hoo-ha?

A bit like doodah for some random object you've either forgotten the name of, or don't know.

Tania wrote: "That's true. We've been bouncing around here, we've had a go at all of the tiers, so now my head is spinning. I've lost track of what I can and can't do, so now I do nothing but read. 😃"

That's my take on it as well Tania - safer and less stressful.

I've just finished The Thursday Murder Club and loved it.

Happy New Year to all.

Happy Christmas to everyone. Hope you all had a lovely day yesterday and a good festive break. Happy reading!

Abigail wrote: "I was also excited to discover a new author by reading Fell Murder..."

I discovered E.C.R. Lorac this year as well, Abigail, and I'm looking forward to reading more. I'd like to explore more 1930s vintage crime and also some of the Furrowed Middlebrow genre reissued by Dean Street Press next year.

I've had a difficult reading year this year as I hit a bad patch during lockdown but I've started a reread of Agatha Christie's books in order which helped me get going again and I think I've got my reading mojo back now so here's to 2021.

I've just started this on e-audiobook from the library. I thought I was going to have to wait for it until the middle of this month but it suddenly popped up as available so lucky for me I think somdone must have returned it early. I agree with others about the narrator.

ChrisGA wrote: "probably Spinsters in Jeopardy--enjoyed him as a family man. Artists in Crime and the beginning of the relationship with Agatha Troy."

Hello Chris. Artists in Crime is one of my favourites too.

Abigail wrote: "Hah, what planet have I been on? Not only have I not read any of them, I hadn’t even heard of any of them!"

Same here Abigail. I noticed a few weeks ago that you could sign up to attend virtually, which I've been doing with some of the literary festivals this year. Then I looked at the nominees and like you didn't recognise any of them so didn't do it in the end.

Judy wrote: "Is anyone else reading this one or planning to?

Also just wondering which were anyone's favourites from the Caroline Graham series. I think my favourite was Written in Blood with the writers' gro..."

My favourite is Death in Disguise which is set in the New Age community.

I really enjoyed this one as well. It's the first Lorac I've read and I'm hoping to read more. The descriptions were excellent and it was set in a period that I like to read about. My only criticism is that she mixed real London streets with imaginary ones which made it hard to pin down where anyone lived. I love reading books set in London but I like to follow on a map.

Betsy wrote: "My husband reads aloud to me while I cook and wash dishes. Our latest book that we read this way was The Case of the One-Eyed Witness by Erle Stanley Gardner. My husband does a great imitation Raym..."

What a lovely idea, Betsy. I love being read to.

Judy wrote: "Ruth, I've just copied your post over to the general chat thread (White Swan) for anyone who doesn't see it here. Thank you again."

Thank-you for doing that Judy.

Judy wrote: "Jill Paton Walsh's new Wimsey book is now available to pre-order via Amazon, so I think it is going to happen! The site says it is being published on February 21, but there is still no title apart ..."

Sadly I've just read that Jill Paton Walsh has died. This is a nice remembrance by Martin Edwards https://doyouwriteunderyourownname.bl...

THE CASE OF THE MISSING MORRIS DANCER a cozy Welsh mystery full of twists currently 99p on Amazon

Susan wrote: "London is doing well, but I think we have the second wave now. I suspect we will also have further restrictions, but I know that all of us who are readers, will never be bored and we trust that, if anyone wants some reading company, they will join us here and always have someone to talk to ..."

Goodreads has been such boon over the course of this year hasn't it. Knowing there's somewhere to come to get away from it all and talk about books with like minded people has been a blessing and I hope everyone in the group is staying safe and well and finding the comfort they need in their books.

Judy wrote: "When I was a youngster I never read in order, just in the order I could get books from the library or borrow them from friends and family - but I do love to read in order now with any series that I..."

Same here - it used to be less of a thing didn't it. But like you I try and read in order now and have even gone back and read a few series by favourite authors like Kate Charles and Betty Rowlands in order and it does make an enjoyable read.

I started this one on audio but then had a 'look inside' on the kindle edition because I wanted to get the characters who appear in the first chapter fixed in my head and decided I much preferred to read the book rather than listen to it, so I've switched to the kindle edition.

Does anyone else find some books (or even some genres or sub-genres) are better read than listened to or vice versa? I've now started the new Anthony Horovitz - Moonflower Murders on audio instead and that's great to listen to.