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

Ruth’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Judy wrote: "Having said that, I always find it hard to place the story on maps anyway - does anyone find them a help in following mysteries? ..."

I don't think I've ever used a plan to solve a mystery but I do find them useful to build a picture of the scene and imagine how people move around the house.

Susan wrote: "Interestingly, in The Thirteen Problems, Dolly Bantry is disbelieving when Sir Henry Clithering asks for Miss Marple to be included in a dinner party but, by this novel she is the woman that Dolly ..."

That's the interesting thing about reading the books in order isn't it. I've assumed before now that there's no character development but subtle changes can already be seen from Miss Marple's first appearance.

I think they complement each other very well and are totally committed to each other now. This means they give each other the space to do what they want or need to do and don't try to make each other conform to social stereotypes.

Some of the other characters are either shocked by this or misinterpret their relationship.

It reminds me of Agatha Troy and Roderick Alleyn in some ways.

Can we tell by the table of contents shown when you 'search inside'?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Miss-Marple-...

Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "I started this yesterday - pretty sure I haven't read it before.

Miss Marple has quite a different personality at the start, seems to be morphing into the Miss M I know. :)"

I'm still in the early chapters of the book and I was fascinated by our first encounter with Miss Marple. She comes over as quite a different character - a rather catty imparter of gossip rather than a gentle gatherer of information

Everyman wrote: "Just in time, the BBC has started a six part radio dramatization of Busman's Honeymoon. The first episode is found here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jwgl
with links to the rest (some not y..."

I've just finished listening to this dramatisation and I have to say I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Ian Carmichael played Lord Peter - I associate him more with Jeeves so wasn't sure how I'd get on but he made a very good Lord Peter, not at all 'what-ho'.

I wasn't quite so sure about the actress who played Harriet as I thought she sounded a bit too posh and light-hearted.

Yes mid-Feb is fine for me and I would like to read all of them as well Susan.

Jay-me (Janet) wrote: "Judy wrote: "Shall we carry on and buddy read the next in the series too, and if so when would be best to do it?"

Which is the next one? I have three out of the four books - am waiting for a kindl..."

It's A Presumption of Death

I think the Detection Club adopted them as their rules of fair play . Some are fairly tongue-in-cheek aren't they, and you can immediately think of several books by the likes of Agatha Christie that broke at least one of them!

I love all the social history that's included - the etiquette of national mourning and the expectations of women when they married, both their own and oother people's. And the contrast between the different women.

I really enjoy listening to audiobooks but I'm easily distracted and I've realised recently that I miss a lot when my mind wanders!

Ooh goody. I was itching to discuss this one and I'd love to do a buddy read for the others as well.

I'm listening to this one on audio and had a bit of a blip because I thought I'd worked something out about the timeline and wanted to go back and check it but couldn't do that on the audio so I got the paperback and checked there. This took me so long that I'd lost my thread and had to start again!

But I'm finding that I'm getting a lot out of a second listening and enjoying it immensely. I feel the solution is just out of reach and that if I concentrate and put it all together I can work out what's going on.

I'm looking forward to the buddy read of Thrones, Dominations. I'm listening to it on audiobook at the moment.

Jan C wrote: "Jill wrote: "I am wildly devoted to Christopher Fowler's Bryant and May series. They are absolutely off the wall and so much fun. And they seem, at least to me, to have the golden age touch...no vi..."

Me too - he's a fantastic writer and also does a great daily blog.

I'm hoping to 'read' the audio version narrated by Richard E Grant - should be a treat.

Happy New Year everyone.

Judy wrote: "I've just watched it - brilliant acting and Toby Jones in particular was superb, but must say I found it a bit dark/bleak and downbeat overall.

There were also some rather graphic scenes which I could have done without. ..."

Some scenes did make me squirm! I hadn't read the story or seen any adaptations so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I'd be interested to see the Billy Wilder film now.

I did go online afterwards and find out how this adaptation differed from the original, the play and the film, which was very interesting.

Here it is Judy The Golden Age of Murder Great book.

Has anyone watched the new TV adaptation of Witness for the Prosecution yet?

Marcus wrote: "I cannot agree more Susan. We have to be careful in our readings in order to a avoid imposing modern ideas and concepts in works written in earlier times. Is that possible?"

I find it fascinating from a social history point of view to see how attitudes and customs have changed over the years and reading Golden Age detective fiction gives so much detail.