Diane’s Comments (group member since Dec 25, 2015)

Diane’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Just finished this book and it is my current favorite. Each gets better.

For me it was The Hardy Boys. I loved those books The first "adult" mystery I got hooked on and carried around sneaking reads whenever possible was The Moonstone.

It bothered me also that the doctor had been in love with Mary's mother. That was rather distasteful and I wonder what Mary's mother would have thought of it. But it was a minor flaw for me also.
When I wrote that I thought it was more common then, I was really referring to the fact of Mary being his ward. I didn't express my thoughts clearly.

I really liked this book and did not mind in the least about the last minute clues since I can never guess the who did it anyway. I thought it a great change to have the despicable Bryce investigating. I figured the detectives consulted with him because originally he knew more than they did and it was a small town. People were more trusting.

At first I didn't care for the doctor for all the reasons others have mentioned but at the end I changed my mind. As to his lies to Mary about financial arrangements, well it was more common in previous eras, as others have pointed out, to keep unpleasant truths from children, especially girls, and he wanted to keep her from feeling even more gratitude to him. That's rather admirable really.

I can understand, I don't totally agree, but I do understand why Dr. Ransford wanted to prove that their father did not steal for his own profit before telling Mary and Dick that their dad was imprisoned for theft. He wanted to soften the crime so Mary and Dick would not be stigmatized by the knowledge of their dad being a criminal. Dr. Ransford did say that technically he was guilty but I do think it would be better for them to remember their dad as having poor judgement rather than that of just being a common thief.

Dr. Ransford did keep his love for Mary to himself until Mary opened up about her feelings for him. I think it must have been a more acceptable romance in previous ages because societies were more confined to a local area, people did not move as frequently as today, and they traveled less so it would be more likely to happen.

Susan wrote: "I often get so carried along with the story that I miss plot holes altogether. I am probably the perfect reader for these type of books, as I am very unobservant and hardly ever solve the mystery!"

You have described me also!

Nadine wrote: "I think that G's problems are meant to spring from his ill-health and the money shortage caused by the war -not that he has a difficult nature or psychological problems per se. He gave up his job t..."

I agree that sufficient money to live in a decent style will go far in relieving the stress of both George and Sheila. He'll still be an argumentative fat head but a nicer one.

Susan wrote: "The trouble money causes..."

Or the lack of it. haha

I loved the ending and Robert, who was a bit goofy, will be perfect for Ann. I truly think they will help each grow into a happy life together. I guess I'm a romantic at heart.

In literature though, these clubs are usually portrayed as insufferably dull. I only just started but what a great start. How oh how will he figure out a time of death?
It's warm and sunny outside and I have a super unread book. I see a delightful afternoon ahead.

Susan wrote: "As Judy has posted in another thread, from next month, I will open two different discussion threads - one without spoilers and one where they are allowed. Hopefully this open up discussion more. Th..."

Super duper. Two other book clubs I belong to have totally open discussions, one using separate spoiler threads and non-spoiler threads and the discussions are great. The fear of saying too much or fooling around with brackets is gone.

No comment is usually the best answer.

I really enjoyed the Melrose Plant and Richard Jury combo. I always pictured Melrose as actor David Hyde Pierce from the tv show Frazier.
I also read the Lynley series but didn't find them quite as enjoyable.

And Miss Climpson is having a ball - added income and an all expenses paid vacation. A working one but still a vacation.

Do forensic pathologists really do detective work in real life? Or is that just in Books and tv?

Damaskcat wrote: "Betsy wrote: "Certainly, Miss Marple proved that amateurs could pick up bits of information, and discover clues that would help the police. I would never deny that about many amateurs, however, it ..."

Thanks for the Veronica Heley tip. I'll try her books.
I used to listen to cosy mysteries in the car because they are not as involved as others and don't require 100% of concentration.
I agree that there are lots of good, decently written ones but, like any genre of books, some not so good. I would get annoyed at the ones that would repeat information. I wasn't sure if the author thought we readers dumb and needed the repetition or if there was a word count for the publisher to be filled.

Judy wrote: "The old paperback edition of Unnatural Death I read has an extra bit after the novel, a "biographical note" supposedly by Peter's uncle, Paul Austin Delagardie.

Do others have this in their book?..."

I also have a Biographical Note by Paul Austin Delagardie but it is at the beginning of the novel. It gives background info including a mention that Peter fell in love with a girl he cleared of poisoning her lover but she refused him, as any woman of character would.
There is a genealogical table at the end of the Dawson/Whittaker families. It is a Harper Paperback Mystery.

Betsy wrote: "The Golden Age way isn't as annoying as cozies where the "heroine" always seems to have either a boyfriend or close friend who is a policeman."

Yes, and the"heroine" totally solves it because the police are time and again incompetent and or clueless.

Susan wrote: "I find I struggle to remember what I have heard, in an audiobook, although I don't have that issue while reading. It is quite odd, as I do like audiobooks sometimes - also podcasts about books (suc..."

I sometimes have the same problem with audio but also really enjoy listening to them. I've found that the reader can make a big difference and, for the most part, I save the light, fun books for audio. But really, for me anyway, the reader is important.
I have read studies that have shown that students retain more when they read paper text books than ebooks. I wonder if that holds true for audio also,

I've been listening to the audiobook but can't get passed the first half hour. It's boring me to death, haha.

Everyman wrote: "Hmmm. I'm odd man out again! I prefer this to Clouds of Witness, probably because Miss Climpson is an enjoyable character and Gerald was just a boring idiot."

Not so odd - this is my favorite of the three we've read so far. My only question was how did Mr. Parker get so much time off from Scotland Yard? Surely they are as overworked as every other police department and yet Parker can just take off on Lord Peter's every whimsy.