Jessica-sim’s Comments (group member since Jan 01, 2016)

Jessica-sim’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Yes, indeed! I can find it very annoying when reading a series and my favorite character doesn't return in the long awaited sequel OR even if the point of view is changed.

It didn't for me either, actually I quite enjoyed Jerry and Joanna. Perhaps a little more interaction between them and Miss Marple would have been good though.

Yes, I agree with Michelle. I often reread after (a couple of) disappointing books when I'm in need for a guaranteed good experience. It's often a certain setting or atmosphere I hope to recapture, I think that's why fantasy books and classics work very well for rereading.

Thank you all! I came here for some encouragement today as I'd been restarting and restarting chapter X and felt totally confused... What's going on, is it all going anywhere? Pfff ;-)
As most of you seem to have experienced a moment of doubt too, I will stick it out & continue on.

Thank you for informing us! It really is sad news, I wish her family and friends all the best.

There are two Miss Marple short story omnibuses (that I know of), that way you'll also be set for the second short story collection later this year.

- Miss Marple: The Complete Short Stories, ISBN 978-0062073716
- Miss Marple and Mystery, over 50 Stories.
That one has other (Non-Miss Marple) short stories as well, but they're all given in chronological order and equally fun! Also, that edition is available on amazon for kindle download!

Must have read the story before and must have watched one or two tv renditions... But was totally fooled into suspecting the wrong people.
Also thought that Adelaide and Mark would surely get married and share their good fortune.

About to start the 6th mystery of the Tuesday Night club, looking forward to Miss Marple presenting one! Will it be a village mystery? What will her esteemed nephew make of it?

I'm really enjoying these stories and they are a perfect size for my commute.

Yes, I do have a (rather lovely) foreword by Christie in my edition. It seems like the foreword was written for the 1953 Penguin edition.

Wasn't sure if I was going to participate this months, as I've put myself on a book buying budget and my library doesn't have it, but audible has it! And it's read with by a good voice (Stephen Hogan). Looking forward to it.

@ everyman & Jill

You mean because the father still had his punishment coming?

But if you foresee, and not prevent a murder, isn't that on your conscience no matter what justice in the bigger picture might be served?

I must admit, that the tendency of the golden age detective to take justice in their own hands, very often doesn't sit well with me. I guess that the inevitable death penalty for the suspects blurs the lines somewhat.

I started off really liking this book! It was my first encounter with Rex Stout.
But then I really didn't like Wolfe's deceiving schemes. Maybe the robbery would be forgivable, but then the blackmailing of Anderson (yes I know he didn't see it like that) and the totally preventable deaths of father and son... All that thought and played out from an office chair. How is that not a criminal mind?

I also just discovered Rex Stout and am amazed as to how I was completely unaware of this series. It's such fun! Like Sandy I am a bit worried that a whole collection of books just got added to the reading pile... With Miss Marple already lined up for this year, I guess Nero Wolfe will have to wait a while.
Thanks for all the interesting (background) information!

Three Miss Marple's on here, what do you think? The Top 10 Agatha Christie Books According to Agatha Christie http://forreadingaddicts.co.uk/polls-...

I am also not a fan of this one. I was curious to see how you all would find it, and if it was just me being grumpy about it not being a "real" golden age book.

Thank you all for the interesting comments and links.
I actually really liked reading this book, right up until the inquest. I don't get why Cayley was allowed the "easy way out", why not let the police in on it earlier and let justice be done? Suddenly Cayley deserves our pity?

Also, I wonder about the meaning of the matches in the last chapter. They keep changing hands and pockets and get a lot of attention, what am I missing there?

It's one strategy for dealing with group-reads and spoilers, but I agree the number of threads can get too high at times, also discussions in the earlier chapter-threads fizzle out easily.

Another group uses this organization: they open a new discussion per book and have a thread per chapter. In each chapter-thread you are allowed to discuss things that happened up until then only. Automatically spoiler free.
And those who've reached the last chapters are free to discuss amongst themselves.

Thanks Betsy! You were absolutely right that the book takes a turn for the better after chapter 10. I had been stuck there for over a week, but your comment motivated me to pick the book up again, and voila! I finished in 2 days.

I wouldn't say the book redeemed itself in the second half, but it did improve to "a pleasant enough read". I didn't much care for the characters, or the atmosphere nor the conclusion. Would like to read another book by her though for comparison.

I'm actually quite partial to the twins, admittedly I'm only at about a third through, their banter does remind me of Wodehouse's Freddy, whom I adore. It's curious how Kenneth especially seems to be so out of it, yet his eyes are frequently described as alert and brilliant. I wonder if he'll develop into a more efficient character, yet I doubt that after reading all the comments here...
Overall still enjoying this book!