Tara ’s Comments (group member since Jul 12, 2017)

Tara ’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I think I would have enjoyed this more if it was either a classic Poirot mystery or a standalone thriller that did not feature him. It felt forced somehow, even though I think overall it was a good book. I did like the bits about Poirot reading mystery novels, and to hear what were probably Christie's thoughts on those writers.
I also loved the passage describing the overrun bookshop, as though the books were multiplying of their own accord. Just the type of shop I could get lost in for days on days.

Susan in NC wrote: "I enjoyed it as a good easy, fun read and listen, but did seem a lot of coincidences- like Colin just happened to be on hand as the girl runs out screaming! And again, the spy angle - another group..."

I adore Hugh's reading as well Susan, particularly his Ariadne. However, I feel like either audiobook wasn't the right vehicle for me for this book, or my mind wandered a lot, because when it came to the end, I didn't have a clue who the neighbors were that were tied up into the scheming. They all seemed to meld together in my mind.
The best part in my opinion was the exchange between Colin and young Geraldine. Christie wrote precocious children quite well. I don't think I would have wanted her as a neighbor though!

Just started A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, which takes place in my neighborhood over 100 years ago. So far highly enjoyable! I was inspired to read this after learning it was a favorite among American soldiers during WWII. You can see how it would have made them reminisce about the life they left behind.

So many books, so little time! I wish I could read them all.

Despite not being a huge romance fan, I particularly enjoyed the Amelia/Radcliffe relationship (or as they refer to each other Peabody and Emerson). Perhaps the "I hate you, I hate you, now kiss me" element was teased out a bit too far along into the book, but for a long running series, it was actually lightning fast.
Who knew parasols could be such dangerous weapons? Definitely more useful for Amelia than attempting to use a gun.

I loved Crocodile on the Sandbank so much, I've already started The Curse of the Pharaohs since it was available from my library on audiobook. I see we are set to read it in January, so I will have to take good notes so I can participate in the discussions then.

I also recently read Spider's Web by Agatha Christie, which while enjoyable, was a bit of a kitchen sink type story that was slightly too much to be believable.

I have wanted to read this series for awhile, so I was excited to finally have the excuse I needed to pick it up. I absolutely adore Amelia, particularly her sense of humor. It reminds me of the T.E. Kinsey Lady Hardcastle series, only better.

I also thought the crime would happen on opening night, so it was a bit of a surprise if it occurred later, albeit with a very obvious method. I can't imagine that you would be able to have real, sharp weapons used in a production--even extensively trained people can make mistakes, particularly if you are tired or get distracted.
I wonder how they would have been able to cover up the fact that the main actor in the play was beheaded by a cast member? I suppose they would only have been able to get away with that before the trial. Still, you couldn't imagine that going 24 hours without leaking in today's world. I'm not sure if it would have helped or hurt the theater though.

Normally I don't care too much for the theater-themed books, but I really enjoyed this one (perhaps knowing its the last book in the series helped.) The great detail of the process served to show how Jay was able to shape his vision into the play, to get the result he was aiming for. I also thought the boys, particularly Robin and William, were adorable and a nice distraction from the ridiculous actors making nuisances of themselves.
I appreciated that Marsh resisted the urge to tie up loose ends (maybe marrying Ricky off to a nice girl?) as I am sure other authors do. I do hope that Alleyn gets to retire soon, and move off into the countryside where Troy can paint landscapes.

I'm about a third of the way through Light Thickens for our Marsh buddy read. I'm happy to see it brings back some characters from a previous read Killer Dolphin, which I had also enjoyed reading. I have to say I will miss this series--while not all were great, they were certainly good enough to sustain reading them every month for several years, and were often a source of entertainment and escapism.

I assumed he meant he wanted Deborah to read his poetry, although given how much he clearly still grieves the lose of his wife and son, perhaps that is not the case.
I can't put my finger on why I find Poirot so charming, despite all of his foibles, but Dalgliesh is insufferable to me. Maybe because he is so brooding and humorless. The one word that seems to stick in my mind from this book was sour. Also the phrase demented demons, which was used twice in short order, and seemed an odd descriptor to keep referring back to.

Boy, did this book need an editor! It often feels like a first draft, where she put all of her thoughts and ideas down on the page, and no one bothered to tell her she could do with cutting some of them out.
The whole Rickards/Dalgliesh rift doesn't make any sense to me. Unless there is a huge difference in time and culture which is different from my own experience, police officers have a tendency of using gallows humor as a coping mechanism to deal with seeing the absolute worst of humanity. It seems callous and cruel to civilians, but it is not meant that way (at least for most). I would find it hard to believe that someone as seasoned as Dalgliesh wouldn't give him credit for just dealing with an awful situation poorly.

Thanks for bringing back the covers Susan! I picked up A Poisoning In Piccadilly primarily for that reason.

Jan C wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Oh, Bogart would be perfect for the role In a Lonely Place.

For the group members who have come here wanting the cosiness of Golden Age mysteries, Dorothy B. Hughes wil..."

How do you feel Mary Roberts Rinehart falls into the categorization? She feels more cozy than hard boiled to me, but was also writing in an earlier period than Hammett, Chandler, et al.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Oh, Bogart would be perfect for the role In a Lonely Place.

For the group members who have come here wanting the cosiness of Golden Age mysteries, Dorothy B. Hughes will probably not be to your l..."
Very true Elizabeth. I read Dread Journey recently, and while I expected a GA mystery, I found a much starker, more nihilistic story instead. Excellent writing, but not to everyone's taste.

Shaina wrote: "Tara wrote: "Shaina wrote: "I'm starting The Floating Admiral by The Detection Club. ..."

Tara, I really enjoyed the book. I mu..."

Very cool Shaina! Its an interesting concept which could easily have been awful if not well executed.

Abigail wrote: "I hope whoever proposed The Widening Stain does not get discouraged! If one I really wanted to read hadn't been already on the list, and if The Widening Stain had been more available and affordable..."

I am a bit discouraged Abigail, but hopefully one of these days a nomination of mine will win :) I was so excited to read it, I didn't consider the availability and pricing, but I'll have to keep that in mind next time.

Welcome Elizabeth! Lots of AC fans here, including myself.

For my newest non-fiction read, I'm listening to Red Famine: Stalin's War on Ukraine, 1921-1933 by Anne Applebaum. It is dense, but not boring. History can be truly horrifying.
For a lighter read, I'm also listening to Watership Down by Richard Adams, which I never read as a child. I'm hoping for good things.

Shaina wrote: "I'm starting The Floating Admiral by The Detection Club.

The 1931 newly formed Detection Club members wrote one chapter each, o..."

I look forward to your thoughts on this as well. Such an intriguing concept.