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

Tara ’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I just picked up the British Library Crime Classics Foreign Bodies, which is a collection of mystery short stories from around the world, some of which were translated for the first time for this book. So far I am finding it a bit of a mixed bag, but it is interesting nonetheless.

Tracey wrote: "I enjoyed this one too. Good humour and likeable characters, particularly Verity Preston and Mrs Jobs.

Bruce was always my suspect from the start. Though I didn't quite imagine that the grave wou..."

I did not pick up on the title clue either Tracey until my husband asked me the name of the book I was reading, and for some reason saying it out loud, and being at a certain point in the book, made me realize that Claude had to be in the grave. Bruce may have been a bad actor (in the ham category) with his over the top Scots accent, but his reaction to finding out he was working for the former Mrs. Carter seemed genuine. He at least had an air of an honest working man, which is more than I can say about Basil Smythe/Schramm. You would think by her third husband, Sybil would have had more sense to not pick a grifter.
I also really liked Verity Preston, and wouldn't mind an afternoon tea under her lime trees. I found the scene with the Vicar when they had to dig up the gravesite to be particularly touching, although I cannot say why exactly.
Poor Alleyn getting smashed in the face with a brick! The fact that he wasn't more seriously injured at his age is a miracle!

A bit late to the party (but I have been a month behind on my Marshes since last December). I cannot believe this is our 30th book! I think one of the things that has kept me reading these books is my genuine affection for Alleyn (and Troy and Fox as well). I find them to be likeable characters, and even if the novel specific characters are all dreadful, there is are our series long ones to commiserate with.
I just finished the book this afternoon, so I am still mulling over it in my mind. Overall, I think there were some really touching moments that stood out, and characters that felt real. My favorite was Verity Preston, who I would love to see more of (but we only have 2 books left)!

I don't recall reading Nancy Drew as a kid (I was reading Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot from least the age of 10), but this seems like it could be a contender in that genre. The difficulty in having such a young heroine is that the author needs to find plausible ways of uncovering clues, which is especially hindering if they do so solo. I felt the author handled this element deftly, even if the overall plot was a bit of stretch.

I enjoyed this book as a light read, albeit not as a serious mystery. I couldn't quite read it without thinking about Crooked House (view spoiler)[ although obviously the characters were opposites in many respects. (hide spoiler)]
I thought a section that summed up the nature of an 11 year old detective perfectly was when Flavia assumed the Inspector knew Bonepenny had been in Norway from the bird, rather than a more typical police method (custom clothing).

Tania wrote: "I tend to read in multiple formants, so always one kindle and one paper, usually a non-fiction, often one online (roject Gutenberg), and an audio, but I do also try to mix it up. I have friends tha..."

I'm totally a multiple book reader, particularly as I do a lot of audiobooks mixed in with my physical books (I have a Kindle, but can't seem to bring it into the rotation often). Before I read multiple books at a time, I found I abandoned more books because I would get distracted with something else I wanted to start and couldn't wait to finish the first one. I hardly ever abandon books now, unless I just really don't like it. The only trouble I have with this method is that if I go too long in between reading sessions, I tend to forget characters or lose the thread of a story. But its much more conducive to be able to pick up a book depending on your mood, which influences my reading a lot.

In addition to returning to old favorites, Agatha Christie and Ellis Peters, my favorite new finds were The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton and The Man in Lower Ten by Mary Roberts Rinehart. I plan on reading more of both when I can squeeze them in!

Judy wrote: "Tara, I think it's very understandable that the characters were fooled by Ivo - great point about gentry being given the benefit of the doubt, and also I agree his handsome looks helped to make a g..."

That's a good point Judy. It would have been interesting if Emma had a more difficult choice between the two. In a way, she does make the choice before she realizes who Ivo really is. When she is unknowingly locked in the solar room, she reflects how this is not the life for her, and I believe would have rejected a marriage proposal even if he had not betrayed her. Similarly, when she was brought to the Corviser homestead, she felt at home immediately. The push-pull of the landed nobility versus the merchant class (rich or not) is a big factor throughout the book.
It was also intriguing that she primarily was bothered by Ivo's position because it was ambitious and materialistic in its motive. I think she would have been more forgiving if his views were partisan, even if they disagreed with hers.

I don't necessarily agree that Ivo was a simplistic character--given how his good looks and nice manners fooled everyone into believing he was a good guy. Perhaps that was also related to the fact he was landed gentry, and those types were given the benefit of the doubt more so than lower classes.
I also suspect that the young people were ready to marry so soon because they were full of hormones, and were unable to fulfill those urges outside of marriage. I would be curious to read what the typical length of a courting relationship was during this time period, but I suspect it was not the multi-year affair it often is now. I appreciated that both Phillip and Emma needed to mature throughout the story before they were ready to be together.

Robin wrote: "Great point re hatchet. I think that this particular Christie is full of clues and marvellous misdirection.

And, yes, the humour in Poirot's role as a representative for refugees. I enjoy the hum..."

I also think that both Rosamund and Miss Gilchrist serve as examples of people who you are wise not to underestimate. Poirot even reflects on someone from Lord Edgware Dies, and how more so than "clever" killers, that its the simplistic ones to watch out for.

Regarding the use of the hatchet as the murder weapon, I recall more than one mystery where the question is asked if the blows could have been given by a woman or not. Perhaps the fact that this question is never asked is a clue in and of itself.

Christie is quite good at injecting humor into her stories in a way that does not seem inappropriate or out of place. Poirot acting as the UN representative for refugees (while playing down his grasp of English and playing up his foreignness) made me chuckle. Normally we would expect him to bemoan the fact that he wasn't instantly recognized and adored, but here, he uses it to his advantage.

My favorite passage from the book was when Mr. Entwhistle was questioning Lanscombe. In the usual tradition of the faithful old butler, he is rather circumspect. But Entwhistle appeals to him not as a servant, but as a man, which frees him up to share his mind. So often servants were viewed almost anonymously, that this human touch, playing off of both of their affection for his deceased master, gives dignity that is almost never afforded to the servant class.

I am loving this book in this moment. Perhaps its a desire to leave behind all of the craziness of what is going on. Peters is so effective at transporting you into this world; I feel like I am walking about the fair with Cadfael. The dialogue and characters seem so well fitted to the time. I think I know who the culprit is, but I'm not sure if that's because I read this book years ago, or because its somewhat obvious. We shall see!

Roman Clodia wrote: "So... I guessed right but couldn't understand why. The giveaway for me was on p.3 when Kerrison thinks 'love... the sudden terrifying hope of it' and because it wasn't mentioned again, I guessed a ..."

I think you hit the nail on the head RC, and I also think that's why I am liking her writing less and less as we go. Everything seems to plod along in a nihilistic fashion.

I was also confused by Stella (Star)'s relationship with Lorrimer. I had assumed that she was in a lesbian relationship with Angela, but was I reading too much into that? It seemed an odd twist that was not fully developed, but was thrown into the end to justify motives?

I feel like my dislike for Dagliesh is one of the reasons I haven't been enjoying these books. Her stories are fine on paper, but for whatever reason, I don't end up caring what happens. Maybe because none of her characters seem happy? I know its a murder mystery, but it ends up being depressing reading. I'm glad others are liking them though :)

Robin wrote: "Susan wrote: "Before we post our decided challenge books, can I just say that your moderator's have spent much time picking, arguing (in a friendly way!) and debating over which Christie's to choos..."

Endless Night is one of those books that has really stuck with me after reading it. She does such an excellent job of creating a dark and foreboding atmosphere.

I'm pleased this is a healthy mix of books I've read and others I have not, although I plan on (re)reading all of them. Eventually I hope to read all of her books, including the Mary Westmacotts and her autobiography, so these challenges keep me on track.

Rosina wrote: "I thought that the treatment of Dulcie (by the book) was appalling - she was fat, unattractive to the more discerning types like Ricky, and a slut, and so deserved little sympathy when she died. Co..."

She wasn't above being disdained (by other characters in the book), but not so much as to not sleep with her. And that seemed to be the case across the class lines.

I was so confused by Mrs. M. She was witty, intelligent and had a lively personality, but we're supposed to believe her to be totally submissive to and afraid of her husband? Those two elements didn't jive for me. Sure, make her a co-conspirator, but I don't buy her just doing what she was told to do out of fear.

I actually enjoy that the books have an earlier feel and that the characters don't seem to be aging in real time. It gives it a cozy feel, which is what I need at the moment. I wonder if she wrote them that way because she preferred that time period, if she had difficulty transitioning them into newer times and older ages.

Jill wrote: "I don't think Marsh hit the age very well. To me, in some ways Ricky seemed quite immature, and at other times he seemed more mature than his age, which I think was 21."

I agree Jill. And what exactly was his endgame with Julia? That she would leave her husband and children so they could run off together? It felt impulsive and selfish, without any thought to the real-world consequences. Luckily she seemed to take it all in stride, which is more than I can say for many other women.

While I didn't find the drug angle particularly interesting, I thought the scheme was more well thought out and described than in previous books. The paint tube smuggling ring was unique, although you have to question how much money would be earned from a guy carrying around a paint box on his back (maybe there is an army of them out there?). The murder also felt totally beside the point towards the end of the book, and it was more like a thriller than a murder mystery. It would have been a more compelling read if we delved into Dulcie's character, and her relationship with her uncle. I don't think religious mania (yet another overplayed angle in her books IMO) is sufficient motive.