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

Tara ’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

On the topic of closed libraries, I don't often take out physical books since my closest branch has been closed for a few years for renovations and its a bit more a hike to the next nearest location. I did happen to visit it right before the shutdown, so I have a few books on hand until they reopen, probably sometime in June at this rate. Luckily they have a wide variety of audio and e-books, so that's usually what I rely on when I want to borrow something.

Like others, I enjoyed the first third of the book the best, as the scene setting with Whipplestone and Lucy were Marsh at her best (outside of a theater that is). I also enjoy getting to see how Rory and Troy make their marriage work with such starkly different careers. They are successful because they allow each other the space to commit to their work properly, and not only respect, but try to understand what it means to do that work. Some of my favorite sequences were with Rory, Boomer and Troy at work in her studio. I don't believe Marsh ever married, but her writing on this topic displays a deft hand, and where the romance element can sometimes detract from the flow of a mystery, are weaved in very well. Many of my favorite novels of hers are ones with Troy as a central character.

My favorites were Mr. Whipplestone and Lucy Lockett. I'm not a huge cat fan, but she seemed quite cute and clever, and a good companion for Sam. I could also see how stressful it could be to have to provide security for a foreign dignitary to refuses to follow protocols.
As much as I enjoy her novels, I do wish her villains were a bit more complex. They often seem to fall into the category of odious monsters who aren't made of much more than the crimes they commit. In that respect Chubb was a bit different, with a backstory as to why he was involved in the plot, which might explain why Alleyn felt compelled to extend him some mercy.

Has anyone seen the Suchet adaptation for this book? Thoughts? (view spoiler)[ I did not see the point of making David such an evil guy (compared to being more of an opportunist in the book), especially forcing Rosaleen to get an abortion so that he could control her totally. I did like that Lynn went away to South Africa in the end, that felt more fitting for her character. Casting was pretty good, although Rowley looked like a stocky oaf rather than the good looking man he was described as. (hide spoiler)]

Leslie wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I started this last night, on audio with an electronic copy for reference. I'm impressed that Poirot remembers a name mentioned in passing 18 months ago. Quite some little grey cells ..."
I'm terrible with names (but pretty good about remembering faces), but perhaps he remembered it because it was such a strange story?

The post-war rationing seems like it was quite difficult, and went on far longer than I would have thought. While not at all on par, I've found the present COVID-19 struggles with getting grocery deliveries challenging. You don't realize how privileged you are until those things are taken away. First world problems for sure.

I picked up on the fact that whenever Rosaleen was asked about identifying her husband, her answers were evasive, which led me to suspect something was off there. I was somewhat disappointed that she ended up being a fake, as I had liked the idea she was a sweet, kind person. Too often you see the shallow gold digger type, so it was a refreshing change (although there was some speculation she had been altered by the bombing, who knows to what degree that was supposed). I had hoped for a Rowley/Rosaleen ending, but of course that was before we learned he only thought of her like cattle.
I tend to agree with Poirot's assessment of Lynn that she is the type that would be restless no matter where she landed. I found David totally disagreeable, but perhaps that explains to some degree why she ended up with Rowley after he tried to kill her. Clearly she has no sense in that area.

Frances wrote: "I really enjoyed this-it was nice to read one at a time before bed, and they were clever and fun without being too taxing. I loved the suggestion that Poirot might be pursuing the Countess romantic..."

There is a version in the David Suchet series that is a single episode mishmash of the labors. I would not recommend simply because like so many of the later adaptations, it is far too dark and brooding to be enjoyable. But, if you like that style, its beautifully filmed and costumed.

Tara wrote: "The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, described as "Gosford Park" meets "Groundhog Day" by way of Agatha Christie. What's not to like?"

I just finished this yesterday and I cannot recommend it highly enough. So creative and innovative, but also a great mystery.

Tracey wrote: "I suspected Cressida due to the character being a little too fake for my liking.

Where is Ricky? I seem to have missed any reference to him. There was at one point mentioned Troy either spending ..."

I wondered that as well, but figured he was away at school. It was also a bit strange that Troy was the center of the novel for about 75%, and then completely disappeared when Rory showed up. I know he wanted to keep her out the case, but it seemed abrupt.

Now that I have finished, I must say this is my favorite Christie short story collection I've read thus far. The various labors created a thread to tie them together, even if some of the connections to the myths they were supposed to represent were tenuous. Altogether, delightful!

The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, described as "Gosford Park" meets "Groundhog Day" by way of Agatha Christie. What's not to like?

Judy wrote: "I always tend to be worried by the detectives letting a killer go, because of the risk that they will kill again - even when the killer seems quite sympathetic."

Is there any truth to the idea once you get over the repugnance of your first murder, they get easier and easier? I've heard that anecdotally from serial killer interviews.

Tara wrote: "I also enjoyed the setting of the novel, having traveled to Rome just last year, so the memories are still fresh in my mind. It somehow manages to be both an ancient and cosmopolitan city at the sa..."

I certainly agree with you from a moral perspective. Covering up incest is not a good reason to do just about anything. But I think as we often see in real life, pragmatism often overrules principles.

Peters is somewhat boxed in, in the sense that monks (and people in general during that time period) didn't travel around much, so the mysteries are limited in their scope and range. Setting them in the midst of a civil war does add drama, as well as a greater movement of people than you would find in ordinary circumstances.
I thought the method of murder was clever. Only in such a structured and rules based society could the killer ensure that only the intended victim would eat the poisoned food (as he was the head of the household and it was intended exclusively for him).

I read this about 2 years ago, so won't do a reread, but this was one of the plots that I do remember. As a general rule I enjoy the characters and settings more than anything else about these books (and since I never solve the cases anyway, these are the most important elements in my reading). I doubt Cadfael is a typical monk, but he is someone that I would appreciate meeting in real life.

Now where did I get the notion that Dalgleish's family had died in a car accident? I must admit that my mind often wanders when I'm listening to these books (the only way for me to fit them into my reading schedule, and really one of the only options now that the libraries are closed). I'm not sure how long he was married before his wife died, but I would be shocked if at least some of his hesitancy wasn't related to fear of loss again. It is a powerful motivator for people to avoid serious relationships.

I do believe it is possible to both be a loner, and be in a happy marriage. I am definitely a solitary creature who needs plentiful of alone time, but I also love and adore my husband, and enjoy spending time with him. Its all about balance, and having the freedom to do what you like/need to be happy, while still being present for the other person. It definitely does not need to be an either/or proposition.

Typically I don't enjoy short mysteries as much, as there is not sufficient time to develop plot and characters, but this collection is proving to be an exception thus far. They are tidy little puzzles that don't require more information to be solved in a satisfactory way. So far I have read The Nemean Lion and The Lernaean Hydra, and the fit with the myth has worked well. I'm reading the book, and also listening to the audio, just because listening to Hugh Fraser is such a treat!

I think her dialogue gets better in later books too. I recall from early on in the series (was that really 2 years ago now?!), that the writing felt anachronistic, which could be both entertaining and confusing. Later outings feel more relaxed and realistic, and she is clever in terms of figuring out how to get her police detective involved in a case other than the usual way, which can get old pretty quickly.

I also enjoyed the setting of the novel, having traveled to Rome just last year, so the memories are still fresh in my mind. It somehow manages to be both an ancient and cosmopolitan city at the same time, which is no mean feat. Kenneth Dorne seemed the most likely suspect, with his fidgety, sweaty demeanor, but generally that means the person is not guilty. Clearly those were reflections of his illegal drug habit rather than murder.
In terms of Alleyn playing God, I'm sure he viewed it a few ways, (1) if the Roman police were not willing or able to figure out the real murderer, who was he to tell them? They seemed to bristle at his interference from the beginning, and he had to be very delicate in his handling of the situation, (2) they seemed to prefer a neater solution that left all guilty parties dead, and the case easily closed. It would be an international incident if they accused a titled person from a foreign country of a murder that they probably couldn't prove in court anyway. So as far as they were concerned, it was better left the way it was.

Sandy wrote: "I picked up both Occupied Grave and Railway Detective. Like Judy I did not enjoy Marston's style in the book we read but I'm giving up on ever getting another Jim Stringer ([book:The Necropolis Rai..."

I've been on a railroad kick myself, so this is a fun find. I've never read Marston before, but I do enjoy the Victorian era, so its worth checking out. Thanks for posting Susan!

I enjoyed more than the previous books, but still, not as much as other mysteries. I was very muddled as to who was who, but liked it towards the final third. I'm not a huge fan of Dalgleish, either as a man or a detective--certainly one of the weaker aspects of these books thus far.