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

Tara ’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I started The Benson Murder Case by S S Van Dine for a recent buddy read. I like a mystery set in 1930s New York City, but the dialogue of the main protagonist is simply annoying, and it makes it difficult for me to like him. Hopefully it improves as I get along.

I also just finished Endless Night by Agatha Christie on audiobook. A darker departure from her usual fare, it sucks you right in. With a twist ending, I would definitely recommend, despite not containing any of her recurring detectives.

Sandy wrote: "I am listening to Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage and am absolutely amazed the hardships some people can survive. Fascinating book.

I am also reading [book:One for the R..."

I have Endurance on my shelves somewhere, but never seem to find the time to squeeze it in. Something about Artic adventures is both mind boggling and intriguing.

A little bit of a slow start, but a great and unique finish, which made this one of my favorite Poirots. I briefly suspected Roddy and the doctor, but the nurse/aunt as killer was so much more of an interesting conclusion. I am happy that Elinor didn't end up with Roddy--he was a weak-willed do-nothing who was just shuffled through life. She was far too spirited for such a mate.

This book was new to me, and I really enjoyed the plot structure and slow unraveling of the resolution. I also listened to the Suchet version, and I think in general I prefer Hugh Fraser, although once Suchet turns on the Poirot accent, I feel at home.

Wsm wrote: "I have tried one of her books,Photo Finish.But it didn't work for me."

Her books can be a bit uneven, some not so great, and others very entertaining.

I actually liked the fact that the murder occurred somewhat later in the book, and I thought the development of the characters up to that point helped to flesh out the mystery in the latter part. If all of the novels have a very similar formula, one tends to tire of them easily, especially if you read them back to back as we are for this challenge.
As also discussed on the spoiler thread, I was particularly fond of Octavius the bookseller, and surely would be bankrupt if I had such a shop next door.
On other good Marsh books to read, I liked Died in the Wool, Death in a White Tie, and the last entry Singing in the Shrouds.

I enjoyed this, mostly because I found the dialogue to be comprehensible, which isn't always the case in Marsh novels. I guessed it was Charles around the time Alleyn and Floy were discussing him using the bathroom after he had been sequestered in the dressing room to rest. It seemed the opportune time to empty the bottles out. I also agree that the nagging to not use the spray felt like reverse psychology.
I would also totally move into the Pegasus bookshop-that place sounds just delightful!

Quite appropriately, I was reading Paul Theroux's The Great Railway Bazaar while on a train journey this past weekend. I'm not familiar with his work, although apparently this is considered his masterpiece. You really feel like you're traveling with the writer as he rambles across Europe and Asia.

Bicky wrote: "Just read Dregs by Jørn Lier Horst. Really enjoyed it.

The author has explained: ‘When I had in mind to create a new, Scandinavian crime hero, I was very conscious ..."

Nice to see there are contemporary police procedurals that depict detectives as normal, functional people.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Victorian mourning jewelry was usually made up of the hair of the deceased."

Such a stark contrast between a society some said was obsessed with death, and the modern times (in the West) where many feel like they can't discuss their grief because it makes others uncomfortable.

Susan wrote: "Yes, I recall there was a lot of information on Victorian jet. I think Whitby was important. This site/jewellery shop has some information on it:

https://www.cwsellors.co.uk/pages/abo..."

Jet is the jewelry that the Romans wore as well, although a lot ended up wearing ordinary coal because they couldn't tell the difference.

And I could see how mourning could be an industry considering women had to wear it for 2 years after their husbands died (and some, like Queen Victoria, did so for the rest of their lives).

In the true crime genre, I am quite enjoying I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara (who tragically passed away before she finished the book). I can see why this was a best-seller, its an engrossing read, and not too graphic in its content (although obviously not as cozy as GA mysteries).

Diane wrote: "Tara wrote: "Overall I enjoyed this book, but struggled with some elements not necessarily related to the murder itself. My review is here:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Ultima..."

If you follow the All About Agatha podcasts Diane, they do discuss the play in their review of this book, and detail how the plot is altered. It is an interesting change, and something that might have made for a more entertaining read.

I'm about a quarter of the way through Coal: A Human History by Barbara Freese. Very interesting, especially in the non-conventional ways it was used (the Romans wore it as jewelry before people figured out you could burn it).

I was listening to the audiobook version narrated by Hugh Fraser, and noted several anti-Zionist rants by the dragoman, which I did not recall from my book reading. I went back and checked, and confirmed those references were not in my edition. My paperback was first published in 1978, so some time in the intervening 40 years, those bits were edited out. It makes you wonder how the text you're reading differs from one edition to another (especially between the US and UK versions).

Rosina wrote: "Tara wrote: "I wonder if having a monk (or a novice) as a killer was controversial when the book was released? I would think so, especially from the establishment."

I don't think 'the establishmen..."

I meant more so the church establishment rather than the secular one, but perhaps we are a bit more puritanical in the US.

Overall I enjoyed this book, but struggled with some elements not necessarily related to the murder itself. My review is here:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Ultimately, my biggest qualm is with how the Boyntons turn out. Granted it is 5 years down the road, but people in their 30s do not grow a spine where none existed before. These people would be incapable of making any decisions, and while there would be relief that their abuser was dead, that would not magically solve their problems. Sad, but unfortunately true.

Also, did anyone else feel like the explanation for the murder was haphazardly thrown in at the end? How was the reader to know that the murderer had a motive for the killing to even consider them a suspect?

I agree this was an entertaining read, and an interesting family that we really get to know as the story develops. I did have some serious issues with the deeper themes of the book, but off to the spoiler thread I go for more on that!

This isn't my favorite of the series, but is certainly a solid start. I think its necessary for Cadfael to have a life and adventure prior to joining the monastery. It gives him a better insight into society that those who have only led a cloistered life do not have. Couple that with his extensive knowledge of herbs and their medicinal (and deathly) uses also is an important element in him working so well as a detective.

I wonder if having a monk (or a novice) as a killer was controversial when the book was released? I would think so, especially from the establishment.

I started the series again after perhaps 20 years when I first found these at my library. I do find the Welsh names a bit difficult, but if I skim over those, I am easily transported to Cadfael's world. It doesn't feel anachronistic to me, which I think is a rare skill in a modern writer. I've fallen a bit behind reading one every month, but hope to pick them back up if the group continues to read them.

I agree about the motives for many to join the church, although society was much more pious and devout than today. And unfortunately the leadership of the church was not immune to the corrupting influences of power, which was doubly dangerous if they believed they were doing God's work.