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

Tara ’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Sandy wrote: "Tara wrote: "Ann Rule's true crime books are very good, particularly The Stranger Beside Me: Ted Bundy: The Shocking Inside Story, which includes the period where she worked along side..."

He passed shockingly well for normal, which is how he talked so many women into helping him as a ruse to get them into his car.

Ann Rule's true crime books are very good, particularly The Stranger Beside Me: Ted Bundy: The Shocking Inside Story, which includes the period where she worked along side him at a crisis hotline.

Susan in NC wrote: "A few years ago, on my mom’s recommendation, I read and was really impressed by The Longest Day. I’ve heard that about Ambrose, and will have to see if I can find that one.

Susan, I..."

I've read a bunch of Ambrose's books about WWII and enjoyed them all. I haven't read that one in particular, but can recommend him in general.

Jill wrote: "I would love to carry on with these through buddy reads. That is the completest part of me, but realise others may have had enough."

I already have her full set, so I would be up to continue the series into next year.

I also enjoyed the brief Poirot reference on the train, it was cleverly done. I was under the impression what they were smoking was laced with stronger substances, but perhaps it was just a novice's understanding of the influence of drugs. The best part for me was the character of Raoul, who, although nothing like our reliable Fox, made a good counterpoint to Alleyn, and really was the whole key to the caper being pulled off.
I wonder if cults were a real trouble in her time, or just a common trope used in mystery stories? They seem ridiculous, but I suspect the theatricality of their rituals and beliefs are what draw people in in the first place.

I was just grateful for the break from the formulaic plot of most of her mysteries, so even though it was beyond belief, it was still entertaining. Raoul made quite the good sidekick, and hopefully he will turn up in future books. Ricky was at times obnoxious, but not unusual for children at that age. I wonder if he'll be a teenager by the next one.

I wish I knew more about bridge (of which I know nothing), as I feel as though that would have enhanced my enjoyment of some of the plot elements. It seems like such a fun way to spend an evening, perhaps similar to modern game nights that are becoming popular again.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, particularly the Ariadne Oliver character with her tumbling apples. There are aspects of silliness about her, but also quite a lot of intelligence and wit, which prevents her from falling too deeply into caricature. I thought it was so interesting that Poirot used seemingly benign questions about bridge plays and the furnishings in the room to get an unguarded sense of people's personality, psychology, and state of mind that night. Of course it takes a man of his genius to glean the true essence of what their responses mean, but that is part of the fun of the story.
I wonder if Mr. Shaitana's purpose in sitting alone in the room with the killers was an attempt to overhear incriminating evidence? Clearly he wanted to rattle them by inviting four super sleuths to the party, and then making veiled comments during dinner that presumably only the killer would understand. He obviously underestimated their desperation and cunning.

I just started Bones of the Earth , the final installment of the Inspector Shan Tao Yun series. This is my first read by this author, and is totally outside the usual GA English manor murders I normally gravitate towards. The series takes place in Tibet, and explores the iron grip the Chinese government holds over its people. Its a fascinating story, and is very well-written. I would highly recommend, especially if someone is looking for an exotic locale for their next mystery.

Annabel wrote: "Not a mystery as such but I picked up A Is For Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie today and am already two chapters in. A is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha ChristieIt's a f..."

That sounds quite picturesque. I also purchased that book a few months ago, started it and liked it, but it got pushed aside for other books with deadlines. I need to pick up again.

Diane wrote: "I read all the Felse books and enjoyed them. I have also read most her stand-alones (try Never Pick Up Hitchhikers for a funny light read). However, I could never get into the Cadfael books. I have..."

I enjoyed Monk's Hood, but its been years since I've read most of them. Personally I prefer to read book series in order, but they work as stand alone reads as well.

Judy wrote: "Tara wrote: "I am growing a but weary of the same formula of police showing up to the crime scene with all the suspects readily identifiable..."

Tara, you are in for a surprise if you try the next..."

Glad to hear that Judy, I am looking forward to it. I've fallen a bit behind on my group reads, but I hope to catch up in the next few weeks.

As an interesting side note, it makes you wonder how many of the detective story romances work out in the end, especially the ones that seem tacked on at the end of the story.

I had been reading a Cadfael book each month on my own, but fell behind when other bookclub reads took priority. I am happy to jump back into the fray with a buddy read, although I probably won't reread this one as I've read it recently enough that I should be able to join in the discussion. I own the first book in the Felse series, but haven't read it yet.

Judy wrote: "Did anyone else really enjoy the opening of this? I thought it was great, with the hungry Martyn making her way into the theatre and blagging her way into a job. The best part of the novel, though ..."

I agree Judy that the best part of the novel was the beginning; I hope there is more of that in future Marsh novels. I am growing a bit weary of the same formula of police showing up to the crime scene with all the suspects readily identifiable, and they just need to search the crime scene and question the suspects to solve the case. A bit more variety would make reading these back to back less tedious.

I managed to squeeze in The Black Echo by Michael Connelly on my recent airport trips. I love the show Bosch on Amazon Prime, and I was not disappointed by the book that inspired it. Eventually I would like to get through more of these in the series, but other books/series are ahead in the pile, so it will have to wait a bit. Its more contemporary than I usually like, but has a compelling character that is flawed, but not deeply damaged as so many writers seem to portray these days.

Working my way through another true crime story, Tinseltown: Murder, Morphine, and Madness at the Dawn of Hollywood , about the murder of a Hollywood director in the 1920s. Mixed feelings so far, but a good narrative style, and you get the perspective of a lot of different people, supposedly taken from contemporaneous sources.

I am about halfway through and really enjoying this one. I agree with the group that Marsh is back in top form and using the theatrical backdrop as a strength. The characters are a bit melodramatic, but still believable and mostly likeable (unlike some of the dysfunctional families from earlier books). I haven't gotten to the murder yet, but its opening night, so it should be any page now....

I started American Eve: Evelyn Nesbit, Stanford White, the Birth of the "It" Girl and the Crime of the Century for a book club. It is a turn of the century true crime story, and is well-written and interesting, although the crime at the center of the story has yet to occur. There are a lot of photographs of Evelyn Nesbit throughout the book, and even by today's standard you could understand her appeal. There is something like a chameleon about her, in that she looks totally different depending on her pose and costuming.

Jessica wrote: "Tara wrote: "Unless Mrs. Leidner was so self absorbed that she barely paid attention to either husband, who would believe that after 2 years of marriage, she wouldn't have picked up on similarities..."

In the Suchet TV version, she was only married to the husband for a few days before they were separated (and it was described as 'one of those war-time marriages', which implies they didn't know each other well beforehand). That makes the lack of recognition more plausible, even if it still does not hold water. I would have found this pill easier to swallow if he had been disfigured in the train wreck, and therefore his appearance was significantly altered by something other than just the passage of time.
It also seems unlikely that she could be so self-absorbed if she is supposed to be a master manipulator, using her wiles and charms on everyone. I got the impression that she was rather insightful about each person's weaknesses, which is what made her jabs that much more effective.
With regard to Mr. Mercado, he likely would have gone to great pains to conceal evidence of his drug use. Although if that were the case, it would have made more sense for him to inject the needle elsewhere in a less visible place, so that he could at least wear short-sleeve shirts in 100 degree weather.