Neer’s Comments (group member since Feb 04, 2022)

Neer’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

There was interest in reading Tey's book: A Shilling for Candles as buddy read. If people are still keen, could it be set up as a buddy read for December?

I just checked and in fact Sayers is in the lead.

As I wrote before, I would like to go for both Sayers and Tey, perhaps one in November and the other in December. Sayers might still win the poll but it doesn't seem Tey will.

I would love to read the Shetland series but only in the new year

I just finished Laurence Meynell's Die by the Book. The mystery is good and humourously told. Here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Keith wrote: "Neer wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Oh, this one’s been on my TBR for ages, Neer! Thanks for nominating!"

Glad you liked it. I have been thinking of giving Sayers another chance (after being underwhe..."

Thanks for the recommendations. I did try Nine Tailors once but couldn't go very far but am keen to try Sayers once again.

Susan in NC wrote: "Oh, this one’s been on my TBR for ages, Neer! Thanks for nominating!"

Glad you liked it. I have been thinking of giving Sayers another chance (after being underwhelmed by Whose Body?) so your nomination would give me that:) Perhaps we could go for Buudy Reads if the books do not win.

Wow! The opening has already pulled me in. It's available for free download from Faded Page for those who want to read it. (Sorry if I am merely repeating this information)

I would like to nominate A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey, the second in her Alan Grant series. It's quite some time since I read Tey and want to reaquaint myself with Grant, whom I like. The book is available for free download in a variety of formats from Project Gutenberg Australia.

When a woman's body washes up on an isolated stretch of beach on the southern coast of England, Scotland Yard's Inspector Alan Grant is on the case. But the inquiry into her death turns into a nightmare of false leads and baffling clues. Was there anyone who didn't want lovely screen actress Christine Clay dead?

I have started Josephine Bell's Death on the Borough Council.

I wish you had chosen some other author. AC is one of the greats but has been read and re read. To me, it is much more fulfilling to discover little known authors and texts than to read an author who is already so popular and discussed ad nauseam.

Am reading The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley. It seems to be dragging now.

I knew it'd be Malcolm because Jack was so keen to have her marry Arthur who was presented as this very sympathetic character (and he was). So the rival in love has to be the villain. But it all seems so juvenile. And what a drag it was coming to the end. Pretty disappointed in this one, tbh.

To me the whole tragedy was that Isabelle didn't seem to make up her mind. She kept the two men dangling. I don't think Malcolm would have tried to pin it on Arthur had he been sure of his affections for her. I liked her in the first book but in this...

This just seemed to go on and on. It really dragged in places.

Sarah wrote: "I picked up "The Frangipani Tree Mystery" from the library yesterday, and can't wait to get started. This may sound superficial, but I love the cover, a paperback printed by Constable UK, with its ..."

I agree about the cover. Lovely.

Keith wrote: "I've read a couple and found them both a hard job to stick to them, I didn;t enjoy them and as I read for pleasure, why should I bother? I won't try any more."

Good point:)

Jan C wrote: "Neer wrote: "Have just started J. Jefferson Farjeon's Aunt Sunday Sees It Through. I have started liking him once again after recently finishing his The Double Crime. Anybody else likes him?"

I ha..."
Usually, I find him just meh but The Double Crime was delightful because of the below-the-stairs comments so I have started searching for his books once again.

Lady Clementina wrote: "Neer wrote: "Have just started J. Jefferson Farjeon's Aunt Sunday Sees It Through. I have started liking him once again after recently finishing his The Double Crime. Anybody else likes him?"

I've..."

I didn't like The Z Murders or Thirteen Guests. Mystery in White was the first book of his that I read and quite liked it. It was a bestseller I believe when the British Library republished it.

Jill wrote: "I have recently finished No. 17 which I enjoyed plus the books we have read as a group"

I have not read this. Is it one of his Ben the Tramp ones?