Ellen’s Comments (group member since Feb 05, 2016)

Ellen’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Finished it last night. Thought it was just okay. The villain was so obvious I thought maybe he was really going to throw in a surprise. But he didn't. I didn't like the portrayal of either lady. To much wringing of hands.

I finished this last night. It does seem that many believe it went downhill as it went on but it was the opposite for me. I didn't have trouble putting it down the first half but after that I got upset with interruptions. Enjoyed the relationship of the two leads and the interaction between them and Andrew's cousin. It seems to me the evil murderer would have fit right in with the Nazi's since he seemed able to kill without remorse. The woodlice phobia did not bother me since I thought it went along with him being nuts.

Plan to start this when I finish Murder's a Swine

Started it yesterday. Looking forward to everyone's comments. Andrew and Agnes are a fun couple.

I enjoyed this book and liked the interaction of the siblings. I too thought Austin giving her the chocolates after she said she didn't like them a bit far fetched. The police did need that bit of evidence to arrest him. I am disappointed that Viv doesn't appear in the other titles. It was a promising relationship that could have been explored a lot further.

I had not reread this book in a very long time. If my memories are not betraying me I liked it better this time. I'm glad Freke did not get away with suicide. Much to easy of a way out.

I have started. It has been a very long time since a read this book but I do remember who did it.

This was a reread for me and I enjoyed it as much this time as I did the first. Arbican definitely a heartless villain.

Jill wrote: "Just starting The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken. Looks in the nature of a good old-fashioned children's book."

Judy wrote: "I loved The Wolves of Willoughby Chase as a child. I believe the same author, Joan Aiken, wrote a couple of Jane Austen sequels."
I received Wolves of Willoughby Chase from the Weekly Reader Book Club in the 1960's. I expect I have reread it a dozen times. One of my all time favorites. They must have been well made for though it is very grimy it is still in one piece.

I read this a couple of years ago but plan to reread for the challenge. I really enjoyed learning about the traveling court. I have read all Hare's titles now and wish he had written more. Mallet appears on his own in 3 previous books. Mallet and Pettigrew appear in 3 together and Pettigrew is in 2 by himself.

I plan to start this week.

I enjoyed the book and it kept me involved. On the other hand when I found out who had done the murder I wasn't happy with it.

I started yesterday and I am enjoying it so far. I'm planning on doing 8 out of the 12 in this challenge. Either had to be able to get it a the library or for a very very low price. I already had Tragedy at Law and Whose Body so they will be rereads.

Just finished Those Angry Days: Roosevelt, Lindbergh, and America's Fight Over World War II, 1939-1941 and have started Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale.

Susan in NC wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Something in the Water by Charlotte MacLeod. I've been able to get most of this series off of PaperBack Swap."

Good for you! I bought several used paperb..."

I definitely need bright light and strong reading glasses to read the old paperbacks now.

Something in the Water by Charlotte MacLeod. I've been able to get most of this series off of PaperBack Swap.

Judy wrote: "I have actually paid a brief visit to a bookshop today, for the first time since goodness knows when! It was a shop that mainly sells second-hand books, and I picked up a 1960s private eye thriller..."

I stopped by my favorite independent bookstore last week Murder by the Book. I picked up my signed copy of Jacqueline Winspear's latest The Consequences of Fear. I had watched their zoom interview with Will Thomas so purchased his new Barker and Llewelyn Dance with Deathtoo. I do miss in person author visits. I wonder if the authors miss the book tours.

I am reading the first Brother Cadfael A Morbid Taste for Bones. Just picked up The Long Arm of the Law: Classic Police Stories from the library so will be starting it soon.

Reading The Kidnap Years: The Astonishing True History of the Forgotten Kidnapping Epidemic That Shook Depression-Era America. I'm more than half done and it has kept me interested. This book is not flattering to J. Edgar Hoover. It is interesting to note that the non-fiction book I finished last week The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine who Outwitted America's Enemies was also quite critical of the FBI head. It's amazing how he got away with it.

By coincidence I just started An English Murder by Cyril Hare which was number 2 on her list. I have really enjoyed his series titles so I am looking forward to this one.