Judy’s Comments (group member since Oct 01, 2015)

Judy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I didn't remember Sandy well from previous books either, but he definitely makes an impression in this one.

I remember seeing Ken Burns' TV series The Civil War more than 30 years ago - is American Revolution an updated version? I can still remember some moments from the programme vividly.

I'm about halfway now and getting a bit bogged down in all the silly names etc. I think I'll wait to finish this one until after Christmas, and fit in a bit of festive reading now!

Thanks for doing this, Susan. I'd be happy to try any of these if there is enough interest.

I also only tried the first Bryant and May. I read some Rendells many years ago and remember liking the 'As Barbara Vine' titles which are standalones and a bit Gothic - I think I only watched the Wexford series on TV. Both of those series are full price on Kindle but libraries may have them? I hadn't heard of Mamur Zapt before but again would be happy to try one, looks like prices vary for those with some full price and some a bit cheaper.

We could always try a book or two and see if people like them, as we did with George Gently - every time I mention his name, I have visions of peppermint creams!

Susan in NC wrote: "I like the sound of the Sara Woods and Emma Lathen, especially now that both are on Kindle Unlimited. Availability is always an issue for me.."

I think only the first Emma Lathen book is on KU in the UK, but the others look to be available, around £2.30 each. Some of them say "updated and re-edited", not sure whether that just means that typos in the e-book have been corrected.

The Sara Woods books aren't on KU in the UK but they are around £2.99 on Kindle.

I'll probably give the first Lathen a quick try over Christmas - I see the author has been compared to Rex Stout, which sounds promising.

Sandy wrote: "I've gotten to a part where I am getting giant hogweed vibes!"

I think I've just got to the same part, Sandy - about a third of the way through. Hoping to get out of the weeds soon!

Sandy wrote: "Ellen wrote: "There are 24 books in the John Putnam Thatcher series. One of my favorites. The first title is Banking on Death: Emma Lathen."

This is available on Kindle Unlimited. ..."

Thanks Sandy, on KU in the UK too.

Helen seems to wear a lot of pink - I'm thinking of Dolores Umbridge ;)

I've finished this now - what a clever plot twist at the end. I certainly didn't guess the solution, but in retrospect there were some clues, such as Alan suddenly changing his mind about being extradited and the two people fighting. I think the plot could be adapted for a great TV mystery episode.

But I must admit this series isn't one of my favourites. I always find there's too much slightly rambling dialogue for my personal taste, although I like some of the humour.

Hard to believe that this book was published in 1990 - I think most of it feels like a much earlier era, even with a few references to things that were happening at the time.

Thank you Susan! I've just answered your post about buddy reads over in our main buddy read thread, if anyone wants to join in the discussion there :)

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

I think we had mentioned possibly reading more of the Antony Maitland Mysteries by Sara Woods, after we had a group read a little while back of the first in the series, Bloody Instructions: An Antony Maitland Mystery. There were only 5 of them in print but Dean Street Press has just published 5 more, so that series might be a possibility?

As we only read the first book this year, we could start with book 2 and just bump the previous threads for anyone who wants to start with book 1.

Enjoy, Craftyhj :)

Susan in NC wrote: "Thanks to Frances, I was able to get the next several buddy reads in the Sloan & Crosby series on kindle at a reasonable price, so I’ll be starting [book:The Calleshire Chronicles Volume Five: The ..."

Good to hear, Susan, glad you were able to get it at a reasonable price. Volume 5 is currently full price in the UK, £18.99 - better value than £10,99 for the standalone edition of The Body Politic, but not a great price! (I rejoined Kobo Plus on a free trial and got volume 5 as a download there.)

Thank you Susan! I'll put on my thinking cap. Just on the Fethering mysteries, has anyone read many of them? I know some of us are finding Mrs P a bit boring so just wanted to check if those are more varied?

Great news Susan, and thank you, Frances!

The plot of this one is rather like an episode of Midsomer Murders, with a battle re-enactment - I think I've seen an episode with one of those.

Thank you for the podcast link, Susan, good to know.

Sounds like a great New Year's resolution, CraftyHJ. I think most people agree that the first one in this series, Rest You Merry, is the best one and it also sets up the rest of the series, so I'd start with that one - it's a Christmas book so great to read now if you have time!

Apart from that one I don't think it matters so much, but quite a few of us hated The Curse of the Giant Hogweed, so personally I would give that one a miss.

Judy, don't be put off but try to read it with the right expectations...."

Thanks, Sandy, I've started it now and am bearing that in mind. I'm enjoying it so far but am not very far in as yet.

As usual with this author, I find myself looking up words and phrases I've never heard of - I've just looked up "sesses" (soap moulds apparently!), "laying out in lavender" which confused me as it originally looked as if it meant the character mentioned had died, but I then found a definition meaning he had been told off, and "kippered", where I had to search for a minute before finding that it meant tired!

I don't look up every single word I don't know, but with these ones I was struggling to follow what was going on without knowing - I thought kippered might mean drunk!

Susan, I thought I might have to give this one a miss too as my local libraries don't have it and it's £10.99 on Kindle! I agree they all feel like standalones so it's not a huge problem to miss one.

However, I suddenly remembered that Kobo Plus (their answer to Kindle Unlimited) has some of the Aird books available, and was able to get a free trial as I haven't used it for a few years. I don't have a Kobo but have the app on my phone. I'm now under way with this one - it has an intriguing start.