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

Judy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

The Missing Link by George Varney is on Kindle for 77p in the UK so that looks fine! Thanks, Jan.

Thanks for suggesting Murder in the Museum, Frances, but sadly I think you're right about it being too expensive/difficult to get hold of.

It is not available on Kindle in the UK and seems the paperback is also out of print here. Also it looks like it isn't on Kindle in the US either. Sorry, would you like to suggest something else?

I've just listened to Caroline Crampton's Shedunnit podcast about this book (part of her Green Penguins series), where she talks to John Curran about his thoughts on the book. Very interesting! He's not a fan of the Hastings/Dulcie romance.

It does contain spoilers, though only after they enter the "spoiler zone," so I've put it in this thread.

https://www.shedunnitshow.com/themurd...

Susan and Susan, thank you for the two nominations so far! I really enjoyed One by One They Disappeared and have been meaning to read Murder While You Work, as Noel Streatfeild was one of my favourite authors when I was young.

The first time I read this, I was fuming over Hastings misleading Poirot and telling him lies to protect 'Cinderella'. But, second time around, I realised that it doesn't actually cause any harm, as Poirot is always aware when Hastings is lying, and is wryly amused rather than angry.

Yes, you're right, Susan, a body is indeed found on a golf course in Why Didn't They Ask Evans?

I found this interesting website which says that Agatha Christie was not very good at golf, but her first husband Archie was obsessed with it, so she described herself as a 'golf widow'! There's also some info about her having a row with the publisher about the proposed cover of Murder on the Links.

https://valuablebook.wordpress.com/20...

Welcome, Sophia, glad you joined us! We have an Agatha Christie challenge this year so it would be great if you are tempted to join us on that.

That's really interesting, thank you, Susan! I also think Miss Lemon was in a lot more Poirot episodes than she was in the books and stories.

Yes, same problem with holidays there and retiring to the villages in Midsomer Murders or Father Brown! I enjoy them all though.

Ha, Susan! Ironically, there isn't all that much golf in it!

Yes, I agree that's moving, especially as Antony in the book is a survivor bearing the scars from the war.

Frances wrote: "Is Dulcie the woman that Hastings marries? I remembered that he met his wife in one of the novels but didn't realize it would be this early. ..."

Yes, she's the one he marries - it is very early in the series, as you say. I must admit I find the romance a bit annoying, as it seems as if Hastings just suddenly decides he is in love with Dulcie without really getting to know her first.

Good question about his age - I'm not sure if it is ever stated, but I'm guessing he must be much younger than Hugh Fraser in the series, although still probably a lot older than Dulcie, who I think is a teenager.

I think the whole idea of Jack and Bella lying and both claiming they did it to protect each other is a great twist - the only problem for us as readers coming to the book now is that it has been copied a lot since!

I didn't remember the killer either, Frances, although I did remember part of the plot.

Although the plot is clever, I don't think it's one of Christie's best.
I find it hard to believe in Hastings not being able to tell which sister is which just because of a wig - I suppose they are twins, but even so!

Also, identical twins that we haven't been told about are against the "rules" of the Detection Club, although I think those were drawn up after this book was published! (I think we have been told that Cinderella has a sister, but not that she is a twin.)

I also think the tramp who looks similar to Georges dropping dead so his body can be used is just too convenient!

It's time to nominate for our May group read! As usual, please only nominate books written and published in the Golden Age period, or a little earlier or later - if in doubt whether a title is eligible, please ask. Just one nomination per group member, and only one book by any individual writer can be nominated per month.

If you aren't sure whether we have read something, the group bookshelves may help, or just ask. If it was at least 3 years ago that we read it, it is fine to re-nominate. Looking forward to seeing your nominations.

Susan, I know the feeling - I'm extremely likely to forget plots if I read books too far ahead!

I've finished one of our forthcoming buddy reads, Death on a Quiet Day by Michael Innes, which I enjoyed, and have now started another, Smoke and Mirrors by Elly Griffiths. I liked the first in the series. Not very far into this one yet but looking promising so far.

Mike wrote: "Why none of them removed Mrs Barclay's supply of tonic from her and poured it all down the drain, is as big a mystery as the death of Amberley Cowden...."

Brilliant comment, Mike. I enjoyed reading your analysis of the treatment of Mrs Barclay and her strange tonics - and I think you make it very clear why her 'carelessness' is much more than that!

I enjoyed this more on a reread than I did first time around - Poirot and Hastings' relationship is a lot of fun in this book. It's also fun to see Poirot investigating in France and running into an even more big-headed detective who he has crossed swords with in the past - lots of humour there!

I do have a couple of problems with the plot which is why I've only given 3 stars, but will save those to moan about in the spoiler thread.

Susan wrote: "Some of the newer adaptations haven't worked, have they? I may give it a try, thanks, Judy."

Definitely haven't, I've found some of the recent ones too dark, shouty and sweary for my taste! It would be nice if this latest one goes back to the classic Christie feel a bit more - after all, there is definitely a demand for gentler crime books and dramas these days, with the success of Richard Osman, Death in Paradise, etc, etc!

Thank you for opening up the threads, Susan. Who is joining us for the second Poirot book?

The spoiler thread is linked below:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Thank you for opening the threads up, Susan! This series marks the return of Dean Street Press to publishing vintage crime fiction, which is brilliant news! Who else is reading this one?

I've read it and like the characters of Antony, his wife Jenny and his uncle Sir Nick. I did find it a bit repetitive at times but would also read on in the series.

The spoiler thread is linked below:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...