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

Judy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

It's a song written by Noel Coward for a film in 1932, about women swooning over a film star - here are a few links for anyone who's interested. First, a Wikipedia page with a lot of info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Abo...

Here's a link to a recording by Dinah Washington, which I think is the best-known version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEYML...

And here are the lyrics to her version:
https://genius.com/Dinah-washington-m...

Amazing that it's the 26th book in this series and there are still lots of books left to go.

Here's the link to the spoiler thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

We're getting towards the end of this series, which I think is sad as I've enjoyed it a lot. Just a shame that some of the books are not on Kindle.

Who is reading this one? I haven't started yet but have bought a paperback copy.

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

Just opening up our new batch of buddy reads. Who is reading this? I enjoy this series and am looking forward to this although I haven't started it yet - a flower show setting is also perfect for this time of year in the UK!

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

Many thanks to Susan for the introduction. Who is reading this one?

I've started it and have read nearly a third, but am struggling at the moment because I feel there is too much rather heavy-handed humour. I'm hoping it will pick up - there isn't enough about the campus so far for my liking.

The spoiler thread is linked below:

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

Just opening up our latest batch of buddy reads, with thanks to Susan for setting up the threads.

Who is reading this one? I must say I thought it was excellent, even though this series is darker than my usual fare. It really builds up the tension and the characterisation of all the detectives is growing deeper in each book.

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

What did anyone think of the title of this book? I couldn't see that the song title really fits the plot, although it is quite catchy.

Sounds like a wonderful trip!

Keith, this is the link you need to follow to vote in the poll:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

The author of this book, Dolores Gordon-Smith, is Caroline Crampton's guest in the latest Shedunnit podcast, talking about the Green Penguin Mr. Fortune, Please by H.C. Bailey. I get the impression she is a real enthusiast for Golden Age mysteries, maybe explaining why she seems to get the tone better than some of the other authors we've tried.

Susan wrote: "I have finished this now. A quite confusing plot and what on Earth was Isabelle up to?!"

I've also finished this and must agree it is a slightly confusing plot, with the Russians and the business elements, which are similar to confusing plot twists in some actual GA mysteries! I'm wondering if I missed something about why Malcolm injures his hand on the knife - I thought this must be deliberate but I don't think it was mentioned in the wrap-up section at the end.

I think Isabelle is supposed to suddenly realise her true feelings when she sees Malcolm's murderous expression, but it does seem a little odd that she falls for him in the first place. But anyway I find her quite a likeable character, despite her confusion over who is the right man.

I did really enjoy it but thought it was a bit let down by the drugs plot element, which GA authors never seem to do all that well. The use of pink nighties seemed a bit odd.

I've started rereading this and am enjoying it. I hope Joffe publishes more of them. I think the earlier books in the series are better than the later ones, as far as I remember from reading them over the years.

I do agree the warring neighbours are well done. You get a feeling of what it's like for the families living so close together, with so little privacy.

Thanks for the podcast suggestions, Susan. I do occasionally listen to The News Agents, but there are so many episodes that I tend to just go for it now and again.

Jackie wrote: "to get back on topic: I'm currently re-reading The Clock Strikes Twelve and it makes me wonder if there is a Miss Silver book I could nominate that hasn't been read in this group...."

Great idea. I think the only one we have read here is Grey Mask and I think a lot of them are available, so you should have plenty of scope.

Susan wrote: "I will nominate:
Big Ben Strikes Eleven Big Ben Strikes Eleven by David Magarshack..."

Thanks, Susan, sounds great but Sandy mentioned that it isn't published in the US until January, so could we save that one to nominate in a few months? Let me know if you have another nomination for now :)

Carol She's So Novel ꧁꧂ wrote: "Judy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Well done to you for rescuing the cat.

I have a b-i-l who is an ex-fireman & his least favourite job was rescuing cats!..."

Thanks Carol, I'm sure that must have been a pain! A neighbour with a long ladder tried to rescue our cat but she wouldn't come to him, so in the end I climbed on to a low roof at another neighbour's and managed to grab her.

Susan in NC wrote: "Ok, how about The Belfry Murder (Inspector Hugh Collier #3) by Moray Dalton: “ When Mary Borlase, English governess of the little Countess Nadine, escapes from Russia during the Great War, she brings with her jewels belonging to the ill-fated Romanoffs, including a famous emerald, the Eye of Nero. "

Sounds good, Susan, thank you! Let's hope the other publisher's Dalton books eventually become available in the UK.

Susan in NC wrote: "Congratulations on the new job, and the cat rescue!😸"

Thank you. The job is just temporary but the cat is permanent and can be a big distraction! ;)