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

Judy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I see there was a TV adaptation starring Anna Maxwell Martin as Merrily, but there was only one 3-episode series based on the second book in the series, Midwinter of the Spirit.

I've read around 20% and am enjoying it so far, although I'm finding Jane quite annoying! I noticed that the audiobook is on Spotify, which is handy as I can listen to some chapters while doing housework etc and then switch back to the ebook. Rebecca Lacey is the narrator and has a good, clear voice.

Frances wrote: "I am sorry Shardlake does not appear to be getting a second chance at love, but contented husbands are much less interesting heroes than those suffering in love.."

Sorry Frances, I'd forgotten that you had already commented on Shardlake being unlucky in love! I agree in general that contented husbands are less interesting heroes, but it would still be nice to feel Shardlake has someone who loves him.

It was also sad to see Jack and Tamasin splitting up just after we had seen them get together - he definitely didn't treat her right though. I wonder if there is any chance of them getting back together (no, don't tell me, people who have read the later books!)

We previously discussed this book 5 years ago in 2019 - here's a link to the previous non-spoiler thread if anyone wants to take a look https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I've started rereading this and am enjoying it a lot. So far I haven't remembered much from my previous read. Sorry just realised I hadn't posted the link to the spoiler thread, below:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Frances wrote: "Judy-I also found it slower going initially but the interest really picked up as the ending unfolded."

Definitely, it became very tense!

Was anyone sad that Shardlake was unlucky in love again? I slightly wondered if we might be left with hope for him getting together with Dorothy in the future, but no.

I finished this now but must agree with you both, Jill and Michaela. He became less amusing and outrageous somewhere along the way. I quite enjoyed it but it certainly wasn't one of my favourites in the series.

I also felt the solution wasn't very fair - it seemed to come out of nowhere.

And the winner is... The Mystery of the Kneeling Woman by Moray Dalton, which will be our April group read.

Thanks to all who nominated and voted.

Full results:
The Mystery of the Kneeling Woman 7 votes, 36.8%
To Love and Be Wise (Inspector Alan Grant, #4) 4 votes, 21.1%
The Crime Coast 3 votes, 15.8%
The Bellamy Trial 3 votes, 15.8%
Calamity at Harwood (Chief Inspector Littlejohn #7) 2 votes, 10.5%

Bultitude did seem as if he must be a villain, but I took it that he was a brilliant red herring! Great review, Abigail. I would have said I also preferred more grounded plots, but got really caught up in this one and loved it.

I'm rather tired of this series as I felt the books were becoming samey, so am not reading them at the moment (but may be tempted back).

However, I thought I'd post a link to this blog review of the book which also includes a couple of contemporary reviews - they look a bit spoilerish, so I've put it in the spoiler thread:
https://grandestgame.wordpress.com/li...

Jill wrote: "This really was action-packed! There wasn't that much about Oxford, as most of it took place just outside, however the description of the Bodleian Library was quite something...."

I agree, Jill - this was quite hard to put down, which I haven't found with the other Innes books so far. The whole section in the Bodleian Library was very tense and I felt the book would make a great film.

I also liked both Jane and Roger Remnant, and was hoping Geoffrey would turn out to be a villain to leave the way clear for Roger!

Susan in NC wrote: "Oh, definitely he always sounds like he has lockjaw! Him I won’t miss…"

Ha, not just me then, Susan!

I'm about halfway through and enjoying it, but I'm finding the audiobook narrator, Gethyn Edwards, a bit annoying - his upper-crust accent is rather over the top imo. I've been listening to some parts on Spotify while doing housework, but am also reading the ebook.

Abigail wrote: "Two chapters in and sure, it’s suspenseful, but I’m distinctly uncomfortable dwelling inside Routh’s head."

I know what you mean - I was thinking that usually I don't like seeing through the eyes of characters like this, but somehow Innes carries it off better than most by making us concentrate on the immediate danger to Routh.

Yes, I did manage to listen to one or two read by Kris Dyer, but he isn't my favourite.

No, I haven't read any of his books before, Susan, but am looking forward to trying him. The plot of this one sounds intriguing.

Thank you for creating the threads, Susan. Who is reading this one? I've just started listening to the audiobook on Spotify and am enjoying it so far - looking forward to another light mystery starring Freddy.

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

Just a shame this is the last one in the Freddy series as yet (though there is another Angela Marchmont book, The Body on Archangel Beach, which was published last summer.)

Who is joining in on this one? I've started this book and am enjoying it so far - a very exciting thriller start, which is quite different from the Innes books I'd read up to now.

I've read just over 20% and am just starting part 3, as the narrative moves to Oxford.

Thank you to Susan for setting up all our buddy read threads and opening them up - we're doing that a bit early as this is a short month, but everyone is welcome to join in whenever they want.

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

Susan, you must be psychic - I was just thinking we should open the buddy threads early this month and then found you'd done it :)

Thank you very much, and thanks also for setting up the threads! I'm planning to read this one but haven't got to it yet.