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

Judy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I'm reading The Paddington Mystery by John Rhode, first in the Dr Priestley series. I enjoy his writing and it's interesting to see how this series started, even though I don't think this will turn out to be anywhere near his best.

Jackie wrote: "Judy, I'm a more rabid Heyer fan than Susan in NC, and if you can tell me what it is about the relationship between Timothy and Beulah you like I'll take a shot at recommending a romance..."

Thanks Jackie! I think it's the way he is so totally loyal - when she says she may not be right to him or reveals dark secrets that might put him off, he never considers the idea of splitting up for a second.

I also like the way she can't help being amused by him even when she is trying to be noble and give him up. On Beulah being sullen, I think it's hardly surprising after being jailed for a crime she didn't commit.

I do agree with you and Susan about the Nurse, absolutely infuriating - but hilarious!

I've finished this now and, after enjoying the start, didn't really like it much overall, though I found it compelling towards the end. It was too grim for me and I also found it rather slow and repetitive.

It was also a bit unbelievable to have so many violent criminals in a small community (then again that happens in quite a few crime novels). It did make me want to listen to Nick Drake and read Thomas Traherne, though!

Sorry Susan, I'm getting mixed up - the book I'm listening to with the narrator with a mid-Atlantic accent is Murder at the Grand Hotel, not Murder at the Spring Ball. Good to hear you enjoyed that one

Susan in NC wrote: "I’ve also read The Lark by E. Nesbit, Summerhills by D.E. Stevenson, and The Worshipful Lucia by E.F. Benson. ..."

I liked Summerhills, though I liked the previous book, Amberwell, even better. Those are probably my favourites by D.E. Stevenson so far.

Susan in N.C., I liked Death of an author. I'm listening to Murder at the Spring Ball on Spotify and enjoying it so far - the narrator has a strange mid-Atlantic accent but she has a beautiful voice anyway so I don't really mind.

Thanks, Susan and Sandy. I've read a couple in the past and I know the quality varies, so I'll remember to check the reviews before choosing one to try next, Sandy, a bit depressing to think of being over the hill at 25! ;)

Thanks, Susan. Do you think the series gets better? I'm struggling a bit with this one to be honest - just over halfway through. I'm finding the village teenagers a bit wearing, though I like Merrily and Lol.

I've finished rereading this and didn't remember whodunnit, although as soon as legitimacy was mentioned I thought it must be an important clue - but that was near the end anyway! I enjoyed this one, especially Miss Pickhill and the relationship between Timothy and Beulah, which is making me think that I really must try one of Heyer's Regencies soon - I've been meaning to for years without getting round to it.

I enjoyed it more than I expected too, Jackie!

Miss Pickhill is a great character, I must say! I liked the mention that Hemingway was "not unappreciative of her discourse".

I laughed out loud at this: "... and I daresay the police are just as bad as the Ministry of Food, interfering right and left, and telling people how to cook cabbages, which we all knew long before they were ever born or thought of!"

I'm just over halfway through now and still enjoying it, but getting a bit irritated with all the Gaelic phrases that Grant says, as we don't get any translations! If there were notes at the bottom of the page, I'd be happy enough with them.

Susan wrote: "You are right, Judy... I think they picked the second book as that is where she becomes the exorcist for the parish. Presumably, that had more scope?"

That sounds very possible, Susan. I'm nearly halfway through now and to be honest am a bit disappointed at the moment at the lack of mystery, and the emphasis on supernatural overtones. But I do realise part of this book is set-up for the series, as you mentioned earlier.
I'm thinking that I need to read some of Thomas Traherne's poetry, which is being quoted a lot.

Ruth wrote: "I once read that Rebecca Lacey would be Phil Rickman's ideal casting of Merrily. ..."

That's interesting to know, Ruth, thank you.

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.