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

Judy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

In between full-length novels, I'm reading the anthology Bodies from the Library 2: Forgotten Stories of Mystery and Suspense by the Queens of Crime and other Masters of Golden Age Detection and enjoying most of the stories - I need to read this whole series! The editor, Tony Medawar, has found some amazing rarities and very entertaining stories.

I expected the royals to come in a bit more than they did, I'll admit. But it was interesting to have real characters turning up.

Craftyhj, we have another Edmund Crispin book, Frequent Hearses coming up as a buddy read in mid September if you are tempted

I've started too and must say it's an intriguing opening.

In the UK a lot of the Medieval Mystery series is on Audible Plus, meaning if you are a member they're included without having to use a credit. I also think the reader, Wanda McCaddon (aka Nadia May aka Donada Peters!) is very good.

Susan in NC wrote: "Me, too, I keep picturing the first sergeant on Midsomer Murders, at the beginning of the series, sorry I don’t know the actor name...."

That was Sergeant Troy - I didn't remember the actor's name but just looked him up and he was Daniel Casey. Great comparison - I agree there are similarities in the relationship though I think Crosby is more gormless than Troy!

Susan in NC wrote: "Edit: clicked on your link, and yes, that’s the series I’ve been reading for years, but who is “Vic Varello”?..."

Hi Susan, I'm a librarian and had also spotted this. I've just been attempting to fix this - there is a book with a similar title by Dell Shannon aka Lesley Egan which someone (or some bot?) had amalgamated with this one. I've separated the two books and put the Shannon book in the Vic Varello series instead of this one, but it often seems to take ages for changes to update on GR! Hopefully this will clear within the next day or two.

I'm listening to the first in a medieval mystery series, Wine of Violence by Priscilla Royal - enjoying it so far. It's set in my home area, East Anglia.

I've been surprised by how quickly I forgot the plot of this one, as I read it a bit early for the read. I remember the detectives better than what actually happened in terms of the mystery.

I'm wondering if Crosby will eventually come into his own a bit more and stop being quite so young and green! I do agree that the interplay between him, Sloan and the grumpy Leeyes is an enjoyable aspect.

Carol, great detection work figuring it out from the third backpack - must admit I was confused by the 3 backpacks and didn't join the dots at all. I also didn't like Kitty much, very selfish as you say!

Abigail, I agree about the solution coming out of left field and relying on information we hadn't had - also great description of Connington as a sort of Scarlet Pimpernel of the book business, although having said that I quite enjoyed his character! I did like Charlie and also liked the way Wigan worries about the wrongly accused man because he believes he is innocent, however difficult and unpleasant he may be.

I've read about two thirds now and am enjoying the way we see all the detectives exploring so many different angles, although I don't find that I always keep track of everyone in the team. I also like the noirish atmosphere.

We have a winner - Seven Dead by J. Jefferson Farjeon, which will be our October group read. Thanks to all who nominated and voted.

Full results:
Seven Dead 9 votes, 42.9%
The Six Queer Things 4 votes, 19.0%
Murder While You Work 3 votes, 14.3%
Have His Carcase (Lord Peter Wimsey, #8) 2 votes, 9.5%
Murder in the Madhouse (A Bill Crane Mystery Book 371) 2 votes, 9.5%
The Chuckling Fingers 1 vote, 4.8%

I'll be reading this one but am another one who needs to finish another book first!

That's good to hear, Susan. I am liking this series a lot too - I'm not very far into this one yet, but am finding it gripping and glad to be back with Beck again.

Sorry, I wasn't sure where I'd seen the mention of the book coming out next year and was starting to wonder if I'd dreamed it, but have now found a Facebook post by Alan Bradley where he says there will be a new Flavia book coming out in autumn 2024, What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust, and another one, as yet untitled, in 2025.
https://www.facebook.com/AlanBradleyA...

If anyone is interested in some photos and info about the Marmora, I found a page about it:
https://www.benjidog.co.uk/MClass/Mar...

Spoiler thread linked below
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Whoops, I put that post in the wrong thread! Sorry, posting on my phone on the train.

Thanks for the introduction Susan. Who is reading this one? I enjoyed it but found there were a lot of characters to keep track of.