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

Judy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Thank you very much, Susan and Susan, that sounds great re the buddy reads!

Thank you, Susan, that sounds great to me if the other Susan is happy:)

Yes, it was just 2 of us commenting for several Maigret reads so we decided to drop them - also I agree with Sandy that there isn't always much to say even though they are very enjoyable reads. I expect I will read more in the future but wanted a break from them.

Thanks everyone! Susan in N.C., I was thinking we would carry on with the Lord Peter series as buddy reads, so we could schedule The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club for mid-September or mid-October if that works for you? Let me know if you'd prefer to put it in the poll though.

Susan the mod, I was going to add Cat and Mouse by Christianna Brand in mid-September but could make that one October if we do Bellona in September. :)

It's time to nominate for our September group read. Please nominate books which were either written in the Golden Age, or a little earlier or later, or are set in that period. If in doubt whether a title is eligible, just ask.

Only one nomination per group member, and only one book by any individual writer, can be nominated per month, and authors can't nominate their own books. 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.

Susan wrote: "I noted from the introduction that Christianna Brand (our old friend) wrote a non-fiction account of the crime this novel was based on. Heaven Knows Who. .."

Thank you, Susan, I had forgotten this from the introduction but couldn't resist ordering a copy - I'll be interested to see how the real story compares and what Brand's take on it is.

Sandy wrote: "This was a reread of a book I didn't like the first (or second?) time.

I'm not even sure this works as a series of short stories, though I suppose each fantastical adventure could stand alone. .."

I'm also not sure they would work alone - I was puzzled to read that they had been published as short stories originally, as I don't think most of them have very satisfying solutions.

I did slightly wonder if some of the chapters might be based on stories from before Hastings was married, as it seems odd for Poirot to be teasing a respectable married man about falling for redheaded women!

I was pleased to see Poirot and Hastings back together too. We really get a feel for how important Hastings's friendship is to Poirot at the start of the book, where he is preparing to travel to Argentina to see him again!

Thanks Neer, in that case I'll try to avoid being tempted by the covers of Hindle's books!

Thanks very much for the introduction and opening this one up, Susan.

Who is reading it? I've just read this and really enjoyed it - a very quick, gripping read. I thought it would be 5 stars for me for most of the book, but then knocked a star off for the ending - but I'll save that for the spoiler thread!

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

Thanks for opening this up, Susan! I've just finished it during a holiday and am keen to discuss it, so great for me.

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

Carissa wrote: "I read A Fatal Crossing about two months ago and was also disappointed. I had problems with the plot and characters."

I read this one a while ago and was also disappointed - I remember the plot and characters as becoming increasingly unbelievable, with a weird backstory. A shame, I was expecting more after seeing lots about the book. Has anyone tried one of the others by Tom Hindle, and if so were they better than this one?

Thanks for saying you'd be happy to read Cat and Mouse by Christianna Brand, Susan - sorry that I'm slow in replying! Let's add it in October-November if that's ok with you.

Sandy, that's interesting about the pilot. I was thinking about the dangerous weather but, as you say, he overcomes that and couldn't foresee what happens afterwards. Very true about approaching retirement!

Thank you Susan, that all makes sense. I was hoping she doesn't get punished for what she knows, but I don't think we are definitely told. It would be nice to have some information about what happens to her and the baby. I think it's mentioned somewhere that she will be able to find a husband, given her wealth, even in her condition.

On another topic, I'm wondering what happens to Gretchen? It seems to be left open.

Susan, I believe there are more than 40 books which were published over a very long period, so the production team would have had to decide which era to choose, and the 60s have a lot of appeal, with the music, fashions etc. I don't know why they moved the location and changed the characters and plots!

PS, no peppermint creams in the TV show, but lots of smoking, as I recall!

Susan, I watched the TV show and, though it was a while ago, must admit I can't immediately see any resemblance to this book except the detective's name! It was set in the North in the 60s, rather than in East Anglia as the books are, and Gently had a younger politically incorrect sergeant sidekick - I'm wondering if this character turns up later in the books.

I've been interested to see how Norchester is clearly based on Norwich, with the castle and marketplace, and even City playing in green and yellow! I wonder why the author changed the name.

Jackie, I do agree about the ending being a bit far-fetched. This type of confrontation often seems to happen in mysteries, especially in settings like the sawmill here! I have only given 3 stars as I found it a bit slow, but will.read the second book and see if it improves. I liked Gently's humour and determination.

I've started rereading The Big Four, which I don't think is one of Christie's best, but should still be fun to discuss.

Sorry Neer, I typed your name and didn't spot that Google changed it!