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

Judy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

A very close and exciting poll this month - we have two books currently tied in the lead, and another two tied in second place! If you haven't voted yet, or might want to change your vote, please take a look.
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

Tania wrote: "Sadly it seems that's it for Dean Street Press. His sister said the titles will remain available until the copyrights run out. ."

That's sad to hear - of course they have already published a wonderful collection of books, but sad to think there won't be more coming out. Let's hope all those which are out of copyright will stay in print as his legacy.

Sandy, it's also very sad to hear about Christopher Fowler. I've only read one of his books - must read some more of them soon.

More sad news, I'm afraid, after the sad loss of Sid.

Rupert Heath, founder of Dean Street Press which has republished so many Golden Age books, has died aged only 54. His wife, Amanda, died of cancer in January and he has now died from a heart attack just a few weeks later. I didn't know Rupert but when I contacted DSP about a printing problem in one of their early books, he replied personally and his dedication to publishing certainly came across.

Curtis Evans has written a nice tribute on his blog:
https://thepassingtramp.blogspot.com/...

I thought A Chelsea Concerto was very powerful, Susan - will be interested to hear what you think.

I wasn't sure whether I liked the narrator's voice early on, but have warmed to him now (around two thirds of the way through.)

I'm nearly halfway through now and am enjoying the mystery, although at times it feels a little dry for a country house setting. I suspect everyone at the moment!

The latest poll is now open with 5 books to choose from for the May group read - please cast your votes!
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

The poll is now open - please cast your vote for the book you most want to read.
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

Oh that's interesting to know, Susan, thank you for the info.

I was interested to see that Hector Simcox has been collecting rare flora in Jura, the remote island in the Inner Hebrides where George Orwell later wrote 1984.

Sandy wrote: "I've read three chapters and am hopeless confused regarding the characters."

This is just what I'm finding too, Sandy! Susan has come to my rescue though with her review, which lists a lot of the characters and how they are related - I will keep this page open and refer to it as I keep forgetting who everyone is! Thank you Susan - review linked below with thanks.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Welcome Vidhi! Glad you found us. Sorry but this is an old thread - the current introductions thread is linked below if you would like to post there as well - you may get more replies if you do but fine either way:)
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I'm just starting this one now - immediately intrigued by the first-person narration and the writing style.

Last call for nominations before the poll goes up tomorrow. We have five books nominated:

Sarah: The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey

Jill: Murder of a Lady by Anthony Wynne

Keith: Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers

Susan in NC: The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie.

Michaela: Murder in the Basement by Anthony Berkeley.

Just noticed that the Talking Pictures TV station in the UK is now showing the 1990s French Maigret series with Bruno Cremer - I will give this a try. I have a feeling someone may have already mentioned this, apologies if so!

Good to hear you are enjoying it so far, Sarah - there is also a non-spoiler thread linked below, if you want to post as you are reading.

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

I've finished this now and thought it was one of the best Freddy books so far. I didn't work out who was stealing the pearls and had no idea about the killer until late on, when I suddenly wondered about his mysterious premonitions!

Susan, I did wonder if Freddy might get involved with Valentina as well as Iris and Daphne, but maybe that would have been too much for one book! Also might be a bit too similar to Angela's love life.

Good news re Murder in the Basement, thank you Sandy. It can go in the poll. :)

Definitely, Michaela - far more books than I have time to read! I'm getting towards the end of this and don't have a clue about the murderer, but it's interesting to see more sides of Freddy, with his extended family and two love interests. He definitely seems to have become a bit more sensible than he was in the Angela books.

It's on Kindle Unlimited in the UK too, Michaela, but unfortunately I think there are often problems getting hold of Berkeley's books in the US. Please could someone check?