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

Judy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Rosina wrote: "Or just that Sayers 'liked' Miss Climpson, but the author of this book seems not to have a high opinion of any of the females in the book."

I thought the author was fairly sympathetic to the woman on the jury whose husband had been murdered by anti-Semitic thugs, but maybe a bit patronising towards her? I'm not sure the portrayal of any of the characters was all that positive though.

I was slightly surprised none of the jurors complained about the extremely religious man on the jury, who seemed very unstable and not to be considering the evidence at all - although then again, I thought it was clear there wasn't much evidence against the awful aunt anyway and there was bound to be reasonable doubt.

I've started now - this is a reread for me, as I read it about 5 years ago. So far I don't remember the plot but do remember some of the characters, especially Ermyntrude, who I think is very entertaining.

I'm halfway through now and still enjoying the humour and atmosphere, although I'm getting somewhat lost among all the characters and quotations! I think Innes must be the GA author who quotes the most - even more than Sayers.

I'm sure you will enjoy it, Abigail - it's good to get back to an academic mystery after the weirdness of The Daffodil Affair! I was interested to see that this book is set pre-War, so at an earlier period than the previous book.

As I remember, Edmund Crispin did this as well by setting The Moving Toyshop pre-war, so it happens chronologically before the earlier books in the series. It must have helped to make the books feel more escapist and also meant the authors could enjoy describing Oxford as it was before the war.

Just opening up this discussion. This book must have one of the most intriguing titles in the Bobby Owen series. Who is reading this one?

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

Back to this popular series! Just opening up this thread. Who is up for another adventure with Freddy?

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

It's mid month, so just opening up our discussion of this Georgette Heyer mystery. Who is joining in on this one?

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

Just opening up this thread - thanks for setting it up, Susan. I know we have quite a few Donna Leon fans in the group, so who is reading this one?

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

Just opening up our new batch of buddy reads. Thank you to Susan for setting up the threads.

Who is reading this one? I'm about 40% of the way through and enjoying the humour, although finding it hard to keep track of all the characters!

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

Welcome, Sarah. I'm also reading the Donna Leon books - I've just read book 7 (just slightly ahead of the group) so I have a lot of them still to go! Thanks for mentioning your local writers and particularly Anthony Boucher - I see several of his books are on Kindle, including Rocket to the Morgue, great title! It is said to be a mix of murder mystery and sci-fi.

I have noticed there are quite a few cosy series set in libraries but I don't know what any of them are like.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I wasn't crazy about the idea that the two women were the ones to be worked on - but this is 20th century fiction...."

That hadn't struck me, great point! I did think it was interesting and ironic that the murderer among the 12 was the juror most determined to hold out for a guilty verdict.

Fred, I agree the early Kinsey books were the best in the series, and it fell off a bit later, although I thought one or two very late on were good again.

I'm still reading The Weight Of The Evidence, the next Michael Innes buddy read, but am also reading A Noble Radiance by Donna Leon because it is due back at the library soon! Enjoying both so far.

Good to hear you have been enjoying it, Glenda. I don't think I'd be keen on that jury sitting in judgement on me either.

I've started our next Michael Innes buddy read, The Weight of the Evidence. Enjoying it more than the previous couple so far - it's an academic mystery.

So sorry Sid and thank you for all your great contributions and friendship to all in the group.

I haven't noticed flowers on ivy either, Sandy - I must take a look as there is some on my house! I've just checked the Woodland Trust website and the common ivy in the UK is mildly toxic and might make you sick, but sounds like it wouldn't kill anyone.

The site says: "As with many common garden, house and wild plants, ivy isn’t food and is mildly poisonous if eaten. If you were to eat some, you might get an upset stomach. It is toxic to cats, dogs and horses, but not birds or livestock."

As I'm about to get a cat, I immediately looked up information about cats and ivy, and found another site which said eating some might give a cat a tummy upset. I haven't ever seen a cat eat any though.

Abigail wrote: "I do feel there was a class element: stories tend to seem fine with lower-class criminals being arrested, but higher-class people often get to choose the gentleman’s way out,..."

I do agree with this - I can't remember any books where someone from a lower social circle is given the same opportunity for the "gentleman's way out", though there may well be some! I do remember one or two books where this idea backfires and instead of taking the gentleman's way out, the culprit tries to commit extra murders to save himself - I won't say which ones to avoid spoilers though!

While I enjoyed this book a lot, I found it rather difficult to keep all the characters straight, and must admit the details of the solution are already fading in my mind within days of finishing.

Glenda wrote: "I've just put this book on hold at the library. So many books, so little time as is said. I'm trying to catch up here."

That's one of the truest sayings ever! Glenda, hope you enjoy the book, great news that you are planning to join in. Just to warn you though, this is the spoiler thread, so it's best to read it after you finish the book - this group has two threads for each book and they stay open so it's never too late to post!

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

Susan wrote: "Yes, I thought he sprinkled it obviously on top so he could avoid it. She mixed it in and he may have thought she removed it?"

Oh, good catch - I hadn't thought of that. I would still have thought he wouldn't risk more than a mouthful or two, though!

I saw there was an author's note at the start saying that toxicologists would notice a deliberate mistake made for "obvious reasons" - so I'm guessing this method of poisoning isn't actually possible. I know authors had to be careful not to come up with ideas that could easily be copied - not a problem with some of the amazingly weird methods in GA books!

Susan in NC wrote: "I wonder if there will be a bunch of old people solving crime books thanks to Thursday Murder Club? ..."

I think there are quite a few books along those lines being published - The Marlow Murder Club series by Robert Thorogood, creator of the TV series Death in Paradise, has a 77-year-old detective. Has anyone tried that series?