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

Judy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Thanks Susan

Jackie wrote: "I first read it decades ago and over time and re-reading I've come to believe it's just too long. We really get bogged down somewhere in the middle..."

I think you are right, I definitely got bogged down in the middle after enjoying the start. I think there was just too much of the religious mania and Biblical speech. I enjoyed Neville but that was about it.

Unusually for me, I guessed the killer early on (after thinking he was a comic character for the first few pages). I wondered why this character was involved at all and then realised the probable answer!

I also don't think there were enough other possible suspects, as it seemed obvious that the Norths were just trying to cover up for one another and Neville is a witty Heyer hero, so couldn't have done it!

I've read about two thirds now and have my eye on a certain suspect - looking forward to finding out whether I'm right or not. I'm finding all the discussions about exactly what happened at what time rather boring.

And the winner is... The Floating Admiral by The Detection Club, which will be our December group read, very appropriately as our Detection Club challenge comes to the end. Thank you to Frances for the nomination, and to all who nominated and voted.

Full results:
The Floating Admiral 11 votes, 50.0%
So Pretty a Problem (Mordecai Tremaine #3) 5 votes, 22.7%
The Port of London Murders 3 votes, 13.6%
The Mayfair Mystery 3 votes, 13.6%

I found this an exciting read, but thought there were one or two problems with the plot. As Rosina mentioned in the other thread, it's odd that no one looks out photos of Bertram - right from the start of the book, there seems to be no consideration of whether he looks physically like the missing man, even though I think he is only supposed to have been gone for nine years!

When I have been to old college or school reunions, I've often met people that I haven't seen for several decades and we have recognised each other quite quickly, so it's hard to believe that the family wouldn't know right away whether this is the real Bertram or not! Especially as there is a lot of discussion of the family features, blue eyes, firm chins, etc for other characters, but not for the supposed heir.

Having said this, this plot element doesn't matter as much as it might, since I think it's clear almost from the start that Bertram is a fake, and the question is why his "grandparents" claim to have recognised him.

I think this was possibly my favourite Owen too, Sandy. I've found the series very uneven but thought this was a good read. I do have some gripes about the plot, though, which I will talk about over in the spoiler thread!

I'm halfway through now and definitely getting fed up with all the religion, even though I found it funny initially.

There are some great lines, though - I had to laugh at this one from Lucy Fletcher:
"I find I'm too stupid to understand detective stories, but I always put them down on my library list."

I've just finished and, while I found it strangely mesmerising, I'm hoping the future books in the series are less weird than this one.

I was enjoying the religious stuff at the start, but if Glass comes in a lot then I may get fed up with it...

Glad you are enjoying it, Susan. I thought the religious policeman at the start was hilarious, but have since got slightly bogged down in some of the witty conversation. It gets a bit much for me at times although of course Heyer is great at this type of writing.

Just opening up this discussion as it is now mid-month.

I must say I really enjoyed this book - hope others do too. Who is reading this book?

The whole "missing heir returns" plot is an intriguing idea, featured in several classic detective series.

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

Just opening up our buddy read of the second in the Brunetti series. Thank you, Susan, for the introduction and the information about the third book not being on Kindle - I believe that is also the case for a few of the other books, which is a shame.

Who is reading this book? I read it a few years ago and am a bit further on with the series, so may not reread.
The spoiler thread is linked below:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Just opening up our new Michael Innes buddy read. Who is reading this one?

I'm getting towards the end and finding it a very weird and baffling novel, but strangely compelling.

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

Just opening up this buddy read discussion. Who is reading this one? I'm a fan of Clara Benson and will definitely be reading it but haven't started yet.

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

It's the middle of the month, so I'm just opening up all our new buddy reads, with many thanks to Susan for all the work in setting up the threads and introductions. :)

Who is reading this one? I've started but am not all that far in as yet.

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

Jill, so sorry to hear about your husband, and hope you soon hear about the surgery.

I'm reading our forthcoming buddy read, The Daffodil Affair by Michael Innes, and finding it extremely strange, to say the least! I'm about 35% of the way through.

Also just starting another buddy read, A Blunt Instrument by Georgette Heyer.

I'm about two thirds of the way through our next Bobby Owen buddy read, Ten Star Clues, and enjoying it a lot so far - looking forward to our discussion.

The vote for our December group read is open - very close at the mo, so please vote if you haven't done so!
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

The poll is now open - please cast your votes! A couple of books which were mentioned in the discussion haven't been included due to availability problems, Postscript to Poison by Dorothy Bowers and An English Murder, but we still have four great books to choose from.
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...