Tracey’s Comments (group member since Nov 08, 2017)

Tracey’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I enjoyed A Man Lay Dead over this book. I liked the relationship between Nigel and Alleyn in that book, here it verged on the unbelievable at times. The scene between Alleyn and Stephanie was really quite creepy. To be fair, I probably didn't give this book the focus it deserved, as I read it in a rather hectic week.

With regards to heroin use at this time, drug regulation prior to WW1 was pretty lax. For a number of reasons, not least concerns about soliders using drugs on leave, led to controls on supply. There is a BMA Drugs of Dependence report which states that there was a small population of morphine-using addicts and some opium and cannabis smoking among artistic, mystic and bohemian circles at the beginning of the 20th century. And that prior to 1960, prescribed heroin for mophine / heroin addiction was limited to a small middle class population.

I've just started this, and enjoying it so far. I was quite surprised to see Alleyn refer to himself as being a 'bit Hitlerish' when he is ordering people around in the aftermath of the murder. The book is from 1935, so pre-WW2, although Hitler was in power. Does anyone know if the term Hitlerish was common place at this time?

Thanks for that tip Patrick! I've a few I've yet to read that I've brought off ebay, when that supply runs out I'll be sure to check out open library.

I have to add John Dickson Carr to this discussion board. Due to his books being really quite difficult to get hold of, I've only managed to read a few, but have thoroughly enjoyed them. I picked up a copy of The Case of the Constant Suicides in a charity shop a few years ago. I found it gripping and hilarious. It is responsible for opening up the world of Golden Age, and especially locked room mysteries, to me.

I realise he is an American author, but since he spent a number of years living in England, and was a member of the British Detection Club, I hope he can be included here?

Judy - I imagined Hastings to be like Bertie Wooster too! I wonder if his character develops into something more serious? I shall have to read on in the series.

I'm a pharmacist, so found the insight into pharmacy at the time quite fascinating. Imagine anyone being able to buy strychnine to kill a dog at your local pharmacy, with only a signature in the poisons register required, and to be able to do it wearing a false beard! Also the frequency of people taking bromide powders in Golden age books gives an indication of how widespread these drugs were being used (they are mentioned again in my current read Poison in Jest). The strychnine precipitation had me revising some chemistry, which is no bad thing.

I've read very little Christie, but really enjoyed this. There were plenty of red herrings, and I suspected everyone but the actual murderers. Looking foward to reading more.

I've only read Died in the wool. It is quite different to A Man Lay Dead, as Allyen has a much smaller role.

Indeed!

I've had this on my tbr list for ages, will join in later in the month. Need to get reading!

Enjoyed this book, although the agree that the bannister sliding is quite far-fetched. Will have to seek out the version on Youtube.

I quite liked the relationship between Nigel & Alleyn. There is an interesting converstation between Rosamund and Nigel where they are discussing Alleyn, and talk about how their knowledge of Police is based on detective fiction, "and nowadays they make their Yard me so naturalistic that they are quite incredible"!

Thank you for organising this. I have my books ready! I've previously only read one book by Ngaio Marsh, Died in the wool. Am looking forward to exploring more of her work.

She's only 10 months, but already has a few of her books! And yes, I have perfected the art of reading a paperback while not waking a sleeping baby in my arms!

Farrah - I find 'Murder she wrote' great comfort tv watching too. A good mystery, without too much gore. Plus, Jessica Fletcher is one clever cookie!

I'm a big Enid Blyton fan too, so much so, I even named my daughter after her!

Thanks for the welcomes!

Hello, my name is Tracey and I live in Glasgow. I picked up by chance a copy of The Case of the Constant Suicides in a charity shop, and from there I've fell for golden age mysteries, particularly a locked room puzzle. Looking forward joining into some monthly reads, as alas, I don't know anyone IRL who reads this genre!