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

Tracey’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Thank you for organising this. Very excitingly, all 12 are new reads to me.

Out of curiosity, how did you pick the order? As I note they are not in date published. Is it random, or are there themes?

Sandy wrote: "I have started the book now. I'm hoping for one particular person to be the victim (justifiable homicide!) and am paying close attention to all the characters as they are introduced. No Dalgleish a..."

Ha ha! I completely agree. Have just started and am wishing a particular person turns out to be the victim!

Looking forward to this. I have so many gaps in my Agatha Christie reading to fill in!

Susan wrote: "Good choice, Jill.

I will nominate (again, I think):

The Ghost It Was

He seemed as if he might be interesting. People with no morals often a..."

Great choice. I want to read more by this author.

I'm currently delving into the cosy world of Fairacre with Storm in the Village by Miss Read. A gentle read for these stressful times.

I'm enjoying reading A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin at the moment.

It didn't jump out at me, but I live in Glasgow, so not an unusual phrase to hear here. There are certainly many links with New Zealand and Scotland so could be a phrase used there, but I don't know for certain.

Thank you for checking Judy. As we've been reading them in succession, I'd not realised until now, that there were 37 years between those books being published. Will we see Alleyn and Fox making plans for retirement soon?

Carlotta tells Alleyn that her maiden name was Lamprey. Was she one of the children in the Surfeit of Lampreys or is she a previously unheard of relative?

After deciding it felt like it was set earlier, I then read a description of Mr Ferrant in tight white flared trousers, wearing a medallion, which sounds so very 70's!

Currently about two thirds through. Good that Fox is getting a chance to practice his French, that he seems to have been learning forever.

I think feels earlier too. It really made me laugh when Ricky and Syd were squaring up on the Island Belle, with the rather gentle threat of "I'd rather crawl after a caterpillar". Sounds much more like children squabbling than two grown men.

Great titbit of knowledge Sandy. I'm always happy to see an Ariadne Oliver appearance.

I very much enjoyed Poirot's descriptions of roughing it at the guest house.

I'm hoping to finish this today, all being well. I found it a little bit of a slow start, but am really enjoying it.

Anstey is quite an intriguing character, with many of his ideas, and the staff having a blemished histories, it's surprising that social services have allowed the care home to remains open!

I really struggled with this book. The plot didn't seem very believable, the language was unpleasant in parts, and I felt it dragged. Although my ability to concentrate on reading has taken a hit with current events, so I don't think I can blame Marsh completely for me only giving it two stars.

Good to know he still exists. I was beginning to wonder if I'd forgotten him coming to an early end!

Tara - I agree, Troy seemed to be sent to her room for the majority of time that Alleyn was there. Apart from when she picked up the vase pieces, she almost disappeared.

I suspected Cressida due to the character being a little too fake for my liking.

Where is Ricky? I seem to have missed any reference to him. There was at one point mentioned Troy either spending Christmas alone or at Hilary's (before Alleyn came back early). I'm assuming Ricky is at boarding school (although I've lost track of his age), would he not be home for Christmas?

Have just started this. Nice to get to know Dalgleish when he's off duty.

Judy - thank you for pointing out the location, have never been but have seen it on springwatch, so have much more of an idea of the scenery in my head now.

I read this last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. Quite an interesting insight into the day to day activities of a PoW camp. I've since watched the film, which I felt was a good adaption.

Susan wrote: "I am currently reading The Hours Before Dawn
Author Celia Fremlin is another that has - fairly recently - been re-publishe..."

Inspired by your review, I'm now reading this and thoroughly enjoying it. I currently have a 4 month old so can really relate to the sleep deprivation of Louise!

Agree that Rufus Sewell was certainly the star performer.