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

Tracey’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I agree with the comments above, I don't think Christie was entirely playing fair with this novel, the other murders were sprung on us far to late on. Having said that it was thoroughly enjoyable to read.

I had to have a chuckle to myself that one of the books on the shelf was The Burning Court by John Dickson Carr novel. I assume Christie was a fan!

Thank you - I did think that the island felt awfully similar to the recent Ngaio Marsh book, so interesting to know its based on the same island. A quick Google search tells me that the hotel is now open and has been revamped. You can even hire out the whole island!

Tara wrote: "Loving my audiobook "read" of The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell. As a bookworm who loves reading books about books, as well as books about other people wh..."
I recently finished the follow up book Confessions of a Bookseller, and can heartily recommend this!

I think it is likely that we will see the TV adaption of the series before we get the next proper Slough House book. Apparently Gary Oldman has been cast as Jackson Lamb. I think he is a very talented actor, so hopefully will portray Lamb well. What do you think about this casting choice?

I quite like Major Barrimore's term of 'poodlefaking' too. Which I think refers to a bit of a ladies man. I shall try to crowbar these two terms in to my conversation!

Great news. I look forward to reading the next instalment.

Judy - well spotted! I'll probably see slugabeds everywhere now!

I've only just started this, and read the description of Wally's parents as 'slugabeds'. I'd never heard that term used before, I think it's fantastic, very descriptive!

Plenty of suspects, though I'd never have guessed the murderers. I tried and tried to work out what the buckle /stockings could indicate, but my little grey cells were not working!

Just started. I'm enjoying the names of some of the characters such as Mr Percival Pyke Period. Quite the tongue twister!

Susan in NC wrote: Good for you, best wishes!

Ha ha, cheers! I have a toddler already, and I don't think my brain has been the same since since she was born, but this pregnancy really seems to have turned my mind to mush! The simpler plots the better!

I have started Hand in Glove (can't help thinking of The Smiths whenever I see the ti..."

I have the same earworm too! Were The Smiths big Ngaio Marsh fans?

Just finished Cast Iron by Peter May. I find his books quite easy read and to pop in and out of. I can't cope with complex plots at the moment, due to a bad case of baby brain (baby due any day now...)

Bicky wrote: "Tracey wrote: "It was quite refreshing to have all the book over a day. I can't remember if Marsh wrote any others like that.

I think Opening Night (Night at the Vulcan) was also resolved the same..."
Well remembered!

Mrs Boynton is such a beast! The poor family having to put up with her.

Tara - interesting about the edited bits. My edition (1990) refers to 'anti-Zionist lamentation of the dragoman' during the car journey to Petra. But the emphasis is on Lady Westholme's endless opinions sullying the journey.

It was quite refreshing to have all the book over a day. I can't remember if Marsh wrote any others like that.

Didn't quite follow the romance between Richard and Anelida. Would have liked a bit more of her bookselling uncle. I even suspected him for a short while, especially when the parma violets were mentioned - although I kept imagining a gift of the sweets rather than the flower!

I really enjoyed the majority of this book, the setting and small circle of characters was really engaging. The conclusion, much less so. I suspect at the time of writing, a killer having 10 day petit mal episodes, was a reasonable explanation for murder. Reading today, it is out of touch, quite lazy and offensive. It is certainly one area where golden age books don't age well to me. It's a real shame, as I was well on the way to giving this 5 stars.

Not a mystery fiction book, but certainly related, I'm currently reading The Adventures of Maud West, Lady Detective: Secrets and Lies in the Golden Age of Crime. A fascinating read about a true life female private detective.

Have ordered the Peter Ustinov film version to watch now. It really does have quite the cast!

First read for me. Very enjoyable with plenty of red herrings! It struck me as another Poirot where the killer's are allowed to die by their own means, rather than go to court and be hanged.

I've just started this. Agree that it is certainly grimmer than the Slow Horses series. Nice to see into the interconnected world, with Dame Ingrid appearing, and a mention of Jackson Lamb.