From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives

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by
Start date
March 14, 2019
Finish date
April 7, 2019
Discussion
Buddy reads
Why we're reading this
The next in the Inspector Appleby series, which some of us have been reading together.

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Group Discussions About This Book

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What Members Thought

John Frankham
Jun 14, 2017 rated it really liked it  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: crime-detective
An early Michael Innis crime mystery with Inspector Appleby.

"Famous writer Richard Eliot has written numerous detective novels, featuring The Spider, a daring, clever criminal in earlier books, and an equally canny private investigator in later ones. But when he comes to life—first to burgle an odd neighbor, then to harass the Eliot family, and finally to attend his own “birthday party”—Inspector John Appleby is sent to investigate."

Full of Innis' characteristic literary and philosophical fun an
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Leslie
Jul 04, 2017 rated it it was ok  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: mysteries, kindle
Feb 2023 reread:
Even having read this book before, it was still more perplexing than was enjoyable. Even Appleby's explanation at the conclusion of the book was a bit hard to follow....

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A non-murder mystery but too convoluted! This 4th entry in the Appleby series rivals The Daffodil Affair for one of the most bizarre mysteries I have ever read.
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Damaskcat
Feb 21, 2013 rated it really liked it  ·  review of another edition
An author thinks his creation, The Spider, has come to life when things keep happening which bear a strong resemblance to events detailed in the books. Richard Eliot’s son, Timmy and one of his tutors pay a visit to the rambling country house in which the author and his relatives live. At nearby Shoon Abbey an eccentric millionaire is also hosting a house-party and Eliot’s visitors are invited. Locals also are involved. John Appleby is invited by his sister Patricia, who has a job working for th ...more
Jill
Mar 12, 2019 rated it it was ok  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: michael-innes
The plot was good, being a non-murder mystery, but I find this author rambles so much. This made for a long read which was really too long to really hold my attention. I'm pretty much glad it is over, although I have learnt some new words. I still think his first was the best (Death at the President's Lodging).
The characters in this book were quite a mixture, but not very likable so I did find myself not bothered about the outcome
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Gary Vassallo
Jul 21, 2018 marked it as ebook-library  ·  review of another edition
Susan
Feb 02, 2019 marked it as to-read  ·  review of another edition
Judy
Mar 12, 2019 rated it it was ok  ·  review of another edition