From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

Death Of A Hollow Man (Chief Inspector Barnaby, #2)

Caroline Graham

Start date: May 15, 2019

Finish date: June 5, 2019

Discussion: Buddy reads

Why we're reading this: A buddy read for May, following on from our read of the first in the series.
[close] A buddy read for May, following on from our read of the first in the series.

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Buddy reads

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What Members Thought

May 06, 2019 Susan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Although I am not much of a television watcher, and have never seen Midsomer Murders, I am really enjoying reading this series, best known for the TV adaptation. This is the second in the Detectie Chief Inspector Barnaby series and, in the best tradition of so many mysteries, it is set within the theatre. In this case, it is the Causton Amateur Dramatic Society, of which Barnaby’s wife, Joyce, is a member.

Esslyn Carmichael is the leading man, whose current wife, and ex-wife, are also involved i ...more

25 likes · Like · see review

Jun 02, 2019 Kavita rated it did not like it

Shelves: not-finished, uk, mystery, movie-was-better

Just can't ... this is absolute tripe. The author merely waffles on and on about her boring characters for pages and pages. They were still there doing and saying boring and irrelevant things when I left them somewhere around page 70. I don't even know who got murdered, let alone who murdered them, because it hadn't reached that stage yet. But I can make an educated guess. It's the author trying to murder the reader by boring them to death. Ha, I didn't fall for that - narrow escape! ...more

20 likes · Like · see review

May 17, 2019 Susan in NC rated it really liked it

Shelves: reread

I really enjoyed this reread with the Reading the Detectives group - I enjoy Midsomer Murders on PBS, based on Caroline Graham’s books, but had forgotten how cleverly snarky she was as a writer!

A village theatre group is rehearsing “Amadeus”and tensions are high - mistakes are made, egos clash, gossip snakes through the group - Graham really nails the theatrical setting! She brilliantly skewers the egos of amateur actors and directors, giving the reader great characters and a building tension th ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Feb 12, 2008 Nancy Oakes rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: crime-fiction-uk

Oh, I should never watch the dramatization of a novel if I'm planning to read it, because I actually knew the identity of the killer before I started. I love the Inspector Barnaby murder mysteries dramatized on the Biography channel, and they have renewed my interest in Caroline Graham's books which have just been sitting here, unread, on my shelves for years.

So on to this book: who would like it? Anyone who's followed the series on television would enjoy it; anyone who likes British mysteries w ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Apr 24, 2013 Stephanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: crime-thriller

Loved it. This book focuses on interesting characters and the murder gives a reason to explore these characters. If you really prefer action based books or police procedurals, you may not enjoy this series. This is not a mystery cozy, but if you like cozies, you will enjoy the series.

2021 - Listening this time to the audiobook I have since acquired. Still love this story.

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