From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

Thirteen Guests (Inspector Kendall #1)

J. Jefferson Farjeon,

Martin Edwards (Introduction)

Start date: August 1, 2020

Finish date: August 31, 2020

Discussion: Group reads

Why we're reading this: Winner of the poll for our August read.
[close] Winner of the poll for our August read.

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Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 330 topics — 11,893 comments total

Group reads

* November 2025 group read - Winner!
By Judy · 20 posts · 32 views

last updated Sep 17, 2025 08:43AM

* Sept 25: Lonesome Road (#3 Miss Silver Mysteries) by Patricia Wentworth
By Susan · 16 posts · 16 views

last updated Sep 19, 2025 01:03PM

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What Members Thought

Nov 14, 2020 Tania rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery

2.5

The story took so long to get going, I nearly gave up.

5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 16, 2017 AngryGreyCat rated it it was amazing

Thirteen Guests is a classic mystery by T. Jefferson Farjeon. Lord Aveling is hosting a hunting party at his estate and due to an injured stranger has an unlucky 13 guests at his estate. It isn’t long for the bad luck to strike and then there is a murder to solve. Well crafted characters, from John, the injured stranger, to Pratt,the society painter, Nadine, the widow, and several others, who round out this rather full cast to give the reader many suspects to choose from. This is very much a cha ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 06, 2020 Indeneri rated it it was ok

Shelves: mystery, crime, 2020

A mystery in three parts. The first is half the book long, and drags us through the house of Lord and Lady Aveling and their eclectic guests.
The second part starts half way through the book and races along to the conclusion of the official police report by Inspector Kendell.
The third bit at the end ties up the romantic loose ends.

The mystery was interesting and I liked the subtle humour:

But no artist can paint the whole truth. He just paints his half-and the other half can't answer back from

...more

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Aug 25, 2016 Laura Hannaway rated it it was amazing

Shelves: british-library-crime-classics

Wonderful! As good as the Mystery In White (which I loved)! This is a country house mystery in the best traditions of Christie and Sayers. I loved the protagonists and the mystery with all of its many strands kept me entertained throughout and I enjoyed the ending very much!

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