From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

The Poisoned Chocolates Case

Anthony Berkeley,

Martin Edwards (Foreword)

Start date: January 1, 2021

Finish date: January 31, 2021

Discussion: Group reads

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

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Group reads

* December 2025 group read - Winner!
By Judy · 28 posts · 32 views

last updated Oct 15, 2025 10:39AM

* Oct 25: Murder Included (#1 D.I. Price) by Joanna Cannan
By Susan · 11 posts · 17 views

last updated Oct 02, 2025 10:38AM

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What Members Thought

Jan 16, 2021 Brenda rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I thought this was a fun mystery. I liked the set up of the club and each member giving their solution to the crime. I was quite surprised at the ending and hadn’t expected that outcome.

7 likes · Like · see review

Dec 27, 2020 Susan in NC rated it liked it · review of another edition

3.5 stars - interesting, lots of humorous dialogue, but a lot of telling, not showing. I could only get hold of this in audiobook form, which was probably not the best way to read such a “chatty” mystery.

I can see why this is considered a classic academic mystery - a crime circle club, interested in “criminological matters”, dives into an unsolved poisoning case that has stumped Scotland Yard. This is subtitled as the fifth Roger Sheringham case - he was Berkeley’s mystery writer/amateur detecti ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Mar 27, 2011 Jan C rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, 2013

My first Roger Sheringwood story. It was a gathering of a crime club working to decipher a cold case. Scotland Yard is apparently stymied. I think they all take to work up their own conclusions and present them, one per night. It seems like each debunks the previous one, and all preceding ones, too. Finally, a Casper Milquetoast-type is the last person. And they are all certain he knows nothing. He knows plenty... he has been taking notes ... he has a chart.

I didn't get it.

(view spoiler) ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Feb 02, 2023 Laura Anne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: british-isles, mystery

4.5 stars A very "talky" book, but also a very enjoyable, knowledgeable, and humorous commentary on classic detective fiction. ...more

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Jul 14, 2022 Jessica marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, detective, next1, golden-age-mystery

Recommended as a favorite on Slightly Foxed podcast, Episode 33: The Golden Age of Crime Writing. Said to be one of Agatha Christie's favorites. ...more

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Mar 01, 2017 Yorky Caz rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: blcc

Loved it! Such an unusual angle. The police unable to solve a murder turn to a bunch of amateurs members of the Crimes Club. They each put forward their theory for debate. sooooo good

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