From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cosy

James Anderson

Start date: November 1, 2021

Finish date: November 30, 2021

Discussion: Group reads

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

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Group reads

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What Members Thought

Oct 07, 2021 Susan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Having a rather battered copy of this gentle, affectionate homage to 1930's crime books, I was happy to obtain this (and the further 2 books in the trilogy)for my kindle. The story is convoluted, involving a house party (of course), and including guests such as American millionaires, foreign envoys and a baroness who turns up unexpectedly, amongst others. There is a jewel thief on the prowl and murder, again of course, on the agenda. Virtually nobody is who you expect and, during the final drawi ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Oct 20, 2021 Jill rated it liked it · review of another edition

This book, having first been published in 1975, tried so hard to be in the vein of a Golden Age book. However, for me, it just didn't make it. It took half the book to eventually come up with a crime, and an awful lot of characters to get there. The house where it was set had the obligatory secret passage and numerous rooms, complete with a fool-proof alarm system. Which was no bad thing, as important political talks were to be held there, also a millionaire and his wife were to be there, togeth ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 28, 2021 Lady Wesley marked it as gave-up · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-golden-age-or-similar

I have enjoyed several audiobooks narrated by Cornelius Garrett, so I did not even listen to the sample before ordering this book. After listening about twenty minutes, I returned the book. Garrett's performance was off-putting, and the final insult was his cartoonish effort to sound like a Texas oilman. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 25, 2017 Neer rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: libraries, humour, 1970s, brit-lit, mysteries, downloads, classics, reads-17, new-authors-17

A Country-House murder mystery that combines elements of two of my favourite authors: Christie and Wodehouse. I was so charmed that I immediately ordered an omnibus edition. One to treasure.

*

First Line: "How well do you know Adolf Hitler?"

First published: 1975

Source: Open Library ...more

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Jun 07, 2018 GeraniumCat rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Very entertaining, a nice "new" Golden Age mystery in a country-house setting. The author says he likes civilised villains, and I must say I do too. Two further books are set in the same house, which is quite amusing because after the first you are familiar with the layout of the house, as well as some of the characters. I like the unhappy policeman, too. ...more

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Oct 11, 2017 dmayr rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-liked, murder-in-a-countryhouse, chuckleworthy-books, crime-mysteries-and-whodunits

A house party in Alderley, owned by the Earl of Burford, to finalize the negotiations between Britain and the Duchy, led to blackmail, the theft of a necklace and a pair of Bergman Bayards, mysterious goings-on in the house dead at night, guests who are drugged, bashed on the head, and even murdered, and to a final twist in the end. An entertaining read.

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