From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

A Private View (Sir John Appleby, #13)

Michael Innes

Start date: July 15, 2024

Finish date: August 6, 2024

Discussion: Buddy reads

Why we're reading this: Continuing this classic series.
[close] Continuing this classic series.

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 478 topics — 9,232 comments total

Buddy reads

* Willful Behaviour by Donna Leon (Brunetti #11) (Oct/Nov 25)
By Susan · 17 posts · 11 views

last updated Oct 23, 2025 12:56AM

* Willful Behaviour - SPOILER Thread - (Brunetti #11) (Oct/Nov 25)
By Susan · 3 posts · 7 views

last updated Oct 23, 2025 12:57AM

showing 3 of 3 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Sep 15, 2015 Leslie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries, british

Probably this 13th entry in the Appleby series only deserves 3.5 stars but it was just the book I needed right now. It was a witty art-based mystery (with a twist at the end) which made me laugh out loud several times. I was pleased to see Judith Appleby play a significant role, not just initiating her husband into the case.

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 23, 2024 Jill rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: michael-innes

I'm afraid this is barely a 2 star from me. The plot of the book would have been good, but it was such an uphill struggle for me. I lost patience with the pathetic pigeon English dialect of the foreigner, and then the notion that a police commissioner would surge ahead in pursuit of a criminal, let alone a whole gang of them without back up, I found ridiculous. And then to top it all, the wife of the commissioner is taken along with the investigating team! I do expect some leeway in fiction but ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 17, 2018 Gardener0126 rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I’ve been lucky enough to read a number of the Inspector Appleby mysteries, and highly recommend them. In general I like vintage mysteries a lot and this one didn’t disappoint. Like many other vintage novels, the writing is elegant and descriptive, sometimes a bit scholarly even. The book is probably best described as a traditional mystery, but I think it will appeal to many cozy mystery lovers, as well as those who love police procedurals.
This book blends adventure and mystery along with some h ...more

Like · see review