From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

Gently Does It

Alan Hunter

Start date: June 15, 2025

Finish date: July 7, 2025

Discussion: Buddy reads

Why we're reading this: First book in this classic series
[close] First book in this classic series

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Buddy reads

* Willful Behaviour by Donna Leon (Brunetti #11) (Oct/Nov 25)
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* Willful Behaviour - SPOILER Thread - (Brunetti #11) (Oct/Nov 25)
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last updated Oct 23, 2025 12:57AM

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What Members Thought

Jun 08, 2025 Susan in NC rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, detbuddy25

3.5 stars rounded up, because I really like the slow, methodical, low-key, peppermint creme guzzling Gently.

This was my first time encountering him, and I understand there is a tv show in the UK based on the books. I’ve never seen it. But definitely plan to read on with the Reading the Detectives group, which introduced me to the Scotland Yard man.

He’s vacationing as the mystery opens, hoping to get in some fishing, but at a fair watching a young daredevil ride his motorcycle on the Wall of De ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Jun 19, 2025 Susan rated it liked it · review of another edition

I have never read any of this long-running series before, nor have I seen the television show based upon it. This is the first book, published in 1955. As so often in crime novels, the main character, C.I. George Gently, is on holiday when he becomes embroiled in an investigation. This makes you wonder how long people used to go on holiday for, as Gently seems to be involved over a prolonged period. That said, he sees a young man react to the news of his father's murder and does not accept he is ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Sep 07, 2021 Sandy rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: series-dropped, mystery-historical, mystery-detective-grp, z2021-go-the-distance, rread-2021, read-2025

What a kind, GENTLE and dogged inspector. This is a quiet pleasant police procedural with an interesting plot. I will read others but don't expect to ever read all 46. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 16, 2018 AngryGreyCat rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-police-procedural

I just read my first Alan Hunter book from the George Gently series. I loved the TV show, in which Martin Shaw, played Gently.

The book had a lot of differences, as far as location and back story, however the character of George Gently himself shines through. Martin Shaw did a superb job bringing this character to life. In Gently Does It, a wealthy timber dealer is murdered at the same time his errant son happens to be in town. All fingers point to the son, but Gently doesn’t believe it. Calmly ...more

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Jun 14, 2025 Jackie rated it really liked it

3.5 starts rounded up to 4 as I liked this well enough I plan to look for more in the series. I love the name Gently, and it sums him up well, and the descriptions/atmosphere was excellent.

As for the ending (view spoiler) ...more

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Jul 01, 2024 ShanDizzy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Gently did it!

I had only watched perhaps two episodes of the TV series but did not like the characters. Recently I saw that Gently is a long running book series. I like the book characters way better. This first in the series is great. Gently is very likable. He makes me think of Columbo.

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