Starting/joining in with buddy reads Showing 601-650 of 1,329

[Susan in NC]

Jill wrote: "Like Pamela, I wouldn't reread the first one again, as I didn't really like it. His rambling and perception of women got me down, but I'm willing to try another.
I do have his other 11 Fen books an..."

Oooh, yikes, ok, definitely will brace myself going in - but still looking forward to finally reading Crispin. Thanks, Susan, for your lovely lists - I always cut and paste your latest, for planning and looking for the books. FYI, I’m not disinterested in Punshon or Blake, I read the first Bobby Owen, but have fallen behind, will catch up and add comments as I do (some day -🥴, you all know how that goes), and can not find Nicholas Blake, Scribd, library, any of my usual sources. If I ever do, I’ll definitely try his books!

[Susan]

I loved the first one, but I know what Jill means. Some of the attitudes towards women are a little callous and judgmental.

Some of the Nicholas Blake/Cecil Day-Lewis brought me up a bit short at times. It's shocking to see attitudes that were acceptable then put in print without any concern.

[Susan in NC]

Susan wrote: "I loved the first one, but I know what Jill means. Some of the attitudes towards women are a little callous and judgmental.

Some of the Nicholas Blake/Cecil Day-Lewis brought me up a bit short at..."

Oh, yes! Well, better to go in prepared - old books and movies can be shockers...

Oh, it was interesting, when I checked for Nicholas Blake/Cecil Day-Lewis in my library system, I was impressed, no NB mysteries, but a couple books of CDL’s poetry!

[Susan]

Obviously more highbrow in your area, Susan ;)

[Jan C]

I liked The Case of the Gilded Fly, especially once I figured out who everyone was. I probably would not re-read it though because I probably don't have it anymore. I read it in paperback and I usually donate my paperbacks when I am done with them.

I am still reading The Moving Toyshop. I had a hard time locating it but then it came out on Kindle. And now it is lost (not really) on my kindle machine.

[Susan in NC]

Susan wrote: "Obviously more highbrow in your area, Susan ;)"

Who would’ve thought? Or some founding Southern philanthropist/poetry enthusiast among the founders of the Greensboro, NC library!

[Susan in NC]

Jan C wrote: "I liked The Case of the Gilded Fly, especially once I figured out who everyone was. I probably would not re-read it though because I probably don't have it anymore. I read it in paper..."

Like the spare sock that always goes missing in the clothes dryer? ;)

[Susan]

The only books I can't lose are on my kindle and, even then, I often have trouble locating them!

[Susan]

An Instance of the Fingerpost

is a kindle deal of the day today and Rosina suggested a buddy read. Anybody else interested and when would be a good month? It's quite long, so we could pick a month when we don't have too many other reads?

Here's the blurb:
An ingenious tour de force: an utterly compelling historical mystery with a plot that twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing until the very last page.

We are in England in the 1660s. Charles II has been restored to the throne following years of civil war and Cromwell's short-lived republic. Oxford is the intellectual seat of the country, a place of great scientific, religious, and political ferment. A fellow of New College is found dead in suspicious circumstances. A young woman is accused of his murder. We hear the story of the death from four witnesses: an Italian physician intent on claiming credit for the invention of blood transfusion; the son of an alleged Royalist traitor; a master cryptographer who has worked for both Cromwell and the king; and a renowned Oxford antiquarian. Each tells his own version of what happened. Only one reveals the extraordinary truth.

With rights sold for record-breaking sums around the world, An Instance of the Fingerpost is destined to become a major international publishing event. Deserving of comparison to the works of John Fowles and Umberto Eco, Iain Pears's novel is an ingenious tour de force: an utterly compelling historical mystery with a plot that twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing until the very last page.

[Roman Clodia]

Oh yes, I'd be interested in a buddy read - even better when the book's a 99p bargain!

[Susan]

Good to hear. We have the Donna Tartt next month - I suggested sometime after May?

Reminds me, are we going to add the first Donna Tartt, Secret History, as a buddy read on 20th C?

[Roman Clodia]

I'm looking forward to The Little Friend and yes, very happy to re-read Secret History.

[Susan]

OK, let's see when we're doing Fingerpost.

[Susan]

Updated list of buddy reads:

Buddy reads are: (mid-month starts)

Feb/March
The Private Patient - PD James
The Beckoning Lady - Margery Allingham
A Red Herring Without Mustard - Alan Bradley
Death Comes to Cambers - E.R. Punshon

March/April
Why Shoot a Butler? - Georgette Heyer
A Tangled Web aka Death and Daisy Bland - Nicholas Blake
The Virgin in the Ice - Ellis Peters

Apr/May
Tour de Force - Christianna Brand
Hide my Eyes (1958) aka Tether's End - Margery Allingham
The Bath Mysteries - E.R. Punshon

May/June
The Trouble at Wakeley Court - Clara Benson
The Mummy Case - Elizabeth Peters

Jun/Jul
I am Half-Sick of Shadows - Alan Bradley
The China Governess - Margery Allingham
The Dusky Hour - E.R. Punshon

Jul/Aug
The Sanctuary Sparrow - Ellis Peters
The Unfinished Clue - Georgette Heyer

Aug/Sep
A Penknife in my Heart - Nicholas Blake
Mystery of Mr. Jessop - E.R. Punshon

Sep/Oct
The Three Cornered Halo - Christianna Brand
An Instance of the Fingerpost - Iain Pears

Oct/Nov
The Case of the Gilded Fly - Edmund Crispin
Dictator's Way - E.R. Punshon

Nov/Dec

Dec/Jan
Comes a Stranger - E.R. Punshon

Fingerpost added as Sep/Oct

[Susan in NC]

Thanks, Susan!

[Susan]

Thanks to Rosina for the great suggestion.

[Susan in NC]

Thanks, Rosina!

[Michaela]

Pity Fingerpost isn´t on sale here, but I´ll participate in some of the others. Thanks all! :)

[Jan C]

I used to have this book. I think I decided that I wasn't going to be that interested and gave it away. It was a big book.

[Judy]

Thus Was Adonis Murdered by Sarah Caudwell was the runner-up after being nominated by Rosina in our latest group read poll - would others be interested in a buddy read?

I'm thinking of scheduling it for August/September if that suits everyone.

Here is a brief blurb:

The first mystery in Caudwell's popular series featuring amateur investigator Hilary Tamar and a cast of clever and trouble-prone young London barristers.

When a young man is found dead in Julia Larwood's bed, her barrister friends are the only ones who can uncover the truth of this masterpiece of murder.

[Susan]

I have a copy, Judy. I think I downloaded it for free and it's currently 99p on kindle.

[Jill]

I have the 4 books so would join in time permitting, as we have a very long Ian Pears book in September.

[Susan]

This is true, Jill. I think RC was asking about that one the other day and I am looking forward to it.

As I always get overly ambitious with my reading, I would like to read both...

[Judy]

Thanks everyone. We could put it a bit later in the year if that works better? There are already 3 buddy reads in July.

[Susan]

I did add it, but we can change it? There's one month where we have no buddies - November, I think. Let me check.

[Susan]

Apr/May
Tour de Force - Christianna Brand
Hide my Eyes (1958) aka Tether's End - Margery Allingham
The Bath Mysteries - E.R. Punshon

May/June
The Trouble at Wakeley Court - Clara Benson
The Mummy Case - Elizabeth Peters

Jun/Jul
I am Half-Sick of Shadows - Alan Bradley
The China Governess - Margery Allingham
The Dusky Hour - E.R. Punshon

Jul/Aug
The Sanctuary Sparrow - Ellis Peters
The Unfinished Clue - Georgette Heyer
The Scandal at 23 Mount Street - Clara Benson

Aug/Sep
A Penknife in my Heart - Nicholas Blake
Thus was Adonis Murdered - Sarah Caudwell
Mystery of Mr. Jessop - E.R. Punshon

Sep/Oct
The Three Cornered Halo - Christianna Brand
An Instance of the Fingerpost - Iain Pears

Oct/Nov
The Case of the Gilded Fly - Edmund Crispin
Dictator's Way - E.R. Punshon
The Shadow at Greystone Chase - Clara Benson

Nov/Dec

Dec/Jan
Comes a Stranger - E.R. Punshon
Angela's Christmas Adventure (short story) - Clara Benson

We don't start Fingerpost until midway through the next month, but, if you want it later, then Nov/Dec is empty...

[Frances]

I will join-I read this series many years ago and enjoyed it so much I've refused to part with my ratty old paperbacks, always thinking I'd like to reread some day. November or December works better for me.

[Susan in NC]

Frances wrote: "I will join-I read this series many years ago and enjoyed it so much I've refused to part with my ratty old paperbacks, always thinking I'd like to reread some day. November or December works bette..."

Same here - I also read these years ago, and enjoyed- but I donated my copies! If I can get it, I’ll join for a reread!

[Susan in NC]

Susan wrote: "I have a copy, Judy. I think I downloaded it for free and it's currently 99p on kindle."

I don’t see a Kindle version on US Amazon, that’s weird.

[Sandy]

Susan in NC wrote: "Susan wrote: "I have a copy, Judy. I think I downloaded it for free and it's currently 99p on kindle."

I don’t see a Kindle version on US Amazon, that’s weird."

I only see two of the four book series available on kindle in the US. Luckily my library system has multiple copies of each book.

[Susan in NC]

Lucky! Mine has none - irritated, I had the book years ago - don’t remember much, but it was witty and entertaining, I’d like to reread. Hesitate to order a used copy, as the US mail system is a bit of a mess right now...

[Judy]

Great that quite a few people want to join in, and annoying there is no US Kindle edition. I'm in the UK anyway but have got a paperback I picked up a while back.

Is it OK with everyone if we move it back to November, as suggested? Sounds as if that may avoid too many good books at once!

[Jill]

Either fits in well for me . It was just the September one I was concerned about

[Judy]

I meant mid-August to mid-September, but put a / instead of a -, sorry. :) But we can make it November if people prefer.

[Sandy]

Either mid-Aug or mid-Nov is fine with me. I agree we shouldn't add anything to the month with Fingerpost.

[Judy]

Sorry, I'm not sure what to do for the best now! I'm easy with either date - does anyone else have a preference? So far Frances has said she prefers November and I think everyone else is OK with either August or November.

Please could anyone else who prefers one month or the other say and we can then go for what suits most people. :)

[Rosina]

November is fine by me! To follow on from Fingerpost - another 'to be re-read' book - so much to look forward to

[Margaret]

November is fine with me.

[Susan in NC]

November is fine for me. Gives more time to get a used copy by mail, also (hopefully won’t be an issue, but never know these days!)

[Susan]

I am fine with either. November is empty at the moment, which seems auspicious :)

[Judy]

Let's go for November, then - thanks everyone!

[Susan]

Updated List:

Buddy reads are: (mid-month starts)

Apr/May
Tour de Force - Christianna Brand
Hide my Eyes (1958) aka Tether's End - Margery Allingham
The Bath Mysteries - E.R. Punshon

May/June
The Trouble at Wakeley Court - Clara Benson
The Mummy Case - Elizabeth Peters

Jun/Jul
I am Half-Sick of Shadows - Alan Bradley
The China Governess - Margery Allingham
The Dusky Hour - E.R. Punshon

Jul/Aug
The Sanctuary Sparrow - Ellis Peters
The Unfinished Clue - Georgette Heyer
The Scandal at 23 Mount Street - Clara Benson

Aug/Sep
A Penknife in my Heart - Nicholas Blake
Mystery of Mr. Jessop - E.R. Punshon

Sep/Oct
The Three Cornered Halo - Christianna Brand
An Instance of the Fingerpost - Iain Pears

Oct/Nov
The Case of the Gilded Fly - Edmund Crispin
Dictator's Way - E.R. Punshon
The Shadow at Greystone Chase - Clara Benson

Nov/Dec
Thus was Adonis Murdered - Sarah Caudwell

Dec/Jan
Comes a Stranger - E.R. Punshon
Angela's Christmas Adventure (short story) - Clara Benson

If anyone has a good suggestion of a Christmas mystery - preferably one we haven't read before - that we can read for December, please let us know.

[Susan]

Not Christmas, but I did come across The Progress of a Crime: A Fireworks Night Mystery which is set during Guy Fawkes night. Might be nice for November, either as a group read, or a buddy?

[Judy]

Thank you for posting the updated list, Susan.

The Progress of a Crime sounds interesting, set in the 1960s and involving Teddy Boys! Might be a good one to nominate for the group read that month? I've only read one book by Julian Symons so far, The Belting Inheritance, which I really enjoyed.

[Susan]

Yes, perhaps someone can remind me, lol!

[Judy]

I'll try to remember ;)

[Tara]

The BLCC series has a ton of Christmas mystery collections. Have we read any of those in this group?

[Judy]

Tara wrote: "The BLCC series has a ton of Christmas mystery collections. Have we read any of those in this group?"

I don't think we have, although they have been nominated in the polls once or twice.

[Jan C]

I have the Caudwell book sitting on the shelf.

[Rosina]

Bringing together the two separate conversations:

The fourth Caudwell book does have a Christmas crime in it, but I suppose it would be too early for it to be the Christmas read this year.