Reading the Detectives discussion
Buddy reads
>
Starting/joining in with buddy reads
message 151:
by
Sandy
(new)
Dec 11, 2017 06:08AM

reply
|
flag
This is exciting - as Susan says, we did consider Poirot, and I was very torn between him and Alleyn. Now hopefully some of us will be able to enjoy them both. :)


https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Carolien wrote: "I may join in occasionally especially for the early ones. That said, I've committed myself to 12 books of translated crime fiction next year as a challenge in a different group. If anybody would li..."
I refuse to be tempted, Carolien, tempting as they undoubtedly are. I refuse to look - oh well, maybe I'll have a peek later...
I refuse to be tempted, Carolien, tempting as they undoubtedly are. I refuse to look - oh well, maybe I'll have a peek later...


It was Jessica who suggested Poirot, so I didn't want to tread on toes, although I am happy to open threads. If we want to read Poirot as a monthly buddy read, I am very happy to organise it, but I will need to check series order, etc. Are we doing the volumes of short stories, or do we want to stick to novels, for example? If Jessica would like to take over here, she is welcome?
It has been decided by the moderator's that, if Jessica wishes to open threads for her Poirot challenge on group, that is great and she can happily ask members to read along. However, as we have had a LOT of extra Buddy Reads lately and we have three books in January - our main read, our first Ngaio Marsh book and a buddy read with Green for Danger, that we will not set up the Poirot as a challenge.
This is party as we have a lot of books already and partly as different series can have various alternative reading orders (as we know to our cost now!) and we obviously do not wish to interfere with how Jessica runs her personal challenge. I hope that is fine with members. Again, it is absolutely fine if Jessica posts her challenge on the group and members are obviously welcome to join in with that. Indeed, I may do so myself, if it happens :)
This is party as we have a lot of books already and partly as different series can have various alternative reading orders (as we know to our cost now!) and we obviously do not wish to interfere with how Jessica runs her personal challenge. I hope that is fine with members. Again, it is absolutely fine if Jessica posts her challenge on the group and members are obviously welcome to join in with that. Indeed, I may do so myself, if it happens :)
Just as a reminder, our upcoming group Buddy Reads are:
Jan/Feb: Green for Danger: Christianna Brand
Feb/March: The Documents in the Case: Dorothy L. Sayers
March/April: The Beast Must Die: Nicholas Blake
We did have a suggestion a while back for An Expert in Murder (currently 98p on kindle on Amazon UK. Would anyone like to add that to the list?)
Jan/Feb: Green for Danger: Christianna Brand
Feb/March: The Documents in the Case: Dorothy L. Sayers
March/April: The Beast Must Die: Nicholas Blake
We did have a suggestion a while back for An Expert in Murder (currently 98p on kindle on Amazon UK. Would anyone like to add that to the list?)
Thanks, Susan, I will have a think re buddy reads! Just a reminder that we do have an 'Individual Challenges' section and all members are also welcome to post details of challenges they are undertaking there.

An Expert in Murder did very well in a previous vote; I think this last one became a two horse race.

Me, too. I love that series and the way each book is quite varied in tone (the latest weaves in MR James, and the 1970s Cambridge rapist). Expert is perhaps the most typical 'Golden Age' - I read it in a hurry as I started the series with book 2 and would love to re-read.
Ok, consider it added, Jill and Roman Clodia.
Jan/Feb: Green for Danger: Christianna Brand
Feb/March: The Documents in the Case: Dorothy L. Sayers
March/April: The Beast Must Die: Nicholas Blake
April/May: An Expert in Murder: Nicola Upson
Jan/Feb: Green for Danger: Christianna Brand
Feb/March: The Documents in the Case: Dorothy L. Sayers
March/April: The Beast Must Die: Nicholas Blake
April/May: An Expert in Murder: Nicola Upson
Me too! I've been meaning to read the Nicola Upson book and have it on my Kindle, so I will definitely be in for that one!
It will make a change to read something written now and set in the GA time. It's nice that we read so many original books and authors, but there are a lot of good, modern series, set in those times too.



https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
as the people who read it recently would probably still be interested in discussing.
Daph, yes it would be fine to post to the existing threads about this book. As Frances says, those of us who have recently read it would be interested to chime in and discuss it further - and if anyone else is inspired to read it too that's great.
I've now ordered a second-hand paperback of Green for Danger by Christianna Brand, so will be ready to join in with the buddy read.
I posted this in another thread: There is a newer Green for Danger: The Official Anthology of the Crime Writers' Association that confused me as the author / editor is Martin Edwards who is involved in many reprints. The newer book is a collection of stories.
Thanks, Sandy.
Judy, I started to watch the film version of "Green for Danger," which, so far, is quite similar to the book.
https://www.criterion.com/films/815-g...
Alastair Sim is Inspector Cockrill. It was filmed in 1946, so not long after the novel was written.
Judy, I started to watch the film version of "Green for Danger," which, so far, is quite similar to the book.
https://www.criterion.com/films/815-g...
Alastair Sim is Inspector Cockrill. It was filmed in 1946, so not long after the novel was written.
Watched, "Green for Danger," this afternoon. Won't give spoilers but 2 characters were missing, including one of the suspects (including the person I thought was the murderer when I first read this!). However, generally this kept pretty well to the plot and was a fairly charming film. Alastair Sim was wonderful, as always and Sally Gray was beautiful as Nurse Linley.

I will go and open a buddy read, unofficial, informal and completely free to join at any time by anyone who wishes to read some Poirot. I'll go by the reading order as posted by agathachristie.com and read one book per month (http://s3.amazonaws.com/agatha-christ...)
Hi Jessica! Good to hear from you and glad to hear work is not getting in the way any more - it has a habit of doing that, I find!
Thanks for opening up the Poirot thread. :)
Thanks for opening up the Poirot thread. :)

I shall probably pop in from time to time, I read a few of the older ones fairly recently, but wasn't strict on reading order and read the ones I could easily get hold of so I can fill in some gaps.
I have downloaded virtually all of the Merrily Watkins books as they have appeared at 99p each, but I have read none of them.... I have read other books by Phil Rickman and loved them, but I keep stalling when I think I should try Merrily... Carolien has bravely accepted the challenge to read the first later in the year. Rickman's books are long, but the ones I have read are very good. If anyone else is interested, I was thinking of starting this a little later in the year - around March?
The Wine of Angels The Wine of Angels is the first in the series:
THE FIRST INSTALMENT IN THE INCREDIBLE MERRILY WATKINS SERIES
Merrily Watkins: late thirties, single mum, parish priest. Cosy? I don't think so...
The new vicar had never wanted a picture-postcard parish - or a huge and haunted vicarage. Nor had she wanted to walk into a dispute over a controversial play about a seventeenth-century clergyman accused of witchcraft... a story that certain long-established families would rather remained obscure.
But this is Ledwardine, steeped in cider and secrets...
A paradise of cobbled streets and timber-framed houses. And also - as Merrily Watkins and her teenage daughter, Jane, discover - a village where horrific murder is a tradition that spans centuries.
If anyone is interested in joining in, please let me know.
The Wine of Angels The Wine of Angels is the first in the series:
THE FIRST INSTALMENT IN THE INCREDIBLE MERRILY WATKINS SERIES
Merrily Watkins: late thirties, single mum, parish priest. Cosy? I don't think so...
The new vicar had never wanted a picture-postcard parish - or a huge and haunted vicarage. Nor had she wanted to walk into a dispute over a controversial play about a seventeenth-century clergyman accused of witchcraft... a story that certain long-established families would rather remained obscure.
But this is Ledwardine, steeped in cider and secrets...
A paradise of cobbled streets and timber-framed houses. And also - as Merrily Watkins and her teenage daughter, Jane, discover - a village where horrific murder is a tradition that spans centuries.
If anyone is interested in joining in, please let me know.
I've already posted about this in the 'what mysteries are you reading' thread, but will mention it here too. Would anybody like to join a few of us in a buddy read of one of the Nero Wolfe books by Rex Stout?
We haven't decided on a title yet, but may go for Over My Dead Body, Where There's a Will or Black Orchids.
We haven't decided on a title yet, but may go for Over My Dead Body, Where There's a Will or Black Orchids.

Also, I've started Green For Danger, and so far it reads like a romantic triangle soap opera. I hope it gets better and the mystery can begin. I'll definitely stick with it, though.
This is probably the most appropriate thread to 'discuss' a buddy read of Nero Wolfe so hopefully all those interested will post here.
My next read is Over My Dead Body and I have the next two on request from the library so could start any of those in the next month. I also have enough other reading (don't we all?) to wait for anyone else who needs to catch up.
I gather that most of the Nero Wolfe's are not necessary to read in order but I still try to go in sequence. And I've heard that new characters get introduced.
My next read is Over My Dead Body and I have the next two on request from the library so could start any of those in the next month. I also have enough other reading (don't we all?) to wait for anyone else who needs to catch up.
I gather that most of the Nero Wolfe's are not necessary to read in order but I still try to go in sequence. And I've heard that new characters get introduced.

My next read is Over My Dead Body and I have th..."
I posted this over in the Rex Stout thread, but I am currently about halfway through Over My Dead Body so if that is chosen it will be fresh in my memory. Otherwise either Where There's a Will or Black Orchids would be good.
Yes, let's decide about the buddy read in this thread - thanks, Sandy and Leslie, Is anyone else up for joining in?
I've just checked on availability of the books and looks as if it would be easier for me to get hold of Over My Dead Body or Black Orchids - Where There's a Will might be hard to get hold of as it is expensive on Kindle or in paperback (in the UK).
Does anyone have a preference over which one to read/when to start? Should we go for Black Orchids in 2 or 3 months to give people time to get the book/catch up with the series?
Does anyone have a preference over which one to read/when to start? Should we go for Black Orchids in 2 or 3 months to give people time to get the book/catch up with the series?

Judy, Where There's a Will is at my local library but I also have the audiobook of Black Orchids. I'm unable to get Over My Dead Body. I hope we pick Black Orchids though. I'll keep a BOLO to see which we choose to read and when. Thanks
Thanks everyone, sounds like Black Orchids is the one to go for. Would mid March be OK for all those joining in?

Mid March works for me. Thank you
Jan/Feb: Green for Danger: Christianna Brand
Feb/March: The Documents in the Case: Dorothy L. Sayers
March/April: The Beast Must Die: Nicholas Blake
March/April: Black Orchids: Rex Stout
April/May: An Expert in Murder: Nicola Upson
Above is an updated buddy read list. Don't forget that Green for Danger opens this weekend.
Lots of good reading ahead!
Feb/March: The Documents in the Case: Dorothy L. Sayers
March/April: The Beast Must Die: Nicholas Blake
March/April: Black Orchids: Rex Stout
April/May: An Expert in Murder: Nicola Upson
Above is an updated buddy read list. Don't forget that Green for Danger opens this weekend.
Lots of good reading ahead!
Thank you for adding Black Orchids to the buddy reads list, Susan!
I also can't wait to discuss Green for Danger.
I also can't wait to discuss Green for Danger.
Books mentioned in this topic
Dead Men Don't Ski (other topics)The Case of the Missing Servant (other topics)
The Blessing Way (other topics)
A Rising Man (other topics)
The Novice's Tale (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Nevada Barr (other topics)Margaret Frazer (other topics)
Abir Mukherjee (other topics)
Tarquin Hall (other topics)
Dorothy L. Sayers (other topics)
More...