Reading the Detectives discussion
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What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread
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Judy
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Jun 06, 2018 12:42PM
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Judy wrote: "I think there is also a lot of snobbishness in some of the other GA writers, unfortunately ... I suppose in Sayers, but I love her anyway, as with Marsh! I'm pleased to hear there is another theatr..."Yes, Judy, I think it was simply the time period and prevailing attitudes. When I read them with that mindset, it is not really off-putting. The mysteries are intriguing with likable characters. And I too love Sayers. Marsh is definitely growing on me. LOL
Got my monthly GA book from Crime Classics, Keep it Quiet by Richard Hull. A 1935 mystery taking place in a gentlemen's club. This is my first Hull but it won't be my last. Just started but like it a lot.
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Currently about to finish Death Al Dente by Leslie Budewitz. It is a good start to a series. I have books 2 and 3 on my Nook. I need to get back to a classic or two soon.
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Lorraine, Richard Hull looks fun. I see he has three books re-issued already and the one you are reading about to be released. Thanks for mentioning him.
We are lacking nominations for our August vote - perhaps you would like to throw one into the mix? That, of course, goes for anyone else, if you are reading something you think might be interesting - there are only three nominations for the next vote so far.
S Dizzy wrote: "I agree...Marsh's snobbishness was certainly reflected in some of her mysteries but I think she created wonderful characters in Inspector Alleyn and Fox."I like Inspector Alleyn and Fox too.
Most of the GA writers had some snobbishness embedded in their writing. It is a product of their time. But with someone like Christie, or even Sayers to a certain extent, I simply saw the snobbishness and nothing more intense. With Marsh, I sometimes feel, she actually loathes these types of people, especially if they are women! My last two Ngaio Marsh reads especially made me feel this way.
Recently finished Dominion by C.J. Sansom which was extremely good, and The Mystery at Underwood House, which I found a bit disappointing, as like the first book I had worked out the murderer from early on. Now starting Death in a White Tie
Paperbackreader wrote: "S Dizzy wrote: "...With Marsh, I sometimes feel, she actually loathes these types of people, especially if they are women! My last two Ngaio Marsh reads especially made me feel this way. ."I agree with you Paperbackreader, about the way that Marsh sometimes writes about women. Her venom and disdain for them seem to jump off the page. Also, her snobbishness is palpable. But, as I stated before, I still enjoy her stories.
Jill wrote: "Recently finished Dominion by C.J. Sansom which was extremely good, and The Mystery at Underwood House, which I found a bit disappointing, as like the..."Hi Jill, I recently started the Inspector Alleyn series and currently reading NO. 5 Vintage Murder. I hope Death In a White Tie is enjoyable for you.
S Dizzy wrote: "Paperbackreader wrote: "S Dizzy wrote: "...With Marsh, I sometimes feel, she actually loathes these types of people, especially if they are women! My last two Ngaio Marsh reads especially made me f..."Re snobbishness, the difference for me with Tey and Marsh is the dislike they seem to feel for their lower-class creations. Their disdain is clear in every word. Whereas Christie, Wentworth and Sayers, to my mind, while innately upper middle class and a bit patronising towards the lower classes, write affectionately and with understanding. The characters in A Murder Is Announced, for example, really leap off the page and are drawn with compassion and insight, whichever class they're from (okay, maybe not Mitzi, the Polish refugee ).
In Patricia Wentworth's books, the servants are often pretty formulaic (surnames like Bell and Pell, a mix of pretty young girls always 'slipping out to the post' and staid, comfortable old cooks and gardeners) but they are given intelligence and integrity and they're rarely the villain. Often that's reserved for an intensely snobbish upper-class elderly lady clinging to the glories of her ancestors.
I'll even defend Sayers on this - I love the village characters in The Nine Tailors, for instance, like the old woman who says she doesn't stand for Providence. "There's One above that'll teach him to mind his manners if he doesn't watch out."
Annabel wrote: "S Dizzy wrote: "Paperbackreader wrote: "S Dizzy wrote: "...With Marsh, I sometimes feel, she actually loathes these types of people, especially if they are women! My last two Ngaio Marsh reads espe..."Annabel, I can see what you mean when reading some of the stories of the authors you have mentioned. It isn't a correct way of thinking given that we're all human, but it was the pervading attitudes of the time period so these authors wrote what they knew and experienced, I suppose. Thanks for sharing your insights.
I'm reading, one of 5 books, The Narrowing Circle by Julian Symons, in addition to an interesting mystery you also get some book publishing history. Hard to believe in 54 they had assembly lines to crank out cheap pb's. Actually I'd love to find one by these made up authors.
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I am currently reading 3 cozy mystery novels:The Crêpes of Wrath
Crime Rib
Murder with a Twist
The last one I started back in November, but set it aside to read other books and am back to it. The other 2 are for challenges in another group.
My next classic mystery novels will be The League of Frightened Men and The Egyptian Cross Mystery
I fully intend to read Ellery Queen, but I have so many series on the go that have put off starting another
Not quite a post for this thread but I just saw on Netgalley that there's going to be a new Shardlake book out in October-very excited to see this. They're also offering Dissolution for review but I already have a copy of that.
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Susan wrote: "Let me know if you get approved for the book, Lady. I will hope you are successful :)"Oh-I forgot to say, it sn't being offered for review yet- just on the wish for it list.
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I just finished The Death of Mrs. Westaway
which reminded me how much I like Ruth Ware
Annabel wrote: "Re snobbishness, the difference for me with Tey and Marsh is the dislike they seem to feel for their lower-class creations. Their disdain is clear in every word. Whereas Christie, Wentworth and Sayers, to my mind, while innately upper middle class and a bit patronising towards the lower classes, write affectionately and with understanding..."I agree. That is why I do not enjoy Tey and enjoy Marsh only sporadically.
Finished Death in a White Tie, Police at the Funeral and The Mystery of the Blue TrainNow starting Fade Away by Harlan Coben book 3 in the Marlon Bolitar series
Jill wrote: "Finished Death in a White Tie, Police at the Funeral..."I'm on the waitlist for Death In A White Tie, Jill. Did you like it?
S Dizzy wrote: "Jill wrote: "Finished Death in a White Tie, Police at the Funeral..."I'm on the waitlist for Death In A White Tie, Jill. Did you like it?"
Yes it was good . The only thing is I'm not too keen on romance in these books, but I am able to overlook it as I did like the plot .
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Susan wrote: "Jill, you are forging ahead! I'm currently listening to The Pale Horse."The Pale Horse is one of the few late Christie mysteries I enjoy. Mrs. Oliver is always fun!
Jill wrote: "Finished Death in a White Tie..."I enjoyed Death in a White Tie more than other Marsh books.
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Finished The Case of the Gilded Fly. Had a hard time finishing this one. I don't think I will be reading anything by Crispin again.
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I, on the other hand, am rationing out my last few Crispin's as I do enjoy Fen's dry wit.
Luckily there is something for every taste.
Sandy wrote: "I, on the other hand, am rationing out my last few Crispin's as I do enjoy Fen's dry wit.Luckily there is something for every taste."
Hmm I am curious. I have read only The Case of the Gilded Fly. So, I cannot comment on other Fen mysteries. But what did you enjoy about The Case of the Gilded Fly? I always enjoy hearing about other viewpoints. :)
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Susan wrote: "It is true that some author's books appeals and others don't. I have struggled with both Allingham and Tey in particular, but I enjoy Fen - I find them fairly funny and I enjoy the Oxford setting in the early books."I have struggled with Allingham and Tey too.
I agree about the humor part. That was the only bright spot in The Case of the Gilded Fly for me.
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Susan wrote: "If you struggle with an author, there are plenty more who will appeal, which is the plus point to remember :)"Someone in a book-related group that I am part of on facebook pointed out that a million + books have been published in the first half of this year alone--so there really are several billions of fish to pick from!
Susan wrote: "If you struggle with an author, there are plenty more who will appeal, which is the plus point to remember :)"But there are only so many GA authors I can choose from. So, when one of them disappoints me, it depresses me a bit.
Paperbackreader wrote: "Finished The Case of the Gilded Fly. Had a hard time finishing this one. I don't think I will be reading anything by Crispin again."I felt like you regarding Crispin, but I will probably read another of his books, just to give him a fair try. I found it was his rambling and attitude I didn't like, but as this was the first book , I'm wondering if he improves.
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Jill wrote: "I felt like you regarding Crispin, but I will probably read another of his books, just to give him a fair try. I found it was his rambling and attitude I didn't like, but as this was the first book , I'm wondering if he improves."I normally give authors a second chance. It is only fair. I was wondering if if Crispin's writing changes with time. For example, is there is a reduction of the level of sexism? I guess it bothered me because it is not just there is casual sexism in his writing. God knows many of my favorite GA authors wrote enough sexist/racist/classist stuff! But I felt the entire story was drenched in it. The victim is blamed incessantly and the actions of the perpetrator is justified incessantly. It became a bit too much.
In addition to all that, the detective withholds information, not entirely fair in a detective story from my point of view. Also, when the motive is finally revealed it seems to come out of nowhere.
Judy wrote: "Crispin was very young when he wrote Gilded Fly, but I actually preferred it to the next one, Holy Disorders. I do agree he can be a bit rambling, but still enjoy him."I'm currently working on Holy Disorders. It is kind of rambling and confusing. But I am st8cking with it because, if it is anything like Gilded Fly, it will pick up and be worth it in the long run. So far I have enjoyed Crispin's humor.
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Susan wrote: "I like Crispin and keep meaning to read the whole series."I have a couple on my TBR which I must get to soon.
I stopped reading Crispin after his 3rd book, the Floating Toyshop which I hated but this was more then 20 years ago, maybe it's time to give him another chance. Being a senior I can't remember why I disliked it so much
Susan wrote: "I like Crispin and keep meaning to read the whole series."Susan, Crispin's Fen series is, in my opinion, hilarious!!!! Especially the last one (Glimpses of the Moon, though many did not like this last installment). ((here is my review of it https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)) I simply HAD TO purchase the entire Gervase Fen series. The absurd characters and British wit at its finest...oh! and there are some interesting mysteries as well.
S Dizzy wrote: "Susan, Crispin's Fen series is, in my opinion, hilarious!!!! Especially the last one (Glimpses of the Moon, though many did not like this last installment). ((here is my review of it https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)) I simply HAD TO purchase the entire Gervase Fen series. The absurd characters and British wit at its finest...oh! and there are some interesting mysteries as well. "I agree about the humor. I highlighted the real funny lines from the book on my Kindle!
But for me, the things that bothered me outweighed my appreciation for his wit. I have explained those in my review of the book, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Does Crispin's writing change with the rest of the books of the series, is a question I had. I really hate losing a GA author! :(
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Paperbackreader, I am sorry, I have only read the first three, I think, so I can't be of help.
Susan wrote: "S Dizzy - that review brightened up my morning - inspired!Thank you Susan, it was a lot fun to read. It was as if Crispin let his imagination have free rein and gave us a front row seat. And Paperbackreader, I am sorry that you don't find Crispin's stories entertaining.
Paperbackreader wrote: "Jill wrote: "Finished Death in a White Tie..."I enjoyed Death in a White Tie more than other Marsh books."
I agree. I felt that it was a step up from her previous Alleyn stories.
Jill wrote: "Jill wrote: " ...Yes it was good . The only thing is I'm not too keen on romance in these books, but I am able to overlook it as I did like the plot ."Jill, I too enjoyed this story. It made Alleyn more mature and relatable than in previous stories, in my opinion.
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