The Readaholics and the Poirot Puzzle Part 1 Chap 1-9

[Mark Pghfan]

Well, it's February first and here is the start to our discussion book of the month (well, one of them) "The Readaholics and the Poirot Puzzle" by Laura DiSilverio.

I know some of you are waiting for the book so you can join in whenever you are able to.

Amy-Faye Johnson is our heroine of sorts here, and she is in a reading group that is reading Murder on the Orient Express! SPOILER ALERT: If you are one of the only two people on earth who don't know the solution to Orient Express, please stop RIGHT NOW! They discuss the ending and whether it is realistic or feasible.

The bulk of the book is about a murder that occurs fairly on (chapter 4, I believe) during the opening party of Amy-Faye's brother Derek's new pub/bar. Complicating the situation is the fact that one of Amy-Faye's potential boyfriends (honestly, do all our female protagonists have numerous boyfriends in the offing?) is the presiding police officer. Amy-Fay's brother is suspected.

I'm only partway through this first section right now, but hope to get through the rest and continue the discussion this week.

[Tina]

Great beginnings, Pghfan. Thanks. Am also in midst of first section and was wondering same...um, lucky are the cozy protags to have all these great men in the wings.

As noted earlier, I expected something different in the mystery's backdrop. Not a bad or a good thing. Just a thing. Still it's not a bad story so far. Not as heavy in deets as previous read. And just as it feels it might be going in that direction, Bam, something happens to shake things up. You'll know when you get there.

Still kinda early in the read to see if Poirot Puzzle figures stronger in the mystery. We shall see.

[Allison]

But 1 of the potential boyfriends was actually her fiance who dumped her then got dumped himself. He got his just desserts on that one. The new guy seems to have some potential though.

Love the interaction between Amy-Faye and her assistant at work.

[J]

Book is in at the library! Guess we do have some fast readers - lol.
Should have it for the weekend and will endeavor to catch up.

[Tina]

Sounds like a plan, J. I think you'll like this one.

[Mark Pghfan]

I just finished this section last night and ready to move on. As I think, there are really a lot of characters here and I'm having a bit of trouble trying to keep up with them all. Derek is not doing too well after the calamitous night of the murder and big sis Amy-Faye is determined to sort out the problems. With the help of her fellow readaholics. There continues to be little bits of comment about the Orient Express book.

I'll start the next section on Monday, but we will still keep this part active till we are all on board!

[Tina]

Was hoping for more a tie in to what pulled me in in first place...Poirot and Orient Puzzle. For more of the reading group. Well, not a bad mystery just not what I expected. Maybe more will show once we get further into story.

[Allison]

I thought there would be more references, etc for the Poirot book as well.

[Tina]

Yeah, Allison, a bit disappointing. And there's that excess detail thing again. (Why her mother colors her hair. That doesn't add anything to the mystery or to the story, really). Slows the story.

[Tina]

Getting ready to start Chptr. 10. Pass the crumpets, PLZ. :-)

[Tina]

PI's, should we just move on with this story? Ditch it? Maybe we should just go back to one title a month so we aren't all over the place and then nothing gets discussed. Well, we don't know unless we try. Right? ;-)

I'm on around pg. 112, there was a mention of the group members so maybe the book group will reunite again.

[Mark Pghfan]

Well, what do you all think? I am willing to go the distance if you all are!

[Allison]

I've already finished it so it's up to the rest of you PI's if you carry on or not. IMO it does have a fairly satisfying ending and the mystery isn't bad if that helps.

[Mark Pghfan]

Well, then, I'll go on! I'll start section 2 later today.

[PugMom]

I'm almost done with the 1st book in the series and put Poirot on hold at the library. Have all of you read the Falcon Fiasco? It's taking me a while to get through it. Not sure why.

[Tina]

Thanks, Pghfan. As long as the PI's go on with Poirot Puzzle, I will too.

Thanks for that, Allison. Have you read Murder At Midnight? I'm hoping to tackle it next but I'd love an idea of how good it is or isn't. lol


Nicole, It seems a bit heavy with unnecessary deets that weigh down story. Longer to get through.

[J]

I just started mine so glad to hear we are continuing.
Tina what I do with what I call those unnecessary details is just glance over them or skip entirely if they are not pertinent. They weigh down the story and slow down The reading.
I'm also reading Joann Fluke's newest and it abounds with "unnecessary details". Drives me crazy!

I do agree that perhaps having so many reads in one month might not have been the best idea.

[Tina]

That's what I do, J. I speed read thru them and if something seems like it's pertinent, I go back to that point. I do that w/movies too.

[Tina]

True that, J. But nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Now if the PI's want to read the pre-noted Valentine mystery, we could honor that one; refigure things for March. Maybe still have main read and side read but that's it. Or even cut side read.

I probably won't get to Valentine read as I've already spent $ on Murder At Midnight and want to read it and I've two other books besides main read.

[Allison]

Tina wrote: "Thanks, Pghfan. As long as the PI's go on with Poirot Puzzle, I will too.

Thanks for that, Allison. Have you read Murder At Midnight? I'm hoping to tackle it next but I'd love an idea of how good ..."

Yes, I have Murder at Midnight. I have already read it and I liked it.

[Tina]

I'm back on it, Allison. I love the backdrop, mystery...talk of treasure.

[J]

Not quite through this section but found the group's discussion of Murder On The Orient Express interesting. Lola's remark that unlike the characters in Murder, while she might want to see the kidnapper/murderer of her child punished she hoped she "wouldn't do anything illegal or immoral to make it happen" got me thinking.
I'm not so sure I would agree. What say the PIs?
Also, good question from Kerry: ' "Were they all equally guilty or just the ones who struck the early blows that actually killed Ratchett?" ' Hmmmmm

[Allison]

J wrote: "Not quite through this section but found the group's discussion of Murder On The Orient Express interesting. Lola's remark that unlike the characters in Murder, while she might want to see the kidn..."

Ooo - good questions. I am not sure how I would react if someone murdered my child. I am not a parent but I can imagine that if someone hurts one of "mine" I would absolutely want them to pay the price. I don't think I would have the nerve to go against all my internal fears against violence to actually try to physically harm that person but I for sure would be thinking it and wishing it.

I think plotting, planning or taking any part in a crime of kidnapping/murder should be found equally guilty. Covering up or just not saying anything about a heinous crime makes you equally culpable IMO. And I don't buy into (for the most part) the "I was scared for my life" excuse so said person helps clean up the crime or actively takes part in one and then goes on about their life as nothing happened.

[Tina]

I suppose you're right about them being equally responsible, Allison. The intent was there.

[J]

Granted they are all guilty of something. But legally speaking (and clearly I watch too many TV shows!) could only the one or ones who struck the actual death blow/blows be charged with murder? Although how it could be ascertained is beyond me.

[PugMom]

OK, I am FINALLY starting Poirot today since I am on vacation this week! Yahoo!! Quick question: Since I just read the 1st book in the series to get a handle on the characters, I found that I actually didn't get to know all the "Readaholics" well at all except for AFaye. In the 2nd book are you all getting a feel for the characters? Maybe it was just me?

[PugMom]

Also, on the topic of the Orient Express...I did read it in high school although I'm fuzzy now on the details (I can brush up on them since I have Agatha Christie's Bedside Companion). I remember watching the movie in English class AFTER I read it and none of the other students read it. I felt so superior since I already knew the ending LOL (I was a nerdy reader girl then too hahahha).

[Tina]

Good point you bring up re: Learning more about the Readaholics. IMHO I'm not feeling much page time with them so I'd say, "no" to getting to know them better. But then I'm only on pg. 136 so maybe there's more interaction with them later.

[Allison]

I finished the book actually wondering why it was titled the "Poirot Puzzle" as that is a very minute part of this book. The book club members and activities are also secondary and no, I didn't really get to know the other characters all that well. Still, I did like the mystery and I probably would read more in the series.

[PugMom]

Getting a good chunk of the book read since it's snowy and cold and I don't have to go anywhere!! I have some errands to run but I'll wait until it warms up a bit.
I really like the characters so far but even though "The Readaholics" is in the title, I don't see them meeting a whole lot. I am enjoying it though.

[Jill]

I've been in a reading funk lately and I just couldn't figure out why, I'd pick up a book to read and then I'd read five or so pages and have to put it down because I couldn't concentrate on, or my mind would wonder and I couldn't tell you what I had read. This has been going on for a couple of weeks. I would be like I was so nervous, and feeling stressed. Then Monday I found out why. My son asked his girlfriend to marry him and she said YES! When he told me that all those feelings I had disappeared, I guess subconsciously I had and intuition that something was going to happen. Last night I read two chapters and then fell asleep. I think my funk is over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mark Pghfan]

Allison, I was wondering about that too. Especially the part about not learning much about the people in the Readaholics.

Starting the third discussion today.

[Tina]

Congratulations, Jill! That's wonderful! The wedding proposal too is exciting. (LOL JT. A true romantic, me.) Of course it's terrific news! Glad for you and the family!

Ohp, author just mentioned Poirot. I'll have to hang onto that thought, folks. ;-)