Soon To Start Jan. 2017 Title Selection Process.

[Tina]

Any of the PI's want to head up selection process? Just post a thread, get PI's to nominate a few titles, give it a several days to collect titles, vote and if there are a few runners up, vote 'tween the most popular and the majority wins. Anyone want to give it a try?

There may be some New Year themed mysteries, classic mysteries, cozies that we can toss in titles for. Post here if you are game.

[LovesMysteries]

Here are some titles; 1 is a New Years theme book (the one with the asterisk) and some aren't (but they sound pretty interesting)

(1) The Secret of Annexe 3 by Colin Dexter (1986)*
(2) Singing In The Shrouds by Ngaio Marsh (1959)
(3) Dead Man's Island by Carolyn Hart (1993)
(4) Murder At The Brightwell by Ashley Weaver (2014)

[PugMom]

I'd be interested in reading the Marsh book.

[LovesMysteries]

Nicole wrote: "I'd be interested in reading the Marsh book."

I've never read the story before but I remember reading a description of the story and I meant to read it but never got the chance to:

The Cape Farewell steams out to sea, carrying a serial strangler who says it with flowers and a little song. Behind, on a fogbound London dock, lies his latest lovely victim; and on board, working undercover to identify him before he strikes again, is Inspector Roderick Alleyn. But-with a collection of neurotic, bombastic, shifty, and passionate passengers at one another's throats-how long can he keep the investigation on course?

It would be interesting to start out the New Year with a serial killer mystery onboard a ship

[PugMom]

These are some from my TBR pile that sound good!

[Tina]

Keep them thar titles coming in, PI's. And thanks all for kicking in selections for the first vote off for our book chat of the new year.

[PugMom]

Another thought...depending on where you are in this series...

The Fixer-Upper books are going to be on the Hallmark Channel! I personally haven't read any of the books but am definitely going to check them out.

[Jill]

I just finished the the one that came out last month, Deck the Hallways it was really good

[Tina]

Death takes a holiday - a snowed in train mystery.
Cold Front - another snowed in mystery.
The Marlene Dietrich murder case - takes place in golden era of Hollywood where a psychic is murdered at New Years party.

Several good ones out there. How are we going to pick?




Two titles for Jan? Maybe one New Year's themed and one not?

[LovesMysteries]

Tina wrote: "Two titles for Jan? Maybe one New Year's themed and one not..."


That sounds like a good idea.

[PugMom]

2 sounds good especially if we pick soon.

[Tina]

I like two: # one main title, # two side read. Everyone, please have a voice. Submit at least one title or pick one that's on the list. Just so everyone has a voice in the selection.

[Tina]

I want snow in my Jan read so that'll be one criteria when nom'ing titles.

[PugMom]

There's this one with snow! But it takes place in Spring instead of winter... I'll keep looking!

[Tina]

Pghfan, you pick great titles. Please post one or two that you'd like to entertain.

J, you too. Please post your noms and we'll get to voting in a few days. ;-)

[Tina]

Thanks, Nicole. Looks good. Even if it's considered for Jan-Feb-March. Then we'll swing into spring...weather permitting. ;-)

[Mark Pghfan]

I am in favor of the Ngaio Marsh title, because I like Alleyn mysteries. I also think the Marlene Dietrich title would be good, because I like the old Hollywood setting.

[Tina]

Thanks, Pghfan. J...has she weighed in yet? So far Ngaio has three and I'll back Marlene Dietrich title as two. Now that's so far. We have a few left to vote.

[PugMom]

I'm good with those titles since I haven't read any Marsh at all.

[Jill]

neither Allison nor I have weighed in

[J]

I may skip the January read so go ahead and vote without me.
I'll check back to see what the picks are.

Meantime, wishing all the PIs a happy, healthy, and safe holiday!

[Allison]

I like the snowed in train scenario. Seems fairly reminiscent of Christie's Orient Express which I loved so I'll vote for Death takes a Holiday...

I've never read any Ngaio Marsh (I can't even pronounce her name! lol) so I'll vote for that one too...I have heard of the Insp. Alleyn mysteries but not read one so this will be a treat.

[PugMom]

I recently listened to the audiobook of Marsh Madness by Victoria Abbott an it piqued my interest regarding Inspector Alleyn a bit. I had no idea how to pronounce the author's name either...nor did I know it was a she!! LOL

[Mark Pghfan]

Ngaio Marsh is from New Zealand and Ngaio is a Maori name, from the people who once lived there! Your trivia for today!

[Tina]

I'll either throw my support behind Death Takes A Holiday (same reason as Allison's; I so love trains!) Marlene Dietrich mystery or reluctantly, N. Marsh. I found Marsh books depending on accent implied pronunciation of words which for me made it difficult to understand what character was saying. But that's just a me thing. Then again, maybe author eased up on slang implied words in later writings.

Those are my three. I also might open The Den in Jan-Feb for a book that I'm sure is not a cozy: Behind Closed Doors about the so called perfect couple. Should I, all are welcomed but that's a later idea.

Anyone wanting to add a title to any month's reads are welcomed to do so. Just start a side thread and lead the way. ;-)

[Tina]

Nicole wrote: "I recently listened to the audiobook of Marsh Madness by Victoria Abbott an it piqued my interest regarding Inspector Alleyn a bit. I had no idea how to pronounce the author's name either...nor did..."

Nicole, did you like Marsh Madness? I started it but it just didn't seem to get off ground and I put it aside. Maybe I gave up on it too early but--

[PugMom]

I thought it was good but long. I had to speed up the audiobook soit didn't drag!

[Tina]

Agreed. It wasn't high on my fave list, Nicole. I also like your idea of picking our titles soon. If everyone is ready, we can start Jan. read a few days earlier. And while we secure the titles, we can wrap up the Nov. and Dec discussions.

[PugMom]

Yes, and it might take a bit if time to procure the titles. Not sure yet if my library will have them. I'll check.

[PugMom]

Has anyone read the first few books in the Grace Holliday series? I have the first one and tried to read it but somehow it didn't keep my interest. If Death takes a Holiday is one of our chosen books I will revisit the first book in the series also.

[Tina]

Nicole, did the protag have an elderly relative who lived in a senior development? Drove around on a motorcycle? Think she was a reporter for a newspaper or similar. If so then I also read one of the series and thought it just okay. If this checks out, then maybe we should rethink picking it as a read for Jan. Don't want to jump the gun if I'm wrong.

[Tina]

Nicole, I don't think I read any from this series. The first one got a fair rating but the train episode got high marks. I know we can't always go by ratings but if they hold, it seems the train eppy will be better than the first one. I'll keep this one on my list.

[Tina]

LM, seems everyone's ready for a tally so we can start the hunt for our selections. I'm either way on the Ngaio pick and then for a side read Death Takes A Holiday and (or) the Marlene Dietrich New Year's mystery.

[PugMom]

Tina wrote: "Nicole, did the protag have an elderly relative who lived in a senior development? Drove around on a motorcycle? Think she was a reporter for a newspaper or similar. If so then I also read one of t..."

That description doesn't ring a bell but it was a while ago that I started reading it. I have it on my Nook so I can look at it again.

The library does have the Marlene Dietrich book so I won't have a problem getting it.

[Tina]

How about calling the Ngaio Marsh title for the main read and a side read of Death Takes A Holiday and (or) the Marlene Dietrich New Year's mystery?

Sorry to rush things, LM, PI's but w/the holidays, stores and libraries closed, dinners, church, families, friends...well, securing, mailing titles will be sketchy at best. ;-)

Can we get a host for the Ngaio Marsh book? We've a little time to settle on side read but should get main title stuff figured out. Anyone? Start it when you like but about Dec. end - beg Jan. is what we're shooting for. Thanks!

[PugMom]

Question to anyone who's already read some of the Marsh books...Should I start with the first book to get a feeling for Alleyn or am I ok to start with Singing in the Shrouds which is #20?

[Allison]

Tina wrote: "How about calling the Ngaio Marsh title for the main read and a side read of Death Takes A Holiday and (or) the Marlene Dietrich New Year's mystery?

Sorry to rush things, LM, PI's but w/the holida..."

That sounds fine to me. I like the idea of the Marlene Dietrich one too...knowing me, I'll probably read all 3.

[PugMom]

I'll read all 3 also :)

[LovesMysteries]

Nicole wrote: "Question to anyone who's already read some of the Marsh books...Should I start with the first book to get a feeling for Alleyn or am I ok to start with Singing in the Shrouds which is #20?"

I think you're okay to start with #20 Singing In Shrouds. I read the first one years ago and I didn't care too much for the 1st one. I'm sure if I read it ago my mind might change on that but during that time it was okay -- it wasn't the best but it certainly wasn't the worst one either.

[Tina]

Allison wrote: "Tina wrote: "How about calling the Ngaio Marsh title for the main read and a side read of Death Takes A Holiday and (or) the Marlene Dietrich New Year's mystery?

Sorry to rush things, LM, PI's but..."

Same here, Allison and Nicole. I'm in for all three. Okay, now I can place my orders!

[Tina]

Nicole wrote: "Question to anyone who's already read some of the Marsh books...Should I start with the first book to get a feeling for Alleyn or am I ok to start with Singing in the Shrouds which is #20?"

Thanks for the feedback, LM. You okay with the picks?

[LovesMysteries]

Tina wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Question to anyone who's already read some of the Marsh books...Should I start with the first book to get a feeling for Alleyn or am I ok to start with Singing in the Shrouds which i..."

What is the main pick?

[Tina]

The N. Marsh book. Singing in the Shrouds. Side reads are Grace Holliday train mystery and Marlene Dietrich New Year's mystery.

[LovesMysteries]

Great!

[Jill]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tina]

Jill wrote: "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Jingle all the way!!

[Allison]

Apparently the Marlene Dietrich book is not available in a Kindle edition so I will most probably skip that one.
I did get the Marsh book though and am ready to start...

[PugMom]

I just downloaded Death Takes a Holiday. I'll have to read it quickly in case I decide not to renew my Kindle Unlimited subscription. The other 2 books are in transit so I should be picking them up from the library soon.

[Tina]

Nicole wrote: "I just downloaded Death Takes a Holiday. I'll have to read it quickly in case I decide not to renew my Kindle Unlimited subscription. The other 2 books are in transit so I should be picking them up..."

Thanks for weighing in, PI's. The assortment of titles is great. If we can't locate one, we can the other(s). This way we can participate in as much or little as we care. ;-)

[Tina]

Ngaio Marsh fans, untie...unite. Anyone up for hosting first pick of New Year 2017? Can start any time from this point forward. As involved or as easy as you like.

I'll either do side read Grace Holliday or Marlene Dietrich tome mid-ish Jan.