Lori Z and Almeta the Whodunnit Duo

[Almeta]

Mystery books that we have both listed on our TBR.
(Page numbers are listed after the titles)

The Curse of the Pharaohs (Amelia Peabody #2) by Elizabeth Peters 220

Strangled Prose (Claire Malloy #1) by Joan Hess 184

The Empty Chair ( Lincoln Rhyme Series #3) by Jeffery Deaver 416

Countdown City (The Last Policeman Series #2) by Ben H. Winters 316

Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta 388

The Question of the Missing Head (An Asperger’s Mystery #1) by E.J. Copperman 324

The Cold Dish (Walt Longmire #1) by Craig Johnson 354

Bad Move by Linwood Barclay 387

Agatha Christie
The Body in the Library 191
A Murder Is Announced 288
4:50 from Paddington 288
A Caribbean Mystery 283

No.1 Lady's Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon 242
The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection 257
The Double Comfort Safari Club 211

The Cruelest Month (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #3) by Louise Penny 310

[Lori Z]

All of these look good to me, Almeta. The Curse of the Pharaohs would work for me. It'll knock off a book for a series and its at my library so easily available. The only one I might hesitate on is The Cold Dish cause I own that in Audio and they usually take me longer to finish. Other than that I'd be fine with any of those choices. What do you think?

[Almeta]

Yeah, let's go with The Curse of the Pharaohs. It's a fairly short book, probably sprinkled with some humor and I expect it to be an easy read.

Funny that you are shying away from audio because they slow you down. I usually try to pick audio because the narrator reads more quickly than I do!☻

[Lori Z]

Great, we have our book!
I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority that I'm slower with audio books. I just started listening to them in the last year and while I'm getting better at it I still have trouble with distractions and my mind wandering. When I read I can tune things out, (like hubby talking, lol) but when listening I have trouble with that, even when wearing my headphones. But like I said its getting better so I'm hoping I'll be able to zip through audio books at a quicker pace eventually.

[Pragya]

Lori Z wrote: "Great, we have our book!
I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority that I'm slower with audio books. I just started listening to them in the last year and while I'm getting better at it I still have tro..."

I'm with you on that, Lori. Difficult to focus especially in the face of distractions. Happy reading, you two.

[Lori Z]

Pragya wrote: "Lori Z wrote: "Great, we have our book!
I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority that I'm slower with audio books. I just started listening to them in the last year and while I'm getting better at it I..."

Thank you, Pragya! Happy reading to you too!

[Lori Z]

Almeta, did you want to plan a time to start reading and try to read it together or should we just wing it and read and comment when we can?

[Almeta]

Lori Z wrote: "Almeta, did you want to plan a time to start reading and try to read it together or should we just wing it and read and comment when we can?"

Don't want to do it during the Toppler. Want to be able to stop and discuss some, and that certainly is not the time to do any talking!

I believe that I am going to start on the 18th. That gives me time to catch up before the Toppler on books that are due back at the library.

If you do not wish to wait 'til the middle of the month, read on, and comment when something strikes you!

[Lori Z]

I agree, we definitely don't want to do it during the toppler! I think I'm going to start it in a couple days. My daughter is getting married March 3rd and the closer to that date the less time I'll have to read, with getting ready for out of town guests and last minute preparations. I'll comment as I go (with spoilers marked, of course) and check in to see what you think when you get to read it. Here's hoping we both enjoy it!

[Lori Z]

Okay, change of plans. I won't be getting around to reading it before the toppler, so I'll probably start it afterwards. I think I like that better as we'll probably be reading it more together and that makes for better discussions. :)

[Lori Z]

So I started our book. Its been about a year and a half since I read the 1st one and I've forgotten how much I enjoy Amelia Peabody's narration and observations. I think its going to be a fun, quick read.

[Almeta]

Lori Z wrote: "So I started our book. Its been about a year and a half since I read the 1st one and I've forgotten how much I enjoy Amelia Peabody's narration and observations. I think its going to be a fun, quick read. .."

Terrific!

I'll be starting tomorrow.

Talk with you soon.

[Almeta]

Hi Lori, Have you gotten very far in our book? I'm just starting.

Chapters 1 and 2

Amelia and Radcliffe are amusingly (view spoiler)[ill-equipped to deal with their child! I had a tinge of judgement about them abandoning their son for Egypt. (hide spoiler)]

I can already see that precocious Walter "Ramses" (view spoiler)[is winning both parents over. (hide spoiler)]

How very smart of the Evelyn (view spoiler)[to familiarize the boy with mama and papa's pictures, so he would instantly know them when they returned home. Do you think a child can actually make this association at fourteen months old? (hide spoiler)]

Mentioning the Baskervilles, (view spoiler)[ "not the Devonshire Baskervilles". In other words not the family that Sherlock Holmes dealt with! (hide spoiler)]

[Lori Z]

Almeta wrote: "Hi Lori, Have you gotten very far in our book? I'm just starting.

Chapters 1 and 2

Amelia and Radcliffe are amusingly [spoilers removed]

I can already see that precocious Walter "Ramses" [spoile..."

I'm almost through chapter 4.

Chapters 1 & 2:

(view spoiler)[ I have to agree with your observation about Amelia and Radcliffe being ill-equipped to deal with Ramses, although I think Radcliffe handles it better than Amelia. I was also a little judgmental about their abandonment of Ramses. I do appreciate though that they didn't take him with them when it could be dangerous for him. It was smart of Evelyn to show Ramses pictures of his parents, while they were gone. I don't know if a "normal" 14 month old would get the association but Ramses is very advanced for his age. (hide spoiler)]

I love the way [author:Elizabeth Peters|16549] writes. (view spoiler)[The way she has Amelia speak directly to the readers and her nod to Sherlock Holmes was great. (hide spoiler)]

Just a few thoughts: I loved how Amelia (view spoiler)[ set out to kiss up to Lady Harold and ended up having enough and setting Ramses and his rhinoceros bone on her.

I wonder what happened to Armadale? I don't think he left on his own.

I don't like the way Lady Baskerville is working Radcliffe! I don't trust her although I don't know what her plan is but don't think its to memorialize her husband (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3:

(view spoiler)[ Who planted the knife? I don't think I know enough yet to guess. Obviously, someone wants to keep the curse alive, but I agree with Amelia and don't think its the reporter. I'm glad they were smart enough not to make the attack known so it won't add to the curse story. (hide spoiler)]

Talk to you later!
Happy Reading!

[Almeta]

Chapter 3 -4

Kevin O'Connell, the reporter (view spoiler)[ insinuates that Emerson has had a previous relationship with Lady Baskerville. I want to think that whatever it was, it is no cause for Amelia’s jealously. They clearly have had a past together. Lady Baskerville is awfully flirty. (hide spoiler)]

Love the name of O'Connell‘s (view spoiler)[newspaper, London Daily Yell. It conjures up “tabloid” in my mind. (hide spoiler)]

That there is a (view spoiler)[ curse on the tomb where Sir Baskerville was working, in my opinion, was made up as a story by O'Connell (hide spoiler)]

Is Karl von Bork, (view spoiler)[the ancient language specialist trustworthy? I fear that I am suspicious of everyone. (hide spoiler)]

The missing (view spoiler)[Armadale is the artist for the excavation, Wasn’t that Evelyn’s job on their last trip? I wonder if she misses Egypt or is content to stay in London with the children. (hide spoiler)]

The visual of Emerson on their (view spoiler)[journey on donkey back made me grin. I can just picture him with his legs spread out above the ground. (hide spoiler)]

I wonder what part the ill (view spoiler)[Mr. Milverton will play in the story. Have we met all of the pertinent characters now? (hide spoiler)]

[Almeta]

Lori Z wrote: ".....I love the way Elizabeth Peters writes. (view spoiler)[The way she has Amelia speak directly to the readers... (hide spoiler)]"

This device (view spoiler)[ is often used in stage plays, where there is a stage left, a stage right, the background .. ..and then the audience as "the fourth wall". I love plays, films and books where "Breaking the Fourth Wall" is used. Not everyone likes it; they think it pulls them out of the story too much. (hide spoiler)]

[Almeta]

Lori Z wrote: ".....Just a few thoughts: I loved how Amelia (view spoiler)[set out to kiss up to Lady Harold and ended up having enough and setting Ramses and his rhinoceros bone on her. (hide spoiler)] .."

HaHa! Yes. (view spoiler)[Although Ramses is often incorrigible, I think Amelia naughtily uses this to her advantage. She can count on him to do something disgusting or shocking in the presence of others. (hide spoiler)]

[Almeta]

Chapter 5

Uh oh (view spoiler)[ There are more characters to ponder! Cyrus Vandergelt, who appears to be Lady Baskerville's escort. And there is Mary and her mother, Madame Berengeria. (hide spoiler)]

Emerson is frustrating me (view spoiler)[ with his old-fashioned pandering of Lady Baskerville and Mary. He then does an “about face” and treats Amelia cantankerously. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6

Clever how Emerson (view spoiler)[respectfully bullies the Imam, into granting a blessing and going on his way without getting the upper hand. (hide spoiler)].

There is a marked contrast (view spoiler)[between the efficient and scientific Emersons and the superstitious natives of the land. (hide spoiler)]

There is also quite a contrast (view spoiler)[ between Amelia as the practical, independent, modern woman and the foolish feminine screaming, fainting, and “man-leaning” Lady Baskerville. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7

This chapter just seems to accentuate (view spoiler)[the differences between Amelia and the other women. While Amelia sifts through dirt for artifacts and tries to boss Emerson around, Mary primly sits sketching. In the meantime, Lady Baskerville manipulates her house guests and makes grand entrances for maximum attention. (hide spoiler)]

[Lori Z]

Almeta wrote: "Chapter 3 -4

Kevin O'Connell, the reporter [spoilers removed]

Love the name of O'Connell‘s [spoilers removed]

That there is a [spoilers removed]

Is Karl von Bork, [spoilers removed]

The missin..."

I too get the impression of (view spoiler)[ O'Connell's newspaper being a tabloid. Especially as it seems he's looking for a scandel with Emerson and Lady Baskerville's past relationship. I believe Amelia doesn't worry about Emerson's feelings towards Lady Baskerville but how Lady Baskerville uses their past connection to get what she wants and her flirty behavior. I can practically see Amelia rolling her eyes at her behavior. (hide spoiler)]

I hadn't thought about how Evelyn(view spoiler)[ would feel staying behind, since it wasn't addressed, but I get the impression she's quite content. (hide spoiler)]

I too am (view spoiler)[suspicious of everyone. (hide spoiler)] Of course, that's what makes a good mystery!

[Lori Z]

Almeta wrote: "Lori Z wrote: ".....I love the way Elizabeth Peters writes. [spoilers removed]"

This device [spoilers removed]"

I love it too! (view spoiler)[ It actually has the opposite effect on me, makes me feel like I'm part of the story. (hide spoiler)]

[Almeta]

Lori Z wrote: "Almeta wrote: "Lori Z wrote: ".....I love the way Elizabeth Peters writes. [spoilers removed]"

This device [spoilers removed]"

I love it too! [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, like you're a (view spoiler)[character in the story.! (hide spoiler)]

[Lori Z]

Chapter 4:

What a sad, awful story of (view spoiler)[Habib and Aziza. Scary to think that we probably haven't seen the last of Habib. My question is did he make an attempt on Emerson's life just for revenge or was he working for someone else, as well? I was also upset with how Emerson dismissed the notion that the knife incident and the boulder attempt were not connected. (hide spoiler)]

Almeta wrote: "Chapter 5

Uh oh [spoilers removed]

Well I already don't (view spoiler)[trust Vandergelt. He just seems really smarmy. I feel sorry for Mary and having to put up with her mother. The initial meeting with Madame Berengeria and Emerson was so funny, with Emerson more concerned about the historical inaccuracies than her bizarre behavior. (hide spoiler)]

Emerson is frustrating me [spoilers removed]Chapter 6

I get what you mean about(view spoiler)[ his behavior towards Amelia sometimes. I think at times he almost considers her "one of the guys" and forgetting she's also a lady. (hide spoiler)]

[Almeta]

Lori Z wrote: "Chapter 4:

..... The initial meeting with (view spoiler)[Madame Berengeria and Emerson was so funny, with Emerson more concerned about the historical inaccuracies than her bizarre behavior. ..." (hide spoiler)]

Yes that was (view spoiler)[ really amusing. Emerson's reaction to her makes me chuckle. As for the woman herself, I find her disgusting. Her behavior is "way over the top". I hate to see Mary having to put up with her. (hide spoiler)]

[Almeta]

I am amused that (view spoiler)[ despite Emerson's obsessive attention to his archeological dig, his libido surfaces every time he is around Amelia. He is always suggesting that they slip away somewhere!

I remember once listening to a radio host announce that women think of sex every fourteen minutes. When he asked his radio co-host what he thought of that, the man replied: "I think I should visit the secretarial pool every fourteen minutes!" lol! (hide spoiler)]

[Almeta]

Chapter 8

Emerson is obviously (view spoiler)[intent on keeping his excavation going and leading his team away from superstitious panic. He is wise to not treat them as servants and to speak to them in their own language. He once again handles Imam. (hide spoiler)]

Funny though (view spoiler)[he is unable to handle an encounter with the formidable Madame Berengeria. (hide spoiler)]

I’ve not a good feeling (view spoiler)[ about Amelia’s midnight meeting with Milverton. (hide spoiler)]

[Almeta]

You still hanging in there Lori?

[Lori Z]

Almeta wrote: "I am amused that despite Emerson's obsessive attention to his archeological dig, his libido surfaces every time he is around Amelia. He is always suggesting that they slip away somewhere!

I remem..."

Lol!

[Lori Z]

Almeta wrote: "Chapter 6

Emerson was (view spoiler)[ really something the way he handled the Imam. (hide spoiler)]

So it appears (view spoiler)[Armadale is nearby. If he was involved with Lord Baskerville's death I did think he would be hanging around. Hmmm. (hide spoiler)]

And now another (view spoiler)[suspicious death to ponder. I doubt Hassan's death is an accident or coincidence and yet Emerson doesn't want Amelia to jump right to murder. Emerson sometimes seems almost naive or in denial about these different events that could effect the excavation. (hide spoiler)]

[Lori Z]

Almeta wrote: "You still hanging in there Lori?"

Lol! Yeah, I'm still hanging in there. Unfortunately, I haven't been reading like I would like. I'm getting ready for parents visit and its been a bit crazy. Haven't even taken time to be on Goodreads much. Luckily, once parents are here I'll have some time to read since my Mom's a reader too and we can just sit and read in companionable silence, at times. Lol

[Almeta]

Lori Z wrote: ".....So it appears [Armadale is nearby. ....."

I keep forgetting about (view spoiler)[Armadale. We never actually met him so I don't have his full character in my mind. I also don't see how people decided that the "ghost" is him. (view spoiler)[

Wasn't there an (view spoiler)[apparition in the last book [book:Crocodile on the Sandbank|188230]? Are all digs destined to have a specter about? (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Almeta]

Chapter 9 - 10

Pretty gruesome (view spoiler)[way to die; having a slab of stone squish you to death! I thought the explanation of this event as a reason as to why the artifact was left in tact a good one. I wonder if this really happened to some real thief (hide spoiler)]

Why is Mary (view spoiler)[ so attractive to her various suitors? Do they all see her as a "lady in distress"? I wouldn't go near a person with THAT potential mother-in-law! lol! (hide spoiler)]

I guess the quest for (view spoiler)[Tutankhamen is an archaeologist's obsession. Amelia and Emerson "want" this artifact to be from his tomb, even though the tomb owner's identity has been eradicated. I think they were after the same pharoah the last adventure. (hide spoiler)]

[Lori Z]

Almeta wrote: "Lori Z wrote: ".....So it appears [Armadale is nearby. ....."

I keep forgetting about Armadale. We never actually met him so I don't have his full character in my mind. I also don't see how people..."

Yes, I would like to (view spoiler)[know more about him cause I think it will help solve this mystery. All I have is a bunch of suspects and nothings coming together, lol, (hide spoiler)]

[Lori Z]

Chapter 7

This chapter just seems to accentuate (view spoiler)

I like how you catch (view spoiler)[the different nuances of the characters. A lot of times I focus more on the mystery than the actual elements of the story. Speaking of the mystery, we now have the "lady in the white robe". I almost think its too obvious to be Madame Berengeria but who knows. (hide spoiler)]

[Lori Z]

Almeta wrote: "Chapter 9 - 10


I agree, you would think (view spoiler)[that Mary's mother would scare off any potential suitors. Lol. I can't believe Madame Berengeria wormed her way into the Baskerville house. (hide spoiler)]

I was not expecting that (view spoiler)[surprise reveal of Milverton is actually a Baskerville. I too was worried when she was going to meet him at midnight, seemed like a perfect set-up for foul play. Glad it wasn't, however, there was another sighting of the "lady in white". Of course, I'm now wondering who could have attacked Milverton and why? Maybe thinking he's the heir to get rid of him would bring about the end of the excavation? (hide spoiler)]

As you said (view spoiler)[Emerson is darn and determined to continue with the excavation. He does do well with handling the workers and the imam, but I like how Amelia handles him. She lets him think he comes to a solution but she prods him along till he comes to her solution and lets him think its his idea. She's quite the mind ninja, lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Almeta]

Lori Z wrote: "..... (view spoiler)[I'm now wondering who could have attacked Milverton ........" (hide spoiler)]

Too many (view spoiler)[ suspects! (hide spoiler)]

[Almeta]

Chapter 11-13

Well that eliminates (view spoiler)[ one suspect! The missing Armadale is dead. (hide spoiler)]

O'Connell (view spoiler)[ must have been eliminated from the list of suspects, since he is allowed to accompany Amelia on some of her errands and is sometimes left to guard the tomb. (hide spoiler)]

Amelia's umbrella (view spoiler)[ is almost as efficient of a weapon as her revolver! (hide spoiler)]

[Almeta]

Chapter 14-17

What an about-face! (view spoiler)[ Emerson has always made a effort to dispel any superstitious nonsense. Now he puts on a performance as if he were an ancient priest. He uses magic tricks and displays the cat Bestat as his partner in receiving messages from the ancient gods. (hide spoiler)]

Emerson suggests (view spoiler)[he knows the name of the murderer. I don’t think it is wise of him to set the stage for someone to come to the tomb to attack him. (hide spoiler)]

There doesn’t seem to be much (view spoiler)[ mourning over the death of Madame Berengeria (hide spoiler)]

Interesting that Emerson and Amelia (view spoiler)[ both chose Lady Baskerville as the murderer. I thought that they would each accuse someone different and both incorrectly. (hide spoiler)]

Wherever Emerson and Amelia (view spoiler)[ decide to investigate next season, I have a feeling the cat and Ramses will be with them. (hide spoiler)]

[Almeta]

Hey Lori,

Did you make it through?

Seems as though I always leave the Group Challenge and the Group Read until the last minute. I barely finished getting all of my comments written down on time.

What did you think of our read? I will be continuing the series, but am not in any hurry. The book was an amusing and easy read for me. I consider the series a light diversion from my more substantial reading. Amelia's adventures will come to mind when I'm looking for a book to fit a challenge.☺

Enjoy your visit with your parents.

[Lori Z]

Hi Almeta!
Sorry I've been MIA, but its been crazy. Anyway, I did finish the book in the nick of time last night, but was too tired to report it. Just now making time to get on here.

I did enjoy the book and had my doubts as to "whodunnit" until the big reveal. I always enjoy a mystery that keeps me guessing.

I'll try to make sense of my notes and share some thoughts.

Chapter 11 - 13:
I was afraid there was (view spoiler)[ foul play with Armadale and I guess I was right considering he was murdered. Like you said, that takes him off the suspect list. (hide spoiler)]

I never thought about the fact that they (view spoiler)[ did seem to trust O'Connell which would eliminate him as a suspect as well. Good catch! I was glad he did admit he was the one to start the whole curse business. (hide spoiler)]

I found Amelia's theory (view spoiler)[ that Madame Berengeria killed Armadale to keep him from Mary plausible, but didn't think she had any motive to kill anyone else, so I don't think Amelia was on the right track. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14 - 17:
Funny you should mention the about face. (view spoiler)[ My first thought was, wow Emerson is quite the showman! But then I was like that's so not like him, lol. I too was worried how he was baiting the murderer, but of course, I knew Amelia would have his back. (hide spoiler)]

I too was surprised that (view spoiler)[ Emerson and Amelia both named Lady Baskerville as the murderer. I thought for sure that Emerson didn't know who it was, but as Amelia said maybe he changed his note after the fact. However, with Amelia's list of suspects and motives I didn't think she knew who it was either. I was fascinated by the way the murders were perpetrated. I can't believe Amelia figured that out once she saw the hat pin. (hide spoiler)]

The last thing that surprised me was (view spoiler)[ Mary and Karl getting together. I was convinced that her and Milverton were on there way to falling in love and out of nowhere its her and Karl. Didn't really see that coming. (hide spoiler)]

I too plan on continuing the series. And you're right these books are good for challenges and topplers. I also hope you're right about (view spoiler)[ Ramses and the cat joining Emerson and Amelia on their future adventures! (hide spoiler)]

My parents are here now and we are enjoying family time. We will see more family in the next couple days as my daughter's wedding is on Saturday. Its been a very exciting and exhausting time around here and I'm glad I was able to get this challenge completed, it was a close call, lol.

Thanks for the great discussion, I've enjoyed it! And cheers to Janice for another great challenge!

[Almeta]

How did the wedding go? You must be exhausted.

[Lori Z]

The wedding was beautiful and went so well! Yes, we are all exhausted.

[Almeta]

Would you believe that this message just reached me today!

I suspected that I was not getting my eMail updates. Now I'm sure.

[Lori Z]

Wow, 6 months, that's kind of ridiculous! Are you going to report it?

[Almeta]

Lori Z wrote: "Wow, 6 months, that's kind of ridiculous! Are you going to report it?"

Now that I'm sure of it, yes!☻