The Treasure at Poldarrow Point by Clara Benson

[Susan]

This is Book 3 in the Angela Marchmont series.

When Angela Marchmont goes to Cornwall on doctor's orders she is looking forward to a nice rest and nothing more exciting than a little sea-bathing. But her plans for a quiet holiday are dashed when she is caught up in the hunt for a diamond necklace which, according to legend, has been hidden in the old smugglers' house at Poldarrow Point for over a century.

Aided by the house's elderly owner, an irrepressible twelve-year-old, and a handsome Scotland Yard detective, Angela soon finds herself embroiled in the most perplexing of mysteries. Who is the author of the anonymous letters? Why is someone breaking into the house at night? And is it really true that a notorious jewel-thief is after the treasure too? Angela must use all her powers of deduction to solve the case and find the necklace—before someone else does.

Please refrain from posting spoilers in this thread. Thank you.

[Judy]

Just opening up the threads for this one, as the discussions for a couple of current buddy reads seem to have run their course! Who is joining in on this book?

I really enjoy Clara Benson's writing (plan to read the whole Angela Marchmont series) and found this book a lot of fun when I read it last year - in particular, because of the wonderful character of Barbara, Angela's god-daughter - "irrepressible", used in the blurb above, is a perfect description for this 12-year-old!

[Judy]

Clara Benson's books all had plain covers when they first came out - but she has now republished them with lovely picture covers. This is the atmospheric new cover for this book, which is the third in the series.

[Jill]

I thought this read more like a cosy mystery to me. I think that, that may have been because the twelve year old god-daughter , took the major role. There were lots of suspicious characters to contend with, and I did in fact pick the actual villian. I thought Angela was unusually dim over the whole thing. However, I did find it a quick, easy read.

[Sandy]

I'm hoping to start this within the week; I got side tracked by a couple of shiny new books at the library.

[Susan]

Angela seemed quite distant, and uninterested, in this book. To me, it didn't work as well to have Barbara leading the story.

[Judy]

I loved Barbara but agree it gave a cosy feel, Jill, and also thought Angela wasn't all that brilliant here, but I suppose she was still suffering from flu's after-effects, maybe? I also managed to guess the villain - I'll say more about that a bit later in the spoiler thread, though!

[Judy]

I've just looked through a selection of reviews at Goodreads and there is definitely a difference of opinion on Barbara - some readers love her, as I did, but others find her an "annoying brat" and say she ruins the book! Any more views on Barbara? She is certainly a strong personality.

[Susan]

I wasn't really annoyed by Barbara, but I was annoyed by the way that Angela didn't really keep an eye on her. I know Angela was ill, and that she never expected her to turn up. However, I can't imagine that Angela would be so neglectful as to not be concerned, even when Barbara vanished for hours. In that way, it was more Angela's odd character change which bothered me more.

[Judy]

That's true, but I wondered if this was supposed to reflect different times - for instance, the children in The Famous Five and Swallows and Amazons merrily wander off on their own a lot more than we'd expect kids to do now, although of course they are both in groups rather than alone.

[Jill]

I know twelve year old girls may have been a lot more mature back then but even so I tend to think that when it is not your child, so you don't really know them, that you would be more concerned in her whereabouts, and the company she was in. Also I think mealtimes would have been an obvious indication that she was held up one way or another, and should be looked into. Given her character in the other two books, I thought she was acting very strangely.

[Susan]

I agree, Jill. Angela did act out of character. Yes, I can see Barbara roaming, but not missing meals or staying out so late alone. Angela seemed strangely disinterested in events generally.

[Judy]

Who's reading on in this series? I had read up to book four but it's been a while - another of the series I plan to carry on with before too long!

[Sandy]

I have no plans to continue immediately; I didn't particularly enjoy this book and my libraries do not carry her books. I do own a couple of another of her series (Freddie - may be a spinoff from Angela) that I might work into my schedule eventually. I do like the author's style.

[Susan]

I didn't much like this, to be honest. It is on my list of Buddy Reads, but if we want to drop a couple of series, that's fine. I could happily forget Bobby Owen and this one without too much upset.

[Jughead]

It gets much more interesting down the road, not just because of the stories themselves, but you get to know more about Angela herself and her relatives. Also, I want to know to know about her past-Mr Marchmont (what happened there), which is not yet revealed. I'm currently reading book 7, and I'm loving the series.

[Jill]

There seems to be quite a few of us enjoying Bobby Owen, and it does seem to be a shame to drop a series because of one lame book. There have been very few people interested in the Blake books. I do realise that you have a policy of one mod reading each book so this could be awkward for you, especially as you now run two groups.

[Judy]

Thanks Jill - since there is still some interest in Bobby Owen, let's add in the next book in the series, Crossword Mystery, in February/March. I've actually read up to book 4 but that was some time ago now.

[Susan]

If there is interest in keeping any of the series going, then we will, of course, continue them. Don't worry, Jill. I am pleased that some of us are keen on Blake though, he is a favourite of mine.

[Lady Clementina]

I'm late again but I quite enjoyed this one. Like the earlier comments said, Angela is not at her best here but Barbara taking the lead, and the whole secret passages, hidden treasure set up was very like a Enid Blyton or Nancy Drew mystery which I thought really good fun.

[Lady Clementina]

Susan wrote: "If there is interest in keeping any of the series going, then we will, of course, continue them. Don't worry, Jill. I am pleased that some of us are keen on Blake though, he is a favourite of mine."

I'd be interested in reading on as well-need to pick up teh later books though.