Bump in the Night by Colin Watson

[Judy]

Welcome to our buddy read of Bump in the Night, the second in Flaxborough Mysteries series by Colin Watson. This thread will open in mid-June.

The first in the series was a popular buddy read - they have a quirky, Midsomer Murders feel, and can be read independently.

Here is part of the Goodreads blurb:

Tuesday nights have suddenly turned quite ridiculously noisy in the country town of Chalmsbury, where the good folk are outraged at having their rest disturbed. It begins with a drinking fountain being blown to smithereens... Despite the soft-soled sleuthing of cub reporter Len Leaper, the crime spate grows alarming.

Sheer vandalism is bad enough, but when a life is lost the amiable Inspector Purbright is called in from nearby Flaxborough to assist in enquiries.

Please do not post spoilers in this thread.

[Judy]

This discussion is now open - who is joining in? I found this one a very enjoyable read, even more so than the first one, although I liked that too.

The bizarre explosion is a very unusual and intriguing start to the book, I thought.

I also enjoyed all the bits about the local newspaper, as it's a setting I know well, and Watson clearly knows it from the inside!

[Sandy]

I haven't started yet but plan to in the next few days. I liked the first one.

[Rosina]

I've just started re-reading it, having binge-read all of them when I first re-discovered the series.

I enjoy the way the characters are both exaggerately odd and recognisably human. Just as the strange crimes end up having a 'rational' explanation.

[Jill]

I thought this second book was a lot better than the first. The characters were all very eccentric and likeable. It turned out to be quite a farce really. I will definately read more in this series if they continue to go along in this vane.

[Susan]

I waver on this one. I liked bits about it, but thought it odd there were no interesting female characters.

[Judy]

Interesting, that hadn't struck me about the female characters, but I think you are right, Susan.

I also find his descriptions of how people look a bit weird - everyone seems to be grotesque and I can't really picture them! But I decided not to worry about their appearance.

[Susan]

The writing has more charm than the actual characters. He wrote places well and sets the scene really cleverly.

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "I haven't started yet but plan to in the next few days. I liked the first one."

Same here, I enjoyed the first and look forward to starting this one as soon as I finish rereading this month’s Campion mystery.

[Susan in NC]

Jill wrote: "I thought this second book was a lot better than the first. The characters were all very eccentric and likeable. It turned out to be quite a farce really. I will definately read more in this series..."

Me, too - I really enjoy his writing and humor. I’m just getting into it and definitely have a bullying, obnoxious character in mind for the victim...can’t wait to see if I get my way!

[Sandy]

I finally started this and remembered the humor is why I liked the first one. So far I'm concentrating on keeping the characters straight. I like the way the author has each character lead you to the next.

Like Susan in NC, I have picked out a desirable victim.

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "I finally started this and remembered the humor is why I liked the first one. So far I'm concentrating on keeping the characters straight. I like the way the author has each character lead you to t..."

I was having a hard time keeping everyone straight, because the author introduced several at the beginning, and I wasn’t sure who mattered to the plot. I was not getting into it, so enjoying the clever and quirky descriptions of characters and the humor but not being pulled in. The last couple of days I’ve tried to spend more time with the book, and I’m appreciating it more, especially now that Inspector Purbright is on the scene!