And the Winners Are- Oct 2019 Reading Group Challenge - Mysteries / Thrillers / Spy Stories / 1930 - 1939

[Bill]

Well here we are, another month upon us. I hope those that celebrate are enjoying their Labour Day weekend and those at risk from the hurricane are staying safe.

I see that discussions have already started for the September group reads. That's nice and encouraging. Glad to see you are taking part in the Group Read discussions.

This thread is for nominations for our October Group read. The subject is mysteries, thrillers and / or spy stories written between 1930 and 1939, inclusive.

So many excellent authors to choose from I think. Just checking my own TBR list, here a few possibilities -
- Margery Allingham
- Dashiell Hammett
- Dorothy L. Sayers
- C.S. Forester
- Agatha Christie
- Georges Simenon
- Francis Iles
- Sax Rohmer
- Georgette Heyer
- Ethel Lina White
- Alexander Wilson
- Ngaio Marsh
- Rex Stout
- John P. Marquand
- Josephine Tey
- Graham Greene
- John Buchan
- E.C. Bentley
- Eric Ambler
- Arthur Upfield.... etc

And I'm sure there are many more. Try not to nominate more than one book per author, unless they have stories featuring more than one character and also don't nominate any books we've discussed within the last couple of years.

Looking forward to your nominations.

Also as always, if you nominate a book, and it is selected for a group read, be prepared to be the moderator of that discussion group.

[Bill]

I'll track the nominations on this thread -

1. Fer-de-Lance by Rex Stout, nominated by Suzy (Nero Wolfe #1, 1934)
2. Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie nominated by Susan (Miss Marple #1, 1930)
3. A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh nominated by Chris (Inspector Alleyn #1, 1934)
4. The Pursued by C.S. Forester nominated by Bill (1935)
5. Brighton Rock by Graham Greene (nominated by Carolyn) (1938)
6. The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler nominated by Aditya (1939) (Philip Marlowe #1 / 1939)

[Suzy]

I'm excited to nominate Fer-de-Lance by Rex Stout the first mystery featuring my two all-time favorites, Nero Wolfe and his eyes-and-ears-on the street side-kick Archie Goodwin.

[Bill]

Suzy wrote: "I'm excited to nominate Fer-de-Lance by Rex Stout the first mystery featuring my two all-time favorites, Nero Wolfe and his eyes-and-ears-on the street side-kick Archie Goodwin."

Excellent first choice.

[Susan]

I second Suzy's nomination. I love Nero Wolfe.

How about Agatha's Christie's Murder at the Vicarage, the first Jane Marple book?

[Bill]

Susan wrote: "I second Suzy's nomination. I love Nero Wolfe.

How about Agatha's Christie's Murder at the Vicarage, the first Jane Marple book?"

It's an Agatha Christie we've never done as a Group read before, Susan. Great choice.

[Chris]

I'll nominate Ngaio Marsh's A Man Lay Dead. He's an author that has been on my list to try.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Chris wrote: "I'll nominate Ngaio Marsh's A Man Lay Dead. He's an author that has been on my list to try."

He's actually a she. The book is good, though!!

:)

[Chris]

Nancy, it just goes to show some undiscovered bias I might have AND that I had never read anything by HER! LOL.

[Bill]

Chris wrote: "Nancy, it just goes to show some undiscovered bias I might have AND that I had never read anything by HER! LOL."

One of the grand-dames of the Golden age, along with Agatha, Margery and Josephine.. :)

[Bill]

I'll nominate one that was published in 1935, then lost and rediscovered in 1999; The Pursued by C.S. Forester

[Susan]

Can't you imagine going to tea with Agatha, Margery, Josephine and Ngaio? Wouldn't that have been fun?

[Susan]

Bill wrote: "I'll nominate one that was published in 1935, then lost and rediscovered in 1999; The Pursued by C.S. Forester"

I always thought putting your head in an oven would be a tough way to go. This looks interesting.

[MissLemon]

Oh dear, I'm conflicted here! I think it this would be a great opportunity to read and compare books by Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh. But I've read both of the books suggested so personally would rather the group voted for something else!
I ve got Fer-de-Lance on my to read list but don't have a copy and nor does my library so I will have to break my rule (again!) and buy a copy if that wins.
So ( because I can get it from the library and haven't read it) I will nominate Brighton Rock - with apologies to Bill for taking so long to get to the point again 😉

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Carolyn wrote: "Oh dear, I'm conflicted here! I think it this would be a great opportunity to read and compare books by Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh. But I've read both of the boo..."

I love Brighton Rock.

[Aditya]

I nominate The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler. My last pick was Red Harvest and I had so much fun re-reading it, I thought might as well re-read Chandler too.

[Bill]

Susan wrote: "Can't you imagine going to tea with Agatha, Margery, Josephine and Ngaio? Wouldn't that have been fun?"

I think you're right.

[Bill]

Carolyn wrote: "Oh dear, I'm conflicted here! I think it this would be a great opportunity to read and compare books by Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh. But I've read both of the boo..."

I love Brighton Rock as well.

[Bill]

Aditya wrote: "I nominate The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler. My last pick was Red Harvest and I had so much fun re-reading it, I thought might as well re-read Chandler too."

We did group read this once before but it was over 5 years ago and it'll be good to see fresh comments and views of it if it is chosen. Besides we've so many new members since then.. Good choice, Aditya.

[Bill]

Carolyn wrote: "Oh dear, I'm conflicted here! I think it this would be a great opportunity to read and compare books by Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh. But I've read both of the boo..."

Also, don't rein in your enthusiasm, Carolyn.. :0)

[MissLemon]

Bill wrote: "I'll nominate one that was published in 1935, then lost and rediscovered in 1999; The Pursued by C.S. Forester"

I'm intrigued - that book is on a list of the 'most vile women in literature'!

( and thank you for being so patient with my ramblings 😉)

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Carolyn wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'll nominate one that was published in 1935, then lost and rediscovered in 1999; The Pursued by C.S. Forester"

I'm intrigued - that book is on a list ..."

As a matter of fact, Carolyn, I was so intrigued by your comment about it being on the list of "most vile women...." that I had to pick up a copy. By the way, is Becky Sharp on that list? :)

[Bill]

Carolyn wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'll nominate one that was published in 1935, then lost and rediscovered in 1999; The Pursued by C.S. Forester"

I'm intrigued - that book is on a list ..."

That is interesting. Thanks for passing it along.

[MissLemon]

Nancy wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'll nominate one that was published in 1935, then lost and rediscovered in 1999; The Pursued by C.S. Forester"

I'm intrigued - that bo..."

Doesn't look like it Nancy https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Carolyn wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'll nominate one that was published in 1935, then lost and rediscovered in 1999; The Pursued by C.S. Forester"

I'm intri..."

LOL. So, there's no Vanity Fair on the list, but there is Disney Villains? Okey dokey.

[Bill]

Some excellent nominations so far. I'll leave the nomination thread open until the 10th and then set up the poll.. Thanks for your nominations so far

[Susan]

I am excited about the choices for next month.

[Angie]

So many good choices this month so far.

[Michelle]

I highly recommend Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine.

[Bill]

Michelle wrote: "I highly recommend Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine."

It sounds interesting, Michelle but it doesn't fall under the category for the October Group Read.

[Bill]

Sorry for the delay. I lost track of time. The poll is now up and can be found at the top of the Poll page. This link should get you there.

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

I've left it open through 16 Sep because of the delay in setting it up. Looking forward to seeing which books are chosen.

[Sheila]

29 Seconds

[Sheila]

Sorry I meant Sone Must Watch. 29 Seconds is coming out soon.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Sheila wrote: "Sorry I meant Sone Must Watch. 29 Seconds is coming out soon."

Rats. I should have thought about nominating Some Must Watch. Its movie equivalent is The Spiral Staircase.

[Bill]

Nancy wrote: "Sheila wrote: "Sorry I meant Sone Must Watch. 29 Seconds is coming out soon."

Rats. I should have thought about nominating Some Must Watch. Its movie equivalent is The Spiral Staircase."

That was one I'd considered, Nancy.

[Bill]

The winners are -

Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie (nominated by Susan)

we have two tied for second place. So if both nominators (Carolyn and Aditya) are prepared to moderate the threads, I'll set up three group discussions

Brighton Rock by Graham Greene (Carolyn)

I'll set up the threads 1 October once Susan, Aditya and Carolyn confirm they will moderate. Thanks for your nominations this month and votes.
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler (Carolyn)

[MissLemon]

I'm happy to moderate Brighton Rock although that will be two months in a row, and the third time this year! Someone stop me from nominating in Novemeber please !

[Bill]

Carolyn wrote: "I'm happy to moderate Brighton Rock although that will be two months in a row, and the third time this year! Someone stop me from nominating in Novemeber please !"

Thanks, Carolyn. Obviously you nominate great books. :0)

[Susan]

Bill, I am happy to moderate. In fact, I will read the book again as it's probably been 30-40 years since I first read it.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Carolyn wrote: "I'm happy to moderate Brighton Rock although that will be two months in a row, and the third time this year! Someone stop me from nominating in Novemeber please !"

I'll remind you, Carolyn!
🚫

[Aditya]

Look forward to The Big Sleep discussion, it's already a group read this month in one of my GR groups, had asome interesting discussion there specially about the movie, hopefully will get some more perspective here

@Carolyn my choice second month running too : )

[Bill]

So there you go folks, there will be three books to choose from for the October group reads. Thank you to Aditya, Carolyn and Susan for nominating and moderating. The threads will be set up 1 Oct.