Buddy Read - Eight Perfect Murders and the Eight Books Within

[Amy]

Hi, Everyone! I wouldn’t mind jumping in on this...I had just purchased the book that looks like it got this all started and would love to attempt participating.

I will buy the ABC murders today.

[Lisa, Moderator]

Amy wrote: "Hi, Everyone! I wouldn’t mind jumping in on this...I had just purchased the book that looks like it got this all started and would love to attempt participating.

I will buy the ABC murders today."

Great, Amy, welcome!

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

So tomorrow ABC Murders!!!

[Lisa, Moderator]

Yes indeed. I have it all ready to go on my iPad :)

[[deleted user]]

Never used a spoiler tag before so (view spoiler)[let’s see if this works (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Just finished ABC mystery. I have never read a Hercule Poirot mystery before just Miss Marple. I liked it. (view spoiler)[ I have recently read several books that included chapters from the murderer’s viewpoint so I forgot all about framing a character (hide spoiler)]. I wonder if the Eight Perfect Murders just mention these books or are the clues to the book’s mystery.

[Lisa, Moderator]

Nancy wrote: "Just finished ABC mystery. I have never read a Hercule Poirot mystery before just Miss Marple. I liked it. [spoilers removed]. I wonder if the Eight Perfect Murders just mention these books or are ..."

I’m on chapter 6. Did you find this to be a “perfect” murder?

[Linda]

I finished last night. It was a good book.

[[deleted user]]

How does one define a “perfect” murder. Just getting away with murder, framing someone, or have the murder seen as either a suicide or accident?

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

I liked it too. Poirot is a wise investigator, like when he comments how initial interviews don’t usually elicit complete pictures. Details are left out. So he has casual follow ups with witnesses. I like that this one is a bit different than Christie’s usual.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

Nancy wrote: "How does one define a “perfect” murder. Just getting away with murder, framing someone, or have the murder seen as either a suicide or accident?"

If these were really perfect murders they'd be called cold case files because a perfect murder doesn't leave clues to trace the perpetrators.

[[deleted user]]

Sheri wrote: "Nancy wrote: "How does one define a “perfect” murder. Just getting away with murder, framing someone, or have the murder seen as either a suicide or accident?"

If these were really perfect murders..."

So true Sheri

[Lisa, Moderator]

Nancy wrote: "How does one define a “perfect” murder. Just getting away with murder, framing someone, or have the murder seen as either a suicide or accident?"

Good question...I would say untraceable, where the perpetrator is never caught. I'm guessing that this perp does indeed get caught, and that there is some other facet of panache involved that warrants this book's inclusion in Eight Perfect Murders. About halfway through the book now.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

I didn't realize this has been made into a movie.

[Lisa, Moderator]

Sheri wrote: "I didn't realize this has been made into a movie."

Me neither. I might have to check it out once I’m finished.

[Lisa, Moderator]

I like the way (view spoiler)[ the victims’ loved ones have assembled to help solve the crimes. It’s an interesting departure from the usual team of law enforcement people assembling. (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa, Moderator]

Just finished...wow that was a great story. (view spoiler)[Now I understand the "perfect murder" aspect. A nearly flawless method to frame someone, had it not been for M. Poirot. I liked the characters and the way that Poirot analyzed them, as well as the banter between him and Hastings. (hide spoiler)] Fun read!

On to Deathtrap...

[[deleted user]]

Finished Act 1; I had forgotten how difficult It can be to read a play when the format is bad—- mine all runs together.

I did see the movie with Michael Cane and Christopher Reeves long ago, so that helps.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

Lisa wrote: "Sheri wrote: "I didn't realize this has been made into a movie."

Me neither. I might have to check it out once I’m finished."

It's actually a series on Netflix. Couldn't finish it. Just awful.

[Lisa, Moderator]

Nancy wrote: "Finished Act 1; I had forgotten how difficult It can be to read a play when the format is bad—- mine all runs together.

I did see the movie with Michael Cane and Christopher Reeves long ago, so th..."

I saw the play a couple of years ago, which was really good. Hopefully that will help me too, I’m just getting started, but this might be a tough read. I wondered why it was so hard to come by at the library...

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

I saw the movie Death Trap with Michael Cane and Christopher Reeves and loved it.

Agree it's difficult to read this play.

[Lisa, Moderator]

Just finished. I actuallly really enjoyed it - such a clever plot, so “meta”, and really fun dialogue. However, I think that I was helped immensely by having seen the play. I’ll bet the movie helps a lot and the play itself even more. Without that, I might have been quite lost. Really funny dialogue. I’ve read Rosemary’s Baby and A Kiss Before Dying recently, and I think that Ira Levin is rather a genius.

[[deleted user]]

Just finished. Several plot twists there. I liked it.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

I agree with you both, Lisa and Nancy. Very good plot twists and great writing.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

I won't be able to get the Drowner by John MacDonald. My library doesn't have it and I don't want to buy it. I'll be reading all your spoilers.

[Lisa, Moderator]

Sheri wrote: "I won't be able to get the Drowner by John MacDonald. My library doesn't have it and I don't want to buy it. I'll be reading all your spoilers."

I have it in Kindle...I wonder if I can lend it to you.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

Lisa wrote: "Sheri wrote: "I won't be able to get the Drowner by John MacDonald. My library doesn't have it and I don't want to buy it. I'll be reading all your spoilers."

I have it in Kindle...I wonder if I c..."

I don't know. Is that possible?

[Lisa, Moderator]

Sheri wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Sheri wrote: "I won't be able to get the Drowner by John MacDonald. My library doesn't have it and I don't want to buy it. I'll be reading all your spoilers."

I have it in Kindle...I ..."

I did some research - few Kindle books have the lend feature enabled, and the The Drowner is not lendable :(

[[deleted user]]

I was told by a friend that they can turn a kindle book into a pdf file. I think you go on Amazon, click account, devices, then look for the book. Click on a box with 3 dots And there is a transfer via usb. I don’t have a computer so I am not sure if this will works.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

You guys just let me know all about it or maybe I'll get the gist of it when we read Eight Perfect Murders.

[Lisa, Moderator]

Nancy wrote: "I was told by a friend that they can turn a kindle book into a pdf file. I think you go on Amazon, click account, devices, then look for the book. Click on a box with 3 dots And there is a transfer..."

This only works if the book is deemed lendable, I think :(

[tiyasa]

Question (I'm late) what are the 8 books?

[Lisa, Moderator]

Tiyasa wrote: "Question (I'm late) what are the 8 books?"

Hi Tiyasa. We’re reading the eight books featured in the recently published book titled Eight Perfect Murders. The eight are listed below. Everyone is moving through them at their own pace, with the goal of starting Eight Perfect Murders on Sept. 1. For more info, you can read from the beginning of the thread :) I’m just about to start Double Indemnity.

The A.B.C Murders, Agatha Christie
Deathtrap, Ira Levin
Double Indemnity, James M. Cain
The Drowner, John D. MacDonald
Malice Aforethought, Francis Iles
The Red House Mystery, A.A. Milne
The Secret History, Donna Tartt
Strangers on a Train, Patricia Highsmith

[[deleted user]]

Just finished chapter 7 of Double Indemnity, last line really Struck me. Possibly a motive for murder

[[deleted user]]

Well, I was not expecting that ending

[Lisa, Moderator]

Nancy wrote: "Just finished chapter 7 of Double Indemnity, last line really Struck me. Possibly a motive for murder"

Ooo, good observation.

I’m really enjoying this, particularly the intricacies of the plot...and the plotting. (view spoiler)[ I keep wondering if the daughter is going to factor into this somehow... (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa, Moderator]

Nancy wrote: "Well, I was not expecting that ending"

Me neither. (view spoiler)[ As if it wasn’t dark enough already - yow. Walter was rather crazy, and quite given to easily falling in “love”. I wonder what sort of sinister things he’d done in his past, or did he just go off the rails once he met Phyllis and fell into this scheme? (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Lisa wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Well, I was not expecting that ending"

Me neither. [spoilers removed]"

Regarding Walter (view spoiler)[ I believe he thought he was clever and dreamed of committing the perfect crime. When Walter met Phylis, he saw an opportunity. With both of them being sociopaths, it is no wonder they turned on each other (hide spoiler)]

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

Lisa wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Well, I was not expecting that ending"

Me neither. [spoilers removed]"

I thought it interesting that he jumped on her bandwagon rather easily.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

By the way I found a copy of The Drowner.

PS So far Deathtrap has been my favorite. (view spoiler)[ I think the dialogue is brilliant and even though it's not an intricate mystery, it's suspenseful (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Sheri wrote: "By the way I found a copy of The Drowner.

PS So far Deathtrap has been my favorite. [spoilers removed]"

Great news Sheri

[Lisa, Moderator]

Sheri wrote: "By the way I found a copy of The Drowner.

PS So far Deathtrap has been my favorite. [spoilers removed]"

I really enjoyed Deathtrap too - the dialogue is indeed so clever and funny; the whole plot terribly inventive.

And I’m glad you found The Drowner! It is indeed hard to lay a hand on.

[Lisa, Moderator]

Sheri wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Well, I was not expecting that ending"

Me neither. [spoilers removed]"

I thought it interesting that he jumped on her bandwagon rather easily."

He sure did, like he was just waiting for an opportunity to break bad.

[[deleted user]]

I finished The Drowner. I’m not sure how I feel about the book. It was not an edge of your seat thriller except towards the end, more character development. Not every mystery needs to be a thriller, but there was just something. I have to think on it a bit.

Also(view spoiler)[ there was not 1 “perfect” murder but 3: Lucy, Gus and Sam.. Paul almost made it 4 (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa, Moderator]

Nancy wrote: "I finished The Drowner. I’m not sure how I feel about the book. It was not an edge of your seat thriller except towards the end, more character development. Not every mystery needs to be a thriller..."

Nancy, I’d be interested in your thoughts once you mull it over more. Full disclosure: I’m a HUGE John D. MacDonald fan, and I’ve read his Travis McGee series many times over. I’ve read that Paul’s character is a sort of precursor to the Travis character. He is indeed huge on character development and more mystery/crime than thriller, as you pointed out. I think the (view spoiler)[ murder done by pulling someone off of a pier, leaving no traces or footprints, is indeed pretty awesome and near to perfect. (hide spoiler)] I enjoyed this one.

[Lisa, Moderator]

The next book, Malice Aforethought, is available on Hoopla, if anyone is having trouble finding it. The Red House Mystery is too :)

[[deleted user]]

After thinking about “The Drowner”, I kind of liked it. So many current books are so big on plot twists (or several)that one can sometimes forget the enjoyment of just reading a good old fashioned mystery/crime.

I have never read the Travis McGee series

[[deleted user]]

While a perfect murder could be any a person gets away with, the first four books make them look like something else...
(view spoiler)[ ABC: Mr. Clarke to look like one of serial killers victim, although he was the only intended victim; Deathtrap: Myra had a heart attack; Double Indemnity: Mr Nedlinger had a train accident; The Drowner: Lucy drowning and Gus having a heart attack; (hide spoiler)]

I wonder if the “accidental” trend will continue

Continuing on

(view spoiler)[ Malice Aforethought: wife morphine OD; residents botulism poisonings; Red House accidental killing and mistaken identity ( Matt wants Mark dead. Mark dresses up as his brother Robert. Matt kills “Robert” and makes it look as though Matt did it and fled); Secret History: Drunken accidental fall (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Lisa wrote: "The next book, Malice Aforethought, is available on Hoopla, if anyone is having trouble finding it. The Red House Mystery is too :)"

Thanks for the info. It says on Hoopla that Malice Aforethought was a landmark book in crime fiction because it was the first time the murderer was revealed at the start of the story. Learn something new everyday.

[[deleted user]]

I know we are only four books in but how about reasons why the “perfect” murders did not work

1. Smart detective (view spoiler)[ Peroit knew Mr. Crust did not have personality of a serial killer. Mr. Stanislaw knew something was off about Angie (hide spoiler)]

2. Make sure your patsy has no alibi(view spoiler)[ Mr Croat went to tavern on night Mr Clarke killed Betty. (hide spoiler)]

3:. Know your patsy. See spoiler #1

4. If you are not going to do it alone, know your accomplice better....betrayal, betrayal

Continuing on with the next books

5. Ah... Hubris

6. Unforeseen eyewitness (view spoiler)[ nothing like a stranger coming upon the scene to ruin your perfect murder

7. Co-conspirator sends letter to third party

8. Guilty conscience (hide spoiler)]