A Grave Mistake - June 2020

[Susan]

Welcome to our June buddy read of A Grave Mistake by Ngaio Marsh. This is the 30th Roderick Alleyn mystery, first published in 1978.

Despite two husbands being dead and a daughter marrying the wrong man, no one believed Sybil Foster was the type to commit suicide, especially Superintenent Roderick Alleyn. For the field was ripe with unfortunate engagements - one of them a very grave mistake...

Like our recent read, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, postage stamps play a part in this mystery.

Please do not post spoilers in this thread. Thank you.

[Judy]

I won't be around much tomorrow as I'm working, so am opening up the new buddy reads tonight!

I have finished this book, mainly enjoyed it and think Marsh was having quite a lot of fun in some of these later books. There are some good characters in this one and it has a village setting, something I think Marsh does well. Who is reading this one?

[Sandy]

I will need my library to open for physical books so probably not in June. They have started fulfilling pre-covid requests so there is hope! I can't complain; the electronic catalogue has been wonderfully complete.

[Susan]

I haven't finished this yet, but am really enjoying it. I am listening on Audible and was surprised to find Jane Asher the narrator, rather than the usual male narrator - but, considering the characters, it works well.

[Tracey]

Late to the party, just starting this today.

[Judy]

You are not very late, Tracey! Hope you enjoy it.

[Tara]

A bit late to the party (but I have been a month behind on my Marshes since last December). I cannot believe this is our 30th book! I think one of the things that has kept me reading these books is my genuine affection for Alleyn (and Troy and Fox as well). I find them to be likeable characters, and even if the novel specific characters are all dreadful, there is are our series long ones to commiserate with.
I just finished the book this afternoon, so I am still mulling over it in my mind. Overall, I think there were some really touching moments that stood out, and characters that felt real. My favorite was Verity Preston, who I would love to see more of (but we only have 2 books left)!