October 2020 - Bats in the Belfry by E.C.R. Lorac

[Susan]

Welcome to our October group read Bats in the Belfry: A London Mystery by E.C.R. Lorac

Published in 1937 this is the 13th title in the Robert MacDonald series by E.C.R. Lorac; pen name of Edith Caroline Rivett.

Bruce Attleton dazzled London s literary scene with his first two novels but his early promise did not bear fruit. His wife Sybilla is a glittering actress, unforgiving of Bruce s failure, and the couple lead separate lives in their house at Regent s Park. When Bruce is called away on a sudden trip to Paris, he vanishes completely until his suitcase and passport are found in a sinister artist s studio, the Belfry, in a crumbling house in Notting Hill. Inspector Macdonald must uncover Bruce s secrets, and find out the identity of his mysterious blackmailer. This intricate mystery from a classic writer is set in a superbly evoked London of the 1930s.

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

[Judy]

Just opening up our October group discussion, which has an ideal theme for Halloween. Who is reading this one?

I've finished it and found it an enjoyable read with a very atmospheric London setting. I did have one or two problems with the plot but will talk about those later over in the spoiler thread.

[Pamela]

I’ll be reading it once I’ve managed to finish Original Sin (it could be a while...)

[Abigail]

I am reading it but continue to be distracted and slow in my reading. So far, I enjoyed the rural setting of Fell Murder more than the urban setting and sophisticated-artistic-types characters here.

[Sandy]

Will be starting today.

[Roman Clodia]

Ha, I'm the opposite of Abigail as I preferred the London setting and characters to Fell Murder. I also liked the humour and atmosphere.

[Susan in NC]

Abigail wrote: "I am reading it but continue to be distracted and slow in my reading. So far, I enjoyed the rural setting of Fell Murder more than the urban setting and sophisticated-artistic-types..."

Yes, definitely a different vibe!

[Susan in NC]

I agree with RC, I saw more humor in this one, maybe because Macdonald is on his home turf, and I loved the atmospheric descriptions of London. One of the things I like about Macdonald is the way he tries to blend in with the people wherever he is investigating, appreciate their lifestyle and where they live, and how it might influence their actions and motives. Keeps things fresh for me as a reader - his books feel like travelogues and novels diving into the local psychology as much as mysteries.

I enjoyed this reread - it was one of the first Lorac’s I read when I discovered her through another group, and there were a few of her reissues available. You know how that is, you find an author you like, and fly through all of their books you can get your mitts on! This time, I listened to the audiobook as well, which added a lot to the discussions among suspects, but one pet peeve - I’m not terribly fond of the narrator. He’s done several mysteries I’ve listened to, and done a good job, but whenever there is an older character he makes him sound rather ridiculous and annoying! I can’t really describe it, but he makes him sound very pompous and congested, or constipated! Distracting.

[Michaela]

This is new for me, so I´ll definitely read it, though perhaps later in the month.

[Judy]

Does anyone else think the original cover for this book is fabulous? I like the British Library cover, but for once it is outshone by the old cover for me!

[Judy]

And this is the new cover to compare...

[Michaela]

You´re right, the old one was better this time! :)

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "Does anyone else think the original cover for this book is fabulous? I like the British Library cover, but for once it is outshone by the old cover for me!

"

Yes - It is perfectly spooky! It reminded me of this series I read as a kid - got me hooked on mysteries - “Alfred Hitchcock and The Three Investigators”! It was three teen boys in 1960s California who did the investigations, but I wanted so badly to be one of them, riding around on my bike, digging into mysteries with my friends... this was the first, original cover that hooked me. I checked these books out of the school library over and over.

[Sandy]

I've finished and liked it a lot, maybe better than Fells Murder. Reading this immediately after Dalglish I was struck by the contrast. In my opinion Macdonald is shown being kind and caring to suspects and victims while we are only told Dalglish is.

I also like the original cover much better.

[Susan]

I enjoyed this and also liked Fells Murder. I thought it was a good choice for October and actually like both covers.

It was interesting that the preface suggested this wasn't a very successful book for the author at the time. I wondered why, as it was good. I'm impressed by this author and want to read more by her.

[Carol]

I just finished this one. I think that Bats in the Belfry was an appropriate title! This was really good, but also crazy. There was really a lot going on here! And I agree that the original cover was the best

[Frances]

I'll be starting this after I finish this month's Poirots.

[Ruth]

I started this one on audio but then had a 'look inside' on the kindle edition because I wanted to get the characters who appear in the first chapter fixed in my head and decided I much preferred to read the book rather than listen to it, so I've switched to the kindle edition.

Does anyone else find some books (or even some genres or sub-genres) are better read than listened to or vice versa? I've now started the new Anthony Horovitz - Moonflower Murders on audio instead and that's great to listen to.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I'm perhaps halfway in the first chapter. I had not planned on having a copy of this and reading it with you all, but things happen and am glad of it.

Yes, lots of characters introduced in the first chapter. I never listen to books, preferring to read instead, even though I'm a relatively slow reader.

[Frances]

I've started this one and so far I'm enjoying it. I was a bit put off that in chapter 4 (view spoiler)[Grenville is so anxious to marry Elizabeth because he's 30 and she's 19 and he feels if he doesn't get her now he won't have a chance with her after she grows up a bit! (hide spoiler)] However so far it seems an interesting set up and I like the descriptions of the odd houses scattered in hidden parts of London, or the pub where no one would expect a pub.

[Abigail]

True enough about your spoiler, Frances, though (view spoiler)[she seems fairly sophisticated already. (hide spoiler)]

It is fairly coincidental that just about every character lives in an extraordinary historical landmark!

[Piyangie]

This was my first Lorac read and really enjoyed it. I've read one other since, and out of the two I like this better. It has more action.

[Susan in NC]

Ruth wrote: "I started this one on audio but then had a 'look inside' on the kindle edition because I wanted to get the characters who appear in the first chapter fixed in my head and decided I much preferred t..."

Yes! I find the narrator makes a huge difference for me in listening enjoyment- or in feeling like I’m listening to nails on a chalkboard!

[Tara]

Susan in NC wrote: "Ruth wrote: "I started this one on audio but then had a 'look inside' on the kindle edition because I wanted to get the characters who appear in the first chapter fixed in my head and decided I muc..."

Absolutely agree. I mentioned in another thread that I'm really turned off by the narrator to all of the PD James books I've read, and I suspect that is part of the reason I have disliked them so much. There is a different narrator for the latest one I'm reading, and perhaps uncoincidentally, its been my favorite. I generally prefer to read books, but audiobooks allow me to read a lot more than I would normally be able to get through.
I really enjoyed this book. My favorite aspect was Inspector Macdonald, who seemed to keep a level head and a sense of humor, despite the most horrific circumstances. He was also keenly aware that his personal dislike for suspects could interfere with his impartiality, which the less well-trained of us are not so perceptive about.

[Susan in NC]

I’ve really become aware of how much impact the narrator has on my enjoyment, as well; and I agree, I can read a lot more with audiobooks - and can knit or exercise at the same time!

I really find Macdonald appealing for all the reasons you said - I would add, I like how he can blend in to different settings, among different characters (as in other cases where he was out in rural areas), and effectively listen and observe. My husband has been successful in business for that reason - I’ve observed him with clients, and seen he has the rare gift of shutting up and really listening to people. They will reveal a lot of their true concerns and motives if you can be quiet and allow them to do so, as Macdonald does!

[Ruth]

I really enjoyed this one as well. It's the first Lorac I've read and I'm hoping to read more. The descriptions were excellent and it was set in a period that I like to read about. My only criticism is that she mixed real London streets with imaginary ones which made it hard to pin down where anyone lived. I love reading books set in London but I like to follow on a map.

[Angie]

This was my first Lorac and I enjoyed it. At first I thought I knew where the story is going, but then some unexpected plot twists happend and I was left none the wiser until the end. (Although, many people over in the spoiler thread seem to have guessed the culprit much earlier than me...) I'll definitely read another book in the Robert Macdonald series fairly soon.