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Send for Paul Temple
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October 2020 Group Read - Send for Paul Temple by Francis Durbridge
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I´m in! I wondered why I didn´t find any novels by him, as the radio series came first. Will "read" it on Audible.
I am of course in for this Group Read. The last I saw it was still a tie at the top of the poll. But hey ho, I'm not going to argue.As you say Jean all 14 Paul Temple Novels were written from the scripts that Francis Durbridge wrote for radio (almost 30 of them). Its interesting that some novels were written with other people, and two of the novels were written by "Paul Temple" himself.
Mod
I used my "moderator's discretion", since we'd read a book by the other author recently. (And actually I hadn't voted.)
I'm looking forward to your informative comments on this one Ade :)
I'm in too, I had downloaded it the first time it was nominated because I was interested and I waited to see if it would be nominated again before reading it.Not sure when I can start it... but am looking forward to it. It's a weird way to start as a radio show converted in a book form, that's intriguing.
I have a library ebook ready to go!
I’m in-I’ve got my copy ready to go. This will be a new author for me.
Bionic Jean wrote: "Adrian wrote: "The last I saw it was still a tie at the top of the poll ..."I used my "moderator's discretion", since we'd read a book by the other author recently. (And actually I hadn't voted.)..."
Thanks Jean, very kind of you. You alone know how long I've been nominating it ha ha.
I will do my best to be witty, informative and knowledgeable 😊 or maybe just excited.
I'm pleased to see a few people are interested in the read. 👍🏻
My library has some of Durbridge's books, but not this particular one. Amazon is too expensive, Thriftbooks does not have it available. So will be borrowing through inter-library loan and hopefully it will come in time to join in. I haven't read Durbridge before and always enjoy finding new-to-me authors.
Downloaded it from the library. Have to read a couple of others before I start this one, but eager to jump in!Happy reading everyone!
Wish I could join you but my local libraries do not have and Amazon only has new books or audible. The only used one I could find was across country and take almost 15 days to arrive! Will keep it in mind and if I can get my hands on it sometimes, I'd love to check it out.
I'm in. This is a new author for me.
I am a constant lurker here on Goodreads as I rarely read anything on time :) but this one sounded right up my alley, so I was snooping around for it, and I did find a couple of the audiobooks at my library. But knowing that they were radio shows first, I went nosing around the Internet Archive and found quite a few of the old gems. Here is a link to the page, if any of you are interested. I can't wait to listen to some of these! https://archive.org/details/audio?and...
Ann wrote: "I am a constant lurker here on Goodreads as I rarely read anything on time :) but this one sounded right up my alley, so I was snooping around for it, and I did find a couple of the audiobooks at m..."Thats where I get a load of old radio show audiobooks from. Its a great website.
Adrian wrote: "Ann wrote: "I am a constant lurker here on Goodreads as I rarely read anything on time :) but this one sounded right up my alley, so I was snooping around for it, and I did find a couple of the aud..."Adrian - I agree! It's wonderful to have them all available. I have watched countless old-time westerns there as well, and it was my first introduction to Buster Crabbe, no clue how I'd missed him, lol!
You're welcome, Michaela!
Ann wrote: "Adrian - I agree! It's wonderful to have them all available. I have watched countless old-time westerns there as well, and it was my first introduction to Buster Crabbe, no clue how I'd missed him, lol!..."Ooh the legendary Larry "Buster" Crabbe. I'll have to hunt for them.
Adrian wrote: "Ann wrote: "Adrian - I agree! It's wonderful to have them all available. I have watched countless old-time westerns there as well, and it was my first introduction to Buster Crabbe, no clue how I'd..."I find myself going down that rabbit hole every couple of years for one actor or another, lol. Buck Rogers is such a contrast to today's sci-fi that I have no words. :D
Mod
Bionic Jean wrote: "So this read starts today. Who's begun?"I hope to start in the next couple of days, raring to go.
I'm going to be reading this next week. I'm reading another mystery right now and don't want to get confused.
I had never heard of Paul Temple, so thanks for the recommendation, just finished "Send for Paul Temple" thoroughly enjoyed the read and immediately commenced "The Front Page Men".
MikeR wrote: "I had never heard of Paul Temple, so thanks for the recommendation, just finished "Send for Paul Temple" thoroughly enjoyed the read and immediately commenced "The Front Page Men"."Oh I do love it when books by an author I have touted, broadcast and just generally advised people to read, are enjoyed by people who have never previously heard of them.
So having put forward Send for Paul Temple a number of times (our Mod is aware how many ha ha) I am chuffed when people whizz on to a second book.
@MikeR, check out the Francis Durbridge topic for more info Paul Temple
Well I am about half way through, and I have to be honest, despite being both the nominator of this book, and Jean's nominated representative running the Francis Durbridge topic, I had never read this novel, and it goes without saying, I am really enjoying it
I have just finished the book and enjoyed it more and more as the book progressed. It was such a fun read-I think my favourite character is Miss Parchment.(other than the main characters, of course)
Rosemarie wrote: "I have just finished the book and enjoyed it more and more as the book progressed. It was such a fun read-I think my favourite character is Miss Parchment.(other than the main characters, of course)"I must admit, as I said earlier, I love it when other people find authors I really enjoy, enjoyable and fun themselves. Glad you enjoyed it Rosemarie.
Well I recently finished the novel as well, and I have to say like Rosemarie, I think the book got better as it progressed.It is interesting to note that as was commented above, all the novels were adopted from the radio scripts, and this was recognisable in the book by having very similar size chapters (radio episodes !) And a cliff hanger at the end of most chapters ( radio episodes !).
That said it did make it an energetic book that piled action on action as Paul Temple (the novelist), Steve Trent (the journalist ) and Police Commissioner, Sir Graham Forbes, try to track down the jewel thieves that are making a mockery of London's finest detectives.
Mod
I finally started my 1940-radio play on Audible. Wish I had a book too.
Bionic Jean wrote: "We still have half the month left, so plenty of time to read this favourite :)"Exactly Jean, And I do hope people take the opportunity to read a book by what is a relatively little know Golden Age author. Ok the books are not classics, but they are fun, enjoyable and if you like to hear/read about Britain between the wars in a mystery/detective setting, true Golden Age, then these books/ audio dramatisations are for you.
Michaela wrote: "I finally started my 1940-radio play on Audible. Wish I had a book too."I hope you enjoy the radio play Michaela, is it Hugh Morton and Bernadette Hodgson ?
Adrian wrote: "Michaela wrote: "I finally started my 1940-radio play on Audible. Wish I had a book too."I hope you enjoy the radio play Michaela, is it Hugh Morton and Bernadette Hodgson ?"
All they reveil, is "full cast" and Bernard Braden and Peggy Hassard.
So far it´s really exciting, and obviously there´s also some history about the saved LPs and their restauration.
Michaela wrote: "Adrian wrote: "Michaela wrote: "I finally started my 1940-radio play on Audible. Wish I had a book too."I hope you enjoy the radio play Michaela, is it Hugh Morton and Bernadette Hodgson ?"
All ..."
Gosh yes, that is the rare Canadian recording that somehow survived. I will have to get hold of a copy. They were loaned the BBC scripts from the 1938 Hugh Morton recording, and it was thought to be lost for ever.
Adrian wrote: "Michaela wrote: "Adrian wrote: "Michaela wrote: "I finally started my 1940-radio play on Audible. Wish I had a book too."I hope you enjoy the radio play Michaela, is it Hugh Morton and Bernadette..."
I got it on Audible, but there are/were also CDs.
Michaela wrote: "I got it on Audible, but there are/were also CDs...."Thanks Michaela. I shall investigate
Adrian wrote: "Michaela wrote: "I got it on Audible, but there are/were also CDs...."Thanks Michaela. I shall investigate"
I have checked out Archive.org, and whilst they don't have your version, they do have a few other versions of other Paul Temple radio adaptations (for free!)
YAY!! My inter-library loan of this book finally arrived and I started reading this today. The book captured my interest right away and I like the writing style.
Elizabeth A.G. wrote: "YAY!! My inter-library loan of this book finally arrived and I started reading this today. The book captured my interest right away and I like the writing style."I'm really pleased that your book arrived and that you are enjoying it Elizabeth. I could have a convert to Francis Durbridge.
Finished this book today and must say that I enjoyed the storyline and the characters very much. Knowing this was first a radio broadcast, I was able to imagine actually hearing the action as well as reading about it - the "smash and crash," the shattering glass as a stone is thrown through a window, and the car chase over the bridge! There were some ruthless, hard core evil characters, characters in disguises, and the intelligent, logical novelist hero who is able to examine all the clues, and of course, the budding romance between our hero, Paul Temple, and his female friend news reporter, Steve Trent. Also enjoyed Miss Parchment!Several twists and turns had me guessing, wrongly, as it turned out. I was a bit disappointed about the identity of the "Knave of Diamonds," as this person was a surprise, for me at least, and seemed to come out of nowhere - no way to really suspect this person.
Elizabeth A.G. wrote: "Finished this book today and must say that I enjoyed the storyline and the characters very much. Knowing this was first a radio broadcast, I was able to imagine actually hearing the action as well ..."Great review Elizabeth. I love the fact you could hear the action. I must admit I have listened or watched more Paul Temple episodes/stories than I have read books, so like you I hear Paul talking, I hear the car screeching round corners and I hear the villains threatening.
Having heard some later episodes I also know the outcome of "the budding romance"
I hope you continue your Paul Temple journey.
With the monthly read here all but over, I'd just like to send a big vote of thanks to our moderator, Jean, for using her discretion and adding her vote to ensure that this book made it as the book of the month, especially as I've been nominating it for months 😀
Mod
It will be archived soon, when our new poll is up. But for anyone who hasn't managed to read it yet, this thread will remain open for new comments :)
Also, please remember our author folder for Francis Durbridge LINK HERE, which is hosted by Adrian.
Thanks Jean for reminding people that we have a Francis Durbridge folder, where people can talk all things Paul Temple. It would be great to get some new devotees and interested parties. Please feel free to comment on anything. I will probably put forward the next Paul Temple novel as a "Buddy read " early next year if I get some interest.
Mod
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