Reading the Detectives discussion
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What mysteries are you reading at the moment? (2021)
Finished There Came Both Mist And Snow and now starting Death of A Beauty Queen by E.R. Punshon the last of the buddy reads for this groups reads for December and the year.
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I had to repack a bookshelf last night and discovered my pile of Ann Granger's in the process. I have forgotten how much I enjoy her books, is anybody else a fan?
Carolien wrote: "I had to repack a bookshelf last night and discovered my pile of Ann Granger's in the process. I have forgotten how much I enjoy her books, is anybody else a fan?"Yes I have read all 15 of the Mitchell and Markby 3 Of the Lizzie Martin and all 7 of the Fran Vardy books I have yet to start the Campbell and Carter series
Recently finished Robin Stevens's YA take on vintage crime,Mistletoe and Murder this one's set in 1935 Cambridge over the Christmas hols. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Alwynne wrote: "Recently finished Robin Stevens's YA take on vintage crime,Mistletoe and Murder this one's set in 1935 Cambridge over the Christmas hols. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"
That series was one of my most pleasant finds during the ongoing Unpleasantness, though I thought Mistletoe and Murder was not as good as some of the others.
Rosina wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "Recently finished Robin Stevens's YA take on vintage crime,Mistletoe and Murder this one's set in 1935 Cambridge over the Christmas hols. https://www.goodreads.com..."
Yes I agree about that, and it's quite a relaxing series but surprisingly good on race and gender at the same time.
I finished Thunder on the Right and I'm glad I read the non-spoiler thread first so that I knew what to expect. If I had gone in to it expecting a GA style murder mystery, I'd have been disappointed, but knowing it was going to be more of a melodrama, I found it rather fun.
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I just finished off Crime at Christmas by C. H. B. Kitchin
and found it decidedly mediocre.More here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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and found it decidedly mediocre.More here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
I like the phrase 'decidedly mediocre' and may use it myself sometime. Doubt that I will remember to give you credit, however.
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Sandy wrote: "Has anyone read Death in Zanzibar or other mysteries by M.M. Kaye? A review of our monthly Bobby Owen read linked to a review of this book and it sounds like a pleasa..."I quite enjoyed them.
Pleasant is a very good description. No foul language, no explicit sex, no graphic violence.
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Sandy wrote: "Has anyone read Death in Zanzibar or other mysteries by M.M. Kaye? A review of our monthly Bobby Owen read linked to a review of this book and it sounds like a pleasa..."As Kajehas said, no violence, no graphic sex, no foul language. Her Death In books are all great mysteries full of suspense, beautifully described settings, well developed characters, and a little bit of 1950s romance. The scene descriptions are so interesting I find myself googling the places for the images. Enjoy!
I've now made a start on Murder at the Old Vicarage
- seems promising so far.
Colin wrote: "I've now made a start on Murder at the Old Vicarage - seems promising so far."I just read that - I enjoyed it.
Judy wrote: "I've started my reread of our next group read, The Poisoned Chocolates Case by Anthony Berkeley, and have also started a January buddy read [book:Fog of Doubt|192791..."Also started Poisoned Chocolates. Is Fog also known as Crooked Wreath? I'm having a little trouble getting into that one. Nothing new for me. I have trouble getting into a number of books. Her books seem to pick up after the detective shows up. Although that can sometimes be a while with her.
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We read Crooked Wreath ear!ier, so, hopefully, Fog is a different book.
Jan C wrote: "Judy wrote: "I've started my reread of our next group read, The Poisoned Chocolates Case by Anthony Berkeley, and have also started a January buddy read Fog of..."</i><i>Jan C wrote: "Judy wrote: "I've started my reread of our next group read, [book:The Poisoned Chocolates Case by Anthony Berkeley, and have also started a January buddy read [book:Fog of..."
The Fog of Doubt is the alternate title for London Particular. The Crooked Wreath is the alternate title for Suddenly at his Residence. You wouldn't guess as neither of the alternative titles seems to have any connection to the original. well, to me anyway.
Lesley wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Judy wrote: "I've started my reread of our next group read, The Poisoned Chocolates Case by Anthony Berkeley, and have also started a January buddy rea..."I didn't even name the write book - it is Death of Jezebel that I am having trouble with. I, too, read Crooked Wreath already.
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Thank you Lesley - London Particular is an old term for London fog, used in Bleak House (Brand mentions this in her introduction to the Mysterious Press reprint) but must say I think Fog of Doubt is a better title! I'm looking forward to discussing this book next month, as so far it is a lot of fun.
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Kajehas wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Has anyone read Death in Zanzibar or other mysteries by M.M. Kaye? A review of our monthly Bobby Owen read linked to a review of this book and it sounds..."I’d agree with this, I’ve only read one, with the Retro Reads group, Death in Cyprus
, and I enjoyed it. Here’s a link to my review if you’re interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...Several members of the group were fans and had read her other books, and said this was one of her better ones. Enjoy!
Still reading Christmas favorites, but also reading A Royal Affair
from my library. It’s book two in a series, and I really enjoyed the debut, so when my request became available, I grabbed it - even though it’s set in a sultry London summer after WWII, not holiday-ish at all! Very good so far, glad there is no sophomore slump!
Susan in NC wrote: "Still reading Christmas favorites, but also reading A Royal Affair from my library. It’s book two in a series, and I really enjoyed the debut, so ..."This looks very promising. Will have to add the series to my endless TBR.
I've been meaning to start this series for awhile, and finally have gotten around to the first one, Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear. It reminds me very much of the Lady Hardcastle series, which I enjoyed initially, but eventually abandoned because all of the stories seemed too similar. We have yet another plucky servant turned amateur detective, well ahead of her time. Its hard for it not to feel very modern in this way, which takes away from the GA feel it is meant to invoke.
Carolien wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Still reading Christmas favorites, but also reading A Royal Affair from my library. It’s book two in a series, and I really en..."Oh, Carolien, I really enjoy the humor and friendship between the two heroines, and it’s such an interesting time, right after WWII in London. There are still bombed out buildings, rationing, shortages, so realistic, but not dreary. Both women have been through a lot - one widowed in the war, had a breakdown, spent time in a sanitarium, the other did hush-hush work, saw and did things - but they’re both strong and smart and growing in their friendship, helping each other adapt to their new normal. While starting a marriage bureau, based on a true story according to the author in her debut The Right Sort of Man. It reminds me of the friendship between Wyndham and Surrender-Not in Abir Mukherjee’s excellent series.A Rising Man was the debut.
Tara wrote: "I've been meaning to start this series for awhile, and finally have gotten around to the first one, Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear. It reminds me very much of the L..."I read the first of this series years ago, always meant to read more - thanks for the reminder!
Susan in NC wrote: "Tara wrote: "I've been meaning to start this series for awhile, and finally have gotten around to the first one, Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear. It reminds me very ..."I read the first three books, and think maybe coming here introduced me to so many other authors, that I haven't got back to the series
Jill wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Tara wrote: "I've been meaning to start this series for awhile, and finally have gotten around to the first one, Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear...."Same here - my TBR list is ridiculous!
Susan in NC wrote: "Tara wrote: "I've been meaning to start this series for awhile, and finally have gotten around to the first one, Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear. It reminds me very ..."To be fair, there are quite a lot of them! Having read a few, you think they need to be read in order, or can one skip a round a bit?
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Her life circumstances change dramatically and the books move forward in time. The recent ones are almost WWII. So I, as I always do, recommend reading in order.
Tara wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Tara wrote: "I've been meaning to start this series for awhile, and finally have gotten around to the first one, Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear...."I’d follow Sandy’s advice, I can barely remember the first couple I read!
Sandy wrote: "Tara wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Tara wrote: "I've been meaning to start this series for awhile, and finally have gotten around to the first one, Maisie Dobbs by [author:Jacqueline Wi..."Good to know, thanks- I tend to read in order anyway, but in this case sounds important to do so.
Susan in NC wrote: "Carolien wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Still reading Christmas favorites, but also reading A Royal Affair from my library. It’s book two in a series..."I'll definitely take a look.
A Woman Alone, by Nina Laurin. It's a fast-paced thriller, but I am not liking the characters.
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Judy wrote: "I've started The Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories - I always enjoy these British Library Crime Classics collections."I really liked the collection, Judy. Once you get past the opening story, which is thin stuff indeed, there are some great yarns to enjoy.
For myself, every year I have a tradition of reading something by John Dickson Carr at Christmas. Yesterday I began a reread of The Eight of Swords
, a book I first went through perhaps twenty years ago.
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I'm reading one of the Shirley Rousseau cat mysteries Cat under Fire. The series is a bit odd but entertaining
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I'm also working my way through that collection. So far I agree with Colin, the first story is the only weak one I've encountered.
I’ve started listening to the audiobook of The Poisoned Chocolates Case. Just into first few chapters, but an intriguing premise, great narrator.
Susan wrote: "For anyone who wants a Christmas listen, Audible currently have 2 free listens for members with a Christmas theme: A Christmas Carol read by Hugh Grant and Wind in the Willows narrated by a female ..."Oh, I missed the Christmas Carol, just finished the Simon Prebble version last night, but I will look for this one as well! I grabbed Wind in the Willows, sounded intriguing- I read my son the children’s books with the characters from WIW, never sat down and read the whole thing, so I was glad to see this version.
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I really liked the collection, Judy. Once you get past the opening story, which is thin stuff indeed, there are some great yarns to enjoy...."
Glad you said that, Colin, as I thought the opening story by Baroness Orczy was instantly forgettable - though it did help me get to sleep! The second story, by Selwyn Jepson, is very good though it does end in a bit of a rush.
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Most of these BL anthologies, at least those I've read so far, seem to present the stories in chronological order of publication. I generally find Victorian/Edwardian efforts weaker, or stylistically less to my taste anyway, so I've found I often don't get as much enjoyment from the first, and maybe the second, tales in each collection.
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Oh yes, I'd forgotten that the older stories are often first in these collections. That sometimes means there is a story by Conan Doyle first, and I really enjoy those and some others of that era. But the Orczy story left me cold, even though I used to be a big fan of The Scarlet Pimpernel as a teenager.
Reading the Detectives
Books mentioned in this topic
The Saint Valentine's Day Murders (other topics)The Saint Valentine's Day Murders (other topics)
House of Cards (other topics)
The 39 Steps (other topics)
The 39 Steps (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Michael Dobbs (other topics)John Buchan (other topics)
Catherine Aird (other topics)
Colin Watson (other topics)
Colin Watson (other topics)
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My review: A quick and very pleasant read. This mystery pays homage to the Golden Age mysteries of Christie, Sayers and others. It has the family and a few neighbors gathered at their estate cut off from the rest of the world and, surprise, a murder takes place. An intelligent detective must work though the clues, following the twists and turns of the intricate plot. Never allow 13 at the dinner table.