March 2022 group read - winner

[Judy]

Nominations please for our March 2022 group read!

Please nominate mystery/detective books written in/set in the GA period, or slightly earlier or later.

As usual, just one nomination per group member, and only one book by any individual writer can be nominated per month.

[Michaela]

I nominate Death of an Airman by Christopher St. John Sprigg.

Death of an Airman is an enjoyable and unorthodox whodunit from a writer whose short life was as remarkable as that of any of his fictional creations. When an aeroplane crashes, and its pilot is killed, Edwin Marriott, the Bishop of Cootamundra in Australia, is on hand. In England on leave, the Bishop has decided to learn how to fly, but he is not convinced that the pilot's death was accidental. In due course, naturally, he is proved right. The Bishop and Inspector Bray of Scotland Yard make an appealing pair of detectives, and ultimately a cunning criminal scheme is uncovered.

[Jill]

I will nominate The Mysterious Mr. Quin by Agatha Christie

Harley Quin is an enigma. Even his friend Mr Satterthwaite is unable to understand how the man seems to appear and disappear almost like a trick of the light - and when he does appear it's usually in the sparkle of sunshine, or surrounded by a spectrum of coloured light pouring through a stained glass window.

Indeed, he is Harlequin. The only consistent thing about the Mysterious Mr Quin is that his presence is always a harbinger of love ... or death.

Quin and Satterthwaite appear in a string of short stories by the incomparable Agatha Christie. She often said that some of them are among her personal favourites. They'll be yours too.

The stories are: 1 The Coming of Mr. Quin; 2 The Shadow on the Glass; 3 At the "Bells and Motley", 4 The Sign in the Sky; 5 The Soul of the Croupier; 6 The Man from the Sea; 7 The Voice in the Dark; 8 The Face of Helen; 9 The Dead Harlequin; 10 The Bird with the Broken Wing; 11 The World's End; and, 12 Harlequin's Lane.

[Rosina]

Yes to both of those!

[Cary]

Michaela wrote: "I nominate Death of an Airman by Christopher St. John Sprigg.

Death of an Airman is an enjoyable and unorthodox whodunit fr..."
Sounds intriguing.

[Susan in NC]

Yes, I’ve never read either book, both sound very appealing! I see a March/April split coming! Both on my TBR list, so I’m happy…

[Judy]

A great couple of nominations to start us off. Thank you, Michaela and Jill.

[Susan]

I will nominate Death In Soho (Augusta Peel Mysteries Book 1)
It’s the Roaring Twenties. London’s bright young things are partying, Soho’s nightlife is buzzing and Augusta Peel is hiding in her basement.

She has a reason to hide there: it’s home to her Bloomsbury workshop where she repairs old, neglected books. After a busy time during the war, all Augusta wants is peace and quiet - even if it is routinely disturbed by the tube trains beneath her feet.

But events take a turn when Augusta agrees to chaperone 19-year-old Harriet Jones on a date. Failing to get her home on time, she ends up in a riotous nightclub. She can’t imagine the evening getting much worse when the police raid it. But then the murder happens.

Who shot Jean Taylor? An old acquaintance at Scotland Yard learns Augusta was near the murder scene and persuades her to help with his investigation. But how can a humble book repairer navigate Soho’s world of actresses, gangsters and theatre impresarios to discover the truth?

[Carolien]

I'd like to nominate Death of an Old Girl by Elizabeth Lemarchand published in 1967. The first of the Pollard and Toye series.

Shockwaves are sent through the sleepy village of Trill when a woman’s body is discovered in a local school.

Beatrice Baynes – interfering, overbearing and spiteful – was not well liked. But no one expects a body to be found on their doorstep… And how did the annual festival at Meldon School turn from a light-hearted celebration to a gruesome crime scene?

With the local constabulary completely stumped, Scotland Yard’s Chief Detective Inspector Pollard and Detective Sergeant Toye are called in to investigate.

But the further Pollard & Toye delve into their inquiries, the more complicated the case becomes…

[Judy]

Thank you Susan and Carolien, two more nominations which sound great. Both of these authors are new names to me.

[Judy]

Nominations so far:

Michaela: Death of an Airman by Christopher St. John Sprigg

Jill: The Mysterious Mr. Quin by Agatha Christie

Susan: Death In Soho by Emily Organ

Carolien: Death of an Old Girl by Elizabeth Lemarchand

[Laurel]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to suggest an author, or if they must be British, however, I would recommend Arthur Upfield. Arthur William Upfield was an English-Australian writer, best known for his works of detective fiction featuring Detective Inspector Napoleon "Bony" Bonaparte of the Queensland Police Force, a mixed-race Indigenous Australian. I found Upfield's books fascinating good read. While gaining an insight into an otherwise little-known culture and area of the world.

[Susan]

Authors don't need to be British, Laurel. Which of Arthur Upfield's books do you want to nominate? I can see he has a long running the series and the first book is The Barrakee Mystery. Would you like to nominate that one?

Carolien, Death of an Old Girl sounds great. On my TBL list, thanks!

[Sandy]

Laurel wrote: "I'm not sure if this is the right place to suggest an author, or if they must be British, however, I would recommend Arthur Upfield. Arthur William Upfield was an English-Australian writer, best kn..."

I've read and enjoyed the first two of the series. They are an interesting portrayal of a country and time of which I am ignorant, as well as excellent stories. I noted in my review (which are really just reminders to myself) that racism is rampant as I expect it was in actuality.

P.S. This is a series that I mean to continue and never get seem to get to.

[Judy]

I vaguely remember that one of this series has been nominated in the past. Laurel, if you confirm which one you are nominating, I will add it to the list.

[Laurel]

Yes, I would like to nominate The Barrackee Mystery. Thank you for your response.

[Susan]

Thanks, Laurel. So that makes the nominations so far:

Nominations so far:

Michaela: Death of an Airman by Christopher St. John Sprigg

Jill: The Mysterious Mr. Quin by Agatha Christie

Susan: Death In Soho by Emily Organ

Carolien: Death of an Old Girl by Elizabeth Lemarchand

Laurel: The Barrackee Mystery by Arthur Upfield

[Judy]

Thank you, Laurel and Susan. A great selection of books!

Last call for nominations - the poll will go up in a day or so.

[Sandy]

I own the first in that series and have never gotten to it. I'm always looking for a reason to read something I own.

[Abigail]

Up Before The Beak looks like fun!

[Susan]

Yes, it does, I agree. I have the first in the series, like Sandy, but haven't got to it.

[Judy]

Thank you, Ali. I've read the first couple in the series and enjoyed them.

[Margaret]

I hope that I'm not breaching the rules of the group by appearing to puff my own book, but I'd be absolutely thrilled to have Up Before The Beak discussed. And I'm really (hugely!) pleased that people have enjoyed Prisoner At The Bar or like the look of Up Before The Beak. It's either my favourite or second favourite of the series and it's a stand-alone, not requiring any knowledge of the rest of the series.

[Judy]

Thank you, Margaret. The nominations are:

Michaela: Death of an Airman by Christopher St. John Sprigg

Jill: The Mysterious Mr. Quin by Agatha Christie

Susan: Death In Soho by Emily Organ

Carolien: Death of an Old Girl by Elizabeth Lemarchand

Laurel: The Barrakee Mystery by Arthur W. Upfield

Ali: Up Before The Beak by Margaret Suckling

[Judy]

The poll is now up - please cast your votes!

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

[Judy]

We have a tie at the moment, between The Mysterious Mr. Quin and Death In Soho - so if you haven't voted yet, please choose the book you want to read!

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

[Susan]

Wow, very close.

[Jackie]

I am not voting since I can't get either book from my library. but I'd vote for Death in Soho if I was going to vote.

[Susan in NC]

I can only get Mysterious Mr. Quin, and Death of an Airman, so I’d read one of those. Not buying anymore ebooks with suspiciously stellar reviews! Been burned too many times. ;)

[Jill]

There would seem to be a number of bogus voters this time

[Susan in NC]

Jill wrote: "There would seem to be a number of bogus voters this time"

How can you tell? Is it because the most recent votes have no or few books and zero friends? That makes me wonder…

[Jessica-sim]

But why would you want to bogus vote?

Unless…. What if I were to change my vote back to Agatha Christie and create a three way tie ;-)

[Jill]

Susan in NC wrote: "Jill wrote: "There would seem to be a number of bogus voters this time"

How can you tell? Is it because the most recent votes have no or few books and zero friends? That makes me wonder…"

Yes

[Jill]

Jessica wrote: "But why would you want to bogus vote?

Unless…. What if I were to change my vote back to Agatha Christie and create a three way tie ;-)"

To push a book for your friend I don't think you changing your vote would make any difference. Besides you should vote for the book of your choice.

[Susan in NC]

Jill wrote: "Jessica wrote: "But why would you want to bogus vote?

Unless…. What if I were to change my vote back to Agatha Christie and create a three way tie ;-)"

To push a book for your friend"
That’s what I figured…and did you see the comment from “[deleted user]” on the poll page? If they aren’t even current members of GR or this group, why comment on a poll?

[Judy]

Just to say the mods have noted the concerns - please can we leave it at that for now. Thanks everyone.

[Susan]

Yes, there are voters who obviously have no friends, etc. and do look like fake accounts. We could ask those who have done this to kindly remove their votes or the mods may be forced to take action. We will, as Judy says, keep the situation under review.

[Judy]

Thank you Susan, we will keep an eye on it.

[Ali]

To perhaps allay some of the concerns about rigged voting I'd just like to say that one of the most recent voters listed (on my screen at least) is my mother and she is real. I've only just introduced her - talking her through the process of registration today- to the delights of Goodreads and recommended that she join this group as she enjoys mystery fiction. She's yet to explore the site more widely for herself as she's new to online discussions and reviewing, but I suspect she will be adding herself to some historical fiction discussion groups as well as she loves the likes of Philippa Gregory and Tracey Borman. However, as an initial venture I encouraged her to have a look at Reading the Detectives along with me. I thought it would be nice to read something together, hence she's voted the same as me. Whichever wins, we're happy to give it a go as we're both trying to read more this year.

[Susan]

Fair enough, Ali. Four members who voted for the book though joined Jan 22 and have no history, which seems a little suspect.

It would be nice if the situation could be remedied without mod involvement, but moderators do need to moderate and will if necessary.

[Susan in NC]

Ali wrote: "To perhaps allay some of the concerns about rigged voting I'd just like to say that one of the most recent voters listed (on my screen at least) is my mother and she is real. I've only just introdu..."

Ali, that’s lovely! I love that you and your mom want to share a read, my mom and I used to love talking books, those discussions are some of my most treasured memories of her. I hope your mum likes GR and finds some good groups.

Thanks, Susan and Judy! One or two members is one thing, but six or seven all at once seemed odd.

[Michaela]

I wondered that it was allowed for an author to nominate her own book, and the votes are all from these people with 0 friends.

I already changed my vote for one of the books that are more ahead, so please alert us, how the "real" voting looks like, so I could possibly change back to my nomination. Thanks!

[Susan]

Possibly something we may have to review in future, Michaela. We really don't like to have too many rules or regulations, but we will step in if necessary.

If an author does want to nominate a book, they could always suggest it as a buddy and see whether any members would be interested.

[Margaret]

Susan wrote: "Possibly something we may have to review in future, Michaela. We really don't like to have too many rules or regulations, but we will step in if necessary.

If an author does want to nominate a boo..."

Just seen this discussion. To clarify, after someone else nominated my book, I made a comment on 6th Jan saying "I hope that I'm not breaching the rules of the group by appearing to puff my own book...." I'd have said that that was fairly upfront and open.

reply | edit | delete | flag *

[Susan]

Yes, nominated by Ali. It is the voting, perhaps, rather than the nomination which looks suspect, Margaret. That does not reflect on you, but, as there are a lot of voters with suspect profiles, we will remove those members we suspect of fraudulent voting if the votes are not voluntarily removed.

[Margaret]

OK, that makes sense. Thanks for clarifying.

[Jackie]

one of the most recent voters listed (on my screen at least) is my mother and she is real. I've only just introduced her - talking her through the process of registration today- to the delights of Goodreads and recommended that she join this group as she enjoys mystery fiction.

Ali, it's wonderful you & your Mom can share this interest.

[Judy]

The poll has now finished and the winner is Death In Soho by Emily Organ, first in the Augusta Peel mystery series, which will be our March group read.

[Frances]

I will look forward to hearing about this, but won't read myself. I've been burnt a few times by self-published books not living up to their ratings so have decided not to read any more until someone I know (and in this case I will accept this group's opinion :) ) has read and recommended.

[Tara]

Unfortunately, I often find that newer historical mysteries have too much of the modern world and its perspective creep into the story and characters, and it's too jarring for me to get immersed into their world. I'll be skipping this one, but I hope those who read it, enjoy it!