English Mysteries Club discussion
Buddy Reads
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Continuing Buddy Read of the Lord Peter Wimsey stories by Dorothy L. Sayers, with Adrian
Ellen wrote: "After my reread of this book I can't understand why it hasn't been one of my frequent rereads. Great story. I really like Marjorie Phelps."Having read it a couple of years ago, I remembered I had really enjoyed it, but having just finished it, like you Ellen, I had forgotten just how enjoyable.
I finished my reread last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm glad that the obvious suspects were treated with such sympathy.
I finished it and I really enjoyed it. It always surprises me how she put together the detective story with a look at the society of that time. It is very interesting how she describes the situation of veterans and women
carolina wrote: "I finished it and I really enjoyed it. It always surprises me how she put together the detective story with a look at the society of that time..."Rosemarie wrote: "I finished my reread last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm glad that the obvious suspects were treated with such sympathy."
I'm glad you both enjoyed it, I must admit I really did as well. This makes me very confident that the books will get better still as we move forward over the next few months.
So our next book, starting Saturday is the novel Strong Poison, which I don't think I've ever read but time will tell.
Enjoy everyone.
carolina wrote: "I finished it and I really enjoyed it. It always surprises me how she put together the detective story with a look at the society of that time. It is very interesting how she describes the situatio..."Rosemarie wrote: "I finished my reread last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm glad that the obvious suspects were treated with such sympathy."
I sort of wonder if her knowledge of "shell shock" could have been influenced by her marriage to Mac Fleming. I have read he suffered from it.
Ellen wrote: "I sort of wonder if her knowledge of "shell shock" could have been influenced by her marriage to Mac Fleming. I have read he suffered from it. ..."That's really interesting Ellen. I knew he (Mac) ultimately died as a result of injuries from WW1 (after 10 years of illness - I assume gassing ? ) , but never knew he had PTSD (as we know it now). As you say that would explain Sayers understanding of the condition.
Started my reread of Strong Poison today. I have read it many times. The opening scene in the courtroom is just fabulous.
Finished my reread. I think I mentioned in our discussion of Bellona Club that I like Marjorie Phelps. Wimsey again asks for her help and I feel sympathy for her since she would like for the relationship to be something more.
I've read about a third of the book and it's really nice to see Miss Climpson again.
Ellen wrote: "Started my reread of Strong Poison today. I have read it many times. The opening scene in the courtroom is just fabulous."I have to agree Ellen, I think it is a brilliantly written scene and having now finished the book, I have to say that I felt there were so many good things about the story.
Rosemarie wrote: "I've read about a third of the book and it's really nice to see Miss Climpson again."I know Rosemarie, she is such a good character, and I love how much she helps Lord Peter. I think without her, Lord Peter would not have solved the murder.
I've just finished the book and loved it! What Miss Climpson does to help solve the mystery is hilarious. She's wonderful!
Rosemarie wrote: "I've just finished the book and loved it! What Miss Climpson does to help solve the mystery is hilarious. She's wonderful!"She is great isn't she Rosemarie !
Mod
If you get a chance, many of the audiobooks are narrated by the perfect Lord Peter, Ian Carmichael.
Bionic Jean wrote: "Which one starts tomorrow, Adrian?"A slightly delayed answer Jean, but we are now reading The Five Red Herrings. which I am really enjoying as I started early 😊😊
This book sees Lord Peter in Scotland amongst the fishing and artist community, when one of the more aggressive artists is murdered. Lord Peter helps the local Scottish constabulary when it appears the murderer had to be one of 5 other artists in the village. But which of them was it !
Kirsten wrote: "If you get a chance, many of the audiobooks are narrated by the perfect Lord Peter, Ian Carmichael."Ooh I do love his voice Kirsten, so smooth, and to me he IS Lord Peter
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Bionic Jean wrote: "Thanks Adrian. Hope lots enjoy it :)"Me too Jean. I'm finding this probably the best so far for some reason. Maybe I'm getting my reading mojo back, we shall see.
If people are struggling with the timescales again, I may see if they want a January break , I'll ask after December's read.
I've started Five Red Herrings and enjoying it so far, but not as much as Strong Poison.My main issue is the large cast of characters and not enough Lord Peter, so far.
There may not have been enough of Lord Peter at the beginning, but the last few chapters make up for that. He is having the most fun in these chapters as he shows how he discovered who the murderer was.
Rosemarie wrote: "There may not have been enough of Lord Peter at the beginning, but the last few chapters make up for that. He is having the most fun in these chapters as he shows how he discovered who the murderer..."I really enjoyed the last third of the book, when Lord Peter just takes charge !
Just under the wire in starting our November read. I know I read it many years ago but I don't remember much about it. Just a few chapters in now but enjoying it so far. In general I do like it better when the victim is not a sympathetic character.
Ellen wrote: "Just under the wire in starting our November read. I know I read it many years ago but I don't remember much about it. Just a few chapters in now but enjoying it so far. In general I do like it bet..."I think that the books are just getting better as we progress through them.
And your right Ellen, its so much easier when the victims is an obnoxious individual !!
So here we are with yet another month gone, its true what they say , that time passes quicker as you get older, groan !!Anyway next month's read is Have His Carcase which , given how much I enjoyed the last book I have started already.
Now I know me starting this is a little forward of me, as I'm sure we have a few readers who are a little worried they are falling behind. We had a break late summer, so would people like a month off in January, so after December's book we have a month's break ?
Mod
(By the way, if you're scrolling through, please don't miss Adrian's question in the previous comment!)
Bionic Jean wrote: "I'll add it to the home page too Adrian, which might help.(By the way, if you're scrolling through, please don't miss Adrian's question in the previous comment!)"
Thanks Jean ( times 2 ) 😊
I think having a one month break is a good idea, Adrian.
Mod
Have His Carcase begins today, and is on our home page, so GR members who are Dorothy L. Sayers fans and looking through the groups may spot it and join in :)
I wouldn't mind a break in January!!I am still reading Unnatural Death, I first read it in 1979 so it's a completely new book to me at the mo!!!
I haven't read any of the short stories for a very long time so am looking forward to rereading the first set.
I reread The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club , Strong Poison and The Five Red Herrings back in Jan 20 so still remember them. I also watched all three on You Tube!
Edward Petherbridge was in Strong Posion and I think he was perfect for the Harriet Vane novels
The wonderful Ian Carmichael was in the other two,
Up to this point Five Red Herrings is my overall favourite. I loved the setting and the whole solving of the mystery, complex but satisfying.
I finished Five Red Herrings and enjoyed it. I have to admit that really complex timetables such as this just mess with my brain so I don't really bother with trying to keep track. It works for me to have a break in Jan.
Just saw that Lord Peter Wimsey: The Complete Short Stories - Kindle version is 99p on Amazon UK at the moment.
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I think a break in January is a good idea. In this case I would read now Have His Carcase and The five Red Herrings in January
Lynnie wrote: "Just saw that Lord Peter Wimsey: The Complete Short Stories - Kindle version is 99p on Amazon UK at the moment."Thanks Lynnie that's excellent, and a couple of days later its still on offer.
Lynnie wrote: "I wouldn't mind a break in January!!..."Ellen wrote: "It works for me to have a break in Jan...."
carolina wrote: "I think a break in January is a good idea. "
Rosemarie wrote: "I think having a one month break is a good idea, Adrian."
Ok well that looks to be quite unanimous, so I have updated message number 3.
( In addition its worth noting that February is 4 short stories from Hangman's Holiday: A Collection of Short Mysteries , so another relatively easy month )
Ellen wrote: "I finished Five Red Herrings and enjoyed it. I have to admit that really complex timetables such as this just mess with my brain so I don't really bother with trying to keep track. I..."If I'm honest Ellen because I read this over about 3 weeks, in the end I didn't really focus on the timetable as i kept forgetting it. It wasn't until LP ran through the scenario that i really concentrated 😬
Lynnie wrote: "Up to this point Five Red Herrings is my overall favourite. I loved the setting and the whole solving of the mystery, complex but satisfying..."I have to agree with you, although I am already half way through Have His Carcase and it could well be my new favourite, especially with the interplay between LP and Harriet Vane.
Just finish chapter three. I love Harriet, she’s fantastic! Brave, independent and very sharp. The description of the woman at the ball room (view spoiler) in chapter 3 and the final reflections about womens are very interesting
carolina wrote: "Just finish chapter three. I love Harriet, she’s fantastic! Brave, independent and very sharp. The description of the woman at the ball room [spoilers removed] in chapter 3 and the final reflection..."Ha ha, yes that comment made me laugh as well, wonderfully descriptive.
So I have finished our December read Have His Carcase, and as I thought it has become my new favourite so far. Without going into any detail as I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone, the story is an excellent one ( I do love the seaside) , the characters we haven't met before are really interesting and the interaction between LP and Harriet Vane is just so well written.And so with less than two weeks to Christmas I now have a clear gap to read whatever I like, hmm what shall it be ? And don't forget we are having a break in January and will be starting the short story collection Hangman's Holiday: A Collection of Short Mysteries in February.
I've just finished Have His Carcase and loved it. It has a very intriguing mystery, interesting characters and a clever solution to the mystery.I'm enjoying the banter between Lord Peter and Harriet and hoping that she will soon realize that he really does want to marry her.
My only issue is a certain chapter that went way over my head.
If you've read the book, you'll know which chapter I'm talking about.
I'm late to this party. I have wanted to do a read through Lord Wimsey. Have a "stack" of the books on my Kindle. Have several other challenges but hopefully I can stick this read in the midst of the others.
Just started my reread of Have His Carcase today. I haven't read it in a very long time. Everything is going to be a complete surprise.
I've just finished it. What I liked the most were the very particular characters and how the relationship between LPW and Harriet was developed. I know what you mean, Rosemarie!. That part went on my head too!
Alan wrote: "I'm late to this party. I have wanted to do a read through Lord Wimsey. Have a "stack" of the books on my Kindle. Have several other challenges but hopefully I can stick this read in the midst of t..."Welcome to the group read Alan, we are taking it relatively easy with our reading so feel free to catch up or join in whenever you like.
Our timetable is in Message 3 right at the start of this thread
Rosemarie wrote: "I've just finished Have His Carcase and loved it. It has a very intriguing mystery, interesting characters and a clever solution to the mystery.I'm enjoying the banter between Lord..."
Well I'm glad that other people are enjoying this book as much as I did, and I know the chapter Rosemarie !
Ellen wrote: "Just started my reread of Have His Carcase today. I haven't read it in a very long time. Everything is going to be a complete surprise."As Rosemarie said, you are in for a treat, I think it is the best so far, so enjoy Ellen.
English Mysteries Club
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Definitely have to agree with you both. Its great that she recognised issues with mental health that long ago and didn't take the obvious route with the storyline.