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A Nice Class of Corpse
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Our February Group Read - A Nice Class of Corpse by Simon Brett
I’m kind of interested in why Brett, a man, wrote about a woman detective, and not only that, but an elderly woman. It seems to me that the vast majority of cozies upon which I come across are about bland, boring 20 to 40 something women. This is not to say that all 20 to 40 something women are bland or boring!
Mod
But then the Fethering series features two women, one middle aged and one retired. I think Simon Brett is just very evenhanded 😊
Started tonight. It seems funny, not exactly my cup of tea, but nice.
I'm really liking it and I think that the good thing of this group is that of discovering new authors that are not so popular where I live.
Mod
Thank you anyway, Jean, for being so thoughtful!
I think I understood Mr Pargeter's profession, lol!
Mod
And I too am introduced to lots of new-to-me authors by friends here. But Simon Brett has been comfort reading for me for a long time now.
Where I live, right in front of my house, there is a retirement home and the book remind me of the people who live there.
I've just read the first few chapters before going to bed. For those in the UK of a certain age I find myself reminded of the TV series from the early 90s "Waiting for God" with Stephanie Cole and Tom Ballard.
Miriam wrote: "I think I understood Mr Pargeter's profession, lol!"yes!
I think this book was a great set-up for more in the series.
and I remember Waiting for God, I felt so sorry for the wife but it was very funny, and very moving in at least one episode where they (view spoiler)
Mod
The title is is great, isn't it? Miss Naismith with her insistence that her hotel is "genteel", with all those rules about propriety. And of course we know from the word "corpse" that there will be a murder ...
I've just finished chapter 17 - the diary entry (view spoiler)
At first I thought I'd already read this book, because the set-up is so similar to Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont which I recently read. I also watched the film (somewhat different) starring Joan Plowright, so my image of Mrs Pargeter is a mix of Mrs Palfrey & Judi Dench.
Mod
When I started reading, I also thought I’d read this before! But none of what you mentioned is familiar, so I have no idea why I thought that. I wonder if it was the premise for something British that I’ve watched at some point over the years. Hmmm.
Just finished the book and enjoyed the characters, humor, and writing style. This is my first Simon Brett book, but not my last. So glad I am now introduced to Mrs. Pargeter and will be reading about her again. With the inclusion of the diary entries, Simon Brett delves into the psychological - showing the state of mind of the murderer who at first finds the success of the crimes thrilling and stimulating.
I have also just finished this book. It was an enjoyable fairly light read and I will continue on with the series I expect. I have read some of the Charle Paris stories by the same author, having first come across the Bill Nighy dramatised versions.
Mod
Finally getting started with this :)
I started this over the weekend and finished this morning. I liked that it was set in a seaside hotel, a bit of a different set up to the usual country house whodunnit. I liked Mrs Pargeter too. Lots of good red herrings and I felt we were solving the mystery along with Mrs. P. I'll certainly read the others in this series.
Mod
Yes, it's a clever idea as because the clientele are residents rather than tourists, we have a closed community mystery with a difference.
First time for me, as well, reading Simon Brett. One thing I like in this novel is the way the author uses indirection, sending the reader off on false leads. He knows we're poised to grasp at what might look like the possible solution, and deftly uses that. There's something delicious about being tricked by the writer.
Mod
The example you gave, of about half way through, when we are sure we know who the diarist is (view spoiler)
I think you said some more too, but I'm not far past that bit! I'm on ch. 26.
Craftyhj wrote: "I've just read the first few chapters before going to bed. For those in the UK of a certain age I find myself reminded of the TV series from the early 90s "Waiting for God" with Stephanie Cole and ..."I loved that series :-)
I thought this was a good introduction to an unlikely but interesting detective. It is a relatively light read, and Mrs Pargeter is witty, intelligent, and funny. Interesting red herrings too and twist at the end.
I LOVED this month’s read. It was right up my alley. It was my first Simon Brett book. This book had an interesting setting - especially for this American! An interesting main character with room to grow for a series! And good quirky supporting characters you can tell apart! I gave it 4.5 cozy stars and posted a review without spoilers. I had to force myself to go to bed one night instead of reading it!
Mod
I do know that when I first read them, I thought 67 was pretty old, and as Maurice said, if they were published now, Mrs. Pargeter would have to be quite a lot older for us to feel that!
Her first name "Melita" intrigues me!
I am dawdling my way through this delightful book! I am having to read it as an ebook, which I do not care for. This does have me read it more slowly, which is not at all bad. I am definitely enjoying my stay at the Devereux!
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Bionic Jean wrote: "It's lovely to read such enthusiastic comments (though nobody has to like it, of course!) I can't remember who nominated this now ...I do know that when I first read them, I thought 67 was pretty..."
I nominated it ! I'm very happy that it's been well received!
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Lynnie, Another great choice! I started reading it on Open Library and then realized I had bought the ebook!
I´m so behind with my reads this month (a short one too! lol), but hope to squash this book in. :)
Mod
I finished a couple of days ago, and was completely fooled! Thought I had worked out who the murderer was about half way through, and was patting myself on the back ... only to be completely blindsided in the final few pages! Very clever writing 😊
Sounds interesting! :)
Bionic Jean wrote: "Yes, it's a quick read Michaela, so I hope you can!I finished a couple of days ago, and was completely fooled! Thought I had worked out who the murderer was about half way through, and was pattin..."
Jean, I was delighted to have been fooled as well! There were so many diverting options, and such fun to be had along the way!
There are plenty of characters in A Nice Class of Corpse to divert us, that’s for sure. Did you get the sense that time has stood still at the Devereux Hotel? At least we don’t have to worry about whether there are going to be bodies strewn about -- that knowledge is pretty much taken care of for us right away.Thank goodness for the late Mr. Pargeter (a handy fellow), who taught Mrs. P everything she needs to know (and the right people to call) to solve this “case.”
My main criticism of the book, is when Mrs. P found the diary -- and didn’t look inside. I mean, she’s trying to discover a murderer. Time is of the essence, and all clues are important! I don’t care what the reasoning was, not looking seemed unreasonable to me. Sure, it set up the ending, but… really.
The book is also a case study in British class snobbery -- hence the title, I suppose. Another thought -- we find out a lot about everyone, even Mr. Pargeter in a roundabout way, but very little about Mrs. Pargeter. She remains quite mysterious. Perhaps that was just a “first book” thing.
Mod
While I like the general flow of the narrative, and the way Brett deftly and often sends the eager reader off in the wrong direction, I found some aspects of the book less satisfying. (view spoiler) It's too easy for her! I like to see detectives, be they amateur or professional, doing hard work to solve the case. With real opposition. I think Brett lays it all out too smoothly for Mrs P.
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Ive added the second one to my "books to read in march" list. I hope it doesn't fall into to the dreaded "second book" syndrome
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I have a structured riding plan this year and I have slotted the second one in for March so it should get read.
Mod
Yes, good points, Maurice. But in Brett's defense; my reading (aside from HMs) for the last few months have all been on the British class system of the 20s and 30s. The way that Mrs. Pargeter is portrayed as looking and acting, she could have gotten shopkeepers of every type and description to tell her what she wanted. They would have been very, very eager to please. And then, maybe some of Mr. P's traits have unconsciously rubbed off on her. I will concede that Brett does make all her "detecting" go awfully smoothly. LOL
Good point, Helen, about the British class system and the tendency of ordinary business people, such as Mr. Chiddham, to accede to it, and therefore to someone like Mrs. P. It's something that I, born and raised in North America, would quite possibly miss, and perhaps did, in this instance. But I still would have liked to see a bit of danger for Mrs. P.
English Mysteries Club
Books mentioned in this topic
At Bertram's Hotel (other topics)An English Murder (other topics)
Crome Yellow (other topics)
Crome Yellow (other topics)
A Nice Class of Corpse (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Simon Brett (other topics)Agatha Christie (other topics)
Agatha Christie (other topics)
Simon Brett (other topics)
Simon Brett (other topics)
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I mentioned here that as well as the Mrs. Pargeter novel, Simon Brett has written several other series. Now one of the other ongoing series he writes is set in the 1920s/30s and called "Blotto and Twinks". Do you think this could be an homage to Dr. Bottwink in An English Murder? It's a great segue to this read if so 😄