The Case of the Abominable Snowman - SPOILER Thread - (Nigel Strangeways #7) (Dec 23/Jan 24)

[Susan]

Welcome to our Dec 23/Jan 24 buddy read of The Case of the Abominable Snowman he seventh book in the Nigel Strangeways series this was published in 1941.

Poet turned detective Nigel Strangeways is summoned to Easterham Manor in the depths of winter to investigate a series of strange events, which culminate in the apparent suicide of a wealthy young woman whose behaviour has scandalised the village.

As Nigel begins his investigations into the dead girl's past it soon becomes clear that someone in the manor is trying to hide something, and they will stop at nothing to keep their secrets safe.

We have previously read the entire Nigel Strangeways series: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

I have attached a link to the previous discussion of this book:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Original Spoiler Thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

We originally read this back in 2019, so it is due a Christmas revisit.

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

[Susan]

I have finished this now. I totally forgot 'whodunnit.' I liked the ending a lot, with the body in the snowman not being the expected victim.

[Judy]

I've finished this now but didn't enjoy it as much as I did first time around - I had forgotten how much there is about drugs, which is pretty grim. I had thought there was more about the children and Christmas than there actually is, so maybe I was getting it mixed up with another book. I did remember some of the twists from previously reading it.

Although the scene of the snowman with the corpse inside is amazing to read, I can't believe it would really be possible to hide a body in this way - then again, many murder methods and ways of hiding bodies in mysteries are very unlikely!

[Susan]

It is hard to think about so much snow, as we so rarely get any now. Probably best, as London - in particular - can't seem to cope with even the briefest flurry!

[Sandy]

This was a reread for me but all I remembered was the location of the corpse, not the identity of the victim nor the of the killer. It was interesting how much of the solution was revealed in the first chapter, but not recognized (at least by me). The location of the body was stated, but the reason for the air gun and Betty's final visit to the children were more hidden. Good work by the author. I may reread that chapter before the library reclaims the ebook.

I still don't like GA's with drug themes but this one was very well done. I was pleased that Andrew escaped and intended to make good use of his life (which might be short!). I liked him.

[Susan]

I also remembered the location of the corpse, but possibly that was due to the title of the book :)