January Group Read - A Coin of Edward VII by Fergus Hume

[Bionic Jean]

Here is the thread to discuss our first golden age group read for the new year. It is the intriguingly titled A Coin of Edward VII by Fergus Hume, who is a new author for this group.

Who's joining us for this one in January? It's free on kindle.uk!

[Tiziana]

I'm in ! :-)

[Sharon]

I’m in. Free on kindle in USA too. Happy Holidays to all!

[Bionic Jean]

Great! Thanks for telling us Sharon - I was hoping it would coincide, as it doesn't always 🙄

[Isa]

Thank you for the info on where to get the book.

[Victoria]

I’m in! Just downloaded the Fergus Hume collection on Kindle - a new author for me 😃

[Pamela]

I've downloaded the book as well and hope to start it soon. I've actually read two other books by Hume: The Mystery of a Hansom Cab and Madame Midas.

[Rosemarie]

I'm in. It's free from Apple books as well.

[Amy]

I just downloaded it on Kindle!

[Liisa]

I got it from the Gutenberg library and already started reading it. I’ve been fairly glued to it!

[Bionic Jean]

We start today!

[Jackie]

I have it on my kindle but won't be able to start right away; maybe in a week or so.

[Sharon]

I’ll be starting as soon as I finish reading my current book. All queued on my Kindle.

[Bionic Jean]

Sounds good to me!

[Rosemarie]

I've just finished the book and found it entertaining, with a good mystery, romance and engaging characters.
I had a suspicion about one of the characters not being what he seemed, and I was right.

[Bionic Jean]

That's always satisfying, isn't it Rosemarie!

[Pamela]

Rosemarie wrote: "I've just finished the book and found it entertaining, with a good mystery, romance and engaging characters.
I had a suspicion about one of the characters not being what he seemed, and I was right."

I felt the same, Rosemarie, but I'll add it felt very much as a period melodrama. I thought all the characters were written well but I was driven crazy by Daisy.

[Tiziana]

Finished it !!

I liked it too. I guessed the real culprit from the start, but the plot was so intricate and fast paced that I didn't feel bored even for a little moment.
Here is my 5 stars review for those who like to know more about my opinion:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tiziana]

Pamela wrote: "Rosemarie wrote: "I've just finished the book and found it entertaining, with a good mystery, romance and engaging characters.
I had a suspicion about one of the characters not being what he seemed..."

I hated her ...
and which of you, contrary to all expectations, adored Mrs. Parry?
I didn't know how to imagine her and in my mind I gave her the face and voice of Margaret Rutherford (the unconventional black and white Miss Marple, remember her? ) 😅😂😂

[Rosemarie]

Daisy was a drip. Mrs. Parry was marvellous.

[C.J.]

Wow! This book is like a guide to turn-of-the-century English bigotry. I've never read anything where so much of the characters' behavior is attributed to their ancestry, age, religion, & nationality.

I would have stopped reading when Hume first introduced the 2 "elderly ladies," one of them "well past forty," except that the plot was quite interesting & fast-paced, & of course I was curious if the author would show any awareness of his biases. Now I'm kind of stuck in the tangle of identity changes . . . but I do want to finish it (still curious).

[Amy]

I finished this and felt that the story was a bit predictable but there were twists that I did not expect and a satisfying, if overly dramatic ending. I did not think that Olga's character was believable but learning about her as well as her mother did help to answer a few questions. The author's bigotry against certain nationalities was shocking, but must show the common viewpoint of the times.

[Michaela]

Finished it yesterday, and agree about the racist comments. There were many complications, but I guessed from the beginning who was the murderer.

[Sharon]

Just finished. I too loved Mrs. Parry. Definitely agree with the tag "period melodrama," bigotry and over-the-top emotions included. I thought the book was okay but not one of my faves.

[Joan]

Once I decided to make great allowances for the blatant bigotry of the time, I really liked the book! I give it 3 1/2 stars. Yes, it is an over emotional story, but the mystery tale and multiple twists on twists are worth it. And to think, it all started with a young heiress found stabbed to death on her father’s grave right after a Christmas service.