January 2012- The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey

[Jennifer W]

Use this thread to discuss the book The Man in the Queue byJosephine Tey.

[Ally]

Has anyone read much of Josephine Tey? - I have to confess that I hadn't heard of her before she was nominated for this month's group read.

[Abbey]

Hi Ally:
I've read most of her books, she's a terrific writer of mainly psychological mysteries but was better known in her lifetime as a playwright under the name Gordon Daviot. QUEUE was her first attempt at a novel/mystery, and it shows - the book is quite deravitive of the styles then popular (late 1920s), especially the melodramatic ending, but it's well-done, and the character of the detective (Alan Grant, a policeman) is enjoyable/likable. It's one of those convoluted, twisty puzzle-type stories that were so in vogue then. And not only are many of the plot twists melodramatic, so are most of the characters. Her later books are far, far better, and if you want subtle creepiness, try her MISS PYM DISPOSES from the mid-1940s - it's almost terminally slow, but this academic-set psychological examination of moral issues at a girls school is IMO stunning. It's not an Alan Grant series book btw. Her most famous is DAUGHTER OF TIME, which *is* a Grant book, one of the last. At the time it was a novel approach to a mystery but has been copied since. Fascinating writer IMO.

[Jennifer W]

I hadn't heard of Josephine Tey, either. I love murder mysteries. I read about 15 pages last night and it seems like it's going to be good. I'm OK with melodrama, I just hope I don't figure out who the bad guy is too soon!

[Jan C]

In college, my English History professor recommended reading The Daughter of Time. It showed a new way of looking at Richard II and the princes. And that was the only book of Tey's that I had read. I know some people that swear by her books. I picked this up a couple of years ago but hadn't made it past page 40. Hence, my nomination.

[Jan C]

In addition, my interest had been piqued by Nicola Upson's mystery series featuring a character named "Josephine Tey". A lot of research has gone in to the series and she has had access to Tey's letters, etc.

[Traveller]

I loved her Daughter Of Time, so I'm going to try and make the time to get to do this one with you people.

[Ally]

Well - I've finished.

I was absolutely loving it until the last few chapters. The sudden change of tack and the rushed tying up of loose ends was a real let down. humph.

[Ally]

Well - I can't find any reading questions for this book so I'll just have to make some up!

1) How does Josephine tey compare with other popular mystery writers such as Agatha Christie?

2) Why is it that Josephine Tey is not as 'famous' today as other mystery writers of her time?

3) Is The Man In The Queue a product of its time? a period piece? or is it more contemporary to our time in its writing and styling?

4) What did you think about the reasons given for the naming of 'Ray Marcable'? are other names in this novel pertinent to the themes of the story? How well characterised were the cast? and what did this add/subtract from the story?