April's Mysteries - comparing all three!

[Cheryl]

Here I'd like to do some compare & contrast kinds of explorations among our three Themed Group Reads. I have a question to start us off with, but I invite you all to provoke discussions, too. :)

Please note, we will want to discuss freely, and so will not attempt to avoid spoilers. So, you probably don't want to join this discussion until you've read all the books that you plan to read.

That is to say, if you only plan to read one, and you're done with it, come on over and join in! If you want to read all three, but can't finish them all this month, late comments will be welcome as I will not close the thread.

But do note that to qualify for the Badges you do have to finish the book(s) and contribute to the discussion(s) by the end of April.

[Cheryl]

1. Were any of these (that you read) something that you may not have chosen if not for this group discussion?

[Cheryl]

I would not likely have read any of them, but that's just because I'm not keen on mysteries in the first place.

I might possibly have read the Christie just because she's such a big name, reading one of hers is almost as required as reading at least some classics. After reading it, I can imagine myself reading another of her works if opportunity presents. I liked that the focus was the 'whodunnit.'

As it happened, I preferred The Flanders Panel, though. I just thought there were a lot of new ideas, new perspectives on characters, and it was just something refreshingly different and alive, compared to my usual kinds of reads. Chess, history, art, Society, etc.

[Janice, Moderator]

I wouldn't have read any of them to be truthful. It's not that I wouldn't have been interested in them, but I've got so many other books on my TBR that have priority. I did enjoy And Then There Were None and have decided to read more Agatha Christie.

[Cheryl]

2. By reading two different mysteries close together, did you learn anything about your preferences?

[Cheryl]

I learned that I really want to care about at least one character, even in a mystery. The puzzles were interesting, but I wanted someone to root for, and in neither of the two books I read did I like anyone. Not even Julia. That's just the kind of reader I am.

[Snoozie Suzie]

I am pleased I read Flanders although I'm not sure I'll read any more books by this author as I wasn't overly impressed by the outcome of the book although I did enjoy the majority - it was a bit flat at the end.

I'll definitely read And then there were none, when I can get my hands on a copy. This will be my first Agatha Christie, so whether i will read more I don't know.

I'm really not interested in the third book, probably cos I'm not American.

I have read a few mysteries over the past couple of months and Flanders, I have to say, interested me more than I thought due to the art, chess, side of it - I probably wouldn't have chosen it to read but I'm glad I did even if the ending was less than pleasing. It was very clever in its plot, more so than any of the others I have read. Perhaps too much so.

I'm a bit of a mystery fan do I will continue with the genre as and when but I think I've had my fill for the present so will give them a rest for a while.

[Snoozie Suzie]

I have learned that people matter as much as plot in the end *grins*

[Cheryl]

Thanks Suzie - interesting insights!

Ok, here's my other big question for people who have read more than one of these books, or one of these and some other mysteries:

If you were talking to someone who doesn't read mysteries and trying to help them understand the appeal of them, would you share any of these books with them? Do you think that any of these might win them over, or might any of these be considered good examples of the genre?

If not, is there a mystery title you've enjoyed in the past that you think would be an exemplary recommendation for the genre?

[Alison]

I think both were good examples of the genre in that the kept the plot moving along swiftly, kept you wondering who was responsible. THe worst thing in a mystery is to see it coming from a mile off(Before I go to Sleep grated on me because of that). Agatha Christie is a whole other ball game from modern mystery and I find her quite humorous, mainly because of the stiff upper lipped characters and their terrible snobbery.

To other readers I would recommend Louis Bayard. I've read and . I came across his work by chance in the local library and really enjoyed the historical elements.

[Janice, Moderator]

I like mysteries because the suspense keeps me turning the pages. These are the books that interrupt my daily schedule and my sleep because I can't put them down.

Some that have left a lasting impression on me were Faithful Place, Thunderhead, and The Snowman.

These were all introductions to me of the authors and I intend on reading more of their books as a result of the first impressions.

[Snoozie Suzie]

Mt TBR has grown a bit more, thanks Alison and Janice :-)

[Cheryl]

Oh very cool, thank you all!

[Cheryl]

And the badges for this discussion go to:

Snoozie Suzie
Alison
Cheryl
Judy
Janice

Congrats to those of us who worked a bit extra on April's theme! < grin >