English Mysteries Club discussion
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Currently Reading?
Just about to start Swan Song by Crispin... Jean-Luke, I'll let you know when I'm done & we can compare notes :)
Jean-Luke wrote: "I just finished Swan Song by Edmund Crispin. Not my favorite, but it did not put me off. The next Fen book arrived in the mail today so I'll be starting that shortly."I just finished it - 4 stars. I agree that I didn't care for it as much as The Moving Toyshop, but that one would be hard to top. I figured out a bit of the solution ((view spoiler)) but not the main mystery.
Am now reading
which is Agatha Christie and Tommy and Tuppence. After Ngaio Marsh's rather heavy handed dialogue I am enjoying this - although a friend of mine would disagree as to Christie's dialogue.
Laura wrote: "Jean-Luke wrote: "I just started rereading A Pocketful of Rye by Agatha Christie. "I just finished rereading 450 from Paddington. What fun.. Murder at the Vicarage is up next for me.
Laura wrote: "Jean-Luke wrote: "I just started rereading A Pocketful of Rye by Agatha Christie. Enjoying it though Miss Marple doesn't make her appearance until page ninety-two."I thought the Masterpiece adaptation with Julia McKenzie was wonderful - and "fixed" the story so that Miss Marple comes in earlier to boot! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1189440/
Doesn't hurt that it has Rupert Graves in it, either..."
Joan Dickson will always be Miss Marple to me. Didn't really care for Julia McKenzie's portrayal & don't think Christie needs "fixing"!
Jean-Luke wrote: "Enjoying it though Miss Marple doesn't make her appearance until page ninety-two."I ..."
Joan Hickson will always be Miss Marple to me as well.
Penny wrote: "Am now reading which is Agatha Christie and Tommy and Tuppence. After Ngaio Marsh's rather heavy handed dialogue I am enjoying this - although a fr..."For me the Tommy and Tuppence series was something that Agatha Christie should definitely have expanded on. I loved these few books she did write. They were fun to read and the characters were different from what she usually wrote.
I too have friends that won't read Christie as they say she is not as suspenseful as some of today's authors. I think they mean bloodthirsty!!! No really I do enjoy many current authors, but the ones I really love are old English mysteries (and those by American authors too).
None of us has to stick to just one group of authors and the fun thing is to read from many different periods of time. I guess I am just not in the bloodthirsty mood right now.
Mark wrote: "Penny, I read the Beekeeper's Apprentice and wasn't that impressed. I've never seen Sherlock Holmes as someone likely to to be involved with a female detective. The Italian Secretary was good thoug..."I really enjoy her work and have read all in her series but I know quite a few people who agree that the "real" Sherlock Holmes would never work with a woman. I don't think he was a misogynist, but he was not one who was very tolerant. I do think he respected and admired women that were portrayed in Conan Doyle's works who were intelligent and did not have all these fainting fits (too tight corsets!!)
Caleb Carr is in another category entirely. He is a fantastic author and I wish he would write more like The Alienist and The Italian Secretary. They were fantastic!!!
In general reply to the character playing Miss Marple..... For me Joan Hickson was the best. It is hard to work up enthusiasm for Julia McKenzie or any other with her in mind. The casting directors really need to put more effort into finding a good character. Sometimes it seems that they don't read the books or if they do they don't understand Miss Marple at all. It is going to be even tougher to replace David Suchet should he chose to retire or loses interest in this role. I don't think there could be a more perfect Poirot.
Am currently reading Whose Body by Dorothy Sayers. I read most of her books a long time ago and then I saw some of the Peter Wimsey episodes, which I liked a lot. (Would not mind seeing them again if I could figure out where I could find them.) Just decided they were worth a re-read. Then I noticed I had not read Whose Body at all. I understand this is her first Peter Wimsey work. Thought it was great.
Jean-Luke wrote: "As soon as I finish it I'm going to watch the Joan Hickson adaptation of A Pocketful of Rye. Already found it on Youtube..."Wow I didn't know that those were on YouTube!! I may have to watch a few ;)
Kathy wrote: "Am currently reading Whose Body by Dorothy Sayers. I read most of her books a long time ago and then I saw some of the Peter Wimsey episodes, which I liked a lot. (Would not mind seeing them agai..."I regularly re-read Dorothy Sayers's Wimsey books. My favourites are the Harriet Vane ones; of those in which she does not play a major role I think my favourite is
Murder Must Advertise.
Kathy wrote: "Am currently reading Whose Body by Dorothy Sayers. I read most of her books a long time ago and then I saw some of the Peter Wimsey episodes, which I liked a lot. (Would not mind seeing them agai..."They are available on DVD. The original ones with Ian Carmichael playing Wimsey and then later Edward Petherbridge as Wimsey and Harriet Walter as Harriet Vane.
I'm reading 'Busman's honeymoon'--and its alive--thrilling--
I am currently reading 'Stage Fright' by Gillian Linscott, an excellent book, featuring Nell Bray as a Suffragette who gets drawn into solving murders between campaigning for votes for women. The setting feels realistic and authentic and the use of real personalities gives it a feel of historical realism. I have read most of the Nell Bray books and have enjoyed them all. She is a good well rounded character who grows throughout the series.
finished
which I have to say is not Agatha's finest but is OK. I watched the DVD and they changed it considerably which is interesting as the bits I found labourious were taken out.
Julie, how do you like Lynley and Havers? I love this series.
@Penny: I love the Lynley and Havers characters, but I think that the series has gone downhill in recent years. Do you agree that many of the earlier ones were better than the recent ones?
Antigone wrote: "I am currently reading 'Stage Fright' by Gillian Linscott, an excellent book, featuring Nell Bray as a Suffragette who gets drawn into solving murders between campaigning for votes for women. The s..."I read these a while ago, and had forgotten about them. Thanks for the reminder - time for a re-read!
Penny wrote: "finished which I have to say is not Agatha's finest but is OK. I watched the DVD and they changed it considerably which is interesting as the bits ..."
This one is entirely about Simon and Deborah St. James. Lynley so far has only had a cameo appearance. It's a good book, but not one of the best in the series.
Julie wrote: "Penny wrote: "finished which I have to say is not Agatha's finest but is OK. I watched the DVD and they changed it considerably which is interestin..."
Julie wrote: "Penny wrote: "finished
which I have to say is not Agatha's finest but is OK. I watched the DVD and they changed it considerably which is interestin..."
Agatha Christie apparently liked this couple the best of all her characters, because they were her own age whenever she wrote using them - I never warmed to them at all!
I just finished The Keeper of Lost Causes. For me, it was the best book I have read in a long time.It is the first in a series of Danish police procedurals by Jussi Adler - Olsen involving Department "Q". My local library has only one more in the series.(number #2, I think). I don't know if the other 1 or 2 have been translated into English yet,but I am surely going to find out.
Yvonne wrote: "I just finished The Keeper of Lost Causes. For me, it was the best book I have read in a long time.It is the first in a series of Danish police procedurals by Jussi Adler - Olsen involving Departme..."I have a friend who tells me this is a great book (#1). She says that she has also read #2 and it is just as good. She too is looking for #3. Let me know if you hear of it. (Meanwhile I will be starting on #1.)
Joan wrote: "@Penny: I love the Lynley and Havers characters, but I think that the series has gone downhill in recent years. Do you agree that many of the earlier ones were better than the recent ones?"yep - some of us had a bit of a debate about this with a series of books - does the author go 'off the boil' as the series continues? I have still loved all the Lynley books but have preferred some of the earlier ones to the last 2. I also felt Kathy Reichs had written better books early on in the series. I think J K Rowling is right you can have too much of a good thing.
What do others think of Ruth Rendell and the Wexford books?
Penny wrote: "... What do others think of Ruth Rendell and the Wexford books?"I've loved every one of the Wexford books and have felt as though Rendell just gets better and better. I was as riveted by The Vault c. 2011 as I was by From Doon with Death c. 1964. I see that there's a new one (No Man's Nightingale) due out this year!!
I just finished Silence of the Grave by Icelandic author Arnaldur Indriðason. Excellent but might not appeal to folks who disliked Full Dark House since it also wove past and present together.
I'm currently reading Ruth Rendell's classic "Lake of Darkness" and am enjoying it so far. She rarely disappoints.
Seeing reference to Silence of the Grave reminded me of an excellent series which starts with Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn. They are historical mysteries set first in Victorian England, with later books set in France and India. I like them very much, but given that this is a mysteries group I should warn that the mystery rather takes second place to the historical and character and relationship development aspects.For those who like a different time period, an unconnected book set in Kenya in the 1920s is due to be published on 30th April - A Spear of Summer Grass.
Cameron wrote: "I'm currently reading Ruth Rendell's classic "Lake of Darkness" and am enjoying it so far. She rarely disappoints."One of my favorite Rendells is The Bridesmaid. I always thought it would make a great movie.
I just discovered Clive Egleton's Peter Ashton mysteries. Written in the '90s, it's an interesting look at post-Cold War era. There are several. I'm just finishing the 4th, Death Throes.
Joan wrote: "@Penny: I love the Lynley and Havers characters, but I think that the series has gone downhill in recent years. Do you agree that many of the earlier ones were better than the recent ones?"I used to love Lynley and Havers but I agree that the series has gone down hill ever since the Helen incident. I hate the new boss who is requiring Barbara to wear make-up and dress better. I would hate for Barbara to get generic.
Penny wrote: "Joan wrote: "@Penny: I love the Lynley and Havers characters, but I think that the series has gone downhill in recent years. Do you agree that many of the earlier ones were better than the recent ..."One of my vey favorite series. How can you not love Wexford? I even enjoyed the last one where he is retired. It was interesting the way Rendell worked him into the mystery.
@Susan: One of the few redeeming features of Believing the Lie, the most recent Elizabeth George, is that it looks as though Isabel will not succeed in making Barbara into a generic female professional.Not nearly enough to redeem the whole book, unfortunately.
Susan wrote: "Joan wrote: "@Penny: I love the Lynley and Havers characters, but I think that the series has gone downhill in recent years. Do you agree that many of the earlier ones were better than the recent ..."I have read various opinions about Helen's murder since that book was published. Some see it as a good plot twist in a series that needed some serious changes or a big shock to get readers more interested.
I am in the other camp. I hated this book. I have thought about it and it is probably not a poorly-written work, but it is just the worst example of the worst possible thing that could happen. I have gone on to read the newer work and I don't think that the plot twist improved the series one bit.
On this I agree with Joan. The attempt to change Havers into something she is not seems lame. I think I did always see Havers' behavior as out there given she works for a government group. I know how conformity is almost the most important characteristic as I worked for such an organization for almost 40 years (and I was not so much the conformist!!!) But I still appreciate her character.
And hate the attempt to get Lynley back into the relationship scene.
I would think that there were enough plot twists and excitment in the stories without killing off other characters. Especially those who are interesting and add to the overall story.
I agree with you on Helen's murder. So senseless. And the book that came after all it was so terrible that I almost quit reading her altogether. I hate the decisions she's making. There is no way Lynley would date the supervisor. It's just not in his moral code. And attempting to change Barbara was awful. I wish she would quit tinkering with the main characters and just write an excellent mystery which we all know she is capable of doing.
Jean-Luke wrote: "I just started Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie, and I'm busy watching the adaptation of A Pocket Full of Rye on Netflix."Murder at the Vicarage I think is one of the best of the Miss Marple books (the other is The Body in the Library)
Leslie wrote: "Jean-Luke wrote: "I just started Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie, and I'm busy watching the adaptation of A Pocket Full of Rye on Netflix."Murder at the Vicarage I think is one of the b..."
For me it will always be At Bertram's Hotel. I think that this one book showcases Ms. Marple's many interesting personality characteristics. She is a very conservative older English woman who is excited to be at such a swank establishment. However, she is not overly impressed. She also is clearly aware of all the activities in the hotel, both on the surface and beneath.
And as usual her ability to be this apparently nice little old English woman, while being the sharp and lethal detective. She does not let sentiment get in the way.
Susan wrote: "I agree with you on Helen's murder. So senseless. And the book that came after all it was so terrible that I almost quit reading her altogether. I hate the decisions she's making. There is no way L..."It almost seems to me she would have been better of starting an entirely new series if she was so bored with the one she had been writing. It does not make much sense to make so many changes that the people seem like other characters.
I imagine the point is either than he is so shook up over Helen's death that he is not himself, or that he is supposed to be so totally different because of the shock.
That short of twist usually does not work and I am surprised that someone with this much experience writing would make that mistake.
But since it just seems to be going downhill, perhaps she is attempting to keep the series, but alter the characters so much it seems new.
Kathy wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Jean-Luke wrote: "I just started Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie, and I'm busy watching the adaptation of A Pocket Full of Rye on Netflix."Murder at the Vicarage I think ..."
How funny -- for me it's A Murder is Announced and The Moving Finger are Marple at her best! Just goes to show how taste vary!
Kathy wrote: "Susan wrote: "I agree with you on Helen's murder. So senseless. And the book that came after all it was so terrible that I almost quit reading her altogether. I hate the decisions she's making. The..."I have not read any of Elizabeth George's books since she killed Helen, I have been tempted but for some reason just do not want to invest in the other characters and I do miss them other then Lynley. I always felt he was a bit of a stuffed shirt.
Kathy wrote: "Susan wrote: "I agree with you on Helen's murder. So senseless. And the book that came after all it was so terrible that I almost quit reading her altogether. I hate the decisions she's making. The..."I agree. That would have been more sensible. I understand that characters need to grow but this is not growth. It's just silly. I can't believe how invested I am in the series that I am angry about this. I guess it's all the hours I invested in reading her books, and they are long, and now feel betrayed. I wonder if that's a sign of loving books.
Susan wrote: "I agree with you on Helen's murder. So senseless. And the book that came after all it was so terrible that I almost quit reading her altogether. I hate the decisions she's making. There is no way L..."couldn't agree more..a great let down when I was expecting more and better...
Susan wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Susan wrote: "I agree with you on Helen's murder. So senseless. And the book that came after all it was so terrible that I almost quit reading her altogether. I hate the decisions she..."I know that I get way to involved in a series and the characters. It is the worst when an author I love stops writing a series. Or like so many of the authors I have read over the years, passes away.
Some have grown bored with their series, as it seems George has. A few I have really liked shifted to other characters often chasing the young adult and/or paranormal market, which is really hot right now.
Like Charlaine Harris who shifted some years ago from several series' she was writing (and that were very good really) to Sookie Stackhouse. Of course that series shot out to the moon, so why would she go back.
There are surely numerous reasons that George felt killing off Helen was wise. And since this is not a paranormal series, can't bring her back.
Initially I too thought Lynley quite the stuffed shirt. What changed my mind is his obvious friendship and caring for Havers and their supportive relationship. Even their arguing shows a serious concern for each other.
Now the character is all over the place. Not sure where it will land, but right now not too enjoyable.
Laura wrote: "I find that I can't read an author after she's killed off a regular character, or brought a character back from an earlier book just to kill him off. Dorothy Cannell, Anne Perry, and Laurie King -..."I haven't read this series for a very long time, but I absolutely agree in principle - an author who kills off a main character betrays the reader's trust, and cannot be relied on again. While it may be acceptable in other genres, it's fundamental in this one that the key characters are safe.
I am revisiting Stephen King's Gunslinger series. I had read the first three many years ago and then started the fourth and lost track/got busy with something else San reading. I gave my daughter a kindle and she has all seven and I am working my way through them. I am on book 5 "wolves of Calla" and it is the least direct of the others in regards to the Quest, that it the main purpose of the overarching theme. However, I am hooked and can't wait to finish and devour the next part of the saga. I feel like the characters are people I wold like to know in spite of their flaws. Mr. King did himself proud even though his accident caused a long delay for the completion and his revision has made it seamless to follow. I really enjoy the mini stories within the full epic and the time has flown and made it very worthwhile.
Just started The Grave Tattoo by Val McDermid. It's the first book I've read by this author and I'm about 30% through it so far. It's good to this point and I'm enjoying it.
Lorraine wrote: "Just started The Grave Tattoo by Val McDermid. It's the first book I've read by this author and I'm about 30% through it so far. It's good to this point and I'm enjoying it."This is my very favorite Val McDermid novel. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
just finished
and I think this is an author to watch as I have now read all of hers and they are definitely of high calibre. This is a stand alone murder with quite a bit of spookiness!!Have enjoyed all the posts about Lynley and Havers etc I think Havers should be promoted and the chief horrible woman should be sacked for some kind of gross incompetence!! I find in the long running series there seems to be this urge by authors to kill or maim in a very personal way. Ruth Rendell stayed closer to her character in Wexford. I do think Elisabeth George is an exceptional writer when at the top of her form and unlike others I was enrapt by What Came Before He Shot Her so she could spin off into other characters. Anyone read her new series just started The Edge of Nowhere? I think its a YA novel.
I went to San Francisco to hear Kate Atkinson speak last night. She's promoting her new book "Life After Life" which is one of my top 10 favorite books. She brought her American editor with her who asked her questions. She did a reading and took questions from the audience. There were probably about 100 people there.One thing of interest is that she doesn't see any Jackson Brodie novels in the future although she might write one where he is a very minor character.
She was absolutely fascinating in talking about her writing process. She said she got the title first and that never changes. That's her goal post. She does not plot in advance- the story leads her. She rewrites the first chapter about 100 times but the others flow. She got her start writing stories for women's magazines. She said it was a great training ground. She was very funny and interesting. She also said she does not read Goodreads because she doesn't want anyone influencing her writing. I told her it would great fun to join a discussion on her books and she said she would consider that but she didn't want reviews. It was a wonderful evening.
English Mysteries Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Taken (other topics)Sherlock Holmes: Murder at the Savoy & Other Stories (other topics)
Wicked Autumn (other topics)
Cover Her Face (other topics)
A Mind to Murder (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Alice Clark-Platts (other topics)Chris Ould (other topics)
Adrian McKinty (other topics)
Will Thomas (other topics)
Anna Katharine Green (other topics)
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The ending completely blew me away, Penny..."
yeah I know what you mean - I am still thinking about it all now. I really didnt see the ending coming at all.