English Mysteries Club discussion
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Sarah wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Are you particularly interested in the 1920s? There are quite a few good series if you are open to other times and places. "I am particularly interested in the 1920s at the moment,..."
I can't help then, as the mysteries I have read from this period were written then (as opposed to written now). My taste in historical fiction mysteries is for earlier (eighteenth and nineteenth century England, or even earlier!).
But I am sure that someone here will know some...
Leslie wrote: "the mysteries I have read from this period were written then"Which are your favouite books written during that period?
I love the Matthew Shardlake series. Really well done.I like the Charles Todd series, Bess Crawford and Ian Rutledge, set in the 20's. I am a big fan of Maisie Dobbs.
Sarah wrote: "Leslie wrote: "the mysteries I have read from this period were written then"Which are your favouite books written during that period?"
Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Dashiell Hammett, Patricia Wentworth, Josephine Tey, Margery Allingham - all had at least one mystery published in the 1920s.
Thanks Susan and Leslie for the suggestions - lots to follow up there.
I loved the movie Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day so I guess I had better read the book also. I'm finishing up the Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths. I really like it and can't wait to read the next in the series. This book left a few things, well one thing, up in the development stage.
I read Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day about a year ago after finding it in a second-hand bookshop - published by Persephone Books in 2008 (originally 1938). Never heard of it before, or seen it mentioned anywhere.It is magical - definitely a 5 stars ranking, and I would recommend anyone with a sense of fun to read it.
The preface includes: 'what astonishes is the sheer fun, the lightheartedness and enchanting fantasy of an hour-by-hour plot that feels closer to a Fred Astair film than anything else ..... Sophisticated and naive by turns, it is also charmingly daring. Miss P may be of unimpeachable virtue, but she learns to regret this, and to admire her two mentors. Miss LaFosse with her several lovers and Miss Dubarry, owner of the best beauty parlour in London.'
Do read it if you can find it.
Diane - where is the film available, please?
I saw the film on cable so it is probably available to rent. I loved it! It came out in 2008, and has Amy Adams & Frances McDormand in it...
I suppose getting a smidgen off-topic, but Persephone Books are definitely lovely...both in design, and content...Especially if you're looking for early-mid 20th century lit.http://www.persephonebooks.co.uk/
I, too, loved Miss Pettigrew. Such a delightful book and the movie was good too. The movie should be available everywhere but for sure on Netflix.
John wrote: "I read Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day about a year ago after finding it in a second-hand bookshop - published by Persephone Books in 2008 (originally 1938). Never heard of it before, or seen it men..."You should be able to rent it. Frances McDormand was Miss Pettigrew and Amy Adams the frivolous American. Both were wonderful.
Diane wrote: "John wrote: "I read Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day about a year ago after finding it in a second-hand bookshop - published by Persephone Books in 2008 (originally 1938). Never heard of it before, o..."Thank you - I will.
John wrote: "Diane wrote: "John wrote: "I read Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day about a year ago after finding it in a second-hand bookshop - published by Persephone Books in 2008 (originally 1938). Never heard o..."I put it on my Amazon wish list, because it's one of those I keep forgetting!
Miss M wrote: "I suppose getting a smidgen off-topic, but Persephone Books are definitely lovely...both in design, and content...Especially if you're looking for early-mid 20th century lit.http://www.persephone..."
Thank you for this link - I see authors of whom I had not thought in years - Noel Streatfield in particular was a childhood favourite. These pretty editions would make lovely gifts.
I am back to Just one evil act. The second half is somewhat better than the first so far. Let's hope the pace picks up and stays up.
I just started Louise Penny's "How The Light Gets In" and am enjoying my return to Three Pines and all my friends there. Love being back and, as usual, don't want my visit to end!
Helen wrote: "Ann wrote - Ballet Shoes was my favourite"mine too!
I'm going to go find my copy of Ballet Shoes right now. I know a couple of girls who will love it!
I adore Ballet Shoes. It was my very favourite childhood book and I still have the copy given to me almost 50 years ago.
The Shoe books were so quirky that I really loved them, too.
Helen wrote: "several have mentioned audio books - it has occurred that were I to do this, I might knit as well as listen, accomplishing two things at once ;>0 ... where does one go for audio books?"Late to this discussion but may I recommend the Audiobooks group on GR? https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/... They will open your eyes about the options for audio books.
Just started Preston/Child "White Fire" -- a little slow.
Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Helen wrote: "several have mentioned audio books - it has occurred that were I to do this, I might knit as well as listen, accomplishing two things at once ;>0 ... where does one go for audio books..."I listen to a lot of books as I cross stitch or crochet whilst doing so ( and very occasionally I iron!!) I get them from my library or from Audible and listen via my computer. It's very worth doing if you are into crafts but like to 'read' as well!
Penny wrote: "I listen to a lot of books as I cross stitch or crochet whilst doing so"Do you find it affects your concentration though, listening to an audiobook - either on the story or the craft work you're doing at the time?
I listen while I'm walking and find even then that I sometimes lose the thread of the story because I'm looking at something else!
I've also been thinking lately I might start doing some crafts which I could do while I'm listening to an audiobook, but I think, initially at least, I'd have to turn it off if I was doing anything complicated!
I like to listen to audio versions of books I read long ago and have only partially forgotten. I had a great time listening to some of the old Wexford novels by Ruth Rendell. (A much better time than I had reading the most recent one. :=( )
Penny wrote: "I listen to a lot of books as I cross stitch or crochet whilst doing so ( and very occasionally I iron!!) I get them from my library or from Audible and listen via my computer. It's very worth doing if you are into crafts but like to 'read' as well! "To date I have listened to two classics from my childhood & have enjoyed doing so. I both knit & cross stitch, usually listening to music, television being largely uninteresting (personal opinion ;>)) The trial membership at Audible is next I think - I would like to see how I do with a book that I have not read as opposed to those I read long ago (and are lovely memories). This may help solve the overflowing of books problem .....
Joan wrote: "I like to listen to audio versions of books I read long ago and have only partially forgotten. I had a great time listening to some of the old Wexford novels by Ruth Rendell. (A much better time ..."I agree -- I have been listening to a lot of classics that I read in school; a great alternative to rereading them :)
I wondered if I might be more inclined to dust more often if I had an audio book to listen to while I did it... :-/
Wendy wrote: "I wondered if I might be more inclined to dust more often if I had an audio book to listen to while I did it... :-/"Let me know, Wendy. I have an awful lot of dusty books...
Karlyne wrote: "Wendy wrote: "I wondered if I might be more inclined to dust more often if I had an audio book to listen to while I did it... :-/"Let me know, Wendy. I have an awful lot of dusty books..."
your comment made me smile Wendy - I dont dust but I do get more ironing done. I find I lose the thread of the story more doing housework than I do cross stitching. I think with sewing I am sitting in one place and can easily listen and sew. I have to backtrack more in the kitchen - especially when the kettle is making a noise or the dishwasher is running. I have found some books that I dont think work as well in audio form than with reading. I tend to listen to more contemporary/fiction stuff like Winter Garden, The 13th Tale, The Light Between the Oceans as I find these easy to follow. Crime I do tend to read rather than listen to as I find I need to do that to keep the plot straight - but that could just be me!
Sarah wrote: "Penny wrote: "I listen to a lot of books as I cross stitch or crochet whilst doing so"Do you find it affects your concentration though, listening to an audiobook - either on the story or the craf..."
While i'm driving, I tend to listen to lighter, more contemporary books that don't require concentration. For walking or crafts, I do the same as Joan and Leslie - listen to classics that I loved and read may years ago. I just listened to one of my all time favorites Anna Karenina. Like others have mentioned, my attention span is greater with walking or crafts.
Penny wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "Wendy wrote: "I wondered if I might be more inclined to dust more often if I had an audio book to listen to while I did it... :-/"Let me know, Wendy. I have an awful lot of dusty..."
Penny wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "Wendy wrote: "I wondered if I might be more inclined to dust more often if I had an audio book to listen to while I did it... :-/"
Let me know, Wendy. I have an awful lot of dusty..."
I can see that makes sense. Vacuum cleaners aren't conducive either! Unless you wear earphones, I suppose. I often listen to radio podcasts while I iron. In the "old days" (before on-demand radio) I'd time the ironing to coincide with the afternoon radio play. I find ironing's good for plotting too. But that's using a different side of the brain, I think!
Wendy wrote: "Penny wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "Wendy wrote: "I wondered if I might be more inclined to dust more often if I had an audio book to listen to while I did it... :-/"Let me know, Wendy. I have an awfu..."
Ironing... I do still own an iron and a table-top ironing board...
Karlyne wrote: "Wendy wrote: "Penny wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "Wendy wrote: "I wondered if I might be more inclined to dust more often if I had an audio book to listen to while I did it... :-/"Let me know, Wendy. ..."
I wonder if my ironing might get done a little faster ;>)
just got your book on kindle Wendy - looked good to me so thought I would give it a go!
So I finally finished Just One Evil Act. This book is a disgrace to its author and its genre.
I am giving up on Elizabeth George until I hear from some of you whom I trust that she's gotten her groove back.
Mod
I couldn't agree more with you, Joan. I am done, done, done.
I thought the characters were one-dimensional and most of their actions unbelievable. A weak story for what was once a great series.
@Tammy: I was particularly disappointed in the disintegration of Barbara Havers. She used to be a quirky, interesting character. In this book, she acted like a complete idiot. If I were Lynley, I'd never trust her again.
Joan wrote: "@Tammy: I was particularly disappointed in the disintegration of Barbara Havers. She used to be a quirky, interesting character. In this book, she acted like a complete idiot. If I were Lynley, ..."yes I thought it was about time she came into her own and actually beat Lynley to the murderer - instead she has gone the other way. Wonder why George did that when almost all the readers of the series are so fond of Barbara.
Penny wrote: "yes I thought it was about time she came into her own and actually beat Lynley to the murderer - instead she has gone the other way. Wonder why George did that when almost all the readers of the series are so fond of Barbara."Hi, Penny. Barbara did beat Lynley (and Salvatore) to the murderer in this one, didn't she? But I still think that, overall, she acted like a complete idiot -- and an untrustworthy one (... if there is such a thing as a trustworthy idiot :=)).
Joan wrote: "Penny wrote: "yes I thought it was about time she came into her own and actually beat Lynley to the murderer - instead she has gone the other way. Wonder why George did that when almost all the rea..."Oh, I think I've known several trustworthy idiots!
Is a trustworthy idiot someone that you can trust to be an idiot? :D
That's it, Leslie! They never disappoint!
Leslie wrote: "Is a trustworthy idiot someone that you can trust to be an idiot? :D"I like that.
thank you to whomever it was that mentioned Barbara Cleverly and the Last Kashmiri Rose - I have just finished it, what a great read. The British raj was known to me, but not in detail of daily life - fascinating,I don't mind detail at all. She wove it in beautifully with the mystery. On a little bit of an off topic, in the course of researching my family I quite often browse the Welsh newspapers online courtesy of the NLW. I mention this because they make for very interesting reading - criminal events are almost always word for word from the courtroom since of course the paper was the primary news source. The period covered is 1804-1919 and there are lots of search options http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en...
English Mysteries Club
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Adrian McKinty (other topics)
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CJ Sansom's Shardlake is my hands down favourite - I too like the longer books. His background descriptions are marvellous. I have just finished Marston's The Railway Detective & quite liked it as I did Bruce Alexander's Blind Justice. Todd's Bess Crawford books are a nice read, Benn's Billy Boyle is a bit different - I am iffy on Louise Penny - I have read them all except the most recent& find that I am enjoying them less each time, in particular the characters.