English Mysteries Club discussion
Archive pre-2020
>
Currently Reading?
Sandra wrote: "Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars"
I don't like Poirot at all. But I love Miss Marple. Interesting how the same author can create both wonderful characters and unsuccessful (at least in my view) ones.
***Carol*** wrote: "Yvonne wrote: "I just read of the passing of one of our favorite authors. P.D. James has died."
Just came to post that. :( A long full life."
RIP Dame Phyllis x
Just came to post that. :( A long full life."
RIP Dame Phyllis x
Mod
I actually read this one because my brother had bought it for me, remembering our childhood holidays. I think he liked the author, but now I'm wondering if he hadn't actually read this particular one. I must ask him!
I just finished An English Murder, which had been a contender for the December BoTM last year. Very enjoyable country house mystery, but not particularly Christmas-y (although it does take place Dec. 23-27).
Leslie- I read that at Christmas a few years ago. I was appalled at the anti-semitic views expressed by characters in the book. I read very many murder novels written in this period including other Cyril Hare books so I am aware of how common these attitudes were in English/British society at the time but it did not make pleasant reading all the same. Cyril Hare was the pseudonym of a High Court judge, I hope he was less biased when sitting on cases in Court!
I just read the new Hercule Poirot mystery by Sophie Hannah, the writer the Christie estate has chosen to continue the series. Normally I finish a mystery in the course of a day; it took me three days to make myself finish this one. I wanted to like it; I loved Christie though she was formulaic. I hope bribery, bidding, or personal connections governed the choice - because the book is terrible. Extremely wordy throughout, the plot requires that the sidekick character be really stupid. Again and again, he is sure Poirot is wrong; Poirot is proved right; the sidekick is mortified and sorry for doubting him; and yet again sure Poirot is wrong. Poirot himself is more obscure and misleading than he ever was. The reader will - if he/she can manage to finish the book - know who did it long before the end.
Mod
I couldn't finish it, so disappointed.
I'm currently listening to the same book - The Monogram Murders. Read by Julian Rind-Tutt.Two thirds of the way through. I agree it's a bit ponderous, as are most modern crime novels compared with the 150-225 pages of the Crispin, Sayers, Allingham, Innes era. But currently quite intriguing, and I've no idea who dun it! The narrator is a dim-for-dim replacement for Captain Hastings.
It depends on what happens in the last four hours, but I think I'd get the next one (if there is to be one), hoping that our dolt of a policeman develops.
But, if people haven't read all the Agatha Christies, it'd be better to read those.
I just finished Miss Marple's last case and now reading her first case. The book is in that order. I have read both but am enjoying them again.
Lorraine wrote: "I just started a book by a new author: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. It's about a 65 year old man who gets a letter from a woman he worked with 20 years a..."Lorraine, I read Harold Fry about a year ago and really enjoyed it.
I think Playing for the Ashes is my favorite Lynley.
Susan wrote: "I am reading G.M. Mallet's "A Fatal Winter". It's the second in a series that bills itself as a cozy English mystery."It's on my TBR list.
Shauna wrote: "Leslie- I read that at Christmas a few years ago. I was appalled at the anti-semitic views expressed by characters in the book. I read very many murder novels written in this period including other..."I think Hare was not anti-semitic himself as the "hero" or most sympathetic character in the book was the Jewish professor. I think he was actually trying to show how terrible those attitudes were.
I've read all the Marples and all the Poirots, including all the short stories; and I still have them in my library. I reread one occasionally and probably will do more. There are too many good modern mystery writers like Crombie, Robinson, Todd, Spencer, etc. to waste time or library space on that turkey. I can't believe they couldn't find a writer more able to continue the series.
Re: The Christie estate and Sophie Hannah.Interestingly, I just started and then gave up on a Sophie Hannah recently ("The Orphan Choir"). I have enjoyed some of her books very much, but they are getting weirder and weirder as time goes on. I think that they have gotten too weird for me. I take from the comments about her attempt at writing Poirot that that's not going so well either.
No, no, not a turkey. A solid, ponderous attempt. I have about 20% to go, and am still in the dark! At least five people it could be, whatever 'it' is. I'll find out tonight.
Joan, I saw the listing of books she had written and gotten published; I wondered if her own work might be better, if she might be trying too hard without really understanding the Poirot mystique. Maybe she's having some sort of crisis. The Reginald Hill books - another series I love - took a downward leap some years ago but thankfully recovered. I wondered at the time if there was some crisis or unhappiness in his personal life that was affecting his writing. I suppose we can hope that, if that's the case, Ms. Hannah learns quickly - or that the estate chooses another writer.
John, I can't believe you still don't know. You may be expecting some plot twist that makes the whole book more entertaining. If so, stop; it's the obvious solution. The who, the how, the why - all mind-numbingly obvious.
Jean, it just shows my brain is no match for yours, although I'm listening to it with my wife, who usually solves these problems very early, and she is as stumped as I am! I'll report back idc.
I'll be waiting - like I said, think obvious . . . . I am a mystery reader of many, many years - thanks for the sweet compliment - and a devotee of the "puzzle" mysteries rather than the thrillers, so . . . .
Trouble is, so am I. First addicted to Sherlock Holmes, then Michael Innes, etc, etc, as a boy in the 1950s. So no excuse for me .....
We have some of the same tastes and early influences, I see, John. Probably it also helps me that I have a strong science/math background.
And I was an economist in government for 40 years, so analytical or nothing. So no excuses.40 minutes listening to go now, but that's for tomorrow.
Hmmm . . . yes, that should do it. I'll be interested to see what you think of the solution once you finish.
Hi all:I'm looking for recommendations; has anyone read Kate Ellis and/or Martin Edwards, and if so, can you recommend an author whose books are similar? I like the combination of history and modern mystery in both of their mystery series. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Jean & John, your exchange makes me wonder if mysteries are harder to unravel in audio than visual form. What do you think?
That's a good question, Carol. I never buy audio mysteries, because I read so much faster than people talk; so I don't know if I'd pick up the clues/indications/giveaways aurally. What do you think, John?
Karen wrote: "Hi all:I'm looking for recommendations; has anyone read Kate Ellis and/or Martin Edwards, and if so, can you recommend an author whose books are similar? I like the combination of history and mod..."
Have you read Elly Griffith's Ruth Galloway series? Very good, with lots of archaeological background.
I've also been working my way through John Malcolm's Tim Simpson series, which I enjoy - they're older and I think out of print (except e-books) but each book focuses on individual, early/mid-20th artists as a sub-plot, and I've picked up some interesting art history anecdata along the way...
A Back Room in Somers Town
Ann wrote: "Miss M wrote: "Karen wrote: "Hi all:I'm looking for recommendations; has anyone read Kate Ellis and/or Martin Edwards, and if so, can you recommend an author whose books are similar? I like the c..."
Thanks to both of you! I'll take a look at those!
YW - another good series is Stephen Booth's Ben Cooper, set in the Peak District. Not really archaeological, more procedural, but usually interesting information on the local settings & history.Black Dog
re The Monogram MurdersJean & Carol. I did comment yesterday, but I don't think I can have pushed the right buttons! Sorry. To repeat:
I really didn't get the detail of the solution before it was revealed. Dolt. But it was rather convoluted, wasn't it - maybe that shows a plotting weakness?
Overall, I think it was a decent effort, and one reason I enjoyed it was because I have low expectations of sequels by other authors. There have been terrible Sherlock Holmes attempts, and P D James' Pride and Prejudice follow-up was appalling.
On audio books, yes, more difficult, since you can't just flick back 20 pages to check on something, unless you put lots of bookmarks in, destroying the flow.
Thinking about it, most of the whodunnits I listen to are re-reads, of Innes, Allingham, Crispin, Ngaio Marsh, Christie, so easier to absorb. Usually while driving or gardening.
I also read very quickly, and generally listen to audiobooks at 1.5 to 2.0 speed, depending on the reader and the device.
But, my wife and I were listening to this one at 1.0 and trying to concentrate, although we were doing jigsaws close to the open fire at the same time - maybe that was the problem!
Anyway, on to the next whodunnit, probably the third Nicola Upson mystery or the ninth Louise Penny!
I agree it was convoluted - less so once you strip away the inconsequential bits, but still . . . . I also agree about continuations of series; the two best ones are Robert Goldsborough's Nero Wolfe ones and Vincent Lardo's McNally ones. I have also found some Holmes ones that I like even better than Conan Doyle's (Gerard Kelly, Barry Day, June Thomson are the ones I can think of right now). I know that's heretical, but I did get tired of Watson's unremitting stupidity. Do you have cats to help you with the jigsaws? You really can't do a jigsaw properly without at least 2 of them, you know, though I suppose you could substitute a small active dog . . . .
John, this is all very interesting.I wonder if Louise Penny's books are more enjoyable to hear than read? -- since the printed ones are full of distracting minor mistakes which would disappear in audio, & her audiobook narrator (like her main character) is male & might bring another dimension to gentle Gamache, especially in relation to bristly Jean-Guy. Do you get Penny's characters' wide range of accents in the audiobooks?
I love Martin Edwards books, I'd highly recommend them.
Jean: I must try the neo-Nero Wolfe. Thank you. No, we've run out of cats now (only some statuettes on the mantelpiece as memories), and with dogs we're down to two Border Collies from four (one put to sleep at 15 only two weeks ago). They're too old to interfere, so the jigsaws can be done without harassment! Shame.Carol: of the eight Louise Pennys I've 'read', two were library audiobooks, and I can't remember the narrator's name. However, he reads well with good rhythm and pace, and good character differentiation. All the Three Pines characters and most of the cops, especially Gamache, are very convincing. However, his strangulated French-Canadian accent for Jean-Guy in the last one (at the island abbey) was really off-putting, so I'm definitely going to READ all the next ones.
John - so sorry about the recent loss of your Border Collie; such beautiful, smart, affectionate dogs. We are down to six cats and four dogs (three pugs and a golden), all rescues. I'm a dog trainer and affiliated with several rescue groups and shelters, so it's really hard not to bring them all home. One of the reasons I read so much is that, if I sit, I'll immediately have several dogs and/or cats on my lap, and I hate to disturb them immediately. . . .
Mod
JeanN - thank you so much. For Millie it was, as the vet agreed, 'time'. If you look back a couple weeks in my Facebook pages, you will see pictures of her looking very tired. And one of the remaining two, Lady (her sister) and Oreo, the next day, puzzled. They have been sticking very close to us ever since. And they are, at 15 and 14, also fading quite quickly. But they've all had good lives and given and received lots of love and fun. Ho-hum.
Just listening to the last few chapters of THE CUCKOO'S CALLING. I'm just about done with it. I have enjoyed it very much. I put off either reading it or listen to the audio copy.
Mod
I have just found your lovely pics. What wonderful memories you will have of Millie - and are still creating with the other two :)
Carol wrote: "John, this is all very interesting.I wonder if Louise Penny's books are more enjoyable to hear than read? -- since the printed ones are full of distracting minor mistakes which would disappear in..."
I read the first couple of Louise Penny's books, then discovered the audio versions and never went back. They are read by Ralph Cosham who died recently just as he finished Penny's latest book. I love his voices and am not sure I will be able to adjust to another Gamache.
The Religious Body by Catherine AirdMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
When the body of a murdered nun is discovered at the Convent of St. Anselm in the village of Cullingoak, Inspector C.D. Sloan of the Calleshire C.I.D. finds himself with fifty suspects—all black-habited nuns who at first look exactly alike to him. It’s the sardonic Sloan’s first venture inside convent walls and, for most of the nuns, their first encounter with the police. Before the killer is unmasked, both the police and the nuns will come to learn a great deal about each other.
Another totally delightful Aird murder mystery with plenty of red herrings and a murderer I would never have guessed!
Audio.
View all my reviews
I've read all the Airds and own several - they're always enjoyable. I agree with your 4 out of 5 - they're not in the same league as Crombie, Robinson, Hill, Spencer . . . but very good nonetheless.
I'm slowly reading my way through the Aurelio Zen series and recently finished Cabal which I enjoyed. Lots of ambiguities in the plot and characters.I then read A Florentine Death to continue my stay in Italy. I highly recommend this book. It is well translated, solid plot and the police details authentic since the author used to be the head of the police force of Florence. If you enjoy Donna Leon's descriptions of Venice, then you'll enjoy this one. I visited Florence years ago and the setting also feels right.
I'll look for some of Giuttari's books; I do like Donna Leon. I've read several of the Zen books but they're not quite it for me.
Jean wrote: "I've read all the Airds and own several - they're always enjoyable. I agree with your 4 out of 5 - they're not in the same league as Crombie, Robinson, Hill, Spencer . . . but very good nonetheless."I am slowly working my way through them Jean, and enjoying them immensely as I walk to and from work, mow the lawns, prep up in the kitchen....it makes work seem less like work! 8:D
Yes, they're great for that. Have you read Dorothy Simpson, Clare Curzon, and Cynthia Harrod-Eagles? Harrod-Eagles also writes some science fiction; you want the Bill Slider series.
Jean wrote: "Yes, they're great for that. Have you read Dorothy Simpson, Clare Curzon, and Cynthia Harrod-Eagles? Harrod-Eagles also writes some science fiction; you want the Bill Slider series."No Jean, I haven't. Thank you for the recommendations. 8:D
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)
More...
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)
More...
Sandy - you may like to read this, and see if we differ in our thoughts about that particular book. I haven't read any others in th..."
You wrote an excellent review. It brought back the landlady, the rooming house and Scarborough. The fact that I can't remember 'who done it' or why substantiates your view of a weak mystery. I recommend trying others, but I understand there is less time than there are books. The latest in the series have been set outside of England: WWI trenches, Turkey and India.