Valerie’s Comments (group member since Dec 23, 2017)

Valerie’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I had forgotten that I had bought The Polo Ground Mystery at some point (probably when it was nominated previously)! So, I voted for it and am hoping for the best!

I just finished Maigret’s Pickpocket. It was fun.

I just finished listening to this. Although I did enjoy this novel, I agree with Frances that it is really only for 'hardcore Golden Age mystery fans'. I like the premise of a group of mystery writers contributing a chapter, but I agree that it would have been much better if someone had acted as editor to tie it together better.

As I said in the 'no spoiler' thread, I think the reader added a lot to my enjoyment.

I found the appendices anti-climatic and could have done without them. I think it should have ended with the wrap up chapter, which (in my mind) was Anthony Berkley's chapter.

Three prologues was a bit much, but I did like Simon Brett's one in particular as it set the tone for me. Because of this I found some humor in the convoluted twists and turns.

I voted for "The Rasp" partially because I was able to get it inexpensively ($3 Canadian) for the Kindle.

I"m about 1/3 of the way through. I am enjoying it, but that may be helped by the very good reader of the audiobook I borrowed.

Sid wrote: "Still quite enjoying it, but I'm finding it increasingly hard to believe that none of the residents whom Luke is questioning (rather clumsily, it seems to me) have twigged to anything and that they..."

Yes, I thought that too.

This was a fun visit with Christie. I hadn't read this before, which is really surprising.

In my opinion, this is not one of her strongest. I enjoyed the mystery, and didn't know 'who did it' until the reveal in the woods. I found the red herrings involving Ellsworthy annoying and jarring. They were so obviously red herrings. I also wasn't a fan of the romance, which one reviewer called 'anemic' when the book was released.

All that said though, I'm still glad it was voted in for the monthly read. I would rate it a 3.5*

Our little local library doesn't own a copy of this Christie, so I ordered from one of the partner libraries in the system. I did this on Sept 27, and then it ended up 'in transit' for 2 weeks! ha, ha...!! I just got it yesterday and am going to start now. I've really been looking forward to it.

The Floating Admiral is on Hoopla for me, so I am really hoping it wins the poll!

I thought I had read all of Christie's mysteries, but I don't remember that one at all. So, this is very exciting - a 'new' Christie!

"Regarding fixing up the house, my understanding was that Carson planned for it to be his permanent residence until his plans went awry."

Yes, Sandy - that I what I thought too.

I enjoyed this quite a bit. It is leans more toward the thriller type than murder mystery. I agree with Chris remarks. I thought for a first novel it was a very credible effort, and a lot of fun. I can believe that readers in 1934 really enjoyed it. I'm glad it finally made it to "BOTM" status!

There were some elements in the story which I found exceedingly modern - such as the whole set up in the basement, the fully miked up house(!), and the electrified gate/fence. This brought everything to the next level for me - they were dealing with a diabolical mind!

I've just started as well. I read the first three chapters last night - I'm already interested to know what is in store for this 'weekend in the country'.

I'll be reading it (especially since I nominated it this time!). I have a couple of other books I'm working on now, and expect to get to Thrackley about the end of the week.

Klowey wrote: "Valerie wrote: "Well, not to count (my) our chickens before they are hatched - but it looks like Weekend at Thrackley may finally be the winner! I'm excited!"

I think, a bridesmaid..."

Ha, ha - yes.

Well, not to count (my) our chickens before they are hatched - but it looks like Weekend at Thrackley may finally be the winner! I'm excited!

I'd like to nominate: Weekend at Thrackley.

Hopefully there isn't a group rule about repeating a nomination! Every time someone has nominated this (in the last few polls) I've voted for it, but it's always the bridesmaid (ha, ha). It is available on Kindle in Canada and the US (or audible if you are a subscriber).

Sandy wrote: "Has anyone read Piranesi? It has been on my TBR since it came out and I keep postponing my place in the library wait line. I see it as a test case for Susanna Clarke's..."


Yes, I have and I thought it was fantastic. You have to enjoy magic realism and be prepared for some mind twisting elements.

Even though they are both classed as fantasy (at least on GR), I would not say there is any relationship between Piranesi and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.

I'm in the home stretch (meaning the last 100 pages) of The Woman in White. So far I've enjoyed it very much, although I think The Moonstone is better (5* vs 4*).

Well, that worked out well! I missed the poll, but I already have The Night of Fear on my kindle. So - yay for serendipity!