Sandy’s Comments (group member since Dec 14, 2015)

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I read this three years ago, enjoyed it as a lighthearted romp then and now. However, it is not a book that stayed with me as the only thing I remembered from my first read was mince pies are unlucky before Christmas (what?). I got tired of the detectives forever questioning why the murder was after rather than before Christmas as no one knew exactly when the wife would die. Convoluted marriage history for Willy but fits with the book's tone. Snickered over the fact that Willy got the sequence right, but Paulina kept 'correcting' him.

I did not suspect in either read that after the first mince pies Willy was an imposter, though there were plenty of hints once they were pointed out. I'll try to keep that in mind if I ever read it again.

My next mystery, driven by library due dates, will be The Last Death of the Year, The latest in Sophie Hannah's Poirot continuation.

Carissa wrote: "I'm reading "Murder for Christmas," one of the Mordecai Tremaine mysteries. I really enjoy this series and the character of Mordecai Tremaine."

I agree - a great character and his quirk of reading romance is different.

Susan wrote: "I'll try Death Walks in Eastrepps: Merlin Classic Crime

Francis Beeding’s critically acclaimed serial killer c..."

In US: $1 on kindle

Susan in NC wrote: "I tried it and appreciated the humor at first, but after about 75 pages I wasn’t really enjoying it and DNFd."

No sense continuing something you don't like. There are too many books on all of our TBR lists to waste any reading time. I have started and rejected quite a lot of new books lately where the review sounded great but the book, not so much.

I've started and am loving it. The humor is right up my alley.

I own The Stranger Times and need to move it up the queue!

Part of the problem with this discussion will be our personal definitions. I think of graphic violence as heavy on the descriptions. There are brutal methods of killing and unnecessary violence, both disturbing but not necessarily graphic.

I down graded this to three stars because I know Christie can do better. I found the final explanation of elaborate banking schemes with the object of setting up a community of juvenile delinquents ridiculous. Then there was that strange red herring that Gina's mother was the daughter of a murderer. It was quickly mentioned but not developed. Miss Marple did very little detecting. The police were inconsistent, at one time recognizing her reputation, then treating her dismissively. Nor did I understand treating the hall as a stage as the veranda with the various exits was not visible from the hall (according to the map in my hard copy).

I know I am being picky as I enjoyed the book. Time spent with Miss Marple is never wasted. The fake poisoning plot was well done.

I think these sisters appear again in a later book. They did not seem at all like sisters!

I listened to the Joan Hickson narration. Good even though every one sounds like Miss Marple.

Off to the spoiler thread.

It will be a reread for me but the synopsis doesn't sound familiar. I have the book from the library and will start soon.

The Spy and the Devil does look good but it hasn't made it to my US libraries yet.

I rather pity the author with his double last name.

Jackie wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I’m going to start Death in the Andamans by M.M. Kaye for another group soon. Have the library book (a lovely Large Print edition, yay for my eye..."

I have this year's Poirot holiday book, The Last Death of the Year, from the library. I have read a couple of others and assume Catchpool is this author's invention. Need to finish a couple of books and read our first-of-the-month books before I start.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our US members. Hope you can find some quiet time for reading or relaxing. I go to a restaurant so an enjoyable day for me.

I may be listening to Murder on the Christmas Express this season as I downloaded the book for an earlier Christmas.

In US: $2!!

In the US; Murder After Christmas is $2! Our next read.

Judy wrote: "I'm over halfway now and must admit I'm finding it a struggle to listen to - it's so slow and full of rambling dialogue. Wishing I'd gone for a print or ebook version now, although I do love the wa..."

I felt the same way. I kept losing concentration. Fraser does all he can with the material.

My next mystery read will be Curtains for Three. I've ignored Wolfe and Archie for much too long.