Klowey’s Comments (group member since Jan 29, 2021)

Klowey’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Have you read this one?
I thought it was a good mystery and I loved the witty, mature romance. It's more mystery than suspense though.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Craftyhj wrote: "I've just finished the first Maigret, Pietr the Latvian. I find the style very choppy although I appreciate this may also be increased by translation. I am a bit unresolved as to wh..."

I only read some of Pietr the Latvian and didn't care for it, so I have not read another Georges Simenon. But I am still intrigued by the author's popularity, so I'd be interested to know what others think too.

Has anyone heard of this book? An English Murder
It gets pretty good reviews and is Christmasy.

Rosina wrote: "I have to confess that I gave Murder is Easy only three stars (low for a Christie), and abandoned Blue Murder."

I gave Murder Is Easy only 3 stars too. But now since I don't remember it, I'm going to give it another try.

Can you say more about why you gave up on "Blue Murder" without giving anything important away?

Judy wrote: "The poll has finished and the winner is Murder Is Easy by Agatha Christie, which will be our October group read.

As it was such a close poll, we will read the second-..."

Awesome! They both sound so good!

While there is a Kindle version of Blue Murder for only 99 cents, there is also a free-to-read online version here:
https://100vampirenovels.net/pdf-nove...

Overall I really enjoyed reading this book, in part because of the flow of the writing. Though, as an American, the language came off a bit too proper, and not the way people would normally speak, in my experience.

I pretty much agree with all the comments and question some of the tenuous plot pieces: the overly complex murder of Gilbert, the risk in poisoning the chocolates, Austin giving them to Vi after learning of her dislike.

I liked Austin, the policemen, Vi, and Mrs. Cartwright, but would have liked to have seen more of Anne's character. Chris was OK, but a little one-dimensional.

I too am sorry that Vi and Austin won't be in the future books. There could have been so many opportunities to use them.

And I don't understand why the author didn't wrap up Phyllis' arc. It would have been easy and would have made the book feel more complete.

With that, I leave one question to the group. Did others especially enjoy this writing style and, if so, do you have suggestions for other mysteries that have that kind of flow? I like Agatha Christie and The Knocker on Death's Door by Ellis Peters, for example. I prefer Golden Age mysteries to modern or suspense thrillers.

Sandy wrote: "The thread remains "forever" so you will always be able to post. My problem is that I start to forget the book soon after finishing so my meaningful responses are limited. Other are much better at ..."

Thanks!

Judy wrote: "Let's get our latest discussion in the Detection Club challenge started! Thanks to Susan for setting up the threads.

Who is reading this one or planning to join in?

The spoiler thread is linked ..."

I am reading this now and really enjoying it. How long will the discussion SPOILER thread be active? Is it through the month? I should be done reading in a few days. I'm juggling several books at the moment.

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 no more. :-)

Judy wrote: "One of the things I like about these collections is discovering more writers I'd like to read more by - and reminding myself of others that I've read previously. I enjoy [author:J.S. Fletcher|14620..."

I hadn't thought of that but yes, this choice for a story collection introduced me to new writers. I very much liked several of the authors.

Judy wrote: "I enjoyed the writing style of the Judith Lee story by Richard Marshand thought the two murder attempts were compelling - the snake and the explosive chocolate (makes a change from al..."

That was my reaction to this story; that it was too contrived. Judith's good luck seemed a bit much. But apparently the author wrote many stories that featured Judith Lee, The Complete Adventures of Judith Lee. I wonder how good the others are.

Judy wrote: "I've started now and found Lady Sannox very scary - I remember the same thing last time I read it. It kept me awake at night, hope the rest aren't so horrific as I tend to read short stories at bed..."

Heh. Yes, that was quite a story.
I would not read "The Silver Mask" before bedtime either. ;-)

Jill wrote: "Roman Clodia wrote: "I found this collection disappointing overall but I loved Lady Sannox! I'm not sure if I've read this story before or if I'm just tuned in to this kind of gothic sensibility bu..."

I agree with Jill and Roman. Many of these stories do not really highlight London as "character" or strong setting, so the premise for the collection is a bit suspect. With some exceptions, I found most to be readable, but forgettable. And I did skip a few based on bad reviews or low ratings. I think the book would have worked better if he had chosen only the best ten stories.

It's interesting to learn that "A Mystery of the Underground" was originally longer, because I thought that the ending was very abrupt.

For the ones I did like, I very much enjoyed them, and am now inspired to read more of those authors. My favorites were "The Avenging Chance," "The Silver Mask," "The Case of Lady Sannox," "The Tea Leaf," "The Unseen Door," and "You Can't Hang Twice."

Sounds good. I will be joining and just bought the Kindle edition.

Jill wrote: "Just 2 stars again from me. One of the reviews said this was like a Benny Hill sketch, and I couldn't agree more. It is a complete farce. I did think the overall plot of this was well thought out,..."

I wasn't part of the buddy-read because I had already read it early last year. But I also wasn't a fan and I agree with your assessment. This is my review:

With its enticing title, and ranking on both the Crime Writers' Association and the Mystery Writers of America 100 best books of all time lists, I had been wanting to read this book for years.

Unfortunately, I hadn't read up enough about it, for example, this well-doe review.

The problem is "vintage British silliness" that lovers of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operas would enjoy is not my cup of tea. Your mileage may vary.

I was mostly annoyed with Fear being a "being." It just didn't work for me.

Susan wrote: "I really enjoyed this one too, Chris. Would definitely like to read more by her, but her mysteries rather than the previous one I read, The Lady Vanishes.

Joan's author friend was a bit of a red h..."

I did not like the red herring.

ChrisGA wrote: "I couldn't figure out how Joan's author friend's invented storyline tied in. I kept waiting for it to be revealed that she had connections to the village other than Joan and that she was inspiring ..."

I completely agree with each of your points. I could not help wondering why Joan's friend was practically featured in the beginning and then we never saw her again.

And I think driving the Scudamore's to suicide was definitely worthy of being imprisoned.

Finally, the Miss Mack and Miss Asprey role reversal was bizarre. Not only was I not expecting it, it didn't really make sense from a personality perspective. I found the ending disappointing.

Susan in NC wrote: "Jill wrote: "I liked this but wasn't keen on the detective. It started ok for me but found it dragged a bit in the middle."

Definitely, slow start, after a few deaths, I felt like I was none the w..."

I agree. I felt like it was mostly filler.

Sid wrote: "I'm about 80% through. I'm enjoying it now that Ignatius has arrived, but I found the start pretty stodgy."

I agree.