English Mysteries Club discussion

How about The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey? :) Seems pretty interesting.

Jean-Luke wrote: "Any book nominations for November 2012? I nominate Shroud for A Nightingale by P.D. James. I will create the poll for November on October 5th."

Since this is book #4 in a series, will it matter if you haven't read the previous three? I've been meaning to read the Dalgliesh books for ages but haven't got to them yet. Sigh.

I'd like to nominate A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George, #1 in the Inspector Lynley series.

by Martha Grimes.

I have nothing to add because those suggestions look SO good.

@Jemidar I've never read the Dalgliesh books in order and I don't find it bothers me much. Each mystery is so nicely self-contained. I love the way James focuses on a small community or gathering with its own rules.

I'll toss Kate Ross in the ring again (wait, that sounds terrible...): Cut to the Quick.

Otherwise, I'm happy to go along with whatever's chosen; I just read all the Teys so I could discuss without having to reread, and it's been a long time since I've read Richard Jury - the only reason I wouldn't want to is I know I would end up reading the whole series over, and I don't think I want to right now. I never did get into Dalgliesh for some reason, and I've never read George, so I'm game.

Jane wrote: "@Jemidar I've never read the Dalgliesh books in order and I don't find it bothers me much. Each mystery is so nicely self-contained. I love the way James focuses on a small community or gathering with its own rules."

Thanks Jane. Sometimes it matters and sometimes it doesn't, although I tend to be a bit anal about reading things in order so fingers crossed I can cope. LOL.

Tracey wrote: "I'll toss Kate Ross in the ring again (wait, that sounds terrible...): Cut to the Quick."

I almost nominated that one instead of A Great Deliverance as it's also sitting here on my Mt TBR glaring at me. I think I've had the Elizabeth George one longer though. The Tey would also be good :-).

We're so decisive! :P

I'd like to suggest another author - Peter Robinson. While his Alan Banks books are a series, he has also written some stand-alone books, one of which is Before The Poison. It's been on my To Be Read list for several months.

I know I'm new to this but I'd like to mention "The Daughter of Time" by Josephine Tey. It is considered to be one of the best mysteries by many critics and it's timely, (with the dig in England and the possible discovery of Richard III's burial place). It is on Kindle US and UK or you can get a reasonably priced used copy at Amazon. Ross, James and George sound good to me too.

I think that many of the suggestions given so far are great. It's certainly not necessary to read the Dalgliesh novels by PD James in chronological order; many of them are great, and they can all be read on their own, with no "pre-requisites," for lack of a better word.

I'm not enthusiastic about "St Zita." Rendell's Wexford novels are marvelous, but her non-Wexford books are mostly just creepy (IMO). Does someone know whether "St Zita" is an exception? I haven't read it.

I agree that "Before the Poison" by Robinson is highly worth reading, but I like his Banks novels better.

Mostly, I am thrilled that we are considering some "new school" English mysteries (in the terminology of the group's home page).

Jemidar wrote: "Jane wrote: "@Jemidar I've never read the Dalgliesh books in order and I don't find it bothers me much. Each mystery is so nicely self-contained. I love the way James focuses on a small community o..."
It's one of the few series you don't have to read in order.

Mike wrote: "I'd like to nominate Ruth Rendell's new book the St. Zita Society.

byRuth Rendell"
The problem with brand new books is that they are expensive to get with no paperbacks available and
have long waiting lists at the libraries. Just my opinion. I love Ruth Rendell.

I love the idea of Josephine Tey's "Daughter of Time". Everyone has talked so much about it.

Joan wrote: "I think that many of the suggestions given so far are great. It's certainly not necessary to read the Dalgliesh novels by PD James in chronological order; many of them are great, and they can all ..."

I agree Joan. I really enjoyed the Wexfords, but Rendell's more "psychological" tales are not to my taste. Any of the other suggestions sound good to me.

You have come up with a very nice selection. I will have difficulty in making a selection for voting among them.

I have a copy of "Daughter of Time", so I vote for that!

The Daughter of Time sounds good.

I've read Daughter of time :-(.

Any of Josephine Tey, of course! I'm new here and don't know if this book has been done, but What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris would be a good choice for a future read.

Are we doing a poll again? I liked that....

Jean-Luke wrote: "The poll for November has been created. Find it at the bottom of the group's home page and vote!"

Thanks Jean-Luke! :)

Jemidar wrote: "I'd like to nominate A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George, #1 in the Inspector Lynley series."

I agree!

I like Rendell's non-Wexford novels as much as the Wexford-s.She focusses on what is wrong with society, which I find very interesting. I would also like to nominate 'St. Zita'.

How about An Impartial Witness by Charles Todd?

Sonali wrote: "I like Rendell's non-Wexford novels as much as the Wexford-s.She focusses on what is wrong with society, which I find very interesting. I would also like to nominate 'St. Zita'."
Have you read it yet? I am curious about it.

Daughter of Time gets my vote

I would eagerly read any of the suggested books for Nov.

I am surprised only 84 people have voted on the poll...

Tom wrote: "Sonali wrote: "I like Rendell's non-Wexford novels as much as the Wexford-s.She focusses on what is wrong with society, which I find very interesting. I would also like to nominate 'St. Zita'."
Hav..."

Tom,extremely sorry for the late late reply. Its festival season here in my country and I got caught up in it. By this time you may have already read it.The story starts a tad slowly,but in classic Rendell style all the characters, the situation are etched in carefully.I liked it very much.