English Mysteries Club discussion

I nominate a Dick Francis book, Banker.

What about Cyril Hare With a Bare Bodkin? Nice boarding house murder with civil service overtones, and tea always brought in on a tray with a white cloth! Ah, those were the days

I like the idea of reading a Dick Francis (I like his books).

Also, I would like to carry forward this nomination from May (I think it was May)
Blue Lightning

Valerie wrote: "I like the idea of reading a Dick Francis (I like his books)."

I like his books, too, but I wonder whether they really fit the concept of the group (speaking as one quite new to the group, I admit).

" I define the "English" mystery style as heavy on plot, character development and, perhaps most importantly, detail. These are not formulaic writers and these are not books to be read in one sitting. Rather - they are books to be read slowly and savoured"

Much as I like Francis, I find him not at all focused on character development and quite formulaic (Hero is or somehow gets involved in racing or horse activities, is drawn into a problem, investigates, has at least one physical altercation, during one of those altercations gets seriously beaten up (and sometimes kidnapped) by bad guys, survives it, and using information not given to the reader comes up with the solution. There is usually interesting detail about racing and/or whatever subject the book is about -- he does do his research -- but other than that is more strong on action than detail.

That said, if the moderators think he fits into the criteria of the group, I would be quite happy to re-read him (I have read all his works at least once and enjoyed them).

How about Murder Fantastical by Patricia Moyes? Country house setting, eccentric family and murder.

Has this group read Ann Cleeves's 3 Shetland books that come before Blue Lightning? I started to read BL but saw it was full of allusions to what happens in the preceding books, & stopped until I can get hold of those first 3.

Oh, and I agree about Dick Francis not writing the kind of English mystery this group is about, though I do like his books.

Everyman wrote: "Valerie wrote: "I like the idea of reading a Dick Francis (I like his books)."

I like his books, too, but I wonder whether they really fit the concept of the group (speaking as one quite new to th..."

I can't see why Dick Francis should be left out. He was English, his books are (for the most part) set in Britian -- having something a little different is a plus in my mind. Like Everyman, I have read all his works at least once but would be willing to reread one. Banker is a nice choice.

I will nominate Reginald Hill once again -- A Clubbable Woman is the first one of the series but I am willing to start later in the series if someone knows a really good one.

Jean-Luke wrote: "I think it would be just fine. In previous months we've read several books beyond the scope of the blurb. "

Placet, magistra.

Carol wrote: "Has this group read Ann Cleeves's 3 Shetland books that come before Blue Lightning? I started to read BL but saw it was full of allusions to what happens in the preceding books, & stopped until I c..."

Carol, I've read the first four and recommend you read them in order.

I'd like to nominate Little Girl Lost, by Brian McGilloway.

Based on Mike Gabor's recommendation, I've read four other books by McGilloway and am ready to read another one!

I nominate this is the first in this series - I havent read them at all but others say they are worth it!

Lorraine wrote: "I nominate a Dick Francis book, Banker."

Oh what a good idea. That's one of his relatively unknown books and well worth reading.

Jean-Luke wrote: "I have just created the poll:

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

I left out the Cyril Hare and Patricia Moyes nominations because their availability (at le..."

I found 31 used copies of the Moyes on Amazon starting at one penny, but I didn't check to see how many members would need copies. My bad.