Reading the Detectives discussion

It's time to nominate books for our May 2019 group read.

The books can be written in/set in the GA period, or a little earlier or later.

As usual, just one nomination per group member, please. Also, only one book by any individual writer can be nominated per month.

I'll nominate The Warrielaw Jewel by Winifred Peck, one of the Dean Street Press books sitting on my Kindle. I see the author includes a challenge to the reader to solve the mystery in this book, so I hope she obeys the rules drawn up by her brother, Ronald Knox!

Here is the Amazon blurb:

Listen! I see I’d better take you into my confidence.’

‘I’d rather you didn’t,’ I said.

Betty Morrison, a lawyer’s wife, is flung into the society of an ancient Edinburgh family, the Warrielaws. There’s Neil the Rip, Cora the Siren, Rhoda the Business Woman, and Alison the little Beauty – not to mention the formidable, elderly Jessica and her meek sister Mary. The family all possess unusual gold-green eyes – and harbour a precious and historic jewel, a bauble under constant threat of theft. The alarmed Betty will become a crucial witness in a case that includes mysterious disappearances of gems and people, as well as wholesale murder.

The Warrielaw Jewel was originally published in 1933. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Martin Edwards.

I am currently reading The Knox Brothers Judy, so would find that really interesting.

I read The Warrielaw Jewel last year. My short review:

Very pleasantly surprised. Excellent plot, sympathetic narrator and a family of feuds, distrust and confusing inheritances.

Susan wrote: "I am currently reading The Knox Brothers Judy, so would find that really interesting."

That sounds interesting, Susan - they were a fascinating family, weren't they? Does it mention their sister Winifred?

I'll nominate They Rang Up the Police by Joanna Cannan

When murder strikes in the quiet English countryside only Inspector Guy Northeast of Scotland Yard sees the vital clue.

When Delia Cathcart and Major Willoughby disappear from their quiet English village one Saturday morning in July 1937, it looks like a simple case of a frustrated spinster running off for a bit of fun with a straying husband.

But as the hours turn into days, Inspector Guy Northeast begins to suspect that she may have been the victim of foul play. On the surface, Delia appeared to be a quite ordinary middle-aged Englishwoman content to spend her evenings with her sisters and mother and her days with her beloved horses. But Delia led a secret life — and Guy turns up more than one person who would like to see Delia dead. Except Delia wasn’t the only person with a secret…

Judy wrote: "Susan wrote: "I am currently reading The Knox Brothers Judy, so would find that really interesting."

That sounds interesting, Susan - they we..."

There were 2 sisters, but they don't feature too much. When their mother died, their father remarried and, faced with six children, she insisted the boys went to boarding school, so they did grow up slightly separately.

I'd like to read more Tey, so I will nominate Miss Pym Disposes.

The Goodreads blurb says To Lucy Pym, author of a best-seller on Psychology, the atmosphere at the college where she is lecturing is heavy with tension. Beneath the so normal surface run sinister undercurrents of rivalry and jealousy. Then comes tragedy. An accident? Or is it murder? Respectable, law-abiding Miss Pym discovers some vital evidence - but should she reveal it?

Frances wrote: "I'd like to read more Tey, so I will nominate Miss Pym Disposes.

The Goodreads blurb says To Lucy Pym, author of a best-seller on Psychology, the atmosphere at the college where she ..."

Ooh, I just started that this morning - although I only read the short Introduction by Robert Barnard. No giveaways in it.

All of these nominations sound great, a few are on my TBR. I will second any required

As there are not many nominations yet, I will throw a title into the ring, which we have mentioned elsewhere:

Death in Captivity

A man is found dead in an escape tunnel beneath an Italian prisoner-of-war camp. Did he die in an accidental collapse - or was this murder? Captain Henry 'Cuckoo' Goyles, master tunneller and amateur detective, takes up the case.
This classic locked-room mystery with a closed circle of suspects is woven together with a thrilling story of escape from the camp, as the Second World War nears its endgame and the British prisoners prepare to flee into the Italian countryside.
Michael Gilbert (1912-2006), a founding member of the Crime Writers' Association, wrote thrillers, police procedurals and espionage novels that rank among the highest and most varied achievements of British crime writing in the second half of the twentieth century.

I would like to read Death in Captivity - and I enjoyed Miss Pym Disposes. I also have the Cannan book waiting on my Kindle...

Susan wrote: "As there are not many nominations yet, I will throw a title into the ring, which we have mentioned elsewhere:

Death in Captivity

A man is f...".

I was thinking of recommending Smallbone Deceased, by the same author (one of my favourites!), but I have Death in Captivity (and The Warrielaw Jewel) waiting to be read, so I will leave that until another month, depending on the success of the different nominations!

Susan wrote: "As there are not many nominations yet, I will throw a title into the ring, which we have mentioned elsewhere:

Death in Captivity

A man is f..."

This doesn't have an edition currently available in the US. I think it will be released in May, but not until the 7th.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Susan wrote: "As there are not many nominations yet, I will throw a title into the ring, which we have mentioned elsewhere:

Death in Captivity [bookcover:Death in Captivity|4333142..."

I don't know - I re-typed the title at Amazon and came up with paperback in stock for $16.95. https://www.amazon.com/Death-Captivit...

To add another book - I came across this on my bookshelf the other day - Miles Burton's The Secret of High Eldersham.

Samuel Whitehead, landlord of the Rose and Crown, is a stranger in the lonely East Anglian village of High Eldersham. When the newcomer is stabbed to death in his pub, and Scotland Yard is called to the scene, it seems that the veil dividing High Eldersham from the outside world is about to be lifted.
Detective-Inspector Young forms a theory about the case so utterly impossible that merely entertaining the suspicion makes him doubt his own sanity. Surrounded by sinister forces beyond his understanding, and feeling the need of rational assistance, he calls on a brilliant amateur and 'living encyclopedia', Desmond Merrion. Soon Merrion falls for the charms of a young woman in the village, Mavis Owerton. But does Mavis know more about the secrets of the village than she is willing to admit?

Thanks for the nominations, Susan and Jan.

Nominations so far:
Judy: The Warrielaw Jewel by Winifred Peck
Jill: They Rang Up the Police by Joanna Cannan
Frances: Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey
Susan: Death in Captivity by Michael Gilbert
Jan: The Secret of High Eldersham by Miles Burton

Any more nominations to add before the poll goes up at the weekend?

It might be worth mentioning that four of the five nominations, other than the Tey, are available on kindle unlimited in the UK.

Susan wrote: "It might be worth mentioning that four of the five nominations, other than the Tey, are available on kindle unlimited in the UK."

They are down here too.

Looks like a great selection- adding to my TBR pile right now...

I have four of them - either on kindle or on the shelves.

Jan C wrote: "I have four of them - either on kindle or on the shelves."

I have one, and several others are available on kindle.

If you do like GA crime, then the books are so much cheaper on kindle (probably often cheaper than a library request). It is also worth mentioning that you don't need a kindle for this - you can download the kindle app free from Amazon, either on your phone, tablet or computer. It is not always the best/most comfortable way to read, but might enable more people to join in with group reads, if cost is an issue. Kindle Unlimited is £7.99 a month, giving access to lots of great reads - including many GA authors.

Susan wrote: "If you do like GA crime, then the books are so much cheaper on kindle (probably often cheaper than a library request). It is also worth mentioning that you don't need a kindle for this - you can do..."

Thanks, Susan.

I was wondering, as to nominations, if the group has read Catherine Aird? I believe she wrote in the 1950s; I’ve read her first two books through Scribd and found them very enjoyable- I like her Inspector and dry humor.

So, I’d nominate The Stately Home Murder, , the third in the series.

Sorry, should’ve sent that nomination to Judy! Apologies if it’s too late, I know you want to put the poll up at the weekend. Maybe I can put in the Aird nomination for June?

Susan wrote: " (probably often cheaper than a library request). "

Do you have to pay for library books? They are free here (well, indirectly, as they are tax supported).

No, we don't pay for library books, but if you want to reserve a book, or arrange an inter-library loan, there is usually a small charge. Not that it matters to me, as my library has been decimated by budget cuts...

Putting holds on a book doesn't incur a charge here, but inter-library loan *does* have a small charge. Seems reasonable as I think the charge probably doesn't even cover postage.

Susan in NC wrote: "Susan wrote: "If you do like GA crime, then the books are so much cheaper on kindle (probably often cheaper than a library request). It is also worth mentioning that you don't need a kindle for thi..."

I have also read the first two, so this one would be my next to read in the series. The choice gets harder and harder!

Jill wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Susan wrote: "If you do like GA crime, then the books are so much cheaper on kindle (probably often cheaper than a library request). It is also worth mentioning that you don't n..."

Sorry! We can always throw it into the June pile...I agree, it’s already a tough choice - great selection!

I haven't put the poll up yet, Susan in NC, but will be doing so tomorrow, so I can add the Catherine Aird book in. :)

Judy wrote: "I haven't put the poll up yet, Susan in NC, but will be doing so tomorrow, so I can add the Catherine Aird book in. :)"

Thanks!

I have actually become quite a fan of the Kindle app on my iphone even though I do have a Kindle Fire - it's quite convenient to read on my phone when I am travelling around, as it is so much lighter. It's also a much smaller screen if I am tempted to read in bed when my husband is asleep!

Susan in NC wrote: "Susan wrote: "If you do like GA crime, then the books are so much cheaper on kindle (probably often cheaper than a library request). It is also worth mentioning that you don't need a kindle for thi..."

I have read the first three in the series and enjoy Aird's dry humor.

The poll is now open - please cast your votes!

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

That was a difficult one - I have recently read two, have three others on my 'to be read' list ...

It's very close in early voting - The Warrielaw Jewel is just one vote ahead of They Rang Up the Police and Miss Pym Disposes.

If you haven't voted yet, time to head to the polling booth!

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

And now They Rang Up the Police is in the lead - very close this month!

Honestly, after reading the blurbs on each book, I don’t think we can lose! I’ve already added them to my TBR list, and didn’t realize I had bought the 2nd Insp. Guy Northeast mystery (Death at the Dog) in a Kindle sale last fall. Ok, I confess, the title got me...

I find I already have They Rang up the Police on my kindle, so that works for me.

Susan wrote: "I find I already have They Rang up the Police on my kindle, so that works for me."

I also found it lurking amoung the electrons ...

"frustrated spinster" in the description isn't much of an attraction.

Sandy wrote: "Susan wrote: "I find I already have They Rang up the Police on my kindle, so that works for me."

I also found it lurking amoung the electrons ..."

I was surprised to also find it lurking on mine.

Jan C wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Susan wrote: "I find I already have They Rang up the Police on my kindle, so that works for me."

I also found it lurking amoung the electrons ..."

I was surprised to also find it lu..."

I am rarely surprised at what lurks on my kindle, Jan. I am often delighted to discover books that I had no idea I actually owned, but must have downloaded when they were free, or very cheap. There are so many offers, it's easy to forget what you actually download, but I work on the assumption I may want to read them one day and I often find that I do!

I add everything to GR and have a shelf that tells me what I have and whether I have it on Kindle. Never a surprise!

I keep a database but many kindle books, I find, somehow don't make it on to the list. I've tried to correct this several times but it takes forever to go through my inventory on the kindle cloud.

When I first got my kindle, I admit I was click happy, and downloaded loads of free books . Some I have found to be awful but there have also been some gems amongst them.

I quite like a surprise and haven't the time to be so organised, to be honest. However, I do have a 'to be read next' shelf, with all my group reads and upcoming review books, so I have some kind of order.

Susan wrote: "I quite like a surprise and haven't the time to be so organised, to be honest. However, I do have a 'to be read next' shelf, with all my group reads and upcoming review books, so I have some kind o..."

Thank you, I’m stealing your idea; I currently just put on my iPad calendar to “start (book title) with (name Of GR group)” which only works if you actually pay attention to the reminders when they pop up! (You can tell I’m a retired Luddite...) Thank goodness I’m not required to be anywhere at a given place and time to get paid, I’d starve!

I now have monthly to-read lists on GR. They include reads for my GR groups as well as books due back at the library. By checking the next month I know what books to request from the library. Its a pleasure to erase a month when I finish all the books.