English Mysteries Club discussion

Jean-Luke wrote: "Nominations for the October 2014 Book of the Month? On last month's thread someone nominated Green for Danger by Christinna Brand so I'll go ahead and toss it in the hat for this month."

Great book (and also a great movie with Alastair Sims!)

Sounds good and the kindle price is right.

Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow A great book and an even better movie!

I'd second the Christianna Brand nomination, but my Kobo has just turned into an expensive paperweight, my library doesn't carry any of her books & the better of our secondhand book shops is in the process of closing down.

So could I suggest Ladies' Bane by Patricia Wentworth.

Can it really be the case that we have never read any Dorothy Sayers? I don't see any in the Book of the Month list. So the only question is, which one to nominate? Hmmmmm. There's the first Lord Peter, Whose Body, but I don't think that's his best. There's the wonderful Gaudy Night, but it's not the best one for people who haven't read through the earlier stages of the Wimsey-Vane relationship.

I think I'll nominate Murder must Advertise. It's a good plot, it has some fascinating insights into the advertising world of the day (Sayers worked in advertising for a time, so knew what she was writing about), and it's fun. So that's my nomination.


Dorothy L. Sayers

Everyman wrote: "Can it really be the case that we have never read any Dorothy Sayers? I don't see any in the Book of the Month list. So the only question is, which one to nominate? Hmmmmm. There's the first Lo..."

I'll second that nomination, Everyman!

Carol wrote: "I'd second the Christianna Brand nomination, but my Kobo has just turned into an expensive paperweight, my library doesn't carry any of her books & the better of our secondhand book shops is in the..."

I thought I'd read most every Patricia Wentworth, but this one does not ring a bell at all!

Karlyne wrote: "Carol wrote: "I'd second the Christianna Brand nomination, but my Kobo has just turned into an expensive paperweight, my library doesn't carry any of her books & the better of our secondhand book s..."

I believe it's one of the later titles in her Miss Maud Silver series.

I'd like to nominate Robert Barnard, Death of an Old Goat, or his Fete Fatale

Carol wrote: "I'd second the Christianna Brand nomination, but my Kobo has just turned into an expensive paperweight, my library doesn't carry any of her books & the better of our secondhand book shops is in the..."

Too bad that your library doesn't carry Brand. But Miss Silver is always fun. I am with Karlyne in not recalling Ladies' Bane although the title is familiar.

Everyman wrote: "Can it really be the case that we have never read any Dorothy Sayers? I don't see any in the Book of the Month list. So the only question is, which one to nominate? Hmmmmm. There's the first Lo..."

That is a good one! That and The Nine Tailors are two of my favorite Sayers... although now that I am typing this I think that they are all my favorites :)

Murder Must Advertise and Nine Tailors are great. I didn't always like her Wimsey novels, but those two are really great reads.

Helena wrote: "Murder Must Advertise and Nine Tailors are great. I didn't always like her Wimsey novels, but those two are really great reads."

I think we should only put one Sayers in the poll so as not to dilute the vote. :) I thought about The Nine Tailors, which I really love, but I nominated Murder Must Advertise because I thought it would be more accessible to Sayers virgins, plus there is a bit more humor in it. But if the preference is for 9T, I can live with that.

I would love to read a Sayers but the libraries in my district don't carry a single title. There is a big book fair this Saturday in my town - I'll see what I can find.

@ Carol - and check the charity/thrift shops - they are usually a good source.

I've tried them - & the laundromat in town offers a free book exchange. Tried the library at my Mum's rest home as well.No luck.

This book fair is usually amazing, so I'll see how I go.

Out of the 2 I'd say Murder Must Advertise would be the best one for someone who's never read a Sayers novels!

Everyman wrote: "Helena wrote: "Murder Must Advertise and Nine Tailors are great. I didn't always like her Wimsey novels, but those two are really great reads."

I think we should only put one Sayers in the poll so..."

I wasn't nominating The Nine Tailors -- sorry if there was confusion.

Leslie wrote: "Everyman wrote: "Helena wrote: "Murder Must Advertise and Nine Tailors are great. I didn't always like her Wimsey novels, but those two are really great reads."

I think we should only put one Saye..."

I love The Nine Tailors, but I'm not nominating it, either. I have to work up to all those bells or I get a headache...

I'd like to nominate any of the Inspector Skelgill novels by Bruce Beckham. I've read the first two in series and the third was just released yesterday. The setting is Scotland. Will this meet requirements?

I am on board with any of the Sayers books. Murder Must Advertise seems to be a popular choice, but I'll agree to any of 'em.

Darlene, I just looked at them and they do sound interesting.

Susan wrote: "Darlene, I just looked at them and they do sound interesting."

I really enjoyed the first two in series. Author is an avid birder and hiker so these aspects influence his writing. Skelgill is a loner and deep thinker reminding me of Inspector Morse.

Thanks, just put them on my wish list. I have found some wonderful authors I didn't know about.

I would also love to second/third/fourth the suggestion of Murder Must Advertise.

Edward wrote: "I would also love to second/third/fourth the suggestion of Murder Must Advertise."

And I will fifth it!

And I'll say, "aye"!

I've been to a big book fair in my town. No Sayers, no Brand. I've got one to nominate for November though.

I just want to jump in and vote for Murder Must Advertise also.

Amy wrote: "I just want to jump in and vote for Murder Must Advertise also."


The poll hasn't been posted yet, but I hope when it is all those who support Murder must Advertise vote for it!