Reading the Detectives discussion

It's time to nominate for our October 2021 group read!

Please nominate mystery/detective books written in/set in the GA period, or slightly earlier or later.

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

I'd like to nominate The Division Bell Mystery by Ellen Wilkinson.

Originally published in 1932, this is the first Crime Classic novel written by an MP. And fittingly, the crime scene is within the House of Commons itself, in which a financier has been shot dead.

Entreated by the financier’s daughter, a young parliamentary private secretary turns sleuth to find the identity of the murderer – the world of politics proving itself to be domain not only of lies and intrigue, but also danger. Wilkinson’s own political career positioned her perfectly for this accurate but also sharply satirical novel of double cross and rivalries within the seat of the British Government.

It's in the British Library Crime Classics series so should be easily available. It might be better for the setting in Parliament than plot but looks interesting - and Wilkinson sounds fascinating as a Labour MP, supporter of women's suffrage and the trade union movement, and one of the leaders of the Jarrow march.

I've been meaning to read that RC, have you tried her Clash? It's a bit uneven as a novel but fascinating for the historical perspective, and some wonderful scenes of different Bloomsbury groups, and how they live, including a lot on their decorating tastes!

I hadn't heard of her, Alwynne, till I stumbled over this book but I'm always up for a contemporary view of the Bloomsburyites :)

Roman Clodia wrote: "I'd like to nominate The Division Bell Mystery by Ellen Wilkinson.

Originally published in 1932, this is the first Crime Classic novel written by an MP. And fitti..."

Off to a great start, already on my TBR list!

I have a birthday coming up, so I treated myself to several Lorac paperbacks on Amazon; these were apparently reissued in 2012 by Ramble House, so I’m hoping they are available for our members. Mine just arrived, and I’d like to nominate The Devil and the C.I.D. by E.C.R. Lorac, published in 1938 - which according to GR takes place right after Bats in the Belfry.

Sorry, here’s the blurb : “ THE DEVIL AND THE C.I.D. is a very hard-to-find treasure from 1938 by Edith Caroline Rivett, who wrote under the pseudonym E.C.R. Lorac. It features her series character, the Scot Inspector Macdonald, and involves a body left in the boot of the Inspector's car.”

Sorry Susan, but I think The Devil and the C.I.D. is going to be too difficult for people to get hold of - in the UK there are only used copies on Amazon starting at just under £30 including postage (about $40). So would you like to suggest something else?

Good to know that it was reprinted, though, and a great birthday present to yourself :)

Meant to add, the plot does sound intriguing...

Oh, The Division Bell Mystery sounds good. Don't think I can better that one, RC. However, as we may need more nominations, I will suggest:

Skelton's Guide to Domestic Poisons

Think I may have nominated before and it flopped, but it is on my tbr list.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA SAPERE BOOKS HISTORICAL DAGGER

'Jovial, jocular and joyous' Shots Mag

January 1929. When Arthur Skelton won the legal case of the century, he went from being an unremarkable barrister to front-page sensation. Now he faces a new challenge. Mary Dutton is accused of poisoning her husband and the police are convinced she is guilty. Even her supporters think she did it. Skelton agrees to take on what many consider an unwinnable case, a decision wholly unconcerned with the defendant’s resemblance to a beautiful actress…

With an army of women set to vote for the first time in history, the fate of Mary Dutton will have a significant impact on Britain’s political future. Skelton faces mounting pressure to find the truth, but will that be enough to save a young woman’s life?

I will nominate The House in Charlton Crescent by Annie Haynes

Protruding from the dead woman’s breast was the gold and jewelled dagger she had shown them half an hour before. And, looking horribly incongruous among the laces of her fichu, a deep stain was spreading.

Elderly cantankerous widow Lady Anne Daventry summons a private detective, Bruce Cardyn, to her London home. He is tasked to find out one thing: just who is trying to kill her?

Any number of relations have a financial interest in her death. Then there is Lady Anne’s recently dismissed private secretary, her lady’s maid and the butler…

Despite Cardyn’s efforts, Lady Anne is murdered and Inspector Furnival, in his second golden age mystery, is on the case, with Cardyn playing Watson. Originally published in 1926, this new edition is the first printed in over eighty years. It features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.

Pity about the Lorac, but Haynes is always cheaply available on kindle.

Since it's October, with Halloween in mind, I'll go for a somewhat spooky nomination - I'm not sure how available this is outside the UK, though, so could people let me know? If necessary I will have a rethink.

A House of Ghosts by W.C. Ryan

Winter 1917. As the First World War enters its most brutal phase, back home in England, everyone is seeking answers to the darkness that has seeped into their lives.

At Blackwater Abbey, on an island off the Devon coast, Lord Highmount has arranged a spiritualist gathering to contact his two sons who were lost in the conflict. But as his guests begin to arrive, it gradually becomes clear that each has something they would rather keep hidden. Then, when a storm descends on the island, the guests will find themselves trapped. Soon one of their number will die.

For Blackwater Abbey is haunted in more ways than one . . .

It´s available for $7 on kindle, about 14 for the paperback, a bit cheaper on the German site.

Some great suggestions, already. Like the idea of a spooky read, Judy.

Judy wrote: "Sorry Susan, but I think The Devil and the C.I.D. is going to be too difficult for people to get hold of - in the UK there are only used copies on Amazon starting at just under £30 ..."

It is $15.99 on Amazon in the US. Not on kindle.

I don't know if I have nominated this before but Elizabeth Daly was supposedly Agatha Christie's favorite American author. Her first book in the Henry Gamadge series in Unexpected Night, published in 1940. I have been gradually picking these books up as they appeared on sale on Kindle.

Gamadge is an antiquarian book dealer and is asked for help while on vacation in Maine.

Might be difficult to get hold of here, Jan. Only available in paperback and works out as about £30 with postage. Can't see any titles by her on kindle, but an interesting suggestion.

Im on my phone so can't easily link but the Daly book is on Faded Pages, which is the Canadian equivalent to Gutenberg. You would need to check if your country's copyright laws are the same as Canada's though.

Michaela wrote: "It´s available for $7 on kindle, about 14 for the paperback, a bit cheaper on the German site."

Thank you for checking out the price of A House of Ghosts, Michaela. Could anyone in the US confirm if it is showing up as available for you on Kindle?

I use Amazon US and House of Ghosts shows up as an ebook at $8.12. That's with sales tax, so probably about $7.50 elsewhere.

Thank you for mentioning Faded Page, Carol. A great resource! Re Canadian copyright, my understanding is that it runs for 50 years after an author's death - I've just checked online and this is the same in New Zealand and some other countries, but in the UK, US and EU it's usually 70 years. Elizabeth Daly died in 1967, so her books are still in copyright for many of us.

It does look as if Unexpected Night has been available on Kindle in the UK in the past, though, so maybe it will return - if we bear that one in mind for the future, could you nominate something else this time, Jan? A pity since it does sound good.

I see A House of Ghosts as $17 in the US, but my library has several versions available.

Jan C wrote: "I don't know if I have nominated this before but Elizabeth Daly was supposedly Agatha Christie's favorite American author. Her first book in the Henry Gamadge series in [book:Unexpec..."

Available for $2 in US.

Susan wrote: "Oh, The Division Bell Mystery sounds good. Don't think I can better that one, RC. However, as we may need more nominations, I will suggest:

Skelton's Guide to Domestic Poisons [boo..."

I see this book as $6 in the US. My library has copies on order so it may be a newer release.

Judy wrote: "Sorry Susan, but I think The Devil and the C.I.D. is going to be too difficult for people to get hold of - in the UK there are only used copies on Amazon starting at just under £30 ..."

Thanks, Judy, and you’re right, definitely too spendy! I will see what else looks appealing and available- meanwhile, I’m sure there have been other great nominations - I’ll check them out to make sure I don’t duplicate!

Jan C wrote: "I don't know if I have nominated this before but Elizabeth Daly was supposedly Agatha Christie's favorite American author. Her first book in the Henry Gamadge series in [book:Unexpec..."

Thanks, Jan, hadn’t heard of this series, but I believe I’ve seen that also about Daly being a Christie favorite!

Susan wrote: "Some great suggestions, already. Like the idea of a spooky read, Judy."

Same, here, fun for Halloween!

I’d like to nominate The Dead Shall be Raised & Murder of a Quack by George Bellairs. It contains two cases, I’ve read the first, want to read the second. We could read one or both. It was nominated last time, but I figured I’d try again. Summary:

“Two classic cases featuring Detective-Inspector Littlejohn.

In the winter of 1940, the Home Guard unearths a skeleton on the moor above the busy town of Hatterworth. Twenty-three years earlier, the body of a young textile worker was found in the same spot, and the prime suspect was never found - but the second body is now identified as his. Inspector Littlejohn is in the area for Christmas and takes on the investigation of the newly reopened case. Soon it becomes clear that the murderer is still at large...

* * *

Nathaniel Wall, the local quack doctor, is found hanging in his consulting room in the Norfolk village of Stalden - but this was not a suicide. Wall may not have been a qualified doctor, but his skill as a bonesetter and his commitment to village life were highly valued. Scotland Yard is drafted in to assist. Quickly settling into his accommodation at the village pub, Littlejohn begins to examine the evidence...Against the backdrop of a close-knit village, an intriguing story of ambition, blackmail, fraud, false alibis and botanical trickery unravels.“

The first story has several lovely scenes evoking wartime rural Christmas, so might also be a good Christmas nomination.

Thank you, Susan, for your new nomination! Would you prefer to nominate just one of the stories or both? I'll leave it up to you, fine either way. :)

Thank you, Carolien and Sandy, for checking out A House of Ghosts. The $17 price Sandy found in the US does sound rather expensive, so I will have a rethink and come up with something else.

I´d like to read the Bellairs too, as I already got it at home. :)

Michaela wrote: "I´d like to read the Bellairs too, as I already got it at home. :)"

Maybe you nominated it last time? I’d really like to read the second story, so how about I nominate that, and if the group seems to like the style, writing, etc., I’ll nominate the first story for Christmas? So, I’ll nominate The Dead Shall be Raised & Murder of a Quack by George Bellairs, with the plan being if it wins, we read Murder of a Quack only for October.

Yes, I nominated it before. :)

Michaela wrote: "Yes, I nominated it before. :)"

😉

I would like to nominate The Corpse in the Waxworks: A Paris Mystery by John Dickson Carr if it is eligible and available to all.

I just finished reading this yesterday and it fits the spooky bill.

Susan in NC wrote: "I’d like to nominate The Dead Shall be Raised & Murder of a Quack by George Bellairs. It contains tw..."

I quite enjoyed both of these stories!

Shaina wrote: "I would like to nominate The Corpse in the Waxworks: A Paris Mystery by John Dickson Carr if it is eligible and available to all.

I just finished reading this yesterd..."

In the US, Amazon says it is not available until Nov 9th, then for $8

Shaina wrote: "I would like to nominate The Corpse in the Waxworks: A Paris Mystery by John Dickson Carr if it is eligible and available to all.

I just finished reading this yesterd..."

Ohhh, thanks for this one, sounds good and creepy and different! Onto the TBR list it goes, even if I have to wait for it - sounds fun.

Shaina wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I’d like to nominate The Dead Shall be Raised & Murder of a Quack by [author:George Bellairs|436..."

I liked Bellairs’ style and his detective!

Sandy, thank you for checking. It can be nominated some other time maybe.

Welcome,Susan in NC. It sure has put me off wax museums. It was that spooky.

I have always thought waxworks were spooky. I believe that nowadays they even move and speak, which is even worse.

Shaina wrote: "Sandy, thank you for checking. It can be nominated some other time maybe.

Welcome,Susan in NC. It sure has put me off wax museums. It was that spooky."

Yikes, I imagine it would, just by the description!

Jill wrote: "I have always thought waxworks were spooky. I believe that nowadays they even move and speak, which is even worse."

I agree, animatronics give me the heebie-jeebies - sometimes, on news or science shows, they show the latest robots, with the human-type faces, or those robotic dogs that can run and move like a real dog, and it creeps me out! The movement, and in the human like ones, the glassy soulless eyes staring out of those latex faces with no wrinkles, smile lines - eeek!

Thank you for the suggestion, Shaina, and thanks to Sandy for checking the availability. Shame it isn't out in the US yet, but one to save for the future - it certainly does sound creepy!

Waxworks are creepy, I agree, and animatronics. I always get a bit freaked out by those things. The National History Museum has the most realistic animatronic dinosaurs. My son adored dinosaurs when he was little, so we took him and he was utterly enthralled and thought they were real, but lots of children were really scared!

Susan in NC wrote: "Jill wrote: "I have always thought waxworks were spooky. I believe that nowadays they even move and speak, which is even worse."

I agree, animatronics give me the heebie-jeebies - sometimes, on ne..."

Yes the Uncanny Valley effect, although I'm the opposite, love robots, puppets etc

Alwynne wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Jill wrote: "I have always thought waxworks were spooky. I believe that nowadays they even move and speak, which is even worse."

I agree, animatronics give me the heebie-jeebie..."

I find it all very interesting - it’s amazing how far technology has come since the R2D2 and C3PO days! Sorry, only robots I can think of…

Nominations so far...

Roman Clodia: The Division Bell Mystery by Ellen Wilkinson

Susan: Skelton's Guide to Domestic Poisons by David Stafford

Jill: The House in Charlton Crescent by Annie Haynes

Susan in NC: The Dead Shall be Raised & Murder of a Quack by George Bellairs (We would only read Murder of a Quack.)

Several more great titles have also been suggested, but sadly they are not available in some countries, or too expensive.

Would anyone like to add any more nominations?

I could switch to one I recently started (especially since it sounds like the Carr book which I would have backed may be more expensive than people would want to spend) - The Eye In The Museum by J.J. Connington. Published in 1929. Here it is $1.99 on Kindle.

Young woman lives with her aunt who is apparently a mean drunk. Youngster wonders about aunt dying. Whoops! Next day she dies. Inspector Ross (lead character) is on the job.

Title could refer to a glass eye donated to the museum or the camera obscura, also in the museum.

Young woman has a boyfriend, a junior lawyer, who she is pushing to get further up in the firm before she will marry him.

I'm not yet at the place where the aunt dies. But they do live on some kind of canal or river or something where they paddle up and down.