Reading the Detectives discussion

It's time to nominate for our November 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 am going to nominate the first of three Inspector Wilkins mysteries, set in the 1930s, though written between 1970 and 2003!

: "The theft of the diamond necklace and the antique pistols might all be explained, but the body in the lake - that was a puzzle. Inspector Wilkins is called in to investigate, but it's going to take some intricate sleuthing to uncover who killed whom and why."

My enjoyment of this series was enhanced by listening to the audiobooks read by Cornelius Garrett, who also reads some Georgette Heyer.

Rosina wrote: "I am going to nominate the first of three Inspector Wilkins mysteries, set in the 1930s, though written between 1970 and 2003!

: "The th..."

I bought a three volume omnibus of this series five years ago and would love to be 'forced' to read one.

I have read those - good fun and excellent nomination, Rosina.

I will nominate:

Death in the Grand Manor: A Tessa Crichton Mystery (book 1)

'For God's sake don't get the idea that you're Miss Marple. It could quite conceivably lead to your being whacked on the head.'

The narrator of this classic mystery is fashionable young actress, Tessa Crichton-obliged to turn private detective when murder strikes in the rural stronghold of Roakes Common. Leading hate-figures in the community are Mr. and Mrs. Cornford - the nouveaux riches of the local Manor House - suspected by some of malicious dog killing.

Tessa however has other things on her mind when she goes to stay with her cousin Toby and his wife Matilda. There's her blossoming career, for one thing, not to mention coping with her eccentric cousins. Also the favourable impression made by a young man she meets under odd circumstances in the local pub. If it wasn't for that dead body turning up in a ditch . . .

The murder mystery will lead Tessa to perilous danger, but she solves it herself, witty, blithe and soignée to the last. The story is distinguished by memorable characterisation and a sharp ear for dialogue, adding to the satisfaction of a traditional cunningly-clued detective story.

Death in the Grand Manor was originally published in 1970. This new edition features an introduction and afterword by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.

Rosina wrote: "I am going to nominate the first of three Inspector Wilkins mysteries, set in the 1930s, though written between 1970 and 2003!

: "The th..."

I’ve seen this one, haven’t read it yet,sounds fun! And Garrett is a good narrator, I’ve read Heyer books with him (or, he’s read them to me?)

Sandy wrote: "Rosina wrote: "I am going to nominate the first of three Inspector Wilkins mysteries, set in the 1930s, though written between 1970 and 2003!

[bookcover:The Affair of the Blood-Stained Egg Cosy|17..."

Lol, I’m glad I’m not the only one who does that! “This sounds good”, promptly forgets it’s on the kindle app, or saved on Scribd…

I’ll nominate The House Without a Key . It was nominated last time, I think, and sounded intriguing, with the exotic locale of Hawaii, and an unusual detective for the time.

Here’s the summary:


Charlie Chan is back!

Earl Derr Biggers' crackling six-volume series featuring the clever, chubby Chinese Detective of the Honolulu Police Department, is coming back into print.

Biggers brings Honolulu to life with his deft descriptions of the landscape and its hybrid ethnic communities. And with the creation of Inspector Chan, Biggers also shatters stereotypes and is ahead of his time in highlighting the positive aspects of Chinese-Hawaiian culture.

In this first novel, published in 1925, Chan comes to the aid of an aristocratic Boston family who find themselves in dire straits over what has befallen Dan Winterslip, the black sheep of the family, who lives in a mansion on Waikiki Beach — the house without a key.

The troubles begin when a young nephew is dispatched by the family in Boston to retrieve a wayward aunt who has overstayed her welcome in Dan Winterslip's house.

I will nominate Quick Curtain by Alan Melville


'Don't talk bunk!' said Mr Douglas. 'You can't carry on with the show with a man dying on stage. Drop the curtain!'

When Douglas B. Douglas - leading light of the London theatre - premieres his new musical extravaganza, Blue Music, he is sure the packed house will be dazzled by the performance. What he couldn't predict is the death of his star, Brandon Baker, on stage in the middle of Act 2. Soon another member of the cast is found dead, and it seems to be a straightforward case of murder followed by suicide.

Inspector Wilson of Scotland Yard - who happens to be among the audience - soon discovers otherwise. Together with Derek, his journalist son, Wilson takes charge of proceedings in his own inimitable way.

Some great choices already.

Susan in NC wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Rosina wrote: "I am going to nominate the first of three Inspector Wilkins mysteries, set in the 1930s, though written between 1970 and 2003!

[bookcover:The Affair of the Blood-Stain..."

This case is even worse: its a very large paperback taking up room on a physical shelf. The electronic purchases are impossible to remember.

The Grell Mystery

I'm assuming most have not read anything from this writer. Shame because it's an excellent vintage crime story/police procedural.

The Grell Mystery was first published in 1913 and selected as one of the launch titles for the Detective Club in 1929. It was written by former Scotland Yard Chief Inspector Frank Froest, who had turned in retirement to writing successful and authentic crime novels.

“If you like a thriller with plenty of exciting incident and a clever plot you will like this first-rate detective novel by Frank Froest. Chief Inspector Foyle was confronted with the most bewildering case of his career when Goldenburg, the crook, was found foully murdered in the flat of Robert Grell, millionaire. Here was what appeared to be a perfect crime without a clue that led anywhere. But Foyle was more than a match for the arch-criminal and his masterly deduction and determination brought him a splendid triumph.”

Sandy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Rosina wrote: "I am going to nominate the first of three Inspector Wilkins mysteries, set in the 1930s, though written between 1970 and 2003!

[bookcover:The Affai..."

Lol!

Ugh, 2 books I own and am keen to read. How to choose?!

Tara wrote: "Ugh, 2 books I own and am keen to read. How to choose?!"

I know, right? I nominated the Charlie Chan because it sounded interesting to me last time, but then all these others sound good, also! But, I only have one vote, so I guess I toss all the others on the TBR pile…

Thanks for all the nominations - some great choices.

This is what we have so far:

Rosina: The Affair of the Blood-Stained Egg Cosy by James Anderson

Susan: Death in the Grand Manor: A Tessa Crichton Mystery by Anne Morice

Susan in NC: The House Without a Key by Earl Derr Biggers

Jill: Quick Curtain by Alan Melville

Thom: The Grell Mystery by Frank Froest

I'd like to nominate Family Matters, republished in the British Library Crime Classics series. The Goodreads blurb says

Robert Arthur Kewdingham is an eccentric failure of a man. In middle age he retreats into a private world, hunting for Roman artefacts and devoting himself to bizarre mystical beliefs. Robert's wife, Bertha, feels that there are few things more dreadful than a husband who will persist in making a fool of himself in public. Their marriage consists of horrible quarrels, futile arguments, incessant bickering. Scarcely any friends will visit the Kewdinghams in their peaceful hometown Shufflecester. Everything is wrong - and with the entrance of John Harrigall, a bohemian bachelor from London who catches Bertha's eye, they take a turn for the worse. Soon deep passions and resentments shatter the calm facade of the Kewdinghams' lives. This richly characterised and elegantly written crime novel from 1933 is a true forgotten classic.

Frances wrote: "I'd like to nominate Family Matters, republished in the British Library Crime Classics series. The Goodreads blurb says

Robert Arthur Kewdingham is an eccentric failure of a man. I..."

And another good one on my TBR pile! I can’t lose! Well, unless I can’t get the winner from Scribd or my library, or cheap on Kindle…

Another good recommendation! I am tempted by so many of them, but am resisting buying those I don't have until we have a winner ...

We certainly have a lot to choose from here.

Rosina wrote: "Another good recommendation! I am tempted by so many of them, but am resisting buying those I don't have until we have a winner ..."

Same here- I just check Scribd, which I already have a subscription for, and maybe my city library.

Thanks for another great nomination, Frances.

Since we have so many nominations already, the poll will go up tomorrow.

Frances wrote: "I'd like to nominate Family Matters, republished in the British Library Crime Classics series. The Goodreads blurb says

Robert Arthur Kewdingham is an eccentric failure of a man. I..."

I just recommended this book for another group of mine Frances. So many excellent options for this round, it will be very hard to choose!

The poll is now up - please cast your votes.

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

Judy wrote: "The poll is now up - please cast your votes.

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2..."

What do you normally do if there is a tie?

Where possible we try to get a winner, Thom, so people may strategically change votes if a book they voted for looks as though it has no chance of winning. On the very odd occasion, we have ended up doing both books - if they both have lots of votes and it's clear they are very popular from the discussion thread. One one month and one the next and we just won't have a vote the next month, but, usually, we do have a winner.

We have a winner - The Affair of the Blood-Stained Egg Cosy by James Anderson will be our November group read.

Thanks to all who nominated and voted.

Full results:
he Affair of the Blood-Stained Egg Cosy (Burford Family, #1) 14 votes, 43.8%
The House Without a Key (Charlie Chan, #1) 8 votes, 25.0%
Family Matters 4 votes, 12.5%
Quick Curtain 3 votes, 9.4%
Death in the Grand Manor: A Tessa Crichton Mystery (The Tessa Crichton Mysteries Book 1) 2 votes, 6.3%
The Grell Mystery 1 vote, 3.1%

Haven't read that one since it was first published.

Book list is updated and, as it is nearly mid-month, I will open the buddy reads for Sep/Oct as well.

Thank you very much Susan - I was just thinking of opening the buddy reads. :)

I have updated the buddy read list too, but if anyone wishes to add further titles, please post on the buddy reads thread.