Reading the Detectives discussion

Welcome to our June 25 group read of To Love and Be Wise The fourth book in the Alan Grant series was published in 1950.

It was rumoured that Hollywood stars would go down on their knees for the privilege of being photographed by the good-looking, brilliantly talented and ultra-fashionable portrait photographer Leslie Searle. But what was such a gifted creature doing in such an English village backwater of Salcott St Mary? And why - and how - did he disappear? If a crime had been committed, was it murder... fraud... or simply some macabre practical joke?

Please do not post spoilers in this thread. Thank you.

As June starts this weekend, I thought it best to open this thread now. Who is reading this? I have started it, but I often struggle with Tey and I never find her novels that engaging for some reason. Not sure why!

Thank you for opening the threads up, Susan. I can hardly believe it's nearly June! I will be rereading this but want to finish the Bradcote and Catchpoll (I may have those names wrong) buddy read first.


ttps://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/23124801...

Sorry, meant to say I was linking the spoiler thread in that previous post. On my phone so can't edit...

Using Goodreads on your phone is SO difficult! I don't even try.

I've started rereading this and am really enjoying the quality of the writing and all the witty comments. Clearly, as an author and playwright, Tey knew the worlds of both theatre and publishing really well!

This is next up for me.

Hope you enjoy it, Sandy.

I did the last time I read it. Don't remember a thing but it all may come back.

Susan wrote: "As June starts this weekend, I thought it best to open this thread now. Who is reading this? I have started it, but I often struggle with Tey and I never find her novels that engaging for some reas..."

Same here; I wasn’t able to get this one through my city library, and don’t own it, so I’m giving it a pass.

Susan wrote: "As June starts this weekend, I thought it best to open this thread now. Who is reading this? I have started it, but I often struggle with Tey and I never find her novels that engaging for some reas..."

I started reading this. Found a kindle for 0.99$. I do agree with you on finding it difficult to engage with Tey's novels. But I did enjoy The Franchise Affair.

Tey's books are all in the public domain in the UK as she died more than 70 years ago. I thought that was also the case in the US but just checked and I'm wrong - international copyright laws can be confusing.

I am about two thirds into this now. I think the only Tey novel I liked so far was the one set in the school. All the Grant novels have left me indifferent. I wonder if it's him I am not warming to, but then he is similar to Alleyn in temperament, I think.

I agree that Grant and Alleyn are much alike. I kept thinking Grant was going to find an artist to love.

I have finished and heading for the spoiler thread. Loved the book.

I got the audio version from my library (the only option) and I will start it today, but I often don't like to do first reads with an audio book. So, to be determined if this works for me. I go very slowly with audio books so I won't make it to the spoiler thread for awhile!

I will be starting soon as I've just finished our Marple read. I don't think I've read this one before but have loved all the other Teys so looking forward to this one.

I finished the book and enjoyed the read very much. I think it is one of Tey's best.

I think I've decided that me and Tey are just never going to be friends. It is what it is...

listening to the audio book wasn't working for me now (I bought a house and am getting ready to move) so I won't finish. Based on the posts here - it's interesting how varied! - I would like to try it again sometime but not the audio version for a first time read.

Piyangie wrote: "Susan wrote: "As June starts this weekend, I thought it best to open this thread now. Who is reading this? I have started it, but I often struggle with Tey and I never find her novels that engaging..."

I enjoyed that one, as well!

Susan wrote: "I think I've decided that me and Tey are just never going to be friends. It is what it is..."

I’m so pleased to see this! She isn’t an author I enjoy much, & this book seems to be the worst of hers that I’ve read. I was close to abandoning it from the start - no characters that I cared about, & a storyline that bored me throughout. Sorry to be negative, I’m sure some people will thoroughly enjoy the book.

Seems as if this is a book that gets strong reactions, both positive and negative! I enjoyed it overall because of the witty writing and interesting characters, but did have one or two issues, which I've posted about over in the spoiler thread.

For those who do enjoy Tey, Caroline Crampton from the Shedunnit podcast recently wrote a newsletter about a visit to Inverness, where Tey's biographer, Jennifer Morag Henderson, showed her around the city.
https://www.shedunnitshow.com/a-visit...

This was very interesting to me as I'm going to Inverness next year - I've just borrowed the biography from the library, but then thought I should have waited until nearer the time! Oh well, I'll probably read it now anyway as I've borrowed it.

I finished it last night- totally enjoyable for characters, writing, plot, and ending! I’ve never been disappointed in a Tey book. Glad to have joined in on this month’s group read!

I've just finished as well and also really enjoyed it-as I said earlier, what a treat to have a new-to-me Tey!