Reading the Detectives discussion

It's time to nominate for our September group read. Please nominate books which were either written in the Golden Age, or a little earlier or later, or are set in that period. If in doubt whether a title is eligible, just ask.

Only one nomination per group member, and only one book by any individual writer, can be nominated per month, and authors can't nominate their own books. If you aren't sure whether we have read something, the group bookshelves may help, or just ask. If it was at least 3 years ago that we read it, it is fine to re-nominate.

I’m not sure if we’re still rereading the Lord Peter mysteries as a group, but if it’s okay I’ll nominate #5, which was last read in 2016 I think: The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club

I will nominate Sergeant Cluff Stands Firm

'He could feel it in the blackness, a difference in atmosphere, a sense of evil, of things hidden.'

Amy Snowden, in middle age, has long since settled into a lonely life in the Yorkshire town of Gunnarshaw, until - to her neighbours' surprise - she suddenly marries a much younger man. Months later, Amy is found dead - apparently by her own hand - and her husband, Wright, has disappeared.Sergeant Caleb Cluff - silent, watchful, a man at home in the bleak moorland landscape of Gunnarshaw - must find the truth about the couple's unlikely marriage, and solve the riddle of Amy's death.

This novel, originally published in 1960, is the first in the series of Sergeant Cluff detective stories that were televised in the 1960s but have long been neglected.

Susan wrote: "I will nominate Sergeant Cluff Stands Firm

'He could feel it in the blackness, a difference in atmosphere, a sense of evil, of thing..."

The BLCC kindle is $13.50 in the US, but many libraries, mine included, carry the series.

Susan in NC wrote: "I’m not sure if we’re still rereading the Lord Peter mysteries as a group, but if it’s okay I’ll nominate #5, which was last read in 2016 I think: [book:The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club|44494..."

In US: $.49 (great price) and readily available in libraries.

Thanks everyone! Susan in N.C., I was thinking we would carry on with the Lord Peter series as buddy reads, so we could schedule The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club for mid-September or mid-October if that works for you? Let me know if you'd prefer to put it in the poll though.

Susan the mod, I was going to add Cat and Mouse by Christianna Brand in mid-September but could make that one October if we do Bellona in September. :)

Judy wrote: "Thanks everyone! Susan in N.C., I was thinking we would carry on with the Lord Peter series as buddy reads, so we could schedule The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club for mid-Septemb..."

what about Lord Peter Views the Body? Because Goodreads lists it as coming before Views the Body and I haven't read it yet.

or, wait a minute, it's short stories?

Jackie wrote: "Judy wrote: "Thanks everyone! Susan in N.C., I was thinking we would carry on with the Lord Peter series as buddy reads, so we could schedule The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club fo..."

Yep, short stories

Short stories are difficult for discussions.
So, Bellona in September
Cat and Mouse October?

I'll let the other Susan say what she prefers first :)

Thank you, Susan, that sounds great to me if the other Susan is happy:)

Sandy wrote: "Susan wrote: "I will nominate Sergeant Cluff Stands Firm

'He could feel it in the blackness, a difference in atmosphere, a sense of ..."

Worse than that, it looks like it is $16.57 or 10 cents a page.

I have a nominee, also BLCC - Murder in the Museum by John Rowland. It must have been on sale or something because I picked it up. Currently in the US it is $14.99.

Professor dies in the British Museum Reading Room. Natural causes? He apparently had connections to a Texas oil millionaire. Soon another professor dies on a Yorkshire moor. Is there a connection?

Susan wrote: "Short stories are difficult for discussions.
So, Bellona in September
Cat and Mouse October?

I'll let the other Susan say what she prefers first :)"

Judy wrote: "Thanks everyone! Susan in N.C., I was thinking we would carry on with the Lord Peter series as buddy reads, so we could schedule The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club for mid-Septemb..."

I am flexible, but glad we’re carrying on with Lord Peter! Whatever works for the group - I didn’t nominate the short story collection even though it’s next in order because I know they are difficult to discuss as a group.

Judy wrote: "Thank you, Susan, that sounds great to me if the other Susan is happy:)"

Gosh, thanks! ;o) Bellona in September, Cat and Mouse in October works for both Susans, then!

I saw a GR friend’s review of a Miss Silver mystery today, and realized I hadn’t read her in awhile, so instead of Lord Peter I’ll nominate Lonesome Road : Every year beautiful Rachel Treherne must rewrite her will--and decide who will inherit her late father's vast wealth...But this year, things are just a little bit different:
Somebody clearly wants her to die.

"You have had that money long enough," said the anonymous note. Two venomous snakes coiled in her bed, a suspicious fire and poisoned chocolates made the same point. Now Rachel looks fearfully at those around her: Her invalid sister Mabel, the innocent looking Caroline and her fiance Richard, her first cousin Cosmo Firth, her dedicated companion Louisa, and even the handsome visitor mysteriously linked to her father's past. Enlisting the very capable talents of Miss Silver seems the only way she can stay alive...

Free on kindle unlimited in USA, hopefully available in libraries, paperback $14 on Amazon

That's fine. I have updated the buddy read list and will continue to add the Wimsey books.

Thank you very much, Susan and Susan, that sounds great re the buddy reads!

Jan C wrote: "I have a nominee, also BLCC - Murder in the Museum by John Rowland. It must have been on sale or something because I picked it up. Currently in the US it is $14.99.

..."

Thank you Jan - I have just checked and sadly it looks like this is out of print in the UK in paperback and it's also not on Kindle here. Would you like to nominate something else instead? A shame to see some of the BLCC titles going out of print.

Judy wrote: "Jan C wrote: "I have a nominee, also BLCC - Murder in the Museum by John Rowland. It must have been on sale or something because I picked it up. Currently in the US i..."

That's a shame. It is still avaliable here. I'll look tomorrow.

How about Murder of Lydia by Joan A. Cowdroy. Originally published in 1933.

Detective Mr. Moh is on vacation at Whitesands. He sits on the shore each morning and gets embroiled in an adventure when a dog is stealing clothes from the beach. Lydia Torrington, glamorous local and strong swimmer. is found drowned. It is clear it is no accident. Moh unites with old friend Inspector Gorham to solve the murder.

That's available in the UK. £2.99 on kindle. £9.74 in paperback. Shame you can't check availability other than in your own area - it can be very frustrating.

Thank you for the nomination, Jan, and thanks for checking the UK availability, Susan. :)

I'd like to nominate Murder Included by Joanna Cannan, the first in her Detective Price mystery series.


In the UK this is available on Kindle either on its own for £1.99 or as part of the The Complete Detective Price Mysteries Books 1-5 box set, currently 99p on Kindle. I think these Kindle box sets are usually also available in the US, but can one of our US members please kindly check for me? Both versions are also on Kindle Unlimited in the UK.

First published 1950.
In the prospectus for the Aston Park Guest House and stables, murder is not mentioned among the many attractions. But when a sudden death arrives to upset the family and guests, it seems to become a full-time occupation…Impoverished squire Sir Charles d’Estray brings home his second wife, Bunny, from the French Riviera.A free-spirited and determined bohemian, Bunny commits herself to converting Sir Charles’ estate into a paying guesthouse and dragging his family out of their financial woes. Despite the success of the guesthouse, however, the new Lady d’Estray never quite seems to fit in with the old aristocratic family. One of the guests, an elderly cousin of the Estrays, is found in her bed dead one morning..

Nominations so far:

Susan: Sergeant Cluff Stands Firm by Gil North

Susan in N.C.: Lonesome Road by Patricia Wentworth

Jan: Murder of Lydia by Joan A. Cowdroy

Judy: Murder Included by Joanna Cannan

Any more? Last call for nominations before the poll goes up.

I realise I downloaded your suggestion in 2020, Judy, but still haven't read it!

I think I did the same, Susan! ;)

This could be the time...

Judy wrote: "I'd like to nominate Murder Included by Joanna Cannan, the first in her Detective Price mystery series.


In the UK this is avai..."

In the US:
Murder Included is $3 on kindle and available on Kindle Unlimited, as are the others in the series.

The five book set is $18

Judy wrote: "I'd like to nominate Murder Included by Joanna Cannan, the first in her Detective Price mystery series.


In the UK this is avai..."

I downloaded her Death at the Dog years ago and never read, thanks for the reminder, Judy!

Susan wrote: "This could be the time..."

Right?! FYI, this is free on Kindle Unlimited in the US

Sergeant Cluff Stands Firm is $16 on Kindle, only one I can’t get through library or kindle unlimited

*EDIT: sorry, Sandy and Jan already covered that above; kind of surprised my library doesn’t have it, they have a decent BLCC collection…

Susan in NC wrote: "Judy wrote: "I'd like to nominate Murder Included by Joanna Cannan, the first in her Detective Price mystery series.


In the UK..."

Me too (downloaded Death at the Dog at never read). Maybe a future nomination?

Sandy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Judy wrote: "I'd like to nominate Murder Included by Joanna Cannan, the first in her Detective Price mystery series.
[bookcover:Murder Included|..."

There ya go! It’s a different detective, so maybe a previous nomination, or more likely for me, a kindle sale offering!

Thank you for checking the availability on Murder Included, Sandy and Susan!

I also have Death at the Dog and have previously read it but haven't tried this one as yet.

Judy wrote: "I'd like to nominate Murder Included by Joanna Cannan, the first in her Detective Price mystery series.


In the UK this is avai..."

I am in the US and just purchased the 5 book set on Kindle for 99 cents.

Jennifer wrote: "Judy wrote: "I'd like to nominate Murder Included by Joanna Cannan, the first in her Detective Price mystery series.


In the UK..."

I found it also. I had to search Amazon by the author and then it appeared. Clicking on the picture of five books brought up Detective Pitt. And clicking on the single book gives me the $18 option. Thank you for persevering Jennifer.

I've sworn off buying sets. I've bought two - one by S. S. Van Dine, the Philo Vance stories and I'm still on the 2nd one, and the other was the Charlie Chan stories. I had a problem with the second one because the heir and Amazon withdrew it while I was on the 2nd book. I did get a refund, I think.

The poll is now up - please vote for your preferred choice.

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/3...

The winner is Lonesome Road by Patricia Wentworth, which will be our September group read.
We'll also do the runner up, Murder Included by Joanna Cannan, in October, as several people mentioned they owned it. Thanks everyone!

Full results:
Lonesome Road (Miss Silver, #3) 5 votes, 45.5%
Murder Included (D.I. Price #1) 4 votes, 36.4%
Sergeant Cluff Stands Firm 1 vote, 9.1%
Murder of Lydia 1 vote, 9.1%

Cool! I'm missing my GA mystery writers!

I apparently have them both.