Sandy’s Comments (group member since Dec 14, 2015)

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

I've started Murder at the Vicarage and looked for an audio version narrated by Joan Dickson, forgetting that Miss Marple is not the narrator of the first book. It is a bit disconcerting to hear Miss Marple as the vicar.

While I agree with all the unresolved questions, I found the plot easier to follow than some Maigret's. I wonder if Simenon gets bored having Maigret always in Paris and just moves him around randomly.

I liked the reference to a younger, inexperienced Maigret.

I am reading Murder at Mallowan Hall, first in a series starring Christie's fictional housekeeper for an historical mystery challenge. Fine so far, but not compelling. Agatha and Max are very much in the background.

He gave the money away so the money wasn't for his betterment.

I was concerned when Christina was introduced that the series was going to have a new love interest in each book. If they end up happily married, I will be content. She is an interesting addition.

Loved all the details about the salt works. I had no idea so much was involved.

The interaction amoung the three main characters is a real strength in the series.

However, I was less happy with the villain and his motive. I thought just wanting to be worse than his brother pretty weak. I am not a fan of reading about psychopath killers as there is nothing for the investigation to reason out. On the other hand, I found the archer character quite compelling. And the blind man's witnessing of the scene was excellent.

In US, Miraculous Mysteries is $1

Susan wrote: "Three Hands in the Fountain One of our buddy reads next month is currently 99p."

In US, $2

This and a nonfiction book (feeling guilty about all my light reading) are up next.

I enjoyed this. The different characters backgrounds were every bit as good as the mystery.

Hmmm.... I thought the ending weaker than the rest of the book. Maybe the author is setting up an ongoing villain to be met later.

I liked that the clock and Japanese karate both saved Fandorin's life. I hope the troubled young man finds peace in Tahiti.

Was there a hint that Fandorin is going to spend time with Clarissa? I will look at the synopsis of the next book.

What a fun PhD! Welcome.

I'm enjoying it as well. Particularly like the different character in each chapter (though there is one I would like to see less of).

ChrisGA wrote: "I was glad Kim's fears melted under the warmth of her husband's enthusiastic homecoming. Nice touch. How fun Sue ended up fat."

Fitting endings for both characters.

I have been on my library's wait list for weeks (well, maybe two) and it is not moving. I know how short these books are and am a bit annoyed.

Another buddy read I've finished and, like Judy enjoyable overall and better than the last one.

I listened to the audio book. The college (fictional) is set in Massachusetts, my home, and I was amused / horrified that one of the local towns was pronounced as it is spelt, not how it is said.

I've finished and found it much like the others we've read. We do find out why she has to stay in hotels.

I will be starting today. I agree with Pamela that I find Fandorin as mysterious as the mystery. I like the closed-circle aspect of the steamship though I am a bit put off by the Christie comparison in the flyleaf of my library hardback.

Looking forward to the shipboard setting as I bailed out of our buddy read series quite early.

The threads never close but, speaking for myself, memory of the book details fade. Hope you enjoy it.

50's!!!! that seems so long ago.

I read the first three Martin Walker books ten (!) years ago. Enjoyable; always wanted to cook an omelet afterwards. But even then I had too many series going.