Reading the Detectives discussion

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I remember a conversation about weather breaking out earlier. Maybe it's just that avid readers live in places where the weather gives us more opportunity!"

I agree wholeheartedly! Our entertainment is portable, and goes nicely with a cold iced tea or glass of wine on a hot day, or a hot cup of coffee or tea or glass of wine beside the fire on a cold day!

No food or drink while reading for me!

I find tea and biscuits go very companionably with books, or kindle, Elizabeth - or, indeed, chocolate...

Susan in NC, it it lovely to think that my namesakes are reading. Not a name you hear much now, although my daughter has it as a middle name and doesn't seem to mind :)

Susan wrote: "I find tea and biscuits go very companionably with books, or kindle, Elizabeth - or, indeed, chocolate...

Susan in NC, it it lovely to think that my namesakes are reading. Not a name you hear much..."

You’re right, same over here - not a name you run into much nowadays! But I’m glad your daughter has it as a middle name, carry us Susans into the future!

I’m with you, tea or coffee and a biscuit, especially on a chilly day when I’m cozy indoors with a good book, is my idea of perfect bliss!

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "No food or drink while reading for me!"

Good girl, Elizabeth- much too easy to make a dent in the snack bag if I’m reading (how’d the bag get so empty? 🤔). One of my aunts used to share books with my mum, and her books inevitably came back with orange chip dust in the page creases...

Susan wrote: "I find tea and biscuits go very companionably with books, or kindle, Elizabeth - or, indeed, chocolate..."

I suspect I am in the minority about no food or drink while reading. I just never acquired the habit - perhaps I was heavily cautioned when young about not being responsible for getting library books dirty.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Susan wrote: "I find tea and biscuits go very companionably with books, or kindle, Elizabeth - or, indeed, chocolate..."

I suspect I am in the minority about no food or drink while reading. I just..."

Very good point - I have been grossed out by library books with mystery stains - ugh!

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I suspect I am in the minority about no food or drink while reading. I just never acquired the habit - perhaps I was heavily cautioned when young about not being responsible for getting library books dirty...."

Library books often hold the worst surprises... I appreciate those who take especially good care of the books - THANK YOU! <3<3<3

Elizabeth (Alaska) "...I suspect I am in the minority about no food or drink while reading. I just..."

Hello Elizabeth I too have a general rule to not eat while reading since mostly I get so lost in my book world that I forget to eat or drink. LOL. Mystery stains in library copies turn my stomach too.

Speaking of once common/now uncommon names, only after I graduated from high school and went off to college did I meet another female named Shannon who spelled it like my name (not Shannen or Channan) Before then, the Shannons I knew were males. It's interesting how names go thru cycles of popularity.

S Dizzy wrote: "Speaking of once common/now uncommon names, only after I graduated from high school and went off to college did I meet another female named Shannon who spelled it like my name (not Shannen or Chann..."

I have a niece named Shannon, and spelled like yours.

I see that the ‘Susan’s are taking over! Well maybe not taking over - just accumulating!

Susan was a very common name when I was growing up. Not too many Jan/Janets though. Never met a Shannon until I went to college. Now a member of the extended family is named Shannon.

Susan in Perthshire wrote: "I see that the ‘Susan’s are taking over! Well maybe not taking over - just accumulating!"

Hey, lady! How are you - I decided to join this group after hearing others discuss it - Reading the Detectives? Yes, please!

S Dizzy wrote: "Speaking of once common/now uncommon names, only after I graduated from high school and went off to college did I meet another female named Shannon who spelled it like my name (not Shannen or Chann..."

Hey, Shannon! I only knew females named Shannon growing up in Chicago, spelled as you spell it - maybe it’s a regional thing.

Susan in NC wrote: "S Dizzy wrote: "Speaking of once common/now uncommon names, only after I graduated from high school and went off to college did I meet another female named Shannon who spelled it like my name (not ..."

I grew up in the Chicago area - Evanston.

Jan C wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "S Dizzy wrote: "Speaking of once common/now uncommon names, only after I graduated from high school and went off to college did I meet another female named Shannon who spelled i..."

Cool! I was born in the city, and we lived on the south side, then moved out to the south suburbs.

When I was at school I had three Susans in my class . I thought they were taking over then! LOL

Hello, I'm Diane and I have been reading mysteries for 50 odd years. I discovered Agatha Christie at age 10 and have worked my way through many of the classics mystery series, many with multiple rereadings. Particular favorites in the classics are Christie, Sayers, Tey, Stout, Marsh, etc. I also enjoy new cosy mysteries.

I read very quickly and make my way through several books a week (depending on the week.) I am a college professor (computer information systems) and during exam weeks or other stressful times, I tend to binge read the classics (Georgette Heyer mysteries this week.)

A new reading past time for me is discovering "new" classic authors who are just being republished in ebook form for the first time in years.

I found my way here from the Georgette Heyer group where someone commented that you were rereading Ngaio Marsh. She was a particular favorite of mine a while back but I haven't reread her books in a while so I thought I'd come over and rediscover her and see what people thought of her. Two of my cats were named Ngaio and Troy in honor of Marsh and her character. Other mystery named cats, I have had were Sherlock, Wimsey, Agatha, Tuppence, Tommy, and Peabody. (I tried naming another cat Archie but the name wouldn't stick and he ended up being a Freddy after a Georgette Heyer character. )

Hi Diane - welcome to the group. Looking at your, excellent, reading tastes, I think we have lots that will interest you. We're glad that you found us :)

Welcome, Diane, it's great that you found us. We will be carrying on with our Marsh challenge all through 2019, so there will be lots of opportunity to join in.

Your cats have wonderful names - when I was a child we had cats called after characters from The Lord of the Rings!

Nice to see you Diane!

Welcome. Love your method of naming cats.

Diane wrote: "Hello, I'm Diane and I have been reading mysteries for 50 odd years. I discovered Agatha Christie at age 10 and have worked my way through many of the classics mystery series, many with multiple re..."

Hey Diane, I’m in the Heyer group, too, and we’re currently reading Envious Casca (republished as Christmas Party), I hope you’re reading along!

I love your cat names, you’ve got several of my favorites there - Peabody, yay! I love that series - adventure, humor and mystery- catnip to me! Was your Freddy cat named for Freddy in Heyer’s Cotillion? He’s one of my favorite characters, in one of my favorite books!

Susan in NC wrote: "Diane wrote: "Hello, I'm Diane and I have been reading mysteries for 50 odd years. I discovered Agatha Christie at age 10 and have worked my way through many of the classics mystery series, many wi..."

Definitely read Envious Casca (and enjoyed it) with the group.

And yes, Freddy was named for Freddy in Cotillion, also one of my favorite Georgette Heyer books.

Diane wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Diane wrote: "Hello, I'm Diane and I have been reading mysteries for 50 odd years. I discovered Agatha Christie at age 10 and have worked my way through many of the classics mys..."

I'd guessed where Freddie came from. I enjoyed that one as well-it's also one of my mom's favourites.

Hi, I’m Bobby from California. To be honest, I haven’t read this genre. I’d like to start though. Are there any continuity issues if I try? I know that you all are reading some stories that are part of a series, would I be held back by this? If not, I look forward to it.

Hi Bobby, and welcome to the group.

We have a main read each month, plus a challenge book and lots of buddy reads. The main read is suitable for any member, new or old. The challenge is part of a series, as are some of the buddy reads. However, we are starting some new Buddy Read series in 2019, mostly due to the fact that we have had a lot of new members recently and so we wanted to start some from the beginning.

In terms of our upcoming buddy reads:

January/February:
The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan (NEW SERIES)
Death of a Ghost by Margery Allingham
The List by Mick Herron (novella - 2.5 in the series)


February/March:
Black Roses by Jane Thynne (NEW SERIES)
Minute for Murder by Nicholas Blake
Real Tigers by Mick Herron (3rd in SERIES)
Crossword Mystery by E.R. Punshon

March/April:
The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey (NEW SERIES)
Stop Press by Michael Innes
Flowers for the Judge by Margery Allingham

April/May:
Cover Her Face by P D James (NEW SERIES)
Angel with Two Faces by Nicola Upson (2nd in SERIES)
Spook Street by Mick Herron

May/June:
Death of a Hollow Man by Caroline Graham (2nd in SERIES)
Head of a Traveler by Nicholas Blake
Bump in the Night by Colin Wilson

Others are second books, or you could easily catch up. If you are interested in any particular series, then please ask. Discussion threads always remain open, so you could easily go back. Only our main challenge, the Ngaio Marsh, is quite far in - we are at book 13. If you dislike reading a series out of order, that might be an issue. Otherwise, I am sure there are lots you could join in with.

Just noticed you've marked the Sujata Massey as a Standalone- I think this is also a first in series.

Ah, yes, I notice a second book due out in Feb, Lady. Have amended this.

Welcome, Bobby! Yes, we have lots of good books coming up to discuss and there are many which are standalones, or where it doesn't matter if you have read others in the series.

Bobby wrote: "Hi, I’m Bobby from California. To be honest, I haven’t read this genre. I’d like to start though. Are there any continuity issues if I try? I know that you all are reading some stories that are par..."

Hey, Bobby, welcome, I just joined last month as this is my favorite genre, and I have found the group very helpful in advising whether books are “standalone” or best read in order. I hate to miss character/plot development in a series- enjoy!

Judy wrote: "Welcome to the group! Please introduce yourself and say a little about your favourite classic detectives, authors and series."

Hello everyone,

I’m a big fan of Agatha Christie, Conan Doyle, John Le Carré and, more recently, Nordic/Scandi Noir. I originally read most of Agatha Christie’s books as a teenager (along with the Sherlock Holmes canon) and am now happily rediscovering them once again; I’ve just started my Miss Marple re-read.

I’m looking forward to all sorts of wonderful bookish chat with you all.

Duncan

Hi Duncan - welcome to the group. I like Christie and Le Carre too. I am also a fan of Nordic Noir and Tartan Noir, which is a relatively new favourite.

Let's hope you find a lot to interest you here.

Hi, Duncan, I just joined the group last month - I’ve also been a Christie fan since I first read her in my teens, and just did a Miss Marple re-read over the last year or so. I’ve promised myself a reread of Poirot this year. I’m also here to explore other mystery and thriller writers I may have overlooked over the years.

Hello, I'm Colin. I've been a fan of mysteries since I was a kid; back then I was reading The Three Investigators and my fondness for detective/mystery/thrillers has never let up since.

I'm a big fan of John Dickson Carr, Ellery Queen, Agatha Christie, Rex Stout and a recent convert to Freeman Wills Crofts. outside whodunits, I also enjoy suspense and thrillers of all kinds.

Hi Duncan! Hi Colin! Look forward to reading some mysteries with you!

Hi Colin - welcome to the group, we're glad you found us.

Colin wrote: "Hello, I'm Colin. I've been a fan of mysteries since I was a kid; back then I was reading The Three Investigators and my fondness for detective/mystery/thrillers has never let up since.

I'm a big..."

Agh! Oh my gosh, Three Investigators - I read and reread those books to shreds from my library when I was a kid (even though I was a girl - they hooked me on the genre!) Welcome, Colin!

Welcome Duncan and Colin, and Happy New Year! Glad you both found the group.

I'm new to the group and look forward to hearing what others think of the detective writers of the Golden Age of detection. My favourite writers from that time are Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, and Josephine Tey.

Welcome Duncan, Colin and James. And Happy 2019 to all members, new and old.

Welcome to the group, James. Great to have new members for a New Year :)

Hello! I've already posted a few things on discussion threads - I hope that isn't out of turn. I've been a fan of GA detective fiction since discovering Sayers, Allingham, Christie, Tey, and Marsh as a teenager, and am a relatively recent convert to Nicholas Blake (I prefer the Nigel Strangeways books to the ones which don't feature him), John Dickson Carr (the Sir Henry Merivale books in particular), Patricia Wentworth and Edmund Crispin. Of the hard-boiled genre, I particularly enjoy Ross Macdonald's Lew Archer series. I also enjoy Chesterton's Father Brown stories.

One of the best books I found which introduced me to new authors was the Oxford Book of Detective Stories, edited by Patricia Craig.

Hello, Emma, we've already "chatted" over on the Poirot read. I've also recently discovered the Nigel Strangeways books but I'm not sure I'll be able to catch up with the group.

Welcome Emma. Glad to hear you've been participating in our discussions; they are one of the best parts of the group.

Hi Emma - glad you have joined us. Frances, we haven't read many of the Nigel Strangeways books and are, slowly, making our way through them. The discussion threads will stay open, so you could catch up.

So far, we have read:

Nigel Strangeways
1. A Question of Proof (1935)
2. Thou Shell of Death (1936)
aka Shell of Death
3. There's Trouble Brewing (1937)
4. The Beast Must Die (1938)
5. The Smiler with the Knife (1939)
6. Malice in Wonderland (1940)
aka The Summer Camp Mystery / The Malice with Murder
7. The Case of the Abominable Snowman (1941)
aka The Corpse in the Snowman
8. Minute for Murder (1947) - is a buddy read mid-Feb.

This is one of my favourite series and so I hope that you do decide to jump in :)

Welcome, James. All those authors are much-loved here. We actually have a Tey group read at the moment, of The Singing Sands, and a series of buddy reads of Christie's Poirot books ... plus many other great reads.

A little bit about me:

I'm an Australian girl of very mixed heritage. A full time Mum/Carer. I do a lot of volunteer teacher work at my youngest's school where I work in a catch up literacy program with children struggling to read I have been a professional violinist in my younger years and I assist in the orchestral programs at the schools as well. I am a (qualified but no longer employed) Paediatric Nurse (NICU) and I use my skills to help care for my youngest child who has a serious PID. My older son struggles with severe dyslexia but is completely heathy. Although both of my children attend school regularly, I end up doing a lot of home tutoring to help them keep up at school. My boys are 14 and 11. Some days I have lots of time for myself to do whatever i choose, and other days I run like crazy all day and never catch myself up. I rarely know what sort of day it’s going to be until it begins. So every day is a new adventure. I love dogs, reading, music, cooking, nature rambles, adventures, travel, scrapbooking and quiet, intimate chats with my husband, family and closest friends. I've always loved detective novels, from my earliest Enid Blytons, Trixie Beldens and Nancy Drews to my favourite Georgette Heyers, Agatha Christies etc. I have lately got into Dorothy Sayers and I tread my first Josephine Tey and loved it. I mostly try to keep up to date with the modern 'Cozy Mystery Series' genre authors.

Hi Jemima - welcome to the group. I hope you find lots to interest you here :)