Reading the Detectives discussion

Welcome, Nancy.

Judy wrote: "Welcome, Nancy. I agree that it is great to rediscover the lesser-known authors from past eras - good to see so many now coming back into print."

Yes! So many small presses are now bringing them back little by little -- Dean Street Press, for example.

Jan C wrote: "Welcome, Nancy."

Thank you, and haven't we met already? 😊

Nancy wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Welcome, Nancy."

Thank you, and haven't we met already? 😊"

Yes, in the other group.

Jan C wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Welcome, Nancy."

Thank you, and haven't we met already? 😊"

Yes, in the other group."

... hence the happy face!

Hello everyone,
I'm Marie and I live in Southern California. I joined a few days ago, thanks to Wsm's invitation. One of my favorite periods is the 20s and 30s so I'm interested in any mysteries set during that period. I'm also a huge fan of old films, so I'm always looking for books based on films I like. Thank you for having me here.

Hi Creolecat - welcome to the group. I hope you find a lot to enjoy here.

Thank you Susan!

~ Marie

Hi Creolecat, welcome! I grew up in Fullerton, but eons ago.

Welcome Creolecat!

Thank you Elizabeth and Michaela!

Elizabeth - I go into Fullerton every couple of months to the vintage shops. I like walking around the neighborhood too checking out the new shops that pop up (a lot have closed too).

~ Marie

Welcome, Nancy and Creolecat!

Welcome, Marie - glad you have joined. I am another big fan of old films, and enjoy comparing books with the film versions.

Creolecat wrote: "Hello everyone,
I'm Marie and I live in Southern California... I'm a huge fan of old films, so I'm always looking for books based on films I like. "

Welcome, Marie! The Group Read for January is Ashenden and I'm looking forward to reading the book and then revisiting (after many years) the 1936 Alfred Hitchcock film The Secret Agent. The screenplay was based partly on Maugham's stories "The Hairless Mexican" and "The Traitor," and I'm curious to compare book and film.

Happy reading all! -- Jason

Jason wrote: "1936 Alfred Hitchcock film The Secret Agent. The screenplay was based partly on Maugham's stories "The Hairless Mexican" and "The Traitor," "

This is a surprise. With the title, I would have expected the film to have been based on Conrad's novel of the same name.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "This is a surprise. With the title..."

I agree, it's confusing. I wonder if Hitch and the studios thought "Ashenden" would not have enough familiarity for movie audiences. Certainly "The Secret Agent" is more to the point and sounds criminally romantic, but then it gets connected with the Joseph Conrad novel...

Hi, Bill here. I belong to a few other Goodread groups, including another mystery group. I have tended to read more mysteries the past few years. I like all kinds and have slowly been working through a number of British mysteries, old and new. I'll keep an eye here to see what you're reading. Hopefully I can contribute.

Welcome Bill! Interested in what you can recommend! Have fun!

Welcome, Bill, glad you have joined us. Which British mystery authors are your favourites?

Hi Bill - welcome to the group!

Hi I am Ian. My normal reading has been fantasy and science fiction but I am looking for a change. Many years ago I read a lot of Agatha Christie and was thinking of re reading these. I then found your group which looked interesting. I have never read any P D James though I did watch the TV series so I will try to follow your monthly reads.

Hi Ian - welcome!

Welcome Ian! I also had a start into mystery this year.

Welcome, Ian, glad you found us. Hope you enjoy the PD James! On Christie, we are also having buddy reads of the Poirot books.

Hi Ian, welcome to the group!

Hi Ian. Most of us find Christie enjoyable on re-reading and expect you will as well. I also know James more from the TV series. Hope you join us in our books.

Judy wrote: "Welcome, Bill, glad you have joined us. Which British mystery authors are your favourites?"

There are so many.. but here are a few, Judy
- Rennie Airth
- Kate Atkinson
- E.C. Bentley
- W.J. Burley
- the grand dame Agatha Christie
- Ann Cleeves
- Michael Gilbert
- Minette Walters
- P.D. James

That's quite a list, Bill! WJ Burley is a new name for me and I think I've only heard Rennie Airth's name - I will find out more about them.

Bill wrote: "Judy wrote: "Welcome, Bill, glad you have joined us. Which British mystery authors are your favourites?"

There are so many.. but here are a few, Judy
- Rennie Airth
- [author:Kate A..."

Yes, to echo Judy's thank you. And you even put them in alphabetical order (except for PD James, maybe she was an afterthought.)

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Yes, to echo Judy's thank you. And you even put them in alphabetical order (except for PD James, maybe she was an afterthought.)

Her 'real'* name was P D White, so still in alphabetic order.

*Her married name, and the one she used working in the Home Office (where I sat next to her, at a meeting ...)

Hi I'm Gus. I love reading a variety of novels, some classical literature, some comic fantasy (eg Terry Pratchett) and of course detective mysteries. I'm a huge fan of Poirot and Holmes but I've recently been thoroughly enjoying the Peter Grant novels (murder with magic and wit!) In general I love any mystery that gets me both guessing and laughing at the same time.

I'm looking forward to trying PD James as I've been meaning to try her work for years!

Also, I enjoy writing huge messages :p. Thanks for reading.

Hi Gus and welcome. If you like Peter Grant you may like Christopher Fowler who writes the Bryant and May series
Bryant & May: Peculiar Crimes Unit

Welcome, Bill and Gus! Big Bryant & May fan, here - totally agree with Jill’s recommendation!

Hi Gus. I've recently started the Discworld series and am looking forward to years (?) of amusement. I will be starting Mort very soon as it is due back at the library.

Hi Gus - welcome!

Welcome Gus, glad you have joined us, and that you are planning to join in on PD James.

Welcome to the group, Gus. I see you are also reading, "Life and Fate," which we are reading on the sister group that Judy and I also help moderate, Reading the 20th Century.

I just joined your group - who could resist a P.D. James challenge? I have always enjoyed her books and look forward to rereading them. I am always on the lookout for another similar author. I usually read nonfiction, but love tucking into a good mystery.

Welcome Lisa, glad you have joined - and good to hear that you will be joining in on the P.D. James challenge.

Welcome to the group, Lisa. I also read a lot of non-fiction, but I like a good mystery too!

Hi, Lisa - I look forward to seeing you in the Dalgliesh discussions!

Welcome Lisa. I am also a new member of the group starting the P D James challenge. Look forward to hearing your views

Hi, I’m an avid fan of Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh and Agatha Christie ... yet I’ve never read P. D. James. Looking forward to diving in!

Bernadette wrote: "Hi, I’m an avid fan of Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh and Agatha Christie ... yet I’ve never read P. D. James. Looking forward to diving in!"

Welcome!

Welcome Bernadette, good to meet you. I hope you enjoy the PD James books, and our other reads too. :)

Hi there, saw a link to your group through one of my other group threads. Followed it & saw that you will be reading PD James this year. I've always wanted to read her series since i met her at the International Festival of Authors in Toronto a couple of decades ago. She was charming & very interesting. Unfortunately other books/series, club commitments & travel have gotten in the way. I’m planning to begin reading her 1st one (albeit very late) in early Feb.
Happy to have found this group!

Welcome, Icewineanne!

Icewineanne wrote: "Hi there, saw a link to your group through one of my other group threads. Followed it & saw that you will be reading PD James this year. I've always wanted to read her series since i met her at the..."

Glad you will be joining us. Don't worry about starting late; the threads are always open.

Good to know Sandy!
Thanks Elizabeth & Sandy 😊

Welcome to the group, both Bernadette and Icewineanne. We're glad you found us :)