Reading the Detectives discussion

It's time to nominate for the New Year! Please suggest books for our January 2020 group read.

The books can be written in/set in the GA period, or a little earlier or later.

As usual, just one nomination per group member. Also, only one book by any individual writer can be nominated per month.

I'll start off the nominations with Hag's Nook: A Gideon Fell Mystery by John Dickson Carr, as I recently acquired a lovely paperback copy of this and it is also now on Kindle (currently 99p in the UK.) It is the first in the Dr Gideon Fell series.



‘The Starberths die of broken necks’ goes the legend in the village of Chatterham . . .'

The Starberth family governed the now-abandoned Chatterham prison for many years, and each male heir must spend the night of his twenty-fifth birthday there, alone, overlooking the hanging site of Hag’s Nook...

Judy wrote: "I'll start off the nominations with Hag's Nook: A Gideon Fell Mystery by John Dickson Carr, as I recently acquired a lovely paperback copy of this and it is also now o..."

I don't see the kindle version available thru Amazon in the US, but my library has an older edition.

I really want to read Hag's Nook but I think there was some discussion before about it being unavailable in the US.

It has only just been published on Kindle in the UK - I think we had previously discussed the difficulty of getting it here too. But, anyway, if it proves hard to source copies perhaps it would be better as a buddy read?

Jill wrote: "I really want to read Hag's Nook but I think there was some discussion before about it being unavailable in the US."

The cheapest I can get it in the US is $5.09, a used hardcover. I could probably get it via inter-library loan for a bit cheaper. Although this is a title I would potentially read, I'm currently not interested in acquiring it for a cost because I already have too many books on hand. Hopefully there will be another nomination for something I have or something my library has.

I will nominate No17No. 17 by J. Jefferson Farjeon

The first book featuring Ben, the lovable, humorous ex-sailor and down-at-heels rascal who can’t help running into trouble.

Ben is back home from the Merchant Navy, penniless as usual and looking for digs in fog-bound London. Taking shelter in an abandoned old house, he stumbles across a dead body – and scarpers. Running into a detective, Gilbert Fordyce, the reluctant Ben is persuaded to return to the house and investigate the mystery of the corpse – which promptly disappears! The vacant No.17 is the rendezvous for a gang of villains, and the cowardly Ben finds himself in the thick of thieves with no way of escape.

Ben’s first adventure, No.17, began life in the 1920s as an internationally successful stage play and was immortalised on film by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock. Its author, J. Jefferson Farjeon, wrote more than 60 crime thrillers, eight featuring Ben the tramp, his most popular character.

Sandy wrote: "Judy wrote: "I'll start off the nominations with Hag's Nook: A Gideon Fell Mystery by John Dickson Carr, as I recently acquired a lovely paperback copy of this and it ..."

I read it in paperback and enjoyed it. It doesn't look like it is available on kindle. I clicked on the link "would you like to read it on kindle".

I second, Hag's Nook, Judy! If we can't do it as a nomination, then perhaps a buddy read?

Thanks for all the feedback re Hag's Nook. A buddy read is a good idea, Susan. Since it sadly still isn't available on Kindle in the US, I will withdraw the nomination here and suggest those who wish, and can get hold of a copy, do it as a buddy read in January/February instead.

Thanks to Jill for nominating No. 17 - I have been wanting to read this for ages, especially as the main character inspired the "Passing Tramp" classic crime fiction blog run by Curtis Evans.

Definitely count me in for the Hag's Nook, as the unavailability of it in the U.S, has been something that has stopped me nominating it in the past.

Jill wrote: "the unavailability of it in the U.S, has been something that has stopped me nominating it in the past."

Thanks for looking out for us.

Hag's Nook wasn't available in the UK either until very recently - it was only published here on Kindle and in a reasonably priced paperback in July this year. Let's hope it is soon out in the US and other countries too. I wish publishers would issue Kindle editions around the world.

But anyway, we'll make it a buddy read instead - so that means we need some more nominations for the main read!

I'd like to nominate that which is perhaps outside our normal range: Ashenden, or The British Agent by W. Somerset Maugham, originally published in 1927. There are 16 stories. The first paragraph below is from one GR book description, the others are from the Wikipedia page on the title, which I have edited for what might be spoilers.

This fascinating book contains probably the most expert stories of espionage ever written. For a period of time after it was first published, the book became official required reading for persons entering the British Secret Service. During World War I, Maugham enlisted with an ambulance unit, but was soon shifted to the Intelligence Department. Although these stories were based on the author's own experiences as a British agent during the war, he emphasized that they were written purely as entertainment, at which, indeed, Ashenden succeeds. Maugham's clarity of style, the perfection of his form, the subtlety of his thought, veiled thinly behind a worldly cynicism, has made him an international figure.
_____

During WWI, a writer named Ashenden, introduced only by his last name, is enlisted as an agent through threats and promises by "R.", a Colonel with British Intelligence. He is sent to Switzerland where he becomes involved in a number of counter-intelligence operations; these he accomplishes by means of persuasion, bribery, blackmail, or coincidence. He does not use a weapon.

In one, he accompanies a man called the Hairless Mexican to Italy, where they are to intercept important papers carried by an arriving Greek agent of the Germans. The Hairless Mexican meets the only Greek on the incoming ship, and during a search of the Greek's hotel room, the Hairless Mexican and Ashenden do not find any papers.

In another, Ashenden must induce an Italian dancer to betray her lover, an anti-British Indian and a German agent, by convincing him to cross the border from neutral Switzerland to see her in allied France, where the Allies can arrest him.

Judy wrote: "Thanks for all the feedback re Hag's Nook. A buddy read is a good idea, Susan. Since it sadly still isn't available on Kindle in the UK, I will withdraw the nomination here and suggest those who wi..."

It sounds like a great book - almost scary! But good.

Judy wrote: "I wish publishers would issue Kindle editions around the world.."

It's those that darned all copyright laws that are different from country to country.

Jill wrote: "Taking shelter in an abandoned old house, he stumbles across a dead body – and scarpers. "

Sometimes reading is more of an adventure than anticipated. I read this sentence and wondered what a scarpers was. (Yes, I've looked it up now, so that it makes sense.)

No problem, I will add Hag's Nook to the Buddy List, Judy.

I would like to nominate:

Somebody at the Door

'The death was an odd one, it was true; but there was after all no very clear reason to assume it was anything but natural.' In the winter of 1942, England lies cold and dark in the wartime blackout. One bleak evening, Councillor Grayling steps off the 6.12 from Euston, carrying GBP120 in cash, and oblivious to the fate that awaits him in the snow-covered suburbs. Inspector Holly draws up a list of Grayling's fellow passengers: his distrusted employee Charles Evetts, the charming Hugh Rolandson, and an unknown refugee from Nazi Germany, among others. Inspector Holly will soon discover that each passenger harbours their own dark secrets, and that the councillor had more than one enemy among them. First published in 1943, Raymond Postgate's wartime murder mystery combines thrilling detection with rich characters and a fascinating depiction of life on the home front.

Haven't read anything by this author before, but I am a sucker for a wartime setting...

I would be very interested to read Somebody at the Door by Raymond Postgate - I'd love to read more British Library Crime Classics and this one sounds intriguing with its war-time setting and train theme! The author was also the father of Oliver Postgate, of Bagpuss fame.

Nominations so far, following the withdrawal of Hag's Nook from the poll...

Jill: No. 17 by J. Jefferson Farjeon
Elizabeth: Ashenden Or the British Agent by W. Somerset Maugham
Susan: Somebody at the Door by Raymond Postgate

I think I nominated No. 17 previously, Jill. I have also read, and enjoyed, Ashenden, so another good crop of nominations.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I'd like to nominate that which is perhaps outside our normal range: Ashenden, or The British Agent by [author:W. Somerset Maugham|

An interesting author! I came into possession of his "Complete Short Stories". Two volumes with 91 tales. The books are named respectively East and West and The World Over and counted as two books. There are many more shorts which may also be comprised of sub titles.
In addition to the short stories he also wrote novels, plays and essays. The man was nothing if not prolific. When did he have time to eat, sleep and breathe? I am still working my way through volume one and enjoying it. The stories in East and West give a view of colonialism. At times there is a fair amount of scariness, probably because the circumstances are so believable.

I think one of the very interesting things about Maugham is that he was born in Paris. But his father wanted him born on British soil, and had his mother moved to the British Embassy for his birth.

Since French law declared that all children born on French soil could be conscripted for military service, his father arranged for Maugham to be born at the embassy, diplomatically considered British soil. (wikipedia)

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Judy wrote: "I wish publishers would issue Kindle editions around the world.."

It's those that darned all copyright laws that are different from country to country."

So true - frustrating! I’m looking at books I want to read to nominate, but they’re either not published here yet, or not published in the UK yet.

Judy wrote: "Nominations so far, following the withdrawal of Hag's Nook from the poll...

Jill: No. 17 by J. Jefferson Farjeon
Elizabeth: [book:Ashenden Or the British Agent|442..."

All of these are going on my TBR list, great choices.

How about Murder in the Museum ?

When Professor Julius Arnell breathes his last in the hushed atmosphere of the British Museum Reading Room, it looks like death from natural causes. Who, after all, would have cause to murder a retired academic whose life was devoted to Elizabethan literature? Inspector Shelley's suspicions are aroused when he finds a packet of poisoned sugared almonds in the dead man's pocket; and a motive becomes clearer when he discovers Arnell's connection to a Texan oil millionaire. Soon another man plunges hundreds of feet into a reservoir on a Yorkshire moor. What can be the connection between two deaths so different, and so widely separated? The mild-mannered museum visitor Henry Fairhurst adds his detective talents to Inspector Shelley's own, and together they set about solving one of the most baffling cases Shelley has ever encountered.

The 18th book in Poisoned Pen Press's highly praised British Library Crime Classic series.

Came out in 2016, my library has an ebook, and it’s on kindle. How about UK?

Murder in the Museum sounds like a great title, Susan, and is one I've been meaning to read. It is in paperback and on audible in the UK, but not on Kindle... sigh! I think a lot of libraries have it here, though, so it might not be all that hard for many people to get - my local library system has 20 copies!

We have had nominations before that aren't on Kindle everywhere, or alternatively the other BLCC title by John Rowland, Calamity in Kent, is on Kindle in the UK if you fancy that one? Murder in the Museum is an earlier title though (but only 2 books out of the series are in print anyway...)

Whatever is more readily available to the group is fine with me - I’m greedy, I have so many BLCC reissues on my TBR pile! I thought I’d choose an older title, since my nominations in the past were harder for members to get, I thought I’d err on the safe side.

Thanks Susan, I want to read lots of them too! Up to you which one to go with - I don't know what availability of the other one is like in the US. I think either would be fine to nominate.

Ok, well, I’m a sucker for reading in order, and Murder in the a Museum is Inspector Shelley #6, so I’ll go with that since it’s earlier in the series.

I think I have No. 17 and Murder at the Museum and have read Ashenden.

When do nominations close?

Nominations will close next weekend.

On double-checking I do not have Murder at the Museum but do have Murder in the Museum of Man.

My nomination will be Murder of Lydia by Joan A. Cowdroy. This is the second in the series but Amazon doesn't have the first in the series and I think there were only three. From 1933. It is available on Kindle - here for $1.99.

I believe Mr. Moh is a Chinese-American detective and is supposed to be on vacation at the beach. A dog is stealing clothes and an accomplished swimmer drowns. Moh is there with his friend Inspector Gorham.

Thank you, Susan and Jan.

The nominations so far:

Jill: No. 17 by J. Jefferson Farjeon

Elizabeth: Ashenden Or the British Agent by W. Somerset Maugham

Susan: Somebody at the Door by Raymond Postgate

Susan in NC: Murder in the Museum by John Rowland

Jan: Murder of Lydia by Joan A. Cowdroy

The poll is now open - please cast your votes!

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

We have a winner. It's Ashenden by W. Somerset Maugham, which will be our January group read.

It's something slightly different for the group as it contains stories about spying during wartime.

Full results:
Ashenden 10 votes, 41.7%
Somebody at the Door 5 votes, 20.8%
Murder in the Museum 5 votes, 20.8%
No. 17 2 votes, 8.3%
Murder of Lydia 2 votes, 8.3%

Thanks everyone. I’m very much looking forward to this!

It looks interesting … and I have a copy on my kindle.

One year on Mother’s Day, I made a card for my mom with my computer and printer. It had a picture of W Somerset Maugham on front, and said “for the world’s best Maugham.” When I write her name, I sometimes write Maugham instead of Maugham.

All good, my library has a copy, so I should be able to get involved for this!

Bruce wrote: "One year on Mother’s Day, I made a card for my mom with my computer and printer. It had a picture of W Somerset Maugham on front, and said “for the world’s best Maugham.” When I write her name, I s..."

How fun!

Bruce wrote: "One year on Mother’s Day, I made a card for my mom with my computer and printer. It had a picture of W Somerset Maugham on front, and said “for the world’s best Maugham.” When I write her name, I s..."

😊

Judy wrote: "We have a winner. It's Ashenden by W. Somerset Maugham, which will be our January group read.

It's something slightly different for the g..."

Just picked it up on kindle for .99!

I have read it before - Maugham is a big favourite of mine, so I am looking forward to it.

I've read it before. Not sure if I'll re-read it as I think I'd have to look for it at the library or bookstore/kindle and make another purchase as I think I recycled it through resale.

I totally missed this poll, but will not read Somerset Maugham.

Michaela, we will also have several other reads going on in January - the first in our new P.D. James challenge, Cover Her Face, another Poirot, Five Little Pigs, and 3 buddy reads, Hag's Nook - John Dickson Carr, Clutch of Constables - Ngaio Marsh and
The Catch - Mick Herron (novella), so hopefully there should be something to appeal.

Oh definitely Judy! It´s not that I didn´t have enough to read anyway! ;)

I'm sure you do, Michaela... don't we all. ;)