Reading the Detectives discussion

It's time to nominate for our February 2023 group read.

Please only nominate books written and published in the Golden Age period, or a little earlier or later - if in doubt whether a title is eligible, please ask.

As usual, just one nomination per group member, and only one book by any individual writer can be nominated per month. Looking forward to seeing what everyone nominates.

I would like to nominate the first Poirot mystery:
The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Agatha Christie’s debut novel was the first to feature Hercule Poirot, her famously eccentric Belgian detective.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles is a detective novel by Agatha Christie. It was written in the middle of the First World War, in 1916.

Styles was Christie's first published novel & introduced Hercule Poirot, Inspector (later, Chief Inspector) Japp, and Arthur Hastings. Poirot, a Belgian refugee of the Great War, is settling in England near the home of Emily Inglethorp, who helped him to his new life. His friend Hastings arrives as a guest at her home. When Mrs Inglethorp is murdered, Poirot uses his detective skills to solve the mystery.

Some Classic Christie for 2023?

How about some snowy book? Crossed Skis by Carol Carnac.
Trying again, as it seems to me to be available both in the UK and US, also as audiobook, in the US on Kindle too.

I will nominate The Verdict of Twelve by Raymond W. Postgate


A woman is on trial for her life, accused of murder. Each of the 12 members of the jury has his or her own burden of guilt and prejudice which could effect the outcome. Hailed as one of the best mysteries of the year when it was first published in 1940, this book has become a classic of the genre.

Great suggestions. Jill, your nomination sounds like it needs to go straight to my TBR list.

Re US availability, Crossed Skis has confused me. Like Michaela, I remember it as available, but one time Amazon says it is not available, another that it is for $10. I did not test that option so don't know if the sale would have gone through. It is available on Audible and paperback.

Verdict of Twelve on kindle is available for $10 from Amazon.

Sandy wrote: "Re US availability, Crossed Skis has confused me. Like Michaela, I remember it as available, but one time Amazon says it is not available, another that it is for $10. I did not test that option so ..."

I apparently bought it in paper last January.

I will nominate The Rasp by Philip MacDonald. 99 cents here on Kindle, $9 in paperback and $12 for hard cover - these last two may be used, not sure.

Cabinet minister is found bludgeoned to death with a woodworker's rasp in the study of his country house. Was it an intruder? An insider? Scotland Yard is baffled. Col. Anthony Gethryn, Oxford scholar and former British secret service agent, is asked by an old friend to investigate.

Great nominations so far, thanks everyone. Thanks for looking at the Crossed Skis availability, Sandy - as it is available in various formats I think we could stick with the nomination. Odd about the US Kindle edition - I looked at Nook and Kobo sites and they seem to have ebooks, although I can never be 100% sure when looking at sites outside the UK!

Nominations so far:

Susan: The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

Michaela: Crossed Skis by Carol Carnac (ECR Lorac)

Jill: The Verdict of 12 by Raymond W. Postgate

Jan: The Rasp by Philip MacDonald

Sorry, just seeing this, we were traveling on the 1st, still adjusting to internet here! All four titles look interesting, and all are available on Scribd as ebooks- “Styles” and “Crossed Skis” available as audiobooks also.

The poll is now open - please vote for your preferred title:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

I voted for "The Rasp" partially because I was able to get it inexpensively ($3 Canadian) for the Kindle.

Valerie wrote: "I voted for "The Rasp" partially because I was able to get it inexpensively ($3 Canadian) for the Kindle."

Always an excellent reason, in my opinion- book addicts like us want all the books, so price matters! ;)

Valerie wrote: "I voted for "The Rasp" partially because I was able to get it inexpensively ($3 Canadian) for the Kindle."

Looks like it is 99 cents in the US.

The poll has now finished - it was very close this month, but the winner is Verdict of Twelve by Raymond W. Postgate, which will be our February group read.

Full results

The Verdict of 12 7 votes, 30.4%
Crossed Skis (Julian Rivers #8) 6 votes, 26.1%
The Rasp (Colonel Gethryn, #1) 6 votes, 26.1%
The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot, #1) 4 votes, 17.4%

Judy wrote: "The poll has now finished - it was very close this month, but the winner is Verdict of Twelve by Raymond W. Postgate, which will be our February group read. [bookc..."

Yay! First time a book I voted for has won in a long time! :)

Thanks, Judy!