English Mysteries Club discussion

Perhaps we should try a Sayers Lord Peter read- I am intrigued by the comments.

Here’s my quick review. I enjoyed this more than many golden age mysteries which I find alienating in their classism ( I am a colonial Canadian) and annoying in the resulting blindness to bias. This was a well crafted mystery. Clues planted and revealed throughout. Interested characters. Picturesque setting with features to support the plot. A mystery man who shows up dead multiple times. And British to boot so clever conversations. Originally published in 1937, this still holds interest and avoids the racist tendencies of many contemporary stories. Now I am intrigued by the comments about Sayers Lord Peter. July?

Great observations, thanks Donna.

"Perhaps we should try a Sayers Lord Peter read- I am intrigued by the comments."

This thread LINK HERE

has all the Lord Peter Wimsey books as group (buddy) reads led by Adrian, in order. You might find it interesting, and do add your comments if you like.

So it's a bit early to read another as a group this July. Usually for a group read I'd give it three years at least, so there's a chance for newer members. If you look at the timetable in comment 3, you can see that the earlier ones start to become eligible in about April-May next year.

You might also read this author thread for Dorothy L. Sayers:

LINK HERE

where members talk about her books in general. If you feel like reading one now, that might give you an idea of which one to choose. And do share your thoughts there if so please! 😊

I just finished this book last night. I recalled that I had seen a British dramatization of this story (the murder method stood out and seemed ‘unique’) so I found myself recognizing some aspects of the story as it moved along. I’m also an American and so found some of the colloquial wording a little difficult to follow. (But then again, how will some of our ‘common phrases’ be interpreted one hundred years from now?) The characters were a little confusing for me as well. But overall, I found it an ‘OK’ book. I don’t regret spending time reading it. I think I’ll read a couple of the earlier Allingham books as I’d like to get a wider feel for the author.

I am reading it on Internet Archive because my kindle file didn't work. It is a green Penguin edition, I love them! So far I have read seven chapters so I have a lot to discover yet... but yes, there are many characters, it is a little confusing. This is my fifth Campion book, I liked the others but I must say I don't remember a lot of them.

Thanks both!

I finished the book and I hadn't guessed either the murderer or the motive. I was really surprised when the murderer was revealed in the final scene. I said that there seemed to be a lot of characters and this had confused me a bit at the beginning. Some are really secondary like Jane and Poppy who don't have a real role in the story. Anyway I really liked the setting and the plot but I think I will give it three stars.

We seem to have mixed reactions for his one! Thanks for your thoughts Daniela.

This is the final day for this read officially, but it will remain current for a few days to allow everyone to finish. Thanks all!

I like Allingham, I think each of the golden age of crime authors have different strengths. Dorothy Sayers it all depends on the books, the early Wimsey are quite different from the ones with Harriet Vane, but they are all still I think about the plots themselves and literary illusions, John Dickson Carr makes hilarious books that also are really good on the puzzle, whereas what I like about Allingham is character. She really creates complex characters (not necessarily Campion or Lugg, but the other characters). She is good with character I think because she was involved in the theatre at one point. I like the complex relationship they have to the horrible ex-school bully and the mixup (some of her later books aren't as good as some of the early ones) but I think this one is kind of in the middle of her genre. But god she understands complexities of human life which I think is really unusual for this time period crime writing.

Sorry another thing, if you want to read the absolute best Campion mystery, it's Traitor's Purse where he is suffering from amnesia and has to solve a serious crime. It is brilliant. I would say her best book ever, totally gripping!

Ooo I'll add that one, thanks Holly. And maybe you could nominate it when we have a Golden Age poll for a group read some time?

that sounds good, Holly, yes please nominate it!

I'm just about to start off a nominations thread ...

Sure!

Here it is LINK HERE