Teri-K’s Comments (group member since May 03, 2016)

Teri-K’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Sandy wrote: "I have, finally started this and agree that it starts with a bang. This and then Bobby Owen and I can put December behind me."

I hope you enjoy this! It's a good way to end the year, I think. And a very wintery read, too.

Judy wrote: "I thought it was refreshingly different that the story involved an adopted son where his birth parentage then never came up and wasn't relevant. Usually, as soon as adoption is mentioned in a GA no..."

True! Just another point that made the book feel realistic to me.

I noticed they used the term "snowed up" and not "snowed in" like I would. I've just read a middle grade story about three children caught in a blizzard in the mountains in Wales, and it's called Snowed Up. Does anyone know if that's British/Welsh term? I've not heard it before these two books.

Judy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I know the sister (Gwyn, I think), had been expected to marry the killer at some point, said all along she didn’t want to be a farm wife..."

Great point - I think this really m..."

Yes, I was hoping they wouldn't somehow make it Henry - or his father. That would have been tragic.

I really enjoyed this, too. I did have a couple of small thoughts at the end. I wish the author had given us some reason for why Bob didn't take the body up in the hills somewhere and dump it. Between his van and the sled, surely he could have done that, and by the time it was found no one would have linked him to to it.

And how could he be sure to sneak away at night, not having one of the women pop in to check up on him? I suspected him at first because of his van, but then it didn't seem likely that he'd be able to sneak out and not be taking a big chance on getting found out.

Still, I gave it five happy stars. It was a lovely read.

Susan in NC wrote: "I love this author (whatever she calls herself), because of her painstaking research, as my intro says, she was fascinated by the hard work of rural life, and came to respect and love it. I feel that in all of her books I’ve read in rural settings."

That's good to know! I've only read her London ones, plus Crossed Skis, which also had a great sense of place. I'm looking forward to many more.

This is my second Carnac book, I've read three Lorac. I got it through my library - this copy came from somewhere in Baltimore and is an original hardback - the pages are so dry the edges are flaking off as I read it!

I started it last night and finally forced myself to stop with twenty pages left, since I wanted to think about the book so far without knowing the ending. This story starts with a bang and really doesn't let up, because the situation of the characters is so fascinating. Snow, floods, murder, and yet life goes on when you live on a farm.

That's part of what I enjoyed so much about this story. I grew up on a small family farm in Colorado, and there was work to be done every day of the year. Christmas? Animals still needed to be fed and watered. Tornado? You had to protect the animals and the crops, then repair the damaged outbuildings. Summer vacation? Endless hours in the garden and the kitchen.

Most books I read set on farms really don't understand the constant work, and we had all the mod cons as they say, including gas stoves, freezers and a steady supply of electricity. Still, after every snow my Dad had to shovel out our driveway - about three quarters of a mile of hilly road - so we could get to school. (My Mom was a teacher, we never missed a day school was open. lol)

I also liked the people living on these farms in this book. Mostly if you're successful as a small farmer you're hard-working, intelligent and resourceful. If you're not you probably will go hungry. So the successful farms here were well-run and they were prepared for just about any emergency, including the old butter churning equipment. The folks who didn't work hard weren't doing as well, though bad luck could bring anyone down, so there is compassion for others. And the farm people never like to see animals suffer, so they go out of their way to take care of them. (On the other hand, just because you "work the land" it doesn't make you more noble than folks in the city. That's a trope I really dislike, and we don't see it here.)

I'm also a sucker for "snowed in" stories, so this was an extra delight. I'm only worried about who the murderer will be. I really don't want it to be anybody but the obvious suspect, and that doesn't seem likely!

Neer wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Oh, this one’s been on my TBR for ages, Neer! Thanks for nominating!"

Glad you liked it. I have been thinking of giving Sayers another chance (after being underwhelmed by Whose..."

I would be happy to join a Buddy Read if these don't win. I haven't read them in ages!

Greetings, everyone. I'm new to these discussions, as I usually can't get the books in time, but I did get this one through ILL. It's my third Lorac, and I liked it, but not quite as much as Two-Way Murder or Checkmate to Murder.

I liked that the murder had a number of possible suspects, though I agree the detective rather telegraphed who he didn't believe did it, and thus took them out of the running. I also loved the setting and use of the bombing, plus the fact that the story wouldn't have worked as well in a different time and place. That was the real strength of the book for me.

However, I thought the fact that the big clue was based on the idea that people born in the tropics age differently than others fell pretty flat. My hair started turning white in my 20s, and I was born in Colorado. I'll give the author a pass for this idea because of when he was writing, but I can't pretend like I didn't think, "What?" It threw the end of the book off for me. Especially since other things were glossed over - like how did the killer learn to ride a bike like that? It doesn't sound that easy to me, especially having to use one hand to cosh somebody over the head.

Also, though I liked MacDonald, he's pretty forgettable to me, and I'm used to a more dynamic or memorable detective. I haven't decided how I feel about that yet.

I do have a question which I can't look up because I've already returned the book. But I thought the tracks showed the bicycle going onto the bridge but not leaving it. And in the explanation there was something about how the killer used the rail, but I didn't get it and meant to reread some sections, then I forgot and returned the book anyway. Any help there would be appreciated.

Overall I'm glad I read this and have requested These Names Make Clues from ILL to read next.

Frances wrote: "I'm very late to this read-decided to buy it on the strength of all the favourable comments, and am about half-way through and really enjoying it. Feels more like a novel than a conventional myster..."

Thanks for sharing this, Francis. This book got pushed back by several ILLs coming in for me that had to be read plus some others I wanted to finish. But I won't let it disappear on my shelf and not get read; thanks to the enthusiasm of everyone here I'll keep it on the top of my "Read Soon" pile!

I just stumbled on a copy of this at our local used book store - only the third BLCC book I've seen there. So, perfect timing! I plan to pick it up tomorrow - I'm glad to see so many folks enjoying it.

I just figured out Ihaven't read this in 40 years! I look forward to revisiting it. I remember not being impressed with the conclusion of his investigation, but enjoying the story as a whole. I should be starting my reread in a few days.

I find Tey is hit or miss for me. This is one of the books I did enjoy. I look forward to other's reactions, too.

Judy wrote: "I'm a fan of the Shedunnit podcast, presented by Caroline Crampton - she did an episode in November looking at why murder mysteries contain so many vicars, which included some thoughts on The Nine ..."

Thanks for mentioning this! I'm currently listening to All About Agatha, and have been wondering what I will do when I've listened to all those episodes - other than re-listen, of course. This one looks interesting and I've downloaded the vicar episode already.

I haven't read this is quite a few years, but I really liked it back in the day. In my 20s I joined a handbell choir, the kind with the big brass bells, and at one point I was asked to teach a lesson on traditional ringing. That was back before the internet, and did as much research as I could, but ended up using the details from this book for a lot of my lesson. It's really explained very well, I think.

I also like the strong sense of place you get in this book. I hope I have time to join you in reading it again. Either way I'll be following the discussion.

Frances wrote: "I finally got a copy of this book and time to read it, so I am starting today and hope to finish in the next week or so."

I'm glad you were able to get it. Have you read it before? Do pop back and let us know what you think of it! I'll be interested in your opinions and happy to discuss it with you, and I'm sure others will, too.

Jill wrote: "I found this to be pretty entertaining. The young boy so not wanting to marry an old woman, who turned out to be, no where near old."

So true for the way kids think! Everyone a few years ahead of them is really old. lol In fact, I think the characters in these books act like real people would, which is so nice. I don't remember ever straining to believe in anyone's actions in this series.

Sandy wrote: "I agree that Cadfael and Hugh's relationship is one of the series many treats. Even better when Cadfael gets to play with his god son."

Yes. I always wish for more bits of Hugh with his family and Cadfael.

I also love Cadfael working in the garden or with his medicines. Some books have a fair amount of that - this one didn't.

I just finished rereading this. It's been years since I last read it and I didn't remember who the murderer was, or who Rafe was, either. One of the things I enjoy about the stories is how Peters weaves together several different stories. They often overlap in unexpected ways, and they help keep things interesting.

I also really like the relationship between Cadfael and Hugh. Watching it develop is so entertaining, and their friendship always makes me smile.

Jackie wrote: "I agree with you, Roman Clodia.

what did everyone think of Hemingway? I like him so much I wish he showed up for more of the book."

I think the only thing I didn't like about the book was how long it took them to call Hemingway in. It was past the half-way point, wasn't it? I kept wishing they'd say, "Too many posh suspects for us. Call in the Yard!" The original detective was fine, but he didn't really have any personality. As soon as Hemingway arrived things brightened up.

Roman Clodia wrote: "The actual murder method is ludicrously complicated and how would you guarantee that it would hit a walking man through the heart? So I sort of discounted that and saw the crime just as an excuse t..."

I would absolutely read a Vicki and Hugh book! They are the characters I keep thinking about, wondering how they will be getting on several years from now.

I'm not going to finish this book. It's the first time I've read the series, but I read lots out of order and it hasn't been a problem. It may be I'm not in the right mood and I can see that Freddy seems to be fun to read about. But I'm just not interested in anyone enough to keep going at the 33% mark. I'm glad I tried it, though. I always like trying out new authors. I hope the rest of you enjoy your choice!