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Reading Challenges > June 2014 Reading Challenge: Classic Mystery

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message 1: by Susan (new)

Susan (yetanothersusan) | 203 comments Ooooh! I have read all the Agatha Christie books and have tried to get my sons interested in them. I just read Rebecca in February. I have never read Sayers either! I'll have to check her out!


message 2: by Steven (new)

Steven | 57 comments I know many consider the Odd Thomas Series more horror then mystery, but I consider them mystery books. I will be reading Brother Odd and Odd Hours this month if you want to count those.


message 3: by Carolyn F. (new)

Carolyn F. I'm listening to The Hollow by Agatha Christie right now :)


message 4: by Carolyn F. (new)

Carolyn F. Chelsea wrote: "Wow, Carolyn, I don't think I've read that one, and I thought I'd read all the Poirot! Let me know what you think of it."

I'm about halfway through and there have only been mentions of a "murder man" (Poirot?) in the book.


message 5: by John (new)

John | 105 comments Agatha Christie seems to be a popular theme! I've read or listened to several titles by Christie, but one I haven't gotten around to is "Appointment With Death." So that's my June classic mystery pick.


message 6: by Brendle (new)

Brendle (akajill) | 235 comments Mod
I read out Agatha Christie as a teen--along with Ngaio Marsh, Dorothy Sayers and Margery Allingham. What I didn't read as a teen were the hard-boiled private eyes. A couple years ago I had the pleasure of reading Dashiell Hammet and was just blown away with how amazing his writing was, especially the dialogue which simply crackled off the page. Now I am moving onto Raymond Chandler and his detective, Philip Marlowe. I have the Long Goodbye ready and waiting for this challenge. I'm really looking forward to it.


message 7: by Susan (new)

Susan (yetanothersusan) | 203 comments in case anyone is interested, Barnes & Noble is doing a "bundle" sale for the Nook and they have complete collections of Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot for $8.99 and $13.99, respectively. Of course Tommy & Tuppence are $19.99.

and Lord Peter Wimsy.....but only the first 3 books.


message 8: by Erlyne (new)

Erlyne | 1 comments Just saw a Tweet about this group and am excited to join. :o)

I am an avid reader of cozy mysteries which was born out of love for the classics, too. Looking forward to reading along with you folks. :o)


message 9: by Susan (new)

Susan (yetanothersusan) | 203 comments I am almost done with "Whose Body?" It feels a bit scattered but I am enjoying the characters!


message 10: by Susan (new)

Susan (yetanothersusan) | 203 comments I finished at lunch today. I completely agree with you Chelsea! At first I thought it might be because I was reading it on my phone but after going back and re-reading pages I realized it wasn't me. I have read several overviews of her body of work and in general they state this book was a little disorganized. That being said, I want to read the rest of the books!


message 11: by Brendle (last edited Jun 11, 2014 01:44PM) (new)

Brendle (akajill) | 235 comments Mod
One of the things I remember from reading Dorothy Sayers when I was in high school were the occasional letters written in French in the middle of all the english text. I recall my "What the...?" reaction very well along with my frustration at not being able to read it! Not sure if that is still the case in modern editions, but I was fascinated that it had clearly been written that way for an audience that was expected to be able to read it.(Clearly that wasn't me!)


message 12: by Susan (new)

Susan (yetanothersusan) | 203 comments To answer your question, I think I like classics more. Not only do you get the mystery, but you also get transported to a different time and place!
As for the wrap-up letter, I think it is a cheater's way out. Reveal what happened through the story, not in a tell-all at the end.


message 13: by Francie (new)

Francie (francie62) | 72 comments Thank you Chelsea for the June challenge that introduced me to Lord Peter Wimsey. I'm only halfway through Whose Bodies? and June has come and gone, but I'll finish before the weekend. I'm not sure yet whether I'll read anything else by Sayers, but I'm glad I'm reading this one.


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