Reading the Detectives discussion

Welcome to "The White Swan." We have named our new, general chat thread, after the pub that Lord Peter Wimsey visits in "Murder Must Advertise." Pull up a chair and talk about absolutely anything! Everyone is welcome :)

The pub near me called "The White Swan" is known as The Mucky Duck.

https://whatpub.com/pubs/WLD/16044/wh...

Here's a little info about the place where Wimsey relaxed, while thinking up his advertising slogans :)

Thank you for opening up the bar, Susan. I'll just nab this chair in the corner if that's OK with everyone and help myself to a half of the real ale from There's Trouble Brewing - though come to think of it I don't think the beer in question ever gets a name. And actually I'd better check someone has cleared out the area where it is made...

Hmmm, yes, or you may have 'flavour of pooch,' or possibly even 'flavour of owner!'

Jay-me (Janet) wrote: "The pub near me called "The White Swan" is known as The Mucky Duck."

Is it this one, Jay-me? It looks amazing!

http://www.travelswithbeer.com/2013/0...

But actually there seem to be a few pubs with these two names linked, for some reason...

I'm quite happy to join you all in The White Swan for a pint, but you may not be so happy with me when I complain the pint is too warm. We like our ale served cold down here. :)

Judy wrote: "Jay-me (Janet) wrote: "The pub near me called "The White Swan" is known as The Mucky Duck."

Is it this one, Jay-me? It looks amazing!

http://www.travelswithbeer.com/2013/0......"


No it's this one https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaur...

I prefer wine but, on a trip to Britain, I found beer is acceptable with enough lemonade added.

Sandy wrote: "I prefer wine but, on a trip to Britain, I found beer is acceptable with enough lemonade added."

shudders - shandy is not the best but wine or cider (err think that is what you in the US call Hard Cider!)

That looks like a lovely pub too, Jay-me. I quite like shandy but prefer the beer without the lemonade - I also like cold beer, Lesley, and enjoyed some Berliner Weissbier on a recent visit to Germany.

I asked about this in another thread a bit earlier, but haven't had any replies yet, so repeating it over here in the pub...

Would anyone recommend Dorothy Cannell? I listened to a sample of one of her books last night and thought it had a Golden Age feel, but the reader was a bit annoying and I realised it was a mid-series book. I was thinking I might give her a try. A new name to me.

I haven't read her, sorry Judy. I did read your comment previously but had nothing intelligent to add and, sadly, still don't...

Thanks anyway, Susan!

Oh, Lord! I am lying to you, Judy! I just realised that she wrote Murder at Mullings and I did read it... Goodness, I got the name muddled up.

OK, start again. I actually quite enjoyed it, but then I never read the second one. I am not sure why not - just too many books and you see how confused I am becoming with increased age :)

Thanks, Susan - I see this is actually a book with a kitchen maid as heroine, tying in with another recent thread where we were talking about servant detectives. Sounds quite intriguing! And I've also started many series but somehow never got on to book two...

Yes, in fact it is the one I was trying to think off on that thread, lol! Obviously, it wasn't that memorable for me...

Has anyone had any book recommendations from Goodreads which are actually any use? I've just had a totally bizarre selection showing up because I'm currently listening to a Regency romance by Georgette Heyer - as a result I've been recommended all kinds of completely random romantic books, Mills & Boon etc!

Often GR recommends books I have already read based on something I've recently added to my 'to read' shelf, or something I'm currently reading. I can't say I've ever picked up one of their recommendations.

I can't say I've ever looked - perhaps I should, but it doesn't sound too promising. Computer generated recommendations rarely are, but I do open the Amazon emails which highlight novels by authors I have read/purchased before, in case I missed a new book. Very helpful last week when I learnt there was a new Tom Gates book out - a series my daughter adores.

The only recommendations I seem to get from Goodreads are when there are sales or giveaways on books already on my TBR list. That is actually useful!

Although my list yesterday included one that I'd already read and marked as read.

I've often been recommended books that I've already read, too.

I've now had a look at the ones based on my shelves and I don't think they are too bad. Probably, were I an average buyer on Amazon, who purchased a handful of books a year (rather than an obsessive mad woman with thousands of books in kindle cloud) they would be quite useful. In other words, it is probably the fact we are all on Goodreads as we are obsessive book buyers which is the issue :)

I used the recommendations a whole lot when I first joined Goodreads, but seldom now as my TBR is rather unmanageable. Some of the computer generated recommendations can be amusing: I added a YA novel to my 'archaeology' shelf and that expanded my archaeology recommendations in surprising directions. Artificial intelligence has a way to go. I try to remember to set my non-subject shelves to 'no recommendations'. No need to overwork the computer.

I had a gift from the Book Fairies this morning! On my way to the bus I spotted a lovely new copy of Murder on the Orient Express with a scene from the new film on the cover and a note saying to take it, read it and leave it for someone else! Has anyone else come across book fairies’ offerings before?

That's nice, Judy.

Judy wrote: "I had a gift from the Book Fairies this morning! On my way to the bus I spotted a lovely new copy of Murder on the Orient Express with a scene from the new film on the cover and a not..."

I did join a 'follow your book as it travels' group called Bookcrossings, but though I released a few books I never heard whether anyone had picked them up. I now just give them to charity shops, or leave them on the book table in the supermarket. https://www.bookcrossing.com/

I gave all my children's baby board books, and picture books, to the local hospital. They were really happy to have them and we had a LOT. It's nice to pass books on.

Rosina wrote: "Judy wrote: "I had a gift from the Book Fairies this morning! On my way to the bus I spotted a lovely new copy of Murder on the Orient Express with a scene from the new film on the co..."

I used to do bookcrossing but like you I never heard whether anyone picked them up. It's a shame as it is a nice idea.

There is a Book Fairies Goodreads group on here which links to their website. I live in London and have never found a book, you'd think the chances of people leaving them would be high but equally the volumes of people mean they get snapped up quickly....

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Judy wrote: "I had a gift from the Book Fairies this morning! On my way to the bus I spotted a lovely new copy of Murder on the Orient Express with a scene from the new film on the cover and a not..."

Not Book Fairies but I once found a piece of artwork hanging on a railing on my way to work. It was part of 'Free Art Friday' where artists leave pieces of art in public places for people to find and take home. It was a lovely find!

I've just posted about my book find on Twitter and it's clear a lot of copies of Murder on the Orient Express have been left in towns across the UK to tie in with the premiere of the new film today. I feel very lucky to have found one.

I did feel slightly guilty about picking it up, but I felt as if it had been left for me - the fact that it is a golden age detective story, with Kenneth Branagh on the cover who is one of my idols, and what's more it was outside Pickwick's cafe and I'm a Dickens nut! But anyway, after reading I will either pass it on, or if I can't bear to I will get another book to pass on instead :)

Michelle wrote: "Rosina wrote: "Judy wrote: "I had a gift from the Book Fairies this morning! On my way to the bus I spotted a lovely new copy of Murder on the Orient Express with a scene from the new..."

I did Bookcrossing. For a while we did Meet-Up meetings but it kind of fizzled out about the time when I moved. I did once hear that someone had picked up one of my books on board a ship.

Ruth wrote: "Not Book Fairies but I once found a piece of artwork hanging on a railing on my way to work. It was part of 'Free Art Friday'..."

That sounds lovely. :)

I do give a lot of books I've finished with to my local Oxfam bookshop, but unfortunately it's just so easy to pick more up while I'm there and fill the shelves up again. I suppose it is all in a good cause...

Just want to say that, as well as the excellent Not a Creature was Stirring in December, Judy has suggested a Buddy read of Envious Casca/A Christmas Party Envious Casca. This is the second in a series and, although it is not necessary to have read the first in the series, some of the more obsessive of us wish to read it before Envious Casca/A Christmas Party.

In case anyone dislikes reading out of order and wishes to join in, the first book is No Wind of Blame by Georgette Heyer

Therefore, our list of Buddy Reads will be:

Nov/Dec: No Wind of Blame: Georgette Heyer No Wind of Blame
Nov/Dec: Not a Creature was Stirring: Jane Haddam Not a Creature was Stirring
Dec: Envious Casca/A Christmas Party: Georgette Heyer Envious Casca
Jan/Feb: Green for Danger: Christianna Brand Green for Danger
Feb/March: The Documents in the Case: Dorothy L. Sayers The Documents in the Case

This means that, alongside our main December Read, The Crime at the 'Noah's Ark' by Molly Thynne, we are going to spend a lot of December snowed in. Bring a shovel and some hot chocolate!

I have just finished No Wind of Blame and really loved it. I was surprised, actually, as - having read Death in the Stocks I liked, but certainly didn't love it. However, this one I thought was wonderful and am now really looking forward to Envious Casca/A Christmas Party. Also looking forward to discussing Jane Haddam (one of my favourite authors) with anyone who is joining in with her first Gregor Demarkian mystery.

Susan wrote: "I have just finished No Wind of Blame and really loved it. I was surprised, actually, as - having read Death in the Stocks I liked, but certainly didn't love it. However, this one I t..."

I wasn't sure whether to try to squeeze in No Wind of Blame, but you make it sound very tempting, Susan! Will see if I can get hold of it.

I am also a bit over-whelmed, and behind, at the moment, Judy. Going to work by train at the moment to have extra reading time :) However, I am glad I did read it - I really did enjoy it and I think it's one of the best GA novels I have read this year.

I have just noticed that Judy has kindly added all the new books to the bookshelf. We have a real bumper crop of books for you to choose from, from mid-November to December, you will have lots of goodies to join in with. Just to recap:

No Wind of Blame - Buddy Read, discussion opens on 19th November
Not a Creature was Stirring - Buddy Read, discussion opens on 19th November
December Main Read: festive crime with The Crime at the 'Noah's Ark' discussion opens 1st December
Challenge reads for December, discussion also opening on 1st December:
Nemesis
Miss Marple's Final Cases
PLUS, an extra buddy read, discussion opens on the 8th December: Envious Casca
I think you will all agree that we are wrapping up the year with lots of great reading, many Christmas themed and also lots of good reading, and good company, in 2018, with our Ngaio Marsh challenge forthcoming.

Certainly looks like a good run up to the new year. Now if we could only find someone to do the Christmas shopping and preparations.......

Yes.... I am afraid we can't help with that, but we can offer solace and good company :)

Thanks for the round-up, Susan - our bookshelf is indeed bursting with delights in store! :)

I've added a picture to my profile so I am no longer faceless: a cup of coffee on a pile of books. I drink coffee most of the morning and read most of the evening, so both ends of the day are covered. Just leaves me time for my afternoon nap.

Sandy wrote: "I've added a picture to my profile so I am no longer faceless: a cup of coffee on a pile of books. I drink coffee most of the morning and read most of the evening, so both ends of the day are cover..."

Love your philosophy as well as your picture, Sandy. :)

Great picture, Sandy. Your 'Mod' badge looks like a little table for your treats :)

Yes, great picture, Sandy, and very appropriate. :)

As mentioned over in the Kindle offers thread, the first book in the "Agatha Christie investigates" series, Murder Will Out by Alison Joseph, is currently on special offer.

This had me wondering, what does anyone think of books which have real people as the detectives? Have you read any good ones?

I know there is a series with Josephine Tey as detective, by Nicola Upson, and there are also series with Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde investigating, and probably quite a few more!

I haven't read any of these as yet, but have read other, non-detective, novels which have writers as characters in the past - I think there was one about Rupert Brooke, though I can't think what the title was.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/bo...

An interesting article on literary libel. I have heard of the Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, Agatha Christie and Josephine Tey novels. I haven't come across Dickens? I think I have seen one featuring the Brontes too. They vary a lot in terms of quality, from really interesting and respectful novels to little more than fan fiction.

Have you read the Dickens ones, Judy? I know you are a fan.

Also, I have posted this in the kindle deals thread, but it might interest quite a few of us and not everyone may look at that thread. Poirot and Me is 99p today.

Interesting article, Susan, thank you. Looks as if the writers of these types of books are wise to stick to dead authors.

I've only seen a brief mention somewhere of the book/s with Dickens as detective - I think there might just be one so far and I can't find anything about it now, will look again later! I hadn't heard of the Bronte one. I'm sure you are right about the variable quality.

I haven't tried any of these as yet but am planning to try the first Nicola Upson Josephine Tey novel before too long as I have it on my Kindle. It will be in our second chance poll next month so might be a future group read.