Reading the Detectives discussion

Welcome to our May 21 group read of The Mystery at Fig Tree Hall a modern mystery, written in GA style by Prudence Ambergast.

The Mystery at Fig Tree Hall is the first book in the Lily Green mystery series of novels. The announcement of a murder mystery weekend at Fig Tree Hall in the village of Milford was not to be missed, but soon there is a real death. Was it murder and if so, who is responsible? The Mystery at Fig Tree Hall brings together Lily Green, a tenacious librarian, and up-and-coming policeman, Peter Beresford. Soon, all their sleuthing skills are needed as they explore Fig Tree Hall, built by eccentric Professor Thaddeus Ambrose, who mysteriously disappeared many years before. Is there a link between the two events and can thee mystery be solved in time?

Published in 2020 the second in the series is Poison is a Woman's Weapon and a third (just in paperback that I can find) is The Secret is in the Bones.

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

This was something of a disappointment for me. I particularly disliked the stilted dialogue. Interested to hear everyone else's thoughts.

I found the characters to be very one-dimensional, with some of the characters' dialogue repeating itself in subsequent chapters. Kind of like beating a joke to death. I didn't like most of the characters and I didn't love any of them.

I don't see any real purpose in Frank's death since both he and Diane could have just stayed the whole time. I don't know why he had to die and the way it was handled was unreal, from police (non)-involvement to Diane not really seeming to actually care.

The major and Dr. Bailey spent most of the novel hidden away in the study. I can't believe they kept leaving the scenes to go there together. And Lady Majors-Gore was rude from beginning to end. Her behavior was rather unbelievable for someone who throws a party.

I also didn't think there was really much mystery. It became obvious very early on that Peter was the long-lost son. I'll admit I didn't quite know what was up with Cecilia, but the reveal on her wasn't spectacularly interesting or innovative.

The finding of the body of Thaddeus Ambrose was possibly the most interesting part.

All that said, it was a rather easy read and I read a chapter a night before bed. I think I almost enjoyed that - maybe because I was tired and not up for much concentration. And, I really wanted this book for the May choice, and voted for it. It sounded great and had killer reviews on Goodreads. Does anyone have thoughts on the great reviews and ratings on Goodreads? Did I miss something?

I had written out commentary which ended up sounding almost exactly like Klowey's above, so I'll just say ditto and add two comments: 1. Lily and Peter's relationship was superficial and high school-ish and 2. I have to admit the clues the group got may have been easily solved by Lily but weren't obvious to me.

I voted for it too - and having started it a couple of weeks ago, put it on one side, and read more authentic books ... I thought I might go back to it if the Group Read suggested it was going to improve.

I have wondered about rave reviews on poor detective stories. Often they seem charmed by the British set-up, not noticing that it is wholly bogus.

Might they be friends and family or shill reviews? Lots of 5-star reviews posted on the same day or from profiles that are hidden or have minimal friends and books to their name might be suspicious.

I haven't looked at this book but the practice has been quite common on Amazon.

Margaret wrote: "I had written out commentary which ended up sounding almost exactly like Klowey's above, so I'll just say ditto and add two comments: 1. Lily and Peter's relationship was superficial and high schoo..."

Excellent points I forgot to mention. Yes, their relationship had no depth. And I have to say that I had no idea what was going on with the clues. That made me wonder what kind of murder mystery party they would have put on had Frank not died.

Roman Clodia wrote: "Might they be friends and family or shill reviews? Lots of 5-star reviews posted on the same day or from profiles that are hidden or have minimal friends and books to their name might be suspicious..."

Wow, most of the Profiles on the reviewers are completely private. I have not seen that before. Does this sound like a group of the author's friends got together to boost the rating?

Klowey wrote: "Wow, most of the Profiles on the reviewers are completely private. I have not seen that before. Does this sound like a group of the author's friends got together to boost the rating?"

Something to look out for!

I thought this was an easy read, but found it highly implausible. I do not believe that people would put up with this situation, especially having paid two guineas, which was a lot of money at time this was set. I found the characters lacking and got completely tired of the size and the state of the woman's nail varnish cropping up at every available moment.
It would seem that this was the author's debut book, so am prepared to cut her some slack. I just hope that her following books are an improvement on this, but will not bothering with them.

Me neither, Jill. Plus, why would they continue after a death? And why, if Lily was the main character, did she have no personality at all?

Not convinced by the book, or the reviews, to be honest. Mea Culpa...

I agree with all of the above and it is a very interesting observation about the reviewer's private profiles. I will probably subtract a star from my rating just to bring down the average.

I think the epilogue added the ultimate implausibility: Diane and Lady Felicity (? not sure of her name) setting up a tea shop and living side by side upstairs! Diane must be kept clear of the customers.

I have finished this now and am another who wasn't at all impressed overall - I'm also puzzled by all those glowing 5-star reviews!

Just to add, I'm somewhat confused by the plot- in the end I don't think there is even a murder, unless I missed something?

I kept expecting someone to investigate Frank's death and find out whether it was an accident or not, but nobody does. You'd think the authorities would want to ban that fig bark tea at the very least! The professor's death is also accepted as suicide, again without any proper investigation.

Yes, what happened there? How could Frank die and nobody, from what I could tell, even investigated an unexplained death?!

I agree. It as almost pointless. Can anyone think of why this subplot of Frank's death was in the book?

It seemed to be the stimulus giving the hosting couple a reason to change the rules - from an original "murder mystery game" in which staff would also take part - to nothing but Clues. Clues to WHAT? What was the point that the couple was trying to get at? Was it all just to reveal Cecelia? I wouldn't think because Frank died before Cecelia started dropping clues about herself.

And Frank's death changed the original plans, in which they were going to involve the staff for the murder mystery. I was never clear how that would work.

So I was confused both about what the original idea was supposed to be, and about what the change of plans and clues were about?

Good questions, Klowey. I didn't understand how the original game would have worked either.

I think it might have been a much better book if the investigation concentrated on Frank's death rather than the rather pointless clues! I'm also puzzled that Peter in particular, as a police officer, is happy to ignore the unexplained death and go on with solving the clues.

It seemed very odd, to put it mildly, that Frank's death wasn't investigated. I assumed THAT was the murder? The doctor didn't seem to add much to the storyline either. He just hid out in the study. And if the couple were planning, originally, a murder mystery weekend, why were they not both more engaged? Just throwing out the odd clue and then running away from their guests? It was pretty dismal, plot wise...

Susan wrote: "It seemed very odd, to put it mildly, that Frank's death wasn't investigated. I assumed THAT was the murder? The doctor didn't seem to add much to the storyline either. He just hid out in the study..."

Also completely agree with your comments. This is actually cathartic to hear everyone having the same questions and frustrations that I did.

I didn't actually read the book, but as I mentioned in another thread I've been burnt a couple of times on buying a self-published novel (Amazon KDP) with rave reviews which was really poor quality, so I no longer read those unless recommended by someone I know personally (or whose reviews I've come to trust). Also, the very small number of ratings/reviews is also an indicator of concern.

I agree, it is not a well-written book. I’m glad it was on Kindle Unlimited, so I didn’t have to buy it. The part where Lily gets jealous that Peter is being solicitous to his mother? Ugh.

Mary wrote: "The part where Lily gets jealous that Peter is being solicitous to his mother? Ugh."

Mary, I agree. I also think it's a bit too obvious who Peter's parents are long before it is revealed!

Judy wrote: "Mary wrote: "The part where Lily gets jealous that Peter is being solicitous to his mother? Ugh."

Mary, I agree. I also think it's a bit too obvious who Peter's parents are long before it is revea..."

Agree the jealousy was school-childish. And, Peter's parentage was so obvious early on that I figured there must be some super mystery coming. But alas, no real mystery every occurred.

So I am new to new authors and Goodreads, etc. having recently retired and started reading a lot more. Is this author just pulling the wool over our eyes, or is she not aware of how bad her book is?

Klowey, it's difficult to know the reason for all the 5-star reviews - a pity there are so many, though, since it leads to over-high expectations.

If anyone is wondering, it looks to me as if the second and third books in the series are probably a bit better than this one - I've just had a quick look inside at Amazon. I also see that some of the same characters return, including Diane and Felicity, running their unlikely catering business!

But I won't be reading on as there are so many series out there which appeal to me a lot more.

Judy wrote: "Klowey, it's difficult to know the reason for all the 5-star reviews - a pity there are so many, though, since it leads to over-high expectations.

If anyone is wondering, it looks to me as if the ..."

I am almost, but not enough, tempted to continue just to see how Diane and Felicity's unlikely business venture would proceed.

I agree with you all concerning how poor this book is, and how dubious the reviews. One further point over the poor writing is the frequency with which the author needs to tell rather than show.

Judy wrote: "Klowey, it's difficult to know the reason for all the 5-star reviews - a pity there are so many, though, since it leads to over-high expectations.

If anyone is wondering, it looks to me as if the ..."

I suspect they will have traded 5* reviews with other self-published authors.

Nick wrote: "I agree with you all concerning how poor this book is, and how dubious the reviews. One further point over the poor writing is the frequency with which the author needs to tell rather than show."

That is very perceptive. I need to keep that in mind when reading mysteries.

Squashed this into the last two days of the month, and found it really disappointing. Wonder that it had so many 5 stars rates, but they may have been "bought" or exchanged.

Until this thread I'd had no idea that star ratings were "negotiated" - how do you tell? GR is like a world unto itself, many things that happen here seem mysterious....

Margaret wrote: "Until this thread I'd had no idea that star ratings were "negotiated" - how do you tell? GR is like a world unto itself, many things that happen here seem mysterious...."

My two red flags are if a book is self-published and if it is a really small number of reviews/ratings.

Margaret wrote: "Until this thread I'd had no idea that star ratings were "negotiated" - how do you tell? GR is like a world unto itself, many things that happen here seem mysterious...."

I avoid any unknown author with lots of five star reviews, it's unrealistic to expect that, (even Jane Austen has a range of star ratings). If the 5*s are from other authors or newly created profiles, they've been bought or swapped.