Reading the Detectives discussion

Welcome to the group! Please introduce yourself and say a little about your favourite classic detectives, authors and series.

This is a new thread as the old one had become rather long, but the previous thread is linked here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Hi, I’m Abigail. I don’t read mysteries as often as I used to, but whenever I do, I turn to this group for guidance. I love Michael Innes (though his WWII fantasy-mysteries have been trying my patience lately) and Margery Allingham and Edmund Crispin and E. C. R. Lorac. Basically, if the story is set at a British university or in a British village, I’m in!

Welcome, Abigail. Our challenge this year has all sorts of interesting scenes of classic crime. The first two months include both a village - St Mary Mead, and a university. We must have known your favourite reads!
Jan: Library: The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie
Feb: Campus – An Oxford Tragedy by JC Masterman

Abigail, we also have an Edmund Crispin buddy read coming up in mid January, Love Lies Bleeding.

Then I'm hoping the next Michael Innes buddy read, The Weight Of The Evidence will be a good one, in mid February - the plot for that one sounds promising.

I’ve got The Body in the Library waiting on my Kindle and just finished Love Lies Bleeding (busy month so I had to get a little ahead). Looking forward to The Weight of the Evidence and An Oxford Tragedy!

Hi. I’m Glenda. I reside in Phoenix, Arizona with my fur baby reading companion, Annie. I absolutely love mysteries and have developed a recent passion for the books written years ago. I do read other genres, including short stories. I’m a young-at-heart 74 year old, retired and plenty of time to read. I have two grown sons who live in Shreveport Louisiana where I was raised. I am looking forward to reading and discussing the mystery books.

Hi, Glenda, and welcome! Abigail 👋🏻, fancy meeting you here, good to see you! I don’t know how I missed your post (GR was playing games around that time, dropping me off threads, perhaps that was it…)

Welcome Glenda. I'm sure you will find lots of mysteries, most of which are from the Golden Age, but lots of others as well

Welcome both. Hope you enjoy the group.

Welcome Glenda, glad you've joined us :)

Hi, Glenda!

Thanks to everyone who so warmly welcomed me.

Hello, my name is Sarah, and I live in Berkeley, CA. I've read mysteries since childhood, beginning with Enid Blyton, Nancy Drew, and Alfred Hitchcock's Three Investigators, growing up in both the UK and the US. My father loved classic mysteries (Michael Innes, Dorothy Sayers, P.D. James, Nicholas Blake, Edmund Crispin, Josephine Tey, Simenon, Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo, et. al), as did my step-father, who particularly enjoyed, thanks to his time spent in Holland, Nicholas Freeling and Janwillem van der Wetering. I started reading Agatha Christie as a teenager, and later discovered Caroline Graham, Peter Robinson, the wordplay of Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, the humor of Peter Lovesey, the gritty edge of Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, and Nordic Noir. I just finished Louise Penny's latest, "A World of Curiosities," one of the few authors who can keep a series going without my losing interest– Donna Leon, S.J. Rozan, and Archer Mayor are three other examples who come to mind. I think I stay with them because they retain core elements of the "classic" genre: well drawn characters, a detailed setting, and a real mystery at heart. I'm always looking for a good read, so thank you for your company!

Welcome, Sarah! I’m a former Bay Area resident now living in Oregon. You sound very well versed in GA mysteries, but this group has really opened my eyes to forgotten authors so I think you’ll enjoy yourself here.

Thanks very much! I read "An Oxford Tragedy" and will now move on to "Verdict of Twelve," written by an author I didn't know about before. Already off to a great start!

Welcome Sarah. You've named many of my favorite authors and others I would love to try. I also read Louise Penny's latest recently and agree with your assessment. We are reading Donna Leon as 'buddy reads' with the third one to be discussed very soon. This group pushed me to finally read the series and I'm loving it.

Thank you for your welcome. I'm on my public library's waiting list for Donna Leon's new novel, "So Shall You Reap," the 32nd in the series, before its US release on March 14, 2023. That's how much I love following Brunetti. I also requested Raymond Postgate's mystery, which should arrive at my local branch within a day or two. I think "The Body in the Library" was the first Miss Marple I read– but so far, I haven't come across any corpses during my frequent library visits. But then, it is a public, not a private, collection of books.

Sarah wrote: "Thank you for your welcome. I'm on my public library's waiting list for Donna Leon's new novel, "So Shall You Reap," the 32nd in the series, before its US release on March 14, 2023. That's how much..."

They probably move the bodies quickly before a crowd gathers.

Ha! Not at that underpaid, understaffed branch, but who knows, there are a lot of locked doors and "no entry" winding stairways and corridors. Hmm, someone should write a mystery about that, but our local writers, Ayelet Waldman, Susan Dunlap, and Cara Black, don't exactly fit the GA mode. However, Berkeley was the home of Anthony Boucher, for whom the annual "Boucheron" mystery convention and the "Anthony Award" are named. He did a lot to promote and develop the genre, as well as write a few books himself.

Welcome, Sarah. I'm also reading the Donna Leon books - I've just read book 7 (just slightly ahead of the group) so I have a lot of them still to go! Thanks for mentioning your local writers and particularly Anthony Boucher - I see several of his books are on Kindle, including Rocket to the Morgue, great title! It is said to be a mix of murder mystery and sci-fi.

I have noticed there are quite a few cosy series set in libraries but I don't know what any of them are like.

Welcome from western North Carolina. Birds are singing and some flowers are blooming. I had thought I would read more when I retired but apparently I read a lot in my daily commute.

I have a couple of Boucher's books but haven't read them yet.

Sarah wrote: "Ha! Not at that underpaid, understaffed branch, but who knows, there are a lot of locked doors and "no entry" winding stairways and corridors. Hmm, someone should write a mystery about that, but ou..."

Jan C wrote: "Welcome from western North Carolina. Birds are singing and some flowers are blooming. I had thought I would read more when I retired but apparently I read a lot in my daily commute.

I have a coup..."

Jan C wrote: "Welcome from western North Carolina. Birds are singing and some flowers are blooming. I had thought I would read more when I retired but apparently I read a lot in my daily commute.

I have a coup..."

Judy wrote: "Welcome, Sarah. I'm also reading the Donna Leon books - I've just read book 7 (just slightly ahead of the group) so I have a lot of them still to go! Thanks for mentioning your local writers and pa..."

About mysteries and libraries: I don't know if this counts, but I loved "The Name of the Rose," by Umberto Eco, which features manuscripts in a 14th century monastery. Medieval library? Myrna, in Louise Penny's novels, owns a bookstore that also acts as a library, with neighbors in Three Pines (especially Ruth) borrowing and dropping off books, and a book discussion group meeting frequently. "Cosy" library series seem to always include a cat, though I haven't read any, and take this assumption from titles and covers.

Thanks for your welcome, Jan. Confession: I know where Boucheron lived, but I've never read any of his books! Spring is beginning here, too, with daffodils and crocuses blooming. I saw a huge fight among some scrub jays this afternoon, maybe mating season or a particulary good source of nuts? It's a mystery to me.

Hi my name is Libby! I have loved reading since 4th grade or sooner! I love all types of books! Mystery books cozy mystery books and legal thrillers are my favorite! Here are some of my favorite authors- John Grisham, J.A. Jance, Spencer Quinn, David Rosenfelt! The Cozy mystery authors I like are Donna Andrews,JoAnna Carl, JoAnne Fluke and Elaine Viets!

Welcome, Libby! I hope you find many more favorites here.

Welcome Libby. I expect your 'to be read' list will balloon.

Hi everyone, I’m Jenn from Brooklyn, excited to be a part of this group. Of course Dame Agatha Christie is an all-time favorite, but I have dabbled in other cozy / period mysteries as well (LB Hathaway, Sulari Gentill, Louise Penny). I also enjoy modern psychological thriller type novels by authors like Jean Hanff Korelitz, Lucy Foley, Tana French.

I’m looking forward to reading with you all and discovering a lot more about the Golden Age!

Hello and welcome to our new members! This group has introduced me to so many previously unknown to me authors in my favorite genre - I started as a girl maaaannnny years ago reading Alfred Hitchcock’s Three Investigators, Enid Blyton, then onto Christie and whatever else the mystery section in my library offered. I hope you enjoy reading and discussing with us!

Welcome Jenn. I'm sure you will discover many new authors; I certainly have.

Welcome Jenn. I've come across many new authors beyond Christie and Sayers (who I was already acquainted with).

Welcome Jenn and Libby, glad you both found us. I hope you will discover lots of authors to enjoy here!

Abigail wrote: "Welcome, Sarah! I’m a former Bay Area resident now living in Oregon. You sound very well versed in GA mysteries, but this group has really opened my eyes to forgotten authors so I think you’ll enjo..."

Hi, Abigail! I was born in Oakland and now live in southeast Washington State.

A lot of westerners here!

Abigail and Kirsten, and all other former Bay Area residents: you won't believe this, but weather forecasters predict snow on Thursday! Just ice pellets in San Francisco, but real snow on Mt. Tam, Mt. Diablo, Mt. Hamilton, even snow flurries in the Marin Headlands, Berkeley and Oakland hills, Santa Cruz Mountains, and possibly Mt. Davidson and Twin Peaks. Not the conditions where people get snowed in for a good mystery, but still, unusual circumstances.

It does happen from time to time, and I believe it in this case: here on the southern coast of Oregon we’re getting repeated bouts of daytime graupel already, and it’s supposed to get a lot colder over the next several nights.

Meanwhile western North Carolina is in a heat wave - supposed to be in the 70s Wednesday and Thursday. And no snow here this year ... yet! But still rain on some part of most days.

Hello, my name is Vidhi. I love Agatha Christie, she has a special place in my heart. The first author that got me into reading novels.

Hello Vidhi. If you like Christie I'm sure you will find lots of authors here that write mysteries similar to her, I certainly have.

Hi, Vidhi, and welcome. I love Christie, also!

Welcome Vidhi. Hope you enjoy our reading selections. We are about to vote for a monthly read and there is a Christie is the running.

Welcome from NZ too Vidhi. Christie is a good start but there are many more great authors of that era which are awaiting your discovery

Actually! I am starting again, there was a huge gap in between when I couldn’t read so I thought I would start with the one I love. But I am always open for great suggestions so please let me know :)

You could try Dorothy L. Sayers 'Lord Peter Wimsey' He is 2 dimensional in her early books but quickly becomes a 'real' character as the series develops.His 'romance' (sort of) with Harriet Vane is what makes the whole narrative come alive
Then there is Ngaio Marsh, a New Zealand author, she is very prolific with Insp Alleyn and Margery Allingham's Miss Silver is a lot of fun. And that is just for starters!

Welcome, Vidhi. I second Keith's recommendations, and also support going back to what you love. Re-reading is a great comfort during hard times and when one just needs to relax a bit. Have fun!

Keith wrote: "You could try Dorothy L. Sayers 'Lord Peter Wimsey' He is 2 dimensional in her early books but quickly becomes a 'real' character as the series develops.His 'romance' (sort of) with Harriet Vane is..."

Minor correction Margery Allingham wrote the Albert Campion stories and Patricia Wentworth wrote the Miss Silver stories.

And welcome Vidhi from western North Carolina. I have found many new books and authors while I've been here. For me this includes Elizabeth Daly and J J Connington.

That’s really great! Thank you so much for all your recommendations. I will pick them up as and how I get a copy. Thank you so much :D

OOps!
What was I thinking?

I’m new here and found this group through a goodreads friend’s posting,hi craftyhj!

I started with Agatha Christie but I’ve read some of the authors mentioned here. I’ve read all the Miss Silver mysteries and The Moving Toyshop is one of my all time favorites.

I can’t think of the author’s name but Puppet For a Corpse is great.

I’m from the Midwest.

Welcome, Anne! Glad you found us and thanks to craftyhj for leading you here!

I'm impressed that you've read all of Miss Silver - I think I've only read a couple of those so far but enjoyed them. I hadn't heard of Puppet For A Corpse but just had a quick look and it's by Dorothy Simpson - a new name to me, I think.

Welcome!
I have read all Christie and a few Miss Silver which I am enjoying. My absolute favourite author however is Dorothy Sayers,, I have read and re-read her frequently,. I must admit though that some ability in French and a knowledge of the Classics is a big help

Keith wrote: "Welcome!
I have read all Christie and a few Miss Silver which I am enjoying. My absolute favourite author however is Dorothy Sayers,, I have read and re-read her frequently,. I must admit though th..."

Thank you for the warm welcome.

What is a the buddy read?