Reading the Detectives discussion

Nominations please for our July 2023 group read.

Please only nominate books written and published in the Golden Age period, or a little earlier or later - if in doubt whether a title is eligible, please ask.

As usual, just one nomination per group member, and only one book by any individual writer can be nominated per month. Also, please don't nominate books by Agatha Christie this month, as we will be reading her classic And Then There Were None for our July challenge read.

How about another Moray Dalton? I picked up several Kindles recently on sale: The Black Wings: A Golden Age Mystery -

The body was found lying face downwards in the top floor flat of number 7 Bolsover Square, Westminster. Killed by a glancing blow from a wood chopper which struck the nape of the neck and severed the main artery. What linked this gruesome murder with Sir Roger Wing who had been dining in the flat below with his publisher friend Christopher Penistone?

The aristocratic Wing family had for centuries resided at the Mallowes, a remote country house perched above a beach on the West Sussex coast. Was the arrival at the Mallowes of an anonymous letter for Sir Roger that same day just a coincidence? And what could this have to do with the looting of precious gems from the Medici family tomb in Florence in 1818 by Sir Roger’s great-grandfather?

Currently $1.99 on Kindle US

Thanks for the nomination, Susan - I really like Moray Dalton, but it looks to me as if Black Wings isn't available in the UK in any format. The same seems to be the case for other titles from this publisher, Spitfire Publishers Ltd, although bizarrely I think they are based in the UK! Maybe their books will be published here in the future.

There are a lot of Moray Dalton books available from Dean Street Press, though, which I think should be available in most countries, if you want to nominate any of those?

Judy wrote: "Thanks for the nomination, Susan - I really like Moray Dalton, but it looks to me as if Black Wings isn't available in the UK in any format. The same seems to be the case for other titles from this..."

In another group, I learned the owner of Dean Street died, and it was being discontinued, I think? I’ll see if I can find any of them available here

Susan in NC wrote: "In another group, I learned the owner of Dean Street died, and it was being discontinued, I think? I’ll see if I can find any of them available here..."

That's right, sadly, we've talked about it in this group too - but all the books DSP have published are staying in print and they have also just published a few more by Moray Dalton which the owner prepared before he died.

How about One by One They Disappeared ? I can get it through Scribd, and it’s $2.99 on Kindle.


“I want to catch them. To do that we’ve got to lead them on. Now listen to me.”

Elbert J. Pakenham of New York City is among just nine survivors of the sinking of the Coptic – not counting his black cat Jehosaphat. The benevolent Mr. Pakenham has made his fellow survivors joint beneficiaries in his will, his nephew having recently passed away. But it seems that someone is unwilling to share the fortune, as the heirs start to die under mysterious circumstances . . .

Then Mr. Pakenham himself disappears, and Inspector Collier of Scotland Yard suspects dirty work. When a trap is laid that seriously wounds his best friend at the Yard, Superintendent Trask, Collier is certain his suspicions are correct. Into his net are drawn a charming young woman, Corinna Lacy, and her cousin and trustee, Wilfred Stark; a landed gentleman of dubious reputation, Gilbert Freyne, and his sister-in-law, Gladys; an Italian nobleman of ancient lineage and depleted estate, Count Olivieri; and a Bohemian English artist, Edgar Mallory. But Collier will need some unexpected feline assistance before the case is solved.

This is Inspector Collier’s first case, so if you enjoyed our Christmas read with him (The Night of Fear), here’s a chance to revisit him!

Judy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "In another group, I learned the owner of Dean Street died, and it was being discontinued, I think? I’ll see if I can find any of them available here..."

That's right, sadly, we..."

Thanks Judy, my memory is awful, especially when there is overlap in my group discussions ;)!

If availability of this one is an issue, I’ve got a handful of “Anthony” titles on Kindle, also! (Wynne, Berkeley and Gilbert - my, it was a popular name for GA authors!)

You have a good memory for our discussions, Susan - I wasn't sure which title by Moray Dalton we had discussed! One by One They Disappeared is £2.84 on Kindle in the UK so I think it looks good for availability. :)

And yes, lots of Anthonys about - Anthony Rolls is another!

I will nominate Postscript to Poison by Dorothy Bowers

Cornelia Lackland ruled her house with an iron fist and a firm grasp on the pocketbook. Her late husband—she was his second wife—had left her in charge of his two granddaughters and his self-made fortune. John Lackland has risen from nothing to something, only to see his own children rebel against him and make bad, impulsive marital choices He was determined that his granddaughters not follow in their footsteps. Cornelia, a former stage actress whose own past was a bit colorful, was more than up to the task. Jenny and Carol lived as virtual prisoners, albeit quite comfortably, in a large house filled with servants in the old cathedral town of Minsterbridge, located just thirty miles from London.

What’s more, the two cousins couldn’t even be sure if Mrs. Lackland’s death would set them free, since the provisions of their grandfather’s will were sealed. Things came to a head one hot summer in the late 1930s when the old lady took ill, hovered at the edge of death, and then miraculously recovered. But the night before she was to meet with her solicitor to make yet one more change in her will, she was found dead, the apparent victim of a poisoner. Chief Inspector Dan Pardoe of Scotland Yard is called in to investigate an ever-growing list of suspects.

This classic 1938 Golden Age detective novel marked the debut of Dorothy Bowers, a very talented writer in the Sayers school who might well have joined the ranks of the masters of the genre had she not died from tuberculosis at the age of 46 after completing only five novels.

Hoping that is available across the pond.

Jill wrote: "I will nominate Postscript to Poison by Dorothy Bowers

Cornelia Lackland ruled her house with an iron fist and a firm grasp on the pocketbook. Her late husband—she w..."

I can't find a kindle edition in the US.

OK Sandy Thanks for looking.

I will try Six Against the Yard by The Detection Club

Six of the greatest mystery writers join forces to concoct murders so baffling, with clues so cryptic, that even Scotland Yard is stumped, creating six compelling tales of foolproof homicide

I second Jill's suggestion, only to include The Detection Club's https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...
which is available as an ebook in the US.

I know we've read this before, but it was a while ago now.

Death in a White Tie

A body in the back of a taxi begins an elegantly constructed mystery, perhaps the finest of Marsh’s 1930s novels.

The season had begun. Débutantes and chaperones were planning their luncheons, teas, dinners, balls. And the blackmailer was planning his strategies, stalking his next victim.

But Chief Detective Inspector Roderick Alleyn knew that something was up. He had already planted his friend Lord Robert Gospell at the scene.

But someone else got there first…

Sarah wrote: "I second Jill's suggestion, only to include The Detection Club's https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...
which is available as an ebook in the US."

Hi Sarah, The Floating Admiral was our group read in December. Below is a link to the non-spoiler thread - all our threads stay open for anyone who reads the books later to contribute:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Great nominations, Jill and Susan - a pity the Dorothy Bowers has availability problems but maybe it will become more widely available in future. I'm intrigued by the sound of Six Against the Yard though, and I remember Death in a White Tie was possibly my favourite out of Ngaio Marsh's books!

Sorry, Judy, I should have looked more closely. I notice, too, that you've already done Nicholas Blake. I second Jill's suggestion again, but also endorse one of my favorite Ngaio Marsh books. Again, apologies for not researching more carefully.

I think it was a favourite when we did Marsh, Judy. I thought it would be fun to revisit it - I have enjoying re-reading Wimsey.

Sarah, no worries - it can be difficult to keep track of what we've read recently! The easiest way is probably to search our bookshelf. Anything we read around 3 years ago or more is fine to recombination.

I believe I must have picked up Postscript to Poison from one of the used book sellers as I have it in a paper format.

I liked One by One They Disappeared.

I'll nominate The Brooklyn Murders by G.D.H. Cole, actually GDH and Margaret Cole, published in 1923 @ 99 cents in US.

Theatrical setting. Sir Vernon Brooklyn, on his birthday, announces a new will. Next day there are two dead bodies. Superintendent Wilson is called in to investigare.

Jan C wrote: "I'll nominate The Brooklyn Murders by G.D.H. Cole, actually GDH and Margaret Cole, published in 1923 @ 99 cents in US.

Theatrical setting. Sir Vernon Brooklyn, on ..."

This doesn't seem to be available at a reasonable price in the UK - unless the links/Amazon are just failing to find it.

At present there is only a leather bound edition for £41, apparently not even well-edited.

Jan C wrote: "I'll nominate The Brooklyn Murders by G.D.H. Cole, actually GDH and Margaret Cole, published in 1923 @ 99 cents in US.

Theatrical setting. Sir Vernon Brooklyn, on ..."

I bought this last year, but that seems to have been the last paperback copy. ;) Perhaps a buddy read! :)

Well, then, how about Mystery At Lynden Sands by J.J. Connington. It is 99 cents here.

In real life a chemistry professor. 18 books in this series with Sir Clinton Driffield and 6 others.

That's on kindle in the UK, Jan.

Jan C wrote: "Well, then, how about Mystery At Lynden Sands by J.J. Connington. It is 99 cents here.

In real life a chemistry professor. 18 books in this series with Sir Clinton..."

On my TBR list - I don’t understand the disparity in availability between US and UK, I’ve picked up several $1.99 GA kindle books in the last couple weeks with these cool, bold-colored art deco-type designs. Same with the GBH Cole being cheaper here. That’s where I acquired the one I nominated! (Judy said the first reissue wasn’t available in UK, but the second title was available in both places.)

Jill wrote: "I will nominate Postscript to Poison by Dorothy Bowers

Cornelia Lackland ruled her house with an iron fist and a firm grasp on the pocketbook. Her late husband—she w..."

Found this on amazon (Canada), kindle edition is only $1.65. Sounds terrific so I’m buying a copy.
Glad you posted it Jill 😊

Will keep my eyes open for this one on Kindle US, sounds interesting and I like to start with the first in a series, thanks, Jill.

Jan C wrote: "I'll nominate The Brooklyn Murders by G.D.H. Cole, actually GDH and Margaret Cole, published in 1923 @ 99 cents in US.

Theatrical setting. Sir Vernon Brooklyn, on ..."

Thanks for this title, Jan, sounds good!

Any more nominations? Sorry, I've been a bit tied up over the holiday weekend (in the UK) but will get the poll up tomorrow.

Thanks, Judy, hope you had a lovely holiday weekend (coronation + Bank Holiday, wasn’t it?)

If it´s available in the UK and US, I´d like to nominate The Z Murders by J. Jefferson Farjeon. It´s about 3 Euro on the German page for the Kindle edition.

Susan in NC wrote: "Thanks, Judy, hope you had a lovely holiday weekend (coronation + Bank Holiday, wasn’t it?)"

Thanks Susan! That's right, we got an extra bank holiday for the coronation. My daughter visited and we had a street party near home on the Sunday, but I was working on the Monday.

Judy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Thanks, Judy, hope you had a lovely holiday weekend (coronation + Bank Holiday, wasn’t it?)"

Thanks Susan! That's right, we got an extra bank holiday for the coronation. My dau..."

Sounds like a nice weekend Judy! :)

Michaela wrote: "If it´s available in the UK and US, I´d like to nominate The Z Murders by J. Jefferson Farjeon. It´s about 3 Euro on the German p..."

Thanks Michaela, great nomination (I've been meaning to read this for years) and just in time there as I was just about to post the poll! It's available in the UK for £2.99 on Kindle - could someone please check on US availability before I put the poll up? Many thanks.

Nominations are:

Susan in NC: One by One They Disappeared by Moray Dalton

Jill: Six Against the Yard by The Detection Club

Susan: Death in a White Tie by Ngaio Marsh

Jan: Mystery at Lynden Sands by J.J. Connington

Michaela: The Z Murders by J. Jefferson Farjeon

I'll wait to put the poll up first thing tomorrow - looks to me as if The Z Murders is available in the US, but please could someone just confirm that if possible?

I just checked: my public library has two copies, part of the "British Library Crime Classics" series, with an Introduction by Martin Edwards. Published by Poisoned Pen Press.

In the US, I see a version of The Z Murders available on kindle for $2.

US version: The Z Murders, though my library has the paperback of the more common version.

Looks like Amazon has it on Audible also.

I have just this minute downloaded Z Murders from US Amazon to New Zealand

Thanks everyone, good to know The Z Murders is fine to include!

The poll is now open - please cast your vote!
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

So, looking at poll, I assume we’re reading Death in a White Tie by Ngaio Marsh for July?

Just getting my reading ducks in a row, having tech problems with Scribd, May have to cancel, which means a bit of scrambling to get books on hand for group reads!

Yes that's right, Susan
Death in A White Tie is the winner.
Thanks to all who nominated and votes.
Sorry to hear about Scribd, hope you get it sorted. I cancelled a long time ago after technical issues.

Full results:
Death in a White Tie (Roderick Alleyn, #7) 9 votes, 39.1%
The Z Murders 7 votes, 30.4%
Mystery At Lynden Sands 4 votes, 17.4%
One by One They Disappeared 3 votes, 13.0%
Six Against the Yard 0 votes, 0.0%

Judy wrote: "Yes that's right, Susan
Death in A White Tie is the winner.
Thanks to all who nominated and votes.
Sorry to hear about Scribd, hope you get it sorted. I cancelled a long time ago after technical i..."

Thanks, Judy. Yes, I think I’ll have to cancel, inquired about being knocked out of app, finally got a helpful tech desk person who told me they no longer support the operating system my iPad uses! Would’ve been nice to know before I renewed in March… ;)

Oh dear, what a shame. I remember I found their audiobooks would only play for a few minutes at a time on my phone, and then after an update their ebooks started displaying so the bottom of each page was missing on my Kindle Fire.

Wow, that would be a ridiculously difficult way to read - or listen. It’s a shame, they have a lot of the older books I like, but 🤷🏻‍♀️