Kindle British Mystery Book Club discussion

Green for Danger, by Christianna Brand:
I enjoyed this book as a historical piece but comparing it to modern mysteries doesn't feel fair. I like to read mysteries from the Golden Era of Mysteries, so that wasn't a problem. When I thought about critiquing it or giving it a rating, I found I could not. The eras are too different in writing styles, characterization, even plotting; it's comparing apples and oranges. I can imagine that many readers who aren't into Agatha Christie et al might not like this book at all--not that I think this novel was as tightly written as a Christie. Perhaps I can get away with saying that Brand's book didn't measure up to Christie for me and leave it there.

Pat, that's a very fair comment. The Christie books are either 1920 Poirot or 1950s Marple in the main, while this one is 1940s. Brand isn't as well known as some other writers, but she does okay. :)

Finally persuaded my e-reader to let me finish this one. I particularly enjoyed the contemporary descriptions of life during the Blitz and the gentle pace of the story. The foreword by the author describing working at her typewriter wearing her 'tin hat' was interesting too.
3 stars.

Sorry to arrive late! I thought this a solidly enjoyable read -- a 1940's update of the country house mystery. I think any fan of golden age mysteries might enjoy it. For me, the conversations occasionally went on a little too long, but I kept turning the pages and the ending was charming and interesting.

My only regret is that my copy did not have the author's foreword. That sounded like fun!

Am midway and am struck by the frequent appellation “darling” between female/female and male/female characters

Is it used so often in regular conversations in England?

Having said that, I now notice that the Hotel Inspector (YouTube) uses “darling ” quite often . Have I just not
Noticed it in other books?

I'm American but have never noticed much use of "darling" between characters in either US or UK mysteries. I don't like use of such meaningless words to everyone.

I guessed wrong! An interesting twist at the end. The book was so~so for me, particularly because I couldn’t identify with the dialogue. I think I would give it 2.5 stars.

Darling was widely used in that era as best I can tell. Part of reading period books.