Reading the Detectives discussion

It's time to nominate for our first group read of 2024!

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.

If you aren't sure whether we have read something, the group bookshelves may help, or just ask. If it was at least 3 years ago that we read it, it is fine to renominate.

I am going to recommend a book that doesn't really qualify as a detective novel - it's more of a spy story - but it is definitely Golden Age, and the best of a series of novels set between WW1 and the Cold War.

starts where the first of the series ends - at the end of the Great War (as it was then). It follows the return to Germany of its main character, who then lives through the desperate times that lead to the rise to the Nazi party. First published in 1940 it foreshadows the events that come later, without the writers' knowing what we all know now, and is a fascinating view of the times.

It's available on Kindle for 99p in the UK, 99c in the US, so even if it's not an acceptable nomination, I can still recommend it!

Rosina wrote: "I am going to recommend a book that doesn't really qualify as a detective novel - it's more of a spy story - but it is definitely Golden Age, and the best of a series of novels set between WW1 and ..."

Thanks for the recommendation, Rosina, definitely intrigued!

I will nominate The Big Bow Mystery by Author Israel Zangwill. I believe this is free in UK but don't know about abroad


Regarded as the first full-length locked room mystery, the novel focuses on a murder that has occurred inside a locked room, with no clear indication as to the weapon used, the perpetrator of the horrendous crime, or a possible escape route. Needless to say, The Big Bow Mystery has all the elements necessary to engage its audience and encourage them to look between the lines in an attempt to unravel the complex murder.Set in Bow, east London, the novel opens when Mrs. Drabdump, a widow who rents out rooms, panics when one of her lodgers does not respond to her fervent attempts to wake him. In a moment of distress, she seeks the help of her neighbor George Grodman, incidentally a former detective, who eventually forces his way inside the room. Consequently, they witness a gruesome sight, as they find Arthur Constant dead, his throat slashed. Astounded by the strange circumstances under which the murder has occurred, bearing in mind that the door and windows were locked and secured from the inside with no apparent way of leaving the crime scene, the case is truly baffling. Moreover, the motive for the murder is also a mystery, as Constant was a likeable man, known for his efforts to help the working class. The perplexing case is taken up by Grodman and Inspector Edward Wimp, who share a mutual detest, yet amusingly play along with an act of cordiality. Nevertheless, they go out of their way to unravel the mystery that has left everyone awestruck.

Jill wrote: "I will nominate The Big Bow Mystery by Author Israel Zangwill. I believe this is free in UK but don't know about abroad


Regarded as the first full-length locked r..."

$3 in the US

I will nominate Murder While You Work

Judy sat staring out of the railway carriage window. Of course there was a war on, but could any train that was trying at all really dawdle the way this one was doing?

On the way to her new munitions work in the village of Pinlock, Judy Rest meets handsome, dynamic Nick Parsons, who turns out (after the two engage in some extremely careless talk) to be engaged in top secret work at the same factory. Nick warns her about suspicious goings-on at her new billet, wherein a suspicious death has recently occurred, but Judy is unphased. As she adapts to her work and learns to maintain the proper rhythm with her lathe ("The girls in this group say that 'White Christmas' just swings it nicely"), more deaths occur at home-with even a dog as victim!-and despite Nick's protection, Judy just might be next. First published in 1944 and Noel Streatfeild's only foray into the mystery genre, this novel features not only suspense and romance, but vivid scenes of wartime factory life, some potent psychology, and an array of wonderfully likeable (and loathable) characters.

Murder While You Work is the ninth of twelve charming, page-turning romances published under the pseudonym "Susan Scarlett" by none other than beloved children's author and novelist Noel Streatfeild. Out of print for decades, they were rediscovered by Greyladies Books in the early 2010s, and Dean Street Press and Furrowed Middlebrow are delighted now to make all twelve available to a wider audience.

Susan wrote: "I will nominate Murder While You Work

Judy sat staring out of the railway carriage window. Of course there was a war on, but could any tr..."

Ooh, I saw this when I went down the Furrowed Middlebrow rabbit hole for titles in another group challenge - they have some very intriguing books by authors I’d never heard of, we read one by this author, delightful to see her name pop up here!

I've seen a few by her I'd like to try, but this is the only mystery. Glad you like the sound of her too :)

Susan wrote: "I will nominate Murder While You Work

Judy sat staring out of the railway carriage window. Of course there was a war on, but could any tr..."

$2.99 on Kindle in US

I'll nominate Murder in Blue by Clifford Witting. First in a series of four with Inspector Harry Charlton. Published in 1937.

A bookshop owner stumbles over a dead police officer while out walking. He had previously seen him riding a bicycle alongside another officer. This book seems to center more on the bookshop owner. I picked this up a while ago and haven't seen the inspector yet.

Currently $4.86 on Kindle in US.

Jan C wrote: "I'll nominate Murder in Blue by Clifford Witting. First in a series of four with Inspector Harry Charlton. Published in 1937.

A bookshop owner stumbles over a dead ..."

Ooh, he's a writer I've been meaning to try (one of the many!!) £3.99 on Kindle in UK.

I really like what I have read of Clifford Witting. It's great to see more of his books becoming available on kindle and I would be happy to read more by him.

Very tempting nominations so far - I want to read all of them.

Rosina: A Toast To Tomorrow by Manning Coles

Jill: The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill

Susan: Murder While You Work by Susan Scarlett aka Noel Streatfeild

Jan: Murder in Blue by Clifford Witting

Does anyone have any more nominations before the poll opens tomorrow?

I agree - a couple I own, and two others I'd like to read!

Judy wrote: "Very tempting nominations so far - I want to read all of them.

Rosina: A Toast To Tomorrow by Manning Coles

Jill: The Big Bow Mystery by [author:Isr..."
Same here, that’s why I haven’t nominated, it will be hard enough to choose as is! And all have gone on my TBR list…

The poll is now open. Please cast your vote for the book you most want to read in January:

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

And the winner is...
A Toast To Tomorrow by Manning Coles, which will be our January group read.

Full results:
A Toast To Tomorrow (Tommy Hambledon, #2) 7 votes, 46.7%
The Big Bow Mystery 5 votes, 33.3%
Murder in Blue 3 votes, 20.0%
Murder While You Work 0 votes, 0.0%

Great - I will look forward to that!

One of my all time favourites - since the early 1960s

I would also be open to add any of the others to our Buddy Read list ...

Judy wrote: "And the winner is...
A Toast To Tomorrow by Manning Coles, which will be our January group read.

Full results:
A Toast To Tomorrow (Tommy Hambledon, #2) 7 votes, 46...."
This one's on fadedpage, hurrah!

Here, if any one wants it: https://www.fadedpage.com/showbook.ph...

I'm glad you linked to a free copy, but now I'm thinking I should read Drink to Yesterday first.
which is also on faded page and therefore possible.

I read the first one, Jackie. I just wanted to have some idea of the characters before reading on.

I also plan to read the first book.

What did anyone think of the first book? I may read it before we read the second one too.

It isn't really necessary to read Drink to Yesterday - but not a bad idea to do so, if it's easily/freely available.

Judy wrote: "What did anyone think of the first book? I may read it before we read the second one too."

I can only say that I haven't read Drink to Yesterday for decades - perhaps I should re-read it, but as I remember, it is more of a normal 1st world war spy story, and not as memorable as Pray Silence/A Toast to Tomorrow.

I thought the first half of the first book was good, but then it got a bit far-fetched, but ending rather well

I've decided to re-read Drink to Yesterday - I have an edition printed in the US in July 1946! So probably around the time I was ... beginning!