English Mysteries Club discussion

Here is the thread to discuss our first golden age group read for the new year. It is the intriguingly titled A Coin of Edward VII by Fergus Hume, who is a new author for this group.

Who's joining us for this one in January? It's free on kindle.uk!

I'm in ! :-)

I’m in. Free on kindle in USA too. Happy Holidays to all!

Great! Thanks for telling us Sharon - I was hoping it would coincide, as it doesn't always 🙄

Thank you for the info on where to get the book.

I’m in! Just downloaded the Fergus Hume collection on Kindle - a new author for me 😃

I've downloaded the book as well and hope to start it soon. I've actually read two other books by Hume: The Mystery of a Hansom Cab and Madame Midas.

I'm in. It's free from Apple books as well.

I just downloaded it on Kindle!

I got it from the Gutenberg library and already started reading it. I’ve been fairly glued to it!

We start today!

I have it on my kindle but won't be able to start right away; maybe in a week or so.

I’ll be starting as soon as I finish reading my current book. All queued on my Kindle.

Sounds good to me!

I've just finished the book and found it entertaining, with a good mystery, romance and engaging characters.
I had a suspicion about one of the characters not being what he seemed, and I was right.

That's always satisfying, isn't it Rosemarie!

Rosemarie wrote: "I've just finished the book and found it entertaining, with a good mystery, romance and engaging characters.
I had a suspicion about one of the characters not being what he seemed, and I was right."

I felt the same, Rosemarie, but I'll add it felt very much as a period melodrama. I thought all the characters were written well but I was driven crazy by Daisy.

Finished it !!

I liked it too. I guessed the real culprit from the start, but the plot was so intricate and fast paced that I didn't feel bored even for a little moment.
Here is my 5 stars review for those who like to know more about my opinion:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Pamela wrote: "Rosemarie wrote: "I've just finished the book and found it entertaining, with a good mystery, romance and engaging characters.
I had a suspicion about one of the characters not being what he seemed..."

I hated her ...
and which of you, contrary to all expectations, adored Mrs. Parry?
I didn't know how to imagine her and in my mind I gave her the face and voice of Margaret Rutherford (the unconventional black and white Miss Marple, remember her? ) 😅😂😂

Daisy was a drip. Mrs. Parry was marvellous.

Wow! This book is like a guide to turn-of-the-century English bigotry. I've never read anything where so much of the characters' behavior is attributed to their ancestry, age, religion, & nationality.

I would have stopped reading when Hume first introduced the 2 "elderly ladies," one of them "well past forty," except that the plot was quite interesting & fast-paced, & of course I was curious if the author would show any awareness of his biases. Now I'm kind of stuck in the tangle of identity changes . . . but I do want to finish it (still curious).

I finished this and felt that the story was a bit predictable but there were twists that I did not expect and a satisfying, if overly dramatic ending. I did not think that Olga's character was believable but learning about her as well as her mother did help to answer a few questions. The author's bigotry against certain nationalities was shocking, but must show the common viewpoint of the times.

Finished it yesterday, and agree about the racist comments. There were many complications, but I guessed from the beginning who was the murderer.

Just finished. I too loved Mrs. Parry. Definitely agree with the tag "period melodrama," bigotry and over-the-top emotions included. I thought the book was okay but not one of my faves.

Once I decided to make great allowances for the blatant bigotry of the time, I really liked the book! I give it 3 1/2 stars. Yes, it is an over emotional story, but the mystery tale and multiple twists on twists are worth it. And to think, it all started with a young heiress found stabbed to death on her father’s grave right after a Christmas service.