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The Odor of Violets (Duncan Maclain, #3)
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2025 American Mystery Classic > American Mystery: The Oder of Violets by Baynard H Kendrick msg 13

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message 1: by Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile (last edited Jan 24, 2025 07:30AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lesle | 8397 comments Mod
Any American Mystery:
these can replace a month from the scheduled reads and please comment your read here so we can all share these wonderful reads:

Some suggestions from the Planning Stage:
Dashiell Hammetter The Maltese Falcon (1930) 213 pgs

Mary Allingham Dancers in Mourning (1937) 240 pgs

Ellery Queen The Dutch Shoe Mystery (1931) 216 pgs

Anna Katharine Green That Affair Next Door (1897) 350 pgs

Lang Lewis The Birthday Murder (1945) 208 pgs


American Authors:
Dorothy B. Hughes
Charlotte Armstrong
Patricia Highsmith
Anya Seton


message 2: by Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lesle | 8397 comments Mod
Do not forget about this thread!!

Thought:
The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne


message 3: by Melanie (new)

Melanie Anton | 458 comments Lesle, I'll post my thoughts about The Birthday Murder on this thread.


message 4: by Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lesle | 8397 comments Mod
Melanie wrote: "Lesle, I'll post my thoughts about The Birthday Murder on this thread."

Thank you Melanie!!
Im very interested in this one.


message 5: by Kathy (new)

Kathy E | 2341 comments I'll probably read at least one of these substitutions. Not sure which.


message 6: by Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar (new) - rated it 3 stars

Rosemarie | 15620 comments Mod
Lesle wrote: "Do not forget about this thread!!

Thought:
The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne"


It's a good one.


message 7: by Melanie (new)

Melanie Anton | 458 comments I just finished The Birthday Murders by Lange Lewis. What a terrific mystery! I loved everything about it - the plot, characters and setting. I'm definitely looking for her other mysteries, especially the ones in an academic setting.


message 8: by Kathy (new)

Kathy E | 2341 comments That's great, Melanie. I'm adding this to my TBR.


message 9: by Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lesle | 8397 comments Mod
Melanie wrote: "I just finished The Birthday Murders by Lange Lewis. What a terrific mystery! I loved everything about it - the plot, characters and setting. I'm definitely looking..."

Thank you Melanie!
I am adding it too


message 11: by Christine PNW (last edited Apr 09, 2025 05:04PM) (new)

Christine PNW (moonlight_reader) | 131 comments Margery Allingham and A.A. Milne are both British, FYI. Not sure if that matters to you or not.

I read The Cat Saw Murder last year & really liked it.

Also, the Library of America has some great noir collections that should be available from your local libraries:

Women Crime Writers: Four Suspense Novels of the 1940s: Laura / The Horizontal Man / In a Lonely Place / The Blank Wall
Women Crime Writers: Four Suspense Novels of the 1950s (LOA #269): Mischief / The Blunderer / Beast in View / Fools' Gold
American Noir: 11 Classic Crime Novels of the 1930s, 40s, & 50s: A Library of America Boxed Set

I previously got both Women Crime Writers volumes on sale as ebooks for $1.99 each. Sadly, they aren't on sale anymore. :(


message 12: by Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lesle | 8397 comments Mod
Christine Thanks for sharing those.
Very interesting reads it looks like and what a deal!!


message 13: by Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lesle | 8397 comments Mod
The Odor of Violets (Duncan Maclain, #3) by Baynard H. Kendrick
The Odor of Violets by Baynard H.
Kendrick


Meet Captain Duncan Maclain. Blinded during his service in the first World War, Maclain made up for his lack of vision by sharpening his other senses, achieving a mastery of the subtle unseen clues often missed by those who see only with their eyes. Aided by his dogs Schnucke and Driest, the Captain puts the intelligence-gathering techniques he learned in the Army to work, making a name for himself as New York City’s most sought-after private detective. Now it’s 1940, there’s a second World War breaking out, and Maclain is pulled into a case unlike any he’s investigated before.

One claim of the strengths of this novel is in how successfully it blends mystery fiction writing styles. It has its hardboiled and spy elements.

Anyone up for something different than a Mary Roberts Rinehart read?


message 14: by Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile (new) - rated it 4 stars


message 15: by Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lesle | 8397 comments Mod
Is anyone reading a different mystery?


message 16: by Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar (last edited Aug 19, 2025 06:54AM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Rosemarie | 15620 comments Mod
I forgot about this one!

I've just borrowed it on Libby.


message 17: by Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lesle | 8397 comments Mod
Rosemarie I think I might enjoy this. I just got it in the mail yesterday.
Hopefully start on it this afternoon.


message 18: by Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lesle | 8397 comments Mod
I am about 3/4 ths way through and I am really liking Captain Maclain. He is a master!


message 19: by Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar (new) - rated it 3 stars

Rosemarie | 15620 comments Mod
I'm about a third of the way through. This book would make a good movie.


message 20: by Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lesle | 8397 comments Mod
I agree!

I am in love with Schnucke his female guide dog. She is a smart girl.


message 21: by Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar (new) - rated it 3 stars

Rosemarie | 15620 comments Mod
I finished this last night-there are some very tense and exciting moments towards the end.


message 22: by Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile (last edited Sep 04, 2025 09:16AM) (new) - rated it 4 stars

Lesle | 8397 comments Mod
I finished it last night as well! I loved Maclain his senses are remarkable. The puzzle a great addition to his skill set.

My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am wanting to get the other two that I have listed in my review!
Hopefully I can find them.


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