Reading the Detectives discussion

It's time to nominate for our May group read! As usual, 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. 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 re-nominate. Looking forward to seeing your nominations.

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..."

Oh, this one’s on my TBR list, yay! Not sure about the dog dying (I know, I read tons of mysteries with people offing each other, but children, dogs, cats, no!) but I’ve enjoyed her writing, so I’ll trust her not to make it too icky…

Good to hear, Susan. I doubt it will be icky!

I’ll nominate one I’ll be reading for another group, One by One They Disappeared by Moray Dalton:

"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.

One by One They Disappeared was originally published in 1929. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.

I read that in 2023 and really liked it.

Both books are $4 for kindle in the US.

Sandy wrote: "Both books are $4 for kindle in the US."

Thanks, Sandy, I forgot to put price

Murder While You Work and One by One They Disappeared both currently £2.99 in the UK

Susan and Susan, thank you for the two nominations so far! I really enjoyed One by One They Disappeared and have been meaning to read Murder While You Work, as Noel Streatfeild was one of my favourite authors when I was young.

Not many nominations but at least they are both available on both sides of the pond!

I'd like to suggest Murder in the Museum but I suspect it may be too expensive. Do a lot of the BLCC books end up being quite expensive on Kindle? Seems a shame.

Thanks for suggesting Murder in the Museum, Frances, but sadly I think you're right about it being too expensive/difficult to get hold of.

It is not available on Kindle in the UK and seems the paperback is also out of print here. Also it looks like it isn't on Kindle in the US either. Sorry, would you like to suggest something else?

Yes, it seems that we don’t have a kindle edition of Murder in the Museum”.

Judy wrote: "Thanks for suggesting Murder in the Museum, Frances, but sadly I think you're right about it being too expensive/difficult to get hold of.

It is not available on Kindle in the UK ..."

I think it is available on Kindle in the US but for $15.

What aboutTo Love and Be Wise? It seems to be the only Tey that the group hasn't done, and it looks like it's available much more cheaply.

Yes, on kindle and Audible in the UK.

In US: $4 on kindle

I'll nominate The Missing Link: A Golden Age Murder Mystery by George Varney. 1926. Murder in a sinister old mansion. Likely inheritor is American. 2 descend upon the estate to inspect and establish their claim. One of which is shortly found dead. Soul clue - a gold cuff link.

99 cents on Kindle in US.

The Missing Link by George Varney is on Kindle for 77p in the UK so that looks fine! Thanks, Jan.

The poll is now open - please vote for your preferred choice!

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/3...

It's a tie at the moment, please vote if you haven't done yet!

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/3...

And the winner is... One by One They Disappeared by Moray Dalton, which will be our May group read.

Full results:
One by One They Disappeared 6 votes, 42.9%
To Love and Be Wise (Inspector Alan Grant, #4) 4 votes, 28.6%
Murder While You Work 3 votes, 21.4%
The Missing Link: A Golden Age Murder Mystery 1 vote, 7.1%

I've been so busy that I missed this poll, but One by One They Disappeared was already on my to-read list, so I'm excited!

Good to hear, Carissa!