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Mitch

Joined December 2017

Happiest when surrounded by books! https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13135604-mitch-karunaratne

blurb

Fell Murder | E.C.R. Lorac

And here it is ( drum roll!!) our second half of the year reading for the #goldenagecrimeclub.
Each month we read and then chat about the chosen book on the last Sunday of the month. Everyone welcome to chip in - the more the merrier! Please share around so everyone gets a chance to see this! 👍🏼

tagged users icon

Mitch So over the next 6 months we‘ve got country houses, costume parties, rural mysteries, train timetables galore, an American mystery and of course something suitably festive 12h

Cuilin These look great! 11h

kwmg40 Great choices! Looking forward to reading these (rereading in a couple of cases). 11h

See All 10 Comments

rabbitprincess I‘m in for 4:50 from Paddington—this will be a re-read for me! Lots of good choices. 11h

AmyG Awesome! And I even own An English Murder. Thanks @Mitch. I look forward to these. 11h

jlhammar Oooh, very exciting!! Haven‘t read any of these yet. I‘ll be reading the Christie a bit early since it falls as number 7 (late July/early Aug) in my year of Marple. I‘ll just circle back to it for our Nov discussion. Thanks! 9h

TheAromaofBooks Some really fun picks here!! I'm excited to explore!! 9h

Librarybelle Hooray!! Looking forward to the selections! 7h

kspenmoll I agree with everyone! Great choices- I have not read any of them! 6h

Larkken Yay! Looks great! 5h

43 likes10 comments

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A Murder Is Announced: A Miss Marple Mystery | Agatha Christie

New reading rule….. I‘m only reading books that match my pup! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Crazeedi Perfect!! 21h

Soubhiville Cute! 😆 19h

AmyG Beautiful cover. And handsome dog. 🙌🏻❤️ 17h

dabbe A perfect match! 💙🐾💚 14h

81 likes4 comments

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Blickling Hall Bookshop, Lothian Barn | Blickling, Norfolk, United Kingdom (Bookstore)

Had a fabulous few house wandering the rooms and gardens at Blickling- loved the library the best ( of course!)

tagged users icon

AmyG Beautiful! 5d

DGRachel Stunning! 5d

kspenmoll Looks wonderful! 5d

68 likes3 comments

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Blickling Hall Bookshop, Lothian Barn | Blickling, Norfolk, United Kingdom (Bookstore)

Popped into Blickling Hall today (once home to Anne Boleyn) - the library houses 90,000 books! A team of volunteers opens a different cabinet each week and leaf through every page of every book checking of damage - wish we lived local, I imagine that‘s a great way to spend an afternoon.

DGRachel What a beautiful place!! 5d

Meshell1313 😍😍heaven! 5d

LeahBergen Ohhhh! 👀 5d

69 likes3 comments

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Camping: A Mr. and Mrs. Green Adventure | Keith Baker

We‘ve been wild camping for four days - so popped into a nearby National Trust estate for tea, cake and to use the facilities! Added bonus they had a second hand bookshop! Happy holidays!

squirrelbrain Love a National Trust bookshop! ❤️ 5d

AmyG Enjoy! 5d

noseinabookagain 95% of my books have come from NT bookshops, I‘ve found so many treasures over the years 😊 3d

64 likes3 comments

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Reading Journal: For Book Lovers | Potter Style

Had a bit of a slump in April but May got me back on track! I‘ve realised when I‘m in a slump it‘s chunksters that get me out of it - something meaty to really get lost in. What gets you back on track?

Ruthiella I don‘t think I‘ve been in a slump, but when I am anxious, I reread or read Agatha Christie. 5d

Kristin_Reads I always come back to Mary Oliver when I‘m in a slump. 4d

47 likes2 comments

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Malice Aforethought | Francis Iles

Can‘t believe we‘re 6 months in ! Junes #goldenagecrimeclub pick is more of a WHY dunnit rather than a WHO dunnit.
We‘ll be chatting about the book on the last Sunday of June. Happy reading!

LeahBergen I loved this one! 👍 1w

TheAromaofBooks Looking forward to this one!! Is this group continuing past June? I only seem to have written down titles through this coming month, so I wasn't sure if I missed an update somewhere along the line!! 6d

Mitch @TheAromaofBooks thanks for reminding me! I‘d set the first six months of books and can‘t believe we‘re running out of titles already! I‘ll get the next batch up asap! 6d

See All 11 Comments

TheAromaofBooks I'll keep an eye out!! I haven't been on Litsy much lately so I just wanted to make sure I hadn't missed it!! 6d

Mitch @TheAromaofBooks I‘ve chosen the book and have them in order. As soon as they all arrive I‘ll do a photo of covers to get you excited! I‘ve tried to find really different things! 🤞🏼 5d

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! I haven't been able to read all of the books this year, but the ones I have read, I've enjoyed!! I have Malice Aforethought on my list for this month!! 5d

kwmg40 I love the choices you've made so far and am looking forward to seeing what you have lined for the rest of the year! 4d

Mitch @kwmg40 thank you! I‘ve agonised over them! Later in the week I‘m going to post the next 6 months of books 2d

Mitch @TheAromaofBooks the list has just gone live! 12h

Mitch @kwmg40 just posted the next 6 books 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 12h

TheAromaofBooks Oooo thank you!! 9h

58 likes11 comments

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Fear For Miss Betony | Dorothy Bowers

There were also lots of funny bits in this novel - some chuckles, some great older characters and some novel bizarre parental choices! Overall thoughts, fractions, things we‘ve missed?
#goldenagecrimeclub

Ruthiella Overall it was rather complicated, I thought. Like, if the murderer had thought a little harder, there would have been an easier way to go about it? 🤔 1w

jlhammar The humor was my favorite part. First, the fact that Toplady residence was called a “Home for Decayed Gentlewomen“ was pretty great. That Emma, a retired teacher, admits to finding children rather odious. That “cherishing them was simply a measure of self-preservation...a colossal game of let's pretend.“ Just lots of fun bits like that. I think my favorite part of the mystery though was in Chapter XI when Emma makes her list of observations. 1w

quietjenn I agree with @Ruthiella, in that it seems overly-complicated when you stand back from it. Yet, I totally enjoyed it and it didn't make me roll my eyes, the way some mysteries can. 😂 And like @jlhammar I loved the humor that was woven throughout. And I just appreciated Miss Betony in general - and am glad that the policeman (who I think are at the center of Bowers other mysteries) admire and respect her too! 1w

See All 7 Comments

Ruthiella @quietjenn Yes! Props to the cops who appreciated Miss Betony and her deductions ! At that point, the tension was so heightened, it was a relief to know they were on her side. 1w

kwmg40 I too liked the humour and I also enjoyed seeing the very different personalities of all the staff members. 1w

batsy Yes @jlhammar I loved that line. She had another one about the class differences and how the bourgeoisie view the working class folks like herself, and went on to characterise the middle-class as having "small incomes, smaller brains, and smallest talents" and their instinct for survival & reproducing their class alliances. She didn't hold back in that brief paragraph which really was some astute commentary. 6d

Mitch @jlhammar 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 6d

38 likes7 comments

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Fear For Miss Betony | Dorothy Bowers

The fortune teller was a fab character - one of the only men in the book and we see him briefly. Whilst lots of the mystery tropes are in this book - his character seems quite unusual! It felt very different from a Christy or Sayers novel……
#goldenagecrimeclub

Ruthiella I found him quite creepy. 😱 1w

Mitch @Ruthiella me too! Those scenes were quite tense … 1w

jlhammar The Great Ambrosio, the master, the wizard of Bugle 😂 - yes, quite the creepy character! That whole scene when Miss Betony visits him was a good one. And when she glances back and catches him “looking at her with an expression of violent distaste on his face“ as she was leaving - yikes! 1w

See All 7 Comments

quietjenn @jlhammar although I'm honestly not sure what to make of Ambrosio overall, I did really love that scene! 1w

kspenmoll Totally mesmerizing & creepy!A great character. 1w

kwmg40 I liked Ambrosio as a character and found him creepy but did sense that he was a conman. 1w

batsy Agreed, he was creepy! And a red flag character from the start. This characterisation of Ambrosio and the bits involving him reminded me a tiny bit of Christie's The Mysterious Mr. Quin short story collection. 6d

24 likes7 comments

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Fear For Miss Betony | Dorothy Bowers

The war felt like it had a strong presence in this book - it was lingering in the background in terms of the older women‘s histories and the current (1941) situation of WW2. I wonder how it was writing fiction during war time. ……..
#goldenagecrimeclub

Ruthiella It must have been difficult to write contemporary works during the war. In retrospect, we know when and how it ended, but authors didn‘t have that knowledge. 1w

Mitch @Ruthiella I dont think I‘ve really thought about that a lot until recently. But you‘re so right - what did it feel like when the thought of a German occupation was still a reality. 1w

Mitch Having read a few books now around this time period they seem to fall into two categories- ignore it and use fiction as an escape or face it head on. This seems to be in the middle…. 1w

See All 7 Comments

jlhammar Yes, good points about WWII lingering in the background and this seeming to be in the middle of the usual categories (comfort/escape or war-focused). I think there was some remembering back to WWI in the beginning too, to around the time when Grace was her student. Makes me think about how people like fortune tellers and mediums took advantage of all the loss and vulnerability following WWI. This great Kate Summerscale book explored that a bit

[tagged book]

The Haunting of Alma Fielding: A True Ghost Story

1w

quietjenn It actually didn't feel like that to me, but maybe because I'm more accustomed to books that, like @Mitch said, either have it at the center of the story or don't mention it at all. 1w

batsy Yes, it wasn't overt but I wonder if it was lingering in the background in the sense of the shifting sense of social and gender hierarchies and how it shaped women's desires and ambitions, especially in relation to the ending. Great point @jlhammar about how fortune tellers would have exploited that uncertainty at the time. Thanks for the book rec, I've had this by her on the TBR for far too long

[tagged book]

The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: or The Murder at Road Hill House

6d

Mitch @jlhammar that‘s a fab reference- thanks for reminding me - great book 6d

26 likes7 comments

blurb

Fear For Miss Betony | Dorothy Bowers

I loved the first sentence “ At the age of 61 Emma Betony in a kindly light looked ten years younger” ….. I‘m always on the look out for kindly light! What did you think of our sleuth?

#goldenagecrimeclub

Ruthiella I quite liked her. 👍 She was intelligent, enterprising and courageous. 1w

Mitch I liked her humble roots (like the author) and the fact she did have to factor in money in her decision making, she needed to count the pennies - which made her feel real to me. 1w

jlhammar Emma Betony was pretty great as far as sleuths go. Very perceptive and no nonsense! I also liked that about her @Mitch - loved the end when she shares her modest plans/dreams and says “I'm too old to be rich now. I wouldn't know what to do.“ 1w

See All 10 Comments

Ruthiella @jlhammar Totally agree about the end. It was just perfect, the modesty and self-awareness. 👌 1w

lauraisntwilder I liked her a lot. I emjoyed her reluctance -- and then her surprise at how easy it was to get answers. 1w

quietjenn I thought she was great! Tons of personality, good sense of humor, very down-to-earth, observant, and she definitely knows who she is. Totally agree with what others have said here. 1w

kspenmoll I too enjoyed her character- agree with all that is said here. 1w

kwmg40 Like the others who commented earlier, I liked the main character very much. Emma is a very “ordinary“ person but with good perception, courage and empathy. 1w

batsy Agree with all of the comments here. She grabs your attention from the start with her opinions and insight, very little with which I disagreed with. Resourceful, smart, and definitely with an eye for closing in on the right details. 6d

Mitch I‘d really like to have more adventures with her. She‘s just so nice! 6d

25 likes10 comments

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Fear For Miss Betony | Dorothy Bowers

#goldenagecrimeclub

What did you think of the setting? A school / nursing home with sooo many staff and very few residents!

Ruthiella It seemed an odd sort of school in a building maybe unsuitable for a girls boarding school…but then the solution to the mystery goes a way to explain that! 😀 1w

Mitch @Ruthiella I thought it really weird! But it was wartime and I suppose things worked out in different ways. I was sitting with the oddness as I was reading - didn‘t once assume there was a reason for it! 🤣🤣 1w

jlhammar Great setting! The somewhat spooky nursing home/boarding school really drew me in. I also found the Makeways school motto pretty hilarious “I make my way in my way.“ 1w

See All 8 Comments

quietjenn I really love a boarding school OR nursing home setting (thinking of a couple of Christies, a Tey, and a few episodes of Midsomer Murders), but a setting that is both was a bit odd tome. I think that it ultimately worked, but it definitely wasn't what I expected. 1w

kspenmoll I thought the setting was strange, spooky & mysterious, but fun! 1w

kwmg40 The combination nursing home and boarding school setting was definitely new to me, but it worked! 1w

batsy I agree with @kspenmoll ! It is strange but it made for a good creepy and "fun" (since we enjoy mysteries ?) vibe. I'm always up for some "women in close quarters on the edge of anxiety and hysteria" type thing. A bit Gothic! 6d

Mitch @jlhammar is of loved that as my school motto! I was intrigued by the parents who chose to pay to send their girls there. 👍🏼 6d

24 likes8 comments

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Fear For Miss Betony | Dorothy Bowers

#goldenagecrimeclub

Welcome everyone to our fifth buddy read! Posting a few days early as I‘m heading off wild camping tomorrow for a few days!
So let‘s kick off with initial impressions and relationship with the book …..

AmyG I am apologizing….I didn‘t finish this one. Just had alot on my plate this month. Hoping to jump back in next month. 1w

Ruthiella I‘m only 1/2 way through but I have to say this book is making miss Christie‘s less elaborate writing style. There is SO MUCH DESCRIPTION…I‘m getting a little lost each time, wondering where the plot is…😂 1w

batsy I'm just starting today but will come back to the discussion when I'm done! 1w

See All 9 Comments

Mitch @AmyG no need to apologise honey. Talk to you next month x 1w

jlhammar Wild camping! That sounds pretty cool. Hope you have a wonderful time. I enjoyed this. I'd never heard of Bowers before. Sad that she died so young. I agree with @Ruthiella about the elaborate, descriptive writing. I didn't mind too much once I got into it, but I do prefer Christie's more economical style. 1w

quietjenn I really liked this! I was also totally unfamiliar with Bowers, but I'd be keen to read more. Although she was a bit wordy, it didn't bother me too much and I thought it was a really good, creative take on the mystery. I didn't figure things out until exactly the moment I think I was supposed to ... 1w

kspenmoll Chiming in late - initially it felt slow to me “elaborate descriptive writing” as @Ruthiella aptly said, but once I got into the rhythm of the writing I was able to enjoy it. I did not always know what was going on & missed clues but in the end i felt satisfied 1w

kwmg40 I enjoyed this book. It was a bit of a slow start but once the characters and circumstances were firmly established, the book moved at a good pace and there were surprises for me at the end. 1w

Mitch @kwmg40 I agree. I think she took a long time to set the scene up and we took some time getting to know Emma before things really started! 6d

29 likes9 comments

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Friendsgiving | Alexandra Shytsman

Thank you so much @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks - they‘re super lovely ♥️

Magpiegem Those are gorgeous!! 😍 4w

51 likes1 comment

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Fear For Miss Betony | Dorothy Bowers

Thank you to everyone who is joining in each month for the #goldenagecrimeclub. Each month we‘re reading once book and chatting about it on the last Sunday of the month. Everyone is welcome to join us!
May‘s book takes us into the world of boarding schools!

tagged users icon

Ruthiella Looking forward to this one! Title and author are both new to me. 😀 1mo

batsy @Ruthiella Same! And a boarding school! Can't resist 😆 1mo

Ruthiella @batsy And a boarding school to boot? Excellent. 😅 1mo

erzascarletbookgasm Sounds superb! But I don‘t know where to get a copy 🤷🏻‍♀️ 1mo

57 likes4 comments

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The Franchise Affair | Josephine Tey

Discussion 6
As always - over to you! Anything I‘ve missed, hasn‘t been said, particularly struck you about the book?

#goldenagecrimeclub

Cuilin Anybody else shocked at the use of the slur “slut”? We would call Tey‘s treatment of Betty “slut shaming” today. 1mo

Cuilin Interesting article https://amp.theguardian.com/books/2009/may/30/sarah-waters-books 1mo

AmyG @Cuilin I thought that, for that time period, this must have been shocking. Not surprised she was slut shamed….people being so high and mighty. Everyone assumed at first that she seemed so sweet…this must have happened to her….the kidnapping. 1mo

See All 9 Comments

Larkken @Cuilin really interesting, thanks! I always forget the lessons of Downton Abbey of the social upheaval after the war and how much the gentry tried and failed to put the working class back in their place. 1mo

Chrissyreadit @i think slut shaming still occurs- to me these abortion bans are punishment for women getting pregnant and “choosing” abortion over “keeping their legs closed”( I‘ve had that said to me). 1mo

batsy I thought Robert being into his client probably not the best frame of mind to approach things. And how it went from that straight to a marriage proposal, lol. 1mo

Ruthiella I liked the personal story here. How Robert gets out of his comfortable rut. How Neville grows up. I also like the open end of it. The reader can decide what happens…marriage or not. I think Marion is right. She‘s not marriage material. But maybe Robert will meet someone else in Canada? 🤔 1mo

jlhammar Really glad I read this one! I think Tey is very much my cup of tea in terms of mystery writing (based on this and Daughter of Time). Thanks for hosting! Look forward to trying Bowers next month. 1mo

Mitch @jlhammar 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 1mo

44 likes9 comments

blurb

The Franchise Affair | Josephine Tey

Discussion 5
This book is an early example of a psychological drama popular in books now. The villain, although we hardly meet them is terrifying in terms of the impact of the crime and the amount of people it effects. How well do you think Tey builds the image of this person and their impact?
#goldenagecrimeclub

catiewithac I didn‘t really understand her motivation. If she‘s such an evil genius she should have had a better long-term plan. 1mo

Cuilin It was probably very convincing in 1949/50. I certainly had issues with an underage girl being taken to Denmark by an older married man and the subsequent beating by his wife!!! The pts and fear of this discovery leading to the fantastical tale. (edited) 1mo

AmyG Yes, it was probably ery convincing in 1949/50…agree with @Cuilin. I found Betty fascinating. That girl was manipulative and just…”off”. I wonder if she was smart enough to pull this off or probably just arrogant and self-centered. I was amazed at the part the guy‘s wife played and how easily she took him back. 1mo

See All 13 Comments

Larkken I was fascinated by Betty and wanted much more. The end where it was revealed that she spent days and days eating bonbons in bed was so weird. @Cuilin I agree the whole resolution on where she was ended on a weird note 1mo

Larkken I did like how the victims were so relatable and witty it really played on my fears as the reader of being wrongfully accused and its consequences. 1mo

Chrissyreadit I think it was a great example of how Bettys behavior exploded into so much more. It‘s also a great example of human behavior in general- there are many people who remain in marriages for clout and financial stability. And there are still groomers and trafficking that occurs every day in front of us. 1mo

quietjenn Betty is such a noir character, for a book that isn't at all noir. I really appreciated those moments when Robert noted her façade dropping, and just the general undercurrent of uncertainty and unease throughout. Plus, rather astute commentary on the media and the roll they play in crime coverage. 1mo

batsy Same @Larkken ! Like @catiewithac I didn't get Betty's motivation. I found her interesting but in Tey's rendering she just seemed like a cross between an evil genius or a petulant girl who wanted to be "above her station". @quietjenn Great point about Betty being a noir character. 1mo

Larkken @quietjenn what a fun reframe! @Cuilin posted a link to a story where Sarah James talks about wanting to write a story from Betty‘s pov - a noir would be fun 1mo

Mitch @AmyG yes!!!! Why would you do that! 1mo

quietjenn @Larkken I just read that! Totally fascinating. 1mo

Ruthiella I think Tey did a good job in manipulating the readers and keeping them in the dark as to what really happened till the end. She also showed how the media and mob mentality work in influencing opinions. Unfortunately, we still see it today. 1mo

jlhammar I think Betty was a really interesting villain. I agree that a story from her POV has such great potential. Was she just selfish and naive, taking advantage of a “solution“ that presented itself with no regard for others? Desperately seeking attention? A manipulative mastermind? 1mo

37 likes13 comments

blurb

The Franchise Affair | Josephine Tey

Discussion 4
This book was based on the real case of Elizabeth Canning who was a media sensation of her time! So much of her case and the report g of it focused on class boundaries and overstepping those. Tey doesn‘t really challenge this does she??
#goldenagecrimeclub

catiewithac Tey wholeheartedly endorsed the “bad blood” attitude. She leaned hard on traditional class distinctions. 1mo

Cuilin It‘s blatantly classist. From an upper middle class post war Britain Betty Kane represents everything they fear. The inherent evil (blue eyed) coming from her bad mother and her promiscuity. The agenda was clear. Marion, Robert,and Nevil all mentioned wanting to hurt or beat Betty, this was a totally acceptable attitude. 1mo

AmyG I agree, she did write about class distinctions. I didn‘t know this was an actual case. 1mo

See All 11 Comments

Larkken The casual classism and the idea that Betty was getting a jump on the bad behavior shown by her mother despite her good upbringing totally threw me off. Lots of little opinions about who was worth saving and etc that was obnoxious. 1mo

Chrissyreadit Normally classism would really bother me, and this time I just recognized it as what it was. 1mo

quietjenn The snobbery and classism is definitely the aspect of things that gives me the most pause, although I do think it's something I've come to expect, so I'm able to sort of box up or compartmentalize when I'm reading a book like this. 1mo

batsy Nope, Tey doesn't go against it all. In fact the book pretty much reinforces the bad blood thing among the working class and the suggestion that they'll be prone to crimes of this nature because of envy towards the upper classes, so to speak. Especially the whole single working class woman aspect. So that wasn't great. However it does provide a revealing glimpse into a certain milieu. 1mo

Ruthiella Not only does Tey not challenge this, she reinforces it at every opportunity. That bothered me when I first read the book and bothered me on the second go-round even more because I was even more sensitive to it. The idea that Betty deserves her fate, that criminals are born, that this is a lower class trait, that the “right kind” of lower class doesn‘t want to move up and is happy to serve their “betters”…put my teeth on edge. 😡 1mo

jlhammar I thought the large role the media played was one of the most interesting things about this mystery. Yes, the whole daughter of a “fallen/wanton“ working-class woman must be a bad seed thing was troubling, but not surprising. 1mo

lauraisntwilder It's not just that the middle class are looked down on, but the conversations about the Bishop were enlightening, too. The "upper crust" didn't just think they were superior, they looked down on others in their class who didn't agree. 1mo

kwmg40 The classism was one of the things I disliked about the book, but I did enjoy the story nonetheless. 1mo

36 likes11 comments

blurb

The Franchise Affair | Josephine Tey

Discussion 3
There seemed to be lots of fear amongst the community of unmarried women of a certain age- people who don‘t quite fit. I found these women my favourite characters! Who appealed to you ?
#goldenagecrimeclub

catiewithac I loved the garage guys and the nephew. 1mo

Cuilin It seemed a fear of female independence. Even the ending with Robert not accepting Marion‘s marriage refusal and showing up on the boat to Canada demonstrated this. He could be arrested for stalking today. 1mo

AmyG Iliked the different characters….they were allvery different people. And I loved the women…their i dependence and wit. Ah, it was and still is a man‘s world, sadly. I don‘t blame Marion for not marrying him. Forget the women, my concern is the man who lives with his aunt in his, what, 40‘s? 1mo

See All 15 Comments

Larkken I liked the mother very much. I found most of the characters to be obnoxious in that it took very little reassurance that these ladies were down on their luck aristos and to be pitied for their lack of money before going over to their side. 1mo

Chrissyreadit I loved the garage men, Marion and Mom and Robert. I think I liked that Robert had recognized Marion as a woman of superior quality and appreciated her independence and intelligence. I like that Marion did not need any one‘s approval or admiration to be happy with who she is. I did like the idea that there was a possibility for them to remain in some kind of relationship in the future. 1mo

quietjenn Oh, the sinister spinsters! I love them in just about every form of pop culture! Including here, but I thought Tey did a great job with characterizations. For all their foibles, I quite liked all the characters, except the ones I was supposed to dislike, namely Betty and the vengeful, petty townspeople. But yes - special shout out to the garage guys! 1mo

batsy I didn't like any of the characters much, but that has never gotten in the way of enjoying the story, especially a mystery. They all had their blind spots and weird bigotries that was interesting to read about, but not something that made me like any of them. I found the mother, Mrs Sharpe, most compelling/admirable, in a way. 1mo

Mitch @Cuilin absolutely! 1mo

Mitch @AmyG 🤣🤣🤣 1mo

Mitch @quietjenn I think ‘ sinister spinsters‘ is a category I would read book after book from! 😅 1mo

Mitch @batsy I agree - I think she has a fascinating life history to tell! It would make a great subject for some fan fiction! (edited) 1mo

Ruthiella I think the book shows how difficult it can be to integrate into a closed community like a village. But I also think the ladies (Marion and her mother) didn‘t try much. They didn‘t try to make friends until they discovered they needed them and had none. I think there‘s room on both sides for improvement. (edited) 1mo

jlhammar I did enjoy the Sharpes. I also appreciated Marion's reaction to Robert's proposal. I liked how the court of public opinion played such a large role. First, in how the locals saw Marion and her mother--living alone in that big old house, a couple of witches (making them ideal for Betty's big ruse). And then later with the larger public as the case makes headlines. And Betty was chilling. That someone would do something like that...yikes! 1mo

kwmg40 I thought all the characters were well drawn and interesting in their own ways. 1mo

lauraisntwilder Like others have said, I liked the garage guys! I liked Mrs. Sharpe, too, for being so intimidating for no real reason -- she's not actually mean, I didn't think, just not what she's expected to be. 1mo

35 likes15 comments

blurb

The Franchise Affair | Josephine Tey

Discussion 2-
Without a murder - did you find the plot and the detection ‘ satisfying‘? How well did Tey do at keeping up the tension?

#goldenagecrimeclub

catiewithac I enjoyed the story except how the mystery was resolved by prayer and surprise foreign visitors. 1mo

Cuilin I really liked the mystery, it reminded me of a Jonathan Creek episode. I was invested in figuring it out. @catiewithac I rolled my eyes at prayer bringing about the conclusion. 🙄 1mo

AmyG I liked that the plot was NOT a murder. I was still very invested. I kept going back and forth suspecting the women and the girl. I agree with @catiewithac about the surprise foreign visitor and the prayer. But I still enjoyed it. 1mo

See All 21 Comments

Larkken I liked the mystery but found it pretty passive- not much to detect and we don‘t really get clues as to the how or why as readers. I‘m still confused as to how Betty knew about the particulars of the suitcase and found the motivations by her and the thieving maid (why pick on these particular women) to be swept under the rug. When did Betty go by on a bus? 1mo

Larkken @catiewithac yes, very quaint 👻 1mo

Chrissyreadit @catiewithac I agree the only part I did not love was the saved by a prayer. 1mo

Chrissyreadit @Larkken I think they discussed how it was a very common suitcase and “lucky guess” like carnival trick 1mo

Chrissyreadit I enjoy any good mystery, death or no death. I love them all. I like how it was set up and reminded me that people have always been tricky charlatans. 1mo

quietjenn It was rather refreshing to me that there was no murder involved! And, the sort of plodding nature of things - that there would be a lot of sleuthing with no real progress being made - felt much more realistic to me than in mysteries where the clues and revelations just easily come one right after the other. Although it was definitely not a book steeped in realism! 1mo

batsy I found Betty really compelling; a woman who's veering towards sociopathic tendencies is intriguing, and it was somewhat unnerving. It made me wonder what it would have been like if we got her POV, but perhaps that would have been messy and it's pretty clear Tey was not interested in humanising the villain too much. 1mo

Mitch @catiewithac I know right! 1mo

Mitch @Cuilin love that comparison! So you think that makes Tey ‘cosy‘? 1mo

Mitch @AmyG quite unusual for the time I imagine - not having a murder. And using a real life case not just as inspiration but a very close retelling. I‘d of like to have met Tey I think she‘d make a very interesting dinner guest! 1mo

Mitch @Larkken what I took from it was she had no motive to involve these women other than she really didn‘t care as long as someone served her purpose. I think she knew about the house from bad style of questioning from the police - ie: Do you remember the suitcases on the landing? - oh yeah - there were suitcases on the landing! 🤨 1mo

Mitch @Chrissyreadit yes! We tend to think of that as a modern invention - but how wrong we are ! 1mo

Mitch @batsy mmmmm….. Betty terrifies me! 1mo

Larkken @Mitch yeah the police procedure was suspect. I really wanted her to have to pick out the women out of a lineup! Seemed like she got everything handed to her, like, yeah, sure let‘s tour her around the house! No problem could possibly arise 🙄 1mo

Ruthiella I liked the plot, the fact that this isn‘t a murder mystery, a lot. That‘s sort of refreshing. I also liked showing how the detective work is a collection of details and all pieced together. Sure, the man from Copenhagen came a bit out of nowhere, but I think lucky breaks happen in real life too. I liked how in between the reader gets Robert‘s comfortable home life and relationship with Neville. That kept my interest. (edited) 1mo

jlhammar The plot and detection really worked for me. Felt realistic. I was surprised by how small of a role Inspector Grant played. I did enjoy following Robert Blair though. I saw that there was a 1951 film adaptation and a 1988 BBC TV Series (I think you can watch both on YouTube) so looking forward to giving those a try. 1mo

kspenmoll The plot was different but I enjoyed it maybe because of that. The characters grew on me- initially it was not what I expected so I felt cautious approaching the book, then suddenly it seemed to gel for me. 1mo

kwmg40 I was surprised by how suspenseful the story was, even though there wasn't a murder. It was a nice change to read a different kind of mystery. 1mo

37 likes21 comments

blurb

The Franchise Affair | Josephine Tey

Welcome to this months chat - let‘s start with your general impressions of the book (an unusual crime novel for the 1940s as it is no murder) and your experience of reading Tey………
#goldenagecrimeclub

catiewithac I really loved this one! The writing was excellent, good story, decent characters. Not too much anti-semitism and only moderate sexism and classism. 1mo

Cuilin Great writing, enjoyed the pace, structure and setting. 1mo

AmyG I liked this one, too. Ithought the writing was good. The story was laid out well with the slow release of information. I liked the characters. 1mo

See All 18 Comments

Larkken I enjoyed the audiobook but it‘s not sticking well with me now 1mo

rabbitprincess I found this story moved at a good pace, and Robert made a reasonable amateur sleuth. This is the fourth Tey novel I've read and as a mystery I might rank it third of the batch; I gave Love and Be Wise 3 stars as well, but that one I found very confusing. This mystery is definitely clearly plotted. 1mo

Chrissyreadit I have discovered I am definitely a Tey fan. I loved this mystery- the characters, setting and plot. 1mo

quietjenn I very much enjoyed this! It was a reread for me (first read about ten years ago) and I remembered very little. And it made me want to go back to Tey's other books - as well as the one title I apparently never got to! 1mo

batsy Agree with the others—there's no murder yet it was a very compelling page-turner that didn't have to rely on twists. I only learned this time that it was based on a true story from the 1700s. Tey's writing is strong and that I think always sets her mysteries a notch above the usual. 1mo

Mitch I enjoyed this one too! I didn‘t know what I was getting in to - never read a Tey before but I loved her writing and she gave us a strong sense of place, lots of gothic vibes and a really different take on some classic tropes 1mo

Mitch Since reading this have read Daughter Of Time thanks to @Chrissyreadit recommendation and loved that too! She seems to be a very versatile writer who switches gears with every book 1mo

Ruthiella This was a re-read for me too. I agree that Tey is a very versatile mystery writer. Every book, whether they feature Inspector Grant or not, is really different from the others. This time round I concentrated less on the mystery, which I remembered, and more on the development of Robert Blair, who I completely forgot was the amateur detective. 1mo

jlhammar Really enjoyed this. I like that she is doing something different with each of her mysteries and like her writing style. Daughter of Time is the only other Tey I've read so far (loved it). Will definitely be reading her others. 1mo

Mitch @Ruthiella I love it when re-reads give you the chance to focus on something very specific. Sometimes the mystery just gets in the way 🤣 1mo

Mitch @jlhammar me too! I love how every book is soooooo different 1mo

kspenmoll I took@have only read this & Daughter of Time which I loved. This was another unique story of hers. 1mo

kspenmoll @batsy I had no idea this book was based on a true story from 1700s. That intrigues. 1mo

kwmg40 This was a reread for me, and while I loved the mystery elements, I did find the book very dated. I fear that a story in which a girl lies about being assaulted would be less appealing these days. I did like the characters very much! 1mo

lauraisntwilder This was my first Tey and I thought it was great. I loved how much intrigue there was for a mystery with no murder. 1mo

37 likes18 comments

blurb

The Franchise Affair | Josephine Tey

It‘s that time of the month again….. we‘re getting set for Sundays chat about this months book - The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey.

Everyone welcome
#goldenagecrimeclub

tagged users icon

jlhammar Looking forward to it! 1mo

Mitch @jlhammar 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 1mo

40 likes2 comments

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The Golden Flea: A True Story of Collecting, Obsession, and the Search for a One-In-A-Million Find | Michael Rips

To say I choose this book for it‘s beautiful cover wouldn‘t be a million miles from the truth! 🤣

Thankfully - actually enjoying reading it too!

LeahBergen This sounds interesting! 1mo

Hooked_on_books Well, you have good taste with that cover! 1mo

batsy Great cover and it sounds really good. 1mo

77 likes3 comments

review

Scorched Grace: A Sister Holiday Mystery | Margot Douaihy

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An exciting premise - a lesbian, former punk rocker, tattooed, chain smoking novice nun turned amateur investigator in New Orleans! But she‘s a poor investigator and a even poorer judge of character! Her back story gives her interest and intrigue - but the ‘mystery‘ element is a let down. I believe in her - and maybe book two she‘ll find her stride for that reason I made it a ‘pick‘!

JamieArc That sure is a great cover though! 2mo

Soubhiville Like @JamieArc I love this cover! 2mo

81 likes2 comments

blurb

A Year Full of Flowers: Gardening for all seasons | Sarah Raven

All the squash seeds are soaking! I love Sarah Raven fruit and veg - her relaxed and wild style suits me! Fingers crossed these work out!

Ruthiella Good luck! 🤞🍆🥒🍉🥬🍠 2mo

57 likes1 comment

review

Etta Lemon: The Woman Who Saved the Birds | Tessa Boase

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So often history is learnt in isolation. I love that this book takes the orbits of two influential women working in very separate spheres and charts the impact of their intersections, influences, shared supporters and detractors as well as their respective legacies. I learnt lots. Got cross at the world lots and have told everyone who will listen snippets of interesting facts! Overall a successful read!

iread2much Sounds fascinating 2mo

kspenmoll Wonderful review! 2mo

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blurb

The Franchise Affair | Josephine Tey

Our April #goldenagecrimeclub read was written in 1948 - inspired by an eighteenth century true crime! In 1990, it was voted the 11th greatest mystery novel of all time by the Crime Writers Association. Grab a copy, have a read and come back and share your thoughts with us here on April 30th.
#goldenagecrimeclub

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AmyG I am really looking forward to this one! 2mo

Librarybelle Looking forward to it! 2mo

kspenmoll Me too! 2mo

See All 11 Comments

jlhammar Can't wait! I've been so eager to read more Tey after loving The Daughter of Time. 2mo

rabbitprincess The Crime Writers‘ Association list is what put this book on my radar—this has been on my “want to read” list since 2008 😮 Glad to finally have the opportunity to read it! 2mo

Hooked_on_books Great cover on your edition! 2mo

rubyslippersreads I‘ve read The Daughter of Time and Brat Farrar, but I‘m going to try to squeeze this one in. 2mo

rubyslippersreads @jlhammar One of my very favorite books. 👑 2mo

CarolynM Not my favourite Tey, but it will be interesting to revisit it 🙂 2mo

Chrissyreadit Ordered 2mo

Mitch @Chrissyreadit 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 2mo

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blurb

Death of Jezebel | Christianna Brand

Final thoughts - ideas / themes were not yet touched on………
#goldenagecrimeclub

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Mitch I did have trouble with the pageant setting! I just couldn‘t picture it - I kept getting Henry VIII jousting scenes in my head and couldn‘t put myself back in the inter war years. Although I‘m sure it read better to a U.K. audience when published. Not sure the specifics of the location. Has journeyed well over time! 2mo

AmyG The pageant was hard for me to understand, too. They beought all these horses into the building? I definitely think this would have been an easier read back when it was written. I also found, as an American, that I missed some of the British nuances. All in all, I found it to be just okay. (edited) 2mo

batsy I imagined something like a cross between a Medieval Fair and an amateur theatrical 😆 I mean I couldn't visualise exactly which knight came in at precisely what location and all that, but I found the confusion to heighten the fun/amusement. Which is why the cross questioning and the different answers felt a bit like a farce, and that worked well for me. 2mo

See All 7 Comments

Ruthiella I had trouble too working out the physicality of it. But I often have trouble understand things like that in books. What I did like was the Home Exhibition, once I understood it…all the demonstrations of furnishings and equipment for that wartime population when decent housing was hard to find because rebuilding wasn‘t keeping pace with the need. That little bit about fake Marmelade (grapefruit with carrot slivers). Its like time travel! 2mo

jlhammar I agree, the Medieval pageant thing was somewhat difficult to picture, but the cloaks and armour were fun elements of the overall mystery. I also loved how Cockrill was supposed to be in town for a conference. His line at the end made me laugh. “I'm afraid they're going to think I made rather a muck of that conference.“ 2mo

kwmg40 I thought the pageant was a fun setting. It was definitely an unusual way to set up a murder. 2mo

Mitch @kwmg40 Agreed - don't think ive encountered that setting before 2mo

31 likes7 comments

blurb

Death of Jezebel | Christianna Brand

Brand characters all seem ‘wounded‘ in some way. Did that make them likeable / relatable / enjoyable to spend time with??? I did really like the relationship between the 2 detectives - how did you find the characters ?
#goldenagecrimeclub

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Mitch They were so snarky weren‘t they @batsy - even the nicknames they used of each other were very snide! 2mo

AmyG I think I liked the detectives the most. I didn‘t really like any of the characters….or should I say…suspects. 2mo

batsy Yes, quite snide! Didn't find the characters likeable as such but it amped up the drama, which all in all I found very entertaining. I also found the lowkey competition between Cockrill and Charlesworth amusing. 2mo

See All 7 Comments

Ruthiella I found all the characters to be rather unlikable except maybe Brian Two-Times. Perpetua grew upon me with time, however. For sure, however, the tone was quite snide. Miss Betchly/Bitchley foe example! 😳😂 2mo

jlhammar I found all of the characters mostly unlikable, but I actually kind of appreciated that. It worked, I think, in terms of Brand wanting you be able to see the potential (for murder) in everyone. Also, it helped me not feel emotional about how things played out, to just sit back, trying to puzzle it out and enjoy the spectacle. Oh, and the nicknames were terrible and hilarious. 2mo

Mitch @jlhammar it was definitely all about the puzzle wasnt it … 2mo

kwmg40 I liked the detectives very much, and although the suspects weren't especially likeable or relatable, they were all interesting characters. Like @jhammar, I loved the nicknames, especially George Motherdear. 2mo

30 likes7 comments

blurb

Death of Jezebel | Christianna Brand

Brand sets this book up as a type of ‘locked room mystery‘ and then shows us lots of different ways it could have been committed throwing in also lots of false confessions! Did you like this format? Was there a ‘solution‘ you favoured or thought she‘d missed out!
#goldenagecrimeclub

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AmyG I will admit, I was getting confused a little with all the scenarios and the characters. Not a fan of the “locked room” plotline. 2mo

batsy I don't know if you've read Murder on the Orient Express or seen the movie but that's the kind of solution I thought was for certain. So I was nodding along when Charlesworth accused all of them as part of the family 😆 2mo

Mitch @AmyG Im not keen either. I think they often feel like an author trying to be super clever 2mo

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Mitch @batsy 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 2mo

Ruthiella @batsy I was thinking about a Murder on the Orient Express solution also! 2mo

Ruthiella I didn‘t mind all the various hypothesis thrown at the reader. It was almost comical. I liked the line, “Chatsworth gathered them all together in his office at the Yard: four contestants for the enviable position of Red Knight in a game of murder.” (edited) 2mo

batsy @Ruthiella Nice!! re: our imagined solution 😆 And yes I agree about the comic effect and that line made me chuckle. 2mo

jlhammar I also appreciated the comedy. I really liked this part, when all the players are accusing each other “Inspector Cockrill leaned back quietly in his seat, and let the storm rage. Nothing like people having a good set-to: nothing like frayed nerves snapping and old wounds bursting out afresh, to bring out the truth among people too long under restraint. Now and again he contributed a word to bring the embers to a blaze again...“ 2mo

Mitch @jlhammar loved that! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 2mo

kwmg40 I found all the fake confessions hilarious. It felt as if the author was gently poking fun at the use of this device in mystery novels by deliberately overdoing it. 2mo

Mitch @kwmg40 She was definitely very conscious of the genre & style! 2mo

24 likes11 comments

blurb

Death of Jezebel | Christianna Brand

The prologue sets up the motive for murder on the first few pages - a revenge killing linked to a tragedy that happened in Burma. Did you like this structure???
#goldenagecrimeclub

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Mitch I did like this - I liked that right from the start we‘re viewing people with suspicion! 2mo

AmyG @Mitch I think I suspected everyone at some point! 🤣 2mo

batsy Yes, I liked the structure and how the mystery was set up and then you get thrown in among the characters. It was a bit like Christie with a twist. It wasn't perfectly executed but it kept my attention. 2mo

See All 8 Comments

Mitch @batsy that‘s a good description! It felt like Christie on steroids! 2mo

Ruthiella I thought the set up was very effective. It definitely kept me invested. Also, like @AmyG I had each of the possible suspects pegged as the murderer at some point! (edited) 2mo

jlhammar Yes, this worked for me. Fun that you're trying to work out who it may be from the get-go. I loved the descriptions next to the cast of characters at the beginning. “a not very young young lady“ 😆 2mo

Mitch @jlhammar The side swipes were fun weren‘t they! And who doesn‘t love a cast list and diagrams - classic whodunnit! 2mo

kwmg40 Yes, I did like the way the mystery was set up. You could see right away the potential for plenty of suspects and motives. 2mo

20 likes8 comments

blurb

Death of Jezebel | Christianna Brand

Yeah - it‘s that time of the month again! Looking forward to chatting about this ‘new to me author” with you all. As always let‘s kick off the discussion with initial impressions, likes / dislikes, experience of the author etc…..

#goldenagecrimeclub #buddyread

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Mitch I‘ve not read or heard of Brand before - so glad this club is stretching my reading! I think I discovered although I love mysteries I‘m not a ‘ locked room‘ lover. I think the actual puzzle element may not be as important to my love of crime fiction as I thought it was! 2mo

Mitch Hi @Ruthiella - how did you like this one? 2mo

Ruthiella I‘d never heard of this author before either, so thanks for the introduction. The style took a little getting used to. She was (I think) purposefully repetitive…Cockrill‘s magnificent head and shabby hat or Brian Two-Times shining hair. Also, the nickname “Cocky”? 😂 But I did like it and found it engaging, with interesting characters. 2mo

See All 12 Comments

Mitch @Ruthiella she was repetitive wasn‘t she - I wonder why?? 2mo

batsy I was pulled in from the start. A dramatic prologue, but I agree that the style initially took some getting used to. Probably because she dropped us right amidst the characters without going into the details of their lives (intentionally as well, I'm sure). I didn't quite notice the repetition. 2mo

AmyG I also thought the style took me a bit to get used to. It took me a while to get the characters “straight” in my head. About halfway I began to enjoy it….probably when the first murder happenned. 2mo

Mitch @batsy There was definitely no ‘warm up‘ period was there - we hit the ground running! 2mo

Mitch @AmyG I think it was smart choosing very distinct names - that helped me sort the characters - but then different people called different characters by different names!!! 2mo

AmyG @Mitch YES….Sugardaddy, Motherdear….confusing. 2mo

jlhammar Whew, just finished! My first Brand. I had never even heard of her before this so glad for the introduction. I wasn't enamored, but it was a fun puzzle. Farcical yet also rather gruesome (that head!). I enjoyed it enough where I'd like to try another (Green for Danger is calling to me). 2mo

Mitch @jlhammar agreed! It certainly wasn‘t ‘twee‘! 2mo

kwmg40 This was my first book by Brand and I liked the writing style very much, including the comedic bits. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author. 2mo

19 likes12 comments

blurb

Etta Lemon: The Woman Who Saved the Birds | Tessa Boase

I‘m in a dilemma - my new read is a dual biography of Etta Lemon - who founded the Royal Society of Protection of Birds and Emmeline Pankhurst‘s campaign for the vote. So what bookmark do I go with??? The struggle is real! 🤣🤣

Chrissyreadit Why not use both? 3mo

Mitch @Chrissyreadit so practical Chrissy ! ♥️ 3mo

Birdsong28 This is a good book. Hope you enjoy it. ☺️ 3mo

See All 6 Comments

LiteraryinLawrence I vote for the bird bookmark! 3mo

JamieArc A hard choice for sure, but I vote for the bird as well! 3mo

Smrloomis I vote for the bird one!!! It‘s so beautiful! 3mo

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The Forager's Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Nature�s Wild Harvests | John Wright

It‘s wild garlic season - and the woods behind our house are brimming with the stuff! Had a go at making wild garlic salt - just waiting for it to cool down, then jar it and have it on hand to season scrambled eggs, pasta, steak… anything you want a strong garlic shot of!

tagged users icon

dabbe Too cool for words. ❣️ 3mo

cant_i'm_booked Oh my goodness, YUM 🤤 3mo

Chrissyreadit 😍wow!!!!! 3mo

See All 6 Comments

Aimeesue Oooooh! 😍 3mo

DinoMom Amazing! 3mo

Cupcake12 This will smell amazing! 3mo

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Friendsgiving | Alexandra Shytsman

Today is a good day for post! 🎉👋🏻🎉👋🏻

tagged users icon

blurb

Etta Lemon: The Woman Who Saved the Birds | Tessa Boase

After lots of training Woodford is now super comfortable falling sleep in cafes! That means I get to #readonlocation again! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Cupcake12 This is so cute x hope you are all well ❤️🐾 3mo

Itchyfeetreader Amazing- we have not managed this. I think our dog it too food motivated. Also fear of missing out is high ! 3mo

Mitch @Itchyfeetreader don‘t give up! Woodford is both those things too - and day it just clicked for him. 🤞🏼 3mo

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Mitch @Cupcake12 we are! Hope you‘re doing well xxxx 3mo

dabbe Hello, Woofy Woodford! ❣️🐾❣️ 3mo

Mitch @dabbe 🐾🐾🐾 3mo

UwannaPublishme Awww Woodford! 🐶❤️ 2mo

73 likes7 comments

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The library | Apollodorus

OMG - this thumb drive is too cute!

https://topatoco.com/products/uns-ccusb?variant=39583213455

marleed I need this! 3mo

RaeLovesToRead I also need this!!! 3mo

Mitch @RaeLovesToRead They‘re so friggin‘ cute! 3mo

AmyG Amazing! 3mo

iread2much I believe the Unshelved group developed these about 10 years ago, they are pretty fun 😊 3mo

71 likes5 comments

blurb

Harris & Harris Books | Clare, Suffolk, United Kingdom (Bookstore)

Reason 101 why I love my local bookshop - the owners reviews always include a sniff test! 🤣

LeahBergen 😆😆 3mo

BookNAround That‘s awesome. Do they stroke the books too? I‘ve been known to do that. 3mo

Branwen I love this! 😂 3mo

Mitch @BookNAround I belong to that exclusive club too! 3mo

80 likes4 comments

review

Madame Fourcade's Secret War: The Daring Young Woman Who Led France's Largest Spy Network Against Hitler | Lynne Olson

Pick

pick

There‘s so much here I didn‘t know-the role of the brave, courageous, inventive, passionate French Alliance members in ending WWII. Ordinary people doing taking extra ordinary risk to feed information to the British in order to defeat the German invasion sweeping across Europe. Their leader - a woman. An intelligent, resourceful, quick thinking young woman who lead with such courage and compassion. An inspiring woman and her story is told so well

AmyG Mitch…do I owe you a letter??? Or vice versa? 🤪 3mo

Mitch @AmyG I sent you one a few days ago xx 3mo

AmyG I look forward to reading it! 😘❤️ 3mo

63 likes1 stack add3 comments

blurb

Madame Fourcade's Secret War: The Daring Young Woman Who Led France's Largest Spy Network Against Hitler | Lynne Olson

Settling in to this one as it blows a gale outside!

jlhammar I‘ve got this one waiting on my shelves! Sounds excellent. 3mo

64 likes1 comment

review

Murder Isn't Easy: The Forensics of Agatha Christie | Carla Valentine

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pick

Valentine‘s knowledge gained as a pathology technician, her involvement in medicolegal history & her love of Christie shine through. It helped me set some Christie novels in time- in terms of medical advancement & true crime. Valentine has an encyclopaedic knowledge of crimes and evidence collection methods used by Christie and does a fab job of underpinning this with science. What comes through strongly is what a genius Christie really was!

jlhammar I‘m going to have to see if I can get my hands on this. Sounds great. And love the cover! 3mo

Aims42 That cover is gorgeous!! 😍😍😍 3mo

akaGingerK Sounds like an interesting read - and wow, beautiful binding! 3mo

96 likes9 stack adds3 comments

blurb

Forgotten Sunday | Val�rie Perrin

Have you seen this @AmyG ?

AmyG NO. Thank you. Something to look forward to. Have you read Three??? 3mo

Mitch @AmyG I have! It was a recommendation from my lovely local bookseller. She knows me well! 3mo

vlwelser Oh. That's her first book. I thought for a sec I was missing something. I love this author. Based solely on having read Three. 3mo

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Mitch @vlwelser ahhh …. Is it new to translation? 3mo

vlwelser Yes. It was published in French in 2017. I haven't read it yet. But it's on my wish list. 3mo

AmyG It must be translated now-being that she has become popular to English speaking readers. 3mo

Deblovestoread Thanks for posting this. Loved Fresh Water and Three. 💜 3mo

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review

Fresh Water for Flowers | Val�rie Perrin

Pick

pick

I loved this - it starts slowly, and the layers of the story build and build so skilfully that before you know it you have such a deep and nuanced view of each character. It‘s sad, involves lots things that might be triggers ( the main character looks after a cemetery) but its joyful too! There‘s hope and reminders about how we live our lives, how we love and care for those closest to us and how we want to leave this life. I love this author!

Amiable Great review! 3mo

AmyG I am so happy you loved it. I found this story to be so beautiful…in it‘s joy and pain. The ending just made me weep. (edited) 3mo

Lcsmcat Oooh, this sounds good! Stacked. 3mo

See All 7 Comments

Mitch @AmyG me too! I loved her xx 3mo

Mitch @Amiable Thank you xx 3mo

Mitch @Lcsmcat I loved it! 3mo

Suet624 Love love love this book. I can‘t tell you how many copies of this book I‘ve purchased to give to friends -at least 20. 2mo

80 likes3 stack adds7 comments

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Fresh Water for Flowers | Val�rie Perrin

Turning out to be a perfect bookmark / book pairing! 👍🏼

Lesliereadsalot I loved this book. Recommended it to every reader I know. 3mo

Mitch @Lesliereadsalot the layers to the story are really drawing me on! I‘m about half way and loving it! 3mo

84 likes2 comments

blurb

The Tivoli Road Baker: From Bakery to Home: Real Bread, Pastries, Cakes and More | Pippa James, Michael James

Ginger cake ….. yum! The kitchen is smelling sooo good! This is what procrastination looks like when you‘re ‘working‘ from home! 🤣🤣

dabbe I LOVE your kitchen! 💜 3mo

Cupcake12 Love ginger cake! 3mo

Mitch @dabbe thank you ❤️ 3mo

Mitch @Cupcake12 I like it cold - Mr K loves it warm with custard! School dinner style! 3mo

75 likes4 comments

blurb

The Tivoli Road Baker: From Bakery to Home: Real Bread, Pastries, Cakes and More | Pippa James, Michael James

I‘m loving this book - everything comes out soooo good! Tried the Anzac cookies today and they were yum. Chewy, just how I like them! Although Woodford would request more dog friendly bakes be included in the book!!

AmyG Yum! 3mo

UwannaPublishme Looks soooo good! 3mo

Lizpixie Chewy ANZAC biscuits are my favourite biscuit in the world! Especially warm, straight out of the oven. Yum!🤤 Does this recipe use golden syrup? (edited) 3mo

See All 6 Comments

Hooked_on_books Those look delicious! And Woodford eager for a taste test is adorable. 🐶💜 3mo

Mitch @Lizpixie it does 🤤 3mo

LeahBergen Hello Woodford! 😘 3mo

72 likes6 comments

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Fresh Water for Flowers | Val�rie Perrin

First few chapters in …. I like this writers style - you go in thinking it‘s a story about one thing and then it‘s about something co pkwy welsh different. Enjoying being gently tugged into the story‘s orbit.

AmyG Such a beautiful book. 3mo

Oryx I just bought this a few days ago. I'm looking forward to it. I really liked

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3mo

Mitch @Oryx I did too! Which is what got me to this ! 👏🏼👏🏼 3mo

TrishB I loved this one ❤️ 3mo

vlwelser Three was amazing. This one is next on my wish list. 3mo

78 likes1 stack add5 comments

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Death of Jezebel | Christianna Brand

On the last Sunday of every month the #goldenagecrimeclub meet to talk about a book. Please do come and join us if you‘d like. This month we‘re discussing a seemingly impossible crime written by Christianna Brand, first published in 1949 and described as a fiendishly constructed puzzle with dumbfounding acts of misdirection!

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charl08 Where do I sign up?! 3mo

charl08 (Sounds brilliant 👏) 3mo

Mitch @charl08 just come and join us on the last Sunday of the month ! I‘ll tag everything with #goldenagecrimeclub so it‘s easy to find! 3mo

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batsy Lovely! Looking forward to revisiting the Tey and reading the other three for the first time. 3mo

Larkken Yay! So many more new-to-me authors. I‘m loving this monthly read so far thanks for organizing! 3mo

Mitch @batsy same for me too! Trying to find different things, varied and full of things to chat about ( hopefully!) 3mo

Mitch @Larkken so glad you‘re enjoying it - I am too! 3mo

LeahBergen I‘ll join in for April and May, for sure! Malice Aforethought is fantastic. 👍 3mo

Mitch @LeahBergen 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 3mo

jlhammar Awesome picks! So excited for all of these! 3mo

Gissy I‘m a little behind but I will read them. I‘m a slow reader☺️ 3mo

quietjenn Fun choices! I've only read the They and that was a while ago. 3mo

AmyG Yay!!!! 3mo

54 likes13 comments

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Reading Journal: For Book Lovers | Potter Style

Good start to the year ! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Crazeedi Great job 👏 3mo

Gissy Yes!!! 📚📚📚👏👏👏 3mo

60 likes2 comments

review

The Dress Diary of Mrs Anne Sykes: Secrets from a Victorian Woman�s Wardrobe | Kate Strasdin

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Anne Sykes added material swatches to a ledger given to her by her husband on their wedding day, annotating them with dates & names. Strasdin uses the book to bring Anne to life, tracing her though archives, newspapers, ship manifests & parish records - enlarging material scraps into dresses inhabited by bodies living in a real world. Peppered also with histories of cloth, dye, industrialisation & dress etiquette, fascinated reading.

Crazeedi Can't wait to read!! 3mo

jlhammar Such a pretty cover and sounds so interesting! 3mo

iread2much I love the author‘s IG account, the book looks like it will be great! 3mo

67 likes4 stack adds3 comments