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I will attempt to organise the buddy reads and post reminders in plenty of time.

August/Sept: Heads You Lose: Christianna Brand Heads You Lose
September/Oct: There's Trouble Brewing There's Trouble Brewing
Oct/Nov: The Life and Times of Miss Jane Marple The Life and Times of Miss Jane Marple
Nov/Dec: Not a Creature was Stirring: Jane Haddam Not a Creature was Stirring
Jan/Feb: Green for Danger: Christianna Brand Green for Danger

Okay! My life in books!

Lots of good reading to look forward to :)

Susan wrote: "I will attempt to organise the buddy reads and post reminders in plenty of time.

August/Sept: Heads You Lose: Christianna Brand Heads You Lose
September/Oct: There's Trouble Brewin..."

Thanks, Susan! I'm going to try and keep up with all these discussions, I have read all of them except the Marple "bio", although admittedly a long, long time ago! I mught remember *some* of each if I don't actually get to reread in time! -grin-

I'm notoriously bad at managing time constraints and deadlines... -sigh- and tend to bite off far more than I can chew - or read!

Oh, same here, Abbey! I always have too much to read and not enough time. The discussion for "Heads You Lose," will open mid-August to mid-September and then we'll think about the Nicholas Blake. I have read them all but the Marple biography, but will need to re-read. At least most of the books for this group are short-ish :)

Just ordered the Blake from the library so I should be ready for that one!

Good to hear, Judy. I hope we continue with the Nicholas Blake series, it is one of my favourites :)

Susan wrote: "Good to hear, Judy. I hope we continue with the Nicholas Blake series, it is one of my favourites :)"

I've only read 2 of the series so far and enjoyed them. Also one good non series book, A Penknife in My Heart.

I am excited for the buddy reads.

Good to hear. The discussion for "Heads You Lose," will open next week. Then we will start "There's Trouble Brewing," mid-way through September. I'll post a reminder nearer the time.

Heads You Lose is the first Inspector Cockrill mystery. It is not her best, but it introduces the character. However, Cockrill is not a character who really changes throughout the books, so you can read them in any order. I love Christianna Brand, but she now seems very politically incorrect and I suspect that is why she is not re-published as often as other GA authors.

There's Trouble Brewing is the third Nigel Strangeways mystery. Again, you can read the first three books in any order if you want, so it is not necessary to have read the first two: A Question of Proof and Thou Shell of Death first in order to join in.

I will open the discussion thread for "Heads you Lose," this weekend. It will stay open until mid-September, when we will begin "There's Trouble Brewing."

We are planning to read the second Inspector Cockrill mystery in 2018, "Green for Danger," if anyone wants to read on with us.

Looking forward to our discussions, Susan. :)

Good to hear, Judy. I have just posted some information on the 'which mysteries are you reading,' thread too, in case people don't look here.

The discussion thread for Heads You Lose is now open.

Just a reminder that mid-September (around the 18th) we will be reading There's Trouble Brewing

This is the third Nigel Strangeways mystery.

Private detective and poet Nigel Strangeways is invited to address the Maiden Astbury literary society. The picturesque Dorset town is home to Bunnett's Brewery, run by the much disliked, and feared, Eustace Bunnett and shortly before Nigel's visit, Bunnett's dog Truffles, was found dead in one of the brewery's vats. The culprit was never caught - although there was no shortage of suspects - but when a body is then found in the same vat, boiled down to its bones, Nigel is called into action to help capture the killer.

You do not need to have read the previous books in the series to join in with this one. He is now married, but his wife, Georgia (who he meets in the second book) appears in only a few lines, before he goes off to do his sleuthing and this is very much a stand alone story.

Updated Buddy Reads:

August/Sept: Heads You Lose: Christianna Brand
September/Oct: There's Trouble Brewing
Oct/Nov: The Life and Times of Miss Jane Marple
Nov/Dec: Not a Creature was Stirring: Jane Haddam
Jan/Feb: Green for Danger: Christianna Brand
Feb/March: The Documents in the Case: Dorothy L. Sayers (this was a book Judy nominated for the main read, but has shown itself hard to find. So, if anyone is keen to join in, this gives you plenty of time to find a copy).

I have opened the thread for There's Trouble Brewing. The Life and Times of Miss Jane Marple discussion will begin mid-October. I will post reminders nearer the time.

There's Trouble Brewing is the third Nigel Strangeways novel and can be read as a stand alone. Please feel free to come and have a chat, whether or not you have read the book. Everyone is welcome.

Updated Buddy Reads:

September/Oct: There's Trouble Brewing
Oct/Nov: The Life and Times of Miss Jane Marple
Nov/Dec: Not a Creature was Stirring: Jane Haddam
Jan/Feb: Green for Danger: Christianna Brand
Feb/March: The Documents in the Case: Dorothy L. Sayers
March/April: The Beast Must Die: Nicholas Blake

So many goodies in store. Thank you Susan. :)

Yes, I must get reading! Been really busy lately and I am trying to catch up!

Just a reminder that I will open the discussion thread for The Life and Times of Miss Jane Marple at the end of next week.

Our buddy read thread for The Life and Times of Miss Jane Marple is now open and will remain so until mid-November. The last buddy read of 2017 will be, Not a Creature Was Stirring by Jane Haddam. Below is a list of our forthcoming buddy reads:

Nov/Dec: Not a Creature was Stirring: Jane Haddam
Jan/Feb: Green for Danger: Christianna Brand
Feb/March: The Documents in the Case: Dorothy L. Sayers
March/April: The Beast Must Die: Nicholas Blake

Just a reminder that, in mid-November, we will have our next buddy read: Not a Creature Was Stirring

This is the first Gregor Demarkian mystery, so you will be joining the series at the start. PLUS, it has a Christmas theme. What more could you want than murder and mayhem, all wrapped up in tinsel?!

The Hannaford who made the family fortune called himself a tycoon. The newspapers called him a robber baron. Since the days of Robert Hannaford I, the family has infested Philadelphia society like a disease. The current Hannafords are a clan of embezzlers, gamblers, and fantasy novelists. This Christmas, they have money in their bank accounts, crime in their blood, and murder on their minds. Gregor Demarkian is their reluctant guest. A former FBI agent who quit the agency after his wife’s death, he is invited by the Hannaford patriarch to come for dinner at the family mansion. Demarkain arrives just in time to find his host bludgeoned to death in his study and his investigation will lead him to the Hannafords, a family of cold-blooded killers.

Looking forward to it, Susan - this is available to borrow from Scribd, who also have quite a lot of other Haddam titles.

Just mentioned in the voting thread that I'd like to do a buddy read of Envious Casca aka A Christmas Party during December - does anyone fancy joining in?

Hurrah! I would love to, Judy.

Updated List:
Oct/Nov: The Life and Times of Miss Jane Marple
Nov/Dec: Not a Creature was Stirring: Jane Haddam
Dec: Envious Casca/A Christmas Party
Jan/Feb: Green for Danger: Christianna Brand
Feb/March: The Documents in the Case: Dorothy L. Sayers

Yes, I'd like to read it. Thanks.

Good news, Tania and Susan! Looking forward to it.

I'm in for Envious Casca.

That's great, Sandy.

I need to do SO much reading next month!

I know that feeling, Susan...

Just want to say that, as well as the excellent Not a Creature was Stirring in December, Judy has suggested a Buddy read of Envious Casca/A Christmas Party. This is the second in a series and, although it is not necessary to have read the first in the series, some of the more obsessive of us wish to read it before Envious Casca/A Christmas Party. In case anyone dislikes reading out of order and wishes to join in, the first book is No Wind of Blame

Therefore, our list of Buddy Reads will be:

Nov/Dec: No Wind of Blame: Georgette Heyer
Nov/Dec: Not a Creature was Stirring: Jane Haddam
Dec: Envious Casca/A Christmas Party: Georgette Heyer
Jan/Feb: Green for Danger: Christianna Brand
Feb/March: The Documents in the Case: Dorothy L. Sayers

This means that, alongside our main December Read, , we are going to spend a lot of December snowed in. Bring a shovel and some hot chocolate!

I will open the discussion thread for No Wind of Blame and Not a Creature was Stirring on the 19th November, so still a couple of weeks to go and both threads will remain open, so join in whenever you can.

I've just picked up No Wind of Blame on audiobook from the library so am definitely in for the buddy read. I read much faster than I can listen so will make a start soon.

Good to hear - I have just started it too. Haven't read much Heyer, so looking forward to it.

Roman Clodia wrote: "I've just picked up No Wind of Blame on audiobook from the library so am definitely in for the buddy read. I read much faster than I can listen so will make a start soon."

Ooh, I wonder if my library has an audio edition! I have read this before several times so I wasn't planning on joining but if I can find an audiobook of it, I probably will join after all :)

If you know the book, you can join in anyway, Leslie. I have to say that I am enjoying this far more than the previous Heyer we read.

Susan wrote: "If you know the book, you can join in anyway, Leslie. I have to say that I am enjoying this far more than the previous Heyer we read."

Me too!

Good to hear, Jill. In fact, I'm surprised at how much better it is!

Just a reminder that next weekend, I will open threads for No Wind of Blame and Not a Creature was Stirring. Look forward to discussing both books. Don't forget, anyone is welcome to suggest a Buddy Read title.

Don't forget our expanded list of buddy reads:

Nov/Dec: No Wind of Blame: Georgette Heyer
Nov/Dec: Not a Creature was Stirring: Jane Haddam
Dec: Envious Casca/A Christmas Party: Georgette Heyer
Jan/Feb: Green for Danger: Christianna Brand
Feb/March: The Documents in the Case: Dorothy L. Sayers

I will open the threads for our first books this weekend - No Wind of Blame and Not a Creature was Stirring

I have opened the discussion for Not a Creature was Stirring. I will open the discussion for No Wind of Blame tomorrow.

For anyone who enjoyed No Wind of Blame, we have another Georgette Heyer coming up - Envious Casca, also published as A Christmas Party. Lots of snow, house parties and murder. Sounds delightful!

We have yet another Buddy Read happening in mid-Dec (thread opens 16th). Carolien and I are planning to read Full Dark House:

If anyone wants to join in, you are very welcome.

When a bomb devastates the office of London's most unusual police unit and claims the life of its oldest detective, Arthur Bryant, his surviving partner John May searches for clues to the bomber's identity. His search takes him back to the day the detectives first met as young men in 1940.

In Blitz-ravaged London, a beautiful dancer rehearsing for a sexy, sinister production of 'Orpheus In The Underworld' is found without her feet. Bryant & May's investigation plunges them into a bizarre gothic mystery, where a faceless man stalks terrified actors and death strikes in darkness. Tracking their quarry through the blackout, searching for a murderer who'll stop at nothing to be free of a nightmare, the duo unwittingly follow the same path Orpheus took when leading Euridyce from the shadows of Hell.

Back in the present day, John May starts to wonder if their oldest adversary might be the killer who took his partner's life. He must work alone to solve a puzzle that began over half a century earlier...

In a war-shaken city of myths, rumours and fear, Bryant & May discover that a house is not always a home, nothing is as it appears, the most cunning criminals hide in plain sight, and the devil has all the best tunes. Dark drama and black comedy combine as Bryant & May take centre stage in their first great case.

For those of you who have also become addicted to their monthly dose of Agatha Christie: Adrian and I will start reading Poirot as a buddy read from January onwards till ... infinity? (there are so many of them! ;-))

I'm definitely interested, Jessica - I've loved re-reading the last few Miss Marples (I came late to the group) so Poirot would be perfect!

I am definitely in, Jessica! Are you doing them in order? Would you like to list the first 12, so everyone knows which books to read? I found this list, but I haven't done any real investigating:

The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920)
The Murder on the Links (1923)
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926)
The Big Four (1927)
The Mystery of the Blue Train (1928)
Peril at End House (1932)
Lord Edgware Dies (1933)
Murder on the Orient Express (1934)
Three Act Tragedy (1935)
Death in the Clouds (1935)
The A.B.C. Murders (1936)
Murder in Mesopotamia (1936)

I will say we considered Poirot as a challenge, but it was felt too much straight after Miss Marple...