nocto

I've never tried to read the 87th precinct books in order, and I only read them sporadically so I'm not sure if the detectives do age or change in situation as the series goes on. Certainly things always seem to be much the same in the squad room to me. This book was written in 1972 and struck me as aged more than many books do. Carella refers to serving in World War II and the descriptions of electronic surveillance devices and the introduction of direct dial telephones seem to set this book back in pre-history more than I've noticed before in other episodes in this series.

In only 160 pages this is more of a novella than a novel and the plot is strangely transparent. I'm wondering if I missed something because it seemed obvious to me what happened both to "Sadie when she died" and how the case was going to be solved. No real surprises for a mystery and especially disappointing for a mystery that is featured on a 100 favourite mysteries of the 20th century list.

Purchased on 2nd March 2002.

(Holiday reading so my comments are a bit minimal)

Not as much of a mystery as you'd think from the title but a really enjoyable and different story of Mma Ramotswe who runs a detective agency in Botswana.

Purchased on 16th April 2002.

A copy of this book is available on BookMooch.

(Holiday reading so my comments are a bit minimal)

Latest in the Castlemere series, I think it's the seventh. Very moving and Bannister is taking her characters to new levels.

Purchased on 15th January 2002.

(Holiday reading so my comments are a bit minimal)

Eva Wylie's is one of the star characters of crime fiction. A real original creation and an excellent book.

Purchased on 2nd March 2002.

(Holiday reading so my comments are a bit minimal)

Very slow moving but that's not a complaint. Long on atmosphere and ultimately a very satisfying story. Not my favourite Vine but pretty good.

Purchased on 20th May 2001.

(Holiday reading so my comments are a bit minimal)

A great opening to a series that combines modern crimes in Devon with historical ones. I'm looking forward to reding more of these.

Purchased on 15th January 2002.

(Holiday reading so my comments are a bit minimal)

Another excellent episode in this series. Silvermeadow is a huge shopping centre outside London (I guess the real life counterpart is Bluewater though the name had me thinking of Meadowhall all the way through) and Kathy Kolla and David Brock are trying to solve a murser at the same time as trying to apprehend an armed robber who has been spotted there.

The continuity with the first book in this series is lovely (this is the fifth) as are the developments in the main characters private lives.

My only niggle is that Maitland writes about Britain from Australia and has characters driving Opel cars when that brand is still sold in the UK under the Vauxhall name and though you do see the odd Opel around I think it's far more likely that the character in question had a Vauxhall Astra. Minor but it kept dragging me from the story.

Purchased on 16th May 2002.