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Post by Miranda on Dec 19, 2023 0:07:35 GMT
I thought the same. Both books would be better without the murders. Especially the second one, which felt shoehorned in to me.
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Post by marion on Dec 19, 2023 9:56:56 GMT
It’s funny you say that because I thought in the last one the actual rationale for the murders bore no relation to the rest of the book. Surely this is what an editor is for, to make sure it all hangs together but he doesn’t seem to have a very good one if so. I haven’t finished (trying to speed read!) but also think the carers’ story is the better plot. And this Miss March character, is she supposed to be dressing like someone from the 1930s? To me it all seems a bit of a mess as regards the setting and main characters who are about 50 years behind the times. I mean Daniel must be the same age as Mick Jagger! But then I suppose he could also be the same age as King Charles. I wish I could remember who wrote rather twee novels about English country life. Is it Barabara Pym or a Miss Someone or Other? Are his books in that mould? It perplexes me so I’m going to abandon him after this book because I can’t be bothered to think about it, 😂.
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Post by kakewalk on Dec 19, 2023 17:31:55 GMT
I haven’t read Coles’ second book yet, but despite what has been said, it’s still on my list to get. I quite liked all the church politics as I recognise them from my own time as a church elder some years ago. I don’t mind particularly that the murders are secondary to the plot!
I am currently reading Rinder’s first book, and really enjoying it.
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Post by linseed on Dec 21, 2023 15:07:46 GMT
In real life Rev Coles lived close to Althorp and was/is friends with the Spencer family. (See the Rabbit Hole Detectives podcast, where he, Charles Spencer and Cat Jarman discuss various things). He often did services for the Spencer family so you can see where he gets his inspiration from for the vicar who is pally with the Lord of the manor. I visited Althorp last year, very interesting place.
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Post by marion on Dec 21, 2023 16:46:07 GMT
Oh, that explains why the Earl and Countess are in the dedications then. I hope the Earl isn’t like Bernard! I think RC may have moved since leaving the church. His occasional column in the Sunday Times suggests more Surrey/Sussex.
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Post by Miranda on Dec 21, 2023 16:55:24 GMT
I think he's just outside Brighton now.
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Post by linseed on Dec 21, 2023 17:11:39 GMT
Yes I think it’s somewhere on the south coast, he mentions Grayson Perry as a neighbour somewhere
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Post by linseed on Oct 13, 2024 19:41:30 GMT
I’m now reading the 3rd one, Murder at the Monastery. Enjoying it so far, it’s better than the second one, but carries on where the second one left off. He has gone to the monastery he trained in to mend his broken heart. I think there has just been a murder! Interesting but you might need a knowledge of Anglicanism and Catholicism (something I’m fine with).
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Post by beverley61 on Oct 14, 2024 9:02:57 GMT
Oh, that explains why the Earl and Countess are in the dedications then. I hope the Earl isn’t like Bernard! I think RC may have moved since leaving the church. His occasional column in the Sunday Times suggests more Surrey/Sussex. When his husband died he was getting plagues of journalists outside his house, hanging about in the churchyard and church, stopping neighbours etc all wanting some gossip. The Earl and Countess quickly moved in and offered him a place to stay on the estate until all the fuss had died down. He was immensely grateful. |
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Anymore to come?
