Since Larry will be posting this for me in absentia, I'll start out the discussion by saying I was a little disappointed in this book. I had heard so much about the author, and Peaches Dann is certainly somebody I can relate to, yet somehow, maybe I'm having too many Senior Moments, I couldn't make sense of it all.

Admittedly, I read it too fast. The constant repetiton of the memory devices drove me wild, just wild. Couldn't keep the characters straight at all, and so many many characters!

Was that your experience?

How about that stuff about opening the book in the middle? Is the author saying that she resents being jerked around by an author, and do mystery authors more or less HAVE to do that? And DID she do the same to us? How else COULD you write a mystery?

Will look in from Rome to see what you all thought, if I can FIND the Internet Cafe and get them to understand what I want!

Ginny

Ginny has written exactly what I would have written. Peaches drove me to distraction with her memory tricks. I have enough trouble remembering all the characters without having to remember all the ways of remembering them! I honestly did not complete this book; I was bored silly. I also was annoyed by the paternal, pat me on the head and a "there there" attitude toward older women. I am not amused by my ability to forget. I treat it as an obstacle to overcome or to compensate for without making an issue about it. I would rather not suffer through an entire book of this. Guess I'll go read the Street Lawyer again.

Ginny & Esther: I mostly agree with both your comments on this book. The memory device thing was just plain silly, detracting rather than adding to the narrative. I had no trouble keeping track of the characters but found them pretty unbelievable. The plot was rather far-fetched too. Can we make the judgement that this author is straining a bit to try and be entertaining and just not quite making it!?! This frivolous, second-rate type of mystery is NOT the sort to make the best seller lists, is it!? Nor the type to seek out this author to read again... bring on The Street Lawyer!

I finished reading this book last evening and must say the best part was getting to the last page. I thought Peaches was not to be believed. The solution of the 1849 case was very unrealistic. All of the right papers just happened to be found in a very short time. I found the character of Peaches a very unlikeable detective. Such a forgetful person would hardly be the type to solve mysteries. She certainly was no Miss Marple or Jessica Flecter. If her husband hadn't been around she certainly would never have solved the case.

I also felt the whole plot about saving this old house to be very contrived. Also would someone start spending money to restore an old house they didn't even own? Don't think so.

I thought the characters of Anthony and Alice were poorly drawn. I just thought this was a very poorly written book with an uninteresting main character. Like those who have commented ahead of me, I disliked the memory techniques. I just wonder if this writer is out of stories for this character.

Sure hope someone reads this book and has a different reaction than I did so maybe they can bring up some strong points that I may have missed in my reading. I think it is a good things we don't give the Mystery Book a rating at the end of the month.

Larry

This is the first time I have read anything by this author, and if this is an example of her writing, it will be the last.

A good mystedry has never put me to sleep the way this book did. It was a lot better than a sleeping pill.

Larry, I agree with you, the last page was the best.

Usually I enjoy reading books by authors I am not familiar with, but after reading this book, I will just stick to the authors I know.

Well, Folks, you have truly put me down. I have enjoyed every one of Peaches adventures (this one was not her best) but I find that what I remember about the accumulation of data under "Peaches" is her vivid descriptions of the countryside around Asheville North Carolina. The countryside sounds so delightful that I would like to visit it. Peaches, in her first book, was charming and her memory devices (she was writing a book for other memory challenged folks) were cute and helpful. I have adopted some of them for myself. Bottom line, I guess, is that I have such a voracious appetite for reading material that I am not very discriminating. When I find an author who is has wit, is literate, etc., I will put that author on my list. Maybe it is time to remove Elizabeth Daniels Squire!

Jackie, don't be influenced by us. I don't think any of the commentors have probably read her previous books and I think that often when we read a series of books with the same characters they become our friends.

Having been very critical above, I will say that her book had clean language and the violence was done without undo descriptive detail. I know that several people found our last book in the Mystery Book Club to have been too descriptive on both counts.

Besides, we will have a much more interesting discussion if we can have some differing views.

Larry

Jackie: Don't feel badly. Your description of Squire's earlier books have made ME decide to give her another try. Not every author can hit it big like Grisham EVERY time! And we definitely want to see a diversity of opinions, as Larry pointed out. If we all agreed, then these discussions wouldn't be very interesting.
I will confess to being totally hooked on The Cat Who... series. They are the cutsey mystery taken to the nth degree but I feel as if I'm visiting old friends whenever I read a new one! Three cheers for non-violent mysteries!

Jeryn, Your mention of John Grisham brought to mind the fact that, while I have read all of his books, I certainly think some of them are not as good as others. I also like the books of Stuart Woods, but think a couple of his recent books show signs of mass production and relying on reputation. I sometimes wonder if authors just have so many good stories to tell.

Larry

Larry: Yes, there was one Grisham I could not even finish! I believe it was called The Chamber? Stuart Woods and Robert Parker are both just going through the motions anymore. I've been especially disappointed in Parker as I really liked his Spenser series, up through A Catskill Eagle. Most of those since have gotten sketchier, predictable, and with bigger print on thicker paper until they aren't worth the effort any more. I guess they are worth the effort to HIM!
Is Joan Grimes around? I just wanted to wish her a Bon Voyage as I recall she is going to France later this month, forget the date...

Jeryn,

I am here. Just quite because I haven't read this book. I don't leave until the 27th.

Let me just say one thing regarding books. I think that all writers may have a book every now and then that will not be as good as their other books or a particular book may not appeal to us for some reason.

As for The Chamber, I could not put it down. I really enjoyed A Time to Kill and the other early Grisham books. Haven't read his last two. I think it is me though not him.

Joan

Just found this group, and I will probably be a regular since I am a great mystery reader. After reading your reviews, I don't believe that I will read the book. I don't care for the cutesy "Cat Who..." series. For me, probably the author that has held up best over many books is Sue Grafton in her alphabet series.

I am always eager to try new mysteries, so look forward to your suggestions.

Connie, I surely agree with you about Sue Grafton. Have you read the newest one, "N is for Noose"? It is the best of them all.

Connie, sure glad to see that you found us. We are always looking for good mystery books to schedule for upcoming months. We just ask one of the participants to name the book and then suggest a few ideas to discuss such as you see above. Nothing difficult or time consuming. This is a really fun discussion. We will begin our next book on the 15th so hope you will join in at that time.

Larry

Well, I have finally gotten around to reading this book, and I am half way finished. I feel that this will be a struggle to finish, as I am already annoyed with the memory tricks, the rambling plot and the characters, who seem so very one-sided. Is this the Beverly Hillbillies, or what?

I have heard about these "Peaches Dam" books, and have been told that they were great "cozies", but I disagree. I am a big fan of cozy mysteries (non-violent) but this one is just plain silly.

I can't answer your question number 5, as I am plodding though this and don't have any sense of urgency to get to the finish.

With this book, coming into it in the middle would be a blessing!!! I will continue though, as it might get better.

Carole

Carole, it did seem to me that the book got better towards the end. It was either that or seeing the end nearing it just seemed better.

Larry

What fun to read all your comments and to see people agreeing to disagree and being cordial about it!

I'm glad to have some of my thoughts vindicated by your comments, I really thought it was me! I was actually grateful (through my gritted teeth) for the constant reminders about the characters as I thought that exonerated me from trying to keep them straight--(something I could NOT do). Afraid I agree with almost everything you've said, (and admire the way you said it) but I HAVE read that some of her fans are disappointed in it, and we may all remember MC Beaton's last one which was very poor. Beaton has a new one out, and out of fondness for her first books, I'm going to try it.

Will never forget my great disapointment the first time Charlotte MacLeod went off on a fantastical tangent...could NOT believe it was the same author.

As Larry said, good thing we don't rate them here, but what of our July selection? I've heard....that some are not happy with Grisham's latest: the Jury here is out until the 15th of July. See you then!

Ginny

Just got back online today after a frustrating 16 days without my right arm. Was good in some ways though, as I read everything I could get my hands on and even got a little ahead of schedule. I read Is There A Dead Man in the House, and can't say it rated very high with me. I thought the plot was weak to say the least, and like most of you found the memory gimmicks more like filling to add the required number of words to the book. One thing, I did find I could put it down at any time because there was never any 'had to be finished' parts. You know when you are reading and the kettle boils or the timer goes off, and you keep your nose in the book while bumping into furniture and heading blindly for the cause. I know no book can be like that all the way through, but suspense should be the main criteria for a mystery. Considered opinion, I don't think I will rush to find another book by this author.

Last night finished "Is There A Dead Man In the House" and was very disappointed with it. First time I ever read this author but wouldn't read another one of hers. Thought it was a lot of nonsense. Agree with Larry that it started to get interesting towards the end. I'm one of those who has to finish a book until the end, no matter how bad but almost gave up on this one a few times.

Just getting ready to read "Murder On A Bad Hair Day" which I read a few pages last night and it seems to START out holding ones attention. We'll see.

First time coming here and did get the above book titles from here. Hope to participate in these discussions as much as possible.

Vicki

I am a compulsive mystery reader, and highly recommend Wings of Fire by Charles Todd. It has a post WWI background, and is well written and fascinating. The detective is Ian Rutledge,a veteran who suffers from shell shock, and this is supposed to be the first in a series. I dont know what follows, as there is nothing in my library. Anyone know more about these?

Doreen, Vicki and June! How wonderful to see you here!! Welcome, and hope you stay a long time!! Doreen and Vicki, it seems we all have the same idea on Peaches Dann! AND Doreen is ahead of the reading schedule, something I've not ever been able to say! I'd say 16 days well spent!

Doreen, I LOVED your description of bumping into things with your nose in a book! That's me. I've had to stop carrying them around in the car, tho, as I have looked up, startled from a book, to think the light's changed and plunge AHEAD, only to find it was only the left turn people, not me. That's dangerous. I ought to have one of those signs, DANGER, READER ON BOARD.

Vicki, so glad you're here too, and now I'm confused, as is the BAD HAIR DAY for July or August? I must look that up before I run out and grab the Street Lawyer. Have come back from Eurpoe totally brain dead, but am sure a book will straighten me out.

June: If you want to ask your question in the General Mystery Discussion you may find lots of response! Just click on THIS:

Mystery Corner and you may be surprised at what you hear.

I'd like to hear more about that author, totally new to me. There's nothing like a good book, and I'm glad to hear from Vicki that the BAD HAIR DAY starts OUT well, anyway.

We're in the process of redesigning our Books sites and hope to make them more coherent, so hang on and don't get discouraged as we shuffle.

Ginny

Yes, I just looked it up: The Street Lawyer by John Grisham is next, and Murder on a Bad Hair Day is after that, in August, so Vicki was ahead, too.

So now, I need to dash out and get The Street Lawyer so I can see you all there! WHOOPS!! Don't have to dash too far, have one on my bedside table. Does that tell you ANYTHING about what my bedside table looks like? Ginny

Hi, I've read Murder on a Bad Hair Day the author Anne George was a delite her other book Murder on a Girls' Night Out was very funny. Her books give me a joy of family. Speaking of family her new book is called Murder runs in the family. If you like Tony Hilerman books I found a new author who might please you. James D. Dodd his book is The Shaman Laughs,so far so good. Thanks for letting me put in my two cents. Can't help it I love Books. Bunny P.S. I remember I love a Mystery too.

Hi Ginny, thanks for the welcome. Bad Hair Day is for August 15 but it sounded good and don't get much reading done since finding SN so decided to do this one now. It's a small pocket book so am sure its easy reading. So far like it. The sisters are humorous. Got this book from our library on special loan from another library in our system.

Found this site through the wonderful Banners and happy I checked it out.

Vicki, I sure am happy you did, too! AND I'm glad to hear from YOU and from BUNNY (Welcome, welcome, Bunny!!) that we are assembling a very very impressive group of well read mystery buffs here, and I do so look forward to our Hair Day discussion. Heaven knows I can speak to THAT subject.

Yay for the BANNERS, I say!

Trying to get up some topics for thought on The Street Lawyer. Is there a general topic about a mystery that you all think is the most important? What IS the most important thing in a mystery, to you? It'll surely help with the questions for discussion!

Ginny

Thanks so much for the big red welcome Ginny, I love it. I think maybe I've found a home. Bunny

Vicki, Cool to Cool. I just love it. My Grndson now thinks his Nana is pretty cool too. Two big red welcomes what more could a lady want. WELL!!!!!!!!!!

We'll now leave Peaches behind in favor of John Grisham's latest best seller: The Street Lawyer

Hope to see you there!

Ginny