Author Topic: Mystery Corner ~ 2 (Read 910551 times)

maryz · « **Reply #2520 on:** July 05, 2011, 03:42:02 PM »

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Discussion Leader: JoanK

Angie Harmon plays Rizzoli; Sasha Alexander plays the Iles part.

Frybabe · « **Reply #2521 on:** July 05, 2011, 04:24:14 PM »

I liked Sasha Alexander when she was with NCIS, never cared much for Angie Harmon.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #2522 on:** July 05, 2011, 05:56:29 PM »

JoanK - I haven't read the latest Donna Leon, but I've read all the others. I find Paolo irritating for other reasons - she's just too damned perfect! Brilliant academic, beautiful, good mother, good cook, - AND her parents are some of the richest people in Venice (handy for moving the plot along at times...). I like Brunetti, and I suppose that in Italian culture a man not being in for dinner is maybe less annoying than it is to us - in that I mean that I doubt that the women are as "liberated", although Paolo is described as such.

salan · « **Reply #2523 on:** July 05, 2011, 06:02:20 PM »

Mary Page, I frequently record (DVR) programs that come on too late so I can watch whenever I want. Can you record these? They really are worth watching. Next week starts the new season. Also the new season on The Closer. They are both on TNT and come on here (TX) at 8 and 9 p.m. Finally, something for me to look forward to watching!
Sally

JoanK · « **Reply #2524 on:** July 05, 2011, 07:47:31 PM »

Haven't gotten into Rizzoli and Ives, but I love "The Closer".

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #2525 on:** July 06, 2011, 03:24:40 AM »

Just finished Louise Penny's second novel, "Dead Cold" - I really enjoyed it, it was definitely better than the first (which I did enjoy, but there were some bits that dragged a little). This time I loved the more spiritual aspects, as well as all the wonderful description of the Quebec village, and especially the mountains of food and drink - I think they eat more than the Venetians in Donna Leon's books, but then, this novel is set in the Canadian midwinter - I can recall eating quite a bit in Newfoundland in December! Wouldn't it be wonderful to live in such a perfect little place (without the murders of course)? - although i must admit I am a bit stumped by most characters' lack of visible financial support. The Morrows paint - and have inherited from the last murder victim (handy!) - Gabri and Olivier run the B & B and bistro - Myrna has a book shop in a tiny, remote village, when, as we know, even the big stores can't make any money these days. Oh well, even if it's pure escapism, I love it.

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #2526 on:** July 06, 2011, 09:09:54 AM »

Was Sasha Alexander the actress who played the first female on Mark Harmons show before Cote De Pablo>

Babi · « **Reply #2527 on:** July 06, 2011, 09:42:50 AM »

MARYPAGE, I can highly recommend recording. It's the only way we can manage to see
all our favorites.

ROSEMARY AND JOAN, I think every woman who reads Donna Leon gets annoyed with those
gourmet meals every blessed day. No woman can do that and also care for a child and
pursue a career. One or the other,..or both..are going to suffer for it.

Frybabe · « **Reply #2528 on:** July 06, 2011, 12:09:25 PM »

Quote

Was Sasha Alexander the actress who played the first female on Mark Harmons show before Cote De Pablo>

Yes, Steph. The character's name was Kate if I remember correctly. I was really bummed when they killed her off.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2529 on:** July 06, 2011, 12:59:25 PM »

I finished Victoria Thompson' Lenox Hill, my first of hers. It was an interesting story, altho i had to suspend reality on more than one occasion. I guess that's true for many mystery stories. A teenaged girl becomes pregnant, a mystery in itself since she is almost never alone from her parents. The midwife discovers other problems related to a popular minister while trying to solve rhe first mystery.

The Lisa Scottoline, "Dirty Blond" continues to have more and more interesting twists and turns. I almost don't want it to end. The lead character continues my question "why do smart people do such dumb things?" i ask that more and more often the longer i live. We don't often find a character in fiction that embodies that characteristic, or who the reader has major ambivalent feelings about.

Jean

Steph · « **Reply #2530 on:** July 07, 2011, 08:28:35 AM »

Actually Sasha Alexander asked to be released from her contract.So they killed her off.. She said the works schedule was too much for her.

MaryPage · « **Reply #2531 on:** July 07, 2011, 10:00:34 PM »

You can Google Image Sasha Alexander and her Ponti brother (I mean, of course, the one she is married to), or the Ponti boys (sons of Sophia Loren). Sasha's husband extremely good looking, but nearly bald.

I do not own a recording device for television shows I miss. I get the impression I am the only person left on the planet who does not. Years back, when video tapes were all the rage, I had a video player that also recorded. I wound up with a couple of hundred tapes carefully marked on the outside as to what precious thing they recorded. Never go near the shelves that hold these! Decided it was not worth the bother and expense to continue in that useless vein, so I did not purchase DVD players that also record. If I miss it, I miss it!

Steph · « **Reply #2532 on:** July 08, 2011, 08:04:47 AM »

No, Mary Page. I do not record either. Just not that interested in TV

Babi · « **Reply #2533 on:** July 08, 2011, 08:32:55 AM »

Sasha Alexander was Kate? I never would have recognized her; totally
different look.

I've read all of The Victoria Thompson series, JEAN, and really enjoyed them.
I'm going to be at the library this morning and am hoping to find 'Dirty
Blond'.

That's the trouble with modern technology, MARYPAGE. As soon as you buy and adapt to the latest thing, something else comes along and supercedes it. Most annoying.

JoanK · « **Reply #2534 on:** July 08, 2011, 02:28:24 PM »

I hang onto my old TV set, because it has a VCR and DVD recording systems (how out of date am I). I record and buy tapes from PBS. Just got a yoga for arthritus tape that I hope will keep me going over the Summer til my chair yoga class meets in the fall.

maryz · « **Reply #2535 on:** July 08, 2011, 02:49:18 PM »

I record things to watch later, but then either erase them or record over them. They were never intended to be saved.

Steph · « **Reply #2536 on:** July 09, 2011, 08:20:18 AM »

hmm chair yoga..Now that would help me if I could at least hold onto the chair during any one legged thing.. All of our yoga classes where I live do too much balancing and I simply cannot snce the accident.

pedln · « **Reply #2537 on:** July 09, 2011, 12:10:24 PM »

JoanK, my VCR is about 18 years old and still working, knock knock knock. I don't tape much, but always the Masterpiece productions on PBS. I either fall asleep during them or one of the kids calls for a long chat.

How about water yoga? You can fall and not get hurt. I practice balance in the pool.

JoanK · « **Reply #2538 on:** July 09, 2011, 03:05:19 PM »

STEPH: the chair yoga classes are for people like you. There are only two of us in wheelchairs. Maybe it's given in your area. The PBS tape is yoga for arthritis, and all the poses are shown in three versions: standing, holding onto a chair, and seated in a chair. You can perhaps get it through your local PBS station.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2539 on:** July 09, 2011, 05:26:49 PM »

I got the tape "Yoga for the Rest of Us" sev'l years ago from PBS, maybe it's the same one you are talking about, because sev'l of the people on the program talked about having arthitis. It also gives sev'l suggestions for doing the pose and using chairs.

I'm reading Murder in the Oval Office by Elliot Roosevelt. I've read at least a dozen of these. It might be the first of the series because it's placed in 1933 when the Roosevelts first came to the White House. In the first chapter he describes the main characters - the Roosevelts and their live-in cohorts Howe and LeHand - in more detail than in any of the others i've read. My impression is that they are very real characterizations, which make them very interesting to me. Eleanor, of course, as in all the others, is a princeple in solving the murder.

Jean

Steph · « **Reply #2540 on:** July 10, 2011, 07:53:33 AM »

When I get home, will look up chair yoga for my area. I love yoga and gave up the classes since the one I took they would not let you use a chair.

maryz · « **Reply #2541 on:** July 10, 2011, 12:25:46 PM »

And, Steph, pedln mentioned water exercises. Some balance exercises are always included in the water class I take.

JoanK · « **Reply #2542 on:** July 10, 2011, 03:03:16 PM »

I've read most of Eliot Roosevelt's books about Eleanor, and enjoyed them, as much for his portrayal of his parents as anything else. Apparently, that portrayal caused a bit of a ruckus in the family, especially the scene in one of them where Franklin is in bed with Missy Hand, and Eleanor comes in and calmly starts planning the day.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2543 on:** July 10, 2011, 03:19:23 PM »

Yes, he talks in a couple books aboutwhat the relationship might have been between FDR and Missy Lehand. He does so in this book, writing the scene of Missy in her nightgown and pegnoir, watching a movie in FDR's bed and having breakfast with him. He also mentions people who saw her in her bathing suit, sitting on FDR's lap with her arm around his shoulder on the yatch. Elliot said Eleanor understood that Missy was in love w/FDR and had no problem w/it, that Missy acting like a wife and enjoying the activities that Franklin did, allowed Eleanor to be about the activities that she wanted to do, especially her traveling.

He also comments on Eleanor and Lorena Hickoch's relationship. In this one he explicitly says they did not have an intimate relationship, but were acting as Victorian women did in professing their love in letters and in person, kissing, hugging etc.

Jean

marcie · « **Reply #2544 on:** July 10, 2011, 05:32:54 PM »

FYI, A new Miss Marple episode. THE PALE HORSE, will air tonight on most PBS stations (or view it online). Join our PBS Mystery discussion.

Steph · « **Reply #2545 on:** July 11, 2011, 08:27:19 AM »

Jean, Since the relationship of Eleanor and Franklin has always interested me, I have read a lot of information on them and I do agree that Eleanor all her life had passionate relationships with women, not intimate, but bubbling,kissy, not wanting to be away from each other. Actually I can remember marveling that Franklin was the pursuer in his marriage. His mother did not want him to marry Eleanor. Eleanor herself backed away, but Franklin was determined and much in love..Always puzzled me.They were so very different from the beginning.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #2546 on:** July 11, 2011, 11:07:45 AM »

RE: The Pale Horse, I watched it last night and thoroughly enjoyed. I also very much like this Miss Marple. I remember seeing others (can't remember the names), but this one is good. My husband made a very astute observation: "This is just like watching Jessica Fletcher: Murder She Wrote". I don't think I would have made that connection, but after he said it, I agreed. I both love and hate the circuitous route Marple takes to unmask the killer!

Steph · « **Reply #2547 on:** July 12, 2011, 08:05:31 AM »

Since I disliked Jessica Fletcher, I dont think I will try the Miss Marple. I love her inthe books, but the only movies I saw were some tremendously large woman with a huge voice.. Not my idea of Miss Marple.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #2548 on:** July 12, 2011, 08:20:51 AM »

Steph - that was probably Margaret Rutherford, who was IMO dreadful. The new-ish TV adaptations with Joan Hickson and now Julia Mckenzie are so much better - Joan Hickson in particular really was Miss Marple in many people's eyes, and although Julia Mckenzie hasn't been doing it for very long, she too is pretty good.

Rosemary

Frybabe · « **Reply #2549 on:** July 12, 2011, 08:24:16 AM »

The only one I can think of, Steph, that fits that description would be Margaret Rutherford who play the first Miss Marple in films. It looks like Disney has bought some file rights and plans on casting Jennifer Garner as a young Miss Marple on the big screen. http://www.parade.com/celebrity/hollywood-wire/2011/03/29/jennifer-garner-miss-marple.html

Babi · « **Reply #2550 on:** July 12, 2011, 10:18:28 AM »

I like this Miss Marple, too, TOME. She does well as the quiet, observant old lady,
but well able to get about and steely on the subject of combating evil. All of which
fit Agatha's Mss Marple well. Julia MacKenzie; she also did a brilliant job on
'Cranford'.

JoanK · « **Reply #2551 on:** July 12, 2011, 04:35:25 PM »

I missed it, and am keeping my fingers crossed that one of the PBS stations in my area will rebroadcast it.

marjifay · « **Reply #2552 on:** July 12, 2011, 04:38:22 PM »

Steph said, "Since I disliked Jessica Fletcher, I dont think I will try the Miss Marple. I love her in the books, but the only movies I saw were some tremendously large woman with a huge voice.. Not my idea of Miss Marple."

I don't care to watch mysteries as movies -- prefer them only in books. You have to pay attention too closely with the movie or you miss something. With a book, if your mind wanders you can go back a page or two and re-read it. And also, the characters never seem to look as I pictured them from the book.

I could never finish a Jessica Fletcher film. Always got bored and turned it off.

The only TV mystery series I liked that I can remember was Hart to Hart with Stephanie Powers and Robert Wagner, and that cute little old butler of theirs. I guess it was more of an action thriller than a mystery. It kept me awake, anyway.

Marj

JoanK · « **Reply #2553 on:** July 12, 2011, 04:47:13 PM »

Read "Nemisis" by Linsey Davis. Mystery set in Roman times. I was hoping I would like it, since there are 20 books in the series (enough to keep me busy for awhile) but I didn't. Charming writing couldn't disguise a rambling plot and an ending that pushed all my buttons. Mystery stories are highly moral: bad things happen but there is a kind of justice in the end. This book violated all my sense of justice.

kiwilady · « **Reply #2554 on:** July 12, 2011, 05:32:26 PM »

I like Patricia Wentworth and her Miss Silver character. I have read almost all the series now. Set around the time of some of the latter Miss Marple novels I like this author better. If you like old style British crime novels Patricia Wentworth is a very good author.

Carolyn

JoanK · « **Reply #2555 on:** July 12, 2011, 05:38:32 PM »

I remember reading her years ago, and liking her. I'll bet I can get her books on kindle.

Yep, they have a lot of them. But they're $9.99. I was hoping they'd be cheaper. GOT to get my book spending down. The trouble with mysteries is they are quick reads, so you have to keep getting more. And more ....

Frybabe · « **Reply #2556 on:** July 12, 2011, 06:15:44 PM »

Sorry you didn't like Nemesis, JoanK. Thanks for the warning, though. I haven't read it yet. I still have Alexandria to read first. I noticed that, a few books back, Lindsey Davis seemed to have changed her writing style some. I think it was the book after her hiatus from Falco to write Course of Honor which was set in the same time period but not a Falco Mystery.

kiwilady · « **Reply #2557 on:** July 12, 2011, 07:54:20 PM »

Does anyone other than me like the Medieval Murderers series?

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/m/the-medieval-murderers/

Carolyn

Steph · « **Reply #2558 on:** July 13, 2011, 08:11:57 AM »

I like Falco, but he is not everyones cup of tea.. His idea and the romans idea of justice are not ours, but they are fun to watch..

Babi · « **Reply #2559 on:** July 13, 2011, 09:18:37 AM »

Oh, though I did watch some of Jessica Fletcher, I don't think that series
can begin to compare with Miss Marple. Especially one that, to my mind, is so
much closer to looking and acting like Agatha Christie's character. I wholly
agree about the 'tremendously large woman'. She was unquestionably a fine
actress, but about as far from 'Miss Marple' as it is possible to get.
I really liked 'Hart to Hart', too. It's such a shame they had a falling-out
and quite filming the series.

That's a new one for me, CAROLYN. Would the books be listed under M..
as the author?

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Author Topic: Mystery Corner ~ 2 (Read 910551 times)