Whodunit Book Club - April 27, 2010

A smaller than average group of twelve turned out for this month's Whodunit meeting. We welcomed a new member, Kim.
The discussion question: "If a complete stranger viewed the list of books you have read over the past five years what would they think of your reading choices?"
The answers were varied. Some who read only mysteries and suspense might be viewed as blood-thirsty or a little warped. On the other hand they might be perceived as having a thirst for justice that real-life seldom affords... Some who read a lot of non-fiction might be perceived as intelligent. Those who read a variety of genres might be perceived as being 'well-rounded'. As many of us frequently wonder what others think of us, this was a question that provoked some thought.
This month's book for discussion was "Anatomy of Deception" by Lawrence Goldstone.
A historical forensic mystery, the novel was set in 1889 Philadelphia. Members agreed the book was well researched and that although complicated the plot was entertaining in a didactic way. The novel featured real people and fictionalized characters together. One of the real people in the novel was Dr. William Osler who has been referred to as 'the father of modern medicine'. Dr. William Osler was a bibliophile who collected the works of Michael Servetus. Another was Dr. William Stewart Halsted, an American surgeon of some reknown. Some members did not approve of the way the real people in the novel were portrayed in a less than flattering light and thought that the author took unnecessary liberties in that regard. A few readers believed the book should have used fictionalized characters to be implicated in the crimes, and left the real people's memory unsullied.
The painting on the dustjacket is a famous work by artist Thomas Eakins which now hangs at Johns Hopkins Medical Center.
"Anatomy of Deception" depicted the 'old-boy' network thought prevalent in the medical profession. The idea that physicians will cover for each other, regardless of whether guilty or innocent. Another theme was the moral rationale of 'the greater good'. The question of who is valuable... the dilemma of sacrificing a few for the benefit of the many...
The book accurately described historical medical practices and recounted several events in this pivotal time in the history of medicine. During the time period in which the novel was set, autopsies were very controversial and the fact that the doctors in the novel used autopsies to further their knowledge of the human body made them ahead of their time and ground-breakers in the practice of forensic medicine.
To listen to a filmed interview with the author, Lawrence Goldstone click here.
The lucky winners of the book draw for this month were: Betty, Kim, Marlene, and Lynne.

Whodunit Book Club - March 30, 2010

A wonderful spring evening at Chapters Dartmouth with 14 members in attendance!
The question for the circle this time: "Do you talk about books with people?" Considering we are all avid readers and some of us work in the book business, the answer would seem to be a no-brainer.... But NOT so! Surprisingly few of us actually discuss the books we read. Reading seems to be a very private affair. Some have a select few who they discuss with, but most use Whodunit as their outlet for discussion.

The book discussed this month was "Murder in the Marais" by Cara Black. The first title in a nine book series, the novel was set in 1993 Paris. The protagonist is Aimée Leduc a a half-French, half-American female private investigator who specializes mostly in computer crime. She partners with a dwarf named René, who also has superior computer skills. The firm's finances are tight however and she takes on a case that is far out of her realm of expertise. Aimée is a thoroughly modern gumshoe who takes on a case with historical implications. The historical back story concerns the Nazi occupation of Paris during WWII and the mistreatment of Jews during that time.
Although not all the Whodunit members liked the book or would read another in the series, there were several positive points they conceded: It did not read like a first novel and the language was at times almost poetic ; the descriptions transported the reader to Paris ; although the narrative was at times confusing, and sometimes implausible, the satisfying ending neatly tied up all the loose ends.
Myself, I would not read another in the series, but I did find the WWII history to be the best part of the novel.
Tonight's book giveaway sent the following members home with a new read: Brian, Caroline, Shawna and Regis. Congratulations gang!
Next month's selection is "Anatomy of Deception" by Lawrence Goldstone.

"The lineup"

If like me, you wonder what inspires your favorite mystery novelists, then the new book "The lineup" edited by Otto Penzler is a must read.
Some of the most famous and influential crime writers reveal the inside story behind their greatest detective creations. Some of my favorite authors are included: Colin Dexter, Carol O'Connell, Jeffery Deaver, Ian Rankin, and Michael Connelly to name a few.
What inspired the authors to create the characters the way they did? Why did they chose the locations they did? You will discover what makes these much-loved fictional characters tick, and have a unique chance to get inside the minds of the esteemed novelists who created them.

Whodunit Book Club - February 23, 2010

A sparse crowd at Whodunit this evening. Was everyone too busy watching the Olympics? We did however have three new members which were warmly welcomed. (perhaps frightened off?)
The circle's discussion this evening was a bit different from our usual practice. This time we were invited to recommend authors and titles for future Whodunit reads. Many great sounding recommendations were offered and I look forward to diverse reading ahead.

This month's book was "Mortal Remains" by Peter Clement. A real departure from our usual fare in that it was a medical thriller. The first of this genre we have done in club. The author has been a medical doctor for 28 years and an ER physician for 20 of those years. He writes under his first and second name so as to keep his writing life and his medical life completely separate. We can all assume he is very successful as he now writes full-time.
This month's title was inspired by a real-life disappearance of a female medical student.

Most seemed to enjoy the book, though comments were made that there was too much medical terminology, that the plot was a bit too predictable and that there were too many plot 'threads' to be tied up. Most enjoyed the story and some mentioned it would have made a great movie. Certain scenes were portrayed vividly -- the initial diving scene, the scene where Mark Roper was shot at while driving, and the well scene were mentioned in particular. Favorite characters were Bessie, the geriatric doctor and Nell, the town's busy-body. It was remarked upon by several that the elder Dr. Braden was particularly sinister and that his son was a bit of a wimp.
The devious Dr. Melanie who made patients ill in order to 'cure' them was rather creepy. The club deemed Lucy to be a 'red herring' (we all love those). The side-plots of the home for unwed mothers and the maternity hospital were intriguing.
Most agreed that the threads of the plot were tied up satisfactorily.

This novel differed from most in that it had two 'culprits'.

The winners of this month's freebies were: Marlene, Caroline, Cedella and Judy.
Two of the winners were new to the club which was a nice welcome for them.

"Devils in the mirror" by Lesley Horton

I just finished the third novel in the Inspector Handford mystery series by Lesley Horton. Another great read!
The novel deals with the issues of racism, religion, inner-city youth and ultimately murder. The author writes of which she knows. She was a teacher in an inner-city school in the area of Yorkshire, England in which the books are set.
With a growing Asian population, racism continues to be an issue in schools AND in police work in and around Bradford.
This title was written sympathetically and the reader can't help but identify with the people from both sides of the racial divide.
The protagonist Inspector John Handford, is a professional policeman who tries not to let his personal life interfere with his investigations. However, this time his wife is a teacher at the school where the murder victim attended and he realizes that the lines between his professional life and his personal life are blurred...

Shayla Richards was just fifteen when her body was found on Druid's altar on the moor.
Of mixed race parentage, Shayla had been missing for several weeks, was a known truant and a troublesome teenager. However, she didn't deserve this!
Handford and his team set about finding her murderer, but they meet up with loads of oppostion along the way...

Whodunit Book Club - January 26, 2010

Tonight's meeting was extra special! It marked the 12th anniversary of the club!
Also, our close-knit group welcomed two new members!
The 'magic' question this month was "Do you consider yourself a fast or slow reader?
Most of the members considered themselves to be faster readers than most, probably because they are avid readers and with practice comes speed... Our fearless leader said she read about 50 pages per hour. I have never measured how many pages I read in an hour, but now I am curious and will probably HAVE to find out!
The book under discussion this month was "The sweetness at the bottom of the pie" by Alan Bradley. I read this book back in July of 2009, so my memory of it was a bit fuzzy. My posting from last July reads:
"What a unique premise for a mystery novel! The protagonist is an eleven year old female aspiring chemist. Growing up in a motherless, and very eccentric household, Flavia de Luce is memorable to say the least. Throw in a dead bird, a little poison and some rare stamps, and you've got a unique historical British mystery written by a Canadian, Alan Bradley.
The book is the first of a proposed series called the Buckshaw Chronicles and Flavia even has her own fan club!
It has placed on numerous bestseller lists and has won the Debut Dagger Award awarded by the British Crime Writer's Association!"

At bookclub I was astounded to find out that Alan Bradley had never set foot in England until AFTER he wrote this book! Also, on the merit of an excerpt from this novel, the author garnered a 6 book deal with his publisher (at the age of 69).

Most of the club members agreed that Flavia was precocious and extremely observant for her age of eleven. She had to grow up fast because of being in a motherless family with little supervision. Many wondered why Flavia was not in school as the book was set in June and there were other children attending school in the time the novel took place.
Members liked the vivid description and considered the hostage scene to be quite exciting. A majority of members want to read the second title in the series "The weed that strings the hangman’s bag".

Next months meeting welcomes reading suggestions from WhoDunit members.
The winners of the free books at this meeting were: Betty, Lynne, Nancy and Brian.

"The Crossing Places" 1st in a superior new series

In the past year I have read many books, mostly of the mystery/thriller genres. Many were by authors that I have been reading for years. Many were part of series that I have come to regard as old friends.
Recently I read a debut novel, first of a series, that promises to be one that I will follow for years to come. "The crossing places" by Elly Griffiths.
Set mostly in a brooding saltmarsh area of England's Norfolk coast, the series features Ruth Galloway, who is a university lecturer in forensic archaeology. Ruth is an intriguing character. Solitary, smart, and strong, (not to mention a cat owner) Ruth is a protagonist that I want to follow and I eagerly await the next novel which features her.
With such a powerful protagonist and themes of missing children, historical exhumations, and just a smattering of romance, "The crossing places" exhibited everything I truly enjoy in a mystery novel. Griffiths descriptions of the barren and beautiful marshlands set the mood for the book excellently.

The clincher for my buying the book was the attractive dustjacket which just happened to exhibit the words "Ruth Galloway is an inspired creation" -- Louise Penny. As Louise Penny is one of my favourite authors, her recommendation carried great weight with me.

I urge others to read the novel. I love sharing the joy...

"Elly Griffiths is a pseudonym for Domenica de Rosa, who was born in London and spent ten years in publishing before she turned to writing fiction. Her Ruth Galloway novels are inspired by the work of her husband, who gave up a job in finance to train as an archaeologist, and by her aunt, who lives on the Norfolk coast and who filled her niece's head with the myths and legends of that area. She and her husband have two children and live near Brighton."--MysteryBooks.ca