VINTAGE MYSTERY
CHALLENGE GOLD (PRE-1960)
This was supposed to have been a fairly comfortable
challenge for me, but in truth I don’t think I’m a massive fan of older books.
Indeed without participation in Past Offences monthly Crimes of the Century
meme I probably wouldn’t have finished this one anytime this century.
Inertia, lethargy…..call it what you will… I actually
completed this one back in November, 2014 when I finished reading Oh Murderer Mine by Norbert Davis. I just couldn’t rouse
myself to do a post. However, I can no longer tolerate the sight of the Golden
Bingo card on my sidebar and am happy to delete it.
Suffice to say, I won’t be foolishly signing up for this one
again.
My 6 reads completing a diagonal line on my card were.
Joel Townsley Rogers – The Red Right Hand (1945) (5/5) read July 2014
John Buchan – The 39 Steps (1915) (4/5) read February 2014
Norbert Davis – Oh Murderer Mine (1946) (4/5) read November 2014
Jonathan Latimer – Red Gardenias (1939) (3/5) read July 2014
Edgar Wallace – When the Gangs Came to London (1932) (3/5) read October 2014
James McKimmey – The Perfect Victim (1958) (4/5) read September 2014
Best book by a mile was The Red Right Hand - something I still think about on and off. Do I really understand what happened... hmm, don't know - maybe I ought to read it again.
Second best - James McKimmey's The Perfect Victim. I'd like to read more from McKimmey at some point in the future.
The rest were on balance enjoyed rather more than endured but like I say, if this challenge confirms anything it's that older books don't especially float my boat!
I'm glad you've completed the challenge, Col. And hey, older crime fiction doesn't have to be for everyone. And you've reminded me that I ought to try The Red Right Hand, myself.
ReplyDeleteI think I can enjoy them now and again, but they'll never be a mainstay of my reading. I'd love to see THE RED RIGHT HAND spotlighted over at yours someday!
DeleteCongrats, Col, on its completion.
ReplyDeleteI don't do book challenges ,etc other than Rich's meme from time to time. Sometimes it just feels too much like homework and I don't follow thru. This one sounded like a lot of fun, however. Have a good weekend.
Keishon cheers. I know what you mean. If you see me undertaking any more in future feel free to have a word with me! Take care,
DeletePS - 3 episodes of FARGO 2 watched - as good if not better than the first.
YES and agree re Fargo! I love Fargo 2. So glad you're enjoying it! This season has some of the best opening sequences. . .
DeleteBrilliant isn't it? I hadn't really noticed the accents in the first season, but the lilt to the voices and the rhythm of the speech adds something else. The script, the action, the scenery, the acting, the humour......amazing.
DeleteEven if you don't like older mysteries, you picked some good ones. I have only read The 39 Steps, but several of the other ones I want to read. This year Bev is doing a different style of challenge, based on covers, and you know how I love vintage covers.
ReplyDeleteJoel Townsley Rogers - I would especially recommend. I did see the "new" version of the challenge but not for me. You can do it twice if you like - once for you and once for me!
DeleteI must try and lay hands on some JT Rogers, and likewise some McKimmey -- the folks across at RARA-AVIS speak highly of the latter.
ReplyDeleteI'm not aware of anything else Rogers has written. I suppose I ought to try and look him up. I've got my eyes on a few McKimmey titles, but they aren't that easy to find. SQUEEZE PLAY is one on the list.
DeleteI think that's hilarious that you've taken a year to write this up. Agreed about Red Right Hand.
ReplyDeleteDid you ever consider putting your blog archives higher up the r-hand sidebar? None of MY business, but I always wish your list of recent posts was nearer the top, just if you're doing re-arranging...
A year - what the hell is wrong with me? RRH - amazing! I have hoisted the archives up as far as I think they can go (a bit like Simon Cowell's trousers really) ......any better?
Delete