Saturday 14 November 2015

VINTAGE MYSTERY CHALLENGE GOLD (PRE-1960) - COMPLETED

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 RogersThe Red Right Hand (1945) (5/5) read July 2014

John BuchanThe 39 Steps (1915) (4/5) read February 2014

Norbert DavisOh Murderer Mine (1946) (4/5) read November 2014

Jonathan LatimerRed Gardenias (1939) (3/5) read July 2014

Edgar Wallace When the Gangs Came to London (1932) (3/5) read October 2014

James McKimmeyThe 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!





12 comments:

  1. 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.

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    1. I 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!

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  2. Congrats, Col, on its completion.
    I 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.

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    1. 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,
      PS - 3 episodes of FARGO 2 watched - as good if not better than the first.

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    2. YES and agree re Fargo! I love Fargo 2. So glad you're enjoying it! This season has some of the best opening sequences. . .

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    3. Brilliant 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.

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  3. Even 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.

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    1. Joel 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!

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  4. I must try and lay hands on some JT Rogers, and likewise some McKimmey -- the folks across at RARA-AVIS speak highly of the latter.

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    1. I'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.

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  5. I think that's hilarious that you've taken a year to write this up. Agreed about Red Right Hand.
    Did 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...

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    1. 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?

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