tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post1423490691956889655..comments2024-02-22T17:59:50.213-05:00Comments on in so many words...: Friday Forgotten (or Overlooked) Book: WHEN LAST I DIED (1941) by Gladys MitchellYvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-602186960974849412015-11-11T15:49:54.752-05:002015-11-11T15:49:54.752-05:00Thanks, Les. I've just discovered that eight o...Thanks, Les. I've just discovered that eight of the Mitchell books are available in audio versions. But not these two, unfortunately. However, I'll check around and see if Abe books have either.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-56335693529258518092015-11-11T15:48:05.513-05:002015-11-11T15:48:05.513-05:00I would say so too, Prashant. :) You just never kn...I would say so too, Prashant. :) You just never know what's going to appeal to anyone at any given moment. For me, reading anything is all about the mood I'm in.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-73570141433580972322015-11-10T21:22:21.712-05:002015-11-10T21:22:21.712-05:00Yvette, I think you might try "A Hearse on Ma...Yvette, I think you might try "A Hearse on May-Day," the one that TracyK read. I found it one of the more "approachable" Mitchells, while it still contains a lot of the humor and almost surrealistic plot twists which mark her books. That one is available (I think!) from Rue Morgue Press. I think an even better one for an introduction to Mitchell and Mrs. Bradley is "St. Peter's Finger," which I know is available on e-book. It's the book I'm reviewing on my blog and podcast next week, as a matter of fact. Mrs. B seems a bit more sedate in that one - not as much cackling, if you will. There are some very well-defined and memorable characters. You might try either of those.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-2398001986627130422015-11-10T13:09:43.801-05:002015-11-10T13:09:43.801-05:00Yvette, I'm not familiar with Gladys Mitchell&...Yvette, I'm not familiar with Gladys Mitchell's work though I have read some reviews of her novels. I'm not sure if her books will appeal to me. Only way to find out is to read one.Prashant C. Trikannadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16079354501998741758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-12982006369520980732015-11-07T13:36:33.046-05:002015-11-07T13:36:33.046-05:00'I think of her as an acquired taste...' Y...'I think of her as an acquired taste...' Yes, absolutely. I can see that just from the two books mentioned in my post. Mrs. Bradley is really like no other old lady solving crimes that I know and believe me I've read a bundle. Thanks for the info, Ron. I'll check out the e-book list.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-74296670815652555832015-11-07T00:02:26.163-05:002015-11-07T00:02:26.163-05:00Most of Gladys Mitchell's books are available ...Most of Gladys Mitchell's books are available in ebook form from Amazon quite cheaply. I find her very original but that has it's drawbacks when the books don't quite work. I think of her as an acquired taste and she is certainly not for everyone. Her work is almost surreal at times and even the books that don't work have their points of interest, such as the folklore and customs of England, often including the occult. I've read about a dozen and they are rather uneven in quality.Ron Smythhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00575735524072816238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-25060499804727956272015-11-06T20:24:05.011-05:002015-11-06T20:24:05.011-05:00Yeah, I just didn't like the newer versions - ...Yeah, I just didn't like the newer versions - 'flat' is the right word. But I do still go back and watch the John Nettles versions now and then. <br /><br />I am definitely going to try the InterLibrary thing, Fred. Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-2867251036573687742015-11-06T20:21:53.269-05:002015-11-06T20:21:53.269-05:00If you can find one or two Tracy, I'd scoop th...If you can find one or two Tracy, I'd scoop them up. I'm going to keep looking and I am definitely going to try InterLibrary Loans. Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-51859923038476935772015-11-06T17:11:09.916-05:002015-11-06T17:11:09.916-05:00Just that note to the readers would make me want t...Just that note to the readers would make me want to read the book, Yvette. I have only read one Gladys Mitchell book starring Mrs Bradley, A Hearse on May-Day, published in 1972. I enjoyed parts of it and it sounds like it had a similar format to this one with Mrs. Bradley coming in later. In some parts of it I was confused totally. I would like to try some earlier ones.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-7302087075223046142015-11-06T13:48:13.006-05:002015-11-06T13:48:13.006-05:00Yvette,
I started using InterLibraryLoan about a ...Yvette,<br /><br />I started using InterLibraryLoan about a year or so ago and have been very happy about it. So far I've gotten everything I've requested.<br /><br />I think Tom and John Barnaby were cousins, and I agree. When John Nettles played Tom Barnaby, there was a sly sense of humor in the show that is now lacking. The new sergeant is a rather flat character also. I may give it one more season and then stop, if the show isn't cancelled first. Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10233846613173866140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-59256238731639922162015-11-06T13:45:31.257-05:002015-11-06T13:45:31.257-05:00You're welcome, Mathew. Yes, when I read that ...You're welcome, Mathew. Yes, when I read that note I couldn't help thinking that people in those days were stronger and more adaptable than we are today. Or maybe it's just the Brits. :) They did have to endure quite a bit. Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-4845906314794102932015-11-06T13:40:29.935-05:002015-11-06T13:40:29.935-05:00I'm not as fond of the Rue Morgue books becaus...I'm not as fond of the Rue Morgue books because of their size, Peggy Ann. Does that make any sense? They're hard to keep open and the editing is such that they do not break apart the chapters and paragraphs in a well designed manner. But other than that, I'll read Rue Morgue copies if that's what's available. Despite that, I would buy them if that were the only way to read an author I was really interested in. <br /><br />Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-10307779304212553082015-11-06T13:37:58.647-05:002015-11-06T13:37:58.647-05:00I don't own any yet, but I hope to in the futu...I don't own any yet, but I hope to in the future. I like actually OWNING my vintage books if at all possible. But the library is a good second choice. :)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-3717269605216793902015-11-06T13:35:23.799-05:002015-11-06T13:35:23.799-05:00I'm with you, Joan - about not being sure of a...I'm with you, Joan - about not being sure of a meeting with this character in real life. :) Although, come to think of it, there aren't all that many book characters I'd want to actually meet. Though quite a few that I would.<br /><br />I'll check Kindle for the Mitchell titles, thanks for the info. But first I'm going to try the library.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-64407980133398056992015-11-06T13:32:31.088-05:002015-11-06T13:32:31.088-05:00Oh, you're very welcome, Sergio.
Variable is...Oh, you're very welcome, Sergio. <br /><br />Variable is right. We can both plan to read some more and see what's what. She wrote quite a few books in a rather long career. That's why it's so funny that her books are not more widely available.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-19180230945693738032015-11-06T13:29:43.067-05:002015-11-06T13:29:43.067-05:00It's funny, Fred - I was talking yesterday to ...It's funny, Fred - I was talking yesterday to the librarian about InterLibrary Loans - she assured me I could order up to ten titles at a time. So I'm going to make a list of some vintage authors and we'll see how it goes. <br /><br />I liked Neil Dudgeon as the chauffeur but I'm not sure about him as John Barnaby. I think I watched several of the newer episodes but just couldn't get over missing the original Barnaby - the uncle, was it?Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-5583479808508052892015-11-06T11:59:20.937-05:002015-11-06T11:59:20.937-05:00I have trouble writing when the kids are yelling n...I have trouble writing when the kids are yelling next door. Can't imagine were I in the middle of a war zone, altho maybe that would kick in tougher instincts. Knowing this alone has increased my interest in Mitchell's work. Thanks for an enjoyable review, Yvette.Mathew Pausthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06157135006791553019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-35448544370372157672015-11-06T08:04:51.990-05:002015-11-06T08:04:51.990-05:00Like you, Yvette, the TV show turned me off the bo...Like you, Yvette, the TV show turned me off the books. Sounds as though it is nothing like the books. I too picked up one of her books on sale in Kindle format after reading Sergio's review. Haven't read it yet though. Speedy Death is the name. The Rue Morgue book covers are great! I love their books.Peggy Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00426356514707257708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-23438073734908216952015-11-06T07:35:58.875-05:002015-11-06T07:35:58.875-05:00I love these books - some more than others and fin...I love these books - some more than others and find them very expensive to obtain used. So I only have a few.Gramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01027824918114690029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-51107648204729540092015-11-06T07:34:55.108-05:002015-11-06T07:34:55.108-05:00I've read several of Gladys Mitchell's boo...I've read several of Gladys Mitchell's books. She wrote about 50 mysteries and almost all of them are available for Kindle from Amazon for $3.99 or less, including Death at the Opera. I like ones I've read so far, but I liked some better than others. She is a very strange character. I'm not sure I'd want to meet her in real life!joan.kylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17015342608992682333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-5796550068491746182015-11-06T03:25:34.061-05:002015-11-06T03:25:34.061-05:00Thanks first and foremost for the kind words Yvett...Thanks first and foremost for the kind words Yvette, as ever. Like you, my experience with Mitchell has been incredibly variable but I plan to try a few moreAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-20603246868723402522015-11-06T01:44:28.413-05:002015-11-06T01:44:28.413-05:00Yvette,
I find the library's InterLibraryLoan...Yvette,<br /><br />I find the library's InterLibraryLoan procedure to be very good in getting books that the local library doesn't have and whose used copies are quite expensive.<br /><br />I also watched the TV adaptations. Did you know that her chauffeur was played by Neil Dudgeon who is now playing Inspector John Barnaby in the TV episodes of Midsomer Murders? Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10233846613173866140noreply@blogger.com