tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post2254093130320873783..comments2024-02-22T17:59:50.213-05:00Comments on in so many words...: Friday's Forgotten (or Overlooked) Book: THE ROMAN HAT MYSTERY (1929) by Ellery QueenYvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-67623237594202480162013-04-05T15:55:25.832-04:002013-04-05T15:55:25.832-04:00They're fun mystery puzzles, Ryan. For when yo...They're fun mystery puzzles, Ryan. For when you're in the mood. :)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-43512512063127001552013-04-04T21:24:33.111-04:002013-04-04T21:24:33.111-04:00I think I've mentioned this before, but I have...I think I've mentioned this before, but I have never read an Ellery Queen book. I do think I own one or two, so I should get to one this year.Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17786139533776263328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-76093108902649152522013-03-30T15:18:41.893-04:002013-03-30T15:18:41.893-04:00I ordered THE FRENCH POWDER MYSTERY from a used bo...I ordered THE FRENCH POWDER MYSTERY from a used book dealer on Amazon yesterday. I also ordered THE SIAMESE TWIN one, but I think it's currently unavailable so I'll keep trying.<br /><br />I only vaguely remember the Ellery Queen television show though I know I watched it. And I know I read a bunch of Ellery Queens when I was a kid. Just like I know I read about every Perry Mason book I could get my hands on.<br /><br />But since I can't remember any of it, this will be like the first time. :)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-90582311983644371502013-03-30T15:15:30.620-04:002013-03-30T15:15:30.620-04:00This is a case where I got hooked on something bec...This is a case where I got hooked on something because of television. Back in the 70s, I watched Jim Hutton play Ellery. I was young enough that I didn't much care if they were good mysteries--I just loved having another mystery show to watch. I did love how he would turn to the audience and ask us if we knew who did it yet. The show made me go searching for the novels. I like this one a great deal, but my favorites so far are The Chinese Orange Mystery and The Siamese Twin Mystery--which I still want to read for myself (I got it on audio from the library several years ago) I, too, am waiting to get my hands on the French Powder Mystery...Bev Hankinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01127476456755776574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-72684378726213595672013-03-30T15:06:39.178-04:002013-03-30T15:06:39.178-04:00Debbie I found THE FRENCH POWDER MYSTERY in used f...Debbie I found THE FRENCH POWDER MYSTERY in used form on Amazon! I'd always choose the hard copy book instead of an e-book if at all possible. :)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-48187923130113247782013-03-30T15:05:36.671-04:002013-03-30T15:05:36.671-04:00This is a rather fun book, Mystica. I hope you lik...This is a rather fun book, Mystica. I hope you like it. Let us know. :)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-58688967994733134162013-03-30T08:07:37.576-04:002013-03-30T08:07:37.576-04:00I LOVE these old EQ mysteries. My very first was T...I LOVE these old EQ mysteries. My very first was <i>The Spanish Cape</i>, and I was hooked. <i>The French Powder</i> mystery is excellent, as is <i>The Chinese Orange</i>....heck, they're all good! :-)Debbie Rodgers @Exurbanishttp://www.exurbanis.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-88181604863347500862013-03-29T18:54:23.429-04:002013-03-29T18:54:23.429-04:00A new one for me. I like the different time frame ...A new one for me. I like the different time frame and different way of living. Will enjoy reading about that as well as the mysteryMysticahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10941269615559681014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-33167008129023311412013-03-29T17:19:49.450-04:002013-03-29T17:19:49.450-04:00Good news: my library has a copy of THE SIAMESE TW...Good news: my library has a copy of THE SIAMESE TWIN MYSTERY, so I'm all set for picking it up next week. I'll check the Mysterious Press E-list. Thanks for the tip, Les.<br /><br />Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-35557947688085896742013-03-29T17:11:16.011-04:002013-03-29T17:11:16.011-04:00Yvette, The Mysterious Press has reissued all (I t...Yvette, The Mysterious Press has reissued all (I think) of the early EQ books as e-books - I reviewed "The Chinese Orange Mystery" a couple of weeks ago on my blog. I agree with Sergio - I think "The Greek Coffin Mystery" and particularly "The Siamese Twin Mystery" are the best of the early Queens. Personally, I prefer the early books, which were really puzzle-based, to the later, more "anguished" Queen, but I do agree with you and Sergio about "Cat of Many Tails" - it's brilliant. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-35359819852200571242013-03-29T14:58:31.691-04:002013-03-29T14:58:31.691-04:00Oops I got the 'Cat' title wrong as well. ...Oops I got the 'Cat' title wrong as well. Sorry about that. It's what happens when I go by memory and don't double check. <br /><br />I have to get my hands on THE FRENCH POWDER MYSTERY for sure if you think it's THAT good. :)<br /><br />The problem is that my library has very few (almost none) vintage mystery books on its shelves. But I persevere. :)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-84098395644588443572013-03-29T14:40:01.641-04:002013-03-29T14:40:01.641-04:00Really enjoyed the review Yvette - but then I'...Really enjoyed the review Yvette - but then I've been a fan of the Ellery Queen books for a good 30 years and it really is too late to change now! Ellery is a bit of a pain in the early ones and a bit anguished by the time of the amazing CAT OF MANY TAILS but he dis get humanised a lot throughout the 30s - of the early books my favourites remain THE GREEK COFFIN MYSTERY and THE SIAMESE TWIN MYSTERY. Their debut is a real period piece but glad to see it it is still a viable entertainment - their follow-up, THE FRENCH POWDER MYSTERY, is brilliantly constructed and a real step up in my opinion. Loved the post Yvette - thanks. Happy Easter.Sergio (Tipping My Fedora)http://bloodymurder.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-61761913209124226172013-03-29T14:18:13.034-04:002013-03-29T14:18:13.034-04:00John I have a yellow 1969 hardcover English editio...John I have a yellow 1969 hardcover English edition from the library and that is the title used: Mystery of the Roman Hat - on the front cover.<br /><br />But on the spine it says Roman Hat Mystery. Go figure. (I just noticed.)<br /><br />A mistake? <br /><br />I've always been fond of Cat O' Nine Tails by Queen. I'm currently looking for the Chinese Orange one.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-56351106195602089502013-03-29T14:08:32.087-04:002013-03-29T14:08:32.087-04:00I don't think the book was ever called The Mys...I don't think the book was ever called <i>The Mystery of the Roman Hat,</i> Yvette. <i>The Roman Hat Mystery</i> was always the original title since it first appeared in 1929. Do you have a retitled paperback maybe? In any case, so glad you are introducing people to the Great EQ who seems to have been forgotten by a huge number of mystery readers these days. This is a much fairer review than one appeared few weeks ago on Evan Lewis' blog. He didn't like it and it turned him off from reading any more Queen. What a shame for him.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.com