Readathon 20/04/20 - Mystery of the Strange Messages

[Darrell71]

Split from another topic.

Just a thought: since a lot of us are quarantined at home right now and have more time on our hands, how would you folks feel about a Readathon? I remember the time when we had those more regularly, I miss that

[Courtenay]

Someone recently suggested a Find-Outers readathon, starting at the start with Burnt Cottage. I'd be up for that. (Mind you, I still have my full-time job, so the current world situation hasn't actually given me more spare time, just less that I can do — because of not going out — when I do have spare time!!)

[Anita Bensoussane]

We've had Find-Outers Readathons before on Burnt Cottage, Spiteful Letters, Hidden House, Strange Bundle and Banshee Towers. It's a long time since we discussed them so we could do them again but it would probably be more fun to choose one of the others. Personally, I'd be up for any of the other titles.

[Courtenay]

I'd be happy to do any of the other titles too. I have the whole series, but still haven't read them all yet!

[Mary Lou]

Yup me too though I only have The Hidden House, The Strange messages and The Disappearing Cat.I could still try reading the books online.

[Daisy]

I'm not sure they are available in line, but why don't we choose either Disappearing Cat or Strange Messages? I'm happy with either and like them both! Well, I like them all really.

[Anita Bensoussane]

Of those two I'd prefer The Mystery of the Strange Messages, though Disappearing Cat would be okay as well.

[pete9012S]

I've just started reading The Ring O' Bells Mystery, but I could easily accommodate slipping The Mystery Of The Strange Messages into my reading schedule!



Why not salivate on these implausible covers while you make up your mind!

[Daisy]

Salivate or be nauseated? They are awful and in the first one who is that bobby? It's never meant to be Goon, is it?

[Lucky Star]

Yes Daisy they are all dreadful. It has to be Goon in the first one but the artist clearly did not read the books! As to the Readathon I am up for it. I've just read Disappearing Cat so that would be great for me. Strange Messages is a better book but as I've just embarked upon a series re-read I'd be getting very out of order if I read that one now. But if others prefer it then I'll read it out of order. Or maybe we could do both? We did three or four the last time so two shouldn't be a problem this time. I doubt we're coming out of lockdown for a few weeks at least so plenty of time.

[Boatbuilder]

Maybe the artist thought he/she would portray Goon as they thought Goon might portray himself.

[pete9012S]

As an avid fan of the modern covers, I would urge everyone to give the newer covers of this book a second chance.
Perhaps Goon's rear on this cover will spark more interest and respect for the artistry on display..

[Daisy]

Honestly Pete, it's terrible! Who is the chap with a wooden leg? and Goon's helmet!!! It's like a clown's headgear.

[Darrell71]

I would be down for any of them, but Strange Messages in particular since it's the only title of the series I haven't read!
I hope whichever book we choose is available in ebook form on a Kindle since that's the only means I have of reading right now, I'm afraid.

Also, the illustrations...

[pete9012S]

I decided to study this cover in more detail - this illustrator certainly has their own unique style..

Is the pipework accurate? Diamonds drawn to scale?
Who could the spindly legged man in the picture be? Jenks??