tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post3495440613257844951..comments2024-03-18T11:01:42.459-05:00Comments on Pretty Sinister Books: FFB: A Leaven of Malice - Clare CurzonJ F Norrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-26993973195907094572015-08-08T21:55:01.875-05:002015-08-08T21:55:01.875-05:00If I can butt in: Marian Babson has written some d...If I can butt in: Marian Babson has written some darker novels in the 70s and 80s that I think might compare to Curzon's work, but from the mid-80s onwards, she's written light (though with aspects of more acidic social satire) humorous mysteries, and at one point in the 90s she's turned to writing exclusively cat mysteries, so I think they're quite different writers.Kacperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15219607289740142139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-47064718139493477372015-08-08T21:51:53.085-05:002015-08-08T21:51:53.085-05:00I picked up one of Clare Curzon's police proce...I picked up one of Clare Curzon's police procedurals on the strength of your praise of her writing style, and it has been a delightful surprise. Curzon has been on my radar for a while but for some reason I've never picked up any of her books, but the one I'm reading - First Wife Twice Removed - is just excellent. Beautiful prose, memorable characters, definitely strong literary aspects. Kacperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15219607289740142139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-37544572940074416432015-08-06T12:26:21.183-05:002015-08-06T12:26:21.183-05:00I found two copies on eBay and managed to snag one...I found two copies on eBay and managed to snag one for 50% off the asking price with my Buy It Now bartering skills. Got a copy headed my way.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-27664153502187820012015-08-05T00:12:09.351-05:002015-08-05T00:12:09.351-05:00Actually, the book is available with me !Actually, the book is available with me !Santosh Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02555001344865957852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-42837177811143505002015-08-04T18:30:30.102-05:002015-08-04T18:30:30.102-05:00Thanks, Santosh. Once again my Swiss cheese memor...Thanks, Santosh. Once again my Swiss cheese memory at work. I fixed the title of that book throughout the post.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-33227388736417788692015-08-04T09:44:03.245-05:002015-08-04T09:44:03.245-05:00Used copies of Anima are available at Amazon.Used copies of Anima are available at Amazon.Santosh Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02555001344865957852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-57096112968488781042015-08-04T08:55:35.781-05:002015-08-04T08:55:35.781-05:00"Greenshards (1972), better known in the US a..."Greenshards (1972), better known in the US as Animism...."<br />I think the name is Anima , not Animism.Santosh Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02555001344865957852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-68180952351165959152015-08-03T19:26:13.175-05:002015-08-03T19:26:13.175-05:00Do I know anything about Marian Babson? Sorry, no...Do I know anything about Marian Babson? Sorry, no. I don't think I've ever read anything by her. I usually like to research a writer's life when they're new to me. This was my first Curzon and learning that she was also Marie Buchanan sort of took me by surprise. ANIMISM has been on my want list for a while now and I may just have to buy a copy pronto. I'm intrigued by Curzon now.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-76262060186349451032015-08-03T09:58:37.535-05:002015-08-03T09:58:37.535-05:00I read a couple of Curzons, but had no idea she ha...I read a couple of Curzons, but had no idea she had such a complex writing history. That cover looks so familiar that I think I must have read this one - I'll have to see if I can find it on the groaning shelves... I do remember thinking she wrote well. I think I mix her up with Marian Babson, do you know anything about her? Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-9754538724099438642015-08-01T18:18:35.467-05:002015-08-01T18:18:35.467-05:00This sounds intriguing, John. Although, like Yvett...This sounds intriguing, John. Although, like Yvette, I'm not normally one for psychic phenomena. I've read one Curzon book--First Wife, Twice Removed--but that was long before blogging days, so I don't have a clear memory of it. I rated it pretty middle of the road on my minimalist 1-5 scale.Bev Hankinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01127476456755776574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-34473786584732536422015-08-01T04:43:18.345-05:002015-08-01T04:43:18.345-05:00Well, I am totally getting this one John - you'...Well, I am totally getting this one John - you're a devil (but my groaning TBR salutes you).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-87618427273322181622015-08-01T01:06:46.851-05:002015-08-01T01:06:46.851-05:00I have wanted to try this author, but I did not kn...I have wanted to try this author, but I did not know of all her different pseudonyms. Thanks for all that information, John.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-15530892489858037402015-07-31T16:01:37.597-05:002015-07-31T16:01:37.597-05:00Oh no, John. Don't spend the extra money. I ca...Oh no, John. Don't spend the extra money. I can wait. Now that I know they're really and truly coming I can be an angel of patience. :)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-1609684419980338462015-07-31T14:11:26.588-05:002015-07-31T14:11:26.588-05:00She certainly could write, Martin! I was truly im...She certainly could write, Martin! I was truly impressed with her style, her love of language and her insights. In my estimation she is most like Charity Blackstock who I think of as a literary writer first and foremost, not a crime writer. Curzon/Buchanan is that good. I'm already seeking out her early work as "Rhona Petrie" to see what those books are like. And I'm very interested in finding a copy of Greenshards (or Animism).J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-77801718001052053962015-07-31T14:05:16.648-05:002015-07-31T14:05:16.648-05:00One book I couldn't find for days. I know...to...One book I couldn't find for days. I know...totally lame excuse. I'm mailing them tomorrow. Really and truly! Three books all of which you hinted at in your comments as wanting to read, one of them is THE CAT SAW MURDER. I'll even send them Priority in order to make up for the delay.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-34650330823051564202015-07-31T13:35:05.982-05:002015-07-31T13:35:05.982-05:00Glad to see this review, though I haven't read...Glad to see this review, though I haven't read this particular book. Clare Curzon was very prolific, and her work was, as a result, sometimes uneven, but she wrote quite a number of very entertaining mysteries, and I'm surprised she is not better known. I got to know her personally in her later years, and found her charming, another reason why I'm glad to see her being discussed. Martin Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-83901063044115469002015-07-31T13:20:16.627-05:002015-07-31T13:20:16.627-05:00Not for me, John. Since psychic phenomenon falls r...Not for me, John. Since psychic phenomenon falls rather flat for me. Give me a straightforward murder mystery every time. :) By the way, where's my box o'books? I knew you were just toying with me. And me a weak and trusting old lady. Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.com