Welcome to Litsy!

Isn‘t it fun to have bedtime reading that makes you extra excited to go to bed?

I‘m enjoying this immensely! And how different it would progress in the age of cellphones and internet. Instead of slowing ruminating on King Richard III, getting details bit by bit, all the information would be at Grant‘s fingers with a little googling. I‘m so glad that isn‘t the case 😄

I enjoyed revisiting this book and I agree that the accepted view of Richard III as evil, or even hunchbacked, doesn't seem to be supported by contemporary evidence and, in fact, appears more to be a smear campaign by the Tudors who succeeded him. I do not agree with the phrenology aspect though. It's ridiculous to judge a person's character by their facial features.

Interesting, but not the thrilling mystery I was expecting. My main take away is that history is written by the victors & without corroboration, everything should be taken with a grain of salt. Richard III certainly got a bad rap.

“Perhaps a series of small satisfaction scattered like sequins over the texture of everyday life was of greater worth than the academic satisfaction of owning a collection of fine objects at the back of a drawer.”

#12Daysof2022 Thanks for organizing this, @Andrew65!

According to the Crime Writer's Association, this is the NUMBER ONE CRIME BOOK of all time. Quite a feat, huh? A fascinating read with loads of history on the War of the Roses. I've never read a mystery where the “detective“ tries to solve a 400+ year-old mystery as to whether or not Richard III was responsible for having his two nephews killed. Lots of rabbit-holing on this one, which I loved! Might have to read more about Mr. Alan Grant.

@Mitch My dear, dear friend. Thank you so much. Your timing is absolutely impeccable and I‘m crying as I type this, after reading your letter. I can‘t fully express how much your friendship means to me. 💖 (P.S. I hope your hand didn‘t hurt for days after writing this!!!)

Image : National Portrait Gallery

Like nothing I‘ve ever read, which, as a seasoned reader, is at once off putting and refreshing! I loved watching the research unfold, the questions asked the theories put forward. It felt like being in a room with a passionate historian following the breadcrumb trail of evidence. Really enjoyed the journey!

Starting this gem today. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼☹️

Two things came in the post today - this fab book I‘ve been eyeing for ages and the seasonal movie magazine - and there‘s a theme emerging! Guess ill be doing a movie and book themed weekend in the not too distant future!

Thank you @Chrissyreadit for a PERFECT package of loveliness. A fabulous book which I‘ve wanted to read for a while , some very classy socks with a gorgeous snuggly feel, the perfect reading snack to go with my Dr P and some very cool candle craft. You know me well. I love it all ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

I wish I could remember who recommended this little gem to me so I could thank them profusely!!!

I finished this book at 1:59 for a 2:00 book club discussion! It‘s about a Scotland Yard detective who‘s convalescing from a broken leg and quite bored in hospital, so with some prompting from a friend starts to look into the “real” story of Richard III and his hapless nephews. Interesting that exactly three years ago I went to see the play!

I enjoyed the book, especially the narration by Derek Jacobi, although the American accent wavered a bit.

Thanks for this recommendation @rubyslippersreads and @Andrew65 ! Short intriguing wonderful read!

Finished the first book from my #tbrdeckofcards and it was interesting, although I think I may have had my expectations a bit high. Not sure I‘d consider it one of the best mysteries of all time, but it was definitely a very interesting look at Richard III.

Thoroughly enjoyed this much-lauded historical mystery. So glad I finally read it!

Finished tagged book today -- which I thoroughly enjoyed -- for Hercule Poirot/Golden Age mystery prompt.
Next up the The Unquiet Dead by Ausma Zehanat Khan for Tommy & Tuppence prompt and a bingo. 🙂
#CloakandDaggerChristmas

This is far from a traditional mystery, with its lack of a body, a murder weapon, or the usual parade of suspects & alibis. Rather, it‘s a historical mystery solved years after the fact. I was struck by its critique of our unwillingness to question long-established beliefs. It‘s a surprisingly timely reflection on accepted wisdom, new information, and challenged biases; a cautionary tale against entrenched conclusions based on tenuous evidence.

“It‘s an odd thing but when you tell someone the true facts of a mythical tale they are indignant not with the teller but with you. They don‘t want to have their ideas upset. It rouses some vague uneasiness in them, I think, and they resent it. So they reject it and refuse to think about it.”

I didn‘t think I would enjoy this book, but I learned a lot about the kings of England and Richard III. No action involved, but a thinking mystery and fairly short. The detective, Inspector Grant, is laid up in hospital with a broken leg when he gets a portrait of Richard III. Grant proceeds to tackle the case of Richard III‘s Tower murders of his nephews. It reminded me of a Lincoln Rhyme mystery: cerebral. Well-written.

#BookSpin day is one of my favorite days. I love planning out my reading for the month and scoping out a potential #BookSpinBingo, even if it usually gets derailed by impulse reads and library holds. 😆 Super excited about this month‘s BookSpin pick (tagged), and it‘s always nice when #DoubleSpin coincides with a book club pick—No Fixed Address for #MGBuddyRead. 🎉

I bought this book years ago to use for homeschool history, and we skipped over it. After reading a litsy review I added it to my June #bookspin and just finished it. I will admit it was a very very very slow start- and I almost stopped at 50 pages. But I‘m glad I didn‘t. It ended up being a version of history I did not know and the pace picked up.

The 5th book in Josephine Tey‘s ALAN GRANT SERIES is a clever look at the murder of the Princes in the Tower, using a mix of fiction and historical record and a detective‘s acumen to try and work out whether Richard was guilty or framed. I had not read the previous books but this works as a standalone novel given its focus on the history and while Tey makes clear where her sympathies lie, she nonetheless builds a compelling case that I enjoyed.

I really enjoyed this short novel that combines history, the English royal family and a crime investigation.
Inspector Grant investigates King Richard 111. Did he murder the Princes in the Tower? Is he a villain or was it the first case of fake news🤔
I learnt lots reading this...googling additional information..I will look out for other books by this clever author 💕#historicalfiction #crime

This is probably one of my favourite books. I‘m definite #TeamRichard

#TimeOrTiming #SeptemberSenses @Eggs

Inspector Alan Grant is laid up in bed due to an injury. He puts his mind to use in deducing the “mystery“ of the murder of Richard III's nephews.
This was an interesting one for me as my knowledge of British history was enhanced by this read.

Inspector Alan Grant is holed up in a hospital ward going out of his mind with boredom when a friend brings photographs to keep his enquiring mind busy. Among them is a photograph of Richard III, this sparks an interest in the rumour he murdered his nephews.
An interesting tale of the Plantagenets rule with loads of historical details. One thing I took away from the novel was both the story, place and concept of ‘Tonypandy‘. This was a quick read.

A terrific historical mystery. Hint: Richard was assuredly *not,* in fact, a monster. (This isn‘t really news, but as the book sets out in very amusing fashion, our history books and monuments often have very little in common with the truth). 80 minutes into my #24b4Monday!

A hospitalised detective looks at the available evidence to decide if Richard III really did have #DarkIntentions towards his nephews, or was the victim of an early example of fake news from the Tudors. Personally, I‘m #TeamRichardIII

#AcrossApril @Eggs

What a lame reading week it‘s been here in the Irish Hills of Michigan! Still working on the Tey, but it‘s been in fits and starts. A new reading challenge is just what I need. Eddy Charcoal is wondering where Spring is.

Haven‘t read as much this week as normal, but today is a good day to make up for it. Grey and low 50s here; a light rain falling.

Loving this book. Can‘t believe I hadn‘t read it before. History, crime, the British royal family . . . and our snow is gone! A lovely evening, albeit pretty chilly.

Books and tea on the agenda this afternoon. Hope everyone is having a safe and healthy Saturday!

New books arrived in the post this week from my favorite indie bookstore. Hooray! I‘m up early (for me) as Mark is off on an early morning grocery shop. (Into the breach, dear shopper). Heat is cranked, coffee is strong, snow is falling. April in Michigan. Only one book down on my #EasterReadathon. Busy reading day ahead!

An interesting read, but probably best to start from the beginning of the series (this is #5). 4 🌟

4th physical book for #MarchUnshelfing @Clwojick
#historicalmystery #jennyis30
#t #litsyatoz @BookishMarginalia

Thank you @ferskner for another great recommendation! Can‘t wait to get started on this one 🕵️‍♂️

#wellreadpodcast #mysterynovels #tbr

Apparently Richard III didn‘t kill his nephews, Henry VII did? And at the very end of this unnecessarily long “Did you know?” is the surprise: that‘s already known and not a revelation. It‘s an entire book about something that‘s not common knowledge but has already been well established. So dull.

I guess I can see why this is a classic, but it wasn‘t necessarily my thing.

#cozyswap package 1 opened! Thanks so much @erzascarletbookgasm - I 💗 everything, especially the notebook & I fear the chocolates won't last long! The mint tea looks delicious even though the box is a bit battered! @Avanders

A sort of Rear Window type scenario, where our policeman hero is laid up in hospital and starts thinking about the mystery of Richard III. The problem I had was that while all this business of questioning the motives of Tudor historians might have been cutting-edge 70 years ago, it all seems pretty obvious in our age of fake news and alternative facts. Rather dull, to be frank.

I really enjoyed this history detective novel. I cannot speak a wit about its historical accuracy or interpretation, but Derek Jacobi could narrate government regulations and it would be engaging!

Wow! This really was not my cup of tea.

This is this month‘s book club pick. If not, I‘m 💯% sure I wouldn‘t have finished.

#TBRTuesday

Book - Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
Author - Robertson Davies
Movie - Drop Dead Fred TV Show - Danger Mouse
Food - Donuts

#ManicMonday

A detective researches England‘s past: was Richard III as bad as the history books claim? Or is history constructed, and do certain versions of events become known as the truth, despite a lack of evidence and plausibility?
The theme is interesting but I was not really in the mood for all research into English history. Maybe I‘ll have to reread it someday as many of you say it is so good.

A second still-wrapped Folio bargain snagged for the less-than-princely sum of £2.49. I think this particular treasure house (charity shop) is exhausted of jewels for the time being, but a couple of nice finds was most welcome.

Scrunched in my seat for my cross-continental flight, I had 2 books to read (because 1 would not be enough). However, airplanes always put me to sleep so I only got 100 or so pages read despite the long flight.

Classic detective novel. #time #maylovesclassics

Excellent mystery novel based on the #truecrime of the disappearance/murder of the Princes in the Tower and King Richard III.

#maylovesclassics @Sarah83 @Bambolina_81 #litsyclassics