tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post3573880762592454875..comments2024-03-28T20:46:22.875+00:00Comments on Clothes In Books: The Night of the Twelfth by Michael GilbertClothes In Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-65339820464767969542015-04-23T09:55:42.630+01:002015-04-23T09:55:42.630+01:00Thanks so much Sappho for your kind words, and I&#...Thanks so much Sappho for your kind words, and I'm glad you liked it! I am still thinking about Night of the Twelfth, some time after I read it - I like Smallbone Deceased, but it is a much simpler world, with a good puzzle. The later book I think Gilbert really tried to engage with the modern world. And yes - I'm always intrigued with the way the casual background often shows about eg how children were brought up. Again, I think he tried for realistic children. I have the Tana French book lined up, and also totally agree with you about Murder Must Advertise, I did a couple of blogposts on it, saying how much I loved its picture of office life. Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-45760561449891894662015-04-22T21:03:11.887+01:002015-04-22T21:03:11.887+01:00I read this novel on your recommendation and found...I read this novel on your recommendation and found it very engaging. What really struck me was the atmosphere of toughening boys up as a part of helping them to grow up: it seemed to be a given that there were going to be difficult and painful things along the way that must be dealt with. The way that the Israeli ambassador responded to one of his son's friends (not to give anything away) was particularly affecting, perhaps more so because I recently read Tana French's The Secret Place, which offers a more contemporary take on tragedy and trouble at a boarding school.<br /><br />The only other Gilbert I've read is Smallbone Deceased, because it was recommended as his finest, but I found it not nearly as interesting as The Night of the Twelfth (and now that I read Anne H's comment, I want to get a hold of some of his others!). But for admirers of Smallbone Deceased, I must recommend Murder Must Advertise (Sayers) for even better (to my mind) office politics and intrigue. <br /><br />Thank you for continuing these excellent reviews of older books. It's great to find new reads!Sapphonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-23320163036134407252015-03-28T09:35:14.839+00:002015-03-28T09:35:14.839+00:00It's been so nice to find from this blogpost t...It's been so nice to find from this blogpost that he is still remembered and read! He's the crime fiction fan's writer - not so much known to the general public. I am currently re-reading The Empty House. Thanks for coming to comment. Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-18106270709336198462015-03-28T06:29:32.146+00:002015-03-28T06:29:32.146+00:00I've just re-read it after re-reading another ...I've just re-read it after re-reading another of Michael Gilbert's books, Be Shot for Sixpence. I've read almost all of his (Roller Coaster is still to be read) and he is excellent. Also a wonderful short story writer - the two volumes of spy stories, Mr Calder and Mr Behrens and Game Without Rules are classics, and Anything for a Quiet Life featuring a country solicitor are my favourites. Anne Hnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-38368841671522906372015-03-11T19:27:05.813+00:002015-03-11T19:27:05.813+00:00I hope you agree with me and enjoy it - I think it...I hope you agree with me and enjoy it - I think it's a real forgotten gem.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-69920698342466959792015-03-11T17:44:33.232+00:002015-03-11T17:44:33.232+00:00Have just ordered this to read now... thank youHave just ordered this to read now... thank youAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-18834699202054087802015-02-28T13:56:52.843+00:002015-02-28T13:56:52.843+00:00He's definitely under the radar and in need of...He's definitely under the radar and in need of a revival I think. Though I see that a lot of them are available on Kindle which is good news. I think I'm in for some solid reading with these recommendations from fans....Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-22042617762400393242015-02-28T12:51:45.549+00:002015-02-28T12:51:45.549+00:00One of his late books, The Queen against Karl Mull...One of his late books, The Queen against Karl Mullen, is one of my favourites. It received virtually no attention, which disappointed him, and was a great shame. I'm also a big fan of The Crack in the Teacup and The Dust and the Heat.Martin Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-40140468457145079422015-02-25T12:58:08.113+00:002015-02-25T12:58:08.113+00:00Definitely! It is so much of its time, I think you...Definitely! It is so much of its time, I think you'd like it.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-15552334308835937192015-02-25T12:35:48.054+00:002015-02-25T12:35:48.054+00:00I want to read this one!I want to read this one!Daniel Milford-Cottamhttps://www.facebook.com/danielmilfordcottamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-38070753444180857702015-02-25T09:20:59.861+00:002015-02-25T09:20:59.861+00:00This man is so prolific - I've never even hear...This man is so prolific - I've never even heard of Rollercoaster. Death in Captivity is good.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-7555242583725626222015-02-25T07:50:42.323+00:002015-02-25T07:50:42.323+00:00Sounds like I would enjoy it, but I'll stick w...Sounds like I would enjoy it, but I'll stick with the couple I have - Death in Captivity and Roller-Coaster and try and get to them instead. col2910https://www.blogger.com/profile/06422138069939709043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-65154690336230005242015-02-24T21:23:02.839+00:002015-02-24T21:23:02.839+00:00I am definitely going to do some re-reading - perh...I am definitely going to do some re-reading - perhaps starting with Death in Captivity, which you reminded me of last year. Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-36182857051622304092015-02-24T20:36:59.316+00:002015-02-24T20:36:59.316+00:00I plan to read more books by Gilbert. I have 5 or ...I plan to read more books by Gilbert. I have 5 or 6 but the only one I have heard of before is Smallbone Deceased. This one sounds good.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-70945833762044048162015-02-24T19:52:51.213+00:002015-02-24T19:52:51.213+00:00Thanks - I didn't know that, though I do know...Thanks - I didn't know that, though I do know of Harriet Gilbert and have read one of her novels. And this book has made me want to read a lot more of Michael Gilbert....Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-26065918187146742822015-02-24T18:48:20.578+00:002015-02-24T18:48:20.578+00:00I've been reading Michael Gilbert for years an...I've been reading Michael Gilbert for years and own practically all his books. And she never mentions the relationship, but his daughter Harriet Gilbert is, I think, one of our finest broadcasters. Now you've reminded me I think a re-read of 'The night of the Twelfth' is in orderNomeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07852416489125069782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-47737956685016748002015-02-24T14:10:48.165+00:002015-02-24T14:10:48.165+00:00Yes Martin, as I said in an answer above, they var...Yes Martin, as I said in an answer above, they vary a lot, but this was one of the best, very memorable and thought-provoking, and extremely clever.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-48337525538961997572015-02-24T14:09:57.264+00:002015-02-24T14:09:57.264+00:00Yes indeed, I think you would like this one. A gre...Yes indeed, I think you would like this one. A great combination of traditional crime story, and a thriller, and a look at the (then) contemporary times. Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-12196473655535638382015-02-24T14:09:05.106+00:002015-02-24T14:09:05.106+00:00Yes, I think Tracy was very keen on his one set in...Yes, I think Tracy was very keen on his one set in a POW camp, Death in Captivity. His books vary a lot, both in settings and in quality, but when he's on form, as he was here, he is very very good.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-60276312004416043802015-02-24T12:38:21.585+00:002015-02-24T12:38:21.585+00:00I think this is a really strong book, one of the b...I think this is a really strong book, one of the best by a very entertaining writer.Martin Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-47802635108754164432015-02-24T12:28:43.060+00:002015-02-24T12:28:43.060+00:00Moira - This does sound like an interesting one. I...Moira - This does sound like an interesting one. I love the setting as you can guess, and the dialogue you shared is great. And I do like the idea that the book takes up a few larger school-relevant topics (like corporal punishment). Sounds like something I ought to look out for...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-5328599596833325182015-02-24T11:57:16.301+00:002015-02-24T11:57:16.301+00:00Moira, definitely an author I hope to read, especi...Moira, definitely an author I hope to read, especially since reading other reviews of his books, including on Tracy blog, I think.Prashant C. Trikannadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16079354501998741758noreply@blogger.com