Harbingers of Fear

[DAEDLUS]

I am a Fan of The Luke Thanet Books and would like to know what Harbingers of Fear is about. It is a Book written before the Thanet books but by the sme Author, I have no luck when putting the Title in Google

[oddboddy]

I love Trumpton and Camberwick Green. The programmes today for kids dont compare with those at all. I love the fire engine crew.
You should keep up your drawing and never know it could be your series next people are watching.
I wasnt overfond of Chigley either.
I might give the talking books a try, they make them in the building I have my office.

[DAEDLUS]

When you say they make them in the Building you have your Office what do you mean? Do you mean that the recording is there so the Artistes are working in the building or just the equipment tape etc? I would love to have a Company that makes the Audio Cassettes I could make all my favourite books both readings and Dramatisations. My Mum told me my sister saw Jimmy Clitheroe in Wales when she was small, My Dad used to work in Saudi Arabia where The Goonsd were on the Radio, he used to tape them for himself and Hancock's Half Hour for me.

[oddboddy]

Ive got the goon show on tape too. Another favourite.
I have an office in a huge old building used by many different charities and one of those is Talking books. Ive no idea what they do or how they do it as i usually work nights and they do days so our paths only cross at user meetings maybe twice a year and then not always. I presume they read books into a dictaphone or tape recorder but thats a guess on my part. I will ask him exactly what they do when we next bump into each other and let you know.

[DAEDLUS]

That all sounds Very Interesting and Great fun, Can I ask What is it you Do?

[oddboddy]

Well I dont do an awful lot since my stroke and other health problems but I teach family history 2 nights a week to beginners, I do Oddbods my theatre group 2 nights a week but thats just rehersals its also pretty much a full time thing as I also work with a lot of groups of people who for whatever reason dont have a social life explaining what we do, how we do it etc Like the other month I was advising a group for reformed alcohol and drug problem people on putting on and setting up a show, next week im meeting up with a group for problem teenagers. I also have to liase with the groups we do shows to raise money for, thats without fundraising for our own group, making props posters programmes taking the photos, sorting the songs and costumes and even taking my turn on washing up lol. Then I run a website shop for people who make cards and do scrapbooking or craft work selling recycled materials cheap so that means visits to recycling centres, getting stuff in and sorted etc. Like today i've spent cutting metres of ribbon and photographing it and bagging it and tomorrow theres over a hundred metres of foil to be cut to size and again photographed, packaged etc. I only really have evenings anyway because of teaching Stanley at home, thats priority.

[DAEDLUS]

First of all may I apologise for my last post, I hope it didn't rsound glib, From Wedcnesday to Friday I can only email usually from 2.30 to 5.00 and I wanted to email you last time as I thought I would forget if I left it until the day after and I have lost contact with people that way but as I had to come of the Computor I wrote a short message which seemed rude after I had sent it so I am very sorry. It sounds to me as far from not doing verry much you do an enormous amount, I should be one of your customers, I say customers as towards the end of my time in the Residential Home I lived in terminology changed and people like me were starting to be called clients which I hate as because I didn't pay for being there (Tax payers did) I felt the term Client was pretentious but I do think it is better than being called a 'Service User' I think but each to their own I suppose, I have finished nthat book of short stories, I didn't read them all but the last one I read was by Ruth Rendall, it was called 'When The Wedding was over', in it Burden Married his 2nd wife Jenny and while he was away his new Brother -in-law asked Wexford to look at a Manuscript as he is a Publisher and an Author had written a book about an old Murder case, I remember seeing it on Television, Anyway I enjoyed it and most of the stories | read and am now reading 'Postern Of Fate by Agatha Christie, Tommy and Tupopence moves into a new housed and is given some new books and in one is a message which takes them on an Adventure.

[oddboddy]

I honestly didnt notice so dont give it another thought. Sometimes posts are short for lots of reasons one being limited computing time. Im lucky as we have broadband and so we can go on 24/7 if we want. Its necessity really as I use it for my stuff and my son builds websites for shops and companys so he needs it full time too but I know we are very lucky to have this.
What was the short stories called as the Wexford one sounds interesting.
I am always busy doing something I suppose but I dont actually earn money except for teaching family history, the rest I do because i'm a sucker for punishment lol
I dont think i'd like to be called a client if I was living in residential care either. Nor a service user makes you sound like you are there to mend the boilers. Whats wrong with resident or was that too ordinary for them. I do object to all these fancy tags I cant see why people have to be labelled and political correctness drives me nuts. I cant see why I cant say school caretaker, site supervisor sounds ridiculous no-one knows who you are talking about and person instead of man or lady. Its all rather silly these days.

[DAEDLUS]

We have broadband too but My Mum limits me for Health and Financial reasons, at 5.00 my mum gets me off the Computer so I can have a Cup of Tea and also Electricity costs and if | was on the Computer as much as I would like the Bills would be phenominal. The Rendell short dstory was called When The Wedding Was Over, I can't remembver what the other stories were called and the book isn't to hand at the moment but I will make a note of the ones I read and let you know, the stories I read had Lord Peter Wimsey, Paul Temple, Father Brown, Lew Archer, Nero Wolf and Rumpole. Archer and Wolf are Charracters created by Americans Ross Archer and Rex Stout respectively, I didn't enjoy those 2 or the Rumpole story. It probably sounds horrible but I think Social Workers need to feel they are being 'Oh so kind' by helping Disabled people as near to a decent life as possible and the way they think is best is by De-humanising disabled people so the Care Assistants can feel that they are better than us. That probably sounds harsh but that is the way I see it. I hate Politcal Correctness too, when you can't talk about ********* (I always knew them as Cuddly Toys and I think of Marmalade when I think of *********) and when you can't sing Baa Baa Black Sheep you know the world has gone mad.

[oddboddy]

Ive read Nero Wolfe books didnt like them as I couldnt get to like the character. Daft I know but I have to like the main character.
I have talk talk broadband so I just pay a monthly fee and all I pay for then is calls to mobiles all the other phone calls and broadband etc is free. Seemed the best choice considering our pcs never go off except when we're asleep and my lad still has his web server going even then.
I used to get mad at the way people treated mum when she was in a wheelchair it was like she wasnt there, they'd ask me if she wanted a drink, I used to say No idea why dont you ask her she's lost the use of her legs not her mouth and brain. The worst were the ones who spoke to her like she was a simple child I used to explode at that.
I collect golliwog models I love them. Have done since a child. I collect Noddy too and Fred men.

[DAEDLUS]

I don't think needing to like the Character is Daft at all, That is probably why I liked the Thanet books so much and the Mel Craig books, There is an Agatha Christie Character called Colonel Race and I don't like him at all, He doesn't do anything he is in 4 Agatha Christie Books, 2 with Poirot and 2 without, he is in Death On The Nile and Cards On The Table both with Poirot I haven't read Death On The Nile but the have watched 2 versions on Television in the version with Petr Ustinov David Niven plays Race and in the David Suchet versions he is played by James Fox. I saw a Film of Nero Wolf it seemed long and boring and the short story seemed the same. I hgate it when people talk about me as if I am not there, once when I was at the Hospital an Ambulance Driver was talking to my Carer who I met there and the Ambulance Driver asked the Carer 'Are You his Carer? It felt horrible. Who is that Character Fred?

[oddboddy]

I didnt like Race either I dont remember him being in so many, I know Hastings was in a lot. Race was secret service if I remember rightly.
Fred is the Homepride Flour man if you watch TV adverts you will see him.
I think people who talk as if people arent there just because they are disabled are very rude and ignorant.
They made me very angry. Its like they see the disability and dont even look beyond that.
Nero Wolfe was the guy who grew orchids wasnt he ?

[DAEDLUS]

Race was in 2 Poirot stories - Death On The Nile which was made Twice, once with Peter Ustinov as Poirot and David Niven as Race and once with David Suchet as Poirot and James Fox as Race and the other Poirot book that Race apeared in is Cards On The Table again with David Suchet as Poirot but this time Edward Fox was unnavailable so couldn't play Race so they had a different Colonel, they also changed another Character Supt Battle who is another of Christies Recurring Characters the result I and many on the Agatha Christie website think was appalling. Ariadne another Recurring Character WAS played by Zoe Wanamaker. I have a list of the short stories I read they were;

THE FOOTPRINTS IN THE SKY by John Dickson Carr -The Detective is Colonel March

GIDEON AND THE CHESTNUT VENDOR by John Creasey - The Detective is Gideon

LIGHT FINGERS by Francis Durbridge - The Detective is Paul Temple

THE ALL-BAD HAT by H R F Keating - The Detective is Insp Ghote

THE FOOTSTEPS THAT RAN by Dorothy L Sayers The Detective is Lord Peter Wimsey

THE EYE OF APOLLO by G K Chesterton - The Detective is Father Brown

THE MAN WHO WAS HAMMERED by Jack Story - The Detective was Sexton Blake

THE GARAGE RACKETEERS by Geoffrey Webb and Edward J Mason - It was a Dick Barton Story

RUMPOLE AND THE HANGING JUDGE by John Mortimer - It had Rumpole obviously.

THE SNAPDRAGON AND THE C. I. D. by Margery Allongham - The Detective was Campion

WHEN THE WEDDING WAS OVER by Ruth Rendell - The Detective is Reg Wexford.

I also read 2 more one by Rex Stout the Nero Wolf Story and a story by an american Ross MacDonald, I thought I had written down the names but I hadn't I will tell you what they were called next time, I enjoyed the stories I have mentioned except the Rumpole one but didn't like the ones I forgot to write down perhaps that

[oddboddy]

I liked Rumpole on tv but have never read the books Leo McKern was excellent casting as Rumpole.
I cannot imagine David Niven as Race at all, Edward Fox isnt my idea either but better than David Niven. I never like casting directors ideas though as I build a picture up in my head then they ruin it. I always think Angela Lansbury in Murder she Wrote is playing Jane Marple I have to keep reminding myself she's not. Ive never liked their casting of Poirot either. I dont watch tv as it spoils books for me.
Thanks for the list wow that must have taken some typing out. I have heard of them all except Paul Temple as I used to run an out of print book service but I havent read them all. I tried Sayers and didnt get on with her books much. Not my thing.
I never liked Sherlock Holmes and he's reckoned to be the number one in detectives I always thought the books stupid. I dont like the ones that try to be too clever it just ends up getting me bored or totally lost.

[DAEDLUS]

I also liked the Rumpole series but didn't like the short story very much so maybe it is one of the instances were Television makes a Detective better, When I read one of the Non Poirot books with Race I imagined an actor called Peter Egan playing him, Ironically he reads a Wimsey book on an Audio Cassette I have, I also have 3 in play form with Ian Carmichgael playing Lord Peter, I have another with Edward Petherbridge reading a story. Perhaps the reason you have to remember Angela Landesbury isn't playing Miss Marple when you watch Murder She Wrote (Which I love) is because she played Miss Marple in a Film called 'The Mirror Crack'd, She also played Mrs Otterman in Death On The Nile Starring Peter Ustinov as Poirot and David Niven as Race., It says on Wikipaedia that Agatha Christie's Ariadne Oliver was the inspiration behind Murder She Wrote, Ariadne Oliver was Agatha Christie's Novelist Character who was based on herself, I also have 2 Audio Cassettes with Ariadne Oliver, in Cards On The Table John Moffet plays Poirot, Donald Sinden plays Race and Stephanie Cole plays Ariadne Oliver and 'Mrs McGinty's Dead where Ariadne is played by Julia McKenzie.

The other 2 short story Titles are;

GILT-EDGED BLONDE by Ross MacDonald with his American P.I. Sleuth Lew Archer

THE WORLD SERIES MURDER by Rex Stout with his sleuth Nero Wolf.

I didn't enjoy these 2

[oddboddy]

You are lucky you enjoyed so many of the stories I get a book like that and usually only like the odd one or two.
I remember Carmichael playing Peter Wimsey thats not bad casting. I think if you see the tv first it makes it better as you then picture the actor but if you've made a character in your head then see the tv its nothing like it so tends to disappoint.
Angela Lansbury played Mrs Lovett in the stage version of Sweeney Todd she was brilliant. I only saw clips I would have liked to have seen the show.
Have you read any Raffles ..I wasnt keen on them either, dont know who played him on tv but David Niven would have been good.

[DAEDLUS]

I prefer to read the book first usually as the book is the original after all and I find reading the book less enjoyable but having said that I bought the BBC Miss Marple series on video and sawe the series long before I read all but one of the books and now I have read 7 and don't find reading the books hard. I did know Angela Landesbury played Mrs Lovett as it has been mentioned on the Agatha Christie Website Julia Mckenzie played her as well which is ironic as Julia McKenzie has taken over the role of Miss Marple, they some have been made with her but Britain hasn't seen them althoughj Ireland and America have. I have not read Raffles but Iremember the series being on in the 70s although I never saw it, It was being repeated last year on Freeview ITV3, Raffles was played by Anthony Valentine and Bunny was played by Christopher Straulli.

[oddboddy]

Anthony Valentine thats the chap I couldnt remember his name, he did a credible job but I didnt like the books or the series much.
I think Julia McKenna and Angela Lansbury look a lot alike so I think i'd cast them for the same parts too.
I prefer to read the book and not watch the tv series at all really. I did love Morse and have the whole set on DVD but thats due to the fact John Thaws my favourite all time. Im trying to collect the Sweeney now.
The only one I have ever thought was exactly as I imagined them was Jemima Shore. Cant recall who played her off the top of my head although I can picture her in my head but she was like I thought she should be. Some of them like McCloud, Kojak Colombo and those type get up my nose I find them ridiculous.
I missed pancake day yesterday as I was busy so i'm off to make mine now I love them with ice cream and hot maple syrup and whipped cream on. And sprinkles mustn't forget the sprinkles.

[DAEDLUS]

Patricia Hodge played Jemima Shore, there was a Jemima Shore short story in the book I told you about but I haven't read it yet. I agree Angela Landesbury and Julia McKenzie are simiar and I too would cast them in the same parts, I am sure Angela Landesbury could play Ariadne Oliver has on radio I read an article in The TVTimes in which Lynda Bellingham (The OXO lady) said she would love to have the rights to MURDER SHE WROTE, I would love it if a version was made over here. whodunnit and watching for 90 minutes to wait for the Detective to come up to speed. We didn't have Pancakes either, My mum forgot I think and as she has been unwell lately I didn't like to mention it but we had Doughnuts instead and as they were Ring Doughnuts which I love and prefer to ordinary Jam Doughnuts I didn't mind. I have always wanted nto try American-style Pancakes, they look lovely on Television, There is a Cafe in Gloucester I used to go in that sells Pancakes as Desserts.

[oddboddy]

I like dougnuts specially iced ones with sprinkles on. I love cakes and desserts.
Patricia Hodge yes - excellent casting in my view.
My latest variety show is all songs about police and crimes, in between each act im playing a bit of theme tune to a detective tv series (its to give people time to get changed as we only have 12 cast) then the audience have a quiz sheet to quiz the tv show, winner gets a prize. I need some well known but then some a bit not so famous, ive got Morse, Dixon Dock Green Heartbeat, z cars Minder the Bill Sweeney Van Der Valk Murder she Wrote so far as it has to be ones the song doesnt cut in too quick and give it away. I need about another 10 yet though

[DAEDLUS]

I love cakes and desserts too, I used to love Chocolate Crunch with Pink Custard at school and I also love Appled Crumble, Cheesecake and of eclairs and Vienese Wirls, If I was invited out to dinner and was given Fruit Salad or Pears for Pudding I would be really cross. I like your idea of Signature tunes for Crime programmes but including Minder is stretching it isn't it? I have been thinking of the Paul Temple theme tune but can't remember the name of it, Why not include the Wexford tune and there is also Hetty Wainthrop Investigates, Tell me what tunes you choose.