Quality of first two books (was: Re: Lupin/Detective Mysteries)

[corrie71 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 32419


Cindy again:
> 
> Maybe you've put your finger on my fundamental problem with PS/SS and
> CoS and all mystery novels -- since there's no real suspense, you
> need brilliant clues and lots of misdirection to keep things
> interesting, I guess.
> 

Elisabeth wrote: 

Well, at least we agree that PS/SS and CoS were mystery novels. I'll give you
that PS/SS wasn't an especially good one, though.

My guess is that we liked PS/SS because Harry was so darn charming & lovable.

And there was that bit of cleverness with the Mirror....

Actually, looks like Rachel has a good explanation -- general fun & wit 
combined
with some really wild plot twists. (Am I the only one who picked up CoS
primarily to find out "what's up with this Snape guy?") Though, to be brutally
honest, I wasn't all that impressed with the first two books. (Will I get
Howlers for this?? ;) They were decent, but not especially better than other
"kid's" books I've read this year. [snip]

IMO, PS/SS was really an introduction to the Potterverse, the 
magical/wizarding world and the characters. That's what kept me reading. 
There was somewhat of a mystery thrown in at the end of PS/SS but, as I said 
earlier, I've never been in doubt in any of the four books that Harry would 
somehow "triumph" at the end. Interestingly, PS/SS has always been my 
favorite book of the series. 
Courtney