Sullington Windmills WI

Our latest book club meeting centred on an enjoyable discussion of this month's Agatha Christie novel, 'Why Didn't They Ask Evans?', which proved to be a popular choice with the group. All but one member said they had enjoyed the book, with many commenting on its easy readability and light-hearted, entertaining style.

A particular highlight for many was the partnership between Frankie and Bobby. Their warmth, humour and natural chemistry brought plenty of charm to the story, while their bumbling approach to amateur sleuthing offered a refreshing contrast to Christie's more polished detectives, Poirot and Miss Marple.

The discussion also explored the novel's depiction of life between the Wars. Members reflected on its portrayal of the British class system and the privileged young people who, with time and freedom on their hands, sought excitement and adventure. 

Of course, no Agatha Christie novel would be complete without plenty of twists and turns, and everyone agreed the mystery kept them guessing. While most felt it might not be among Christie's finest novels, it was still considered a thoroughly enjoyable standalone story, full of wit, humour and an engaging plot.

Overall, the book prompted a good discussion, making for another successful morning at book club. For one member, it was their first introduction to Agatha Christie, and they are keen to explore more of her work—a fitting testament to the enduring appeal of one of Britain's best-loved crime writers.

The next book to be read will be 'Broken Light' by Joanne Harris.

This will be discussed on Friday 14th August 2026.

Elizabeth Sawday has been a devoted rose grower since the 1980s and is the proud partner of Apuldram Roses. 

Apuldram Roses is a family run business, originally set up by Diane Sawday in 1979 and now run by Jonathan and Elizabeth Sawday.  The company has been growing and selling roses for over 40 years and are based near Chichester.  As well as selling a wide selection of roses they also run courses and exhibit at national rose shows, winning their first gold medal in 2009 at Hampton Court Flower Show. 

In her talk, Elizabeth shared her insights, joys and challenges experienced through decades of experience cultivating roses at Apuldram.

All of our book group members enjoyed 33 Women by Isabel Ashdown.

The local setting of Arundel added a real sense of place and was particularly appreciated. Many of us were familiar with locations mentioned in the book, such as The Black Rabbit pub and Swanbourne Lake, which added extra enjoyment to the reading experience.

The relationships between the characters (particularly the sisters) were one of the book's strengths, and the commune setting made the novel distinctive from more conventional whodunnits.

While not a fast-paced thriller, the story kept us engaged because we were keen to discover what had happened and uncover the truth behind the mystery. Most of us were genuinely surprised by the revelation of Seed's secret, which many had not guessed.

Finally, the group agreed that the novel handled difficult subjects, such as domestic abuse, with sensitivity and realism.

The ending, however, divided opinion. Some members were dissatisfied with the resolution of the mystery, while others were frustrated that no one appeared likely to face prosecution. There were also mixed feelings about the suggestion of a possible romance between Alex and Celine.

Despite these reservations, the group agreed that 33 Women was a good book group choice and most of us would be happy to read more from Isabel Ashdown.

The next book to be read will be 'Why Didn't They Ask Evans' by Agatha Christie.

This will be discussed on Friday 10th July 2026.