Libby's comments
(member since Jul 31, 2008)
Libby's comments from the mystery lovers group.
(showing 1-20 of 21)
Loved LA REQUIEM... it won the Edgar, I believe, when it came out. Loved the two voices, one in first person, one in third. In fact, I tried the same thing in my most recent novel.
And DRAGON TATTOO was wonderful too.. could not put it down.
Here's a question: many people I know who don't normally read mysteries are reading the Steig Larson triology. What is it about his work that's attracting them?
One of the best Colorado authors I know is Blake Crouch. His latest, ABANDON, is simply unputdownable. It's about an entire town that disappears 100 years ago and the modern day team who discover why.
Deanne wrote: "Kathy Anne
I've read Sleepy head by Billingham and thought it was great, can't think of anything worse than being locked inside your own head unable to move or speak.
Enjoyed scaredy cat and the ..."
ooo... that reminds me of a Dalton Trumbo film "Johnny Got His Gun." Anyone remember that? So sad. And horror-full
Just finished the second Steig Larson, "The Girl Who Played with Fire" and found it immensely satisfying. There's just something very seductive about Larson's books... probably Lisbeth. But you're right, Susanna, they do start slowly. Both of them. But stick with it. I was glad I did.
Rainey: For hard boiled gritty novels, I'd recommend Sean Chercover, Marcus Sakey (more thrilleresque but dark, dark), James Crumley, Sara Paretsky (she likes social issues too), James Cain (Postman Always Rings Twice), Laurence Block, Loren Estleman... that should keep you busy for a while...
Just finished ABANDON by Blake Crouch. It's set partly in the present, partly in 1893 in an old mining town out West. An entire town disappears on Christmas Day. What happened to them? Why are people dying now as they look into the disappearance? A terrific read!
I love Pete Hautman's early work: Mortal Nuts is a riot. I liked Rags or Ragman (can't remember the exact title) also. A great talent!
My favorite thriller/suspensers: Daniel Silva (a must read), Lee Child, Joseph Finder, Zoe Sharp, Tess Gerritsen, CJ Box, and Kent Krueger (William). And (she said modestly) me.
I also live (and set my own novels)in Chicago, and I can't think of a better town for crime fiction. For those of you who also feel that way, or want to check out some of the talent here, try CHICAGO BLUES... it's an anthology of 21 crime fiction short stories written completely by Chicago authors, including Marcus Sakey, Sean Chercover, Sara Paretsky, Kevin Guilfoile, Joe Konrath, DC Brod, Michael Black, and more.
Interesting discussion! I'm an author but I always say I started out as a reader. I still am. There's nothing like a good story, and I love to read other peoples' ... it's as simple as that. At the same time, I'm still somewhat incredulous that I've written a few stories that other people actually like to read. So thanks for your clarification, Betty. Bless you. But I also agree with Michelle.. there are some authors who do cross the line.
Susan, try Clarie Langley-Hawthorne's CONSEQUENCES OF SIN. Pretty much the same time period as Maisie Dobbs, and her protagonist is refreshingly real! She's got a second book out, but I forget the title. I don't generally like period-based mysteries, but enjoyed SIN a lot.
Trigger City is a fabulous novel. So is Sean's first book, Big City Bad Blood.
Mary JL wrote: "I have already discovered Sue Grafton's books on Kinsey Millone. I have also read severals of the V. I Warshawski novels by Sara Paretsky.
Lately, I have read four of the Dr. Maura Isles/Jane ..."
Um... may I suggest EASY INNOCENCE?
Just started John Connolly's THE BLACK ANGEL. He's a beautiful, thoughtful writer and his prose sings. It's in his Charlie Parker series. Also recommend his BOOK OF LOST THINGS, which isn't technically a mystery.. more like a fantasy/YA. Just my speed.
Other great mystery/suspense authors include: William Kent Krueger, C.J. Box, Dennis LeHane (the early Angie-Patrick books), S.J. Rozan, and one of my all time favorites, Daniel Silva. And at the risk of a little BSP, I also write mystery novels. My fifth and most recent is EASY INNOCENCE.
Sure. My website is www.libbyhellmann.com. Thanks for asking.
Betty wrote: "Noel, I love reading and reviewing books! I am amazed at the number of books in your bibliography! Feel free to browse my reviews on my profile. Thank you for posting the possibility, and Welcome t..."
Hi, Betty. I'm a mystery-thriller author myself. My 5th and most recent book is EASY INNOCENCE. Should you have any interest in reviewing it, let's talk!
I loved LA Requiem too, mostly because of the dual POVs from Elvis and Joe Pike. Loved knowing more about Pike... but not too much more (I don't think The Watchman, which did the same thing, was quite as successful... maybe TMI this time?)... Anyway, it was because Crais mixed third person with first person so seamlessly in LA Requiem that I decide to try the same thing. (gulp). The result should be out sometime in 2009.
I'm from Chicago and I love my fellow authors here, including Sara Paretsky, Barb D'Amato, Michael Dymmoch, Kevin Guilfoile, Marcus Sakey, Sean Chercover, and, of course, me. We all share a blog, btw... at www.theoutfitcollective.com where we write about crime, fiction, and Chicago. Unless we're going off-topic, which happens.
You're thinking of the Amy Leduc series by Cara Black, who actually lives in San Francisco but goes to Paris regularly for research. (sigh...)
