Barbara's comments
(member since Mar 29, 2009)
Barbara's comments from the mystery lovers group.
(showing 1-20 of 56)
Chris wrote: "Hi Everyone. I'm new to this group and was happy to see a discussion on the Scarpetta series. I LOVED the early books and, like other readers, was disappointed for a while and all but gave up on ..."Thanks for the tip. I had given up on the Scarpetta series but maybe I'll give it another whirl with the new books.
I've read most of the authors mentioned here (all excellent) but have found a few that I hadn't read or had forgotten about. Thanks everyone!
Thanks Kari. I've read books by these authors but don't remember if they were set in Tennessee.
Kari wrote: "Sharyn Mccrumb and Karen Robards have both written mysteries that take place in Tennessee. "
I started The General's Daughter by Nelson Demille. I've seen the movie (with John Travolta) which I liked. The books is pretty good so far.
I live in Tennessee but I don't know which mystery authors live here.
You're right also Sandra, about the political opinions. Although I would probably agree with what seem to be Brown's liberal leanings I do not want to be subjected to propaganda in pleasure reading.Sandra wrote: "Barbara, I agree the Rita Mae Brown books have lost their appeal. I thought the problem was that she's inserting too much of her own (presumedly) political philosphy in her books lately. But you'..."
I think Rita Mae Brown's "Mrs. Murphy " series (with the talking animals) has gone seriously downhill. In the earlier books, when Harry Harristeen was still the postmistress, characters like Boom Boom and Miranda and Little Mim and Big Mim added a lot of interest to the stories. In the recent books Harry is married and growing grapes and other characters are married and boring and a lot of great characters have virtually disappeared. Unless Brown can inject some energy into these books I don't think they'll be worth reading any more.
I'm reading The Full Cupboard of Life by Alexander McCall Smith. It's billed as a mystery but isn't your typical whodunit. Nevertheless, the detective Mma Ramotswe from Botswana and her cohorts are quite charming and the book's a fun read.
Stephen wrote: "Well Lynley was something of a naughty boy pre Lady Helen."yeah, that's true :)
Stephen wrote: "I agree with you. Elizabeth George has become an echo of her former self. Killing Lady Helen was a stupid and pointless thing for her to do. I agree, kill Lynley."It would be a shame to kill Lynley...good looking, smart guy! I will admit though I was pretty fed up with him in the last book where he wandered around like a tramp in his terrible grief after losing his wife and then - pretty quickly- sort of looked ready to hook up with the doctor lady.
Kari wrote: "You might also want to get the next one Girl who played with fire lined up. I liked reading them back to back. Now I am waiting for the third one to be released here. good suggestion. I'm going to put it on hold at the library.
I started The Girl with the Dragon Tattoosince so many people have recommended it. Very good so far.
I just finished The Purrfect Murder by Rita Mae Brown. This is her 16th book in the Mrs. Murphy series. In this book an ob-gyn is murdered and right-to-lifers are suspected...and there's an additional subplot about a crooked building inspector. I used to love Brown's books but I would not recommend this one. The story is not engaging, the regular characters are flat and uninteresting and the villains are boring and not believable.
For this series I'd add Brown to the "who should hang it up" category.
I'm reading Storm Runners A Novel by T. Jefferson Parker. In the books I've read by Parker the "detective" (who is a different person in each book) has a serious problem. In this one Matt Stromsoe's face was badly disfigured by a bomb that killed his wife and child; after sinking into alcoholism for a couple of years Stromsoe takes a job with a private detective agency. Parker is an excellent writer and the book is engrossing so far.
I'm reading Precious Blood by Jonathan Hayes. This is a mystery about a serial killer with a more-than-usually weird agenda. If you like forensics in your mysteries this is the book for you. Lots of autopsies. It's a good fast-moving story so far.
Jim wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I'm reading "Bad Guys" by Linwood Barclay. Just started it so I can't say much. When I look for this book using Goodreads search engine it doesn't come up. Anyone know what's up with that.Jim, I did what you suggested and got the book onto Goodreads. Do you know how to add a picture of the book cover by any chance?
I just finished Bad Guys by Linwood Barclay, the second book in his humorous Zack Walker series. Zack gets into trouble wherever he goes: on a stake-out (with a cop) to research an article about SUVs being driven into clothing stores to rob them, following his daughter to see if a local bad boy is stalking her, or looking to buy a car at a police auction of mob goods. Zack's a pretty likable "schmo" and the book is enjoyable. I recommend it.
I'm reading Bones by Jonathan Kellerman. I'm enjoying it but he spends a lot of time describing people's clothing, appearance, homes, furniture, etc. It gets a little tedious. I'll finish it but it's not Kellerman's best book.
Jim wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I'm reading "Bad Guys" by Linwood Barclay. Just started it so I can't say much. When I look for this book using Goodreads search engine it doesn't come up. Anyone know what's up wit..."Thanks Jim. Maybe I'll give it a try.
