Detective

[close] We read books from children's to young adult to classics. They are clean and appropriate and even if it is not a Christian book, we keep the values. We encourage book suggestions and discussions.

[close] Started somewhat as a reaction to the British cozy mystery of the Agatha Christie style (think Murder She Wrote), there came a demand for something more real, action where the stakes were higher, the participants (good and bad) sleazier, the police on the take, the ladies fatal for any would-be patsy. Thus was born, largely in the 1920s, and often in the pulps (foremost among them Black Mask), the American answer to Sherlock Holmes, the genre that in turn became the basis for the film noir revolution of the 1940s. Our original big three writers in this genre are Dashiel Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and James M. Cain. This modest beginning spawned an international phenomenon with writers in other countries picking up the tropes, some adhering to original themes, others blending in other genres such as science fiction dystopia or urban fantasy, to craft a new literature known simply as noir. These writers and settings come from communities as diverse and complex as can be found throughout the modern world. Half our focus is on original hardboiled crime fiction, its formation in the middle third of twentieth century United States. The other half is on modern noir throughout the world as it has developed since. Join in on the fun as the outsider champion of justice tries to bring its criminal elements to account, won't you?

[close] If you enjoy reading pulse-pounding, high octane action and adventure novels, this is the group for you. We discuss books from authors such as Lee Child, James Rollins, Clive Cussler, Matt Reilly, Robert Crais, Gregg Hurwitz, Robert Ludlum, and lots o of others. We also discuss books in other genres that are high on action and adventure thrills. If you enjoy the adrenaline rush of a good action-filled book of any genre, come over and join the discussion.

[close] Do you love mysteries written in the "English" style? Why not come and join us? We are an established group of mystery readers, which has just re-launched in 2020. We read and share about every sort of English mystery, and have an optional group read once a month. We read from the "Golden Age" novels of Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers to the "cosy mysteries" of Simon Brett; through series and stand-alone quick to read "whodunits", to bang up to date modern lengthy novels, heavy on the psychology. You might prefer Ruth Rendell, P.D. James, Colin Dexter, or Kate Atkinson ... or a myriad of others. Or perhaps you like the classic 19th century mysteries by Wilkie Collins or featuring Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes? Whatever your personal choice, you will find fellow aficionados here. Welcome!