Starting/joining in with buddy reads Showing 1,151-1,200 of 1,332

[Susan]

I will add the next MacLeod. I tend to try to keep the books together but as some series are ending it's getting a bit confusing! Hopefully, it will settle down soon.

[Jill]

The two Charlotte Macleod books have been very good, and would definitely read on with them.

[Susan in NC]

Jill wrote: "I'm all for George Bellairs. I read the first 4 when the group was going to read book 5 and really liked them"

I like what I’ve read of him, also! I like that he seems low-key and decent and dogged, like Lorac’s Inspectors Rivers and Macdonald.

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "Lots of good ideas! Jill, the first Tommy and Tuppence is scheduled for July.

Shall we do the second Mrs Pargeter soon as that was popular, and if we get through those soon we could then get on t..."

Oh, yes please on Mrs. Pargeter #2. And I will gladly reread Peter Shandy book 3!

[Susan in NC]

Susan wrote: "Oh yes, Tommy and Tuppence. Thanks for reminding me, Jill!

I will look into George Bellairs."

Oh, two other GA authors who seem to have a lot of titles available are Moray Dalton and Freeman Wills Crofts. We’ve read some by both, but I don’t know recall if enough of the group liked them or not…

[Judy]

We've slipped the next Mrs Pargeter book in for May-June as many of us probably have the Kindle book with several of them - but the threads will stay open for anyone who prefers to read it a little later. :)

[Jan C]

Susan wrote: "Is there any interest in the Jim Stringer railway books? I can't say I'd be inspired to try any more books by the author of the Ocean Liner series, they were too formulaic for me, but I am happy to..."

I think I've read the first 7 books of the Fethering series. They were fast reads/listens. I think I have the 8th but haven't read it yet. I expect that I've had it for years now.

[Susan]

I suspect you have, Jan.

With a GA author, I'd quite like one that we perhaps haven't tried and who has at least one entire series in print.

I'm doing a little digging but happy to hear suggestions.

[Sandy]

In the US there is a series by Brian Flynn that has twenty books available on kindle for $4 a book. I haven't tried the author but I own two so probably they were free once.

The first book is The Billiard Room Mystery

[Susan]

They are available in the UK too, Sandy. Available through Dean Street Press - are they the ones closing down? I just don't want us to pick someone who then becomes out of print, but great suggestion.

[Sarah]

I hate to be the party pooper, but it makes a difference for me whether the series is in PRINT. Because of health conditions, I have limited screen time, and can only read books the old fashioned, non-ecological way, on paper. I can listen to the books-on-tape version, but prefer reading by eye over listening by ear, since, as several people noted on a different thread, the narrator's voice can clash with what I expected/wanted from the text. Just my two cents.

[Susan]

Good point, Sarah. Unfortunately, a lot of reprinted GA books are kindle only (which is often the cheapest version too), but we try to check books are available in print and on audible where possible.

[Keith]

Because I now have a smaller home, due to lack of space I had to sell my book collection apart from my reference books. I had a cataract operation a year ago, only on one eye though, through our national health service. So these days I only get e-books
. I have a Kindle 5 (PW1) with 2Gb capacity which is still as good as new although its case is about shot and a Kindle 11 (8Gb) which because of my heavy usage has to be recharged about once a week

[Susan in NC]

Susan wrote: "I suspect you have, Jan.

With a GA author, I'd quite like one that we perhaps haven't tried and who has at least one entire series in print.

I'm doing a little digging but happy to hear suggestions."

Sorry, just seeing this - I accidentally unchecked the “notify me when people reply” button for this thread! I’m stumped for a GA author we haven’t tried and who has a series in print (that’s pretty widely available). I’ll be interested to see what other members are finding.

As for Mrs Pargeter book 2, will that be a May/June buddy, starting May 15ish? Thanks!

[Keith]

I have just read all 8 of the Mrs Pargeter books which I have in one volume on Kindle. As far as I can tell, there are no others

[Sarah]

Are all of Simon Brett's Charles Paris books available?

[Susan]

Hi Susan - yes, the second Mrs Pargeter is listed for next month. There are quite a few buddies next month, so don't worry, I am unsure whether I will finish the ones I plan to read.

Sarah, I think all of Simon Brett's series are available. We plan to read the Mrs Pargeter series first, then move onto the Fethering books. We won't have both series running alongside each other.

[Judy]

Susan, I don't think Dean Street Press will be closing down after all. Its founder sadly died suddenly, but his sister has taken over running it, all their titles are still available, and she is very dedicated, running active social media feeds etc. I think from a post she put up a while ago that she may start publishing new titles again once her brother's estate is sorted out.

[Judy]

I've just checked the Mrs Pargeter series and looks like there are 9 books altogether (so far, as Simon Brett is a prolific writer!) They are the 8 in the box set that some of us own and a 9th book, Mrs Pargeter's Patio, which was published in 2023.

[Susan in NC]

I saw that one on my library website, Judy, so good to know when we get there, I can get it! ;o)

[Susan in NC]

So glad to hear Dean Street will carry on, I’ve really enjoyed the new to-me titles and authors I’ve read from them over the last few years!

[Sandy]

Good news about Dean Street Press!

[Susan]

That is good news, thanks Judy.

[Jill]

Great news Judy. Thanks

[Jackie]

very good news, thank you, Judy.

[Carissa]

That is great news! I've really enjoyed Dean Street Press's offerings.

[Jan C]

Sandy wrote: "In the US there is a series by Brian Flynn that has twenty books available on kindle for $4 a book. I haven't tried the author but I own two so probably they were free once.

The ..."

I'm reading The Billiard Room Mystery. Have been for quite a while. Not sure which kindle I am even reading it on.

[Jan C]

Sarah wrote: "I hate to be the party pooper, but it makes a difference for me whether the series is in PRINT. Because of health conditions, I have limited screen time, and can only read books the old fashioned, ..."

I'm reading a lot more on kindle than in print these days. Partly because I still haven't gotten my glasses situation taken care of. I started with kindle when I got a weird form of arthritis in my hands.

[Susan]

With Georgette Heyer coming to a close and some other series finishing, we have been discussing some possible 'new' series. Some we are thinking of adding are:

Brighton Mysteries by Elly Griffiths as being less well known than her Ruth Galloway series, but possibly to follow if popular, as we plan with Simon Brett
1. The Zig Zag Girl (2014)
2. Smoke and Mirrors (2015)
3. The Blood Card (2016)
4. The Vanishing Box (2017)
5. Now You See Them (2019)
6. The Midnight Hour (2021)
7. The Great Deceiver (2023)

Bernie Gunther by the late, lamented, Philip Kerr
1. March Violets (1989)
2. The Pale Criminal (1990)
3. A German Requiem (1991)
4. The One from the Other (2006)
5. A Quiet Flame (2008)
6. If the Dead Rise Not (2009)
7. Field Grey (2010)
8. Prague Fatale (2011)
9. A Man Without Breath (2013)
10. The Lady from Zagreb (2015)
11. The Other Side of Silence (2016)
12. Prussian Blue (2017)
13. Greeks Bearing Gifts (2018)
14. Metropolis (2019)

John Madden by Rennie Airth
1. River Of Darkness (1999)
2. The Blood-Dimmed Tide (2004)
3. The Dead of Winter (2009)
4. The Reckoning (2014)
5. The Death of Kings (2017)
6. The Decent Inn of Death (2020)

Let me know if anyone is interested in any of the above.

[Susan in NC]

My library appears to have at least the first book of all three series, so I’d be willing to try them

[Susan]

Excellent news, Susan. We also have Tommy and Tuppence and the Simon Brett Fethering series to follow on from Mrs Pargeter.

[Frances]

I'd be interested int he Elly Griffiths series as I've been enjoying the Ruth Galloway books very much

[Susan]

Perfect, Frances. I've read a few Elly Griffiths, but not those ones.

[Keith]

I've recently read Tommy and Tuppence No1 , just finished Jill Paton Walsh's 'The Wyndham Case', now reading her 'A Piece of Justice' (The Imogen Quy mysteries). Very enjoyable!

[Susan in NC]

Susan wrote: "Excellent news, Susan. We also have Tommy and Tuppence and the Simon Brett Fethering series to follow on from Mrs Pargeter."

Yes, I’m enjoying them both, and looking forward to the Fethering series! I reread The Secret Adversary, and am looking to watching the older film version soon (a GR friend recommended the older version over the more recent 2015 tv adaptation).

[Susan in NC]

Keith wrote: "I've recently read Tommy and Tuppence No1 , just finished Jill Paton Walsh's 'The Wyndham Case', now reading her 'A Piece of Justice' (The Imogen Quy mysteries). Very enjoyable!"

Thank you Keith, I thought Walsh did a good job continuing on with the Wimsey books, and always meant to try her Quy mysteries. I appreciate the reminder.

[Keith]

Imogen is the college nurse at St Agatha's, a Cambridge college.

[Susan in NC]

Interesting setting, I can imagine that would present some good plots.

[Susan]

Updated Buddy Read List:

Buddy Reads:

July/August
Lock No. 1 aka The Lock at Charenton by Georges Simenon (Maigret #18)
Detection Unlimited by Georgette Heyer
A Private View aka One-Man Show / Murder Is an Art (The Inspector Appleby Mysteries Book 13) by Michael Innes
The Summer of the Danes (Cadfael #18) by Ellis Peters
The Secret Adversary (Tommy and Tuppence #1) by Agatha Christie

August/September
So Many Doors (Bobby Owen #26) by E R Punshon
Passing Strange (Sloan and Crosby #9) by Catherine Aird
The Abominable Man (Martin Beck #7) by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö
Death and Restoration by Iain Pears (Jonathan Argyll #6)
Wrack and Rune by Charlotte MacLeod (Professor Shandy #3)

September/October
Maigret aka Maigret Returns by Georges Simenon (Maigret #19)
Ordeal by Fire ( Bradecote and Catchpoll #2) by Sarah Hawkswood
The Turkish Gambit by Boris Akunin (Erast Fandorin #2)
A Crown of Lights (Merrily Watkins #3) by Phil Rickman
Mrs, Pargeter's Package (Mrs Pargeter #3) by Simon Brett

October/November
Everybody Also Tells (Bobby Owen #27) by E R Punshon
A Dying Light in Corduba by Lindsey Davis (Falco #8)
Lamentation by C.J. Sansom (Shardlake #6)
Fatal Remedies by Donna Leon (Brunetti #8)

November/December
The Cellars of the Majestic (aka Maigret and the Hotel Majestic) by Georges Simenon (Maigret #20)
Appleby Talking (aka Dead Man's Shoes) (The Inspector Appleby Mysteries Book 14) by Michael Innes
The Holy Thief (Cadfael #19) by Ellis Peters
Partners in Crime (Tommy and Tuppence #2) by Agatha Christie
The Zig Zag Girl (Brighton Mysteries #1) by Elly Griffiths

December/January
The Golden Dagger (Bobby Owen #28) by E R Punshon
Who Killed the Curate? by Joan Coggin (Lady Lupin #1)
Last Respects (Sloan and Crosby #10) by Catherine Aird
The Locked Room (Martin Beck #8) by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö
The Immaculate Deception by Iain Pears (Jonathan Argyll #7)
Something the Cat Dragged In by Charlotte MacLeod (Professor Shandy #4)

[Susan]

We have Who Killed the Curate? as a GA Christmas buddy read (thanks to Sandy for checking US availability).

Series finished or coming to a close include Georgette Heyer's mysteries, Cadfael, Jonathan Argyll, Martin Beck and C J Sansom.

Bernie Gunther and John Madden will replace those as they come to an end. Elly Griffith's Brighton Mysteries has also been added.

Hope that helps organise your reading!

[Susan]

Any errors, please let me know.

[Jill]

Well done sorting that lot out. Thanks

[Pamela]

Brilliant job Susan, thanks! I think we also talked about adding the George Gently series, maybe that was when Bobby Owen ends as it’s another lengthy one?

[Susan]

Yes, I have a few on the radar. A nice long series is a benefit and yes, those can replace Bobby Owen.

Chief Superintendent Gently
1. Gently Does It (1955)
2. Gently by the Shore (1956)
3. Gently Down the Stream (1957)
4. Landed Gently (1957)
5. Gently Through the Mill (1958)
6. Gently in the Sun (1959)
7. Gently with the Painters (1960)
8. Gently to the Summit (1961)
9. Gently Go Man (1961)
10. Gently Where the Roads Go (1962)
11. Gently Floating (1963)
12. Gently Sahib (1964)
13. Gently with the Ladies (1965)
14. Gently North-West (1967)
aka Gently in the Highlands
15. Gently Continental (1967)
16. Gently Sinking (1969)
aka Gently Coloured
17. Gently with the Innocents (1970)
18. Gently at a Gallop (1971)
19. Vivienne: Gently Where She Lay (1972)
20. Gently French (1973)
21. Gently in Trees (1974)
aka Gently Through the Woods
22. Gently with Love (1975)
23. Gently Where the Birds are (1976)
24. Gently Instrumental (1977)
25. Gently to a Sleep (1978)
26. The Honfleur Decision (1980)
27. Gently Heartbroken (1981)
aka Scottish Decision / Gabrielle's Way
28. Fields of Heather (1981)
29. Gently Between Tides (1982)
30. Amorous Leander (1983)
31. The Unhung Man (1984)
aka The Unhanged Man
32. Once a Prostitute (1984)
33. The Chelsea Ghost (1985)
34. Good Night, Sweet Prince (1986)
35. Strangling Man (1987)
36. Traitor's End (1988)
37. Gently With the Millions (1989)
38. Gently Scandalous (1990)
39. Gently to a Kill (1992)
40. Gently Tragic (1992)
41. Gently in the Glens (1993)
42. Bomber's Moon (1994)
43. Jackpot! (1995)
44. The Love of Gods (1997)
45. Over Here (1998)
46. Gently Mistaken (1999)

[Susan]

Sandy suggested Brian Flynn, which I have to replace Maigret:

Anthony Bathurst
1. The Billiard Room Mystery (1927)
2. The Case Of The Black Twenty-two (1928)
3. The Mystery of the Peacock's Eye (1930)
aka The Case of the Peacock's Eye
4. The Murders Near Mapleton (1929)
5. The Five Red Fingers (1929)
6. Invisible Death (1929)
7. The Creeping Jenny Mystery (1930)
aka The Crime At the Crossways
8. Murder En Route (1930)
9. The Orange Axe (1931)
10. The Triple Bite (1931)
11. The Padded Door (1932)
12. The Edge of Terror (1932)
13. The Spiked Lion (1933)
14. The League of Matthias (1934)
15. The Horn (1934)
16. The Case of the Purple Calf (1934)
aka The Ladder Of Death
Tragedy At Trinket (1934)
17. The Sussex Cuckoo (1935)
18. The Fortescue Candle (1936)
19. Fear and Trembling (1936)
aka The Somerset Murder Case
20. Tread Softly (1937)

I need to do a little research into both, to check they are all available.

[Susan]

Plus Fethering to replace Mrs Pargeter and possibly another Elly Griffiths series, depending on how we all get on with the Brighton mysteries.

[Susan]

I love the Martin Beck series. If anyone can recommend another, similar, Scandinavian series, that would be good.

[Jackie]

Susan wrote:

We have Who Killed the Curate? as a GA Christmas buddy read (thanks to Sandy for checking US availability).

I read this not too long ago and found it a hoot - I will happily re-read it for Christmas.

[Susan]

We wanted a GA Christmas novel. Much as I enjoy short stories, discussion is complicated.

[Susan in NC]

Susan wrote: "Yes, I have a few on the radar. A nice long series is a benefit and yes, those can replace Bobby Owen.

Chief Superintendent Gently
1. Gently Does It (1955)
2. Gently by the Shore (1956)
3. Gent..."

The first couple Gently mysteries are available on kindle for .99 in the USA, just got the first, looking forward to trying it, whether we read as a group or not - as you say, something comforting about a nice long series!