Reading the Detectives discussion
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What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread

Now onto a Golden Age mystery by Ngaio Marsh -- Death at the Bar.

I nominated for the group read last October for a Halloween type read, but it didn't win. I haven't got around to reading yet, and thought I might put it off till next October. Let me know what you think of it.

I read it a few years ago -- I thought it was quite spooky without being horror. I gave it 4*

The writing style is a little different than what one is used to but we have to remember that it was written in 1908. I think you may like it if you are interested in the early mysteries by one of the good authors of the time. Let us know.

I'm reading The Orange-Yellow Diamond by J.S. Fletcher, published in 1921, which is very interesting so far - the opening section is set among a Jewish community in south London.


I was going to read The League of Frightened Men, but found that either the print in the paperback is too small or my eyes have gotten worse or a combination of both...sigh.

It is a good early golden age mystery.....glad you liked it.

I love P D James, Jill. I started re-reading them and must go back and continue...
I just finished a psychological thriller Blink
.
I just finished a psychological thriller Blink


Absolutely, Marcus, she was an excellent writer. I love her books and, I think you you said you enjoy Christie, so you will probably like her too.


I read two of the Fletchers some time ago- pretty good. One seemed not so very PC but the other made up for it.

I am in the middle of reading PD James Dalgleish mysteries in order and really like them. I think you will find that they are not your usual "quickie read" mysteries. There is meat on those bones---I think of her books more as intelligent fiction.



I am in the middle of reading PD James Dalgleish mysteries..."
Me, too, and I have gotten stalled at A Taste for Death, in that I'm not sure where my copy of the book is.
Lady Clementina wrote: "I read two of the Fletchers some time ago- pretty good. One seemed not so very PC but the other made up for it. "
I've now finished The Orange-Yellow Diamond and I'm afraid it is also very non-PC . There are some positively-portrayed Jewish characters, including one of the amateur detectives, but there is quite a bit of stereotyping even so - and there are several Chinese and Japanese characters who are totally stereotyped!
Another problem is that the story starts as a murder mystery but then turns into an increasingly far-fetched adventure and sort of fizzles out. I do find Fletcher very readable and will definitely read more of his books - I've read 3 of his other titles and enjoyed them a lot, especially The Paradise Mystery which was a group read last year, but I wouldn't particularly recommend this one.
I've now finished The Orange-Yellow Diamond and I'm afraid it is also very non-PC . There are some positively-portrayed Jewish characters, including one of the amateur detectives, but there is quite a bit of stereotyping even so - and there are several Chinese and Japanese characters who are totally stereotyped!
Another problem is that the story starts as a murder mystery but then turns into an increasingly far-fetched adventure and sort of fizzles out. I do find Fletcher very readable and will definitely read more of his books - I've read 3 of his other titles and enjoyed them a lot, especially The Paradise Mystery which was a group read last year, but I wouldn't particularly recommend this one.
I've started The Man Who Went Up in Smoke, first published in the 1960s, one of the Martin Beck series by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahloo. It's about the hunt for a Swedish journalist who disappears in Budapest.
Martin Beck, where have you been all my life?! So far I'm really enjoying it - incredibly readable and atmospheric. This is actually the second in this series translated from Swedish (I was tempted by this one because it is mainly set in Hungary, useful for my European challenge!) so, assuming I continue to love it, I will need to get hold of the first one and carry on it order. :)
Martin Beck, where have you been all my life?! So far I'm really enjoying it - incredibly readable and atmospheric. This is actually the second in this series translated from Swedish (I was tempted by this one because it is mainly set in Hungary, useful for my European challenge!) so, assuming I continue to love it, I will need to get hold of the first one and carry on it order. :)
There is nothing like discovering a new author you like, Judy. I felt much the same way recently when I discovered Mick Herron.

That is a great series - sadly only 10 books but well worth reading. I started with #4 and didn't read the first one until I had read most of the series but it didn't suffer on that account so don't worry too much about reading them in order.

I have started with Roseanna.

So many books, so little time. I have both Herron and Beck in the pile, now to get to them.


I'm reading The White Mirror second in a new series that is set in China in the early 1700's. I've enjoyed both books; the first was Jade Dragon Mountain
Leslie wrote: "I started with #4 and didn't read the first one until I had read most of the series but it didn't suffer on that account so don't worry too much about reading them in order. ..."
Thanks, Leslie! In that case I won't feel too guilty about starting with number two.
Thanks, Leslie! In that case I won't feel too guilty about starting with number two.

Daniele wrote: "Has anyone read A Moment on the Edge: 100 Years of Crime Stories by Women?"
No, but I just bought a kindle edition for 99 cents - figured I should like at least some of the stories ... whenever I get around to reading them!
No, but I just bought a kindle edition for 99 cents - figured I should like at least some of the stories ... whenever I get around to reading them!

I tried to finish Fer-de-lance two times and I couldn't finish it as well. Fer-de-lance is not as strong as others in the Nero Wolfe series. Death of A Doxy is one of my faves! I suggest, if you haven't read it already, The Mother Hunt which is another good one and very original too!



Have you read The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins? It has one of the great villains in mystery fiction, Count Fosco.

Yes have read that one and seen a not very good play of it, also read some of the short stories, but not got to The Moonstone for some reason

Yes have read that one and seen a not very good play of it, also read some of the short stories, but not got to The Moonstone for some reason"
I loved the Moonstone- a little more than TWIW because I found the solution so much more creative.
I have started The Riviera Express
It is a NetGalley book, so not out yet, but will probably appeal to many of the members of this group.

It is a NetGalley book, so not out yet, but will probably appeal to many of the members of this group.

A convert! Hooray!!




I am now currently reading


Just finished the third in the Slough House series Dead Lions
A really excellent series so far. One more to go!



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Thanks, Gary.