What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread Showing 1,401-1,450 of 4,475

[Sandy]

I recently finished Evans Above. A pleasant read but not compelling enough to add another series to my list. I faithfully read the Hamish Macbeth series by M C Beaton, and Evans is quite similar. Sometime I will try Her Royal Spyness before deciding whether Rhys Bowen is for me.

[Susan]

I have started Persons Unknown, the second in the Manon Bradshaw series by Susie Steiner. I really liked Missing, Presumed, so I hope for good things.

[Jill]

Susan wrote: "I finished, A Talent for Murder which I really liked. Even better, it seems there will be a further adventure featuring Agatha Christie - A ..."

Trent's Last Case is one of my favorite Golden Age mysteries....I think you will enjoy it.

I am just starting a Dalziel/Pascoe mystery/police procedural by Reginald Hill. It is #20 in that series and I didn't even know it existed. It is much longer than most of his books and it starts out rather oddly. It may be a little different than some of his other books. We shall see.

by Reginald Hill

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

Finished a really good detective story set in the 1920s The Chessman: A Jack Haldean 1920s Mystery by Dolores Gordon-Smith https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Sandy]

Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "Finished a really good detective story set in the 1920s The Chessman: A Jack Haldean 1920s Mystery by [author:Dolores..."

Have you read the others and, if so, are they as good? I hate to start at #9!

P.S. I've just read your review, so answered my own question.

[Carolien]

Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "Finished a really good detective story set in the 1920s The Chessman: A Jack Haldean 1920s Mystery by [author:Dolores..."

Thanks for the great review, Sandy. Will definitely look out for the series.

[Carolien]

Life has been encroaching on my reading time this past few weeks, but I managed to finish A Mind to Murder. I started rereading the series a while ago and must really just get on with it as they are such well-written mysteries. In fact, it's probably a series we should consider for a year challenge.

I also finished Red Mandarin Dress set in Shangai. I've been reading this series as I found the books, and this is an excellent one. It takes time and one learns a whole lot about the role of women in Chinese literature and the Cultural Revolution along the way, but it really sets the context well for the serial murders. There is also a lot to be said for being a vegetarian in China, and I found it fascinating how food is prepared to a theme, in one case to restore health and in the second as a "cruel" menu.

[Susan]

I love P D James, Corolien. The mystery in Shanghai sounds interesting too.

I just finished Dead Souls, the latest Angela Marsons - brilliant as always.

By the way, for any NetGalley users, The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books is listed for request.

[Judy]

Carolien wrote: "Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "Finished a really good detective story set in the 1920s..."

I've read all the Jack Haldean mysteries by Dolores Gordon-Smith and enjoyed them - I remember especially liking the first one, A Fete Worse Than Death, which had a lot of humour.

I just looked to see if she has a new book coming out and couldn't find any details, but I did notice that she has also published How To Write A Classic Murder Mystery which sounds interesting - one of the comments at Amazon.co.uk says it is a good read for mystery readers as well as mystery writers, drawing lots of examples from Christie, Sayers etc.

[LovesMysteries]

I'm about to read Agatha Christie's The Man In The Brown Suit . This will be my first time reading this one.

[Judy]

I've just started the fourth in the Angela Marchmont mystery series by Clara Benson, The Riddle at Gipsy's Mile - very enjoyable so far.

[Gary]

Last night I finished The Norths Meet Murder by Frances Lockridge and started Sinister Snickerdoodles: a Danger Cove Bakery Mystery by Janel Gradowski

[Jay-me (Janet)]

I read mostly on my kindle now but I have a collection of paperbacks that I regularly re-read. The book currently at the top of the pile is a mystery by Ellis Peters - Mourning Raga. I first read this book along with Death to the Landlords many years ago. I planned two holidays to India and was able to visit many of the locations that I had read about.

I read all of the same author's Cadfael series but despite living a lot nearer to Shrewsbury than India I have not managed anything more than changing trains on Shrewsbury station.

[Brina]

I finally got Fallout by Sara Paretsky and am so excited to start reading it. After that, I can finally get back to my GA reading.

[Marcus]

I read And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie. Unstoppable reading! Don't discover the assassin till the end.

[Jan C]

Just started Design for Dying by Renee Patrick, a mystery featuring Edith Head, along with the narrator Lillian Frost. It takes place in the '30s. I'm only 20% in but so far it is pretty interesting. It is about some of the things that would happen with young ladies going to Hollywood with a sash (beauty contest) and stars in their eyes.

[Susan]

Marcus, And There There Were None was voted Christie's best book and I agree it is a really great read. Glad you liked it!

[Judy]

Jan C wrote: "Just started Design for Dying by Renee Patrick, a mystery featuring Edith Head, along with the narrator Lillian Frost. It takes place in the '30s. I'm only 20% in ..."

This sounds really interesting - as a fan of classic movies I'll look forward to hearing what you think, Jan.

[Carolien]

Jay-me (Janet) wrote: "I read mostly on my kindle now but I have a collection of paperbacks that I regularly re-read. The book currently at the top of the pile is a mystery by Ellis Peters - [book:Mourning ..."

I really enjoy this series. It's a nice one to reread occasionally.

[Sandy]

I finished The Winter Queen last night. I enjoyed the first half very much and the second half not so much. The mystery devolved into an unlikely adventure and it was probably too soon after our reading of Black Dudley for me to appreciate it. I doubt I will continue the series.

[Judy]

Sandy, I also thought the first half of The Winter Queen was the best and that it got a bit more unlikely later on. Sounds as if I enjoyed the book more than you did - I'm planning to read on for at least one or two more books, as I've just got to find out what happens next!

[Sandy]

Judy wrote: "Sandy, I also thought the first half of The Winter Queen was the best and that it got a bit more unlikely later on. Sounds as if I enjoyed the book more than you did - I'm planning to read on for a..."

Please report back as I would like to know as well, but I will be reading one of my tried and true series. I have both the next Gregor, the Armenian, by Jane Haddam and the next Ruth, the archaeologist, by Ellie Griffiths out of the library.

[Susan]

Jane Haddam is one of my favourites, Sandy. I never managed to get on with Ellie Griffiths, although I know she is popular.

I am pleased to see that some of Jane Haddam's book are coming up for pre-order on kindle in the UK and I think you would really like them, Judy. Sadly, she is not as well known in the UK as she should be.

[Judy]

I've just started Inspector French’s Greatest Case: An Inspector French Mystery by Freeman Wills Crofts, which is the first in the series. Enjoying it so far.

[Judy]

Susan wrote: "Jane Haddam is one of my favourites, Sandy. I never managed to get on with Ellie Griffiths, although I know she is popular.

I am pleased to see that some of Jane Haddam's book are coming up for pr..."

Ooh this is good news, Susan, I would love to try her and I'm sure others in the UK would too!

[Judy]

Brina wrote: "I finally got Fallout by Sara Paretsky and am so excited to start reading it. After that, I can finally get back to my GA reading."

I read some Paretsky books a while back but didn't carry on for some reason - must get back to the series I hope you enjoy the new one after your wait, Brina. :)

[Susan]

Judy, I must admit that I have just binge pre-ordered all of the Jane Haddam books available on kindle...

[Susan]

The first Sara Paretsky Indemnity Only is currently 99p on Amazon UK. I have never read any, but have downloaded it.

[Judy]

Susan wrote: "Judy, I must admit that I have just binge pre-ordered all of the Jane Haddam books available on kindle..."

You must really love them, Susan! A lot of great reading in store there. I will look forward to giving them a try - I had meant to read the first one last Christmas but never got round to ordering a copy as I seemed to have a lot of Christmas books already.

[Judy]

Susan wrote: "The first Sara Paretsky Indemnity Only is currently 99p on Amazon UK. I have never read any, but have downloaded it."

I remember enjoying that one. Not sure why I fizzled out on the series halfway through.

[Gary]

Finished Sinister Snickerdoodles: a Danger Cove Bakery Mystery by Janel Gradowski.

Now reading The Howard Hughes Affair by Stuart M. Kaminsky The 4th in the Toby Peters series.

[Marwan]

Currently reading All the Lonely People: A Harry Devlin Mystery by Martin Edwards

[Jay-me (Janet)]

I've just started Dying Games the latest Jefferson Tayte book by Steve Robinson

[Susan]

Judy, re the Jane Haddam books, they were previously available on kindle and I thought I would collect them one by one - so I was reading a couple each month. Then they vanished. I have decided not to risk that again, so just pre-ordered the lot!

[Judy]

Susan wrote: "Judy, re the Jane Haddam books, they were previously available on kindle and I thought I would collect them one by one - so I was reading a couple each month. Then they vanished. I have decided not..."

That must have been infuriating - I hope you enjoy them all after the long wait. I'm sure you will!

[Judy]

Marwan wrote: "Currently reading All the Lonely People: A Harry Devlin Mystery by Martin Edwards"

What is this series like? I enjoy Edwards' writing about Golden Age mysteries and have been meaning to try his own fiction.

[Susan]

I like Martin Edwards - another series that I need to try.

[Judy]

I've just finished the real-life mystery Agatha Christie and the Eleven Missing Days, which Susan has just opened up as a buddy read. There's lots to discuss about the disappearance even if you aren't reading the book - please pop by and join in. :)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Sawako]

I am reading Murder at the Vicarage.

[Sandy]

I finished Murder Superior, one of Jane Haddam Gregor D series. I liked it less than some of the others. It is shorter and a simpler mystery. It was still good to revisit the characters. These books are based on holidays and this one, by coincidence, was Mother's Day. The next, written a year later, is Father's Day so I have an excuse for reading another next month.

My next book will be an historical mystery for another group,The Rose in the Wheel.

And I suddenly have access to A Gentleman in Moscow on kindle for two weeks.

[Susan]

A Gentleman in Moscow is a great read, Sandy. Hope you enjoy it.

[Annabel]

I am reading the Alex Rider books by Anthony Horowitz, which my son likes (and so do I, now). I love the James Bond books, so this isn't much of a stretch for me - and because of their young audience, the Alex Rider series have the incidental benefit (for me) of being lower on the violence, and with no casual sex (or any sex, come to think of it) at all.

[Susan]

Annabel, Anthony Horowitz did a good murder mystery Magpie Murders which you might be interested in.

[Jill]

Just started The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson I really liked the previous two books, so am expecting this to be just as good.

[Annabel]

Hi Susan, yes I have been tempted by Magpie Murders. I think there was something about it that bugged me - possibly written in the present tense, something I invariably find irritating. But would you recommend it?

[Judy]

I enjoyed Magpie Murders a lot but there was an aspect that annoyed me - but I will say no more because it would involve spoilers!

[Susan]

I liked Magpie Murders. It wasn't perfect, but it was an interesting read, especially if you like Horowitz, Annabel. He has a new book out later this year which looks interesting - The Word is Murder

[Annabel]

Thanks, Susan, I will give it a go, then. I need a new title lined up because other than the rest of the Alex Rider books (and my son has hidden the next one), I only have the Provincial Lady to occupy me.

I am very keen to read more Golden Age detection and am specifically focusing on John Carter Dickson (in his various guises) and Erle Stanley Gardiner. But I am not yet a Kindle reader and I find old paperbacks of these books incredibly elusive.

[Susan]

You are a good mother, Annabel - your son is obviously a passionate reader :)

[Sandy]

I just read the blurb of Magpie Murders and it sounds intriguing. I've had Horowitz's The House of Silk on my TBR for a long time. Has anyone read that?