What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread Showing 1,901-1,950 of 4,475

[Sandy]

The Red House Mystery was a group read a year ago if you want to see others' opinions. I remember it pleasantly, but with little detail.

Is one of Milne's A's for Anthony? Could you add him to your list?

[Annabel]

That's useful, thank you, Sandy. I just read Raymond Chandler's dissection of The Red House Mystery, which was linked from the thread. It's pretty crushing and makes some excellent points about the technical errors in the murder method.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Annabel wrote: "I think The Unfinished Clue is one of the best of the Heyer detective stories. Some of the characters are a bit 'stock' but they're all well-delineated and sufficiently differentiated to make it fu..."

I'm a massive Heyer fan (I moderate the Georgette Heyer group on Goodreads) but this is one of the titles I don't own.

Using a bit of understatement here, but I'm a bit behind on my Sayers reads. Have just started Unnatural Death & am already totally engaged!

[Leslie]

Judy wrote: I'm now reading Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett and loving his hardboiled prose though it is a bit hard to keep track of all the characters. ..."

I loved this too which was a surprise because I thought that I didn't care too much for hardboiled mysteries. Now I know that it depends on who the author is - Dashiell Hammett & Raymond Chandler are just so much better than Mickey Spillane! (Apologies to any Mike Hammer fans)

And speaking of hardboiled, I have been slowly making my way through my father's Lew Archer books (now residing in my home); currently I am reading Black Money which is turning out to be one of the better books in the series.

[ShanDizzy]

Leslie wrote: "Judy wrote: I'm now reading Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett and loving his hardboiled prose though it is a bit hard to keep track of all the characters. ..."

I loved this too which was a surprise ..."

Thanks for sharing these books, I'm definitely adding to my TBR list because I too love hard-boiled mysteries and agree with your view that Dashiell Hammet and Raymond Chandler are much better than Mickey Spillane. I'm currently reading Hammet's "Red Harvest" and love the prose.

[Brina]

Has anyone read any of Margaret Truman's mysteries? I have had my eyes on this series for awhile but haven't read it yet.

[Lady Clementina]

Brina wrote: "Has anyone read any of Margaret Truman's mysteries? I have had my eyes on this series for awhile but haven't read it yet."

I have read a few- enjoyed the background and settings of the books- the mysteries themselves have been mixed - not terribly complicated but interesting enough - combined with the settings I've enjoyed most.

[Abbey]

just finished MAGPIE MURDERS
(my review will be up at Reviewing the Evidence
www.reviewingtheevidence.com
in a couple of weeks, my opinion is, um, "rather different" than the one posted there just now, I hope our contrasting "takes" will be fun/interesting to read...!)

been sampling short stories, but likely next will be two novels to read also for review "soonish" at RTE:

RUINED STONES
and
SINCE WE FELL
(this is "local" for me and so is "yelling" at me VERY strongly just now, but not sure I want to read such darkness just yet, probably will find something rather comfortable for a bit first)

[Brina]

Thank you, Lady Clementina. I remember my grandma reading this series but wasn't sure if they were quality mysteries or just an in between read for her.

[J]

Margaret Truman ... yes, I have enjoyed many of them. After a while I did take a break when a couple of them seem to much alike... but I will return to them again. I found the early ones had great plots.

[Lady Clementina]

J wrote: "Margaret Truman ... yes, I have enjoyed many of them. After a while I did take a break when a couple of them seem to much alike... but I will return to them again. I found the early ones had great ..."

I liked the ones with the law professor and his girlfriend/wife who has an art gallery- they appear in quite a few of the books.

[Judy]

Leslie wrote: "Judy wrote: I'm now reading Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett and loving his hardboiled prose though it is a bit hard to keep track of all the characters. ..."

I loved this too which was a surprise ..."

I'm still reading this and not enjoying it quite so much because the plot is so confusing and there is more violence than I expected. I don't think this is quite up there with The Thin Man and The Maltese Falcon - all the same there are still those great one-liners and some enjoyable characters.

I haven't read any of the Lew Archer books by Ross Macdonald, but will hope to try them too.

[Judy]

Abbey wrote: "just finished MAGPIE MURDERS
(my review will be up at Reviewing the Evidence
www.reviewingtheevidence.com
in a couple of weeks, my opinion is, um, "rather diffe..."

I will be interested to see your review, Abbey - there is definitely lots to say about this book and different takes should be good. Maybe one for a future group read. Thanks also for the link to Reviewing the Evidence, looks like a good website.

[Susan]

I loved Magpie Murders and also Horowitz's latest The Word is Murder. It is almost enough to make me try Sherlock Holmes The House of Silk.

[Judy]

I've been meaning to try The House of Silk but am getting very behind with reading in general - I seem to have less reading time now that my office has moved and I'm not on a bus for up to a couple of hours each day!

[Susan]

I am finding the same thing at the moment, Judy. I never get as much reading time in the summer when the kids are around and I am commuting by car and not train.

[Judy]

Jay-me (Janet) wrote: "I've read a couple more of the Agatha Raisin ones - slowly making my way to the one set in Worcestershire... Apart from not liking Agatha the last book Agatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist was more like reading a boring travel guide. "

Funnily enough I've got the 'Terrible Tourist' book in mind to fill North Cyprus for my challenge! But I have to read the other Agatha books to take me there first too. ;)

[Judy]

Despite the fact that I'm already trying to read too many books, I've also just started The Body on the Beach by Simon Brett, because it will be due back at the library soon. Fun so far.

[Susan]

I really enjoyed, "The Body on the Beach," Judy.

[Jill]

Just started Magpie Murders and it's looking good. I really enjoyed The House of Silk and thought it was well done.
I have read a number of this author's books, The Gatekeepers and his Diamond Brothers. The latter I thought were very clever, as they could be enjoyed by children seeming quite innocent , but adults could see more to them, being a bit risqué in places.

[Jan C]

Judy wrote: "I've been meaning to try The House of Silk but am getting very behind with reading in general - I seem to have less reading time now that my office has moved and I'm not on a bus for up to a couple..."

I listened to The House of Silk on a long car drive.

[Judy]

Susan wrote: "I really enjoyed, "The Body on the Beach," Judy."

A quick, fun read. I read it in a day (even though it was quite a busy day!) and really enjoyed it too - a bit like Midsomer Murders on the coast. Looking forward to reading more of the Fethering series by Simon Brett - thanks for suggesting these, Susan.

[Susan]

Glad you liked it, Judy :)

[Lady Clementina]

Judy wrote: "Susan wrote: "I really enjoyed, "The Body on the Beach," Judy."

A quick, fun read. I read it in a day (even though it was quite a busy day!) and really enjoyed it too - a bit like Midsomer Murders..."

I like Midsomer Murders so I should enjoy the book. Will keep a lookout for it.

[Judy]

Lady C, I hope you enjoy The Body on the Beach.

I'm now starting to listen to the unabridged audio book of our next Miss Marple, At Bertram's Hotel, read by actress Stephanie Cole. This was available as an audio book from Scribd (also available from audible).

[Annie]

Judy wrote: "Lady C, I hope you enjoy The Body on the Beach.

I'm now starting to listen to the unabridged audio book of our next Miss Marple, At Bertram's Hotel, read by actress [author:Stephanie ..."

Last week I started listening to an audio book version on Youtube, with June Whitfield as Miss Marple. Read the book many years ago.

[Jill]

Reading Magpie murders ,I wondered if anyone else remembers the children's program Magpie. Every time I pick it up ,or come to a new section of it ,the rhyme from the program makes me sing it. Personally I preferred it to Blue Peter at the time.

[Judy]

Welcome, Anniegirl. An audio book with June Whitfield sounds great - there are such a lot of good readers of Christie's books on audio.

[Judy]

Jill wrote: "Reading Magpie murders ,I wondered if anyone else remembers the children's program Magpie. Every time I pick it up ,or come to a new section of it ,the rhyme from the program makes me sing it. Pers..."

I remember it, Jill - my family preferred Blue Peter, but we did watch Magpie too and I always think of the song when I see one or two of the birds.

[Brina]

I'm reading Christie's Dead Man's Folly.

[Lady Clementina]

Brina wrote: "I'm reading Christie's Dead Man's Folly."

That's was a pretty interesting one- er... I can't really say more without it being a spoiler :) Hope you enjoy it!

[Leslie]

I am now reading Appleby's Other Story by Michael Innes. This fairly late entry in Michael Innes' Appleby series is a country house murder mystery; quite enjoyable so far.

[Susan]

Jill, I much preferred Magpie to Blue Peter (was it, dare I say, a class thing?!).

I just finished At Bertram's Hotel

We are currently reading Heads You Lose as our buddy read and, next month (about halfway through September) we will start There's Trouble Brewing. Anyone who wishes to join in is more than welcome.

[Judy]

I've now finished At Bertram's Hotel - the audiobook was good but I got impatient and downloaded the Kindle version from the library for the second half. Not my favourite in the series but definitely lots to discuss!

I'm just starting our group read for next month, Murder at Merisham Lodge.

[Susan]

I really enjoyed Murder at Merisham Lodge. We have some great books coming up! Thanks to everyone for the great nominations and suggestions.

[Abbey]

Brina wrote: "I'm reading Christie's Dead Man's Folly."
then Lady Clemintina wrote: "That's was a pretty interesting one- er... I can't really say more without it being a spoiler :) !"

ahhh, yes, Ariadnne Oliver, Poirot, a VERY strange house party-plus-village-fete, AND The Girl Guides!

[Judy]

After starting Murder at Merisham Lodge, which is good so far, I noticed the references to a previous short story/novella featuring the characters, Death at the Manor, so have decided to break off and quickly read that one before going back! Slightly confusing but I think this tends to happen when one series spins off from another.

[Susan]

Yes, I did the same, Judy. It was annoying, because the author continually referred to it, rather than just referencing it. Anyway, I will save thoughts for the discussion!

[Annie]

Reading this The Man with the Nailed Shoes: A Dr John Thorndyke Mystery: by R. Austin Freeman

I have no recollection of reading any of the Dr Thorndyke mysteries. There is a collection of Dr Thorndyke mysteries on Amazon UK for 49p (20 novels and 40 short stories), so thought I'd read them. Maybe a bell will ding in my memory lol.

[Sandy]

Judy wrote: "After starting Murder at Merisham Lodge, which is good so far, I noticed the references to a previous short story/novella featuring the characters, Death at the Manor, so have decid..."

Thanks for the warning. I seem to own the earlier novella so will start there before buying Merisham Lodge.

[Jill]

I just finished Death Is Now My Neighbor by Colin Dexter. a Chief Inspector Morse mystery. I love that character and the author knows how to weave an intricate puzzle. I can always see the late John Thaw from the television series when I read the Morse books......I thought he was perfectly cast. And there is the delightful Sergeant Lewis who suffers Morse's slings and arrows with great patience.

[Jan C]

Anniegirl wrote: "Reading this The Man with the Nailed Shoes: A Dr John Thorndyke Mystery: by R. Austin Freeman

I have no recollection of reading any of the Dr Thorndyke mysteries. Th..."

I'm currently reading The Red Thumb Mark, another Thorndyke story. I had never heard of these books until they are featured in the Wimsey stories. What Would Dr. Thorndyke Do?

[Judy]

Sandy wrote: "Thanks for the warning. I seem to own the earlier novella so will start there before buying Merisham Lodge..."

I think that's a good idea, Sandy - I think it's possible to enjoy the book without reading the novella first but it does have some background about the two heroines. The novella is a quick read - I'm more than halfway through.

[Judy]

Susan wrote: "Yes, I did the same, Judy. It was annoying, because the author continually referred to it, rather than just referencing it. Anyway, I will save thoughts for the discussion!"

I will save my thoughts for then too. :)

[Susan]

Currently reading The Reluctant Contact. Interesting setting.

[Jill]

I have found that I have the Death at the Manor, which was free back in 2014, so I shall read that first before the Merisham Lodge one. Thanks for the info.

[Judy]

Death at the Manor was even shorter than I expected - it finishes at around 75 per cent read and after that there's a taster of another book, plus offers of freebies if you sign up for the writer's newsletter, which I will investigate!

[Jay-me (Janet)]

I read Death at the Manor in a four book set which was about the same building in four different time periods, and counted it as Wiltshire in my Around Britain Challenge.

I didn't like the last two stories as much as the first two though.

[Leslie]

After rereading The Case of the Gilded Fly, I was motivated to reread the final book in the series - The Glimpses of the Moon. It is the only Fen book that I haven't read this decade so it seemed fitting to revisit it now (plus I own it so it's readily accessible!).

I am enjoying it more than before because I am getting more of the literature references I think.

[Susan]

Golden Age authors expected their readers to be very well read - and have passable French and Latin :)