Reading the Detectives discussion
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What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread
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Susan wrote: "Leslie, I wish Amanda Cross was available on kindle in the UK. I do tend to have one 'book' on the go, but they are always review copies and I am resistant to adding to my overwhelmed shelves..."Hopefully they will come soon -- the one I read was a Kindle book I borrowed from the library. Can you do that in the UK, borrow digital content (ebooks & audiobooks) from the library?
Judy wrote: "Are you reading a good Golden Age or more modern mystery at the moment, or have you just finished one? Please share your recommendations and reviews!"Currently reading
It seems really good so far!
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My local library also offers ebooks, but I have looked a couple of times and haven't been impressed with the choice of books available.
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So far it has been living up to its name for me - the library copy I'd ordered got lost on the way to me and then when I bought it on Kindle instead there was a problem with the download! But now I have it and am looking forward to reading and discussing it. :)
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Judy wrote: "Just starting our next buddy read, There's Trouble Brewing. So far it has been living up to its name for me - the library copy I'd ordered got lost on the way to me and then when I..."
Imagine if we have to start watching out for the titles of the books we read coming true in our lives... I foresee a big drop in sales of thrillers and mysteries. :)
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Yes indeed, and maybe a boom in get-rich quick books and holiday romances!
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September/Oct: There's Trouble Brewing
Oct/Nov: The Life and Times of Miss Jane Marple
Nov/Dec: Not a Creature was Stirring: Jane Haddam
Jan/Feb: Green for Danger: Christianna Brand
Feb/March: The Documents in the Case: Dorothy L. Sayers (this was a book Judy nominated for the main read, but has shown itself hard to find. So, if anyone is keen to join in, this gives you plenty of time to find a copy).
I will open the discussion for There's Trouble Brewing later in the week.
Miss M wrote: "Reading the new Elizabeth George, A Banquet of Consequences, which I am very, very relieved to say is back to being a good old-fashioned procedural. Was pretty resigned to giving up..."I'm so glad to know this. Haven't read the last 2 or 3.
Just finished Secrets in Death. It was a decent mystery but a lousy Eve Dallas book. No tension, no complications, no attitude. I felt the same way about the last one and wonder if she's losing her interest in this series.
I'm trying out a contemporary Rizzoli and Isles book by Tess Gerritsen. I needed it for a challenge for another group-- read 10 mysteries of different genres. It probably won't be nearly as good as GA books but at least I can check off that square for the challenge.
Cecile wrote: "Miss M wrote: "Reading the new Elizabeth George, A Banquet of Consequences, which I am very, very relieved to say is back to being a good old-fashioned procedural. Was pretty resign..."Uh-oh. Really sorry, I have to admit, I ended up giving it two stars despite the positive start.
Unfortunately I don't remember many of the details now, but I know I was dissatisfied with the ending. Now I'm back on the fence about continuing, but I think I'll just leave it up to fate/library availability (I know I won't be buying any!)
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September/Oct: There's Trouble Brewing
Oct/Nov: The Life and Times of Miss Jane Marple
Nov/Dec: Not a Crea..."
Thanks for posting the updated list, Susan - I'm really enjoying There's Trouble Brewing, and looking forward to our discussion. Will also get hold of the Miss Marple bio soon.
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I see the last one I read was U Is for Undertow, so I have some catching up to do! I've also found it a very uneven series but have enjoyed a lot of the books.
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I got a reference I wouldn't have without this group: something was as out of place as if the children's author Enid wrote pornography. I hadn't heard of Enid before (and don't remember her last name!).
And there must be something about British magpies. We don't have them here on the east coast of the US so no superstitions about them.
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As for magpies: we have a well known rhyme "One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret never to be told." which shows it is only seeing a lone magpie that brings bad luck and groups of magpies are said to predict the future.
Susan wrote: "-As for magpies: we have a well known rhyme "One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret never to be told." which shows it is only seeing a lone magpie that brings bad luck and groups of magpies are said to predict the future. ."I saw eight magpies when I was walking the dog a couple of weeks ago - so I don't know what that means. Apart from the fact that magpies obviously did well in that area.
Magpie Murders sounds interesting - but the kindle edition is way too expensive.
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It goes up to 10 Eight for a wish,
Nine for a kiss,
Ten for a bird,
You must not miss.
But I think the version we use now has changed over the years. It used to be
One for sorrow,
Two for mirth
Three for a funeral,
Four for birth
Five for heaven
Six for hell
Seven for the devil,
his own self (think they gave up on the rhyme here!)
So possibly why magpies are seen as unlucky as 1,3,6&7 aren't great outcomes! I think also they may mate for life which is why if you see a solitary one it's bad luck as they have lost their mate.
I like all the different ways people try to ward off the bad luck, I've heard various phrases such as "hello Mrs Magpie" works, or saluting the magpie, or making someone else see it too so they get the bad luck, making funny little hand movements......
Is this a British thing to be this obsessed with magpies or does the same apply elsewhere?
Michelle wrote: "Is this a British thing to be this obsessed with magpies or does the same apply elsewhere? ..."We don't have any magpies here in New England so, although I have heard the rhyme, I would have to say it is a British thing.
But there are magpies in western U.S. so maybe they obsess over them too!
I've just finished an old friend Behold, Here's Poisonwith the Georgette Heyer group. Nearly finished another reread of Brat Farrar Amazing writing.
Michelle wrote: "It goes up to 10 Eight for a wish,
Nine for a kiss,
Ten for a bird,
You must not miss.
But I think the version we use now has changed over the years. It used to be
One for sorrow,
Two for mirt..."
Your rhyme is the one I've always known for Magpies. We have Magpies here in NZ and they are not looked on too kindly. They become very nasty during mating time and have been known to cause really nasty injuries to people who innocently pass by. The farmers don't like them either as they have a tendency to attack newborn lambs.
I saw a magpie in Colorado at Christmas.
Michelle wrote: "It goes up to 10 Eight for a wish,
Nine for a kiss,
Ten for a bird,
You must not miss.
But I think the version we use now has changed over the years. It used to be
One for sorrow,
Two for mirt..."
We have magpies in the Western US, but I don't personally know of any superstitions about them. They're generally considered nuisance birds. (I'm from Colorado, have lived in California. Had them both places.)
Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "I've just finished an old friend Behold, Here's Poisonwith the Georgette Heyer group. Nearly finished another reread of Brat Farrar Amazing writing."
I love Brat Farrar!
I have finished the penultimate McGee book, Cinnamon Skin which was a solid entry in the series. McGee/MacDonald have mellowed as the series progressed in terms of sexism (the early books had some quite objectionable sections in this regard).Also finished is a contemporary cozy called September Fair. Not bad but the writing could be better.
I just finished The Moor in the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series. I read this before, listened this time and really enjoyed it both times. I love the strong sense of place and eccentric characters. Ready to start Miss Pym Disposes by Tey, (reread), and The Murderer is a Fox, Ellery Queen, (new to me).
Glad to see us Brits are not the only ones with a magpie obsession!
Judy wrote: "Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "I'm reading X by Sue Grafton. So far it is better than W for Wasted. For me, this has always been a very uneven series."I see the last one I read was [book:U Is fo..."
I've read some very mixed reviews for Y! I may wait for Z. If both have poor reviews I may not bother reading either of them.
Leslie wrote: "I love Brat Farrar! It's a classic. I'm working my way through Tey - hope to get to The Franchise Affair soon.
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Currently reading Thirteen Guests..."
I've been meaning to read that one - Mystery in White is the only book by J. Jefferson Farjeon I've read so far. Have you finished now, AngryGreyCat, and did you enjoy it overall?
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I feel I'd like to finish the series after getting this far, but had better get hold of V is for Vengeance and see how I get on with that!
Judy wrote: "I feel I'd like to finish the seri..."
The funny thing about the Grafton books - even the ones I enjoy I can't remember anything about them afterwards. Other than W- I do remember that one was longer than usual with a lot of filler.
I have finally finished the Martin Beck series (1960s-70s Swedish police procedurals) with the final book, The Terrorists. I very much enjoyed this series and am sorry to be at the end.
Teri-K wrote: "Ready to start Miss Pym Disposes by Tey, (reread)"oh, that's my favorite Tey - so subtle, so sad, so chilling!
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I loved the first 2 books in this series and have number 3 ready to go, as soon as I finish one or two of the books I'm currently in the middle of!
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They've all blurred together for me somewhat, but I do remember especially liking one of the more recent ones which was partly set at an earlier period (1950s?)
Leslie wrote: "I have finally finished the Martin Beck series (1960s-70s Swedish police procedurals) with the final book, The Terrorists. I very much enjoyed this series and am sorry to be at the ..."I felt like that when I finished the series.
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today. It's a great series and you can read this as a stand alone, so do come and join in.
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is often mentioned in those lists of the 'best' GA mysteries and is considered something of a classic.
Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "Judy wrote: "I feel I'd like to finish the seri..."
The funny thing about the Grafton books - even the ones I enjoy I can't remember anything about them afterwards. Other than W- I do remember th..."
How funny - I'm the same way! I can't remember even after reading a plot summary if a couple of years have passed by. And I liked the series.
I figure I can re-read the series someday and it will seem new and fresh.
I'm actually like that with Dick Francis books. I took so many home from the library & realised after a couple of pages that I had already read it.This is where Goodreads comes in handy! :)
Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "I'm actually like that with Dick Francis books. I took so many home from the library & realised after a couple of pages that I had already read it.This is where Goodreads comes in handy! :)"
I haven't forgotten all the Dick Francis I read, but some of them. That kind of thing happens to me more with Perry Mason- I never remember from the name which one it was.
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Reading the Detectives
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Yes, I did enjoy reading this - a quick and easy read in between other books that I'm reading. A bit predictable at times, but still enjoyable.