What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread Showing 2,101-2,150 of 4,475

[Judy]

I'm just starting next month's group read, The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart. Enjoying the writing style and the first person narration.

[Roman Clodia]

I started listening to the Librivox recording of The Circular Staircase yesterday - some of the voices are a bit odd in terms of accents but I'm enjoying the story too.

[Susan]

I struggled with this one, but will wait for the discussion...

[Sandy]

I'm reading The Coroner's Lunch, the first of yet another series. It is set in Communist Laos in 1976, and the coroner is a man in his seventies. Interesting so far.

[Paperbackreader]

Susan wrote: "I struggled with this one, but will wait for the discussion..."

I read The Circular Staircase some time ago and I agree. Will wait for the discussion too.

[Corrie]

Judy wrote: "I'm just starting next month's group read, The Circular Staircase by Mary Roberts Rinehart. Enjoying the writing style and the first person narration."

I have been reading M R Rinehart for years, and I think her mysteries move slowly with a lot of explanation for the characters' situations. Most of her main characters seem to have fairly wealthy backgrounds. This seems to be true with most "golden age" mysteries Of course, some of the characters want more wealth which causes the murders. I do enjoy her books, they are of an era that is long gone. Maids, chauffeurs, gardeners, cooks, and companions are foreign to most of us now.

[Leslie]

Paperbackreader wrote: "Finished Malice Aforethought last night. It's hard to believe that this book came out in 1931. It was not what I expected. It was a rather disquieting read."

Disquieting is a great way to describe that book! There was a very good TV adaptation by BBC/PBS both in the early 1980s & more recently (2005?).

[Annie]

Got this new book from my local library today. The Island by M J Trow - book #4 in the Grand & Batchelor Victorian Mystery series.

I've not read any in this series, but spotted this in the new section, so hopefully it will not matter if I read out of sequence.

Sorry cannot give link as I've had to request Goodreads Librarians to add the book as no listing yet.
The Island

[Ellen]

Reading Suspects Nine the 12th in the Bobby Owens series by E.R. Punshon. I really like this series so I sort of went on a binge and burned myself out and had to quit for awhile. Now that I have had a breather I am enjoying this one a lot.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Ellen wrote: "Reading Suspects Nine the 12th in the Bobby Owens series by E.R. Punshon. I really like this series so I sort of went on a binge and burned myself out and had to qu..."

I have a Punshon - The Choice- don't think it's on GR & it is not part of of the Bobby Owen series. Hoping to get to it soon.

I'm a third of the way in on The Franchise Affair& so far it is really living up to my expectations! :)

[Sandy]

I listened to The Big Four today as I am nursing a cold and wanted something rather mindless (I had read the reviews).

It certainly fit the bill.

[Leslie]

I just started The Red Thumb Mark, the first Thorndyke mystery. So far I am really enjoying it!

[Annabel]

I have a sneaking affection for The Big Four. I know it's nonsense, but it's fun. If you forget the ridiculous world domination stuff and concentrate on the separate short stories it originally started life as, it becomes much more enjoyable.

And I still adore Christie for her ability to sketch in characters in a microsecond. Having just finished wading through Munich (the new Robert Harris, a disappointment for me) and struggled with its confusing array of inadequately realised diplomats and officials, I am in awe of how well I can visualise minor characters from a minor Christie such as Mr Ingles, the shambling son from Yellow Jasmine and the woman who was once friends with Claude Darrell.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Loved the Franchise Affair. :)

[Sandy]

Annabel wrote: "I have a sneaking affection for The Big Four. I know it's nonsense, but it's fun. If you forget the ridiculous world domination stuff and concentrate on the separate short stories it originally sta..."

I wish I had known The Big Four started as four short stories; I would have paid more attention. I got side tracked by world domination, as one does.

[Sandy]

I finished The Coroner's Lunch and enjoyed the character and how he deals with authority. Old age has its privileges. The setting is unique (for me): newly Communist Laos in the 1970's. The book has a light touch and gentle humor.

[Teri-K]

Sandy wrote: "I finished The Coroner's Lunch and enjoyed the character and how he deals with authority. Old age has its privileges. The setting is unique (for me): newly Communist Laos in the 1970'..."

I really enjoyed that book, too. I thought it gave me a real view into what life was like then without feeling heavy handed. I really should read more of them... :)

[Judy]

Just getting into our Miss Marple for next month, They Do It with Mirrors - really enjoying it so far!

[Roman Clodia]

I'm reading Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd which I won in a GR giveaway - it's 8 in the series, but the first I've read and I'm definitely going to have to go back as Flavia is so much fun!

[Sandy]

Roman Clodia wrote: "I'm reading Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd which I won in a GR giveaway - it's 8 in the series, but the first I've read and I'm definitely going to have to go back as Flavia is s..."

I really like Flavia and am eagerly waiting for the next book.

[Christophe]

Sandy wrote: "I listened to The Big Four today as I am nursing a cold and wanted something rather mindless (I had read the reviews).

It certainly fit the bill."

This post cracked me up, Sandy!

[Lady Clementina]

Annabel wrote: "I have a sneaking affection for The Big Four. I know it's nonsense, but it's fun. If you forget the ridiculous world domination stuff and concentrate on the separate short stories it originally sta..."

My mother enjoys the Big Four as well- I found it too silly for my taste (though I have enjoyed some of her others which could be labelled the same).

[Leslie]

Sandy wrote: "I finished The Coroner's Lunch and enjoyed the character and how he deals with authority. Old age has its privileges. The setting is unique (for me): newly Communist Laos in the 1970'..."

I liked the setting too but wasn't as fond of the supernatural elements.

[Sandy]

Leslie wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I finished The Coroner's Lunch and enjoyed the character and how he deals with authority. Old age has its privileges. The setting is unique (for me): newly Communist Lao..."

I agree; I also did not like the supernatural elements but was able to ignore them.

[Christine PNW]

I just started Murder in Piccadilly by Charles Kingston, which is one of the British Library Crime Classics. I'm about 1/3 of the way through, & I am enjoying it. It's not really a whodunnit, at this point, since the murder hasn't yet occurred, and it's pretty clear who's going to be responsible for it.

I also just finished reading Martin Edwards encyclopedic The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books, which caused my TBR to basically explode.

[Judy]

I picked up a crime short story free on Kindle, The Text by Claire Douglas. It's keeping me guessing so far despite the short length... might read more by this author.

[Lady Clementina]

I'm in the middle of the next Marple book- I have read it before but don't remember whodunit (so far)

[Pamela]

2 mysteries on the go at the moment - The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith, and Murder on the Orient Express. Although I read the Poirot years ago, I won a copy in a Goodreads giveaway so am not complaining at the chance to read it again :)

[Lady Clementina]

Pamela wrote: "2 mysteries on the go at the moment - The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith, and Murder on the Orient Express. Although I read ..."

Orient Express is another of her best- almost like Roger Ackroyd in a way...

[Pamela]

I have good memories of it too Lady Clementina

[Annabel]

Perversely, I have found that the most famous and celebrated Agatha Christies are the ones I like least. Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Orient Express and Five Little Pigs all leave me cold I'm sorry to say, although I appreciate what others see in them. And I'm still looking forward to the big new film of Orient Express - it's been too long since film studios lavished any time on Agatha Christie.

The Peter Ustinov version of Death on The Nile was on TV at the weekend, reminding me what we've been missing - it's probably my favourite big-screen adaptation of any Christie. Even though Poirot doesn't look anything like he should and they conflate quite a few characters, it's very faithful to the plot. I also have a sneaking fondness for the 1970s version of Sparkling Cyanide, which takes a fair few liberties including relocating the whole thing to the USA, but a young Antony Andrews makes a very dashing Anthony Browne.

[Leslie]

I am reading The Beggar King, the 3rd in the Hangman's daughter series. While I like the historical fiction aspect to these, I find Oliver Pötzsch a bit too long-winded so I am not really sure why I keep reading them!

[Carolien]

I've just read one of the best mysteries I've read in a very long time, but it's unfortunately not available in English. Springgety (literally "spring tide") was an excellent mystery that spans decades and has a very interesting cast of characters. It involves a series of unfortunate deaths over many decades at a high cliff near the small village of Kruisbaai. Eventually it all comes together when the heiress of the oldest house in the village arrives and starts to delve into her aunt's past connection with the inhabitants of the village.

Instead, I'll recommend the other mystery I'm currently reading. A Madras Miasma is set in India shortly after WWI. I'm enjoying the descriptions of Madras society during the final period of the Raj. Interesting plot and well-written.

[Christine PNW]

I recently made my way through The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books by Martin Edwards, which caused my TBR to explode! Has anyone else picked this up? There's no plot, but it's an overview of classic crime that includes information about much more than the 100 books he chose as representative of his categories!

[Tania]

Well since The Chinese Maze Murders didn't win the November group read, I'm reading it now. I love these stories. They are comfort reads for me.

[Susan]

Yes, Moonlight Reader, I read The Story of Classic Crime and discovered lots of new books too!

[Judy]

I've just started 1920s mystery The Plumley Inheritance, the first in a long series of books by Norfolk author Christopher Bush which are being reprinted by Dean Street Press. The introduction by Curtis Evans about Bush's life is very interesting.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Tania wrote: "Well since The Chinese Maze Murders didn't win the November group read, I'm reading it now. I love these stories. They are comfort reads for me."

I'm hoping to get to this title later this year. :)

[Leslie]

I just finished a contemporary Australian mystery, The Dry by Jane Harper. This is her first book.

[Susan]

I have heard good things about The Dry. It was mentioned on "Books and Authors," podcasts a week or so ago.

[Michelle]

I really liked The Dry. There is a follow up due out later this month Force of Nature

[Roman Clodia]

I also liked The Dry a lot, and am excited about the follow-up which I have from NetGalley.

[Susan]

I need to have a look, don't I? More for my TBR pile :)

[Jill H.]

I may the only person in the world who has not read the Jo Nesbo books about Detective Harry Hole. Just got Police and so far I am undecided if I like it or not, although I am leaning toward liking it. Time will tell since I just started it.

[Jill]

Just finished The Closers by Michael Connelly which I liked but didn't think it was quite as good as his earlier books.
Now starting Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson which is a first for me from this author.

[Susan]

Jill, the thing about the Harry Hole books, were they were first published out of order. I need to go back and read them 'properly.' I have never read, Michael Connelly, despite everyone assuring me that I will like him.

[Jan C]

I enjoy Michael Connelly. Have to been to several readings of his. Although I have fallen behind in my reading of his books lately. I think I got bogged down when I went back to the beginning to read the books I missed by jumping in the middle of his books.

[Carolien]

Jill wrote: "I may the only person in the world who has not read the Jo Nesbo books about Detective Harry Hole. Just got Police and so far I am undecided if I like it or not, although I am leani..."

You're not, don't feel alone! I haven't got around to him either.

[Jill]

Nor me. I have his first 7 books and haven't read one yet!

[Susan]

Jill, that is so familiar to me! Especially with all these discounts - I will never be able to read all these downloaded, much wanted, books...