What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread Showing 2,201-2,250 of 4,457

[Pamela]

I am currently reading The Lake District Murder by John Bude. I know others were disappointed in this, but I am quite enjoying the focus on bread-and-butter police work.

[Carolien]

I've just finished rereading Envious Casca. I vaguely remembered the plot, but enjoyed the book nevertheless. Having mostly read Christie this year for our challenge, it gave me a chance to compare the two again. I probably prefer Heyer's overall style, she seems to put more effort into her characters. Christie's plots are brilliant, but I seldom care much for the majority of her characters. All those Regency romances also means that Heyer gets whatever romantic interest there is in the book, much better than Christie.

[Sandy]

Carolien wrote: "I've just finished rereading Envious Casca. I vaguely remembered the plot, but enjoyed the book nevertheless. Having mostly read Christie this year for our challenge, it gave me a cha..."

I've been reading Heyer's Hannasyde and Hemmingway mysteries with the goal of getting to Envious Casca by the Christmas season. Enjoyable reads. I'll sidestep Christie / Heyer comparisons but I agree the romance in Behold, Here's Poison was very well done and reminiscent of her Regency romances.

[Paperbackreader]

Carolien wrote: "Having mostly read Christie this year for our challenge, it gave me a chance to compare the two again. I probably prefer Heyer's overall style,...All those Regency romances also means that Heyer gets whatever romantic interest there is in the book, much better than Christie."

Ah maybe that explains why I prefer Christie. Character development is an issue but I'll gladly ignore romance any time. Romance, well crafted or not, is not my cup of tea. I have read just two of Heyer's mysteries. I hated one of them but quite liked the other. Maybe I should read more of her work.

[Lady Clementina]

I have a whole pile of Heyer's mysteries waiting on my TBR- I found her Penhallow excellent in terms of characterisation but while I wouldn't want to comment on the comparison either, but can't resist saying I do find Christie's characters very well done too.

[Susan]

I think Christie paints very good portraits of characters personally. I haven't read much of Heyer's work, but I would be interested to read her mysteries.

[Roman Clodia]

I was hoping Envious Casca was going to top the poll (under its other name) but it seems not - I'm hoping to get the audiobook from the library for run-up-to-Christmas commuting.

[Judy]

I'm going to switch my vote to Envious Casca/A Christmas Party, as my choice looks like a no-hoper...

[Roman Clodia]

Yay!

[Sandy]

Finished and enjoyed Miss Kopp's Midnight Confessions but it occurred to me that these books are not mysteries, as there is no solving to be done. While mostly fiction the author identifies the parts that are true to either these characters or the times.

After the earlier discussion of Heyer, I plan to read another of hers next, They Found Him Dead

[Susan]

There are two or three books I would like to read in the vote. Hopefully I will get time for them before Christmas :)

[Sandy]

Susan wrote: "There are two or three books I would like to read in the vote. Hopefully I will get time for them before Christmas :)"

I agree; December could be a busy month!

[Marwan]

Started reading The Lonely Sea by Alistair MacLean

[Jill]

Started The Warrior's Princess by Barbara Erskine which I would say is a mystery as well as historical fiction

[Susan]

I started re-reading Not a Creature was Stirring which will be our last buddy read of the year next month. Really love Jane Haddam and really enjoying this - even though I have read it before more than once.

[Susan]

I came across this recently The Mitford Murders Not sure how good it is, but I liked the look of the storyline/setting.

[Fred]

I just started The Roman Hat Mystery by Ellery Queen. This was first book with Ellery Queen as detective. I read more 25 years ago but wanted to revisit because I was disappointed when read another Queen this year Calamity Town.

[Judy]

I've just started our next group read, Crooked House by Agatha Christie - it immediately hooked me in! Looking forward to our discussion of this one.

[Susan]

Glad you liked it, Judy. Often Christie's stand alone novels get ignored, as Poirot is so huge, but many of them are really good.

ust a reminder that, in mid-November, we will have our next buddy read: Not a Creature Was Stirring

This is the first in the Gregor Demarkian series - nice new covers for anyone (like me!) who appreciates that kind of thing. Murder, mayhem and tinsel - what's not to like?

The Hannaford who made the family fortune called himself a tycoon. The newspapers called him a robber baron. Since the days of Robert Hannaford I, the family has infested Philadelphia society like a disease. The current Hannafords are a clan of embezzlers, gamblers, and fantasy novelists. This Christmas, they have money in their bank accounts, crime in their blood, and murder on their minds. Gregor Demarkian is their reluctant guest. A former FBI agent who quit the agency after his wife’s death, he is invited by the Hannaford patriarch to come for dinner at the family mansion. Demarkain arrives just in time to find his host bludgeoned to death in his study and his investigation will lead him to the Hannafords, a family of cold-blooded killers.

[Jan C]

Susan wrote: "Glad you liked it, Judy. Often Christie's stand alone novels get ignored, as Poirot is so huge, but many of them are really good.

ust a reminder that, in mid-November, we will have our next buddy ..."

Surprised to find I have this hiding on my Kindle.

[Leslie]

I reread Artists in Crime via audiobook -- Nadia May does a marvellous narration of this!

[Judy]

Jan C wrote: "Surprised to find I have this hiding on my Kindle. .."

Good news, Jan - amazing what can sometimes turn up hidden on a Kindle! Looking forward to the buddy read.

[Judy]

I've started Prisoner's Base by Rex Stout, which is one I recently picked up as a Kindle offer.

Great start -a nice change of pace after The Merchant's Tale by Ann Swinfen, which I found rather slow.

[Gary]

Susan wrote: "Glad you liked it, Judy. Often Christie's stand alone novels get ignored, as Poirot is so huge, but many of them are really good.

ust a reminder that, in mid-November, we will have our next buddy ..."
H
Recently picked this up on a Nook sale.

[Roisin]

The Cry Of The Owl by Patricia Highsmith, don't know that one. I've read only two books by her, The Talented Mr Ripley, The Price of Salt and they were very good, so I should read more by her.

Finally reading the 4:50 From Paddington by Agatha Christie, which I've seen on television/film, the last version that I saw was the one with Margaret Rutherford and Joan Hickson. Wonderful stuff!

[Annie]

Annie wrote: "I'm reading Elementary Murder by A.J. Wright - set in Wigan, Lancashire in 1894, 👍 so far"

I gave this ***** my review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Susan]

I just started Deep Water after I accidentally requested, and was approved for, the second book in a series (thinking it was a stand alone). Luckily, I do like this.

[Carolien]

Annie wrote: "Annie wrote: "I'm reading Elementary Murder by A.J. Wright - set in Wigan, Lancashire in 1894, 👍 so far"

I gave this ***** my..."

Very nice review, Annie. So glad I'm not the only one with a spreadsheet to keep track!

[Annabel]

Paperbackreader wrote: "Carolien wrote: "Having mostly read Christie this year for our challenge, it gave me a chance to compare the two again. I probably prefer Heyer's overall style,...All those Regency romances also me..."

On the Christie v Heyer debate, I will diplomatically give my opinion that both authors have good moments and bad moments when it comes to characterisation. I love all the characters of Sad Cypress and Taken At The Flood, for instance, while finding After The Funeral very under-written. Similarly, I enjoy the characterisation of The Unfinished Clue and Duplicate Death but find Death On The Stocks rather offensively over-simplistic.

Envious Casca is one of Heyer's best detection efforts IMO, but I am never quite convinced by the love interest. (And unlike some on this thread, I do like a romantic angle.)

I have just reread Appointment With Venus by Jerrard Tickell for the first time since I was a teenager, having stumbled across it on holiday (not in the Channel Islands, sadly). I loved it even more second time around - despite its wartime setting, it isn't over-violent or grim. My only complaint is its taut efficiency - I could have done with it being at least half as long again.

Re the mention of Alastair McLean earlier - I find his books very hit and miss but Where Eagles Dare is excellent and exactly like the film, or rather the film is exactly like it. Night Without End is another one I enjoy rereading despite rather erratic characterisation, because of its fantastic Arctic setting.

[Susan]

I am currently reading a new author debut East of Hounslow - very funny and clever so far (might appeal to lovers of Slow Horses).

Also, I am reading Deep Water as I mistakenly requested a book which turned out to be the sequel to this one: Cold, Cold Heart . Luckily, I am enjoying the first in the series - quite traditional, but very enjoyable.

[Judy]

I'm just starting our forthcoming buddy read, Not a Creature Was Stirring - this will be my first by Jane Haddam. I downloaded it from Scribd as part of my package.



Just finished Prisoner's Base by Rex Stout which I really liked - Archie takes an interesting path in this one, which involves becoming very friendly with the police!

[Susan]

Hurrah! I hope you enjoy Jane Haddam, Judy. I am enjoying re-reading this again.

[Sandy]

I'm reading Dying to Live, a new entry in the Detective Kubu series. It is set in Botswana and, referencing another discussion in the group, I think I discovered the series thru a GR recommendation: either a "personal" one or from the row of books displayed as "you may also like" based on #1 Ladies. And I do like the series (as this is #6). Much more of a standard mystery than #1 Ladies and has all the Botswana vibe. (Don't take that wrong; I love #1 Ladies but the mystery is very much secondary.)

[Corrie]

I have just finished reading The Breakdown by B. A. Parks. It was one of those books that is hard to put down because you just can't wait to see how it ends. Not a particularly complicated reading but just enjoyable.

[Carolien]

Sandy wrote: "I'm reading Dying to Live, a new entry in the Detective Kubu series. It is set in Botswana and, referencing another discussion in the group, I think I discovered the series thru a G..."

I love this series!

[Susan]

The Detective Kubu series looks good, Carolien.

[Jan C]

I just finished Ten Second Staircase by Christopher Fowler, part of his Peculiar Crime Unit series. I really enjoy him.

[Susan]

Haven't read any Christopher Fowler, Jan, but keep meaning to try him.

[Carolien]

He has a very interesting blog, I also keep meaning to read his books.

[Jan C]

Yes, he does. I haven't looked lately but I still remember how much I enjoyed from last year, Christmastime, when he took a trip to the street markets in Berlin or Belgium or somewhere like that.

[Jill]

Just starting No Wind of Blame by Georgette Heyer so I can read Envious Casca for a forthcoming buddy read

[Judy]

A few of us will be buddy reading Envious Casca here too, Jill, during December, if you would like to double buddy read it! :)

[Lady Clementina]

Jill wrote: "Just starting No Wind of Blame by Georgette Heyer so I can read Envious Casca for a forthcoming buddy read"

I was planning to do just that in prep for the buddy read here :)

[Susan]

I am also planning to read No Wind of Blame first, if I get time. Perhaps I will set up a buddy read thread nearer the time for those of us reading it?

[Lady Clementina]

Susan wrote: "I am also planning to read No Wind of Blame first, if I get time. Perhaps I will set up a buddy read thread nearer the time for those of us reading it?"

That sounds good to me.

[Sandy]

I have to read A Blunt Instrument, the last of another series that introduces Hemmingway, and then I will join you.

[Leslie]

I finished The Smiler with the Knife today -- one of the Nigel Strangeways series, though this one focuses on his wife. More of a suspense story than a mystery but still an enjoyable read.

[Susan]

I love the Strangeways books, Leslie.

Sandy, I have SO many books I need to read this month, there is no hurry. However, if anyone does start, please give me a shout and I will open the thread, even if I haven't got to it yet.

I am currently reading The Crime at the 'Noah's Ark' and enjoying it, but it is making me feel cold!

[Jill]

Just starting The Woman Before Me by Ruth Dugdall. Have heard some great things about this author so thought it was time I gave her a try

[Ellen]

Reading the new Charles Todd A Casualty of War.