What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread Showing 2,351-2,400 of 4,457

[Elinor]

Hi ! It's been a long time since I last came here, isn't it ? I found out there is a group read for The Crime at the 'Noah's Ark'", I might read it along you.
I'm not currently reading any mysteries (on to a Brandon Sanderson right now), however I've read two that I loved in the past months : The murder of Roger Ackroyd by the Queen Herself and a used bookstore random pick that turned awesome, Picture Miss Seeton, it was a whole lot of fun !
I do really think I'm going to give in, buy The Crime at the Noah's Ark and start it like, today. I'm weak.

[Judy]

Do read Noah’s Ark, Elinor - it’s a fun read and it’s also fun to give in to reading temptation. :)

[Susan]

It has a nice festive feel too, Elinor.

[Marcus]

I’m reading Noah’s Ark (almost 60% of the book). I’m liking it.

[Sandy]

Elinor wrote: "Hi ! It's been a long time since I last came here, isn't it ? I found out there is a group read for The Crime at the 'Noah's Ark'", I might read it along you.
I'm not currently reading any mysteri..."

Picture Miss Seeton is on my kindle (unread), so glad to hear you liked it.

[Gary]

Currently reading Murder on the Rocks by Allyson K. Abbott

[Rosina]

I have just finished reading A Bullet in the Ballet, which must count as a mystery, and am starting Giotto's Hand the fifth in the art mystery series by Iain Pears, which I am slowly re-reading.

[Christmas Carol ꧁꧂]

I've started reading the second part of the Miss Marple short stories - couldn't wait any longer. :)

[Susan]

I really enjoyed the Miss Marple stories, Carol. A great collection.

[Judy]

I’m also really enjoying the Miss Marple short stories.

I’ve also started I Was Jack Mortimer by Alexander Lernet-Holenia, one of the Pushkin Press European crime reissues. This is an early 1930s thriller set in Vienna which has an intriguing start.

[Susan]

I love those Pushkin Press Euro Crime novels, Judy. Will have a look.

[Sandy]

I read Disco For The Departed last night, #3 in a series set in Laos in the 1070's, after the Communist came into power. It has paranormal elements, usually a no-no for me, but I'm accepting them in this series. Great characters and a unique setting.

[Leslie]

I finally went back to the first book of the Inspector Montalbano series, which I have owned for over a year now but hadn't read yet. The Shape of Water wasn't as good as some of the later books in the series but it was fun filling in some of the background on various characters.

[Judy]

I enjoyed I Was Jack Mortimer - a fun read, more a thriller than a mystery, which I found hard to put down.

I'm now starting Death at the Theatre, the second book in the Miss Hart and Miss Hunter Investigate series by Celina Grace. This is my latest monthly book borrowed from the Kindle Owners' Lending Library.



Given the theatrical setting for the crime, I'm hoping there won't be quite as many descriptions of cooking and cleaning as in the first book!

[Judy]

Leslie wrote: "I finally went back to the first book of the Inspector Montalbano series, which I have owned for over a year now but hadn't read yet. The Shape of Water wasn't as good as some of the ..."

I quite enjoyed The Shape of Water but haven't read on in the series as yet, Leslie - I'm interested to hear that the later books are better.

[Roman Clodia]

I love this series - and have a serious crush on Salvo Montalbano!

[Pamela]

Roman Clodia wrote: "I love this series - and have a serious crush on Salvo Montalbano!"

Me too! And my Mum has got me 10 Montalbano books for my Christmas present, so I know what I'll be reading next year.

[Susan]

Another series I keep meaning to read... Really must get to them. Have just finished The Woman in the Window and loved it.

[Roman Clodia]

Pamela wrote: "Roman Clodia wrote: "I love this series - and have a serious crush on Salvo Montalbano!"

Me too! And my Mum has got me 10 Montalbano books for my Christmas present, so I know what I'll be reading ..."

Ha! If anyone ever compiled a list of book-boyfriends, I predict our Salvo would be somewhere near the top!

[Susan]

Ooh, 'Book Boyfriends...'

Although I can think of some very good, fictional catches, I seriously think poor Matthew Shardlake needs a wife.

[Roman Clodia]

Count me out - I can't bear moany-groany Shardlake! Happy to generously pass him on to someone else...

[Susan]

He has a kind heart, RC! So, who can we think of that can cook, isn't on the run and doesn't have a drinking problem?

[Jill]

I am secretly in love with Peter Maxwell from M.J. Trow's series. Well not so secretly now!

[Roman Clodia]

Susan wrote: "He has a kind heart, RC!"

You're right - I'll stretch to the occasional tankard of mead or small beer, then, in a cosy little tavern but romance is off the table!

[Miss M]

Susan wrote: "... So, who can we think of that can cook, isn't on the run and doesn't have a drinking problem?"

Bruno, Chief of Police!

Also, Guido Guerrieri, who likes to hang out at the local all-night bookstore (be still my beating heart...)
Involuntary Witness

[Susan]

I think he'll be fine with that, RC. I'll join in too and he'll be cheered up - I worry about him!

[Rosina]

Why is there a sudden surge of books with either male policemen (usually European, rather than British or American) who can rustle up a fine-dining experience between being a cop, or with female (often American) women with unhappy lovelives and a passion for pastry-cheffery? (Edit - who also deal with cosy crime. I don't mind people eating and cooking, but it does become too much of a good thing. I enjoy crime fiction and cookery books, but I'm not sure I like them mixed.)

[Roman Clodia]

Susan wrote: "I think he'll be fine with that, RC. I'll join in too and he'll be cheered up - I worry about him!"

Aw, you're sweet!

There was Jean-Guy Beauvoir from Louise Penny's series, but he's gone and got married now - darn.

But still single and available are Joe Morelli and the divine Ranger from Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. And Joe knows his way around a barbecue, too.

[Susan]

Janet Evanovich had some good looking guys in her Wicked series too, which was fun.

[Gary]

My question is, "Why so many cop boyfriends?"

[Leslie]

Susan wrote: "Ooh, 'Book Boyfriends...'

Although I can think of some very good, fictional catches, I seriously think poor Matthew Shardlake needs a wife."

Archie Goodwin!

[Annabel]

I have a bit of a crush on Alec in the Dandy Gilver series. He's intelligent, courageous, has a GSOH and treats women very well for someone living in the 1920s/30s. He was single too, last time I checked.

I would be getting in the way of his romantic friendship/crime-solving partnership with Dandy though, which would be bound to be awkward.

[Susan]

Well, I must admit to a bit of a crush on Peter Wimsey. Do you think Harriet would mind?

[Carolien]

Miss M wrote: "Susan wrote: "... So, who can we think of that can cook, isn't on the run and doesn't have a drinking problem?"

Bruno, Chief of Police!

Also, Guido Guerrieri, who likes to hang out at the local a..."

I'm with you on Bruno!

[Judy]

I've just finished the second Miss Hart and Miss Hunter mystery, Death at the Theatre by Celina Grace, which I enjoyed. I thought this was better than the first book - more detecting and fewer descriptions of cooking, though it does still make it clear how hard a housemaid's life would have been in the 1930s.

This one definitely needs to be read after Murder at Merisham Lodge, as it follows straight on and mentions the identity of a killer in the previous book - it also continues to harp back to the novella Death at the Manor. I think there are more hints of romance for Joan and the inspector in this one, so I will be interested to see how/if this develops.

[Judy]

I also tried to read A Scone to Die For, a freebie I picked up a while ago, but gave up on it about a third of the way in as I wasn't enjoying it very much. Not terrible, but a bit like a Mills & Boon romance and too many long-winded explanations of things like what a toasted teacake is.

[Jill]

Finished Nemesis so now onto Miss Marple's Final Cases

[Lady Clementina]

Judy wrote: "I also tried to read A Scone to Die For, a freebie I picked up a while ago, but gave up on it about a third of the way in as I wasn't enjoying it very much. Not terrible, but a bit ..."

I quite enjoyed it actually. It wasn't bad as a mystery - I didn't guess the "who" - and the chicklit-ty bits I thought were not too much to overshadow the mystery.

[Susan]

Judy, interesting to hear Death at the Theatre was better than the first. I think we learnt from reading the earlier one that she has to be read in order - she can't seem to stop herself mentioning what happened in earlier books (possibly to tempt you to download them).

[Judy]

Glad you enjoyed A Scone to Die For more than I did, Lady C. :)

[Judy]

Susan wrote: "Judy, interesting to hear Death at the Theatre was better than the first. I think we learnt from reading the earlier one that she has to be read in order - she can't seem to stop herself mentioning..."

A few mystery authors seem to do this, Susan - the Oxford Medieval Mysteries by Ann Swinfen follow straight on from one another and I think if you came in halfway you would be quite confused!

[Carolien]

I found this article on cozy mysteries and the latest developments quite interesting. It also provides some information on how publishers view the genre at the moment.

http://www.thebigthrill.org/2017/11/t...

[Susan]

I am currently reading In the Shadow of Agatha Christie: Classic Crime Fiction by Forgotten Female Writers: 1850-1917 which is a selection of short stories by some authors who are forgotten and some who are definitely not (like Elizabeth Gaskell) but who you don't necessarily connect with crime fiction as such. Very interesting.

[Carolien]

Susan wrote: "I am currently reading In the Shadow of Agatha Christie: Classic Crime Fiction by Forgotten Female Writers: 1850-1917 [bookcover:In the Shadow of Agatha Christie: Classic Crime Fict..."

This looks like such an interesting read. I've updated this old comment with some of the authors who were never mentioned in the original conversation on female mystery writers.

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

[Leslie]

I have finished the 4th book in the 87th Pecinct series: The Con Man. Recommended for fans of the TV show Hill Street Blues… Though I don't know how many people here have seen that!

[Jan C]

Leslie wrote: "I have finished the 4th book in the 87th Pecinct series: The Con Man. Recommended for fans of the TV show Hill Street Blues… Though I don't know how many people here have seen that!"

I used to watch it.

[Susan]

I vividly remember Hill Street Blues and I love Ed McBain. Especially the Deaf Man - anyone remember him?

[Carolien]

I loved Hill Street Blues. Still one of my all time favourite TV series. Robert Crais used to be a script writer for the series and I enjoy his books. Similar to Timothy Hallinan, they have the feel of a good TV script to them.

[Susan]

I haven't seen Hill Street Blues for years and years, Carolien, but I can still remember the first episode and that shocking ending with Renko (?) and Bobby being shot. I have never read Robert Crais, despite hearing so much about him over the years. Another author I really do need to try.

[Carolien]

We visited the Film Museum in New York a few years' ago. You're allowed to view part of their collection and that first episode was my choice for the day!