What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread Showing 2,401-2,450 of 4,475

[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!

[Susan]

Great choice, Carolien :)

[Carolien]

Just finished Lady Molly of Scotland Yard. Collection of short stories and although Lady Molly works for Scotland Yard her approach is fairly unorthodox. Long on intuition and short on procedure, 3 stars for me.

[Rosina]

Carolien wrote: "Just finished Lady Molly of Scotland Yard. Collection of short stories and although Lady Molly works for Scotland Yard her approach is fairly unorthodox. Long on intuition and short on..."


The Kindle edition appears to be free on Amazon ...

[Jill]

Rosina wrote: "Carolien wrote: "Just finished Lady Molly of Scotland Yard. Collection of short stories and although Lady Molly works for Scotland Yard her approach is fairly unorthodox. Long on intui..."

Thanks for that

[Jan C]

It is free. This is from 1910.

[Leslie]

I have finished the 6th Nero Wolfe book, Some Buried Caesar, which I don't think I had read before... This one introduced Lily Rowan and the banter between her & Archie was fun to read.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

Somebody at the Door by Raymond Postgate

[Susan]

I just downloaded Somebody at the Door, Sandy. I am a sucker for books set during WWII on the home front. I mentioned on another thread, that I am thinking of reading Full Dark House:, another series that I just haven't got around to and have meant to for ages. Has anyone else read it? Any recommendations?

[Carolien]

Susan wrote: "I just downloaded Somebody at the Door, Sandy. I am a sucker for books set during WWII on the home front. I mentioned on another thread, that I am thinking of reading [book:Full Dar..."

I'd be interested in reading it with you. It's been on my shelf for ages and I like his blog.

[Susan]

Did you mean Somebody at the Door or Full Dark House, Carolien? Either of which I would be happy to Buddy up with, by the way :)

[Carolien]

Susan wrote: "Did you mean Somebody at the Door or Full Dark House, Carolien? Either of which I would be happy to Buddy up with, by the way :)"

Sorry, Full Dark House.

[Susan]

Sounds good to me, Carolien. I have a busy time at work at the moment. Shall we say we will start next weekend? Or were you thinking later?

[Carolien]

That works for me - 16 December kind of kicks of the holiday season in South Africa and I'll be on leave thereafter for 3 glorious weeks.

Speaking about the author, here's a link to an interesting series on his blog about forgotten authors.

http://www.christopherfowler.co.uk/bl...

[Susan]

OK, Carolien, count me in. I will open a buddy read thread, in case anyone else wants to join in.

[Jan C]

Susan wrote: "OK, Carolien, count me in. I will open a buddy read thread, in case anyone else wants to join in."

I have read it so I will follow along at least. It is a fun series.

[Judy]

I've just started a book with three Nero Wolfe novellas, Trio for Blunt Instruments by Rex Stout - this was a recent special offer.



I haven't read any of the shorter Wolfe and Archie stories before, but am enjoying this a lot so far.

[Carolien]

I've just finished At One Thirty: A Mystery by Isabel Ostrander which was published in 1915. The book is set in New York with an interesting cast of characters and motives galore. She is regarded as a possible candidate to have introduced the form of the blind detective to the genre. One of those authors who seems to have been quite prolific in her day, but not much read today.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and found the introduction of women from the South an interesting feature. I'll probably nominate one of her other books at some point for a monthly read.

[Jill]

Just started Full Dark House Christopher Fowler. The beginning is hilarious.

[Susan]

I just read the first chapter yesterday, Jill. Not much reading time next week, but I hope to catch up over Christmas.

[Gary]

I just read A Highland Christmas by M.C. Beaton. A fun little Hamish Macbeth holiday tale involving a missing cat and a town's stolen Christmas tree and trimmings. I read the first book in the series a while back, this is only my second book n the series. I really enjoyed it.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

Recently finished a detective story set in 1942. Somebody at the Door by Raymond Postgate. My spoiler free review can be found at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... or
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

[Jody]

Susan wrote: "I just downloaded Somebody at the Door, Sandy. I am a sucker for books set during WWII on the home front. I mentioned on another thread, that I am thinking of reading [book:Full Dar..."

I read Full Dark House and loved it. Have read more in the series with Bryant & May and am glad the author, Christopher Fowler, continues to write new books in the series. Quirky characters, laughs and an interesting way to learn London esoterica. I'm not yet up to date with the series, but only have a few more books to read before I await the next publication in the series.

[Susan]

Good to hear, Jody. I've been very busy at work, and with school stuff, recently, but hope to start this properly at the weekend.

[Judy]

I’m interested in the Raymond Postgate book too. He was the dad of Oliver Postgate who created TV shows like Noggin the Nog and they were from an amazing family- see the Postgate family Wikipedia page. On my phone so I can’t post a link.

[Roman Clodia]

I've just started The Dark Angel by Elly Griffiths - anyone else a Ruth Galloway fan here? I just love her! The mystery plots can be a bit so-so but Griffiths writes books packed with personality.

[Jill]

Roman Clodia wrote: "I've just started The Dark Angel by Elly Griffiths - anyone else a Ruth Galloway fan here? I just love her! The mystery plots can be a bit so-so but Griffiths write..."

I've read the first six books so far and love her. Not started the other series yet.

[Roman Clodia]

I couldn't get on wjth the other series, Jill - magicians and seedy hotels just didn't work for me. But this is now Ruth's 10th adventure and she's as brilliantly quirky as ever.

[Sandy]

Roman Clodia wrote: "I've just started The Dark Angel by Elly Griffiths - anyone else a Ruth Galloway fan here? I just love her! The mystery plots can be a bit so-so but Griffiths write..."

I am definitely one of Ruth's fans and its a series where I am actually up to date (so proud of myself!). Its the characters and the setting that I enjoy more than the mystery and I always worry about Ruth on her drive home. I haven't tried Griffiths' other series yet but plan to and hope I enjoy it more than you did RC.

[Jan C]

Roman Clodia wrote: "I've just started The Dark Angel by Elly Griffiths - anyone else a Ruth Galloway fan here? I just love her! The mystery plots can be a bit so-so but Griffiths write..."

I think I am on the second one.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Roman Clodia wrote: "I've just started The Dark Angel by Elly Griffiths - anyone else a Ruth Galloway fan here? I just love her! The mystery plots can be a bit so-so but Griffiths write..."

I'm reading The Crossing Places as part of nother group's book pool next month. Quite looking forward to it!

[Jill]

I'm reading Nickel Plated byAric Davis It's about a young boy who tries to solve people's problems by detective work. He has escaped from foster care and earns money by growing marijuana and selling it and blackmailing pedophiles. Someone who parents would be horrified by , however he does come over as quite a likable character so far.

[Roman Clodia]

I agree, Sandy, her characters are just weird and wonderful. I was a bit worried in the last book as they all seem to be settling down and getting domesticated, even Cathbad (who didn't swirl his cloak once!) but the series has still got it - Ruth's gone to Italy in this latest one and Nelson is much put out... I hope you enjoy the other series more than me, too!