What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread Showing 2,451-2,500 of 4,475

[Frances]

I'm reading Case Histories and really enjoying it.

[Leslie]

I just finished The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler & wow, was it great! I thought that this would be a reread for me, but after the first few pages, I realized that I had never read this before. Chandler kept surprizing me right up to the end & while there was some violence, it wasn't really graphic.

[Carolien]

Frances wrote: "I'm reading Case Histories and really enjoying it."

I really enjoy this series.

[Carolien]

I've just finished The Dead Letter which is the oldest book in my ongoing quest to read a mystery written by a female author published in 12 consecutive decades this year. An interesting story - stronger on character than plot, but a good example of the genre.

If anybody is really interested in the pre-1900 books, this thread in another group contains some interesting examples. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Jill]

Carolien wrote: "I've just finished The Dead Letter which is the oldest book in my ongoing quest to read a mystery written by a female author published in 12 consecutive decades this year. An interes..."

Great link. I have looked up and added some of the books you have mentioned on here before. Isabel Ostrander being one.

[Jill]

Just started Snapped in Cornwall by Janie Bolitho
Also Mysteries for Christmas: 48 Puzzling Murder Mysteries & Supernatural Thrillers: What the Shepherd Saw, The Ghosts at Grantley, The Mystery of Room Five, ... of Cernogratz, A Terrible Christmas Eve...

[Judy]

Thank you for the link, Carolien, very interesting.

[Carolien]

I'll start nominating some of these for our monthly reads, because I think the group will enjoy authors like Isabel Ostrander. I'd also like to try Checkmate by J. Sheridan Le Fanu who is an author that I enjoy.

[Susan]

A very interesting idea, Carolien (female authors and decades). Thanks for the link too.

[Carolien]

Susan wrote: "A very interesting idea, Carolien (female authors and decades). Thanks for the link too."

Here's the list per decade if you are interested. Three books to go.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Susan]

Thanks, Carolien. You can do it :)

[Carolien]

I've finished another of my historical mysteries, A Strange Disappearance which is a novella length mystery centred on the disappearance of a seamstress in New York. I really enjoy this series by Anna Katharine Green. This one has a bit of a Jane Eyre flavour to it and involves kidnapping, not murder.

The last three books that I have read are all set in turn of the century New York and I love the atmosphere of that time in the city. I enjoy Edith Wharton for the same reason.

[Marwan]

Started reading The Flemish House by Georges Simenon

[Lady Clementina]

Carolien wrote: "I've finished another of my historical mysteries, A Strange Disappearance which is a novella length mystery centred on the disappearance of a seamstress in New York. I really enjoy t..."

I read this one some years ago- quite liked it but I felt the second half after we find out who was a little stretched out.

[Joanne]

Thank you to the readers who mentioned and recommended Elly Griffiths's Ruth Galloway series. I'm about 70 pages into The Crossing Places and really enjoying it. I especially like the author's wry humor, like this tidbit: "They probably think she is being arrested. Guilty of living alone and weighing over ten stone." Thanks so much!

[Robin]

Frances you mention reading Case Histories. I am such an admirer of Kate Atkinson, having begun with her first novel, Behind the Scenes at the Museum. Then her terrific flair with this style seemed to diminish and she began the Bridge books. I thought this was such a courageous move. And enjoyed those too. Now she has written Time After Time, another more like her earlier work, and a winner She is excellent.

[Carolien]

Has anybody read the Dr Priestley series by John Rhode? There are some on special on Amazon and I'm wondering if they are worth considering.

[Sandy]

I've started Her Royal Spyness, the first in a long, popular series of light mysteries set in the 1030's. And just finished Why Mermaids Sing, the third in a series set in the Regency period. I'm growing quite attached to this series and hope to pick up the next one at the library today (while attending a costumed reading of 'A Christmas Carol').

I'm ignoring the more stressful aspects of the holidays.

[Pages]

Hi Sandy,

I enjoyed Her Royal Spyness. It’s fun and lighthearted. I listened to it on audible. The voices were great.

[Susan]

I have started The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle which is very unusual and interesting so far.

[Carolien]

I've completed The Ritual Bath which my mother recommended to me ages ago. I enjoyed it and found the explanation of the Jewish traditions very interesting. Johannesburg has a relatively large Jewish population and they played an important role in the anti-apartheid struggle.

Is it just me or does American crime books set on the West Coast have a different feel and tone to those set on the East Coast?

[Judy]

Wasn't quite sure whether to put this in the mystery or non-mystery thread, but I've just started reading The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books by Martin Edwards - I think this will be a great read but will swell my TBR list!!

[Susan]

Judy wrote: "Wasn't quite sure whether to put this in the mystery or non-mystery thread, but I've just started reading The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books by Martin Edwards - ..."

I loved that, Judy - enjoy :)

[Judy]

Thanks, Susan, I am enjoying The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books far. I think it is one of those books which will be a quick read but then I will keep referring back to it in the future - glad to have it in a gorgeous hardback copy, although I see it is also now on Kindle Unlimited.

[Doris]

I'm on my ninth Maisie Dobbs book, Elegy for Eddie. I have mixed views on this series: in particular, Maisie as an investigator/psychologist who also practices meditation strikes me as anachronistic. And, while the previous book in the series made reference to the rise of Communism and Fascism, the author didn't actually *do* anything with them. OTOH, I like the setting for the stories and the supporting characters enough that I'm still reading the series.

[Sandy]

The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books is on my list to Santa so hope to be reading it soon. I asked for a paper edition as I expect I will use it as a reference, as well as taking notes, checking off books ... its going to be such fun!

[Sandy]

I enjoyed Her Royal Spyness: very light and amusing. I've added the series to my 'active' list, but need a bit of a gap between books (as one enjoys the first few chocolates but not the last if the entire box is consumed in one sitting).

[Sandy]

Doris wrote: "I'm on my ninth Maisie Dobbs book, Elegy for Eddie. I have mixed views on this series: in particular, Maisie as an investigator/psychologist who also practices meditation strikes me..."

I have the same mixed feeling about Maisie even as I continue reading, and enjoying, the series. I like how it moves ahead in time and the stories are always good. The psychology side of her personality annoys me.

[Judy]

I'm halfway through our group read for next month, The Abbey Court Murder - enjoying it a lot so far. Very romantic and melodramatic, and a quick read.

[Susan]

I am re-reading Green for Danger our next buddy read - set in a hospital during the blitz, it is one of Christianna Brand's best mysteries.

[Judy]

I'm also listening to an audiobook of Holy Disorders by Edmund Crispin while tidying my house for tomorrow's festivities. Very funny so far.

[Marwan]

Judy wrote: "I'm halfway through our group read for next month, The Abbey Court Murder - enjoying it a lot so far. Very romantic and melodramatic, and a quick read."

Susan wrote: "I am re-reading Green for Danger our next buddy read - set in a hospital during the blitz, it is one of Christianna Brand's best mysteries."

I'm curious, How do you find these Authors?

[Marwan]

Finished The Flemish House: Inspector Maigret #14 by Georges Simenon

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

started reading Roseanna by Maj Sjöwall

[Susan]

Marwan wrote: "Judy wrote: "I'm halfway through our group read for next month, The Abbey Court Murder - enjoying it a lot so far. Very romantic and melodramatic, and a quick read."

Susan wrote: "..."

Marwan, both the books that Judy and I mentioned are group reads. We will have three featured books next month:

The Abbey Court Murder which is the book the group nominated and voted for

A Man Lay Dead the first in our 2018 Ngaio Marsh challenge and

Green for Danger
our Buddy Read, which will start mid-Jan

You can join in with any, or all, of these reads. If you are asking where we find Golden Age authors, you could try the following websites for suggestions, or browse our past discussions:

http://www.classiccrimefiction.com/go...
http://rebawhitewilliams.com/the-gold...
https://www.worlds-best-detective-cri...

[Marwan]

Susan wrote: "If you are asking where we find Golden Age authors, you could try the following websites for suggestions, or browse our past discussions: ..."

Thank you, Susan

[Jill]

Just starting The Mysterious Affair at Styles. This is a reread for me, but it has many years since I read it. I started in case Jessica does start up the thread on reading Poirot here.

[Susan]

Jill wrote: "Just starting The Mysterious Affair at Styles. This is a reread for me, but it has many years since I read it. I started in case Jessica does start up the thread on reading Poirot here."

We just felt it was too much to have two challenges running side by side, Jill, but, of course, Jessica is welcome to open a thread for the book.

[Robin]

Jill, I've just finished The Mysterious Affair at Styles and found it satisfying, but cleat a first book. It's a delight to read and then proceed to the Christie of wit and humour as well as death and detection.

[Gary]

Nearing the end of the first Prof. Peter Shandy mystery, Rest You Merry by Charlotte MacLeod. I read the second book back in 2016. I am loving this series so far. Peter is having a really bad Christmas holiday. After being badgered about his lack of outdoor holiday lights by the local faculty wives, Peter attempts a payback of sorts and leaves town to go on a cruise. Peter returns early and discovers a dead body on the floor behind the sofa in his locked home. Certainly among the funniest Chapter 1s I can recall. Peter doesn't find the body until chapter 2.

[Sandy]

Gary wrote: "Nearing the end of the first Prof. Peter Shandy mystery, Rest You Merry by Charlotte MacLeod. I read the second book back in 2016. ..."

I read that over an earlier Christmas and loved Shandy's relationship with his neighbors.

[Jan C]

Sandy wrote: "Gary wrote: "Nearing the end of the first Prof. Peter Shandy mystery, Rest You Merry by Charlotte MacLeod. I read the second book b..."

I read it last Christmas. I liked it and have picked up more of her books.

[Judy]

Susan wrote: "I am re-reading Green for Danger our next buddy read - set in a hospital during the blitz, it is one of Christianna Brand's best mysteries."

A pity this one isn't on Kindle - did you say that the Brand books were on Kindle at one time and then withdrawn, Susan?! Looks as if I will have to get a second-hand copy as the library doesn't have it either.

[Susan]

Yes, they were released on kindle and then withdrawn. I think Open Road also released, then withdrew, then re-released the Jane Haddam books... Most annoying. Luckily, I downloaded all Brand's available titles at the time, as she is one of my favourite authors.

[Jan C]

It is still available on Kindle in US.

[Gary]

Jan C wrote: "It is still available on Kindle in US."

Also available on Nook in the US through Open Road.

[Susan]

Good to hear, Jan and Gary. Open Road Media/Mysterious Press tend to have discounts in the US, but they tend to treat the UK market with what I can only call disregard. Books are released, then vanish pretty quickly, they are pitched at a fairly high price and never discounted (or I have never seen them to be so). I am actually auto approved with them on NetGalley, so I tend to see what is coming out, but they can be frustrating for those of us who like their books here in England...

[Paperbackreader]

Reading The Crime at the Noah's Ark, set at a snowbound inn, on a snowy night. One of those rare occassions when reality and fiction mingle perfectly.

[Judy]

I'm just over halfway through The Hidden House Murders: Miss Hart and Miss Hunter Investigate: Book 3 by Celina Grace.

Very readable, but I'm finding it a bit disappointing after the previous book, which was partly set in a theatre. Here we are back to above/below stairs.

If the author wants to carry on with this series, I think she will need to think of a different twist, because it is increasingly unbelievable to have Joan and Verity just happening to be working in grand houses where a murder just happens to occur!

[Sandy]

At some point they will be the prime suspects.

[Carolien]

I've finally completed my challenge for this year to read a crime novel written by a female author and published in each decade from 1860. The last book was Shadowed by Three which was published in 1879. I really enjoyed this book which is my earliest encounter with private investigators in this challenge. As there is very little information available on Goodreads, I have done a fairly extensive review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm providing a link to the complete challenge as I summarised my conclusions after reading crime novels published across 160 years in the final comment. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...