What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread Showing 2,601-2,650 of 4,457

[Judy]

I’ve now finished Green for Danger which I thought was great - much better than Heads You Lose by Christianna Brand. Shows it is often worth giving writers a second try!

[Annabel]

Tara wrote: "While not of the GA genre, I have enjoyed Sue Grafton's Alphabet mysteries with PI Kinsey Millhone for years. With her recent passing, it now makes it impossible for us to ever get to Z, although w..."

Surely someone will get hold of the rights and write Z, it's almost guaranteed, isn't it? But I hope that they stop there and don't start with 1, 2, 3, etc or similar. Roman numerals? Binary code?

[Annabel]

Rereading Patricia Wentworth's Lonesome Road. It's got an inheritance plot, a slightly older heroine who has (gasp) almost missed her opportunity for romance (a bit like some of the older heroines in Georgette Heyer's Regency romances) and a really generous range of attempted murder methods (I count five).

It also has one of her more well-drawn murderers, although the overall motive and logic gets a bit peculiar towards the end. (view spoiler)[I can never see why Cosmo would take money from Caroline when he is trying to persuade Rachel to marry him, given how close the two women are - he must know it will be bound to come out. And given that Rachel is rich and he loves her and hopes to marry her, why is he trying to murder her at all? I think a well-structured start collapsed in the end under the pressure of two separate romance arcs and the need for PERIL. (hide spoiler)].

It also involves anonymous letters. I always think these are a really handy way of kick-starting a detective story, especially if you have a professional consulting detective who needs clients to approach him or her, but the logic behind who would write the letters almost never works out in the end. I would make honourable exceptions for Poison in the Pen (also Wentworth) and Agatha Christie's The Moving Finger (which someone in this thread reminded me the other day is NOT a standalone as I had described it - but Miss M is a fairly minor presence in it and isn't really needed in my view).

[Tara]

Annabel wrote: "Tara wrote: "While not of the GA genre, I have enjoyed Sue Grafton's Alphabet mysteries with PI Kinsey Millhone for years. With her recent passing, it now makes it impossible for us to ever get to ..."

I read an article in which her children said that there would never be a ghost writer, and apparently Sue was too ill to begin working on Z herself. Considering how protective she was of her book rights (she refused to sell to Hollywood for movie or TV adaption), I would tend to take this at face value. Perhaps in years to come that will change, but seemingly nothing in the near future. As far as the family is concerned, the alphabet ends with the letter Y. I think where I am most disappointed is that it was so close to the end, and you could feel in Y that she was starting to tie up loose ends. I don't think we were ever going to get a happily ever after kind of scenario, but it would have been nice to see where she chose to leave off the characters. I guess we will just have to do that ourselves!

[Susan]

Judy wrote: "I’ve now finished Green for Danger which I thought was great - much better than Heads You Lose by Christianna Brand. Shows it is often worth giving writers a second try!"

Hurrah! Glad you liked it, Judy. A reminder that the buddy read thread for Green for Danger will open at the weekend.

[Judy]

Susan wrote: "Hurrah! Glad you liked it, Judy. A reminder that the buddy read thread for Green for Danger will open at the weekend. ..."

Looking forward to it, Susan. :)

[Sandy]

I've finished Green for Danger: The Official Anthology of the Crime Writers' Association, the short story collection the library sent me when I really wanted Green for Danger. I'm happy for the confusion as I wouldn't have found the book otherwise.

My review:
A nice collection of contemporary mystery writers, quite varied in style, and a good introduction to each writer's style. My only complaint is that so many stories had a 'twist' that a straight-forward plot was refreshingly unique.

[Jill]

Just starting The League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout so I am in with a chance of catching up with others.

[Judy]

Jill wrote: "Just starting The League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout so I am in with a chance of catching up with others."

I loved that one, Jill - my favourite of the Rex Stout books I've read so far!

[Patrick]

Too Many Cooks is one of the best Wolfe novels, and demonstrates a perhaps surprising sensitivity on a certain social front (I don't want to give too much away).

[Paperbackreader]

Was listening to The Snowman but lately every night has been negative-something-Fahrenheit. I think I'll wait until it's warmer to resume it. Drawing comfort from Poirot Investigates now.

[Gary]

Jill wrote: "Just starting The League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout so I am in with a chance of catching up with others."

I finally landed an ebook copy of Frightened Men on sale so I can read it now. My paperback copy has a fairly tiny font and until I get new glasses it was a no go. I hope to get to Frightened Men in February.

[Pamela]

I'm reading The Crime At Black Dudley - I didn't get to it in time when it was a group read so wanted to read it before Mystery Mile comes up next month. So far it's proving a good bedtime read

[Susan]

I have just started Mystery Mile Pamela and I am really enjoying it. I liked The Crime at Black Dudley, but didn't love it, so I am pleased I am enjoying the second Campion book much more.

[Pamela]

Oh that's good to know Susan, I'm looking forward to both the Allingham and the Marsh offerings next month.

[Susan]

Me too, Pamela :)

[Patrick]

Pamela wrote: "I'm reading The Crime At Black Dudley - I didn't get to it in time when it was a group read so wanted to read it before Mystery Mile comes up next month. So far it's..."

I read The Crime at Black Dudley a few years back and found it quite interesting, although I am certain that, like many first books in series, it is not too similar to the later titles.

[Brina]

I'm reading The Garden of Eden and Other Criminal Delights by Faye Kellerman. I hope to have a review up later today.

[Susan]

Just started Kin

Historical crime featuring Vikings. Makes a change from Romans!

[Pages]

I just finished Holding, by Graham Norton. It was really good and I'm really glad it is good because I really like Graham Norton.

I'm pleased that it has been a success for him.

It is about two mysteries that get discovered at a building site in a small town in Ireland. It was a fun listen.

[Judy]

I've just read our second book for the Ngaio Marsh challenge, Enter a Murderer - I read it all today, and really enjoyed it. This was a reread for me, but even though I last read it only a couple of years ago, I had forgotten whodunit for most of the book, until I suddenly remembered near the end!

Just a word of warning to anyone not reading in order - the identity of the killer in the first book is mentioned in this one. It's surprising how often GA writers used to do that!

[Susan]

Many people subscribed to libraries, or book clubs, which sent you the new books of the day, Judy. I expect more people read series in order then and, like television today, would have talked of the new books by favourite authors. Remember the British Library mystery we read, where the two gentlemen get their parcel of books, split them up and later discussed the mysteries between them before sending them back for a new batch?

[Patrick]

Farrah wrote: "I just finished Holding, by Graham Norton. It was really good and I'm really glad it is good because I really like Graham Norton.

I'm pleased that it has been a success for him.
..."

I read the positive reviews and was not in the least surprised. I like Graham's TV work, but beneath the snarky persona it is pretty easy to detect that there is a more substantial sensibility. I am glad that it is finding an outlet, and I look forward to reading this book.

[Leslie]

Argh - I thought I posted here yesterday but apparently not. I was reading (now finished) the 3rd Dr. Thorndyke mystery, The Vanishing Man {aka The Eye of Osiris}. I got this ~5 years ago knowing nothing about it (other than it was a mystery and was free!). This is the second Thorndyke book I have read (coincidentally having read the first book in the series (The Red Thumb Mark) just a few months ago) & I have enjoyed both of them.

I guess I am taking on a new series & have already downloaded the 2nd book (John Thorndyke's Cases) from Project Gutenberg.

[Judy]

Leslie, I just saw a mention of Dr Thorndyke today in the second Alleyn mystery and was thinking I must give them a try. Also, well done for reading a 5-year-old freebie - I've got so many which have been knocking around for some time!

[Sandy]

I seem to own The Red Thumb Mark. I feel guilty ignoring my owned books and have set up a yet another challenge for myself to read 10 - 12 this year. No problem: no one is watching.

[Susan]

Sandy - what a great idea for a challenge! I think I am going to challenge myself to read at least one personal read each month, in between all the book club and review books.

[Frances]

I've just finished Glass Houses by Louise Penny and for those of you familiar with the series I thought it was the best one yet. This series is set between Montreal and a small village in Quebec and features a Chief Inspector in the Quebec police force as the detective and is really engaging and clever.

[Sandy]

Frances wrote: "I've just finished Glass Houses by Louise Penny and for those of you familiar with the series I thought it was the best one yet. This series is set between Montreal and a small vill..."

I have got to get to Glass Houses. Three Pines is one of my very favorite series. Best one yet? Wow!

[Gary]

Currently reading House of Darkness by Ellery Queen

[Sue]

I've just finished and reviewed The Notting Hill Mystery. I really enjoyed it and as it's the first one I've read from the British Library Classic Crime series I'm quite optimistic about how the rest might turn out too. I was given four of them recently and can't wait to get started on the next one!

[Robin]

I'm fairly new to Louise Penny, and agree she is a great find. I enjoyed three pines and look forward to reading your recommendations.

[Judy]

Just getting on to The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey - I've been promising myself this one for a while.

[Gary]

After finishing House of Darkness, see message 2652. now reading The Vicious Vet by M.C. Beaton which is the second Agatha Raisin book. Also reading A Bird in the Hand by Dane McCaslin

[Pamela]

Just started Death in a Strange Country by Donna Leon. Good so far, enjoying being transported to Venice

[Leslie]

I am reading Money from Holme, a non-Appleby Michael Innes book.

[Leslie]

Pamela wrote: "Just started Death in a Strange Country by Donna Leon. Good so far, enjoying being transported to Venice"

Donna Leon is an author I have been meaning to read. Do the books need to be read in order?

[Sandy]

I've started the next Heyer, Duplicate Death. Excellent so far.

[Lady Clementina]

Sandy wrote: "I've started the next Heyer, Duplicate Death. Excellent so far."

I missing out reading Envious Casca with the group since I got busy with work and things but I am going to pick it up sometime soon. Hoping it was as much fun as No Wind of Blame.

[Susan]

I am reading a review book The Long Silence: A 1920s' Hollywood Noir Mystery
It is set in 1922 Hollywood and is set around the murder of William Desmond Taylor. Enjoyable so far.

[Lady Clementina]

I started The Z Murders by J Jefferson Farjeon- for a reding prompt in another group- good fun so far.

[Pamela]

Leslie wrote: "Donna Leon is an author I have been meaning to read. Do the books need to be read in order?"

Well, I'm probably not the best person to ask as I rarely read a series in order! But from the two I've read so far, the crimes are stand alone, while there is some continuity through Brunetti's family life and his interactions with his colleagues.

The next Leon book I have is #12 so I'll see if there's a huge leap forward!

[Jan C]

Susan wrote: "I am reading a review book The Long Silence: A 1920s' Hollywood Noir Mystery
It is set in 1922 Hollywood and i..."

That looks interesting.

[Jill]

Started The Dry by Jane Harper . Really good so far. It was recommended to me by one of our members. It was a nominated book in the Goodreads 2017 choice awards. Set in Australia during the worst drought of the century

[Carolien]

Jill wrote: "Started The Dry by Jane Harper . Really good so far. It was recommended to me by one of our members. It was a nominated book in the Goodreads 2017 choice awards. Set..."

My husband brought me a copy as a "Hi, I'm back from Oz after 7 weeks" present. It looks really interesting, I'd love to hear what you think.

[Carolien]

Leslie wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Just started Death in a Strange Country by Donna Leon. Good so far, enjoying being transported to Venice"

Donna Leon is an author I have been meaning t..."

The crimes are standalone. The best benefit you'll get is the personal and family development, but it's a fairly flexible series.

[Leslie]

Carolien wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Just started Death in a Strange Country by Donna Leon. Good so far, enjoying being transported to Venice"

Donna Leon is an author I have..."

Thanks Carolien!

And re: The Dry - I read it a few months ago and really liked it. It wasn't the best mystery ever but the setting and characters were so well done (especially for a first book!).

[Robin]

Donna Leon, great series. I agree, they are stand alone as far as the criminal investigations go. However, the family relationships would be interesting to read in sequence - not that I have done so. I'm always eager to read whichever one is available.

[Susan]

I have started our next buddy read The Documents in the Case

Really enjoying it so far - I've missed reading Sayers.

[Bev]

Red Warning by Virgil Markham (1933)