What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread Showing 2,801-2,850 of 4,457

[Bruce]

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton, The Winner by David Baldacci, and The Romanov Prophecy by Steve Berry. I just finished A Time to Kill by John Grisham and Hide and Seek by James Patterson. I loved A Time to Kill. Didn't care for Hide and Seek too much.

[Judy]

Are you going to read all the Graftons, Bruce - whether for the first or a repeat time? I've read most of them but have a few still to go.

[Bruce]

I hope to, although it could take a while.

[Jill]

I really like Baldacci and am reading slowly through his books. I liked the twist in The Winner.

[Susan]

I have just started In the Last Analysis which I have never read before and I am re-reading March Violets the first Bernie Gunther

[Carolien]

Susan wrote: "I have just started In the Last Analysis which I have never read before and I am re-reading March Violets [bookcover:March Vi..."

I've had March Violets on my list for a while, would love your thoughts.

[Tania]

I'm reading Murder at The Mill, which has turned out to be a Christmas mystery. It's an easy read, I'd got about half way through before even finding out who the victim was.

[Fred]

I read two George Bellairs books with Inspector Littlejohn-The Dead Shall be Raised and the Murder of a Quack. It was a two-fer from the library on my kindle. Both were enjoyable and humorous.
I also read Maigret and the Madwoman by Simenon. Another great effort.

[Susan]

Carolien wrote: "Susan wrote: "I have just started In the Last Analysis which I have never read before and I am re-reading March Violets [book..."

I have read all the Bernie Gunther books before, Carolien, and recently finished the latest. However, Philip Kerr's untimely death just prompted me to go back to the very beginning.

[Sandy]

Although I have multiple library books coming due, and the weather in the eastern US says mid-winter, April is approaching and I've dipped into our April read, The Murder at Sissingham Hall. So far I've only read a couple of short chapters before bed, so no opinion yet.

[Susan]

I forgot how much I had enjoyed Murder at Sissingham Hall and really want to read on in the series, Sandy.

[Jill]

I have just finished it. Enjoyed it but thought it was pretty obvious

Just starting Poirot's Early Cases: 18 Hercule Poirot Mysteries Agatha Christie Think I better keeps notes on these stories as I forgot which was which in the previous short stories.

[Judy]

I've read 4 of the Clara Benson books so far and they have all been very good - I think the first one is a bit different from the others but I did really enjoy it. Looking forward to our discussion. :)

[Annabel]

Rereading a few Dorothy Sayers - a soothing treat between attempts at Dickens. I picked up Unnatural Death thinking it was Strong Poison but read it anyway and am now onto SP. These are two of my favourites - Lord Peter in good fooling, the intrepid Miss Climpson doing much of the work and two really ruthless villains with very cunning plans.

[Susan]

I miss reading Sayers, Annabel. I might go back and re-visit Lord Peter on Audible, once I have finished some other series that I am re-reading (Smiley and Bernie Gunther in particular).

[Annabel]

Hi, Susan, yes I think they are almost a perfect comfort read, being both funny and clever and not too dark. There's a surprisingly wide range in quality though - I find Five Red Herrings almost unreadably tedious with its railway timetable fixations. And Murder Must Advertise, which many people think of as her best, can feel a bit self-indulgent and smug. I'm happy with any of the others, though.

[Paperbackreader]

I am reading Have His Carcase. I don't really care for Lord Peter but the books give me a sense of familiar comfort. I am going through the Harriet Vane books only. I find she makes Lord Peter tolerable for me.

[Judy]

I've just started To Love and Be Wise by Josephine Tey - enjoying it so far. I'm a bit sad there are only 2 more to go after this.

[Susan]

How interesting that we all like different things. I enjoy Murder Must Advertise (although I agree that Five Red Herrings was overly detailed!). I much prefer Peter without Harriet though. I don't dislike her, but the early, non Harriet books, are definitely my favourites.

[Paperbackreader]

Susan wrote: "How interesting that we all like different things. I enjoy Murder Must Advertise (although I agree that Five Red Herrings was overly detailed!). I much prefer Peter without Harriet though. I don't I don't dislike her, but the early, non Harriet books, are definitely my favourites."

I am listening to the audio books narrated by Ian Carmichael. Funnily, I think it is Ian Carmichael's rendition of Harriet that makes her more charming to me.

[Susan]

I am a great fan of audio books - a late convert but very much won over, Paperbackreader :)

[Paperbackreader]

Susan wrote: "I am a great fan of audio books - a late convert but very much won over, Paperbackreader :)"

I never understood the charm of audio books, until I realized that grad school was taking over my life and I am no longer reading for fun. That made me rather unhappy! Happily, audio books have solved a greater portion of that problem. :)

[Judy]

I like the Harriet books best too, Paperbackreader, though I do enjoy all of them (well, except for Five Red Herrings!) Ian Carmichael has a great voice so I'm sure he must be a really good audio book reader.

[Lisa]

Just finished the T. H. White "Darkness at Pemberly". Very good, enjoyable - like A. A. Milne - I wish there were more mysteries from him.

[Carolien]

I've just completed The Dry which is an excellent mystery. For some reason it never made much of a splash in South Africa, but my husband bought me a copy while he was in Oz in December. Very atmospheric and it probably adds to the enjoyment that I have done some road trips through Australia and could recognise the kind of small town description in the book. Will try to pick up the second in the series when we are in New Zealand in two weeks' time.

[Susan]

I need to read The Dry - I have heard so much about it, Carolien.

[Susan]

Just a reminder that The Murder at Sissingham Hall is still free on kindle in the UK. As it's next months read, I thought it was worth posting for those who haven't read it yet.

[Tara]

Susan wrote: "Just a reminder that The Murder at Sissingham Hall is still free on kindle in the UK. As it's next months read, I thought it was worth posting for those who haven't read it yet."

Thanks Susan, it is also free in the US (which isn't always the case). I wasn't planning on reading as I have an overstuffed plate already, but who can say no to free?!?

[Susan]

Well, exactly, Tara :)

[Leslie]

I haven't updated here in a while (my mother was in the hospital - she is fine, recovering in rehab now, but it kept me away from my computer).

I have read (and reread) quite a few mysteries since the middle of March --

rereads -- 2 Raymond Chandler books:
The Big Sleep (via audiobook)
Farewell, My Lovely

new-to-me:
Golden Age:
The Silent Speaker, the 11th Nero Wolfe book
Green Shiver by Clyde B. Clason

contemporary:
A Beam of Light, the 19th Inspector Montalbano book

and am almost done with A Loyal Character Dancer, the 2nd Inspector Chen mystery, set in contemporary Shanghai.

[Judy]

Sorry to hear about your mother's illness, Leslie, but glad she is recovering.

That's a good selection of mysteries. I have got an audiobook of one of the Chandlers, forget which one - must give it a listen. It also sounds as if you are getting on well with the Nero Wolfe books.

[Susan]

Leslie, glad to hear your mother is recovering. Hope all continues to go well. x

[Carolien]

Hope your mother continues to recover well, Leslie. I find the Inspector Chen mysteries very interesting as I am continuously learning about Chinese culture while reading them.

[Lady Clementina]

Leslie wrote: "I haven't updated here in a while (my mother was in the hospital - she is fine, recovering in rehab now, but it kept me away from my computer).

I have read (and reread) quite a few mysteries since..."

My best wishes for her speedy recovery. Glad to know she's doing well.

[Jill]

Sorry your mother has been unwell Leslie, but good that she is doing well now. Hope she continues to so.
I am slowly working through Nero Wolfe, but only read 4 so far. I just wonder why I never got to him earlier.

[Jill]

Finished Poirot's Early Cases: 18 Hercule Poirot Mysteries
Now starting The Secret Keeper. by Kate Morton

[Carolien]

Just finished The Soul of Discretion by Susan Hill. I've enjoyed this series. I see there is another book due later this year.

[Marwan]

Started reading Duplicate Death by Georgette Heyer

[Jen]

Reading Arrowood by Laura McHugh. I thought I had an inkling of whodunnit but I just don't know now!

[Tara]

I recently started The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson after very much enjoying the Longmire series on Netflix. The book is very different from the TV series, as one would expect, but both are good in their own way. I think I will continue along with the series, which is my first foray into Western Mysteries!

[Leslie]

I finished my first Elizabeth Daly -- Unexpected Night, the 1940 book which is the beginning of the Henry Gamadge series. Pretty good so I look forward to reading more of the series.

[Jill]

I have just finished The Fire Child by S.K. Tremayne. Which I found to be a very compulsive read. Am now starting An Expert in Murder by Nicola Upson for the buddy read.

[Susan]

I just finished An Expert in Murder and have started Vintage Murder

[Michelle]

Jennifer wrote: "Reading Arrowood by Laura McHugh. I thought I had an inkling of whodunnit but I just don't know now!"

oooh I have that on my kindle to read. Let me know what you think of it.

[Pamela]

I'm currently reading Death in the Dordogne by Martin Walker which is a pleasant read, and just about to start my next Montalbano Excursion to Tindari

[Jody]

Tara wrote: "I recently started The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson after very much enjoying the Longmire series on Netflix. The book is very different fr..."

I love the Longmire books; Johnson is a good writer and some parts are almost lyrical. I enjoyed the show as well.

[Carolien]

I've done quite a bit of reading over the past week courtesy of two 10-hour flights.

Athenian Blues is a fast-paced crime novel involving a partnership between an assassin and a cop which I recommend to any Robert B. Parker fans. Unusual cast of characters and some very witty dialogue.

The Day is Dark is the fourth in this series and very atmospheric with a good plot mixing historical and environmental elements. If anybody needs a book set in Greenland for an Around the World challenge, this is useful. I've enjoyed this series so far and this is a good addition.

My First Murder is set in Helsinski, Finland and involves the murder of a choir member who turns out to have been involved in all kinds of nefarious practices opening up a long list of suspects. Strong female lead characters remain scarce in the genre and I'm happy to meet a new one. Will be interesting to see how this series develops, it's obviously very popular in Finland.

Our Fathers is the second installment in the Albertus Beeslaar series and another very complex plot. Brynard effectively mixes two very different crimes in completely contrasting settings. Stellenbosch is the heart of South African wine country and has developed a bit of a reputation for the kind of murder of extremely wealthy individuals involved in this plot (quite a few subsequent to its publication). Albertus is in town to visit an old friend and ends up assisting the local police captain, a Xhosa lady who I liked very much, in her investigation as the Afrikaans community distrusts the local police. (Long, true story about a real murder that was stuffed up about 10 years ago).

Meantime his sidekick, Ghaap, has arrived in Soweto for a stint. Everything you have heard about South African crime rates applies to Soweto. Lots of guns and every possible kind of crime involved. Ghaap comes from the wide open spaces of the Northern Cape where Afrikaans is the local language and the total population of the province is less than half that of Soweto. All 11 languages plus township slang are spoken in Soweto and Ghaap has a serious culture shock. In the search for a missing pregnant woman, Ghaap is introduced to a group of ex-policemen who now work for one of the local companies that track stolen vehicles. South Africa leads the world in this technology due to its history of vehicle hijackings. Most cars are fitted with these devices and your local insurer offers you all kinds of benefits associated with it as they can check if you are maintaining the speed limit, etc.

This book is much more than just a crime novel in its social commentary and a very complex read. I read the Afrikaans edition so I'm not sure how the township slang got translated. A useful device that she uses is that the slang is actually explained to Ghaap which makes it easier. Example: old model Mercedes Benz cars are known as Dolly Partons. Their centre of gravity is at the front of the car and they are often used in the robberies of cash-in-transit vehicles as they can be rammed into the van to overturn it. Highly recommend this book.

[Sandy]

Lots of interesting reading, Carolien. Thanks for all the details.

[Sandy]

I'm reading Fountain of Death, another in the Gregor D series. This may be sacrilege to series followers, but I'm happy that so far Bennis is mentioned but hasn't appeared. She is not my favorite character although she is fine in small amounts.

[Susan]

Thanks, Carolien. My First Murder looks really good.

Sandy, I love the Gregor D series, but I think sometimes I would like more mystery and less of both Bennis and the neighbours :)