What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread Showing 2,851-2,900 of 4,475

[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 :)

[Tania]

Currently reading His Last Bow: 8 stories. I have read the Sherlock Holmes stories in order over the last couple of years. Nearing the end now.

[Frances]

I'm going to give My First Murder a try-love the choir angle and haven't read anything Finnish, I don't think.

I've just started The Grave's a Fine and Private Place in the Flavia de Luce series, which I've enjoyed so far.

[Lady Clementina]

Frances wrote: "I'm going to give My First Murder a try-love the choir angle and haven't read anything Finnish, I don't think.

I've just started The Grave's a Fine and Private Place in the Flavia ..."

Good to hear you're enjoying the Flavia book- I've read a few mixed review about that one. I've only reached book 5 in the series but have enjoyed them so far- more for Flavia herself than the mysteries.

[Annabel]

I picked up a Kathy Reichs secondhand at the station (I love these charity bookshelves popping up everywhere from stations to churches) and am halfway through it - Bones Never Lie . I've always thought Reichs was a better writer than Cornwell. I drifted away from the Tempe Brennan series because too many of them involved upsetting murders of children, but this one isn't too gruesome.

[Jill]

Just starting The Water Room by Christopher Fowler. I enjoyed the first book so have high hopes for this one.

[Sandy]

Jill wrote: "Just starting The Water Room by Christopher Fowler. I enjoyed the first book so have high hopes for this one."

I also enjoyed the first book and want to pick up the series again.

And I see Anne Perry has a new series spinning off her Pitt series ... which I plan to read if I ever catch up with her Monk series. Sigh.

[Tara]

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

I am really getting into his writing style Jody, and I think I will carry on with the series. Unfortunately having watched the show first its impossible to not envisage the actors when reading the books, but I am trying!

[Sandy]

I've returned to Crispen's Gervase Fen series with Buried for Pleasure. I just love the dry humor! I wish there were more as I must be near the end.

[Susan]

I have loved the Gervase Fen books I have read so far, Sandy.

[Jan C]

Reading Holy Disorders right now.

[Leslie]

Sandy wrote: "I've returned to Crispen's Gervase Fen series with Buried for Pleasure. I just love the dry humor! I wish there were more as I must be near the end."

I love his humor too Sandy! Maybe I will sneak in a reread of The Long Divorce...

I just finished the 3rd (and last) Dr. Constantine mystery by Molly Thynne -- He Dies and Makes no Sign. More action than I expected towards the end! I wish she had written more of these.

[Lady Clementina]

Sandy wrote: "I've returned to Crispen's Gervase Fen series with Buried for Pleasure. I just love the dry humor! I wish there were more as I must be near the end."

I have a couple of these waiting on my TBR.

[Susan]

I am reading the first of a new series, set in Ireland: The Ruin

Really enjoying it so far.

[Sandy]

Leslie wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I've returned to Crispen's Gervase Fen series with Buried for Pleasure. I just love the dry humor! I wish there were more as I must be near the end."

I love his humor ..."

Thanks for the Dr. Constantine nudge. He is waiting on my kindle.

[Paperbackreader]

Continuing with Ian Carmichael's narration of Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries. Now listening to The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club. Maybe characters like Captain George Fentiman and Ann Dorland exist but I would not like to meet them and am not enjoying listening to them behaving the way they do.

[Susan]

Sounds fantastic, Paperbackreader. I have the first BBC radio Wimsey drama collection - even though I am never usually keen on the full cast dramatisations - just because Ian Carmichael was Wimsey :)

[Tracey]

I've just finished Miss Pym Disposes which I thoroughly enjoyed. However I can see how it divides opinion as it isn't a classic crime story. But it was a witty read, reminiscent of Malory towers books!

[Judy]

I’ve started reading one of the Patricia Wentworth books which was a previous freebie, Kingdom Lost. This is about a young woman who has been living alone on an island, Robinson Crusoe style!

[Rosina]

I have just finished Coffin Scarcely Used by Colin Watson. I'd forgotten all about the series in the decades since I read them when they came out, and will be working my way through them. Perhaps recommending it for one of our monthly reads ...

[Jill]

Finished The Water Room. Which I thoroughly enjoyed and also learned a bit more about London. I really like the characters who definitely keep me entertained all the way through. Have now started Vintage Murder ready for next month's discussion

[Susan]

I have started Vintage Murder too, Jill.

I came across a really interesting book the other day, which has just been re-printed: Mr. Bowling Buys a Newspaper

In Raymond Chandler’s favourite novel, Mr Bowling buys the newspapers only to find out what the latest is on the murders he's just committed…

Mr Bowling is getting away with murder. On each occasion he buys a newspaper to see whether anyone suspects him. But there is a war on, and the clues he leaves are going unnoticed. Which is a shame, because Mr Bowling is not a conventional serial killer: he wants to get caught so that his torment can end. How many more newspapers must he buy before the police finally catch up with him?

Donald Henderson was an actor and playwright who had also written novels as D. H. Landels, but with little success. While working for the BBC in London during the Second World War, his fortunes finally changed with Mr Bowling Buys a Newspaper, a darkly satirical portrayal of a murderer that was to be promoted enthusiastically by Raymond Chandler as his favourite detective novel. But even the author of The Big Sleep could not save it from oblivion: it has remained out of print for more than 60 years.

This Detective Club classic is introduced by award-winning novelist Martin Edwards, author of The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books, who reveals new information about Henderson’s often troubled life and writing career.

Think this could be my nomination next month.

[Sandy]

Looks interesting but may not be available in the US yet - only a hardcopy version is listed on Amazon with no pre-order option.

[Susan]

That's a shame, Sandy. I thought it looked excellent. I really enjoyed The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books too.

[Jan C]

It is available here at alibris and abebooks, of course shipping would add an additional $3-4.

[Judy]

There is also a Black Heath Crime edition of Mr Bowling Buys a Newspaper for 99p on Kindle, although this is bound to be a pretty basic edition compared to the lovely new Detective Club edition with the Martin Edwards introduction. I don't know if you can get Black Heath editions in the US?

[Susan]

I have treated myself to the lovely new edition, plus Audible. It's been a long day, I needed to buy books :)

[Jan C]

Judy wrote: "There is also a Black Heath Crime edition of Mr Bowling Buys a Newspaper for 99p on Kindle, although this is bound to be a pretty basic edition compared to the lovely new Detective Club edition wit..."

There are Black Heath editions but Mr. Bowling isn't one of them.

[Gary]

Currently reading Who Killed Bob Teal? and Other Stories: Collected Case Files of the Continental Op: The Middle Years, Volume 2 by Dashiell Hammett

[Sandy]

I've started A Necessary Evil: A Novel, second in a new series set in India in 1920 and I'm liking it. I'm having a problem however as I read The Strangler Vine, which has a similar setting, since reading the first in this series and I'm getting the two confused. The lead character in this series is a lot more sensible; I got quite annoyed with the other.

[Susan]

I have read all 3 of those, Sandy, and liked them.

[Sandy]

Finished A Necessary Evil and loved it. Wonderful flavor of India under Britain in the 1920's; I just hope it is accurate as I know very little about the true history.

A problem with being caught up in a series is the wait for the next entry (and fear it will never come).

[Sandy]

Not to worry! I see #3 is due in June (Britian first I suppose).

Now, if J K Rowling would just get working on the next Cormoran Strike ...