What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread Showing 251-300 of 4,475

[Jan C]

I don't recall ever hearing anything about their "feud".

It's kind of funny. I actually saw more similarity between George and Deborah Crombie. Man-woman teams. Crombie's detectives are also in England while she is from Texas. Although hers is not nobility. But both women come from poor backgrounds.

[Susan]

How fascinating - I love literary feuds! Has anyone read both series? If so, do you think it is just a similar style/setting or something a little deeper? I suspect the former, but have not read either.

[Betsy]

Have read both, and I don't think there is that much to compare. The characters are quite different.

[Susan]

The synopsis of the first novels in each series do look very different.

[Carolien]

I actually read some books from both series and, other than a resemblance in the fact that both include a member of the aristocracy as a detective, could not see any obvious resemblance in the books. I haven't read Grimes in years, and definitely prefer George's earlier books. Based on memory they are very different in style and plot with George being the more complex.

[Judy]

I read the first George and remember enjoying it - not sure why I didn't read any more. Must try them again and Grimes too.

[Diane]

I really enjoyed the Melrose Plant and Richard Jury combo. I always pictured Melrose as actor David Hyde Pierce from the tv show Frazier.
I also read the Lynley series but didn't find them quite as enjoyable.

[Jan C]

I enjoy them both. Never noticed a similarity. Several years ago Grimes and her son put out a book together about their mutual alcoholism, Double Double: A Dual Memoir of Alcoholism. Wonder if that had anything to do with the "feud"? Was this a two-way feud or just on Martha's part? Did George know anything about it?

[Susan]

Good point, Jan C. Feuds are, often, more on one side than the other, aren't they?

[Miss M]

I think you're probably right, Jan. Looking at a few interviews with Grimes the other day when I first posted the NY Times link, I got the impression she has a 'strong' personality. And all of this was quite some time ago. There's no way George didn't know about it given the media coverage--her reps were quoted saying she had no comment.

[Diane]

No comment is usually the best answer.

[Carolien]

I've just completed Bruno, Chief of Police and really enjoyed it. Although set in the scenic French countryside, the plot is excellent with both a historical and international twist. The characters are well-developed and it is a very satisfying read.

I wandered off to one of our local secondhand bookstores after finishing it to see if they had more of the series and ended up buying a whole pile of other books. Unfortunately they didn't have any, but I found the latest Susan Hill and a Maisie Dobbs.

[Sandy]

Carolien wrote: "I've just completed Bruno, Chief of Police and really enjoyed it. Although set in the scenic French countryside, the plot is excellent with both a historical and international twist...."

I've read, and the enjoyed, the first three Bruno's ... always end up craving wine and truffle omelets.

[Miss M]

I think I fell in love with Bruno when he timed the cooking of his foie gras by how long it took him to whistle the Marseillaise. I am still smitten...
There's actually a Bruno cookbook but, oddly enough, only published in German.

Brunos Kochbuch Rezepte und Geschichten aus dem Périgord

[Leslie]

I recently finished the penultimate book in the Martin Beck series, Cop Killer. This is a great police-based series from 1960-70s Sweden for those unfamiliar with it.

[Jay-me (Janet)]

I'm not reading them yet but have just downloaded a couple of books by J.S. Fletcher, which were free on Amazon (uk) today.

The blurb says J.S. Fletcher was one of the most popular detective fiction writers during the Golden Era that is now most associated with the likes of Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle.
Fletcher wrote over 200 books during his career

[HJ]

Jay-me (Janet) wrote: "I'm not reading them yet but have just downloaded a couple of books by J.S. Fletcher, which were free on Amazon (uk) today...."

Thank you for this alert! I also bought The Charing Cross Mystery which was only 99p.

[Carolien]

Miss M wrote: "I think I fell in love with Bruno when he timed the cooking of his foie gras by how long it took him to whistle the Marseillaise. I am still smitten...
There's actually a Bruno cookbook but, oddly ..."

Another series that always leaves me hungry is Andrea Camilleri's Montalbano series. I normally end up googling at least one dish described in the book and craving fish by the end of it.

I've just finished Assassins of Athens by Jeffrey Siger and I really enjoy the setting and plot. The intricacies of Athenian politics reminds me quite a bit of the local politics experienced by Montalbano. Andreas Kaldis is one of my favourite detectives in the intelligent and wise-cracking mould.

[Susan]

Some really interesting series to begin. It is always nice to start a long running series, as you have so many books to read if you like the first one :)

[HJ]

Mystery series in which food plays a part -- Robert B. Parker Spenser series. The description of meals is so detailed you could use them as recipes! The first book is The Godwulf Manuscript.

[Carolien]

HJ wrote: "Mystery series in which food plays a part -- Robert B. Parker Spenser series. The description of meals is so detailed you could use them as recipes! The first book is [book:The Godwulf..."

Probably my favourite series of all time (or at least the one I've been reading the longest).

[Betsy]

Am reading DEATH AT LA FENICE by Donna Leon. It's a Commissario Brunetti mystery.

[Susan]

I loved that book, Betsy. Another series I need to go back and read properly, as I stopped halfway through!

[Miss M]

So many great series with wonderful food!

[Leslie]

Carolien wrote: "Miss M wrote: "I think I fell in love with Bruno when he timed the cooking of his foie gras by how long it took him to whistle the Marseillaise. I am still smitten...
There's actually a Bruno cookb..."

I agree about Montalbano -- I love the descriptions of his meals (even though I am not a big fan of seafood which he eats a lot of!). It is about time for me to read another of these -- The Paper Moon is next for me but sadly, I don't own this one.

[Leslie]

I just finished a mystery from the early 1950s which I thought was very good -- Last Seen Wearing... by Hillary Waugh. I am pretty sure that the fictional college is supposed to be Mount Holyoke and the town Holyoke MA; I live not far from there so that added a bit of interest. No good food in it though!

[Susan]

That looks interesting, Leslie. Sadly, not on kindle and there is a paperback version for sale on Amazon UK for nearly £500! Luckily, there are cheaper books available...

[Judy]

Susan, I had a look on ebay and there are quite a few copies starting from £2.50 - though they did also have one for £,1000 plus!

[Sandy]

I am reading Holy Disorders. I really enjoy the verbal wit.

[Leslie]

Sandy wrote: "I am reading Holy Disorders. I really enjoy the verbal wit."

I love those Gervase Fen books!

[Jan C]

Sandy wrote: "I am reading Holy Disorders. I really enjoy the verbal wit."

This is $1.99 on Kindle today.

[Susan]

I really enjoyed re-reading The Moving Toyshop. I must go back and re-read the whole series.

[Denise]

Leslie wrote: "I recently finished the penultimate book in the Martin Beck series, Cop Killer. This is a great police-based series from 1960-70s Sweden for those unfamiliar with it."

This series by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo (if I got their names right!) stresses a lot of social problems and became a kind of template for later Scandinavian novels. Besides the brooding, angsty detectives and murders, many current social problems in the respective Scandinavian countries are addressed by the younger set of authors as well.

I've been very into these Scandinavian series for a year or so.

[Leslie]

Denise wrote: "Leslie wrote: "I recently finished the penultimate book in the Martin Beck series, Cop Killer. This is a great police-based series from 1960-70s Sweden for those unfamiliar with it."..."

I agree that they have a lot of social commentary in them - one reason I like the series so much. But I don't think of Beck as a brooding angsty detective - I guess that he does brood a little but nothing like the more recent Scandinavian detectives such as Wallender!

[Denise]

Leslie wrote: "Denise wrote: "Leslie wrote: "I recently finished the penultimate book in the Martin Beck series, Cop Killer. This is a great police-based series from 1960-70s Sweden for those unfam..."

Quite right! Beck's brooding is as nothing compared to Wallender or Harry Hole.

[Rebecca]

I'm still reading Sherlock! Hopefully by the end of this week I will be able to say I have finished the Sherlock collection, really enjoying this character; more than I thought I would.

[Rebecca]

Currently reading "Easy to Kill" by Christie, so far so good. I have been meaning to read more of her. Hopefully this novel will give me the push to pick up more of her books.

[Fanny]

Just finished this one. Absolutely love MC Beaton but wish this short story had been longer. Well, at least I got to spendi little bit of time in Lochdubh with Hamish Macbeth. Just adore him and Agatha Raisin!

[Susan]

Just finished A Tapping at my Door a great new series, set in Liverpool. Good for anyone who likes interesting, contemporary crime, such as Stuart MacBride or Mark Billingham.

[Susan]

Christianna Brand is brilliant, Roisin. She is very un-PC and hasn't dated as well as some other authors, but I love her books.

Just finished an excellent contemporary mystery by Tammy Cohen, who is fast becoming a favourite of mine.When She Was Bad

Was also lucky enough to get the new Sharon Bolton on NetGalley thanks to Damaskcat kindly telling me it was listed.

[Everyman]

Hadley wrote: "
Just finished this one. Absolutely love MC Beaton but wish this short story had been longer. Well, at least I got to sp..."

I love Hamish, but can't take Angela Raisin.

[Michelle]

Did you know you can get a free ebook copy of Elizabeth Edmondson's Fencing With Death if you subscribe to her website? You can then unsubscribe....

http://elizabethedmondson.com/free-bo...

[Jan C]

I just started George Baxt's The Greta Garbo Murder Case. It is part of his campy Celebrity Murder series. This one takes place not too long after Pearl Harbor. A couple of questionable things though. How much reconstruction did Dresden need in 1942? I would think not much. The big bombing raids were in 1945. And, somehow, I don't really see Erich von Stroheim ("Mr. Perfection") saying something like "Cool it." I guess he thinks all is fair in the name of fun.

I previously read his The Mae West Murder Case and that was okay.

[Everyman]

For bedtime reading, finished Rex Stout's Where there's a Will and started Beaton's Death of a Nurse. Stout was a re-read, Beaton is first time.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Jan C wrote: "I just started George Baxt's The Greta Garbo Murder Case. It is part of his campy Celebrity Murder series. This one takes place not too long after Pearl Harbor. A coupl..."

I've never heard of this author before but this series sounds like such an intriguing concept. I've put the Dorothy Parker title on my to read list.

I've just started The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill. I can't remember who on GR recommended this book to me, but if it was someone here - thank you. A most promising start!

[Rebecca]

Currently reading The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl. Halfway through and it's pretty interesting.

[Susan]

I recently enjoyed A Rising Man which is a historical mystery set in India, 1919.

I also really loved When She Was Bad by Tammy Cohen, who is one of my favourite contemporary mystery writers.

[Jay-me (Janet)]

I am planning on reading Information Received which was the runner up in this month's poll, and then continue with a couple of series that I have started - Inspector Faro by Alanna Knight which I am part way through and then continue the series by Clara Benson.

[Susan]

Yes, I would like to read Information Received too, Jay-me.

[Judy]

I'm keen to read that one too - does anyone fancy doing a buddy read for Information Received by E.R. Punshon? When are you both planning to start reading it, Jay-me and Susan?