What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread Showing 3,801-3,850 of 4,457

[Judy]

I've just started Final Curtain, next book in our Ngaio Marsh challenge. Enjoying it so far.

[Susan]

Me too, Judy. A little non-PC for Marsh. It's reminding me a bit of Christianna Brand at the moment (not that I don't love her books, but she also tended to have some stereotypical, effeminate male characters in her books).

[Pamela]

I'm reading Trouble in Nuala, set in 1930s Ceylon (now Sri Lanka, of course, and the nationalist movement does get some brief mentions in the book). It's a bit slow to get into the mystery but I'm enjoying the characters and the setting.

[Jemima]

Judy the Rosett book was good. A lighthearted, frivolous romp through high early 20s society. It felt authentic and the character development was good. A great first in the series. I was so busy enjoying the story that I didn’t really worry too much about ‘who dunit’ and so was rather surprised at the end. But it was all fun and the plot traced back well. I just got a rad distracted by some of the other characters. If you like murder mysteries with a historical twist you will probably enjoy this book.

[ShanDizzy]

Susan in NC wrote: "S Dizzy wrote: "...because I also enjoyed Plant and Jury and the recurring characters- I don’t remember the language being that bad..."

Thanks Susan, Elizabeth(Alaska) and Jan C for your points about the Richard Jury series. I am going to see my mom this weekend (4 hours each way) and have opted to listen to Jerusalem Inn on the way there. I hope to enjoy it.

[Susan in NC]

S Dizzy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "S Dizzy wrote: "...because I also enjoyed Plant and Jury and the recurring characters- I don’t remember the language being that bad..."

Thanks Susan, Elizabeth(Alaska) and Jan ..."

Me, too! Drive safely and have a lovely visit!

[Susan in NC]

Jemima wrote: "I've just finished and am currently into , having read the previous Angela Marchmont mysteries and enjoyed..."

Good to know, I’ve been recommended those on Amazon but haven’t tried them yet - so many books, so little time - lovely problem to have! Those do sound lovely, I enjoy a historical mystery.

[Carolien]

Emma wrote: "Gardener0126 wrote: Because you posted this, I have started Murder on the Oxford Canal, and am enjoying it. In general the word “gripping” in the title or description of a book is a huge “ no” for ..."

Am I therefore not the only one starting to ignore any book which adds "A gripping mystery" to its title. I kind of feel that if you have to tell me how gripping/terrifying/whatever your book is, then it is probably not very good at actually conveying that to the reader.

[Carolien]

Pamela wrote: "I'm reading Trouble in Nuala, set in 1930s Ceylon (now Sri Lanka, of course, and the nationalist movement does get some brief mentions in the book). It's a bit slow to get into the ..."

Didn't realise this series is set in Sri Lanka. I've been meaning to try it and would love some books set in that part of the world.

[Gardener0126]

Carolien wrote: "Emma wrote: "Gardener0126 wrote: Because you posted this, I have started Murder on the Oxford Canal, and am enjoying it. In general the word “gripping” in the title or description of a book is a hu..."

Yes, that’s pretty much exactly how I feel. In particular I am easily annoyed by the word “gripping”.

[Judy]

I'm guessing it is often the publisher who adds the word "gripping" rather than the author, though!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I think you are right, Judy. However, it gives me a heads up because I'm not interested in reading "gripping" mysteries - especially when that word is accurate.

[Jan C]

Carolien wrote: "Emma wrote: "Gardener0126 wrote: Because you posted this, I have started Murder on the Oxford Canal, and am enjoying it. In general the word “gripping” in the title or description of a book is a hu..."

A real turn-off for me.

[Judy]

Jemima wrote: "Judy the Rosett book was good. A lighthearted, frivolous romp through high early 20s society. It felt authentic and the character development was good. A great first in the series. I was so busy en..."

Thanks, Jemima, sounds up my street. I'll add it to my TBR.

[Judy]

Susan wrote: "Me too, Judy. A little non-PC for Marsh. It's reminding me a bit of Christianna Brand at the moment (not that I don't love her books, but she also tended to have some stereotypical, effeminate male..."

I agree - I think Final Curtain will make for an interesting discussion. I'm currently dashing to finish it because someone else has ordered the digital library copy I'm reading!

I've recently picked up a secondhand copy of the next Christianna Brand in the Inspector Cockerill series, Suddenly at His Residence, and hope to read that one soon.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Started A Dark-Adapted Eye last night. It's told in the first person, but I was a bit off-balance from the beginning, as I didn't know for many pages whether the narrator was male or female.

[Diane]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I think you are right, Judy. However, it gives me a heads up because I'm not interested in reading "gripping" mysteries - especially when that word is accurate."

Interesting. I ignored the "gripping" label and read the books even though it annoyed me. I think that I will share this conversation with the publisher (Joffe books.)

[Jan C]

Getting ready to start The Case of the Howling Dog - #4 in Erle Stanley Gardner's Perry Mason series.

[Judy]

I managed to finish the library e-copy of Final Curtain an hour before it would have been swept from my Kindle - and will hope to borrow it again to refresh my memory for our discussion!

[Sandy]

Judy wrote: "I managed to finish the library e-copy of Final Curtain an hour before it would have been swept from my Kindle - and will hope to borrow it again to refresh my memory for our discussion!"

I believe if you use your kindle off-line the book will remain until you next sync. I think I verified this long ago. Not sure if others in line have to wait for you to finish. I have a 'dumb' (bottom of the line) kindle so that may affect results.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Sandy wrote: "I believe if you use your kindle off-line the book will remain until you next sync. "

I've even returned a book and it was still on my kindle. And yes, I don't have the wifi turned on on my kindle except to download recently purchased items and to upload highlights.

[Judy]

That's interesting, thanks Sandy and Elizabeth- I'll bear it in mind if I get close to the wire another time!

[Judy]

I've started reading The Wheel Spins (The Lady Vanishes) by Ethel Lina White, ready for next month's group read. For anyone considering joining in on this one, here are a lot of cheap editions around under both titles.

[Annabel]

Carolien wrote: "Emma wrote: "Gardener0126 wrote: Because you posted this, I have started Murder on the Oxford Canal, and am enjoying it. In general the word “gripping” in the title or description of a book is a hu..."

I just spent most of a lunch-hour in WH Smith looking for new mysteries to read and while I didn't notice any 'gripping' blurbs, I was struck by the similarity of the dustjackets in the crime/thriller section. Almost all used the same blocky block-capital font, a short violent title (DEAD WATER, HIGH IMPACT, that sort of thing) and an arty, usually black and white, photograph of something violent. It was depressingly similar and made me not want to read any of them.

I must admit I've started to become tediously obsessive over dustjackets - won't read anything with a photographic cover, will read almost anything with a nice illustration or even better, a woodcut. Generally an illustrated crime cover means cosy (retro, contemporary or reissued) crime and that's probably a better fit for me.

Anyone else choosing their books by their covers??

[Tara]

Annabel wrote: "Carolien wrote: "Emma wrote: "Gardener0126 wrote: Because you posted this, I have started Murder on the Oxford Canal, and am enjoying it. In general the word “gripping” in the title or description ..."

While we are repeatedly told we shouldn't judge a book by its cover, its definitely hard not to do so. I know that I personally was drawn to the Brother Cadfael series from Ellis Peters when I saw the medieval covers in the library.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Annabel wrote: "Anyone else choosing their books by their covers?? "

No, but titles attract me. On GR the covers posted in threads are too small to be of any use to these older eyes. I know people in this group really like covers, but I just skip any post that is simply a mass of covers. I appreciate especially the posts where the covers are in a large size, because I *do* find covers interesting when I'm already interested in the book. We've enjoyed seeing differences in covers.

[Judy]

I do like good covers and find them interesting... but must admit I have come unstuck by choosing a few books because of lovely covers, then finding that the contents don't live up to them!

[Susan]

When posting book titles for freebies, etc, I always try to post the title and the cover. Titles can be mis-leading, but I agree that you can often see if a book will have any interest by the cover. Not always, but often. Also, book links on Goodreads don't show the author, so it is easy to miss something you might have wanted to actually read, if it is book 4, or 5, in a series and you skip over something by a favourite author.

[Carolien]

I agree that covers are becoming a problem. Everybody seems to be using the same few cover designers within a genre. And they are monotonously dark and gloomy.

I'm not a particularly visual person, so cover matters less to me, but I often get emails from either Amazon or some of the publishers like Endeavour and it is obvious that all the books in the email had the same cover designers. At that point I lose interest because I think it shows that not not enough effort is made.

A striking cover can definitely sell a book. My favourite:
. Each little figurine has its own expression (and yes it's a crime book).

[Sandy]

I will certainly pick up a book because of its cover, but often put it back down. So they certainly serve their marketing purpose as I give them a look. I'm attracted by elaborate frilly art work: , , and one with a swan on a river I can't remember now. The covers often tempt me into fantasy, but I seldom follow.

[Sandy]

P.S. Looked up my third cover, where the swan is the river.

The only one of these I have actually read is Essex Serpent. The Swan has made it to my TBR, and Silver I own on audio.

[Jill]

Halfway through The Lady Vanishes and as I am not allowed to say it is gripping me, I will say I am finding it compulsive reading. I know what is going on from the old Hitchcock film, but still enjoying the actual read

[Judy]

Jill wrote: "Halfway through The Lady Vanishes and as I am not allowed to say it is gripping me, I will say I am finding it compulsive reading. I know what is going on from the old Hitchcock film..."

Haha, I think you are allowed to say that but not to put it in the book's title. :)

I've only read about 20% so far but am finding it starting to pull me in, and looking forward to our discussion.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Susan wrote: "Also, book links on Goodreads don't show the author"

I have always appreciated your posts that include both the title and cover. It is easy enough to also add the author by switching to the author tab on the add book/author tool.

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "I do like good covers and find them interesting... but must admit I have come unstuck by choosing a few books because of lovely covers, then finding that the contents don't live up to them!"

Haven’t we all! I’m in the Book for All Seasons Group, and last equinox period (that’s how the challenges come to us), the moderators asked for challenge suggestions from the group, and one person came up with choosing a book ONLY based on cover art or title - no recommendations or blurbs or review reading.

It was very interesting to hear back and read reviews, some of us were pleasantly surprised, and some very disappointed in what our choices turned out to be.

[Susan in NC]

Susan wrote: "When posting book titles for freebies, etc, I always try to post the title and the cover. Titles can be mis-leading, but I agree that you can often see if a book will have any interest by the cover..."

Good point - and your point about cover art was often true in this challenge- certain types of cover art come into style and get recycled in certain genres, whether it’s chicklit, historical fiction, thrillers, romance, etc. So, if you look at lots of covers in a favorite genre, you usually see trends and can pick something you’d like. But I think publishers cheat sometimes- one poor reader was sucked in by a beautiful nature scene and rather innocuous title, but within the first ten pages there was an incestuous sexual assault and other violence- she was appalled and Did Not Finish (DNF), choosing another book instead. Couldn’t blame her!

When my mom was alive she worked at Barnes & Noble and noticed this trick with books, but it usually back-fired - readers felt angry and cheated and returned the book!

[Susan]

Elizabeth, you are correct in saying that it is easy enough to add authors. I am aware that many members access Goodreads via phones or tablets, so I try to keep it as simple as possible though. Personally, I can only cope with Goodreads on a laptop, but that probably shows my age :)

[Judy]

I'm now halfway through The Lady Vanishes/The Wheel Spins, and also finding it compulsive reading, as Jill said. Looking forward to discussing it next month.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Susan wrote: "Personally, I can only cope with Goodreads on a laptop, but that probably shows my age"

I only have a desktop. I don't even *have* a mobile anything. (And I think you may be younger than my children, you young woman you.)

[Susan]

I stand corrected, Elizabeth. Your children are lucky to have you :)

[Lady Clementina]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Susan wrote: "Personally, I can only cope with Goodreads on a laptop, but that probably shows my age"

I only have a desktop. I don't even *have* a mobile anything. (And I think you may be younger ..."

I don't use the internet other than on my laptop either- only use a basic phone by choice. I do use a tablet but for reading only and not all the time.

[Jill]

Now reading for next month. (Trying giant cover to see if I could understand how. Will probably forget how in next five minutes)

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Looking forward to that one later, Jill. (And thanks for the larger - fun! - cover. The edition I have has a slightly different title: Crossword Mystery.

[Susan in NC]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Susan wrote: "Personally, I can only cope with Goodreads on a laptop, but that probably shows my age"

I only have a desktop. I don't even *have* a mobile anything. (And I think you may be younger ..."

I have an iPhone, only because my husband needs one for his business, so when he gets a new one, I get the old one - I use it to play music or listen to audiobooks - I can’t imagine trying to read a book on that little screen! That’s what Kindle and my library app on my iPad are for.

[Susan in NC]

Jill wrote: "Now reading for next month. (Trying giant cover to see if I could understand how. Will probably forget how in next five minutes)"

Ooh, that is a fun cover! Mine is different and more boring, but can’t complain, kindle for .99!

[Jan C]

I have used my phone for reading books - usually when no other alternative. Also use tablet and laptop.

[Judy]

I'm about halfway through The Witness for the Prosecution: And Other Stories by Agatha Christie - I think some of these are very clever, particularly the title story and Accident, but it's a bit of an uneven collection and I was surprised to see that two stories with similar twists came close together - it looks as if these were gathered from other collections though, which probably explains that.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I've started Double for Death, the first in Stout's Tecumseh Fox series. I didn't even realize he'd written a series other than Nero Wolfe. I'm not very far, but my first impression is that it is the same solid writing style with decent dialog.

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "I'm about halfway through The Witness for the Prosecution: And Other Stories by Agatha Christie - I think some of these are very clever, particularly the title story..."

That sounds interesting- I know I read Witness years ago and saw the black and white movie, but don’t remember it. I need an anthology for another book challenge, but it’s supposed to be different authors. I was thinking Murder at the Manor: Country House Mysteries.

[Susan in NC]

I’m reading Murder at the Manor .