What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread Showing 3,901-3,950 of 4,475

[Bruce]

That’s funny Gary! I actually saw both those plays at a community theatre in Maine in the late 90’s-early 2000’s. I’m not sure, but I think the person who played Leonard Vole in Witness played an inspector in Unexpected Guest. Just to clarify, in Unexpected Guest, was the victim a rich guy who killed a kid while speeding once, but got away with it? I don’t remember it too well, but I thought it was similar to an Inspector Calls at the time.

[Susan in NC]

Just started a reread from a favorite old Charlotte MacLeod series, The Corpse in Oozak's Pond, .

[Gary]

Bruce wrote: "That’s funny Gary! I actually saw both those plays at a community theatre in Maine in the late 90’s-early 2000’s. I’m not sure, but I think the person who played Leonard Vole in Witness played an i..."

The only thing I remember about Unexpected Guest was that we did it as a black and white movie, which meant we were all in grey scale makeup and clothing.

[Jill]

Just starting Final Curtain for the group read

[Tara]

Bruce wrote: "I’m reading the Pelican Brief and The Lady Vanishes.

I agree Tara. I loved the first two Sherlock books by Nicholas Meyer. I still haven’t read the Canary Trainer yet. I actually do like fan ficti..."

I do enjoy the aspect of the real people colliding with a fascinating, albeit imaginary world. Having just read Dracula, it was especially interesting to read about Bram Stoker and his involvement in the theater, which I really didn't know anything about previously. I saw the Seven Per Cent Solution film and I thought it was very faithful to the book, and had a great cast. I will have to check out Time After Time as well, thanks for the recommendation!

[Sandy]

Finished Lethal White and loved it. Want the next one!

My review:
While I agree with all those who have said 650 pages is too long for a mystery, I absolutely enjoyed all those pages. The mysteries are complex, well-developed and satisfactorily resolved. I remain intensely interested in the private lives of Strike and Robin.

[Lady Clementina]

Sandy wrote: "Finished Lethal White and loved it. Want the next one!

My review:
While I agree with all those who have said 650 pages is too long for a mystery, I absolutely enjoyed all those pag..."

Good to hear you enjoyed it. I really liked the first two, and plan to pick up the next ones.

[Gary]

Just started The Sound of Murder by Cindy Brown

[Tara]

I just started The Alienist by Caleb Carr, which is a bit gruesome, but is well written and interesting. I'm not sure if it is strictly considered a mystery, although it does involve murders and sleuthing.

[Jill]

Tara wrote: "I just started The Alienist by Caleb Carr, which is a bit gruesome, but is well written and interesting. I'm not sure if it is strictly con..."

I loved The Alienist. Also enjoyed the The Angel of Darkness a lot.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I didn't particularly care for The Alienist.

Not being much of a nonfiction fan, I prefer my nonfiction to read like fiction. This being fiction that reads like nonfiction is an example of the reverse not working as well.

[Gardener0126]

I just finished two of the Hardcastle series by Graham Ison. They are police procedurals, with a bit of a cozy feel, set in the time of the First World War. I’m not always a fan of historical fiction, but I really enjoyed these. Thecharacters and setting are both well developed. I’ve read an early one in the series as well as a more recent one, and I didn’t feel like they needed to be read in order. Well, except for the fact that the first one I read was set in the period just before the war, and a later one happened during the war.

Hardcastle's Quartet

Hardcastle's Conspiracy

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Gardener0126 wrote: "I just finished two of the Hardcastle series by Graham Ison. They are police procedurals, with a bit of a cozy feel, set in the time of the First World War. I’m not always a fan of historical ficti..."

Do you think this series should be read in order? The first in the series is currently only available in expensive hardcover. I could probably inter-library loan the first, if you recommend an "in order" reading.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I started the Punshon February buddy read, Crossword Mystery. I'm glad to have been introduced to this series.

There is an introduction by crime history author Curtis Evans, who also wrote introductions to many of the pending Dean Street Press titles. He begins by saying:

In 1933 Britain's Detection Club, a social organization founded 3 years earlier by some of the most renowned detective novelists in the country, including Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Anthony Berkeley, G.K. Chesterton, Freeman Wills Crofts and R. Austin Freeman, inducted, for the first time, several new members. These initiates were Gladys Mitchell, Anthony Gilbert (Lucy Beatrice Malleson) and E.R. Punshon ...


Has anyone read anything by Curtis Evans? Do you have a recommendation?

[Judy]

I've only read various introductions by Curtis Evans and there is also lots of good stuff on his blog, http://thepassingtramp.blogspot.com/

I am interested in the sound of his book Masters of the "humdrum" Mystery: Cecil John Charles Street, Freeman Wills Crofts, Alfred Walter Stewart and the British Detective Novel, 1920-1961 - it is on Kindle but is £11.75, which is more than I like to pay for a Kindle book. It might also be hard to find the Kindle edition because Amazon has got mixed up and attributed one edition to 'Curt Evans' and the other to 'Curtis J Evans', who is a historian of American religions.

[Jill]

Now reading Real Tigers by Mick Herron and can't put it down.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Judy wrote: "I've only read various introductions by Curtis Evans and there is also lots of good stuff on his blog, http://thepassingtramp.blogspot.com/

I am interested in the sound of his book [book:Masters o..."

Thanks for both of these - the blog and the book.

(I usually use the Amazon button from GR and get directly to the book. But yes, I see Amazon has him listed with the J. so it won't link to his other books.)

[Judy]

Elizabeth, I just this minute edited my post because I noticed the print edition says 'Curt Evans', on Amazon, so that doesn't link to his other books either!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Judy wrote: "Elizabeth, I just this minute edited my post because I noticed the print edition says 'Curt Evans', on Amazon, so that doesn't link to his other books either!"

The publisher could fix that there. But at least it appears all of his books are under the one Curtis Evans profile here.

I used the "look inside" feature at Amazon. I haven't browsed this group enough to see whether anyone has been reading the three authors in that book. Where are we on those?

[Gardener0126]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Gardener0126 wrote: "I just finished two of the Hardcastle series by Graham Ison. They are police procedurals, with a bit of a cozy feel, set in the time of the First World War. I’m not always a fa..."

I don’t think they need to be read in order. The characters do get older as evidenced by their children growing up, but the stories themselves don’t depend on earlier stories in the series. However, bear in mind that so far I have only read a couple of them. I plan to start another one this evening.

[Gardener0126]

Judy wrote: "I've only read various introductions by Curtis Evans and there is also lots of good stuff on his blog, http://thepassingtramp.blogspot.com/

I am interested in the sound of his book [book:Masters o..."

The word “humdrum” sort of makes you think “yawn” doesn’t it? I wonder what that says about me, since I have read and liked books by those authors!😂

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Gardener0126 wrote: "However, bear in mind that so far I have only read a couple of them. I plan to start another one this evening. "

Probably makes your observation even more accurate, as those you read were later ones. Thanks!

[Susan]

Jill wrote: "Now reading Real Tigers by Mick Herron and can't put it down."

Good to hear, Jill. I plan to re-read it when I have finished Black Roses (another buddy read - we have a few this month).

[Susan in NC]

I was only able to get Black Roses as an audiobook on Scribd, and wasn’t sure if I’d read it or not since I’m trying to catch up on other books so, to help decide, I listened to the first chapter and was drawn right in! If it keeps up at that pace, I know I’ll enjoy it. I look forward to getting back to it.

Sorry, I’m not familiar with Curtis or Curt Evans.

[Sandy]

Real Tigers was next on my TBR but I have it in hard cover and need a kindle book for the next couple of days so it will wait for the weekend. Bobby Owens may be next.

[Judy]

Gardener0126 wrote: "The word “humdrum” sort of makes you think “yawn” doesn’t it? I wonder what that says about me, since I have read and liked boos by those authors!😂 ..."

Apparently another detective story author, Julian Symons, called these writers "humdrum", because of the puzzle element to their books - but Curtis Evans said they are "of great interest to me for their clever puzzles and period English flavor."

This quote is from an interview with him:
https://pastoffences.wordpress.com/20...

I've read and enjoyed a couple of books by Crofts and by Street under his Miles Burton pen name, but would like to read more by them - I don't know anything by Alfred Walter Stewart but will look out for him!

[Gardener0126]

Judy wrote: "Gardener0126 wrote: "The word “humdrum” sort of makes you think “yawn” doesn’t it? I wonder what that says about me, since I have read and liked boos by those authors!😂 ..."

Apparently another det..."

Alfred Walter Stewart wrote under the name of J. J. connington.

[Judy]

Gardener0126 wrote: "Alfred Walter Stewart wrote under the name of J. J. connington...."

Thanks, Gardener - have you read any of his books, and if so did you like them? He's a new name to me under either name...

[Susan in NC]

Just started .

[Gardener0126]

Judy wrote: "Gardener0126 wrote: "Alfred Walter Stewart wrote under the name of J. J. connington...."

Thanks, Gardener - have you read any of his books, and if so did you like them? He's a new name to me under..."

I read a couple in the Sir Clinton Driffield series a few years ago. I tend to like those old fashioned British police procedurals, so I enjoyed them. I think there was another series character as well, plus a few stand alone. Amazon US has some of his books in Kindle format.

[Louise]

Gentlemen & Players by Joanne Harris. Set in an independent boys' school, the chapters are narrated alternately by Roy Straitley, the elderly Latin master, and one of the new young teachers (which one not yet revealed) who has infiltrated the school for the purposeof revenge. Very exciting.

[Jill]

I loved Gentlemen and Players. Probably one of the best books I have read.

Just finished Real Tigers by Mick Herron and The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly Now starting Black Roses

[Susan]

I loved Gentlemen and Players too. I'm reading several books. Loving, The Wych Elm and have started Death Of A Doll

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Started Green for Danger.

[Gardener0126]

I just finished Death Of A Doll

I read that Hilda Lawrence only wrote 4 novels and that this one was considered her best. It was also the third one about her three series sleuths and I might have found it easier to get into, if I had actually read the publishers description of the book or had read the earlier books.. As it was, the sleuths showed up and I was wondering who on earth they were. (Once I went back to the description, I figured it out, so most people would not have that problem.). I thought that the book was extremely good, and the author really conveyed a strong sense of fear and menace, despite using next to no violence.

[Susan in NC]

Reading Shroud for the Archbishop: A Sister Fidelma Mystery .

[Tara]

I am about half way through The Black Dahlia . Whether I am ultimately not a fan of the hard-boiled detective variety, or this book is just particularly graphic and violent, I am not enjoying it at all. I am a true crime buff, and I have been intrigued by the real world case this was based on (and which has never been solved), but the characters are depressing, unsympathetic, and uninteresting.

[Adrian]

Tara wrote: "I am about half way through The Black Dahlia . Whether I am ultimately not a fan of the hard-boiled detective variety, or this book is just particular..."

I had heard of The Black Dahlia but having read the synopsis, don’t think it’s for me. Best of luck with it Tara.

I’m just starting The Hanged Man of Saint-Pholien by Georges Simenon. I read the previous 2 books last year and they were both in my top 5 of the year, so I’m looking forward to this, number 3.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Tara wrote: "I am about half way through The Black Dahlia . Whether I am ultimately not a fan of the hard-boiled detective variety, or this book is just particular..."

You made it farther than I did, when I looked at it perhaps 10 years ago.

[Judy]

I've started Money in the Morgue: The New Inspector Alleyn Mystery by Ngaio Marsh and Stella Duffy - thought I'd slip this one in while the wartime books from the Marsh challenge were still fresh in my mind!

I'm quite enjoying it so far, but I think the change between the two authors was fairly noticeable as their styles are not very similar.

[Jill]

Labouring a bit with Black Roses so starting The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly

[Sandy]

Judy wrote: "I've started Money in the Morgue: The New Inspector Alleyn Mystery by Ngaio Marsh and Stella Duffy - thought I'd slip this one in while the wartime boo..."

I have that on two week loan so will be reading it soon. Started Real Tigers last night and found it hard to put down.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Jill wrote: "Labouring a bit with Black Roses so starting The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly"

I had no problem with Black Roses - found it a very interesting and satisfying read.

[Jill]

Maybe it is just my frame of mind at the moment. I have a bad cough and cold, so lacking sleep.

[Pamela]

I'm reading The Age of Treachery by Gavin Scott, my Mum enjoyed it and passed it on to me. So far, so good - it's a murder and espionage mystery set in Oxford post-WWII. Several real-life characters make an appearance too which is quite fun.

[Gary]

Currently reading Oliver Twisted by Cindy Brown

[Judy]

I’m enjoying my reread of The Crossword Mystery and it is reminding me how much I like Mitchell! Looking forward to our discussion.

[Susan in NC]

I’ve never read this author - I have The Crossword Mystery on Kindle, and found Information Received, the first in the series, on Scribd (my library didn’t have either in dead tree form).

Do you recommend reading the first book first, or does it matter?

[Sandy]

First, I always read in order so am prejudiced. These books are not linked plot-wise but in the first, Information Received, Bobby Owen (our hero) is new to the force and meets his boss / mentor Mitchell. By Crossword they have a working relationship. I found the second book, Sunbathers, rather weak.

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "First, I always read in order so am prejudiced. These books are not linked plot-wise but in the first, Information Received, Bobby Owen (our hero) is new to the force and meets his boss / mentor Mi..."

Thank you, good to know - I always read in order, if possible. I can forgive weaker plots in earlier books, but we often learn a lot about main characters, so they matter! Gives me a taste of an author’s style, as well.