Reading the Detectives discussion
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What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread
Jan C wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Jan C wrote: "It has been raining since noonish but freezing rain/ice storm is supposed to be from 6 tonight until 4 tomorrow afternoon."Oh, yuck, be careful! Hope you keep po..."
I was born and raised and learned to drive in Chicago, and I don’t drive on ice! Too dangerous.
I agree, I think they definitely try to fix the power outages faster when it’s very cold - hope all is well this time for you.
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It is a very cold rain, falling on ground that is already very cold, so it freezes on contact and all is covered with ice. It looks quite beautiful as the world is glazed but it is dangerous as footing is treacherous and tree branches are heavy and break.
From Wiki: Freezing rain is the name given to rain maintained at temperatures below freezing by the ambient air mass that causes freezing on contact with surfaces. Unlike a mixture of rain and snow, ice pellets, or hail, freezing rain is made entirely of liquid droplets.
What happens is the the air aloft is warmer than the air at or near the ground. So it falls as rain. In the short time I lived in Portland, Oregon, years ago, they had what they called a "silver thaw". As is feared above, power outages are common, because the rain freezes on the power lines and become quite heavy. Also freezing on trees and the branches fall and break - often on those same power lines.As for danger, think about walking on a frozen lake without ice skates, driving on ice is treacherous because the tires have no traction, etc.
I've just finished The Mystery of the Yellow Room here's my review the first of the Routebille series. I think Gaston Leroux write mystery much better than he writes horror.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Jess wrote: "I've just finished The Mystery of the Yellow Room here's my review the first of the Routebille series. I think Gaston Leroux write mystery much better than he writes horror.https://..."
I have been meaning to try this sometime. At the moment I'm reading Duplicate Death by Georgette Heyer. I haven't found it as easy to get into as her ther mysteries. It's still good though.
Sounds quite terrifying. I slipped while driving on black ice in NZ once. It was terrifying. Please be careful all of you! We are at the other extreme of weather here. It was over 40 degrees Celsius for more than a week and got to 47. We were very nervous of bushfire. Fortunately winds were not excessive so fires that broke out were contained quickly. Ok so far but we are all hoping for some rain soon.
We didn't have an ice storm. Just a lot of rain. And it is above freezing.
Jan C wrote: "We didn't have an ice storm. Just a lot of rain. And it is above freezing."Phew!
Jemima wrote: "Sounds quite terrifying. I slipped while driving on black ice in NZ once. It was terrifying. Please be careful all of you! We are at the other extreme of weather here. It was over 40 degrees Celsiu..."Stay cool, and be safe!
S Dizzy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I think Sunbathers cements the idea of how young and inexperienced is Bobby Owens and how he is perceived by other detectives, including his boss, Mit..."Hey Shannon! Yes, I read the first and enjoyed it, but it seemed to drag on a bit in the last three chapters or so, so I skimmed to get to the reveal - I expected I knew what had happened, but wanted to be sure. I’ve got a few other books queuing up before I can get back to Bobby - it’ll take me awhile to catch up to the group - I don’t know when I’ll catch up to you!
But I really enjoyed the interplay between Mitchell and Bobby, and hope for more of that in the next couple books!
Not strictly speaking a mystery, but in the true crime genre, I am listening to The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York
on audiobook loan from the library. The narrator is a bit monotone, but otherwise its fascinating subject material. Its amazing to think that 100 years ago, when forensic science was in its infancy, that they were able to determine when someone was poisoned, especially in cases where it could have easily been confused with lots of other ailments.
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I listened to that quite awhile back and learned a lot. I was also surprised at how much was possible.
Just started one of the March reads, Richardson's First Case
. Waiting for my used copy of Swing, Brother, Swing
to arrive! That’ll be next for me.
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Having taken my children to the Tower of London yesterday, I am thinking of re-reading a Shardlake.
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Susan wrote: "I did it the other way round, Susan. Just finished the Marsh and just started, Richardson's First Case.Having taken my children to the Tower of London yesterday, I am thinking of ..."
I’m on the wait list at my library for Tomblands, the most recent release in the U.S. I’ve loved that whole series! I was afraid he had stopped writing, and was thrilled when a Goodreads friend told me there was another on the way. The way he ratchets up the tension is amazing- I’d always been interested in Henry VIII, but he really brings to life what a viper pit his court must have been!
I am enjoying Richardson’s First Case - interesting look at the plodding but essential nature of police work. I think it’s more honest, showing how many people go into solving a case, instead of believing one super cop or amateur detective did it all alone - and the intro by Martin Edwards in my Kindle edition had interesting information about the author and his storied career.
Judy wrote: "I’m about to start the Basil Thomson one. Just read a short story by him in one collection which was pretty good."I hope you like it - I like his clear, no-fuss, logical writing style- reflects a police detectives thought processes, I think!
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S Dizzy wrote: "I am currently reading this delightful series which was on my GR homepage, you know, in one of the 'because you read this, you may like this' and I am enjoying it so far. [bookcover:Murder at Harti..."I've seen a few of these and wondered what they are like. May try them based on your comments.
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Carolien wrote: "S Dizzy wrote: "I am currently reading this delightful series..."Carolien, I read for the simply joy of it and the escapism it provides, which is why I mostly read fiction and this Ginger Gold series is so much fun!
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Yes, I suppose I am damning with faint praise! I shall be glad when I have finished ploughing through this one (The Secret of High Eldersham) - it's a bit like a triple-length episode of Midsomer Murders.
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I hope you like it - I like his clear, no-fuss, logical writing styl..."
I'm under way and enjoying it so far - a nice witty edge to the writing style.
S Dizzy wrote: "Carolien wrote: "S Dizzy wrote: "I am currently reading this delightful series..."Carolien, I read for the simply joy of it and the escapism it provides, which is why I mostly read fiction and th..."
Good for you! I need to remember that, especially in times of stress.
Judy wrote: "Susan wrote: "Not sure, 'reasonably entertaining,' is a ringing endorsement, Judy ;)"Yes, I suppose I am damning with faint praise! I shall be glad when I have finished ploughing through this one..."
Oh, dear, I enjoy Midsomer Murders and all, but wow!...
Judy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Judy wrote: "I’m about to start the Basil Thomson one. Just read a short story by him in one collection which was pretty good."I hope you like it - I like his clear, no-fuss, ..."
I thought so, too - and I thought it was timeless and realistic, having to worry about a slam dunk case, public opinion, etc. Satisfying ending, too - not drawn out and overly dramatic. I like Thomson’s style- his whole series is available on Scribd, I’ve saved his second book to read.
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Sounds good, Susan! I had Scribd on pause (I tend to have either Scribd or Kindle Unlimited at any one time!), but have reactivated my subscription now to read Basil Thomson and the next Ngaio Marsh, Swing, Brother, Swing.
I started the Basil Thomson, but so far am underwhelmed. The writing doesn't appeal and I don't understand all the acronyms.
Susan wrote: "I just finished re-reading, The A.B.C. Murders"Wow, you are ahead of the game Susan :)
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Susan wrote: "Not really, Adrian - I read the wrong book last month!"Ha ha, nice one Susan, I love your honesty.
Eat, Pray, Die came up on the kindle freebie thread in this group. I remembered a GR friend of mine liked it so I have just read.I liked it too, although it has very little connection with reality. The author is obviously a Stephanie Plum fan but not close enough to be called plagiarism. 4 weak ★ (probably helped by so far this year's reading has been a bit disappointing). I also like the witty titles & that she has stuck with a series design.
Do we put real life crimes here? I'm reading The Scene of the Crime by NZ journalist Steve Braunias. These are newspaper/magazine articles he wrote - & I'm afraid it shows. But the chapters on Mark Lundy & Antonie Dixon are absolutely compelling.
Judy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I thought so, too - and I thought it was timeless and realistic, having to worry about a slam dunk case, public opinion, etc..."Sounds good, Susan! I had Scribd on pause (I te..."
I don’t have Swing, Brother, Swing available through Scribd or my library, I ended up ordering a used paperback- should arrive this week (I hope).
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Sounds good, Susan! I had Scribd o..."
In my library (US) it is A Wreath for Rivera ... in case that is the problem.
Judy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Judy wrote: "I’m about to start the Basil Thomson one. Just read a short story by him in one collection which was pretty good."I hope you like it - I like his clear, no-fuss, ..."
I liked the way he kept the pace going - there’s always repetitive work in a police investigation (especially in these pre-technology books) - but I felt like Thomson kept things moving in a no-nonsense way, with a clear voice and dashes of dry humor.
Sandy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Judy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I thought so, too - and I thought it was timeless and realistic, having to worry about a slam dunk case, public opinion, etc..."Sounds good, S..."
Thank you, I found that out while doing a search! I was honestly surprised my library didn’t have a copy under either title - it might have been ancient and rather ragged, but I wouldn’t have minded. This way I’ll have my own copy, though; I really enjoyed the last Marsh, looking forward to this one! I’ve got a lot of catching up to do with the Marsh books, I think they are worth owning for rereads.
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Judy wrote: "Sounds like we should have plenty to discuss about Richardsonj's First Case later this week!"You’re right, I need to save it for later!
Judy wrote: "Sorry to hear the Marsh book wasn't on Scribd for you, Susan - I think I can get most of them via Scribd in the UK, although with other authors usually it is the other way round and quite a lot of ..."There were several Marsh books, but now they don’t come up; I’ve noticed that with scribd, book availability can vary.
Susan in NC wrote: "I’ve noticed that with scribd, book availability can vary. "I understand that happens with Kindle Unlimited, too. I did the Unlimited free trial a few years back and didn't see that they had enough books of interest to me to make it worth the subscription price. (Not that I don't spend enough on books as it is!)
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Reading the Detectives
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Oh, yuck, be careful! Hope you keep power, and stay warm a..."
I was just reading the keep safe alert from Duke. Our power did go out during a snow storm earlier this year. I think it was out about 4-6 hours. Went out about 10 PM but they had it fixed by 1-2 AM. I think they must try to get it back on faster when it is cold. I don't think it would bother me so much except that the gas heat is powered by the electricity.
My brother used to tell me about the ice storms in Dallas when he lived there. The only people on the road would be the northern transplants. I don't like driving on ice - I've done it in Chicago but it is a joy I would rather pass on if possible.