What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread Showing 4,151-4,200 of 4,475

[Susan]

I am about halfway through Malabar Hill and enjoying it so far.

[Bicky]

I have just finished The Hotel Majestic and plan to read many more Maigret novels.

When, I was in my teens, I tried to read Georges Simenon but found him too slow. Today, I find the pace enchanting and Maigret's humanity uncommon.

The French setting was very interesting with the close 'cooperation' between Maigret and the magistrate.

[Judy]

I've read a couple of Maigrets so far and hope to read on with the series, Bicky - though this is one series where I may not be too strict about reading in order, but go more on which books I manage to get hold of.

[Judy]

I've just finished listening to the Welsh mystery Evan Help Us by Rhys Bowen, in the audible edition read by Roger Clark. He is an excellent narrator and I really enjoyed it.

My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Bicky]

Judy wrote: "I've read a couple of Maigrets so far and hope to read on with the series, Bicky - though this is one series where I may not be too strict about reading in order, but go more on which books I manag..."

I too like to read in order. However, I have a feeling from the research I have cursorily conducted, that in this case the books of the middle period might be the best. So, I plan to deliberately read them without regard to order.

[Jay-me (Janet)]

I'm trying to decide whether to read Crossword Mystery or Murder on the Oxford Canal

[Jemima]

A murder is announced. I love Hinch and Murgatroyd so much. And fluffy little Dora ‘Bunny’.

[Susan in NC]

Jemima wrote: "A murder is announced. I love Hinch and Murgatroyd so much. And fluffy little Dora ‘Bunny’."

Yes! Just reread Miss Marple last year, love her!

[Carolien]

Jemima wrote: "I know who to ask if my group travels to India this year on our books around the world journey. Right now I’m seeking some recommendations for a book set in Holland or by a Dutch author. Preferably..."

You can try Lonely Graves or Outsider in Amsterdam if you want crime authors.

[LovesMysteries]

Jemima wrote: "A murder is announced. I love Hinch and Murgatroyd so much. And fluffy little Dora ‘Bunny’."

One of the best Miss Marple mysteries, definitely one of my faves!

[Susan]

Miss Marple is just brilliant and, I agree, that A Murder is Announced is one of the best.

I have started Flowers for the Judge and am, finally, really enjoying the Campion novels. So glad I persevered with the series.

[Judy]

I've started a reread of Flowers for the Judge too - as a long-time Campion fan, I'm so glad to hear you are enjoying it, Susan!

I'm also now about 3/4 of the way through our other buddy read Stop Press, and have started listening to the audiobook of The Floating Admiral via Scribd - I've been meaning to try this book jointly written by members of the Detection Club in the 1930s. Early days as yet.

[Susan]

I found The Floating Admiral a bit of a mixed bag, as could be expected, I guess. I think they had fun writing it and I would certainly like to read some of the non-fiction efforts by the Detection Club.

[Pamela]

I'm reading The Strangler Vine, which I've had for ages, enjoying it so far. I'm trying to clear some of my TBR backlog but new Books keep popping up!

After that I'll be starting Flowers for the Judge, I've definitely become a Campion fan this time round.

[Jemima]

Susan wrote:

I have started Flowers for the Judge and am, final..."

I read the first one (The Crime at Black Dudley ages ago and though it was pretty confusing and truly weird. I'm now reading Look to the Lady. The character of Campion is really exaggerated...he reminds me of Sir Percy Blakeney from The Scarlet Pimpernel or one of Georgette Heyer's self-parodic heroes like in These Old Shades or The Convenient Marriage who seem to enjoy hamming up a natural tendency to 'foppery' or at least exaggerating aspects of themselves that others seem to despise, which makes them discountable in an enemy's eyes I guess. Campion that I read inDeath of a Ghost more recently is such an entirely different character that I didn't even realise until much later that he was the same man as in Crime at Black Dudley. I wonder why his character is so changed? I'm enjoying this Campion (in 'Look to the Lady') and I also really liked the Campion in 'Death of a Ghost' who seemed so charming and caring, serious, thoughtful and subdued.
One of my favourite things so far in 'Look to the Lady' is the invitation Campion sent to the young man (Val) while he was on the run promising "Improving conversation, beer, light wines and little pink cakes."

[Bicky]

Jemima wrote: "Susan wrote:

I have started Flowers for the Judge and am, final..."

I read the first one (The Crime at Black Dudley ages ago an...Campion that I read inDeath of a Ghost more recently is such an entirely different character that I didn't even realise until much later that he was the same man as in Crime at Black Dudley. I wonder why his character is so changed? I'm enjoying this Campion (in 'Look to the Lady') and I also really liked the Campion in 'Death of a Ghost' who seemed so charming and caring, serious, thoughtful and subdued. "


This is so good to know, because all I remember about Campion was his ridiculousness. Now, I too can start reading Allingham.

[Susan]

I really did struggle with Campion for a few books, but the last few have been much better - there have been less gangs and more actual crimes. Also, Campion is becoming much more sensible! I am now, definitely, a fan.

[Susan in NC]

Just starting to reread Flowers for the Judge . It’s been years, I don’t remember a thing about this one...

[Judy]

I’ve finished Stop Press by Michael Innes, which was very odd and very long - not altogether to my taste, but should make for some interesting discussion in our buddy read.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I started The Widows of Malabar Hill and liking what I'm reading!

[Susan in NC]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I started The Widows of Malabar Hill and liking what I'm reading!"

I enjoyed it, also, and look forward to our discussion- I’ve already put the second in the series on my library’s request list! I don’t want to forget about Perveen & company (so many good books, so little time...)

[Sandy]

I just read The Stranger Diaries. I thought it an excellent mystery. It is told thru multiple view points and has Gothic elements. I have a small complaint but it is a spoiler so I need to keep it to myself (not easy).

[Susan]

I am reading Deadland by William Shaw, who is one of my very favourite crime writers. Having just read the last Philip Kerr and now reading William Shaw, my cup is very full indeed!

[Susan]

I have just started our next Ngaio Marsh Opening Night and discovered that the theatre in the book had a murder previously explained in a short story. In case anyone is interested, the story is: I Can Find my Way Out and it is in Death on the Air and Other Stories

[Sandy]

Susan wrote: "I have just started our next Ngaio Marsh Opening Night and discovered that the theatre in the book had a murder previously explained in a short story. In case anyone is interested, th..."

Thanks Susan. I may see if I can find it easily. Opening Night is Night at the Vulcan at my library in the US.

[Susan]

Yes, it does have a different title in the US. They do allude to the murder, some years earlier, in the beginning of the novel. I don't think it is, in any way, necessary to read it, but I did feel that I would like to.

I found Duplicate Death a bit of a trial, as they kept alluding to things that had happened in a previous novel and, even though it did not affect the plot, my enjoyment of the book was definitely dented because I knew I was reading it out of order...

[Sandy]

I've requested the cd's from my library as the story / essay collection looks good an I didn't see a kindle version.

[Susan]

It's on kindle in the UK. I haven't read any of her short stories, so will be interested to do so.

[Jill]

Susan wrote: "Yes, it does have a different title in the US. They do allude to the murder, some years earlier, in the beginning of the novel. I don't think it is, in any way, necessary to read it, but I did feel..."

Have you any idea which Heyer book they were alluding to, as the one just before was Envious Casa which we read. These books were divided on GRs but then someone put them all together. We unfortunately, started both groups before this was changed.

[Judy]

Thanks for letting us know about the Ngaio Marsh short story, Susan. I will read it before going on to the novel.

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "Susan wrote: "I have just started our next Ngaio Marsh Opening Night and discovered that the theatre in the book had a murder previously explained in a short story. In case anyone is ..."

Mine, too! It’s creaking and ancient - I hope it holds together for me to read! I mentioned over in the Campion thread, I’m picking up Tombland from my library today. That’ll probably be a doorstop and in demand from other patrons so won’t be renewable, I may have to read that before the next Marsh and Poirot- what a lovely problem to have!

[Tara]

Susan wrote: "I have just started our next Ngaio Marsh Opening Night and discovered that the theatre in the book had a murder previously explained in a short story. In case anyone is interested, th..."

I went to a mystery themed bookstore over the weekend, and I just happened to pick up a collection of Ngaio Marsh short stories! I'm excited that this one is in there. The Collected Short Fiction of Ngaio Marsh

[Tara]

I wanted a Hugh Fraser narrated audiobook, and the next one available at my library was Hercule Poirot's Christmas . Its out of order from our buddy read schedule, and not seasonally appropriate, but is still an excellent story. Fraser's reading of Simeon Lee is particularly good.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Tara wrote: "I went to a mystery themed bookstore over the weekend,"

How fun! One of the disadvantages of living in a small town is that we don't have such a place.

[Tara]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Tara wrote: "I went to a mystery themed bookstore over the weekend,"

How fun! One of the disadvantages of living in a small town is that we don't have such a place."

It was a surprise birthday gift from my husband, and he also signed me up for a monthly book club :) I really had to behave myself and only got a handful of books, but I easily could have gotten more....
https://www.mysteriousbookshop.com/

[Susan in NC]

Tara wrote: "Susan wrote: "I have just started our next Ngaio Marsh Opening Night and discovered that the theatre in the book had a murder previously explained in a short story. In case anyone is ..."

Ok, I would go broke in there...

[Judy]

Looks wonderful, Tara. I would love to explore! Happy belated birthday.

[Susan in NC]

Yes, happy belated birthday, Tara, and thanks for sharing the link to this wonderful bookstore!

[Jan C]

Tara wrote: "Susan wrote: "I have just started our next Ngaio Marsh Opening Night and discovered that the theatre in the book had a murder previously explained in a short story. In case anyone is ..."

Oh, that's good news - I bought it a couple years ago at a used book sale. Now I won't have to remember to check on it.

[Jill]

Finished Murder in Mesopotamia and am now starting Behold, Here's Poison by Georgette Heyer it order to try and catch up with the currant Heyer book the group are reading

[Tara]

Susan in NC wrote: "Yes, happy belated birthday, Tara, and thanks for sharing the link to this wonderful bookstore!"

Thanks so much Susan and Judy :)

[Emma]

Jill wrote: "Have you any idea which Heyer book they were alluding to, as the one just before was Envious Casca which we read. These books were divided on GRs but then someone put them all together. We unfortunately, started both groups before this was changed."

The Kanes appear in an earlier crime novel 'They Found Him Dead' (1937). Timothy is a boy during the events of that book, hence Hemingway referring to him as "Terrible Timothy".

[Jill]

Emma wrote: "Jill wrote: "Have you any idea which Heyer book they were alluding to, as the one just before was Envious Casca which we read. These books were divided on GRs but then someone put them all together..."

Thanks. Probably just as well I work through them then.

[Judy]

Although I enjoy Heyer's mysteries, I tend to find them a bit samey if I read them close together, so I think I'll resist reading the earlier book first - but thanks very much for letting us know which book it is, Emma.

[Sandy]

My library request for Smoke and Ashes is waiting for me and Marsh's short stories is in transit so I have my weekend read determined for me before starting our April books..

[Sandy]

I just finished Dreaming Spies, one of the Russell and Holmes series. This one is partially set in Japan in 1924 and the country is wonderfully portrayed. One of my many favorite series.

[Susan in NC]

I just started Murder in Mesopotamia while waiting at a doctor appointment- I’m still engrossed in , but that’s too big to lug around! Mom always said, never head to a doctor’s office without a book - you never know how long you’ll wait and you could be reading...

[Judy]

I've started reading Death on the Air and Other Stories by Ngaio Marsh, which is on Scribd - enjoying it so far. I was also interested to see that there is a little essay about Troy at the start, where Marsh says she didn't call her after Agatha Christie!

[Susan]

I have that to read, Judy. Good to hear it is a fun collection.

[Jill]

Just starting Night at the Vulcan. Starting well so hope Marsh has got back to her stride with this.