What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread Showing 4,151-4,200 of 4,457

[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.

[Susan]

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

I think this is one of the best so far, Jill. I haven't much cared for the previous few, but this one definitely picks up.

[Judy]

I'm now halfway through Death on the Air and Other Stories by Ngaio Marsh, which I gather is the same as The Collected Short Fiction of Ngaio Marsh, but Death on the Air (later editions anyway) has a couple of extra stories.

The stories are in a strange order, for some reason - I think the longer ones have been put first. The third story, Chapter and Verse: The Little Copplestone Mystery is a great tale, feeling very Golden Age, involving an old family Bible and mysterious goings-on in a village. I was quite surprised to see that this particular story was published in the 1970s - this makes me look forward to reading Marsh's later novels.

[Carolien]

I've just finished Easy Motion Tourist which is a debut crime novel set in Lagos, Nigeria. If you enjoy very British police procedurals where the detectives wear suits and everything is done according to the law, this is not the book for you. However, if you enjoy a trip to Lagos and want to experience the risks and dreams that this city offers, this is a real pleasure. Introducing an English journalist into the plot allows Leye to introduce readers to the intricacies of Lagos life through the thoughts and experiences of an outsider. Complex plot and a vast cast of characters, I enjoyed this very much and look forward to the next in the series.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Carolien wrote: "I've just finished Easy Motion Tourist which is a debut crime novel set in Lagos, Nigeria. If you enjoy very British police procedurals where the detectives wear suits and everythin..."

Thanks for this.

[Susan]

It is on kindle in the UK and there also seems to be a second in the series, Carolien - Easy Motion Tourist and When Trouble Sleeps Great covers.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I started Self's Punishment by Bernhard Schlink. As far as I can tell, it won't develop into a murder mystery, which is certainly different from the norm. It drew me in immediately and I think it will be a good read.

[Tara]

Judy wrote: "I'm now halfway through Death on the Air and Other Stories by Ngaio Marsh, which I gather is the same as The Collected Short Fiction of Ngaio Marsh, but D..."

That sounds intriguing Judy, I will have to check out that story next. I read I Can Find My Way Out last night, and I thought Marsh did a decent job building up the characters in only a few paragraphs. Her familiarity with the theater also came in handy here.

[Susan in NC]

Just finished Tombland, going to start the April Marsh read, Night at the Vulcan (This is the version of Opening Night my library had).

[Sandy]

This isn't a mystery, but there is murder (several of them): An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good. Very quick read and its fun to have an old person with the upper hand.

[Jill]

Started Angel with Two Faces Dramatic start, but what is drawing me in, is the fact the location is not far from where we stay for 2 months a year. Estate is where we locally walk our dog

[Judy]

I’ve realised that the “Collected” edition of Marsh’s short stories might have fewer stories than the one with the title Death on the Air, but apparently it has some material missing from the later edition. such as the editor’s solutions to the TV Crown Court episode Marsh wrote.

[Judy]

I've started Opening Night by Ngaio.Marsh now - a great beginning.

[Judy]

Jill wrote: "Started Angel with Two Faces Dramatic start, but what is drawing me in, is the fact the location is not far from where we stay for 2 months a year. Estate is where we locally walk ou..."

I'm looking forward to reading that one - it is waiting patiently on my Kindle. :)

[Judy]

I'm reading The Incident at Fives Castle, another of the Angela Marchmont mysteries by Clara Benson.

[Sandy]

I've started Night at the Vulcan and am so happy Marsh returned to a theatre setting. Enjoying it tremendously but there is no crime (yet).

[Lady Clementina]

Judy wrote: "I'm reading The Incident at Fives Castle, another of the Angela Marchmont mysteries by Clara Benson."

Gld to hear its good. I picked up books 4-6 when they were on sale a while ago. Are we planning any buddy reads of these?

[Jemima]

Ooh I’d like that too. I have a couple on audiobook waiting.

[Susan]

These are the upcoming Buddy Reads:

April/May:
An Unsuitable Job for a Woman by P D James
Angel with Two Faces by Nicola Upson
Spook Street by Mick Herron

May/June:
Death of a Hollow Man by Caroline Graham
Head of a Traveler by Nicholas Blake
London Rules by Mick Herron

June/July
Bump in the Night by Colin Watson
The Case of the Late Pig? by Margery Allingham

With the Angela Marchmont books, we have read the following so far:

The Murder at Sissingham Hall
The Mystery at Underwood House
The Treasure at Poldarrow Point

If there is enough interest in reading on, I could add a title. We have decided to only have 2 buddy reads per month now and we are highlighting the Campion series, which is popular and Nigel Strangeways, which some of us are also keen to complete. We will also add the outstanding Ngaio Marsh titles next year (I know it's a long way to go yet!) when we start P D James as our 2020 challenge author.

However, we do have room for other titles, if they are popular and people wish to continue reading, so let me know if Clara Benson is popular and I will add a title to the next available slot.