What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread Showing 4,251-4,300 of 4,475

[Sandy]

Mrs Pollifax is pure escapism and quite enjoyble. I've only listened to a couple but they are fun.

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "Mrs Pollifax is pure escapism and quite enjoyble. I've only listened to a couple but they are fun."

I thought I had read it years ago and dinged it with one star on GR, but this time it was escapist fun- just what I wanted on a rainy day! And I didn’t remember a thing about the plot, so I don’t know if it was a case of right book, right time, or I thought it silly last time, or what! Frustrating to see your list of books read, and sometimes a title doesn’t ring a bell at all - that’s why I try and write a short review, at least, for every book I read - like leaving bread crumbs for future me!

[Sandy]

You have to approach Mrs Pollifax with absolutely no expectations of reality, otherwise they will disappoint.

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "You have to approach Mrs Pollifax with absolutely no expectations of reality, otherwise they will disappoint."

That is a very fair statement- may have been my mistake years ago.

[Judy]

Susan in NC wrote: "Judy wrote: "I've started our forthcoming buddy read Angel with Two Faces by Nicola Upson - not very far in as yet, but it has a good start."

Me, too, I agree, good start (didn’t read book 1, but I think I’ll enjoy this one anyway- unless you feel Book 1 is essential. ) ..."

I haven't read far enough into Book 2 to say for certain whether there is any problem with reading these out of order - I think it will probably be fine and that you can always go back to Book 1 if you enjoy it, but maybe someone who has read them both can say for sure?

[Jan C]

I have read them both. There are people in book 2 that were met in book 1, I believe. I think they continue through the series. So I was glad that I had read Book 1 first. Although when I read Book 1 there was only one book.


I think I'm on the 4th book.

[Susan in NC]

Jan C wrote: "I have read them both. There are people in book 2 that were met in book 1, I believe. I think they continue through the series. So I was glad that I had read Book 1 first. Although when I read Book..."

Thank you.

[Susan]

I plan to start Angel with Two Faces soon. I am currently enjoying An Unsuitable Job for a Woman

Is anyone else planning to read this? I am really enjoying it and note there are only two books in the series.

[Susan]

Just a reminder that our next Buddy Reads will open at the end of next week:

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

[Judy]

I'm looking forward to reading An Unsuitable Job for a Woman very soon.

[Bicky]

I have not read any Mike Herron book. Do you think I can jump in with Spook Street or should I first catch up by starting with Slow Horses?

[Susan]

To be honest, Bicky, I do think the Mick Herron series is best read in order. However, I am a bit obsessive about these things and I don't want to put you off. Maybe somebody else would disagree with me and think it is fine to jump in?

[Pamela]

I would actually agree with you Susan, and I definitely tend to be more relaxed about reading in order. For example, I have quite often found a mystery series by reading a book that turns out to be fourth or fifth in a series, and I'll just read the others as and when I find them.

But for the Slow Horses series, the importance of the changing dynamics of the group of characters, and the way events link to operations in previous books means I've really found a benefit in reading them in order. So I'd agree start with Slow Horses. But it's a matter of personal preference in the end, I guess.

[Sandy]

Bicky, I am also a 'read in order' sort and in this case I think it is quite important as characters enter and leave, and the corporate power structure shifts. If nothing else reading out of order will spoil plot twists if you return to earlier books.

[Sandy]

I've started Spook Street and Unsuitable Job is out from the library, waiting patiently.

[Susan in NC]

Pamela wrote: "I would actually agree with you Susan, and I definitely tend to be more relaxed about reading in order. For example, I have quite often found a mystery series by reading a book that turns out to be..."

I’d agree, as a new member to the group who was also new to the Mick Herron series, reading in order is important since the characters change, and relationships between recurring characters build on previous plot actions. I read the first two in order, had the third, but it was due back at the library and I had to skim the end - I want to get it and reread the last quarter or so more closely before embarking on the next book.

I am rereading An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (audiobook and book), and alternating with Angel with Two Faces (ebook). I like to have a couple books going so I can enjoy reading anywhere! I am enjoying both books, I read all of the PD James books decades ago and loved them, so even though I don’t remember a great deal of the plot, I remember Cordelia as a likable, sympathetic, though rather lonely figure - I love Dalgliesh, but wish there could’ve been a few more Cordelia books.

Question for British people - I read a review of this book that said they felt it read more like a book from the 1940s - and this reviewer said James was in her 50s when this book was published in the 1970s, and it read like she did not know any young people living in England in the 1960s and 1970s. I took that to mean she was out of touch, but so far I haven’t seen that - I don’t know if the reviewer was referring to the almost Victorian upbringing James cooked up for Cordelia (poet father, bouncing around Europe, then orphaned and convent school), or what. I’d be interested in your thoughts, whether this is a fair critique, so far I find her writing is lovely as always, if a little bleak (two suicides within first chapter).

[Judy]

Susan in NC wrote: "I am rereading An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (audiobook and book), and alternating with Angel with Two Faces (ebook). I like to have a couple books going so I can enjoy reading anywhere! ..."

Me too, Susan, and I'm also going to try the audiobook of the PD James, as it is available on Scribd! I can't say much as yet as I haven't started, but am looking forward to a good discussion.

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I am rereading An Unsuitable Job for a Woman (audiobook and book), and alternating with Angel with Two Faces (ebook). I like to have a couple books going so I can enjoy reading ..."

Oh, great, I’m getting the audiobook through my library, ebook on scribd; I had the audiobook all saved and ready to go on scribd, went to open and listen yesterday, and they said it was unavailable until April 25! Argh! Strangely, ebook is still available, and I was able to get the audiobook from the library - new narrator for me, I like her so far, just starting chapter 2. I’ll be interested to see if you have the same narrator, Penelope Dellaporta, and if so, what you think. At first I thought she seemed rather young and breathy - then I realized Cordelia is young, so it feels right, like it’s her voice.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Do those of you who listen to books feel you get as much out of them as when you read them?

[Judy]

That's a pain that it wasn't available for you yet, Susan! Glad you can get it through the library. My narrator is Katie Scarfe - nice clear voice, but I've already noticed that she speaks very slowly, so I've speeded it up to 1.2x!

[Susan in NC]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Do those of you who listen to books feel you get as much out of them as when you read them?"

Yes, I do - I was never a fan until I started wanting to knit and read a few years ago - I’m not nearly coordinated enough to knit without looking, so audiobooks allow me to listen and knit. Then with health issues and a few surgeries in the last several years, audiobooks were a comfort and distraction when I couldn’t wear my glasses and read physical books. I read mostly historical mysteries and some historical fiction, so they work in those genres. If I read horror or romance, for instance, I don’t know!

I belong to the Georgette Heyer Fans group here on Goodreads, so I’ve listened to several Heyer books, for instance, as rereads with this group, all with British narrators, and I feel they’ve added a lot of enjoyment to books I’ve already read, really bringing the story to life, like my own personal theater performance! The best narrators can pitch their voices differently for each character- it’s voice acting, really.

I’ve only just started using audiobooks for first-time reads, and I find I prefer to read along a physical book if possible, just so I don’t miss important character development or plot points. That’s only when I want to remember fora discussion of the book with group members - if it’s purely for pleasure reading, I would just listen and enjoy- or exercise! I find a good audiobook makes great company when doing necessary physical therapy exercises- makes the time go more pleasurably!

[Sandy]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Do those of you who listen to books feel you get as much out of them as when you read them?"

I find I miss parts when my attention wanders. Sometimes I back up other times I hope it wasn't important. However I enjoy being read to and some series I always do on audio because of the narrator.

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "That's a pain that it wasn't available for you yet, Susan! Glad you can get it through the library. My narrator is Katie Scarfe - nice clear voice, but I've already noticed that she speaks very slo..."

Well, the strange thing is, when Susan put out a recent email updating the reading schedule, I went into Scribd, found the ebook and audiobook, and saved both - maybe a week or two ago.

Then when I went into read and listen, audiobook was suddenly unavailable! I have seen that on Scribd, books I’d find and save after a GR friend recommendation would suddenly become unavailable. I guess one good thing is, it prompts me to actually read the book, rather than save more than I could ever get to, like a squirrel with nuts!

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "That's a pain that it wasn't available for you yet, Susan! Glad you can get it through the library. My narrator is Katie Scarfe - nice clear voice, but I've already noticed that she speaks very slo..."

Oh, ok, different narrator, I’m glad she’s good! I have noticed with audiobooks, the 1.0 speed is rather slow on most books, I always find myself upping the speed a bit, depending on the accent of the reader. I have to be careful, though, that it doesn’t become distorted. That happened with Duplicate Death, a long passage where the narrator was doing Inspector Grant’s thick Scottish brogue, with the Gaelic sprinkled in - I had to slow her down, sounded almost Russian!

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Do those of you who listen to books feel you get as much out of them as when you read them?"

I find I miss parts when my attention wanders. Sometimes I back up other tim..."

Yes!

[Bicky]

Ha Ha Susan, no wonder I did not have a problem with Grant. A few Gaelic expressions thrown in was not a problem but if I had been forces to listen to brogue, I would not have known what was happening.

[Bicky]

Thank you for your replies about Herron. I guess I will have to catch up in a hurry.

[Susan in NC]

Bicky wrote: "Thank you for your replies about Herron. I guess I will have to catch up in a hurry."

You’re welcome, I hope it helps, I won’t be able to read the next Herron book at the same time as the rest of the group, but I am so glad I found out about the series from this group!

[Susan in NC]

Bicky wrote: "Ha Ha Susan, no wonder I did not have a problem with Grant. A few Gaelic expressions thrown in was not a problem but if I had been forces to listen to brogue, I would not have known what was happen..."

Ha ha! I didn’t understand the actual Gaelic words, but context helped a bit - I could tell if it was a curse or exhortation, for instance!

[Katherine]

Hi, I just posted my introduction on the other thread.

Well, let me plunge in by saying that I love both eye-reading books and audiobooks. I recently had to drive many hours each weekend, and audiobooks were a lifesaver. Listening to a book helped take my mind off the long drive, especially if I was stuck in traffic!

I have also found that the narrator can make or break a book. For instance, one of my favorite mystery series is Colin Cotterill's Dr. Siri Paiboun series, which starts with "The Coroner's Lunch." I listened to every audiobook in this series that was available in my library. But the library ran out of audiobooks, even though there were more books in the series. I checked out the next book in the series, and it seemed a bit flat. The narrator, Clive Chafer, is wonderful at presenting the sly wit and charming idiosyncrasies of the characters, but I wasn't quite picking that up when reading the book.

On the other hand, I love Jane Austen. "Emma" was never one of my favorites, but, in book form, Emma comes off as charmingly misguided. But I bought "Emma," narrated by Juliet Stevenson. Ms. Stevenson does a fabulous job, but as I listened to the book, Emma comes off as an unpleasant, manipulative jerk. I will probably never read or listen to this book again!

I should probably answer the actual question for this thread! I am listening to "Six and A Half Deadly Sins" by Colin Cotterill. This was the written book that was a bit unsatisfying, so I broke down and actually bought the audiobook. Much better!

[Jill]

Started Spook Street one of our buddy reads. Absolutely loving it.

[Jan C]

I just started American Gun Mystery - Ellery Queen's 6th. In some ways, so far, it is reminiscent of the second book in Stuart Palmer's Miss Withers stories - Murder on Wheels. I haven't got to the murder yet. Hopefully, it will be more believable than Palmer's.

But they both have to do with the rodeo coming to Manhattan.

[Bicky]

Started Slow Horses so that I could catch up with the discussion of Spook Street. It seemed like a chore but Herron is a wonderful writer.

[Susan]

Glad you are both enjoying Herron, Jill and Bicky. The discussion thread for Slow Horses will stay open, so feel free to post there, Bicky.

[Sandy]

Bicky wrote: "Started Slow Horses so that I could catch up with the discussion of Spook Street. It seemed like a chore but Herron is a wonderful writer."

I doubt you will regret your decision, Bicky.

[Gardener0126]

I just finished making my way through most of the Nathan Shapiro series by Richard and Frances Lockridge. I had previously read and enjoyed their Mr. and Mrs. North series as well as the Captain Heinrich series, but hadn’t ever read any in this series. I found them to be quick, easy reading.

I’m slowly working my way through Garrison Flint’s Raymond Masters series, interspersed with re-reads of old favorites. Right now it’s Unnatural Causes by P. D. James.

I have also downloaded a few of the Keith Calder series by Gerald Hammond to my Kindle. I have picked up a bunch of these free, but haven’t read any. I also picked up the entire Raymond Masters series free. Neither of these are series that I would have paid much attention to if they weren’t free. I liked the Masters books that I have read so far, but I wouldn’t say that they are wonderful!

[Jill]

Gardener0126 wrote: "I just finished making my way through most of the Nathan Shapiro series by Richard and Frances Lockridge. I had previously read and enjoyed their Mr. and Mrs. North series as well as the Captain He..."

You will be ahead of us then in next year's challenge books with The Dalgliesh books.

[Tara]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Do those of you who listen to books feel you get as much out of them as when you read them?"

The narrator can really make or break an audiobook. Sometimes they ruin an otherwise great book, or make a mediocre one more palatable. They are certainly helpful when you don't have as much time to read a book as you'd like, but can listen to a book while doing other things. I do find that sometimes my mind wanders, which is a downside of the format, but you can always rewind if you need to :)

[Susan]

I am a fairly recently convert to audiobooks, but I am a great fan now. I do enjoy them, especially while doing other things.

Not many votes this month - if anyone hasn't already done so, please make sure you add your vote to this months poll.

[Lady Clementina]

Susan wrote: "I am a fairly recently convert to audiobooks, but I am a great fan now. I do enjoy them, especially while doing other things.

..."
I'm yet to try one but do plan to because it will be a great idea when one is doing something else, or I want to rest my eyes a bit (since I am always reading on screen all day).

[Jan C]

I used to like to listen to them on long drives. Made the miles fly by.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Jan C wrote: "I used to like to listen to them on long drives. Made the miles fly by."

It's impossible to take a long drive here. It's 35 miles from one end of the road sign to the other. We had to laugh, yesterday our van ticked over 7300 miles - we bought it June 1, 2016.

[Jan C]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Jan C wrote: "I used to like to listen to them on long drives. Made the miles fly by."

It's impossible to take a long drive here. It's 35 miles from one end of the road sign to the other. We had t..."

I have the opposite - it is a fair distance to anywhere. It is about 35 miles to Asheville, shopping centers are 20-25-50 miles away. I don't go to the 50 mile away one very often.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Jan C wrote: "It is about 35 miles to Asheville, shopping centers are 20-25-50 miles away. I don't go to the 50 mile away one very often. "

We don't have any shopping centers. We are not as remote as some places in Alaska, but you can't get anywhere from here except by plane or boat. Seattle and Anchorage are both 700 air miles from here.

[Jan C]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Jan C wrote: "It is about 35 miles to Asheville, shopping centers are 20-25-50 miles away. I don't go to the 50 mile away one very often. "

We don't have any shopping centers. We are not as remote..."

Sounds nice. But possibly not so nice if you have an emergency.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Jan C wrote: "But possibly not so nice if you have an emergency. "

Our hospital is the largest employer and serves the area around for about 100 miles. But they can't handle the most severe injuries and a Medivac is stationed at the airport for things they can't handle.

[Annabel]

I just finished Smallbone Deceased by Michael Gilbert. I've only just discovered MG, who was a prolific detective story writer in the Fifties and onwards and a member of the Detection Club yet his name is obscure to uninformed readers like me.

I loved Death In Captivity, the first one I read of his, which was a locked room mystery set in an Italian POW camp in the war. Smallbone Deceased is set in a lawyer's office and is very reminiscent of Sayers' Murder Must Advertise in its depiction of office life in this era. I found it both well-written and intriguing and am looking for more by Gilbert. That said, he really was both a POW and a lawyer - so what happens when he writes about something he doesn't have first-hand knowledge of?

[Bicky]

OK, you have made me push Death in Captivity to the top of 'have to be read right now' list.

[Annabel]

It's excellent. Enjoy it. In my top three war stories alongside Where Eagles Dare and Ice Cold In Alex. And I don't particularly like war stories usually.

I'm now reading Murder In the Bookshop by Carolyn Wells, another in the seemingly endless series of vintage but overlooked crime stories now emerging from obscurity as reprints. I fell in love with the cover but so far it's proving quite a charming, if quirky read.

[Annabel]

I forgot to say that the murders in Smallbone Deceased are committed using picture wire! This is clearly the go-to weapon for Golden Age murders. I found myself wondering whether we had any in the house and if so, whether I should get rid of it straightaway...