What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread Showing 4,351-4,400 of 4,457

[Judy]

I've been meaning to try one of the culinary mysteries which Gary and Elizabeth both recommended a while back - tonight I listened to the start of Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke, which is the first in the Hannah Swenson series. Quite enjoying it so far.

[Sandy]

Continuing the Falco series, a PI in Rome 70 AD, with Ode to a Banker

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Judy wrote: "I've been meaning to try one of the culinary mysteries which Gary and Elizabeth both recommended a while back - tonight I listened to the start of Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by [a..."

Disclaimer: I think I didn't actually recommend this series, just noted that it has food at its core and I think contains recipes. I haven't read any of the installments.

[Jill]

They do contain recipes. My sister has read them and tried some of the recipes.

[Bicky]

Pamela wrote: "I love The Saint too, I must reread some of those books.

Currently reading Landed Gently, #4 in the Inspector George Gently series."

Just started on Gently Does It #1 and loved the Saint-but today? I have not reread him for years, but at one stage he used to be my favourite hero.

[Judy]

I was a bit surprised when one of the recipes in the Hannah Swenson book was read out on the audiobook, but I suppose otherwise listeners would miss out!

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "I was a bit surprised when one of the recipes in the Hannah Swenson book was read out on the audiobook, but I suppose otherwise listeners would miss out!"

Ok, I’ve been a fair home cook and baker for years, but pretty sure I couldn’t whip up a recipe dictated to me! But you’re right, if readers expect it...my sister has read that series and enjoyed it, I’ll have to give it a try.

Just finished By Frequent Anguish for a challenge, it was meh, but before that, read Fire in the Thatch: A Devon Mystery for another challenge, it was excellent! Going to start Murder by Matchlight today.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Susan in NC wrote: "Ok, I’ve been a fair home cook and baker for years, but pretty sure I couldn’t whip up a recipe dictated to me! "

Wouldn't you write it down as it was dictated?

[Judy]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Disclaimer: I think I didn't actually recommend this series, just noted that it has food at its core and I think contains recipes. I haven't read any of the installments. .."

Well, thanks for mentioning them anyway. I'm enjoying it so far - I think she writes well.

[Judy]

I think I would be a bit nervous about copying down a recipe from dictation - but I suppose it would be OK if I slowed it down. I was very surprised to notice that Hannah seems to cook up a dish including egg shells, but I note the recipe didn't include the shells! Maybe I got the wrong end of the stick.

[Jill]

No good. Couldn't wait any longer. I have started London Rules !

[Susan in NC]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Ok, I’ve been a fair home cook and baker for years, but pretty sure I couldn’t whip up a recipe dictated to me! "

Wouldn't you write it down as it was dictated?"

Ok, good point, I think I’d have to!

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "I think I would be a bit nervous about copying down a recipe from dictation - but I suppose it would be OK if I slowed it down. I was very surprised to notice that Hannah seems to cook up a dish in..."

I would be nervous as well - I’m not that fast! And yes,if it’s inaccurate or I hear it wrong (like The Telephone Game), who knows what you’d end up with!

[Bruce]

I loved the saint too. I only read a few of the books though. I’ll have to read more at some point. They were almost impossible to find at one point, but now most of them are available again on Amazon. The Saint is actually very different than Bond, even though people like to compare them because of Roger Moore. He’s much less rough, and he worked outside of and sometimes against the law, as I remember it. His appearance and personality are also different - humorous and less rough around the edges. More of a fit for an actor like Roger Moore or Pierce Brosnan (if he had played him) than Bond.

[Susan]

Jill wrote: "No good. Couldn't wait any longer. I have started London Rules !"

Hurrah! Love that one. Listening to Spinsters in Jeopardy and will then listen to London Rules.

[Annabel]

Two poor reads in a row for me. Murder In the Bookshop despite its fabulous cover turned out very amateurish and disappointing. One of those Golden Age crime books recently unearthed from deserved obscurity where it should have stayed.

And ditto for The Mystery of Tunnel 51 which was written in the 1920s and set in India. It starts off with a promisingly gripping murder in a railway tunnel in the Indian mountains but rapidly plunges into a sub-Bulldog Drummond jolly jape of a whodunit, with two hearty male detective friends and their adoring wives. I couldn't get past the fourth chapter and I don't give up on things easily.

[Judy]

Sorry to hear Murder in the Bookshop and The Mystery of Tunnel 51 disappointed despite their great covers, Annabel.

I'm currently underway with Head of a Traveller by Nicholas Blake, a forthcoming buddy read.

[Jill]

I've finished Spinsters in Jeopardy Now starting Cards on the Table

[Sandy]

I've started Mycroft and Sherlock, second in the series based, loosely, on Holmes' older brother and written by a retired US basketball player (which is what drew my significant other to the series in the first place).

[Tania]

I've started reading Crocodile on the Sandbank, the first in the Amelia Peabody books. I've had it for a while, but only just getting to it.

[ShanDizzy]

Sandy wrote: "I've started Mycroft and Sherlock, second in the series based, loosely, on Holmes' older brother and written by a retired US basketball player (which is what drew my significant oth..."

Sandy, I read the first and feel that Kareem did a respectable job on these books.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Tania wrote: "I've started reading Crocodile on the Sandbank, the first in the Amelia Peabody books. I've had it for a while, but only just getting to it."

I enjoyed that. I have some others in the series, but haven't gotten to them yet.

[Tania]

I have several of the books, bought for 50p in a charity shop. I'm not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. I'm finding the feisty emancipated female trope a bit cliched. I do realise I'm doing the author a disservice here, as she was probably one of the first people to come up with it. Much like accusing Agatha Christie of being formulaic. (She invented the formula).

[Judy]

I've finished the next Nicholas Blake buddy read book, Head of a Traveller, and have mixed feelings about it - I really liked some aspects but not others. I think it should make for an interesting discussion.

I'm now under way with another forthcoming buddy read, Death of a Hollow Man by Caroline Graham - an enjoyable start, though I'm not very far in as yet.

[Susan]

Yes, definitely not the best Nicholas Blake to start with. A couple of very uncomfortable things about this book, as there are with quite a few GA authors, to be honest.

[Bicky]

Susan wrote: "Yes, definitely not the best Nicholas Blake to start with. A couple of very uncomfortable things about this book, as there are with quite a few GA authors, to be honest."

Then, which would be the best Nicholas Blake book to start with?

[ShanDizzy]

Judy wrote: "I've finished the next Nicholas Blake buddy read book, Head of a Traveller, and have mixed feelings about it - I really liked some aspects but not others. I think it should make for..."

Judy, I too had mixed feelings about Head of a Traveller when I read it but it was intriguing enough that I couldn't put it down until I had finished it. It deals with some gruesome issues and the views of them in that time period.

[Susan in NC]

Just finishing up the latest in one of my favorite historical mystery series, , then on to either , or , depending on my mood, and how many “darlings” I can stomach after that first chapter of the Canaan book! Might feel more like straight-up evil, with Mr. Shaitana and Poirot & Co.

[Tara]

Working my way through another true crime story, Tinseltown: Murder, Morphine, and Madness at the Dawn of Hollywood , about the murder of a Hollywood director in the 1920s. Mixed feelings so far, but a good narrative style, and you get the perspective of a lot of different people, supposedly taken from contemporaneous sources.

[Jill]

Just starting Revenger by Rory Clements The second in the John Shakespeare series

[Judy]

Bicky wrote: "Then, which would be the best Nicholas Blake book to start with? .."

I thought the first couple in the series were very good, if you fancy reading in order - the first one is A Question of Proof and the second one is Thou Shell of Death.

[Bicky]

Judy wrote: "Bicky wrote: "Then, which would be the best Nicholas Blake book to start with? .."

I thought the first couple in the series were very good, if you fancy reading in order - the first one is [book:A..."

Thanks.

[Bicky]

I am reading Coffin, Scarcely Used in preparation of reading Bump in the Night with the group and similarly The Killings at Badger's Drift.

Coffin is replete with comic descriptions.

[Judy]

We've read both Coffin, Scarcely Used and The Killings at Badger's Drift here fairly recently, Bicky - the threads are still open if you want to comment. Hope you enjoy them both - real dedication to slot them in first! :)

[Bicky]

Judy wrote: "...Hope you enjoy them both - real dedication to slot them in first! :) "

What other choice do I have? And presumably it will not be an effort because the group must have liked the first books and I trust this group's taste!

[Jan C]

Tara wrote: "Working my way through another true crime story, Tinseltown: Murder, Morphine, and Madness at the Dawn of Hollywood [bookcover:Tinseltown: Murder, Morphine, and Madness at the Dawn ..."

I need to get back to that one.

[Susan]

Bicky wrote: "Susan wrote: "Yes, definitely not the best Nicholas Blake to start with. A couple of very uncomfortable things about this book, as there are with quite a few GA authors, to be honest."

Then, which..."

If, like me, you prefer to start a series from the beginning, then that would be A Question of Proof
The most famous in the series, which works well as a stand alone is The Beast Must Die, although I don't think it's my favourite - which is probably Malice in Wonderland or Minute for Murder

[Bicky]

Susan wrote: "...If, like me, you prefer to start a series from the beginning, then that would be A Question of Proof
The most famous in the series, which works well as a stand alone is The Beast Must Die, although I don't think it's my favourite - which is probably Malice in Wonderland or Minute for Murder"

Thanks, Susan. Normally I do like to read a series in order but having read A Question of Proof in my wasteful and memory-less youth I think I will start this time with Minute for Murder as it the one immediately preceding Head of a Traveler and is one of your favourites.

[Bicky]

Loved Coffin, Scarcely Used but failed to appreciate The Killings at Badger's Drift. Perhaps, the plot was familiar from an episode of Midsomer Murders. On checking I have discovered that it was the pilot.

Onto Blake and Marsh.

[Judy]

I think you will be fine jumping in with A Minute for Murder, Bicky. :)

[Susan]

I am really enjoying The Killings at Badger's Drift but I have never seen Midsomer Murders.

Bicky, look forward to hearing your thoughts on Nicholas Blake.

[Jemima]

Just started ‘A Pocketful of Rye’ one of my favorites

[Lady Clementina]

Jemima wrote: "Just started ‘A Pocketful of Rye’ one of my favorites"

I like that one too.

[Bicky]

I am reading They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall. Guess which novel this is a take on? The epigraph is:

'Best of an island is once you get there—you can’t go any further … you’ve come to the end of things.
AGATHA CHRISTIE, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE'

[Susan]

Bicky wrote: "I am reading They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall. Guess which novel this is a take on? The epigraph is:

'Best of an island is once you get there—you can’t go ..."

Lots of one star reviews on Amazon, so I think I'll give that one a miss! You have to say, though, that it's a great plot idea and I wonder whether Christie was the first to think of it, or whether it had been used before?

[Bruce]

I finished Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz a week ago. I really enjoyed it, but have mixed thoughts on it, including some inconsistencies with the original Holmes stories, which may have been intentional, but weren’t explained. All the more baffling as it was “authorized” by the Doyle estate. I still thought it was one of the better non-Doyle Holmes-related books (it wasn’t actually about Sherlock).

[Susan in NC]

Trying to wrap up They Rang Up the Police, which I was really getting into and enjoying Northeast’s refreshing youthful attitude, but now it seems to be floundering a bit, like not sure how to wrap it up. Also started Cards on the Table, I always enjoy my Poirot revisits. And we get Battle, Race, and Ariadne Oliver as bonuses — my GA cup runneth over!

[Judy]

I'm reading Suddenly at His Residence, the third Inspector Cockrill mystery by Christianna Brand.
I bought this one secondhand a while ago, and am enjoying it so far - even though it is a very dysfunctional family in a country house!

I've just noticed that several of her detective stories are now available on Kindle in the UK, including this one under a different title, The Crooked Wreath. They are quite expensive for Kindle books, though, around £7/£8 each. Oddly, they all say they were published in 2011, although they were not available when I've looked them up before. Maybe the others will turn up soon on Kindle too!

[Susan]

I think they were expensive when I got them, Judy. The fourth one, Death of Jezebel, is not in print - I read it some years ago, but have no idea where it is and it's very expensive to replace. The only copy on Amazon is about £75 and I think I paid nearly that when I brought it, ages ago.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I have #3-5 on my Kindle. I must have gotten them cheaply.