The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion
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Currently Reading? Just Finished? 2016
I finished Fool Me Once
by Harlan Coben.Maya Burkett's sister was murdered and her husband was mugged and killed. She also has PTSD from a special ops mission that went wrong. So when Maya sees (supposedly dead) hubby on a nanny cam....what's she supposed to think?
A page turner. 3.5 stars
My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've just finished my third version of No Orchids for Miss Blandish, and frankly, unless I want to cough up hundreds of dollars for a 1939 version, I don't think I'm ever going to read the actual original. I tried a 1942 version (pre-1961, which was when the author revised and "updated" this novel), but it was so sanitized it was hardly worth reading. Evidently it was created for the Avon novel of the month club and really cleaned up in the process. It's so frustrating. And then there's the original film, which is so not even close to the book -- aaarrgh.
I'm finishing off a super Inspector Frost mystery, Winter Frost; he's such an excellent character. Also have just started The Pale Betrayer by Dorothy Salisbury Davis, a new author for me.
I was asked to recommend some crime fiction books for a literacy class. Here are a couple that I liked for very different reasons. The Bloody Shoe Affair by Joy York. This story is seen through the eyes of a teenager and is a delightfully simple tale. The other is The Dead Dance Faster by Julie Ann Hacker, a much darker, almost claustrophobic story. Just started The Eyes of the Accused by Mark Tilbury.
Julian wrote: "I was asked to recommend some crime fiction books for a literacy class."I'd recommend The Postman Always Rings Twice.
I've just finished Satan Came to Eden: A Survivor's Account of the "Galapagos Affair". Some weird stuff going on in the Galapagos around 1929/1930. I was really bored one night & cruised documentaries, coming up with this story. Then I was hooked and had to know more.
Before posting about this one though, I'm reading another account of a different woman who was there at the time with a totally different take on who the actual killer was, Floreana: A Woman's Pilgrimage to the Galapagos. I'll post both together, along with another account called The Galapagos Affair where supposedly the author has answers. We'll see.
By the way, the documentary is amazing. Netflix.
Before posting about this one though, I'm reading another account of a different woman who was there at the time with a totally different take on who the actual killer was, Floreana: A Woman's Pilgrimage to the Galapagos. I'll post both together, along with another account called The Galapagos Affair where supposedly the author has answers. We'll see.
By the way, the documentary is amazing. Netflix.
Liz and went to the Galapagos a year ago and celebrated our 45th anniversary. I t was a wonderful trip.
Nancy wrote: "I've just finished Satan Came to Eden: A Survivor's Account of the "Galapagos Affair". Some weird stuff going on in the Galapagos around 1929/1930. I was really bored one night & cr..."Thanks for the suggestion Nancy. I'll have to check out this documentary.
Barbara wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I've just finished Satan Came to Eden: A Survivor's Account of the "Galapagos Affair". Some weird stuff going on in the Galapagos around 1929/1930. I was really bored ..."
All of the major players are definitely strange, adding to the attraction.
All of the major players are definitely strange, adding to the attraction.
Bill wrote: "I'm finishing off a super Inspector Frost mystery, Winter Frost; he's such an excellent character. Also have just started The Pale Betrayer by [author:Dorothy Salisbur..."
The TV series is also really well done.
The TV series is also really well done.
Not a new book anymore, but i'm currently reading Winter of the World, the second book of the Ken Follet trilogy. I did want to read until all of them are published (hate to wait ;) ) and i was absolutely captivated by the first part, hoping this one will be just as great.
I just started reading an ARC of Absalom's Daughters: A Novel, an intriguing tale of two sisters, one black, one white, who take a road trip through the Jim Crow South of the 1950s. I don't foresee smooth sailing.
Finished The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling
by Lawrence Blockhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Hi everyone, I just read a great new thriller and thought I'd share since I'm new to the group. The book is Lunar Options by T.R. Locke. The one I read had a different cover than the one listed here, but this is the same book. It's a great story. Checking out this list for my next read.
Thank you to Net Galley, The Publishers and the author David Harrison(Tom Bale)for a ARC copy
How far would you go to save your family?
In the dead of night, new parents Alice and Harry French are plunged into their worst nightmare when they wake to find masked men in their bedroom. Men ruthless enough to threaten their baby daughter, Evie.
This is no burglary gone wrong.
The intruders know who they’re looking for – a man called Edward Renshaw.
And they are prepared to kill to get to him.
When the men leave empty handed, little do Alice and Harry realise that their nightmare is just beginning. Is it a case of mistaken identity? Who is Renshaw? And what is he hiding?
One thing is clear – they already know too much !!
Terrifying, rollercoaster of a ride full of twists and turns, this stunning and gripping thriller will have you on the edge of your seat right to the very last page!
A totally intense thriller, had me engrossed, I just had to keep reading, I just had to know what was going to happen, full of great characters, full of very nasty characters, full of shocks, chases, and action. A thriller of a ride!
Really enjoyed the catch, but this author is getting better and better.
A powerful five star book from me. A book I just could not put down.
Thanks again Net Galley.
Buy this book, it comes out in May 2016 !
I finished What She Knew
by Gilly Macmillan.Rachel's 8-year-old son is abducted and Detective Jim Clemo heads the investigation. A distraught Rachel is dubbed a 'bad mother' by the public, and secrets and lies make it hard for Clemo to solve the case. A good mystery. 3.5 stars.
My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just finished The Pale Betrayer by Dorothy Salisbury Davis. It was my first time reading any of her work and it did take me a couple of chapters to get into her style. Ultimately, a most enjoyable spy/ murder story. I will find more of her work now.. Starting the second King % Maxwell book next, Hour Game by David Baldacci
I finished Fallen Land, the debut novel by Taylor Brown. This is an excellent book and Brown is an incredible writer. Even though it is set during the American Civil War, I couldn't help but draw comparisons with current events. My review is here.
Just finished a book outside the usual genres I go for, Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence. I have to say I was pretty impressed by this book and will be continuing with the trilogy. Now starting Murder as a Fine Art by David Morrell. This has been on my TBR for quite some time so I'm excited to finally start it.
And just when I thought I had time to read again after a week, more company -- weekend. Oy! I figure in two weeks when we go on vacation I'll be able to read again, at least for a week. In fact, I'm going to glue myself to my lounger chair and read read read.
Dave wrote: "Hi everyone, I just read a great new thriller and thought I'd share since I'm new to the group. The book is Lunar Options by T.R. Locke. The one I read had a different cover than th..."
Welcome, Dave!
Welcome, Dave!
Nancy wrote: "I'm reading Satan Came to Eden: A Survivor's Account of the "Galapagos Affair", which along with Floreana, by Margret Wittmer, contains one of the most bizarre true ..."After you mentoned the documentary Nancy, I watched it on Netflix. Kind of a strange story but I'm not surprised: when you have 7 eccentric adults on an isolated island things are going to take a bad turn.
And it sure didn't look like "paradise" over there as far as living conditions/food/recreation, etc.
(I'd like to add....if I was 5 months pregnant I sure wouldn't move to the middle of nowhere and take it for granted the weirdo 'doctor' on the island would be happy to help me out)
About to start
The Wrong Girl by Laura Wilson after finishing
The Murderer's Daughter by Jonathan Kellerman. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Barbara wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I'm reading Satan Came to Eden: A Survivor's Account of the "Galapagos Affair", which along with Floreana, by Margret Wittmer, contains one of the most..."
I know! I couldn't believe the Wittmers chose that place to live just because there was a doctor there. The books are even more bizarre.
I know! I couldn't believe the Wittmers chose that place to live just because there was a doctor there. The books are even more bizarre.
I finished The Second Life of Nick Mason
this weekend. Great character for a new series. Comes out next month. I think it's already been optioned for a movie.
I'm reading
. It's a slowly unravelling story. Reminds me of old Columbo episodes. Her descriptions of the people involved are vivid and believable, I've already ordered the next two books so I can follow Cormoran Strike around.
Ini wrote: "I'm reading
. It's a slowly unravelling story. Reminds me of old Columbo episodes. Her descriptions of the people involved are vivid and believable, I've a..."
I like the Cormoran Strike books.
Just finished the latest Prey series book
Another very good addition to the series, this time very little of Davenport's family is involved, he is no longer with the Minnesota state crime group and working as a 'free agent' at the request of the Minnesota Governor. Storyline revolves around political campaigning and political extremists, which usually I'm not too fond of but Sandford handles it with a very nice, light although somewhat cynical touch that works well.
Blue Heaven by C.J. BoxI enjoyed reading this thriller and give it 4 out 5 stars. It was a library book and I am counting it for Idaho in my US state challenge. This is not a traditional murder mystery, because you know who the bad guys are right at the beginning of the book. Two children, ages 12 and 10, see 3 men murder a fourth man. The killers see them and try to kill them, but they escape.
The suspense builds as the killers, ex LAPD cops, volunteer to help the local sheriff in rural northern Idaho help search for the missing children. Once I was halfway through, I found it difficult to put down.
Just started YOU by Caroline Kepnes. It's definitely a unique experience reading a second person narrative.
Current;y I'm reading Impulse by Michael Weaver. So far it's been superb--it's about a New York Times columnist whose wife is raped and murdered and he himself is left for dead. So he helps the police track the culprit down.
Reading the latest by Joanne Harris, which is a sequel to Gentlemen & Players (2005)
Different Class. April 2016.
These two are quite different....from an article I read, based on her own experience teaching earlier.
Quite different from her usual books, which I enjoy. She writes a nice mix of time periods and especially enjoyed the various books set in France. Then there was the chilly Blueeyedboy ( 2010)!!
I have just finished Tasha Alexander's Death In The Floating City which I have to admit is better than the first three the characters feel more lived in and rounded rather than 2 dimensional but was definitely a good read, am now rereading Stephanie Laurens's Devil's Bride just because its good
I finished reading the first 4 books in Kay Hooper's "special crimes unit" series.The series is paranormal mystery with characters using paranormal abilities to catch criminals and some romance elements thrown in for good measure. The genre is new to me and I liked the premise, but the mystery aspect of the plots felt thin and weak.
maybe the female readers will gravitate towards the romance element of the books?
I don't give up on a series after the first few books, specially if the author/genre is new to me, but I won't continue the series,
I just started reading Henning Mankell's Wallander series
Barbara wrote: "Reading Orphan X
by Gregg Hurwitz"Enjoy. I loved it. I read the ebook but then bought the audiobook to listen to at a later time.
I finished Alfred Hitchcock
by Peter Ackroyd.This is a fun, entertaining biography of the director with an informative overview of his movies and how he made them.
4 stars.
My complete review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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My review is here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...