Cozy Mysteries discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
Archived
>
When You're Not Reading a Cozy . . .
I just started reading All By Myself, Alone by Mary Higgins Clark yesterday. This is my first book by Mary Higgins Clark. (Hard to believe I know, considering how long she's been around.)
Kirsten *Make Margaret Atwood Fiction Again!" wrote: "I just started reading All By Myself, Alone by Mary Higgins Clark yesterday. This is my first book by Mary Higgins Clark. (Hard to believe I know, considering how lon..."Please post about ALL BY MYSELF, ALONE, as you read it! I have it on my TBR List, from comments from the group. I too have not read any Mary Higgins Clark yet. Thanks!
Last night I have finished Darkly Dreaming Dexter and it was poor read I must say. Now I am moving to my next read Sharp Objects.
One of my favourite legal thriller authors is James Grippando. He writes the Jack Swyteck series. I am reading the latest right now called Most Dangerous Place and am having a hard time putting it down.
Currently in the middle of First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen. When not reading cozies, I like a little of everything.
I just finished The Moonlit Mind a novella by Dean Koontz (as I anxiously await his new book the Silent Corner releasing in June.) and I am now reading The Buried Book by D. M. Pulley, kind of a thriller mystery and then 1 beta (awaiting another beta in a few weeks). I usually am reading multiple things at the same time.
I am reading and enjoying EXPLOSIVE EIGHTEEN, by Janet Evanovich. I kind of lost track of this series, not sure why because they did make me laugh! This one fit into the Spring Challenge. Glad I started reading them again!
Best April Reads (in no particular order):Historical Romance (clean): Convict Heart by Lena Dowling
Great characters and setting. Good romantic aspects and a satisfying ending.
Historical Romance (somewhat graphic): Lord of Chance by Erica Ridley
Good setting, fun characters, amazing dialogue. Good romance story, good ending.
Paranormal Romance (graphic): Michael's Passion by Joel Crofoot
Amazing story telling, great characters, touching love story.
YA: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Still stands up great, even on a reread. Also fun to "rediscover" the whole story with my nephew.
Marie wrote: "Best April Reads (in no particular order):Historical Romance (clean): Convict Heart by Lena Dowling
Great characters and setting. Good romantic aspects and a sati..."
I re-read the HP series last year and loved it just as much as the first time ; )
I just finished TALKING GOD, by Tony Hillerman, for my extra word in the Spring Challenge! I love that series, and it's fun to find one I don't remember reading. I recommend it!
Finished
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis. Just started
Robert B. Parker's Little White Lies
Sabrina wrote: "I just finished The Catch by John Boland and I'm now going to start on the Maze Runner trilogy."What did you think of the catch? It looks interesting!
Years ago I loved watching the "Poldark" series with Robin Ellis on Masterpiece Theatre. I got an urge to revisit the series, so I bought the first three books by Winston Graham and hope to eventually read all 12. Whew! I've started book on, "Ross Poldark." Easy to read and quite enjoyable.
Currently reading the following non-cozy books:
The Howard Hughes Affair by Stuart M. Kaminsky
High Lonesome by Louis L'Amour
Thoughts for a Portal by Jeffrey M. Poole
Currently reading
by Anne Gracie and listening to
(working my way thru a re-listen of the Outlander series and finding lots I'd forgotten!)
I just finished reading THE COLOR PURPLE, by Alice Walker. (For my May Challenge) It was, of course, well-written, and I am glad to have finally read it, but it was just so sad.
I've been reading, on and off, FRENCH WOMEN DON'T GET FAT: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure, by Mireille Guiliano. I'm South-Louisiana French, and France has always fascinated me. I am enjoying this book; not a diet book, but just hints for a healthy and happier life, eating and portion control, incorporating exercise into your routine, posture, sleep, and more. Also interesting stories and recipes!
When I'm not reading a cozy -- I am doing challenges. I had to find a cover with a flying object. I found
and it's not bad at all!
I just finished
The Howard Hughes Affair by Stuart M. Kaminsky. PI Toby Peters gets involved with Howard Hughes, stolen airplane designs, Basil Rathbone and assorted dead bodies. Set in L.A. days before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Gary wrote: "I just finished The Howard Hughes Affair by Stuart M. Kaminsky. PI Toby Peters gets involved with Howard Hughes, stolen ..."Thanks, Gary! This looks like an interesting series, and new to me. I like to read in order, so am putting first one on my TBR List!
MarieBL wrote: "Gary wrote: "I just finished The Howard Hughes Affair by Stuart M. Kaminsky. PI Toby Peters gets involved with Howard Hu..."They aren't cozy. But they are fun. I wish I had the 5th one at hand, although they are all available in ebook format, I normally grab them when Open Road Media has them on sale. Book 5 features Bela Lugosi.
Yay,
is available for me to borrow at the library. I guess I'll be reading this between cozies.
Gary wrote: "MarieBL wrote: "Gary wrote: "I just finished The Howard Hughes Affair by Stuart M. Kaminsky. PI Toby Peters gets involve..."The Bela Lugosi one is the only one in this series that I've read. Keep meaning to read another.
MadameZelda wrote: "Yay, is available for me to borrow at the library. I guess I'll be reading this between cozies."I like that one!! I like the stories that involve the vampires.
Gary wrote: "MarieBL wrote: "Gary wrote: "I just finished The Howard Hughes Affair by Stuart M. Kaminsky. PI Toby Peters gets involve..."I checked, and my library seems to have most of them in the OverDrive E-book collection (where I get most of my books!). I just read the description of Never Cross a Vampire (5), and it looks so good I might be tempted to read it first! The description mentions that William Faulkner is also a character. I love Faulkner; he inspires me!
This morning I finished reading A MOVEABLE FEAST, Ernest Hemingway. I've been reading it slowly, as it is a book to savor, and not rush through. I admire Hemingway and have read most of his work. This book added much to my understanding, and inspired me!
(I can't believe I've not read it before now. I do love how this group pushes me to expand my reading!)
MarieBL wrote: "Gary wrote: "MarieBL wrote: "Gary wrote: "I just finished The Howard Hughes Affair by Stuart M. Kaminsky. PI Toby Peters..."I have 3 of the later books on my Nook. I wish Open Road would have another sale on the series. I need to find time to get to my local library.
Gary wrote: "MarieBL wrote: "Gary wrote: "MarieBL wrote: "Gary wrote: "I just finished The Howard Hughes Affair by Stuart M. Kaminsky..."I'm not sure how downloading OverDrive e-books works on the Nook. I have an iPad (an old one!) and can download the books from home, without having to go the library. Convenient! My library is also good about adding OverDrive e-books I request to the collection. You could probably call your library and ask about OverDrive e-books, and how to download to a Nook. I think most public libraries have OverDrive e-books. Good luck! (I could not read all the books I do if I had to buy them all :)
Mod
I'm currently reading A FAREWELL TO ARMS. Am on a Hemingway kick now, and keep finding more of his literary treasures to enjoy!
Heather, LOL, glad I'm not the only one that stays up all night reading! :)
I've been reading some old books for girls by early twentieth century writers. Mrs George De Horne Vaizey is one who was very popular in her day. Some of them are quite cosy in their own way; since they're aimed at girls in their teens, you know that nothing very bad will happen. They're available free from places like Project Gutenberg, too.
I've been reading Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis and I'm finding that I'm feeling angry. First at the author who seems to think that owning a house and a car still qualifies to be called "poor" if your parenting skills are non existent. I had two sets of grandparents who came to this country with nothing and struggled to feed their kids, keep a rented roof over their heads and put shoes on their feet so they could go to school, this is what poor is. The further I read the more annoyed I am at the parents who had jobs but wasted their money on cell phones and TVs and drugs and booze instead of sending their kids to college. I don't feel these people were "poor" except when it came to good parenting. I know this is a popular book but the author can quote all the statistics he wants and I'm still not buying that he grew up poor. Sorry about the vent but this book is upsetting me no end.
Karen M wrote: "I've been reading Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis and I'm finding that I'm feeling angry. First at the author who seems to think that owning a house and ..."I recently finished this book and have incredibly mixed feelings about it. I am from the same area he's from, though I'm of his mother's generation. My parents came from one county over from the county his grandparents came from in Kentucky. I have problems with a lot of what he wrote about and also agree that his definition of "poor" is somewhat skewed. I know some truly poor people in that part of eastern Kentucky and I know some who are just lazy and stupid. I haven't yet left a review of the book because I'm still putting my thoughts together.
Melodie wrote: "Reading 
Riders on the Storm and 
Into the Water"How are you enjoying RIDERS ON THE STORM? I have it on my iPad to read, but am finishing a book for the May Challenge first. Since it is the last in the series, and the only one I have not yet read, I do so want it to be great!
I am reading (and enjoying!) A KAUFFMAN AMISH CHRISTMAS, by Amy Clipston. (For the May Challenge, horse on cover.) Yes, it is a bit out-of-season, but I've read all the others by Amy Clipston and loved them all! Very sweet stories, and remind me of visiting my grandmother in the tiny town of Bayou Goula, Louisiana, when I was growing up.
MarieBL wrote: "Melodie wrote: "Reading Riders on the Storm and Into the Water"How are you enjoying RIDE..."
Finished it last night. While it didn't have the same feel as the earlier books, I still found it much better than the previous two. Solid 3.5 stars for me, possibly a bit more, so I gave it 4 stars. Lots of life changes.
Karen M wrote: "I've been reading Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis and I'm finding that I'm feeling angry. First at the author who seems to think that owning a house and ..."That's so interesting. I read the book and really liked it because I think he was writing about a lifestyle and mentality more than meeting the specific parameters of poverty. Because yes, they seemed to survive financially. But I have relatives who, while not poor, suffer from the same mentality, which cripples their progress in life. A lack of education - almost a disdain for it - and a victim mentality that prevents them from taking responsibility for their own choices in life. Coupled with terrible habits like drinking and smoking, this leads to a poverty mindset, if not outright poverty itself.
Mod
Marie: While I was good Sunday and Monday nights, the same cannot be said for Tuesday night. I did not have to get up early Wednesday, so attempted to stay up all night to finish. Alas, I got within five chapters before I had to call it quits, but it took me no time at all to finish it yesterday.
After which I read James and the Giant Peach, in an attempt to try to get back on track. Am now only one book behind my GR goal. :)
Am now starting Blood Magick by Nora Roberts.
This will be my last post on the topic of Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis because I have posted my rant already.I think the reason I reacted the way I did was because I'm only second generation born in this country. Two sets of grandparents came here with nothing. They had a mindset of you go to school until you find a job. My father was one of 12 and none of them finished high school. In my mother's family, she was the only one to finish high school and she had to fight her mother to do that.
Everyone of us cousins finished high school and a few graduated college or business school and others went to work after high school.
My cousin's kids, many of them, including my two nephews, either graduated college or business school or learned a trade. A few even own their own businesses.
Each generation bettered themselves which is why I can't understand the mentality of "this is how my family lives so this is how I live." The author bettered himself and so did members of his family so I really don't understand blaming environment and heredity for a predilection toward drinking and drug use. Wealthy people, poor people, middle class people are drug users and alcoholics, I don't feel it's because of your ethic background or the family you are born into. Just my thinking on this and it will be the last time.
Melodie wrote: "MarieBL wrote: "Melodie wrote: "Reading Riders on the Storm and Into the Water"How are y..."
Thanks for your comments about RIDERS ON THE STORM! I still have one May-specific book to finish, and then will start on RIDERS. Can't wait!
Heather L wrote: Marie: While I was good Sunday and Monday nights, the same cannot be said for Tuesday night. I did n..."
Heather: Good for you for your Tuesday night reading! :) There is something fun and delicious about staying up all night to read, if you don't have to be up early the next day!
Your mention of your GR goal reminded me that I never signed up for the 2017 Goodreads Reading Challenge, so I have now done that. I have only been in Goodreads and this group since about February of this year, and am still learning about all the fun! Thanks :)
I've just started reading a book I'd like to add to my list but I can't seem to find it anywhere on this site and am unable to scan it. Mayday! by Clive Cussler.
Sheina wrote: "I've just started reading a book I'd like to add to my list but I can't seem to find it anywhere on this site and am unable to scan it. Mayday! by Clive Cussler."
Mayday!..is this it?
I'm almost finished reading RIDERS ON THE STORM, final book in the Sam McCain series, by Ed Gorman. I am enjoying it, but it almost feels like not part of the original series. Of course, the first books were set in the 1950s, then two in the 1960s, and this one in the early 70s, so I suppose the different "feel" reflects life in the different time periods. The main characters have substantially evolved, but that is believable as well. I used to consider the series cozies, but the language in this one is not "cozy," at least not in my opinion. Again, I am enjoying it!
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Cozy Mysteries
Books mentioned in this topic
Something in the Wine (other topics)Untouchable (other topics)
How to Murder a Millionaire (other topics)
We Were the Lucky Ones (other topics)
No Way to Kill a Lady (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Tricia Stringer (other topics)Victoria Purman (other topics)
Vicki Lewis Thompson (other topics)
Renita D'Silva (other topics)
Alannah Foley (other topics)
More...
Have now started Sacred Sins by Nora Roberts.