Bill's 2017 Challenge - Ongoing Series

[Bill]

I've got so many series on the go that I hope to make a good dent in them in 2017... not that I won't buy more over the courrse of the year. I'm going to break it down into Cops and Sleuths, have one of both on the go at any time. I hope I can read a few over the course of the year.

[Bill]

Ongoing Series - The Cops and associates

1. Shadow Prey by John Sandford (Lucas Davenport #2) (started 1 Jan, finished 11 Jan, 3 stars)
2. A Killing Frost byR.D. Wingfield (Inspector Frost #6) (started 11 Jan, finished 31 Jan, 4 stars)
3. Open Season by Archer Mayor (Joe Gunther #1) (started 31 Jan, finished 16 Feb, 4 stars)
4. The Crowded Grave by Martin Walker (Bruno #4) (started 16 Feb, finished 28 Feb, 4 stars)
5. Listening Woman by Tony Hillerman (Joe Leaphorn #3) (started 1 Mar, finished 11 Mar, 3.5 stars)
6. Telling Tales by Ann Cleeves (Vera Stanhope #2) (started 11 Mar, finished 30 Mar, 4 stars)
7. Ratking by Michael Dibdin (Aurelio Zen #1) (started 30 Mar, finished 27 Apr. 3.5 stars)
8. Cop Hater by Ed McBain (87th Precinct #1) (started 27 Apr, finished 3 May, 5 stars)
9. A Wreath for Rivera by Ngaio Marsh (Inspector Alleyn #15) (started 29 Apr, finished 20 May, 3.5 stars)
10. The Mugger by Ed McBain (87th Precinct #2) (started 3 May, finished 12 May, 4 stars)
11. Silence of the Grave by Arnaldur Indriðason (Detective Erlendur #4) (started 12 May, finished 27 May, 3.5 stars)
12. Kittyhawk Down by Garry Disher (Inspector Challis #2) (started 27 May, finished 7 Jun, 5 stars)
13. Maigret in Exile by Georges Simenon (Maigret #21) (started 30 May, finished 4 Jun, 3.5 stars)
14. Maigret Meets a Milord by Georges Simenon (Maigret #2) (started 04 Jun, finished 8 Jun, 4 stars)
15. Gently Does It Alan Hunter (George Gently #1) (started 7 Jun, finished 15 Jun, 4 stars)
16. To Love and Be Wise by Josephine Tey (Inspector Grant #4) (started 9 Jun, finished 19 Jun, 4 stars)
17. Death of a Cad by M.C. Beaton (Hamish MacBeth #2) (started 17 Jun, finished 24 Jun, 4 stars)
18. Last Seen Wearing by Colin Dexter (Inspector Morse #2) (started 10 Jul, finished 19 Jul, 4 stars)
19. A Killing in the Hills by Julia Keller (Bell Elkins #1) (started 22 Jul, finished 5 Aug, 4 stars)
20. Fatal Remedies (Inspector Brunetti #8) (started 19 Aug, finished 27 Aug, 3.5 stars)
21. The Cruellest Month by Louise Penny (Inspector Gamache #3) (started 19 Sep, finished 30 Sep, 4 stars)
22. The Man With a Load of Mischief by Martha Grimes (Inspector Jury #1) (started 9 Oct, finished 20 Oct, 4 stars)
23. A Dedicated Man by Peter Robinson (Inspector Banks #2) (started 29 Oct, finished 6 Nov, 5 stars)
24. Wobble To Death by Peter Lovesey (Sgt Cribb #1) (started 16 Nov, finished 24 Nov, 3.5 stars)
25. Jade Lady Burning by Martin Limón (Sueno & Bascom #1) (started 1 Dec, finished 10 Dec, 4 stars)

Currently Reading - Finished 25

[Bill]

Ongoing Series - The Sleuths and friends

1. Trent's Own Case by E.C. Bentley (Phillip Trent #2) (started 1 Jan, finished 13 Jan, 4 stars)
2. Trent Intervenes by E.C. Bentley (Phillip Trent #3) (started 13 Jan, finished 22 Jan, 4 stars)
3. A Comedian Dies by Simon Brett (started 22 Jan, finished 28 Jan, 3.5 stars)
4. The Judas Pair by Jonathan Gash (started 28 Jan, finished 7 Feb, 4 stars)
5. Katwalk by Karen Kijewski (started 7 Feb, finished 14 Feb, 4 stars)
6. Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris (started 14 Feb, finished 23 Feb, 4 stars)
7. Murder on Washington Square by Victoria Thompson (Sarah Brandt #4) (started 23 Feb, finished 12 Mar, 4 stars)
8. The League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout, (Nero Wolfe #2) (started 12 Mar, finished 27 Mar, 5 stars)
9. Tender Death by Annette Meyers (Smith & Wetzon #2) (started 27 Mar, finished 23 Apr, 2.5 stars)
10. Night Walk by Elizabeth Daly (Henry Gamadge #11) (started 11 Apr, finished 19 Apr, 4 stars)
11. Death and Letters by Elizabeth Daly (Henry Gamadge #15) (started 19 Apr, finished 29 Apr, 3.5 stars)
12. S Is For Silence by Sue Grafton (Kinsey Milhone #19) (started 23 Apr, finished 22 May, 4 stars)
13. The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing by Tarquin Hall (Vish Puri #2) (started 22 May, finished 10 Jun, 3.5 stars)
14. Bright Orange for the Shroud by John D. MacDonald (Travis McGee #6) (started 10 Jun, finished 17 Jun, 4 stars)
15. The Archer Files: The Complete Short Stories of Lew Archer, Private Investigator by Ross Macdonald (PI Lew Archer) (started 24 Jun, finished 10 Jul, 4 stars)
16. The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (started 30 Jun, finished 13 Jul, 4 stars)
17. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle (started 13 Jul, finished 17 Jul, 5 stars)
18. The Guards by Ken Bruen (Jack Taylor #1) (started 19 Jul, finished 22 Jul, 4 stars)
19. A Letter of Mary by Laurie R. King (Mary Russell #3) (started 06 Aug, finished 19 Aug, 3 stars)
20. Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear (Maisie Dobbs #2) (started 27 Aug, finished 19 Sep, 4 stars)
21. The Crossword Murder by Nero Blanc (Crossword mystery #1) (started 1 Oct, 9 Oct, 3 stars)
22. The Blue Edge of Midnight by Jonathon King(Max Freeman #1) (started 20 Oct, finished 29 Oct, 4 stars)
23. Running Blind by Lee Child (Jack Reacher #4) (started 6 Nov, finished 16 Nov, 3.5 stars)
24. The Pilgrim Of Hate by Ellis Peters (Cadfael # 10) (started 24 Nov, finished 30 Nov, 4 stars)

Currently Reading - Completed 24

[Skye]

I've read John Sandford's first Prey novel, and I loved it.
I am currently reading by Amber Foxx;



and

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Have a fun reading year, Bill!

[Bill]

Nancy wrote: "Have a fun reading year, Bill!"

Thanks, Nancy.

Skye wrote: "I've read John Sandford's first Prey novel, and I loved it.
I am currently reading by Amber Foxx;



and
[bookcover:Missing, Presume..."

I enjoyed the first Prey novel as well.

[Sherrie]

I read mystery, cozy mystery, paranormal and fantasy. I love reading series but am finding out that they do tend to end and so see if the author puts another book out that I like or not.

[Skye]

I also like cozy mysteries to serve as an antidote to counter the aftermath of other 'heavier' novels,

[Bill]

Skye wrote: "I also like cozy mysteries to serve as an antidote to counter the aftermath of other 'heavier' novels,"

Quite right.

Sherrie wrote: "I read mystery, cozy mystery, paranormal and fantasy. I love reading series but am finding out that they do tend to end and so see if the author puts another book out that I like or not."

I hope to finish off a couple of series fairly quickly. It's a mixed feeling, glad to finish one, but sad there won't be any more.

[Skye]

Have you read Sue Grafton and Sunny Frazier?

[Bill]

I like Sue Grafton. I'm up to Q or so. I haven't read Sunny Frazier. I will have to check her out. Thanks.

[Skye]

She's only written three books, but she's a Good Reads Writer, and her books are wonderful.
Have you read John Connally's books?

[Bill]

The Charlie Parker mysteries? amongst others. No, he's another I haven't read. Stop teasing me with new authors.. ;0)

[Skye]

I haven't either, Bill, but I adore Grafton's characters as well as Sunny Frazier's. Fools Rush in

[Skye]

and her other two----wonderful.

[Bill]

Shadow Prey is the 2nd book in the Prey (Lucas Davenport) mystery / cop series by John Sandford. Davenport is a cop in Minneapolis; he's a computer game creator, a hard-nosed cop and a bit of a lady's man. In this story, a group of native Americans begin a guerrilla war against various powerful people, aiming for a certain man who has harmed them in the past.
The murders take place across America and bring a female NY police officer to Minneapolis as part of the investigation. Davenport finds her very attractive and there is an ongoing story of their budding relationship as they also investigate the murders and try to find out who is the perp.
The story has lots of action but regularly veers off on a tangent to explore the relationship between Davenport and Lily. I liked the investigation even though there were a couple of what I perceived clues that were missed that I thought were kind of obvious. It's an easy, fast-paced read and an entertaining story. I will continue reading the series. It's one of those series that you can enjoy when you want a break from heavier reading. (3 stars)

Next in line for my 'Cop' ongoing series is the final book in the Inspector Frost series, by R.D. Wingfield.

[Skye]

I am ready for Shadow Prey, but I would also like to begin the John Connally books.
I have two authors who have trilogy series: Peter May and Denise Mina.Iron Lake I am reading this now and it's the first book in an ongoing series.

[Skye]

by William Trent Krueger

This is the first book in the series and it's wonderful.

[Bill]

Thanks for the recommendation, Skye. I bought a John Connally book the other day as well.. :)

[Skye]

Which one, Bill?

BTW, the above book is positively sensational!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bill]

Skye wrote: "Which one, Bill?

BTW, the above book is positively sensational!!!!!!!!!!!"

The Killing Kind

[Bill]

Trent's Own Case is the second of 3 books written by E.C. Bentley featuring sleuth, Phillip Trent. Trent is an artist, sometime contributor to English newspapers and a successful sleuth. He is respected by Scotland Yard and has helped them solve many cases. Trent's Own Case finds Trent retired.
An acquaintance, a rich philanthropist, is murdered and a friend of Trent's confesses to the murder and tries to commit suicide. Trent comes out of retirement and offers to assist his friend, Inspector Bligh with the investigation. Thus begins a meandering investigation that finds Trent visiting France as part of his attempt to find clues to prove his friend innocent of the crime.
Trent is somewhat like Dorothy Sayers' Peter Wimsey, a similar personality and an interesting character. While the story starts off slowly, it is always interesting and gradually the various clues and information that Trent gathers begins to make sense and to maybe even provide other suspects.
Interesting characters, an interesting story and well-crafted. I'm looking forward to delving into the final book, a collection of short stories involving Phillip Trent. (4 stars)

I'm going to finish the Trent series with the third and final book, Trent Intervenes next.

[Skye]

good luck!

[Bill]

Trent Intervenes by E.C. Bentley is the third and final book about painter, newspaper journalist and investigator Phillip Trent. This book is a collection of short stories featuring this interesting investigator.
Trent is a unique person, in some ways reminding me of Dorothy Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey. He enjoys the investigation, has great intuition and can look at a few clues and come up with a correct and interesting solution. He has an excellent relationship with the police and is regularly asked for his assistance, or, at the very least, they are more than willing to show him their cases and listen to his interpretations.
The stories are for the most part, quite gentle. In many of them the story starts with Trent writing about cases for his newspaper then following up with the investigation. They involve murder, theft, hoodwinking, all the good things. I'm sorry that Bentley only wrote three Trent books as they were all most enjoyable, comfortable reads. While it's nice to finish a series, there is always some sadness knowing there won't be others. (4 stars)

Next in line in my Sleuths series challenge is , my first Charles Paris mystery, by Simon Brett

[Skye]

Sounds good, Bill; I may order Shadow Prey by Sandford;
I'm also interested in John Connolly's Every Dead Thing
and thinking of trying Robert B Parker, too. I am watching Jesse Stone on television ( marathon day) and I've see each of these movies many times.

[Bill]

Skye wrote: "Sounds good, Bill; I may order Shadow Prey by Sandford;
I'm also interested in John Connolly's Every Dead Thing
and thinking of trying Robert B Parker, too. I am watchi..."

The Jesse Stone movies are great. It's a nice part for Tom Selleck.

[Skye]

Yes, still watching. Jesse is the antithesis of the Magnum PI show.

[Bill]

Skye wrote: "Yes, still watching. Jesse is the antithesis of the Magnum PI show."

There is an untitled Jesse Stone project listed in imdb under Tom's page.

[Skye]

Thanks, Bill

[Skye]

I can't find it.

[Bill]

It doesn't really say anything.. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5031218/?...

[Skye]

Thanks, Bill; I am kind of addicted to these movies.

[Bill]

A Comedian Dies by Simon Brett is the first Charles Paris mystery that I've read (it is the 3rd in the series). I have read 3 or 4 of the Fethering series and enjoyed them. My wife used to listen to BBC radio dramatizations of the Charles Paris books, starring Bill Nighy as Paris. That is what got me interested in Simon Brett's books.
Paris is a struggling actor who gets involved solving mysteries. He has an on again / off again relationship with his wife and an on again / off again relationship with his career. The story starts with Paris and his wife attending an afternoon variety show where there is a bit of excitement; the lead performer, an up and coming comedian is electrocuted as he starts his act. The police say it was an accident, but being nosy and drawn to mystery, Paris comes to believe that, in fact, the comedian was murdered. Thus begins his rambling investigation of all of the people involved in the show. He picks up and drops suspects faster than a hot potato.
At the same time, Paris has been offered a TV job with an aging comic who is trying to reinvigorate his own career. Paris juggles this new job with his continuing investigation. It's an interesting story and an interesting conclusion. (3.5 stars)

Starting the first book in the Lovejoy series next, by Jonathan Gash

[Skye]

It sounds like a great series, Bill. I am reading two stand alones; one by Joseph Finder and the other by Allen Eskens.
Murdoch Mysteries are on tonight, but NO Jesse Stone :(

[Bill]

A Killing Frost by R.D. Wingfield is the sixth and final book in the Inspector Frost mystery series, set in the English town of Denton. The books inspired a long running TV series starring David Jason. While the books all have a certain sameness, it is a comfortable, welcoming sameness.
In this story, we find Frost's job once again hanging by a thread. His boss, Police Superintendent Mullett, who hates Frost and never willingly supports him, has brought in Detective Chief Inspector to do his dirty work for him and either have Frost fired or moved to a new police district. Skinner is a particularly unlikeable character who just wants to make everybody miserable, hang them out to dry for any errors and reap all the rewards for any of their successes.
While Frost must deal with this, he is also kept busy working on countless cases, with his staff reduced to a minimum as Mullett has volunteered the majority of the station to help with a drug investigation in another district. So Frost and his willing and mostly capable remainder investigate the discovery of a body, blackmailing at a local grocery chain, missing girls and other smaller cases. As always, Frost blunders as much as he succeeds. He is a capable, very likeable person, curmudgeonly and a bit of a dinosaur, but his heart is in the right place. He is especially distressed by the missing girls and works gamely to come to a solution before more bodies turn up.
As you read the Frost series, you will see similarities between all of them, but you will, nonetheless, enjoy them immensely. Frost is tireless, working on little to no sleep and pushing his team to follow his style.
The Frost series has been a favourite of mine and I'm sad that RD Wingfield is no longer with us to continue writing such an enjoyable character. (4 stars)

Finishing one 'Cop' series and starting a new one, featuring Joe Gunther in Open Season by Archer Mayor.

[Thomas]

I read and enjoyed Open Season
My review, 4/5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Alison]

I have read all the Frost books and enjoyed them all.

[Bill]

Alison wrote: "I have read all the Frost books and enjoyed them all."

It was an excellent series. Frost is such a neat character.

Thomas wrote: "I read and enjoyed Open Season
My review, 4/5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Thomas. I've been looking forward to trying Archer Mayor for a while now.

[Skye]

Alison wrote: "I have read all the Frost books and enjoyed them all."

I will keep these in mind; all three of you concur.

[Bill]

The Judas Pair by Jonathan Gash is the first book in the Lovejoy mystery series and my first attempt at reading them as well. I had enjoyed the British TV series featuring Ian McShane as antique dealer, Lovejoy. McShane played Lovejoy as a bit of a rogue and having read the story now, I think he probably portrayed him reasonably accurately. Lovejoy is a shady character and you get the impression that the majority of these dealers are all a bit shady. They love the trade and it is a part of their lives.
This initial story involves the Judas Pair, a pair of hand guns supposedly made by a famous gun smith. This fabled 13th pair of guns has never been found, except by the man who hires Lovejoy to find them as they were used to kill his brother. It's a bit of a convoluted story that results as Lovejoy begins to explore who might have wanted the guns and who killed the man. At the same time we find out a bit about the antique business, some of the tricks of the trade, which make the story more interesting. We also learn more about Lovejoy and also about his relationships.
The story is a bit gritty, in part to Lovejoy's personality. The book is interesting and moves along nicely and as you get used to Lovejoy and his personality, you find yourself being drawn in more and more. I'm glad I finally started this series and I will be looking to continue it. (4 stars)

Starting the 1st book in the Kat Colorado, PI, series, Katwalk by Karen Kijewski

[Skye]

Bill, this sounds wonderful, and I adored Ian McShanel both of these go on my TBR list.

[Skye]

Bill, Charles ToddCharles Todd has two separate series that sound great.

I have a question, too: I would like to know if anyone has read the Jesse Stone series and their thoughts.

[Bill]

Skye wrote: "Bill, Charles ToddCharles Todd has two separate series that sound great.

I have a question, too: I would like to know if anyone has read the Jesse Stone series and their thoughts."

I've watched the Jesse Stone movies, Skye but am just getting started with the books.

[Thomas]

I have read most of the Jesse Stone books(up to #12) and enjoyed them. The ones by Parker are better.

[Skye]

Thomas, thank you, but didn't Parker write Jesse Stone?

[Skye]

Gallows View by Peter Robinson is book one of Inspector Banks series. They look good.

[Thomas]

Skye wrote: "Thomas, thank you, but didn't Parker write Jesse Stone?"
After Parker died, his estate contracted with various authors to continue each of his series. See #10
Robert B. Parker's Killing the Blues
Goodreads has a complete list

[Skye]

Thank you, Thomas!!!!

[Thomas]

You're Welcome Skye.
Michael Brandman is also the writer/producer of the Jesse Stone movies and has stopped writing Jesse Stone books

[Skye]

I have been watching the movies since they began: over and over again; I am a Tom Selleck fan, but the back drop of Paradise, RI, as well as the dog ( sob), Jennifer's voice and William DeVane are simply wonderful. The music is haunting, and he loves classical, too. It is a wonderful series.