The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion
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The Poll is Open - June 2018 Group Read - R Authors
I'll list the nominations here -1. One Across, Two Down by Ruth Rendell nominated by Connie
2. Box 21 by Anders Roslund nominated by Gisela
3. Lie In Wait by Eric Rickstad nominated by Bill
4. Before the Poison by Peter Robinson nominated by Nancy
5. Instruments of Darkness by Imogen Robertson nominated by Peter
6. The Rhetoric of Death by Judith Rock (nominated by Susanna
7. Suspect by Michael Robotham nominated by NancyJ
8. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón nominated by Suzy.
9, The Wine of Angels by Phil Rickman nominated by Tom
I'll nominate the first book in the Canaan Crime series;
Lie In Wait by Eric Rickstad, one I've been looking forward to trying.
Mod
Nancy wrote: "I was going to suggest Ruth Rendell (although not that book), but since she's taken I'll go for Before the Poison by Peter Robinson. It's a standalone, not part of the Alan Banks se..."This sounds wonderful.
There are quite a number of great choices, and I was nearly going to go for Craig Russell but I'd like to nominate Imogen Robertson Instruments of Darkness to add a historical crime thriller option.
That's on my TBR list, and I have one, but I am going to hold off a bit.
I second Ruth Rendell, and I thought about Mary Renault. But, in the end, I want to nominate one of my favorite science fiction authors: Kim Stanley Robinson.Now, how do I pick which one to read???? One I want to read or one that I know is great for the rest of you?
So I decided to nominate one of his greatest works: Red Mars
I am thinking of nominating one by Nora Roberts.
Mod
I bought it after I watched a move, and I liked the movie. I am not familiar with her, either.
Skye wrote: "I bought it after I watched a move, and I liked the movie. I am not familiar with her, either."I like the ones she writes as J. D. Robb.
Believe it or not, someone gave me the entire collection, and I never once read a page.
Kirsten wrote: "I second Ruth Rendell, and I thought about Mary Renault. But, in the end, I want to nominate one of my favorite science fiction authors: Kim Stanley Robinson.Now, how do I pick whic..."
I don't know if it really fits in the Crime genre does it?
I know ratings aren't everything, but so far the books we have listed are in the 3.6, 3.7, 3.8 range. Can we do better? Most JD Robb books have much higher ratings. There are some Michael Robotham books that also look great.I admit that I have a bias against prolific authors like James Patterson (he's too formulaic, and he has an assembly line of authors working for him).
I'm wondering if people are hesitating to nominate a book by Nora Roberts/JD Robb for a similar reason. (She's TOO popular?) I have an author relative who loves her and says she's a best selling author for the best reasons. Skye, why don't you go ahead and nominate the book you liked? Was it Northern Lights?
I was very close to nominating Craig Russell - Lennox. That book is rated very highly on Amazon and only 99p.
Mod
Ratings are highly, highlysubjective, so I never use them as any sort of criteria for reading.
Jan C wrote: "Skye wrote: "I bought it after I watched a move, and I liked the movie. I am not familiar with her, either."I like the ones she writes as J. D. Robb."
Me too!! In fact, I don't like her books she writes as Nora Roberts but her JD Robb series is my favorite!
Nancy wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I know ratings aren't everything, but so far the books we have listed are in the 3.6, 3.7, 3.8 range. Can we do better? Most JD Robb books have much higher ratings. There are some Mi..."I don't pay attention to ratings, reviews are better to read through for me.
Kirsten wrote: her JD Robb series is my favorite!
.."
Great, do you want to nominate one?
I previously nominated something. But if you want to read a JD Robb book and haven't read them before, you HAVE to start at the beginning... Naked in Death
Nora Roberts? No, that wouldn't fit the mystery requirement. J.D. Robb? Yes.ETA: Agree with Kirsten; you have to start with the first "In Death" mystery (Naked in Death), if you're going to read them.
Kirsten wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Skye wrote: "I bought it after I watched a move, and I liked the movie. I am not familiar with her, either."I like the ones she writes as J. D. Robb."
Me too!! In fact, I don't lik..."
I would NEVER pick up a Nora Roberts book but enjoy the Robbs.
I've been searching for a good psychological suspense book, and this one seems to fit the bill. The Secrets She Keeps by Michael Robotham. I really wanted to pick Shatter, but it's third in the series, so the alternative is Suspect.
EDIT: I nominate Suspect by Michael Robotham. This is the first in the Joe OLoughlin series about a psychologist (with Parkinsons) who works with the police to solve crimes. This book shows how it got started.
NancyJ wrote: "I know ratings aren't everything, but so far the books we have listed are in the 3.6, 3.7, 3.8 range. Can we do better? Most JD Robb books have much higher ratings. There are some Michael Robotham ..."It is Northern Lights, but I like liked the one you mentioned: The Suspect; I'm uncertain if The Secrets She Keeps would be in the B and N, Marketplace or not.
If you do J. D. Robb it has to be the beginning of the series for those of us who hasn't read her.
Skye wrote: "Suspect would fit the ticket for me."OK I nominated Suspect instead of the newer book by Robotham.
Can we have two nominations for the same author? If we are reading Ruth Rendell I'd prefer A Judgement in Stone please
NancyJ wrote: "I know ratings aren't everything, but so far the books we have listed are in the 3.6, 3.7, 3.8 range. Can we do better? Most JD Robb books have much higher ratings. There are some Michael Robotham ..."Please remove my nomination for the Ruth Rendell book. I didn't realize that we needed to nominate 5 star rated books.
Mod
You DO NOT need to nominate 5-star rated books. That was my point about not using ratings for nominations. If you want that book on the poll, it stays on the poll. You got in first.
NancyJ wrote: "Skye wrote: "Suspect would fit the ticket for me."OK I nominated Suspect instead of the newer book by Robotham."
:)
I second this nomination.
Connie wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I know ratings aren't everything, but so far the books we have listed are in the 3.6, 3.7, 3.8 range. Can we do better? Most JD Robb books have much higher ratings. There are some Mi..."Exactly what Nancy said. Nominate books that interest you not because of the rating. If the rest don't want to read it, they don't have to vote on it.
NancyJ wrote: "I've been searching for a good psychological suspense book, and this one seems to fit the bill. The Secrets She Keeps by Michael Robotham. I really wanted to pick Shatter, but it'..."
I changed your nomination... I'm getting confused...
Absolutely! Rankings don't always tell the whole story. After all, books that have yet to be published seem to have rankings - go figure!I nominated the book I did because I thought I wanted others to read it. No other reason necessary.
Bill wrote: " Exactly what Nancy said. Nominate books that interest you not because of the rating. If the rest don't want to read it, they don't have to vote on it. .."
I agree, ratings are just one small piece of information. I didn't mean to criticize books I haven't read!
NancyJ wrote: "Bill wrote: " Exactly what Nancy said. Nominate books that interest you not because of the rating. If the rest don't want to read it, they don't have to vote on it. .."
I agree, ratings are just ..."
No problem.. :)
Carolyn wrote: "Can we have two nominations for the same author? If we are reading Ruth Rendell I'd prefer A Judgement in Stone please"
I'm assuming my nomination doesn't count since it hasn't been added to the list? I don't mind, but just checking it hasn't been overlooked.
Carolyn wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Can we have two nominations for the same author? If we are reading Ruth Rendell I'd prefer A Judgement in Stone please"
I'm assuming my nomination doe..."
I should have responded before, Carolyn. I'd rather limit it to one nomination per author. Can you nominate something else?
Nancy wrote: "Gisela wrote: "Box 21 by Anders Roslund"I love that book."
I'm sure I have it on my to-read list from one of your recommendations :)
Mod
I love that book."
I'm sure I have it on my to-read list from one of your recommendations :)"
Roslund and Hellstrom do crime well.
I'll nominate The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (listed in the R's on Stop You're Killing Me). Been meaning to read this for a while, as well as J.D. Robb and Ruth Rendel!
Nancy wrote: "Gisela wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Gisela wrote: "Box 21 by Anders Roslund"I love that book."
I'm sure I have it on my to-read list from one of your recommendations :)"
Roslund and Hell..."
I've read two of their books. Quite hard hitting, but really good reads.
The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group
Books mentioned in this topic
The Shadow of the Wind (other topics)Suspect (other topics)
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI (other topics)
The Rhetoric of Death (other topics)
The Wine of Angels (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Carlos Ruiz Zafón (other topics)Michael Robotham (other topics)
Phil Rickman (other topics)
Phil Rickman (other topics)
Phil Rickman (other topics)
More...
It's also time to put your thinking caps on and see what you might like to read in June. The category for the June Group Reads will be authors whose last name starts with R.
As always, please follow the simple rules below when making your nominations.
1. do NOT nominate your own book
2. do NOT have your publicist nominate your book
3. if you nominate the winning book, you are the moderator for the discussion. If you don't want to lead the discussion, don't nominate a book.
One final thing. The two books below have already been read in this group in the last 3 or 4 years, so please don't nominate the specific books You can still select a book from the particular author is you wish.
Ian Rankin - Knots and Crosses
Kathy Reichs - Bones Never Lie
I look forward to seeing your nominations. I'll leave the nominations open until we get a nice list to vote on.