What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread, 2019-2020 Showing 701-750 of 1,516

[Judy]

That is fascinating, Leslie - have you read the whole Ebenezer Gryce series? I still haven't tried Anna Katherine Green - one of the many authors I keep meaning to get to!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Not Leslie, but I have read the first two of the Mr. Gryce series. I have read 3 others by her as well. I have liked what I read, but I must add that these are more simple, not quite so polished, as GA authors. I don't think that gives the exact impression and it sounds as if they are not worthwhile. I think they are worthwhile, but I wouldn't want to mislead anyone into thinking they are anywhere near the more mature writing to come 20-plus years later.

[Leslie]

Judy wrote: "That is fascinating, Leslie - have you read the whole Ebenezer Gryce series? I still haven't tried Anna Katherine Green - one of the many authors I keep meaning to get to!"

No, I have only read a couple of them. I agree with Elizabeth that Green is not as polished a writer as some of the GA authors that followed but I was surprised by the fact that they didn't seem very dated to me. I guess that the dark motives that lead to murder are the same and since there is very little forensics in her books, it all boils down to how well the detective is at understanding people.

[Jill]

I read the first Gryce The Leavenworth Case which I really liked and have some others but it is all a matter of fitting them in as usual. I thought at the time the writing was a bit old fashioned, but I quite liked that.

[Jan C]

I'm still reading Leavenworth Case. Lost somewhere on my kindle.

[Judy]

I've finished Hag's Nook now and look forward to our discussion, starting soon!

I've started listening to Evanly Choirs, the third in the Constable Evans series by Rhys Bowen, read on audible by Roger Clark - I loved listening to the first two of these and am rather sad to see that the rest haven't been recorded as audiobooks.

[Jill]

I have finished Clutch of Constables and now starting Hag's Nook

[Leslie]

Apropos our discussion of Anna Katherine Green, Agatha Christie mentions reading The Leavenworth Case as a teenager (before she herself had even thought of writing detective fiction) in her autobiography Agatha Christie: An Autobiography which I am currently reading!

[Jill]

Leslie wrote: "Apropos our discussion of Anna Katherine Green, Agatha Christie mentions reading The Leavenworth Case as a teenager (before she herself had even thought of writing detective fiction)..."

That's interesting . Thanks

[Bruce]

I’m reading The Carter of La Providence, by Georges Simenon. I’m listening to the Maigret series on audiobook, and luckily they go by pretty quickly, but are still great, and another mystery series that so far stands on its own as serious literature, and not just mystery.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Bruce wrote: "I’m reading The Carter of La Providence, by Georges Simenon. I’m listening to the Maigret series on audiobook, and luckily they go by pretty quickly, but are still great, and another mystery series..."

Simenon is quite wonderful. I like what I've read of Maigret, but his other noir novels are also well worth reading.

[Jill]

I have started Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton. A cosy mystery, which is appealing to me at the moment.

[Leslie]

Bruce wrote: "I’m reading The Carter of La Providence, by Georges Simenon. I’m listening to the Maigret series on audiobook, and luckily they go by pretty quickly, but are still great, and another mystery series..."

Oh, that is on my TBR. I am thinking of trying to read all the Maigret books I haven't read yet but there are a lot of them!

[Jill]

I haven't started them yet, but I intend to this year

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Jill wrote: "I haven't started them yet, but I intend to this year"

I think you are one of those who needs to read a series in order. Do not be afraid to just plunge into these in whatever order they become available to you.

[Jill]

I believe I do have all 75. So shouldn't be a problem.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Jill wrote: "I believe I do have all 75. So shouldn't be a problem."

Well done!

[Jill]

As I think I mentioned before, my friend's neighbour went into a care home and she asked me to take all her books. It still amazes me by the number she had managed to accrue.

[Bruce]

Leslie, I’ve so far found the first two Maigret audiobooks on YouTube. You have to know what title to look for though, as his books have multiple titles.

[Leslie]

Bruce wrote: "Leslie, I’ve so far found the first two Maigret audiobooks on YouTube. You have to know what title to look for though, as his books have multiple titles."

Oh, good to know!

[Susan in NC]

Jill wrote: "As I think I mentioned before, my friend's neighbour went into a care home and she asked me to take all her books. It still amazes me by the number she had managed to accrue."

Wow! I hope you find some treasures in there that you’ve been wanting to read! That was kind of you to take her books - our books are like old friends, you want to know they will be cared for and appreciated. I know that’s how my mom felt about her books, she had worked in a bookstore, and had also accumulated many.

[Susan in NC]

Bruce wrote: "Leslie, I’ve so far found the first two Maigret audiobooks on YouTube. You have to know what title to look for though, as his books have multiple titles."

Yes, thank you for this info!

[Susan in NC]

I’m starting Hag's Nook for our buddy read, and a cosy mystery for a challenge, Assaulted Caramel. I needed a title with food in it, and was able to get the audiobook on Scribd! I like to listen while I knit.

[Sandy]

I've started Surfeit of Suspects by George Belairs. Another of his books was nominated for our March read. I like his writing style - rather light and breezy - and the story is interesting.

One of my libraries seems to have acquired several British Library Crime Classics recently. I got The Mad Hatter Mystery on my prior visit. I'm encouraging their choice by frequent borrowing.

An unimportant rant: the barcode sticker on the book's cover is placed directly over the 'surfeit' of the title even though there is room above and to the side. So one has to look at the spine to get the full title. Carelessness or indifference.

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "I've started Surfeit of Suspects by George Belairs. Another of his books was nominated for our March read. I like his writing style - rather light and breezy - and the story is inte..."

I do enjoy his style, too - his dry humor, and his interesting characters.

[Leslie]

I have finished several mysteries recently - Hag's Nook (as part of the buddy read here), A Quiet Life In The Country & A Death of No Importance (the last 2 being historical mysteries). Of the 3, all of which I found enjoyable, the last was the best. Mariah Fredericks not only crafted a good mystery but clearly spent time researching the historical period (1910-1911 New York City).

[Susan in NC]

Leslie wrote: "I have finished several mysteries recently - Hag's Nook (as part of the buddy read here), A Quiet Life In The Country & A Death of No Importance (the l..."

Oh, I really liked A Death of No Importance!

[Gary]

Nearly finished with The Case of the Velvet Claws by Erle Stanley Gardner (Perry Mason Book 1) and also recently started Death of a Cad by M.C. Beaton (Hamish Macbeth Book 2).

[Judy]

I have now finished listening to the audible version of Evanly Choirs, the third in the Constable Evans series by Rhys Bowen. I really enjoyed it, partly because Roger Clark reads so beautifully - sadly though he has only recorded the first 3 in the series.

[Tara]

Gary wrote: "Nearly finished with The Case of the Velvet Claws by Erle Stanley Gardner (Perry Mason Book 1) and also recently started [book:Dea..."

How did you like the Perry Mason book Gary? I've been watching episodes of the show from the 50s and was wondering if I would like the books.

[Gary]

Tara wrote: "Gary wrote: "Nearly finished with The Case of the Velvet Claws by Erle Stanley Gardner (Perry Mason Book 1) and also recently started [bookcover:Death of a Cad|191908..."

I have read tons of Perry Mason, somehow missed this one. The pattern of Perry doing the big reveal in court does happen in this book. It is however a good solid mystery. I gave it 4 stars.

[Leslie]

I have finished Jack O' Judgment by Edgar Wallace (1920).

I have noticed before in Edgar Wallace (in the "Four Just Men" series for example) that he appears to advocate vigilantism. Unlike most early 20th century crime/mystery writers, his books don't necessarily affirm that society's justice systems (police, lawyers, courts) will prevail and uphold the good over the evil. One reason that I like Golden Age mysteries is that feeling that in the end, the right will prevail so Wallace's worldview is a bit problematic for me even when I am enjoying the plot.

[Jill]

I have started Arrest the Bishop? for the group read. Seems interesting.

[Susan in NC]

I will be starting And Dangerous to Know, , the latest in a favorite historical mystery series, from my library- looking forward to a good read, after a few “meh” choices!

[Judy]

I'm just starting Laetitia Rodd and the Case of the Wandering Scholar, second in this series by Kate Saunders - this is due back at the library soon so I need to get it read! I remember enjoying the first in the series, set in Victorian England.

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "I'm just starting Laetitia Rodd and the Case of the Wandering Scholar, second in this series by Kate Saunders - this is due back at the library soon so I need to get ..."

Oh, I enjoyed that, she’s a wonderful character!

[Icewineanne]

Susan in NC wrote: "I will be starting And Dangerous to Know, , the latest in a favorite historical mystery series, from my library- looking forward to a good ..."

Eager to find out what you think of the latest Rosalind Thorne Susan. Happy reading!

[Susan in NC]

Thanks!

[Judy]

Susan in NC wrote: "Judy wrote: "I'm just starting Laetitia Rodd and the Case of the Wandering Scholar, second in this series by Kate Saunders...

Oh, I enjoyed that, she’s a wonderful character!"

Thanks, Susan - I'm not very far in yet but am enjoying it so far. I love her writing style.

[Lady Clementina]

Not a book but a friend shared this wonderful piece, she came across: You'll enjoy this if you haven't read it already
https://crimereads.com/your-guide-to-...

[Sandy]

Lady Clementina wrote: "Not a book but a friend shared this wonderful piece, she came across: You'll enjoy this if you haven't read it already
https://crimereads.com/your-guide-to-......"

Lots of fun. Thank you. The comments add a lot.

[Jill]

Lady Clementina wrote: "Not a book but a friend shared this wonderful piece, she came across: You'll enjoy this if you haven't read it already
https://crimereads.com/your-guide-to-......"

This was really good. Thanks for sharing

[Sandy]

I've started A Mind to Murder and like the concise set up and characterizations. A lot is portrayed in the first pages.

My prior read had very short chapters, 4 - 10 pages, so just one more before bed kept me up late. This book has hour-long chapters so I will probably be sticking to my bed time! I wasn't about to start the second chapter at 11:30.

[Jill]

Have now started A Mind to Murder for the next Challenge read. Can't help seeing Roy Marsden as my Dalgliesh.

[Sue]

Lady Clementina wrote: "Not a book but a friend shared this wonderful piece, she came across: You'll enjoy this if you haven't read it already
https://crimereads.com/your-guide-to-......"

This is terrific - it made me chuckle - thank you!

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Judy wrote: "I'm just starting Laetitia Rodd and the Case of the Wandering Scholar, second in this series by Kate Saunders...

Oh, I enjoyed that,..."

Yes, and I love her relationship with her brother Fred! He’s so much fun, not the typical uptight Victorian gentleman at all!

[Susan in NC]

Lady Clementina wrote: "Not a book but a friend shared this wonderful piece, she came across: You'll enjoy this if you haven't read it already
https://crimereads.com/your-guide-to-......"

That was hilarious! Thank you for sharing- does make me wonder how the people of rural England have managed to carry on all these centuries...

[Susan in NC]

Just started The Clock Strikes Twelve with the Retro Reads group. I think I may have read a Miss Silver years ago, but I’m not sure, so looking forward to this!

[Judy]

I also enjoyed that piece - especially "The village shop. They sell cheese, stamps, tea, and death."

My mum used to run one years ago!

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "I also enjoyed that piece - especially "The village shop. They sell cheese, stamps, tea, and death."

My mum used to run one years ago!"

I’m so glad you survived- probably never knew you were in danger!