What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread, 2019-2020 Showing 1,301-1,350 of 1,516

[Judy]

Kirsten wrote: "Currently in the glove box of the car, for long waits outside school..., is an old Penguin copy of Enter a Murderer."

Hope you enjoy it, Kirsten! All our Marsh threads are still open if you want to take a look or add comments. :)

[Sandy]

After seeing the nomination for our October read, The Widening Stain appeared in my library's ebook selection and I grabbed it. Not sure how this will affect my vote as it is unlikely I will remember any details into October.

[Pamela]

I've just started The Curse of the House of Foskett by M.R.C. Kasasian. I was looking for something lighter and quite enjoyed the first book. It's a Sherlock Holmes takeoff, I feel sometimes it tries to be too clever, but overall enjoyable for the literary references and the over the top characters.

[Judy]

I'm now halfway through listening to The Roman Hat Mystery by Ellery Queen - audiobooks always take me a very long time, but I think the narrator of this one, Robert Fass, is brilliant. He has such a great voice and does slightly different voices for the different characters.

[Sandy]

My review for The Widening Stain : While the ending to the mystery was a bit clunky the book was a wonderfully amusing look at life in a university library, interspersed by the author's limericks. Too bad the author was busy doing serious work to continue his mystery authorship.

Still not sure how I'll vote.

[Judy]

I really enjoyed The Problem at Two Tithes by Clara Benson, and have now started another forthcoming buddy read, Light Thickens by Ngaio Marsh, which so far seems as if it will be very enjoyable too.

[Susan in NC]

Just finished Murder in the Mill-Race: A Devon Mystery, by E.C.R. Lorac, which I enjoyed very much. She’s become a favorite golden age author.

[Annabel]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Yesterday I started Murder at the Vicarage. Christie's plots are very good, but I'm afraid her rather simple writing and lack of good characterizations will have me not reading a lot m..."

I do think there's a huge variation in quality of Christie's characterisations. Murder At The Vicarage, which is one of her earliest, is not very good at all. (Although Mysterious Affair At Styles, which was her first, is much better. She's so perplexing in this way. It's the same with her very last books, most of which were pretty terrible but there's the odd gem.)

I am just rereading Towards Zero, which is one of my favourites in terms of the characterisation. I find myself so caught up in the characters that I don't mind whether there's a murder or not. The Hollow is the same in this way. Yet in others, the characterisation is perfunctory at best.

Hopefully you will find Christies you like better - but as someone said further up the thread, we all have our different preferences and it doesn't matter if we don't all like the same things.

[Lady Clementina]

Annabel wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Yesterday I started Murder at the Vicarage. Christie's plots are very good, but I'm afraid her rather simple writing and lack of good characterizations will ..."

Hollow is also pretty good from the perspective of characterization

[Judy]

I've been intermittently reading some Margery Allingham short stories, The Allingham Minibus - I'm finding some of them are very enjoyable although, as with other collections of her short stories, the quality is quite variable.

[Susan]

I was listening to the podcast Tea or Books? and they did an episode on Christie or Sayers. One of the presenters disliked Wimsey, so chose Christie on terms of plot. The other liked Sayers characters, over Poirot or Miss Marple. Luckily, I enjoy both, but, also luckily, we don't have to like the same things :)

I am currently listening to The Problem at Two Tithes for our forthcoming buddy read. I have read the Christianna Brand (characters duly listed for you Judy!) and have yet to start our last Ngaio Marsh - other than the recent sequel to the series.

[Carolien]

I'm reading Y is for Yesterday, the final instalment in the series. Not the best one of the lot, but I'm feeling nostalgic as I have been reading the series since the early 1990s. I do think this is a series that I will reread at some future point.

[Susan]

Always sad to get to the end of a long-running series, Carolien, but then, as you say, you have the joy of going back to the beginning again :)

[Tara]

Carolien wrote: "I'm reading Y is for Yesterday, the final instalment in the series. Not the best one of the lot, but I'm feeling nostalgic as I have been reading the series since the early 1990s. I..."

Definitely bittersweet Carolien. And I'm sad to think she came so close to completing the alphabet, but wasn't given that time.

[Judy]

I've read quite a lot of the Sue Grafton books in the past and hope to catch up with the ones I've missed some time. I agree it is sad that she didn't quite get to the end of the alphabet.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I have started Death of Jezebel for our upcoming buddy read. Looking forward to the discussion.

[Judy]

I've finished the Allingham Minibus now - it was a bit uneven and only had 3 short stories featuring Campion and at least one of those I'd read in another collection. But there was also a long story featuring a character from the "Campion universe", Lugg's old associate Thomas Knapp, which was a fun read.

I've now started Crossed Skis: An Alpine Mystery by Carol Carnac aka E.C.R. Lorac - this one was on Kindle Unlimited, and I thought it would be nice to read a winter sports mystery during the current hot weather!

[Susan]

Hope it cools you down, Judy!

I have just finished The Problem at Two Tithes and will embark on Light Thickens later today.

[Judy]

Thanks Susan! I've read and enjoyed both Two Tithes and Light Thickens - my audiobook of Death of Jezebel is still in the post from the US, so I may be slightly late to the party with that one, though I'm hoping it will arrive any day now!

[Susan]

Let's hope so, Judy. I do love Christianna Brand, despite her flaws.

[Judy]

I've just set up a favourite authors thread for E.C.R. Lorac, please pop over to discuss this author (whose book Bats in the Belfry is currently in the lead in our October group read poll!)
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Michaela]

Thanks Judy, I love her, and hope to read more!

[Pamela]

I've been in the mood for a contemporary mystery, so have started White Nights by Ann Cleeves, the second in her Shetland series. Very enjoyable so far, and perfect for a summer read as the nights in question are summer nights in Shetland which are light as day!

[Susan in NC]

I just finished The Problem at Two Tithes , and before that, Murder in the Mill-Race both winners for me! I am just getting into book 4 of the Sam Wyndham series, Death in the East: A Novel . Then I’ll probably dive into our September Poirot!

[Tracey]

Pamela wrote: "I've been in the mood for a contemporary mystery, so have started White Nights by Ann Cleeves, the second in her Shetland series. Very enjoyable so far, and perfect f..."

Have you seen the TV adaption? I really enjoyed this. Stunning scenery too!

[Tracey]

I'm reading the incredibly cosy crime of a Murder she wrote book Coffee, Tea, or Murder?. I've only recent realised that this book series exists, with 50+ books and it's still ongoing!

[Pamela]

Tracey wrote: "Have you seen the TV adaption? I really enjoyed this. Stunning scenery too!..."

I haven't seen it Tracey, that's why I chose this series of hers rather than the Vera Stanhope series. I prefer to read the books first so I don't get a particular actor stuck in my mind.

[Tracey]

Pamela wrote: "Tracey wrote: "Have you seen the TV adaption? I really enjoyed this. Stunning scenery too!..."

I haven't seen it Tracey, that's why I chose this series of hers rather than the Vera Stanhope series..."

I agree it's quite difficult to unsee a particular actor in a role.

[Jill]

I have just finished The Problem at Two Tithes and am starting Wings of Fire by Charles Todd This is the second book in the Inspector Rutledge Series. I read the first, A Test of Wills some 10 years ago and had forgotten about these books

[Shaina]

I'm starting The Floating Admiral by The Detection Club.

The 1931 newly formed Detection Club members wrote one chapter each, one the prologue, and another a close for The Floating Admiral, and all devised solutions included in final publication. Authors then: Anthony Berkeley, G.K. Chesterton, Agatha Christie, G.D.H. Cole, Margaret Cole, Freeman Wills Croft, Clemence Dane , Edgar Jepson, Milward Kennedy, Ronald Knox, John Rhode, Dorothy L. Sayers, Henry Wade, Victor L. Whitechurch.

This should be a treat!

[Judy]

I'll be interested to hear what you think of The Floating Admiral, Shaina - I thought some bits of it were much better than others, but I don't remember now which authors' bits were my favourites!

[Sandy]

I've started and am remembering how much I like Brand's style. Also glad to get an explanation of the cover which confused me.

[Judy]

I've started listening to Evan Can Wait, one of the Constable Evans mysteries by Rhys Bowen - I'm so delighted that Roger Clark has recorded all the rest of the series for Audible!

The only very slight disappointment is that the cover is black, saying "cover art to come" - not sure if I will get the Welsh landscape turning up when they decide to add one!

[Sandy]

Judy wrote: "I've started listening to Evan Can Wait, one of the Constable Evans mysteries by Rhys Bowen - I'm so delighted that Roger Clark has recorded all the rest of the series..."

I have the third one, Evanly Choirs to read / listen (I have both versions though the library wants their book back soon). I was wandering around Audible as I have a couple of credits expiring in a month and saw the rest of the series is now available. Decided I could always spend those credits on the series if I like it on audio.

[Sandy]

I have a selection of short stories going on audio, Anne Perry Presents Malice Domestic. Out of the first three stories, two were fun and the other okay, but not remarkable.

For non-mystery, I'm loving a selection of early Terry Pratchett stories, The Witch's Vacuum Cleaner: And Other Stories. The audio even has sound effects.

[Judy]

Sandy wrote: "Judy wrote: "I've started listening to Evan Can Wait, one of the Constable Evans mysteries by Rhys Bowen - I'm so delighted that Roger Clark has recorded all the rest ..."

Wow, I didn't realise the credits could expire - must have a look at the ones I have! I am also intending to buy the rest of the series. Thanks Sandy.

[Tara]

Shaina wrote: "I'm starting The Floating Admiral by The Detection Club.

The 1931 newly formed Detection Club members wrote one chapter each, o..."

I look forward to your thoughts on this as well. Such an intriguing concept.

[Carolien]

Sandy wrote: "I have a selection of short stories going on audio, Anne Perry Presents Malice Domestic. Out of the first three stories, two were fun and the other okay, but not remarkable.

For no..."

I adore Pratchett, must try this audio.

[Carolien]

I've just completed Presumed Innocent, a reread for me which I enjoyed. It remains one of the best plotted crime stories I have ever read.

[Shaina]

I just finished Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood. Phryne Fisher is amazing. Loved it! I think I will finish the entire series this year.

[Tracey]

Shaina wrote: "I just finished Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood. Phryne Fisher is amazing. Loved it! I think I will finish the entire series this year."

I have to agree, Phryne Fisher is great fun!

[Michaela]

Shaina wrote: "I just finished Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood. Phryne Fisher is amazing. Loved it! I think I will finish the entire series this year."

I recently got this one, as I loved the (parts of the) series, but don´t know when I´ll find time to read it! :P

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I'm picking up a Nero Wolfe this evening - Too Many Women. I look at my Read dates, and see it's been over a year since I've been with Archie and Wolfe. Must rectify that!

[Jan C]

Yesterday I found a book on my shelves that I didn't recognize. So I pulled it out to take a look at it - A Lifetime of Secrets: A PostSecret Book. I'd apparently got it from a friend and totally forgot about it. Frank Warren asked people to send him their secrets on a postcard. This was his fourth book. This one is arranged in a lifetime. It was wonderful! A breath of fresh air. I read it in just a couple of hours. Would have been less but I went out to pick up some food and search in vain for items at the store. One of my few 5 stars.

I've already ordered a second in the series. They probably shouldn't be read too close together though.

[Carolien]

Jan C wrote: "Yesterday I found a book on my shelves that I didn't recognize. So I pulled it out to take a look at it - A Lifetime of Secrets: A PostSecret Book. I'd apparently got it from a friend..."

It is always so nice to find these hidden treasures in our shelves. This looks fascinating.

I'm reading Open and Shut. My first book by the author and I'm pretty sure it was a recommendation in this thread that pointed me in this direction originally. Thank you - I'm enjoying it very much.

[Judy]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I'm picking up a Nero Wolfe this evening - Too Many Women. I look at my Read dates, and see it's been over a year since I've been with Archie and Wolfe. Must rectify that!"

I must get back to Wolfe too!

[Annabel]

I'm on a Christie reread binge. Most recently, The Body In The Library, which some people say has her best ever story opening. I find it a bittersweet tale - on the surface, most amusing with its murdered blondes found on the hearthrug in the library and its hotel dancing scenes, but there are murky depths. The failure of the Bantries (Bantrys?) to understand what continual village suspicion will mean to them. The hollowness of the hotel professional life, portrayed through the dancing and tennis staff.

It's not the most satisfying detection puzzle but as a thoughtful study into post-war life, it's intriguing. Next up, The Hollow, which always amazes me with its intense focus on characterisation, so that the crime plot seems largely irrelevant.

[Shaina]

Tara wrote: "Shaina wrote: "I'm starting The Floating Admiral by The Detection Club. ..."

Tara, I really enjoyed the book. I must say what I enjoyed the most was the collated endings the various authors had written. Sayers in the introduction to the Detention Club explains the rules applied. The authors when writing the chapter were also supposed to share how they saw the story progressing and who they thought was the murderer and why. This had to be shared with other authors at the end and has been printed in the book.

I think I am going to read all the books in the series.

[Shaina]

Judy wrote: "I'll be interested to hear what you think of The Floating Admiral, Shaina - I thought some bits of it were much better than others, but I don't remember now which authors' bits were my favourites!"

Judy, I really enjoyed the book. I liked the feeling of how each author tried to link their chapter to the previous one. I also like the various opinions of who they suspected at the end.

[Shaina]

Michaela wrote: "Shaina wrote: "I just finished Cocaine Blues

I recently got this one, as I loved the (parts of the) series, but don´t know when I´ll find time to read it! :P"

Michaela, I thought the same when I got the series in July. I managed to read the first 4 this month. They are quite short but they had me hooked from the start.

I read them between heavier books. I love the Miss Fisher Series on Netflix. That's how I heard of the books.