What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread, 2019-2020 Showing 1,401-1,450 of 1,516

[Judy]

Jill, you have reminded me that Dorothy Sayers said she loved describing Wimsey's wealth, clothes, food etc when she was quite poor herself - I imagine once the series became successful she must have had more money!

[Robin]

Tania wrote: "I have read somewhere that the difference came about because the UK was absolutely devastated by the War(s), every one lost people, (there is a village near me called Upper Slaughter, which ironica..."

I stayed in Upper Slaughter a few years ago. What a picturesque village. We walked to Lower Slaughter as well. It sounds very disturbing, but a lovely place to visit.

I've just reread Death in the Clouds, and thought it quite good. If you find a copy of the book, the configuration of the plane was fascinating, also the idea that a plane window could have an opening!

[Tracey]

Jill wrote: "Coming from working class I would say that the upper class mysteries were enjoyed as people liked to imagine what it would be to live like they did. Obviously it was not the murders, but the wonder..."

Completely agree, it's the escapism to see how the other half live. It probably also explains how children's books set in boarding schools are so popular too.

[Tania]

Robin wrote: "Tania wrote: "I stayed in Upper Slaughter a few years ago. What a picturesque village. We walked to Lower Slaughter as well. It sounds very disturbing, but a lovely place to visit.."

A beautiful place, and the name is why that fact, and those figures stayed with me.

I don't remember windows opening on the plane! I'll have to check out a copy.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

About to start The Hollow Needle: Further Adventures of Arsène Lupin by Maurice Leblanc. I have enjoyed previous Arsène Lupin mysteries and look forward to this one.

[Judy]

After rejoining Scribd, couldn't resist picking up the next in the Hannah Swensen series, and I'm now about 2/3 of the way through Key Lime Pie Murder.

I'm remembering all the things that annoyed me in the previous couple of books, like Hannah's inability to make up her mind which man she really wants. And this one also has a lot of angsting over calories - not what I want in a book with lots of cookie and cake recipes!

But despite that I do really enjoy her writing style and the regular characters all feel almost like old friends now.

[Sandy]

Judy wrote: "After rejoining Scribd, couldn't resist picking up the next in the Hannah Swensen series, and I'm now about 2/3 of the way through Key Lime Pie Murder.

I'm remembering all the things..."

That indecision over men finally drove me away from the Stephanie Plum series, One for the Money. Or at least one of the reasons. I continued even after I stopped enjoying them before breaking their grip.

[Judy]

Sandy wrote: "That indecision over men finally drove me away from the Stephanie Plum series, One for the Money. .."

I haven't tried those, but may do in future - are they similar to Sue Grafton? I do wonder why some authors carry on with will they/won't they relationships for so long - it gets boring after a while!

[Sandy]

Judy wrote: "Sandy wrote: "That indecision over men finally drove me away from the Stephanie Plum series, One for the Money. .."

I haven't tried those, but may do in future - are they similar to Sue Grafton? I..."

I've never read Grafton but assume that is a much more serious series. Plum is a silly series (she falls into food regularly and usually destroys a car) but I found some of the early books funny. Plum making a decision might force her to grow up and get a grip on her life, and that would change the series quite a lot. The author has started a couple of other series lately so she may fear people getting bored.

[Roman Clodia]

I'm a huge fan of Stephanie Plum - certainly by the later books where I started, it's not so much will they/won't they as 'yes she will - with both!'

They're great switch off reading and I adore the side characters of Lula and Granma Mazur. Just don't expect the plots to make sense - but I'm usually having so much fun that I don't care :)

[Susan in NC]

Just started listening to the audiobook of Crocodile on the Sandbank - I read it not long ago, but needed something entertaining, and it’s a favorite! Finally received my paperback of Death in the East, so trying to finish up this weekend. Love this author and series, but not digging the two separate crimes being investigated 17 years apart. Becoming tiring, and I want the sergeant to arrive, for the usual buddy vibe I get from these books! But I am learning more about young Wyndham, so I guess there is that...

[Judy]

I spotted that audiobook of Crocodile on the Sandbank on Scribd today, Susan, and plan to start listening to it once I finish listening to Evan Can Wait (got that one from Audible). This will be my first by Elizabeth Peters, looking forward to it.

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "I spotted that audiobook of Crocodile on the Sandbank on Scribd today, Susan, and plan to start listening to it once I finish listening to Evan Can Wait (got that one from Audible). T..."

Oh, I hope you find it as fun as I do! Barbara Rosenblat is a great narrator, seems to really capture Amelia Peabody’s no-nonsense vibe.

[Sandy]

Susan in NC wrote: "Judy wrote: "I spotted that audiobook of Crocodile on the Sandbank on Scribd today, Susan, and plan to start listening to it once I finish listening to Evan Can Wait (got that one fro..."

I agree about Barbara Rosenblat's narration. There is another narrator who has done some of the books but I always try to find Rosenblat.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Susan in NC wrote: "Just started listening to the audiobook of Crocodile on the Sandbank - I read it not long ago, but needed something entertaining, and it’s a favorite! Finally received my paperback ..."

I think we're starting that series in January, no? I'm not sure if I will reread the that one and just pick up from there. Will have to think about it.

EDIT: Oh, I just checked and it is a September buddy read. No I won't reread, but am looking forward to this series.

[Susan in NC]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Just started listening to the audiobook of Crocodile on the Sandbank - I read it not long ago, but needed something entertaining, and it’s a favorite! Finally re..."

I’m starting early, but figured I always enjoy listening to an entertaining narrator -I wanted something fun!

[Jan C]

Judy wrote: "Sandy wrote: "That indecision over men finally drove me away from the Stephanie Plum series, One for the Money. .."

I haven't tried those, but may do in future - are they similar to Sue Grafton? I..."

I didn't make it through the 3rd one. I couldn't stand it past the beginning. It just got to be too something for me.

[Roman Clodia]

Susan in NC wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Just started listening to the audiobook of Crocodile on the Sandbank"

Snap, I'm also listening to the audio - I *love* this series. Oddly, the narrator is American but whereas I would usually do a double-take at Amelia with an accent, it somehow seems to work here without a problem. So much fun!

[Piyangie]

Reading A Taste for Death by P.D. James presently. Still in the early chapters, but this one looks promising.

[Judy]

I started Mr. Fortune's Practice, the second book of short stories by H.C. Bailey because I wanted a short story before bedtime and this was lurking on my Kindle - but the first story was pretty unpleasant, with very dated racial attitudes and off-putting behaviour by the detective, Reggie Fortune.

The second story by contrast was very good, but I think this will be my last read by this author - except for the stories by him which Martin Edwards chooses to include in the BLCC anthologies, which I think tend to be his best.

As a side issue, the publisher of the Kindle edition doesn't seem to have formatted it properly - it is set out almost like free verse!

[Judy]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Snap, I'm also listening to the audio - I *love* this series. Oddly, the narrator is American but whereas I would usually do a double-take at Amelia with an accent, it somehow seems to work here without a problem. So much fun! *..."

The version I'm listening to is read by Barbara Rosenblat who has an upper-crust RP English accent, so I was slightly surprised to hear this - but I see the book has also been recorded by American narrator Susan O'Malley. From listening to a small clip of her, it sounds as if both narrators do a great job.

[Jill]

I am about a third of the way through Crocodile on the Sandbank. And thoroughly enjoying it.

[Colin]

Bloodhounds by Peter Lovesey. This looks very promising indeed.

[Tara]

I'm about a third of the way through Light Thickens for our Marsh buddy read. I'm happy to see it brings back some characters from a previous read Killer Dolphin, which I had also enjoyed reading. I have to say I will miss this series--while not all were great, they were certainly good enough to sustain reading them every month for several years, and were often a source of entertainment and escapism.

[Jan C]

Judy wrote: "I started Mr. Fortune's Practice, the second book of short stories by H.C. Bailey because I wanted a short story before bedtime and this was lurking on my Kindle - b..."

My copy was formatted strangely at the beginning, too. I may have adjusted the print size or something because afterwards it was just fine.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Looking forward to another Brunetti and will start The Temptation of Forgiveness later today.

[Jan C]

Colin wrote: "Bloodhounds by Peter Lovesey. This looks very promising indeed."

I loved that book. It is an homage to John Dickson Carr.

[Susan in NC]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Just started listening to the audiobook of Crocodile on the Sandbank"

Snap, I'm also listening to the audio - I *..."

I’m listening to Barbara Rosenblat, is that your narrator?

[Judy]

Jan C wrote: "Judy wrote: "I started [book:Mr. Fortune's Practice|51883294 ... My copy was formatted strangely at the beginning, too. I may have adjusted the print size or something because afterwards it was just fine."

Thanks Jan, that's interesting - I'm reading on a Kindle Fire and don't seem to be able to adjust it but have got used to the formatting now. I'm enjoying the book more again now - the third story was great.

[Roman Clodia]

Susan in NC wrote: "I’m listening to Barbara Rosenblat, is that your narrator?"

No, mine is read by Susan O'Malley - she's excellent at capturing Amelia's voice so that I'm not even noticing the American accent. She's not so great at Emerson, though.

[Lesley]

Judy wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Judy wrote: "I started [book:Mr. Fortune's Practice|51883294 ... My copy was formatted strangely at the beginning, too. I may have adjusted the print size or something because afterwa..."

On my Fire (can't remember what version) I adjust the print size by going to Settings; Display; Font Size - tap on that and you have three options.

Display settings on the Fire aren't quite as sophisticated as they are on the kindle app that I use on my iPad. Just seem to have font size, and brightness. I think my original Kindle had more than that, but since I've mislaid the charger I can't find out! :)

[Judy]

Thanks very much, Jan and Lesley - I tried adjusting the font settings to one of the other options and my Mr Fortune book now suddenly has properly formatted text!

[Jan C]

Judy wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Judy wrote: "I started [book:Mr. Fortune's Practice|51883294 ... My copy was formatted strangely at the beginning, too. I may have adjusted the print size or something because afterwa..."

i was on a kindle fire. Maybe I just adjusted the lighting or something miniscule like that. But just when I was about to abandon the book it became okay.

[Jan C]

Judy wrote: "Thanks very much, Jan and Lesley - I tried adjusting the font settings to one of the other options and my Mr Fortune book now suddenly has properly formatted text!"

that sounds much like how it worked on mine.

[Susan in NC]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I’m listening to Barbara Rosenblat, is that your narrator?"

No, mine is read by Susan O'Malley - she's excellent at capturing Amelia's voice so that I'm not even noticing the A..."

I don’t think I’ve run across her as narrator yet, good to know (bummer about Emerson, though). Rosenblat does a pretty good job with men’s voices, I think.

[Carolien]

I'm reading The Benefit of Hindsight and enjoying it so far.

[Judy]

I've started The Worm of Death, ready for our next buddy read.

[Jill]

Now starting Money in the Morgue the last of our Marsh books

[Carolien]

I finished The Benefit of Hindsight and am now up to date with the series for the moment. I enjoyed it, but probably not the best in the series.

[Susan]

I am also reading Money in the Morgue. I read The Worm of Death - looking forward to discussing that one! I have also started The Crocodile in the Sandbank. Three good buddy reads this month.

[Susan]

I will set the threads up for the buddy reads later, ready for the weekend. Just realised I had not done so yet - been a busy week!

[Susan in NC]

I just started a reread of Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie. I was reading it as Miss Marple’s last mystery, before watching the Joan Hickson version in my dvd collection, but I understand from helpful reviews that this was actually written during WWII! Oh, well, live and learn, still great fun! I joined the group after you read Miss Marple, but having first read all her books decades ago, I wanted to revisit them - they’ve held up very well for me.

[Tania]

I've started The Hollow Man apparently a classic 'locked room' mystery.

[Colin]

Tania wrote: "I've started The Hollow Man apparently a classic 'locked room' mystery."

It is a classic of the subgenre and many claim it's Carr's best. I think Carr wrote better books to be honest but it deserves its reputation for the atmosphere, the density of the plotting and the famous locked room lecture.

[LovesMysteries]

Currently reading "The Face of A Stranger", the first William Monk book in the series written by Anne Perry

[Carolien]

LovesMysteries wrote: "Currently reading "The Face of A Stranger", the first William Monk book in the series written by Anne Perry"

This is a series I enjoyed. I must get back to it some time.

[Judy]

All our new buddy read discussions are now open, of The Worm of Death, Crocodile on the Sandbank and Money in the Morgue. Please do join in!

Thanks to Susan for setting up the threads.

[Sandy]

Carolien wrote: "LovesMysteries wrote: "Currently reading "The Face of A Stranger", the first William Monk book in the series written by Anne Perry"

This is a series I enjoyed. I must get back to it some time."

I also like the Monk series and have been moving along in it though not yet current. Great characters. I read the first of both the Monk and Pitt series years ago, liked them both, and decided I would knock off the shorter Monk series before tackling the longer Pitt. There is now a son of Pitt series. I obviously over estimated my ability and under estimated Perry's.

[LovesMysteries]

Sandy wrote: "Carolien wrote: "LovesMysteries wrote: "Currently reading "The Face of A Stranger", the first William Monk book in the series written by Anne Perry"

This is a series I enjoyed. I must get back to ..."

I haven't read all of the Charlotte & Thomas Pitt series. I think the last book I read was "The Hyde Park Headsman". Once I read all of the Monk books I'll re-read the Pitt books that I read and the ones I haven't cracked open yet, then carry onto the Daniel Pitt books. I got a loooooooooooong ways to go!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Last night I started Murder in Vienna by E.C.R. Lorac. Perhaps I shouldn't get over-enthused as I'm not very far in yet, but I feel as if I've found a new author. Many of you have mentioned her. This title is late in the series, which I think doesn't have to be read in order. Obviously that's what I'm counting on. Care is taken to introduce Robert MacDonald in a way that the author thinks readers might not already know him.