What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread, 2019-2020 Showing 1,451-1,500 of 1,516

[Judy]

I've just posted about possibly doing a Michael Innes buddy read over in the buddy reads thread - if anyone is interested, please pop over and have your say:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Judy]

This is the latest list of forthcoming buddy reads, including the last two PD James/Dalgliesh titles in the New Year so we complete the series.

October/Nov
The Sad Variety - Nicholas Blake
The Tiger in the Smoke - Margery Allingham
The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag - Alan Bradley
Mystery Villa - E.R. Punshon

Nov/Dec
The Morning After Death - Nicholas Blake
A Ghost in the Machine - Caroline Graham
Footsteps in the Dark - Georgette Heyer

Dec/Jan
The Leper of St Giles - Ellis Peters
There Came Both Mist and Snow - Michael Innes

Jan/Feb
The Lighthouse- PD James
The Curse of the Pharaohs - Elizabeth Peters
Fog of Doubt - Christianna Brand

Feb/March
The Private Patient - PD James
The Beckoning Lady - Margery Allingham
A Red Herring Without Mustard - Alan Bradley

[Judy]

I've started Homicide Trinity by Rex Stout - reading out of order but it was one I had on my Kindle! Really enjoying it so far.

I'm also listening to Evans to Betsy, another in the Constable Evans series by Rhys Bowen - and wondering if the author called one of the regular characters Betsy at the start of the series so she could use this pun!

[Sue]

Judy wrote: "I'm also listening to Evans to Betsy, another in the Constable Evans series by Rhys Bowen..."

I'm listening to the Molly Murphy series by Rhys Bowen and enjoying it, but I haven't come across the Constable Evans series yet.

[Judy]

Sue, I listened to part of the first Molly Murphy book and read part of it on Kindle - looking forward to reading more of those too. I love the Welsh settings in the Evans books so they will probably stay my favourites, though.

[Sandy]

Judy and Sue, I will vote for Bowen's Her Royal Spyness series, though I haven't tried Molly Murphy and enjoy Evan. I almost dropped the series after the first couple but another GR patron told me to continue and I'm glad I did.

[Sandy]

Judy wrote: "I've started Homicide Trinity by Rex Stout - reading out of order but it was one I had on my Kindle! Really enjoying it so far.

I'm also listening to [book:Evans to Bet..."

I'm reading Stout's Trouble in Triplicate, a collection of three novellas. That length works well for Wolfe.

I don't think the order matters too much except for three books where Wolfe is up against a "master criminal" (an Amelia Peabody reference for those who have read further in that series).

[Sandy]

My next read will either be All the Devils Are Here, the new book in Louise Penny's Three Pines series, or No Mark Upon Her, the next in Crombie's Kincaid and James series. Both became available on the same day, and I still have unfinished library books.

[Sandy]

Judy wrote: "This is the latest list of forthcoming buddy reads, including the last two PD James/Dalgliesh titles in the New Year so we complete the series.

October/Nov
The Sad Variety - Nicholas Blake
The Tig..."

Thanks for the list!

[Tara]

I loved Crocodile on the Sandbank so much, I've already started The Curse of the Pharaohs since it was available from my library on audiobook. I see we are set to read it in January, so I will have to take good notes so I can participate in the discussions then.

I also recently read Spider's Web by Agatha Christie, which while enjoyable, was a bit of a kitchen sink type story that was slightly too much to be believable.

[Sue]

Sandy wrote: "Judy and Sue, I will vote for Bowen's Her Royal Spyness series, though I haven't tried Molly Murphy and enjoy Evan. I almost dropped the series after the first couple but another GR p..."

OK I'll give that one a go too! Thank you.

[Judy]

Sandy wrote: "I'm reading Stout's Trouble in Triplicate, a collection of three novellas. That length works well for Wolfe...."

I also enjoyed that one - I agree the novellas work really well for Wolfe. I sometimes get slightly lost in the full-length novels, though I enjoy those too.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I have not yet read any of his novellas, but I do have that title awaiting my attention.

[Susan in NC]

Finally got Death of an American Beauty by Mariah Fredericks from my library, enjoying it very much. I also got The Measure of Malice: Scientific Mysteries, , one of the British Library Crime Classics anthologies, which I will read next - I usually read a story a day.

[Louise]

Miss Hogg and the Dead Dean by Austin Lee. Quite amusing.

[Susan]

I am reading The Postscript Murders and absolutely love it so far.

Odd that we've never read an Elly Griffiths in the group, as I know she is very popular.

[Judy]

Susan, I didn't think I'd read any Elly Griffiths, but just realised on looking her up that I have read The Italian Quarter, a non-crime novel which she wrote under her real name, Domenica De Rosa - I think it was one of those dual timeline novels which were very popular a few years ago. I don't remember it very well but think I quite liked it.

Her crime books look as if they might be a bit dark and gritty for me, though?

[Susan]

No, not at all. However, anything with 'dual time,' in it - makes me shudder! It might have been new a few years ago, but 'overdone' now to the extent where if there is even a suggestion of it, I run a mile!

[Roman Clodia]

Ha, I'm with Susan on dual time plots. I love Elly Griffiths' Ruth Galloway series but find the plots are often similar, even the same, but that it's the wry, dry, writing and the fabulous characters which draw me back. She's created such an eccentric bunch and I'm addicted to the soap opera of their intertwined lives.

[Jill]

Yes. Not the mysteries that kept me reading her, but the characters.

[Elliot]

currently reading truly devious by Maureen Johnson, definitely worth the read so far!

[Judy]

I quite like dual time lines - but I usually end up liking one of the time lines better than the other one!

[Sandy]

I agree with Roman Claudia's take on the Ruth Galloway series. One of my (many) favorites.

[Jill]

I haven't read a lot of duel timelines but have enjoyed them.

[Sandy]

I stayed up very late to finish the latest Three Pines, All the Devils Are Here. An excellent addition to the series, with emphasis on the Gamache family. Both of the narrators for this series (the first died) do a wonderful job. I try to have a print version available for any subtleties I miss or to reread favorite passages..

Early next week I pick up Troubled Blood (900+ pages) along with two other requests so will be late for our October reads.

[Susan in NC]

Started The Clocks for one of our October Poirot reads.

[Carolien]

I'm busy with The Satanic Mechanic, a South African cozy with lots of nice food. Love this series and made the Somalian rice last night for supper based on the recipes in the book.

[Tania]

I'm reading Bats in the Belfry: A London Mystery which turned up really quickly from the library and is due back soon. I'm still waiting for Thunder on the Right which I ordered ages ago and doubt it will turn up this month, but I will get it eventually.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Tania wrote: "I'm reading Bats in the Belfry: A London Mystery which turned up really quickly from the library and is due back soon."

I hope you like this one. I read Murder in Vienna by her earlier this month and plan to pick up more in the series.

[Sandy]

I read No Mark Upon Her yesterday, another in the Kincaid / James series that I have been reading avidly. Like the others, once started I stay up until I finish it.

[Carolien]

Sandy wrote: "I read No Mark Upon Her yesterday, another in the Kincaid / James series that I have been reading avidly. Like the others, once started I stay up until I finish it."

I enjoyed the first one in the series, I really must get back to them.

[Sue]

I finished Rivers of London today. It's a re-read and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. I found the dry humour very funny and the characters quite believable, which is more than you can say for the plot which is far-fetched, but enjoyable all the same. I seem to remember that this is the best of the series so I'm not sure whether I will read the others but I own this one and it is going on my "favourites" shelf.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9...

[Susan]

I liked Rivers of London, Sue. I haven't read on, but probably I should as I did like it. Just too many series, clamouring for attention. One of the reasons I like our challenges, as they actually make me finish a series for once! Talking of which:

I am currently reading A Certain Justice
Seems a little more modern and I am really enjoying it, which was a surprise as I don't usually enjoy legal settings (been married to a lawyer too long!).

[Carolien]

Sue wrote: "I finished Rivers of London today. It's a re-read and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. I found the dry humour very funny and the characters quite believable, which is mor..."

It's also one of my favourites. I've read up to number 3 in the series, should probably continue it.

[Kirsten]

I've just finished The Other Wife by Michael Robotham



My first Michael Robotham book, and I was well impressed! Read my signed copy I got at Rotorua Noir back in January 2019. I finally got round to reading it and I wasn't disappointed.
I will definitely be going back to the first Joseph O'Loughlin story, but I didn't feel robbed that I didn't know his backstory. And that's the sign of a truly clever author.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Started reading The Strange Case of Harriet Hall. I am really surprised that this author nearly slipped into obscurity.

[Susan in NC]

Started rereading Bats in the Belfry: A London Mystery for our October read. Want to slow down and appreciate it this time! Great narrator.

[Susan in NC]

Carolien wrote: "I'm busy with The Satanic Mechanic, a South African cozy with lots of nice food. Love this series and made the Somalian rice last night for supper based on the recipes in the book."

I love good food in books, and characters who appreciate it!

[Carolien]

Susan in NC wrote: "Carolien wrote: "I'm busy with The Satanic Mechanic, a South African cozy with lots of nice food. Love this series and made the Somalian rice last night for supper based on the reci..."

The first book has a fabulous chocolate cake in it that has become my standard recipe for those. This book has a version with coffee and peanut butter which my family vetoed as they don't drink coffee. I'm trying to find a suitable excuse to try it, in the meantime I'll make the malva pudding.

[Susan in NC]

Sue wrote: "I finished Rivers of London today. It's a re-read and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. I found the dry humour very funny and the characters quite believable, which is mor..."

This sounds fun, never heard of it, on to the TBR pile!

[Susan in NC]

Carolien wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Carolien wrote: "I'm busy with The Satanic Mechanic, a South African cozy with lots of nice food. Love this series and made the Somalian rice last night for supp..."

Oh, my, you’re making my mouth water! I love coffee and peanut butter, feel free to make it and send it to me! 😂 I’ve got to find this series...if I can’t, I may hit you up for that recipe, Carolien!

Ah, just looked up the series- recipe writer turned detective- hello, great recipes indeed...

[Carolien]

Happy to oblige! The first one is on special on Amazon at the moment by the looks of it Recipes for Love and Murder.

[Susan in NC]

Thanks!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Carolien wrote: "Happy to oblige! The first one is on special on Amazon at the moment by the looks of it Recipes for Love and Murder."

A library in my area has this one so I have put on one of my to-read shelves.

I have just started Bound by NZ author Vanda Symon This is the only one of her titles I haven't read.

[Alwynne]

Just finished Kathleen Hewitt’s Plenty Under the Counter
1940s crime novel recently republished, works really well in terms of the setting, the portrayal of social attitudes and the characters but it’s very slow paced with a flimsy plot.

Link to my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Not as all-round entertaining as the last vintage mystery I read Helen McCloy’s Through a Glass, Darkly

Link to my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Sandy]

I've started Troubled Blood, enjoying it so far, which is good as I expect to be reading it for awhile. I'm combining audio and print (large and heavy with thin pages) and the narrator is excellent.

[Shaina]

I read Troubled Blood last week (couldn't wait and barely slept till I finished it). I loved it and hope you enjoy it too Sandy.

I just started The Spy who came in from the Cold by John Le Carre.

[Judy]

I've started Bats in the Belfry for next month's group read - not very far in but enjoying it so far.

[Susan]

I just finished The Postscript Murders

Loved it! Great, literary mystery.

[Susan in NC]

Just started rereading The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag, for next month’s read in this group, and Decision at Delphi for another group, but that’s kind of a spy thriller I gather, sorry if this is the wrong spot.