What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread, 2019-2020 Showing 151-200 of 1,516

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I started the July group read, Miss Pym Disposes. I got only a few pages before being interrupted, but if it continues in this vein, it will be an amusing read!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Going to start a Nero Wolfe, Where There's a Will - yes, out of order! I find the Josephine Tey is not one I want to spend further time with.

[Judy]

I’m also reading a Rex Stout out of order- If Death Ever Slept. Good start to this one - I glanced at it on my Kindle after trying a couple of freebies which didn’t grab me!

I’ve also finished Blueberry Muffin Murder by Joanne Fluke, which I enjoyed - hooked on this cosy series now even though the plots aren’t always that great and the cookies are too tempting!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Well, it turns out it's *not* out of order for me. I have some others and thought it was one of those.

[Tania]

I'm reading Blue Shoes and Happiness, from the Number 1 Ladies Detective series. Really, I think calling them mysteries is over-stating things, but I enjoy the series.

[Sandy]

Tania wrote: "I'm reading Blue Shoes and Happiness, from the Number 1 Ladies Detective series. Really, I think calling them mysteries is over-stating..."

I agree with both statements: barely mysteries but very enjoyable. Soothing reads.

[Jill]

The last one I read was book 8 The Good Husband of Zebra Drive, after not reading any for over 6 years, and although I liked it, it didn't hold the same interest as before. I think when they first came out, they were so different , but now they seem quite repetitive. I still have at least 5 books left to read here and will probably get to them slowly, but doubt I would buy more.

[Tania]

That's what I've been doing too. I occasionally take one out of the library so I read in order, as I think I own book 10. I'll get up to there eventually, but I'm in no hurry. They are a bit samey,, but nice when I'm in the mood for one. As Sandy says, soothing.

[Jan C]

I just finished The Puzzle of the Pepper Tree by Stuart Palmer. The movie of it is called Murder on a Honeymoon.

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "Tania wrote: "I'm reading Blue Shoes and Happiness, from the Number 1 Ladies Detective series. Really, I think calling them mysteries i..."

I haven’t read this series yet, but I am a big believer in the power of soothing reads!

[Sandy]

Finished Joe Country (excellent, as expected) as it is due back to the library. So I'm early for the mid-month read but will be late for the first-of-month reads as those are still 'in transit'. Will be continuing the Mary Russell series while waiting.

Also had an urge to pick up the Mrs. Pollifax series, The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax, on audio. I listened to the first couple a few years ago, and was recently reminded the narrator is Barbara Rosenblatt (a favorite) so decided to listen to a few more until the absurdity gets to me again.

[Jan C]

I just started a historical mystery by Daniel Stashower, The Dime Museum Murders. Apparently first in a series. Told in flashback by his younger brother. Looks good so far.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I'm starting Saint Peter's Snow by Leo Perutz. I have not read this author before and don't really know what to expect.

[Gary]

Now reading the next to last of The Continental Op short story collections, The Main Death and This King Business: Collected Case Files of the Continental Op: The Later Years, Volume 2 by Dashiell Hammett

[Marwan]

Started reading Detection Unlimited by Georgette Heyer

[Susan in NC]

Listening to this month’s Marsh read, Death of a Fool. Somewhat incomprehensible at the beginning, with the regional accents and the folk dance references, but better once the murder occurs and Alleyn and company start investigating!

Also reading .

[Jill]

Started Joe Country by Mick Herron. Think I really need a "Do Not Disturb" sign to go with it.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I started The Maltese Falcon. Just what I was hankering after.

[Tara]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I started The Maltese Falcon. Just what I was hankering after."

Quite different from the Christie et al. crowd, but every entertaining in its own way. When I read this recently, it was impossible for me not to picture the characters from the Bogart movie.

[Susan in NC]

Tara wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I started The Maltese Falcon. Just what I was hankering after."

Quite different from the Christie et al. crowd, but every entertaining in its own way. When ..."

Just curious, do you prefer one over the other? I’ve seen bits of the film over the years, but never all the way through, and not read the book. I know this opens the dreaded “book or movie?” can of worms, but both are iconic, so I wondered which the group would recommend to a neophyte of the noir genre!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Tara wrote: " it was impossible for me not to picture the characters from the Bogart movie. "

Have not seen the film, and though I am aware that Bogart is famous for being Sam Spade, he doesn't fit my picture. The opening lines indicate Sam Spade is blonde, for one thing.

Susan, I'm not a movie watcher, so of course I'd recommend reading instead. I have not read this before. I'm not more than 25% in at this point and see why it is a favorite. I have read 2 others by him and they were definitely not nearly as good. For noir, I still prefer Raymond Chandler.

[Valerie]

I just finished (literally) The Unfinished Clue by Georgette Heyer. Goodness, it was fun. I had no idea 'who dunnit'. For golden age mystery fans I would say this one is a treat.

[Susan in NC]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Tara wrote: " it was impossible for me not to picture the characters from the Bogart movie. "

Have not seen the film, and though I am aware that Bogart is famous for being Sam Spade, he doesn't fi..."

Thanks, Elizabeth, I look forward to your review.

[Susan in NC]

Valerie wrote: "I just finished (literally) The Unfinished Clue by Georgette Heyer. Goodness, it was fun. I had no idea 'who dunnit'. For golden age mystery fans I would say this one i..."

Valerie, I enjoy Heyer’s mysteries! In fact, she’s one of my favorite authors- if you like her style, you may want to check out the Georgette Heyer Fans group here on GR. It’s a delightful group, and we usually read a Heyer a month, and fit in at least one detective story a year - great discussions! I love the wit and humor present in most of her books.

[Annabel]

I love The Unfinished Clue - my favourite Heyer heroine and a great cast of suspects. I have mixed fortunes with Heyer but I will always happily reread this one.

[Tara]

Susan in NC wrote: "Tara wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I started The Maltese Falcon. Just what I was hankering after."

Quite different from the Christie et al. crowd, but every entertaining in its o..."

Its hard to say that one is better over the other. The movie of course is a noir classic, and has very good performances all around (Sydney Greenstreet as Mr. Gutman is particularly memorable and delicious). I actually listened to the book on audio, so it came across more like a radio play than a novel, which I am sure had an impact on my perception.

Final analysis: The movie is a fairly close adaption from the book, so I would say they are equal for their respective mediums. I definitely recommend watching after you've read it.

As a side note, I generally agree with the sentiment that the book is always superior to the film, with the noted exception of The Princess Bride (both written by the same man, who was in fact more well-known as a screenwriter than a novelist).

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Tara wrote: "I generally agree with the sentiment that the book is always superior to the film "

I won't argue whether one is "superior" to the other, but that they are different, whether or not a film is faithful to a book. Reading is an active mode, while watching and listening are passive modes.

[Jan C]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Tara wrote: "I generally agree with the sentiment that the book is always superior to the film "

I won't argue whether one is "superior" to the other, but that they are different, whether or not a..."

Book is excellent and movie fairly closely follows the book. To me it is a toss-up, book vs. movie. I have read it a number of times and I have seen it a number of times. I have also seen the Bette Davis (Satan is a Lady) and the Ricardo Cortez version (The Maltese Falcon). Cortez isn't bad but I do prefer the Bogart version. Also John Huston's directorial debut.

[Tara]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Tara wrote: "I generally agree with the sentiment that the book is always superior to the film "

I won't argue whether one is "superior" to the other, but that they are different, whether or not a..."

I think the reason that people tend to feel this way is because they fall in love with the book first. Movie adaptions have a tendency to wildly deviate from their source material, which while understandable in some respects, can also originate from the idea of changing for changing's sake. Whether or not the movie is good as a stand-alone product, is it impossible to view without the lens of what came first. The written word is also a much more flexible medium than film in a lot of ways, and it can be difficult to translate or convey thoughts or characters in a visually focused form.

[Susan in NC]

Annabel wrote: "I love The Unfinished Clue - my favourite Heyer heroine and a great cast of suspects. I have mixed fortunes with Heyer but I will always happily reread this one."

I haven’t read that in years, time for a reread!

[Susan in NC]

Tara wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Tara wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I started The Maltese Falcon. Just what I was hankering after."

Quite different from the Christie et al. crowd, but every e..."

Thank you, and agree totally on Goldman and Princess Bride the movie being better!

[Susan in NC]

Jan C wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Tara wrote: "I generally agree with the sentiment that the book is always superior to the film "

I won't argue whether one is "superior" to the other, but that they are ..."

Thanks, I didn’t know these background tidbits about the different movie versions, interesting!

[Jan C]

Susan in NC wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Tara wrote: "I generally agree with the sentiment that the book is always superior to the film "

I won't argue whether one is "superior" to the other, but ..."

I watch too much TCM.

[Susan in NC]

Jan C wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Tara wrote: "I generally agree with the sentiment that the book is always superior to the film "

I won't argue whether one is "superior..."

No such thing - older movies are the only ones worth watching, IMHO! And who doesn’t enjoy fun facts?

[Judy]

The poll for our September group read is now open, with 4 great books to choose from. Please cast your vote!

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

[Judy]

I’ve started one of the British Library Crime Classics anthologies edited by Martin Edwards, Deep Waters: Mysteries of the Waves.

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "I’ve started one of the British Library Crime Classics anthologies edited by Martin Edwards, Deep Waters: Mysteries of the Waves."

I look forward to your review, I have several of those collections on my tbr list (great stories, perfect for summer reading, plus I love the covers!)

[Judy]

Thanks, Susan - I love those collections, and this one was available from Kindle Unlimited which I have at the moment.

[Susan in NC]

Just finished the rather disappointing A Brazen Curiosity: A Regency Cozy, but hoping for better things from one of my favorite historical mystery writers, Alys Clare, and her new series debut, The Woman Who Spoke to Spirits .

[Jill]

Now reading Fingersmith by Sarah Waters It's tagged as mystery, but all seems straight forward to me, still early days yet

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Jill wrote: "Now reading Fingersmith by Sarah Waters It's tagged as mystery, but all seems straight forward to me, still early days yet"

I wouldn't classify that as mystery.

[Susan in NC]

Just starting one of the July reads, .

[Marwan]

Finished Detection Unlimited by Georgette Heyer

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

[Marwan]

Started reading Let Me Call You Sweetheart by Mary Higgins Clark

[Jan C]

Yesterday I finished The Puzzle of the Silver Persian by Stuart Palmer. Today I started the next Miss Withers story, The Puzzle of the Red Stallion. I think there was a movie of this one - Murder at the Stables (or something similar).

[Jill]

Finished Death on the Nile Now started Singing in the Shrouds

[Annabel]

Rereading Patricia Wentworth's The Silent Pool. . I treat these as light comfort reading - I love them. This isn't one of my favourites though. Too many repeated names feels sloppy - Esme/Ellie, Muriel/Mabel - and there's the over-used device of the murder of someone wearing someone else's striking coat.

It's also one of those where the hero is charming and charismatic while the heroine is described as quiet and sensible and she more or less just bores him into submission. Difficult to root for!

[Susan in NC]

Just started Death on the Nile, waiting on Singing in the Shrouds from my library (nice large print edition- yay, easy on the eyes!)

[Jill]

Not very far into Singing in the Shrouds, but quite liking it. Think this may be one of her better ones

[Annabel]

SitS and Clutch of Constables are my favourites of this author. Both set on a boat - a closed-in setting with a limited cast of suspects is always good for detective story structure.