Play Book Tag discussion
October 2019: Crime Fiction
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Announcing the Tag for October
Amy wrote: "Was going with Verity by Colleen Hoover"This is on my long list, can't wait to hear about it!
Joy D wrote: "Does anyone have a recommendation for somewhat "literary" crime fiction that's not part of a series? (By literary, I mean something with deep characterization, that's not solely plot-driven and not..."I just read Blood on Snow by Jo Nesbø. It is a stand alone novel that is not part of his Harry Hole series (it is listed as part of a series, but it is more of a shared setting rather than shared characters). It is pretty short (about 200 pages) and what I didn't like about it was that it was more character study than plot driven :). Sounds like it would fit your tastes better than mine. It has the feeling of noir.
Cora wrote: "Joy D wrote: "Does anyone have a recommendation for somewhat "literary" crime fiction that's not part of a series? (By literary, I mean something with deep characterization, that's not solely plot-..."Thanks, Cora, I'll check it out!
LibraryCin, as far as a non-murder crime fiction, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed: The Whiskey Sea by Ann Howard Creel. It's about rum-running during Prohibition, and as far as I recall, there' no murder in it. I am not big on reading about murder, either, though I have done so in the past.
Also, I read this one a long time ago, and as far as I recall it's about a train robbery that does not include murder (it's been a very LONG time, though)… The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton. It's based on a real event.
Joy D wrote: "Does anyone have a recommendation for somewhat "literary" crime fiction that's not part of a series? (By literary, I mean something with deep characterization, that's not solely plot-driven and not..."American Rust looks great (& looks like it would work well as a Pennsylvania book for the reading-around-the states challenge I set myself but have made roughly zero progress on...) AND it is available at my local library :-) Thanks for the recommendation!
Nikki wrote: "American Rust looks great (& looks like it would work well as a Pennsylvania book for the reading-around-the states challenge I set myself but have made roughly zero progress on...) AND it is available at my local library :-) Thanks for the recommendation! "Hope you enjoy it, Nikki, and I'll look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
If anyone is looking for a combination of crime and spooky, and a very unusual story, try: Himself by Jess Kidd.
annapi wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I would also like to try some new authors, preferably female authors and/or female protagonists...."I haven't any suggestions for non-murder crime stories, but have you tried histo..."
So many great options! Thanks!
Joanne wrote: "I was checking my TBR Nancy and Maisie Dobbs is shelved Crime Fiction. I have not read it yet,I (a top choice for me this month) but I know others here have liked the series. I also h..."Thanks. I liked my first Maisie Dobbs. I also like Baldacci's Memory Man series, and I'm behind at least a book or two. I already have a lot of choices for crime/Spooky combos.
In my library searches in this genre, I'm finding a lot of Mass Market Paperbacks, which are impossible for me to read even with glasses. The older books often don't have kindle versions.
I think for October's Tag-Crime Fiction I'm going old school. I have a collection of Dashiell Hammett's hardboiled detective novels which are perfect for this months tag. Titles include: The Maltese Falcon; The Thin Man; Red Harvest and a couple of lesser known works.If I need more hardboiled detective novels there's always Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep and Lady in the Lake.
Other series I might check out:
The Pendergast series by Douglas Preston or
Jack Reacher by Lee Childs
Joy D wrote: "Does anyone have a recommendation for somewhat "literary" crime fiction that's not part of a series? (By literary, I mean something with deep characterization, that's not solely plot-driven and not..."Try one of Arturo Perez-Reverte stand alones (not Alatriste which are historic series) like The Club Dumas or The Flanders Panel. Very literary and I love them. Bonus: fit October Horizons -Spain!
DianeMP wrote: "I think for October's Tag-Crime Fiction I'm going old school. I have a collection of Dashiell Hammett's hardboiled detective novels which are perfect for this months tag. Titles include: The Maltes..."The Hammetts are amazing!
Adding classics to Hammett and Chandler, try James M. Cain---The Postman Always Rings Twice, Double Indemnityand Mildred Pierce - there is a reason great movies resulted from adaptations.
Theresa wrote: "Joy D wrote: "Does anyone have a recommendation for somewhat "literary" crime fiction that's not part of a series? (By literary, I mean something with deep characterization, that's not solely plot-..."Thank you, Theresa, I'll check them out!
Theresa wrote: "Try the prolific Donald Westlake. He wrote all kinds of crime fiction and is brilliant to read...."Thanks, Theresa! I should add that I'm trying to read off my tbr. I really don't need to add more to my 600+ that is already there!
Joy D wrote: "Also, I read this one a long time ago, and as far as I recall it's about a train robbery that does not include murder (it's been a very LONG time, though)… The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton. It's based on a real event. ..."Hmmm, that could be interesting. I'm not sure if it's on my tbr or not, but if not, I believe it's one I have considered in the past...
annapi wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "I would also like to try some new authors, preferably female authors and/or female protagonists...."I haven't any suggestions for non-murder crime stories, but have you tried histo..."
Great answer Annapi!
The Kate Atkinson series is great and classes as literary (no need to read in order, so new one Big Sky could be considered.
I think I remember you as a fan of Peters' Cadfael series set among medieval monks. Which reminds me how great I found Eco's "Name of the Rose". (Qualifies as literary as well for that query; Auster's "New York Trilogy" on my to-read set to fulfill my own interest in literary ones).
LibraryCin wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Try the prolific Donald Westlake. He wrote all kinds of crime fiction and is brilliant to read...."Thanks, Theresa! I should add that I'm trying to read off my tbr. I really don't..."
Doesn't everyone have a Westlake or two on their TBR?
Theresa wrote: "Michael - I love a lot of those same series...I even own a firt edition hardcover Nevada Barr...Track of the Cat just blew me away."I agree with so many of Michael's recommendations! My favorite of Nevada Barr's is Blind Descent. The descriptions of the underground were amazing, and her claustrophobia ramped up the suspense for me, probably because I'm a bit claustrophobic myself.
Joy D wrote: "Does anyone have a recommendation for somewhat "literary" crime fiction that's not part of a series? (By literary, I mean something with deep characterization, that's not solely plot-driven and not..."I love Thomas H. Cook's writing - very lyrical and suspenseful, and the unexpected twists at the end -- ! My favorites are The Chatham School Affair and Breakheart Hill.
Another favorite author is Dick Francis - almost all of his books are standalones, and he only has two repeat protagonists, one with two books, and another with four. Though I'm not sure you could call him "literary", his writing is just plain good. (I would not recommend those written by his son Felix, though - he's just nowhere near the caliber of his father, or rather parents as his mother collaborated.)
Theresa wrote: "...Doesn't everyone have a Westlake or two on their TBR? ..."I look forward to his tale of a group that aims at stealing Idi Amin's train: Kahawa. I also want to rectify not reading one of his stories of colorful criminal Parker, writing as Richard Stark.
Thanks, annapi and Michael, for the suggestions. I have read The Name of the Rose and agree it is quite literary. I'll take a look at Cook, Francis, and Barr. I do like Kate Atkinson, at least the one I've read, so one of her books may be a good option.Theresa, I guess I'm an outlier, but I have no Westlake on my TBR.
Joy D wrote: "Theresa, I guess I'm an outlier, but I have no Westlake on my TBR."You are not alone, Joy. I have never even heard of Westlake! lol
I'm having a busy month - parents visiting from Israel, a trip to New Zealand - so not too much time for reading. I'll try to combine challenges. My plan (like many others) was to combine flurries with spooky but that will not happen. Ah well...
Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie should help also with popsugar.
LOL Westlake has never been on my radar either. I will look into him.
Well I was being a tad sarcastic....He was an incredibly prolific writer and many of his books were adapted to film, and not just in US.
Theresa wrote: "Doesn't everyone have a Westlake or two on their TBR? ..."LOL! Technically, I didn't check, but I don't think so...
ETA: Like Nicole, I don't believe I'd heard of him.
Thank you for the link, Jenny! I have Beloved and The History of Wolves on my TBR and also found that I own a copy of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford so I may read one or more of those. I'll have to check if they fit the tag.
Joy D wrote: "Does anyone have a recommendation for somewhat "literary" crime fiction that's not part of a series? (By literary, I mean something with deep characterization, that's not solely plot-driven and not..."Oh, I know I've read something like this but cannot for the life of remember when or what it was! No doubt it was a long time ago. That said, I would think that some of Wilkie Collins' books would work as he has been called a crime writer ahead of his time--if you are looking for classic literature. Some have argued that Bleak House could be one as there is crime in it and a detective, and of course there is a great deal of crime in Oliver Twist by Chalres Dickens.
But I know I've read contemporary and twentieth century literature that could count it's just not coming to mind.
I can't decide between The Dry and The Woman in the Window. I already own both so really want to go with one of the two. Any advice?I'd love to read The Institute, but not sure that really fits - - was going to go with that one if the tag was spooky.
Karin wrote: "Joy D wrote: "Does anyone have a recommendation for somewhat "literary" crime fiction that's not part of a series? (By literary, I mean something with deep characterization, that's not solely plot-..."Thanks, Karin! I forgot about Wilkie Collins, so one of his might be a possibility, I have read almost all of Dickens' catalogue.
Joy D wrote: "Does anyone have a recommendation for somewhat "literary" crime fiction that's not part of a series? (By literary, I mean something with deep characterization, that's not solely plot-driven and not..."I think both of these would fit the bill ...
The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindellor
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
Another one that could be considered ‘literary’ crime fiction is ‘Smilla’s Sense of Snow’. I enjoyed it very much.
Thanks, BC, I've read Burial Rites and will check out the other two.
Anita wrote: "I can't decide between The Dry and The Woman in the Window. I already own both so really want to go with one of the two. Any advice?I'd love to read [book:The Inst..."
The styles and locations are very different, so it may depend on personal preference or mood. I really enjoyed the Woman in the Window. It's a thriller, so you may need to suspend disbelief. I liked the psychological aspect of it. I might read this one first just to decrease the odds of encountering spoilers. Plus - it's Meli's Trim book for October and Darcy is planning to read it too.
If The Dry is like the Jane Harper book I read for the Australia culture tag, I would expect this one to be atmospheric and slower paced. The environment is stark and brutal.
I would expect both to have interesting characters and some red herrings.
Joy D wrote: "Thanks, BC, I've read Burial Rites and will check out the other two."And of course, there's the classic - Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (one of my all-time favorite books)
Book Concierge wrote: "Joy D wrote: "Thanks, BC, I've read Burial Rites and will check out the other two."And of course, there's the classic - Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (on..."
I have Crime and Punishment on pause right now. October might be a good time to finish it.
I highly recommend any of the following: Pleading Guilty
Blood Work
Plum Island
I am going to read Still Life.
Anita wrote: "I can't decide between The Dry and The Woman in the Window. I already own both so really want to go with one of the two. Any advice?I'd love to read [book:The Inst..."
I haven't read The Woman in the Window but knowing your tastes I think you'd like The Dry better. It's got a lot of atmosphere and an interesting main character along with the mystery.
Jenny wrote: "literary thrillers linkhttps://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/b..."
I have Beloved-lined up as a Classic for another challenge-so I could get a "twofer" out of it! Thanks for the heads up Jenny!
Thank you so much, Nancy and Rachel, for your comments! Very helpful. Maybe I will get to both, but I do like a good, interesting character so I might try The Dry first.
Charlie wrote: "I highly recommend any of the following: Pleading Guilty
Blood Work
Plum Island
I am going to read Still Life."
I really liked Plum Island. My husband grew up very close to it. His books are great for long car rides since we both like him.
I love the Gamache/Three Pines series. Still Life is a good start, and it seems to get better with every book. Fatal Grace (#2 in the series) would be perfect for December, because of the great winter scenes. I'll be reading Glass Houses in October. It fits the Halloween theme.
I just posted this on facebook, but will mention it here. I know it's another "plug" for using LT's tagmashes...It makes my librarian heart happy to discover that I can use the Boolean NOT in a "tagmash" search on LibraryThing! LOL!
(Not exactly by using NOT, but by putting two dashes -- ahead of the tag I don't want to see in the list.)
This was so I could do a search for "crime fiction" NOT murder. :-)
Anyway, I found a few more. My library has one (if I get to it... I've already checked out "The Cuckoo's Calling): I Do Not Come to You by Chance by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani
There are lots more (even just on my tbr), but I am happy that I have more options!
LibraryCin wrote: "I just posted this on facebook, but will mention it here. I know it's another "plug" for using LT's tagmashes...It makes my librarian heart happy to discover that I can use the Boolean NOT in a "..."
I just started using LibraryThing-can you explain "tagmash"-is it like a mash of tags, like songs?
Hilde wrote: "Another one that could be considered ‘literary’ crime fiction is ‘Smilla’s Sense of Snow’. I enjoyed it very much."Oh absolutely! I might add Gorky Park to the literary crime fiction category too.
Joanne wrote: "I just started using LibraryThing-can you explain "tagmash"..."You can search for a title that has multiple tags. That's a tagmash.
(Oh, wait! Do you not know tags? Like what they call "shelves" here. You add tags to your books - for example, what is the book about or a genre: historical fiction, family, relationships, etc). That's also where "Play Book Tag" comes from. We choose a "tag" each month (shelfari also used "tag").)
So, I went looking for what would have the tags crime fiction, csw.
(csw are my initials; I tag every book on my tbr with my initials, so I can use tagmashes and easily find what's on my tbr that also has other tags.)
So, what you do is type in the tags you want in the main search box at the top. It will usually come back with no results, but there is a menu on the left. Choose tags. it will then ask if you want a "tagmash" of the tags. Click that, and it shows you all the books where people have (doesn't have to be the same person) tagged those books with those tags you've entered.
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Now, I mentioned earlier here that I was hoping to find stuff for October's "tag" (crime fiction) that wasn't murder. So, I went looking over at LT to see if I could do a Boolean NOT search. I wanted to look for:
(crime fiction, csw) NOT murder.
Turns out I was able to do a tagmash using:
crime fiction, csw, --murder
The -- stood in for NOT.
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That actually didn't bring up anything on my tbr, but, I just modified it a bit and searched instead for:
crime, fiction, csw, --murder
So, I just typed in crime and fiction as separate tags. And, now I have some options that don't include murder that came from my tbr!
LibraryCin wrote: "Joanne wrote: "I just started using LibraryThing-can you explain "tagmash"..."You can search for a title that has multiple tags. That's a tagmash.
(Oh, wait! Do you not know tags? Like what they..."
That sounds handy. I have too many books in gr to transfer to something new, but I might use LT to search for new books. I don't add a lot of tags to a book until I know for sure I'll be reading it (or if it was a recent pbt tag).
I don't know if most people use "fiction" as a tag. So I might search for crime (and leave out fiction), and either manually screen out the true crime and non-fiction tags, or use NOT searches for them.
Boolean searches were really common in the early days of computer searches, but I don't see it much now. I get really frustrated with Google's algorithms because they favor website activity over the quality, depth, or source of information. Maybe I just need to learn more advanced search techniques.
LibraryCin wrote: "Anyway, I found a few more. My library has one (if I get to it... I've already checked out "The Cuckoo's Calling): I Do Not Come to You by Chance by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani
There a..."
That sounds really interesting. It's a whole new type of crime that American authors don't know much about.
Play Book Tag
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I can recommend: American Rust by Philipp Meyer if anyone else is looking for something similar. It has crime in it as a primary plot point, but it's character-driven.