English Mysteries Club discussion
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What are you Currently Reading?
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John
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Sep 27, 2021 10:59AM
I'm nearly finished with A Man Called Jones by Julian Symons. The other Inspector Bland books are very difficult to find, but not sure I'm that keen after this one.
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Am reading Murder in the Museum by John Rowland — one of the British Library Crime Classics. It's pretty fun.
Just found -- I think from a recommendation from Amazon -- a new author for me: H.L. Marsay and his Chief Inspector Shadow series. Just finished the first book, and I enjoyed this curmudgeonly character, who's quite the Luddite:
A Long Shadow
Oh, thanks for the reminder! I got 1/3 through Death Comes to the Archbishop & was distracted by one after another must-read-now (book groups, conferences, etc.). Forgot all about it but look forward to going back to it. Such a meditative pace & viewpoint compared with 21st-c crime fiction.
I am reading some fanfic: The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict. I rarely rarely read fanfic. So many books on TBR here, tjere, and everywhere. Since I am enjoying this novel very much, I am glad to be reading fanfic.
I've just started The Armada Boy by Kate Ellis, book 2 in her Wesley Peterson series. Enjoying it so far.Dorothy, I hope you enjoyed Death Comes for the Archbishop. It is the first book I read by Willa Cather and a strong contender for my favourite of hers.
Happy to hear that you are reading and enjoying The Armada Boy, Steve. I enjoyed it as well, appreciating a strong story with interesting characters, dialogue and descriptions.I have yet to read Willa Cather's Death Comes for the Archbishop but have enjoyed two of her prior books, My Ántonia and O Pioneers!.
I am currently reading A Man by Keiichirō Hirano. Have to admit I have gotten to more than 40 percent in the story and I'm not sure how I feel about it. The story begins with a man who meets and marries a young woman, then is killed in a tragic accident. It is after he dies that the woman discovers he was not who he said he was. The woman's lawyer attempts to find out who he really was and why he chose to lead a life under a name and background not his own.
I suppose there is a psychological aspect to the story but I've heard it called a thriller and so far, I haven't seen it.
Pamela wrote: "Happy to hear that you are reading and enjoying The Armada Boy, Steve. I enjoyed it as well, appreciating a strong story with interesting characters, dialogue and descriptions.I have yet to read ..."
The Japanese story gained more traction for me as it went on.
Steve wrote: "Dorothy, I hope you enjoyed [book:Death Comes for the Archbi..."Steve, I'm with you on Death Comes for the Archbishop. Love, love, love it. The "feeling" of time and place, and what Latour and Vaillant go through, is mesmerizing.
I decided about a year or two ago that I wanted to read everything Cather has written. Of course, at the time I didn’t realize exactly how much she has written, but I have read a few novels and like them all. Some I love. I also have found more at used books stores and they are waiting for me. So many books, too little time. There are other writers I want to read too but they haven’t proven themselves to me yet, authors like Henry James.
As always, I find new titles and new authors as I read through everyone's posts -- for which I am thankful.Making my way through Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks series, having just finished Cold is the Grave "Cold Is the Grave."
Also enjoying Ruth Rendell Ruth Rendell's Inspector Wexford series.
Thomas wrote: "I read book 11, I Shot the Buddha in the Siri Paiboun series by Colin CotterillIt is full of quirky characters set in late 1970s Laos. My review https://www.goodrea..."
Thanks for the reminder about this series. I read -- and enjoyed -- the first few books of the series and then became sidetracked.
Deb wrote: "Thomas wrote: "I read book 11, I Shot the Buddha in the Siri Paiboun series by Colin CotterillIt is full of quirky characters set in late 1970s Laos. My review http..."
Deb wrote: "Thomas wrote: "I read book 11, I Shot the Buddha in the Siri Paiboun series by Colin Cotterill
You're Welcome
It is full of quirky characters set in late 1970s Laos. My review http..."
Just finished
which I thoroughly enjoyed so have gone straight on to number 2 in the series.and of course I have also finished
the latest Gamache which I listened to. Love Gamache - but as Susan Hill has released the next Serrailler book I will be busy with that one too - also on Audible.
John wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Happy to hear that you are reading and enjoying The Armada Boy, Steve. I enjoyed it as well, appreciating a strong story with interesting characters, dialogue and descriptions.I ha..."
Finished the story a couple days ago and then went to my book club to discuss it. I understand the book better now. Several of us didn't like the writing but as it was translated, we wondered it is a matter of the translation. The idea of taking on an alternative identity is interesting.
Listening to Murder at the Castle: An Exham on Sea Mystery Whodunnit. Perhaps I might like if better of I'd started at the beginning, but only finishing this one for the narration... and because I paid for it.Later DNF'ed
Reading one of the books that I picked up online right after the COVID shutdown and am glad that I did: Dragon's Lair
by Sharon Kay Penman. It's very good and yesterday I devoted far too much time reading it, rather than other things, although I managed to at least get some laundry done.
Sharon Kay Penman is a master storyteller, Pamela. All her books are a joy to read. Sorry to hear of her passing earlier in the year.
Reading the latest "Royal Spyness" at the moment:
God Rest Ye, Royal Gentlemen by Rhys Bowen, quite the delightful lady.Also found out the second S. J. Bennett book with QEII as detective will be published in March:
All the Queen's Men. Or, as it's known in the UK:
. At least, that's what Amazon U.S. says. I think I like the UK title better! Another of those mysteries with a touch of humor and whimsy.
I read The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill I found it to be too slow moving for my taste.It is a mystery set in present day England. I rated it 3.5 stars rounded down. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thomas wrote: "I read The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill I found it to be too slow moving for my taste.It is a mystery set in present day England. I rated it 3.5 stars rounded do..."
Good to know, Thomas. I had been looking at this very book and was considering but couldn't find a good review that really told me what it would be like to read this book. Yours is truly invaluable.
Pamela wrote: "Thomas wrote: "I read The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill I found it to be too slow moving for my taste.It is a mystery set in present day England. I rated it 3.5 s..."
Thanks Pamela
Pamela, if you’re interested in a character driven story, the Serailler book is really good. It depends on what you want from your reading. It’s the first of an excellent series but is not an action series per se or a police procedural in spite of much activity taking place in police headquarters or among police personnel.
I read Past Life by David Mark It is a dark, gritty mystery with several murders and some graphic violence. Definitely not a cozy mystery. It is set in Hull, Yorkshire, England. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Started the first in a series set in Somerset: A Village Murder, which shows promise. (free for Audible Plus members)
I've just finished E.C.R. Lorac's Speak Justly of the Dead. Lorac E. C. R. Speak Justly of the DeadLorac was a prolific writer during the golden age of mystery; there are 46 books in her Robert MacDonald series. I enjoyed this one and look forward to get my hands on more titles in the series.
I'm rereading Margery Allingham's Black Plumes and loving it. What a pleasure to be back in the heart of the Golden Age, when mystery writers were serious novelists, reveling in the intricacies & delights of plot, language, subtlety of character.... No sign of Mr. Campion, but that's fine -- fun to see her/their talents stretch in a different direction.
I'm in the midst of another book from the Golden Age of Detective fiction with an author I'd never heard about before: Too Many Cousins by Douglas G. Browne. It's been a bit difficult to find out much about him and it's rare to find copies of his work. This one was sent to me by my cousin.
I read Violeta by Isabel Allende and I recommend it. It is historical fiction set in Chile, from 1920-2020.My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Deb wrote: "I've just finished E.C.R. Lorac's Speak Justly of the Dead. Lorac E. C. R. Speak Justly of the DeadLorac was a prolific writer during the golden age of mystery; ..."
Just realized I read this last year and thought it was very good. I've also read Bats in the Belfry and Murder in the Mill-Race, and have four others waiting to be read.
Currently reading A Connecticut Yankee in King🤴🏻 Arthur's Court which might take me until Christmas🎄🎅🏻 to finish🏁
Not all of the mysteries I read fall into the category of what our group defines as the "English style;" but the short-story anthology I started on yesterday,
English Country House Murders, definitely does! This is another collection I'll be reading when I'm between novels; so it goes on my "being read intermittently" shelf.
Werner wrote: "Not all of the mysteries I read fall into the category of what our group defines as the "English style;" but the short-story anthology I started on yesterday, [bookcover:English Country House Murde..."I have that book! I should start reading it — it's been so patient for too long.
Dorothy wrote: "I've just finished "The Thursday Murder Club" and am well into " The Moonflower Murders""I am considering getting my hands on The Thursday Murder Club sometime in the new year, Dorothy. Did you enjoy the story?
To be honest, I was a bit disappointed. I think this happens when a book is so widely admired. It was quite good and I am giving it 4 stars.
I decided to read one of the nominations for Dec, Crimson Snow: Winter Mysteries. I'm not normally a 'seasonal reader' but thought short stories were a good option during this crazy busy month plus the British Library Crime Classics were new to me so I thought I'd try them out. So far they are very enjoyable! I'm also listening to The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie while walking - fun so far!
Dorothy wrote: "To be honest, I was a bit disappointed. I think this happens when a book is so widely admired. It was quite good and I am giving it 4 stars."For me it was the same. 3 stars from me.
I just finished reading 4:50 from Paddington by Agatha Christie. It was good! Trying to figure out what's next now:)
Tracey wrote: "I have just picked up Portrait of a Murderer
by Anne Meredith"I just finished 'The Postscript Murders' by Ellie Griffiths. A very good read.
Right now, I’m not reading any mysteries. I’m reading a ghost story, some Lovecraft and a few horror stories. Just finished some science fiction and a cute little children’s book.Zain 😎
Working on Plague Pits & River Bones, part of the Regency period series featuring Inspector Lavender.
This month, a multi-person buddy read of
Dead Man's Folly by Agatha Christie is going on in another of my group's, and I've recently joined in. Even though I'm late to the party, I'm confident I can finish the book well before Dec. 31, since it's only 178 pages long. This is actually a reread for me; but my previous read was as a pre-teen kid, and my memories of the book are only vestigial.
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