Currently Reading? Just Finished? 2015 Showing 451-500 of 1,722

[Michael]

Just finished The Spook Lights Affair

This is the second book in a new series by Muller & Pronzini. Takes place in San Franciso in the 1890's.
Good plotting, interesting characters. This is going to be a good series to follow.

[Barbara]

I finished The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen.
Danish detective Carl Morck is psychologically damaged after an attempted arrest resulted in the death of one partner and paralysis of another. Thus he's 'promoted' to head of Department Q, which looks into cold cases. Department Q is housed in the dank basement and Carl is given one employee - Syrian immigrant Assad - who turns out to be a man of many talents (and my favorite character).
After futzing around doing nothing for weeks Carl is forced to show some progress so he looks into the disappearance 5 years before of Merete Lynggaard of the Social Democratic Party, who vanished from a ferry. In fact Merete is being held prisoner under appalling conditions for reasons she can't fathom. The story jumps back and forth between Merete's kidnapping starting in 2002 and what's going on in 2007 during Morck's new investigation.
Adding to his disaffection Carl has an estranged wife who soaks him for money and an adolescent stepson who takes advantage of him. In addition, Carl has a crush on the new counselor/psychologist in the police department, and rather embarasses himself.
The villains in the story are horrific and there's a dramatic suspenseful climax.
The characters in the book are well-portrayed and interesting. I highly recommend this book to mystery lovers.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Halfway through Jack of Spades: A Tale of Suspense, by Joyce Carol Oates. My brain is tired after having finished The Pioneers by James Fenimore Cooper so I'm taking it easy for a bit.

[Autumn]

I just finished Birdman and I was disappointed. I gave it three stars. I thought the idea was good and the concept why the serial killer was named The Birdman was unique and interesting, but it did not have an interesting enough twisted, sick, ick factor for me. I wanted something really dark, and this was just not it. But, pretty good for a first novel. I just felt that so much could have been weeded out.

[Jennifer]

Just finished Wolf in Winter. Great book.

[Tom]

Jennifer wrote: "Just finished Wolf in Winter. Great book."

If you haven't read Connolly's other Charlie Parker books you should join us as we read through the series. We're working on book two now. The discussion is here: Dark Hollow discussion

[Fiona (Titch)]

I have finished the whole series of Riding Steele: Kidnapped, Riding Steele: Untamed, Riding Steele: Collide, Riding Steele: Wanted, Riding Steele: Crossroads and Riding Steele: Aftershock - Opal Carew. Which I thoroughly enjoyed. Now I am going to read In the Blood - Lisa Unger for a buddy read with someone off Goodreads.

[Rhian]

back to the will trent series by Karin Slaughter currently reading criminal

[Frances]

I just finished H/F: The Spider and the Stone: A Novel of Scotland's Black Douglas

My reviews: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1140459...

[John]

Just finished by A.J. Stewart. I'm now reading by Andy Weir.

[Chevelle]

I just finished . Absolutely great read, fast pace and a captivating story with twists you never expect. I highly recommend it if you like mystery thrillers

[Michael]

Just finished Sunday Nights at Seven by Jack Benny and his daughter Joan. Not that great a read.

Just starting The Farm by Tom Rob Smith. I've read two other books by this author and really enjoyed them.

[Britney]

Just finished . Very good fast paced thriller.

[Frances]

Chevelle wrote: "I just finished . Absolutely great read, fast pace and a captivating story with twists you never expect. I highly recommend it if you like mystery thrillers"

Thanks for the recommendation Chevelle - I'll have to check this one out.

[Bill]

Finished the 7th Anna Pigeon book, Liberty Falling and enjoyed very much. The books are always good value for money. We get to see a bit more of her sister Molly this time as Anna is in New York to take care of her while Molly lies in critical condition in hospital. As well, you can throw in a mystery at Liberty Island. Good entertainment value as always. 3.5 stars. Starting a new author this time, with a scientific thriller, James Kennaway's The Mind Benders

[Sean]

A wild-living young heiress slams into trouble in the L.A. night—the kind of trouble even her money can’t shut down. After her Aston Martin collides with a mysterious car, Larkin Conner Barkley attempts to help the accident victims—and becomes the sole witness in a federal investigation. Whisking her out of her Beverly Hills world is Joe Pike—ex-cop, ex-Marine, ex-mercenary—hired to shield Larkin from a relentless team of killers. But when a chain of lies and betrayals tightens around them, Pike drops off the grid and follows his own rules for survival: strike fast, hit hard, hunt down the hunters. . . .

Author Robert Crais introduced one of the funniest and emotionally complex private detectives to come along in years in Elvis Cole, but he also crafted one of the hardest heroes to see print in decades. Joe Pike is the king of cool, the master of the understatement, and a man haunted by personal demons he'll never talk about, Pike seems a bit more human, a bit more flawed.

But to me an important part of this book is also the humour supplied by the great personality of Elvis Cole, and Robert Crais could not have created two such different characters, and to me that is the stongest part of the book, alongside young Larkin Barklay.

What the book lacked a little to me, and the reason why I return to authors like Simon Kernick, Tom Wood and David Baldacci, is the tension, speed, the twists and turns, like I have been on a rollercoaster ride after reading the last few chapters of a book. Here this book lacked that tension.

Okay four stars, just for the strength in the main characters, but lacking that killer pace.

[Michael]

Mike wrote: "Just finished Sunday Nights at Seven by Jack Benny and his daughter Joan. Not that great a read.

Just starting The Farm by [author:Tom Rob Smith|98183..."

I read halfway through "The Farm" yesterday and IMHO it does not live up to the writing standards of his russian books. I'm going to see it through to the end, but I don't think I'm going to like it any better when it's finished.

[[deleted user]]

Finished Motive by Jonathan Kellerman last night and it was very good, 4 stars. Starting Private Vegas by James Patterson today.

[Frances]

I have started: A Dubious Secret - definitely different!

[Barbara]

I finished Blueberry Muffin Murder by Joanne Fluke. The sleuth in this cozy series is Hannah Swensen who owns the 'Cookie Jar' bakery in Lake Eden, Minnesota and has two beaus - dentist Norman and detective Mike.
Lake Eden is planning a winter carnival. TV star Connie Mac - who hosts a cooking show, writes cookbooks, and own cookery shops - is in town for the festivities. Connie Mac is haughty, conceited, and bossy. When her carnvial cake suffers a mishap she commandeers the Cookie Jar to bake a replacement and is soon found dead on the premises. There are plenty of suspects, including Connie Mac's husband, her harassed employees, and even Norman - who was asked to photograph her.
Though warned by detecitve Mike to stay away, Hannah jumps in to investigate the murder with the help of her sister Andrea. As usual in this sereis the actual police investigation is minimal, which I find very unrealistic.
The winter carnival activities add interest, as does Hannah baking and distributing cookies around town. The book includes several recipes for Hannah's cookies; the multiple choice cookies seem particularly intriguing.
Nothing too exciting happens but if you're a fan of cozies you'll probably enjoy this book. 3 stars.

[Sharon]

Just finished The Cuckoo's Calling and liked it, although I think some of the detail in the middle of the book could have been condensed without difficulty. Probably not a book I will re-read, but do plan to look for the next book in the series.

[Barbara]

I finished Remains of Innocence by J.A. Jance. Massachusetts resident Selma Matchett, a mean hoarder, is estranged from her children, Liza and Guy. When Selma enters hospice care, Liza finds nearly $150,000 hidden in Selma's house. Liza spends some of the cash to renovate her mother's decrepit house. Then, at Selma's funeral, a man tells Liza that be knew her long-absent father and that Liza needs to be careful because some people 'don't forget'. Murder and mayhem soon begin and Liza takes off on the 'underground railroad' operated by long-haul truckers - which is meant for abused women. Liza's plan is to get to her brother Matthew in Bisbee, Arizona to see if he can explain what's going on.
Meanshile, in Bisbee, Sheriff Joanna Brady has a lot to deal with. Junior, a beloved handicapped man is found murdered - his body lying in a cave with a live but tortured kitten. Joanna fears a budding serial killer might be responsible. The medical examiner, Dr. Guy Matchett (Liza's brother), is scheduled to do Junior's autopsy but he is soon found brutally murdered himself. Joanna thinks the Junior and Guy deaths are unrelated and - when she's contacted by cops in Massachusetts looking for Liza - concludes there's a connection between the crimes in Massachusetts and Guy's death.
The story skips back and forth between Liza's trek across the U.S. and Joanna's investigations in Arizona.
Joanna solves Junior's murder with the help of forensics and the Matchett case with the help of federal authorities. The Machett solution, however, didn't ring true for me. This is a fine addition to the Joanna Brady series and recommended for mystery fans. 3.5 stars.

[Tom]

I just finished , the second Charlie Parker book by John Connolly. This book was better even than the first one. I'm looking forward to continuing to work through this series and will start reading next month.

[Bill]

Currently enjoying Mind Benders by James Kennaway, a 1960's psychological spy thriller (at least I think that's what it is) and just starting Death at Bishop's Keep by Robin Paige, the first Kathryn Ardleigh historical mystery.

[Arlene]

Just started

[Ellen]

Just finished Gone Baby Gone by Dennis Lehane. It was violent, implausible and over the top. I couldn't put it down.Gone, Baby, Gone

[Tom]

Ellen wrote: "Just finished Gone Baby Gone by Dennis Lehane. It was violent, implausible and over the top. I couldn't put it down.Gone, Baby, Gone"

You should try his new trilogy, starting with

[Ellen]

Tom wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Just finished Gone Baby Gone by Dennis Lehane. It was violent, implausible and over the top. I couldn't put it down.Gone, Baby, Gone"

You should try his new trilogy, st..."

I'm a police psychologist and writer, so while the book was a great escape, to me it demeans the difficulties and dangers real cops face. One woman's opinion, clearly his books are beloved by many.

[[deleted user]]

I just finished Bloodstream by Tess Gerritsen and I thought it was great. The mystery of what was going on, teenagers going nuts and killing people, had me hooked. I wasn't disappointed.

[Rhian]

@ Kathryn I liked bloodstream too although gravity is my favourite stand-alone by tess gerritsen

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Bill wrote: "Currently enjoying Mind Benders by James Kennaway, a 1960's psychological spy thriller (at least I think that's what it is) and just starting [book:Death at Bishop's..."

I've got Kennaway's book on my tbr shelf -- I'm glad you're enjoying it!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I think I'm going to start Game of Mirrors by Camilleri here shortly -- my poor brain needs a break!

[Frances]

Nancy wrote: "I think I'm going to start Game of Mirrors by Camilleri here shortly -- my poor brain needs a break!"

lol - I felt the same way Nancy and started reading A Dubious Secret. Gosh it started off so bizarre I almost gave up on it, but is proving to be an "easy, somewhat hilarious" read I'm almost finished. A nice change from my other type of books I usually read.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I get to the point where I'm just on brain overload so I pull out what I call "the dessert reads." Trust me -- I have stacks of those for when I need a break!

[Augustus]

I just started reading Michael Chabon's "The Yiddish Policemen's Union." I've read some of his works before. He's such a good writer, and a good speaker; I saw him in person.

[Arlene]

Just started and also

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I LOVE Madame Bovary! Great book.

[Christine]

Just started Taboo by Casey Hill. So far, so good.

[Arlene]

I'm looking forward to this Nancy, I have had this in my to read stack for a very long time.

[Taylor]

I just finished reading the first book to this series known as the Smokey Barette series, this was the first book: Shadow Man. I absolutely adore these books mainly because I ended up finding the fourth book (Abandoned)and reading it first (which is okay to do with these books because McFadyen does a great job explaining the backstory in each one which can be both annoying and a blessing at the same time).
Each book focuses around Smoky Barette, a FBI agent who has a great skill at what she does: catching serial killers. Each book focuses around a different serial killer, and holy moly! there is a plot twist in each one. I love these books because they are unpredictable! They really mess with your emotions, and will throw you through a loop.

I am currently reading the second book, and I am almost done. I do not cry very easily, but this specific book has made me tear up. I'd say (so far) this one is the best one:
The Face of Death.

[Teresa]

Just finished . Currently reading , and

[[deleted user]]

Rhian wrote: "@ Kathryn I liked bloodstream too although gravity is my favourite stand-alone by tess gerritsen"

I haven't read Gravity yet, but my favorite of her stand-alones so far is Harvest.

[Steve]

I'm reading The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen. Great story so far, with a witty and compelling outsider of a main character offering a unique view of American war and culture.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Steve wrote: "I'm reading The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen. Great story so far, with a witty and compelling outsider of a main character offering a unique view of American culture.
[bookcove..."

I've been hearing good things about that book. Maybe I'll give it a try.

[Steve]

Nancy wrote: "Steve wrote: "I'm reading The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen. Great story so far, with a witty and compelling outsider of a main character offering a unique view of American cultu..."

I'm glad I gave it a try. Definitely recommend it so far. The only thing that took some getting use to was the lack of quotation marks, but there are solid literary reasons for this and I respect the author's choice.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Steve wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Steve wrote: "I'm reading The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen. Great story so far, with a witty and compelling outsider of a main character offering a unique view of ..."

Stylistic stuff like that never bothers me.i'll look forward to it.

[Bill]

Nancy wrote: "Bill wrote: "Currently enjoying Mind Benders by James Kennaway, a 1960's psychological spy thriller (at least I think that's what it is) and just starting [book:Deat..."

I finished it last night, kind of a strange little book, but enjoyable overall. I'm not sure what point Kennaway was trying to make, but I liked the flow and the whole story of the sensory deprivation tank and it's impact on the mind was interesting. I'd like to try the movie sometime. It reminded me somewhat of another movie I saw back a few years, Paddy Chayefsky's Altered States (but a much milder story)..

[Frances]

I've just finished:
A Dubious Secret

My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1227230...

[Frances]

Now reading:
Eye for an Eye

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Reading Alas, For Her That Met Me!, by Mary Ann Ashe, aka Christianna Brand. It's another fictional account of the Madeleine Smith murder case of 1857.