Currently Reading? Just Finished? 2015 Showing 651-700 of 1,722

[Maria]

I've just started reading Ruth Rendall's 'The Girl Next Door'. I've not read any of her novels before but I think I was prompted by her death to give her a try. So far I'm really enjoying it.

[❆ Crystal ❆]

Memory Man ... I've just started as an audiobook.

[Barbara]

I finished Murder In The Afternoon by Frances Brody. In early 1920's England youngsters Harriet and Austin Armstrong take lunch to their dad, stone mason Ethan, at the quarry. They find him on the ground, apparently dead. When the kids return with help Ethan is gone. Ethan's wife, Mary Jane, asks private detective Kate Shackleton for help. As it happens Kate was adopted as a baby and Mary Jane reveals she's Kate's biological sister.

Ethan's body is found and Mary Jane becomes a prime suspect. However, Kate - feeling her blood ties - is determined to demonstrate Mary Jane's innocence. Adding to Kate's problem, her beau - Scotland Yard Detective Marcus Charles - seems to think Mary Jane is guilty.

Kate investigate with the help of her assistant, former policeman Jim Sykes. This provides a few smiles as Sykes pretends to be a hosiery salesman to do his sleuthing. Some humor is also provided by Kate's scheme to unmask an apparent gold-digger who advertises for a wealthy husband in the newspaper.

There are plenty of suspects in this cozy, and an interesting peek into the lives of some of the British 'upper-crust' and 'lower-crust'. I enjoyed the book and recommend it to fans of cozies.

[Bill]

Thomas wrote: "Bill, I just posted a review of 1 of Mckinty's books on member reviews. See https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I don't plan to read any more of this series, but r..."

Thanks, Thomas.

[Ruth]

I finished Bruno, Chief Of Police last night. I thought it was slow to start--more scene setting and character building than I'm used to in mysteries. I love stuff about France, though, so I stuck with it, and once the murder took place, the plot picked up. I'm wondering if the other books in the series have the same construct--a leisurely pace (perhaps to convey the leisurely pace of life in that town) until the featured crime happens.

I liked Bruno quite a bit. I'm not sure he'll become as much a favorite as Guido Brunetti or Armand Gamache, but I plan to read more in the series to see how his character develops.

[Barbara]

I finished Gray Mountain by John Grisham. Samantha Kofer is an associate at a big New York law firm when she's 'furloughed' because of the economy. So Sam becomes a temporary intern at Mountain Aid Legal Clinic in Brady, Virginia. Coal mining companies provide many jobs in Brady, as well as plenty of work for the legal clinic. Samantha soon has cases dealing with spousal abuse, check garnishment, and black lung disease - an affliction associated with coal mining.

Samantha becomes friendly with a local attorney, Donovan Gray, whose family owns 'Gray Mountain', a site that's been destroyed by strip mining. As Samantha learns, strip mining - besides devastating the environment - produces cancer-causing sludge and leads to additional deaths from careless practices.

It's almost impossible to win lawsuits against the mining companies because they employ powerful law firms that fight dirty. Donovan, though, is also willing to fight dirty. As the story proceeds Donovan plans to file a couple of huge lawsuits against mining companies that would embarass them and potentially net millions of dollars in damages - and he wants Samantha to help him.

The book has a large array of interesting characters, including Samantha's parents (both lawyers), her co-workers, and her clients. There's even a spot of romance.

I enjoyed the story and learned a lot about corporate dirty tricks. My biggest criticism is that the book leaves a couple of story lines unresolved and seems unfinished. Still, it's a good story as far as it goes. 3.5 stars.

[Bill]

I'm currently reading The Soft Talkers, a Margaret Millar mystery, The French Executioner by C.C. Humphreys and Blindness by José Saramago.

[Will]

Just finished A Place of Execution by Val McDermid. I thought it was good but a bit overlong and by-the numbers.

[Janeandjerry]

Just finishedSwamp Bones: A Novella

[[deleted user]]

Janeandjerry wrote: "Just finishedSwamp Bones: A Novella"

I liked that short story pretty well, think I gave it 4 stars.

[Barbara]

I finished The Dog Who Knew Too Much by Spencer Quinn. Bernie Little and his dog Chet run the 'Little Detective Agency'. The series is narrated by Chet, whose limited vocabulary, unfamiliarity with idioms, and doggie logic set the stage for plenty of smiles.

In this book Anya Vereen hires Bernie to pose as her boyfriend for parents' weekend at a wilderness camp where her son Devin is a camper. Anya is estranged from her husband Guy and wants protection. Soon after Bernie, Chet, and Anya arrive at the camp they learn that Devin is missing.

Bernie, Chet, and troop leader Turk return to the campsite where Devin disappeared but things don't go well and Devin can't be located. Things get worse when a death occurs and Bernie is arrested for murder. It soon becomes clear that something unsavory is going on in this mountain community and many of the locals just may be in on it.

By dint of good luck and clever moves Chet manages to help Bernie with the assistance of Bernie's girlfriend Suzy. In the interim Bernie is treated badly, Anya is intimidated, Guy gets into trouble, and Chet manages to scarf down biscuits, hamburgers, kibble, and half a BLT.

The plot doesn't quite gel but the book is entertaining and the bad guys get what they deserve - which is always fun. I'd recommend the book for fans of light, humorous mysteries. 3 stars.

[Tom]

Barbara wrote: "I finished The Dog Who Knew Too Much by Spencer Quinn. Bernie Little and his dog Chet run the 'Little Detective Agency'. The series is narrated by Chet, whose limite..."

I read and enjoyed the fist book in this series but never followed up with it. My favorite canine character in fiction, though, is Oberon from Kevin Hearne's series about Atticus O’Sullivan, a 2,100 year-old druid who runs a new age herb shop in Phoenix. I've listened to the audio versions of the first two books, Hounded and Hexed, and in both Oberon had me in stitches.

[Frances]

Just Finished: The Fifth Gospel

Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1218452...

[Barbara]

Tom wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I finished The Dog Who Knew Too Much by Spencer Quinn. Bernie Little and his dog Chet run the 'Little Detective Agency'. The series is narrated by Ch..."

I get a kick out of books with funny pets :)

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I've finished Rendell's Not in the Flesh, and as I noted elsewhere, why The Guardian selected this particular book as one of her five key works is beyond me. Frankly, it's not as good as some of the others that weren't included in the five.

Continuing with my Rendell readathon, I'm rereading her A Dark-Adapted Eye which she wrote as Barbara Vine, since I haven't picked it up in years.

[[deleted user]]

Barbara wrote: "Tom wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I finished The Dog Who Knew Too Much by Spencer Quinn. Bernie Little and his dog Chet run the 'Little Detective Agency'. The series is na..."

I've enjoyed all the books in the Chet and Bernie series.

[Michael]

Hungry Ghosts

[Tom]

I just finished and what a finish it was! I don't usually gravitate towards books about poverty adn drug dealers in Appalachia but I read this with a group and am very glad I did. 5 stars.

[❆ Crystal ❆]

My next audiobook is Simple Genius

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I've just finished A Dark-Adapted Eye, and to me, along with A Judgement in Stone, this is Rendell at her very best. It's not a procedural like the Wexfords, but more of a psychological novel. It blew me away a second time.

[Tom]

Nancy wrote: "I've just finished A Dark-Adapted Eye, and to me, this is Rendell at her very best. It's not a procedural like the Wexfords, but more of ..."

That one has been on my list for a long time. I even bought a second copy forgetting that I already had one.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I was glued to it all day. You would think when I already know the ending that it wouldn't have the effect it did, but jeez -- I bet I could pick it up in a year and it would still be just as intense.

[Bill]

I just finished The Soft Talkers by Margaret Millar this morning. I found myself awake around 3 in the a.m. and had to pick it up to finish it. The story/ mystery itself is relatively straight-forward, well, until a nice little twist at the end. It's Millar's writing style I enjoyed so very much. It doesn't matter how minor a character or incident is, she treats it with loving care and makes it important. The basic premise is that Ron Galloway, who may have cheated on his wife, disappears on the way to a weekend of drinking and fun with some of his pals. The story is told from all of their perspectives, including his wife's and sundry other minor characters' and Millar moves it along nicely, developing her characters and story with such nice attention to detail. It was definitely a gem of a read, one of my favourites of 2015, so far. I highly recommend. Starting the 2nd Shetland mystery now, White Nights by Ann Cleeves.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I love Margaret Millar -- and I think she's very under appreciated these days. Her Beast In View is just excellent -- more of a psychological mystery, but it still holds up incredibly well considering when it was written.

[Bill]

Nancy wrote: "I love Margaret Millar -- and I think she's very under appreciated these days. Her Beast In View is just excellent -- more of a psychological mystery, but it still holds up incredibl..."

I have that to read. I thought the same about The Soft Talkers, it was written in the 1950s but it didn't matter, it was just excellent.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

She was married to Ross Macdonald.

[Bill]

Nancy wrote: "She was married to Ross Macdonald."

She was indeed. Another writer I've never read. I may have to try one of the Lew Archer books..

[Andrew✌️]

I've finished Words of Radiance, a great book and a very interesting series. Now I'm reading The Anubis Gates. I have't read enoguh to say something, but the beginning is intersting, a mix of magic and steampunk.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I loved The Anubis Gates -- filed under "dessert read."

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Bill wrote: "Nancy wrote: "She was married to Ross Macdonald."

She was indeed. Another writer I've never read. I may have to try one of the Lew Archer books.."

I've read the first one -- pretty good, but my husband said they were formulaic for him.

[Curlyhair]

Just started Play Dead by Harlan Coben. A great thriller writer imo.

[Andy]

Just finished

Really loved them both

Reading

Not digging it as much as Miss Perrigreens
Hope it gets better.

[Barbara]

I finished Murder 101 by Faye Kellerman. In this 22nd book in the series, former LAPD detective Peter Decker - who's close to retirement - is now working for the Greenbury, NY police department. He and his wife Rina moved East to be closer to their children. As the book opens, a couple of Tiffany stained glass panels have been stolen from a mausoleum in the local cemetery, replaced by cheap fakes. A couple of suspects come to light, a young female student and an award-winning professor. Both are soon murdered.

Decker leads the investigation along with a too-full-of himself Harvard-educated partner named Tyler McAdams who's taken a temporary job with the Greenbury PD. Decker and McAdams discover that the murders seem to be associated with art thefts, perhaps of some very valuable works.

Rina and Decker's old partner Oliver help with the investigation; everyone puts heir heads together to make sense of the clues, twists, and numerous suspects. Rina also fosters camaraderie by organizing a delicious kosher dinner and serving tasty sandwiches and snacks as needed.

I enjoyed visiting with familiar characters and I liked the plot until the end. The unmasking of the killer and the reasons for the crimes are anti-climactic and, in fact, don't make a lot of sense. I can't whole heartedly recommend the book but fans of the series will probably like it okay.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

for NetGalley review; #3 in the Simon Serailler series; and listening to #2 in the inspector Alan Banks series. Enjoying all of them.

[Neville]

Just started by Paula Hawkins

[❆ Crystal ❆]

I'm starting Jack & Jill

[[deleted user]]

Good book Crystal!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

My five-book Rendell readathon is finished -- I haven't yet posted on Goodreads, but you can see the results here.

[Rhian]

Just finished the eyes of darkness by dean koontz, so time to choose a new read, oh I wish I picked up Mr Mercedes when I went shopping in the week

[Nancy]

Thanks Barbara for the Murder 101 take. I am a fan of the series but lost track..nice to hear about the newest book.

[❆ Crystal ❆]

Kathryn wrote: "Good book Crystal!"

Thanks Kathryn. :-)

[Freda]

Just finished Trauma by Michael and Daniel Palmer

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

[[deleted user]]

Rhian wrote: "Just finished the eyes of darkness by dean koontz, so time to choose a new read, oh I wish I picked up Mr Mercedes when I went shopping in the week"

Go back and get it!

[Rhian]

@Kathryn I will be going back for it this week

[Barbara]

Nancy wrote: "Thanks Barbara for the Murder 101 take. I am a fan of the series but lost track..nice to hear about the newest book."

You're welcome Nancy. I like the series too.

[Barbara]

I finished The Son by Jo Nesbø. Norwegian Sonny Lofthus, a 30-year-old heroin addict convicted of two murders, has been in Staten Prison for 12 years. Sonny lost his way after his cop father, Ab Lofthus, committed suicide amid a corruption scandal involving a police mole. Sonny - needing heroin - has been an 'official scapegoat' for years, taking the blame for crimes committed by other people. All this is engineered by ruthless criminals in cahoots with corrupt officials.

Then one day a fellow criminal - dying of cancer - admits to Sonny that his dad was murdered and framed. Sonny goes cold turkey and engineers a prison break. He then goes on a murderous rampage to get revenge against people who did wrong to his father and himself.

Sonny's crimes are investigated by Simon Kefas, a homicide cop who was close to Ab Lofthus. Simon is reputed to be an honest cop who detests police corruption. He has problems though; he's a recovering gambling addict with a vision-impaired wife who needs expensive surgery in the U.S. - a situation that makes criminals think Simon might be open to bribes.

For me the biggest problem with the book was my skepticism that Sonny - an impaired addict who barely knew what a cell phone was upon his escape from prison - was able to engineer the complex (genius-level) acts of revenge described in the story. Nevertheless, the well-written, fast-moving book grabs and holds your attention from the first page to the last. I'd highly recommend it to fans of mystery thrillers.

[Vishakha]

Just finished and currently reading

[Ruth]

Just started reading The Beekeeper's Apprentice. I'm only about 30 pages in or so, but I'm loving it so far.

[Fiona (Titch)]

Finished Accidentally in Love with...a God? - Mimi Jean Pamfiloff. Now I am reading The Doll's House - M.J. Arlidge.

[Georgia]

Ruth, I thought it was a good book.