Currently Reading? Just Finished? 2015 Showing 901-950 of 1,722

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

ah. Well, it's on Bill then, not me! :)

[Lance]

True crime: False Impressions: The Hunt for Big-Time Art Fakes is a relatively painless introduction to the world of art fraud and forgery, led by a highly experienced and articulate guide. It's much more like listening to stories at a cocktail party than being in the field or the lab, and you'll learn more about the author and less about detecting forgeries than you strictly need to. Still, it's not a bad way to get started. Fourish stars.

Read the full review here.

[Bill]

Nancy wrote: "ah. Well, it's on Bill then, not me! :)"

I refuse to accept responsibility for your faulty posting technique..

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

Just finished . Here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Bill wrote: "Nancy wrote: "ah. Well, it's on Bill then, not me! :)"

I refuse to accept responsibility for your faulty posting technique.."

Harumph!

[Barbara]

I finished Wicked Business by Janet Evanovich. I like Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series so I decided to give this Lizzy and Diesel book a try.

Unfortunately the story plods along with a thin plot and characters that aren't that funny. 2.5 stars.

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

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

After killing myself while doing the 28-day squat challenge, I couldn't move yesterday so I had lots of time to read. I finished Irrepressible: The Jazz Age Life of Henrietta Bingham, by Emily Bingham.

[Ruth]

Just finished Murder at the Lanterne Rouge. Getting close to the end on this series. I wouldn't say I love it, but it's been a nice diversion.

[Thomas]

I have just started Death in Breslau which was a group read nominee. If anyone who voted for it wants to do a buddy read, lmk.

[[deleted user]]

Barbara wrote: "I finished Wicked Business by Janet Evanovich. I like Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series so I decided to give this Lizzy and Diesel book a try.

Unfortunately the story..."

I read two in this series and decided it was enough.

[[deleted user]]

Finished Solitude Creek by Jeffery Deaver and decided on 4 stars.

[Arlene]

Just finished , wow I never see the ending of Ruth Rendell's books coming which I love!

[Sean]

Featuring Simon Kernick's maverick detective, TINA BOYD, this is the gripping new race-against-time thriller by the best-selling author of Relentless, The Last 10 Seconds and Stay Alive.

Matt Barron is recovering from a serious car crash in which he lost his memory. His Sister Jane has nursed him for months with the help of conscientious male Nurse Ben and Hypnotherapist Dr Bronson. Of course this being a Simon Kernick book nothing and no-one is what they seem and the first fatalities are not long in coming. Barron runs for his life and the carnage begins. With the help of Tina Boyd, now a Private Detective, Barron slowly discovers his past and why people are intent on shutting him up.

Like all of Kernick's books, some familiar characters will make an appearance along the way, including Tina Boyd and DCI Mike Bolt. As we will also learn, Matt Barron has himself been a major character in a previous book .

I know why I return to Simon Kernick, because you cannot find many authors who can keep up with him for action, suspense, heart pounding chilling and thrilling and gripping stories.

To me, like Lacey Flint from Sharon Bolton, Tina Boyd is another great character, that you are happy to follow and seem to get to know better with each book.

When you just cannot stop thinking about the book you are reading, and cannot wait to get back to it, you know it's good, it has your attention.

Simon Kernick continues to be one of my favourite authors, and my usual five stars.

[Ellen]

I just finished Iron Lake by William Kent Kruger. His stand alone Ordinary Grace is a masterpiece and prompted me to read his mysteries.The bad news is that Iron Lake is a quick read, but nothing as lyrical or magnetic as Ordinary Grace. The good news is more personal. I'm a mystery writer. It's encouraging to know that writers can get better with time and experience. And that a fine writer like Kruger started out in the middle of the pack. I'm on to the next in the series as eager to watch Kruger's development as I am to follow the misadventures of his protagonist, Cork O'Connor.

[Ami]

I know it's not a mystery or thriller which is my normal reading material, but I just finished Judy Blumes newest book and I enjoyed it. I always liked her books as a young girl and her stories are just nice to read. It was a good break for me.

[Tom]

Ami wrote: "I know it's not a mystery or thriller which is my normal reading material, but I just finished Judy Blumes newest book and I enjoyed it. I always liked her books as a young girl and her stories are..."

Is that In the Unlikely Event? That looks interesting. What did you think of it?

[Ctgt]

Just finished Lonesome Dove, what a phenomenal book! Highly recommended even if you don't like westerns.

Also blew through Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man’s Fight for Justice written by Bill Browder who made a ton of money with his Hermitage Captital group speculating on Russian stocks after the fall of communism. While there is plenty of the financial aspects early on in the book it shifts gears as he and his employees try to expose corruption in the Russian government. Really compelling and read like a fast paced thriller.

About halfway through Merkabah Rider: Tales of a High Planes Drifter for my weird western group.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

Have just finished 5* - here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..., and also 4* - here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Barbara]

I finished Stranger In Paradise by Robert B. Parker.

In this addition to the Chief of Police Jesse Stone series, Jesse and Wilson (Crow) Cromartie - a big-time criminal - cooperate to help a teen girl.

The plot is fairly predictable, a lot of the characters are not likable, and there's a spot too much hanky-panky. Easy reading though, good for a plane or beach. 2.5 stars.

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

[Ami]

Yes that's what I was referring to. I enjoyed it because I appreciate her stories. Her characters are relatable and easy to like. I did not realize there were three plane crashes like that until her book came out and I felt like the main characters in the story were appropriate for the situations. It's not the worlds greatest novel but it's a nice story about people and I appreciate that.

[Olivia "So many books--so little time.""]

I'm currently reading Below by Ryan Lockwood. So far it's been good. I just finished Dead By Midnight by Beverly Barton. Iiit was very good--I gave it four stars,

[Tom]

I stayed up late last night finishing To Kill a Mockingbird . It's my third time through this book and it is still my number one all-time favorite, maybe even morese than ever).
Now it's on to Go Set a Watchman .

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Tom wrote: "I stayed up late last night finishing To Kill a Mockingbird. It's my third time through this book and it is still my number one all-time favorite, ..."

I'll be saving that for my vacation in October. I will have lots of time to read then.

[Tom]

Nancy wrote: "I'll be saving that for my vacation in October. I will have lots of time to read then. "

It was either that or The Black Minutes which I picked up from the library yesterday but that one is longer than I expected and I want to be on top of Watchman for the Southern Lit groups reading of it in August.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Tom wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I'll be saving that for my vacation in October. I will have lots of time to read then. "

It was either that or The Black Minutes w..."

I love that book. Surreal.

[Jane]

I have just started Test of Wills by Charles Todd and so far I am really enjoying it.

[Bill]

Nancy wrote: "Tom wrote: "I stayed up late last night finishing To Kill a Mockingbird. It's my third time through this book and it is still my number one all-tim..."

I'm just over half way through it. Not what I expected, I don't think. It's definitely making me think...

[Lance]

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot's witty prose, love-them-or-hate-them protagonists, thriller tropes without thriller pacing, and general air of self-satire may leave you partly entertained and somewhat puzzled. Slacker cyberpunk? Literary conspiracy thriller? You decide. I decided on three stars.

Read the full review here.

[Eileen]

I just finished Maisie Dobbs the first book in the series and thoroughly enjoyed meeting the young detective as she sets out on her own and learning what brought her to that point.

[Bill]

Eileen wrote: "I just finished Maisie Dobbs the first book in the series and thoroughly enjoyed meeting the young detective as she sets out on her own and learning what brought her to that point."

Excellent first book. It does make me want to find out more about Maisie. Glad you enjoyed as well.

[Thomas]

Ellen wrote: "I just finished Iron Lake by William Kent Kruger. His stand alone Ordinary Grace is a masterpiece and prompted me to read his mysteries.The bad news is that Iron Lake is a quick read, but nothing a..."

Thanks, Ellen, I will have to take a look at Ordinary Grace - right after I finish Heretic by Lewis Weinstein. Thomas

[Barbara]

I finished Death of a Nightingale by Lene Kaaberbøl.

In this third book in the series, Natasha - a Ukrainian woman living is Denmark - is in prison for attempted murder. She escapes police custody and is desperate to reunite with her eight-year-old daughter Katerina. The girl has been living in a refuge, cared for by nurse Nina Borg (the 'star' of the series).

Meanwhile, there are a lot of complex things going on and other people want to get their hands on little Katerina.

The book's structure - going back and forth in time - became confusing. And there were so many minor characters that they started to blend together and it was hard to remember who was who.

Still, I would have given the book more stars if the ending was more complete and resolved. When I fiinished the book I couldn't quite figure out exactly what happened all those years ago that drove all the components of the story. 3 stars.

[Ruth]

Just finished The Dark Vineyard, the second in the Bruno, Chief of Police series. I liked it better than the first one--probably because I knew what to expect in terms of the rhythm. I find these more leisurely that a lot of mysteries, almost like a combo travel book and mystery. I'm also picking up on a formulaic aspect to these books' plots after reading only two. (view spoiler)[Seriously, was it necessary to have the perfect little town threatened by outside agitators at a protest in two books in a row? (hide spoiler)] I plan to read the next one and keep an open mind about whether to continue the series. The charm of the setting may make up for any defects I find in the plotting. Oh, and I do really like the main character. That in itself might keep me going. We'll see.

[Ruth]

I meant to also say that I'm listening to Murder Below Montparnasse. I'm finding that this series has started to pall for me. What's kept me going was caring about Aimée and her partner René, but lately their many personal crises are starting to grate on me. I may need a break from these people for a while. But I hate to give up on a series after I've invested the time to read (or in this case, listen to) ten books.

[Barbara]

Ruth wrote: "Just finished The Dark Vineyard, the second in the Bruno, Chief of Police series. I liked it better than the first one--probably because I knew what to expect in terms of the rhythm...."

I'm just starting this book Ruth. I recently read the first book in the series and enjoyed it so I thought I'd try another.

[Barbara]

I finished The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbø. In this additon to the Harry Hole series a serial killer with a bizarre MO is murdering people in Oslo. Harry - an alcoholic with personal problems - has to work with a colleague he hates to solve the case.

Another deft mystery from Jo Nesbo. 4 stars.

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

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I've just finished reading Jan Costin Wagner'w The Winter of the Lions. There are two ongoing mysteries in this book that are connected and which kept my full attention. There is also an ongoing sort of backstory thing going on with the main character, an angsty Finnish policeman, and the earlier loss of his wife. After a while I just tuned that part out and focused on the crime. I cant begin to tell you how very tiresome angst-laden policemen are getting ..

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

As in arghh - not another one.

[Tom]

Nancy wrote: "I cant begin to tell you how very tiresome angst-laden policemen are getting .. "

I'm pretty sure it's a requirement and that there must be a spot for it on the job applications.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

If I wanted a book about angst-ridden cops, I'd read nonfiction. In the book's favor, though, the two enigmatic (and good, IMO) story lines don't really mesh until nearly the ending. I really do get that authors try to bring some measure of reality to their characters, but after a while I just want to scream.

[Ruth]

Nancy wrote: "I've just finished reading Jan Costin Wagner'w The Winter of the Lions. There are two ongoing mysteries in this book that are connected and which kept my full attention. There is ..."

I used to have a thing for angst-ridden cop characters, but I find I've drifted away from that.

[Lance]

There often comes a point in every long-running series when the stories slip into formula and the characters become frozen in amber. For me, Moscow Rules is where this fate befalls Daniel Silva's much-lauded Gabriel Allon spy series. Fast-reading prose and a sure hand with settings and the plumbing of espionage are undermined by a familiar plot and writing tics that have grown stale with time. Three stars, but only just.

Read the full review here.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

Finished yesterday - here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..., and started

[Lisa]

I just finished A Heartbeat Away which I really enjoyed. Great for a freebie. My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

and
Ordinary Grace
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...



I will be starting The Uncommon Reader which is supposed to be a very fun and short read:).

[Momo]

I just finished The Good Girl

[Sean]

Marketed as " The Most Gripping Suspense Thriller You Will Ever Read"... Is this True...That Is the Question !!

Exciting, fast paced, suspensful thriller, with a action packed plot, with some added humour, although a little far fetched story and a little heavy on the background stories.

This a a difficult book to rate as had some great fast paced action, but then sometimes ruined by slow background stories.

Although the main characters were very good, especially James and Elle Eversman who are a young couple travelling through the Mojave desert on their way to a new life.

When their car mysteriously breaks down they are stranded in the middle of nowhere without much water and no cell-phone reception in the boiling heat with a marksman/sniper a mile away.

The action never stops, with this very different story which plays like a low budget action thriller film in a good way.

A great debut author, but a four star for the action and pace, but loosing a star to the slightly far fetched elements, and slower background stories.

But saying all the above I couldn't put the book down, the survival of the fittest !

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Thomas wrote: "I have just started Death in Breslau which was a group read nominee. If anyone who voted for it wants to do a buddy read, lmk."

Thomas -- what a great book. The entire series (in my opinion) is amazing. I am very into Weimar culture and this series exemplifies the darkness of it all. I'll read it with you any time you want to.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Lance wrote: "There often comes a point in every long-running series when the stories slip into formula and the characters become frozen in amber. For me, Moscow Rules is where this fate befalls D..."

That is precisely my issue with long-running series novels. As someone once told me, there comes a time when a series outruns its course and the best that can happen is that the author lets his/her series end with dignity.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I've just finished the 14th book in this year's obscure crime-writing women project. This time it is Murder in the Mist, by Zelda Popkin. (I said obscure and she definitely falls into this category). This book is from 1940 and is absolutely perfect for anyone who loves whodunits -- it is set in a small summer seaside town in MA and is a gem.

[Craig]

I'm currently reading by Matt Coyle and loving it. I have his first one, Yesterday's Echo, sitting on my nightstand, but it's hardbound and I'm mostly reading Kindle on my phone these days to avoid turning on the light in the middle of the night and waking my wife.

Hello, btw. I've been lurking here for awhile, but want to get more active.