What mysteries are you reading at the moment? (2021) Showing 451-500 of 1,557

[Susan]

Lady Clementina has pointed out that it is the centenary of Edmund Crispin this year, as he was born in 1921.

As such, we have added his first mystery, The Case of the Gilded Fly to our buddy read list and will add his Gervase Fen series to our, ever-increasing, but wonderful list of buddy read series.

Updated list of buddy reads:

March/April
Why Shoot a Butler? - Georgette Heyer
A Tangled Web aka Death and Daisy Bland - Nicholas Blake
The Virgin in the Ice - Ellis Peters

Apr/May
Tour de Force - Christianna Brand
Hide my Eyes (1958) aka Tether's End - Margery Allingham
The Bath Mysteries - E.R. Punshon

May/June
The Trouble at Wakeley Court - Clara Benson
The Mummy Case - Elizabeth Peters

Jun/Jul
I am Half-Sick of Shadows - Alan Bradley
The China Governess - Margery Allingham
The Dusky Hour - E.R. Punshon

Jul/Aug
The Sanctuary Sparrow - Ellis Peters

Aug/Sep
Mystery of Mr. Jessop - E.R. Punshon

Sep/Oct

Oct/Nov
The Case of the Gilded Fly - Edmund Crispin
Dictator's Way - E.R. Punshon

Nov/Dec

Dec/Jan
Comes a Stranger - E.R. Punshon

Thanks for the great suggestion, Lady.

[Lady Clementina]

Susan wrote: "Lady Clementina has pointed out that it is the centenary of Edmund Crispin this year, as he was born in 1921.

As such, we have added his first mystery, [book:The Case of the Gilded ..."

Thanks for adding. Hope I can get my hands on a copy in time, I've read Swan Song and Love Lies Bleeding by him, both of which I quite enjoyed

[Rosina]

I have been re-reading Reginald Hill, and have just started on , the second in the Dalziel and Pascoe series.

[Sandy]

Rosina wrote: "I have been re-reading Reginald Hill, and have just started on , the second in the Dalziel and Pascoe series."

I read a short story by Hill in a collection and liked it a lot. That was a Joe Six- (something - I tend to fill in sixpack) story. Do you prefer one series over the other?

[Sandy]

I have read all but the last of Crispin, but love his humor so will be happy to reread.

[Tara]

Judy wrote: "I'll be interested to hear what you think of The Widening Stain, Tara - I remember it was nominated in a poll but was hard to get hold of outside the US, if I'm remembering correctly. It sounds ver..."

Yes Judy, I had nominated it when it was first reissued, but sadly its still not widely available. I'll be sure to share my thoughts once done.

[Jill]

Rosina wrote: "I have been re-reading Reginald Hill, and have just started on , the second in the Dalziel and Pascoe series."

I love Reginald Hill. I have read all the Joe Sixsmith books except the last one. 21 of the Daziel books, and some of the others he wrote under different names. My favourite author

[Susan]

I haven't read Reginald Hill. We so often like the same books, Jill, that this seems something to be remedied. Where would you start?

[Jill]

Being a read in order person like yourself, I can only say the beginning. Especially if you start with a Joe Sixsmith book, as those do really build the character.

[Tania]

Susan wrote: "Lady Clementina has pointed out that it is the centenary of Edmund Crispin this year, as he was born in 1921.

As such, we have added his first mystery, The Case of the Gilded ..."</i>

That's great, I've been meaning to try him for ages and my library has this so I can join in.

I've just finished a reread of [book:The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. I still love it, even knowing the twist.

[Rosina]

Susan wrote: "I haven't read Reginald Hill. We so often like the same books, Jill, that this seems something to be remedied. Where would you start?"

For Dalziel and Pascoe, I have given this a lot of thought - wondering about recommending them either individually, or for buddy reads, although they're slightly outside the Golden Age. The earliest books are not my favourites, and I would suggest starting with , by which time the characters have settled into the roles they will play for the rest of the series. Or , a wonderful police procedural, dealing with old age.

[Susan in NC]

Rosina wrote: "Susan wrote: "I haven't read Reginald Hill. We so often like the same books, Jill, that this seems something to be remedied. Where would you start?"

For Dalziel and Pascoe, I have given this a lot..."

Thanks for this, Rosina, another author I’ve wanted to try for years, good advice on where to start. Interesting, isn’t it, how some series need a few books to hit their stride, and others start right off, no problem!

[Rosina]

Dalziel and Pascoe have their first outing in the 1970s, and their last in the age of emails, mobile phones and MP3 players. In a foreword to a short story in one of the books, the characters query why they haven't aged that much, and Hill explains that historic time and fictive time are on parallel railway tracks, one for slow trains and one high speed trains. Both can call at some of the same stations, but the time for the journey between varies.

[Sandy]

Rosina, thanks for the information. I will either force myself to read out of order, or start with Joe Six. I like Hill's explanation of time travel.

I am currently reading Dear Miss Kopp which might be considered a mystery (espionage is suspected). This is #6 in the series, the US is in WW I, and the three sisters are apart (for the first time) each doing their bit for the war effort. It is a new book and due at the library quite soon.

[Jan C]

I've recently started Hill's A Clubbable Woman, supposed to be the first in D&P.

[Rosina]

Jan C wrote: "I've recently started Hill's A Clubbable Woman, supposed to be the first in D&P."

If you don't like it, don't give up on the series. As I said before, he really gets into his stride after the first few. The 1970s' attitudes are strong in A Clubbable Woman!

[Colin]

Not Quite Dead Enough, every time I return to Rex Stout's world I find myself wondering why I left it so long since my last visit.

[Susan in NC]

Just started reread of Why Shoot a Butler? .

[Sandy]

Colin wrote: " Not Quite Dead Enough, every time I return to Rex Stout's world I find myself wondering why I left it so long since my last visit."

Yes, I am due for a return to the brownstone.

[Susan]

Jill wrote: "Being a read in order person like yourself, I can only say the beginning. Especially if you start with a Joe Sixsmith book, as those do really build the character."

Thanks, Jill, and others. There are still some pretty major series, and authors, that I haven't got around to reading. One is Reginald Hill, the other the Charlie Parker series by John Connolly. I just never seem to find time to start another series, no matter how good!

Which series do you have on your never-ending reading list?

[Judy]

I've just started our forthcoming Cadfael buddy read, The Virgin in the Ice - not very far in yet.

[Susan in NC]

Susan wrote: "Jill wrote: "Being a read in order person like yourself, I can only say the beginning. Especially if you start with a Joe Sixsmith book, as those do really build the character."

Thanks, Jill, and ..."

I want to get back to Falco and the Brunetti series- and there are a couple medieval series I want to get to, as well. I can’t remember the hero or author names! Often, years ago, I’d read the first in a new series, enjoy, but something new and shiny comes along...

[Jill]

I would like to blame goodreads for my starting so many series, but I know that it isn't wholly where the blame lies. I once read over 20 books in a series straight after each other, as I had to return them to a friend for someone else to borrow. After that I vowed never to do it again, as I found I was losing interest in the same characters over and over.. I then started a list so I could rotate each series, which was going fine until joining here. I have so many now, but at least goodreads can keep track of them for me.

[Judy]

Susan wrote: "Which series do you have on your never-ending reading list?..."

Great question, Susan. I am very keen to get back to the Rex Stout mysteries soon, as others have said, and also the Frances Doughty historical mysteries by Linda Stratmann, the Jim Stringer Railway Detective books by Andrew Martin and several other series that I've started but haven't got very far with as yet. (Not just detective series, others too!)

I've also just discovered there is a book in the Liberty Lane historical mysteries by Caro Peacock that I haven't read yet (and it came out nearly 3 years ago so I'm slow on the uptake). I've read all the others so must get to this one soon!

[Judy]

Jill wrote: "I then started a list so I could rotate each series, which was going fine until joining here..."

Great idea Jill - I think I will set up a "next in series" shelf to remind me of the books I'm planning to get to.

[Susan]

I have a to be read next fictional and non-fictional list and, when I finish a book in a series, I add the next one. The only problem with that, is my TBR next list never seems to lessen...

[Sandy]

Not only do I have a 'next in series' shelf, I also have a 'later in series' shelf that I made 'exclusive' so it does not count in my TBR. The next 15 (?) Bobby Owen books I own went there.

I also have several series shelves (easy to type; hard to say):
active, completed (few), dropped, paused and un-started (many). Also 'unknown status' for such as the Jim Stringer series that hasn't had a new entry for awhile. Only the first book in the series is included on these shelves.

Perhaps too much organization?

[Sandy]

I just started yet another series:Death Comes to the Village a cozy historical. So the book move from 'series-unstarted' to 'series-active'.

[Jill]

Wow! That really is organised.

[Carolien]

in 2019 I counted my series in progress and ended up somewhere in the seventies. I made a list of 44 of them and the rule is that I have to finish 4 of them before I start a new one. Sometimes that works better than others. So on that note I returned to Bruno today with The Devil's Cave. I love the series, just need to remember it makes me hungry and I need wine in the fridge when I start!

[Judy]

Wow, Sandy and Carolien, you are both extremely organised!

[Susan in NC]

Carolien wrote: "in 2019 I counted my series in progress and ended up somewhere in the seventies. I made a list of 44 of them and the rule is that I have to finish 4 of them before I start a new one. Sometimes that..."

Oh, nuts, Bruno is another series I read the first, want to return...hmm, many of my favorites are set in Europe, and food plays a big role...;) Cudos to those great systems! Sandy, I hope you enjoy that series, I did, and Carolien, wow, I admire your discipline- good idea. Otherwise, like me, you’d be hopelessly muddled! Just don’t forget the wine (for Bruno, I’d have cheese and bread, too...)

[Jill]

Just added mine up and there are 90! probably more I've started with the first book but not made a shelf yet. Difficult to stop adding as the groups here choose random authors and if I like the books I will want to read on.

[Judy]

Oh yes, Bruno is another one I want to get back to too - I recently picked up book 2 of the series.

[Tara]

Carolien wrote: "in 2019 I counted my series in progress and ended up somewhere in the seventies. I made a list of 44 of them and the rule is that I have to finish 4 of them before I start a new one. Sometimes that..."

This one sounds right up my alley! But I really should finish off the Elizabeth Peters Peabody series before I start any others.

[Sandy]

Carolien wrote: "in 2019 I counted my series in progress and ended up somewhere in the seventies. I made a list of 44 of them and the rule is that I have to finish 4 of them before I start a new one. Sometimes that..."

Interesting rule but I doubt I have the self control to follow it.

[Jill]

Sandy wrote: "Carolien wrote: "in 2019 I counted my series in progress and ended up somewhere in the seventies. I made a list of 44 of them and the rule is that I have to finish 4 of them before I start a new on..."

I obviously don't.

[Lady Clementina]

Via NetGalley, I started A Pocket Full of Pie , a so far cute cozy set in a world of cats--set around Easter, there's a bake off, Easter celebrations, a cricket match and radio show planned. Though I haven't reached there yet., but according to the blurb, the radio jockey is about to be bumped off

[Carolien]

I have a separate list of series to be started or where I have read the first book, but made no further progress. That is a lot longer than the 44 officially in progress! Group reads that introduce new series often add to that list. At least it focuses my thoughts when I have to select a book to read. My current series that I focus on are:
Our buddy reads - Bobby Owen and Cadfael
Bruno
Inspector Kubu by Michael Stanley
Bennie Griessel by Deon Meyer (I was up to date with that one in October 2020 and then the new book arrived in November...)
Tannie Maria by Sally Andrews
Charlie Fox by Zoë Sharp
Junior Bender by Timothy Hallinan

[Sandy]

Carolien wrote: "I have a separate list of series to be started or where I have read the first book, but made no further progress. That is a lot longer than the 44 officially in progress! Group reads that introduce..."

I like the Kubu series and hope there will be more.

[Jill]

Carolien wrote: "I have a separate list of series to be started or where I have read the first book, but made no further progress. That is a lot longer than the 44 officially in progress! Group reads that introduce..."

Oh no. More I mustn't start.

[Judy]

I've started Why Shoot a Butler? by Georgette Heyer for our forthcoming buddy read.

[Susan in NC]

I’ve started Murder in Stained Glass by Margaret Armstrong for our April read.

[Susan]

Our latest buddy reads are open:

March/April
Why Shoot a Butler? - Georgette Heyer
A Tangled Web aka Death and Daisy Bland - Nicholas Blake
The Virgin in the Ice - Ellis Peters

The Nicholas Blake is a stand-alone and the thread is in the Nicholas Blake discussion thread. The Heyer and Peters are in the buddy reads thread.

[Susan]

In terms of series, I often find that the only ones I actually finish are series I read through this group! I am determined, though, to complete Jane Haddam this time round. The problem is, there are always new series coming out to entice you. For example, I recently read, and liked, Blackout. It won't replace Bernie Gunther for me, but I did like it and I know there will be a second...

[Jackie]

that does look good, Susan.

[Sandy]

Right now I'm reading a couple of historical mysteries: Nemesis, last in the series (though I have a short story on my kindle and his adopted daughter carries on the family business) and Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder. The second is an oddity, perhaps realistic fantasy if that is a genre. I'm about a quarter into it and still not sure what I think. It is set in 1958 and about a secret group of investigators that work out of tunnels under London.

And there are so many upcoming reads! I have January and February reads still to go, another historical on loan (Death Comes To Kurland Hall, a new series for me) and am about to pick up two of our March reads and a new book that will need to jump to the front of the queue: The Postscript Murders.

I am trying to savor the Falco book as I will miss that series.

[Susan in NC]

Carolien wrote: "I have a separate list of series to be started or where I have read the first book, but made no further progress. That is a lot longer than the 44 officially in progress! Group reads that introduce..."

Oh, that is a problem for me, too - start one in a series, never get back to it - much worse back when library was open and I could browse the mystery section...but this is a good plan, I’ve kind of been doing a version of this. Pick a few favorites, check Amazon for pub dates, keep on a list of “soon to be published books”, check library or order when new title is available. On that list, I have:

The St. Cyr Regency mysteries by C S Harris;
Brother Athelstan series by Paul Doherty;
Two relatively new series by Alys Clare, the Gabriel Taverner mysteries (1600s, Devon), and World End Bureau mysteries (Victorian London), and I still have to catch up with her Abbess Helewise medieval series, and Aelf Fen (also medieval England);
Barker & Llewelyn series, Will Thomas (Victorian London);
Gaslight mysteries, Victoria Thompson (Gilded Age, New York City);
Prioress Eleanor series by Priscilla Royal (medieval England);
PCU series by Christopher Fowler (modern day London);
And, any new entry in the Matthew Shardlake series the author may gift us! I’ve read all these series over the years, and others, which have ended - works pretty well, as they usually put out one book a year, so just wait for it, see if my library or Scribd gets it, or I need to order.

Just means a couple times a year, I might get a bunch of books to read at once, on top of whatever books my GR groups are reading! Well, it was working, until this group introduced me to several new authors..I’ll never be able to get to them all.

[Colin]

I've made a start on The Opening Night Murders by James Scott Byrnside - quite enjoying it so far.

[Gary]

Recently started reading Death of an Outsider by M.C. Beaton