What mysteries are you reading at the moment? (2021) Showing 601-650 of 1,557

[Tania]

I'm reading The Key by Patricia Wentworth, my first 'Miss Silver' book.

[Colin]

I've started on The Strange Case of the Barrington Hills Vampire and it already seems promising - a remote mansion, a seance which the lead detective has been hired to debunk, and a vampire legend hanging over it all. And the Kindle version is currently going for all of 77p.

[Jill]

I am starting The Mummy Case for next months buddy read, liking the confidential chat from Amelia at the start.

[Judy]

I've just finished our current buddy read, the fabulous Hide My Eyes by Margery Allingham, which is one of the best in the series imo.

I've also just read Prisoner At The Bar by Margaret Suckling, the first in a series set in the 1930s, which I enjoyed - lots of courtroom drama.

Now going on to a Dean Street Press reprint, The Billiard-Room Mystery: An Anthony Bathurst Mystery by Brian Flynn- this is another first in a series. It was first published in the 1920s, and there is a country house mystery involving a cricket match. So far the hero is a bit like Sherlock Holmes.

[Colin]

Colin wrote: "I've started on The Strange Case of the Barrington Hills Vampire and it already seems promising - a remote mansion, a seance wh..."

That was terrific fun, a real homage to Golden Age impossibilities.
On now to a Brian Flynn title, Invisible Death

[Judy]

You tempted me to try Brian Flynn, Colin - I'm enjoying my first book by him.

[Colin]

That's nice to to hear, Judy.

[Lady Clementina]

I just finished Flowers for the Judge which I enjoyed very much. I'm glad I finally picked up an Allingham after planning to for so long and not getting down to it.

[Judy]

Good to hear you enjoyed Flowers for the Judge, Lady C. I'm really enjoying reading the Allinghams again (although I'm not 100% sure whether I had previously read the last books in the series.)

[Lady Clementina]

Judy wrote: "Good to hear you enjoyed Flowers for the Judge, Lady C. I'm really enjoying reading the Allinghams again (although I'm not 100% sure whether I had previously read the last books in the series.)"

I started entirely out of order (mostly to meet a reading prompt/challenge for a 1936 book) but will work my way back around.

[Frances]

I've just finished Slough House, the latest in the Mick Herron series. Wondered if this group would be reading it at some point-it is, no surprise, excellent and topical (although he just misses the pandemic so not part of it)

[Sandy]

Frances wrote: "I've just finished Slough House, the latest in the Mick Herron series. Wondered if this group would be reading it at some point-it is, no surprise, excellent and topical (although h..."

I'm on my library's wait list.

[Sandy]

In a probably futile attempt to clear up my Kindle Unlimited backlog, I'm reading The Case of the Canterfell Codicil a closed room mystery, set in the 1920's, with an exaggerated P G Wodehouse style. I'm enjoying it and will probably get the second book through KU, negating my original aim.

I did start, and drop, Answer in the Negative but immediately replaced that book with another, Death in the Grand Manor: A Tessa Crichton Mystery.

So no real progress regarding KU, but a good read found.

[Judy]

I've just finishedThe Billard-Room Mystery, the first Anthony Bathurst mystery by Brian Flynn - I enjoyed his writing style and look forward to reading more of them. Ideal if anyone is looking for a GA country house mystery.

I'm now starting Death Comes as the End, our next Christie - looking forward to this one as it sounds very different!

[Tania]

I finished Trouble in Nuala, the first in the Inspector de Silva mysteries set in 1930's Ceylon. I have a few more of these and they look like light and pleasant reads.

[Lady Clementina]

Tania wrote: "I finished Trouble in Nuala, the first in the Inspector de Silva mysteries set in 1930's Ceylon. I have a few more of these and they look like light and pleasant reads."

I've been wanting to try these as well.

[Colin]

Judy wrote: "I've just finishedThe Billard-Room Mystery, the first Anthony Bathurst mystery by Brian Flynn - I enjoyed his writing style and look forward to reading more of the..."

I just finished off Invisible Death yesterday, and found it fair overall but not the best by the author. If you don't mind dipping in and out of the books and not following the order strictly, then of the first half dozen I've read I'd recommend The Mystery of the Peacock's Eye and The Murders Near Mapleton.

On now to a reread of Carr's The Problem of the Green Capsule

[Margaret]

Judy wrote: "I've just finishedThe Billard-Room Mystery, the first Anthony Bathurst mystery by Brian Flynn - I enjoyed his writing style and look forward to reading more of the..."

I've got about 3/4s of the way through The Billiard-Room Mystery and, for some reason, it isn't really gripping me. I think that I may try one of the later ones as I fear that I am being unfair. For variety I'm going to reread The Lift and the Drop by G V Galwey, which is excellent.

[Sandy]

I finished another book from my Kindle Unlimited selections: The Case of the Crumpled Knave. I read this too soon after The Case of the Canterfell Codicil as they both have witty detectives that will be forever confused in my mind.

I went on a buying spree recently as part of an Amazon promotion, so I now I now own two of the Flaxborough series by Colin Watson that are not available at my library, a "Best of American Mystery Stories", The Billiard Room Mystery, Murder a la Richelieu: An Adelaide Adams Mystery Novel and Prisoner At The Bar.

Plus a non-mystery, The Cuckoos of Batch Magna

Now to find the time to read them but it was fun shopping.

[Judy]

Margaret wrote: "I've got about 3/4s of the way through The Billiard-Room Mystery and, for some reason, it isn't really gripping me. I think that I may try one of the later ones as I fear that I am being unfair. ..."

I think the ending is pretty good and I didn't guess the culprit, so hope you enjoy that part, Margaret, though I will say no more to avoid spoilers!

Sounds like you have quite a collection of lovely old green Penguins? I think you have mentioned a few titles which sound great but haven't been reprinted as yet. I do love the green Penguins but must admit I find the print rather tiny these days!

[Susan in NC]

Finally received my preorder of What the Devil Knows by C.S. Harris, and for more relaxing listening while knitting, starting the next in my Cadfael rereads, The Sanctuary Sparrow .

[Sandy]

Susan in NC wrote: "Finally received my preorder of What the Devil Knows by C.S. Harris, and for more relaxing listening while knitting, startin..."

What the Devil Knows is waiting for me at the library!

[Margaret]

Judy wrote: "Margaret wrote: "I've got about 3/4s of the way through The Billiard-Room Mystery and, for some reason, it isn't really gripping me. I think that I may try one of the later ones as I fear that I am..."

Lots of lovely old green Penguins! And, as you say, quite a number of them haven't been reprinted or published on Kindle. Ended up reading Galwey murder on leave, rather than The Lift and the Drop and agreed with my memories that it wasn't anything like as good. Have now moved onto Philip MacDonald X v Rex, also showing as by Martin Porlock (pseudonym). Also a green Penguin (1933). Some of MacDonald's have been republished on Kindle, but this is by far the best of his (although I haven't read all of them). Very accomplished writing.

[Gary]

My current mystery reads

The Cater Street Hangman The first Thomas and Charlotte Pitt Mystery by Anne Perry

The Case of the Lucky Legs by Erle Stanley Gardner The 3rd Perry Mason mystery

[Tara]

Started my next read from the American Mystery Classic series, The Case of the Baker Street Irregulars by Anthony Boucher. Perhaps ironically, Sherlock does not feature in this book, although it does center around a Hollywood film being made of one of his works. So far its proving to be hard to put down, which is always a great characteristic in a book.

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Finally received my preorder of What the Devil Knows by C.S. Harris, and for more relaxing listening whi..."

I forgot I had preordered the kindle in reply to an Amazon promotional email months ago! I figured I’d treat myself, I usually get it from my library (I’ve read the whole series from my library), but it’s popular, and usually takes months before I get it through our hold system!

[Judy]

Colin wrote: " just finished off Invisible Death yesterday, and found it fair overall but not the best by the author. If you don't mind dipping in and out of the books and not following the order strictly, then of the first half dozen I've read I'd recommend The Mystery of the Peacock's Eye and The Murders Near Mapleton...."

Thank you, I'll bear those in mind. Is this a series where it matters about reading in order? I was thinking I might as DSP has published such a lot of them.

[Judy]

Margaret wrote: "Ended up reading Galwey murder on leave, rather than The Lift and the Drop and agreed with my memories that it wasn't anything like as good. Have now moved onto Philip MacDonald X v Rex..."

Thank you for the suggestions. G.V. Galwey is a new name to me, and Philip MacDonald is one I've been meaning to get to. There were so many interesting classic detective authors beyond the most famous names.

[Colin]

Judy wrote: "Thank you, I'll bear those in mind. Is this a series where it matters about reading in order? I was thinking I might as DSP has published such a lot of them.."

Judy, I've read the first six in order, which isn't something I usually bother about. I don't think it makes much difference to be honest. The are some characters who reappear but, as is generally the case with writers of this vintage, reappearance doesn't mean a continuation of some thread nor is much progression of relationships to be concerned about. It's a bit like Christie having Japp or Hastings pop up again, and I've not noticed any spoilers yet; a character from previous story may be referenced in passing along the lines of: "Sir Somebody's nephew speaks warmly of your work on that shocking Billiard Room business."

[Colin]

Margaret wrote: "Have now moved onto Philip MacDonald X v Rex, also showing as by Martin Porlock (pseudonym). Also a green Penguin (1933). Some of MacDonald's have been republished on Kindle, but this is by far the best of his (although I haven't read all of them). Very accomplished writing."

I've only read a handful of MacDonald's books myself but I do like his writing. Something I enjoy is the uncertainty of reading his stuff as he was continually experimenting with format and technique and every book is different in some way. It doesn't always come off perfectly but the innovation combined with the smooth style is a big plus. The fact he wrote a fair few film scripts, and indeed had a goodish number of his own books adapted for the screen by others, has always interested me too.

[Judy]

Colin wrote: "Judy wrote: "Colin wrote: " just finished off Invisible Death yesterday, and found it fair overall but not the best by the author. If you don't mind dipping in and out of the books and not followin..."

Thanks, Colin - I've found with some detective stories if you read out of order the detective merrily mentions the solution and culprit in a previous book, so good to hear that this hasn't happened in the Flynn books!

I will probably start by reading the second book anyway though, and jump to those you recommend if I don't think I am going to read them all.

[Sandy]

Tara wrote: "Started my next read from the American Mystery Classic series, The Case of the Baker Street Irregulars by Anthony Boucher. Perhaps ironically, Sherlock does not featur..."

I just read The Case of the Crumpled Knave, liked the young detective, and Baker Street Irregulars is second in the series. However, according to GR only his sister is in Baker Street. How does she work as a character? She is mentioned several times in the first book and sounds different from her brother.

[Margaret]

Judy wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Ended up reading Galwey murder on leave, rather than The Lift and the Drop and agreed with my memories that it wasn't anything like as good. Have now moved onto Philip MacDonald X ..."

I thoroughly recommend X v Rex. It's more of a thriller than a detective story, but it's very well done and makes an interesting comparison to Christie, The ABC Murders. As far as I know, G V Galwey wrote only three books, two in old green Penguins.

[Margaret]

Colin wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Have now moved onto Philip MacDonald X v Rex, also showing as by Martin Porlock (pseudonym). Also a green Penguin (1933). Some of MacDonald's have been republished on Kindle, but t..."

I agree, Colin, that MacDonald could write very well. I find his works oddly variable in quality, but, as you say, if an author is experimenting, then not all of the author's books may appeal to an individual reader. I seem to remember being disappointed by The Rasp, and one with a sailor in it (I can't remember the title).

[Colin]

Margaret, The Rasp wasn't a favorite of mine either, but I think it was his first novel so I'm prepared to cut him some slack there.
I know I liked The List of Adrian Messenger a lot and I had a good time with Warrant for X as well, both of which were made into very entertaining movies.
I'm also fond of The Maze; that's one which won't work for everyone but I have to admire the audacity involved in deciding to tell a story in such a stripped down manner.

[Colin]

Sandy wrote: "Tara wrote: "Started my next read from the American Mystery Classic series, The Case of the Baker Street Irregulars by Anthony Boucher. Perhaps ironically, Sherlock do..."

For anyone who liked Boucher's writing I would heartily recommend tracking down a copy of Nine Times Nine - it's a fabulous piece of work and his sleuth Sister Ursula is a real delight.

[Jill]

I am now just over halfway through The Mystery at Fig Tree Hall our next group voted buddy read. Not really sure how I feel about it at the moment.

[Tara]

Sandy wrote: "Tara wrote: "Started my next read from the American Mystery Classic series, The Case of the Baker Street Irregulars by Anthony Boucher. Perhaps ironically, Sherlock do..."

It was mentioned in the introduction by Otto Penzler that she had appeared with her brother in an earlier mystery. He is referenced in passing in the book, but not in any particularly descriptive way. At this point its not clear whether she is a witness or a killer, although the fact she is a recurring character makes me think its more likely the former. Its an interesting cast of characters, and I like that the police aren't total buffoons, an unfortunate trope in many GA mysteries.

[Gary]

Just finished The Body in the Library. Which is Miss Marple 2 or 3 depending on which list you read. I thought I had it figured, but no such luck.

[Rosina]

Jill wrote: "I am now just over halfway through The Mystery at Fig Tree Hall our next group voted buddy read. Not really sure how I feel about it at the moment."

I started it, but couldn't get interested (or believe in) in the set-up, or the characters. I do ask myself whether the wife is Lady Manners or Lady Felicity Manners. It's one of my pet peeves (and usually leads to my abandoning a book) when the author can't get that right.

[Susan]

Rosina wrote: "Jill wrote: "I am now just over halfway through The Mystery at Fig Tree Hall our next group voted buddy read. Not really sure how I feel about it at the moment."

I started it, but ..."

I feel a bit bad about Fig Tree Hall. It had such great reviews, but I wasn't exactly engrossed either.... I can only apologise for nominating it.

[Susan in NC]

Finally got my library hold on The Thursday Murder Club. A few chapters in, and enjoying the witty style - audiobook narrator is very good!

[Colin]

I'm currently making my way through Christie's Lord Edgware Dies .
I know I read this perhaps 25 years ago, but that fact is all I remember so it might as well be a new book. Splendid stuff so far.

[Jill]

Susan wrote: "Rosina wrote: "Jill wrote: "I am now just over halfway through The Mystery at Fig Tree Hall our next group voted buddy read. Not really sure how I feel about it at the moment."

I s..."

No need to apologise Susan. None of us know what to expect when we nominate a book if we haven't read it previously, and I think most of us nominate books we want to try rather than those we have read.

[Frances]

Susan wrote: "I feel a bit bad about Fig Tree Hall. It had such great reviews, but I wasn't exactly engrossed either.... I can only apologise for nominating it."

I've had a couple of bad experiences with self-published books (Amazon KDP) so basically don't read them anymore unless someone I know personally recommends it.

[Lady Clementina]

I'm half way into Death Comes as the End. Long since I last read it so enjoying it so far.

[Tara]

After finishing my Boucher book (which I would definitely recommend), I'm about to start Murder in Stained Glass. I'm about a month behind in my reading, but one of the great things about Goodreads is that its never too late to catch up.

[Margaret]

I had been going to read Gold Was Our Grave by Henry Wade (only 99p on Kindle), but decided to go for a physical book instead Philip MacDonald Murder Gone Mad. I know from a previous reading that I preferred the author's X v Rex, which I have just read, so it will be interesting to compare them again.

[Jill]

I have just started Where There's a Will by Rex Stout Good to be straight back with Archie and his ramblings.

[Judy]

Jill, you've just reminded me that I still have a few Rex Stout paperbacks I haven't read yet.

Just starting one of them, Three Witnesses - I think I like his novellas even more than his novels, so am looking forward to this one.