What mysteries are you reading at the moment? (2021) Showing 801-850 of 1,557

[Judy]

I've finished the novella A Shot in the Dark, first in the 1920s Mydworth Mysteries series by Neil Richards and Matthew Costello, which was an easy read but a bit bland and boring, I thought. I won't bother to carry on with the series - but, as they are experienced TV writers, if they ever turn it into a TV series, I'd watch it!

I've also started listening to Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener on Audible - enjoying this so far. Dame Penelope Keith is a great reader. I saw she turned 80 in April and realised I haven't seen her on TV much in recent years, though I've just discovered she presented a series called Village of the Year which passed me by.

[Sandy]

Judy wrote: "I've finished the novella A Shot in the Dark, first in the 1920s Mydworth Mysteries series by Neil Richards and Matthew Costello, which was an easy rea..."

"To the Manor Born" is one of my very favorite TV series.

[Jill]

Quickly read The Amersham Rubies Very short kindle read, and am now starting Murphy's Law

[Tania]

Sandy wrote: ""To the Manor Born" is one of my favorite TV series"

I have just started watching this one as it has popped up on Iplyer. I did watch it years ago but have largely forgotten it. She's so good in it. I once saw her play Madame Arcati in "Blithe Spirit", which was a real treat as it's one of my favourite plays.

I have started reading The Case of Alan Copeland: A Golden Age Mystery by Moray Dalton, my first time reading her.

[Kirsten]

I currently reading a biography of Arthur Conan Doyle - The Doctor and the Detective: A Biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle by Martin Booth. A fascinating insight into the evolution of Sherlock Holmes. I can highly recommend it!

[Susan in NC]

Judy wrote: "Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Foreign Bodies, Colin - a pity, I had fairly high hopes for it. I may still give it a try but will not expect so much."

Exactly! Modified expectations; you hit it on the nose, Colin - there are usually one or two worthwhile stories in a collection, but if they were all pretty “meh”, I won’t rush.

[Sue]

Jill wrote: "Quickly read The Amersham Rubies Very short kindle read, and am now starting Murphy's Law"

I love the Molly Murphy series Jill, so I hope you enjoy it. I am currently up to number 8, but have given myself a stern talking to about finishing a couple of other books before I go and get this one from the library! :-)

[Jill]

Sue wrote: "Jill wrote: "Quickly read The Amersham Rubies Very short kindle read, and am now starting Murphy's Law"

I love the Molly Murphy series Jill, so I hope you enjoy it. I..."

Just finished , and can see why you love it. It held my interest throughout and it continually moves on at an amazing rate.

[Sue]

Jill wrote: "Just finished , and can see why you love it. It held my interest throughout and it continually moves on at an amazing rate..."

I'm so glad you liked it Jill, :)

[Susan in NC]

Speaking of library books, I’ve finished Squeeze Me and need to return it, and pick up the latest in a historical mystery series I enjoy, Death of a Showman . It follows a lady’s maid to a wealthy family in Gilded Age New York, and provides an interesting look beneath the glitz of high society to the sordid underbelly through murder investigations. A GR friend put me on to the series, and if you like the earlier, grittier but not bloody Gaslight Mysteries by Victoria Thompson, you might like this. ;)

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "Judy wrote: "I've finished the novella A Shot in the Dark, first in the 1920s Mydworth Mysteries series by Neil Richards and Matthew Costello, which wa..."

Oh, me too! I treated myself to the DVD collection years ago, break them out as a treat to watch every once in awhile! And I enjoyed her village series a few years ago on PBS, driving about and visiting different areas. Don’t even know when those would have been on British TV, our public tv stations usually get shows a couple years after they’ve aired over there (as long as they’re clean, don’t think they’ll be showing “Bridgerton”! ;) )

[Sandy]

Susan in NC wrote: "Speaking of library books, I’ve finished Squeeze Me and need to return it, and pick up the latest in a historical mystery series I enjoy, Death of a Showman [bookcov..."

Thanks for the recommendation. I liked the early Gaslight books so will check out yet another series.

[Susan in NC]

Margaret wrote: "I've started the July read Death on the Cherwell early, although I should have saved it... Enjoyable, although I'm not hugely enamoured of Basil so far."

Don’t worry, I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say he’s not a major character in this one - I think Hay just kept him as a tenuous relation to one of the female undergraduates in this book.

[Judy]

I've also started Death on the Cherwell, which is a reread for me, and am also reading our next Christie, Sparkling Cyanide - I meant to leave that one for afterwards, but just peeked at the beginning and was instantly hooked. ;)

[Jill]

I have started The Sanctuary Sparrow one of our next buddy reads

[Sandy]

Continuing my drive to wrap up a few series and read old library books before they are tossed, I finished Kissing Covens (aka Broomsticks Over Flaxborough). This physical book is the first American edition from 1972 and has the envelope in front for the paper check out slip.

It is a fun series. I had to get a couple of the next ones on kindle as my library system didn't come through for me.

[Tara]

Sandy wrote: "Tara wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Tara wrote: "After a few months away from Amelia, I am back for the next installment in the Peabody/Emerson adventure tales, [book:The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog|15..."

Totally true. I don't dislike her so much that she ruins the book (sadly there are some narrators that will do that), but not my preference. I listened to the entire Sue Grafton series on audiobook, and they switched narrators mid-way through, and it was rather jarring. It took a few books to get used to the change.

[Colin]

I've finished and liked Castle Skull by John Dickson Carr - a few thoughts on it here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Now I'm about to start in on Sparkling Cyanide by Christie. I know I read this once but I've forgotten everything about it.

[Sandy]

I started yet another series, The Frangipani Tree Mystery, set in Singapore in 1936. The lead character is a young woman, with a severe limp from polio, hoping to find a way to make it on her own (the theme of 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show'). I like it so far.

[Jill]

Have now started The Unfinished Clue for the buddy read.

[Jackie]

Jill wrote: "Have now started The Unfinished Clue for the buddy read."

I read it about a month ago and can't wait to discuss! it might be my favorite Heyer mystery.

[Jan C]

I just started a short series by Vincent Starrett, three books in the series, written 1929-1932, featuring Walter Ghost, apparently an extremely ugly man, that's his description. Last night started with Murder on B Deck. The narrator's sister was sailing to Europe for her honeymoon and he didn't get off the ship in time. Or, rather, he got off but remembered that he forgot to give her his latest book so he got back on and ran into old friend Walter. Ship sailed before he found his sister.

[Susan in NC]

Just finished a reread of a favorite Heyer mystery, The Unfinished Clue, for our upcoming read. On to Death of a Showman by Mariah Fredericks.

[Rosina]

Susan in NC wrote: "Just finished a reread of a favorite Heyer mystery, The Unfinished Clue, for our upcoming read."

I am just about to start The Unfinished Clue - and realise that my copy is a first edition, published in 1934. Not in pristine condition, though, and without a dust jacket, so probably not worth its weight in gold.

[Icewineanne]

Finished a current mystery,


Love Paula McLain’s historical fiction but for those curious about her first foray into mystery, here are my thoughts.

When the Stars Go Dark review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jackie]

I felt the same way, during the pandemic (which feels like it is over to me since I was vaxxed) I could not read anything even remotely "dark".

[Icewineanne]

Jackie wrote: "I felt the same way, during the pandemic (which feels like it is over to me since I was vaxxed) I could not read anything even remotely "dark"."

“Vaxxed” great description Jackie!
Describes me for sure 👍🏻
(And thanks for the ‘like’)

[Susan in NC]

Rosina wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Just finished a reread of a favorite Heyer mystery, The Unfinished Clue, for our upcoming read."

I am just about to start The Unfinished Clue - and realise that ..."

Oh, nice!

[Susan]

I have The Unfinished Clue ready for my next read. Currently reading a Mark Billingham stand alone, Rabbit Hole which I am really loving. Lots of dark humour and excellent characters.

[Jill]

Finished The Unfinished Clue (ha ha) which I really liked and have now started Jar City by Arnaldur Indriðason a Nordic Noir

[Jill]

I liked Jar City and will probably read the next in the series. Have now started The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch. This has been recommended to me by several people, so time to give it a try. I do enjoy historical mysteries.

[Lady Clementina]

Half way through Sparkling Cyanide
I have read this before but too long ago to remember so enjoying it as of new.

[Alwynne]

I finished Mavis Doriel Hay's Death on the Cherwell a disappointing read despite the great setting of an Oxford women's college in the 1930s.

Link to my review:

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

[Carolien]

Jill wrote: "I liked Jar City and will probably read the next in the series. Have now started The Hangman's Daughter by Oliver Pötzsch. This has been recommended to..."

I've had both of these on my list for ages. Should get to them.

I've just finished The Suspect, a Canadian crime novel. A "why dunnit" as we know the who, how and when on page 1. Lovely characters (including the murderer), I'm definitely reading more by this author.

[Tania]

I've started listening to The Murder at the Vicarage read by Joan Hickson. She does do a wonderful job, but it does feel a bit odd because the narrator of the novel is the (male) vicar.

[Roman Clodia]

I struggled with that one, Tania, because of Joan Hickson reading a male narrator - shame, as I love that book but had to send it back to the library unlistened to!

[Tania]

Well it's a re-read, and probably my favourite Marple, I'm sure I can grab the book if it becomes too weird.

[Susan in NC]

Tania wrote: "Well it's a re-read, and probably my favourite Marple, I'm sure I can grab the book if it becomes too weird."

I love watching the DVD of that one, Joan Hickson is in it, but the rest of the cast is wonderful - Paul Eddington plays the vicar, Cheryl Campbell his irreverent but loving younger wife. The vicar is the main pov, as you say, so it does work best for me as a book or DVD.

[Susan in NC]

I’m about to start Dance with Death by Will Thomas, the latest in the Barker & Llewelyn historical mystery series (set in Victorian London).

[Tara]

Totally spellbound by The Bride Wore Black by Cornell Woolrich, with another fantastic cover in the American Mystery Classics series. This is my first reading of Woolrich, but if his other work lives up to this caliber, I will definitely be reading more.

[Alwynne]

Tara wrote: "Totally spellbound by The Bride Wore Black by Cornell Woolrich, with another fantastic cover in the American Mystery Classic..."

I keep meaning to try something of his, I enjoyed the Truffaut film based on this one.

[Alwynne]

Susan in NC wrote: "Tania wrote: "Well it's a re-read, and probably my favourite Marple, I'm sure I can grab the book if it becomes too weird."

I love watching the DVD of that one, Joan Hickson is in it, but the rest..."

I've seen a few most Christie adaptations, mainly because I like period dramas, and the Hickson versions are my favourite, she's brilliant in them.

[Sue]

Alwynne wrote: "the Hickson versions are my favourite, she's brilliant in them..."

My favourite too Alwynne, although I recently watched a newer series with Julia McKenzie and she is also very good. She gets the balance right between being a fussy old lady (which successfully lowers people's guard so that they let things slip!) and a very shrewd thinker. I saw one or two of the Geraldine McEwan ones, but her version didn't work for me at all.

[Tania]

I love the Hickson adaptations too, and plan on watching that one now that I've finished.

[Alwynne]

Sue wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "the Hickson versions are my favourite, she's brilliant in them..."

My favourite too Alwynne, although I recently watched a newer series with Julia McKenzie and she is also very goo..."

I've never seen any of the Julia McKenzie ones I'll look out for them but I did try the McEwan and they didn't work for me either, she was all wrong somehow, not sure if it was her or the writing or the direction.

[Colin]

Feeling the need for some McBain, I finished off Like Love , which was pretty good and have now moved on the next one, Ten Plus One .

[Margaret]

I disliked Murder's a Swine: A Second World War Mystery There was an unpleasant undertone of cruelty and gleeful mockery which I found decidedly distasteful. Competently written, as you would expect from the authors, but the amateur detection was deeply unlikely, not least because the woman detective was constantly putting herself in obvious danger for no good reason.

[Rosina]

That's a shame - it's in my queue.

I have just started . Too early to be enthusiastic, but I'm enjoying it so far.

[Jill]

I am now going to start The Scandal at 23 Mount Street buddy read.

[Tara]

Alwynne wrote: "Tara wrote: "Totally spellbound by The Bride Wore Black by Cornell Woolrich, with another fantastic cover in the American My..."

From what was discussed in my book club meeting, the film makes significant changes to the story, but I suspect if you like that, you'll also enjoy the book.