What mysteries are you reading at the moment? (2021) Showing 151-200 of 1,557

[Susan in NC]

Thanks, Judy - another Lorac to enjoy!

[Susan in NC]

Jill wrote: "I have started Footsteps in the Dark, as I suddenly realised we were almost at Halloween."

Oh, yes, thanks for the reminder Jill! And Happy Halloween, 🎃 everyone!

[Susan]

I am also reading Footsteps in the Dark. Nearly finished, in fact. I am not a lover of romances, but I do like Heyer's mysteries and am pleased she is an author we will be reading as buddy's. I know we have a few Heyer fans in the group and I am unsure how we should tackle her mysteries, in terms of reading order. Fantastic Fiction has them listed as:

Country House Mysteries
1. Footsteps in the Dark (1932)
2. Why Shoot a Butler? (1933)
3. The Unfinished Clue (1934)
4. Death in the Stocks (1935)
aka Merely Murder
5. Behold, Here's Poison (1936)
6. They Found Him Dead (1937)
7. A Blunt Instrument (1938)
8. No Wind of Blame (1939)
9. Envious Casca (1941)
aka A Christmas Party
10. Penhallow (1942)
11. Duplicate Death (1951)
12. Detection Unlimited (1953)


Inspector Hannasyde
1. Death in the Stocks (1935)
aka Merely Murder
2. Behold, Here's Poison (1936)
3. They Found Him Dead (1937)
4. A Blunt Instrument (1938)

Inspector Hemingway
1. No Wind of Blame (1939)
2. Envious Casca (1941)
aka A Christmas Party
3. Duplicate Death (1951)
4. Detection Unlimited (1953)

Do we read them in the order above, or by publication date? Any thoughts?

[Jill]

We have read some of them as a group. Back then they were divided by Hannasyde and Hemmingway Then Goodreads decided to put them together.

[Susan]

I am happy to re-read them, if we are going to run them as buddies, as it will be several months away. Would people prefer we just do ones we haven't read before? I'm happy to go for the group consensus. The next one will be:
2. Why Shoot a Butler? (1933)
We have time to sort out the order we prefer, but I just thought I would ask, in case anyone has a strong preference for reading order.

[Sandy]

I read the Hannasyde and Hemmingway books in order (one starts out as boss of the other). Two books are linked by a secondary character who is a child in the first book and reappears as a young man.

I can't find my list but guess it was publication order.

[Sandy]

While waiting for our Tey read to become available, I'm reading a new book that may be a female homage to Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin: Fortune Favors the Dead. Loving it so far. This "Wolfe" does leave home but she has physical limitations and her own quirks. The relationship between the two has many similarities.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Susan wrote: "I am happy to re-read them, if we are going to run them as buddies, as it will be several months away. Would people prefer we just do ones we haven't read before? I'm happy to go for the group cons..."

We have a member in the GH Fans group who was keen to read her mysteries in order - I'll message her to see if she wants to join this group.

She suggested doing a read like this - + the Regency mysteries GH wrote - but most of our members strongly prefer GH's regencies.We are doing the two "Terrible Timothy" ones next year though. :)

IMO the best of GH's mysteries are The Unfinished Clue Envious Casca and No Wind of Blame but Death in the Stocks is a sentimental favourite.

& I'd be really cautious about reading descriptions of GH's books on Goodreads. A couple of librarians are very fond of putting their own spoiler filled descriptions up. I've cleaned up a lot of the default descriptions, the other moderator from the GH group is being more thorough & trying to clean up all the English language ones from The Corinthian (one of the Regency romances)on.

[Jackie]

I love the Heyer mysteries and look forward to reading them all.

[Susan]

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Susan wrote: "I am happy to re-read them, if we are going to run them as buddies, as it will be several months away. Would people prefer we just do ones we haven't read before? I'm happy to go for ..."

Carol, yes, by all means message your friend, but just warn them that buddy reads can take us longer to meander through :)

Shall we keep to the order on Fantastic fiction then? Country House mysteries first and then the Hannasyde and Hemmingway books in order, as Sandy suggests? If anyone wants to offer an alternative, then let me know, otherwise I have listed Why Shoot a Butler? as our second GH buddy read - as well as the first stand alone Nicholas Blake novel, as we finish the Nigel Strangeways series this month.

[Carolien]

I'm happy with Sandy's proposal. I think publication date makes sense.

[Susan]

Yes, I agree. We keep to the list above, unless anyone disagrees and stick to the publication order; doing the stand alones first and then the series in publication order, as they interlink. Looking forward to it and I will take Carol's point about spoilers in mind - I never use blurbs from Goodreads actually, because of that reason.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Susan wrote: "Yes, I agree. We keep to the list above, unless anyone disagrees and stick to the publication order; doing the stand alones first and then the series in publication order, as they interlink. Lookin..."

Yes, because I have read all but one of GH's books, I don't read the GR blurbs, because I already know what the books are about! I was horrified when I saw how bad some of them were.

I probably won't join in the reads (except for maybe The Unfinished Clue) but I will join the discussions when I can. :)

[Susan]

We will look forward to hearing your thoughts, Carol.

Another updated list and thanks to Abigail for kindly pointing out my error:

Buddy reads are: (mid-month starts)

Oct/Nov
The Tiger in the Smoke - Margery Allingham
The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag - Alan Bradley
Mystery Villa - E.R. Punshon

Nov/Dec
The Morning After Death - Nicholas Blake
A Ghost in the Machine - Caroline Graham
Footsteps in the Dark - Georgette Heyer

Dec/Jan
The Leper of St Giles - Ellis Peters
There Came Both Mist and Snow - Michael Innes
Death of a Beauty Queen - E.R. Punshon

Jan/Feb
The Lighthouse- PD James
The Curse of the Pharaohs - Elizabeth Peters
Fog of Doubt - Christianna Brand

Feb/March
The Private Patient - PD James
The Beckoning Lady - Margery Allingham
A Red Herring Without Mustard - Alan Bradley
Death Comes to Cambers - E.R. Punshon

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

Jun/Jul
The Dusky Hour - E.R. Punshon

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

Oct/Nov
Dictator's Way - E.R. Punshon

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

[Jackie]

E.R. Punshon looks like someone I should to check out. Looking forward to joining in on all the Heyer, maybe all the Cadfael, and who knows what else.

I appreciate all the work by the mods!

[Jill]

Hope you enjoy Jackie.

[Jill]

I am about to start A Cool Head by Ian Rankin. It is a Quick Reads book.
Quick Reads are a series of short books by bestselling authors and celebrities. With no more than 128 pages, they are designed to encourage adults who do not read often, or find reading difficult, to discover the joy of books. Wikipedia.
I am not the someone who the books are aimed at, but I do enjoy Ian Rankin's books.

[Judy]

I've finished Rope’s End, Rogue’s End by E.C.R. Lorac, which I thought was just OK. A bit too similar to other GA mysteries revolving around dysfunctional families. It is mainly set in a crumbling country house with endless rooms and passages, which is intriguing, but I found it hard to follow all the descriptions of who was where and when!

[Judy]

I've started reading one of our forthcoming buddy reads, A Ghost in the Machine by Caroline Graham - last in the Inspector Barnaby series, although she has also written a couple of standalones. Not very far in as yet but enjoying her writing style.

[Susan]

I finished our Nicholas Blake buddy read yesterday. Going to start A Ghost in the Machine today.

[Tania]

I've been reading The Secret Adversary, Christie's first Tommy and Tuppence story. Once you decide to suspend disbelief, it's rather fun. I do like Tuppencce.

[Susan in NC]

I’m rereading Footsteps in the Dark, not a favorite Heyer mystery, but still fun!

[Jill]

Tania wrote: "I've been reading The Secret Adversary, Christie's first Tommy and Tuppence story. Once you decide to suspend disbelief, it's rather fun. I do like Tuppencce."

I will have to reread it before the group read in February. Even though I did watch it on TV, I can't remember much about it. Maybe I didn't pay a lot of attention to that,as I don't like David Walliams.
I am now reading A Ghost In The Machine for the November group read

[Tania]

I've started Thirteen Guests. Not far in yet, but it seems quite fun. After this one which needs to go back to the library soon, I plan to start the group read of The Franchise Affair which I've had lurking on my kindle for years.

[Jill]

I hope I am not being a nuisance, but will we be reading any more of Clara Benson's Angela Marchmont books?

[Susan]

Ooh, that's a point, Jill. I liked those - I will add another one in next time.

[Gary]

Earlier today I finished The Valley of Fear, the final Sherlock Holmes novel.

[Franky]

I'm finishing up Nine Coaches Waiting. This is my first read by this author and I'm enjoying and can't wait to see how it turns out in the end.

[Jan C]

I finished Murder At The Palace by Margaret Dumas today. It was a rainy day and this was a nice way to spend it. I just wish she had spelled Irene Dunne's name correctly. It was enjoyable once I got past that point. Present day but it does involve a ghost from 1937!

[Colin]

I started reading Nipped in the Bud by Stuart Palmer the other day.
The Hildegarde Withers mysteries really are a joy.

[Sandy]

Colin wrote: "I started reading Nipped in the Bud by Stuart Palmer the other day.
The Hildegarde Withers mysteries really are a joy."

Another series I mean to read someday.

[Jackie]

Colin wrote: "I started reading Nipped in the Bud by Stuart Palmer the other day.
The Hildegarde Withers mysteries really are a joy."

I hadn't heard of this series but now the first one is On My List. thank you!

[Colin]

They're wonderful books - highly recommended.

[Jan C]

I'm up to The Puzzle of the Blue Banderilla. Oscar Piper stumbles upon a questionable death on a train to Mexico City. This time it is Oscar calling in Hildegard.

[Sandy]

My request of The Franchise Affair is available and I will be starting very soon.

[Tara]

I'm reading The Great Hotel Murder by Vincent Starrett, another Golden Age author that is new to me. I'm curious to read more from him, as he also wrote books on books and book collecting (some of my non-mystery literary interests).

[Susan in NC]

I’m reading One Fatal Flaw by Anne Perry.

[Carolien]

Tara wrote: "I'm reading The Great Hotel Murder by Vincent Starrett, another Golden Age author that is new to me. I'm curious to read more from him, as he also wrote books on book..."

That looks interesting, new to me author as well..

[Louise Tothill]

This week it’s ‘The word is Murder’ by Anthony Horowitz. It’s really good so far.

[Sandy]

My library notified me that Moonflower Murders is waiting for me so that will be up very soon along with another short term request, Murder in Old Bombay. I started one of our November reads, The Franchise Affair, and am loving it.

[Sandy]

Louise Tothill wrote: "This week it’s ‘The word is Murder’ by Anthony Horowitz. It’s really good so far."

I loved it and the sequel.

[Carolien]

Louise Tothill wrote: "This week it’s ‘The word is Murder’ by Anthony Horowitz. It’s really good so far."

I'm busy with Magpie Murders, it's my first book by the author, but I am enjoying it.

[Jill]

Carolien wrote: "Louise Tothill wrote: "This week it’s ‘The word is Murder’ by Anthony Horowitz. It’s really good so far."

I'm busy with Magpie Murders, it's my first book by the author, but I am e..."

I loved Magpie Murders Must get onto the next.

[Jackie]

Susan in NC wrote: "I’m reading One Fatal Flaw by Anne Perry."

I never finished the Thomas & Charolotte Pitt series and when I clicked on your link I learned there is now a Daniel Pitt series!

What does everyone think of it?

I have read and enjoyed a lot of her books but got burned out at some point. I do mean to go back and read more Monk for sure I just need to space them out more than I did the last time.

[Louise Tothill]

Oooh yes to those reading Magpie Murders it was reading that one that encouraged me on to read The Word is Murder.... no disappointment at all. It was finished this afternoon in a reading frenzy with coffee and biscuits. No hoovering or ironing done at all just couldn’t put it down. Really really enjoyable x

[Sandy]

Jackie wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I’m reading One Fatal Flaw by Anne Perry."

I never finished the Thomas & Charolotte Pitt series and when I clic..."

I'm still on the Monk series and heartily agree that one can overdose. They need to be spread out. Some day I'll get to the Pitts, parents and son. I tried her latest series about a war time photographer, but didn't get far into the first book. Maybe after I've finished all the others.

[Carolien]

Louise Tothill wrote: "Oooh yes to those reading Magpie Murders it was reading that one that encouraged me on to read The Word is Murder.... no disappointment at all. It was finished this afternoon in a reading frenzy wi..."

Sounds familiar!

[Susan in NC]

Jackie wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I’m reading One Fatal Flaw by Anne Perry."

I never finished the Thomas & Charolotte Pitt series and when I clic..."

Me, too, Jackie! I read every Thomas Pitt for years, and many of the William Monk books, but I also lost track at some point when my son was little back in the late 1990s - it’s all a blur now!

Anyway, I only found out about this series when my dearest friend sent me a signed copy of the debut as a get well present right after it came out!

Anne Perry was in Orlando at a book signing, so she kindly thought of me - I really enjoyed it, and was hooked. Thomas and Charlotte have appeared briefly in each book so far, but it’s mainly focused on young Daniel, a junior barrister, and his cases and investigations. As expected, Perry has created a wonderful cast of delightful, complex recurring characters for Daniel’s friends and fellow lawyers, and interesting cases fraught with moral dilemmas for him to investigate. As with Perry’s previous two Victorian series, much of the caseload for Daniel involves the rapid forensic, scientific and social developments of the Edwardian Age. I really enjoy it! And good news is, they are published about one a year, so you can spread them out, and shouldn’t burn out on this series (if you like it).

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I’m reading One Fatal Flaw by Anne Perry."

I never finished the Thomas & Charolotte Pitt series ..."

Thanks, I saw a cover for that, and thought it was a Daniel Pitt I missed! I will try to get to that as well, some day - so many books...

[Jan C]

Finishing up on The Death of Mr. Lomas by Francis Vivian. It seems like I've been reading it forever but that is often the way for me on Kindle. Inspector Knollis apparently knows who the murderer is by now but is stretching it out. The first in a series of 10.