01) Murderers' Row: Baseball Mysteries (Apr 1)

[Lisa, Moderator]

Welcome to our discussion about Murderers' Row, edited by Otto Penzler - part of our Spring and Summer Group Read. Your discussion leader is Lisa.
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Summary

A collection of short stories mixing crime and baseball, like they were peanuts and Cracker Jack - just in time for Opening Day.

[Lisa, Moderator]

I've got my copy and I'm ready to dive in tomorrow!

[Icewineanne]

Sorry Lisa, can’t join you for this one. Our library doesn’t have this & there’s no kindle copy available on amazon. The only copies are in hardcover (new is $196 + SH) or audio cassettes (which I can’t play).
Enjoy the stories - I’m green with envy!!

[Lisa, Moderator]

Anne, I got mine on Abe Books, $5, looks like there are still some available.
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Book...

[Icewineanne]

Thanks Lisa, unfortunately the price + SH adds up to over $20. Bit too steep for me.

[Lisa, Moderator]

Ugh, I feel ya.

[Karen]

I think I have a copy but can not find it at the moment. Sounds like a great read.

[Lisa, Moderator]

Finally started last night - anyone else dig in yet?

[Donna]

Mine came. I found one online used through Amazon. Finishing two left from March then starting all my April reads. Hopefully this weekend I will be well into my April reads!

[Lisa, Moderator]

Donna wrote: "Mine came. I found one online used through Amazon. Finishing two left from March then starting all my April reads. Hopefully this weekend I will be well into my April reads!"

Same here - I had way too many books going in March, I need to get them finished!

[Donna]

Ok I just started this. Read the first short story and it moved quickly. I won’t post any spoilers.

[Lisa, Moderator]

I love Lawrence Block, and his Keller character. Just finished the third story, Two-Bagger. Wow, that was intense.

[Donna]

The second one was fun!

[Lisa, Moderator]

Donna wrote: "The second one was fun!"

I agree. I had to laugh at some of the language; it was clearly written in less PC times. It was a creative and fun story.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

I've just started but like what I've read. Had no idea about the name murderers row and I'm a big baseball fan. The introduction and forward are great.

I may be a little slow reading this so please bare with me. My husband died March 30th and I'm trying to keep it together but having a hard time focusing sometime.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

I love that this is such an easy read. Otto is a great editor.

[Lisa, Moderator]

˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜ wrote: "I've just started but like what I've read. Had no idea about the name murderers row and I'm a big baseball fan. The introduction and forward are great.

I may be a little slow reading this so pleas..."

Sheri, I'm so very sorry to hear this. My condolences. Feel free to message me if you ever want to chat.

[Donna]

Oh Sheri I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences.

[Donna]

I really wasn’t sure about reading these books with short stories in them but they are fun! I like reading multiple books at a time so I can switch off but this is fun to read!

[Lisa, Moderator]

I love short story collections. I also usually have a few books going at once, and anthologies have such natural breaks, that they work well when you’re reading other books at the same time. I’m in the middle of Chickasaw Charlie Hoke right now, which is a good one. I like Elmore Leonard, and this story references a novel of his, Tishomingo Blues, in a fun nod.

[Donna]

This was a great way to experience many authors. I enjoyed it and it was a fast read.

[[deleted user]]

I also had no idea about the meaning of murderer’s row.

I’m half way through. Some stories are better than others.

So far, I liked: Keller’s Designated Hitter; Two Bagger; A Family Game; and Sacrifice Hit.

I may try some of the stories by these authors. I believe Lawrence Block has a series regarding Keller.

None of the stories were really bad yet. I’m not sure what the crime was in “Chickasaw Charlie Horse”, though. I know Strike Zone (view spoiler)[ was about a former baseball player getting into trouble...no murder mystery,,,, but who was the criminal and what was the crime in Chickasaw Charlie Horse? (hide spoiler)]

I’m not one for sports but (view spoiler)[those coaches in “Sacrifice Hit” remind me of some of the coaches at my grandkid’s games. (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa, Moderator]

Donna wrote: "This was a great way to experience many authors. I enjoyed it and it was a fast read."

Donna, good question on Chickasaw Charlie. I viewed him as a grifter, always operating just inside or just outside of the law, although no specific crimes were attributed to him. The way he played fast and loose with his baseball history and native lineage just made him seem seedy.

If you liked the Keller story, I highly recommend anything by LB. The Keller books are great, and I love his Matthew Scudder series. For something a little lighter, but still crime-related, try the Bernie Rhodenbarr series. I LOVE those. Funny and clever, great mysteries.

[Donna]

Yes! Playing on the line was Charlie!! Yes, I’ve been trying more and more authors.

[Lisa, Moderator]

I've just finished "The Closer", which was clever and entertaining, but I found it sort of hard to follow. Anyone have thoughts on the story?