What mysteries are you reading at the moment? (2022)

[Susan in NC]

Same here, I bought it as part of an ECR Lorac birthday bundle of paperbacks for myself, other GR friends have enjoyed it, I hope you do as well.

[Jackie]

thanks, Judy, that sounds right. I have it checked out but one or two books in front of it so it might be a week or two. But it sounds good for sure.

[Jackie]

no, I started reading it today and it's a very fast read so I'll be done soon, tomorrow is likely.

[Judy]

Hope you enjoy it, Jackie.

[Tara]

On audiobook, I'm starting The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton. I thought The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle was fantastic, I am hoping this sophomore effort holds up. In an effort to catch up on the detection club challenge, I'm also reading The Studio Crime by Ianthe Jerrold. I only read the first chapter the other day and I've already completely forgotten what I read--I hope this doesn't portend how the book will turn out.

[Judy]

Our new batch of four buddy reads are all open for discussion - please drop by and join in!

The non-spoiler threads are linked below:
Swan Song by Edmund Crispin:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

The Raven in the Foregate by Ellis Peters:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Shadows in Bronze by Lindsey Davis:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Maigret at the Crossroads/The Night at the Crossroads by Georges Simenon:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Pamela]

Just finishing off an excellent and very chilling Nordic Noir mystery Night Shadows by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir before moving on to this month’s Buddy Reads.

[Jackie]

Judy wrote: "Hope you enjoy it, Jackie."

I did, it was a good mystery with interesting characters.

[Judy]

Jackie wrote: "Judy wrote: "Hope you enjoy it, Jackie."

I did, it was a good mystery with interesting characters."

That's good to hear. I've enjoyed pretty much all the Lorac books I've read so far, and it's good to see more coming into print.

[Sandy]

I am still reading two of our mid-month buddy books and I have overdosed on library books. I stopped in a branch I seldom visit and picked up three books on a whim. Then my branch had two requests come in plus two more new books on display. And I have a kindle library book that I keep forgetting to read because it doesn't take up room on the table. I'll post titles as I read; no time now as I need to get Falco back to Rome.

[Tania]

I recently read, and very much enjoyed Post After Post-Mortem: An Oxfordshire Mystery by her too. I've not read Two-Way Murder, but it does sound good; I might start it later this evening.

[Sid]

I'm about half way through The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman and I'm enjoying it a lot. If you liked the previous two, you'll like this one for sure.

[Sandy]

Sid wrote: "I'm about half way through The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman and I'm enjoying it a lot. If you liked the previous two, you'll like this one for sure."

I'm looking forward to that one. I just moved to the top of the request list but had to postpone for two weeks due to library book overload.

I recently finished two books. A Few Right Thinking Men, set in Sydney in 1930, became more of a political thriller than a murder mystery. I enjoyed the first half then got bogged down in Australian politics as the story became more unlikely.

The second book was more successful in my opinion. Back to the Garden is a stand-alone by the author of the Mary Russell / Sherlock Holmes series that I love. This is the unraveling of a cold crime when bones from the 1970's are uncovered. The book bounces between 'then' and 'now', identified in each chapter heading. While I usually have a definite favorite time period in these types of books, here I liked both.

[Sandy]

Another couple of books from my library pile. Augusta Hawke is the start of a new series by the author of the Max Tudor 'cozy' series. I gave up on Max after a couple of books (didn't like the female lead), but this one shows promise, IMO. Bits of wry humor and a female lead who writes mysteries so the author can poke fun at her profession. At times the author seems to think of Augusta as quite old, but she is early 40's.

The next book, Killers of a Certain Age I put aside after 80 pages. Must be me as it has great reviews. Too many other books to read.

On to a non-mystery, Mercury Pictures Presents. I absolutely loved his A Constellation of Vital Phenomena and The Tsar of Love and Techno was also excellent.

[Susan in NC]

I just finished a historical mystery I had on my shelf a while, A Swarming of Bees; it was set in English religious house in the 600s. The heroine was likable and interesting, a pagan “herb wife” who worked as a healer. There was clearly a lot of research and an interesting setting, but it was rather slow in pace, too many similar young, male characters and awkward names ending in -ith, I couldn’t keep them straight! It just felt rather dull and plodding - most of the clerical historical mysteries I read have some dry humor, all the characters seemed so solemn and sincere, yawn…

On the brighter side, I started our October read, Murder Is Easy by Agatha Christie; this one is new to me, always thrilled to find a Christie I’ve not read. Interesting so far, intriguing setting and premise. She never disappoints!

[Jenn]

Sandy wrote: "Another couple of books from my library pile. Augusta Hawke is the start of a new series by the author of the Max Tudor 'cozy' series. I gave up on Max after a couple of books (didn..."

Thanks for mentioning this one. I also gave up on the Max Tudor series, because I found the romance/female lead so irksome, but maybe I will give this one a shot.

[Lynnie]

I've recently finished two Hamish McBeth books Death of a Cad and Death of a Gossip. I like M.C Beaton's humour!

Continuing with lightweight and fun I've just started The Annam Jewel by Patricia Wentworth which I'm also enjoying.

[Marwan]

Started reading Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith

[Sandy]

Enjoy hanging out with Strike and Robin Marwan.

As well as starting one of our monthly reads, (Murder is Easy), I am reading a new library book due back soon, Death and the Conjuror, billed as a homage to Golden Age locked room mysteries.

[Susan in NC]

Going to start a reread of A Blunt Instrument by Georgette Heyer - I wish I could find an audiobook, I’ve read it several times and prefer audiobooks for rereads. Also starting Death in a Strange Country by Donna Leon for our upcoming read.

[Rosina]

Susan in NC wrote: "Going to start a reread of A Blunt Instrument by Georgette Heyer - I wish I could find an audiobook, I’ve read it several times and prefer audiobooks for rereads. Als..."

It's available in the UK with Audible - read by Matt Addis, who has replaced Ulli Birve as their Heyer mystery reader. They have been gradually adding his readings to their lists.

[Susan in NC]

Rosina wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Going to start a reread of A Blunt Instrument by Georgette Heyer - I wish I could find an audiobook, I’ve read it several times and prefer audiobo..."

Thanks, Rosina, I Googled it and found the Matt Addis version, and he sounds nice on the sample, but I don’t seem to be able to access the full version! Audible says unauthorized to sell in my country.

[Rosina]

I wondered about that - he is good though. He does/did the Michael Innes audio books too

[Jackie]

I'm about half way through a re-read of A Blunt Instrument

[Judy]

It's been too long since I read a Rex Stout book, so I'm reading one of his books of 3 novellas, Curtains for Three, and enjoying it.

[Rosina]

While I'm with Kindle Unlimited, I'm reading Ruth Downie's series about a medicus in Roman times - currently just finished number 3 - . They are enjoyable - reasonably convincing historically, with interesting characters and mildly exciting plots.

[Sandy]

Judy wrote: "It's been too long since I read a Rex Stout book, so I'm reading one of his books of 3 novellas, Curtains for Three, and enjoying it."

It has been much too long for me as well. Curtains is next up for me and I have it on audio. Maybe soon, after cleaning up my library backlog.

[Sandy]

Rosina wrote: "While I'm with Kindle Unlimited, I'm reading Ruth Downie's series about a medicus in Roman times - currently just finished number 3 - . They are e..."

I read the first of the series quite a while ago and meant to get back to it after the Falco series, but it hasn't happened yet.

Kindle Unlimited can be quite enticing that way. I have at least two series I want to finish, and I always take out a new book when I return one, so the number never goes down.

[Susan in NC]

Rosina wrote: "While I'm with Kindle Unlimited, I'm reading Ruth Downie's series about a medicus in Roman times - currently just finished number 3 - . They are e..."

Oh, thanks for this, Rosina- I read the first a few years ago, enjoyed it, but got distracted with other things!

[Sandy]

I recently finished Death and the Conjuror which was fine, perhaps most memorable for being an interesting homage to GA locked room mysteries.

[Abigail]

I’ve started The Daffodil Affair for the October group read and am really enjoying the setup. Three seemingly unrelated disappearances of very different character, three very different detectives. I am intrigued!

[Sandy]

I'm reading one of my random library pickups, Murderous Mistral, which I've found out is a very stiff wind. It is the start of a ten-book series but only the first two have been translated into English. Set in Provence, where the author lives, written in German, where the author was born. In between he studied in the US. The rest of the world is much more cosmopolitan than the US.

Atmospheric, interesting characters, romantic potential, good food and, so far, an engaging mystery.

[Sandy]

I've started a re-read of Magpie Murders before the TV version is aired here in the US.

[Judy]

Hope you enjoy the TV adaptation of Magpie Murders, Sandy - I liked it. Great that it was adapted by Anthony Horowitz from his own novel!

I'm reading The Satapur Moonstone by Sujata Massey, set in 1920s India - this is a book I've been meaning to get to, after enjoying the first in the series and a short prequel.

[Tara]

I read and enjoyed A Death in Door County by Annelise Ryan which was quirky enough to keep the plot moving. I'm about halfway through The Enigma of Room 622 by Joël Dicker which is boring me to tears. Odd for something billed as a thriller. Too much time jumping that feels like its done just for the sake of it.

[Judy]

I'm about two thirds of the way through our next Bobby Owen buddy read, Ten Star Clues, and enjoying it a lot so far - looking forward to our discussion.

[Rosina]

I have just started my umpteenth re-read of A Blunt Instrument, this time as an audiobook read by Matt Addis. Ten Star Clues is in line, and then there's The Daffodil Affair - but I last read that in February, so I think I'm up for the discussion!

[Susan in NC]

I just started a reread (listening to audiobook) of an old favorite, The Withdrawing Room by Charlotte MacLeod. Also our November choice, Harriet Rutland’scBlue Murder. I wasn’t a huge fan of her first book, which I read with the group in 2019, we’ll see…first few pages seem interesting, and introduction made it sound good.

[Jan C]

I started Midsummer Murder by Clifford Witting last week. Discovered it was #2 in a series and realized I did have #1, Murder in Blue. So I have now started Blue. It starts with a note from the author's daughter, 86 at the time, saying how thrilled her father would have been to see that Golden Age detective stories are making a comeback.

[Judy]

I'm reading our forthcoming buddy read, The Daffodil Affair by Michael Innes, and finding it extremely strange, to say the least! I'm about 35% of the way through.

Also just starting another buddy read, A Blunt Instrument by Georgette Heyer.

[Sandy]

About to start the next Bobby Owen for one of buddy reads.

Finished my reread of Magpie Murders and, finally, remembered the murderer in the final chapters. Great book, must read the next one soon.

[Rosina]

Judy wrote: "I'm reading our forthcoming buddy read, The Daffodil Affair by Michael Innes, and finding it extremely strange, to say the least! I'm about 35% of the way through.."

It is a very strange book - as Hudspith says, it might almost have been written by that Michael Innes ...

[Sid]

I've just finished Waste of a Life by Simon Brett, which I enjoyed very much. The mystery element of it is a bit thin, but the characters and human insight more than make up for it. (My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... )

I'm now on the final straight of The Memory of Blood which, while not perhaps Christopher Fowler's very best is still amusing, erudite and very involving.

[Jill]

I am about half way through Murder Is Easy. I was on holiday down in Cornwall , and my reading was going well. On the Monday of the third week my husband had a heart attack, so I have spent most of my time in hospital visiting him . They released him this Tuesday so he could come back to Essex to have treatment locally

[Sid]

Oh, I'm so sorry, Jill. Fingers crossed that he's OK. Best wishes to you both.

[Pamela]

Sorry to hear about your husband Jill. Wishing him a speedy recovery, thinking of you

[Jill]

Sid wrote: "Oh, I'm so sorry, Jill. Fingers crossed that he's OK. Best wishes to you both."

Thanks. We have spent most of the last couple of days trying to find out if the local hospital will take him as a referral as we have been told he needs surgery. Truro inserted a stent but say he needs surgery

[Susan in NC]

Jill wrote: "Sid wrote: "Oh, I'm so sorry, Jill. Fingers crossed that he's OK. Best wishes to you both."

Thanks. We have spent most of the last couple of days trying to find out if the local hospital will take..."

Jill, so sorry about your husband, best wishes on his surgery and recovery ❤️‍🩹

[Susan]

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband, Jill. Wishing you both all the best.

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am currently unable to buy kindle books on Amazon. The one-click settings aren't working. After dealing with all sorts of customer assistants, who asked me to 'add the kindle book to my basket,' I finally got hold of someone who knew that it's an issue the site is currently having. So, if you can't buy books either, let Amazon know and they will add you to the presumably long list of issues to look into...

[Jan C]

Jill wrote: "Sid wrote: "Oh, I'm so sorry, Jill. Fingers crossed that he's OK. Best wishes to you both."

Thanks. We have spent most of the last couple of days trying to find out if the local hospital will take..."

Best wishes on your husband's treatment and recovery. Great way to a vacation. (Not!)