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

[Jackie]

started a re-read of Dead Man's Island by Carolyn Hart as I remember really liking the series. I enjoyed the main character much more than the woman in the Death on Demand series by the same author.

[Sandy]

I have three new library books I will be starting. Peril in Paris, latest in the fluffy Her Royal Spyness series, The Twist of a Knife, and Singapore Sapphire, a book I picked up on a whim.

The TV version of Magpie Murders finishes up this week-end and Horowitz did a great job of melding the two time periods. I believe he is working on bringing Moonflower Murders to TV and writing a third in the series. I have to move Moonflower up on my TBR list.

[Jackie]

Jackie wrote: "started a re-read of Dead Man's Island by Carolyn Hart as I remember really liking the series. I enjoyed the main character much more than the woman in the Death on Demand series by t..."

I finished my re-read and changed my rating from 5 to 4 stars, but it's a book that's well worth reading and I'm surprised to search in this group and find nobody has mentioned it.

I would love to hear what mystery fans here think of it!

[Judy]

Jackie, I haven't tried Carolyn G. Hart but her books look like fun reads, thanks for mentioning her! I'm trying to find a few more authors who are cosy but not excessively so.

Just reading Before Midnight by Rex Stout, which has an intriguing plot involving someone stealing the answers to a prize competition.

[Tania]

I finished Murder in the Basement by Anthony Berkeley. I did find the story entertaining, but I think the detective, Roger Sherringham, is morally bankrupt. I didn't like the ending. I've read others by him, and he always seems to write awful female victims, who all deserve their fate. I think as a group we read one recently by him writing as Francis Iles (Malice Aforethought which had a similar outlook.

[Jackie]

Judy, it's worth talking about what excessively cozy means!

I did enjoy a lot about the Death on Demand series but found the (shorter, less known) series about Henrie O to be better. I guess they are both considered cozy.

but I would really encourage everyone to try Dead Man's Island.

[Judy]

Jackie wrote: "Judy, it's worth talking about what excessively cozy means!"

Ha, I suppose I'm thinking of the Joanne Fluke Hannah Swensen series - I used to enjoy these and still find them a fluffy relaxation, but now half of each book seems to be taken up with recipes and cooking. I've been looking for a few writers where there is an appealing cosy-type setting and good characters but the mystery is still the main element! I think Carolyn Hart may fit the bill.

[Keith]

i'm reading the Mydworth series, all short and rather fun
Vaguely reiniscemt of Wimsey/Vane in that they are aristocrats

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I don't read many modern murder stories but will happily recommend My Sister, the Serial Killer Sparse prose & thought provoking.

[Susan in NC]

Finished The Christmas Egg and The Floating Admiral just in time - my library requests for When Blood Lies andThe Bullet That Missed came through, and I picked both up today. I’ll be reading those next, then a reread of “Hercules Poirot’s Christmas”.

[Sid]

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I don't read many modern murder stories but will happily recommend My Sister, the Serial Killer Sparse prose & thought provoking."

Agreed, Carol. I thought it was very good indeed.

[Judy]

I'm reading Hercule Poirot's Christmas for our last 2022 challenge read. I've read it before but haven't remembered anything so far.

[Keith]

Right now I'm reading Helena Dixon's 'Miss Underhay' series of cozy mysteries which are fun, They remind me somewhat of Wimsey/Vane.
I have read everything by Agatha Christie and although the plots are excellent and quite convoluted, I grew tired of the two dimensional characters of Poirot etc. although Miss Marple is rather more of a 'real' person

[Jan C]

Reading A Late Phoenix by Catherine Aird

[Sid]

Jan C wrote: "Reading A Late Phoenix by Catherine Aird"

I finished that recently. Really enjoyed it!

[Marwan]

Started reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

[Sandy]

Finished The Twist of a Knife, latest in the Hawthorne and Horowitz series. This series is lots of fun, trying to separate the real Anthony from Tony who exists only in the books. And there is an excellent mystery.

[Pamela]

I’ve just finished Murder Isn't Cricket by E. Radford (actually a husband and wife team). It’s an odd book - the cricket match is the setting for the murder but didn’t play the part I was expecting, there are A LOT of scientific experiments involving measuring angles, chemical mixtures and Bunsen burners, and the narrator intervenes every so often to remind the reader to look for clues in Chapters x y and z.

Having said all that, I actually liked the various detectives and the relationships between them, and the plot was sound and convincing, if a bit predictable in places. Overall a bit of a curiosity but quite enjoyable.

[Keith]

Jackie wrote: "Judy, it's worth talking about what excessively cozy means!

I did enjoy a lot about the Death on Demand series but found the (shorter, less known) series about Henrie O to be better. I guess they..."
I am enjoying the 'Miss Underhay' sereis by Helena Dixon. Each book is not too long ., the development of the relationship between Kitty and Matt and the well developed back story gives the characters depth which is missing in a lot of the older 'Golden Age' murder mysteries. THese stories are set in the mid 1930s and Kittie is a thoroughly 'modern woman' independent. self assured and efficient but is also aware of the restrictions placed on women a century ago

[Jan C]

Pamela wrote: "I’ve just finished Murder Isn't Cricket by E. Radford (actually a husband and wife team). It’s an odd book - the cricket match is the setting for the murder but didn..."

Wasn't this one the introduction of Dr. Manson? He's a terrific character.

[Jill]

Finished The Floating Admiral and am now pleased to get back to Cadfael with The Rose Rent

[Jackie]

I am currently reading The Floating Admiral and finding it kind of boring. I hope it improves!

[Judy]

Our December group read and challenge read are now open for discussion - please join in!

The non-spoiler threads are linked below:

The Floating Admiral:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Hercule Poirot's Christmas:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Tania]

I've started Murder After Christmas by Rupert Latimer, which looks as though it is going to be rather fun.

[Sandy]

Tania wrote: "I've started Murder After Christmas by Rupert Latimer, which looks as though it is going to be rather fun."

Good. I have a library copy waiting on my kindle.

[Jan C]

I finished A Late Phoenix this afternoon.

Started reading The Nightingale Shore Murder: Death of a World War 1 Heroine by Rosemary Cook. This is the murder that is supposed to be the basis of The Mitford Murders. Wonder if it is a mistake to be reading both at the same time,

[Alwynne]

I finished the second in a series of three mysteries - available in translation that is, think there are a lot more books published in Japan - centred on homicide detective Inspector Kaga who's based in central Tokyo. The first one I read Malice was very intriguing but found the attempt to be unconventional contrived and the style claustrophobic. I much preferred this one A Death in Tokyo a fairly restrained detective novel which also contained some fascinating insights into contemporary Japan. He's very influenced by Japanese crime writing traditions but also by Golden Age writers and Agatha Christie, John Dickson Carr etc So more centred on the puzzle and the people and no long descriptions of graphic violence etc I'm now reading the second book of the three available Newcomer which is closer to this one than to 'Malice' and enjoying it so far.


Link to my review:

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

[Sandy]

While waiting for my library request for our December read to show any movement, I have a few other requests that have arrived. I recently read The Clutter Corpse and have the next in the series. I think I have Sid to thank for this recommendation. It is the first series I have tried by the author though all are on my TBR.

I also have Murder After Christmas and Die Around Sundown. I had forgotten this request and why I asked for it. Hope I like it. The next in Elly Griffiths and Louise Penny latest series are both on their way as are two of our mid-December reads.

Ignoring all those, I read A Thin Sharp Blade: An Edwardian Mystery last night so I could read the next in the series which is set at Christmas time. These are available with Kindle Unlimited but I may not continue the series as there are many better books.

[Jan C]

I've gone back to Erle Stanley Gardner's The Case of the Counterfeit Eye. Not sure if I ever read this one before. Perry meets Hamilton Berger (Burger?) for the first time. He is giving Perry plenty of rope.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I'm reading Lord Peter: The Complete Lord Peter Wimsey Stories Sayers is probably my favourite Golden Age mystery writer in novel form. Let's see how she holds up as a short story writer!

[Sid]

Sandy wrote: "I recently read The Clutter Corpse and have the next in the series."

Glad you enjoyed it, Sandy. I've read all three in the series so far and they get even better, I think.

[Carolien]

I've just completed Trent's Last Case which I really enjoyed as another very good early mystery.

[Keith]

Dorothy Sayers is alsom y favourite mystry writer. I realy enjoy the fully developed personalities she has given us instaed of the two dimensional characters in Christie and Conan Doyle for example
I also enjoy the 12th century Bro. Cadfael in and around shrewsburyThey are worth reading alongside Sharon Kay Penman's 'When Christ and His Saints slept' which fleshes out that English civil war period

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Keith wrote: "Dorothy Sayers is alsom y favourite mystry writer. I realy enjoy the fully developed personalities she has given us instaed of the two dimensional characters in Christie and Conan Doyle for example..."

In this collection I have just read The Fascinating Problem of Uncle Meleager's Will which was one of the best short stories I have ever read. It would be worth purchasing this book for this story alone!

[Sandy]

I've started Murder After Christmas and finding it a lot of fun.

[Jill]

I started A Late Phoenix and am pretty sure I have read this before. I normally don't reread books but I have gotten into this now so will carry on.

[Judy]

The vote for our February group read is now open, with 4 great titles to choose from - please cast your vote for the one you most want to read:

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

[Jill]

I have started Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear. Been a few years since I read any of hers

[Judy]

We now have a thread to discuss everyone's favourite books from this year's Detection Club Challenge:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Susan in NC]

I finished a reread of a holiday favorite Rest You Merry by Charlotte MacLeod, and have started another holiday mystery reread, Envious Casca by Georgette Heyer.

[Jackie]

I am also reading Envious Casca and really enjoying it.

[Susan in NC]

Jackie wrote: "I am also reading Envious Casca and really enjoying it."

Me, too! Just finished the first chapter last night, and it all came back to me - Heyer’s mysteries, for me, are all about the quirky, sometimes obnoxious characters she assembles, and their interactions. Intriguing and entertaining- and ripe with opportunities for red herrings, you have to pay attention.mWith so many nasty characters, you feel several of them could be the bad guy!

[Jill]

I am now reading The Dark Garden by E.R. Punshon The 16th in the Bobby Owen series buddy reads. It says in the introduction by Cutis Evans that E.R. Punshon in 1946, was the treasurer of The Detection Club.

[Gary]

Jan C wrote: "I've gone back to Erle Stanley Gardner's The Case of the Counterfeit Eye. Not sure if I ever read this one before. Perry meets Hamilton Berger (Burger?) for the first t..."

That book is next up in my read of the Mason series. Not sure if I read it years ago or not.

[Gary]

I have been off for a while. I hate the phone app version of GR. My Nook went down and will stay down until I get the charger port fixed.

My current reads are
The Silent Speaker by Rex Stout. Nero Wolfe #11.
In Re: Sherlock Holmes: The Adventures of Solar Pons by August Derleth. Solar Pons #1.
Wrack and Rune by Charlotte MacLeod. Peter Shandy #3

[Sandy]

Gary wrote: "I have been off for a while. I hate the phone app version of GR. My Nook went down and will stay down until I get the charger port fixed.

My current reads are
The Silent Speaker by..."

Welcome back Gary. I much prefer GR on my laptop!

[Susan in NC]

Gary wrote: "I have been off for a while. I hate the phone app version of GR. My Nook went down and will stay down until I get the charger port fixed.

My current reads are
The Silent Speaker by..."

Ah, another Peter Shandy fan! Hi, Gary, just reread Rest You Merry for the umpteenth time - I’ll inevitably start rereading the series, they’re like potato chips!

[Jan C]

Susan in NC wrote: "Gary wrote: "I have been off for a while. I hate the phone app version of GR. My Nook went down and will stay down until I get the charger port fixed.

My current reads are
[book:The Silent Speaker..."

I think I'm stalled on the second book in the series, although I did enjoy the first one.

[Jackie]

I decided To Heck with going back and finding where I left off in the series and just started reading Round Up the Usual Peacocks which is #31 in the Meg Langslow series where I was probably only up to #15 or so. doesn't seem to make any difference, which is maybe a bad sign but also OK with me as of this afternoon.

Here in the Dark Armpit of the Year.

I am noticing that our heroine, Meg, used to be a blacksmith and now she never seems to practice that art anymore. kind of sad, actually.

[Kajehas]

Jackie wrote: "I decided To Heck with going back and finding where I left off in the series and just started reading Round Up the Usual Peacocks which is #31 in the Meg Langslow series where I was..."

Not to worry. She has various commissions in later books.