Reading the Detectives discussion
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What mysteries are you reading at the moment? (2022)
I've just finished Gokumon Island by Seishi Yokomizo, which is said to be inspired by And Then There Were None. Not similar books, but they both have an island setting. Quite atmospheric, and I did enjoy it.
Starting a read by another new author to me, Craig Rice. This is the first in her John J. Malone series, Eight Faces at Three: A John J. Malone Mystery. Craig had quite the sad history, being abandoned by her parents when she was a baby, working her way through 4 husbands, becoming an alcoholic and eventually dying from an alcohol and drug overdose at only 49. But she was also incredibly popular in her day and was the first mystery writer to appear on the cover of TIME magazine.In terms of the book itself, I am not that far into it, but I like where it is going. The sidekicks to our mister Malone are Helene Brandt and Jake Justus, who seem to be a bit of a riff off of the comedic stylings of Nick and Nora Charles.
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I've just finished A Study in Scarlet. I somehow never got around to reading Sherlock Holmes and I was underwhelmed. I struggled with the structure and had to grit my teeth to get through the middle section. Any opinions on whether the books improve?
Carolien wrote: "I've just finished A Study in Scarlet. I somehow never got around to reading Sherlock Holmes and I was underwhelmed. I struggled with the structure and had to grit my teeth to get thr..."I enjoy the ones that are short story collections, but I'm less enamoured of the novella length ones, apart from The Hound of the Baskervilles, which I did enjoy.
Tara wrote: "Starting a read by another new author to me, Craig Rice. This is the first in her John J. Malone series, Eight Faces at Three: A John J. Malone Mystery. Craig had qu..."I loved it. Believe I also have a biography of her on the Kindle. I'm up to The Wrong Murder, her third - if I can only find the book and the time to read it at the same time.
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I agree as well. I like the short stories and Hound better, so don't give up on Sherlock.
Thank you everyone, I'll take you advice and concentrate on the short stories.
I've started A Death in the Family which starts rather sadly with the murder of Kubu's gentle father. I really enjoy this series set in Botswana.
I have now started Black Orchids by Rex Stout Good to be back with the old curmudgeon Nero Wolfe and good old Archie.
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Jan C wrote: "Tara wrote: "Starting a read by another new author to me, Craig Rice. This is the first in her John J. Malone series, Eight Faces at Three: A John J. Malone Mystery...."Its zany, but fun. I really don't know how people could drink that much and survive, let alone solve a murder.
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I like that series as well. Hope it continues.
Tara wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Tara wrote: "Starting a read by another new author to me, Craig Rice. This is the first in her John J. Malone series, [book:Eight Faces at Three: A John J. Malone Myst..."I had the impression most people drank like that. Of course, my grandmother was an alcoholic. My mother grew up mostly living with cousins. I like the series mainly because it takes place, for the most part, in Chicago, my own home town. We discovered, years later, that our apartment building had contained a speakeasy. It had many secret passages and entrances. Plus, it is zany.
Jan C wrote: "I like the series mainly because it takes place, for the most part, in Chicago, my own home town."Thanks, Jan - I may give Malone a try. I lived in Chicago for a year in when I was young, remember that time well and have a great affection for the place as a result.
Just started listening to Death of an Airman
for our upcoming read. Not until May, but I wanted to start as the reviews made it sound interesting- plus, according to Martin Edwards’ introduction to my edition, Dorothy L. Sayers was a fan, which is good enough for me! I like the humor so far, first chapter sets the scene at the flying club very well and introduces the likable bishop from Australia, our amateur investigator-to-be, as well as some intriguing characters among the club members.
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I’m enjoying it too! Beautiful description at the start of the view from the plane. Some of the scene-setting dialogue between Anatole’s and Macdonald at the start felt a bit clunky, but since I’ve never been to Vienna I’m enjoying the tour.
I finished a new translation of Seichō Matsumoto's classic mystery Tokyo ExpressLink to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Yes, I felt I was violating protocol while I was writing that comment, but my mind is such a sieve that I tend to blurt out anything that enters it before it disappears! 😏
Susan in NC wrote: "Just started listening to Death of an Airman for our upcoming read. Not until May, but I wanted to start as the reviews made it sound interest..."It is currently 99 cents on kindle in the US. One place it says $9.99 but on the website it is $.99. It says I bought it 3/11 and I'm hoping I got it for the 99.
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Oh, I don't think it's a violation! Hopefully we will tempt more people to take part. :)
Alwynne wrote: "I finished a new translation of Seichō Matsumoto's classic mystery Tokyo ExpressLink to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
I don't think that is available here until June-July.
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There are SO many good series set in Scotland at the moment. I recently read the latest Stuart MacBride and loved it.
Abigail wrote: "Yes, I felt I was violating protocol while I was writing that comment, but my mind is such a sieve that I tend to blurt out anything that enters it before it disappears! 😏"You and me both, sister! If I don’t comment right away, *poof*, it’s gone!
Jan C wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Just started listening to Death of an Airman for our upcoming read. Not until May, but I wanted to start as the reviews ma..."Thanks, Jan! Scribd had the ebook and audiobook, so if anyone has access to that, I’m finding the narrator very good and entertaining- i like to listen while I knit a rather repetitive pattern. If either the pattern or plot gets complicated, I turn off the audiobook and do the knitting bit, and switch to ebook so I can follow the plot!🤪
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I didn't think I would have time for it, but I am waiting on my library requests and find myself without a book to read. So, I also started Murder on the Lusitania this morning. It's drawing me right in!
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With life hassles getting in the way and slowing me down, I eventually finished, and very much enjoyed, Seven Clues in Search of a Crime
- recommended.I'm now about to make a start on Sleeping Dogs by Elizabeth Ferrars.
Yesterday I received The Case With Nine Solutions by J.J. Connington. Hard to find here for less than $50. But I think there is something called print on demand through Amazon. It was the next in his Sir Clinton Driffield. Can't wait to get going on it.
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Have both authors on my TBR list.
I am enjoying John Connolly and Every Dead Thing and also reading Death of an Airman
I am nearing the end of both Angels and Demons and The Hanged Man of Saint-Pholien. Robert Langdon is quite the sleuth following the bloody trail left to him by the Illuminati, and with about a quarter left of Inspector Maigret's Saint-Pholien's case, I am still puzzled how it all hangs together. Great stuff.
Just starting Death of an Airman. Has started well and apart from a death looks like it could be fun.
Susan wrote: "As I am going to a crime literary festival this summer, I have been reading, or re-reading, some of the visiting authors. I re-read The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen and now..."I have read 8 of John Connolly's books. Started reading him in 2004, and enjoyed every one since. Must get back to them
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I am really enjoying, almost finished with Death of an Airman - quite entertaining. I’ve got a few library books that have come through, need to get to them before they are due back!
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Ooh, enjoy, Sandy. I am looking forward to the next in the series, which is out soon.
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I've got that on my to-watch list Judy. Good to know you've enjoyed it. I'm holding out on a britbox subscription until Hugh Laurie's 'why didn't they ask Evans' adaptation is released, which I believe is very soon.
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Ooh, enjoy, Sandy. I am looking forward to the next in the series, which is out soon."
So, I'll soon be behind again. Sigh.
I really like the concept of this series, with Horowitz really, really embedding himself in the story.
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Reading the Detectives
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I've enjoyed a few Miss Seetons, too, Jackie. They're a bit variable, but the best ones are very amusing. The third and latest writer, Hamilton Crane (i.e. Sarah J. Mason) did a very good job, I think, but I understand that she gave the series up a couple of years ago. I don't know whether there will be any more.