The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion
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Currently reading? Just finished? 2023
I read Jeffrey Abbott's "The Three Beths." It was okay, kind of got a little unbelievable at the end, and the end didn't really hook up with the beginning. Seemed disjointed. Then in the notes at the end, the author said he was writing it when his house burned down, and I thought - that probably explains a lot.
Catch a Falling Clown
by Stuart KaminskyToby Peters #7, I'm rereading the series in order. This one's about average for the series (the famous circus clown Emmett Kelly who originated the sad clown character needs Toby's help) but it doesn't take place in Hollywood so it gets 3 stars instead of 4. Still very worthwhile though.
Chris wrote: "Finished The Haunted Hotel: A Mystery of Modern Venice by Wilkie Collins earlier in the month. A slow-paced gothic style mystery. 3 stars ..."
I read that a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Not quite enough to tackle anything else of his. Yet.
I read that a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Not quite enough to tackle anything else of his. Yet.
The Armand Gamache series (aka Three Pines) is getting better as it goes along and I really enjoyed the 13th in the series, Glass Houses.My review of
- Glass Houses by Louise Pennyhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Girls by Bella Osborne ⭐⭐⭐⭐.3 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
I think a lot of readers will love
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell
by Robert Dugoni. Sam Hill is the 'devil boy' with red eyes, who is bullied and ostracised throughout his school years, but his mother assures him God has extraordinary plans for him.
3.5~4★ My review of ...Sam Hell
I Stand Here Ironing is about a mother who is 'informed' that her 19-year-old daughter needs help, so please come in and talk about how 'we' can help her. What follows, is those 19 years in this poignant, very short story by Tillie Olsen. I loved it.
5★ My review of I Stand Here Ironing with a link to the story online.
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I Stand Here Ironing is about a mother who is 'informed' that her 19-year-old daughter needs help, so please come in and talk about how 'we' can help her. What follows, is those 19 ..."
You're reading some really good stories, Patty. This is another where it's been years since I read it, but I remember being moved by it.
You're reading some really good stories, Patty. This is another where it's been years since I read it, but I remember being moved by it.
I just finished the most wonderful book I've had the pleasure of reading in a very long time. If you haven't read Nita Prose's The Maid, do so. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
I read The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly It is a historical fiction thriller and I recommend it. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...I also read Family Portraits in Verse: And Other Illustrated Poems This book was sent to my wife and I by her brother, the author. It is not a mystery, but family portraits with poems.
My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Irish Coffee Murder
by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Barbara RossThis book contains three cozy mystery novellas written by three authors. Each story takes place in Maine around St. Patrick's Day, and features Irish Coffee,
Entertaining novellas. 3.5 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The second book in the Australian thriller series featuring Detective Ella Marconi again has a strong paramedic influence, reflecting Katherine Howell's background in the profession.My review of
- The Darkest Hour by Katherine Howellhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished The Silent Girls5 🌟 I loved it and now onto the sequel.
Currently reading The House Across the Lake
What Is Left Over After by Natasha Lester ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
https://www.instagram.com/p/CoGysQmLn...
White Jazz by James Ellroy. Pitch black noir that has its moments but is the weakest part of the L.A. Quartet and overdoes the staccato prose. 3.5/5
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Templar’s Last Secret
is another in the well done Bruno Courreges series. My 4.5 star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Agatha Christie was a prolific crime fiction author. But like everyone else, she didn't want to be pigeonholed.So under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, Christie published 6 novels. I've finished my second Westmacott novel --
Absent in the Spring.Christie had been very pleased with it. And I liked it as well, rating it a 4 ☆ novel.
My review -- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
But for the Grace
is a well done police procedural. My four star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I read Robert B. Parker's The Hangman's Sonnet by Reed Farrel ColemanI rate it 4 stars and recommend it to fans of Robert B. Parker, with the caveat that you read the series in order. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Devil’s Delight
by G.W. GreenIn this addition to the 'Agatha Raisin' series, the private detective investigates cases involving murder, theft, and drug dealing.
The book is written by R.W. Green, who continued the series after the death of his friend M.C. Beaton. Green does a good job.
3.5 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My bid to read as many Shamus Award winners and finalists continues with a finalist for the 2004 Shamus Award for Best PI Novel, A Visible Darkness by Jonathon KingHere's my review...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fined and enjoyed The Space Between Us
by Thrity UmrigarMy review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2373008370
Chicago Lightning
by Max Allen CollinsThis one's a collection of short stories featuring Private Eye Nate Heller. He encounters Thelma Todd, Mickey Cohen, Frank Nitti, Eliot Ness and a host of others both real and imaginary. I liked it a lot, 4 stars.
5/5 stars
Coming out February 7, 2023
Please read my review linked below:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain
.A re-read and still great!
I've also finished A Gift of Poisonby Bella Ellis
Here is my five star review for this book: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished
- Gun Control by Peter Corris, the 40th book in the Cliff Hardy and demonstrated the strength of a good plot-driven PI novel.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finishing The Human Factor by Graham Greene. At first I didn’t think I’d continue but it got much more interesting after 70 or so pages! Life of a spy and he too is human! Written in 1978: Cold War; Aparteid, leaks, etc. Book among my old stacks. Thank goodness it’s not about disfuntional families and falling apart society, America!
The Secrets of Midwives by Sally Hepworth ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
https://www.instagram.com/p/CoOtzvDLf...
i read No Fixed Line by Dana Stabenow It is book 22 in the Kate Shugak series, which I recommend reading in order. Kate is a native Alaskan Aleut PI. My 4.5 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I’m working my way through the Vera Stanhope series. The Glass Room
is the weakest I’ve read but still an above average police procedural. My 3.5 star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It's been years since I first read this famous John Cheever short story, The Swimmer, but I was surprised how much I remembered. It was also made into a Burt Lancaster film (which may have helped my memory).
5★ My review of The Swimmer with a link to where you can find it and other info
If you think you might enjoy historical murder mysteries, I recommend C.S. Harris's Viscount Sebastian St. Cyr series, set in London, early 1800s. Terrific characters and atmosphere. When Maidens Mourn, #7, is another winner.
5★ My review of When Maidens Mourn
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "It's been years since I first read this famous John Cheever short story, The Swimmer, but I was surprised how much I remembered. It was also made into a Burt Lancaster ..."
Wow. You really are reading some great, classic short stories. Since first reading this one, I've thought of it as early magic realism, before there was a name for magic realism.
Wow. You really are reading some great, classic short stories. Since first reading this one, I've thought of it as early magic realism, before there was a name for magic realism.
Recently finished the 3rd book in the Detective Ella Marconi series, an Australian police procedural incorporating quite a lot of paramedic procedure too.My review of
- Cold Justice by Katherine Howellhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while)
(last edited Feb 05, 2023 09:42PM)
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The Bookstore Sisters by Alice Hoffman ⭐⭐⭐⭐.1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
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https://www.instagram.com/p/CoTnE87rT...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Dirty Laundry
is an entertaining story but doesn’t cover any new ground. ,y three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Finally finished Hornet's Nest by Patricia Cornwell. an older book (1997) and first of a new series. Not her best, but not her worst either. 2.5 stars.