What mysteries are you reading at the moment? (2023)

[Susan in NC]

Jill wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Jill wrote: "Finished The Hermit of Eyton Forest which I enjoyed, and now moving on to the next buddy for March [book:The Grave's a Fine and Private Place|40338249..."

Same here - but it felt like it was back to the spirit of the earlier books. I admit, the last book in the series would up some loose ends, (view spoiler)[like the romance of Dieter and the eldest sister, but I don’t remember what happened to Buckshaw, or the middle sister (I always mix up Daffy and Feely - they’re both mean!) I think we were supposed to think Flavia was going to become a private detective with Dogger? It’s been a long time since I read the final book! We’ll see when we finish the series, I guess. I don’t recall feeling like everything was nicely tidied up with the last book… (hide spoiler)]

[Tara]

I've been in a bit of reading slump this year (lots of illness in the family keeping me preoccupied), but I just started Deadline at Dawn by William Irish (aka Cornell Woolrich) as part of a book club read. While I enjoy noir films, I have never particularly liked a similar hard-boiled vibe in my detective fiction, however, Woolrich is a master of the genre. The book is a real page -turner, even though not much as far as plot goes has even happened yet. The writing is both taut and lyrical, a somewhat odd combination. And this might be the first mystery novel that required me to have a dictionary handy.

[Abigail]

Sounds wonderful! Having read Robert B. Parker’s early Spenser novels, I can just wrap my head around “taut and lyrical.” Thanks for telling us about it!

[Tara]

Abigail wrote: "Sounds wonderful! Having read Robert B. Parker’s early Spenser novels, I can just wrap my head around “taut and lyrical.” Thanks for telling us about it!"

The worlds that Woolrich created were certainly dark, and seemingly his personal life was quite sad and lonely. You have to hope that having an outlet for his pain helped him a little.

I've never read any Parker. Where would you recommend beginning?

[Jill]

I have now started Dead Lagoon by Michael Dibdin the fourth book in the Aurelio Zen series. I enjoyed the first two books but didn't find the third quite as good, so hoping this is one of the better ones.

[Sarah]

The fourth book in the Zen series takes place in Venice, so I can't resist comparing to Donna Leon's series. I much prefer her books, for some reason I attach onto her characters more easily, hard to define. I also prefer the German television adaptation of Brunetti to the BBC series with Rufus Sewell as Aurelio Zen.

[Abigail]

Tara wrote: "Abigail wrote: "Sounds wonderful! Having read Robert B. Parker’s early Spenser novels, I can just wrap my head around “taut and lyrical.” Thanks for telling us about it!"

The worlds that Woolrich ..."

The first Spenser novel is The Godwulf Manuscript, published in 1973. I have not read beyond the books he published in the 1970s; folks say he went downhill, and then someone else continued the series and that wasn't a good idea, I'm told.

[Susan in NC]

I’m going to start The Raphael Affair by Iain Pears today, I got a well-loved hardcover from my library , 1990 publication date. The spine and plastic cover look so well-worn, I feel ancient, as I graduated college and got married in 1987!

Speaking of college, I first heard of Robert B. Parker through my Literature professor in college - he was a Parker fan, enjoyed his writing so much he made the first couple books required reading for his class. He thought we’d enjoy them, and I did - shared them with my mom and sisters when I was finished with them, both became big fans! We also enjoyed the television show based on the books. Can’t speak to the later books, but I definitely think they lost something when another writer took over…

[Jan C]

I found my copy of The Raphael Affair. Mine is a paperback published in 1998. I got it used from Powell's - $3.95 on a book originally sold from $5.99.

[Judy]

The latest poll is now open with 5 books to choose from for the May group read - please cast your votes!
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

[Susan in NC]

Finished my reread of our latest Flavia, The Grave's a Fine and Private Place, and started Surfeit of Suspects by George Bellairs for our April challenge. Looking forward to Inspector Littlejohn’s entrance, I do like him!

[Sandy]

I've started our latest Cadfael, The Hermit of Eyton Forest for our upcoming buddy read.

[Jill]

I am just starting Shadow of the Serpent by David Ashton Seems to be off to a good start, even if a bit gory.

[Sarah]

Just returned from the library with my haul of 4 mysteries and 1 DVD (The Brokenwood Mysteries, series 8), and will start with Cynthia Harrod–Eagles latest Bill Slider, "Before I Sleep." I love her puns for each chapter title and the spoonerisms of Slider's boss, Porson, as well as the wordplay between Slider and his team. I also picked up Cyril Hare's "Death Walks the Woods," for the reading group, and Kwei Quartey's "Last Seen in Lapaz," in his Emma Djan series. Something new: "The Rabbit Factor," by Antti Tuomainen, a Finnish crime novelist, "the funniest writer in Europe," according to The Times. Has anyone read his books?

[Sandy]

Sarah wrote: "Just returned from the library with my haul of 4 mysteries and 1 DVD (The Brokenwood Mysteries, series 8), and will start with Cynthia Harrod–Eagles latest Bill Slider, "Before I Sleep." I love her..."

Re Antti Tuomainen, I haven't read any but my 'significant other' recommends Little Siberia and has borrowed Palm Beach Finland currently.

[Sandy]

I am reading two mysteries starring religious figures who couldn't be more different. One is our next Cadfael. The other is Scorched Grace.

The characters are the similar in that they both had decidedly non-monastic lives before their current conversion.

[Sarah]

Sandy wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Just returned from the library with my haul of 4 mysteries and 1 DVD (The Brokenwood Mysteries, series 8), and will start with Cynthia Harrod–Eagles latest Bill Slider, "Before I Slee..."

Thanks for the info on Tuomainen, Sandy. I finished Harrod-Eagles and will start on the Cyril Hare. Interesting: the book is called "Death Walks the Woods" in the US, but originally published as "The Yew Tree's Shade" in the UK. I often wonder about the title changes, which seem unnecessary most of the time.

[Susan in NC]

Finished our Bellairs, started Crossed Skis by Carol Carnac, for our upcoming April read. Carnac, Lorac, I don’t care which name she wrote under, I enjoy her books! ;)

[Jan C]

Susan in NC wrote: "Finished our Bellairs, started Crossed Skis by Carol Carnac, for our upcoming April read. Carnac, Lorac, I don’t care which name sh..."

I'm enjoying Names - my first one of her under any name.

[Susan in NC]

Good, I’m glad! I like the way she writes about settings, and her characters; it doesn’t feel like traditional, two-dimensional writing. Whether her London wartime settings, among rationing and blackout conditions, or her beloved rural Lunesdale, I can picture the place, feel her love for it, and want to meet the people.

[Carolien]

For the Bryant and May fans, Christopher Fowler sadly passed away last week.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...

https://murderiseverywhere.blogspot.c...

[Susan in NC]

Carolien wrote: "For the Bryant and May fans, Christopher Fowler sadly passed away last week.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...

ht..."

So sad, love the Bryant & May series, a shame it doesn’t fit in the group’s focus period for a Buddy read.

[Jill]

We have read a Fowler books here

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

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

[Susan in NC]

Thanks Jill, must have been before my time.

[Jill]

I think we only read the first one as a group. I read the next two myself and keep meaning to read on, but then there are so many series I want to get back to.

[Jan C]

Jill wrote: "I think we only read the first one as a group. I read the next two myself and keep meaning to read on, but then there are so many series I want to get back to."

I'm on the fifth one, White Corridor.

[Susan in NC]

Jan C wrote: "Jill wrote: "I think we only read the first one as a group. I read the next two myself and keep meaning to read on, but then there are so many series I want to get back to."

I'm on the fifth one, ..."

I read the entire series through the years, and enjoyed it immensely!

[Marwan]

Started reading Our Man In Havana by Graham Greene

[Jackie]

I just started The Clutter Corpse but I'm more than halfway through, so a fast read. I liked my first book by Simon Brett so much, I thought I'd try another.

[Fred]

I have read eight books in the Bryant and May series. "The Water Room" was the first one I read and enjoyed the most. I started reading them because I was looking for impossible crime stories similar to John Dickson Carr. While I have enjoyed later books it seemed they dragged on and the solution wasn't as believable as earlier books. It has to be difficult coming up with an impossible murder each book. I have some TBR on my library website so I will probably go back to reading some more.


Carolien wrote: "For the Bryant and May fans, Christopher Fowler sadly passed away last week.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...

ht..."

[Sandy]

Jackie wrote: "I just started The Clutter Corpse but I'm more than halfway through, so a fast read. I liked my first book by Simon Brett so much, I thought I'd try another."

I have meant to try Brett for quite awhile so when I saw a new series sitting on my library shelf, I picked it up. Breezed through them but still haven't started his others. Enjoy.

[Susan in NC]

Started reading Midnight at Malabar House by Vaseem Khan, a new-to-me historical mystery series about the first woman police detective in post-Partition India, 1950. Interesting, so far.

[Sandy]

Susan in NC wrote: "Started reading Midnight at Malabar House by Vaseem Khan, a new-to-me historical mystery series about the first woman police detective in post-Partition India, 195..."

I've been reading the series as the books come out. I certainly learned a lot about the partition of India / Pakistan. Not a good time for either side.

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Started reading Midnight at Malabar House by Vaseem Khan, a new-to-me historical mystery series about the first woman police detective in post-..."

Yes! I have a nonfiction book on my kindle I want to get to eventually, thought I’d go into it in a milder way; another series I’ve enjoyed touched on Partition and more recent religious violence (The Case of the Reincarnated Client). Just the bits in these relatively cozy mystery series are rough, I have to build up to the nonfiction work!

[Sandy]

Susan in NC wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Started reading Midnight at Malabar House by Vaseem Khan, a new-to-me historical mystery series about the first woman police dete..."

I liked that series and miss 'Chubby'. He introduced me to butter chicken.

[Susan in NC]

Sandy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Started reading Midnight at Malabar House by Vaseem Khan, a new-to-me historical mystery series about the fir..."

I miss him, too! I was hoping there would be more books! Loved his mother.

[Jill]

I read the first Vaseem Khan book here and would like to get back to more. Just too many books as usual.

[Jill]

Am now reading The Ghost Fields by Elly Griffiths. I do like this series

[Sarah]

I love her Ruth Galloway novels! She also has two other series, the Stephens and Mephisto mysteries and the Harbinder Kaur books, but I put Ruth Galloway at the top of the list.

[Sandy]

Sarah wrote: "I love her Ruth Galloway novels! She also has two other series, the Stephens and Mephisto mysteries and the Harbinder Kaur books, but I put Ruth Galloway at the top of the list."

I am also a Ruth Galloway fan and am both eagerly and sadly waiting for the next, due this month. On the Shedunnit podcast Griffiths said it will be the last in the series, at least for now.

I haven't tried the Mephisto series but like the Kaur books.

[Gary]

Close to finishing The Nursing Home Murder by Ngaio Marsh.

Also working on:
The Memoirs of Solar Pons by August Derleth
The Silent Speaker by Rex Stout
The Burning Issue of the Day by T.E. Kinsey

[Jan C]

Just finished These Names Make Clues by E.C.R. Lorac.

[Jill]

Finished the Elly Griffiths Loved it.
Have now started Maxwell's Island by M.J. Trow Another series I love

[Gary]

Finished The Nursing Home Murder. Very enjoyable.

[Judy]

I'm reading our next challenge book, Surfeit of Suspects by George Bellairs - just over halfway through and enjoying it so far.

[Valerie]

I just finished Maigret’s Pickpocket. It was fun.

[Jan C]

Reading Catherine Aird's His Burial Too.

[Sandy]

Right now my arm is in a sling and reading paper books is annoying though I am pushing my way through the final two stories in Standing by the Wall: The Collected Slough House Novellas. Not only turning pages but reading without my contacts. I am reading Shrines of Gaiety on my kindle and have The White Lady waiting for me. Have to like the ability to change font size and tap to turn pages. And there is a backlog of audio books.

I will be late for our monthly books.

[Jill]

Sandy wrote: "Right now my arm is in a sling and reading paper books is annoying though I am pushing my way through the final two stories in [book:Standing by the Wall: The Collected Slough House Novellas|620733..."

Oh dear! Hope your arm gets better soon

[Sandy]

Jill wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Right now my arm is in a sling and reading paper books is annoying though I am pushing my way through the final two stories in [book:Standing by the Wall: The Collected Slough House N..."

Thank you!