Currently Reading? Just Finished? Showing 5,851-5,900 of 10,166

[Alex]

Just finished The Killing Place by Tess Gerritsen. Took a while to get going but couldn't put it down by the end.

[Sharon]

Just got the latest "In Death" book downloaded today and have had my nose buried in it. A breath of fresh air which I needed ... I just simply LIKE these characters.

[Alex]

Sharon wrote: "Just got the latest "In Death" book downloaded today and have had my nose buried in it. A breath of fresh air which I needed ... I just simply LIKE these characters."

I've only just discovered this series and am half way through book 7 Holiday in Death I'm loving the series so far.

[Sharon]

With a series with this many books, there are going to be some books you like less than others, but they are few and far between and it seems like this one is going to be one of the best ones.

Just glad to 'visit' all the old friends again.

[Ken]

I was going to buy Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of Writing and was looking for a used copy. Ran across a review that stated it was a waste of money as the book was generated from an article in the NYT.
Started looking for the article found this summary that I thought was pretty good:

10 Rules of Writing (according to Elmore Leonard

1 Never open a book with weather.
2 Avoid prologues.
3 Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue.
4 Never use an adverb to modify the verb "said”…he admonished gravely.
5 Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose.
6 Never use the words "suddenly" or "all hell broke loose."
7 Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.
8 Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.
9 Don't go into great detail describing places and things.
10 Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.

My most important rule is one that sums up the 10.
If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.

[Jeanie]

Ken wrote: "I was going to buy Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of Writing and was looking for a used copy. Ran across a review that stated it was a waste of money as the book was generated from an art..."

(snort) And...how many whodunnits have begun with this line or one very similar, "It was a dark and stormy night..."?

[Dorie]

Sharon wrote: "Just got the latest "In Death" book downloaded today and have had my nose buried in it. A breath of fresh air which I needed ... I just simply LIKE these characters."

Same for me, downloaded it first thing this morning. I'm trying to make it last because I have a tendency to read these through within 36 hours.

[Jeanie]

Sharon wrote: "With a series with this many books, there are going to be some books you like less than others, but they are few and far between and it seems like this one is going to be one of the best ones.

Gahhhhhh!!! (hiding exclamation marks from Ken) I'm so jealous, Sharon. (considering downloading the puppy)

[Sharon]

Dorie wrote: "Same for me, downloaded it first thing this morning. I'm trying to make it last because I have a tendency to read these through within 36 hours. "

I'm going to be lucky if I manage to go to bed at a reasonable hour and have some left for tomorrow.

One thing that amused me no end was the gift that Roarke brought back from a trip ... she mumbled and grumbled as always but she figured it wasn't more jewelery because the box was too big. And when she opened it, she just melted because it was something he'd 'designed' for her ... like the car he gave her that looks ordinary on the outside and has all these neat gadgets like armor plating and stuff.

That's one reason I don't get tired of these books ... there's always little ongoing threads in them, like her running feud with Sommerset ... and the fat cat.

[Jannene]

I just finished Shadow Zone. It was a really good book. I loved the under water city plot and how they developed it. I really liked all the characters in the story. I didn't see the ending coming but was very glad at how it turned out.

[[deleted user]]

Ken wrote: "I was going to buy Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of Writing and was looking for a used copy. Ran across a review that stated it was a waste of money as the book was generated from an art..."

Pretty good, but I think I prefer W. Somerset Maugham's rules:

There are three rules for writing well. Unfortunately no one knows what they are.

[Sharon]

Just finished Celebrity in Deaththis morning. Classic Eve Dallas, interesting plot, interesting twist going back to the Icove case, introduced an interesting new character that is going to be a part of the 'crew' ...

These are the books when I regret that I read so fast!

[Diane S ☔]

Finished Restless in the Grave and gave it 4 stars. Now reading The Dark Rose and Heather Graham's Unseen.

[[deleted user]]

Started "The Lions of Lucerne" by Brad Thor yesterday, Feb. 21. It is very interesting. There is a lot of action going on at the first of the book.

[Ken]

Jeanie wrote: "(snort) And...how many whodunnits have begun with this line or one very similar, "It was a dark and stormy night..."?

Just to show the example that defies the rule is one of my favorite openings from Raymond Chandler's 'Red Wind'; not one of Chandler's best but its a great opener.

"Those hot dry winds that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands' necks. Anything can happen.

[Jeanie]

Ken wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "(snort) And...how many whodunnits have begun with this line or one very similar, "It was a dark and stormy night..."?

Just to show the example that defies the rule is one of my fa..."

(smile) Fabulous. I believe good storytelling cannot be harmed by an opening line regarding the weather. I think it has more to do with style, just as your example from Chandler displays. James Lee Burke has opened several of his novels with descriptions of the like, and I believe JLB writes the most beautiful prose of any author alive today, regardless of genre.

[Ken]

Jeanie wrote: "Gahhhhhh!!! (hiding exclamation marks from Ken)"

You know, my great grandfather invented the exclamation point. Within two generations the fortune from the royalties was GONE!!

[Jannene]

I just started . It is starting off a little slow but that is okay with me. I just adore this series.

[Tay]

Finished The Lions of Lucerne. The first half was slow so I gave it a 2. The last half of the book was great and I gave a 4 so overall it was a 3 for me. The main character is kinda of jerk.

Also finished . Elvis Cole is a great character. I gave it 4 stars. Also finished which is is good but not as great as Free Fall. 3 stars on that one.

[Brian]

I'm reading "Reamde" by Neal Stephenson and nearing the end. I've actually found myself slowing down, so as not to run out of book. It has been a very enjoyable story.

I've also been digging through my collection of Rudyard Kipling short stories, but I do that all the time. He puts word together in ways that make me want to be a better writer.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Finished 'The Bedlam Detective' today. Some loved this, but for me it was meh. There wasn't a single character I cared about. The plot was interesting, but the writing was a little mechanical.

[Pamela]

I have read Kathy Reichs. I find them super easy to read. I call them popcorn books because if I read one I will read another after that. I love the Canadian side of her books and have always loved forensics.
I find her books very predictable but enjoyable. Nothing like the television series which makes Bones seem as though she has some social problem where she is very bright but doesn't know how to act socially. In the books she is not like this at all. Don't judge the book by the television series. They are very relaxing murder mysteries. Don't have to have a lot of brains to figure them out. Nice break between a more trying book. Love them.

[Donna, Co-Moderator]

Ken wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "(snort) And...how many whodunnits have begun with this line or one very similar, "It was a dark and stormy night..."?

Just to show the example that defies the rule is one of my fa..."

Hi Ken and Jeanie. We had a thread a while back on great opening lines/paragraphs. Check it out at http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3...

[Jeanie]

Donna wrote: "Hi Ken and Jeanie. We had a thread a while back on great opening lines/paragraphs. Check it out at http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3101... "

Kewlbeanies! Thankees! (hugs)

[Renee]

Jannene wrote: "I just started . It is starting off a little slow but that is okay with me. I just adore this series."

You're just cruising right toward V is for Vengeance aren't you!

[Jane]

I have never read any Sue Grafton. Do they have to be read in the correct order? Our library has a few but I dont think they have them all so I would have to request them.

Thanks

[Renee]

Jane wrote: "I have never read any Sue Grafton. Do they have to be read in the correct order? Our library has a few but I dont think they have them all so I would have to request them.

Thanks"

Kinsey Millhone introduces herself, briefly, in the early chapters of each book. I think you could easily read them out of order. I've enjoyed reading them in order and following the characters' development. I also like the challenge of hunting down each book in order--library request, used bookstores, friends bookshelves when their backs are turned, etc.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Per Sue Grafton - I'd recommend yes to reading in order. Each book doesn't depend on the last one, but there are personal life threads that progress soap opera style that are more fun and involving if you read Grafton in order.

[Renee]

Just minutes from opening Hangman Blind.

[Fiona (Titch)]

I just finished and now going to read

[Jane]

Renee wrote: "Jane wrote: "I have never read any Sue Grafton. Do they have to be read in the correct order? Our library has a few but I dont think they have them all so I would have to request them.

Thanks"
..."

I like the idea of hunting for the books. At the moment I am doing that for R. Austin Freeman books as they are excellent but not easy to come by. The first one was written in 1907 and is called The Red Thumb Mark.

[Tim]

halfway thru Rosary Girls. Almost gave up, but want the foundation for subsequent in the series. How can a great writer who has gripped me put out something so starkly non-gripping and non- interesting?

[Jannene]

Renee wrote: "You're just cruising right toward V is for Vengeance aren't you!"

Yes. I had to put holds on S & T from the library. I probably should do V as well since there is a LONG waiting list. I am 24th in line for just T! Luckily, I have U in a paperback.

I wouldn't have read them out of order. Like others have said they recap the stories but you'd miss out on the soap opera feel. ;)

[Susan]

Pamela wrote: "I have read Kathy Reichs. I find them super easy to read. I call them popcorn books because if I read one I will read another after that. I love the Canadian side of her books and have always lo..."

I watched the tv show before I read the books so I expected Temperance to be more like Bones. However I really enjoy the books as well as the show. They are always a good read.

[Jennifer]

Still reading You Might As Well Die and thoroughly enjoying it but finished my last audio and had to start a new mystery there, too: The Brass Verdict .

[Max F]

Just finished What it Was by George Pelecanos. I like George Pelecanos, so I'm always willing to give him the benefit of a doubt. This book wasn't his best (Soul Circus or Right as Rain), but it certainly wasn't his worst. Like his other books, this one reads like a movie or an episode from The Wire, so it keeps you engaged. Being a DC native, I appreciate Pelecanos' descriptions of neighborhoods and landmarks and dialogue, especially with the 1970s feel.

[Lee]

Up next,

[Maj]

Mungboy wrote: "Just finished What it Was by George Pelecanos. I like George Pelecanos, so I'm always willing to give him the benefit of a doubt. This book wasn't his best (Soul Circ..."
Just finished this book also,thought it was very good.I liked the 70's slant,though maybe a bit too much clothes/records details.The plot line was still engaging though with the retrospective narration adding to it.I'm always a bit nervous when a novel starts off as a voice remembering past events,especially if you get to like a character and they weren't mentioned at the beginning!

[Tim]

Just closed the cover on The Rosary Girls by Richard Montanari. This is my third Montanari book and my least favorite. I will write review of it before I start my first John Lescroart, Damage.

[Shannon]

I am still reading

[kento]

just finished:
Currently reading: and

[Bill]

I just finished Buried, an excellent mystery by Mark Billingham and about to start A Tangled Web by Nicholas Blake.

[Dorie]

Finally finished Celebrity in Death and enjoyed it a lot. I tried to make it last as long as I could but it's so easy to read this series straight through in one sitting.

I've now started The Anatomist's Apprentice, a historical mystery involving early forensic science. I'm hoping it picks up soon.

[Charles]

Hi all. I just joined this group. I've been re-reading a lot of pre-1940 novels -- English Classics -- plus a big pile of hard-boiled for a book I'm working on. Currently reading Cyril Hare's Tragedy At Law

[Sharon]

Finished "The Beholder" by David Bishop (a free download) and will be looking for the second one in this projected series when it comes out.

Sensible female detective whose problems with ex and son doesn't overwhelm the detective story and who managed to avoid the 'becomes a target for the killer, gets stupid and becomes a victim herself' syndrome that seems so common now.

[Alex]

Just finished Live to Tell by Lisa Gardner and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's the 4th of the DD Warren books and is told from the point of view of three characters, DD the detective, Danielle the nurse and Victoria the Mother. Well worth reading.

[Jane]

Charles wrote: "Hi all. I just joined this group. I've been re-reading a lot of pre-1940 novels -- English Classics -- plus a big pile of hard-boiled for a book I'm working on. Currently reading Cyril Hare's Trage..."

Have you read any R. Austin Freeman. I have just discovered his books recently and I think they are excellent. The first one The Red Thumb Mark was first published in 1906.

[Bill]

Charles wrote: "Hi all. I just joined this group. I've been re-reading a lot of pre-1940 novels -- English Classics -- plus a big pile of hard-boiled for a book I'm working on. Currently reading Cyril Hare's Trage..."

Charles - I read Tragedy at Law last year and quite enjoyed. How are you liking so far?

[Charles]

Hi Jane -- I haven't read Freeman lately. He's notable for being the first to use genuine medical forensics. So it's said, but after CSI it's hard to imagine what that innovation might have meant at the time. I don't know any books with bad medicine -- do you? And Bill -- Tragedy At Law I like it as much this time as when I read it before. The humorous style, coming just as noir was popular, is odd, as well as the long delay getting started on the detection part.

[Tay]

Finished . Now starting my first Lisa Gardner book.