The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion
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Currently Reading? Just Finished?
Sharon wrote: "How are you liking this series? This is the series I followed all the way through by Charlaine Harris..."I'm really enjoying the series and like the two main characters. I'm now kinda wishing there were more books to the series. Instead I guess Harris got sidetracked by the popularity of the Sookie Stackhouse mysteries. I don't like vampires much so I couldn't get into that series. Have you read any of her other books you could recommend?
I suggest the Aurora Teagarden series and the Shakespeare series. Read them in order is my recommendation. Both series are quite enjoyable. Actually ANYTHING by Charlaine Harris is awesome!!
Unfortunately, I seem to be like you ... I liked this series very much and tried the others but simply couldn't maintain any interest in them. These I liked well enough to buy/keep and re-read ... the others I wasn't interested enough in to even keep up with them through the library.We seem to like some of the same books ... you might want to try the first of Craig Johnson's series, The Cold Dish ... more mystery/police procedural but a strain of mysticism runs through the books. I notice you like the P.J. Tracy books so you might enjoy John Sandford's lesser known Kidd series which starts with The Fool's Run ... computer based thriller sort of thing.
I'm also liking the Faith Hunter "Skinwalker" series very well, a bit harder edged than some but avoids my dislike for vampire/romance themes. If you want something just plain fun, you might try Stephany Simmons ... she has two out in a series ... and while I'm not a vampire enthusiast by any means, I absolutely could not resist a little, nerdy vampire, complete with pocket protector who keeps apologizing for letting his fangs show.
Kari wrote: "I am reading The Expats: A Novel[bookcover:The Expats: A Novel] It is OK so far. I have not found it page turning yet. I really dislike all the back and forth time frame. This book could have a use..."I just could not bring myself to give a darn about any of the characters; they all seemed very shallow, surface, unreal . . . something like that.
Thanks for the recommendations, Sharon. I'll check them out. Michele, I'll definitely try one of Harris's other series to see if I like it. Thanks to you both!
Renee wrote: "Kari wrote: "I am reading The Expats: A Novel[bookcover:The Expats: A Novel] It is OK so far. I have not found it page turning yet. I really dislike all the back and forth time frame. This book cou..."I am in the middle of this book as well. So far it is keeping my interest.
I am currently reading
but you should all read
it is the first book in this series and its really good!
Am reading The Street Sweeper by Elliot Perlman - already think it's going to be on my top 10 of all time list. Really draws you in - emotional, deep, complex characters. Hope the ending doesn't disappoint.
I am still reading The Bone Vault by Linda Fairstein But I am going start reading these books nextDisturbed by Kevin O'Brien
Heart of Evil & The Evil Inside by Heather Graham
The Long Road Home by Mary Alice Monroe
Because You're Mine by Lisa Kleypas
Started Pete Hamill's "Forever" -- which is kind of an historical thriller with supernatural overtones -- at midnight last night. Great read so far -- though it looks to be a 3 day book.Uke Jackson
Michele wrote: "I suggest the Aurora Teagarden series and the Shakespeare series. Read them in order is my recommendation. Both series are quite enjoyable. Actually ANYTHING by Charlaine Harris is awesome!!"Love the Shakespeare series and The Tolliver sibling series.
Sharon wrote: "If you have read some of the earlier Dick Francis books, I'd be very interested in knowing how you compare the ones he wrote before his wife's death and the ones he wrote with his son, later.I've..."
Sharon, I've always found Dick Francis books follow a kind of "formula" and I think that continues with the books written with his son. Still pretty good mysteries.
Sharon wrote: "Dorie wrote: "I finished
and am moving onto
."How are you liking this series? This is the series I followed all the way through by Charlain..."
I loved this series, too, Sharon. I understand that Charlaine isn't going to continue these as well as her other older series. This really disappoints me. In my opinion they're much, much better than the Sookie books.
Anne wrote: "Just finished reading The game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin , what a great book and such a lot of characters it took all my concentration to remember who was who, but it was well worth it,now I..."In 1997 on a whim I downloaded "Game of Thrones". My family and I were going on a road trip and we love to listen to audiobooks to pass the time. By the time we hit the Tennessee-Georgia line we were completely hooked. (smile). Mr. Martin takes a very long time to write these books ( was beginning to think A Dance with Dragons was never going to be finished and released) but they're always worth the wait!
Robin wrote: "Am reading The Street Sweeper by Elliot Perlman - already think it's going to be on my top 10 of all time list. Really draws you in - emotional, deep, complex characters. Hope the ending doesn't ..."I thought it was an amazing book - really monumental.
I have just discovered Christobel Kent. I thoroughly enjoyed her book A Time Of Mourning: and posted some comments here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13... JB :-)
Just finished In Cold Blood and wrote a review. An amazing book.http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I just finished "Balls of Leather and Steel" by Guy Butler which I enjoyed as much for the book itself as for the title and now reading "Riding Fury Home" by Chana Wilson a really harrowing memoir and another fantastic titled book...:)
Death Comes to PemberleyI’ve just finished P. D. James’s Death Comes to Pemberley and am very disappointed. The story uses the characters and setting of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice—Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet now happily married and presiding over Pemberley manor. James does a good job of imitating Austen’s diction, but without any of her wit and insight. The plot is talky and slow-moving, the mystery uninteresting, and the solution unconvincing. I’ve always loved James’s novels but perhaps it is time, at last, for the Queen of Mysteries to retire. If this book didn’t have her name attached to it I doubt it would ever have seen print.
Michele wrote: "I suggest the Aurora Teagarden series and the Shakespeare series. Read them in order is my recommendation. Both series are quite enjoyable. Actually ANYTHING by Charlaine Harris is awesome!!"Great suggestion Michele. I loved Aurora. Wish CHarris would write a few more but she's taken up with Snookie Stackhouse, the moneymaker.
Currently reading and enjoying the second of Elly Griffith's Ruth Galloway mysteries, The Janus Stone. Some might be bothered by the style of her books - they are told in present tense - but I'm not finding it a problem.
GlenK wrote: "Some might be bothered by the style of her books - they are told in present tense - but I'm no..."I didn't have a problem with the style of the books, loved the first one, in fact. What got to me was the personal involvement/issues the author wrapped her up in. Why isn't a female main character interesting unless she has a difficult personal relationship, single mother with child, drinking problem or something? Why can't they have an interesting, intelligent, inquiring, well educated single person without all the angst?
Just finished "Taken" by Robert Crais. I liked it a lot! Fast moving plot with one thing I took exception to. The young male and female characters that had been "taken" by the bad guys, were held in a room crammed with other people and only one bucket to piss in. They were there for days. No one could bathe. But the young guy kept kissing the girl's "incredibly soft hair." Sorry but after a few days of this her hair would have made him gag. Just saying.But the bad guys are wonderful to hate, the protagonists easy to love. A good read!
Ann wrote: "I am new to the group, just started
"Welcome, Ann! I absolutely love the Gabriel Lacey series, it's one of my favorites! I hope you are enjoying it.
Dorie wrote: "Ann wrote: "I am new to the group, just started
"Welcome, Ann! I absolutely love the Gabriel Lacey series, it's one of my favorites! I hope you are enjoying..."
Thank you Dorie, this is my first book in the series and I just started it but so far so good!
Cathy wrote: "Michele wrote: "I suggest the Aurora Teagarden series and the Shakespeare series. Read them in order is my recommendation. Both series are quite enjoyable. Actually ANYTHING by Charlaine Harris is ..."I've enjoyed the Shakespeare series very much as well. I think it was excellent. I've read one of the Aurora Teagarden series and it was ok as I recal. I haven't read any of the Grave Surprise series yet, but I do have a few on my shelves to read. I hope Charlaine finds time to keep them all going..
Started (or re-started)
this morning after several more hard edged police procedural type mysteries and a couple of A/A types.This is an older series I just 'discovered' and I'm working through them, in a certain mood they're great, a rather leisurely pacing with a strong strain of paranormal. However it has been a series that needs a bit of time between books for me, at least.
Just got back from vacation and finished Chasing the Dime by Michael Connelly. Very different from all his other books but still a good read. Finished Defending Jacob by William Landay. Very slow beginning and the ending I did not see coming. Finished The Voice of Reason: A V.I.P. Pass to Enlightenment by Chael Sonnen. A very funny straight to the point book. Love it! Lastly I finished Grift Sense by James Swain. My first Tony Valentine book. I like it but not as much as his other hero Jack Carpenter. All four stars.
I'm reading A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths, the latest instalment in the Ruth Galloway series. I've enjoyed the first 3 in the series and am not disappointed so far.
Jan wrote: "I'm reading A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths, the latest instalment in the Ruth Galloway series. I've enjoyed the first 3 in the series and am not disappointed so far."Hi Jan, I can't wait to read it :) I've loved every one of her books.
Just finished: Daniel Deronda
George Eliot; The Killing of Crazy Horse
Thomas Powers;Blue Asylum
Kathy HepinstallReading: A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
Bill Bryson
I am almost finished with this book and it is so great. I think I will be reading more of Faye Kellerman
Finished The Sword in the Stone this afternoon and enjoyed very much. I'm getting into A Long Way to Shiloh and starting to enjoy. About to start The Flight of the Phoenix; I've been looking forward to it for awhile.
I'm about 2/3rds through with Point of Origin by Patricia Cornwell. Love Kay Scarpetta and really enjoying unraveling this mystery.Marilyn, Faye Kellerman is great. Love her books.
Marilyn wrote: "
I am almost finished with this book and it is so great. I think I will be reading more of Faye Kellerman"This is my second book by faye Kellerman and I am hooked. I was and still am a fan of her husband Jonathan but the series featuring Peter Decker and Rina is fabulous writing. Thank you Stacy
I'm currently reading Kaye George's Smoke. I thought it would be a cozy, but it is wickedly humorous mystery... lot's of fun!
R.P. wrote: "I'm currently reading Kaye George's Smoke. I thought it would be a cozy, but it is wickedly humorous mystery... lot's of fun!"Just checked her web site out. Her books look interesting. Have you read others by her?
I am literally dragging my way to the end of
by Phillip Margolin. I wonder how it got published, why anyone would recommend it and why I am reading it. SO my big question for the day is: can somebody recommend a really good thriller/serial killer/ cops get the bad guys book that I cannot put down? I am ready for something good to excellent after this disaster. Thanks!
Have you read John Sandford's Lucas Davenport series? They would probably meet that criteria, as would his more recent Virgil Flowers series.
Sharon wrote: "Have you read John Sandford's Lucas Davenport series? They would probably meet that criteria, as would his more recent Virgil Flowers series."Yes I have read some Prey books and will be reading some more. Thanks!
The Blood Spilt Asa Larssen. Marvelous. Lots of context (life in the far north in Sweden) wonderful characters presented with humanity and sympathy, not rushed but inexorable. An all-nighter.
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How are you liking this series? This is the series I followed all the way through by Charlaine Harris.