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Scott wrote: "Currently reading The Disappearance by Bentley Little--while he often writes horror, this is more suspense and mystery, Enjoying is realistic characters.I love Coben, Linda, but ha..."
Scott this one was really good, hard to put down - kept calling my name.... :)
I read Scarecrow and also the poet, enjoyed them both..
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It was also the first Steve Berry I've read but I recently saw one of his new TV shows on the History Channel so I was very excited when my copy arrived.
It's the 6th in the Cotton Malone series so I do think I missed some character development and it was a little hard for me to relate to Malone, Cassie, and Stephanie but the Chinese history and politics was fascinating and well worth the read. I really appreciated the author's note at the end separating fact from fiction and supplying a few more details. I am going to check out some other works by Berry.
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James wrote: "I just finished re-reading Connelly's The Lincoln Lawyer."I just reserved this at my library - can't wait for the call!
I'm planning to begin reading the book by Jerramy Fine, Someday My Prince Will Come...True Adventures of a Wannabe Princess. She has started a Princess camp called Princess Prep. See website link http://princess-prep.com/ . The rules say there is an age-appropriate limit of 8-11 years, but I wanna go too!
Just finished the basement by Stephen Leather. Quick easy read but nothing special.
Just finished Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs. Confusing in spots, but I like her books. Now I'm on to Summer Wind: Thomas Capano and the Murder of Anne Marie Fahey
I just finished The Chopin Manuscript. I found it pretty choppy and not for me.
In the past week I have finished reading Tana French's first two novels, In the Woods and The Likeness. I've also listened to the audio book of Georgette Heyer's The Unfinished Clue. All most enjoyable, although the crime / mystery / thriller genre has certainly changed over the past 60 years!! I have now started on Tana French's most recent novel, Faithful Place (yes, despite her improbable plots, I have found Tana French to be compelling reading!!) and I am listening to Dorothy L Sayers' second Peter Wimsey novel, Clouds of Witness. My taste in crime fiction includes both contemporary and period!
Hayes wrote: "Kim wrote: "Hayes wrote: "I've just started Ishiguro's When We Were Orphans. His use of language is just so wonderful. I'm just at the beginning so it's hard to know where the book wil..."Ishiguro is a wonderful writer. His prose and his thought are smooth and deep.
I've been listening to the audio of Pagan Babies by Elmore Leonard, an author I usually like. I got up to the 3rd disc and it hit me that i was bored and didn't care about any of the characters - so I just gave up. Anyone have an opinion about this book?
I liked the book but remember thinking that I didn't like it as much as most of the E.L. books I've read.
That was the book that turned me off of Elmore Leonard. I haven't gotten a Leonard book since.
I Would Know You Anywhere (Lippman). Certainly different than anything I have read before. I think I like it.
Recently finished No Justice by Darcia Helle (brilliant mystery). I'm now reading Caraliza by Joel Kirkpatrick. This is a slower paced mystery and very intriguing. Beautifully written and almost moved me to tears in places (only reason it didn't is b/c I'm a cold-hearted Brit :) )
Hugh wrote: "I am about to start Darker Than Amber by John D. MacDonald."They don't get much better than MacDonald.
The Travis McGee series by MacDonald is one of the series that became a "favorite" when it began back in the 1960s and one of a very few that has stayed on my bookshelves to be re-read ever since.
I just finished The Last Secret by Mary McGarry Morris. It kept me gripped until the last page. Great psychological suspense and a satisfying ending.
Jeane wrote: "I loved the eight but I read first her second book and afterwards the first one. Many people thought it was just good but I loved it. The best is her second, I was completely addicted to it."Hi, Jeane -
I bought The Eight from Audible! Don't know when I'll listen to it though...
I want to read some of John MacDonalds' books. Which one should I start with?
I have read all of his stand-alones I think, but years ago and haven't really gone back to them often, some of them are a bit too grim for my taste, though well written. Will let someone more familiar with those suggest possibilities.For myself, I like the Travis McGee series very well, have nearly all of them on my personal bookshelves and go back to re-read fairly often. As with all series, some are better than others, but I would suggest if you've not read any of them, that you start with the first of the series, The Deep Blue Goodbye. There is a certain amount of character development through the series, though not as much as with some series, and some references to previous people and circumstances.
Thanks Sharon that is what I have just done. I went to fantasticfiction.com and got titles for the first 3 travis mcgee books and check out from local library over the internet to be picked up in next 4-5 days.
Just got back from the library with L.A. Confidential by James Elroy. I have seen the movie but thought I would try the book as well. Also picked up The Fleet Street Murders by Charles Finch.....I have not read any of his mysteries but it looks interesting. Has anybody read his work?
I've not yet read any Charles Finch, but I do have him on my shelf.I can no longer read Travis McGee. I read a lot of them back in the '80s. Really liked him. Picked up a couple recently at used book sales and discovered I had moved beyond McGee. I don't know if they seemed too simple or what. I just knew that I no longer enjoyed them as I once had. I still don't know whether to fell sad or glad about that situation.
I love Charles Finch and have read all his books! I would say this series is in my top three favorite historical crime fiction series. Although I do recommend reading the series from the start. The first is A Beautiful Blue Death.I'm currently reading the second in the Murdoch mystery series by Maureen Jennings, Under the Dragon's Tail. I'm also watching the television series produced inspired by the series, and enjoying it a lot. If you have Netflix you may want to check it out.
Hugh wrote: "For the record, Darker Than Amber is going splendidly so far (100+ pages along), and easy to recommend. But--Holy Moley!--I forgot all about my absolute favorite John D. MacDonald boo..."Oh, yes. On my bookshelf and one of the first books I replaced after the fire. Just an absolute fun romp through the imagination.
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I've also really enjoyed the Murdoch TV series. Does it follow the books closely or is it just "based on"?
Donna, I've only seen the first four episodes but it seems that the TV show is set up similar to the books but not precisely. The mysteries themselves are all different but some of the characters are the same, including Crabtree and the female doctor. I was a little disappointed to not yet see Arthur and Beatrice (Murdoch's landlords) on the show. To me, Murdock on the TV show is bit more elegant and educated than the books, but that could just be my impression. Also I didn't notice his "progressive" investigative technique in the books, he relies more on procedure. I think that was created for the show. But I am definitely enjoying both versions.
Just finished a cozy read Truly, Madly. Now I am in for some heavy stuff Sweetheart. Looking forward to it :)
Hi, Everybody,I've been away for months reading and writing reviews for some publishing houses. Not complaining...I love it and am just now taking a breather, which is nice, too. I've missed the group.
My most recent read is "The Cypress House," by Michael Koryta. You can find my review here on Goodreads. It's a fabulous book, especially for those of us who like that noir setting of the 1930's...post WWI, depression era, Roosevelt is President, small Gulf Coast town in FL, hurricane season, and a handful of people trapped by political crooks and thieves. It's such a great book! One of the main characters has a paranormal gift of sight that just adds juice to the whole story. The Cypress House
Dorie wrote: "I love Charles Finch and have read all his books! I would say this series is in my top three favorite historical crime fiction series. Although I do recommend reading the series from the start. T..."Thanks guys.....I will be starting the Finch book this week sometime....still reading a Ruth Rendell right now.
I'm listening to the audio of The Cat Who Went Underground by Lilian Jackson Braun. I've already this book and most of the others in the series but I like to go back every once in a while.
Sean wrote: "Ishiguro is a wonderful writer. His prose and his thought are smooth and deep."
In the end I had mixed feelings about this one. I'll post my review in the "Member review" thread in a minute.
In the end I had mixed feelings about this one. I'll post my review in the "Member review" thread in a minute.
I've been stuck at home sick the last few days so have been reading a lot. Went out today and bought Michael Connelly's newest The Fifth Witness and have started that. I always look forward to a new Connelly book, they're a sure bet!
Jill wrote: "Just got back from the library with L.A. Confidential by James Elroy. I have seen the movie but thought I would try the book as well. Also picked up [book:The Fleet Street Murders|6409..."I am halfway through my first Charles Finch novel, "A Stranger in Mayfair". I like it a lot. Good period piece and learning a lot about London and the workings of Parliament from an earlier era. Bob
Jan C wrote: "I can no longer read Travis McGee. I read a lot of them back in the '80s. Really liked him. Picked up a couple recently at use..."There are several series/authors that I've had this happen with. Ones I remember liking very well when I was in my 20s or 30s (1960 through 1970s) and 30 years later they simply don't hold my interest as they did.
As an aside, however, I also have to admit that most of those tended to have a much stronger romance line and/or gothic theme ... something I seem to have pretty much outgrown by the time I was in my 50s and 60s ... with a few exceptions. I still have a handful of the Georgette Heyer romances that I chuckle over during each re-read. And several of the earlier Barbara Michaels books are still better *not* read on a dark and stormy night alone in the house.
Finished Her Fearful Symmetry and started Room.As with The Time Traveler's Wife, enjoyed Symmetry and the extra dimension that takes them out of the ordinary. Time travel in one, after-life in the other.
Interesting writing in Room, not very far into it yet but expect it will be a fast read.
Just started John Stanford's "Bad Blood." 2010 release. Never read him before and I like it after 50~ pages.Vergil is a smart police detective kind of Major Crimes assignment). He's got a good sense of humor.
The case quickly turns from a "simple" murder to a complex series of related killings with, apparently a sex-ring or "sex-cult" look to them.
The rural Minn. setting is bleak, but not in an expected way. There are happy lives and good people in those wide spread farms on the snow-covered plains, along with very dark forces.
I look forward to the book each night.
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I love Coben, Linda, but haven't read that one--and I guess I will have to get to the Larsson books soon...
Scott Nicholson