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Currently Reading? Just Finished?
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Elli
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May 24, 2011 07:28AM
Next for me is Furst's Blood of Victory.
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I just finished
A Drop of the Hard Stuff the new Matthew Scudder novel by Lawrence Block. A quick and enjoyable enough read. Scudder takes on a case that is personal to him. Interesting characters and of course detective work.
As always, if you're interested, you can read my review here: http://wp.me/pTRJE-63
Just finished the audio book version
. This is my first book by Robert Crais & therefore my introduction to Joe Pike. It was very good & well thought out from beginning to end. You don't get the impression he's writing this in his sleep like you do from some authors who've been writing about the same characters for a while.
I just finished reading Merlin's Keep by Madeleine Brent. She is a great write and so enjoy all of her books.
Just finished No Fear by Allie Harrison. It was very good. A vampire was a good guy.
Bob wrote: "Susan wrote: "Bob wrote: "SusanI am putting that book on my to read list. Thanks for mentioning it. Frank Bender was one of the three personalities prominently featured in The Murder Room. He ..."
Bob,
I will try to find the interview. One of my professors is a good friend of Frank Bender's and was going to see him last Friday for what he thought might be the last time. He has mesothelioma, and I don't believe he has much time left. The world is losing one of forensic's best and he will never be replaced. :(
Dorie wrote: "I've started The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag. Loved the first one and the character of Flavia."Haven't gotten to this one yet, but I love Flavia! I so identify with her!
I'm reading the James Bond novel Thunderball by Ian Fleming. Anyone who loves the James Bond or people who don't know much about him will enjoy these books. They are a lot different than the movies. It's not all about sex and explosions... Highly under rated author and book series.
Just finished Mr. White's Confession: A Novel. I liked it, but about 2/3 of the way through, I felt like Robert Clark decided he'd had enough and decided to change his focus. Maybe change is too strong a word, but the emphasis shifted pretty abruptly. Still it was an excellent read.
Just finished Optical Delusions in Deadwood by Ann Charles, and her first book is Nearly Departed in Deadwood - see my reviews on Goodreads - totally rocked!
Elli wrote: "I never heard of him either until recently. Isn't it great to hear about books you find you like through the reviews and discussions!"Elli, your enthusiasm for Furst lit a fire...i've requested his first book, "Night Soldiers' from the library.
Reading "Currently Readly" is always deadly for my library list!!
Joe wrote: "I'm reading the James Bond novel Thunderball by Ian Fleming. Anyone who loves the James Bond or people who don't know much about him will enjoy these books. They are a lot different..."I used to collect Bond novels. I liked the the bond of the books he was more 'real'
I love Bond also. I have the complete set of DVD's. I also have a set of paperbacks of Ian Fleming's James Bond.
I just finished the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series and really liked it. For my book discussion group, I read Somewhere Inside: One Sister's Captivity in North Korea and the Other's Fight to Bring Her Home, which made for a very interesting discussion. And now I'm reading an Agatha Christie classic A Murder Is Announced. Next, I plan to tackle some mysteries written by fellow Midnight Ink authors that I picked up at the Malice Domestic conference.
Joe wrote: "I'm reading the James Bond novel Thunderball by Ian Fleming. Anyone who loves the James Bond or people who don't know much about him will enjoy these books. They are a lot different..."Haven't gotten to Thunderball yet, but I have read Casino Royale and Goldfinger. I agree that the books are much different ( and in some ways much better ) than the movies. I look forward to reading through the Bond canon.
Beth wrote: "I just finished the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series and really liked it. For my book discussion group, I read [book:Somewhere Inside: One Sister's Captivity in North Korea and the Other's Fight ..."A Murder Is announced is the first Christie (and the first mystery) I ever read. I have a soft spot in my heart for that particular novel and still consider it one of my favorites. Enjoy!
I have just finished reading a book that is not completed and I have just read the first 12 chapters.. But its called Thicker than water by Graeme Cooper, is is a really good read. If it was a book in my possession I wouldn't be able to put it down. My first 6 chapters are on this site if anyone wishes to have a read. :) http://www.authonomy.com/books/33855/...
I recently read the really chilling and disturbing The Death of Sweet Mister by Daniel Woodrell of Winter's Bone fame. It's darker than James M. Cain or Jim Thompson.
I just finished 'The Pyramid' by Henning Mankell - five short stories that begin the very popular Wallender series. He's a good writer and the plots are pretty well developed. Certainly gives a great description of the mostly-wintry southern Sweden. I'm now reading 'Some Danger Involved' by Will Thomas - a historical mystery that takes place in London. After recently finishing several books by David Liss, this book just doesn't quite measure up...
Just finished reading
by David Ellis. This was a good murder mystery & political & legal thriller. As a lawyer living in Chicago, the author David Ellis, has probably had a catbird seat to view political corruption. Perhaps that's why this story has an authentic feel to it.
Mike wrote: "Joe wrote: "I'm reading the James Bond novel Thunderball by Ian Fleming. Anyone who loves the James Bond or people who don't know much about him will enjoy these books. They are a l..."Try to read them in order. Live and Let Die was awesome along with Moonraker, Diamonds are Forever, but From Russia With Love was really good. James Bond got popular in America when JFK had From Russia With Love on his favorite books list. These books have awesome stories. You can see somethings that they took from the books that they use in the different movies.
Joe wrote: "Mike wrote: "Joe wrote: "I'm reading the James Bond novel Thunderball by Ian Fleming. Anyone who loves the James Bond or people who don't know much about him will enjoy these books. ..."That's when I started reading them, when JFK was reported to like them. I was in high school and our small town librarian wasn't sure she should let me read such racy books but since the president recommended them she let me check them out. I think Ian Fleming may have still been writing at that time. I really enjoyed those books.
Dena wrote: "Joe wrote: "Mike wrote: "Joe wrote: "I'm reading the James Bond novel Thunderball by Ian Fleming. Anyone who loves the James Bond or people who don't know much about him will enjoy t..."I read them all when I was in high school. Not sure if it was on JFK's recommendation or because of the movie Goldfinger( with that great theme music with Shirley Bassey). But I think I had read them all by ''65 or so
Joe wrote: "Mike wrote: "Joe wrote: "I'm reading the James Bond novel Thunderball by Ian Fleming. Anyone who loves the James Bond or people who don't know much about him will enjoy these books. ..."Got it. Reading the series in order was why I read Casino Royale. (I read Goldfinger first simply because I owned a copy of the book and was curious to see how closely it followed the movie.) I own most of the series now and will be getting back to Ian Fleming in a bit. Live and Let Die is next, right?
Yvonne wrote: "Just finished reading
by David Ellis. This was a good murder mystery & political & legal thriller. As a lawyer living in Chicago, the author David Ellis, has p..."That was a great book as are all of Ellis' books.
Just finished Still Missing by Chevy Stevens. The first half of the book was 4.5 stars. The last half, 1 star. The imagination stretch required to swallow the mystery behind the kidnapping was more than I could muster.
Just finished
The Sisters Brothers: A Novel and really enjoyed it. Gave it 4* because it has a little of everything. Dry humor, great characters, grit, emotion, and plain good storytelling/writing.
If you're interested my review can be found here: http://wp.me/pTRJE-6d
Just FinishedHonor's Kingdom by Owen Parry
Fairly brilliant novel. I'm really amazed by most historical novels. The amount of research involved must be enormous. The mystery is strong in this but the narrator giving a first-person POV is the selling point. Interesting and funny character. The main antagonist is basically his opposite on many views and they have some good conversations. Very well done.
Tyler wrote: "Just FinishedHonor's Kingdom by Owen Parry
Fairly brilliant novel. I'm really amazed by most historical novels. The amount of research involved must be enormous. The mystery is s..."
I'll have to try again. I was finding the narration tedious, but I hung on to the book anyhow. Must be a sign.
Tyler wrote: "Just FinishedHonor's Kingdom by Owen Parry
Fairly brilliant novel. I'm really amazed by most historical novels. The amount of research involved must be enormous. The mystery is s..."
I haven't read Owen Parry for a long time. I did always enjoy what I read. I'll have to get this out from the library and take a look here. I haven't even thought about him for a long time.
Was it Midnight in Paris I saw last night at our really great little indie theater. It turns out to be kind of a time warp in Paris and goes right along along with Alan Furst's characters and the how and kind of why the emigre's who really can never go back choose to live there. Some of the why and wherefore. Also found that my non-fiction spy novel is at the Interlibrary loan desk with my name on it. Nice to get on the computer and find that kind of news!
K.B. wrote: "Tyler wrote: "Just FinishedHonor's Kingdom by Owen Parry
Fairly brilliant novel. I'm really amazed by most historical novels. The amount of research involved must be enormous. Th..."
I can see how you feel that about the narrator. I think of him of a Andy Griffith-type person with a darker past. If anything, I can get involved in the setting of London and Glasgow.
Jason wrote: "Just finished
The Sisters Brothers: A Novel and really enjoyed it. Gave it 4* because it has a little of everything.
Dry humor, gr..."
Love the cover on that. Will read your review later tonight.
The Sisters Brothers: A Novel and really enjoyed it. Gave it 4* because it has a little of everything. Dry humor, gr..."
Love the cover on that. Will read your review later tonight.
K.B. wrote: "Tyler wrote: "Just FinishedHonor's Kingdom by Owen Parry
Fairly brilliant novel. I'm really amazed by most historical novels. The amount of research involved must be enormous. Th..."
I had some trouble with Honor's Kingdom. Now I'm having trouble getting into Rebels of Babylon, which appears to be the final in the series ... so far. I don't know if the author known as Owen Parry plans on coming back to the series or not. From what I've gathered from Amazon is he just left it hanging in mid-air.
Currently reading The Suspicions of Mr Whicher. Started off really well but a little unsure at the moment as it seems to wander off slightly in places but not the first time I've thought that and things have tied up together.
Mike wrote: "Joe wrote: "Mike wrote: "Joe wrote: "I'm reading the James Bond novel Thunderball by Ian Fleming. Anyone who loves the James Bond or people who don't know much about him will enjoy t..."Yeah, Live and Let Die. The rest in order are Moonraker, Diamonds are Forever, From Russia With Love, Dr. No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only, Thunderball, The Spy Who Loved Me, On Her Majesties Secret Service, You Only Live Twice, Man With The Golden Gun, Octopussy and the Living Daylights.
Took me ages, but I've finally finished L'Enigme des Blancs-Manteaux by Jean-Francois Parot. (The English title is The Chatelet Apprentice). A solid historical mystery, set in Paris in 1761, with plenty of colour and detail. I have the next one in the series to read (L'Homme au Ventre de Plomb / The Man with the Lead Stomach), but it will probably have to wait a while. There are quite a few books queued up in my to-read list!
I recently finished ACROSS THE DESPERATE MILES by Patrick Michael Murphy. It is definitely a suspense novel! I am actually having a giveaway on my blog for his novel right now if anyone would like to check it out.
http://historicalfictionobsession.blo...
Marjorie wrote: " Furst doesn't really write thrillers, at least not the kind that are non-stop action. His books are more portrayals of character and atmosphere. The World at Night is, IMO, one of the absolute best portrayals of Paris under the Occupation. "This sounds just like the sort of book I like to read and have added The World at Night to my wish list. Is this a series that would be better appreciated if read in order?
Thanks, Marjorie. I decided since they have been published in time-sequence that I would try to read them in order. Now all I have to do is shoehorn them into my time.
Elli wrote: "Just started The Cuckoo's Egg by Clifford Stoll, a non-fiction spy novel. And so far I do like it."Thanks for reminding me about this trip through the early days of what would later become the internet.
I finished Kisser by Stuart Woods, a Stone Barrington mystery. Stone, a lawyer, is a real lady killer but his shenanigans in this book were waaaaay over the top. I think Stuart Woods is getting lazy - substituting sex for a good story line. I might have to give up on him.
It could also be that he is getting old. Not sure how old he is but his jackets have been showing him with white hair for quite a while now.And more than a decade I remember talking to someone online about him. She had recently met him at a dinner party. Now she didn't indicate his age but she was approximately my age and he was older, I think.
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