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[Mike]

I just finished The Chicago Way by Michael Harvey and and now starting The Fifth Floor. I thought The Chicago Way was a great book overall and really look forward to diving a bit deeper into this series.

[James]

Just started Innocent. I'm enjoying it, but can't help comparing it to Presumed Innocent, which is one of my favorite books of all time.

[Jan C]

Pete wrote: "Kim wrote: "I'm not sure if Grafton has done the right thing by keeping her books set in the 1980s. She started out writing contemporary crime fiction and by the time she gets to Z is for ... they'..."

There's a reason she doesn't age much. It is because this is her casebook. While we have to wait a year (or more) between "books" she may be conducting another "case" the following week. She doesn't live on our time schedule.

"G" Is for Grafton: The World of Kinsey Millhone - a number of years ago I gave this book to my sister as a gift and this was one of the things explained in it.

That's the only thing that I know was in explained in it. I didn't read it since it was a gift for someone. I just happened to see that little factoid.

[Linda]

Kim wrote: "Linda wrote: "That is interesting Kim, I don't remember exactly when this series started, but I do remember people were really into Sue Grafton big time. I do like Kinsey though - she is pretty tou..."

I agree Kim, that is a litle odd, she only writes 1 a year - correct??? So the series easily could have evolved. It's almost like she didn't want Kinsey to "grow up"

I will continue with the series or will stop if I get bored. I am listening to them, so hopefully I will stay interested.

[Linda]

Kim wrote: "Linda wrote: "I think Lena is in the Will Trent series, don't quote me on that one though - I have only read Triptych which is the first book in that series. ..."

Linda, Lena appears in Brok..."</i>

Good to know, my plan is to get caught up on all of the series - I just need to decide the direction I want to go. I am reading [book:Blindsighted right now.

[Linda]

Jan C wrote: "Pete wrote: "Kim wrote: "I'm not sure if Grafton has done the right thing by keeping her books set in the 1980s. She started out writing contemporary crime fiction and by the time she gets to Z is ..."

Hmmm, should have known someone here would know the answer to those questions. Thank you Jan!

[Pete]

Jan C wrote: "There's a reason she doesn't age much. It is because this is her casebook. While we have to wait a year (or more) between "books" she may be conducting another "case" the following week. She doesn't live on our time schedule. "

Heh, well then, we'll just have to be nostalgic for the 80's!

[Gatorman]

James wrote: "Just started Innocent. I'm enjoying it, but can't help comparing it to Presumed Innocent, which is one of my favorite books of all time."

It's impossible not to compare them. I put aside my absolute love of PI and just enjoyed it for its own story, even though it was not as good as PI.

[James]

Gatorman wrote: "It's impossible not to compare them. I put aside my absolute love of PI and just enjoyed it for its own story, even though it was not as good as PI."

I'm trying to do the same, but about 1/3 of the way through the book, I'm having trouble doing it.

[Kim]

Jan C wrote: "There's a reason she doesn't age much. It is because this is her casebook. While we have to wait a year (or more) between "books" she may be conducting another "case" the following week. She doesn't live on our time schedule. ..."

Oh yes, I agree that's the justification for it. Other writers of long-running series have dealt with the issue differently. For example, Sara Paretsky has allowed VI Warshawski to age, just not at the same rate as the readers. (I swear VI was older than me when I started reading the series in the 1980s and now she's younger than I am!) Other writers don't tie the narrative to a specific time, so a book written one year later may take place only weeks or months after the last one, but without it being in an identifiable year.

Given that I stopped at around "O" or "P", I'm not in the best position to judge, but I can't help wondering whether Grafton could have used a different strategy to keep her books fresh rather than sticking with a time frame for the narrative which corresponds so strictly with Kinsey's chronological time. But then again, maybe they still do feel fresh!

[Jennifer]

Finished All the Flowers Are Dying -- love that series. Have Connelly's in the hopper.

[[deleted user]]

Sue Grafton is one of my favorite authors. I love Kinsey Milhone. I just wonder where she'll go after she writes Z is for whatever???. LUCY @1:45P.M. ON10-29-11

[Alex]

Have just finished Deception by Jonathan Kellerman. Good story but have to admit that the Alex Delaware character has be come a 'bit' player rather than the main character. Have now started The Secret Crown by Chris Kuzenski.

[T]

Finished Tess Gerritsen's The Silent Girl last night and am trying to start Julia Spencer-Fleming's One Was a Soldier.

In the past few Gerritsen books, she's seemed to focus more on Isles than Rizzoli. This one has more Rizzoli and includes Rat, a boy that Isles met in a previous book and adventure. Gerritsen also invokes a dose of her Chinese culture, tying the story line in with the Monkey King.

Having a hard time with the onslaught of characters in the Spencer-Fleming book, so many that I feel a need to write down the name and an identifying characteristic for the character if I am to get through the book.

[T]

Finished Tess Gerritsen's The Silent Girl last night and am trying to start Julia Spencer-Fleming's One Was a Soldier.

In the past few Gerritsen books, she's seemed to focus more on Isles than Rizzoli. This one has more Rizzoli and includes Rat, a boy that Isles met in a previous book and adventure. Gerritsen also invokes a dose of her Chinese culture, tying the story line in with the Monkey King.

Having a hard time with the onslaught of characters in the Spencer-Fleming book, so many that I feel a need to write down the name and an identifying characteristic for the character if I am to get through the book.

[Donna, Co-Moderator]

I've been traveling for the past week but did get a chance to enjoy The Laughing Policeman by Maj Sjöwall and Wobble to Death by Peter Lovesey.

I've seen and enjoyed a number of TV movies based on both books. The Martin Beck series from Sweden and the Sgt Cribb series by the BBC so it was interesting to read the books.

[Renee]

Pete wrote: "Jan C wrote: "There's a reason she doesn't age much. It is because this is her casebook. While we have to wait a year (or more) between "books" she may be conducting another "case" the following we..."

Yes, the 80s. Good times. That's what I enjoyed about the first Stephanie Plum books: Reeboks, scrunchy socks, big hair.

At what point do Grafton's books then become historical literature? Wait, I'm not sure I want to know.

[Linda]

Lucy wrote: "Sue Grafton is one of my favorite authors. I love Kinsey Milhone. I just wonder where she'll go after she writes Z is for whatever???. LUCY @1:45P.M. ON10-29-11"

LOL!!! I have often thought of that as well, especially when she was just getting started. She is almost there now - "V" came out - this week I think.

[Sharon]

Linda wrote: "Lucy wrote: "Sue Grafton is one of my favorite authors. I love Kinsey Milhone. I just wonder where she'll go after she writes Z is for whatever???. LUCY @1:45P.M. ON10-29-11"LOL!!! I have often..."

Maybe retire? She's 71 or 72, born in 1940.

[Dorie]

T wrote: "Finished Tess Gerritsen's The Silent Girl last night and am trying to start Julia Spencer-Fleming's One Was a Soldier.

In the past few Gerritsen books, she's seemed..."

T, I know what you mean about the Spencer-Fleming book. Unfortunately not her best effort. I thought Clare acted out of character in that book.

[Jannene]

I just finished . It was the book read for this month. It was a good story but seemed to be slow in the beginning. It picked up pace the further I got along. I'm also reading . It is an intriguing book. I'm not that far in but should finish that this week.

Anyone read the Temperance Brennan series? I rented the 2nd book from the library in an audio version. .

[Fiona (Titch)]

Confessions of a Sugar Mummy - Emma Tennant

[Alex]

Jannene wrote: "I just finished. It was the book read for this month. It was a good story but seemed to be slow in the beginning. It picked up pace the further I got along. I'm also read..."

I've read them all so far and l love them. Kathy Reichs seems to be one of the few authors who has managed to keep her main characters interesting unlike some authors who tend to get complacent and just assume the reader will keep buying their books no matter how bad they are! Patricia Cornwell is a case in point. Her early Kay Scarpetta novels are really good but the recent ones have been sadly lacking and she has made Scarpetta into a thoroughly unlikable character.

[Tyson]

Lucy wrote: "Sue Grafton is one of my favorite authors. I love Kinsey Milhone. I just wonder where she'll go after she writes Z is for whatever???. LUCY @1:45P.M. ON10-29-11"

27 for Don't Know When to Quit. :D

[Susan]

Linda wrote: "This week I started - never read this series and thought I would check her out since so many people love them. Not sure how I'm feeling about it so far."

I enjoy this series but I am not reading them all at once. There are too many other series that I am reading. But I have really enjoyed each one. I finished N not too long ago.

[Heidi]

Just finished Borrowed Time by CJ Lyons... Disappointing read mostly because it started out really good, but fell apart toward the end... Totally derailed by an overzealous romance thread... I'm okay with a little romance but thus was too Harlequin for me...

[Elizabeth]

Am hooked on Ian Rankin again. John Rebus is such a great character.!!!!!!

[Bill]

I've just finished two excellent books this weekend, a police procedural mystery, Blind Fury by Lynda La Plante and an old classic spy thriller, Casino Royale by Ian Fleming. I'm starting another mystery, A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey and another new author for me, Spies of the Balkans by Alan Furst.

[Sharon]

Bill wrote: "I'm starting another mystery, A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey ."

I have always enjoyed Josephine Tey's mysteries, one of the early mystery authors I read. My favorite (a horse related background of course) is still on my bookshelf and re-read quite often ... Brat Farrar.

[Bill]

Sharon wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'm starting another mystery, A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey ."

I have always enjoyed Josephine Tey's mysteries, one of the early mystery authors I read. My favorite (a horse..."

I've never read any of her mysteries, Sharon. Looking forward to seeing if I enjoy. Thanks for the recommendation.

[Sharon]

Her mysteries are definitely 'old fashioned English" ... not the same kind of writing/characters/plots of course, but similar in feel to Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, G. K. Chesterton, Ngaio Marsh, Dorothy Sayers and others. I still enjoy them as a change of pace from the action and violence ... and graphic scenes ... of the more contemporary mysteries.

[Elli]

Marjorie wrote: "Another example of an author who ages her main character a lot less than the reader might expect: Cara Black, whose protagonist, the Paris detective Aimée Leduc, is still back in the 90s.

I didn'..."

Cara Black is rather a new author for me. I'm starting the second of the series. I shall note the agelessness. Grafton's Kinsey's lack of age never bothered me. Somehow it seemed so fitting with her background and responses. And I loved her attitude. Sometimes "attitude" is one's only protection, and it's really not hard to deny recognition and possible affection to one who could have done plenty to make you and your mother's difficult life more pleasant. If one prefers their another set of values in this, one can assume that that set of values can provide the comfort and satisfaction of having done "the really right thing," and it can help provide what they need in those final hours. I'm sure it does in a number of cases. One really never knows all the motivations and factors involved in splits like that, and probably one never totally will. The realities of life are just not a given easy forgive and forget fairy tale for anyone.

[Jan C]

I always enjoyed The Daughter of Time. The detective is laid up and finds himself looking into Richard III and the boys in the Tower.

[T]

Dorie wrote: "T wrote: "Finished Tess Gerritsen's The Silent Girl last night and am trying to start Julia Spencer-Fleming's One Was a Soldier.

In the past few Gerritsen books, sh..."

Julia S-F's book is one I won, and I've never read her before so the cast of characters is a little overwhelming to the uninitiated, I guess. Will try to pay attention and get the characters cemented a bit better in my head in order to get through the book....

[T]

Alex wrote: "Jannene wrote: "I just finished. It was the book read for this month. It was a good story but seemed to be slow in the beginning. It picked up pace the further I got alon..."

I've also read all the Reichs' books, and the first of her series for YA's. Like many of the series authors, I prefer the older books to the newer ones, though, perhaps for the character interactions and tension.

[Linda]

Sharon wrote: "Linda wrote: "Lucy wrote: "Sue Grafton is one of my favorite authors. I love Kinsey Milhone. I just wonder where she'll go after she writes Z is for whatever???. LUCY @1:45P.M. ON10-29-11"LOL!!! I ..."

Wow, didn't realize that she was in her 70's.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer)]

I am 300 pages in on The Night Strangers
I fear I will be up late 2nite finishing this..i need to know what happens in this creepy little town.
If you like psychological mystery thrillers..you will love this book

[Bill]

Sharon wrote: "Her mysteries are definitely 'old fashioned English" ... not the same kind of writing/characters/plots of course, but similar in feel to Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, G. K. Chesterton, Ngaio ..."

I have enjoyed all the writers you've mentioned, so looking forward to this one now. :0)

[Sharon]

Couldn't resist any longer, still 6 more on the library waiting list for Sandford's latest Virgil Flowers book Shock Wave so I finally got it on my Kindle.

Sandford has been a favorite for years and Shock Wave is his usual very professional work, good sense of characters, interesting people and this one seems to have more complicated plot twists than usual. I'm about 3/4 of the way through and I'm still not totally sure where it will end up.

[Jannene]

T wrote: "Alex wrote: "Jannene wrote: "I just finished. It was the book read for this month. It was a good story but seemed to be slow in the beginning. It picked up pace the furth..."

I am enjoying . I am over 50% way through the audiobook that I borrowed from the library. I already have borrowed from the library as well. I'll start that once I finish the 2nd one.

[Barbara]

I'm reading Always Say Goodbye by Stuart M. Kaminsky, a Lew Fonesca mystery. Lew goes back to Chicago to try to find his wife's murderer.

[Renee]

Just finished A Dark and Stormy Night. Seemed appropriate for this weekend. Now back to finishing Postmortem.

[Diane S ☔]

Reading Stolen Souls by Stuart Neville.

[Steffi]

finished Killing The Shadows by val mcdermid, disappointing!!
now reading The Weight of Silence by heather gudenkauf

[Linda]

Started today, and hopefully I'm not beating a dead horse, but in previous posts we talked about how Kinsey is still in the 80's. In this book, Kinsey made reference to something that happened to her in the first book and she said that it happened 2 weeks ago. So time for her in the books is passing slower then the author is writing. Very odd....

[Alex]

Have just finished The Secret Crown by Chris Kuzneski. Not a bad story but a bit of a 'boys' book too much bloodshed with very little emotion. The relationship between the two main characters is a bit too juvenile for me. Have now started Buried Alive by J A Kerley, a Carson Ryder novel which is much more to my taste.

[Kim]

Just finished Josephine Tey's The Man in the Queue. And now for something completely different: The Retribution by Val McDermid. Both Scottish female writers, so I guess that there's some link between them!

[Fiona (Titch)]

I am also listening to Dark Blood - Stuart MacBride.

[Tay]

Started yesterday.

[Gatorman]

Stefanie wrote: "finished Killing The Shadows by val mcdermid, disappointing!!
now reading The Weight of Silence by heather gudenkauf"

Killing The Shadows is my least favorite McDermid book. Not written in her usual style. Her others are much better.