Mystery Lovers! discussion
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What are you reading? Do you recommend it?
reading THE IGNORANCE OF BLOOD by Robert Wilsongood book and fast paced
Kathy Anne wrote: "Shomeret,I think that anyone that likes History would like it-
I should have known that was going to be a big issue with me,so I know I am not a good judge of a historical.
I also think it`s go..."
Re whether the politics of church and state interfering bothered me--No, it didn't, Kathy Anne. I think it's because I've studied the period (I have a B.A. in history) and I expected it to be that way. If it weren't, then it wouldn't be historically authentic.
Shomeret
Re-reading
The central character has Tourette's syndrom. Children are missing in the Hudson Valley section of New York.Paul Skoglund is asked to repair his wealthy aunt's hunting lodge in Hudson Valley. A teenager informs the investigating officer that satanic rituals occurred there.
Interesting.
Shomeret - Keep reading. I have read both Mistress of the Art of Death and Grave Goods and loved them both. But then I like historical mysteries. But the books are fascinating for another reason the way the forensic spects of the crimes are investigated. We are so used to fingerprint technology at least that her methods seem really interesting to me.
I just finished James Patterson's - You've been warned. It was a good read. I could not figure out what was going on, so I got sucked in trying to figure out what was going on. Definitely a different read for me than I have been reading. It was good though. I am now reading Paryers for Rain by Dennis Lehane.
Liz wrote: "Shomeret - Keep reading. I have read both Mistress of the Art of Death and Grave Goods and loved them both. But then I like historical mysteries. But the books are fascinating for another reason..."Oh I intend to keep reading Ariana Franklin. I love historicals, but what seems to happen for me is that relatively few books in any particular series have a great deal of impact. I'll keep on looking for her to write another book that affected me as much as the first in the series.
Shomeret
Rainey: For hard boiled gritty novels, I'd recommend Sean Chercover, Marcus Sakey (more thrilleresque but dark, dark), James Crumley, Sara Paretsky (she likes social issues too), James Cain (Postman Always Rings Twice), Laurence Block, Loren Estleman... that should keep you busy for a while...
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"Walking Dead" bears an amazing similarity to Liam Neeson's film from early this year "Taken". Fast reading.
I finished The Chardonnay Charade by Ellen Crosby. In this book Lucie Montgomery is a vintner in Virginia, struggling to succeed in her wine-making business. Lucie finds the dead body of Georgia Greenwood, a "prohibitionist" type political candidate in her vineyard - killed and disfigured by chemicals used in Lucie's fields. The main suspects are Georgia's husband (Ross) and Georgia's lover (Randy). Ross is Lucie's doctor and Randy works for Lucie in her vineyard. Moreover, Ross collects old Civil War documents and claims to have discovered an old letter that proves Jefferson Davis knew about the plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. This is big no-no in the proud Confederate state of Virginia where Jeff Davis is a hero. Subplots about Lucie's rebellious young sister, the EPA threatening to close Lucie's vineyard for bad handling of chemicals, and budding romances round out the plot. Surprisingly to me (because I just randomly pulled this book off the library shelf as an experiment) I enjoyed this book quite a lot. I learned a bit about wine-making and the plot was smooth and the ending believable. I would recommend this book.
I'm reading Blind Alley by Iris Johansen, a book in the Eve Duncan series. Eve is a forensic specialist who reconstructs faces from skulls. In this story a psychopath called Aldo is out to destroy every female that bears a resemblance to an ancient beauty named Cira. Aldo's father was an archaeologist obsessed with Cira, leading him to neglect young Aldo. To top it off, Aldo's dad was blown up while trying to find a cache of gold in Cira's excavated home. Unfortunately Eve Duncan's 17-year old adopted daughter Jane is the spitting image of Cira. My problem with the book is Jane's proclivity for throwing herself in Aldo's path every chance she gets, presumably to try to help catch him. I can't believe a normal person, especially a young girl with no combat or self-defense training, would do this kind of thing. It's hard for me to suspend disbelief so I can really enjoy the book. Still, it's interesting enough that I'm still reading.
John wrote: "I'm halfway through Margaret Maron's Hard Row (on audio). I had my misgivings about the direction of her Judge Knott series when she suddenly married off the main character, as well as switching th..."As an English teacher, I HOPE my students would recognize 3rd person omniscient...ok, maybe not all of them!
FALSE IMPRESSION by Jeffrey Archer -good so farLONDONGRAD - Reggie Nadelson -fast paced and interesting characters plus set in current times
Just began this new book by Charles Todd. It introduces a new character, Bess Crawford, a WWI nurse and investigator.
This is a story you'd like to read while having a glass of wine and some cheese. Enjoy it fully.
Has anyone here read Sweetness At the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley? It's about a very bright young girl who decides to solve a mystery when a body is found in the family garden. The family and the detective assigned to the case are quite interesting, too. This sounds like a lightweight little mystery, but it is very good and unusual for the genre...I'm sort of at a loss as how to describe it really. I'd recommend it to someone who wants a different kind of mystery and a good entertaining story.
Just finished Beneath the bleeding by Val McDermid, hard to put down.
Currently reading Portrait of a Lady by Diane A. S. Stuckart, the second in a historical series in which Leonardo Da Vinci solves murders with the help of the viewpoint character, Leonardo's apprentice. This is my idea of a fun read.Shomeret
Lynn wrote: "Has anyone here read Sweetness At the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley? It's about a very bright young girl who decides to solve a mystery when a body is found in the family garden. The family ..."Yes, I read the book. I liked it but there have been a lot of posts on newsgroups - some loved it and some hated it.
Deanne wrote: "Just finished Beneath the bleeding by Val McDermid, hard to put down."I finished Beneath the Bleeding last night. I agree with you that it was very hard to put down. A five star book for sure.
Sounds fun, Shomeret. I love historical mysteries.
I'm reading "Bad Guys" by Linwood Barclay. Just started it so I can't say much. When I look for this book using Goodreads search engine it doesn't come up. Anyone know what's up with that?
Barbara wrote: "I'm reading "Bad Guys" by Linwood Barclay. Just started it so I can't say much. When I look for this book using Goodreads search engine it doesn't come up. Anyone know what's up with that?"that happened with my search for LONDONGRAD but there's a place on the Goodreads to click on "manually add a book" which worked for me
Susanna wrote: "Sounds fun, Shomeret. I love historical mysteries."I finished Portrait of a Lady, the Leonardo da Vinci as detective mystery, and liked it even better than the first in the series. I never expected the ending.
Shomeret
Reading a fast moving action thriller by Jeff Abbott. Two people are set up for something, we don't know what and there is a threat of a terrorist.
I just started Kathy Reichs new book, 206 Bones. According to the book jacket, it has to do with "the devastation that would occur if a forensic colleague sabotaged work in the lab." It starts off promising, but I haven't gotten into it far enough to any opinion on it yet.
started Pelecanos's THE NIGHT GARDNERalready seems gritty and true to life
Jim wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I'm reading "Bad Guys" by Linwood Barclay. Just started it so I can't say much. When I look for this book using Goodreads search engine it doesn't come up. Anyone know what's up wit..."Thanks Jim. Maybe I'll give it a try.
Jim wrote: started Pelecanos's THE NIGHT GARDNERalready seems gritty and true to life
Just finished this and really enjoyed it. I had never read Pelecanos despite being a hardcore fan of The Wire. Great book.
I am reading In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer Fleming. A mystery series that features a female priest and a cop as the main characters. I am actually listening to it as an audiobook on my ipod. I am liking the story but the narrator is kinda bugging me, so I think to keep up the enjoyment I will switch to paper.
I'm almost finished reading JA Konrath's Dirty Martini and really enjoying it. It's part of the "Jack" Daniels series--a female homicide Lt with issues. Can't wait to finish it and move onto Fuzzy Navel.
Just began this novel about a ficticious town in Ct. Something is happening to young girls in Ct. An FBI agent from the Child Abduction Rape Development team is called in. They find the body of a 10 year old, cut up and spread out in a field. Who butchered this child?
BOCD in the car: BONES OF BETRAYAL - Jefferson Bass, forensic medical mysteryPurse book: DIED IN THE WOOL - Rett MacPherson, cozy mystery
Bedside book: SKIN DEEP - Mark Del Franco, paranormal mystery
Highly recommend them all, especially BONES OF BETRAYAL. I've read the whole series and this is the best yet.
Just started the newest Tibetan mystery by Eliot Pattison,The Lord of Death. It's very good so far. Pattison is a favorite of mine.
I'm reading Bones by Jonathan Kellerman. I'm enjoying it but he spends a lot of time describing people's clothing, appearance, homes, furniture, etc. It gets a little tedious. I'll finish it but it's not Kellerman's best book.
I'm on a Scandinavian mystery kick. Recently read Borkmann's Point by Hakan Nesser, which is set in Sweden and was beautifully plotted, though the characters are kept at arm's length. Just finished Black Seconds by Karen Fossum, which was great. Set in S Norway, tightly focused and a very good & quick read. Reccomend both books, available in translation.
I just finished "Mistress is the Art of Death" by Ariana Franklin. Really enjoyed it. I am about to start "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova. It was recommended to me by several folks I trust.
Kathy Anne wrote: "I just decided to try Ed Lynsky`s books:The Blue Cheer
The Dirt Brown Derby-this sounds like a story I will love.Anyone else read it?"
I read THE BLUE CHEER, wasn't able to get THE DIRT BROWN DERBY from my library, though. I enjoyed THE BLUE CHEER quite a bit. It's a great, dark crime fiction novel.
Kate wrote: "I'm on a Scandinavian mystery kick. Recently read Borkmann's Point by Hakan Nesser, which is set in Sweden and was beautifully plotted, though the characters are kept at arm's length. Just finished..."Kate, I just finished Karin Fossum's upcoming THE WATER'S EDGE, which I thought was outstanding. I'm also a fan of Jo Nesbo. Have you read any of his work?
started BLOOD MEMORY by Greg IlesI like it even if central character is a little over the top
I just finished Bad Guys by Linwood Barclay, the second book in his humorous Zack Walker series. Zack gets into trouble wherever he goes: on a stake-out (with a cop) to research an article about SUVs being driven into clothing stores to rob them, following his daughter to see if a local bad boy is stalking her, or looking to buy a car at a police auction of mob goods. Zack's a pretty likable "schmo" and the book is enjoyable. I recommend it.
Purse book (paperback)--Unpaid Dues by Barbara SeranellaGeneral print read--Labyrinth by Kate Mosse
Audio book--The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe.
Haven't been around Goodreads Groups much (or Goodreads in general) but am on vacation this week, so am in the process of updating my shelves here and thought I'd pop in to my groups and say hi, too. :)
Cheryl
Am just finishing up Karin Slaughter's Undone. Wasn't so sure about reading it after the way the last Grant County book ended, but I have loved this book and how the characters are doing 3 1/2 years later.
Recently finished Killer Summer by Ridley Pearson. I love all his stuff, both the Lou Boldt series and the more recent Killer series in Idaho. He said the next Killer book will have a cameo by Lou Boldt. Yea!!
I recently read Brian Freeman's IN THE DARK. His Jonathan Stride series is, no doubt, my favorite series to read. If you haven't then start with IMMORAL and I think you will really enjoy the psychological suspense.
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Received an advanced review of this novel via the book giveaways. I've enjoyed the author's other works and this one begins well. With Ghelfi's characters, one never knows who to trust.
Mike
Jen wrote: "Kate wrote: "I'm on a Scandinavian mystery kick. Recently read Borkmann's Point by Hakan Nesser, which is set in Sweden and was beautifully plotted, though the characters are kept at arm's length. ..."No,but I'm writing the name down now! Thanks!
Jim wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I'm reading "Bad Guys" by Linwood Barclay. Just started it so I can't say much. When I look for this book using Goodreads search engine it doesn't come up. Anyone know what's up with that.Jim, I did what you suggested and got the book onto Goodreads. Do you know how to add a picture of the book cover by any chance?
I'm reading Precious Blood by Jonathan Hayes. This is a mystery about a serial killer with a more-than-usually weird agenda. If you like forensics in your mysteries this is the book for you. Lots of autopsies. It's a good fast-moving story so far.
Susanna wrote: "Kate - have you read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo? It's Swedish."Tried it and gave up...will no doubt have another go at it once I get through the Nesser and Fossum books.
Mystery Lovers!
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Harlan Coben (other topics)Karin Slaughter (other topics)
Robert Crais (other topics)
Gerald Elias (other topics)
Robert Crais (other topics)
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I just saw this and some others on the sale table at Barnes and Noble. I have not heard of it...can you tell me the basic premise?