Mystery Lovers! discussion
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What are you reading? Do you recommend it?
im reading the take by graham hurley and enjoying it
Just finished Raven Black by Anne Cleeves. This book was terrific. Interesting setting in the Shetland Islands, complex characters, and an ending I have to admit I didn't see coming. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
I love Odd! I'm reading the new Cornwell book and trying to decide if it's me or if the book is weird. It seems she is tired of the 'formula' of forensics and is trying to get all heavy...I don't know...I like my mysteries easy.
THE LIZARD'S BITE by David Hewsonalready riveting in 20 pages with a Venice setting, a death and interesting characters
I finished this book and was great about Venice, development of characters was good but mystery wasn't that mysterious -no twists/turns
Donna wrote: "Just finished Raven Black by Anne Cleeves. This book was terrific. Interesting setting in the Shet..."Sounds good, I'm going to add it to my wish list.
I am reading Bones by Jonathan Kellerman. It is the Alex Delaware/Milo Sturgis series. Very entertaining. The same L.A. setting as the rest of the series. The addition of a psychologist to the crime fighting team is interesting.
I'm reading Bone by Bone by Carol O'Connell. Her Mallory books are awesome and this stand-alone is starting out that way too. I won't miss anything by this author!Carol O'Connell
Mary Todd wrote: "I love Odd! I'm reading the new Cornwell book and trying to decide if it's me or if the book is weird. It seems she is tired of the 'formula' of forensics and is trying to get all heavy...I don't..."I agree with you Mary Todd about Cornwell. Her writing shows she thinks waaaay to much about trivial stuff. And I'm tired of how Scarpetta thinks EVERYTHING is about her. If Marino is in a bad mood, it's because he's jealous of something she did...if Benton is standoffish, it's because of something she said. And NO ONE can possibly do as good a job as Scarpetta or be as sensitive about the deceased. As if...and it makes you wonder about Cornwell's mental health.
I've been reading a couple of her books at the same time because a friend offered the books for me to read. I keep getting angry at the author for trying to make Scarpetta into some sort of saint. Next time will be a "Thanks, but no thanks" response to an offer to read Cornwell again.
I just finished "Green for Danger" by Christina Brand. This golden chestnut, written in 1944, still holds the reader in its web today. Most highly recommended.
I'm reading The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by Kate Summerscale. It's an account of an 1860 murder of a young child. I usually don't like true crime novels, but it's written in an interesting style and delves into the life lead by a proper Victorian family and explains how this case influenced many authors in that era.
Sandy wrote: "I'm reading The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by Kate Summerscale. It's an account of an 1860 murder of a young child. I usually don't like true crime novels, but it's written in an interesting style a..."Sandy wrote: "I'm reading The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by Kate Summerscale. It's an account of an 1860 murder of a young child. I usually don't like true crime novels, but it's written in an interesting style a..."
I just purchased this book and this is my first time with this author. I'm looking forward to starting it.
I just finished reading "Oh Danny Boy" by Rhys Bowen. This was my first Bowen book and I loved this historical mystery, set in 1902 New York. I just started reading Northern Winters are Murder by Lou Allin. And so far so good.Debra
Debra wrote: "I just finished reading "Oh Danny Boy" by Rhys Bowen. This was my first Bowen book and I loved this historical mystery, set in 1902 New York. I just started reading Northern Winters are Murder by L..."Debra wrote: "I just finished reading "Oh Danny Boy" by Rhys Bowen. This was my first Bowen book and I loved this historical mystery, set in 1902 New York. I just started reading Northern Winters are Murder by L..."
I am finishing up Starvation Lake by Bryan Gruely. It is apparently his first novel and it's pretty good. I did guess the big secret before it was actually revealed, but then I read a lot of mysteries. I'd recommend this book, especially to hockey fans.
Thanks for this recommendation, Liz. I'm a hockey fan, so Starvation Lake appeals to me.
I am reading "The First Patient" (as in resident of the White House) by Michael Palmer. So far I am loving it. Palmer is generally a good read.
I am enjoying Death of a Maidby M C Beaton. It is always a pleasure to visit with Hamish and the other residents of Lochduh.
I feel the same way about Hamish! I even watch the BBC show sometimes...have you read Rex Stout? He reminds me of Beaton in that I enjoy visiting the characters as much as finding out 'whodunit'.
Just finished A Distinction Of Blood A Mystery of Georgian England, which has an interesting setting and a good mystery element.
Hi MaryTodd. I've never read any of the Nero Wolfe books but there was a wonderful TV series of the Nero Wolfe mysteries some time ago that I really enjoyed - might be available on DVD. You are absolutely right about wanting to visit with Archie and Nero Wolfe as much as finding out whodunit.
Yep - an enjoyable atmosphere will get a mystery (or any other book, really) a long way with me. And I love the atmosphere in Nero Wolfe (both in the TV series and the couple of Wolfe books I've read).
Donna wrote: "Hi MaryTodd. I've never read any of the Nero Wolfe books but there was a wonderful TV series of the Nero Wolfe mysteries some time ago that I really enjoyed - might be available on DVD. You are abs..."I remember that series. It was terrific. And speaking of TV, have any of you seen the movie adaptations of some of Tony Hillerman's Jim Chee books? There were 2 that I recall: Coyote Waits was one of them. Really well done.
Yes, I saw the Jim Chee movies. I think they are DVD too. I wonder why they didn't make more.
Donna wrote: "Yes, I saw the Jim Chee movies. I think they are DVD too. I wonder why they didn't make more."I don't know, but if they did I'd watch them. I think they kept pretty true to the novels.
J.R. wrote: "I just finished THE TURNAROUND by George Pelecanos. Highly recommended. This was the first of his I've read. I'll definitely be looking for more."I got "The Turnaround" out of the library after reading so many good reviews about it. I wanted to like it but after two readings and about 60 pages I decided I just didn't like the characters and the story didn't grip me so I returned it to the library.
I'm rereading a beautiful book, "Haunted Ground" by Erin Heart.Brendan McGann is cutting turf in a peak bog in Ireland and finds a head of a young woman.
The authorities call Cormac Maguire, an archaeologist to examine the well preserved head. Other young women from the area have been disappearing and the authorities want to be sure this isn't a recent death.
This is a wonderfully descriptive novel full of the emotions of the locals, their love of music that gives meaning to many lives and the history of the bog which provided a livelihood to many people for generations.
Highly recommened.
Mike wrote: "I'm rereading a beautiful book, "Haunted Ground" by Erin Heart.Brendan McGann is cutting turf in a peak bog in Ireland and finds a head of a young woman.
The authorities call Cormac Maguire, an ..."
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for mentioning it.
I just finished DOWN RIVER by John Hart....good book! I am eagerly awaiting the release of IN THE DARK by Brian Freeman this Tuesday. For anybody who has not read him yet, I strong recommend him. The first book in the series is IMMORAL. His first three books are probably the most impressive for a newer author that I have ever read and his fourth one is getting good reviews as well. His prologues are great!
Eileen wrote: "I recently finished "The Cream Puff Murder" by Joanne Fluke. It's a cozy (for those of you who aren't familiar with Fluke's series) featuring a Monnesota baker named Hannah Swenson. I would recom..."I love these books. They are a quick read. After reading my first one I went out and bought the whole series. I also have just purchased them in audio format for a second "read". Have you tried any of the recipes?
I'm reading Long Lost - well I read the first few pages that Amazon offers on the "look inside" feature of their website and will have to wait until the download on Tuesday for the rest. I can't imagine it not being entertaining so I'll recommend it in advance and retract later if necessary (though I'd be shocked to find that necessary). I'm just finishing up Escape Clause, by James O. Born, not bad, still think he hasn't topped his debut, Walking Money, but I hadn't read it and yet and I really like Elmore Leonard and he is definitely Leonard-esque.
This goes back to tv shows of series...Parker's Paradise series is outstanding with Tom Seleck in the brooding Jesse Stone role, of course Sookie is getting a lot of attention for her series...BUT last night I just happened on the #1 Ladies' Detective Agency on HBO and it was INCREDIBLY WONDERFUL. It really captured the sense of place, the pace and the characters...everything was almost as if they had filmed my brain while I was reading it. PERFECT.
I'm reading Blood Hunt by Ian Rankin. I always enjoy his books. So far I've found them to be well-plotted with interesting characters.
I started The Curse of the Pharaohs, by Elizabeth Peters, last night. Looking to be a most amusing series.
Debra wrote: "Donna wrote: "Yes, I saw the Jim Chee movies. I think they are DVD too. I wonder why they didn't make more."I don't know, but if they did I'd watch them. I think they kept pretty true to the no..."
There are 4 movies, Robert Redford holds the rights on producing them (not sure about the first one, it was not part of the PBS later series).
The Dark Wind was the first
The other three are available here:
http://www.shoppbs.org/search/index.j...
and depending where you live and how soon you read this they have a special buy 2 get 3rd for 1/2 price (this is site-wide but the offer ends today March 30!)
These 3 are Thief of Time, Coyote Waits, and Skinwalkers.
Thanks for the tip about the about the Jim Chee movies, Betty!
Donna wrote: "Hi MaryTodd. I've never read any of the Nero Wolfe books but there was a wonderful TV series of the Nero Wolfe mysteries some time ago that I really enjoyed - might be available on DVD. You are abs..."I think Rex Stout's "Nero Wolfe" books are excellent entertainment. I love Wolfe's eccentricities, his cleverness at solving crimes, the gourmet food the characters eat, the orchids, and of course Archie Goodwin's bravery and banter. This is one of the few series I read over and over.
A&E's Nero Wolfe series is very faithful to the books, so if you liked the TV versions you should like the books because some dialog is pulled word for word.
"The King of Swords" by Nick Stone. His "Mr. Clarinet" was a prize winner and I enjoyed that book.This book starts off well. A body is found in a primate park and when the investigators enter the park, a gate is left open and many monkees escape causing havoc. Very amusing.
I'm glad the books and the TV series are so closely tied together. I've become a faithful watcher of the series - bought the complete two series set after watching the first episode. I will be starting the books soon. Is it best to go chronologically based on publication or does it matter? I have Fer-De-Lance as my next book.
absolutely go in order...things change and Stout does a remarkable job of reflecting the era in his writing...you go thru the Depression, to WWII, to the 60's race relations...truly American.
Mary Todd wrote: "absolutely go in order...things change and Stout does a remarkable job of reflecting the era in his writing...you go thru the Depression, to WWII, to the 60's race relations...truly American."Thanks! Now I just have to order The League of Frightened Men - can't find it at the stores.
you might find it in the library...my father-in-law had most of them in pocketbooks from when he was in high school! Very fun to read them all old and smelly and original!
C. W Sansom's REVELATION, full of detail and interest as earlier books about MAtthew Shardlake, a virtuous (in the Renaissance sense) hump-backed barrister-detective ferreting about in Tudor England.
Patty wrote: "A&E's Nero Wolfe series is very faithful to the books, so if you liked the TV versions you should like the books because some dialog is pulled word for word."I respectfully disagree about A&E's Nero W. It is simply a farce and bears little resemblance to the books. They tried to be "cute" and lost me.
There certainly is a degree of humor in the way the series runs. I enjoy the atmosphere of a "theatrical troupe," where the same actors play different parts over the episodes. I'm looking for the books to be a little more serious and involved, which I think is normal for most book-to-TV adaptations. I'm anxious to get started on the novels.
I'm reading Lethal Legacy by Linda Fairstein. I enjoy all the details on New Youk City that are usually in her books. This one has a lot of info on the New Youk City Library.
I think the books are really funny. I read about Rex Stout somewhere that his favorite author was Jane Austin, which makes sense in all the ways Stout satirizes the 'manners' of New York, women, men, and culture in general. I think of them as farces...perhaps a farce of manners, instead of a 'comedy of manners'.
im not reading anything right now but i need a recomendation for a book that hasnt becom into a movie and i slonger then 400 pages
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Graham Hurley The Take, its quite good, hoping to finish it tonight, and start James Pattersons Step on a crack, because i've had run for your life the book that comes after it for weeks, and only just got the first one ...lol