What are you reading? Do you recommend it? Showing 401-450 of 2,320

[Vicki - I Love Reading]

i've just got neil whites new book. last rites, i really enjoyed his other 2 so looking forward to starting this one

[Donna]

I just started Snapshot by Garry Disher. This is the third in the Hal Challis series and so far it is as good as the first two. I particularly enjoy the setting in the Australia.

[[deleted user]]

I read The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly yesterday, loved it, and today I'm halfway through Still Life by Louise Penny... I don't know about this one. Maybe cozies just aren't for me.

[Donna]

Hi Eryk, I've read and enjoyed Still Life. I thought Inspector Armand Gamache and his assistant were interesting characters.

[Alli]

I am just starting Elaine Viets' new book, "Killer Cuts". I loved her last book, "Clubbed To Death". It was so funny in places that I actually laughed while reading it. She's a very good writer with a wit.

[[deleted user]]

Just read The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan, a sort of spy/adventure thriller novel released in 1915. I really enjoyed the characters, especially the Scottish road mender.

[Susan]

Eryk wrote: "I read The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly yesterday, loved it, and today I'm halfway through Still Life by Louise Penny... I don't know about this one. Maybe cozies just aren't for me."

Louise Penny does however give a glimpse of idyllic village life in Canada, but your unstated comparison makes me want to know your list. I just finished HEADHUNTERS by Peter Lovesey which like Penny's books is too neatly constructed for my taste.

[Mary Todd]

You know there is another Lincoln Lawyer...I forgot what it's called, but it's really good.

[Susan]

I've just finished THE LOLITA MAN, and while I don't usually give 5 stars to a mystery because the genre is somewhat debased, as a writer Bill James seems to have it all. THE LOLITA MAN is literate, funny, and dark; James generates a sense of claustrophobia with unexpected details that threw me off balance and reminded me of THE DUBLINERS. James's love for the incongruous is so great that I did not realize that Harpur, the noirish, oversexed Scots detective, was partnered with the linguistically foppish Mick-baiting Iles, whom he more or less hates. The plot involves a girl-killing creep to whom James gives his own voice -- as he does to one of the creep's quarries. Harpur is obsessive about the girl-killings in part because the victims are close to the ages of his own smart-mouthed daughters.

[Jen]

Susan wrote: "I've just finished THE LOLITA MAN, and while I don't usually give 5 stars to a mystery because the genre is somewhat debased, as a writer Bill James seems to have it all. THE LOLITA MAN is literat..."

Ah Susan, obviously you've been missing out on some great mysteries if you feel the genre is debased. I would hold the quality of a James Lee Burke or Craig Johnson or Robert Crais or Timothy Hallinan or...up to anyone in any genre. There's no lack of quality in any of those writers and they could hold their own with ANY so-called "literary" writer.

[Susan]

I'm a fan of James Lee Burke -- if I've tried Crais or Hallinan I don't remember. That's what GR is for, keeping track. I've read very widely and my preference is for the European writers like Camilleri, Mankell, McDermid, Sjovall, Sansom, Robinson, Sara Caudwell, Mina -- and Peter Temple and Connelly and Qiu. There are a couple of the Norwegians whose names escape me. Mostly it's my attitude that mysteries are eye candy. If you friend me we can see each others' lists.

[Elaine]

Reading a mystery by Harlan Coben or Michael Connelly is an amazing experience. I can't imagine anyone being anything but mesmerized by their fascinating characters and amazing plotlines.

[Mary Todd]

eye candy for you, junk food for me! But Burke can turn a mean phrase and Walter Mosley can capture a time period. The rest...pretty much, lovely, indulgent, fattening, and delicious junk food.

[Elaine]

Couldn't disagree more.

[Mary Todd]

I love Coben and Connelly...haven't missed one in years...I just don't think they will continue to be read in the year 2050...I could be wrong...I've been known to be wrong many times.

[Susan]

Mary Todd wrote: "I love Coben and Connelly...haven't missed one in years...I just don't think they will continue to be read in the year 2050...I could be wrong...I've been known to be wrong many times."

Hmm. What a stimulating discussion! By all means keep it going. Why not look backwards instead of to 2020, to consider how these mysteries connect with earlier forms. A friend was convinced that Sophocles' Oedipus was the first mystery ever, for instance.

[Elaine]

I am not looking forty-one years in the future. Their books make statements about life today. The characters are complex and interesting. That is what is important to me. About twenty years ago I read Eight Million Ways to Die by Lawrence Block and I have read very few books that aren't mysteries since that time.

[Mary Todd]

Susan wrote: "Mary Todd wrote: "I love Coben and Connelly...haven't missed one in years...I just don't think they will continue to be read in the year 2050...I could be wrong...I've been known to be wrong many t..."

Great idea! I earlier this year read The Suspisions of Mr. Whicher. Not only did it discuss actual early circa 1870's detection, it also discussed the effect of these early dectives on early (not counting Oedipus) fictional detectives, Poe, Dickens, Doyle and a little about Lewis Carroll. Really interesting. We still read Poe, Doyle, Dickens--I read all the Rex Stout mysteries(including the ones written by other people). Hammet, Chandler are read today...perhaps the Spencer novels will last. IMHO, the ones that last have characters we like and enjoy visiting time and again. I don't think the plots last--I couldn't tell you 'who did it' in any Nero Wolfe, but I can tell you what Archie likes for breakfast and what time Mr. Wolfe had his afternoon beer! Just my opinion. I like the discussion.

[Jen]

I can't really speak to Nero Wolfe's work as I'm not as familiar with his as with some others, but I can say that, like Dickens, many of today's mysteries reflect the time, the people and social issues...look at Pelecanos, Craig Johnson, Simon Lewis, Dennis Lehane, Alafair Burke, Kathy Reichs, Thomas Holland...James Lee Burke's TIN ROOF BLOWDOWN couldn't be a better example. Tim Hallinan is looking at issues in the Far East and Michael Stanley in Africa. While these books are all "popular fiction" right now, so was Dickens in his time. Americans completely discounted Poe when he wrote during his time. And Shakespeare is the ultimate in mystery/thriller writers of his time. Today's mystery writers are definitely a reflection of this age, the locations they are taking place in and the people of our time.

[MeLani]

I recently finished my fourth Charles Todd book, A False Mirror. After reading these 'Inspector Ian Rutledge' stories, I am always impressed with the detailed depiction of the effects of WWI on the soldiers of England and Scotland.

[MeLani]

I have also recently finished Death of A Cad and Death of a Maid, both by M.C. Beaton. I enjoy the casual, unambitious character of Hamish Macbeth and sometimes find myself daydreaming of living in the Scottish Highlands.

[Mary Todd]

Jen wrote: "I can't really speak to Nero Wolfe's work as I'm not as familiar with his as with some others, but I can say that, like Dickens, many of today's mysteries reflect the time, the people and social is..."

I agree! (Alafair Burke is James Lee's daughter). There really isn't a mystery I won't read. We have to consider the Ladies' Detective Agency series, too. He really can write and I find him writing from the female perspective fascinating.

[MeLani]

I am about one third into Murder on Monday by Ann Purser. This is the first of her works that I've read. I have to admit that I'm not captivated by the story yet, and could probably set it down and move on at this point, but I won't. There is something about the character of Lois Meade, the housewife turned amateur detective, that doesn't sit right with me. She seems rather distant from her children while controlled by her husband. I will plod on and see if my opinion has changed by the end of this short British cozy.

[Ivy]

I am reading Deadly Night (Book 1, Flynn Brothers Trilogy) by Heather Graham. This is a new author for me and was not sure if I would like it since it is classified as a paranormal/mystery book. I am not a big paranormal reader but gave this one a try since it was recomended by a friend. I found that I like this book and will read the rest of the trilogy. The author's writing drew me in and has now completely camptured my interest in the rest of the story. There is a mystery to the story also with some psychic mixed in...I would recomend this book to anyone who like a little bit of paranormal mixed into their mystery.

[Barbara]

I finished August Heat by Andrea Camilleri. In this book Inspector Montalbano - having unearthed an illegal extra floor in a house - discovers the body of a beautiful teen killed six years before. The difficult investigation is aggravated by the almost unbearable heat of an Italian summer. The quirky inspector is always stripping down and jumping into the sea for a cooling swim and popping into his favorite restaurant for a bite. You might be surprised at how many kinds of sauce you can have with your spaghetti in Italy. The book is a good light summer read.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

I started Messenger of Truth A Maisie Dobbs Novel last night. I'm liking it so far; this is a really good historical mystery series, the Maisie Dobbs books.

[Michael]

I'm reading "Down River" by John Hart. He won the Edgar for this novel and it is very literary. Excellent for a rainey day.

[Liz]

I've been reading the Martin Beck series by Maj Sjowall & Per Wahloo. They are very good and not to be missed!

[Carol/Bonadie]

I'm reading The Various Haunts of Men by Susan Hill, the first in the series featuring Chief Detective Inspector Simon Serallier. I love British police procedurals and am enjoying this quite a lot. I've got the second in the series on request from the library.

[C.J.]

I loved Down River! Just getting ready to dive into his new one, Last Child.

Finished the new Lee Child last night (Gone Tomorrow)--best Reacher yet!

[Barb H]

Mike wrote: "I'm reading "Down River" by John Hart. He won the Edgar for this novel and it is very literary. Excellent for a rainey day."

I agree with you Mike. This is a page-turner, quite suspensful. The ending had some surprises too.
I see that you have read other books that I enjoy.
Have you read James Siegel, especially "Derailed"? I think that his books are even more hair raising, but in the same genre as Hart.

[Michael]

Reading "Scorch" by Mark Paoletti. I had read the reviews that this was an exciting book and am finding it so.

[Jim]

I really liked AUGUST HEAT and like Barbara says good summer reading

[Michael]

Enjoying Meg Gardiner's "China Lake." I'm afraid that these many years of reading have taken its toll on my eyes. This book is in paperback and it's a bit hard on the eyes. That being said, I enjoy Gardiner's writing. Also, this book won the Edgar award for best paperback novel of 2008

[Jean]

Just picked up The Girl of His Dreams. My first Donna Leon book. So far I'm loving it. Venice, food, mystery -- great combo!

[Nada]

I'm reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, I'm not really sure its a mystery, but who is John Galt!?

[Donna]

I just finished Dog Eats Dog and it was terrific. A laugh out loud funny satire mixing an ethical bank robber and an unethical college professor.

[Michael]

Enjoying "The Dark Tide" by Andrew Gross. He used to write with Patterson but he's excellent by himself.

[[deleted user]]

I am currently re-reading Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this "cozy" series

[Jim]

BEAT THE REAPER by Josh Bazell

fast paced and informative about a lot of things

Mafia, medicine information is counter to what is usually broadcast about both and many other topics

language is very real life and not for tender ears and very graphic sexually not for easily offended/conservative mindsets

[Liz]

I loved this book. Some of it made me laugh out loud. The footnotes were a nice touch. The story is highly improbable (I think) but I have recommended this book so many times, I've lost count. But you are right, in general the book is not for the faint of heart.

[Vicki - I Love Reading]

got around ten pages left of Kimberley Chambers
Billy jo, its been a fantastic read, its her first book, i've ordered the 2nd one now.lol

really good read would deffo recomment it.

[[deleted user]]

I just finished "Fatally Flaky" by Diane Mott Davidson and realized that I'd missed at least 2 or 3 previous books, so I'm working my way backwards and I'm currently 2/3 of the way through "Sweet Revenge".

[Jim]

THE CUTIE by Donald Westlake

Westlake always seems to deliver a realistic plot with realistic characters and good dialogue/descriptions
good and fast read

[Michael]

Just finished "The Choice" Nicholas Sparks.
Tried to like it but found it too mushy.

[JP]

I'm currently reading Skin Deep by Gary Braver. Good writing, but I'm only on page 80 and I think I've figured it out already. Too many early clues gives the plot away.
JP O'Donnell
Author of Fatal Gamble and Deadly Codes

[ajeep]

just finished state of fear by michael crichton. read it if you have nothing else to read, or a copy is made ready for you. or, if you are a michael crichton fan.

[Jan]

I just finished Harlen Coben's Long LostLong Lost. I literally couldn't put it down. He is definitely a master of the page-turner.

[Deanne]

Just finishing A Quiet Belief In Angels by R.J.Ellory, great book with a likeable hero.

[Elaine]

I have almost finished Show no Fear by Perri O'Shaugnessy. It is a prequel to the Nina Reilly series. Excellent to find out what drove Nina to become a lawyer.