Jaxnsmom Follows the Clues

[Yvonne]

Enjoy!

[Karen]

jaxnsmom wrote: "#13.
by Kate Carlisle

I could tell within the first few pages that I was going to like this author's style. And although some things bothered me (Ian, Hoodie Guy'..."

I, too, loved Carlisle's writing style from the start. I agree about the kooky (okay, quirky) characters, but at least they're not as annoying as characters in other books. I have read the five books in this series (the sixth is due later this year). Though I've liked some more than others, I have enjoyed each book--both mystery and "personal" plots and would highly recommend them to anyone (and have!)

The book set in Edinburgh was one of my favorites!

The Poisoned Pen (bookstore and publisher) held a CozyCon in town (Phx, AZ) the other week. Kate Carlisle was among the authors in attendance. She is just as funny and interesting as her books. She mentioned that the sixth book, Perils in Paperback (which the publisher thought was a perfect juxtaposition to Homicide in Hardcover, the first book), could be the last in the series. She was contracted for six books. I, for one, will be unhappy if that is the case. I hate finding good (well written, well plotted, well cast, etc.) series only to have them end with three or six books. This is a good series I could see continuing on even if Brooklyn gets married and has children (sort of like the Thin Woman series by Dorothy Cannell or the even shorter series by Margaret Dumas, Married to Murder).

[ChrisGA]

I have found that some series are best stopping while I still want more. I like to read a series in order if I can to see how the characters and plot lines develop, but that works best if the series is short--or if I read other books from different genre in between them. I made the mistake of reading all of Laura Childs' two series in order, with nothing else in between because I had ordered them from interlibrary service and had to return them in a timely manner. At first it was neat to recognize references to previous books and not forget details. By the last ones I just had become tired of the heroines and their cohorts. Too much of even good company is tiring. It wasn't the author's fault and I'm sure I'll enjoy new ones that come along. I just won't do that read-them-all-in-a-row thing again.

[Karen]

CozyCon was fun. In attendance with emcee Barb Peters of The Poisoned Pen were: Avery Aames - Kate Carlisle - Donis Casey - Jane Cleland - Hannah Dennison - Earlene Fowler - Rebecca Hale - Carolyn Hart - Beth Kendrick - Jenn McKinlay - Paige Shelton - Betty Webb.

The free part of the program had each author introduce themselves and their series followed by a short Q&A and book giveaway. This was followed by author signings—people crowding around the authors of their choice. (The Poisoned Pen had books for sale.) The authors were available throughout the day for signing as well. The paid part of the program was lunch and several panel discussions. Kate Carlisle, Avery Aames (Daryl Wood Gerber), and Hannah Dennison wound up at my table for lunch. Jenn McKinlay and Beth Kendrick were at the table to our left. Because the panel topics involved different authors, these ladies were at our table(s) for most of the afternoon.

I have to say that meeting Avery Aames made me put her Cheese Shop mysteries on to-read my list. She’s also doing a new series, Cookbook Nook, under her real name. Though not out, the cookbook series appealed to me right away, the cheese shop series hadn’t. It sounded okay, but for me was an if-I-get-through-my-list maybe. Now, after hearing her speak and seeing how funny she is, the cheese series has moved up.

They’re looking to make this an annual event. I hope it does. The Poisoned Pen is a local (Scottsdale), independent bookstore. They’re also publishers. Several of the authors in attendance live in the area. Jenn McKinlay even works part time for the Phoenix Public Library.

[Karen]

Series reaching their ends or expirations dates… I agree that some series can get tiresome (though I continue to read them hoping they get better!). For me, however, those are usually the ones I didn't really care for when I started the series. However, once I start a series, I tend to continue reading until--maybe hoping--it dies or hoping it gets better.

I have to admit that there are a couple I read now I kind of hope will end. One series (low on my list!) has a protagonist I can’t stand. The first one I read was a freebie giveaway. I read earlier ones in the series to see if I’d missed something because I didn’t really like the main characters, plus the author didn’t really do any back-story recaps. By then, I had invested in four books. The writing is not all that great (so how it keeps going I don’t know--probably because dopes like me keep reading it), but they’re quick reads with characters I now know so I’ll continue reading. It’s five books now, so may six will be it!

Another series, Sharon Kahn’s Rabbi’s Wife series, was good to start. The last book to date (book 6, 2006), was a chore to read. It was as if she didn’t know what to do with the characters so she put them into this farfetched situation involving murder on a moving train. Because I enjoyed earlier books in the series, I’d read another if it comes, but I am not that sad it hasn’t continued.

Carol Higgins Clark Reagan Reilly series (15 books, plus 3 written with her mother) has gotten a bit stale. But, they only take a few hours to read, so I keep up with what the characters are doing. As with the cooking series mentioned above, it’s not that they’re bad books, I just don’t enjoy them as much as other series at this point. I do like the characters.

At the convention-ette a few people complained about the Stephanie Plum series hitting a bad patch. One of the ladies at my table said the past couple of books have been really bad. I haven't started them yet.

I liken reading stale or bad series to watching soap operas. I don’t particularly care, but because I’ve been watching since I was a kid, I keep up with what’s going on with the characters. Not all stories are winners, but you know the characters so spinning through the pages is quick and (mostly) painless. I keep going hoping they get better. If they don’t, they go to the bottom of my reading list. If those go away, I don’t particularly care. However, good series that haven’t reached that point I really miss.

Like you, ChrisGA, I like to read series in order. If I discover a new-to-me series, I try to find all and read them one after another to catch up. So far I haven’t suffered character burnout. Reading that way, however, does make it more annoying when I find there is nothing further planned in a series I’ve enjoyed.

There are a lot of series characters I’d love to see renewed. I read from beginning to end and really enjoyed series by Lee Harris, Selma Eichler, and D. R. Meredith. The characters were interesting; the books and mysteries well written. Lee Harris wrote two series which involved solving cold cases. One protagonist was an ex nun (17 books), the other was an NYPD detective (3 books). Solving older murders put a spin on the cozy because the clues and witness weren’t fresh. Both ended in 2006. Selma Eichler wrote a series featuring Desiree Shapiro, a queen-sized PI in NYC. I fell in love with the Desiree character. I loved the humor of the books. Her cases weren’t bad either. I keep hoping a new book will come out, but the last one was 2008. D. R. Meredith wrote three series set in Texas. I read her Murder by the Yard Club (newest) series first. That made me seek out her Panhandle Sheriff and John Lloyd Branston series. Each was only 5 books. None of these series, I thought, had reached their expiration/stale dates.

Tim Myers has written several series under different names. I have enjoyed all and want more, but most have been 3-6 books only. His current Pizza Mysteries (4 books to date) is good, but I’m thinkig book 6 will be the end.

Maybe I should start a topic called series gone too soon. Only series that could continue, but have not and why they should be renewed. That is, for example, Sister Carol Anne O'Marie’s Sister Mary Helen and Elizabeth Daniels Squire’s Peaches Dann seires wouldn’t qualify because the authors have passed away. (I enjoyed both series immensely.)

[ChrisGA]

I loved the Sister Mary Helen books. o well. I have Meredith, Eichler, and harris books on my personal to-read list--so many books, so little time! I loved the first several PennDutch Inn books by Tamar Myers but she repeated the same jokes and comments in book after book and it began to irritate me after a while-but I still finished the series. I guess books are where my compulsive streak comes out--I'm certainly not obsessing about housework!

[ChrisGA]

jaxnsmom wrote: "ChrisGA wrote: "I guess books are where my compulsive streak comes out--I'm certainly not obsessing about housework!"

Oh yeah - I'm right there with you. A friend picked me up today and I told he..."

Ah,my kind of woman!

[Karen]

ChrisGA wrote: "I guess books are where my compulsive streak comes out--I'm certainly not obsessing about housework!"

Right there with you. How do you think I have time to read! Messiness is next to godliness!

ChrisGA wrote: "I loved the first several PennDutch Inn books by Tamar Myers but she repeated the same jokes and comments in book after book and it began to irritate me after a while-but I still finished the series."

I had a friend who said the same thing about the PennDutch series. I have many of her Den of Antiquity series in my boxes of unread. At this point I won't pick up the PennDutch books, but since I already have the other...

I used to be a wild book buyer, books being a big weakness (isn't learning to read the best gift one can get!). Visiting my favorite used sellers, local and online, I'd find a series that looked interesting and get all the books to date. Last year I decided not to buy any books until I'd read what I have. Newer books--okay and some older ones, too!--come from the library (saves me lots of money), giveaways, etc. while I work through the few boxes I have. Then it's back to the used bookstore with what I've read for store credit or cash to get more books!

[ChrisGA]

The library book sale is a great place to buy.
I am determined to read the books I already have and swore off the library until I put a dent in what I have. BUT-then I joined several book clubs on GoodReads earlier this month and "had to" put holds on the current reads and have them sent in from other branches--Georgia has a state-wide network of interlibrary loans with courier service between them so I can usually get what I want--especially good when reading all of a series my local library doesn't have. I am afraid to go to the library to browse because I can't stop until I have ten or more; I make my poor husband pick up and return my books so I am not tempted. THEN I discovered Kindle for my PC and in two weeks have 96 free books and keep checking the top 100 free every day. I wonder if there are support groups for addictions like mine. I am terribly afraid my computer will die before I read all the kindles.

[Yvonne]

jaxnsmom wrote: "#16. by Rhys Bowen. I started out really liking this, but by the end I was tired of the constant reminders of social classes, and the self-absorbed characters. There..."

I've been wondering about this series. It doesn't really sound like something I'd like, though.