Currently Reading? Showing 801-850 of 2,623

[Ellen]

I just finished the first book in the Gil Cunningham series, The Harper's Quine, by Pat McIntosh. I really enjoyed it and have now started on the second in the series, The Nicholas Feast. The setting is Glasgow in the late 1400's.

[Leslie]

I just started the audiobook of The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley, and I have several Scandinavian mysteries waiting...

[Bionic Jean]

Jean-Luke - I remember really enjoying those way before the films came out, but finding them surprisingly nasty in parts. Maybe they will seem tame now though!

[Leslie]

Jean wrote: "Jean-Luke - I remember really enjoying those way before the films came out, but finding them surprisingly nasty in parts. Maybe they will seem tame now though!"

That was my impression as well back in the early 80s.

[Penny]

Susan wrote: "Penny wrote: "I just checked out Stephen Booth - apparently he is on his 13th book of the Cooper & Fry series. I have read about 9 of them but have quite a few to catch up on. I too liked the str..."

hey Susan!!
I have thoroughly enjoyed Rickman's series. The main character is a vicar (a woman) but she is also the contact person in her area for 'ghostly' goings on!! The books all have an aura of other worldly stuff and yet that implies its sort of fantasy or slightly unbelievable and that's not the case. The mysteries are tightly woven and make sense even if there are supernatural stuff - the culprit is never a ghost!!! There's also lots of folklore and old myths woven into the stories - dont know if they are real or if Rickman makes them up but it feels right. As usual its best to start at the beginning as the stories of Merrily and her daughter and their love lives come through all the books.

[Penny]

Ellen wrote: "I just finished the first book in the Gil Cunningham series, The Harper's Quine, by Pat McIntosh. I really enjoyed it and have now started on the second in the series, The Nicholas Feast. The setti..."

Ellen I recently read the Harper's Quine too - I thought it was very good. Loved all the historical stuff and the odd Scottish phrases. Be interested to hear what the second one is like.

[Barry]

I'm currently reading northern lights and watchmen, both great!

[Portia]

I have just finished Life After Life. An appealing read for all of us who wonder "what if" our lives had taken another turn or we had chosen another path. At my age, I am doing that a lot! Four stars.

[Joan]

Recently finished the second in Stella Rimington's series of espionage novels starring MI5 agent Liz Carlyle. As those of you who read my outburst in the discussion of "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" know, I had despaired of finding any really good post-Cold-War espionage fiction. Liz is no Smiley, but I like this series.

[Kathy]

Joan wrote: "Recently finished the second in Stella Rimington's series of espionage novels starring MI5 agent Liz Carlyle. As though of you who read my outburst in the discussion of "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"..."

It is almost impossible to replicate greatness. "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" is a masterpiece and Smiley is one in several million.

But thanks for the suggestion. I will give this author a try.

[Ellen]

Penny wrote: "Ellen wrote: "I just finished the first book in the Gil Cunningham series, The Harper's Quine, by Pat McIntosh. I really enjoyed it and have now started on the second in the series, The Nicholas Fe..."
Nicholas Feast was just as good as Harper's Quine. Some reviews I read complained about the language being hard to understand and I couldn't always make complete sense of some of the words either but it didn't stop me from making sense of the meaning in general or understanding the plot. I find the main characters really likable which is very important to me as far as staying with a series over a long period of time.

[Carolien]

Kathy wrote: "Joan wrote: "Recently finished the second in Stella Rimington's series of espionage novels starring MI5 agent Liz Carlyle. As though of you who read my outburst in the discussion of "Tinker Tailor..."

Try The Kill Artist for post Cold War espionage. It's definitely one of the better ones that I have come across recently.

[Sally]

I just finished reading The Hound of the Baskervilles again. I took a tour of Devon and Cornwall and we spent some time in Dartmoor. I was glad to find that it is still a wild and mysterious place and it was great fun to read The Hound of the Baskervilles after seeing Dartmoor.

[Leslie]

Sally wrote: "I just finished reading The Hound of the Baskervilles again. I took a tour of Devon and Cornwall and we spent some time in Dartmoor. I was glad to find that it is still a wild and mysterious place ..."

That sounds like a great combination of book and locale! Plus hopefully it got you in the mood for our October Book of the Month :)

[Kathy]

Leslie wrote: "Sally wrote: "I just finished reading The Hound of the Baskervilles again. I took a tour of Devon and Cornwall and we spent some time in Dartmoor. I was glad to find that it is still a wild and mys..."

Sorry, I probably missed a message or two. What is the October book of the month? Something by Sherlock Holmes, or actually the "Hound of the Baskervilles."

[Leslie]

Kathy wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Sally wrote: "I just finished reading The Hound of the Baskervilles again. I took a tour of Devon and Cornwall and we spent some time in Dartmoor. I was glad to find that it is still..."

October's BoTM is The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

[Karlyne]

Portia wrote: "I have just finished Life After Life. An appealing read for all of us who wonder "what if" our lives had taken another turn or we had chosen another path. At my age, I am doing that a lot! Four stars."

"Life After Life" sounds worth looking for, Portia! I haven't read any Kate Atkinson yet, but maybe this is the one I should start with?

[C.J.]

Joan wrote: "Recently finished the second in Stella Rimington's series of espionage novels starring MI5 agent Liz Carlyle. As those of you who read my outburst in the discussion of "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" ..."

Joan, I didn't like Secret Asset as much as At Risk. I think that's because, although Rimington is very well positioned to write this kind of book, she's not a writer by vocation like LeCarre.

[Joan]

Carol, I thought that At Risk was better written than Secret Asset but that the enemy (mole), his motivation, and his spy craft were more interesting in the latter.

[Portia]

Karlyne wrote: "Portia wrote: "I have just finished Life After Life. An appealing read for all of us who wonder "what if" our lives had taken another turn or we had chosen another path. At my age, I am doing that ..."
Hi,Karlyne. Kate Atkinson is a mystery/thriller writer. This is her first foray into regular (if you can call this book regular!) fiction. It is also my first Atkinson to read. What I have been hearing from fans of hers who have posted on discussions of Life After Life is to start with Case Histories. I am thinking of suggesting Case Histories sometime soon so we can all read it together.

If you get around to reading Life After Life, please let me know what you think.

[Jemidar]

Portia wrote: "Kate Atkinson is a mystery/thriller writer. This is her first foray into regular (if you can call this book regular!) fiction. It is also my first Atkinson to read. What I have been hearing from fans of hers who have posted on discussions of Life After Life is to start with Case Histories..."

Kate Atkinson has actually written 4 Jackson Brodie mysteries, 4 other novels (including Life After Life) and 1 collection of short stories. She wrote 3 of her other novels and the short story collection before starting her Jackson Brodie series.

I love all her books and only have a one novel and the short story collection to go before I've read everything she's written :-).

[Karlyne]

Portia wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "Portia wrote: "I have just finished Life After Life. An appealing read for all of us who wonder "what if" our lives had taken another turn or we had chosen another path. At my age, ..."

I will, Portia! I keep forgetting that I can check my little library's books in stock on line now, so I'll see if they have it and order it in if not!

[Portia]

Jemidar wrote: "Portia wrote: "Kate Atkinson is a mystery/thriller writer. This is her first foray into regular (if you can call this book regular!) fiction. It is also my first Atkinson to read. What I have been ..."

Thanks, Jemidar. I didn't know most of that. What did you think of Life After Life. How did it compare to her other books? I've put Case Histories on my To Get List. Didn't she also write a book with Museum in the title?

[Leslie]

Portia wrote: "Jemidar wrote: "Portia wrote: "Kate Atkinson is a mystery/thriller writer. This is her first foray into regular (if you can call this book regular!) fiction. It is also my first Atkinson to read. W..."

Behind the Scenes at the Museum

[Portia]

Thanks!

[Jemidar]

Portia wrote: "Thanks, Jemidar. I didn't know most of that. What did you think of Life After Life. How did it compare to her other books? I've put Case Histories on my To Get List. Didn't she also write a book with Museum in the title?"

The Jackson Brodie books are my favourites, then Life After Life & Behind the Scenes at the Museum. Personally, I think Case Histories is a good place to start :-).

[Penny]

I just finished which is another Simon Serrailler mystery and a good one. I have always loved Susan Hill and these mysteries tick along really well. I would like one to be longer though - it was over too soon!!!

Also finished and I am still mulling that one over - great book - I read it in 2 days - but so much deceit and betrayal. Also Amy seems to think her way of viewing stuff and how she deals with things is so normal for 'thinking' people, do others act out a type of character in their interactions, so that people will view them in a certain way? It seems many people do this to a some extent - a 'work' persona etc I found the whole thing quite disturbing and disliked all the characters! Rare to enjoy a book where the characters seem to have no redeeming features.

[Julie]

Penny wrote: "I just finished which is another Simon Serrailler mystery and a good one. I have always loved Susan Hill and these mysteries tick along really well. I..."

Penny,
I think the author intended for us find the characters shallow and self absorbed. I also think a lot of things in the book were satirical. Great book!

[Penny]

Julie wrote: "Penny wrote: "I just finished which is another Simon Serrailler mystery and a good one. I have always loved Susan Hill and these mysteries tick along r..."

really? I obviously missed that then - can you explain a bit more? I get the shallow bit but not the satirical - who was sending up who?

[Julie]

Penny wrote: "Julie wrote: "Penny wrote: "I just finished which is another Simon Serrailler mystery and a good one. I have always loved Susan Hill and these mysterie..."

I think the author was making fun of the predictability of the media. If people hadn't responded the way they did, nothing would have worked for Amy. Her plans hinged on the media and law enforcement, her parents, and Nick all doing what she knew they would. The Nancy Grace character, the mention of Dateline, all of that was sort of tongue in cheek, in my opinion. I thought there were shades of other big media stories in the book, like say the Scott Peterson case. Thing about the way the media responded to that, and then think about the book and you might see just a bit of parody.

[Penny]

Julie wrote: "Penny wrote: "Julie wrote: "Penny wrote: "I just finished which is another Simon Serrailler mystery and a good one. I have always loved Susan Hill and ..."

OK maybe it doesnt cross the ocean - who is Nancy Grace, what is Dateline and who is Scott Peterson? Never heard of any of those - I did find quite a lot of references I didnt get when I was reading it - a bit annoying really !!

[Julie]

Penny wrote: "Julie wrote: "Penny wrote: "Julie wrote: "Penny wrote: "I just finished which is another Simon Serrailler mystery and a good one. I have always loved S..."

Penny,
I know what you mean. I read a lot of books that are British, French and German. I find myself looking things up on the web trying to find out what they are referring to.
In the US- Dateline and 48 hours mystery are hour long newsmagazine type shows that come on weekly. They highlight murder cases that are out of the ordinary and of course some of the high profile cases like the Amanda Knox trial etc.
Nancy Grace is on CNN and she also latches on to high profile cases and often tries and convicts people before they ever make it to trial. ( I'm not a fan, and she is often parodied over here) The Scott Peterson case: Scott Peterson killed his beautiful, vivacious wife who happened to be 8 months pregnant. At first when Lacey was reported missing, her parents were very openly supportive of Scott, then when the body was found, and evidence like his having a mistress came to light, they had a change of heart about old Scott. This case was horrific, but the media grabbed on and it was in the news, on Dateline, on Nancy Grace, it was made into a TV movie, books were written about it, the whole nine yards. A media spectacle in other words. I think that was the thing Gillian was kind of poking fun at.

[Portia]

Julie, that is an excellent explanation of how media personalities blow things up here. I'd love to read your profile of Gloria Aldread, the woman whose name scares the heck out of less than faithful men. Remember presidential candidate Herman Caine and how he dropped out of the race when Gloria showed up on the case with a woman who claimed harassment?

[Julie]

Portia wrote: "Julie, that is an excellent explanation of how media personalities blow things up here. I'd love to read your profile of Gloria Aldread, the woman whose name scares the heck out of less than faith..."

Portia,
OMG! That lady loves to get her face on TV! I wonder what would come out if someone went snooping into her life? LOL

[Portia]

I would love to read that book!

[Karlyne]

Too scary for me!

[Lorraine]

I've just started 11/22/63 by Stephen King, just in time for the 50 anniversary of Kennedy's assassination.

[C.J.]

Penny, your reaction to "Gone Girl" sounds like mine to "Bonfire of the Vanities." I remember reading it voraciously on a bus, hating when the journey ended & I had to put it down; but then I realized I felt kind of sick & jaded from being repelled by every character in it, & I never picked it up again. The fact that Tom Wolfe was deliberately making fun of those people didn't make me like him or his characters any better. It was like gorging on Oreos.

[Penny]

Carol wrote: "Penny, your reaction to "Gone Girl" sounds like mine to "Bonfire of the Vanities." I remember reading it voraciously on a bus, hating when the journey ended & I had to put it down; but then I reali..."

you made me smile Carol!!!
loved your descriptions Julie and that really made sense in relation to the book - seems Gillian Flynn was very up-to-date and topical as she wrote it. I dont think we have quite the same type of media behaviour here - yet. I must have been out of the loop for a lot of the symbolism of the book being English and yet the book still 'stood alone' enough without it - just didnt have all the nuances it would have your side of the pond. I usually dont read books if I cant find a single character I like but this kept me reading.

[Leslie]

I am just about to start Murder at the Savoy. I am really enjoying these Martin Beck mysteries!

[Julie]

I just finished Envious Casca a good "locked door" mystery set during the Christmas holidays in the 1940's.

[Leslie]

Julie wrote: "I just finished Envious Casca a good "locked door" mystery set during the Christmas holidays in the 1940's."

:) I like Heyer's mysteries & reread that last December.

[C.J.]

Leslie wrote: "I am just about to start Murder at the Savoy. I am really enjoying these Martin Beck mysteries!"

Thanks for this tip, Leslie. I haven't read any Martin Beck, but oh, the Savoy!

[Miss M]

Just for the record, it's not *that* Savoy...this one's in Malmo...

[Leslie]

Carol wrote: "Leslie wrote: "I am just about to start Murder at the Savoy. I am really enjoying these Martin Beck mysteries!"

Thanks for this tip, Leslie. I haven't read any Martin Beck, but oh, ..."

FYI, Beck is the police inspector. And Miss M - thanks, I was a bit puzzled as to how Beck was involved in a murder in England!

[C.J.]

Leslie wrote: "Carol wrote: "Leslie wrote: "I am just about to start Murder at the Savoy. I am really enjoying these Martin Beck mysteries!"

Thanks for this tip, Leslie. I haven't read any Martin ..."

Curses! Foiled again!

[Karlyne]

Julie wrote: "I just finished Envious Casca a good "locked door" mystery set during the Christmas holidays in the 1940's."
I really love this one! And since it's almost Christmas, I may have to read it again soon...

[Julie]

Karlyne wrote: "Julie wrote: "I just finished Envious Casca a good "locked door" mystery set during the Christmas holidays in the 1940's."
I really love this one! And ..."

I had this one on my TBR last year for a holiday read, but never got around to it. This year I made sure it at was the top of the pile. LOL

[Mara]

Currently listening to TO TASTE THE WINE by Fern Michaels.

[Beth]

I'm new here - from Vancouver, Canada. I just finished reading Michael Dibdin's trio of Zen (he's the detective) mysteries (he's written more, but I am having a hard time finding them - these three were on BBC) - they're set in Italy, but Dibdin was from Ireland, educated in England and Canada. Must books here be set in England always? Or is there some flexibility. No worries if there is a hard and fast rule - I read lots set in England!