Currently Reading? Showing 851-900 of 2,623

[Beth]

Also, does Commonwealth count? Big fan of Louise Penny, Canadian. They are British-style mysteries.

[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!

[C.J.]

The group description says English style, hurray in my opinion, since I wrote Croaked in that style to show we also have wonderful villages & puzzles in the US.

I just discovered Louise Penny--happily!--from a mention in this group of her newest title, a great line from her fellow Canadian Leonard Cohen, How the Light Gets In. My mysteries include Silent Night Violent Night, & coming soon, Another Number for the Road--homage to another great Canadian songwriter.

[Beth]

Thanks, Carol. Good to know! I'll have to look for your books!

[Beth]

Found it! Is it the first Edgar Rowdey Cape Cod mystery? Or is there another one I should read first?

[Beth]

Just bought it on Kobo!

[Beth]

Carol wrote: "The group description says English style, hurray in my opinion, since I wrote Croaked in that style to show we also have wonderful villages & puzzles in the US.

I just discovered Louise Penny--hap..."

Sorry - just getting the hang of the group, so I just posted three comments to you as separate comments - should have 'replied' to you message. Live and learn!

[C.J.]

Beth, I'm glad you use Kobo. Although they're thriving in Canada, not as much down here--too bad, since they're in a partnership (IndieBound) to support independent bookstores, good for us all!

And thanks for buying Croaked--it is the first in the series, & every nudge helps me push to finish Zapped by spring! Hope you enjoy it.

[Karlyne]

Beth J wrote: "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..."

I was thinking that you meant all the books in Vancouver seemed to be set in England... Well, I'm still chuckling over that one!

[Helen]

Susan, Malliet's Max Tudor books are very interesting! His "spy" background gives that bit of cache which allows him to participate in the murder-solving business while being an Anglican minister -- it's a intriguing solution to insure involvement.

Since it's coming up on time off for Thanksgiving, I'll have time for Alan Hunter's Gently to the Kill, Wingfield's Night Frost and a couple of Andrea Frazer's Falconer books on my Kindle. It'll be a good little vacation.

[Susan]

I have read one of the books and enjoyed it very much. Someday when my TBR pile is down a little, I will read more. So many books so little time.

[Julie]

I am reading A Clear Conscience

[Penny]

I just got the latest Louise Penny from the library - Yay!!! trouble is I am halfway through the latest Viscount Lynley, nearly finished 6th Morse and listening to Play to Kill by P J Tracy!!!! Must try not to get all the different murders muddled up!!!

[Ellen]

I recently ordered 3 books of vintage mystery short stories. Just finished Uncle Abner by Melville Davisson Post and I just started Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah. I will read the "Thinking Machine" by Jacques Futrelle next.

[Leslie]

Ellen wrote: "I recently ordered 3 books of vintage mystery short stories. Just finished Uncle Abner by Melville Davisson Post and I just started Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah. I will read the "Thinking Machine"..."

How was Uncle Abner? I have it on my Kindle but haven't read it yet...

[Ellen]

Leslie wrote: "Ellen wrote: "I recently ordered 3 books of vintage mystery short stories. Just finished Uncle Abner by Melville Davisson Post and I just started Max Carrados by Ernest Bramah. I will read the "Thi..."

I enjoyed the stories very much. They were clever. They are of their time. Set in Virginia before the Civil War and written in the 1910's so certain attitudes will certainly not be acceptable to us but I still think they are worth reading.

[Lorraine]

I've just started Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson. It rather reminds me of her 2013 book Life After Life and I'm enjoying it so far.

[Leslie]

@Ellen - thanks! I think that I will make them my December short stories :)

[Helen]

I have just started Maureen Jennings "Season of Darkness" and my initial impression is that I am going to like it. Have not read her before. On order (although not British) are "The Dead of Winter" which takes place in my home town and Edith Pargeter's Heaven Tree. ... There are not enough hours ...

[Jean]

I just read Carl Hiaasen's Bad Monkey and found it very satisfying. I tend to forget about him, because he doesn't write a series and they really aren't mysteries; but they're always entertaining. I like his main characters - they're usually animal lovers and nice guys in general - and if I've read a rather depressing book they always cheer me up.

[Randa]

Just finished A Man Lay Dead. My first, but definitely not my last, Ngaio Marsh book. Never heard of this author prior to this group but I really enjoyed this book.

[Mara]

Finishing THANKLESS IN DEATH

[Jean]

I just finished Elizabeth George's Just One Evil Act, the newest in the Lynley/Havers series. Long, long . . . artificially long, IMO. She uses full names of characters rather than first or last names only, insane amounts of unnecessary detail in descriptions which don't advance the plot, and way too much repetition/review. It probably would have been a decent 500-page book. At least (spoiler alert!) after this, we should be through with Azhar and Hadiyyah, who have (again IMO) dominated too many plots in recent years. The child's only 9 and has been kidnapped 3 times? Maybe now we'll see if George is capable of writing a good straightforward mystery again.

[Leslie]

I am reading Uncle Abner Master of Mysteries: A Collection of Classic Detective Stories and just finished The Secret of Annexe 3.

[Joan]

I am reading No Man's Nightingale, the latest Wexford novel by Ruth Rendell. So far, not one of the best but still good.

[Leslie]

Joan wrote: "I am reading No Man's Nightingale, the latest Wexford novel by Ruth Rendell. So far, not one of the best but still good."

Hey Joan, have you been listening to The Complete Smiley on BBC Radio 4X? Just curious how the radio dramas stack up compared to the books...

[Joan]

No, I haven't. Don't forget that I live in NYC (where the BBC world service is broadcast on public radio stations but not radio 4). I think I can get radio 4 online. Is it worth it?

[Diane]

Joan wrote: "I am reading No Man's Nightingale, the latest Wexford novel by Ruth Rendell. So far, not one of the best but still good."
Never thought I'd be thinking this of Ruth Rendell
but I don't know why she hasn't retired Reg. I know
he's "retired" but you know what I mean!! The older
books I have read so many times but the last one
I borrowed from the library (sorry can't remember
the name) I couldn't even finish it. A very
disappointing end to an illustrious career!!

[Leslie]

Joan wrote: "No, I haven't. Don't forget that I live in NYC (where the BBC world service is broadcast on public radio stations but not radio 4). I think I can get radio 4 online. Is it worth it?"

I have been listening to BBC Radio online - they do a lot of book dramatizations (especially on 4X). I haven't been listening to the Smiley, so I don't know how good it has been.

[Jenna]

Jean, I had to sign on for the first time in ages to agree with your negative assessment of Just One Evil Act".

I listen to books on CD almost exclusively now due to medical reasons, and I kept on yelling at the player (in my car or at home, listened to book on both as it was a l-o-n-g, drawn-out book) "Are you kidding me?" The actions of Barbara Havers were so out of character (built over many, many books), and so ridiculous, and egregious (warranting immediate firing, in my opinion)... I wanted to grab ahold of an effigy of Elizabeth George and shake it senseless! I know she annoyed many, many faithful readers with the murder of Helen two(?) books ago, but she is now winnowing down the remainder of her followers with this absolutely rubbish latest novel. And, can we say she is forcing "Deirdre" down our throats, much? I have no patience for this Lynley-Deirdre romance, completely unsuited and chalk and cheese. The Italian phrasing and conversations and endless descriptions of settings and clothing and people was all so unnecessary (unless she is now being paid for, by the word). How this book was "wrapped up" made no sense and was completely beyond the lines of believability. Good thing I got this from my library because I would have been very angry had I purchased outright.

[Yvonne]

Jean, I agree with you wholeheartedly concerning the latest Elizabeth George book. I have read about everything she has written and usually enjoy them, but this book was much longer than it needed to be. The entire book just boiled down to Barbara doing stupid things.

[Jean]

Yvonne, another of my favorite writers just came out with a disappointing book too. Laura Joh Rowland's The Shogun's Daughter is not up to her usual standard. As with George, she's recycling plot lines too much. I thought it would take the bad taste of the George book out of my head yesterday, but it did not. The Sano/Yanagisawa plot again dominates the action, with the Hirata secondary plot going nowhere. Why can't authors see that we want a satisfying main plot that wraps up by the end?

[Karlyne]

Laura wrote: "Randa wrote: "Just finished A Man Lay Dead. My first, but definitely not my last, Ngaio Marsh book. Never heard of this author prior to this group but I really enjoyed this book."

..."
I'm hoping that one of these days I can make a pilgrimage to Marsh's home in NZ. It's on my list of Top Three Places to Visit...

[Karlyne]

It is a museum; it looks like a modestly beautiful home, from the pictures!

[Diane]

Laura wrote: "Randa wrote: "Just finished A Man Lay Dead. My first, but definitely not my last, Ngaio Marsh book. Never heard of this author prior to this group but I really enjoyed this book."..."
I saw at our library some dvds of a series of the Inspector Allen mysteries? Have you seen them? If so, are they worth checking out?

[Karlyne]

Diane wrote: "Laura wrote: "Randa wrote: "Just finished A Man Lay Dead. My first, but definitely not my last, Ngaio Marsh book. Never heard of this author prior to this group but I really enjoyed..."

I have heard of them; I think they're BBC? If so, they're probably worth a watch!

[Diane]

Karlyne wrote: "Diane wrote: "Laura wrote: "Randa wrote: "Just finished A Man Lay Dead. My first, but definitely not my last, Ngaio Marsh book. Never heard of this author prior to this group but I ..."
I agree. I just love BBC productions.

[Lorraine]

I just started A Test Of Wills by Charles Todd. Set in 1919, the role of the police detective was still subject to the class boundaries. I have heard good things about this series and hope it is good - I need a new series to read.

[Joan]

I just started the new Elizabeth George novel starring Lynley and Havers, Just one evil act. I certainly hope it's better than the last book in this series!

[Kay]

I have read some of Charles Todd's books and enjoyed them.

[Jean]

Joan - IMO, it's not. Repetitive, outlandish actions particularly by Havers, way too many words that don't advance the plot. If you can stand to finish the book - I did, but it took 5 days and lots of will power - you'll see why I think the next book will either get the main characters back on the right track or doom the series completely.

Lorraine and Kay, I love both of Todd's series. I've read them all and am anxiously waiting for the new one.
I'm a 60+ year mystery reader - started when I was 7 with Nancy Drew and the Hardy boys - and it's hard to find a true mystery series (eliminating the suspense and the had-I-but-knowns) that I haven't tried. The Todds are among the best writers out there today.

[Jean]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone - may your 2014 be full of great new mysteries!

[Kay]

Joan, want to hear if you like the new Elizabeth George book. I used to enjoy them but not the last few.

[Kay]

Merry Christmas to all of you readers.

[Carolien]

Lorraine wrote: "I just started A Test Of Wills by Charles Todd. Set in 1919, the role of the police detective was still subject to the class boundaries. I have heard good things about this series a..."

I read it a few months ago and really enjoyed it. Did you know that Charles Todd is a mother/son combination? It's set in a similar era to Maisie Dobbs which I also discovered this year. Quite appropriate I suppose since we are heading for the centenary of WWI.

Happy Christmas everyone!

[Ruth]

My seasonal mystery read is Tied Up In Tinsel by Ngaio Marsh.

Merry Christmas everyone :-)

[Diane]

Carolien wrote: "Lorraine wrote: "I just started A Test Of Wills by Charles Todd. Set in 1919, the role of the police detective was still subject to the class boundaries. I have heard good things ab..."
I really like the Charles Todd series also. I listen to them in the car though. A good book, provided the reader is also good, can make a boring trip whip by.

[Carolien]

I've just completed The Whisperer. Brilliant book, there are so many threads to keep track of and the plot is very intricate. I also enjoyed reading a non-English/American crime novel for a change since the European style is quite different.
It's very well translated.

It does deal with a serial killer, so probably not for every one since it has its dark moments.

[Gail]

Diane wrote: "Carolien wrote: "Lorraine wrote: "I just started A Test Of Wills by Charles Todd. Set in 1919, the role of the police detective was still subject to the class boundaries. I have hea..."

[Gail]

I also am just starting that series. I have a friend who absolutely loves it. Hope I enjoy it as much!