English Mysteries Club discussion
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Louise
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Dec 02, 2015 08:28AM
I'm reading The Sussex Downs Murder by John Bude. A reissue of a book published in 1936. It's good. Featutes a sensible and believable detective, Superintendant Meredith.
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Louise, I will check out the Sussex Downs Murder. Not sure if it's exactly a mystery but maybe it is - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. One of those Must Reads. I never want it to end.
I'm taking a short break from mysteries and reading the Lyric Poems by John Keats.
Simply beautiful!
I have just finished the first two books by Andrea Camilleri in his Montalbano series. I enjoy the Sicilian setting and the mysteries are interesting. I especially enjoyed The Terracotta Dog with its 50 year old mystery dating to WWII and the symbolism involved. I'll definitely continue with the series.
I just discovered Canadian author Steve Burrows' Birder Mysteries, both taking place on the Norfolk coast. Very absorbing mysteries, with excellent plots and descriptions. Informative, too, on related environmental topics, without being pedantic or intrusive. I find the protagonist exasperating, but not everyone will, I think.
Finished Woman with a Secret by Sophie Hannah. I had to slog through at a few points, but I'm very glad I finished it. The ending was great, and I had not foreseen it at all. As usual, my problem with Hannah is the perplexing, total, over-the-top weirdness of her characters. Most of the characters in this one were weird but ultimately sympathetic. Unfortunately, the narrator was weird but not so sympathetic. Fortunately, that didn't ruin the whole thing for me as it did in an earlier Hannah novel. All in all, a 4 out of 5.
Gail said: "I just discovered Canadian author Steve Burrows' Birder Mysteries, both taking place on the Norfolk coast. Very absorbing mysteries, with excellent plots and descriptions. Informative, too, on related environmental topics, without being pedantic or intrusive. I find the protagonist exasperating, but not everyone will, I think." Concur, a very interesting series with a protag that is exasperating and compelling at the same time. Love the back story with birdwatching. Two in the series so far, with the third due in the US in May, 2016.
Helen wrote: "Gail said: "I just discovered Canadian author Steve Burrows' Birder Mysteries, both taking place on the Norfolk coast. Very absorbing mysteries, with excellent plots and descriptions. Informative, ..."Sounds interesting. I've requested two from my local library.
Jennifer wrote: "I'm taking a short break from mysteries and reading the Lyric Poems by John Keats.
Simply beautiful!"
They are indeed.
After Keats, on to Wordsworth??
I have just finished another Anne Perry Christmas novel, Christmas Escape and I am now on to Malice at the Palace by Rhys Bowen. Her novels are always a fun mystery with the historical thrown in. I am looking forward to this one especially since it covers the upcoming wedding of Prince George and Princess Marina of Kent.
I just listened to Hercule Poirot's Christmas, read by Hugh Fraser. A Christie classic: manor setting, limited list of suspects, locked room, impossible murder and then all gathered together while Poirot explains the crime.
I love the Hugh Fraser-narrated books. He reads so clearly and still manages to make the voices distinguishable. I think David Suchet's narrations are very good for Poirot's voice, but he seems to act too hard on the others and it becomes distracting. I just listened to Hercule Poirot's Christmas recently as well. It is great.
Pghfan wrote: "I love the Hugh Fraser-narrated books. He reads so clearly and still manages to make the voices distinguishable. I think David Suchet's narrations are very good for Poirot's voice, but he seems to ..."I've had fun choosing Xmas themed books from my TBR: I am currently reading Rest You Merry by Charlotte MacLeod (very amusing), have Silent Nights , short stories edited by Martin Edwards up next, and have requested Not a Creature was Stirring by Jane Haddam from the library.
Just finished River of Darkness by Rennie Airth and have just started Service of All the Dead written by Colin Dexter.
Just read a delightful mystery Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen, a light, quick read by Vicki Delany. Now I am in the middle of Karin Slaughter's Pretty Girls. I am not sure about it. I have The Nightingale next up-- a WWII novel. Have y'all tried my mystery yet--In the Rafters. It's on kindle and Amazon in print. Let me know what you think. I truly want feedback, as I have five more about the same couple already written. You gave me fantastic feedback on my two Darcy novels.
Just started The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag. I wasn't that impressed by the first book in the series but decided to give them another chance.
I am currently reading Eleanor Roosevelt's Confidante, a Maggie Hope mystery by MacNeal. I love this series!
Well, I've been following another group that is for people interested in British classic style mysteries and so far no one is plugging their own off-topic books. So I guess I'll leave this group
I have just finished A Man of Some Repute
. adelightful English murder mystery. Here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Shera wrote: "Well, I've been following another group that is for people interested in British classic style mysteries and so far no one is plugging their own off-topic books. So I guess I'll leave this group"Shera sorry to hear you are deciding to leave the group - but if you have a problem with something that is or isn't happening here, I suggest you discuss it with the Moderator.
I'm listening to The Last Detective by Peter Lovesey It's a nicely done narration. Apparently the author created the show Rosemary and Thyme.
@sherry I'm listening to The Last Detective as well. What do you think of Diamond? I find he is an arrogant ass. Maybe he will get better but 3/4 of the way and boy, is he conceited. I am enjoying it and will read the series. Michael Page reads and he is BRILLIANT.
Kim wrote: "@sherry I'm listening to The Last Detective as well. What do you think of Diamond? I find he is an arrogant ass. Maybe he will get better but 3/4 of the way and boy, is he conceited. I am enjoying ..."I think his arrogance has someting to do with his opposition to the changes in technology. He's frustrated. He does have a conceited way about him. He sees his old methods as superior to the new way. Maybe he'll learn the balance.
Kim and Sherry - Hang in there with Peter Lovesey's Diamond series. They are really good, and the main character doesn't seem so arrogant after awhile. Lovesey's other works, especially some of the stand-alone mysteries, are also excellent.Joanne
I have just started A Fine Summer's Day by Charles Todd. I am excited to turn every page because this book goes back to before the war and Ian is working for Scotland Yard, has just gotten engaged to Jean and life seems good for all (except of course for the murder victim and his family).
I'm currently reading Friday on My Mind, the fifth book in the Frieda Klein series by Nicci French. On the one hand, I decided in the middle of the fourth book in this series that I find Frieda very annoying. On the other hand, I like the plot of this one and am finding it a quick read. It's the first book I've started in a while that I will actually finish.
Just finished The September Society and have the next in the Charles Lennox series ready to start. Some of the characters act inappropriately for the time period but the stories are so good that I can overlook that. I'm currently listening to A Lonely Death by Charles Todd and enjoying it. Better than the earlier books in the series.
Amy wrote: "Just finished The September Society and have the next in the Charles Lennox series ready to start. Some of the characters act inappropriately for the time period but the stories are ..."I just read and enjoyed Home by Nightfall, which I think is later in the series.
I just started "Death in the Stocks" by Georgette Heyer. I've never read her as she seems to write more romance novels. Anyway, so far so good.
I just finished the King's Corrodian by Pat McIntosh. I wish it wasn't the last book in the series. Hope she writes some more.
Ellen wrote: "I just finished the King's Corrodian by Pat McIntosh. I wish it wasn't the last book in the series. Hope she writes some more."That's a new author for me. I'll check it out.
Susan wrote: "I just started "Death in the Stocks" by Georgette Heyer. I've never read her as she seems to write more romance novels. Anyway, so far so good."I also "discovered" Heyer this past year. Search her name and find that, yes, she wrote some elegant romances, but her mysteries are masterful. She's a classic.
I've just finished (and enjoyed) Troubled Waters by Elizabeth Lemarchand. Having realised it's part of a series, I'm going to read the first two.
HJ wrote: "I've just finished (and enjoyed) Troubled Waters by Elizabeth Lemarchand. Having realised it's part of a series, I'm going to read the first two."I've really enjoyed her books, she's very underrated in my opinion.
S.K. wrote: "Ellen wrote: "I just finished the King's Corrodian by Pat McIntosh. I wish it wasn't the last book in the series. Hope she writes some more."That's a new author for me. I'll check it out."
The first book in the series is called The Harpers Quine.
Ellen wrote: "S.K. wrote: "Ellen wrote: "I just finished the King's Corrodian by Pat McIntosh. I wish it wasn't the last book in the series. Hope she writes some more."That's a new author for me. I'll check it..."
Thanks, Ellen!
Some more great suggestions in this thread, yay! Couple recent books: Sayers' Murder Must Advertise, L.B. Hathaway's Murder Offstage and Anthony Berkeley's The Poisoned Chocolates Case.
I can't decide what to start on next... I've been reading books about the 1920s for research. It's not a mystery but Edith Wharton's Age of Innocence has some truly beautiful phrasing.
Carolien wrote: "HJ wrote: "I've just finished (and enjoyed) Troubled Waters by Elizabeth Lemarchand. Having realised it's part of a series, I'm going to read the first two."I've re..."
Golden age mysteries? What kind of sleuth?
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Wicked Autumn (other topics)
Cover Her Face (other topics)
A Mind to Murder (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Alice Clark-Platts (other topics)Chris Ould (other topics)
Adrian McKinty (other topics)
Will Thomas (other topics)
Anna Katharine Green (other topics)
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