Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

Tell us about the signing or conference you just attended, the book review you found, or any of your thoughts about things related to books and reading!

Those of yu who are old friends from the AOL Mystery/Thriller board know that I wrote two books; but for others, you can get a look at them by entering my full mane, Daniel Schrager, in one of the search boxes, and you can read the first chapter of The Code by going to my profile (listed by Dan/AZ) and clicking on My Writing. Happy reading.

Dan!
I enjoyed The Code! When I checked my book journal, I realized I read it in 2003! Time flies, doesn't it! I really need to read On the Edge. Have you thought about writing a third book?
Daniel wrote: "I wrote two books; but for others, you can get a look at them by entering my full mane, Daniel Schrager, in one of the search boxes, and you can read the first chapter of The Code by going to my profile (listed by Dan/AZ) and clicking on My Writing. Happy reading. "

Have you thought about writing a third book?

I have one in the box, Ann, and I'm considering putting it on the board chapter by chapter for anyone who wants to read it.

Daniel wrote: "Have you thought about writing a third book?

I have one in the box, Ann, and I'm considering putting it on the board chapter by chapter for anyone who wants to read it. "

I'll read it!!

Mel

Melodie wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Have you thought about writing a third book?

I have one in the box, Ann, and I'm considering putting it on the board chapter by chapter for anyone who wants to read it. "

I'll..."

I'll read it, too. I enjoyed the others.

Dan,
I thought your work was better than some of the big names I read. I'd love to read your next.
Barry

i think we need a new thread for dan's newest book ;)

Oh I'd love to read it. I should look for your other books too. Off to find that list of mine.

Dan:
That would be extremely generous of you to share your new book that way!

Dan wrote: "I have one in the box, Ann, and I'm considering putting it on the board chapter by chapter for anyone who wants to read it."

Dan, I would read your book here AND run to the store and by a copy and read it again.

Daniel wrote: "Have you thought about writing a third book?

What a generous offer! I'm also off to check on getting the 1st two. I'll even put down my kindle for these. :-)

Oh, Dan, I'd love this! Thanks....

Okay, gang, all I have to decide is how/where best to do the chapter by chapter. I'm thinking the best place would be in my profile under "my writings," but I may check with the powers that be to see if they have any better ideas. In any event, I'll start soon and let you know when I do. And thanks for the interest. Dan/AZ

My friends: Chapter One of The Last Cactus is posted on my profile. I'll take suggestions as to how often new chapters should be posted. Dan/AZ

Cool, Dan!

Dan:
Nice!! Thanks for the treat of chapter one! Now I am hooked and ready for more of The Last Cactus.

Daniel wrote: "My friends: Chapter One of The Last Cactus is posted on my profile. I'll take suggestions as to how often new chapters should be posted. Dan/AZ"

Library talk - hoping it fits here in this folder.
I am agonizing over the ten holds limit on the library website. I am eager to request some new books I recently discovered and need to request a new audio book now that I have finished listening to A Breath of Snow and Ashes. For an audio, I am listening to CD's I burned myself from audible.com of The Poe Shadow A Novel, but need something from the library lined up too.
I'll post a bit more on the April releases thread, but found a new Laurie R King book is due out in a couple of weeks and Lee Child's brother, Andrew Grant(!?) has a new book coming out too and he'll be on tour with Lee. I have no room on the hold list to request either book! arghhh.

Lori, how about the Inner Drive? Dan/AZ

Daniel wrote: "Lori, how about the Inner Drive? Dan/AZ "

Dan,

There is a stoplight at Navy Pier on the inner drive, but at that point the inner drive is lower than the outer drive. I will check on Monday and let you know if the ferris wheel is visible -the bus I take to work gets off the outer drive at Navy Pier.

Lori, I'm thinking of maybe Ohio and the Inner Drive, a block or so north of the pier, but the ferris wheel should still be visible. If not, let me know. And thanks for reading it that closely. Dan/AZ

dan-
i posted on your page, too.. but it's not a puddle of puss, i think it should be a puddle of pus.

Daniel wrote: "Lori, I'm thinking of maybe Ohio and the Inner Drive, a block or so north of the pier, but the ferris wheel should still be visible. If not, let me know. And thanks for reading it that closely. ..."

Dan,

Erie. I can see the stoplight on google maps.

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&...

Sherry wrote: "dan-
i posted on your page, too.. but it's not a puddle of puss, i think it should be a puddle of pus.
"

Thanks, Sherry. This is what happens when there is no proof reader. Dan/AZ

Lori S wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Lori, I'm thinking of maybe Ohio and the Inner Drive, a block or so north of the pier, but the ferris wheel should still be visible. If not, let me know. And thanks for reading it ..."

Erie it is. Dan/AZ

I've decided to add a chapter every day. Most are about the same length, so it shouldn't be too much. And if anyone finds mistakes, inconsistencies, or just things yo u question, please don't hesitate to let me know. Dan/AZ

Ann wrote: "Library talk - hoping it fits here in this folder. "

Perfect post placement, Ann. Good luck on the request list dilemna. I don't envy you, and I am praying that my library system doesn't "catch" this concept.

Daniel wrote: "Sherry wrote: "dan-
i posted on your page, too.. but it's not a puddle of puss, i think it should be a puddle of pus.
"

Thanks, Sherry. This is what happens when there is no proof reader. ..."

who needs a proof reader when you have us? ;)

Ann wrote: "Library talk - hoping it fits here in this folder.
I am agonizing over the ten holds limit on the library website. I am eager to request some new books I recently discovered and need to request a..."

Ann, I solved this problem by also using my DH's library card to request additional holds. That doubles the limit!
Ceil

Ceil helpfully suggested: "Ann, I solved this problem by also using my DH's library card to request additional holds. That doubles the limit! "

Yeah, Ann, and how about your dd? Does she have a library card?

Or you could just invent a couple of children. How about Norman?

Jan O'Cat, inspiring library larceny

Ceil and Ms.ODeviousCat:

I have been inches away from doing just that with putting holds on my Mom's card but they know she isn't reading by herself anymore, I would have to present her id periodically to keep the card active. If we got a library card for DH, his holds would be shelved by mine for the self pickup which would be convenient. The library asks for ID and proof of residence in the county, so inventing children isn't an option! I may just have to send DH in to get a card! Think of the library math! How do you juggle that, Ceil?

Cecelia/Ceil wrote: " I solved this problem by also using my DH's library card to request additional holds. That doubles the limit!
Ceil ...
Jan)Malleycat wrote: Or you could just invent a couple of children."

JanOMalleycat wrote: "Ceil helpfully suggested: "Ann, I solved this problem by also using my DH's library card to request additional holds. That doubles the limit! "

Yeah, Ann, and how about your dd? Does she have a li..."

I hope everyone is taking note of the fact that I am not the only one in this group with larcenous library tendencies.

Ann -- I need to learn more about Audible.com. When I briefly checked it out some time ago, it looked as if it was quite costly to download their audio books. I'd love to get an iPod, but the only reason I'd get it would be to listen to "books on tape."

Ann wrote: "Library talk - hoping it fits here in this folder.
I am agonizing over the ten holds limit on the library website. I am eager to request some new books I recently discovered and need to request a..."

Carol (& others reading The Last Cactus),

I thought writing from a woman's POV would be challenging since I obviously know so little about it. Had some help from Mrs Dan when she would say, No way, no woman would think that way/ say that/ etc. It was very helpful. As to the MC, be careful! I can always do a little editing and knock you off anytime. Great sense of power in that. Dan/AZ

Carol (& others reading The Last Cactus),

I thought writing from a woman's POV would be challenging since I obviously know so little about it. Had some help from Mrs Dan when she would say, No way, no woman would think that way/ say that/ etc. It was very helpful. As to the MC, be careful! I can always do a little editing and knock you off anytime. Great sense of power in that. Dan/AZ


You don't mean Carol do you? How did she get in your book anyway? When will the rest of us show up?

Daniel wrote: "Carol (& others reading The Last Cactus),
As to the MC, be careful! I can always do a little editing and knock you off anytime. Great sense of power in that. Dan/AZ ..."

Don't think I don't know it, I'm watchin' my P's and Q's. At least until midnight, anyway.

And if your MC has to have a cat, I think it only fitting that she be named "Jan" or "OMalley".

Sally:
audible.com has a new member discount on purchasing a player -- a really good discount too usually and on top of the player deal, the intro rate per audio book credit is $7.49 per credit (usually good for one book) I highly recommend it. Go to audible.com and the intro details should pop right up. After the initial rate expires, the books are usually $14.99 for each credit when you are a member (less if you pay for a longer period). Marcy can probably tell you other details about the specials she gets, I am not currently on a purchase plan so miss some specials. I have a nice backlog of books I have purchased to listen to someday.

As for an ipod, when I recently researched buying one specifically for audio books, initially it seemed the tiny new ipod shuffle would be wonderful; but it turns out it isn't ideal for audio books - shuffling isn't recommended and the buttons to maneuver in a book are missing. The Nano was mentioned several times as ideal when I did a search online.

Sally/Aymster54 wrote: " I need to learn more about Audible.com. When I briefly checked it out some time ago, it looked as if it was quite costly to download their audio books. I'd love to get an iPod, but the only reason I'd get it would be to listen to "books on tape."

Ann wrote: "Sally:
As for an ipod, when I recently researched buying one specifically for audio books, initially it seemed the tiny new ipod shuffle would be wonderful; but it turns out it isn't ideal for audio books - shuffling isn't recommended and the buttons to maneuver in a book are missing. The Nano was mentioned several times as ideal when I did a search online.
..."

I love my shuffle, but it's labor intensive. You obviously can't do shuffle, but you can play tracks in sequence. But you can only move around one track at a time, forward or backward, and the only way you can see where you are is to look at the playlist in iTunes, which shows you what you've listened to and what is left to be listened to.

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "JanOMalleycat wrote: "Ceil helpfully suggested: "Ann, I solved this problem by also using my DH's library card to request additional holds. That doubles the limit! "

Think of the library math! How do you juggle that, Ceil?

Mental juggling is too much! I do my library math by keeping old-time hand written lists made on an unused check register. Keeping track of currently checked out library books with due dates, renewal dates, Amazon rating, audio or book, which library acct used, and other trivia! I know this isn't really what you were asking, but I thought using the unused check register was clever and just wanted to talk about it. LOL

I hope everyone is taking note of the fact that I am not the only one in this group with larcenous library tendencies.


Hey, I presently have 2 books on hold under each of my son's cards and they are 14 & 12. My library only lets you hold 5 under each card.

Lori:
EEEEKKK! and I think a limit of ten holds is bad. I would have to pick up some of Ceil's, yours or Ms.O'FindSomeMoreRelativesCat's tips to increase my holds!

Lori/QueenoftheVBS wrote: " My library only lets you hold 5 under each card. .."

Ann wrote: "Lori:
EEEEKKK! and I think a limit of ten holds is bad. I would have to pick up some of Ceil's, yours or Ms.O'FindSomeMoreRelativesCat's tips to increase my holds!

Lori/QueenoftheVBS wrote: " ..."

And I'm not in some little town! I'm in Philadelphia PA! You would think they would let us have more so we wouldn't have to cheat! I don't think Ben Franklin would approve of this limit!

Lori/QueenoftheVBS wrote: "
And I'm not in some little town! I'm in Philadelphia PA! You would think they would let us have more so we wouldn't have to cheat! I don't think Ben Franklin would approve of this limit!"

As a former Philadelphian, I must express my disappointment and outrage. This is not befitting the City of Brotherly Love.

Thanks Ann! That was really helpful.

Ann wrote: "Sally:
audible.com has a new member discount on purchasing a player -- a really good discount too usually and on top of the player deal, the intro rate per audio book credit is $7.49 per credit (u..."

I have just finished my first book by Miranda Bliss -

I would fully recommend it for anyone who likes light, cozy mysteries!

Melissa wrote: "I have just finished my first book by Miranda Bliss - [bc:Dead Men Don't Get the Munchies|705317|Dead Men Don't Get the Munchies (Cooking Class Mystery, Book 3)|Miranda Bliss|http://ecx.images-amaz..."

Thanks, Melissa! I have one from this series somewhere in "The Pile". Will have to track it down!

Thanks, Melissa! I have one from this series somewhere in "The Pile". Will have to track it down!

I was just wondering..Melodie, which Cooking Class Mystery do you have? :)
After you are done reading it..are you a member of Paperback Swap? If so..please let me know when you are getting ready to post the one that you have, and I would be glad to order it from you? :)
Thanks!

Melissa wrote: "Thanks, Melissa! I have one from this series somewhere in "The Pile". Will have to track it down!

I was just wondering..Melodie, which Cooking Class Mystery do you have? :)
After you are done ..."

I don't know which one it is. Will have to look when I get home. I do belong to PBS so maybe we can do some business there!

Melodie

I'm currently reading EVERNIGHT by Claudia Gray which is another YA book somewhat in the TWILIGHT vein. It has vampires and a special school, but it is much better than P.C. & Kristin Cast's House of Night stuff and as good as Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy books. Also, reading AN ICE COLD GRAVE by Charlaine Harris. It's from her Harper Connelly series. I read the first in this series a couple of years ago and didn't like it much. This one is much better. The new Harry Dresden, TURN COAT, and CINNAMON KISS by Walter Mosley are both up next!

Melodie

Ann wrote: "Sally:
audible.com has a new member discount on purchasing a player -- a really good discount too usually and on top of the player deal, the intro ..."

Sally,
I have to second Ann's recommendation re: Audible.com. I recently purchased the unabridged audio of Long Lost by Harlan Coben for $9.95 (one week member special) and this week they are offering the new Baldacci for the same great price. They often have half-priced sales with great selections. I commute between 2 coasts on a monthly basis and often can't rely on library holds and deadlines. With audible and my kindle, I'm good to come and go.