The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

I have just started Cross Country - James Patterson. Its too early to say what I think of it so far as I have only just started. BUT saying that I do like James Patterson books.

My recent reads in this thread include: ( reviews are listed on my shelves)

Look Again
2nd Chance
Beyond Reach
Takeover
Absent Friends
Charley's Web
and Angel's Tip


J/F ( just finished)
The Lightning Thief

and currently reading
The Scarecrow
and Angel's Tip

Teresa wrote: "My recent reads in this thread include: ( reviews are listed on my shelves)

Look Again
2nd Chance
Beyond Reach
Takeover
[book:Absent..."

What did you think of Beyond Reach (Skin Privilege) and 2nd Chance?

I have read both. I can't wait for Undone (US version)which we have it as Genesis comes out.

My recent mystery reads are:


An Imperfect Spy, by Carolyn Heilbrun, who is really Amanda Cross... this was an accidental re-read. Didn't remember until I was half way through, so I just finished it... lots of philosophising about political correctness. Boy am I glad I wasn't in the US in the 90s!!
The Immaculate Deception, which was good, but the end of a series that I haven't read the beginning of... (something to look forward to!)
The Woman in White, a neat classic
Touchstone, not as good as other Laurie King, but fun
The Mysterious Affair at Styles another fun classic, Poirot's first case.

EDIT: I forgot One for the Money, which I loved. Can't wait to read the rest of them!
and Promise Me, which I didn't like so much, but I missed the first books of the series, so felt like I didn't understand anything.

Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Teresa wrote: "My recent reads in this thread include: ( reviews are listed on my shelves)

Look Again
2nd Chance
Beyond Reach
[book:Takeover|3315452..."


I gave beyond reach 3 stars, could be 3.5 It started off slow and took 2 attempts to read it. By the end I was satsifed with it. You get a lot of info and background on Lena. The ending left me a little shook up

as for 2nd chance, I didn't use to enjoy Patterson but really liked the tv series ( too quickly canceled) and the books are fast reads. The characters are likeable and quite developed for being early in the series, the only thing I don't like is the crime appears to be solved but there is 100 pages or so to read so you know there is more to come.

I really liked the ladies mystery club series by Patterson- "Good Reads" for sure. I agree with you Teresa about the show being cancelled too early but I think it was because it was on fridays, not a good TV night at all.

Im reading The Count of Monte Cristo, this could count as a crime.... hee hee.. sort of... the main guy is in jail for a crime he didnt commit... hee hee

Im only about 100 pages in, but so far its good. It started out with a bang.... Have you read it Fiona?

I'm just about to start Michael Connelly's "The Scarecrow", so I hope it's good. I just finished a really good crime novel set in 1930's Los Angeles, "The Kind One" by Tom Epperson. It's being made into a movie and they've already cast Casey Affleck in the lead role. I also recently finished John Hart's newest "The Last Child", which was really great and just heartbreaking. I've loved all of Hart's books.

I recently read Dog Eats Dog. Laugh out loud funny in parts but still a good mystery with an unexpected twist at the end. This book would make a great Coen brothers movie.

Now I am reading Snapshot by Garry Disher. He did an author visit at a local bookstore and he was delightful to talk to. Snapshot is the 3rd book in the Hal Challis series set outside of Melbourne, Australia.

I've been re-reading The Letters of Dorothy L. Sayers 1899-1936 The Making of a Detective Novelist which is slow going, but interesting. Of course (as you all know already!) I love her Peter Wimsey books. She also translated epic poetry (French, Italian and some German), wrote her own poetry, and was an accomplished violinist and singer. Good sense of humor too!

She was one of the first women, if not the first woman, to be awarded a full degree from Oxford University - previously women were allowed to attend the university as guests, and after doing all the work were given a certificate!

She also wrote numerous essays and poems on the subject of theology. A fascinating woman.

But I'm feeling a bit burnt out... I've read over 40 books in 6 months (I overdid it with the bookrings!) so this summer I'm going to take it easy and read and re-read lots of mysteries!!

YoudontGnomie wrote: "I really liked the ladies mystery club series by Patterson- "Good Reads" for sure. I agree with you Teresa about the show being cancelled too early but I think it was because it was on fridays, not..."

yep, and at 10 pm? It would of fit better on a tuesday or wed, but come to think of it ABC really doesnt have these kinds of shows?

Have you watched Castle?

Dorie wrote: "I'm just about to start Michael Connelly's "The Scarecrow", so I hope it's good. I just finished a really good crime novel set in 1930's Los Angeles, "The Kind One" by Tom Epperson. It's being ma..."


I am also Reading THE SCARECROW< it is setting up to be a good story. Connelly is a master storyteller, so I just sit back and read knowing the story will be good. Let me know how you are liking it? I am on around page 60

Lori, you will LOVE COMC. It reads so much faster than most classics. It looks intimidating, but you really just don't want to stop.

I am not reading anything at this moment...I feel so itchy, stressed..better fast take something because it doesn't feel good.But what I wanted to say: I was in the city centre of Dublin before and found a crime bookstore!!!! Not a bookstore but a crime bookstore!!!! How cool is that??? Couldn't enter because we were crossing the center very fast because of the wind and stormy rain but.....yahoo there is a crime bookstore here!!!!

Really, I thought they just put a lot of crime books in their windows...like they new a new group had been started for cirme reading and were promoting it....but on the windows there was cime bookshop!!!!! A bookshop is like paradise for me, but a crime bookshop is..???????Is there a level above paradise???

That really is cool.... I want one too!

Just finished The Murders of Richard III, by Elizabeth Peters, which was fun (though not as fun as her Amelia Peabody mysteries), and Murder on Astor Place, by Victoria Thompson. Eh on that one.

Fiona wrote: "Jeane wrote: "Really, I thought they just put a lot of crime books in their windows...like they new a new group had been started for cirme reading and were promoting it....but on the windows there ..."

mmmmmm....want to go!!!!!

Teresa wrote: "Connelly is a master storyteller, so I just sit back and read knowing the story will be good. Let me know how you are liking it? I am on around page 60"

I've just started, but I'm already feeling for poor downsized Jack. Connelly's writing just sucks you immediately into the story, doesn't it?

Kandice wrote: "Lori, you will LOVE COMC. It reads so much faster than most classics. It looks intimidating, but you really just don't want to stop. "

I hope so. I was working the last two days and havent had a chance to pick it back up yet.... and tomorrow and monday look pretty busy too... I picked a bad time to start a GIGANTOR like this one :)

Teresa wrote: "Have you watched Castle?"

A fun show. I especially loved the first episode where they had Nathan Fillion playing poker with real authors - James Patterson and Stephen J. Cannell.

Rob wrote: "Jeane: I'd be happy just to visit Dublin...crime bookshop or no!"

:-) I haven't explored it enough and in more in detail but it is great seeing the links to the great writers they had, over the city.

False Scent Ngaio Marsh is another oldie, but goodie. The book is very like Agatha Christie and takes place in the home of a prima donna actress.

This is the first Marsh I have read, I think.

Dorie wrote: "Teresa wrote: "Connelly is a master storyteller, so I just sit back and read knowing the story will be good. Let me know how you are liking it? I am on around page 60"

I've just started, but I'm..."Yes he does, and a

The Poetis the other story that features Jack.

Things just keep getting worse for him : ) What page are you on?

Luann wrote: "Teresa wrote: "Have you watched Castle?"

A fun show. I especially loved the first episode where they had Nathan Fillion playing poker with real authors - James Patterson and Stephen J. Cannell."

I noticed it that too, It got renewed now it only ABC would support it

Just finished Cross Country - James Patterson. Now I am gonna read Beauty - Robin McKinley.

I'm reading The Merlin Conspiracy, and I don't know if it will be a mystery, but it did start with a mysterious death.

I'm halfway through Entombed by Linda Fairstein. Enjoying this one a bit more than the last couple. Story is quite interesting as it involves Edgar Allen Poe.

I was considering giving up with this series, Alexandra Cooper is starting to grate on me just a little bit, but I'll persevere.

Had to put this to one side though while I do a challenge in another group.

Teresa wrote: "Things just keep getting worse for him : ) What page are you on?"

Page 90, and I'm hating Angela right now!

Dorie wrote: "Teresa wrote: "Things just keep getting worse for him : ) What page are you on?"

Page 90, and I'm hating Angela right now!
"

Got to go see what page I am on, it is the book I read at the kids baseball games,

Angela grates on my nerves, but I think something is coming for her : )

Finishing up Ngaio Marsh and will start tomorrow on The Shadow of the Wind... is this a mystery? I just looked at the blurb, I thought it was fantasy!

Hayes wrote: "Finishing up Ngaio Marsh and will start tomorrow on The Shadow of the Wind... is this a mystery? I just looked at the blurb, I thought it was fantasy!"

I read the blurbs, I don't see fantasy here, I would call it either historical mystery or maybe it could be a stretch under fiction. The plot seems good and it got pretty good reviews,

Can't wait!

Hayes wrote: "Finishing up Ngaio Marsh and will start tomorrow on The Shadow of the Wind... is this a mystery? I just looked at the blurb, I thought it was fantasy!"

I don't remember it as mystery or fantasy:-) but I loved it!!! His new book was in the shop yesterday.

I am reading Dirty Game by Jessie Keane a bit like Martina Cole. Just Finished the first two by Ken McCoy and loved them would recommend him it the Sam Macraw Series and have just got the 3rd & 4th from the library

Charlotte wrote: "I'm halfway through Entombed by Linda Fairstein. Enjoying this one a bit more than the last couple. Story is quite interesting as it involves Edgar Allen Poe.

I was considering giving up wit..."

Charlotte, I think that Entombed is one of the best ones in this series. They aren't all great, but I like the series anyway.

I'm reading The Last Dickens A Novelby Matthew Pearl. I thoroughly enjoyed his previous two, The Dante Club A Novel and The Poe Shadow A Novel.

The Way Homejust finished this one, rating around 4.25

still reading The ScarecrowThings just keep happening now on page 207

and just started Lady Killer already read over 60 pages

Teresa, The Scarecrow is a real page-turner, isn't it? Right now I'm on Page 285.

I'm reading Wicked Prey by John Sandford, the latest in the Lucas Davenport series. Very good so far.

Changed my mind and wanna read For One More Day - Mitch Albom

Just finished For One More Day - Mitch Albom. Now I am going to carry on reading Sleepyhead - Mark Billingham

Kathy wrote: "Charlotte wrote: "I'm halfway through Entombed by Linda Fairstein. Enjoying this one a bit more than the last couple. Story is quite interesting as it involves Edgar Allen Poe.

I was consideri..."

Thanks Kathy, I think I only keep reading them to see if Alex and Mike will actually get together (but I think Mike's too good for her!!!).

Dorie wrote: "Teresa, The Scarecrow is a real page-turner, isn't it? Right now I'm on Page 285."

Ye things are really happening have to move it insdie for inside reading 'cause baseball is not letting me read enough of it,

and Even though I thought Angela grated on my nerves I spoke to soon I think?

My pet peeve is Jack is SUPPOSE to be a journalist but he is running around acting like a detective.

Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Just finished For One More Day - Mitch Albom. Now I am going to carry on reading Sleepyhead - Mark Billingham"

How are you liking Billingham, Fiona? That's my favorite series from the UK. I really like the character of Tom Thorne.

Fiona, you just read For One More Day in two hours? really? I mean, when I read it, it took me only a day, but TWO HOURS?

Lori wrote: "Fiona, you just read For One More Day in two hours? really? I mean, when I read it, it took me only a day, but TWO HOURS?"

Lori, it took me 2 days to read, but when I came to post a message I had forgotten to say what I was readin at the time. Then, afterwards, I had it finished. Wasn't meant to make it sound like I had it read in 2hrs lol.

Dorie wrote: "Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Just finished For One More Day - Mitch Albom. Now I am going to carry on reading Sleepyhead - Mark Billingham"

How are you liking Billingham, Fiona? That's my favorite ser..."

Dorie, this is my 1st book of his, but have spoken to him on the net in a Author chat we had on a group I belong to.

Started The Shadow of the Wind, which I'm reading in Italian so it's a little slow going for me, but I love it!

How I envy people like Jeane (and lots of others here) who switch back and forth between myriad languages with no trouble at all!!