Laurie R. King Virtual Book Club discussion

Hello folks! We're well into the middle of spring (if you pay attention just to the calendar and not the weather) and summer will be upon us in no time at all. Let's discuss what we should read this summer. Throw your suggestions here and I'll put together a poll for votes.

What have you read recently that was awesome? What favorite (or hated?) book do you want to discuss? What do you want to read this summer?

I think we should reconsider The Expats, which we passed on once before. I just read it and it knocked my socks off. It's being marketed as a thriller, which it is, but it's an unconventional thriller in that no one's life is ever in danger. (Their freedom, their peace of mind, yes; lives, no.) It's also a mystery, but not a whodunnit; more of a "what WAS done here, exactly"? And at the end, just when you think you actually know what happened, there is a totally unexpected plot twist. Finally, Pavone (who was an expat spouse himself) totally captures the sensation of what it is like to be an expat spouse in Europe (something I know from experience). Alternatively, his new book The Accident, is just out, and I'm willing to bet it's equally exciting.

I just finished Murder in Thrall, which was recommended to me by Alice and Merrily. I'd call it a mystery/romance, but a truly odd one. I'm sure it would spark a fairly good discussion as it skirts a VERY thin line.

Ian Hamilton's Ava Lee series is quite enthralling. He just came out with a new installment The Sisters of Borneo (book 5), but beginning with the first book is essential: The Water Rat of Wanchai.

Who would think that a Hong Kong born, Chinese Canadian forensic accountant could:
-cover at least 3 different countries and cultures in each book
-engage in action packed drama (she has some unexpected martial arts skills)
-have such a complex web of personal relationships
(her business partner 'Uncle' has former ties to the Triads, her mother is the 2nd wife in a Chinese family, her friendships are filled with loyalty and love).

Who knew tales from the banking world could be so gripping....

Did I say that this book is winning critical acclaim in Canada?? (For good reason.) Perfect summer read.. please consider.

Despite the fact that we have a whole thread talking about the Miss Fisher's Murder Mystery tv series, we have never actually read Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood as a discussion book. And it's such a quick, lite series; perfect for summer!

Lenore wrote: "I think we should reconsider The Expats, which we passed on once before. I just read it and it knocked my socks off. It's being marketed as a thriller, which it is, but it's an un..."

You've got me reinterested in The Expats, Lenore. I had picked it up last year to read before BoucherCon, but it wasn't grabbing me very quickly, so I put it down in favor of something else that was. Perhaps I put it down too soon!

Erin wrote: "Despite the fact that we have a whole thread talking about the Miss Fisher's Murder Mystery tv series, we have never actually read Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood as a discussion book..."

I endorse this suggestion

Cocaine Blues would be fun to read!

I'm a newer member,and I have a question about the group's bookshelf before I venture any suggestions. Is there a (relatively easy) way to see a simple list of all the books that have been discussed thus far? Scrolling through several years' worth makes it hard to keep track, and isn't a practical way for me to check if a book has already been discussed. Thanks!

Does Laurie have any suggestions, Erin? While I don't always like her suggestions, they certainly are interesting and tend to stretch my reading muscles.

I am a new member as well!

Could Erin take into consideration the availability of the book selections as well. As last month's book (City of Darkness) was only available for tablet in Canada. I do not have a tablet. The entire Canadian public library system could not aquire it through interlibrary loan :(

Our Netflix.ca is not as resource rich either. (Phyrne fisher is not to be seen). And the media corporations have a monopoly on programing here (so Acorn TV is not available either). However, I love the references to mystery tv serials and sometimes do find a way to see them.

And if we're not all sick of Sherlock Holmes, there is The Devil's Grin. It's a little grim, but it partners SH with a Victorian bacteriologist who is masquerading as a man to practice medicine. It's available in every ebook format, paperback, and also can be read online for free at Wattpad.

Here's the German edition book trailer: http://vimeo.com/86285626

Like Sabrina, I've also read Murder In Thrall by Anne Cleeland and enjoyed it, and, yes, it is a bit different, but in a good way. I find the main male character's peculiarities most interesting and his counterpart female lead is exactly the right yin to his yang. I just finished the second book in this series, which is due out in August. Anne sent me an ARC, and I continue to find the series satisfyingly quirky.

Some others that I have on my TBR list for the next few months are Susan Elia MacNeal's Mr. Churchill's Secretary and the following two in the WWII English setting mysteries, Come and Find Me by Hallie Ephron, Bellman & Black: A Ghost Story by Diane Setterfield, Roosevelt's Beast by Louis Bayard (his latest, just out). Some newer mystery authors that I've read over the last year and am really enjoying are Jen J. Danna, with her first book being Dead, Without a Stone to Tell It, a forensics archeological thriller and new author Anna Loan-Wilsey, with her first book last year being A Lack of Temperance. Since none of these are large tomes, I think they are well suited to summer reading. The Collector of Dying Breaths: A Novel of Suspense by M.J. Rose and Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid come out this month in April. I'd like to read some more Peter May this summer, too. I've only read his first Lewis trilogy, The Blackhouse and am anxious to read the next ones. The Blackhouse was excellent!

Erin Hart's The Book of Killowen is great reading with lots of Irish local color.

Lenore has me intrigued with this. On my to-read list it goes!

Lenore wrote: "I think we should reconsider The Expats, which we passed on once before. I just read it and it knocked my socks off. It's being marketed as a thriller, which it is, but it's an un..."

If any one is interested in reading something other than thrillers, I have some suggestions:
1)The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaeffer. It takes place on Guernsey during WW2. One of my top 10 favorite books about a group of friends banding together to be a family under terrible circumstances.
2) The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier. It is about Quakers in Ohio and The Underground RailRoad. As a modern Quaker it I feel it is a realistic portrayal of how abolition split families.
3)The End of Your Life BookClub by Will Schwalbe. This is inspiring non fiction story about a mother and son as she fights cancer and lives a full life in spite of her illness.
4) War Brides by Helen Bryan - This book involves murder, war, underground resistance with women thrown together in WW2 England.

For mystery any of the books by Dana Stabenow.

Laura wrote: "If any one is interested in reading something other than thrillers, I have some suggestions:
1)The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaeffer. It takes place on Guernsey du..."

I vote for 1 or 4.

Antoinette wrote: "Laura wrote: "If any one is interested in reading something other than thrillers, I have some suggestions:
1)The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaeffer. It takes place ..."

Thanks Antoinette.

Erin, in addition to the mysteries I mentioned, I have some non-mystery titles, but I will await your instructions. Have you read any of the titles or authors I mentioned in the mystery genre post above?

KarenB wrote: "Does Laurie have any suggestions, Erin? While I don't always like her suggestions, they certainly are interesting and tend to stretch my reading muscles."

Laurie's nomination is Everything Under the Heavens, Dana Stabenow's new historical novel, which I have heard great things about. Though I'm thinking I might hold on to this one and make it our September read.

Kathy B. wrote: "Erin, in addition to the mysteries I mentioned, I have some non-mystery titles, but I will await your instructions. Have you read any of the titles or authors I mentioned in the mystery genre post..."

Kathy, the only title I've read from your list is Mr. Churchill's Secretary (and I have to say, I wasn't very impressed. Though some of that may have been that it received so much hype, I was expecting another Lyndsay Faye, which is maybe an unfair expectation). By all means, suggest away! That's the fun of the reader poll for summer =)

Oh, and I just picked up The Other Typist and it's striking me as something you all would probably like. It's 1920s New York with just that right amount of dark undertone that fits the historic time period.

Laura wrote: "If any one is interested in reading something other than thrillers, I have some suggestions:
1)The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaeffer. It takes place on Guernsey du..."

I've had The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society on my to-be-read shelf for years (literally!) and have never gotten around to reading it. I'd be up for that one too. =) And War Brides does sound really interesting, too!

Laura wrote: "If any one is interested in reading something other than thrillers, I have some suggestions:
1)The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaeffer. It takes place on Guernsey du..."
I've read #1 through 3 on your list and can recommend them all, too. I will add #4 to my TBR list

No, Erin, I think Lyndsay is in a league of her own, or at least one not heavily populated.

So Many Books....
SO Little Time....

Has TEST OF WILLS by Charles Todd been discussed? I find this series fascinating as it deals with so much more than whodunnit. Other authors I have enjoyed. Tess Gerritsen; Karin Slaughter; Kathy Reichs. Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole series is finally being translated and available in English. Kieran Shields THE TRUTH OF ALL THINGS takes place in 1890s Maine. Imogen Robertson's Crowther and Westerman series takes place in late 1700s England and has an independent and astute woman as one of the main characters.

Lesley wrote: "Has TEST OF WILLS by Charles Todd been discussed? "

We discussed Test of Wills last March, Lesley.

I've had my eye on Jo Nesbo. His books look like dark thrillers from the blurbs?

And I've been meaning to get to Karen Slaughter's books. I've met her a few times now at cons and feel a little bad that I haven't read anything from her yet. Do you have a favorite from her?

Erin wrote: "Lesley wrote: "Has TEST OF WILLS by Charles Todd been discussed? "

We discussed Test of Wills last March, Lesley.

I've had my eye on Jo Nesbo. His books look like dark thrillers from the blurbs?..."

Erin, I have read two of Karin Slaughter's Will Trent series so far, Criminal and Unseen, both of which I thought were terrific. The rest of her Will Trent novels are TBR. An excellent writer.

I am also a big Jo Nesbo fan, but his novels might have limited appeal to our group (although I could be surprised!)

Kate wrote: "I'm a newer member,and I have a question about the group's bookshelf before I venture any suggestions. Is there a (relatively easy) way to see a simple list of all the books that have been discussed..."

Hi Kate! Welcome!

Probably the easiest way to see what we've read is the group bookshelf. It's just the standard shelf structure of Goodreads, so you can sort it by title, author, date read, etc. And we've set up shelves by year discussed (to keep track of books we've revisited).

I'm not sure if you had looked at that already and found it cumbersome? That's the best we've got for a list, I'm afraid. Oh, except maybe the archived discussion page. All the discussions are titled with the book title, so you could probably just glance at the titles.

Erin wrote: "Kate wrote: "I'm a newer member,and I have a question about the group's bookshelf before I venture any suggestions. Is there a (relatively easy) way to see a simple list of all the books that have..."

Thanks for the tip. I too wondered about past selections.

Hi Erin! (Great name - or so my sister thinks .)

The archived discussion page was much simpler to review - thanks for suggesting that! (I had already looked at the group bookshelf, which was much less user-friendly, at least for this user.)

Now I need to see if I have any suggestions in addition to those already in this thread ...

Erin: For books by Karin Slaughter, I would suggest starting at the beginning for both series before reading the combo character books. The Linton series starts with BLINDSIGHTED and the Trent series starts with TRIPTYCH.
Also Charles Todd has a second series with a WWI nurse Bess Crawford. The first book is A DUTY TO THE DEAD.

Ian Rankin is an author I've been meaning to get to for ages. His first book featuring Detective John Rebus is Knots and Crosses. Of course, I love all things Scottish, so the Scottish author and setting are most attractive to me. It doesn't hurt that this series has received high praise from reviewers and fans.

Another Scottish author and series one I mentioned above, Peter May , author of the Lewis trilogy set on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, with the first one being the marvelous The Blackhouse.

I'm kind of excited to see so many recommendations of thriller mysteries. I always get the sense that this group isn't so into them, based on discussions.

I can highly recommend Zoe Sharp if you like thriller mysteries. Her protagonist is one of my favorites.

Kathy B. wrote: "Ian Rankin is an author I've been meaning to get to for ages. His first book featuring Detective John Rebus is Knots and Crosses. Of course, I love all things Scottis..."
Glasgow Noire
If this group has not read Ian Rankin, I would get behind this idea. Ian Rankin and Laurie King are two of my favourite mystery authors.

Anne Cleeves, Shetland Mystery series is excellent as well. Raven Black, the first novel will keep you guessing until the very last page. There is a BBC series Shetland, series 1 & 2, based upon them. Another serial which I haven't read but have enjoyed the BBC series immensely is the Vera Stanhope series by Anne Cleeves, called Vera.


Denise Mina is also an up and coming Scottish crime writer. The Alex Morrow series..Still Midnight is the first with Field of Blood as another BBC serial of another of her series

If you want to discuss a master detective crime writer, with lots of jagged edges I would also recommend Lynda Laplante's (writer of Prime Suspect) Anna Travis mystery series.

Meredith, I checked the bookshelf for the group and didn't see an Ian Rankin. Of course, I could have missed it. Anne Cleeves and the Shetland Island series is another one I've been wanting to read. Peter May's Isle of Lewis series or trilogy is one I've only started, loving the first one, The Blackhouse. I'll have to check out Denise Mina. Oh, I do so love a good Scottish mystery!

Kathy B. wrote: "Meredith, I checked the bookshelf for the group and didn't see an Ian Rankin. Of course, I could have missed it. Anne Cleeves and the Shetland Island series is another one I've been wanting to re..."

I have put Peter May on my to read bookshelf!

Meredith wrote: "Kathy B. wrote: "Meredith, I checked the bookshelf for the group and didn't see an Ian Rankin. Of course, I could have missed it. Anne Cleeves and the Shetland Island series is another one I've b..."

My Monday Nights are Murder Book Group recommended the Ian Rutledge "Hamish" series... not of course to be confused with the Hamish Macbeth series (you've read it of course? M.C. Beaton??)

Meredith wrote: "Meredith wrote: "Kathy B. wrote: "Meredith, I checked the bookshelf for the group and didn't see an Ian Rankin. Of course, I could have missed it. Anne Cleeves and the Shetland Island series is a..."

I have read the Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton, Meredith. I enjoyed them on a light reading basis, but the last one out, Death of a Policeman, was rather disappointing. I think the series, at 30 books, has run its course, and Beaton has nothing new to add to it. May's books are more complex and darker (in a good mystery way), as I'm thinking Rutledge's and Cleeves' are, too.

Meredith, is your Monday Nights are Murder group a face-to-face book group? I would like to start an in-person book group in my town, and I'm thinking a mystery group would be wonderful.

Kathy B. wrote: "Meredith wrote: "Meredith wrote: "Kathy B. wrote: "Meredith, I checked the bookshelf for the group and didn't see an Ian Rankin. Of course, I could have missed it. Anne Cleeves and the Shetland I..."

The Ottawa Public Library has run this face to face, once a month book group for about five years. Each branch of the public library, here, pretty much has a book group for each genre. Book groups are very popular. Many people here work in the public service, winter is very cold (-32 for many months) and long and we need the distraction :)

"Kathy B. wrote: "Meredith, I checked the bookshelf for the group and didn't see an Ian Rankin. Of course, I could have missed it. Anne Cleeves and the Shetland I..."

I'm in a mystery discussion group which meets monthly, and we have a wonderful time! Lots of discussion, and exploration of titles that I wouldn't read otherwise.

I had a couple of in-person book groups I attended a few years ago. One was friends from my knitting group getting together to read classics that we all said we had been wanting to read for forever, but never had the drive to finish. We successfully read those classics (I got through all of Jane Austen!), but half the discussions were just "I liked it" or "I didn't like it" with very minimal discussion =P

Similar for the other group, which was engineering friends from college who decided it would be nice to have a monthly meetup and a book group would be a great way to do that. We usually ended up actually not reading the book that was selected, but then having five other books read in the last month that we heartily recommended. So I guess it was more like a book recommendation and luncheon club than a book discussion group! LOL!

We've got about 50 votes on our poll to pick a June read and Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid is in the lead! If you haven't voted yet, the poll will be up until next weekend. And I'll be creating a polls for July and August based on the runners-up for June.

Northanger Abbey looks very interesting. I vote for it!

NA is not one of my favorite Jane Austens but I will enjoy rereading and the discussions. Others observe so much more than I do. It will be interesting.

Margaret wrote: "NA is not one of my favorite Jane Austens but I will enjoy rereading and the discussions. Others observe so much more than I do. It will be interesting."

It's a retelling by Val McDermid, Margaret, so I think it should be an interesting read whether you've read the original Austen or not! ;-)

I voted for Northanger Abbey by McDermid, and I'm going to hold off reading it until June. It should be lots of fun to read it with a group.

I have read some but not all of Val McDermid's series books. Have and have read all of the Lindsay Gordon and Kate Brannigan. I am somewhat behind on the Carol and Tony series. Have really enjoyed a couple of the standalones as well. Even though I am not a fan of Jane Austen am willing to give NA a try in McDermid's hands.