Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

To continue our recent tradition of having a group read book each month let's use this thread to post suggestions of books that could make it to a poll for a group selection in 2015.
We have had a good year with our M/T Reading Friends group's Group Read books that have mostly been set up with separate spoilers welcome threads for sets of chapters. Those can be labor intensive so we also have started a test of Buddy Reading a book with a less structured single thread noted with the hidden spoiler HTML.
That concept was used for the latest Tana French book that was part of a series so difficult to be a group read.
The books we have read or lined up for 2014 are found here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Hmm. I'm out of ideas at the moment, but looking at my books on request I see that Deadline by John Sandford might be a good one. Of course it is a series.... I'll keep looking.

I enjoyed Deadline, but it is deep into Flowers, and a new reader might miss the running gags.

How about The Promise for May? It was supposed to be released 11/4, but it's been delayed until 4/28/15 now.

Maybe we could try one of the Mystery Writers of America's nominated or winning novels. Sandi, you usually try to read those, do you have any you could recommend? Or, Ann, what do you think of The Marco Effect? Do you think that series requires reading in order?

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Maybe we could try one of the Mystery Writers of America's nominated or winning novels. Sandi, you usually try to read those, do you have any you could recommend? Or, Ann, what do you think of The..."

I do usually try to read the best first nominees but have not read any yet. There were a few stand-alones nominated for Best Mystery for 2014:

Ordinary Grace- William Kent Krueger
He is super popular at Bouchercon though I've only read a couple of his series books. This book was the winner for 2014.

Sandrine's Case- Thomas H. Cook
This is definitely on my list to read. I've really enjoyed some of his previous books and would think his work would make for a good discussion.

The Humans-Matt Haig
From the description this looks like it could be really good or a complete train wreck.

Until She Comes Home-Lori Roy
Her first book Bent Road won the Edgar for best first back in 2011 but while I thought it was good it did not seem award worthy.

Of the best first nominees for 2014 I am looking forward to reading the winner Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews though it is a spy thriller and I wonder if enough people would be interested in it as a discussion book.

The other nominees for best first were:

The Resurrectionist-Matthew Guinn

Ghostman- Roger Hobbs

Rage Against the Dying - Becky Masterman
This looks pretty interesting.

Reconstructing Amelia- Kimberly McCreight

I am up to date with Robert Crais so would definitely read The Promise if it was picked

Wow, thanks for the list, Sandi!
When I have more time I am going to read all of the descriptions; a couple of those were on my tentative tbr list so I am excited for the group to consider them.
Carol:
I think Dept Q could be a good candidate too. And Robert Crais's The Promise will surely have several reading it!

Just by the author I know I'd be interested in the Thomas H. Cook. When I have a minute I'll look at the description of that and others. Thanks, Sandi!

I like the idea of new stuff, especially award winners. I need to repopulate my author ranks.

May I suggest Richard Rhodes's John James Audubon? What an extraordinary, difficult, exciting life. He was blessed with great gifts (duh) and a great wife. Mary Jo

From a Mystery Thriller viewpoint the books Sandi posted about that are recognized as Best Mystery nominations or Winners for 2014 look like great candidates, and will probably be easier to obtain.
Like Carol, the Thomas H Cook entry, Sandrine's Case looks intriguing to me and Ordinary Grace has been on my virtual TBR pile for a good while.
From a M/T Favorite author standpoint Robert Crais's The Promise in May 2015 looks promising (pun intended!) and I just saw that the second of the three Bill Hodges books by Stephen King, the follow-up to Mr Mercedes called Finders Keepers: A Novel, is set for a June 2015 release.

Mary Jo: Perhaps John James Audubon would make a good buddy read book, shall we pose that option and see if there are any takers? I took a look at the preview here on GR and it does start out well. I do like a good biography. That type of book is one of my first loves.

Mary Jo wrote: "May I suggest Richard Rhodes's John James Audubon? What an extraordinary, difficult, exciting life. He was blessed with great gifts (duh) and a great wife. Mary Jo"

Just looked through Sandi's list. Boy, they all look good!

I will definitely read Sandrine's Case eventually. Most of the others would appeal, although I probably wouldn't be reading them anytime soon unless someone else were reading simply bec I have so many books already on my TBR. Would probably not read Red Sparrow, and although it sounds good it is too soon after The Secret Place for me to read Reconstructing Amelia. I laughed at Sandi's comment on The Humans but after reading the plot summary see why she said that. Still, it sounds intriguing!

Of the others mentioned, I have The Marco Effect (Marco effekten) on my TBR. I will also be eventually reading The Promise and Finders Keepers, but that's a ways away with May and June release dates.

So, I guess I'm saying that to say, if someone else is chomping to read any of the above, post your intention and maybe I and others will join. And I'll do the same.

I totally would say what Barry said :)

I am thinking of starting a poll for the next group read book(s) for early 2015. The following books have been mentioned, any others?
Ordinary Grace which just won several awards!
Sandrine's Case nominated for the awards
The Burning Room Harry Bosch series
The Marco Effect Dept Q series
John James Audubon biography

To help us decide, stopyourekillingme.com has reviews and info on the winners just announced this weekend.
Anthony awards
http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/Awa...

Ordinary Grace will be on my determination list, so I am all for it, besides the fact that it has been out awhile and will be easier for people to get at their library :)

I been wanting to read Reconstucting amelia have it on my nook. heard great reviews on that one.

I started James Hall's "The Big Finish" today. The dust jacket says it is the last of the Thorn books, but more interesting is its thematic similarity to Grisham's Grey Mountain, but decidedly different approach to defining an ecological disaster. As a group read, it might be an interesting contrast.

Barry and DonnaJo: great suggestions, let's add them to the February group read poll for a vote! I hate that the Thorn books will end, but look forward to this one either way.
Reconstructing Amelia
The Big Finish

Ann wrote: "Barry and DonnaJo: great suggestions, let's add them to the February group read poll for a vote! I hate that the Thorn books will end, but look forward to this one either way.
[book:Reconstructing..."

I think I have Reconstructing Amelia on my Kindle, so I could go for reading that one!

Our January poll closed with Ordinary Grace as the top vote pick. Line up your copies and we'll start the new year off with this Edgar award winner!

we'll compile a poll list for February 2015 in a few weeks. content could include the runners up from January's poll and the recently mentioned Reconstructing Amelia and The Big Finish

So excited for Ordinary Grace!

First Night of Summer


Once I started reading this book I was completely captivated from beginning to end and I didn't want to put it down until I finished it. Not for the faint of mind and heart. Compelling read.

Stephanie wrote: "First Night of Summer


Once I started reading this book I was completely captivated from beginning to end and I didn't want to put it down..."

It sounds captivating, Stephanie. The reviews are off the charts. Not sure I have the stomach for it now, but will definitely keep it in mind.

Golden Sun just arrived (Red Rising #2). We doing this together?

Barry wrote: "Golden Sun just arrived (Red Rising #2). We doing this together?"

Mine came yesterday. Looking to get started on it by Sunday!

Drat. I have Red Rising lined up, but haven't gotten to read or listen to it yet. Enjoy the buddy read!
Barry wrote: "Golden Sun just arrived (Red Rising #2). We doing this togeter?"
Melodie wrote: "Mine came yesterday. Looking to get started on it by Sunday!"

Does anyone have any additional books to nominate for February's group read?
Edit - I just realized this is a brand new release, 13-Jan-2015 publication, so perhaps it will be better for a later month in the year to make it easier to snag a library copy.
I was thinking about nominating The Girl on the Train It is described as "A compulsively readable, emotionally immersive, Hitchcockian thriller that draws comparisons to Gone Girl, The Silent Wife, or Before I Go to Sleep, this is an electrifying debut embraced by readers across markets and categories. "

Hi Ann,

I definitely want to read The Girl on the Train, but probably won't make a February read whether it's this or something else, as I have An Ordinary Grace and Worth Killing For up after I finish The Anatomy of Deception, which I've just started. I think with the buddy reads, a monthly read every other month is good enough for me. But if others have suggestions for February go for it, and I may get to it eventually.

Ann wrote: "Does anyone have any additional books to nominate for February's group read?
Edit - I just realized this is a brand new release, 13-Jan-2015 publication, so perhaps it will be better for a later m..."

i definitely want to read this, but am determined to read the books i've been putting on hold in order to read book club reads or library loans before i commit to anything else. march or april would be better for me, than february. looking forward, carol's friend peter swanson has a new book coming out on 2/3 that has gotten some really good reviews and might be good for a group read further down the road. http://smile.amazon.com/Kind-Worth-Ki...

I too want to read The Girl on the Train. Sometimes I think it is ok to nominate a book even though there are several of us who may not get to it until a month or so past. Either put in up for February so those that can read can respond, and the rest of us catch up, or pick a later month.

I'll add the poll later tonight when I get home!
Thanks for the suggestions, and I may also extend the window for Ordinary Grace into February if some of us will get to it later.

The poll for the February group read book is up until the 20th, the top two books are new January 2015 releases, so if you want to go ahead and request a hold to line up a copy it might help with getting them in a more timely manner.
Poll: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/1...
And not that you would win, but both top books also have an active Goodreads giveaway that you could enter! The Girl on the Train and The Kind Worth Killing

The Girl on the Train and The Kind Worth Killing were tied for the selection so I assigned one to February and one to March based on the release date for the order. These new releases may take a while to snag a copy so feel free to read when you can and post even after they are no longer listed at the top of the group page. I started the topics for The Girl on the Train and will add the others for The Kind Worth Killing closer to release date.

Ann wrote: "The Girl on the Train and The Kind Worth Killing were tied for the selection so I assigned one to February and one to March based on the release date for the order. ..."

thanks, ann. i'm excited to read both of them.

Me too! Boy, with these juicy selections I may not get to my "determination" reads for a bit.

Or, I could watch/listen to less about "deflate-gate" and give myself a break to read... ;-)

Carol, I was thinking the same thing! Have to check out The Kind Worrh Killing!!

If Harper Lee is coming out with a new book, don't we owe it to ourselves to make it a group read?

I think so too, Barry! it looks like July release!
Barry wrote: "If Harper Lee is coming out with a new book, don't we owe it to ourselves to make it a group read?"
/i>

I don't know, she's only published one book and it's been awhile. Do you think it'll be any good?

{{snicker}}

Barry wrote: "If Harper Lee is coming out with a new book, don't we owe it to ourselves to make it a group read?"

I was going to suggest this! Too bad we don't still have our favorite Cat around to help us read it!

Melodie: I was thinking the same thing just this morning! I miss Ms Jan O'Cat!
'Melodie wrote: "I was going to suggest this! Too bad we don't still have our favorite Cat around to help us read it!
"

Carol: It is an interesting turn of events from what I read. I had read and enjoyed The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee recently and biographer Marja Mills was pretty clear on Harper Lee's desire to protect her privacy and to live in a low-key manner, her health negatively affected from a recent stroke, and may not be making a lot of the decisions regarding her intellectual property. It is very exciting that the novel was found by accident, but not clear that Lee would be excited about its publication.

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I don't know, she's only published one book and it's been awhile. Do you think it'll be any good?
{{snicker}}"

Not nominating this for a group read as it wouldn't appeal to everyone, but there's a new book in Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty saga coming in April, Beauty's Kingdom by A.N. Roquelaure

Harper Lee was all over the news on NPR this morning as I slid to work. There are questions on why the book is being published, and who is really in control.

Barry wrote: "Harper Lee was all over the news on NPR this morning as I slid to work. There are questions on why the book is being published, and who is really in control."

I was reading about this last night. Some big questions there.