The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

Hi, all.

Hard to believe, but we are already considering a group read for November 2023.

Let's focus on books published in or set in either the 1930s or 1940s. Thriller, mystery, spy, hard-boiled, cozy; drama, comedy, some combination, whatever you like, but set in or first published in the 1930s or 1940s

The usual disclaimers apply:
1. do NOT nominate your own book
2. if your nomination tops the poll you will lead the discussion. Obviously you shouldn't nominate a book if you don't wish to participate.
3. also, please check the group's bookshelf to make sure we haven't read your nomination in the last couple of years.

You have until October 11 to nominate, after that I'll set up a pole.

Enjoy all.

I suggest "The Blank Wall" by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding.

“The Trackers” by Charles Frazier

I wouldn’t be able to lead the discussion for this (I didn't see that part until after I hit “Post”).

If anyone else wants to take that one, please do!

Sam Eastland's Inspector Pekkala books are very good. Set in Soviet Union under Stalin.

The Portrait of Molly Dean, it is based on a true story and it is fantastic!

Death of Jezebel by Christianna Brand

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman.

Dot wrote: "Sam Eastland's Inspector Pekkala books are very good. Set in Soviet Union under Stalin."

Hi, Dot. Please offer a specific title. I don't think we could fit in a series. :)

Randy

Ellen wrote: "The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman."

Hi, Ellen.

I've heard of the Thursday Murder Club, but I'm not sure when they are set. Are they set in the 1930s or '40s?

Eye of the Red Tsar is the first book in the Inspector Pekkala series.

Thanks, Dot.

The Laughing Policeman by Sjowall and Wahloo is the best, most pains-taking police procedural I've ever read -- before the techno miracles of today. Nothing to do with the movie.

Randy, The Thursday Murder Club is set in contemporary times. Have we read the first in the series? I def think these should be read in order.

Hi, all.

Just to note, so far we only have three books published in the 1930s or 1940s, or taking place in the 1930s or 1940s: The Blank Wall by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding (Barnes and Noble doesn't list this, and Amazon says it's due to be published in 2079 -- yeah, I don't get it either; it is included in a Library of America volume, so there's an ebook and it can probably be borrowed from libraries, at least in the U.S.); Eye of the Red Tsar by Sam Eastland (technically, 1928, but close enough); and Death of Jezebel by Christianna Brand.

The Portrait of Molly Dean by Katherine Kovacic fits, but the price looks prohibitive in the U.S. (Amazon, $59.95 for a paperback; AbeBooks lists it at $62.94; B&N doesn't list it; Amazon.uk looks about as bad on price). The other suggestions are either set in the 1960s or are contemporary.

So, I put it up to you, do we go with the three and hope others join in and offer suggestions? Or do we just go with all of the suggestions above, except maybe poor Molly?

We've done Rebecca, right? Maybe Jamaica Inn?

Dorothy Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey books but I think we read one recently

Mary Roberts Rinehart and Patricia Wentworth wrote during that time period

I've been reading the series starting with Midnight at Malabar House by Vaseem Khan and the first book is set in 1949

but I'll nominate: Three Hours in Paris by Cara Black set in Paris in June of 1940. I enjoyed all of Cara Black's Aimée Leduc series.

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie!



Randy wrote: "Hi, all.

Hard to believe, but we are already considering a group read for November 2023.

Let's focus on books published in or set in either the 1930s or 1940s. Thriller, mystery, spy, hard-boile..."

The Honjin Murders, Seishi Yokomizo. Published in 1946, set in 1937.

Hi, all.

I'll stretch the nomination period another day and then I'll put up a poll.

Nominations are closed. I'll be putting up a poll soon.