Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

2024 Group Read Books - We have already lined up some early 2024 books for the group discussions. Any additional nominations for the rest of the year are welcome! Here is what we have so far including the last two books of 2023 that slide over into 2024 for completed discussions.
Several of these are already available so feel free to pick them up now and get ready to discuss when convenient. The start dates are guides and are not written in stone. :)
Nov-2023
🔶 A Twisted Love Story by Samantha Downing

Dec-2023
🔶 Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

Jan-2024
🔶 Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

Feb-2024
🔶 The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

Mar-2024
🔶 The Hunter by Tana French sequel to The Searcher group read in Oct-2020

I have read Happiness Falls and Bright Young Women and found both books to be very good.

Feb-2024's book, The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose is set for US release on Nov 28, 2023 so there is plenty of time to find a copy.

Oh this explains why I was reading Bright Young Women, lol! I'd forgotten. Hopefully the library copy I had to return will come back around by January discussion time. At least the summaries (if we go that route) will help me remember where I was ;-)

Ooh, I just read the description of The Hunter and it sounds GOOD! I really enjoyed The Searcher and am looking forward to more adventures with Cal. I wonder if Tana French every does book tours in the US? Would really love to see her in person.

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Ooh, I just read the description of The Hunter and it sounds GOOD! I really enjoyed The Searcher and am looking forward to more adventures with Cal. I wonder if Tan..."

she did years ago- I saw her with sophie hannah at a book luncheon put on by "my" bookstore. was a great event. i can't remember exactly when it was- probably 10-15 years ago?

Carol: lol I do that sometimes and forget why I am reading a particular book. I am ready to discuss when you are ready!

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Oh this explains why I was reading Bright Young Women, lol! I'd forgotten. Hopefully the library copy I had to return will come back around by January discussion time. At least the..."

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Oh this explains why I was reading Bright Young Women, lol! I'd forgotten. Hopefully the library copy I had to return will come back around by January discussion time. At least the..."

Ann, I just got a notice that a print copy freed up at the library, so I think I'll be able to pick up where I left off without too much difficulty.

I just noticed an ad for a book that caught my eye. It's by Tess Gerritsen but not her typical fare, about a retired female spy whose past catches up with her. The Spy Coast. Any interest?

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I just noticed an ad for a book that caught my eye. It's by Tess Gerritsen but not her typical fare, about a retired female spy whose past catches up with her. The Spy Coast. Any i..."

Yes, definitely interested. I was looking at this one yesterday as well!

Gail and Carol: I read The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen and agree, it would be a good choice for a group discussion! Shall we add it for April? It was an Amazon First Reads book and is now in the Kindle Unlimited catalog.

Gail W wrote: "Yes, definitely interested. I was looking at this one yesterday as well.”
Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I just noticed an ad for a book that caught my eye. It's by Tess Gerritsen but not her typical fare, about a retired female spy whose past catches up with her. The Spy Coast ..."

I’m certainly game for it

Gail W wrote: "I’m certainly game for it"

Me too!

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Gail W wrote: "I’m certainly game for it"

Me too!"

And this is why I have GoodReads AND a spreadsheet and still sometimes have a problem. Apparently I already bought it on Kindle because it was 4.99. So I'm set!

LOL I get all of that - I'll set The Spy Coast up for April 2024 (or sooner as we get to it)
Gail W wrote: "I’m certainly game for it"

Carol/Bonadie wrote: " Me too!"

Gail W wrote: "And this is why I have GoodReads AND a spreadsheet and still sometimes have a problem. Apparently I already bought it on Kindle because it was 4.99. So I'm set!"

Have most of you read I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai. She was in Pittsburgh tonight for their December Arts and Lectures program. She is dynamic and walked through her thought process for the development of the book. If most of you haven't read it, I'd like to recommend this.

Gail: how fun that you got to meet the author! I read I Have Some Questions for You in April and loved it. The podcast aspect appealed to me as an avid listener.
If others want it as a group read we can consider, not sure how much I’ll remember of details.

Gail W wrote: "Have most of you read I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai. She was in Pittsburgh tonight for their December Arts and Lectures program. She is dynamic ..."

Ann wrote: "Gail: how fun that you got to meet the author! I read I Have Some Questions for You in April and loved it. The podcast aspect appealed to me as an avid listener.
If others want it ..."

Good grief, Ann, do you read everything?!? Every other time someone suggests something you seem to have already read it!!! I'll take a look at this and weigh in later,

Carol: LOL, I don't read everything but with several readers here with similar tastes I guess I get good recommendations. :) :)

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Good grief, Ann, do you read everything?!? Every other time someone suggests something you seem to have already read it!!! I'll take a look at this and weigh in later,"

2024 Group Read books (so far)
Dec-2023
🔶 Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

Jan-2024
🔶 Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

Feb-2024
🔶 The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

Mar-2024
🔶 The Hunter by Tana French sequel to The Searcher group read in Oct-2020

Apr-2024
🔶The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen Many of us have enjoyed Tess Gerritsen's other books including the series behind the Rizzoli and Isles TV series.

A suggestion for our June 2024 (or maybe July 2024) Group read - A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson. It is a series book, and a sequel of sorts - but we have read all of Peter's books from the initial recommendation of Carol/Bonadie. Looks like the US publication date is either June 11 or July 4, 2024.


2024 Group Read books (so far)
Dec-2023
🔶 Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

Jan-2024
🔶 Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

Feb-2024
🔶 The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

Mar-2024
🔶 The Hunter by Tana French sequel to The Searcher group read in Oct-2020

Apr-2024
🔶The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen Many of us have enjoyed Tess Gerritsen's other books including the series behind the Rizzoli and Isles TV series.

May-2024
🔶
Jun-2024
🔶
Jul-2024
🔶

Ann, I will never complain about reading a book of Peter's as a group read! Looks like we need some more suggestions so I'll keep my eyes open.

Carol: It would be great to have some more suggestions.
I have a couple for us to consider that are repeat authors and need to research a few more. :)
Murder Road by Simone St. James US release March 5. We have group read a couple of her books.
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley US Release June 18 Also group read at least one of her books.


Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Ann, I will never complain about reading a book of Peter's as a group read! Looks like we need some more suggestions so I'll keep my eyes open."

I'd love to introduce you guys to a Pittsburgh mystery writer, Annette Dashofy. She has been nominated multiple times for her Zoe Chambers series and last year began a second series with Where the Guilty Hide.

Gail: Thanks for the introduction! New authors are always fun to find out about; looks like there is a stand-alone as well as the new series with only three books in it so far. Were you thinking the new series book one Where the Guilty Hide for a group read?

Gail W wrote: "I'd love to introduce you guys to a Pittsburgh mystery writer, Annette Dashofy. She has been nominated multiple times for her Zoe Chambers series and last year began a second seri..."

Gail W wrote: "I'd love to introduce you guys to a Pittsburgh mystery writer, Annette Dashofy. She has been nominated multiple times for her Zoe Chambers series and last year began a second seri..."

They had me at "for fans of Ann Cleeves, Louise Penny and Elly Griffiths"...... I'll vote for Where the Guilty Hide!

---
Hmm... couldn't find it in either of my library systems or in Audible, which is odd. Ann, did you have any luck?

Carol: I just checked; my library didn’t have Where the Guilty Hide in print or digital, though Libby offered to notify me if they picked up the ebook. I found Kindle or paperback editions on Amazon. I got the Kindle for “free” with points covering the $2.99 price :)! It does sound good, I think that lower Kindle price makes it a good group read choice for maybe May?

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "They had me at "for fans of Ann Cleeves, Louise Penny and Elly Griffiths"...... I'll vote for Where the Guilty Hide!
---
Hmm... couldn't find it in either of my library systems or in Audible, which is odd. Ann, did you have any luck?”

Gail W wrote: "I'd love to introduce you guys to a Pittsburgh mystery writer, Annette Dashofy.."

Ann wrote: "Gail: Thanks for the introduction! New authors are always fun to find out about; looks like there is a stand-alone as well as the new series with only three books in it so far. Were you thinking th..."

Ann, yes, if enough agree, I'd love for it to be a group read. I have only seen her books in paperback and eBooks, but just found the first ten of her first series on audible. Odd there aren't more. They all have high ratings.

Now, I will advise she is no Louise Penny (who I put on a very high plane), but I have enjoyed her previous series.

Gail W wrote: .."

It is on nook and kindle for $2.99

Gail: thanks for the tip on the Zoe Chambers series books (Annette Dashofy) being in the audible plus catalog! More books!! lol

Yes, if it's available for $2.99 I'll spring for it.
That makes three of us!

2024 Group Read books (so far)
Dec-2023
🔶 Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

Jan-2024
🔶 Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

Feb-2024
🔶 The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

Mar-2024
🔶 The Hunter by Tana French sequel to The Searcher group read in Oct-2020

Apr-2024
🔶The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen Many of us have enjoyed Tess Gerritsen's other books including the series behind the Rizzoli and Isles TV series.

May-2024
🔶 Where the Guilty Hide by Annette Dashofy. New to us author recommended by Gail - we are selecting her standalone novel as our May book. Currently available in paperback and Kindle US $2.99. (11-Mar-2024)

Jun-2024
🔶
Jul-2024
🔶

Thanks Gail and Carol - I have added Where the Guilty Hide as a group read for May-2024. See the list to date in the comment above or on our 2024 Group Read shelf. I am excited to try a new author.
https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...

just bought it for my kindle :)

I’ll definitely join in for Spy Coast. That was my kindle first read book. I still haven’t read it.

And I’ll give the Dashofy book a try too. 🙂

Thanks Ann. I don't read much on my iPad/Kindle but will spring for Where the Guilty Hide.

I read out of order -- the group read selections, that is, LOL. I hope I remember The Spy Coast when it comes to discuss!!!

Carol: I read The Spy Coast early too, and look forward to the discussions. I remember the general plot pretty well, details probably not so much LOL I am enjoying the current Group Read right now so on time for The Hunter. :)

Geri: Yay!
Geri wrote: "I’ll definitely join in for Spy Coast. That was my kindle first read book. I still haven’t read it.

And I’ll give the Dashofy book a try too. 🙂"

Sherry: If I had a dollar for all the times I have said that! :) :)

Sherry wrote: "just bought it for my kindle :)"

Ann wrote: "Sherry: If I had a dollar for all the times I have said that! :) :)

Sherry wrote: "just bought it for my kindle :)""

lol, ann- we'd be very rich :)

Just got the kindle version so I'm in. Now to get used to reading on my iPad. Do you guys use an iPad and do you use light background or dark background?

I think I actually have a Kindle lying around somewhere, but lord knows where the charger is....

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "... Now to get used to reading on my iPad. Do you guys use an iPad and do you use light background or dark background? I think I actually have a Kindle lying aro..."

I have both the nook and the kindle app on my mini ipad and actually use both, especially when I'm traveling. I typically go with the light background but the kindle has a dark background with white letters that automatically (by some setting I've never bothered to look for) comes on at night. I prefer the light background (but obviously not enough to look for the settings...)

I forgot about this book until I was putting a cover on the copy I received at the reading I attended last month. Any interest in reading The Fury by Alex Michaelides? We enjoyed his The Silent Patient.

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I forgot about this book until I was putting a cover on the copy I received at the reading I attended last month. Any interest in reading The Fury by Alex Michaelides? We enjoyed h..."

it was so good! i'd be tempted to re-read it with the group If you decide to do that. because you know, once i read something, poof! it's gone and i completely forget everything about it

Wow, there's an endorsement if ever I heard one! Sherry the Power Reader considering re-reading something!

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Wow, there's an endorsement if ever I heard one! Sherry the Power Reader considering re-reading something!"

lol, carol. i was thinking about re-reading it because of something he said when he was signing books :)

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I forgot about this book until I was putting a cover on the copy I received at the reading I attended last month. Any interest in reading The Fury by Alex Michaelides? We enjoyed h..."

Yes from me. I have the book but haven't read it yet.

Carol, Sherry, Gail - sign me up too. I had The Fury on my TBR list as well. I am now #156 on the library hold list with an estimated nine weeks wait. Perfect for June!

Gail W wrote: "Yes from me. I have the book but haven't read it yet."

Sherry wrote: "lol, carol. i was thinking about re-reading it because of something he said when he was signing books :)"

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I forgot about this book until I was putting a cover on the copy I received at the reading I attended last month. Any interest in reading The Fury by Alex Mic..."

2024 Group Read books (so far)
Dec-2023
🔶 Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

Jan-2024
🔶 Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

Feb-2024
🔶 The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

Mar-2024
🔶 The Hunter by Tana French sequel to The Searcher group read in Oct-2020

Apr-2024
🔶The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen Many of us have enjoyed Tess Gerritsen's other books including the series behind the Rizzoli and Isles TV series.

May-2024
🔶 Where the Guilty Hide by Annette Dashofy. New to us author recommended by Gail - we are selecting her standalone novel as our May book. Currently available in paperback and Kindle US $2.99. (11-Mar-2024)

Jun-2024
🔶 The Fury by Alex Michaelides recommended by Carol, we have read his The Silent Patient previously.

Jul-2024
🔶

Yay!! That can be my "published in 2024" entry on my Determination List!

Speaking of books coming out in 2024, I saw a post from Peter Swanson on IG that his latest, A Talent for Murder, is coming out in June. Any interest in putting that on the list? Sherry, who of course has already read it, says Lily Kintner puts in an appearance....

Ann wrote: "Carol, Sherry, Gail - sign me up too. I had The Fury on my TBR list as well. I am now #156 on the library hold list with an estimated nine weeks wait. Perfect for June!

Gail W wro..."