The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion
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Nominations open for May 2025 Group Read
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First in a series of lighthearted historical mysteries set in 1890s San Francisco featuring a former Pinkerton operative and an ex-Secret Service agent.
Private detectives Sabina Carpenter and John Quincannon undertake what initially appear to be two unrelated investigations. Sabina’s case involves the hunt for a ruthless lady “dip” who uses fiendish means to relieve her victims of their valuables at Chutes Amusement Park and other crowded places. Quincannon, meanwhile, is after a slippery housebreaker who targets the homes of wealthy residents, following a trail that leads him from the infamous Barbary Coast to an oyster pirate’s lair to a Tenderloin parlor house known as the Fiddle Dee Dee.
The two cases eventually connect in surprising fashion, but not before two murders and assorted other felonies complicate matters even further. And not before the two sleuths are hindered, assisted, and exasperated by the bughouse Sherlock Holmes.


The first in a series of historical murder mystery-thrillers set in 1860s London featuring Dr. Julia Lewis—one of Britain’s first female physicians—along with the aloof Detective Inspector Tennant of Scotland Yard who reluctantly teams up to investigate multiple grisly mrders.
"The murderer begins sending the police taunting letters and tantalizing clues—though the trail leads in multiple directions, from London’s music halls to its grim workhouses and dank sewers. Lewis and Tennant struggle to understand the killer’s dark obsessions and motivations. But there is new urgency, for the doctor’s role appears to have shifted from expert to target. And this killer is no impulsive monster, but a fiendishly calculating opponent, determined to see his plan through to its terrifying conclusion . . ." gr book page.
AND, here's a second for The Bughouse Affair, thanks 🧚♀️🙋🏼.
Lisa wrote: "Homecoming"
Which author? (There are several "Homecoming"s.)
Also, does all or part of it take place in the 1800s?
Which author? (There are several "Homecoming"s.)
Also, does all or part of it take place in the 1800s?

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7..."
A few more listopias plus a few shelves to help find books :)
Also here since technically Victorian is England during the reign of Victoria, although of course many books added to lists that don't belong there :) https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...
Plus here's one for Regency mysteries https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
Here's a large one that combines Victorian and Regency https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
and a larger one https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...
For the States, I can't find a Listopia for the Guilded Age, but there's this series https://www.goodreads.com/series/2040...
Shelves:
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Historical mystery will be mixed eras, of course https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
It's not hard to search for shelves or genres by trying different search terms here https://www.goodreads.com/shelf and here https://www.goodreads.com/genres



It is--the character is a refugee from the Great War which is what WW I was called until WW II.
I'll nominate one, Wobble to Death by Peter Lovesey -- it takes place in 1879 and is the first of his Sargeant Cribb series.
Books mentioned in this topic
Wobble to Death (other topics)The Mysterious Affair at Styles (other topics)
What Angels Fear (other topics)
The Mysterious Affair at Styles (other topics)
Murder by Lamplight (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Peter Lovesey (other topics)C.S. Harris (other topics)
Patrice McDonough (other topics)
Marcia Muller (other topics)
Bill Pronzini (other topics)
More...
Let's continue what Nancy did last month, but maybe a bit more specific: Let's consider the 19th century.
Nominate something set all or in part in the 1800s; it doesn't have to have been written in the 1800s. Do you have a favorite detective, crook or spy from the 19th century? Fascinated by a mystery under gaslight (hansom cabs optional)? Or political skullduggery in the age of Bismarck? How about a psychological thriller under the nose of Freud? Know of a mystery set now but with its roots stretching back into the heyday of muttonchop sideburns?
It's up to you.
As usual,
* please do not nominate your own book.
* whichever book wins, the person who nominated it will run the discussion.
* please check the bookshelf to be sure the book you want to nominate hasn't been read in the last 3 years,
https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...
Make your nominations by 4/9. I'll create the poll shortly after.