The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

Recently finished THE FOREVER WAR, by Joe Haldeman. Great book, and I don't like to ascribe greatness to many things. Haldeman published this in 1974, after his stint in Vietnam. It's a science fiction work about a war against an alien enemy many light-years distant. Because of the time dilation at light speeds, the protagonist experiences the war as a dozen or so years of his life, while more than a thousand years pass on Earth. This book really is about Vietnam, and the author's alienation from the society that sent him off to war.

Sean wrote: "Brown CAN NOT come up with anything different, as he STOLE the original idea for Da Vinci Code, he is just truly awful."

It's okay if you don't like him, but it's not really fair to say he "stole" an idea. Ideas are a dime a dozen, and every agent and publisher sees every idea in the world come across their desks every week, again and again. The key thing is not idea, but execution.

I just started by Dashiell Hammett. It's a reread but I'm looking forward to enjoying again.

Finished [[book: Interpretation of Murder author: Jed Rubenfeld]]
Now reading [[book: The Judas Heart author: Ingrid Black]]

Donna wrote: "Sharon wrote: "I've just recently 'discovered' the Joe Gunther series by Archer Mayor and am happily working my way through the series. My kind of characters ... main character is mature and sensib..."

I read Open Season as well. Great read!

I'm reading Darklit by Jaime M.K. Fralick (his first novel).

Nancy wrote: "Donna wrote: "I read Open Season as well. Great read! "

I read several from the library and last night, went back and started with the lst in the series ... I'm always so delighted to find another series I like this well where there are a significant number of books already written. (My book budget takes a hit though.)

Bill wrote: "I just started by Dashiell Hammett. It's a reread but I'm looking forward to enjoying again."

Bill, if you're interested, my website has a piece I wrote about the book and film adaptation...

I just finished Hell is Empty by Craig Johnson. What a terrific book. Next up is Death Never Sleeps, which was sent to me for review. Hell Is Empty

Kathryn wrote: "I just finished the first and last King and Maxwell books Split Second (good) and The Sixth Man (loved it!) by David Baldacci. I'll have to search out the others to read one of these days. I'm no..."


Ah, wow. Salem's Lot. I scared the bejesus out of myself many times over as a teen with Stephen King. Salem's Lot was one of the creepiest, that and It.

Ken wrote: "Bill wrote: "I just started by Dashiell Hammett. It's a reread but I'm looking forward to enjoying again."

Bill, if you're interested, my website has a piece ..."

Could you give me the link, Ken? I'd be interested in reading. Thanks.

Bill wrote: "Ken wrote: "Bill wrote: "I just started by Dashiell Hammett. It's a reread but I'm looking forward to enjoying again."

Bill, if you're interested, my website ..."

Sure! Go to www.kenpelham.com Scroll to the bottom of the home page and open "previous entries", and scroll some more...let me know what you think. I love both the book and the movie. The icon you attached of the cover is the edition I own, by the way.

Ken wrote: "Bill wrote: "Ken wrote: "Bill wrote: "I just started by Dashiell Hammett. It's a reread but I'm looking forward to enjoying again."

Bill, if you're interested..."

I enjoyed your review very much, Ken. Like you, I've enjoyed the movie many times and also the novel the first time I read it. The icon I used is the edition I also have, found it at a local book fair in 2012. It's in great condition.

Bill wrote: "Ken wrote: "Bill wrote: "Ken wrote: "Bill wrote: "I just started by Dashiell Hammett. It's a reread but I'm looking forward to enjoying again."

Bill, if you'r..."
I recently read Hammett's THE GLASS KEY. Involves criminal mischief and local politics. Interesting, but nowhere close to as good as THE MALTESE FALCON. Lots of point-of-view errors in the narration.

I just finished . It was a great book. I didn't know the killer, the plot was great, and the characters very likable. The first book I have read by this author and I intend on reading others.

Just started Off the Grid this morning. I fell in love with the characters in this series in the first book of the series, Monkeewrench, a truly bizarre but intriguing set of main characters.

Trust me Sharon, P J Tracys' books just get better and better! I LOVE them!!

Carmen wrote: "Trust me Sharon, P J Tracys' books just get better and better! I LOVE them!!"

I've read all the series and have to say the main group of characters continue to work well, though I have to admit one of my favorite characters is Charlie, the dog.

Daniel wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I just finished the first and last King and Maxwell books Split Second (good) and The Sixth Man (loved it!) by David Baldacci. I'll have to search out the others to read one of the..."

I read It earlier this month and loved it. Though I'm not very far into it, I'm enjoying Salem's Lot, also.

Jannene wrote: "I just finished . It was a great book. I didn't know the killer, the plot was great, and the characters very likable. The first book I have read by this author and I..."

Carved in Bone was my favorite in the Body Farm series. I like the others as well, but this was my favorite.

I'm heading back to Get Shorty, partly as a tribute to Elmore Leonard, and partly because I want to refresh my memory of how he writes dialogue.

Cynthia (The Garrett half of Garrett Smith)

Just finished The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison a 4 star book; currently reading When I Found You by Catherine Ryan Hyde which seems to be another 4 star book...only quarter way through so haven't made up my mind...

Kathryn wrote: "Jannene wrote: "I just finished . It was a great book. I didn't know the killer, the plot was great, and the characters very likable. The first book I have read by t..."

It's a series I've got on my bookshelf to read. Looking forward to it, especially with all of the positive comments.

Maryann wrote: "I just finished Hell is Empty by Craig Johnson. What a terrific book. "

I happened to pick up the first book of this series
The Cold Dishshortly after publication and was hooked from then on.

One of the big attractions for me is that I grew up and lived a majority of my adult life in that area and *know* many of the characters in these books.

Bill wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Jannene wrote: "I just finished . It was a great book. I didn't know the killer, the plot was great, and the characters very likable. The first book ..."

I hope you enjoy the series as much as I have, Bill.

Reading Eva's Eye: An Inspector Sejer Mystery.

Reading . Pretty hardcore stuff.

Just finished , starting .

The fire witness
Now reading!

Find myself carrying my library copy of A Delicate Truth around with me everywhere I go this weekend.

Just finished Bad Monkey and 11/22/63. About to start Tripwire (Jack Reacher#3) and The Red House Murder by A.A. Milne.

I finished Coming Home and it was a great read. I finished today 12th of Never and I have to say that I was disappointed. I think this is the first in the series that I felt let down.

Just finished No Time To Run - pretty well paced, but a lot of stuff that pulled me out of the story.

Chuck wrote: "Reading . Pretty hardcore stuff."

An amazing and powerful book.

Ken wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Reading . Pretty hardcore stuff."

An amazing and powerful book."

Author's story interesting too. Victim of HUAC. I want to say Kirk Douglas was instrumental in putting him back to work but don't quote me on that.

Jennifer wrote: "Ken wrote: "Chuck wrote: "Reading . Pretty hardcore stuff."

An amazing and powerful book."

Author's story interesting too. Victim of HUAC. I want to say Kirk..."

Spartacus in 1960

I finished The 500 by Matthew Quirk. It's very similar to John Grisham's The Firm. I'm now reading 15 Seconds by Andrew Gross.

I finished A Killer in the Wind by Andrew Klavan, a complex mystery about a detective investigating a child abuse ring. Interesting story line including drugs, hallucinations, and recovered memories. 4 stars.

Reading and about halfway through. I got addicted to the Vachss books years ago but they are very grim ... not something I can read often.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a suspense/thriller similar to ?

Just started Marisha Pessl's Night Film. So far I like it quite a bit. Night Film

Kent Sievers
Author • Photojournalist
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www.kentsievers.com

Little Man

I just started rereading "Faithful Place". it's been a few years but I love it.

Just finished 'Poet in the Gutter' by John Baker. It is the subject of my latest blog : http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...

Miekey wrote: "Does anyone have a suggestion for a suspense/thriller similar to ?"

I loved this book! I can't say as I have read anything similar but if you liked this book, you should try Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme series. I have loved every one of those.

I finished Kill You Twice by Chelsea Cain; in this book the serial killer Gretchen Lowell is locked up in a psychiatric hospital but still seems to be connected to murders occurring in Portland. Good book. 4 stars.

Barbara wrote: "I finished Kill You Twice by Chelsea Cain; in this book the serial killer Gretchen Lowell is locked up in a psychiatric hospital but still seems to be connected to murders occurring in Portland. Go..."

I really like this whole series. It's not for those with a weak stomach, though, especially the ones in the beginning.

Kathryn wrote: "Miekey wrote: "Does anyone have a suggestion for a suspense/thriller similar to ?"

I loved this book! I can't say as I have read anything similar but if ..."

I'm reading a Lincoln Rhyme at the moment (Kill Room) but it doesn't have the same urgency as Bodies Left Behind. That one stood out, and cleaned up on awards that year. I think it's his best.

Peace, Seeley

I'm reading Exile by Denise Mina

I'm reading "The Lost Van Gogh" by A.J. Zerries.

I just picked it up yesterday. I've never heard of the author before, but it looked promising. Let's hope so! :)

Counsel of Ravens by M.M. Gornell, part of the Route 66 series. Excellent story, and I would suggest reading Reticence of Ravens first. It ties together nicely.
Counsel of Ravens