The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

Currently reading Private Games. It's fucking excellent!!

Jan C wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Deadly Stakes by J.A. Jance"

I like her Beau books. Haven't gotten into any of her other series, although I have..."

Jan, my favorite is Jance's Joanna Brady series but this one (Ali Reynolds) is good also.

I just finished Let Me Go by Chelsea Cain. I knew Archie shouldn't trust Rachel! Unreal. This was another heart racer from Chelsea Cain. I just don't know how many more times Archie can escape death with the help of Gretchen. When will she ever tire of him?

I hope Chelsea can keep Archie going for a whole lot more books, she's just great

Aaron{{REBLAST}} wrote: "Currently reading Private Games. It's excellent!!"

Aaron, that's my favorite out of all of the Private books. I read it at the same time they were having the real olympics in London. It was very good!

Jannene wrote: "I just finished Let Me Go by Chelsea Cain. I knew Archie shouldn't trust Rachel! Unreal. This was another heart racer from Chelsea Cain. I just don't know how many mo..."

I think Archie is addicted to Gretchen as much as he is his pain killers. I'm so glad Gretchen is on the loose again. Those are the best books of the series.

I'm currently working through Parade's End by Ford Madox Ford and have started two new books, Black Diamond by Martin Walker, an excellent series and also Sabre-Tooth, the second Modesty Blaise thriller by Peter O'Donnell.

Just finished Just What Kind of Mother Are You? a very good first novel, keeps you intrigued until the end.
Now starting

The Garden Plot, which features an American gardener in London stumbling across first, a Roman mosaic, and then a dead body, in the course of repairing a garden.

I am now reading . It is mystery, history, memoir all wrapped in one book. It is a book that describes vividly what man does to man, what those who seek power, riches, fame do to their countrymen in order to procure it is an "eye - opener"
It alerts us to what could happen if our freedom is taken away from us.

Georgia wrote: "I am now reading . It is mystery, history, memoir all wrapped in one book. It is a book that describes vividly what man does to man, what thos..."

I read that when someone lent it to me because I was out of reading material and out of reach of any. And I read it way to fast, it was that good. At the time, I was appalled by the way people in the country I was visiting would accept basic rights being stomped on. (Well, basic to and taken for granted by people like myself.) The person who borrowed it after me (in the book-free zone) said, "See, it could be so much worse!"

WILD SWANS does a beautiful job of the big, political, historical picture while showing exactly what it meant in the details of day to day life.

I know that time and place always impact how much a book means to one, but this is on my list of all-time greats and must-reads.

Renee wrote: "Georgia wrote: "I am now reading . It is mystery, history, memoir all wrapped in one book. It is a book that describes vividly what man does t..."

I love this book --

Time to see if Joe Hunter is going to give Jack Reacher competition. I'm reading Dead Men's Dust by Matt Hilton. So far, so good.

I finished Deadly Stakes by J.A. Jance. Gemma Ralston, stabbed and parazlyzed, dies a horrible death in the desert. Teenager A.J. Sanders - looking for buried treasure - happens to be on hand at the end of Gemma's life. The teen texts for help then flees the scene of the crime. Turns out Gemma was the grasping, money-grubbing ex-wife of Dr. Chip Ralston, and Chip and his girlfriend are arrested for murder. Soon afterward the body of A.J.'s dad is found in the desert. Are the crimes connected? Police investigate as does journalist/amateur detective Ali Reynolds. Familiar series characters make an appearance, including Ali's mom, boyfriend, cop friends, and computer hacker Stuart Ramey. To me, scenes of Stuart's data mining and illicit hacking are boring but computer nerds may enjoy them. Ali carries on detecting, has her life threatened by bad guys, and eventually solves the crime. This is an okay escapist mystery.

Tonya wrote: "I just finished Death Without Company. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now I'm reading A Darkness More Than Night."

Tonya, let me know how you like Connelly's book. That's next up for me to read in the Bosch series! :)

I decided to go with Six Years by the great Mr. Coben! As expected, this book sucked me in from the start and is only getting better! Looking forward to diving more into this one.

Also listening to Watch Me Die , which is my first book by Erica Spindler. One thing I like about audiobooks is that it gives me the chance to sample new authors and decide if their books are worth investing in. I didn't realize this book was part of a series so deep down, it's driving me crazy not to have started with #1 but it doesn't appear that it's one of those types of series that you would be lost in if you didn't start from the beginning. So far, it's ok... we'll see if it picks up as it continues.

I could not remember if I posted, so if I did... sorry.

I just started The Alienist, and I really like it so far. I am also about 75% the way into Defending Jacob and I love that one as well. I am listening to that one on audio, and the narrator is excellent.

Finished Queen's Gambit which is really historical fiction but with the Tudors there is always intrigue and suspense.

Needed something a bit lighter after a run of darker books so I found I had A Death in the Wedding Party on my kindle. Classic British house party murder mystery with the usual eccentric cast of characters. Fun so far..

Aiesha wrote: "I decided to go with Six Years by the great Mr. Coben! As expected, this book sucked me in from the start and is only getting better! Looking forwar..."

Erica Spindler has been on my wish list. Let me know what you think.

Just started reading Awakening by S.J Bolton, never read anything by her before but so far it's a good read!

Maia wrote: "Just started reading Awakening by S.J Bolton, never read anything by her before but so far it's a good read!"

I love S.J. Bolton! Her Lacey Flint series is excellent with the newest being released in a couple of days.

I finished Take One With You by Oak Anderson, which I won in a Goodreads giveaway. Charlie and Sarah, two disaffected teens, anonymously develop a website called "Take One With You" (Towy). Towy encourages people who are going to kill themselves anyway to first kill a dreg of society who has evaded conviction (e.g. rapist, murderer, pedophile, etc.). Charlie and Sarah even publish the names of candidates to be taken out. Pretty soon people all over the world are 'taking one with them'. A task force is assembled to track down the creators of the website, including Detective Thane Parks and Officer Anita Hellstrom. During the story the teens develop romantic feelings as do the two cops. I thought it was unrealistic that married Officer Hellstrom would fall for loutish, chauvinistic, unlikable Detective Parks who views women as sex objects - so this romance fell flat for me. Oak Anderson intersperses his narrative with news reports, scripts from television interviews, government records, and so on - which adds interest to the story. The author describes several 'bad guys' who deserve to die and 'good guys' who take them out which helps us understand why Towy would catch on. Overall I enjoyed the book and would read more from this author.

I finished A Darkness More Than Night. I wasn't too thrilled with it at first because the beginning of the book starts with another character's POV and I was expecting Harry Bosch's POV. Then I got caught up in the story and almost couldn't put the book down. I really enjoyed it.

I am now reading Serpent's Tooth by Faye Kellerman.

Continuing with obscure crime fiction, I've finished The Case of the Sharaku Murdersby Katsuhiko Takahashi; it was quite good but a little boggy with Japanese history/art history. I guess I haven't had enough of Japanese authors so I'm now reading The Cage, by Kenzo Kitikata.

I finished Black Diamond by Martin Walker this morning. I think this is an excellent series. I love the characters, the setting and the stories. It draws me in to Bruno's life and I care about what happens to him and his friends. (5 stars) I will be out to get the other books in the series. Starting a new author with my next selection, The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen.

Hi Bill, I love the Martin Walker series and The Keeper of Lost Causes. Great choices.

I started Binary Witness by Rosie Claverton. Interesting little murder mystery. Severe agoraphobe with great computer skills investigates with the help of an ex-con house cleaner/assistant. I like the style so far. Have to see if she can keep it up.

Donna wrote: "Hi Bill, I love the Martin Walker series and The Keeper of Lost Causes. Great choices."

Great book. Am going to read his second one now

Donna wrote: "Hi Bill, I love the Martin Walker series and The Keeper of Lost Causes. Great choices."

Georgia wrote: "Donna wrote: "Hi Bill, I love the Martin Walker series and The Keeper of Lost Causes. Great choices."

Great book. Am going to read his second one now[bookcover:The Absent One|13505..."

I like the style so far.

Just finished Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. Thought her writing was terrific. Here's my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Ron wrote: "Erica Spindler has been on my wish list. Let me know what you think...."

I finished with Erica's book and it was pretty good. I wasn't blown away but it was enjoyable. I'll have to give another one of hers a try!

I started How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny

Love that series, Barbara. I think they get less bordering on cozy as the series moves along. The contrast between the last 2 compared to the first few is huge!
I just love all the characters and the setting. Fictional Three Pines would be located near my area, which makes it even better!

Aiesha wrote: "I finished with Erica's book and it was pretty good. I wasn't blown away but it was enjoyable. I'll have to give another one of hers a try!"

I have read two of her books; and . I liked the first book but really liked the second one.

Aiesha wrote: "Ron wrote: "Erica Spindler has been on my wish list. Let me know what you think...."

I finished with Erica's book and it was pretty good. I wasn't blown away but it was enjoyable. I'll have to g..."

Thanks for letting me know. I'll keep an eye on her.

This author came recommended by Simon Kernick, one of my favourite authors. Now I have another favourite in Tom Bale, a new British author with four books and this being the latest, a stand alone great thriller.

Many of the books I read I pick due to high recommendations so often my books will be 4 stars, but here I have given this books 5 stars, why?

The large over 500 page book kept me gripped all the way, with a very clever thought out story from start to finish. I enjoyed very much how you were able to get to know so many great strong characters, the nasty cocky Robbie, the nice Dan, the attractive Cate, others I could mention but do not want to give any plot away.

An whole supply of twists and turns, and "What's going to happen next" moments, who lives, who dies.

You keep thinking in your head, which ways is this going, who will survive?

Each character so important to the story, and the author who lives in Brighton, can show how he knows the geography so well, as we travel around the local counties of East Sussex, West Sussex and Surrey.

Just started and

Started 'Lies of Silence' by Brian Moore


Graham Greene said of Moore- "Each book of his is dangerous, unpredictable, and amusing. He treats the novel as a trainer treats a wild beast."

Jeff wrote: "still sick with a cold today, so I'll probably stay in bed and read. Right now, I am reading Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger. She's my favorite writer right now"

I bought this book and three others as part of a package by Lisa Unger. Beautiful Lies was the first one. I'll have to read it soon.

I am currently reading This is the second book in Gwen Florio's series featuring Lola Wicks, foreign correspondent. It's a super-read. Florio's first book was super-good read, too.

currently reading "the bodies left behind" by Jeffrey Dealer. nearly finished it though and got "The never list" by Koethi Zan in waiting...

Just starting Orange Is the New Black , the netflix series is great, I'm sure the book will be better.

I'm reading Wrapped In White: Thirteen Tales of Spectres, Ghosts, and Spirits. Some interesting short stories for bedtime! Recently finished I Remember You I gave it 3 stars. I must be on a ghost story binge! I love ghost stories when I was a kid. I was also a big fan of The Twilight Zone!

Jannene wrote: "Aiesha wrote: "I finished with Erica's book and it was pretty good. I wasn't blown away but it was enjoyable. I'll have to give another one of hers a try!"

I have read two of her books; [bookcov..."

Great!! Thanks for the suggestions... both are now on my to read list!

I finished The Last Precinct by Patricia Cornwell. Dr. Kay Scarpetta - Virginia's Chief Medical Examiner - has maimed the deformed serial killer Jean-Baptiste Chandonne ('the werewolf') in self-defense. Kay believes Chandonne killed the corrupt former police chief Diane Bray but - in a twist - Kay herself is being investigated for Bray's death. As usual in the Scarpetta novels Kay is the target of various malevolent individuals who wish her harm (in Cornwell's books being a medical examiner is a very high risk job). Part of the book is devoted to Kay examining her life in talks with her psychiatrist/friend Anna Zenner and much of this self-examination comes off as whiny and complaining. The book's best parts revolve around the investigation of a couple of bizarre torture murders that are labeled hate crimes and, towards the end, a young boy's suicide. As usual the scenes of autopsies conducted in the morgue are graphic and the forensic analyses of evidence is interesting. The book is okay but not one of the best in the series

I'm currently reading I, Lucifer, the third Modesty Blaise thriller, half way through The Keeper of Lost Causes and enjoying very much and well into the 2nd book in Parade's End and enjoying as well, even if it's a challenging read.

Bill, do you like to have three mysteries going? If I read more than one book at a time it has to be non-fiction. What do you all do???

Georgia wrote: "Bill, do you like to have three mysteries going? If I read more than one book at a time it has to be non-fiction. What do you all do???"

I've read 2 books at once, both mysteries, and it wasn't too bad. If I'm going to do that though, I prefer to read one and listen to an audiobook of the other one. 2 is my max! I don't think I could keep up with 3 lol

Aiesha wrote: "Georgia wrote: "Bill, do you like to have three mysteries going? If I read more than one book at a time it has to be non-fiction. What do you all do???"

I've read 2 books at once, both mysteries..."

Georgia wrote: "Bill, do you like to have three mysteries going? If I read more than one book at a time it has to be non-fiction. What do you all do???"

Actually, Georgia, only two of them are mysteries; I, Lucifer and The Keeper of Lost Causes. The other is a classic fiction. The two mysteries are different enough, I Lucifer is from the '60s and more of an adventure/ thriller while The Keeper of Lost Causes is a Danish mystery. I do try to make sure they are fairly different. I know what you mean about trying to keep plot lines and characters clear in your mind.

Read The Keeper of Lost Causesand liked
it so I will have to read next