The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

I finished Three Strikes and You're Dead; by Michael A. Draper. Baseball players go on strike and fans are infuriated.
In an online chat room two especially angry individuals-"The Advocate" and "The Vindicator"-hatch a plan to kill the highest paid players to scare the rest into seeing reason. The program is put into action and several baseball players are murdered.
Meanwhile three private investigators - Roseanne, Graham, and Randy - are hired by the baseball commissioner to help nab the killers. With their insight they're able to assist the police and FBI.
The PI's are quite social and we join them in their homes and in restaurants, sharing good food and good stories.
The 'bad guys' carefully plan the murders, which come to involve a terrorist, a bomb-expert, drug addicts, and a sociopath. Upping the ante are double-crosses and plans for revenge. The action leads to an exciting and believable finale.
I enjoyed the book but would have preferred the private detectives to do more investigative work. They seemed to spend most of their time going about their private business and speculating about the murders. Still it's an entertaining book and I'd recommend it to mystery fans.

Josh wrote: "Just finished Power Down by Ben Coes. More thriller than anything. Debut for Coes. Very Vince Flynn kind of stuff. If you enjoy stories that involve elite soldie..."

I might have to read that. I love Vince Flynn and very sadden by his passing. I'm almost finish with Brad Thor's Harvath series and looking for something to compliment that.

Barbara wrote: "I finished Cherry Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke. The star of this series is Hannah Swenson - amateur sleuth and entrepreneur - who owns a cookie bakery. In this stor..."

I don't understand the romantic triangles they have in that series. However, it isn't the only series that does that; Temperance Brennan and Stephanie Plum have that going on too. The triangles end up being too redundant and just stale. I have to mentally prepare to read books in any of those three series.

Jannene wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I finished Cherry Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke. The star of this series is Hannah Swenson - amateur sleuth and entrepreneur - who owns a cookie bake..."

I agree Jannene. I don't understand why authors think readers enjoy these eternal romantic triangles. They're so unrealistic.

I finished Niceville by Carsten Stroud. Rainey Teague is walking home from school when he disappears. This is common in Niceville, where many abductions have occurred.
Other bad occurrences in town include a deadly bank robbery, an angry divorced man who causes trouble, and the mysterious disappearance of respected citizens. There are also whispers about the danger of looking into mirrors.
Detectives investigate the odd occurrences and crimes - which involve double-crosses, Chinese businessmen, blackmail, a possible child molester, ghosts that tear people apart, secret pornographic photos, and more.
This is a complex story that blends supernatural and criminal activity, leading to a resolution that doesn't tie up all the loose ends - but this may have been the author's intention.
It's an okay book with a little too much going on for easy reading.

An Intimate Murder by Stacy Verdick Case

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


When Jonathan and Susan Luther's bodies are discovered in their home by their teenage son Chad, St. Paul homicide detective Catherine O’Brien and her partner Louise discover this isn’t the first time the Luther family has been visited by tragedy.
Chad was also the one to discover his grandmother's body a few years earlier when she too had been murdered. Is it a case of bad family luck or is there something more?
If you like Tess Gerritson's Rizzoli and Isles books, you will enjoy this which is # 3 in the Catherine O'Brien mystery series.
It is an easy and entertaining read; Louise and Catherine have a great chemistry.
I got up at 2.30 this morning to finish it because I found myself laying awake trying to figure out what happens!

I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.



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Long Lost by Harlan Coben

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Audio
After getting into a fight at a basketball game, Myron and his friend Wyn think it advisable to leave town for a while.
A phone call from an old girlfriend asking for help takes Myron off to Paris, and there begins a whole tale of gunfights, kidnappings and gratuitous violence.
I found the story boring, repetitive and predictable - its bad when you are finishing the sentences in your head, almost word for word, slightly ahead of the narrator.
Coben has written better - The Woods for example.
And no, I didn't finish it - it was simply too excruciating.



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Just read a Raymond Chandler short story, "Guns at Cyrano's," from collection The Simple Art of Murder. Includes a great line:

“A hard-boiled redhead sang a hard-boiled song in a voice that could have been used to split firewood.”

Fragile by Lisa Unger

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Maggie and Jones live with their teenage son, Rick, in The Hollows, a small town outside of New York City.
The cozy intimacy of the town is broken when Rick’s girlfriend, Charlene, mysteriously disappears.
The investigation has Jones, the lead detective on the case, acting strangely and Rick, already a brooding teenager, becomes even more withdrawn.
Maggie finds herself drawn in both as a trained psychologist and as a mother, walking a tightrope that threatens the stability of her family. Determined to uncover the truth, Maggie pursues her own leads into Charlene’s disappearance and exposes a long-buried town secret—one that could destroy everything she holds dear.
Fragile was an okay book, but certainly wasn't the thrilling ride I expected. The characters are largely one dimensional, with the exception of Elizabeth, Maggies mother.
Everyone was just a little too forgiving, the characters a little too black and white, everything just a little too neat and tidy for this to be a really satisfying read.




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Sandra wrote: "

Fragile by Lisa Unger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Maggie and Jones live with their teenage son, Rick, in The Hollows, a small town outside of New York City. The cozy intimacy of the town is broken ..."

I also didn't think much of this book Sandra..nothing thrilling about it if you ask me:)

Bestselling author Linda Castillo's third instalment of Police Chief Kate Burkholder who is called to the scene of a horrific tragedy on a peaceful Amish farm.

The Slabaugh family are model Amish farmers, prosperous and hardworking, with four children and a happy extended family. When the parents and an uncle are found dead in their barn, it appears to be a gruesome accident: methane gas asphyxiation caused by a poorly ventilated cesspit. But in the course of a routine autopsy, the coroner discovers that one of the victims suffered a head wound before death—clearly, foul play was involved. But who would want to make orphans of the Slabaughs’ children? And is this murder somehow related to a recent string of shocking hate crimes against the Amish?

Having grown up Amish, Kate is determined to bring the killer to justice. Because the other series of attacks are designated hate crimes, the state sends in agent John Tomasetti, with whom Kate has a long and complex relationship. Together, they search for the link between the crimes—and uncover a dark secret at work beneath the placid surface of this idyllic Amish community.

Linda Castillo third offers plenty of violence, a surprise ending and some insight into the Amish way of life and deeply flawed characters with a glimpse into a unique community in which isolation can hide a plethora of secrets

Gripping, fast paced, tense and the plot thickens with twists and turns and shocks a real page turner, and now also you get to know the characters better with each book, especially Kate and Tomasetti.

Cannot wait till I start number 4. Highly recommended

Sean wrote: "

Bestselling author Linda Castillo's third instalment of Police Chief Kate Burkholder who is called to the scene of a horrific tragedy on a peaceful Amish farm...."

Have got Sworn to Silenceon my bedside table to start after my group reads.....Great review Sean.

I've read and finished Play Me #1: Play Me Wild & Play Me #2: Play Me Hot - Tracy Wolff. Now I am reading Play Me #3: Play Me Hard - Tracy Wolff.

Sean wrote: "

Bestselling author Linda Castillo's third instalment of Police Chief Kate Burkholder who is called to the scene of a horrific tragedy on a peaceful Amish farm...."

I enjoy this series also Sean. It's very well written and the stories grab your attention.

Six Years by Harlan Coben

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


This novel was supposed to explore the depth and passion of a lost love . . . and the secrets and lies at its heart. Six years have passed since Jake Fisher watched Natalie, the love of his life, marry another man.But six years haven’t come close to extinguishing his feelings, and when Jake comes across Todd’s obituary, he can’t keep himself away from the funeral. There he gets the glimpse of Todd’s wife he’s hoping for . . . but she is not Natalie. Whoever the mourning widow is, she’s been married to Todd for more than a decade, and with that fact everything Jake thought he knew about the best time of his life is turned completely inside out. Mutual friends of the couple either can’t be found or don’t remember Jake. No one has seen Natalie in years. Jake’s search for the woman who broke his heart—and who lied to him—soon puts his very life at risk.
This could have been, and should have been, a good book. It's not.
Six Yearsis poorly written; the writing is leaden and uninspired, and instead of using suspense (this is meant to be a suspense thriller) he uses violence. If there was a "writing by numbers" kit - this would be the result.
It's about as suspenseful as a child's early reader - in fact Enid Blyton's The Famous Five Series and The Secret Seven have far more to recommend them.
Another Did Not Finish (two in a row for Coben books now), and I will be in no hurry to read anything else he has written.



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Just finished Dead Simple by Peter James, the first in the Inspector Grace series and enjoyed immensely. It's always nice to read a mystery that takes you in directions you don't expect. This one did. Besides the surprises, I liked the characters and how the story flowed. I will be continuing to explore this series. (4 stars)

Bill wrote: "Just finished Dead Simple by Peter James, the first in the Inspector Grace series and enjoyed immensely. It's always nice to read a mystery that takes you in direction..."

It was a good book - I really enjoyed it too. Have downloaded Looking Good Dead, which is next in the series. 8:D

Just finished

I finished Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King. Retired Detective Hodges sits at home watching TV and mulling over his failures. He's irked because he didn't catch 'Mr. Mercedes' - so called because he used a stolen Mercedes to plow through a crowd. Mr. Mercedes gets his biggest kicks, however, from manipulating people. He convinces the Mercedes owner to kill herself because she left her key in the car; then he tries to get Detective Hodges to commit suicide by writing him sly letters. The perp does this using an untraceable computer set-up in his basement.
Detective Hodges, however, becomes inspired to renew his search for the killer. Along the way he falls in love, recruits the assistance of a smart teen, and gets help from a neurotic woman who's good with computers. Meanwhile, Mr. Mercedes plans more horrific murders.
The book is an exciting page-turner with interesting characters. Highly recommended for folks who enjoy thrillers.

I finished Where the Bodies Are Buried by Christopher Brookmyre. It's Tartan Noir with a clear voice, a pair of well-drawn female protagonists, and enough drizzle and gloom to give you a yen for haggis. This is Glasgow red in fang and claw, without a single Rennie Mackintosh sighting. Four strong stars.

Read the full review here.

I've read and finished Play Me #1: Play Me Wild, Play Me #2: Play Me Hot, Play Me #3: Play Me Hard, Play Me #4: Play Me Real and Play Me #5: Play Me Right - Tracy Wolff. I loved the characters and the steamy scenes. Worth buying in December if you like Erotica/Romance kinda books. Be warned they are in 5 installments as well.

Now I am reading Three Little Words - Maggie Wells.

Lance wrote: "I finished Where the Bodies Are Buried by Christopher Brookmyre. It's Tartan Noir with a clear voice, a pair of well-drawn female protagonists, and enough drizzle and gloom to give ..."

Sounds good Lance. I'm adding it to my TBR list.

I finished By Its Cover by Donna Leon. The Biblioteca Merula in Venice has experienced a desecration: some valuable books have been stolen and others have had pages cut out. When Commissario Guido Brunetti investigates he learns that an American scholar has been reading the cut up books and a former priest has been coming to the library for years.
Brunetti soon finds that the American's credentials were false and the former priest has been murdered. While investigating the crimes Brunetti learns about obsessive collectors, greedy villains, and the Italian aristocracy.
Much of the charm of Donna Leon's books lie in the ambiance, including snippets about Venice and Brunetti's warm interactions with his children and wife.
Brunetti solves the crime, but without much excitement. This is a mildly entertaining quick read with familiar likable characters.

I finished The Dead Will Tell by Linda Castillo. A 1979 home invasion of an Amish farm in Painters Mill ends with a family slaughtered, a mother abducted, and a lone survivor. Fast forward 35 years and the perpetrators of the home invasion, now respected members of the community, start to get killed off - one by one. The original perps, of course, can't be truthful with the police so they're in a tough spot.
Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and her team investigate. They find a connection between the home invasion and the current crimes which provide vital clues.
In Kate's personal life she's now living with her boyfriend, Agent Tomasetti, He's still torn up by the murder of his wife and daughters though, so it's not smooth sailing.
There are some complicated family doings connected with the crimes, but Kate and crew are able to unearth everyone's secrets and serve justice.
For me the book isn't as good as previous entries in the series. There's too much similarity from book to book and the romance between Kate and Tomasetti doesn't ring true. Nevertheless it's an enjoyable book and I'll probably continue to read the series for now.

I am reading..

and



So far both,are great reads:)

Marian wrote: "I am reading..

and



So far both,are great reads:)"

I love Strangers on a Train! I have to get around to reading that again.

I'm currently starting one from 1938 called Postscript to Poison, by Dorothy Bowers. I am just getting really disappointed in a lot of what's currently out there for crime fiction/mystery right now, so I'm going back into the past for a while.

Nancy wrote: "I'm currently starting one from 1938 called Postscript to Poison, by Dorothy Bowers. I am just getting really disappointed in a lot of what's currently out there for crime fiction/m..."

same here Nancy:)Are you enjoying Postscript to Poison?

Marian wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I'm currently starting one from 1938 called Postscript to Poison, by Dorothy Bowers. I am just getting really disappointed in a lot of what's currently out there for c..."

I'm only on the second page, but I'll definitely let you know!

Barbara wrote: "I finished The Dead Will Tell by Linda Castillo. A 1979 home invasion of an Amish farm in Painters Mill ends with a family slaughtered, a mother abducted, and a lone ..."

I actually read a little bit of this last month. What do you think? Is it creepy at all?

An English ghost story by Kim Newman as it's just past Halloween

Chuck wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I finished The Dead Will Tell by Linda Castillo. A 1979 home invasion of an Amish farm in Painters Mill ends with a family slaughtered, a mother abduc..."

It's pretty creepy Chuck, especially at the beginning. And when it seems like a ghost is stalking some people.

Zoe wrote: "An English ghost story by Kim Newman as it's just past Halloween "

Which one, Zoe?

It's the new book by Kim Newman about a dysfunctional family that end u being charmed by their new house but that soon becomes tainted by all their past grievances which the house then undermines to the fullest extent lol at the moment am halfway through and I find I actually want the family to suffer lol

Apologies,Zoe -- LOL you gave us the title An English Ghost Story!

Saw a movie Strangers on a Train with Farley Granger. Gripping!

Georgia wrote: "Saw a movie Strangers on a Train with Farley Granger. Gripping!"

I am reading that book by the way and its very good to:)

When dependable Evan Madison fails to show up for work, police are dispatched to his home. His ten-year-old son, Brad, is discovered inside, unharmed and seemingly alone. He is stoic, sitting in front of the television playing his favourite video game, Super Mario--and he's covered in blood.

Veteran Police Officer Marty Keal is the first on the scene. With his many years of experience, he thinks he's seen it all. That is, until he discovers Brad's not really alone after all. Upstairs in their bedroom lies the brutally bludgeoned and deceased bodies of both his mother and his father. When questioned, Brad confesses to the horrific murders.

When Brad is transferred to a local mental health institution for children, Dr Hope Rubin is brought in to evaluate and treat the child. A preliminary investigation shows no evidence of any kind of mistreatment in his past. She must determine the disturbing truth is Brad telling the truth? Or is he covering for someone else?

This is a very well written book that asks the age old question of nature vs nurture !

The characters are well developed and realistic. It uses both first person and third person narrative, switching back and forth between three characters - child psychiatrist Hope Rubin, policeman Marty Keal and homicide detective Jean Whitley - without ever becoming the slightest bit confusing or hard to follow. Very smoothly and nicely done!

The strength of this book to me is not the main story of the young boy, but the great characters, personalities of the three main characters, and also of Marty's father, The Captain.

Gripping and sometimes quite comical with the light hearted side of Hope, Marty and the Captain, and also Jean and here typical male cops she works with.

Different from your usually action thriller, just a great story of relationships.

I hope to see these characters in further books.

Three Stars(3.5 really)

Strangers On A Train

Is a great film !

After I finish reading the book Sean,I will watch the movie.:)The book is very gripping as well..Im half way.Its not a very big book,I think 281 pages.

The Lion by Nelson DeMille. Excellent so far.

Finished Three Little Words - Maggie Wells. Now I am reading The City of Malgar - Rosemary Lynch. Looking forward to reading this trilogy.

Marian wrote: "After I finish reading the book Sean,I will watch the movie.:)The book is very gripping as well..Im half way.Its not a very big book,I think 281 pages."

I always love Patricia Highsmith. Both the book and movie are great.

Currently reading The Bad Seed by William March, a classic psychological thriller from the early fifties about a child serial killer. I'm sure Ms. Highsmith read it and saw it as an influence. Shocking in its day. Great writing.

I just finished a little novel by the name of Firefly Beach and I was surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. It is trite in places, and the writing suffers from a self-conscious need to over-describe when no description is needed. However, there is a sweetness to the story that laces a bit of supernatural innocence with the mystery of a missing person. I would recommend this ebook for a rainy afternoon read.

Steve wrote: "Marian wrote: "After I finish reading the book Sean,I will watch the movie.:)The book is very gripping as well..Im half way.Its not a very big book,I think 281 pages."

I always love Patricia Highs..."

Re The Bad Seed - I think that even though it was written in the fifties, it has a LOT of relevance still today. Great book.

I just finished

I finished Lisa Lutz's 'Trail of the Spellmans' and started 'The Last Word'. I really enjoy the Spellman series when I need something light and humorous. I think 'The Last Word' brings me up to date with the series.

Nancy wrote: "Steve wrote: "Marian wrote: "After I finish reading the book Sean,I will watch the movie.:)The book is very gripping as well..Im half way.Its not a very big book,I think 281 pages."

I always love ..."

I was thinking that too, Nancy. It could have been written today. The author portrays his characters so well, with all their needs and worries and fears.

Last night I started The First Rule by Robert Crais and I already like it better than The Watchman, which I thought was just okay. This morning I started I am Sasha by Valerie Hollingsworth, which was offered free on Amazon last weekend.

I've finished Build My Gallows High, by Geoffrey Homes. True noir at its finest.