The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

I finished Murder List by Julie Garwood. Three successful young women in Chicago - Regan, Sophie, and Cordie - decide to take down a schemer who fleeces lonely women. To get a bead on him they attend his seminar. One of the exercises is to write a list of people you want dead, a 'murder list'. Outside the seminar Regan is attacked. She survives but the attacker gets her murder list. Soon people on the list are being killed.
Regan gets a police body guard, the handsome Detective Alec Buchanan. Regan and Alec are attracted to one another, and nature takes its course.
There are various side issues. Regan's job involves funding worthy causes and one recipient - who wants more money - harasses Regan. Regan's brothers are very protective and get in her business. Meanwhile the cops try to catch the killer, who has a weird agenda that isn't clear until the end.
The book's characters are engaging but - to me - the story wasn't very good. It's 90% romance and 10% detective story: not a ratio I enjoy. Romance fans might like it though.

Started 'Mystic River' by Dennis Lehane. I don't think it will be a very relaxing read; it's already got me tense!

I finally finished Speaks the Nightbird , what a great book, the author makes the reader feel completely immersed in the story, great historical mystery!

I just started reading

One Kick by Chelsea Cain

I will be reading..

I just finished that Marian! The pace is very slow but the overall effect was excellent. I really enjoyed it.

Hi
Liz and I just returned from an 18 day trip to China w. 5 internal flights--1 of which was delayed for 5 hours due to smog.
Here are the books that I read--all kindle books except for the last.
The Wars of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors by Dan Jones My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Flags of Our Fathers byJames D. Bradley My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Dark Star by Alan Furst Spy story

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Secret Piano: From Mao's Labor Camps to Bach's Goldberg Variations by Zhu Xiao-Mei My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The City of Blood by Frédérique Molay My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Death Turns a Trick by Julie Smith My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Dark Room by Minette Walters Psychological thriller.

I enjoyed each of them except for the Dan Jones book(see my review).

I am currently reading the Devils workshop by Alex Grecian the latest novel in the Yard series and it reads like an absolute cracker am only 2 thirds in and it's got me hooked

A pyschological thriller with a difference, with very strong great main characters in Sally and especially the socially akward, childlike and simple Keith. In my own head I had a clear picture of the look of Keith as David Staniforth gave up such a clear picture of the mental and physical look of this character.

Do you know the people you work with !

Should you smile at people you do not know so well.

These are the questions maybe Sally had to ask herself.

Enjoyed the style of writing as we follow the story from Sally's point of view and Keith's point of view, and how different they are.

The last few chapters built up to a fast paced, suspenseful and chilling conclusion, and as you read the book you are not sure what is going to happen.

I hope David does more of these books, as I do not enjoy fantasy books at all, but this I do recommend, as quite different from anything I have read before.

Now starting on one of my two November group reads, with Richard Montanari's The Violet Hour, and then The Hunter by Tom Wood, then Ty Patterson The Warrior

Thomas wrote: "Hi
Liz and I just returned from an 18 day trip to China w. 5 internal flights--1 of which was delayed for 5 hours due to smog.
Here are the books that I read--all kindle books except for the las..."

I've enjoyed the Alan Furst books I've read so far, a very interesting series.

I'm currently reading and enjoying The Falls by Ian Rankin, the 12th Rebus novel; excellent page turner of a series.

Bill wrote: "I'm currently reading and enjoying The Falls by Ian Rankin, the 12th Rebus novel; excellent page turner of a series."
I have read and enjoyed The Falls, along w. 18 others by Rankin. There was a tv series based on some of his books on US PBS network. It starred John Hannah.

I recently finished Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs, book 8 in the Temperance Brennan series. It was hard to get through, I hope the next one is better. Now I'm taking a mystery break for a couple books.

Not crime, but over the weekend I finished A Tale for the Time Being, by Ruth Ozeki. It may be my favorite book of the entire year.

Thomas wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'm currently reading and enjoying The Falls by Ian Rankin, the 12th Rebus novel; excellent page turner of a series."
I have read and enjoyed The Falls, a..."

Thomas - John Hannah was the first Rebus. The series represented 4 of the books; Black and Blue, The Hanging Garden, Dead Souls and Mortal Causes. In 2006, Ken Stott reprised the role. Over a two year period, they did another 8 of the books. I think I preferred Stott as Rebus; he definitely had that world weary look about him that Rebus has.

Bill wrote: "Thomas wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'm currently reading and enjoying The Falls by Ian Rankin, the 12th Rebus novel; excellent page turner of a series."
I have read and enjoyed..."
Now that you mention it, I do remember watching some of the second series.

Just posted a new review on Guardian of the Gauntlet. It is a Young Adult book but more like a pre teen sweet book with lots of magic and courage. An awesome read. Check out the review at Guardian of the Gauntlet

Also posted review on Wolf Moon: A Grazi Kelly Novel Now this is a young adult book with werewolf and mystery. There is some twilight, some harry potter in it but it is really a nice read. Check out the review at Wolf Moon: A Grazi Kelly Novel

Has anyone yet read Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes. It has a very good review in today's paper - am going to be putting it on my TBR list. 8:D

I may read it.

Finished I felt it was much better than the movie (which is usually the case) I will read the rest in the series.

I finished One Kick by Chelsea Cain. Kick Lannigan was abducted as a child, then "raised" by new parents in a child pornography ring.
Rescued at age ten, a disturbed Kick becomes determined to protect herself. Thus, by 21 she's an expert in martial arts and a whiz with weapons of all kinds.
When a young girl and boy are abducted, Kick becomes obsessed with the case. Enter John Bishop — a mysterious operator with endless resources — whose job involves rescuing kidnapped children. After tussling with Bishop, Kick joins his mission to find the abducted kids. This requires Kick to retrieve old, painful memories.
Kick and Bishop get to use private planes, stay in a lavish home, and engaqe in a speck of romance. On the down side, some terrible things happen involving violence and torture.
A good thriller with interesting characters. 3 stars.

Just started

Sandra wrote: Has anyone yet read Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes.

I'm in the middle of it now. It's interesting and certainly different. Can't speak to whether or not it has a satisfying ending, but so far, I'd recommend giving it a go.

Well after having this book for OVER a year (which is when I started to read it lol). I have now finished the amazing and interesting The Heartstone Odyssey - Arvan Kumar. You have to read this book.

Now I am still reading The City of Malgar - Rosemary Lynch and also listening to The Husband's Secret - Liane Moriarty.

B'burg Linda wrote: "Started 'Mystic River' by Dennis Lehane. I don't think it will be a very relaxing read; it's already got me tense!"

I truly found this book one of the best thrillers I've read.

Barbara wrote: "I finished One Kick by Chelsea Cain. Kick Lannigan was abducted as a child, then "raised" by new parents in a child pornography ring.
Rescued at age ten, a disturbed ..."

I'm looking forward to reading this one. It will be under the Christmas tree so I'll have to wait, along with several others.

Nancy wrote: "Not crime, but over the weekend I finished A Tale for the Time Being, by Ruth Ozeki. It may be my favorite book of the entire year."

Maybe you will like The Art of Hearing Heartbeats and A Well-Tempered Heart. By Jan-Philipp Sendker. They are not crime/mystery either but they are as good as Ozeki's.

Arlene wrote: "Just started"

Oh, Arlene, I envy you for being at the beginning of that series. Sigh.

Prakash wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Not crime, but over the weekend I finished A Tale for the Time Being, by Ruth Ozeki. It may be my favorite book of the entire year."

Maybe you will like The Art of He..."

Thank you, Prakash! Did you read Ozeki's book? I was in love with it.

I finished Police: A Harry Hole Novel by Jo Nesbø. A serial killer in Oslo has a bizarre agenda: over and over again, he lures a cop to the scene of an unsolved crime, then viciously kills him/her. Harry Hole isn't available to assist the investigation so other members of the crime squad have to pick up the slack.
Meanwhile, there's lots of other stuff going on: a cop guarding a comatose patient is too easily distracted by nurses and noises. A police academy student tries to seduce her professor. The new (corrupt) police chief is anxious to hide his previous crimes; thus he has to suspend his equally corrupt sidekick who proceeds to obsess over the chief's beautiful wife. And the drug dealer Valentin - thought to be dead - seems to be on the loose and is suspected of being the 'cop killer'.
This is a gripping story with fascinating characters, gruesome crimes, and surprising twists. Good book.

I am at about page 159 of Revival, and I'm afraid I already know where this is heading. I will check back in and let you know.

Nancy wrote: "Prakash wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Not crime, but over the weekend I finished A Tale for the Time Being, by Ruth Ozeki. It may be my favorite book of the entire year."

Maybe you will li..."

Yes, I did. She switches wonderfully between the past and the present!

Prakash wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Prakash wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Not crime, but over the weekend I finished A Tale for the Time Being, by Ruth Ozeki. It may be my favorite book of the entire year."

May..."

It's an amazing book.

Jeff wrote: "I'm reading David Baldacci's Stone Cold"

I really enjoyed that book!

Renee wrote: "Arlene wrote: "Just started"

Oh, Arlene, I envy you for being at the beginning of that series. Sigh."

I felt the same way Renee.

I'm reading The Consultant by Liam Muir.

Bonefire of the Vanities by Carolyn Haines

I've just finished Dead Watch by John Sandford. It's a political thriller involving secrets, skullduggery, corruption and murder in Washington DC, Virginia, and Wisconsin. I thoroughly enjoyed it--five stars.

Just finished reviewing 4 books of all different genres.
2 of them I would specifically love to mention.
Whistlin' Dixie - A Tempered Steel Novel is a beautiful love story, first in the series of books. If you like to read love stories pertaining to one family, then this one is for you. Check my review of Whistlin' Dixie and let me know how you find it.
Another one is a tremendous book, one I would love to spread word across the globe if possible. The Dream Shelf is also a love story. But the love story here is of a child to their parent. An amazing book with a beautiful story. Check out my review of The Dream Shelf and prepare to be amazed by Jeff Russell

I just finished The First Rule by Robert Crais. It's the second in the Joe Pike series and I liked it much better than The Watchman, which I thought was just okay.

Olivia wrote: "I've just finished Dead Watch by John Sandford. It's a political thriller involving secrets, skullduggery, corruption and murder in Washington DC, Virginia, and Wisconsin..."

One of my Sandford favorites as well. Great characters.

Jeff wrote: "Jannene wrote: "Jeff wrote: "I'm reading David Baldacci's Stone Cold"

I really enjoyed that book!"

I just finished it. I gave it two stars. Really over the top characters, but fas..."

Ouch, poor David Baldacci. I plan on reading Divine Justice this year.

Tad wrote: " Sandra wrote: Has anyone yet read Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes.

I'm in the middle of it now. It's interesting and certainly different. Can't speak to whether or not it has a satisfying endin..."

Thanks Tad, have put it on my TBR list, and I look forward to hearing what you think of it when you are finished. 8:D

Just finished Lee Child's Never Go Back - boy, what a flat ending....

Johnny Angel is found brutally murdered with a dead prostitute in his bed and a needle full of heroin in his arm. It's all the more shocking because he's a priest. But when Dr Bennett Marc Crane, a prestigious plastic surgeon, is the next victim of a vicious attack of the same manner, it becomes clear that there is a serial killer on the loose.

And as this homicidal maniac exacts his vengeance upon more innocent victims, evidence of another long-buried crime is uncovered. One that starts with a Halloween celebration at an exclusive college party twenty years ago and ends with a murderous plan for delayed revenge.

For Nicky Stella, a hungry journalist, this is just the sort of sordid story that could land him a cover article. But when he digs a bit too deep, the killer's attention turns towards Nicky and he must find the killer before he becomes the next victim.


We start off in the mind of a killer who has subtly plotted revenge for an event that occurred on Halloween night, 1978. From there we're taken through the methodical killings of all those involved in the event. Nicholas Stella, a freelance writer, thinks he's stumbled onto a story of the week, when one of those killed is a priest he knew personally. Little does he know how deeply he will become involved.

This is a tense, engrossing thriller which kept me reading until it was finished, the last third of this book was like a rollercoaster ride with many shocks and nothing more than the brutal and strong last few chapters.

My first book by this author, now I know I would like to read more.

One of my November book reads, now onto the next Tom Wood's The Hunter.

I recently finished 'Mystic River' (excellent - 4 stars) and 'Reconstructing Amelia', which was a very satisfying read. When I first finished it, I would have given it 4 stars as there were some surprise twists at the end. However, after thinking about about it for a few days, I feel somewhat less enchanted with it as the twists involved improbable coincidences. I think the book would have been stronger if it was only focused on Amelia's situation and not tied to her mother's past melodrama.

Recently finished the latest Faye Kellerman mystery and actually liked it better than most of the series. Murder 101For some reason I find myself often unsympathetic to the interaction between the main characters, but with this shift to retirement/ change of location and getting away from family issues worked particularly well for me.

The series is one I've more or less followed but not felt inclined to re-read, which seems to be my main criteria for 'loved this one' ... this may turn out to be something that I will want to read again.

Hi everyone. Just finished reviewing . A fabulous book, a must read for anyone who loves suspense, thriller genre of books. Check out my review of Swan Deception
You can also find my Review Request Form here

Finished reading The Consultant. It is a thriller which features an accountant as the protagonist. He is hired as a free lance consultant by an accounting firm after being fired from his previous job. He is the perfect patsy to take the fall for some mob murders after being assigned the task of covertly examining the books of the victims. If you like thrillers with a little romance thrown in, you will love this one.