The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

I finished The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston. From the late 1960’s to the 1980’s a serial killer stalked Florence, murdering couples and mutilating the female victims. Over the years, numerous men became suspects, many were jailed, and some were put on trial - but the killer (dubbed "the monster of Florence") has not yet been caught.
Douglas Preston, an American crime novelist, decided to write a non-fiction book about the monster in collaboration with Italian journalist Mario Spezi.
According to the authors there are probably many reasons the monster of Florence wasn’t caught. First, there was a lot of shoddy police work in which crime scenes weren’t secured. Second, there was an inept judicial system in which the major players cared more about advancing their careers than convicting the right person.
A fascinating part of the book depicts the harassment of Preston and Spezi by the police and the judiciary, perhaps in an attempt to stop the publication of this book - which casts officials in an unflattering light.
Preston and Spezi believe they know the identity of the monster and present a convincing case – but perhaps it’s too late for justice to prevail.
Good book.

Just finished No Fortunate Son by Brad Taylor and really enjoyed it. This was my first Pike Logan book. Can't wait to go back and read the earlier ones.

Barbara wrote: "I finished The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston. From the late 1960’s to the 1980’s a serial killer stalked Florence, murdering couples and mutilating the female..."

I thought Preston did an excellent job with this book. I'm not a huge fan of his fiction, but this one was well presented, well documented, and well written.

The Mystery of the Blue Dolphins by Sandra Baublitz

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Read the complete review at The Mystery of the Blue Dolphins (A Clarissa and Paw Mini Mystery, Vol. 1)


A very short murder mystery but with such an awesome punch which sometimes even a full fledged novel cannot deliver. Clarissa and Paw are absolute lovable detectives. The Saint Bernard Paw is a darling digger and Clarissa is a very intuitive owner. Together, they manage to solve a murder mystery which was considered to be a suicide at first.



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Herbie's Diner by L. Joseph Shosty

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Check out the complete review at Herbie's Diner

It is truly a short read, just some 60 odd pages. The story starts in the middle, where Actor Johnny Hardwood, who is being a detective, is sitting at Herbie's Diner, waiting for a suspect. And then the author takes us on a journey where the action is happening, at the same time, the background is also being described wherever required.

Truly a fun read, especially just a for a couple of hours, as it gets over by then.



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Thirteen Suspects by C.M. Okonkwo

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Check out the complete review at Thirteen Suspects

A sex filled murder mystery. The murdered victim had sexual encounters with 13 females, all of which are described in vivid details in his diary named "YOLO". The detectives investigating the murder comes across this book and thus the 13 characters are placed under suspicion.

The story is a murder mystery for the sake of saying. It is basically an erotic diary of a sex starved hostel guy.




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On the last few pages of Daniel Galera's Blood-Drenched Beard, which is one part murder story and the rest an excellent look at the construction of identity, thus quite philosophical; starting The Sun Is God, by Adrian McKinty, one of my favorite crime authors.

@Nancy. I agree about Preston's fiction- not a big fan. But he did good with the 'monster' book

Barbara wrote: "@Nancy. I agree about Preston's fiction- not a big fan. But he did good with the 'monster' book"

Yes, he did.
Michele Giuttari, whose name you may recognize from Preston's book, is a crime writer in his own right. He has a series of novels where the main characters is a thinly-disguised version of himself named Michele Ferrara. I quite reading them after The Black Rose Of Florence.

Nancy wrote: "Sandra wrote: "

Imperfect Strangers by David Staniforth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sally has friends who are bitches.When they are being cruel to the night-watchman in their workplace, Sally smiles..."

You're going to make David very happy. Glad you enjoyed it!

She did indeed. Thanks, Sandra, glad you enjoyed the book.

Currently I'm reading The Prey by Allison Brennan. So far I've been enjoying it. I just finished Murder in the White House by Margaret TrumanThis is the first in her Capital Crimes series, of which I've already read several. Now deceased, Margaret Truman was the daughter of President Harry Truman and it was interesting to read all the details of the White House that would only be known by someone who had lived there. I really liked this book--four stars.

Has anyone read by Michael Connelly?

I'm about half way through & i have to say, so far, i'm a little underwhelmed. Haven't picked it up for a couple of days. Am hoping it will pick up soon. Was expecting good things from this book, as MB was recommended to me. Not necessarily this book, but MB in general.
Just collected from my local library. Can't wait to read this!

Right now, I am reading The Cuckoo's Calling, Nineteen Minutes, Heartsick, The Rosie Project, and Freak. So many group reads... so little time. Oh, and finishing Cockroaches and Flawless.

Since I was last on here, I've read Tick Tock - James Patterson, My Soul to Take - Rachel Vincent and The Gift: A Christmas Miracle - Joanne Clancy. Now I can't decide between When God Was a Rabbit - Sarah Winman or Before I Go To Sleep - S.J. Watson.

Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Since I was last on here, I've read Tick Tock - James Patterson, My Soul to Take - Rachel Vincent and The Gift: A Christmas Miracle..."</i>

Ooh, [book:Before I Go To Sleep is an excellent read. Some of the repetitions can get tiresome, but it is a wonderful book!

Last night I finished Cemetery Dance by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child and it was great. I read it for the mystery but it turned out to be quite scary in parts, thus satisfying my love for horror. It would make a good scary movie. I have started Burn by James Patterson and hope I like it better than the last one, which I found disappointing.

The Cold Dish the tv SHOW PUT BE ON TO THIS SERIES. Never even heard of this till then, very happy.

Olivia wrote: "Currently I'm reading The Prey by Allison Brennan. So far I've been enjoying it. I just finished Murder in the White House by Margaret Truman..."

Hi Olivia, I read one Margaret Truman's books years ago (can't remember the name) but it was really good. I will have to check out her other books

Eddie wrote: "The Cold Dish the tv SHOW PUT BE ON TO THIS SERIES. Never even heard of this till then, very happy."

This is one of my favorite mystery series. I was raised in the area where the author lives and he manages to do the setting and the people exactly right, which most do not when they try for a 'modern west' setting. I've lived with the people in this series.

Autumn wrote: "Right now, I am reading The Cuckoo's Calling, Nineteen Minutes, Heartsick, The Rosie Project, and Freak. So many group rea..."

Did you like The Rosie Project? My book group is reading that in March.

Happy New Year Everyone! ☆

Just finished Redshirts by John Scalzi. Funny, action-packed, thoughtful. A really good mood. Highly recommend it.

Mike wrote: "Just finished Redshirts by John Scalzi. Funny, action-packed, thoughtful. A really good mood. Highly recommend it."

good to know. I have it somewhere around here.

Arlene wrote: "Happy New Year Everyone! ☆"

and to you, Arlene!

Patricia wrote: "Has anyone read by Michael Connelly?"

I read it. It's very good.

Patricia wrote: "Has anyone read by Michael Connelly?"

I'm on the waiting list at the library.

I finished The Cinderella Killer by Simon Brett. Charles Paris, actor and amateur sleuth, is cast in a pantomime of Cinderella in London. The star of the show is American actor Kenny Polizzi who headlined a smash TV comedy years before.
Rehearsals for the pantomime are difficult and the set seethes with jealousy and hard feelings. To add to the trouble, Kenny’s stalker and his estranged wife soon show up in London - as does his agent, who’s been known to enable Kenny’s alcohol and drug problems.
Soon enough cast members start to die and Charles has the bad luck to find the bodies. He decides to help the police by doing his own investigation of the crimes.
Charles' usual antics (drinking and neglecting his wife) are mildly amusing in this light mystery. The parts I liked best (and which made me laugh) were the snippets of critics' reviews of Charles' shows. Seems the poor guy hasn't done a good job yet. This is an okay mystery, a pleasant way to wile away a few hours.

I just finished

3/5 for me.

Jannene wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Has anyone read by Michael Connelly?"

I'm on the waiting list at the library."

Jannene..I have heard that its a very good book!

The Ice Princess by Camilla Läckberg

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I enjoyed the book, Camilla Lackberg's first, although there were a few issues/unlikely scenarios in the book which were not resolved to my satisfaction and I felt the ending was a bit of an anti-climax.

I am a fan of the TV series Fjallbackamorden and it was interesting to see how Erica's character had started out.

The book deals with the issues of child and spousal abuse, the outcomes of keeping dark secrets and telling lies in the guise of protecting those one loves.

I enjoyed it enough to purchase the next book in the series The Preacher and look forward to seeing how Camilla's writing style progresses.



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Last book of 2014 was Murder in the Mews by Agatha Christie (4 short stories). First book in 2015 is Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie. I love her voice and the British voice in general. The plotting and dialog in Cards is brilliant. Christie's author intro said it's been accused of being dull, but that it is Poirot's favorite. I think it's great - humor too; and one of the main characters (sleuths) is a British crime writer with 30+ novels. A real character and a funny one; Christie parodying herself. She has a great sense of humor.

I finished Betrayal of Trust by J.A. Jance. When Governor Longmire of Washington finds a snuff film on her step-grandson Josh's cell phone she calls Detective J.P. Beaumont to investigate. The film shows the death of a young girl during "the choking game"- a teen fad.
Detectives trace the film to 'Janie's House', a facility where homeless teens can hang out and have access to computers and cell phones. The Governor's family has a connection with the house since Longmire's daughter volunteers there. Also, bullying emails found on Josh's computer originated at the facility.
Additional deaths complicate the case, as does a fire at Janie's House.
There's also a sub-plot in which Beau finds out more about his father and the Texas family he never knew.
The book is well-written with believable characters and interesting twists. Good mystery, highly recommended.

I'm starting out the year with Mister Slaughter , I really enjoy his writing, does a great job depicting 1700's New York in his historical novels.

Malina wrote: "I'm starting out the year with Mister Slaughter, I really enjoy his writing, does a great job depicting 1700's New York in his historical novels."

That is on my TBR after The Queen of Bedlam. I read Speaks the Nightbird and really liked it. McCammon is a fantastic storyteller.

Just about to finish Gray Mountain, undecided what I want to read next.

Okay, everyone, I think 4,186 comments for two years' worth of Currently Reading/Just Finished is beyond plenty!

I'm starting a new thread for Currently Reading/Just Finished for 2015. From now on, I think we'll do an update every year rather than letting it get so huge.

So just fyi -- I'm now closing this thread.