Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

Another month of mainly reading or listening to my favorite authors. Here are my August reads:

Top Reads

Fatal Flaw
William Lashner
While not the most admirable guy sometimes, Philadelphia lawyer Victor Carl is always interesting and I found this legal suspense story compulsively readable even though it was a bit too long. The plotting was solid if convoluted, the characters fascinating, and I really enjoyed Victor's voice throughout the narrative.

Dead Lagoon
Michael Dibdin
Aurelio Zen connives a way to get assigned to Venice, his hometown, so he can do some freelance detection into the death of a wealthy American. Extremely atmospheric with a complex plot that took a while to unwind, I found this to be a very enjoyable installment in this series.

Good Reads

The Rare Coin Score: A Parker Novel
Richard Stark
Always enjoy listening to the Parker adventures. This one was set in Indianapolis which made it even more interesting for me. A good plot with excellent character interactions. Listened to the audio version which was read by John Chancer who was quite good.

SPQR IV: The Temple of the Muses
John Maddox Roberts
Another fun outing with Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger. In this entry Decius travels to Alexandria with one of his older and wiser family members but, as always, manages to find a murder to investigate. Love Decius' first person narration as voiced in the audio version by the excellent John Lee.

Saturn Run
John Sandford & Ctein
An entertaining science fiction novel which had some really great characters, plausible science, and a suspenseful storyline. Listened to the audio version which was narrated by Eric Conger.

The Sacred Art of Stealing
Christopher Brookmyre
Second book featuring Glasgow DI Angelique de Xavia, this was a most surreal caper story with the author's trademark humor and a bit of romance.

Black Diamond
Martin Walker
A nicely done audio. The plot revolved around the truffle market in rural France and, while the plot was fairly obvious and Bruno is a bit too good to be true, I enjoyed the characters and the small village atmosphere. The narration was performed by the always good Robert Ian MacKenzie.

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
J.D. Vance
A reasonably compelling memoir of the young author's life from his lower middle class upbringing to becoming a Yale Law school graduate.

1356
Bernard Cornwell
Thomas of Hookton and his band of archers are sent on a new quest, to find the sword of Saint Peter, and while tooling around France wind up with the English Army just in time for the Battle of the Poitiers. An entertaining historical adventure with well drawn battle scenes, suspense, and even a bit of romance. Listened to the audio which was narrated by Jack Hawkins who ably juggled English, Scottish, Irish and French accents.

The Sixth Idea
P.J. Tracy
This was a fun quick thriller. I have read this series from the beginning and always enjoy catching up with the Monkeewrench crew.

I somehow have missed the William Lashner series but you made it sound interesting. Also glad to read your perspective of Saturn Run, which is waiting on my TBR pile. Good month as usual, Sandi!

Good month of your favorite authors Sandi! I like those kinds of reading months and agree that both Saturn Run and The Sixth Idea were most enjoyable.

Good month Sandi

Great variety, and any month with mushrooms must be a good one.

Great month Sandi! Some new to me authors to try and get to!

Good month. I liked the sixth idea

Great month! I always like seeing what you've read!