The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

Dinner Party by Tracy Bloom

In this satirical - and suspenseful - comedy, a handsome stranger inadvertently wreaks havoc in the lives of three couples. Fun story that will make you cringe and laugh. 3.5 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am currently reading The tontine. By Thomas Costain. (Nearly done with volume one)

Finished Rainbirds late last night. Honestly, I'm not sure about this book. It was pretty straightforward when I started it, started getting a little more cryptic which was okay at first, but then it was like I felt buried underneath the story for most of the book, trying to get some air but couldn't get out -- right up until the end. The phrase "atmospheric noir" on one of the blurbs isn't quite right.

Finished Maigret Has Scruples by Georges Simenon. Not my favorite Maigret story but an interesting case and still enjoyable. My review below -

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Starting an Archeological mystery next, the sixth Lara McClintoch mystery, The Etruscan Chimera by Lyn Hamilton

Nancy, I finished Say Nothing. An excellent piece of nonfiction writing.

Finished Sharon J Bolton's Blood Harvest . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Is it wrong that instead of cleaning cat boxes, I stayed in a warm bed to finish The Kept Woman by Karin Slaughter and it is now 1:30pm? :)

Not sure what I will read next.

A Darkness More Than Night by Michael Connelly

This book features two Michael Connelly characters: FBI profiler Terry McCaleb and LAPD Detective Harry Bosch. Terry is looking into a horrible murder and Bosch is testifying in the murder trial of a Hollywood director. When the cases come together, it's bad news for Harry. Okay mystery. 3 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Started Badlands by cj box

Currently reading

Just finished

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


The Couple Next Door

just finished

currently reading

Cinnamon Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke

In this 'Hannah Swensen' mystery, the cookie shop owner gets involved when a jazz keyboardist is murdered. The story is predictable but there are nice recipes. 😊🍰
3 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished reading , The Reckoning

by , John Grisham

My Review

Reading The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld. Its my book club's April selection. So far, so good.
Found myself eating lunch out yesterday without a book in hand (how did that happen?) so stopped by the local thrift shop & picked up Nowhere to Run by Mary Jane Clark. Haven't read anything by her before. It has captured my attention AND can work for a monthly reading challenge!

I just finished Bloodlines by Jan Burke, the 9th Irene Kelly mystery (3.5 stars). My review below -

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm starting the 5th book in Canadian author Rosemary Aubert's Ellis Portal mystery series, Leave Me by Dying.

Finished reading , Kingdom of the Blind

by , Louise Penny

My Review

Finished reading , The Rescue

by , Steven Konkoly

My Review

Finished The Case of the Howling Dog, #4 for Perry Mason. On to The Case of the Curious Bride.

I've just finished Caught in Time

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm currently reading The House on Half Moon Street and listening to The Wych Elm

Gretchen wrote: "Is it wrong that instead of cleaning cat boxes, I stayed in a warm bed to finish The Kept Woman by Karin Slaughter and it is now 1:30pm? :)

Not sure what I will read next."

Your cats will let you know! My cats would be right there with me, as long as they’d had their breakfast. Loved The Kept Woman!

I finished my first exposure to Australian Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte (AKA Bony), Bony and the Kelly gang by Arthur W. Upfield. Quite enjoyable. My review is at the link below -

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Starting the 2nd Aurelio Zen mystery next, Vendetta by Michael Dibdin

RJ wrote: "One of my favorite reads from last year."

I read your review, you captured its essence well.

Murder with Cucumber Sandwiches by Karen Rose Smith

Daisy Swanson, owner of 'Daisy's Tea Garden' café, helps the police investigate the murder of a food critic. Entertaining cozy mystery with plenty of family drama. 3 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Aditya wrote: "RJ wrote: "One of my favorite reads from last year."

I read your review, you captured its essence well."

Thanks. I enjoyed your review also. Provinces of Night is a terrific book and deserving of more attention.

Finished badlands by CJ Box. Not sure about next book

Gretchen wrote: "Finished badlands by CJ Box. Not sure about next book"

I just finished Wolf Pack by CJ Box. It was my second Joe Pickett novel and I loved it. I'm currently reading Headstone by Ken Bruen.

Those girls

Donald wrote: "Gretchen wrote: "Finished badlands by CJ Box. Not sure about next book"

I just finished Wolf Pack by CJ Box. It was my second Joe Pickett novel and I loved it. I'm currently readin..."

I have read all of joe Pickett. This is a different character - Cassie Dewell. It was ok. The book is a few years old. Parts were a bit rough.

I finished my 34th book

RJ wrote: "Aditya wrote: "RJ wrote: "One of my favorite reads from last year."

I read your review, you captured its essence well."

Thanks. I enjoyed your review also. Provinces of Night is a t..."

Provinces and Twilight were both fantastic.

Just finished Dark Hollow by John Connolly

This is Charlie Parker #2, but the series doesn't have to be read in order. Connolly is Irish but the series reads very American. These are very dark, violent mysteries with a disturbing vein of the supernatural running through. Horrible semi-human villains, Charlie sees the dead and they speak to him, etc. Too strong for a steady diet but, once in a while, they're great.

Starting The Prisoner by Alex Berenson and Born in Crime by Noah Trevor, after.

Araych wrote: "Just finished Dark Hollow by John Connolly

This is Charlie Parker #2, but the series doesn't have to be read in order. Connolly is Irish but the series reads very Ame..."

Connolly writes some great characters. Adds enough humor to take some of the edge off.

My review for A Gathering of Secrets

My Review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just finished The Hot Rock by Donald Westlake

This is Dortmunder #1. Westlake is gone now but when he was writing he was absolutely the best (a Grand Master) at the comic mystery/caper. In this one, we are introduced to John Dortmunder and his gang/pals, who steal a giant emerald. And then have to steal it again. And again. You get the idea. An absolutely wonderful series.

Got Done reading these
Trouble by Jesse Kellerman It was okay

Just started reading The Air Raid Killer by Frank Goldammer. Was drawn to the storyline of a serial killer in WWll Germany. Just finished Girl Eight , the second book by Melinda Woodhall. Loved it. Also about a serial killer!

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling

Gellert Grindenwald is trying to engineer a war, so wizards can take over the world....and enslave (or worse) muggles. Newt Scamander and his posse are trying to stop that from happening. This is a slight story, clearly meant to set up sequels. An okay story. 3.5 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Beast in View by Margaret Millar was a terrific read. Suspense/thriller.

Deb wrote: "Beast in View by Margaret Millar was a terrific read. Suspense/thriller."

One of my favorite mystery writers. I agree completely, Beast in View was excellent.

Just finished The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

This is Hercule Poirot #3. I was pretty sure I had figured out the killer from a clue in the dust jacket and I was right. The characters don't ring true to American eyes and ears in the 21st century but the plot is immortal. But in this one, no Hastings, no Miss Lemon, no Japp.

Araych wrote: "Just finished The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

This is Hercule Poirot #3. I was pretty sure I had figured out the killer from a clue in t..."

It's also one of those books you can only read once.

I just finished a book that starts out as a locked-room mystery and then the game changes into something completely different and deliciously creepy. Published in 1921, it is Master of the Day of Judgement, by Leo Perutz, author of Saint Peter's Snow, a book I also enjoyed very much because you never know what exactly is real. Both are beyond mind bending.

Currently reading The Case Has Altered by Martha Grimes. Richard Jury as the protagonist. So far so good! It's been sometime since I've read a Grimes novel.

My wife and I are reading Salt in My Soul: An Unfinished Life
It is an autobiography of a now deceased Cystic Fibrosis patient. Two of my 3 grandchildren have this disease.

Araych wrote: "Just finished The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

This is Hercule Poirot #3. I was pretty sure I had figured out the killer from a clue in t..."

She always has a twist ....

Starting Fantomas Fantômas Marcel Allain. Keeping an eye on the French fascination with the criminal as hero.