The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

A Nearly Normal Family

Yesterday I finished The Long Call by Ann Cleeves. I'm not really a fan of her work but this one was really, really good. I don't quite understand why people don't like to move at a slower pace when reading a mystery -- for me it takes time for things to happen in a story done right.

Nancy wrote: "Yesterday I finished The Long Call by Ann Cleeves. I'm not really a fan of her work but this one was really, really good. I don't quite understand why people don't like to move at a..."

Slowing down, allowing time for thought, reflection, considering elements and qualities contained in the narrative?
That does not sound like the "feed me, tell me, I want it now" culture that is rapidly infecting the majority of "readers."
LG

Laurence wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Yesterday I finished The Long Call by Ann Cleeves. I'm not really a fan of her work but this one was really, really good. I don't quite understand why people don't lik..."

I suppose some people just want fast paced these days. I'm probably different in that way, being content to let things play out slowly.

On the other hand, another one of my favorite complaints is "The book wasn't like the TV series it was based on, so I didn't like the book." Talk about skewing ratings numbers.

I finished Burial Rites - beautifully written and a memorable story

Nancy, are you saying this book was one of those books? One that takes time to unfold?

Yes, Patty, it certainly is.

Lu wrote: "I finished Burial Rites - beautifully written and a memorable story"

I loved that book. My real-world book group read it some time ago.

Silent City by Alex Segura

Pete Fernandez #1. Pete is a newspaperman in Miami with a drinking problem who gets pulled into a search for a missing colleague. Segura spent the first 75 or 80 pages showing us that Pete is a drunk and a screw-up . I'm not a professional author but I think he could have done the job in half the space. So as the story goes along Pete gradually gets his act together. Good for him. Maybe volume 2 in the series will be better. 2 stars for this one.

currently reading Never Tell

Nancy wrote: "Yesterday I finished The Long Call by Ann Cleeves. I'm not really a fan of her work but this one was really, really good. I don't quite understand why people don't like to move at a..."

There are many series I enjoy where the protagonists often doesn't show up until much further in the story. They build up nicely, introducing characters, the crime, the setting..

This one hits the ground running, with a murder just a few pages in. I'm old school, enjoying the path to the solution much more than the reveal itself. For me, it's what good writers do.

I just finished the 9th Inspector Alleyn mystery, Death at the Bar by Ngaio Marsh. Excellent as always. My review below -

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

I'm currently also enjoying -
- Gideon's Week by J.J. Marric
- Bitter River by Julia Keller
- The Rose Rent by Ellis Peters and a couple of others...

Nancy, I enjoy good story telling; I well paced story is a gift.

i also enjoyed The Long Call
My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... in which I compare it to the only other book by Ann Cleeves that I have read The Crow Trap My review is here https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9...
I read The Crow trap before watching the TV series and like the TV series better because Vera is the focus of the series, unlike the book, where she does not appear until halfway through the book.

Decent start to the series.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Current reading Bone Music
And Axios A Spartan Tale

Very different books, but I enjoying both. Hope to finish both next week.

Gritty Irish noir.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Charcoal Joe by Walter Mosley

In this Easy Rawlins mystery, the private detective gets into very sticky situations when he tries to prove someone is innocent of murder. This is especially hard because Rawlins is a black man in 1968 Los Angeles.

Mosley always has compelling, over-the-top, three-dimensional characters, and this book is chock full of them. 👍 Good mystery. 3 stars

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

finished Never Tell
current read The Fourth Monkey

A couple of days ago I've finished House of Chains, fourth book of the Malazan series. Like the previous, it's a big book, with a large number of pages, full of subplot, characters, races and legends, but it worth it. :)

the runaway jury

Next up is My Name is Eva: An absolutely gripping and emotional historical novel by Suzanne Goldring. I have just finished the thrilling Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay. My spoiler free review can be found at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

Finished The Warehouse

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2961835176

A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny

In this 7th book in the 'Chief Inspector Armand Gamache' series, the detective investigates a murder at a barbeque.

In addition, many of the series regulars experience major life changes in this book. Though readers familiar with the series are best off, there's enough background info for newbies to catch on.

Good mystery. 3.5 stars

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

I finished my 81st book

Finished, Cop Town by Karin Slaughter.
Started, Dead Irish by John Lescroart.

Finished The Runaway Jury by John Grisham. Makes you really wonder about jury selection & tampering and the integrity of the trial system. The intricacy of the plot seemed far-fetched & the last quarter was a little tedious but I remained interested to the end. Solid 3 stars for me.

It's pretty obvious that jury selection is biased to begin with. Attorneys know exactly what they're looking for before a single person is selected.

Finished the 2nd Commander Gideon mystery this morning.
Excellent. Gideon's Week by J.J. Marric

My review below -

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

Nancy wrote: "It's pretty obvious that jury selection is biased to begin with. Attorneys know exactly what they're looking for before a single person is selected."

Not to mention the inclusion of total idiots whose only concept of the process of police investigation and the limitations of crime scene/ laboratory analysis is derived from fiction - TV especially.
And don't forget the pervading thread of a conspiracy, involving the police and the justice system, to sacrifice an innocent person to protect a vast international cabal. Yikes! It's a wonder the system hasn't been scrapped as a relic; too dependent on reality and common sense - outdated and scarce concepts of earlier times.

I started reading:


The Best American Mystery Stories 2018 edited by Louise Penny and Otto Penzler

Good fun. A real story with plenty of artistic licence, Girl Waits with Gun is the first of a popular mystery series. It takes place in New Jersey, USA, just before World War One. I'll be back for more!
4★ Link to my review

Started reading 1984 by George Orwell

Currently reading the Wych Elm by Tana French.... have been looking forward to this for ages.

Zoe wrote: "Currently reading the Wych Elm by Tana French.... have been looking forward to this for ages."

It's really good but like all French books about 100 pages too long. There is a lot of setup but hopefully you won't be deterred by that.

Intriguing procedural set in Montréal.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult novels always tackle interesting subjects and this one taught me a lot about elephants.

A toddler's mother disappears after being severely injured at an elephant preserve, and 10 years later the child enlists professional help to find out about her mom. Good story. 3.5 stars

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

^^ hey aditya no problemo for me and yes I do agree with you she can ramble on a bit but her characters and settings and the mystery pull me in so that I can’t remember what I got annoyed about. I have read worse so this is like fine wine for me 😜

finished The Fourth Monkey by J D Barker and I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. my rating: 4.5
looking forward for the next one in the #4KM series

Just finished

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Currently reading

Marwan wrote: "Started reading 1984 by George Orwell"

I just read this for the first time last month. Very creepy and too much that invites comparisons to the present time.

Angie wrote: "MJ wrote: "Angie wrote: "MJ wrote: "Angie...please let me know if you like Before She Knew him. It looks good. I am reading ."


MJ, I’m a third into Before She Knew..."
Angie....what did you think of

MJ wrote: "Angie wrote: "MJ wrote: "Angie wrote: "MJ wrote: "Angie...please let me know if you like Before She Knew him. It looks good. I am reading ."


MJ, I’m a third into B..."

MJ,

Five stars for Before She Knew Him! SO GOOD!!

I’m about half-way through The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware.
It’s a modern take of Henry James’ The Turn of The Screw, very modern, and much less atmospheric. I keep on reading her books—this is the third of hers I’ve read—and I don’t think she’s the writer for me. But I should wait until the end.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

I've just started The Savage Garden Only about 40 pages in so far but already drawing me right in!

Lisa wrote: "I've just started The Savage Garden Only about 40 pages in so far but already drawing me right in!"

Wow! I had to check if this was the same book I have been reading, off and on (mostly off) since 2012. I wish you luck. To me it just drags and drags.

Started Betty Bites Back: Stories to Scare the Patriarchyassembled byMindy McGinnis after finishing the delightful My Name is Evaby Suzanne Goldring. My spoiler free review can be found at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Good fun. A real story with plenty of artistic licence, Girl Waits with Gun is the first of a popular mystery series. It takes place in New Jersey, USA, just before World War One. I..."

I love the Kopp sisters. I just finished the last ones, Kopp Sisters on the March, which I think is the best one yet.

Sandy wrote: "

Gritty Irish noir.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."


I love Ken Bruen's books. I haven't read one for a really long time now, but they're very well written.