The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

finished My Sister, the Serial Killer - 2.5~3 ish / 5

started Sycamore Gap

Patty wrote: "Aditya, that fits into my category of an author manipulating the reader. I hate that. I think it’s a lazy technique.

It’s just as bad as an author who spends 2/3 of a book giving intricate and in..."

I think that is what a psychological thriller does. Manipulates the reader. The last couple of books in that genre, that is exactly how I felt!

People Who Eat Darkness: The True Story of a Young Woman Who Vanished from the Streets of Tokyo--and the Evil That Swallowed Her Up by Richard Lloyd Parry

Twenty-one year old Lucie Blackman moved from England to Japan to work as a nightclub hostess. She went on a lunch date with a customer and never returned. This book tells the whole story, which is fascinating and illuminating. 4 stars

My review (with new pictures): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Chris, there’s a difference between psychological twists and author manipulation/laziness. I agree; I’ve read many psychological books and I love it when an author manipulates me through their wonderful writing and characters. It’s happened so many times.

But when an author manipulated us through: holding back something they then pull out to be a vital key to the story/character; builds up multiple story lines/characters and then loses them; takes leaps of logic; changes the personalities of characters to make sure certain things happen. Stuff like this is what I’m talking about.

Currently reading the siege by Arturo Perez-Reverte... so far very intriguing

JF:

Entertaining mix of humour & suspense.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

About to start Night Film by Marisha Pessl. Quite excited.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Finished Silkworm. Didn't really like it.

Reading Dance of the Dead.

Absolute Rage by Robert Tanenbaum

Butch Karp #14, OK to read as stand-alone but it helps to know some history of the characters. Actually (ghost) written by Michael Gruber. This is a wonderful mystery/thriller featuring the Karp clan and a cast of new and interesting villains in, for once, not New York. Suspense, adventure, humor, this one has it all. Highly recommended, 5 stars.

Currently reading:



The Winter Secret by Lulu Taylor

Patty wrote: "Chris, there’s a difference between psychological twists and author manipulation/laziness. I agree; I’ve read many psychological books and I love it when an author manipulates me through their wond..."

Got it, thanks for clarifying.

Pale Horses by Jassy Mackenzie

Private investigator Jade de Jong investigates what, at first, appears to be an accidental death. Things get more complicated fast, though, and Jade is soon in a very dangerous situation.

Good thriller. 3.5 stars

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

About to start The Perfect Widow byA.M. Castle after finishing the wonderfully emotional The Light in the Hallway by Amanda Prowse. My spoiler free review can be found at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... and my webpage sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

Murder in the monastery is why Louise Penny sends her incomparable Chief Inspector Armand Gamache into the backwoods of Quebec. He investigates The Beautiful Mystery, which is the Gregorian chant for which these monks are famous. Number 8 in a favourite series.
3.5★ Link to my review

Patty wrote: "Chris, there’s a difference between psychological twists and author manipulation/laziness. I agree; I’ve read many psychological books and I love it when an author manipulates me through their wond..."

Excellently put. I would just like to add as long as there in an in story reason to obscure facts, I consider it good plotting. For example amnesiac protagonist, books or passages written in epistolary formats where the writer need not necessarily mention the truth. However when no practical reason is provided for withholding facts, I just consider it lazy writing on part of the author.

Barbara wrote: "[book:People Who Eat Darkness: The True Story..."

That was such a good book. Seriously good.

Finished the wonderful The House by the Dvina: A Russian Childhood by Eugenie Fraser

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/216512155

The Battered Badge by Robert Goldsborough

Nero Wolfe #13. It's always a pleasure to spend time with Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe, resurrected by Robert Goldsborough but this effort isn't among his best. A lot of the dialogue just doesn't sound real. But three stars just because it's Nero, Archie, and the gang.

Finished. A Talent for Killing. By. Ralph Dennis

I gave it 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars.
My review, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Araych wrote: "The Battered Badge by Robert Goldsborough

Nero Wolfe #13. It's always a pleasure to spend time with Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe, resurrected by Robert Goldsborou..."

I love Nero Wolfe and Archie (and the gang). 😍

I finished my 106th book

Christine wrote: "MJ I’m a huge fan of Shari Lapena"

I loved her book,
Have you read any of her other books? What would you recommend?

finished Sycamore Gap and it was such a good book. 5/5

Laid In Earth by Graham Brack

I like this 'Josef Slonský Investigations' series, which has great characters and interesting mysteries. In this 6th book the Czech cop has a complex case on his hands....but there are also plenty of laughs.

The book can be read as a standalone.

3.5 stars

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

Started reading The Name Of The Rose by Umberto Eco

started reading Metro 2033

About to start Her Dark Heart by Carla Kovach after finishing the cleverly compelling The Perfect Widow by A.M. Castle. My spoiler free review can be found at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... and my webpage sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

Finished Everybody Dies by Lawrence Block. Not my favorite in the series but recommended to all fans of Scudder and Block. Rating - 3/5

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

The October List by Jeffery Deaver

This book begins with the last chapter and works backwards to the first chapter. It's odd, but you get used to it.

It's about embezzlement, kidnapping, and a whole array of crimes. Worth a try if you like something different. 3 stars

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

I funished Burned by Benedict Jacka and started Night of the Soul Stealer by Joseph Delaney.

Lu wrote: "started reading Metro 2033"

I've had that on my shelf for a couple of years now. I really want to read it. I hope you enjoy.

Bill wrote: "Lu wrote: "started reading Metro 2033"

I've had that on my shelf for a couple of years now. I really want to read it. I hope you enjoy."

I am half way through and i must say that i really enjoy it. The world building is awesome although the feel of the book is rather gloomy but it is in lines with what it's meant to convey.

I finally finished the Witching Hour by Anne Rice and started The Swimmer.

Lu wrote: "Bill wrote: "Lu wrote: "started reading Metro 2033"

I've had that on my shelf for a couple of years now. I really want to read it. I hope you enjoy."..."

Thanks for the recommendation, Lu.

Finished Dance for the Dead. Could have been a bit shorter and still been good. Thomas Perry does write good chase scenes.

About to start reading When the Time Comes by Adele O'Neill after finishing the disappointing Her Dark Heart by Carla Kovach. My spoiler free review can be found at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... and on my webpage sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

Reading Watchers by Dean Koontz.

The Other People by C.J. Tudor

When a home invasion results in the death of Gabe Forman's wife and little daughter, Gabe insists his child his still alive....because he just saw her being abducted. Lots of twists in this psychological thriller. 3 stars

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

Gretchen wrote: "Reading Watchers by Dean Koontz."
One of my favorites by Koontz.

Just finished Black Orchids. Join us in the group discussion.

I am reading Eight Perfect Murders now. It's very good and clever.

I finished my 107th book

This Dark Road to Mercy by Wiley Cash

When Wade Quilby robs a gangster, 'liberates' his two daughters from a foster home, and goes on the run he's chased across the country by a hitman and the kids' legal guardian.

Good story. 4 stars

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