The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

Congratulations to Patricia for nominating one of our two group read selections for our Holiday/ Winter group read; A Cold Day in Paradise by Steve Hamilton. Enjoy the book!

Got my kindle copy of this last night and will be starting it middle of this week after finishing the last 100 pages of Wizard and Glass. Looking forward to the read.

I have put this on hold at the library. Hoping it comes in soon. I picked up a different Hamilton book in the meantime :)

The Lock Artist by Hamilton was excellent! This book has been on "to-read" list for awhile. I guess now's a better time than any to start! Hoping its as good as his other book.

I've read the majority of this series, as well as The Lock Artist. His books tend to get better and better so I recommend that you don't stop with this one. I am anxious to see your comments.

My library had it - yay!

I started this last night and about 40 pages into it now. I've enjoyed the start, sets the scene well of a remote location in the north of Michigan and introduced a couple of main characters but teases out the information on them without info dumps which is nicely done.

Plenty of mystery, the writing style is decent enough and I can see me zipping through this as an easy read. Promising start!

Read more last night and now about 1/3 of the way through. Got some good back story to the main character and there is still mystery ahoy! I've noticed a couple of cliches but it doesn't detract from a well written mystery. I can see this being completed by the end of the weekend.

Has anyone else started yet?

Since it has been some years since I have read this first book in the series, I have decided to re-read it. It is amazing how much I had forgotten about the story. Oh well....I guess I should be glad since I can barely put the book down.

Patricia wrote: "Since it has been some years since I have read this first book in the series, I have decided to re-read it. It is amazing how much I had forgotten about the story. Oh well....I guess I should be ..."

Sometimes revisiting a book is better than the first time you read it.

Nancy, I totally agree with you. I will probably read the next in the series too.

Should be finishing this book tonight. I've enjoyed the story and the characters, I think there could be a twist coming at the end too but couldn't hazard a guess at what.

Unless something dreadful happens I can see me continuing with the series in the future.

Finally got my copy and hope to start the book tomorrow. It is my first Steve Hamilton book, so I'm not really sure what to expect.

This is my first time participating in a group read. I thought that more people might get involved in it, but maybe there is too much to do at this time of year?

I have so far read 10 chapters and find myself unable to put the book down. There is plenty of back information that enables you to understand how the main character found himself in his current predicament and the chapters are reasonably short and concise, with the story flowing at a pace that keeps you hooked and wanting more.

I look forward to hearing other people's thoughts too.

Angela wrote: "This is my first time participating in a group read. I thought that more people might get involved in it, but maybe there is too much to do at this time of year?

I have so far read 10 chapters and..."

Hi Angela, I have to agree with you on this book, quick chapters with a nice flow leading to the "just one more chapter" syndrome. The characters were decent enough but outside the main guy I didn't feel any where truly fleshed out. Sheriff Maven was a pain too.

I finished the book last night and wasn't blown away with the ending but it did the job well. I'd say overall I'd give it 7/10 but would definitely pick up more from the author.

Just finished the audiobook. Meh. Kind of light--not very meaty, and almost comical in places. I generally prefer more hard core thriller.

My review for A Cold Day in Paradise for a few more thoughts on the book. Let me know when you all finish and your thoughts. Cheers

Mary wrote: "Sherrie wrote: "Just finished the audiobook. Meh. Kind of light--not very meaty, and almost comical in places. I generally prefer more hard core thriller."

Actually, I like a cozy. What you don't ..."

I think it didn't help that the narrator of the audiobook sounded like Tom Bodett; I couldn't take it too seriously.

There are some comical moments in the book. This I consider to be an added bonus,as all doom & gloom is too miserable for me.

I am astounded at how much I had forgotten about this book. I read it about 5 years ago. Be sure to look at . It is a stand alone with different characters. In my opinion, Hamilton is an excellent writer.

Hi Patricia, how did the reread go?

I'll look to pick up the lock artist in the future, there was enough here for me to pick more up by the author.

Finally had some down time to finish this. I rather enjoyed it and was quite surprised by the ending. A well deserved 4*

Thank you Patricia. I have ordered a copy of the Lock Artist and shall read it when it arrives in the New Year.

I'm still reading. I'm almost 2/3rds through; however,
Christmas cookies, pumpkin bread, and decorated cupcakes have temporarily dragged me away from my favorite avocation, reading.

I've read every Steve Hamilton novel and they are amazing. You can always tell a great writer because his proses are so smooth that it almost seems effortless. Great lead character and wonderful intricate and fast moving stories. A Cold Day in Paradise is one of his best. Enjoy.

The audio book reader can really make or break a book. I listened to 6, absolutely loved it, am convinced the reader significantly contributed to the experience. Listened to an Agatha Christie audio book--an old lady with a shaky high pitched voice read it. Put up with the annoyance for two chapters then stopped. I think a Tom Bodett reader would be equally boring.

I'm about half done now. I really like the balance of the back-story with the main story - it gives just enough history without being overwhelming.

I'm interested to see what will happen!

Although there is resolution, Hamilton has a way of driving you to his next book in the series. I plan to reread the next one too. Darn, he is good!

Sherrie wrote: "I think it didn't help that the narrator of the audiobook sounded like Tom Bodett; I couldn't take it too seriously. "

Completely agree! The narrator wasn't great.

Finished this book this morning and I really enjoyed it! I particularly like the author's writing style. The story moves pretty quickly and has a nice balance of back story / current action.

Don't want to post any spoilers here, so I'll say there was a section near the end where I didn't enjoy the writing. Other than that a great read.

3.5*'s overall, and I'll definitely continue the series. Great selection, Patricia!

Thanks,Angel. I got hooked on this series about the third book in. The characters became family after a while. I look forward toward his new books.

This book has a pretty good story with a couple of really tense moments in it. But the wrap up contained some details that were a little hard to believe. So it was a bit of a disappointment at the end. I gave it 3 stars.

But, that being said, I'd be willing to read another one by the same author. The book was well written.

I read this sixteen years ago and thought it was great but don't recall any of the details ... except I can still "see" Paradise, the pickup truck, the woods and trails. I'm simply getting brain farts at my age.

Oh, this book received:
1999 Edgar Award for Best First Novel
1999 Shamus Award for Best First Novel
Finalist 1999 Anthony Award for Best First Novel
Finalist 1999 Barry Award for Best First Novel

Harriet wrote: "I read this sixteen years ago and thought it was great but don't recall any of the details ... except I can still "see" Paradise, the pickup truck, the woods and trails. I'm simply getting brain fa..."

Did you read the rest of the series?

Hi Patricia -- I read three or four. Not sure, but there came a moment when I was reading one and it suddenly felt like I was re-reading the same story. It isn't that I don't enjoy series books. I do. But I felt bored. I can't imagine not reading the next Harry Bosch or Kinsey Millhone and lament the loss of Joe Leaphorn and Kurt Wallander. Perhaps if I picked up the series again after all this time ... I'm not sure. I have no notes from those books so long ago. I now keep journals.

Harriet wrote: "Hi Patricia -- I read three or four. Not sure, but there came a moment when I was reading one and it suddenly felt like I was re-reading the same story. It isn't that I don't enjoy series books. I ..."

I know what you are saying. I alternated between Hamilton and William Krueger (who also writes a series set in the North Midwest).
You might enjoy Kruger's series. Check him out.

Harriet wrote: "Hi Patricia -- I read three or four. Not sure, but there came a moment when I was reading one and it suddenly felt like I was re-reading the same story. It isn't that I don't enjoy series books. I ..."

I just looked up William Kent Krueger since I couldn't remember the setting. He writes about Minnesota and his character has a relationship with an Indian elder.

Alex McKnight, hmmmm. A past, a crime, an affair, a conspiracy, an eccentric rich old lady, a gambling addict, a Rose. Put them all together and you got yourself a pretty good mystery novel. For some reason, it didn't excite me as much as others have. Though I do have to say, the ending has prompted and left me curious enough to find out if Alex does go hunting them rabbits, grouse, and pheasants. I wonder what he will do about them.

I like it so far. It seems to be a very classic detective genre mystery.

I was given this book a few years ago as a gift, and it started my journey through the Steve Hamilton books. I've got a bunch of them now, and while some are better than others, they've become my 'go-to' when I don't have something else planned to read. I've been to the area several times, which helps, and I tend to like mysteries that take place in outdoor and isolated environments, so it's right up my alley.

I just started this book today. It's my first Steve Hamilton and I'm finding it a page turner. Can't wait to find out what happens.

Hmmm . . . finished last night and did not see that ending coming. I liked the main character and will add the next book in the series to my TBR. I'm curious to see if he gets any better at being a PI.

I found this book a couple years ago when looking for new mystery authors. If I recall, I believe this was his first. While the story is nothing new, I found the writing to be of journeyman quality--good characterization and description kept me reading. All in all well done, I rated it 3 stars. I will read more of his work when the opportunity arises.