Reading the Detectives discussion

Just finished "Moonflower Murders" by Anthony Horowitz. Wanted to read it before the PBS Mystery adaptation. I liked the book, which was actually two books in one. The Atticus Pund book is actually a clue to the contemporary setting in the rest of Moonflower Murders.

As happens often, several of my requested new books have arrived. In the next two weeks I should read Agnes Sharp and the Trip of a Lifetime, The Murders in Great Diddling and A Messy Murder. The last is a new entry in Simon Brett's new series. The first is the second book in a wonderfully quirky set of elderly characters. 'Great Diddling' I know nothing about.

Like Fred, I hope to read Moonflower Murders and stay ahead of the PBS show.

I will be working our buddy reads in there somewhere! The Simon Brett is in process. (I can't link to the book because I can't spell her name! Grr)

Like Judy, I have been missing Nero Wolfe! Another series I want to continue.

Sandy wrote: "Like Judy, I have been missing Nero Wolfe! Another series I want to continue."

Sandy, the second story in Three at Wolfe's Door is a lot of fun because it starts with Wolfe and Archie having a row - Archie decides to leave and set up on his own! Of course I know they will go on working together, but it's an interesting idea ;)

Wrexford and Sloane have caught my attention. I’m reading the second book, Murder at Half Moon Gate and am enjoying this book even more than book one!

Judy wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Like Judy, I have been missing Nero Wolfe! Another series I want to continue."

Sandy, the second story in Three at Wolfe's Door is a lot of fun because it starts with W..."

Are you reading the series in order? If so, I'm impressed. My next is Curtains for Three, #18. I like the three novellas in one book concept.

Ohh my next is only 12

I haven't been reading the Wolfe books in order but as I've managed to pick them up - I have some second-hand paperbacks and some on Kindle, and am watching out for offers. I don't think the order matters as much with this series as with some others, but I hope to read them all, anyway.

I like Wolfe but it is Archie that pulls me into them.

I have now started Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn There seems to be a lot of mixed revues about this book, so thought it was time I tried it

Jill wrote: "Ohh my next is only 12"

Mine is #5-6. It has been a while for me, too.

I like Archie best too, Jill.

Without Archie Nero would be a fat man with no way to support his orchids.

I have most of the Rex Stout/Wolfe-Goodwin books. I think I have read them all. Stout was pretty smart when he created the duo. He had Wolfe the armchair detective, who if you read the series, left the Brownstone quite a lot and Goodwin, the hard-boiled eyes, ears and feet for Wolfe. Their relationship is the key to all the books. I too will have to get back to reading about Wolfe and Archie again.

Judy wrote: "I haven't been reading the Wolfe books in order but as I've managed to pick them up - I have some second-hand paperbacks and some on Kindle, and am watching out for offers. I don't think the order ..."

The order doesn't matter much, but I suggest reading Some Buried Caesar sooner rather than later, as Lily Rowan makes her first appearance here.

A Family Affair should be read later rather than sooner, due to the events of the story.

Thanks, Kajehas, good to bear in mind. I think Lily Rowan is a good character and adds a lot to the series.

I've been interested to see how often Wolfe does leave the brownstone, Fred. I like your description of their relationship. Have you tried the Robert Goldsborough sequels at all? I couldn't resist reading Archie Meets Nero Wolfe, which I remember enjoying, but thought I'd wait to read any more of those until I've read all the original books.

I have Archie Meets Nero Wolfe and tried reading it, but because the interaction wasn't there at the beginning I didn't finish it. I will have to go back and give it another shot. I have not read any of the other books by Goldsborough. The series of books featuring Arnold Zeck are very good. And Be a Villain, The Second Confession, and In the Best Families. I have it as an omnibus with all 3 books together.

I'm reading recent bestselling mystery Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Australian author Benjamin Stevenson after buying the second in the series and then discovering there was a previous book! Enjoying it so far - it's very quirky and unusual.

This has me wondering, which other current series are members enjoying? I know there are several others which are popular and take some inspiration from the Golden Age, including some which are slightly similar to Richard Osman`s books.

Judy wrote: "I'm reading recent bestselling mystery Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Australian author Benjamin Stevenson after buying the second in the series and t..."

I’m currently enjoying our next Falco, then I’ll read our next Brunetti - both are new-to-me series. I just finished Murder at the White Palace by Allison Montclair, the latest in a historical series I became hooked on with two female protagonists in postwar London. I keep an eye out for latest installments in C S Harris excellent Regency series starring a crime-solving viscount, and Alys Clare has a couple historical mystery series I’m following- one in Victorian London and one in rural England in the 1660s. I also like Paul Doherty’s Brother Athelstan series, and Will Thomas’s excellent Barker & Llewellyn series in Victorian London. And I’ve recently found S G MacLean’s Seeker series set in England under Cromwell’s Protectorate. I’m always looking for a new historical series that might approach the excellence of Sansom’s Shardlake series, but tough to match!

And of course, the Thursday Murder Club and his other new series coming out! Mainly, I enjoy an excellently researched historical setting, good characters, humor, and very little gore…There are probably others, I just lose track! ;o)

Fred wrote: "I have Archie Meets Nero Wolfe and tried reading it, but because the interaction wasn't there at the beginning I didn't finish it. I will have to go back and give it another shot. I have not read a..."
I really enjoy the Stephenson books! They have many of the characteristics of golden age detective stories (deliberately!) while being set in the modern world, which is an unusual combination. I prefer that approach to contemporary series set in the golden age - things always ring a bit false to me in those series.

I just finished reading Billie Houston's "Twice Round the Clock," a fairly recent entry in the British Library Crime Classics series. It was enjoyable!

New series I'm enjoying:

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, as mentioned earlier. Two entries so far and a third scheduled for Christmas.

The Last Dance, two entries, must be read in order!

The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp, only two have been translated and I have the second out from the library as I type

The Busy Body, the only book so far

Fortune Favors the Dead, a take-off of Nero Wolfe and Archie.

Death and the Conjuror, locked rooms a specialty

Courting Dragons, two or three books with Henry VIII's jester as protagonist

I'm currently reading Tour de Force by Christianna Brand, and I'm enjoying it more than the other Cockrill books.

I’ve started Ordeal by Fire by Sarah Hawkswood for our group read.

Susan in NC wrote: "I enjoy an excellently researched historical setting, good characters, humor, and very little gore..."

That’s exactly what I look for too, Susan! One of the reasons I love the Golden Age mysteries is their lack of blood and gore. It’s definitely the puzzle-solving aspect that appeals to me.

I think I read somewhere that Agatha Christie was once advised by a friend or relative that her books needed a bit more blood, and she did write one which she thought of as more gory but, personally, I’m glad she didn’t take that advice any further!

Modern crime fiction seems often to focus on brutal killings or warped personalities and I find those really unsettling, so I stick with the older series, but I’ll check out your suggestions. Thanks!

Sue wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "I enjoy an excellently researched historical setting, good characters, humor, and very little gore..."

That’s exactly what I look for too, Susan! One of the reasons I love the ..."

You’re very welcome, I hope you find something you enjoy! I couldn’t agree more, there are enough warped personalities (and brutality)all over the news, I read for pleasure to avoid that stuff!

I’m currently reading a couple of modern mysteries by a pair of (UK) ‘celebrity authors’. I’m listening to the first in Richard Osman’s new series We Solve Murders, and reading Susie Dent’s first fiction Guilty by Definition. Both very enjoyable so far.

I finished A Messy Murder, the latest in Simon Brett latest series. Compared to Mrs. Pargeter, these are less cozy / more realistic. I found the murder plot a bit weak in this one, but the other 'mysteries' with Ellen's family and friends kept the story moving along nicely. Her mother is a hoot! To be read in order as the family relationships develop.

Sandy wrote: "I finished A Messy Murder, the latest in Simon Brett latest series. Compared to Mrs. Pargeter, these are less cozy / more realistic. I found the murder plot a bit we..."

Sounds fun. He has certainly written a lot of books!

Jill wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I finished A Messy Murder, the latest in Simon Brett latest series. Compared to Mrs. Pargeter, these are less cozy / more realistic. I found the murder..."

Definitely! A series that doesn't get a lot of attention but must be active is Blotto, Twinks, and the Ex-King's Daughter. I see entries in my library's new arrivals section.

Sandy wrote: "Jill wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I finished A Messy Murder, the latest in Simon Brett latest series. Compared to Mrs. Pargeter, these are less cozy / more realistic. I fou..."

I have 6 or more of the Blotto Twinks books but haven’t read them. So many books and so little time.

Thank you for all the great recommendations, everyone. I spoke too soon about the Benjamin Stevenson book, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, as I'm finding it increasingly boring and sometimes unpleasant after a great start. I've already bought book two as I didn't realise it was a series, so I'll give it a try at some stage.

Pamela wrote: "I’m listening to the first in Richard Osman’s new series [book:We Solve Murders..."

I was quite amused to see that the waiting list on Borrowbox (our library's digital lending system) is currently showing April 2033 as the next available date to borrow this audiobook! I’ve come across waiting lists of a year or two for popular books, but never nearly a decade! You’d have to be an optimist to put your name at the end of that list. I didn't bother. :)

Reading a John Dickson Carr short story collection-"The Third Bullet." Classic locked room and impossible crime mysteries.

Sandy wrote: "Jill wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I finished A Messy Murder, the latest in Simon Brett latest series. Compared to Mrs. Pargeter, these are less cozy / more realistic. I fou..."

I read the first Blotto and Twinks years ago, don’t remember much, but it was batty and Wodehouse-like!

Jill wrote: "Sandy wrote: "Jill wrote: "Sandy wrote: "I finished A Messy Murder, the latest in Simon Brett latest series. Compared to Mrs. Pargeter, these are less cozy / more re..."

Yes! Perhaps since we’re all mystery fans and have so many hanging about that we haven’t gotten to yet, we could have a ‘pot luck’ polled read next year - everyone just nominates, genre and pub date notwithstanding (with a link please so the voters can read a description), some mystery they’ve been meaning to read FOREVER! Might be able to knock one off your TBR pile, whilst adding to the TBR of your fellow readers!

I’ve checked out from my library our next Brunetti, Fatal Remedies. Will start soon.

Just finished Ring for a Noose and Anthony Gilbert is in top form.

I've started our next challenge title, Death in the Garden by Isabella Bassett - very light so far, like the first in the series.

I am now starting Upon A Dark Night by Peter Lovesey. The fifth in the Peter Diamond series

I am starting, late, this month's buddy read, Ordeal by Fire

Jill wrote: "I am now starting Upon A Dark Night by Peter Lovesey. The fifth in the Peter Diamond series"

I think that's my next Peter Diamond book.

Just started Bury Your Dead, #6 in the Gamache series.

Donna wrote: "Just started Bury Your Dead, #6 in the Gamache series."

I love so many of that series!

Jackie wrote: "Donna wrote: "Just started Bury Your Dead, #6 in the Gamache series."

I love so many of that series!"

I am 80th on my library's wait list of 592 for the next in the series.

Sandy wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Donna wrote: "Just started Bury Your Dead, #6 in the Gamache series."

I love so many of that series!"

I am 80th on my library's wait list of 592 for the next in the ..."

Wow!

I just read Anthony Berkeley's "Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery." This was only the second Sheringham mystery I've read and I really enjoyed it! There was an excellent twist.

I have started Death in the Garden for our October challenge. I wasn't much of a fan of the first book so am hoping for better.

I just finished Eleven Huskies, third in a series set in northern Canada with a vet as the amateur detective. Quite a frightening description of a forest fire in this book. And, according to the tribute in the front, it was written before their horrendous fire season in 2023. Interesting enough series; a bit different.

I still have to finish The Bungalow Mystery, and read a new book, The Murders in Great Diddling, but then We Solve Murders is waiting for me at the library!

I enjoyed Roger Sheringham and the Vane Mystery too, Carissa - Berkeley is such an entertaining writer! Unfortunately editions of his books seem to appear and then disappear again, as with Christianna Brand.