The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

Now starting DIRTY OLD TOWN (2020) by Gabriel Valjan, the first novel in his ongoing series featuring Boston private eye Shane Cleary set during the mid 70's.

The book earned an Anthony Award nomination for Best Paperback Mystery Novel, although at just 160 pages in length it is really a novella. Still it is pretty good so far.

My next book was Murder Buys a One-Way Ticket, the latest in the always funny Jaine Austen series by Laura Levine https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Smoke and Ashes by Abir Mukherjee

Sam Wyndham #3........Calcutta, India in 1921. Sam is hunting a ritual murderer while battling his opium addiction. This is a very fine series with many fascinating historical views of India during the British Raj. I liked the story but it didn't do anything special for me. 3 stars.

More women’s lit than mystery, with a dose of the supernatural, What You Leave Behind was a huge disappointment for me. My two star review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished my 71st book

I'm finishing up the week with another great Michael Connelly book, The Wrong Side of Goodbye https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Christine wrote: "I finished my 65th book"

Nice going Christine. 👍

I finished Stephen King's first short-story collection


Night Shift by Stephen King
Rating: 4 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

and I started another short story collection, this one with a book cover that looks like it was assembled by a three year-old with blunt-nosed scissors and a crusty bottle of Elmer's Glue


The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson

Talking to Strangers was a well done mystery involving the pitfalls of online dating. My four star review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger

In this debut novel in the 'Cork O'Connor mystery series' the former sheriff gets involved with the investigation of a homicide, and the search for a missing paperboy.

Good thriller. 4 stars

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

I read A Red Death by Walter Mosley My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It is book 2 in the Easy Rawlins series, a black unofficial private investigator in 1950s Los Angeles, California.

What Lies in Darkness by Christina McDonald, the sequel to These Still Black Waters, is a very atmospheric psychological suspense.

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

Now starting THE DYING DAY by Vaseem Khan, the second novel in his ongoing mystery series featuring detective inspector Persis Wadia of the Indian Police Force and British forensic scientist Archie Blackfinch.

The series is set in India around 1950 just a few years after the country has gained its independence from Britain. I read the first novel in the series a few weeks ago and liked it enough that I special ordered the sequel.

James wrote: "Now starting THE DYING DAY by Vaseem Khan, the second novel in his ongoing mystery series featuring detective inspector Persis Wadia of the Indian Police Force and British forensic scientist Archie..."

I've read all in that series that are available and enjoyed them

My review of Absolute Power by David Baldacci

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

There are plenty of people I'd swap for the hero of Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! by T.J. Klune, who wrote The House in the Cerulean Sea, a favourite of mine. This one is a thought-provoking short read.
My review of Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! with a link to the story online.

This is South Africa during its time of turbulent change. The author didn't know she was a privileged white girl until her eyes were opened. It Wasn't Roaring, It Was Weeping: Interpreting the Language of Our Fathers Without Repeating Their Stories. It's quite a story.
My review of It Wasn't Roaring, It Was Weeping...

I finished my 66th book

Pattymacdotcomma I too enjoy reading T.J. Klune I can’t wait to get “somewhere beyond the sea” 🌊. Happy reading. And what an awesome accomplishment for you Christine on your 66th book of the year 👏. Have a wonderful day!

Clete by James Lee Burke

Dave Robicheaux #24. Told in the 1st person by Dave's great friend Clete. Clete tries to track down some drug dealers who have mistakenly destroyed his beloved Cadillac. The plot ends up pretty much all over the place from there. Mr. Burke has again given to us some memorable characters and violent set-pieces but the focus of the book is Clete's mental state. I love the way Burke writes and I've read almost all of his work but I found it a bit uncomfortable living in Clete's head. Downgraded 1 star for that; 4 stars.

When We Were Silent is an excellent story about the abuse of power. My 4.5 star review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read Robert B. Parker's Grudge Match by Mike Lupica It is book 8 in the Sunny Randall series, started by Parker, and now written by Lupica. I have read the previous 7 books in the series. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Building That Wasn't

3.5 stars
Read as an ARC. Booksirens. Female author.
Intriguing story
science fiction, horror and suspense

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

Nicked is based on the real story of the theft of St. Nicholas’s bones. My 3.5 star review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

In these days I'm reading The Black-Eyed Blonde, a Philip Marlowe novel by Benjamin Black. Not bad, in my opinion, very similar to the original character.

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

My review of Without a Word by C.A. Larmer

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

Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me by Whoopi Goldberg

In this memoir, Whoopi Goldberg celebrates her mother and brother, who helped her become the successful entertainer she is today.

Heartfelt memoir. Whoopi's mother was a special person. 4 stars

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

Worst Case Scenario is a thriller in the true sense of the word. My four star review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Thomas wrote: "I read A Red Death by Walter Mosley My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It is book 2 in the Easy Rawlins serie..."

I liked that one too. I read it a few years ago, but I recently re-visited it on audio. The audiobooks for that series have all been pretty good so far. I'm listening to the third one right now.

I finished my 70th book

I read Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance when it came out. I wouldn't have imagined Vance would be a vice presidential candidate.

In any case, this is my review if you're interested.

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

Mexican Hat by Michael McGarrity


Kevin Kerney #2. Ex-cop Kerney is hired as a New Mexico Forest Service ranger. On patrol he finds evidence of poaching and in following up on this crime finds much more serious and deadly criminality. I liked this thriller a lot -- good characters and action sequences and wonderful descriptions of the land, flora and fauna of the great state of New Mexico. 4 stars.

I just finished The Black-Eyed Blonde, a Philip Marlowe novel by Benjamin Black. A good book, with an intricated plot and a touch of sadness that sorround the main character until the end.

All the stars for The God of the Woods. . My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

currently reading In The Blood by Lisa Unger.

Werewolf: The True Story of an Extraordinary Police Dog by David Alton Hedges

K-9 handler, Police Officer David Hedges, writes about his partnership with Brag, a beautiful smart brave talented K-9 dog.

Good book, especially for dog lovers. 4 stars

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

I'm starting off the week with Joshua Tree by Sandy Dengler. The book finds Jack Prester taking a case that should be super easy. Only he quickly gets more questions, and more danger, than he bargained for.

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

My review of Crossbones Yard by Kate Rhodes

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

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman is very entertaining, more thriller than cosy mystery, with a host of wonderful characters and Osman's trademark humour.

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

I finished my 69th book

Now starting INVISIBLE DEAD (2016) by Sam Wiebe, the first novel in his ongoing series featuring ex-cop turned private eye David Wakeland. Set in modern day Vancouver, British Columbia.

Passiontide is equal parts uplifting and depressing. My four star review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Boundary Waters by William Kent Krueger

In this 2nd book in the Cork O'Connor mystery series, the former sheriff helps search for a country singer. Lots of action in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota

Good mystery 3.5 stars

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

I read Vanishing Edge by Claire Kells It is book 1 in the National Park series. I believe the book has pros and cons. My 3 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

For when you just need to laugh out loud, try Unruly. . No, it’s not a mystery. My five star review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Dragon's Treasure by Mark Greenwood ⭐⭐⭐⭐ an interesting blend of fact and fiction for junior readers. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Yesterday I started The Black Tower, an intriguing mystery set in the France post Revolution.

The Poison Tree by Erin Kelly. This was Kelly's debut. A very slow burn of a mystery, and some unlikeable characters.

I'm looking at one of next week's new releases early. I had a fantastic time with A Very Woodsy Murder, the first in a new series by Ellen Byron.

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