The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion
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Currently reading? Just finished? 2025
I've got reviews of a couple of next week's new releases this week. Up first is
Fatal Sign-Off by Sarah E. Burr https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I read Gray Dawn by Walter Mosley It is set in 1970 or 71 Los Angeles, California. My 3.5 star review rounded up. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For spiritual folks
A Great Miracle Happened Here: A Rabbi's Musings from Akiva to Zionism by Leon WeissbergRabbi Dr. Leon Weissberg writes about his journey from being the son of Holocaust survivors to becoming an educator and finally, at the age of 74, achieving his dream of becoming a rabbi.
Inspirational book. 4 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of The Heat by Garry Disher
You have to love Wyatt!https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I read Picket Line: The Lost Novella by Elmore Leonard It is not a western or crime story, like Leonard's other books. It is a story about an effort to unionize farm workers in Texas. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just finished Killers of a Certain Age. It's not the type of book I would normally read. It kept my interest and the modes of death were interesting.
My second pre-release review of the week is
Halloween Night Murder, a novella collection with stories by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Liz Irelandhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Death of Us
is not the mystery I was expecting. Or wanted. My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It's always interesting to me how other cultures create crime fiction. Here's a wuxia-inflected Chinese translation of The Untouched Crime
by Zijin Chen and translated by Michelle Deeter for #WITMonth:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Decades after first reading it, I just listened to Fahrenheit 451. Scary how prescient it is. My four star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Kingdom of Dog
by Neil S. PlakcyIn this golden retriever mystery, amateur sleuth Steve Levitan (and his dog) investigate the murder of a college admissions officer.
Fun mystery, and the college setting is very realistic (since the author worked in this field for decades). 3.5 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Sunrise on the Reaping
3 Stars #YA
My feeling - Haymitch deserved better.
Hollow sigh of unfulfilled potential
My review here - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Woman on the Ledge
by Ruth ManciniWhen a woman plunges from the 25th floor roof of an office building, a temp worker in the building becomes a suspect.
A maze of a suspense story. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards
Four stars from me: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I read The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens It is more of a thriller than a mystery, set in Canada. My 3.5 star review, rounded down, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just finished Empire Falls and loved it, but I must admit to being partial to Richard Russo already. I have read and enjoyed the "Fool" series and a couple of others. While I think the complicated webs woven in 'community' stories are universal, he captures a tone that feels particular to a small-town America that's been disappearing.
My review of Empire Falls
My review of No Footprints in the Bush by Arthur W. Upfield
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Killing Stones
was a strong mystery in the Shetland series. My four star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just recently read a couple of really good stories. This series just keeps getting better and better. It is just amazing how Mizushima continues to put out incredible stories of Mattie and Robo.
- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...This is the best Deaver I have read - so far. The man has some mad plotting skills.
- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fans of police procedurals should check out Black Notice
. My four star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Currently reading,
by Agatha ChristieEnjoying it. I just feel like I don't trust Julius, he's just TOO convenient and too nice...that I'm like....this is fishy! They're sharing FAR too much with him.
The Heretic Cypher
4 STARS ARC NETGALLEY
exciting start to Murray Bailey’s Egyptian Stones, centering on Alex MacLure
My review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4/5 stars
Coming Out: September 2, 2025
A prolific serial murderer with a penchant for spiders.
Please read my review, linked below:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
Brief review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Killing Stones
by Ann CleevesIn this 'Detective Jimmy Perez' novel, Jimmy and his romantic partner Willow Reeves investigate the murder of Jimmy's best friend.
Ann Cleeves published her 'last' Jimmy Perez book 7 years ago, but she's picked up the mantle again.
Nice to see Jimmy again but this book is more talk than action. 3 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Kicking off this week with
For Duck's Sake by Donna Andrews https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And to All a Good Bite
is the perfect blend of humor and suspense. My four star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm ending the week with
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff by Don Bruns https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Cross
is a prequel novella to Canaugh’s Eddie Flynn series. Just ok. My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Last King of California
will be enjoyed by those that like their crime stories dark and gruesome. My four star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My idea of a *good* cozy mystery series-starting novel is Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library
by Amanda Chapman:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
–and–
...one that is not:
The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective by Jo Nichols:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Trouble at the Brownstone
by Robert GoldsboroughNero Wolfe #16 . . . New York 1951. Theodore (Nero's orchid assistant) has been badly beaten so Nero And Archie feel they must track down the villains. Not the best mystery I've ever read but it's great to once again spend time with Nero , Archie, Fritz, Cramer and etc. 3 stars.
Over Yonder
is a heartwarming thriller. My four star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished two books: Carl Hiaasen’s stormy weather and Rosalyn Schanzer witches the absolutely true tale of disaster in Salem. Currently reading Matt dinnimam’s dungeon crawler Carl(pg. 278), as well as the next best fling by Gabriella Gamez (pg. 36)Three audios my roommates a vampire, king of ashes, catch-22. Happy reading to all and to all a good book. 📖
I finished The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie. I really enjoyed the Tommy and "TwoPence" book and I just might have to read the other few in this series.
Bring the House Down
by Charlotte RuncieTheatre critic Alex Lyons gives a scathing 1-star review to a one-woman-show. Alex then happens to meet the performer in a bar and sleeps with her. The consequences are off the charts.
Funny feminist novel. 4 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Araych wrote: "Trouble at the Brownstone by Robert GoldsboroughNero Wolfe #16 . . . New York 1951. Theodore (Nero's orchid assistant) has been badly beaten so Nero ..."
I love Nero and Archie and all the gang. 😊
The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group
Books mentioned in this topic
Watching the Detectives (other topics)Family of Spies: A World War II Story of Nazi Espionage, Betrayal, and the Secret History Behind Pearl Harbor (other topics)
Solid Gold Murder (other topics)
Battle Mountain (other topics)
Child's Play (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Christine Kuehn (other topics)Ellen Byron (other topics)
C.J. Box (other topics)
Angela Marsons (other topics)
C.J. Box (other topics)
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In this humorous cozy mystery, four book club members investigate a theft; a possible murder; and a disappearance.
Entertaining story. 3.5 stars
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...