Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

The Other Queen by Philipa Gregory (3.5/5) Novel about the years Mary Queen of Scotts was confined to homes owned by the Earl of Shrewsbury and his wife Bess, a self-made woman. The novel does a good job detailing the unraveling of the Earl's once happy marriage as he falls in love with the queen and risks his life to try to protect her. The problem with the book is its repetitiveness and lack of action.

The First Jews in the New World by Joseph Heckelman (N/R) This book was written by the docent at the Charleston Synagogue we visited. The beautiful Greek Revival Synagogue was built in 1840 and is the second oldest still in use.

A Stolen Season by Steve Hamilton (4.5/5) I had to take some points off for the plot with its unlikely coincidences but I didn't really care because of Hamilton's spare but perfect prose, wonderful dialogue and the empathy he made me feel for Alex. How can one book contain so much humor and heartbreak both without either seeming false?

In the Woods by Tana French (4/5) Until the end I thought this book was going to be an easy 5 and possibly my best book of the year but when a central mystery remained unsolved, I felt cheated. I know this happens in life but when I read a mystery I want a resolution. I still enjoyed the book; the gorgeous writing and depth of characterization reminded me somewhat of Elizabeth George. I already have the next book out from the library and hope for a more satisfying ending this time.

My Jesus Year by Benyamin Cohen (4/5) An orthodox Jew reconnects to his Judaism by exploring Christianity. It sounds strange but it works for him and we get some interesting slices of life along the way.

The Naming of the Dead by Ian Rankin (4/5) The overly convoluted plot lost me a bit but I still enjoyed reading about Rebus who is both a cynic and an idealist.

The Protege (3.5/5) Talk about a convoluted and unbelievable plot. This one wins hands down. I did enjoy the insight into the private equity business but there was way too much going on here with spies, high-tech,and would-be assassins. Frey is a little like Joseph Finder but not nearly as good IMO.

Sherie

>>In the Woods by Tana French (4/5)<<

Your comments pretty much matched up my reaction of In the Woods . Such a well written book but the ending was a bit of a let down. I've put off reading the next book
The Likeness A Novel because the plot sounds so completely unlikely, but will probably try to read it soon since she has a new one out next summer.

Sherie and Sandi:
Don't put off reading The Likeness A Novel, it is an excellent book. I am eager for her next one!
I'll admit to still being curious about the resolution of In the Woods, a most disturbing and very well written book.

Sandi wrote: ">>In the Woods by Tana French (4/5)
Your comments pretty much matched up my reaction of In the Woods . Such a well written book but the ending was a bit of a let down. I've put off reading the next book
The Likeness A Novel because the plot sounds so completely unlikely, but will probably try to read it soon since she has a new one out next summer..."

You're much kinder to In the Woods than I was - I was too frustrated with the ending and it impacted how I felt about the book. I did like The Likeness much more.

Dawn:
I think it was the friendship aspect, the bonding of the three children and then the three adults that really captured and held my interest in In the Woods.

Dawn wrote: "You're much kinder to In the Woods than I was - I was too frustrated with the ending and it impacted how I felt about the book. I did like The Likeness much more."

Sherie wrote: "The Other Queen by Philipa Gregory (3.5/5) Novel about the years Mary Queen of Scotts was confined to homes owned by the Earl of Shrewsbury and his wife Bess, a self-made woman. The novel does a go..."

Sheri I so agree with your summary of this book. So far it is my least favorite of Gregory's books written since The First Boleyn Girl.

I also agree on The Other Queen; in fact, I didn't even finish it. I've loved all of her other books. Has anyone read the latest one (The White Queen)?

I read and enjoyed The White Queen. Ms. Gregory admits to fictionalizing a great deal of what is written since much of the period's history was not written (as compared to Tudor times), and so the book can be enjoyed for what it is - a great story of court intrigue, romance and manipulations.

Marcy wrote: "I read and enjoyed The White Queen. Ms. Gregory admits to fictionalizing a great deal of what is written since much of the period's history was not written (as compared to Tudor times), and so the..."

Good to know Marcy, thanks. I've always taken her books as fiction loosely based on facts anyway :)