The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

I started The Black Cat by Martha Grimes.. This mystery doesn't seem to have her usual "voice" and wit...and I'm wondering if I should abandon it. I think I read somewhere - maybe here- that Grimes doesn't write her own books anymore. Does anyone know if this is true?

I'm reading "White Nights" by Ann Cleeves. I read "Raven Black" because it was suggested for a group read and this is the next in her series. In between I read Peter Straub's "A Dark Matter".

Next up: Something Wicked This Way Comes (again)!

I'm reading Tough Customer by Sandra Brown and it is sooo good!!!

I jiust finished Deadlock by Iris Johansen. Great book that moved very quickly. The story grabbed me from the start and really never let go. I was a little disappointed in the ending but overall a very good read. I have only read a few books by I.J. but it looks like I will have to check out some more.

I just finished Die Trying, #2 in the Reacher Series Die Trying. I didn't think it was quite as good as the first in the series, with it's first person narration. But still an excellently tricky plot and exciting.

I'm halfway through A Murderous Procession by Ariana Franklin and enjoying it very much.

Laura, After you read "City of Veils," I would love to swap or purchase it from you, if you'd allow me to. I haven't been able to find it at any of the libraries!! I'm not able to make any purchases from Kindle for a couple of months!! LOL Wonder why??? :P
Deb

Hi Deborah, that sounds interesting. *smiles amused*

I still have to find Finding Nouf: A Novel first and then read both books. And regrettably I must admit to not having as much reading time as I would like. They are now both on my track list for finishing this year. Will keep you posted if you like! - Laura

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1GR8T6S...
Please see the above link to my amazon review of "the 9th Judgment" and if you agree, please indicate that the review was helpful to you.

Laura wrote: "Hi Deborah, that sounds interesting. *smiles amused*

I still have to find Finding Nouf: A Novel first and then read both books. And regrettably I must admit to not having as much re..."
LOL Oh, well, Laura, this may not work out for us. I'll just have to keep my eyes out on Goodreads swap group! Thanks, 'though.
Deb

Just finished Ravenmocker by Jean Hager. Interesting, but falls into the cozy formula: woman turns detective, flails about, doesn't want to get involved with handsome dude she's working with to solve the mystery -- the one who's madly in love with her. Woman does dumb thing & puts herself in mortal danger; handsome dude gets really mad. Woman solves mystery by brilliant flash of insight, races off & saves the next victim just in the nick of time. Woman realizes she's been falling in love with handsome dude all along. To be continued.

I doubt I'll read any more of the series.

Kate wrote: "Just finished Ravenmocker by Jean Hager. Interesting, but falls into the cozy formula: woman turns detective, flails about, doesn't want to get involved with handsome dude she's working with to so..."

I know what you mean Kate. I don't enjoy this kind of story either. Thanks for the heads up.

The Alexandria Link and World Without End

Kate wrote: "Just finished Ravenmocker by Jean Hager. Interesting, but falls into the cozy formula: woman turns detective, flails about, doesn't want to get involved with handsome dude she's working with to so..."

It's too bad when a book that starts out interesting - good setting or interesting characters - falls into the same old formula.

Just finished Snow Angels this is an intense book. Very good noir with an amazing series of plot twists.

Currently reading city of the dead by Brian Keene for horror, and the third book in the PennDutch Inn mystery series for mystery. Enjoying the book but I like when the setting is at the PennDutch inn better.

I have just finished The Cradle Will Fall and really enjoyed it.
At first I was a bit shocked about how much murder went on as I haven't read a murder mystery in ages! It was to read something fast and fun but well written.

Finished The Moses Expedition and I did enjoy it. A real page turner thriller. Over the weekend I started The Gentle Axe by R. N. Morris. This is an interesting premis as the main character is Porfiry Petrovich from Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment.

Donna wrote: "Finished The Moses Expedition and I did enjoy it. A real page turner thriller. Over the weekend I started The Gentle Axe by R. N. Morris. This is an interesting premis ..."

Ooh, a take-off on Dostoevsky sounds great!

Just finished Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love, which was interesting and well written, but not at all about the daughter, which was interesting. I mean, why give it that title, then?

Reading now Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World's Worst Dog, which I am unsure about, and H.M. Pulham, Esquire. Nary a mystery in sight... waiting for my copy of Ray Bradbury.

Thanks to all of the great books people are recommending I have two new series. I am now startingOpen Season, the first Joe Pickett book and I'm loving it so far. The other series I have picked up is A Cold Day In Paradise, the Alex McKnight series. Thanks everyone. I am also looking for Cemetery Road.

Started reading Virgin Suicides....not really enthralling....Can't wait to finish (or give up) and go on to something else...Nah, it's skinny, I'll probably finish it....

T wrote: "Started reading Virgin Suicides....not really enthralling....Can't wait to finish (or give up) and go on to something else...Nah, it's skinny, I'll probably finish it...."

T, I thought The Virgin Suicides was an excellent book. Depressing in many ways, but well-written and thought-provoking.

I'm kinda stalling out in between the first suicide and the following ones....I'm currently at the point where they're all going to the prom....Maybe I will make more progress tonight....

Yas wrote: "The Alexandria Link and World Without End"

These are both on my to read list. I have read good reviews for World Without End (the sequel to Pillars of the Earth)and I am a huge Steve Berry fan. Good reading!!!!!

Just started The Likeness: A Novel- premise seems preposterous, we'll see.

Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition finally ready at library. Looks like I'll be doing double duty.

Just started a Bentley Little horror novel for a little change of pace. So far this thing is crazy. Surely not a typical murder mystery.

I just started my first Stephen Hunter book. I know, I know. He's been around a long time. Havana is pretty good so far. He has a witty, direct and very clear prose. I read some reviews of this book that weren't so favorable. We'll see.

I just finished The Devil's Teardrop by Jeffery Deaver. He's definitely my favorite mass market author...I can never figure out the bad guy's identity before the end!

Finished Marley and Me (I confess: I laughed, I cried). Am now re-reading for the nth time 84, Charing Cross Road and The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street (double volume). Highly recommend this lovely exchange of letters between the US and post-war UK.

Helene Hanff wrote the TV screenplays for the Ellery Queen, by the way.

I loved 84, Charing Cross Road--both the book and the film versions. I'm back to reading Drood and dipping into Dicken's The Mystery of Edwin Drood as well. I wish I had taken the time to read Dicken's story first, but I didn't leave myself enough time before the discussion. Last night I read the free short story* from Jeffrey Archer's And Thereby Hangs A Tale. The story, Stuck on You was an entertaining caper. *I got mine for the Kindle, but it may be free for other ereaders as well.

I'm about half way through "Something Wicked This Way Comes". Off to the second-hand bookstore today...no need to explain excitement of that journey here at Goodreads :)

Ohhh Monica have fun!!!!

It's so nice to be able to share one's OCDs! ;-)

Let us know what you get, Monica!

Finished Virgin Suicides yesterday morning, now flying through Alex Kava's Black Friday. I'm sure others have noticed Nick Morelli in Kava's books - as well as Joe Morelli in Evanovich's Plum books... :-) Popular cop name, eh?

I just started listening to The Burying Place by Brian Freeman, and about in chapter two, the disposition of the MC, Jonathan Stride, just didn't resonate with where we had left off in the previous novel I read. I suspected out-of-order-itis, which for me is a condition to be avoided at all costs. I looked it up and sure enough, I had skipped a book. Does that ever happen to any of you?

Anyway, I dropped that like a hot potato and luckily had on hand The Glass Rainbow by James Lee Burke.

Unfortunately the CD I'm trying to upload into iTunes is now stuck in my CD drive and I can't figure out how to get it out. Maybe it'll pop out when I power off.

Don't know why getting started on a book is so hard today..

Just finished The Miernik Dossier by Charles McCarry -- a masterpiece of a literary espionage/mystery novel that deserves more praise.

Now I'm on to L.A. Requiem by Robert Crais. First time I've ever read him. About a quarter into it and am not yet hooked, but I'm sure that will come. It's tough to beat James Lee Burke in my book, and that's who I'm always comparing others to. Maybe I should just enjoy the read ; )

Steve Anderson

I'm reading Cat of the Century by Rita Mae Brown and not enjoying it nearly as much as her early "Mrs. Murphy" books which were much wittier and more fun. I think Brown has run out of steam for this series!

84 charing cross and duchess are wonderful. Hayes, Have you Q's Legacy, really worth reading.

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I just started listening to The Burying Place by Brian Freeman, and about in chapter two, the disposition of the MC, Jonathan Stride, just didn't resonate with where we..."

Can't wait to get to the latest Robicheaux myself.

I just read Maisie Dobbs and justed listened to In the Name of Honor by Richard North patterson.

I like the way Maisie relates to people.She took into consideration the impact of her intrusions on other people. She tried to find a way to end a meeting/ interaction in a positive way.It can be something that is totally unrelated to "the investigative concern" This gives the client something positive to think about.
LeAnn/sunshine9

LeAnn wrote: "I just read Maisie Dobbs and justed listened to In the Name of Honor by Richard North patterson.

I like the way Maisie relates to people.She took into consideration the impact of her intrusions on..."

Hi LeAnn. Be sure to check out the discussion of Maisie Dobbs in our group reads section. It was the July/August read.

Steve wrote: "Just finished The Miernik Dossier by Charles McCarry -- a masterpiece of a literary espionage/mystery novel that deserves more praise.

Now I'm on to L.A. Requiem by Ro..."

Hi Steve. Thanks for the recommention of The Miernik Dossier. I've been on a bit of a spy/espionage binge lately and this looks terrific.

By the way, if you are a fan of James Lee Burke check out the discussion of Dave Robicheaux in the favorite authors/series/book discussion folder

Just finished Mockingjay and loved it! I'm now finally reading Sarah's Key and it looks like I'm going to love it, too.

Erich Bob the nailer is awesome. I read Point of Impact and it was great. I am reading Time to Hunt now,and am half way through it and it is hard to put down. If you like war stories you will love it.

caroline wrote: "84 charing cross and duchess are wonderful. Hayes, Have you Q's Legacy, really worth reading."

No, I haven't. I want to read the one she wrote about NYC first: Apple of My Eye

Q's Legacy is somewhere on TBR, however.

Apple of my eye was excellent.

I have been wanting to start a new Camilla Läckberg (Zeemeermin, no English version yet) for about two weeks now :-{ and hope to finally dig in to it today!

Wow, Josh. That's an impressive selection! (And I do hate it when book falls apart at the end.)

I'm reading Dog Tags by David Rosenfelt.