The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

I'm reading The Night Gardener by George P. Pelecanos.

I'll be wrapping up The Railway Viaduct this evening. This series is addictive.

I might also finish The Lifted Veil tonight. Sadly I'm not enjoying this one much. Usually I love Eliot's work, but this one hasn't really grabbed me.

Finished both things I was reading last night, and made the happy discovery that Margaret Frazer has a short story--The Witch's Tale-- in the Dame Frevisse series. If you've never read one of her books, this wouldn't be a good place to start. Being a short story, she assumes you know the people and places of which she speaks. But if you like the series, it's a nice tidbit between books. It was released this year (at least the Kindle edition was), but it doesn't seem to follow the last book.

Reading The Woman in White and really enjoying it. Collins was a close friend of and contributor to Dickens' Magazine, All The Year Round. It is a mystery full of suspense, foreboding, twists, and a bit of humor. I think my favorite character is Marian Halcombe for I relate to her the most. Plus, she's the voice that tells a good portion of this 600 page novel.

K.B. wrote: "Finished both things I was reading last night, and made the happy discovery that Margaret Frazer has a short story--The Witch's Tale-- in the Dame Frevisse series. If you've never re..."

I've been looking for the first in that series, The Novice's Tale but with little success. I'll fall over it one of these days.

I just finished Ape House by Sara Gruen and gave it 4 stars. Even though it's not as good as Water for Elephants I still enjoyed the book.
I'm currently reading I'd Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman and The Devil Amongst the Lawyers by Sharyn McCrumb. I don't often read more than one book at a time so wish me luck!

Jan wrote: "I just finished Ape House by Sara Gruen and gave it 4 stars. Even though it's not as good as Water for Elephants I still enjoyed the book.
I'm currently r..."

I loved Water for Elephants, Jan! Will put Ape House on TBR.

Jan wrote: "I just finished Ape House by Sara Gruen and gave it 4 stars. Even though it's not as good as Water for Elephants I still enjoyed the book.
I'm currently r..."

I recently read I'd Know You Anywhereand enjoyed it's different structuring than other mystery books. Plus, it had a different kind of mystery-ness about it.

I might have to check out Ape House since you've said that it was still a strong effort by Gruen.

Hayes, slowly but surely I've been getting the Dame Frevisse books through swaps. I haven't found that reading them out of order is a problem though.

But K.B., I'm too OCD not to start with the first one. You know that! ;-)

Hayes wrote: "But K.B., I'm too OCD not to start with the first one. You know that! ;-)"

It would be a shame to miss out on a terrific series because of it!

Maybe I better go back and read Water for Elephants again as I liked Ape House better than what I remembered of Water for Elephants....Perhaps I'm confusing it with another book.....

I just started The Postcard Killers by James Patterson. So far, I'm Really enjoying it. And I usually love his books.

Jan wrote: "I just finished Ape House by Sara Gruen and gave it 4 stars. Even though it's not as good as Water for Elephants I still enjoyed the book.
I'm currently r..."

I've been pondering getting Ape House for my e-Reader since I have a coupon (somewhere...) Glad to see good recommendations.

Also on the hold list for "I'd Know You Anywhere". Love Laura Lippman. How would you compare it to her others?

Finished Southwesterly Wind by Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza. Very interesting. Much more a complex psychological study than a police procedural and not all questions are answered in the end but still a very satisfying read.

Now reading In the Shadow of Gotham by Stefanie Pintoff and listening to The Perfect Murder by H.R.F. Keating

Donna, I'm anxious to hear what you think of the Stefanie Pintoff book. I really liked it.

Just finished The 13th Hour. What a huge disappointment. Poorly written and an interesting plot that goes absolutely nowhere interesting.

Now reading Fever of the Bone byVal McDermid. She's usually reliable for a good, dark mystery.

K.B. wrote: "Donna, I'm anxious to hear what you think of the Stefanie Pintoff book. I really liked it."

So far I am really liking the description of the time and place but I am not too far into the actual mystery. A big chair and a cup of tea are calling me after I finish some gardening and chores this morning so I hope that will result in some quality reading time.

Finished Bones of Betrayal by Jefferson Bass. Another good read; glad there are two more in the series. Part of this one was set at Oak Ridge National Lab, so it was interesting historically as well. Not sure what's next, as I have a few non-mysteries that need to go back to the library next week -- those are always the ones renewed twice and read last.

I just finished Beyond Justice by Joshua Graham and highly recommend it to all. It was a page turner that I absolutely could not put down!

Picked up and put down (so to speak) several ebooks yesterday. Finally settled on The Magician by William Somerset Maugham. So far it is wonderful. The tension is building subtly. A good choice for a Halloween read.

Just started Bad Blood, quit half way through The Imperfectionists. Really tries to finish it but just couldn't.

Patricia wrote: "... quit half way through The Imperfectionists. Really tries to finish it but just couldn't."

Oh, that's too bad. I put it on TBR for obvious reasons (takes place in Rome and I know the paper that it's based on, etc.) What didn't you like Patricia?

I just finished The Postcard Killers by James Patterson. I have liked most of his books and this was no exception. But the ending really surprised me on this one.
Has anyone read Creepers by David Morrell? I have a question, please. Does this book have any evil monsters or creatures, or is it a great mystery? I have a preference and don't want to waste my reading time on a book that I know I won't enjoy. If you consider your answer a 'spoiler alert' please pm me. Thanks.

Creepers doesn't have monsters in it, A creeper is someone who explores old abandon buildings. It is a great mystery, one of my favorites.

Hayes wrote: "Patricia wrote: "... quit half way through The Imperfectionists. Really tries to finish it but just couldn't."

Oh, that's too bad. I put it on TBR for obvious reasons (takes place i..."

Well I love Rome and I thought it would be an interesting story but the book is written with each chapter from the perspective of an different person at the paper, so there was no real storyline and Rome is really just the place where the paper is published but not much more. I had high hopes and was a bit disappointed. I might finish it one day.

Patricia wrote: "Hayes wrote: "Patricia wrote: "... quit half way through The Imperfectionists. Really tries to finish it but just couldn't."

Oh, that's too bad. I put it on TBR for obvious reasons ..."

Thanks... if I fall across it I'll give it a try, but won't actively search it out then.

Thanks Fred. I had heard so many good things about the book that I just had to get it at the library, but when I read the flap of the book and the first few pages I started to wonder. If the book is as good as everyone says I just might have to add another author to my humongous already list!

Finished Birdmanby Mo Hayder in 1 day and just started The Treatment this morning. I hope she continues the Jack Caffery series because I think they're excellent - creepy and nasty and everything I like my police procedural mysteries to be!

Well, I finished My Name is Red, and my review is posted in the Member Reviews folder. Disappointing.

Am reading Middlesex, which I am just loving. Very witty and while bizarre, completely believable and very moving.

Also reading Aristotle Detective, which is fun. Aristotle plays an Ancient Greek "Nero Wolfe", while Stephanos plays his "Archie Goodwin". I will definitely continue this series.

Read Middlesex a few years ago and really liked it. Just recommended to a friend!

Just finished By a Spider's Thread. Another gem from Laura Lippman.

Fred. Thank you so much for answering my question. Im almost done with Creepers. Its really good. Cant wait for the end. And now Ive gone and ADDED ANOTHER AUTHOR to my list! :-D

Karen wrote: "Fred. Thank you so much for answering my question. Im almost done with Creepers. Its really good. Cant wait for the end. And now Ive gone and ADDED ANOTHER AUTHOR to my list! :-D"

The is a sequel to Creepers called Scavengers. It was good, but not as good as Creepers, Creepers is one of my favorite books.

Did you really have to tell me that? I hate series books. Do you have any idea how many I already read? :-] At least you told me the next book's not as good, so maybe I wont be too tempted. Although I am going to check out some of his other books. I have about 10 pages left.

Just started Joanne Fluke's etal "Gingerbread Cookie Murder", a good, fun, and fast read. I'm also reading: "Stuff: compulsive hoarding and the meaning of things" by Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee.

Joyce wrote: "Just started Joanne Fluke's etal "Gingerbread Cookie Murder", a good, fun, and fast read. I'm also reading: "Stuff: compulsive hoarding and the meaning of things" by Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee."

What does the hoarding book say about those of us with lots (closer to 2000 than 1000) of books?

K.B. wrote: "What does the hoarding book say about those of us with lots (closer to 2000 than 1000) of books?"

I don't think I really want to know the answer to that question, K.B. ;-)

K.B. wrote: "Joyce wrote: "Just started Joanne Fluke's etal "Gingerbread Cookie Murder", a good, fun, and fast read. I'm also reading: "Stuff: compulsive hoarding and the meaning of things" by Randy O. Frost a..."

I'll have to get back to you on this...still reading.

I just finished Aftermath by Peter Robinson, it was really good with some unexpected twists. I'd recommend it if you like police detective stories.

I'm reading Broken by Karin Slaughter now, I enjoy the Grant County/Sara Linton stories. Sorry there's no link but I couldn't find it on there.

Hayes wrote:
I don't think I really want to know the answer to that question, K.B. ;-)"

You're probably right!

Finished Karin Slaughter's Broken this morning, not sure what will be next....Did notice a stack of 12 books over by my brother's area...it seems he's getting behind in his reading!! We're trying out a few new authors these days.....

Finished Middlesex, which was just brilliant. Highly recommended. Still reading Aristotle Detective and have just started Company of Liars.

I'm temporarily setting aside my current book so I could start Indulgence in Death (In Death, #31). I need my Rourke/Eve fix! Really loved the opening chapter.

I just finished this was a very good read!

and have started reading and I am liking it so far.

I'm currently reading and almost finished Skippy Dies. I like it quite a lot even though it is not a thriller. I'm also looking forward to the 9th of November just to know the bok for this month.

I finished Creepers a few days ago. Wonderful tense book. Then I started Dont Blink by James Patterson. I havent had alot of time to read lately but every chance I get I have it at hand. As usual an edge-of-seat book.

Donna wrote: "I just finished this was a very good read!

and have started reading and I am liking it so far."

Donna, when I discovered that Gone, Baby, Gone was developed from a series of books, I waited forever to get A Drink Before the War from my library so I could read all of them in sequence. Isn't it wonderful??? Lehane can't write them fast enough!

Reading Falconer's Judgement and The Excursion Train. When these are done, I'll be reading The Pillars of the Earth.

Just finished Have Mercy on Us All by Fred Vargas. Thriller set in Paris, packed with eccentric characters and laced with a wonderfully dry humour!! Very enjoyable read!!