The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

T wrote: "Almeta: I finished The Year of Past Things and found it to be a little on the "light" side. There's a ghost, it's set in New Orleans, one character is a chef in his own restaurant, ..."

Funny you say that, T, because I am a fan of Jesse Kellerman and not so much of his dad Jonathan. I think Jesse's book's are much more compelling that Jonathan's.

Has anyone read Lisa Scottoline? I have read a couple of hers a long time ago. Then I tried to get through Devil's Corner and quit about 75 pages in.

Anyone have thoughts? Should I try again?

I read the first three Jesse Kellermans and had a hard time getting into Trouble and Sunstroke....liked The Genius better.

As far as author offsprings, I liked Joe Hill's Heart-Shaped Box better than Jesse K's works. Need to try the 2nd book from last year.

I've read one Lisa Scottoline - not good enough to make me run out and read the rest of her books, but not so bad that I wouldn't pick up another one to try at some point.

Joe Hill has two other books, "20th Century Ghosts" and "Horns", and both are excellent.

Thanks, Gator - Horns was the one I was after....don't think I know about 20th Century Ghosts!

It's a collection of his short stories.

just finished Brad Thor's "The Athena Project". not one of his best but still a good read

T wrote: "I read the first three Jesse Kellermans and had a hard time getting into Trouble and Sunstroke....liked The Genius better.

As far as author offsprings, I liked Joe Hill's Heart-Shaped Box better t..."

Thanks, T, I kind of feel the same way. Wondered what others felt. Thanks for the input.

I'm reading A Dangerous Mourning by Anne Perry, second in her William Monk series.

Well, "Hornet's Nest" was pretty good. I think my favorite is the first.

Recently finished Javatrekker: Dispatches From the World of Fair Trade Coffee, about the world of Fair Trade Coffee and the founder of Dean's Beans, Dean Cycon. Very interesting.

Also finished a true crime, The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession, which was also interesting, but a little long. Weird world of antique books and the people who love and lust after them.

Am now reading Arthur & George, which deals with a real episode in the life of Arthur Conan Doyle.

Ninety percent done with "The Lock Artist" (Steve Hamilton) and give him kudos for originality and ever-increasing tension. Not easy to do.

I'm almost finished with Portobello by Ruth Rendell. It look me a little longer to get into it than I usually do with her novels, but was completely gripped about 25% into it.

As always, I'm loving her cast of characters, some just slightly off balance, others falling over the edge.

muddling through
Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts

really enjoying
Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson

Cruisin' For a Bruisin' by Gayle Wigglesworth

Cathryn wrote: "I'm almost finished with Portobello by Ruth Rendell. It look me a little longer to get into it than I usually do with her novels, but was completely gripped about 25% into it.

As always, I'm lovi..."

Portobello is one Rendell book I have missed. Thanks for mentioning it.....I will search it out.

I'll be interested to hear your reaction. I'm a huge fan of hers.

Cathryn wrote: "I'll be interested to hear your reaction. I'm a huge fan of hers."

Me too, Cathryn....and I thought I had read all her books but this one got past me. I also like her books written under the Barbara Vine nom de plume.

I also like Barbara Vine, although not as much. Do you read the Wexford series, or just her standalones? I've only read 2 Wexfords.

Almeta wrote: "Heidi wrote: "I just finished The Swan Thieves which I really enjoyed. Just starting The Name of the Rose... Hard to believe I've never read it."

The Names of the Rose is pretty "meaty". I kep..."

A group read of The Name of the Rose is just starting on the James Mason Community Book Club group.

Just finished Jodi Picoult's House Rules my first by her. Enjoyed it tremendously. Her insights into family, devotion and parenting were spot on. I'll never listen to 'I Shot the Sheriff' the same way again.

I'm currently reading The Spellman Files for a discussion group. I have mixed feelings about the novel. I love the setup and the writing is terrific. I'm just not sure about the main character. I'm a little burnt out on protagonists with drinking problems. But I'm not giving up on the book yet.

L.J.
The Sex Club ($.99)
The Suicide Effect($.99)

Cathryn wrote: "I also like Barbara Vine, although not as much. Do you read the Wexford series, or just her standalones? I've only read 2 Wexfords."

I love the Wexford series. One of the Barbara Vine books that I thought was terrific was The Birthday Present: A Novel.....very chilling. Have you read that one?

Goofed (as I have been doing lately!) - I read Gone before Ritual or Skin so I am a little let down by Ritual...and I'm really not loving all the witchcraft, etc that they're dealing with. But you know, I just can't put it down!

Cathryn wrote: "I'm almost finished with Portobello by Ruth Rendell. It look me a little longer to get into it than I usually do with her novels, but was completely gripped about 25% into it.

As always, I'm lovi..."

Cathryn....I just got Portobello from the library and will start on it this week-end since I have to finish up an Inspector Barnaby book first.

T wrote: "Almeta: I finished The Year of Past Things and found it to be a little on the "light" side. There's a ghost, it's set in New Orleans, one character is a chef in his own restaurant, ..."

Thanks for the comments. I have The Year of Past Things in my TBR queue, but won't rush it to the top.

am trying a cozy read its fun. am also just about to start

Decided it was time for a cozy read. Going to try One for the Money, and see if I get hooked.

I've got two going right now:
The Chalk-Circle Man
The Hunt Club

Just finished True Grit. Whoa. Fantastic story and so well written. Highly recommended -- it definitely lives up to its reputation.

4cats wrote: "am trying a cozy read its fun. am also just about to start "

I enjoyed those Ghost and Mrs. McClure books. They are light and fairly quick reads. Slightly humorous. I think there were 4-5 in the series ... at least so far.

First post to the group here - I'm currently reading Fifth Avenue, an ebook thriller by Christopher Smith. Good characters and plot. I'm gonna probably wind up giving it 3 stars because of head hopping. I normally don't review books if I have something really negative to say, but the rest of the book is done well enough IMO that it really deserves a chance. And the head-hopping is of the easily fixable type.

Edward wrote: "... because of head hopping."

What's "head hopping", Edward? Changing points of view?

Jan C wrote: "4cats wrote: "am trying a cozy read its fun. am also just about to start "

I enjoyed those Ghost and Mrs. Mc..."
that's exactly it, am probably going to read the rest of the series and maybe try another series, we'll see have just bought some love hardback facsimile copies of agatha christies so will have to read these as well. am giving up on the girl with the blue dress, can't get away with it at all.

Hayes -

Sorry, yes, head-hopping is changing points of view within the same scene. It can be done well on rare occasions. The example I always use is in Shogun by James Clavell, where the culture is such that people don't "show" how they're feeling and he needed to show us somehow. But normally (as in Fifth Avenue), it makes the book not flow as well.

I finished the book last night and the plot and characters got even better. I'm going to be torn between 3 and 4 stars.

I'm reading Santa Fe Dead by Stuart Woods. The book is like a mystery fairy tale. Can you picture a billionaire businessman marrying a woman he met 3 days ago and immediately making a will in her favor? It's hard to suspend disbelief!! :)

Hi Barbara, I read Santa Fe Dead after a trip to Santa Fe and did enjoy it but I agree it was hard to believe some of it. Good airplane or beach read.

Just finished Alone (Detective D.D. Warren, #1) and about to start Private by James Patterson

I finished The Last Surgeon by Michael Palmer yesterday. Loved it!

Taking a break from crime/thrillers and started All We Ever Wanted Was Everything - not loving it but it's not too bad. Hopefully it gets better halfway through...

I started Hangman by Faye Kellerman. i always enjoy her books.

Just started 18 Seconds: A Novel by George D. Shuman. So far so good.

Hi, I just joined the group. I am currently reading The Sculptor. The Impaler will be next and then I will get back to The Body Farm series #5. Soooooo many books and not enough time.!!!

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

I've spent much of the last couple of days either sitting in hotel rooms, airport lounges or flying, so I managed to finish The Night of the Generals, The Red House Mystery, The Unteleported Man and Water for Elephants, all of which were very enjoyable, especially Water for Elephants.

I bought a new mystery at one airport bookstore, Six Suspects: A Novel, by Vikas Swarup.

I'm about to start reading, Strangers on a Train, by Patricia Highsmith and Burmese Days by George Orwell

Just starting The Dinner Club by Saskia Noort. Translated from Dutch...only a few pages in but liking it.

Just finished Last Bus to Woodstock by Colin Dexter. I really, really liked it - gets a 4/5 from me. Looking forward to the next one - loving Morse.

Bill.....did you like The Red House Mystery by Milne? I read it several years ago and really enjoyed it. Not what you would expect from Milne!!!

I just finished Caravans: A Novel of Afghanistan by Michner for my in person book group. Not a mystery but a fascinating book and look at Afghanistan.

Back to mysteries now with The Rhetoric of Death.

Just read Heartsick by Chelsea Caine - don't think I will continue with the series. I do not feel the relationship between the two. Currently reading Storm Frontby Jim Butcher and Naked in Deathby JD Robb both are so so. Looking for a book I can't put down, such as Harlan Coben's Tell No One. I also enjoy John Sanford, Jeffery Deaver and Phillip Margolin. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Cc wrote: "Just read Heartsick by Chelsea Caine - don't think I will continue with the series. I do not feel the relationship between the two. Currently reading Storm Frontby Jim ..."

Cc, I know what you mean about Heartsick. I read all of them, and it was with a kind of uneasy fascination. I love Cold Granite and the rest of the Logan McRae series. Utterly fascinating if you're into the tartan noir. My daughter is hooked on Tess Gerritson so that's another one for me to investigate. Have you read any Deborah Crombie? She's another favorite of mine, I can't wait for the next one in ther series to come out. Good luck!

Jill wrote: "Bill.....did you like The Red House Mystery by Milne? I read it several years ago and really enjoyed it. Not what you would expect from Milne!!!"

I did enjoy it, Jill. Exactly what you said, not what you'd expect from the author of the Pooh books. It was nicely humourous and an interesting mystery

I'm reading the hunger games on the nook which is a lendme book which I borrowed and a library book home free by fern michaels