Author Topic: Mystery Corner ~ 2 (Read 910483 times)

isak · « **Reply #2400 on:** May 28, 2011, 10:58:46 PM »

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Pull up a comfortable chair and join us here to talk about mysteries and their authors.
We love hearing what YOU enjoy and recommend!

Links:
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Our Favorite Old Mystery Writers
Fantastic Fiction
Stop You're Killing Me

Discussion Leaders: BillH and JoanK

Everyone - I am so jazzed that so many are getting back into Dorothy L Sayers. She has been an obsession of
mine ever since I attended a non-speaking retreat where we listened to her "The Man Born to be King" and then
had non-speaking meals for three days. Since then, I have read everything I could find by or about her and have
gotten Audiotapes, books, DVDs and any other form I could find. She has made a real progression from
writing just to live, as her character, Harriet, did, to doing the most marvelous mystery-romances with Harriet
and Peter....and then going to the WWII era Christian-oriented writings, to the heavy task of translating Dante
Algheri's work, as was mentioned in the last few posts. I am delighted that there will be a Lord Peter discussion
- I can't wait!!
isak

Steph · « **Reply #2401 on:** May 29, 2011, 06:12:18 AM »

I gather that we vary from state to state on televising the court room. But it is fascinating to watch an entire trial thus far.. But oh me, the sidebars are more than the testimony.. And the judge turns down the defense attorney on sidebars about half the time. Baez seem to be deliberating slowing the trial down. No idea why.. I suspect he thinks he is good at cross exam, but I dont find him effective at all.

JoanK · « **Reply #2402 on:** May 29, 2011, 02:50:53 PM »

nlhome: it's "Love Songs from a Shallow Grave" by Colin Cotterill. Very depressing, though. It's the 7th in the series of 8, and there are about 4 I haven't read.

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/c/colin-cotterill/

nlhome · « **Reply #2403 on:** May 29, 2011, 03:21:16 PM »

Thanks, Joan, I'll have to request that when I'm in the mood for depressing....

Steph · « **Reply #2404 on:** May 30, 2011, 06:09:55 AM »

A Lord Peter discussion. How wonderful. I read somewhere that Sayers considered Harriet as her alterego..

isak · « **Reply #2405 on:** May 30, 2011, 03:14:04 PM »

Can someone please supply a link for the Yahoo Lord Peter discussion?

Many thanks
isak

Frybabe · « **Reply #2406 on:** May 30, 2011, 03:31:55 PM »

I did a search on Yahoo and came up with two books clubs for Dorothy Sayers. One is a general DS book group and the other looks like it concentrates on food and wine mentioned in the Lord Peter Whimsey series. Neither one looks like they are very active. Is there another one Marjifay?

http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=Book+club+dorothy+sayers&sort=relevance

I started Douglas Preston's, Tyrannosaur Canyon but got impatient with it. It is just not grabbing me. In fact, it was starting to annoy me. I'll try it again another time to see if I get the same reaction.

JoanK · « **Reply #2407 on:** May 30, 2011, 09:38:21 PM »

Hi, isak. Somehow, I missed your earlier post. A non-speaking retreat to read Sayers?? I've been to silent religious retreats, but nothing like that! tell us more.

I'm reading Victoria thompson "Murder on Lexican Avenue". This one revisits the question of whether speaking/lipreading or signing is a better route for deaf people to follow (she's for signing).

Steph · « **Reply #2408 on:** May 31, 2011, 06:01:46 AM »

I do wish I was a better lip reader.. In the Casey Anthony trial on Saturday, she spoke and cried when her Mother was testifying ( actually at the beginning of a recess) and I got, the But shes my mother from her mouth, but not the rest.. \
I do like Victoria Thompson.. She makes you believe in that world.

Babi · « **Reply #2409 on:** May 31, 2011, 08:37:00 AM »

I'm almost finished with the Daniel Silva book. As usual, he has written a tightly
woven story, though alternating between the two protagonists. No one
dimensional characters in Silva's books.

Steph · « **Reply #2410 on:** June 02, 2011, 06:00:31 AM »

My book for the car just now is one of the Spellman series by Lisa Lutz.. Not quite sure how it fits.. It is about a family of Private investigators, but there is no real mystery involved.. Just very funny.. and written from one persons standpoint..

pedln · « **Reply #2411 on:** June 02, 2011, 04:18:22 PM »

Just browsing in the new stuff at the library I picked up Lea Wait's Shadows of a Down East Summer, her latest of the Antique Print mystery series, which I'm enjoying so far. She's a new author for me -- never heard of her. I'm going to recommend it to my f2f group today as many of them are really into Antiques, flea markets, selling and reselling, etc.

I also brought home a new John le Carre, Our Kind of Traitor, which is a jump around, flash-backy, kind of weird spy story. Not sure I'm going to stick with this one.

Has anyone heard of Mortal Shield by Thomas Taylor? My f2f group will be reading it sometime during the coming year -- a novel about a security person for the governor. It's been published by our local university press here.

Steph · « **Reply #2412 on:** June 03, 2011, 06:08:41 AM »

I read one of the Antique Print mysteries.. Not that interested.. The stories of the dealers is fun though.

pedln · « **Reply #2413 on:** June 03, 2011, 10:37:42 AM »

I had Pete Hamill's Tabloid City on hold at the library and just picked it up yesterday. Have never read any Hamill before, but do enjoy mysteries with a modern New York setting.

JoanK · « **Reply #2414 on:** June 03, 2011, 07:09:57 PM »

Read a good first detective story set in ancient Athens :"The Pericles Commission" by Gary Corby. the detective is Socrates' older brother. Socrates (aged 12 at the time of the book) keeps saying "I've been thinking..." and older brother keeps saying "Try not to think so much. It'll get you into trouble."

In addition to being funny, the book has a good plot, some real detecting, and all sorts of interesting tidbits about Athens at that period. (I now feel like I've been in the "stoa" and "agora" that are always showing up in crosswords, and have more of a feel for how hard it was for Athens to become the first real democracy). I'll definitely read more by him as they come out.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2415 on:** June 03, 2011, 08:54:15 PM »

Just started a mystery that has promise. "Hollywood Bust" by Margit Liesche. It caught my eye bcs the protagonist is a woman pilot who is in the WASP's, women who piloted supplies and flew planes for target practice for the guy pilots during WWII. Her "boss", Jackie Cochran, (the real organizer and supervisor of the real WASPs) sends the protagonist to Hollywood to find out who is sabatoging a film abt the WASPs.

I've been interested in the WASPs ever since i learned abt them in the 70's when they attempted to get acknowledged as military personnel and therefore vets benefits and pensions. They were given status, i believe in the 90's, let me check on that. PBS did an interesting documentary on them.

I'll let you know if it is as good as it seems at the moment.......Jean

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2416 on:** June 03, 2011, 08:59:00 PM »

No, i was wrong, the WASPs were recognized in 1977. Jimmy Carter signed the law.

Their story is here

http://womenshistory.about.com/od/waspwwiiaviation/a/wasp.htm

Jean

JoanK · « **Reply #2417 on:** June 03, 2011, 09:19:03 PM »

that does sound promising. Kindle doesn't have it (sigh)

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #2418 on:** June 04, 2011, 04:31:33 AM »

JoanK - that Athenian book sounds really good, I am going to see if the library has it.

Just finished "Let It Bleed" by Ian Rankin - another of his Inspector Rebus books set in edinburgh. As usual I enjoyed the setting more than the plot - I find he has too many poorly differentiated characters - I keep thinking "who?" - but he is immensely popular, so I think it must just be me.....

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #2419 on:** June 04, 2011, 06:06:39 AM »

There is a wonderful statue of the women in the military close to the Viet Nam memorial on the green in Washington. I loved it.. Shows the compassion that women share.

JoanK · « **Reply #2420 on:** June 04, 2011, 02:07:11 PM »

rosemary: (Rankin)" is immensely popular, so I think it must just be me..... "

Not just you. I feel the same way about the two Rankins I've read.

Steph · « **Reply #2421 on:** June 05, 2011, 06:20:28 AM »

My real life trial and mystery is still compelling to me. Yesterday I learned a lot of science.. And really admired a woman CSI who stood her ground and carefully explained over and over her conclusions.. Caseys attorney is an idiot. He should have let a more careful lawyer cross for him..The woman he hired is supposed to be an expert.

jeriron · « **Reply #2422 on:** June 07, 2011, 10:32:06 AM »

Looks like some good mysteries on Masterpeice Theatre starting this month.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/schedule/index.html

marjifay · « **Reply #2423 on:** June 07, 2011, 11:48:00 AM »

I'm curious, Steph. What trial is keeping you so enthralled? Where did the crime happen?
(I'm assuming there was an alleged crime)

I heard that some women were taking their vacations just so they could attend some trial, in Florida I think.

Marj

JoanK · « **Reply #2424 on:** June 07, 2011, 03:02:14 PM »

Read another nice period mystery: "Her Highness' First Murder" by Peg Herring. The detectives are Queen Elizabeth I at the age of 13 and a fictional 15 year old boy who helps her.

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/h/peg-herring/

maryz · « **Reply #2425 on:** June 07, 2011, 03:07:54 PM »

marj, this is the trial that Steph is talking about. It's been in the national news, too.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43312815/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2426 on:** June 07, 2011, 08:33:31 PM »

On my journey to read mysteries that are set in NJ or Penna, i found a new author i like..... Shelly Freydont. In the two that i've read, the protagonist, Lindy Higgins, is a rehearsal director for a modern dance troupe. Bothstories wereentertaining. The second one the troupe was on a cruise ship as the entertainment, along w/ a ballet troupe and an opera company. If you have ever had dance lessons and or been in a dance group, i think you would like her stories. There's a lot of explanation about what they are doing dance-wise. I have never had dance lessons, but i still enjoyed the books.

I also finished a Lisa Scottoline book, Devil's Corner. It was not one about the women's law firm, this lead character is a prosecutor. I didn't like it as much as the law firm stories.

I just started Harriet and Isabella, by Patricia O'Brien, a story about those two Beecher sisters. There's no mystery yet, except that Isabella has been ostracized from the family and we don't know why. Her brother, the infamous Henry, is on his deathbed and she's going to try to see him. Has anybody read any of O'Brien's books?

So many books, so little time!!! Jean

maeve · « **Reply #2427 on:** June 08, 2011, 08:11:59 AM »

I just saw this on my computer -- "Lillian Jackson Braun dies at 97"

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2015253614_apusobitbraun.html

MaryH

Steph · « **Reply #2428 on:** June 08, 2011, 08:54:58 AM »

Yes, saw on my IPAD yesterday in the Times, the Lillian Jackson Braun died.. I was never a fan of the cat series..
Yes, Marjifay.. It is the Casey Anthony trial. I live in Clermont, Fl. , very close to Orlando and the disappearance of the child and the lies being told by her Mother caught my attention back in 2008.. They found the childs body in December of that year.. Her actual death is proven, but as to why,, no.. The trial is something of a three ring circus, but quite interesting. I have never watched a real trial before and am enjoying how they actually do it.

JoanK · « **Reply #2429 on:** June 08, 2011, 02:16:05 PM »

Wow, a Scotteline I haven't read. Found it "like new" on Amazon for under $3 plus shipping. And found a Freydont dance mystery on Kindle cheap (Midsummer Murder") . I love mysteries that tell me something about something I know nothing about. She also has series of sudoku murders (?!?).

I go to the library later today, and won't let myself buy books the week after I go to the library, so I'm loading up.

marjifay · « **Reply #2430 on:** June 08, 2011, 02:25:25 PM »

Thanks for the trial info, MaryZ. I haven't paid any attention to trials since the O.J. Simpson one here in Los Angeles.

Marj

MaryPage · « **Reply #2431 on:** June 08, 2011, 04:38:47 PM »

That WAS a downer, wasn't it.

Here is a book about it: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/96789.Outrage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2MGbPYOxL0

Steph · « **Reply #2432 on:** June 09, 2011, 06:01:28 AM »

I am positive that as we speak, there are dozens of people writing their version of Casey Anthony, what happened and how it happened. It is a natural for the true crime market..As a matter of fact, I am convinced this her attorney is writing as we go,, being sure he portrays himself as wise and wonderful.. He is not doing a good job, but the smirks tell me he thinks he is just too clever for words.

marjifay · « **Reply #2433 on:** June 09, 2011, 01:41:24 PM »

Yes, MaryPage, the O.J. Simpson trial was a real downer, at least the verdict was, for me anyway. Am glad O.J. is safely tucked away in prison for awhile. I guess when he got away with the murders, he thought he could get away with anything. Surprise, O.J.

My son was impressed by the Bugliosi book, and passed it on to me. Haven't read it yet, like so many other books I have waiting to be read. I see Bugliosi has a new book out, about religion of all things -- The Divinity of Doubt; The God Question.

Marj

MaryPage · « **Reply #2434 on:** June 09, 2011, 03:17:49 PM »

Which I am reading and which is WONderful!

Steph · « **Reply #2435 on:** June 10, 2011, 06:00:46 AM »

I hav e the most recent Louise Penny and really want to start it.. Got sidetracked with my bed book.. Shanghai Girls.. Very interesting.. Tells me a lot about how the early Chinese in California were treated and why..

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #2436 on:** June 10, 2011, 07:32:21 AM »

Steph, I am way behind you but I have just found the second one in the library and like you, can't wait to start, but am half way through Catriona McPherson's "Bury Her Deep", which is really good, and have umpteen other books in my TBR pile - isn't it wonderful, though, to have all that anticipation?

Rosemary

jeriron · « **Reply #2437 on:** June 10, 2011, 07:54:59 AM »

I finally found the channel that is carrying the Casey Anthony trial. I started watching t yesterday but they stopped because she was feeling ill. Hopefully feeling ill with be the least of her problems.

This is one person that should have had an abortion. It would have saved the child from all the pain she has had in her short life.

jeriron · « **Reply #2438 on:** June 10, 2011, 09:40:02 AM »

Well so much for that idea. I thought it would be on CNN/HLN all day but it isn't.

Steph · « **Reply #2439 on:** June 11, 2011, 06:06:45 AM »

I think it is being carried by the network that does nothing but trials.. But our local stations are carrying it.. Try.. WESH.com or weshtv.com Maybe google can do more thatn I can. I watch it on my Bright House local channel. I will have to really get this in order before I leave for NC the last of June.. The trial should still be going on and like everybody else, I am dying to see if she decided to go on the stand. I think they would be foolish, but there is no way to get out her story of accidental drowning.

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Author Topic: Mystery Corner ~ 2 (Read 910483 times)