Author Topic: Mystery Corner ~ 2 (Read 911244 times)

JoanK · « **Reply #8160 on:** May 26, 2016, 10:20:03 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
Fantastic Fiction
Stop You're Killing Me

Discussion Leader: JoanK

Here she is.

https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/laurien-berenson/

I like this series. It starts out with the main character as a novice who knows nothing about owning and showing pure bred dogs (like me). So we learn together. As the series progresses, it takes you into the world of breeding and showing dogs.

I like mysteries that take me to new places/cultures.

MaryPage · « **Reply #8161 on:** May 31, 2016, 11:28:49 AM »

Ok, I HAVE a mystery. Can any of you solve it? I am hoping so, mainly because it was someone in here who suggested the book in question to me in the First place!

I keep a Wish List on the Barnes & Noble website. Between Mothers Day and my birthday, I received $250 worth of B&N gift certificates (I have a very large family, and they all know I love these), so I set to work ordering from that list yesterday. After placing the order, and before checking it out via their confirmation, I went in and deleted like mad from the Wish List. THEN I checked. And lo, my old clogged up and rusty memory wiring failed me once again, and I deleted a book I thought I had just ordered, but I had not. Which illustrates why I cannot exist without calendars and lists these days!

That same leaky, creaky memory machinery refuses to allow me to remember much about the name and author of the book, and I have exhausted every type of search I can think of. HELP!

This is the thing; as I say, one or more of you recommended it. Some time ago, when we had a much more active bunch in here. It is the first book in a series by a fairly new author. A woman author and a woman sleuth (detective? policewoman? busybody?) The title was somebody's EYE. I think. Like Lola's Eye or Lois's Eye or Lulu's Eye? Anyone got a clue?

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #8162 on:** May 31, 2016, 01:14:54 PM »

There is a "Lacy Eye" by Jessica Treadway, but I couldn't tell you if that's the one you are searching for. I've never heard of it, and don't recall it being mentioned here. Try the summary on FantasticFiction and see if that rings a bell.

MaryPage · « **Reply #8163 on:** May 31, 2016, 03:00:03 PM »

No, that is not the one. I'll know it when I see it, but cannot get it out of the tangle that is my mind. Thanks for your effort on my behalf! Much appreciated!

Frybabe · « **Reply #8164 on:** June 01, 2016, 06:17:08 AM »

Doesn't ring a bell, MaryPage, but I know what you mean about keeping calenders and lists these days. I am finding, lately, that my memory isn't as good as I thought anymore.

Leah · « **Reply #8165 on:** June 02, 2016, 10:29:51 AM »

Hi, MaryPage,
This is a stretch based on what you said you remember, but maybe...?
The Eye of Jade: A Mei Wang Mystery (Mei Wang Mysteries)
by Diane Wei Liang

New to SeniorLearn,
Leah

FlaJean · « **Reply #8166 on:** June 02, 2016, 01:02:48 PM »

For those of you who like Donna Leon's Guido Brunetti series---- a new book was published in March The Waters of Eternal Youth. Hoping to get it from my library today.

MaryPage · « **Reply #8167 on:** June 02, 2016, 03:17:15 PM »

Thanks, Leah; but that is not it. I am pretty sure (but not positive) that it was Somebody's Eye. But I cannot remember Somebody's name!

JoanK · « **Reply #8168 on:** June 02, 2016, 05:55:53 PM »

I just got and read "waters of Eternal Youth" I liked it a lot. The plot is simpler than some of the Leons., which is good.

Now I'm reading a Rys Bowen Molly Malone mystery, and enjoying it (so far, no annoying arguments with her sexist husband). She's in San Francisco in 1905.

marjifay · « **Reply #8169 on:** June 02, 2016, 11:06:23 PM »

Just saw where Mary Page in a message May 31, 2016, asked if anyone knew the title of a book she thought had a title of someone's eye, and she thought it was written by a woman author.

This reminded me of a very good mystery I'd read in August, 2012, by Karin Fossum, a Norwegian author, entitled EVA'S EYE (aka IN THE DARKNESS). It was the first of her Inspector Sejer mystery series. I gave it 4+ stars. Don't remember if I recommended it in this section, but I could very well have, as I remember really liking the book. You can read the Amazon summary of the book and see if this is the one you are looking for.

Marj

MaryPage · « **Reply #8170 on:** June 02, 2016, 11:20:31 PM »

THAT'S IT! That is it! The very one!

Oh, thank you so much, Marj. Someone in here recommended that book and I put it on my wish list It was most likely you. Thank you so much for figuring that out! BACK it goes on my BARNES and NOBLE Wish List, and it will be included in my very next order.

Thanks a bazillion!

MaryPage · « **Reply #8171 on:** June 02, 2016, 11:32:50 PM »

The deed is done! Thanks again. Is this a great meeting place, or what!

Tonight, I watched the sixth and last episode in a Shetland Islands murder mystery story. It is the 4th of these BBC televised films I have enjoyed on Public Television, but the other 3 were only two parters. This was the best of the lot, and I have loved them all. They are from the book series by Ann Cleeves. The detective is Jimmy Perez.

JoanK · « **Reply #8172 on:** June 03, 2016, 09:42:48 PM »

Marj: good for you -- thank you.

Fantastic fiction doesn't even have it.

FlaJean · « **Reply #8173 on:** June 04, 2016, 12:34:52 PM »

Eva's Eye sounds interesting. I'll look for it.

Joank, I'm reading The Waters of Eternal youth but haven't gotten far enough along to know about the plot. It seems that life keeps getting in the way of my settling down to a good read. I'm not complaining but a new move has kept us very busy.

JoanK · « **Reply #8174 on:** June 04, 2016, 05:45:04 PM »

I know the feeling! But won't it feel good when you're finally able to relax and sink into a good book!

ANNIE · « **Reply #8175 on:** June 04, 2016, 08:40:40 PM »

I am just now returning to reading about detective Charles Lenox by Charles Finch. Set in the 1800's, I love these books! They are just fun reads. Also enjoying Ann Perry and Louise Penny's excellent stories.
MaryZ, thanks for your list of authors!

maryz · « **Reply #8176 on:** June 04, 2016, 10:22:09 PM »

AdoAnnie - I'd say "you're welcome", but it wasn't me. The list must have come from someone else. LOL

MaryPage · « **Reply #8177 on:** June 05, 2016, 12:28:35 AM »

Well, I'll share with you what I finally decided to do. After reading what the critics had to say about Karin Fossum's Inspector Sejer books, I decided to do the most sensible thing. I went to Thriftbooks and ordered the first 4 in used hardbacks. Cost me a total of $15.87, and hey, you just can't beat that! If I live long enough to get them read, and if I like them, I'll order the rest of the series. I'm excited. As soon as they get here, I'll take Eva's Eye off my Barnes & Noble Wish List. I'm excited! Oh, I said that already. Thanks again, Marj!

ANNIE · « **Reply #8178 on:** June 05, 2016, 07:59:01 AM »

Sorry, Maryz! That would be Mary Page!😋😋😋

MaryPage · « **Reply #8179 on:** June 05, 2016, 09:32:59 AM »

I certainly would have recommended Charles Finch, who is a huge favorite of mine, and Ann Perry, whose Charlotte Pitt books I have enjoyed, but truth to tell, I have never read Louise Penny, so I think you have had suggestions from many of us in here!

ANNIE · « **Reply #8180 on:** June 05, 2016, 05:55:09 PM »

oh, don't miss Louise Penny's books about Inspector Gamache and the village of Three Pines! Great mysteries! I believe she has written 21 books . Has her own website. Just google her name. I know no one who doesn't love her writing. Glad I can suggest a new author to you, MaryPage. All the stories are set in Canada.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #8181 on:** June 05, 2016, 09:19:08 PM »

Just read a New Yorker piece on Hillary Clinton. She says she reads cozy mysteries these days and she likes Jacqueline Winspear and Donna Leon mysteries.

FlaJean · « **Reply #8182 on:** June 05, 2016, 11:32:51 PM »

Just finished Donna Leon's latest book The Waters of Eternal Youth and think it is one of her best. His colleague Claudia Griffoni has become more prominate in the last several books and we learn more about her. Her character adds interest to the story.

JoanK · « **Reply #8183 on:** June 05, 2016, 11:46:52 PM »

ANNIE: I agree with you about Louise Penny: makes you want to pick up and move to that small town. Except for her last few books, which I think disappointed many of us.

https://www.fantasticfiction.com/p/louise-penny/

FLAJEAN: I agree with you about the latest Leon. It's nice to have a woman detective. And the plot holds together better somehow than some of hers.

https://www.fantasticfiction.com/l/donna-leon/waters-of-eternal-youth.htm

So Clinton likes Leon, too. And Winspear, the author of the Maisie Dobbs mysteries.

https://www.fantasticfiction.com/w/jacqueline-winspear/

JoanK · « **Reply #8184 on:** June 06, 2016, 12:01:17 AM »

LEAH: Hi! Somehow I missed your earlier post. WELCOME to the mystery corner!

mabel1015j · « **Reply #8185 on:** June 06, 2016, 12:46:05 PM »

Do i need to read Leon or Winspear's series in order?

nlhome · « **Reply #8186 on:** June 06, 2016, 04:31:23 PM »

Mabel, I have not been reading the Leon mysteries in order - depends on what suits my fancy when I am at the library. However, I think the Winspear (Maisie Dobbs) series is better for reading in order.

JoanK · « **Reply #8187 on:** June 06, 2016, 06:12:36 PM »

I agree. Leon's continuing characters don't change much. I'm pretty sure I've read the books out of order.

Leah · « **Reply #8188 on:** June 06, 2016, 07:22:51 PM »

Thanks, JoanK. I may pop in as time goes by!

JoanK · « **Reply #8189 on:** June 07, 2016, 05:01:53 PM »

Reading "The Storied Life of AJ Filkry" brought up a question about mysteries. Does it spoil the mystery if the very clever, original method of murder would never have worked in real life? I admit, if the method is clever enough to be "fun" I give it a pass. (And I give Agatha Christie an automatic pass. Half of her methods just wouldn't have a chance, but, well, she's Agatha Christie).

What do you think?

MaryPage · « **Reply #8190 on:** June 07, 2016, 06:32:43 PM »

My mind kind of sort of disappoints me, really, and has done for many long years now. Books, be they mystery or not, and movies that do not logically add up, are real downers for me. I try hard to tell myself sometimes that they are "fun," and not meant to be real, but it does not give me Joy. I find it depressing when people are not logical. I suppose this points a broad arrow to the reason I am not comfortable with fairy tales, fantasy, vampires, werewolves, time travel and such like in my adult life. I adored fairy tales as a small child, and used to listen to "Let's Pretend" on the radio at ten thirty every Saturday morning without fail. But I find I need to have everything be real in my adulthood.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #8191 on:** June 08, 2016, 11:02:50 AM »

Ditto, ditto, MaryPage!

nlhome · « **Reply #8192 on:** June 08, 2016, 05:28:01 PM »

Joan, I think for me it depends on the story and the characters and the quality of writing. I get frustrated when I read certain "Cozies" because the circumstances and the characters, and sometimes how much is fit into a day, are unlikely. I may read one or two in a series, but then I think "how many murders come into a cook's life?" (or a beautician or a dog walker or a house sitter, etc.). So clever or not, just the fact there are all these murders doesn't make sense.

On the other hand, a detective or police officer character would more likely to be involved with crimes, and every time I think the actual murder seems unlikely, I read the newspaper and think that just about anything is possible.

JoanK · « **Reply #8193 on:** June 08, 2016, 07:21:14 PM »

I guess I'm illogical about what I accept or not. I stopped reading mysteries about a certain cook when, in one of her books, she and her friends were fleeing from the murderer, come to a cabin in the woods, stop, she produces a gourmet meal from supplies in the cabin, (including, if I remember correctly, some eggs which she had brought with her in case -- remind me if I ever have to flee a murderer to bring along some eggs), they eat the meal and continue fleeing.

That was too much, even for me.

MaryPage · « **Reply #8194 on:** June 08, 2016, 08:29:15 PM »

Would've been for me, too!

mabel1015j · « **Reply #8195 on:** June 08, 2016, 08:51:12 PM »

Joan - LOLOL

Leah · « **Reply #8196 on:** June 09, 2016, 11:17:01 AM »

We used to wonder about Jessica Fletcher (Murder She Wrote) who was a magnet for murder in that small Maine town, and no one there thought it wise to avoid her!! Loved Angela Lansbury, though.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #8197 on:** June 09, 2016, 11:23:28 AM »

Like TV's "Midsomer Murders" - - they did a show "about" Midsomer, and he mentioned that Midsomer was not just one small town, but like an area/county, etc. And not just one murder per episode sometimes.

Phyll · « **Reply #8198 on:** June 09, 2016, 02:54:48 PM »

FlaJean, thank you so much for mentioning Donna Leon's latest Guido Brunetti book. How did I miss that? I check the library list on line every week or so for her books, also for Louise Penny (just finished re-reading The Trick of the Light. Penny never disappoints me.) And I am always on the look out for Charles Finch. ...either series that they, mother and son write....like them both, the Scotland Yard det. and the nurse.

Just an aside: It struck me a little while back that I was half in love with Armand Gamache and Guido Brunetti. Both more (ahem) mature men. Guess I am showing my age. I am not so drawn to the handsome, glib, dashing young men any more. However, the British actor that portrays Endeavour Morse kind of rings my chime.

I just clicked on my library and put a hold on Leon's book. Only 3 ahead of me so it shouldn't be too long to wait.

MaryPage · « **Reply #8199 on:** June 09, 2016, 03:47:34 PM »

Charles Finch has a new Charles Lenox coming out in August. I have had it on My Wish List at Barnes and Noble for a long time now: it is called HOME BY NIGHTFALL and is number nine (9) in the series.

Today my first two of the four (4) Karin Fossum books I ordered from Thriftbooks arrived together, both having been sent from a bookstore in St. Louis. Eva's Eye was one of the two. Both are like brand new, and I really just cannot see how Thriftbooks makes any profit whatsoever, as I paid so very little for the 4 books! It feels as though I am committing a crime and actually stealing these books! Thriftbooks has NEVER let me down! (and no, I have no stock in them, nor do I "know" anyone connected with them in any way.)

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Author Topic: Mystery Corner ~ 2 (Read 911244 times)