Author Topic: Mystery Corner (Read 160622 times)

ClassicsAdmin · « **on:** January 03, 2009, 05:14:07 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

JoanK · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2009, 06:39:17 PM »

Welcome, welcome, all mystery lovers. It’s great to have a mystery corner, where we can discuss the mysteries we love with friends old and new. Here we just come in whenever we feel like it and talk about the mysteries we’re reading: share impressions with others who have read them, and give new reading ideas to those who haven’t.

Our leader, Bill, is leading the month-long in-depth discussion of “The Hound of the Baskervilles”, the first such discussion on our new site. Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes lead the way again, as they have often done in the mystery genre. Look for the link in the heading above.

Meanwhile, I’m holding the fort til he gets back. Did any of you get some new mysteries for Christmas? Which are deliciously mysterious and which should be shot on the spot? I have a bunch of new (to me) authors on my “to read” pile, and will let you know if there are any real “finds”. What have YOU discovered?

maryz · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2009, 07:37:14 PM »

Isn't it wonderful to find old/new friends???

pedln · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2009, 07:37:18 PM »

Hi JoanK & MaryZ. Yes, it is. I’m really glad to see this site open, as this is where you can always find good ideas for new mysteries to read, as well as comments about unread and not-so-new.

I got a Jonathan Kellerman (Alex Delaware) for Christmas – Bones, which is one of his later ones. I have not read many of his books. His Obsession is also on my shelf, unread. Guess I’d better read that one first.

And I also got Blind Submission, a first novel by Debra Ginsberg, which combines “intrigue, romance, and a touch of mystery.” It is about the publishing industry and a mysterious manuscript. She has written non-fiction, including Waiting: the true confessions of a waitress.

My f2f group picked 2009 titles last month and will read an early J. A. Jance, Desert Heat, her first in the Joanna Brady series. I have not kept up with all of her later titles, but have always liked Joanna Brady and the J.P. Beaumont series. Hasn’t she started another series too – Ali Reynolds?

This same f2f group will also read Sinners and Saints by Eileen Dreyer, another author that I’m unfamiliar with. We wanted a holiday mystery for our December read and picked Midnight Clear by Kathy Trocheck, no. 7 in the Callahan Garrity series. My opinion – skip that one. It left most of us cold.

maryz · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2009, 07:39:30 PM »

I'm hurrying to finish J.A.Jance's 2008 Cruel Intent - an Ali Reynolds story. We're heading out of town midmorning, and I have to get this back to the library on the way out of town.

JoanK · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2009, 08:16:19 PM »

WELCOME, WELCOME, MARYZ and PEDLIN. I've only read a few of Jance: I don't know why: I like her. Sorry to hear that the latest Trochek isn't good: I've always liked her.

Our f2f is reading "The Art Thief" by Noah Charney this month and "Murder at the Gardner" by Jane Langton (sp?)next month. This should be interesting, as they both deal with art theft, but couldn't be more different if they tried. A quick description would be that "The Art Thief" deals with the technique of art and art theft and "Murder at the Gardner" deals with the passions that art arouses, and how it affects our lives.

Langton wrote about an art theft at the Gardner museum in Boston before the actual art theft occurred. I've often wondered if the book inspired the theft.

Charney writes briefly about the same theft, but deals mainly with imaginary ones. The author is an expert on art theft, not a writer: his long explanations of how such thefts work are interesting to me, but make the plot drag. Langton is one of my favorites, with her almost musical style, drawings and love of the paintings, and clumsy detective. We'll see which the group prefers.

peace42 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2009, 09:57:51 PM »

ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!!!! I have missed you guys...every time I'd finish a Mystery book I'd start to go and post on SN and.

I'm not going to stay on long right now but will be back later. Would it be ok to post some of the books I've read since we last talked? Hope all is well with everyone and that your Holidays were blessed, safe and peaceful...I'm so excited about this I can't stand it!!!!!

GinnyAnn · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2009, 10:06:58 PM »

I just had Ray return to the library a very good book. It was a great read. Cold Pursuit by Carla Neggers. Now I am reading Rain Fall by Barry Eisler. It is a thriller set in Japan.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2009, 10:08:32 PM »

HOORAY! Hi all!

I think i must have read all the Diane Mott Davidson "Goldilocks catering service" mysteries that my library has. I again picked up one that i was sure i hadn't read and discovered that YES i had read it as i began reading. And YES, i do TRY to keep a list of the books i've read so i don't find myself doing that often, but i guess i read this one before i started writing everything down. It was the first of the Goldilocks series.

I've found myself looking for less serious reading the last few months - the cozy mysteries have been just right - too much stress in my real life to want to read about other peoples' stress................jean

Zulema · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2009, 10:29:36 PM »

This is my first post to Mystery Corner. I used to drop in on the old discussions but never posted. I just finished Careless in Red by Elizabeth George, her latest, and I enjoyed reading it much more than her previous two books. This one was not harrowing like those were. And I also just read P. D. James's latest, The Private Patient. She has gotten better and better, and I love her books. Gone is the cheap psychologizing she indulged in at first, and I find it a great pleasure to follow her leisurely pace and hate to finish them. My previous favorites were Death in Holy Orders and The Lighthouse.

(Tried to Italicize the titles but was not successful. I'll learn)

pedln · « **Reply #10 on:** January 03, 2009, 11:34:19 PM »

Zulema, is Careless in Red a Lynley and Havers book? I've always liked Elizabeth George, but have not been able to get back into them since she killed off you know who.

JoanK, I really enjoy Jane Langton, most of them anyway. There was a recent one where Mary Kelly, who usually doesn't have much of a part, really disappointed me, but all of the others are great. Can't think of the title, but I really enjoyed the one where a group of church members were rebuilding or installing an organ.

jane · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2009, 09:20:03 AM »

It's great to find other mystery lovers.

Jean...I'm at the same point you are about not wanting to read of others' problems. We have some very serious health issues in our family, and I simply need a lot of "escape" to a world of non-stress for a bit.

I've never read a J.A. Jance...somehow I thought they were westerns or something...geez...my brain has gone on me, I think.

I, too, have read all the Mott Davidson books...and like the later ones since she's off the constant "Jerk" thing. I also like the Hannah Swenson mysteries...very light..but fun by Joanna Fluke.

We're here at South Padre Island, TX, for a couple months and have a delightful little Library Reading Room, supplied from the Library in Port Isabel. What a delight it is. For a whole $5.00 a nonresident like me can, for FIVE YEARS, check out books and use their wireless internet.

jane

Phyll · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2009, 09:26:16 AM »

Jean, I'm reading Diane Mott Davidson's, SWEET REVENGE, right now but I'm finding I'm disappointed. I wonder if DMD has used all of the plot twists and turns that she can possibly think of? It seems to me that each new book just repeats an earlier one and I'm not enjoying her as much as I once did. Perhaps it is me, but I also find the same thing with Janet Evanovich. Just finished her FEARLESS FOURTEEN and found that I didn't enjoy it as much either. Am I getting jaded? Or perhaps I'm ready to move away from the lighter mysteries for awhile. I recently read Donna Leon's SUFFER THE CHILDREN and I'm not yet disappointed in her books. I always enjoy Commissario Brunetti and the descriptions of the streets, shops, and canals of Venice.

Steph · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2009, 09:58:03 AM »

Mysteries,, the staff of life for me. I have been experimenting with all sorts of new authors for me.. A completely different turn for me.. James Swain.. I think his first book was "The Grifter". He writes of a completely different world.. His hero was a policeman and private investigator who deals in fraud in the gambling world. Each of the books thus far focusses on the many ways they cheat in a casino..Absolutely riveting from my point of view. Who knew?? I had only heard of card counting, but oh my that is petty compared to this series.. Not cozy.. occasional violence and a litt le ( very little) romance..

nlhome · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2009, 11:17:29 AM »

Checking in.
I have The Private Patient by P.D. James from the library, which I haven't started yet. I'm planning on do that this morning, or I was, until I was directed to this site and now I'm busy catching up. N

JoanK · « **Reply #15 on:** January 04, 2009, 02:41:36 PM »

Oh my, what a treat awaited me this morning! (yes, it is still morning here). All my friends, old and new have found us. Hooray!

A special welcome to new friends (new to ME friends, I should say). ZULEMA: so glad you posted. I'm delighted to hear about the new Elizabeth George. I like her a lot, but stopped reading her because I always felt exhausted at the end of her books! I'll be sure to get this one. NLHOME: so glad you're here. Let us know about The Private Patient.

And old friends: STEPH, PHYLL, JANE, JEAN, GINNYANN, PEACE. WOW.

JEAN and JANE: I read cozies when I'm under stress, too. (And eat chocolate-- but that's another story). And I'm not smart enough to make a list of books I've read -- I'm always coming home from the library with books I've already read. Worse, I don't make lists of the books you recommend. I get to the library and think: what was that neat-sounding book we were discussing? Of course I don't remember. Example: what was that book about a Jewish policeman in Iceland? I want to read it, but can't remember?

GINNY ANN: Cold Pursuit will be first on the list I'm now resolved to make.

JANE and STEPH: I'm off and on with Davidson too.Is "The Grifter" the basis of the movie with (the late-sob) Paul Newman?

PEACE: of course you can tell us what you've been reading. Intellegant minds want to know.

PEDLIN: I felt as you do about Mary Kelly in Murder in Venice. It dampened what was otherwise a good story. Can't remember the name of the Organ one, but Fantastic Fiction (linked in the heading) will tell you. Go to any authors name to get a complete list of their books in order, sometimes with descriptions. It also tells you which have new books out.

Whew -- this post is WAAAY too long!

mabel1015j · « **Reply #16 on:** January 04, 2009, 02:46:58 PM »

Before the holidays i had read James Patterson's Beach House and it held my attention and was o.k. I also read Lisa Scottoline's Daddy's Girl. I think it came before she started the series of the women's law firm. Some of her later ones had gotten more gory - i prefer that author's just tell me that some one was killed and w/ what, but not how the body looked and what had been removed, etc.

............maybe that's one of the things i like about the "cozies," they aren't so graphic.................I will read more of both authors...................jean

JoanK · « **Reply #17 on:** January 04, 2009, 03:00:38 PM »

According to Fantastic Fiction, "Daddys Girl" is late (2007). Scottoline has a new one coming out in April.

Apparantly, she's written a whole bunch of stuff besides her women lawyer novels. Check it out.

As part Italian, I think sahe's at her best when she uses her Italian heritage in her books.

EvelynMC · « **Reply #18 on:** January 04, 2009, 06:45:47 PM »

Hi Everyone,

So good to get a list of good mysteries to read.

I also like cozies, and I like a well written mystery that holds me to the end. I don't particularly care for "descriptive gore" nor do I like the kind of mystery with a "stalker" hiding and watching the victim. Gives me the creeps. I have an over-active imagination, I guess.

South Padre Island sounds like heaven right now. Enjoy yourself, Jane.

I'm going to the library tomorrow and must pick up a J. A. Jance mystery. I love P.D. James and will see if they have Private Patient.

So nice to see so many familiar names.

Evelyn

JoanK · « **Reply #19 on:** January 04, 2009, 08:40:59 PM »

Hi, EVELYN. Nice to see you, too.

jane · « **Reply #20 on:** January 04, 2009, 08:41:48 PM »

I'm heading to the Library tomorrow too...to return two Julie Garwood's I read this weekend...Slow Burn and then the following one..Shadow Dance. I will also look for J.A. Jance.

jane

Steph · « **Reply #21 on:** January 05, 2009, 10:11:59 AM »

Wow.. I have no idea whether the Paul Newman movie was from the book, but I dont think so. Joank..The Yiddish Policeman.. is in Alaska. It was turned into an enclave after Israel failed. Written by Michael Chabon.. I am reading it, but very slowly. It is sort of hard to follow.. But Chabon is an intricate writer. I prefer his wife.. Ayelet Waldman.. She writes light funny mysteries about a Mommy...
I like Lisa Scottoline because she has a corgi.. And of course Corgi lovers do unite..

hats · « **Reply #22 on:** January 05, 2009, 10:57:34 AM »

I read my first book by Carla Neggars while we were lost from one another. It's called "Waterfall." Boy, it's a good mystery. I want to read more of her books.

joangrimes · « **Reply #23 on:** January 05, 2009, 11:27:25 AM »

Hats!!! So good to see you here. I have been thinking about you and hoping that you would post soon.

I am reading PD James Private Patient right now.

I have the lastest Elizabeth George. I have to have large print and that book is so heavy that I cannot even hold it to read it. I did start it but it seems to be a slow go for me. I usually like her books but the one where Lynley's wife was murdered almost got me. I could not put it down but was so depressed when I finished it.

Joan Grimes

mabel1015j · « **Reply #24 on:** January 05, 2009, 02:52:21 PM »

Jane - i love Julie Garwood's mysteries. I will put those 2 on my TBR list.

I read a fun new author - to me - before the holidays, Gar Haywood, an Af-Amer'n author who - in this book, and i think there are others - wrote about a retired couple who travels the country in their rv, mostly visiting their children and run into murders along the way. This one was located in Washington, D.C. It was titled "Bad News TRavels FAst" and was fun to read. I will look for more of his.

This seems to be my time to pick up books i've read before - must be fuzzy brain from too much sugar and fat over the holidays

. I mentioned that i picked up a Diane Davidson that i'd read before and last night i started a Philip Craig and said "Shoot! i read this one!!!" .............I must put my OCD in high gear and make SURE i write down every book i read before returning it to the library. It's such a disappointment when i think i've got a good read and then find out i've already had that good read............LOL..........jean

JoanK · « **Reply #25 on:** January 05, 2009, 02:56:57 PM »

HATS!!! Great to see you! Another book for my list.

And Joan G. Welcome!

hats · « **Reply #26 on:** January 05, 2009, 06:50:27 PM »

Hi JoanK, JoanGrimes and all,

Reading Elizabeth George is one of my reading New Year resolutions. I hope I can keep it. I have heard about "Private Patient" by P.D. James. Is it good?

MarjV · « **Reply #27 on:** January 05, 2009, 07:08:08 PM »

I want to chime in.

I really enjoyed PD James Patient.

Since I like to read "Around the World" I came across an Irish detective author and have one that is new to our library and he has quite a few. I do like his writing ; this one is set in County Donegal with all manner of interesting Irish characters. The Dust of Death. Paul Charles. This is the first in his Inspector Starrett Mysteries.

Link: Paul Charles works

BillH · « **Reply #28 on:** January 05, 2009, 10:01:53 PM »

JoanK, I am so appreciative of you co leading this while I'm busy with The Hound of the Baskervilles. I do hope you stay on as co leader you enrich all discussions with your posts.

I just found out to day that Mystery is open again. THREE CHEERS!! However, I must be excused for my tardy realization this was open once again because between The Hound…. and physical therapy for my back I have been very busy.

I see most of the Mystery lovers are here again and I'm so happy for that.

By the way if any of you folks are still interested in The Hound of The Baskervilles. (Sherlock Holmes, you know). Here's a link to the discussion.

http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=56.0

Bill H

peace42 · « **Reply #29 on:** January 05, 2009, 10:37:53 PM »

I'm still smiling that the Mystery Books discussion is back

I do keep a llist of books that I read...of course I do leave some out!! But here are some that I've read since the SN discussions departed (but hopefully will someday return)
*The Ever Running Man by Marcia Muller - she rarely disappoints and she didn't with this one - intriguing story - good, crisp writing, never overdone
*The Other Side of Silence by Bill Pronzine - Marcia Muller's husband - man finds woman near death in Death Valley from an attempted suicide - her story leads him to Las egas and a search for her missing/kidnapped? son - interesting ending, but the right one - always ready for another of his books
*The Murder Notebook by Jonathan Santlofer - unique book - author is also an artist and tehr are wonderful sketches in the book relating to the story - main character is a forensics sketch artist - story is great, characters are "human" - fascinating read
*Night Work by Steve Hamilton - good story - main character is a Probation Officer with a cop for a best friend..of course! some uexpected twists and turns with an unexpected murder (at least for me..I never ead any clues in these books!)
*Chasing Darkness by Robert Crais - liked this one - the book doesn't shout at you just goes along slowly weaving the story with the main character, Elvis Cole, a P.I. of course! with an ex cop friend..of course! have read others of his and he doesn't disappoint
*Singularity by Kathryn Casey - A Texas Ranger Profiler Sarah Armstrong works with FBI agents and local police to find a serial killer - quite a climax involving Armstrong's daughter - the author also writes true crime as well
*Parallel Lies by Ridley Pearson - man's family is killed by train and he seeks revenge against the railroad - I like Ridley Pearson and will always read his books - this one was long on train info, sometimes too much and too detailed and the last part dragged - interesting, thought - provoking ending
*Cry Dance by Kurt Mitchell - BIA agent (Cherokee) working with novice FBI agent (Modoc) recommended by someone from the old Mystery Books discussion - not bad but Tony Hillerman does it so much better

Well, that's it for now - one of the residents in my apartment complex gave me a whole bag of books, most of them mysteries so I'm in heaven!

I know this has nothing to do with books but I don't know where else to ask or turn. Since the discussions departed I've been terribly worried about one of the participants, Bobbie Gould. She wasn't in the books discussion but maybe someone here knows her or how to contact her. Would appreciate it.

Glad to be back and to see all my mystery book friends agaiin..as I said, I can't stop smiling about this!

Prop up those pillows and read..then sleep well.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #30 on:** January 05, 2009, 10:51:54 PM »

Peace - Bobby posts on the fibromyalgia site on seniors and friends site. I think she posted on page 8 last and here is a link..........it sounds like she's having a bad time. ...............jean

http://www.seniorsandfriends.org/index.php?topic=194.140

peace42 · « **Reply #31 on:** January 06, 2009, 12:33:45 AM »

Mabel: thank you so much for the link to Bobbie; I guess I'm a bit confused. Are other discussion groups available at this link? First I've heard of this one. Thanks again; I will go there now.

hats · « **Reply #32 on:** January 06, 2009, 05:54:35 AM »

Marj,

Thanks for the new author's name. I've never heard of Paul Charles. I like finding and reading new authors along with the tried and true.

maeve · « **Reply #33 on:** January 06, 2009, 08:39:41 AM »

I recently read P.D. James' The Private Patient and Jeffery Cohen's Some Like It Hot Buttered. Now I'm reading You have the right to remain Puzzled by Parnell Hall. Cora reminds me of Agatha Raisin. Camel Club awaits.

MaryE

Steph · « **Reply #34 on:** January 06, 2009, 08:45:18 AM »

I have the new Elizabeth George on my list. I got so upset with the death, then I hated the next book and never finished it. Maybe she is back on track? A new Robert Crais.. that is on my list. I do like him. There is also a new Michael Connelly out.

maeve · « **Reply #35 on:** January 06, 2009, 09:07:17 AM »

I liked the new Elizabeth George book. Can't think of the name. And I agree about the the last two, they were disappointing.

pedln · « **Reply #36 on:** January 06, 2009, 11:26:47 AM »

Maeve/MaryE, if you’re reading Parnell Hall’s puzzle mysteries, look to see who made the puzzle. Our dear Manny M from Latin class constructs puzzles for the NY Times and Wall Street Journal, and he did one for a recent Parnell Hall, but I don’t know the title.

So many good books listed here. I’m glad to see my library has The Private Patient, and Ridley Pearson’s Parallel Lies, but only a much older Haywood (1994.) I’ll have to track that newer one down as I really like Washington DC mysteries. (Really miss Margaret Truman.)

Books Into Movies is now open. Do drop in and tell us what you think of this current crop of films that are based on the book. Or maybe you’ve found a sleeper on DVD. We’d like to hear about that, too.

I'm glad to hear the new Elizabeth George is an improvement over her other recent ones.

JoanK · « **Reply #37 on:** January 06, 2009, 03:22:13 PM »

MARGV: WELCOME! So good to see you here. I really miss RUBBISH, don't you?

Thanks for the kind words, BILL, but we await your return. Meanwhile, we're having a blast in "Hound of the Baskervilles". Those of you who haven't tried it yet, c'mon over. The book is online, so you don't have to get it.

JoanK · « **Reply #38 on:** January 06, 2009, 03:25:27 PM »

PEACE: what a fiest of books. Thanks! I didn't realize that Pronzini was still writing -- he's uneven, but his best are very good. Have you read the one that he and Muller wrote together?

Seniornet's Manny (Manny Novotsky -- the guy in the scotch beret on our home page) wrote the puzzes for several of the Puzzle Lady books, including (I'm almost sure) "You have the right to remain puzzled". he also frequently has puzzles in the NY Times. My puzzle-pal and I work the NYT puzzle every day, and always cheer when it's a "Manny". His are easier than many, but lots of fun, and full of outrageous puns. If you don't groan at least once, it's not a Manny. (He's more subdued in the "Puzzle Lady" puzzles, unfortunately).

MarjV · « **Reply #39 on:** January 06, 2009, 04:49:17 PM »

Hi back, JoanK.

Yup - I miss Rubbish. Wish we could have it here. Good for the brain.

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Author Topic: Mystery Corner (Read 160622 times)