Author Topic: Mystery Corner (Read 160484 times)

JoanK · « **Reply #200 on:** February 07, 2009, 06:33:14 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 #201 on:** February 07, 2009, 06:41:59 PM »

PEDLIN: thank you for those encouraging words. Yes, Langton is good. This is the group that won't read any mysteries by British authors because they're too hard to understand. Langton is different: they probably couldn't adjust to her style.

"The Escher Twist" was really disappointing -- not nearly as good as her earlier ones. Quite a disappointment, since I love the artist Escher. I didn't know about "The deserter" Have to run out and get a copy.

(I was wondering why whoever was supposed to do it hadn't posted a heading. Then I remembered that "whoever" would be me. Sigh. If you catch the beginning of a page, save me a space, plese.

Steph · « **Reply #202 on:** February 08, 2009, 09:36:09 AM »

I have always like Jane Langton, but know she is considered quite old fashioned. I finished P for Peril and was puzzled by the lack of a point.. Seems like the bad guys were winning and she simply didnt care.. Strange.
My next mystery laid out if Alex Kava.. I like her and this is a non series one of hers.

Golden State Poppy · « **Reply #203 on:** February 09, 2009, 04:47:06 PM »

I just found out that this group is active so I am glad to be here. I just read "The Chatham School Affair" by Thomas H. Cook. It was excellent. It was about a boys school in 1926 and when two teachers fell in love the scandal destroyed the school. It is written from the point of view of the boy whose father was the headmaster of the school.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_H._Cook

JoanK · « **Reply #204 on:** February 09, 2009, 06:38:18 PM »

POPPY: GOOD TO SEE YOU. I miss the California discussion. How are you?

I read "The Chatham School Affair", too and I agree. It was really excellant.

pedln · « **Reply #205 on:** February 09, 2009, 11:16:25 PM »

Thomas Cook sounds familiar, but I dont think I've read any of those. He certainly is a prolific writer. I'm going to check our library online right now to see if we have any.

Back again -- lots of Thomas Cook, no Chatham School Affair.

Steph · « **Reply #206 on:** February 10, 2009, 08:20:06 AM »

I hated the Alex Kava...."One False Move" So sad, I like her Maggie books.. Oh well. win some,lose some.. I am reading an older Denise Swanson.. A cozy but fun..

JoanK · « **Reply #207 on:** February 10, 2009, 03:16:16 PM »

I'm having trouble getting into the latest(?) Laura Lippmann, "Another Thing to Fall". Usually I like Lippman, and her love for Baltimore (everyone I've ever met from Baltimore loves it), even though I lived 40 miles away and spent most of my time in Baltimore being lost.

This is about the movie industry in Baltimore -- since my son worked as an extra in many of the movies mentioned you'd think I'd be interested. But, now that she's written a "psychological" mystery, she seems to think she can combine a "psychological" with her usual "tough gal". It doesn't work, at least for me.

Maybe I just don't like the movie industry. Now I've lived in the suburbs of LA fore two years and haven't gone anywhere near Hollywood or the studios.

Golden State Poppy · « **Reply #208 on:** February 10, 2009, 04:20:23 PM »

HI, Joan. I miss the California discussion group, Too. Perhaps we could start one.

marjifay · « **Reply #209 on:** February 11, 2009, 07:37:30 AM »

Joan said, Maybe I just don't like the movie industry. Now I've lived in the suburbs of LA fore two years and haven't gone anywhere near Hollywood or the studios.

Yes Joan, me too. Actually there's not much to see in Hollywood but a
bunch of "weirdos," anymore, altho' they are "spiffing" the place up a bit finally. Since moving to Southern California (Orange County), in the 1950s, I've seen more movie stars in Las Vegas.

Poppy said, "I miss the California discussion group too. Perhaps we can start one.

I'm game!

Babi · « **Reply #210 on:** February 11, 2009, 09:54:54 AM »

Quote

"...I spent most of my time in Baltimore being lost. "

I got a good grin from that one, JOAN.

Steph · « **Reply #211 on:** February 11, 2009, 10:00:12 AM »

I have not read the newest Laura Lippman and I love her stuff. Is this one of her series or one of the stand alone.
Finished off Q from the Grafton series. Now I am almost up to date. All I need to do is R..Kinsey is sometimes fun.. I liked Q, but dont really understand why she is so anti family or her own.. Strange.

JoanK · « **Reply #212 on:** February 11, 2009, 03:45:28 PM »

STEPH: I hate to tell you, but Grafton is up to T.

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/g/sue-grafton/

Hey, she's only 7 years younger than I am. How dare she look that young!

The Lippman I'm reading is one of her Tess Monahan(?) series. I usually like them too.

I don't think there are enough of us Californians to keep a site going (sigh). It's a shame we're so spread out.

Steph · « **Reply #213 on:** February 12, 2009, 08:51:55 AM »

Just finished Murder of a Pink Elephant by Denist Swanson.. She writes about Scumble River and is fun.. Light reading, noone is perfect and she really does capture small town life.

Alexan · « **Reply #214 on:** February 13, 2009, 11:00:16 PM »

Just popping to see what is going on here. I am reading a Dick Frances book at the moment "To the hilt" - it's not quite my favourite, but I've got into it so far. I think someone mentioned that if the book didn't get them in the first 100 pages, they just dropped it. I don't even go as far as 100 pages - it's got to be immediate or I don't go on.

I enjoy Grafton also - I was up-to-date with her about a couple of years ago - have to try again.

One of my favourites is Ian Rankin. I bought a copy of his "Naming of the Dead" and recently read "Exit Music" both are very good - as the name implies "Exit music" means his "exit" or retirement from the police force - I was looking on his web site and he said he wasn't sure if that would be the last of the Rebus character - I hope not.

Babi · « **Reply #215 on:** February 14, 2009, 08:43:20 AM »

I am reading Michelle Blake's "Tentmaker", which someone here recommended. I'm finding it refreshing to have a heroine who is intelligent, liberal, ..and also firm in her faith.

Steph · « **Reply #216 on:** February 14, 2009, 11:23:33 AM »

Babi, I recommended the Tentmaker and am now reading her second book. I do like our heroine very much and agree it is nice to find someone who has deep and abiding faith and doubts at the same time. Interesting indeed.

FlaJean · « **Reply #217 on:** February 14, 2009, 11:31:47 AM »

I'm presently reading books by Robert Barnett. A very good author. The ones I have been reading are not series but different and interesting characters stories.

Alexan · « **Reply #218 on:** February 15, 2009, 12:44:31 AM »

Finished the Dick Francis book - I enjoyed it and really got into it.

My daughter-in-law used to work for Random House when she was living here - they are now resident in Australia - at that time when she was here she used to get books from Random House and I had quite a collection - I've had them for about 8 years now and there were several of P.D.James - She had never been a favourite of mine, but since I was stuck for something to read on hand I've started one of her books. "Skull beneath the skin". I am quite enjoying it. I expect everybody who writes here will have read her books.

Babi · « **Reply #219 on:** February 15, 2009, 10:36:00 AM »

STEPH, I have long been of the opinion that God does not mind 'doubts'. Hopefully, the questions they raise lead people to dig deeper for the truth, and emerge stronger than before.

Golden State Poppy · « **Reply #220 on:** February 15, 2009, 06:59:16 PM »

I have given up on the book, "The Association" by Bentley Little. Apparently he fancies himself another Stephen King. The Association is about a couple who move to rural Utah and they are hounded by the homeowners association in an effort to make the neighborhood safe. It is presumably written to build to a climax but I gave up on it before that.

Now I am reading one that is much easier on my psyche, Mary Higgins Clark's "I'll be seeing you" which I find quite easy to read and non-threatening. This is about a man who is supposedly killed in an auto accident that sends the car into a river. His daughter begins getting signs from him that he is still alive. The authorities, who have decided he is still alive and running from debts, have hired a psychic who says that he is dead. It is definitely the type of mystery that I prefer, although Mary HIggins Clark has not been one of my favorites before but it is such a relief after the darkness of "The Association" that I am viewing her more kindly.

Frybabe · « **Reply #221 on:** February 15, 2009, 08:04:49 PM »

Connie, now I don't feel so bad about giving up on a book. This week I gave up on Maxine Hong Kingston's Warrior Woman. I am back to catching up on the Mrs. Murphy murder mystery series (Rita Mae Brown). I am up to Murder on the Prowl.

Mary Higgins Clark. You know, I remember reading a bunch of what I would call romance/mystery (gothic?) novels when I was in high school that were written by that name or close to it. Now I am curious. Think I will go look her up. There is another Clark writing now. Carol, I think. For some reason I have a very uneducated notion that they are related. Off to Google.

ok, I am back already. The Clark (or Clarke) I remember reading must not have been this one. The Fantastic Fiction site only lists one book in 1960 and nothing again until 1975. However, Mary is the mother of daughter writer Carol.

peace42 · « **Reply #222 on:** February 15, 2009, 08:19:08 PM »

finally, finally finished Ashes to Ashes by Tami Hoag; I'm trying to decide if she wanted to write a mystery or a romance novel...and crammed a ton of both into a nearly 600page paperback book! I usually like her but, well, this one was ok but not her best. fairly decent story and characters but it somehow fell flat; too many musings from the 2 main characters; one or two would have been just fine. now am reading one by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg. Am selecting from my "winter pile"...books I buy at yard sales during the summer and set aside for winter reading whenI don't want to go to the library (even tho it's only a block and a half away!). I read the last Grafton and thought it was ok, not up to her usual. I think I said before that I just couldnt get into an Ian Rankin book, tho I did love the name he chose for his detective,
Rebus.

Steph · « **Reply #223 on:** February 16, 2009, 01:44:04 PM »

Tami Hoag is unreadable to me. I tried several times, I think too too close to romance.. Since I owned a used book store, I can also say that she did in fact write romance first.
I like P.D. James, but have learned to only read one and then go off somewhere else for a while. She is very dense.
I collect books from all over and stack them up. Old hangover from 10 years in New England and needing cabin fever books.. I hit thrift shops, used book store, sales, and then Amazon on line. Also belong to a paperback swap club, so I do manage to have a lot of books hanging around at any given moment.
I once read an intersting book written by a Catholic nun.. She was writing about Doubt.. She truly felt that it was the way to deeper faith,, but hard on the true religious. Then after Mother Theresa died, I read where she had sunk into deep doubts and felt abandoned so much of her life.. Amazing..

JoanK · « **Reply #224 on:** February 16, 2009, 05:06:19 PM »

STEPH: I agree with you about Tami Houg. But a lot of people like her. Luckily, there are different tastes.

Golden State Poppy · « **Reply #225 on:** February 16, 2009, 05:07:33 PM »

I have just finished "Ill be seeing you". It was very satisfying. It had a surprise ending but brought all of the elements together. She essentially had two mysteries that intertwined.

marjifay · « **Reply #226 on:** February 16, 2009, 05:47:05 PM »

I've only read one by Tami Hoag -- Ashes to Ashes -- and found it repetive and boring. IMO, she ranks along with Sandra Brown and J.D. Robb. Too much romance, and too little mystery, not good writing. No thanks

Babi · « **Reply #227 on:** February 17, 2009, 09:05:49 AM »

Well, there you go. Some of Tami Hoag's books did include a romance, but I thought it was at least well done. Others of hers I didn't care for. I read J. D. ROBB for a while, and consider her a good writer, but got really tired of the constant sex scenes and stopped reading her books. Sandra Brown I was never interested in even starting.

Steph · « **Reply #228 on:** February 17, 2009, 09:19:53 AM »

Sandra Brown and Danielle Steele.. Popular authors I simply cannot read.
J.D. Robb.. my guilty pleasure. I just skip all the stupid too violent sex stuff..

Alexan · « **Reply #229 on:** February 17, 2009, 08:55:01 PM »

Just found this interesting book -

Blood and Ice by Robert Masello

"Blood and Ice is a riotous mix of history, cryogenics, vampirism, and a chilling adventure set in the Antarctic."

Seems to combine mystery and Sci Fi

I am going to see if I can get it from my library.

Golden State Poppy · « **Reply #230 on:** February 18, 2009, 01:15:55 PM »

I have begun reading "Cold Water Burning" by John Straley. He writes about Sitka, Alaska. I enjoy his description of the people. I will want to read more by him. The cover says "Straley's done the impossible: He's reinvented the Private Eye novel".

His web site: http://www.johnstraley.com/

Steph · « **Reply #231 on:** February 18, 2009, 02:00:43 PM »

Oh wow. I am going to look for Robert Masello. My kind of lunatic. I have read a lot of Straley. A very interesting writer. I got most of his books when we were inAlaska several years ago and have not seen them since. I suspect Amazon may have them.
There are a couple of wonderful writers that write maybe one or two books and then boom.. never again that I can find. Drives me nuts.. Virginia Swift is good. She has written several, but not in the last few years.

Alexan · « **Reply #232 on:** February 19, 2009, 01:25:47 AM »

Tried to get a copy of this from my library, but they don't even have this author in their catalogue? The name is Robert Massello. I found this book in a new e-newsletter from Random House called "Blood on the page" so it must be just published. You can maybe google for Blood on the page and get monthly copies. I'll keep trying to find it - as you say maybe look in Amazon.

Alexan · « **Reply #233 on:** February 19, 2009, 01:36:17 AM »

Just looked in Amazon - this book will not be available till Feb.24/09 - that's why it's not in my library. My library doesn't even seem to have this author, but since I had the wrong spelling maybe I can check again. I had the spelling of the name wrong - it is Masello as you say Steph.

Alexan · « **Reply #234 on:** February 19, 2009, 01:53:11 AM »

You may find this site interesting:

http://www.ask.com/bar?q=Robert+Masello&page=1&qsrc=2417&zoom=&ab=0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.robertmasello.com%2F

Steph · « **Reply #235 on:** February 19, 2009, 08:22:05 AM »

Found him in my swap club online.. He has been writing a long time indeed. Seems to like semi horror books.. Hmm..

marjifay · « **Reply #236 on:** February 20, 2009, 03:00:02 PM »

John Straley's mysteries sound very good, Poppy. They certainly get good reviews at Amazon, Inc. I've never heard of him, but will try one very soon. Thanks.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #237 on:** February 20, 2009, 07:58:54 PM »

Poppy - i frequently give up on a book i am not in the mood for at that point. I remember reading "I'll Be Seeing YOu" sometime ago and that i liked it. I haven't read a Mary or Carol book lately. I think i had had my share of them and needed a rest for a while. I did the same w/ J.D. Robb. I think i might be ready for all 3 of them again soon, but i have so many on my tbr list, suggestions from you all, that i may put them off for a while and try only new authors.

I think Evanovich has spoiled me. I recently picked up a book that had a blurp by Sue Grafton saying that it was "double the fun" because it was written by twins...............i was half-way thru and said "this is not a funny book," and put it back in the bag to take back to the library................jean

pedln · « **Reply #238 on:** February 20, 2009, 10:02:55 PM »

Poppy, I had heard of John Strahley, but haven't read anything by him and didn't know that his books were set in Sitka. About ten years ago I spent two weeks there with a church mission group doing volunteer work at Sheldon Jackson college. The school is now closed, due to financial problems. I've been thinking about the school, wondering what they will do with all those buildings whose color is officially, according to the paint label, Sheldon Jackson brown. It's a shame they had to close.

Sitka has a lot to offer with its strong Russian influence, those wonderful Russian women dancers, the totem poles, the raptor center, the fish hatcheries and the salmon plants. I'll have to definitely put Strahley on my to read list. Do they need to be read in order?

Steph · « **Reply #239 on:** February 21, 2009, 10:18:49 AM »

I think Strahey is better read in sequence, because he does in fact change a bit over time. But it is not that important. I loved Sitka.. such an interesting walkable town.

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Author Topic: Mystery Corner (Read 160484 times)

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