I am reading the third "Haunted Ballad" mystery, Matty Groves by Deborah Grabien, listening to Black Cat by Martha Grimes, and finishing up A Bitter Feast by SJ Rozan, which I've been reading for almost 2 weeks--it's my 'at work' book, and as I've not been at work much, it's taking a long time! I'm also reading a non-mystery, third in the Camulod Chronicles (Arthurian legend/historical fantasy), The Eagles' Brood by Jack Whyte.

How about you all?

Cheryl

I just finished Nigel McCrery's Silent Witness: The Spider's Web and I wasn't impressed. The mystery was good, but I didn't like Samantha very much personality wise. She was a user to me and then don't get me started on Tom, what a player and the epilogue made no sense to me at all. All the interpersonal relationship storyline diminished my enjoyment of the whole book. Not sure that I will continue with this series.

Just finished The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler. Kepler is the pseudonym of the husband and wife writing team of Alexander and Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril. This 503-page thriller is the first in a planned eight-book series.

The story, like most in the Scandinavian mystery category, was enthralling, dark, bloody, bleak and, at times, downright gruesome. Readers will encounter sociopathic teens, deranged women and deeply troubled men, plus drownings, stabbings, grisly crime scenes, guns, syringes, scissors, prescription drug addicts, sexual perversion, Pokemon obsession, a serial killer, etc. The twists and turns and intricate plotline kept me plowing through the book!

Just your typical Nordic dread...soon to be a movie from director Lesse Hallstrom. The Swedish premiere is slated for fall 2012.

Pokemon obsession? How very bizarre...much stranger than your typical sexual perversion and grisly crime scenes! LOL I hadn't heard of this series but will check and see if the library has that book.

Finished up Matty Groves last night and am starting English Lessons, the latest J.M. Hayes "Mad Dog & Englishman" mystery. Getting ready for another madcap ride across Kansas! LOL

Cheryl

I finished The Cutting by James Hayman last night.  This is the first of two books thus far featuruing Portland, Maine police detective Mike McCabe. This one started out a little slow but it picked up speed and finished with a bang. Lots of blood, violence and a fair bit of sex.  More of a thriller than a mystery but well worth your time if you like that sort of thing.  I'll be looking for the second book at the library today.

Last night I started The Merchants House by Kate Ellis and so far, it's pretty good.

Finished "Tunnel of Night" by John Philpin --- a Lucas Frank, profiler mystery.  Now I am on to "True Evil" by Greg Isles.  Going back home tomorrow after two weeks here with kids and grands. Being back home will be a vacation after cooking and laundry for 10 for two weeks (hee hee).  The grands have really had a wonderful time.

Anna,

I am reading THE HYPNOTIST, also. It is taking longer because I just attended a friend's birthday party and did not have time for much reading. I recommend it for readers who like the Nordic mysteries.

Mary

Just finished Cold in Hand by John Harvey.  I think it is the last in this jazz-loving, police inspector Charlie Resnick series set in Nottingham, England .  It was very moving and I want to know what happens in the rest of Charlie's life.  There are still a couple of earlier ones on my WL, so I hope to fill in.

I am now reading Julia's Chocolates by Cathy Lamb.  It's not a mystery, but the story looked interesting.

Susan

Just started The Body Farm by Patricia Cornwell. I liked the other books in the series  Hopefull this will just has good.

Happy reading

Tammy

I'm back!  I have been reading just not had the time to be on PBS much.  Being a TG I get questions and some can be time consuming.  Also, some can tax a poor over-worked brain!  All I can say is if you can help it all DO NOT have someone in a nursing home! 

I've polished off Still Water by Tami Hoag.  The first Tami Hoag book I've ever read!  I don't know how I missed this author but I'll be reading more.  Promises in Death by J. D. Robb, somehow I missed this one and now I'm onto Treachery in Death.  Not necessarily right away, just prefer get it.  By the way is anyone else having trouble doing a search and just getting large print?  I prefer to use Firefox as my browser and this started last week.  I thought it was my computer but I've tried every thing I know to remove large print only when I search and it won't go away.

Back to reading, Bedtime for Bonsai by Elaine Fox and book one and two of new to me series Murder in Exile and Exile Trust by Vincent h. O'Neil.  A light mystery taking place in a little town in Florida.

I have the (sigh) last Miss Zukas book.  Farewell, Miss Zukas.  I haven't started it yet.  I tried and managed to read one page not because I didn't like it, it's my car book and what I thought was going to take some time didn't.

Nothing else on the agenda to read so I have to hit the TBR pile which is now under 400 thanks to Cheryl saying she was going to make an effort not to get books until she whittled her TBR down!  I'm taking her route and doing the same.  If I do get a book I'm reading it as soon as it crosses the threashold so it never hits the TBR pile.

I went to the bottom of the ol' pile and found Panama by Eric Zencey.  The description says it's part detective novel, part historical thriller.  It opens in 1892.  I think I'll dig that out and I have five books by Connie Shelton, her Charlie Parker series so I think I'll grab Memories Can be Murder to get my three books going.  Maybe I'll decide I'm not fond of the series or else I'll finish it and that'll be five books out.

Farewell, Miss Zukas is on my WL...but wah! I like Miss Zukas and hate to see that series end -

I've read Murder on Waverly Place and Murder on Lexington Avenue - hooray, one series I'm "caught up" on! I really enjoy these historical mysteries by Victoria Thompson.

I've also read The Cold Dish and Murder without Company, books one and two of Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire series. I'm still on the fence about this series...

Now I'm in the midst of Grace Interrupted, book 2 in the Manor House series by July Hyzy. I like both of her series, less "ditziness" than many. :-)

Jodi, an Australian actor, Robert Taylor, is going to play Sheriff Walt Longmire in the upcoming TNT TV series based on Craig Johnson's books.

I saw Craig Johnson at a book signing on Monday night and he reports that though the pilot has been shot, it has not yet been given the greenlight by A&E.  They have until September to decide.  I told him that if he needs an e-mail campaign to A&E to encourage them in the right direction, I know a few people who would be willing to participate!

I have the Miss Zukas book on my WL too, just found out about it...it had been 3 years since the previous one so thought that was the last one. I'm waiting for the second-to-last one from here now. I will miss her too. :(

I've been reading at work a lot lately, as the organization is cracking down on internet use on work time...so even though I am not doing anything and have nothing TO do, not supposed to surf...so, can't peruse PBS or FB or anything. I have 2 books with me at all times now, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it's kind of a stupid, arbitrary rule. Why do they not just firewall the internet if it's not supposed to be used? Because, I suspect, it's perfectly fine for SOME to use it...I mean, how would the annoying CEO publish his stupid blog if he couldn't get online? :o)

This morning, I tucked The Manor of Death by Bernard Knight (one of the Crowner John medieval mystery series) and Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield (a post-apocalyptic YA fantasy by the same author who writes the "A Bad Day For...." mystery series) into my purse. Oops, and edited to add, I started Cross by Ken Bruen here at home last night.

Cheryl

Im reading " A Hoe Lot of Trouble"  by Heather Webber, this is a great cozy ..and first in a series.

I started off August with reading two new-to-me authors.

The first was Fool's Puzzle by Earlene Fowler (Benni Harper, Bk 1).  No graphic language, sex or violence, but plenty of mystery, bodies and sauciness between the heroine and the new police chief.  I'd call it a cozy with ZIP.

The second was Open Season by Archer Mayor.  Set in Brattleboro, Vermont, definitely not a cozy.  A very convoluted mystery that kept me up late reading it because I wanted to find out whodunit.  I have a terrible habit of skipping over words when I am reading an exciting mystery and have to go back and read it again to pick up all the details that I missed.  That happened with this one.

Earlene Fowler's Benni Harper series is intelligent with interesting characters that emerge.  Mariner's Compass was one of my favorites in the series.  Another similar author is Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayles series.  Both write "non sugar-coated" stories. 

Just received Drawing Conclusions by Donna Leon.  Haven't visited with Commissario Brunetti in a while.

Susan

Just finished Panama.  It begins in September 1892.  I don't usually read historical books and this seems to follow the writing style of the time.

On to Connie Shelton's Memories and I received a couple that I wan tto read and send out as soon as I can.

Hmm, Jodi or Cheryl who gets Miss Zukas? :)

Susan,

Thanks for the tip on Susan Wittig Albert.  I am in the mood for new authors this month and her first China Bayles is available here so I ordered it.

This is the best place to find new authors!!

Just finished Alpeine Vengeance by Mary Daheim--I'm anxious to see what's next with Emma's love life after this book!

Leslie,

You have been officially sucked in to this "evil place".    You will find so many new authors that you won't know what to read first.

A few women authors who write enjoyable books to read about strong women:  .

Jacqueline Winspear

Charlotte Douglas' Maggie Skerritt series

Margaret Maron's Judge "whatshername" series (senior moment here)

Elaine Viet's Dead End Job series

Sandra Balzo's Maggy Thorsen series

Keep reading this thread and I know you will find many more.

Susan

Geri, you can send Miss Zukas to Jodi or post to FIFO..I still have the second-to-last one to read yet...in fact, it's been "in transit" for over 2 weeks, so it may still be awhile before I get that one and read it. Hope it comes soon, I am going to need something cozy after a dose of Ken Bruen's Jack Taylor. LOL

Cheryl

"I need something cozy after a dose of Ken Bruen's Jack Taylor"

Oh, but we need that Jack Taylor dose sometimes.

Mary

Leslie, Judge Deborah Knott by Margaret Maron covers Susan's senior moment.  Maron also has another older series with Sigrid Hareld (might have spelled that wrong).  In the last book I read there was a mention that Deborah and Sigrid are related.  Read them in order cause they do develop.  And, all excellent suggestions from Susan.

Cheryl, okay, Jodi gets Miss Zukas first and then she can pass it on to you. :)

I finished Connolly's RED DELICIOUS MURDER yesterday - I'm enjoying the series but it isn't whacking me upside the head, you know?

It does seem weird, though, to read my home town's name in the book.

Gail