Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Discussion Forums - Mystery & Thrillers

Topic: May has come...what are you reading?

Club rule - Please, if you cannot be courteous and respectful, do not post in this forum.
  Unlock Forum posting with Annual Membership.
vintagejoy avatar
Standard Member medalMember of the Month medalBook Cover Image Group medalBook Data Correction Group medalTour Guide Leader medalFriend of PBS-Silver medalPBS Blog Contributor medalPrintable Postage medal
Subject: May has come...what are you reading?
Date Posted: 5/2/2018 10:42 PM ET
Member Since: 9/30/2006
Posts: 7,942
Back To Top

Just to start the topic for May.

vintagejoy avatar
Standard Member medalMember of the Month medalBook Cover Image Group medalBook Data Correction Group medalTour Guide Leader medalFriend of PBS-Silver medalPBS Blog Contributor medalPrintable Postage medal
Date Posted: 5/3/2018 9:35 PM ET
Member Since: 9/30/2006
Posts: 7,942
Back To Top

I have finished reading the first book of a new series by Kylie Logan and I just loved it.  Happily for me I have the second book already and am well into that one.  The series is called 'An Ethnic Eats Mystery' and the first book was "Irish Stewed."  The MC comes to the sleepy town of Hubbard, Ohio because her Aunt Sophie who owns a restaurant there, is having a knee replacement surgery and will be away for at least 6 weeks.  Laurel, the MC, has a long career as a personal chef for a huge Hollywood star, and Aunt Sophie yells for her help.  Laurel has been receiving pictures over the years of Sophie's restaurant, white linen tablecloths, a wine cellar, maitre 'd, etc.  The fact that the restaurant turns out to be something very different than the pictures is problem #1.......



Last Edited on: 5/3/18 9:44 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
ASJ avatar
Alice J. (ASJ) - ,
Standard Member medalMember of the Month medalFriend of PBS-Double Diamond medalPrintable Postage medal
Date Posted: 5/4/2018 6:51 AM ET
Member Since: 5/13/2009
Posts: 65,535
Back To Top

I am reading Ghost Fields by Elly Griffith. Love this this series. Mostly set in present but goes back to WWII and US Airforce in England. Excellent series but must be read in in order. 

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 5/6/2018 6:34 PM ET
Member Since: 6/30/2008
Posts: 4,173
Back To Top

The Blue Hammer by Ross MacDonald. Archer is hired to find a painting that has been stolen. A shady art dealer has been murdered. more to come.

Enjoyed this one as ever with MacDonald. I read several reviews of this book and I did not know this was the last MacDonald. He apparently was beginning to develop alzheimers and did not writing any more novels. I will have to look for a bio of MacDonald if one exist. On the listings for the Blue Hammer this is referred to as number 18 of the Lew Archer series.



Last Edited on: 5/7/18 10:01 AM ET - Total times edited: 1
vintagejoy avatar
Standard Member medalMember of the Month medalBook Cover Image Group medalBook Data Correction Group medalTour Guide Leader medalFriend of PBS-Silver medalPBS Blog Contributor medalPrintable Postage medal
Date Posted: 5/6/2018 7:08 PM ET
Member Since: 9/30/2006
Posts: 7,942
Back To Top

I know that many folks have stopped reading Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson series just out of sheer frustration with the MC.  But  I would recommend reading the last couple of them ~ the series has taken quite the turn.  The latest is "Raspberry Danish" murder.  For those of you who aren't into cozy series, the main character owns a cookie shop.  It is my belief that if the characters in these books really ate as many cookies as they say they do they would each be quite heavy, and if they drank all the coffee they say goes with all those cookies, they'd be pretty much ready to be scrapped off the ceiling.  :)



Last Edited on: 5/6/18 7:09 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 5/9/2018 8:35 PM ET
Member Since: 6/30/2008
Posts: 4,173
Back To Top

Wings above the Diamantina by Arthur W Upfield. The diamantina is the name of a river. An airplane plays a part in the mystery.



Last Edited on: 5/10/18 8:28 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 5/12/2018 1:33 PM ET
Member Since: 6/30/2008
Posts: 4,173
Back To Top

I am thinking of reading The Chill by Ross MacDonald next. I went to a library sale a few weeks ago and I found several Ross MacDonald books.

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 5/20/2018 3:59 PM ET
Member Since: 6/30/2008
Posts: 4,173
Back To Top

I finished The Chill about a week or 8 days ago. Just started last night Black Money by Ross MacDonald.

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 5/22/2018 10:34 AM ET
Member Since: 6/30/2008
Posts: 4,173
Back To Top

With a Bare Bodkin by Cyril Hare. thoroughly British.

clariail avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medalPBS Blog Contributor medal
Date Posted: 5/23/2018 9:55 AM ET
Member Since: 1/28/2009
Posts: 15,151
Back To Top

Hello everyone!

Been awhile since I have posted but I have been checking in to see what everyone has been reading. I haven't been reading a whole lately but have listened to some audio books. Right now I've been listening to the King and Maxwell series by David Baldacci. I can listen while coloring or working.

I did read The Silent Corner (Jane Hawk Series Bk 1) by Dean Koontz last week while on vacation. Started reading and was hooked right away. Jane's husband committed suicide but she didn't believe that he would have especially after reading the note he had left behind. She works for the FBI and took a leave after checking into suicides and finding that they were on the rise. Now a group is after her and threatened her son. First one that I have read of his books in a very long time.  The library has it listed as horror but I wouldn't consider it a horror story. More of a suspense/thriller type. 

Picked up the second one yesterday and have started on it. Also have a hold for the third in the series.

Have a great day everyone!

vintagejoy avatar
Standard Member medalMember of the Month medalBook Cover Image Group medalBook Data Correction Group medalTour Guide Leader medalFriend of PBS-Silver medalPBS Blog Contributor medalPrintable Postage medal
Date Posted: 5/23/2018 11:46 PM ET
Member Since: 9/30/2006
Posts: 7,942
Back To Top

I just finished the first book of a new series which I thought had a great mystery to it and was great fun to read.  "A Quiet Life in the Country, A Lady Hardcastle Mystery" by T. E. Kinsey.  Lady Hardcastle and her maid/great friend, moves to the country to a small village reminiscent of 'Downton Abby.' The two women, Flo is the maid, have a unique relationship in that, while Flo is a really competent maid, she also a confidant to Lady Hardcastle.  The first morning they are there, they take a walk and find a man hanging from a rope in a tree.  Mayhem ensues, etc.  Excellent!

ASJ avatar
Alice J. (ASJ) - ,
Standard Member medalMember of the Month medalFriend of PBS-Double Diamond medalPrintable Postage medal
Date Posted: 5/24/2018 6:54 AM ET
Member Since: 5/13/2009
Posts: 65,535
Back To Top

I am reading The Killing at Kaldaire House by Kate Parker. First in a new series set in early 1900 London. Very good so far

vintagejoy avatar
Standard Member medalMember of the Month medalBook Cover Image Group medalBook Data Correction Group medalTour Guide Leader medalFriend of PBS-Silver medalPBS Blog Contributor medalPrintable Postage medal
Date Posted: 5/24/2018 7:47 PM ET
Member Since: 9/30/2006
Posts: 7,942
Back To Top

It sounds like a great read Alice.  Love her bookstore series.

I've started reading the second book in the Lady Hardcastle series, "In the Market for Murder.  As enjoyable as the first.

I never thought I would ever say this, but I'm reading Lady Hardcastle on Kindle, the first book I've ever read on one.  I've never been a fan.  I'm fast turning into one, though.  Just don't tell anybody about this!!!!   :)



Last Edited on: 5/24/18 7:48 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
beanie5 avatar
Standard Member medalBook Cover Image Group medalBook Data Correction Group medal
Date Posted: 5/26/2018 8:44 PM ET
Member Since: 10/6/2007
Posts: 3,143
Back To Top

Joy --- Recently I began unpacking in earnest --- started with my study/office and found 4 boxes of paper books.  All going to be donated!!!!  I find I simply do not read anything but my Kindle any longer so some folks are going to be happy to get some of these books.  I would imagine a good many of them have a wishlist, but I have over 200 credits and cannot see spending money on postage to obtain credits for books I will not order.  In fact, if anyone in this forum would like to have some credits, send me a PM please.

Otherwise my life goes on.  Have become resigned to being in Oklahoma, certainly not content, but resigned is better than hating it!!!  Of course next week it is to be over 100 degrees, so I may be getting a bit more negative, hee hee.

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 5/27/2018 5:52 AM ET
Member Since: 6/30/2008
Posts: 4,173
Back To Top

100 degrees is a fact of life in OK and Texas where I live. I use a lot of ice all summer. Mostly in tea and sometimes a little iced coffee. I have to have something cold to drink when it gets really hot. I try to stay away from soft drinks but I can't resist a diet coke or pepsi once in a while.

MartieKr avatar
Standard Member medalFriend of PBS-Silver medalPrintable Postage medal
Date Posted: 5/27/2018 9:40 AM ET
Member Since: 4/22/2005
Posts: 7,346
Back To Top

Joy, I like the Lady Hardcastle books. I have the last one loaded on my Kindle. My sons got me a Kindle years ago and I thought I wouldn't like it, but I'd be lost without it now. Between trouble holding books because of hand problems and tiny print, it's a blessing. You can change the size of the font to suit your eyesight.  My library has such a fabulous selection of cozies and other genres for Kindle that I always have tons to read. I've also gotten some wonderful freebies from Amazon and follow several series from Indie authors. My husband gets me Kindle Unlimited every year for Christmas and that adds more to the pile. I would never give up reading paper books, KIndle is just an extra bonus.

Just finished Murder in the Locked Library by Ellery Adams, Last Stop in Brooklyn by Lawrence H. Levy and Red Herring Hunt by V.M. Burns.  They were all quite good.

beanie5 avatar
Standard Member medalBook Cover Image Group medalBook Data Correction Group medal
Date Posted: 5/27/2018 12:53 PM ET
Member Since: 10/6/2007
Posts: 3,143
Back To Top

Mary M.C. --- Totally forgot about small print in older mass market paperbacks!!!  Another reason Kindle is my hero!!!  I actually do a paper book occasionally.  I have the entire series of the books about the blind justice in England --- name escaping me. They are not available on Kindle!!  There are a couple of other Brit writers that are not yet on Kindle whom I enjoy. 

Charles --- Yes, heat is the norm for summer.  My whining comes from living over 20 years in the northern part of our nation (Massachusetts and Delaware) and I really lost interest in this heat!!!  Cold drinks are good, but air conditioning is my other hero!!!

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 5/27/2018 1:42 PM ET
Member Since: 6/30/2008
Posts: 4,173
Back To Top

A book that may help you a little in the summer is Forty Words for Sorrow by Giles Blunt. It is a murder mystery and takes place in Canada in the winter. very cold.

beanie5 avatar
Standard Member medalBook Cover Image Group medalBook Data Correction Group medal
Date Posted: 5/28/2018 12:43 AM ET
Member Since: 10/6/2007
Posts: 3,143
Back To Top

Oh Charles --- that is a thought!!

ASJ avatar
Alice J. (ASJ) - ,
Standard Member medalMember of the Month medalFriend of PBS-Double Diamond medalPrintable Postage medal
Date Posted: 5/29/2018 6:35 AM ET
Member Since: 5/13/2009
Posts: 65,535
Back To Top

I am reading the latest book in one of my all time favorite series

To Die But Once by Jacqueline Winspear. This one is set in 1940 England. The writing is beautiful in this series. characters are well written. History is handled well. Great series but start with book 1, Maisie Dobbs. 

mary2029 avatar
Limited Member medal
Date Posted: 5/29/2018 9:47 AM ET
Member Since: 3/31/2013
Posts: 750
Back To Top

Not reading at all lately. Have started 3 or 4 books and put them down. Not the books' fault. Just don't have the necessary concentration.

Been watching lots of documentaries on YouTube. Been very rainy here in the South. Humidity is up there. Luckily, I invested in a dehumidifier before I moved here. It removes about 2-3 gallons of water a day from air, and allows me to get by with my a/c set at a higher temp and my fans running.

Still doing austerity budget. My Phoenix house was set for closing 5/30, but VA has not yet done an appraisal. Sent an email to Senator McCain to ask for his help, but I'm not holding my breath. There's a back-up offer, but for almost $10k less. The house is okay, but few people nowadays want a 3 BR house with only one bath. Wouldn't be hard to add a bath and create a really great MBR. The room already has a 12-foot closet. Given the price of the house, adding that bath should not be out of the question.