August 2016 : What Are You Reading?

Still reading The Drowning by Camilla Läckberg.

Currently reading 15th Affair by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro, and Kingdom by Tom Martin. Also finishing last few pages of Hour Game by David Baldacci.

Currently reading 'The Twelve Stones' by R J Johnson, to be followed by 'The Demeter Code' by Russell Blake.

Reading A Time of Torment by John Connolly. This is the first one I've read by him. Does he always spend more time lavishly describing the evil and barely mentioning the good? I'm half way through and Charlie Parker has only appeared on a few pages and he hasn't actually done anything, yet. The entire rest of the first half of the book is lurid depravity and nastiness. Is this what I have to look forward to for the rest of the book?

I am listening to Wanda McCaddon narrate Overture to Death, a fairly early Inspector Alleyn mystery.

Have started The Patience of the Spider by Andrea Camilleri, book 8 in the Inspector Montalbano Series.

I'm back in the Virginia wine country with The Riesling Retribution.

I'm reading Midnight Rescue by Elle Kennedy.

Just wrapped up my second Bess Crawford mystery by Charles Todd, An Impartial Witness. Now on to something a little more brainless, Agony of the Leaves, the umpteenth :) Tea Shop Mystery.

I'm reading The Weight of Blood and Missing, Presumed.

I saw A Time of Torment mentioned earlier and recently picked it up. I've not finished any books by Connolly yet but have a small chunk of the book of lost things under my belt. I've enjoyed his style in that one so far.

The Black Widow by Daniel Silva

#4 TempleCat
A time of Torment is #14 in the series. I have read this series from the beginning and think it would be very difficult to start with a book so far along in the story.

I find this series very satisfying . I am awaiting A Time of Torment from the library.

#10 amcheri
The Book of Lost things by John Connolly is not part of his Charlie Parker series.

Have started The Martyr's Curse by Scott Mariani, #11 in the excellent Ben Hope series.

>12 pollux: The publisher sent me A Time of Torment for my review - that's why I am dealing with #14. Starting at the end isn't the best way to enter a series, that's for sure, but it isn't going too badly. I've figured out that (spoiler only for those that haven't read any of the series, not for book #14 in particular:) Parker died and came back or something like that. Now he has a special relationship with dead folks. His family had some sort of disaster and his wife and daughter died, but the daughter still comes back to visit (she hears her father's conversation and talks with her sister.) All rather weird, certainly, and would be cleared up by reading the series from the beginning. Other than that, it's just a standard vigilante-type story where a questionably good guy comes to town and cleans it up. At least, I'm hoping that goodness prevails. But I guess it could be like a J.R.R.Martin story and everybody dies in an inferno of ego and lust. :-/

My concern was more about Connolly's extensive dwelling on evil and nastiness in this book. I'm feeling repelled by how much there is. Some is necessary in a detective thriller, I'll grant. It just seems that Connolly revels in it. He almost lovingly describes in extensive nasty detail all of the depraved acts the bad guys perpetrate. He certainly sets the stage for flaming justice in the form of Parker to unleash its wrath (as I assume happens. I haven't reached the point yet where he has done anything at all!) But I find all of the details of the depravity repugnant (as I'm sure I'm meant to) and don't want to read any other of Connolly's novels if this is the hallmark of his style. I'm ¾ of the way through the book and there's just more and more awfulness being heaped on and still the good guys haven't had any retribution. I'm thinking Connolly dotes on the nastiness.

Pollux, you said you have read all of his works. Would I expect to run into a lot more of the same if I picked up other works in the Parker series, or is his extreme focus on the evil as I have described it (¾ of a book's worth, so far) in A Time of Torment an anomaly?

Just started Visitation Street, which is off to an interesting start.

The Martyr's Curse by Scott Mariani.
#11 in the Ben Hope Series
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ +❤️

It was great to see this book get back to the high quality of many of the earlier ones in the series (I just felt one or two of the recent books, although very good, were not at the standard of the earlier ones). If you haven't got the message - I loved reading this book and read it almost non-stop! This book had a quite modern theme that I don't want to give away as a spoiler. There was great contrast in the book from the early parts where we had Ben in great crisis, to Ben at peace and then Ben at his best as avenging angel! However, I do worry about what is next for Ben! This became fast pace, high octane stuff that rivals the likes of Jack Reacher, Mitch Rapp, John Puller and Gabriel Allon. If you enjoy any of these books and characters I am sure you would enjoy this series, especially if you like a historical connection to your books that these always provide. What have you got to lose!

About to start Rage by Zygmunt Miloszewski.

>12 pollux: Okay, I finished A Time of Torment and I think I can answer my own question. Connolly is a talented author - his stories are tightly plotted and he is a master of tone and some truly unsettling images, limned in sparse prose, but his characters are one-dimensional. He writes like an amalgam of Stephen King and Lee Child, but with an added large helping of sadism. It's the latter quality that I am reacting to and the reason that I will not be reading any more of his stories.

I'm reading The Last Policeman by Ben H Winters. It's very good!

>19 Copperskye: Nice! I really liked that entire trilogy.

I am reading The Green Rust by Edgar Wallace - I am enjoying it but it is more of a thriller than a mystery, which is a surprise to me.

I've started The First Rule by Robert Crais. Joe Pike looks to be going on the war path in this one.

Just started Down River by John Hart becaise I liked his later book The Last Child. I think I know who did it already, but I hope I am wrong.

Resorting to rereads in this hot weather, with Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist, by Dorothy Gilman.

Finished Arrowood by Laura McHugh. Really liked this one.

>24 rabbitprincess: I love Mrs. Pollifax! Though I guess by that one, I should be calling her Mrs. Reed :)

Maybe I should reread Mrs. Pollifax on Safari for the GeoCAT!

>26 leslie.98: Yes! I think I read that very one for the 2014 GeoCAT! :)

Term Limits by Vince Flynn
Series
3 ★s

A rather fun thriller for me, as I haven't read one in a while. It was especially interesting due to our current crop of self-serving crooked politicians, which many folks would prefer to lose. The basics of the story is that a group of terrorists/assassins are setting term limits upon some of the most corrupt of Washington's career politicians/crooks in a very final manner. The president and his extremely pushy chief of staff were trying to pass another unbalanced budget, and they needed every vote they could find. On the eve of the vote, three crucial members of Congress were murdered. A younger freshman representative thought he knew the perpetrator/s. FBI, CIA, and Special Forces join forces to bring resolution to this crisis, as even more assassinations occur. It took me a bit to get involved in the story. The lines get crossed between good and bad. Interesting story, even if I had to stretch my bounds of believability.

Reading Blood Money by Scott Pratt.

I have just finished Dark Summer in Bordeaux by Allan Massie. These novels about a policeman trying to do his job and retain some honour in Vichy France during World War 2 are gripping. However it pays to read them one after another I find. For some reason I had a long gap between this and the first in the series, Death in Bordeaux and there are heaps of references to events in the earlier book which i had forgotten. Learning my lesson I will make sure that I read the next two in the series more quickly.

Just started I Shot the Buddha, the latest Dr. Siri mystery.

Reading The Dante Connection by Estelle Ryan.

How is that >32 seitherin:? I have it on my Kindle....

I am listening to the audiobook of a 1920 spy thriller set in the time leading up to WW1 called The Great Impersonation.

>33 leslie.98: I just started it so I don't really have an opinion yet, but I did like the first book. That's why I picked this one up. But I think I may have waited too long between the volumes to remember why I liked the first one.

Am a few chapters into Dear Mr M by Herman Koch. It's oddly constructed, but intriguing.

Spells and Scones by Bailey Cates
#6 Magical Bakery Mystery
3 ★s

Katie Lightfoote owns the Honeybee Bakery in Savannah, Georgia, along with her Aunt Lucy and Uncle Ben. Katie and her aunt are also witches, having a Spellbook Club (informal coven) which meets at the bakery. The Honeybee catered a book signing at the bookstore next to the bakery. A well-known self-help and relationship expert was on the start of her book signing tour. However, the author was heckled and called a fraud by several people in the audience, including a non-practicing witch whose marriage broke up after she followed the author's advice. After the book signing, the author is found dead in the bookshop. Katie has to find out who the killer is for several good reasons.

I always enjoy this series. However, this is not the best entry, as the plot seemed awfully thin. There were a few interesting twists and turns which kept me reading. I did have a problem with the actions of several of the secondary characters, which seemed very out of character in their behavior. That bothered me a lot. This book seems more like a bridge between the last book of the series and whatever new book may be in the works. It was a a cute read, but nothing terribly earth shattering.

Now reading Before the Fall
by Noah Hawley

Intriguing and compelling but I'm waiting to see how it ends!

Finished Blood Money by Scott Pratt and about to start his A Crime of Passion.

>31 jnwelch: I saw that Cotterill had a new one out but I didn't know it was a new Dr. Siri. Oooh, I must get my hands on that one.

>38 seitherin:

How is Pratt's series? I had been looking at them for a while and not sure if I want to try them or not.

>40 AnnieMod: The Pratt books are fairly easy reading especially if you just want to read and don't want to strain your brain while doing it. In that context, I've enjoyed them. If you do opt to read them, I suggest reading them in order since they do tend to keep the backstory of the characters building from book to book.

>41 seitherin: I guess I should just try the first then -- I do need books like that occasionally. Thanks :)

I have started the first Aurelio Zen book, Ratking -- only about a quarter through but loving it. I had watched the TV series Zen on PBS years ago but I think the books will be even better (though I won't mind rewatching the show after I finish the book)!

Finished Thirteen Guests by J Jefferson Farjeon and The Lake House by Kate Morton.

A Spark of Justice by J.D. Hawkins. Insurance investigator has to determine if a lion tamer's death was an accident or murder. Great look into the circus behind the scenes and some funny occurances. Some tense scenes too.

I'm now reading Death by Discount by Mary Vermillion.

Finished The Dante Connection by Estelle Ryan. Liked it.

Next up is The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan.

>33 leslie.98: If you're going to read the Estelle Ryan books, I recommend you read them in order based on the first two books I've read. The first one introduces the characters and begins to establish relationships which the second one continues with. They also share the same bad guy. And I remembered why I liked the first book. The main protagonist reminds me of the character of Bones of the eponymous TV show and the relationship she has with her coworkers.

>47 seitherin: Thanks for the tip - I have The Gauguin Connection on my Kindle too so I will make sure to read that first.

Finished Mother, Mother by Koren Zailckas this past weekend. Not quite a thriller or a mystery novel, more of a psychological suspense book. Anyway, I quite enjoyed it, though I figured out the ending almost immediately.

>39 gypsysmom: I Shot the Buddha was another good one in the Dr. Siri series, gypsysmom. Crazy but good - in other words, in keeping with the others. :-)

>50 jnwelch: I love Cotterill's sense of humour. I put a hold on this book at my library. Not too many holds before me. I know Cotterill isn't to everyone's taste but it seems to me he should be more celebrated and appreciated.

>50 jnwelch:, >51 gypsysmom: - I'm a big fan of Dr. Siri, too. I had already put a hold on that one when I saw these messages - it came up in the on order list at the library today. Hope it arrives soon!

Had been reading Truth over the weekend and it is dark and hopeless and very Australian. And I thought The Broken Shore was dark.

Just starting Sidetracked - I borrowed both the Kindle and audiobook editions from the library, thinking about doing an immersion read. Well, even though both are translated by the same man, Steven T. Murray, the translations aren't the same!! The audio also contains a Prologue that the Kindle edition didn't have -- so weird!

Started Dark Tides today. It was a totally random pick at the library and is good if a bit non-subtle.

>20 ScoLgo: I liked it a lot!

And since I liked The Last Policeman so much, I just had to start Countdown City. I'm also reading Connelly's The Black Ice.

I'm reading To the Limit by Cindy Gerard.

>57 Jestak:

That's one of those trilogies that is worth reading to the end :)

I'm trying to catch up on the Oregon Files series. So, Im reading Corsair by Clive Cussler. A bit dated.

I read Any Other Name in my trek through reading the Longmire mysteries in order. It was good.

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
#1 in the Maisie Dobbs Series

This is a book that I've kept meaning to read for a very long time, the question is why did I leave it so long! This is an excellent book and definitely sets the scene for the rest of the series. Maisie is an interesting character, especially for the time period in which it is set, and I really enjoyed finding out her back story. This book definitely brings the First World War into the forefront and its horrific ramifications. A very interesting story given this context. I definitely look forward to continuing with this story.

Finished The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan. I liked it. Light read.

Next up is The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum. I've decided to see how the book stacks up against the movie.

I really loved The Last Policeman trilogy so much I wished it could go on. I don't normally read these types of books, but they were recommended by LT members enough times for me to join the cult. I was not sorry.

Recently finished In a Dark Dark Wood Ruth Ware. While this page turner kept me up, I was very disappointed with the end. This has not stopped me from reserving The Woman in Cabin 10 by the same author. Fingers crossed that she wraps things up better.

>61 Andrew-theQM: Welcome to the wonderful world of Maisie! They just get better as the series progresses.

I'm now reading Practice to Deceive by David Housewright.

After having it on my TBR list for a good long time, I took the plunge and listened to the audio book for The Sculptress. I'm not sure how I feel. It felt to get a bit convoluted toward the end.

Possible spoiler alert.

Just finished In Too Deep by Samantha Hayes.

I was very disappointed in this book and do not recommend it.

The plot was OK but easy to figure out early on.

The main character was too annoying for words.

The author had an obvious opportunity to resolve a major conflict in the story but didn't take it.

But worst of all was the ending which I like to call a "reader rip-off"

>68 pollux: Your touchstone goes to the wrong book. You want In Too Deep -- you need to click "others" and the right work is about 25 titles down.

Corsair by Clive Cussler
Oregon Files series
3.5 ★s

The Corsairs (Pirates) prowled the Barbary Coast by what is now Libya. Among these was Al Jama, the most ruthless and powerful. Legend has it that he was buried with something that could change the course of humanity. Juan Cabrillo and the crew of the Oregon are called upon to search for the US Secretary of State. Her plane was shot down over the Libyan desert by a faction of terrorists associated with the new incarnation of Al Jama. She had been on her way to a peace conference hosted by the Libyans. If she is not found, the whole conference could be for nothing. Meanwhile 4 archeologists are kidnapped while searching for the grave of the original Al Jama.

This story has nonstop action in the manner of the earlier Dirk Pitt novels. I found it a bit dated, due to the referencing of Libyan President for Life Quadafi of Libya. However, even though current threats come from Syria, the terrorist camps and the jihadists are in keeping with today's difficulties. I found that Cussler's thoughts on terrorism to be what many feel and think. All in all a good action packed novel. I particularly enjoyed "The Pig" which was an amazing armored land vehicle straight out of James Bond!

Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton

Thanks #69 lesmel

I have tried to figure out how to fix it but with no luck.

I liked The Great Impersonation so much that I read another by Oppenheim called The Strange Boarders of Palace Crescent. That was a good Golden Age mystery but not nearly as compelling as The Great Impersonation.

Currently going through the Frank Behr series by David Levien.

I had a good time reading John Buchan's espionage classic, The 39 Steps.

I've started The Polaris Protocol by Brad Taylor.

I am approaching the end of Another one goes tonight by Peter Lovesy. It has been an absorbing read with lots of clues most of which are probably red-herrings, some unforgetable characters, and the wit I so much look forward to in this series.

Just finished The Vows of Silence and went straight on to The Shadows in the Street by Susan Hill.

Started The Fire Engine that Disappeared, by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö.

The Last Descent: A Travel Writer Mystery by Jeff Soloway

Another new hotel opening, this time by the Grand Canyon. Of course, someone dies: fell or pushed? The array of different characters is quite interesting, but I'm finding the depiction of the protagonist's hand-wringing over his love affairs to be overly melodramatic. Nevertheless, the intrigue of the mystery keeps pulling me back.

>79 rabbitprincess: I love that series - have fun!

I whizzed through the audiobook of Agatha Christie's The Secret of Chimneys after finishing the ebook of Margaret Truman's Murder on Capitol Hill. Next up is the paperback Smallbone Deceased by Michael Gilbert...

I decided I needed a paranormal fix so I pulled Ghost of a Chance by Simon R. Green out of my purse. Mostly fun, but I don't enjoy the mad scientist person who experiments on animals. That disgusts me beyond words... Ruins a perfectly fun silly book.

NEW THREAD: https://www.librarything.com/topic/231240

I read Dead Letter Drop, a bog-standard 1980s spy thriller and felt pretty dated.