The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

I don't know if Barry Eisler's books would fall into this category or not, I've only read the first of the series so far, Rain Fall, and considering it's setting up for the series, I enjoyed it.

Just received a nice review of my mystery thriller Crown of Serpents by Italy-based Bruno Gazzo's PIETRE-STONES REVIEW OF FREEMASONRY http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com...

Has anyone read Twisted Tree? What a strange book.

My friend loves Tammy Hoag. I have yet to read her. Has any read her? What do you think of her books? Also has any read Harlan Coben? I hear he is a great author too.

Hi Britney, We read Harlan Coben's The Woods recently as a group read. Check out the discussion in the Group Reads folder.

I'm getting some fun comments from readers of my thriller novel TERMINAL POLICY...saying they sure aren't looking at Christmas lights the same way this year! That's part of what makes writing so much fun... Liam McCurry www.terminalpolicy.com

Britney wrote: "My friend loves Tammy Hoag. I have yet to read her. Has any read her? What do you think of her books? Also has any read Harlan Coben? I hear he is a great author too."

Hi Britney, Harlan Coben is one of my favs, he is a good author - he has stand alones and a series called Myron Bolitar - I think you should definetly pick him up. I have not gotten into Tami Hoag, I have friends who do read her and love her.

Good Morning Guys
I am 3/4 through "Rain Gods" by James Lee Burke
What a fantastic book. He is one of My favourite Writers

stan wrote: "Good Morning Guys
I am 3/4 through "Rain Gods" by James Lee Burke
What a fantastic book. He is one of My favourite Writers"

I loved James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux, but when his entire family was killed off, I closed the book and never went back to him. He seemed so dark and devastated, it was uncomfortable to read.

stan wrote: "Good Morning Guys
I am 3/4 through "Rain Gods" by James Lee Burke
What a fantastic book. He is one of My favourite Writers"
My wife tells me good things about James Lee Burke, so I may have to try one of them.

I'll second the recommendation for James Lee Burke. Not a thriller in the "race to save the world" type of thriller but very thrilling nonetheless.

Linda wrote: "Britney wrote: "My friend loves Tammy Hoag. I have yet to read her. Has any read her? What do you think of her books? Also has any read Harlan Coben? I hear he is a great author too."

Hi Britney..."

James Lee B. is a very good writer. I've read 4 - 5 of his novels. They never fail to entertain and make me think a bit, too.

There are some tough stretches in Dave Robicheaux's story, but I've read them all, and am now in the process of re-reading them in order. I know it has been mentioned somewhere here before, but to find out in what order a series of books should be read, go to www.fictfact.com. It's a great way to keep up with any series you are reading.

Kathleen I would recommend fantasticfiction.co.uk before fictfact. I love fictfact for keeping track of reading series but it doesn't always list them correctly. Three of my series there aren't listed as both the author and fantasticfiction list them.
Iris Johansen's Eve Duncan and Karen Rose's Daniel Vartanian, and I can't think of the other atm. I've asked fictfact about it but had no reply.

Britney wrote: "My friend loves Tammy Hoag. I have yet to read her. Has any read her? What do you think of her books? Also has any read Harlan Coben? I hear he is a great author too."

I have ready Tammi Hoag, and she is good. I have also Harlan Coben He's very good I've read 4 of his books.

aprilla wrote: "Kathleen I would recommend fantasticfiction.co.uk before fictfact. I love fictfact for keeping track of reading series but it doesn't always list them correctly. Three of my series there aren't lis..."

Thanks, Aprilla. I'll check it out.

Marie wrote: "Britney wrote: "My friend loves Tammy Hoag. I have yet to read her. Has any read her? What do you think of her books? Also has any read Harlan Coben? I hear he is a great author too."

I have rea..."

Marie there are a lot of Harlan Coben lovers here - I actually just finished one of his books, it was called , it is one of his stand alones and it was a very good read. If you haven't read him yet, you should.

I think James Lee Burke is one of America's best writers of any kind. There are moments of pure poignancy and poetry. I sorta wish he wasn't locked into that commercial thing of writing the same characters over and over.

Scott

It can be either a good or bad thing when an author sticks with the same character or characters. It allows the author time to really develop and grow the character but it can get stale and formulaic. It also keeps many authors from expanding their horizons.

Still I think for James Lee Burke it's a good thing overall. Has he written any stand alones?

Thanks Kari!

Frederick wrote: ""

And # 4... really Frederick!

As a mystery lover, and former used bookstore owner I loved the series by John Dunning featuring protagonist, Cliff Janeway, cop turned used bookstore owner who always got tangled up in murders and mysteries surrounding rare book thievery. There was a lot of good information about the value of old books and the history of fonts and publishing houses, etc.. I wish he were still writing. If you're interested, I'd start with the first one, Booked to Die.

I was recommended James Lee Burke late last year and finally read my first from him, Neon Rain. Great book.

I've also been reading Michael Connelly's Blood Work. This novel really cements him as a great author. I wasn't impressed with City of Bones. I'll have to get some more when I see him at the Sydney Writers' Festival.

A couple months ago I read The Husband, by Dean Koontz. Really a fantastic thriller. Has anyone else had the opportunity to read it?
I'm almost done with State of Fear and looking for another really good thriller. Any recommendations?

I read The Husband and thought it was ok, not great. Koontz just doesn't do it for me anymore.

For great thrillers, I would recommend Messiah and Birdman.

Thanks, I'll check them out.

Hello thriller lovers
I am looking for two beta readers to review my second novel - Conspire. It is a conspiracy thriller, so I am looking for people who enjoy this genre and would like to give me some honest feedback on my complete first draft.
In return for your help, and on receipt of the very welcomed feedback, I will be giving away two $50 Book Depository vouchers to the reviewers. I am not asking for editing advice, I would just like a reader's perspective on the plot. I basically want to know if you think it's any good! Please email me at victoriarollison@yahoo.com if you are interested in taking part.
Thanks
Victoria

Victoria wrote: "Hello thriller lovers
I am looking for two beta readers to review my second novel - Conspire. It is a conspiracy thriller, so I am looking for people who enjoy this genre and would like to give me ..."

Hi Victoria. Why don't you open a thread in the "Author's Corner" folder. More people will see it that way.

Hello - Can anyone please recommend a fun, engaging, and relatively realistic suspense/thriller book involving cyber-warfare or cyber-attacks on the United States (or any country)?

Thanks

John wrote: "Hello - Can anyone please recommend a fun, engaging, and relatively realistic suspense/thriller book involving cyber-warfare or cyber-attacks on the United States (or any country)?

Thanks"

One that is on my bookshelf and I re-read with enjoyment quite often is "Blackslash" by William Lovejoy. Written in 1996, so it is technologically dated but it was/is a fun read for me.

Another series of books involving cyber/tech plots is the "Kidd" series by John Sandford. Starts with "The Fools Run" (1989) and ends with the 4th book "The Hanged Man's Song" (2003). Quite different from his "Prey" series but I enjoyed them equally well.

Disclaimer for these recommendations: I am a very 'low-tech' person so there may be glaring errors/inconsistencies that would cause someone more familiar with what can and can not be done to pick up on that and not care for the books. It's all pretty much over my head anyway, so I accept what I read ... and enjoy it.

John wrote: "Hello - Can anyone please recommend a fun, engaging, and relatively realistic suspense/thriller book involving cyber-warfare or cyber-attacks on the United States (or any country)?

Thanks"

What about something like Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson?

John wrote: "Hello - Can anyone please recommend a fun, engaging, and relatively realistic suspense/thriller book involving cyber-warfare or cyber-attacks on the United States (or any country)?

Thanks"

Not one of my favorite themes, but I did read and enjoy Dan Brown's Digital Fortress.

John, you may want to try DAEMON by Daniel Suarez, which is a high tech thriller about a computer genius who leaves a program that activates after his death and the mayhem it causes.

Also, there was a book back in 2004 called "Stealing the Network: How to own a continent." It was written by a group of hackers, and is a fiction account of what hackers can do when they pool their skills.

John wrote: "Hello - Can anyone please recommend a fun, engaging, and relatively realistic suspense/thriller book involving cyber-warfare or cyber-attacks on the United States (or any country)?

Thanks"

Hi, John --
How about Zero Day: A Novel by Mark Russinovich? [I haven't read it yet; it's on my TBR list]. Mr. Russinovich has authored technical Windows books so I'm guessing the technological realism is there...

Hi..guys...suggest me a thriller/ mystery that will keep me breathless and will be off the edge....And let it be an intrigue rather than action adventure...Something involving devious planning, sheer acumen and twists....

Avisek wrote: "Hi..guys...suggest me a thriller/ mystery that will keep me breathless and will be off the edge....And let it be an intrigue rather than action adventure...Something involving devious planning, she..."

Something by Lincoln and Child perhaps?

Avisek wrote: "Hi..guys...suggest me a thriller/ mystery that will keep me breathless and will be off the edge....And let it be an intrigue rather than action adventure...Something involving devious planning, she..."

Highly recommend Blood Eagle. I recently read it...here's my short review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Tyson wrote: "Avisek wrote: "Hi..guys...suggest me a thriller/ mystery that will keep me breathless and will be off the edge....And let it be an intrigue rather than action adventure...Something involving deviou..."

Well, author is never an issue with me...Its the content that I become choosy about....So give me titles !!

Avisek wrote: "Tyson wrote: "Avisek wrote: "Hi..guys...suggest me a thriller/ mystery that will keep me breathless and will be off the edge....And let it be an intrigue rather than action adventure...Something in..."
Maybe you would like
The Missing, it's a series that works its way up to exactly what you have described. Four books, in all I think, but you must include Deviant Ways, which is linked in, but not part of the series. Or, read this one first.

Shutter Island by Dennis Lahanne.

The movie disappointed....So is it the usual trend of book being far better than movie ???

BTW..How is mystic river ?? Heard a lot about it !!

Mystic River is part of a series, but a good series. Shutter island the book is so very much better than the movie, but if you saw the movie you already know the ending of the book so it will not have the same impact.

Avisek wrote: "The movie disappointed....So is it the usual trend of book being far better than movie ???

BTW..How is mystic river ?? Heard a lot about it !!"

I thought the book was ok and nothing more. I haven't seen the movie, which everyone loved.

Diane wrote: "Mystic River is part of a series, but a good series. Shutter island the book is so very much better than the movie, but if you saw the movie you already know the ending of the book so it will not h..."

I saw the movie then read the book. Even though I knew the ending, the book is so brilliant you half-forget that you know what's going to happen. One of those rare books where the journey is so very much more important than the destination. Definitely recommend it!

Diane wrote: "Mystic River is part of a series, but a good series. Shutter island the book is so very much better than the movie, but if you saw the movie you already know the ending of the book so it will not h..."

Mystic River is not part of a series. It is a stand-alone.

Gatorman wrote: "Diane wrote: "Mystic River is part of a series, but a good series. Shutter island the book is so very much better than the movie, but if you saw the movie you already know the ending of the book so..."
That was my belief too !!

Whew! I was trying to figure out what series Mystic River is a part of. I sometimes confuse the title with Moonlight Mile that is part of the Kenzie & Gennaro series. The series is good--strong characters, good writing, interesting situations--but none of the books in the series can hold a candle to Shutter Island or Mystic River.

I think that Mystic River is a fantastic book, and I like Lehane's other stand alones as well. But I think that the first three books in his Kenzie/Gennaro series are his best books other than Mystic River.

I liked Mystic River well enough and found the movie somewhat better, largely because of the acting and visible mood of it. Just the opposite on Shutter Island - the movie was fine, but like others here I loved the book. So much that I wrote a review on it in my Goodreads blog.

But others by Lehane are good, too. There's the Kenzie/Gennaro series, of course, in particular Gone, Baby, Gone (also a movie). Lehane's latest, Moonlight Mile, is a direct sequel to Gone, Baby, Gone. It was good, but I didn't find it quite as engaging.

And "Until Gwen," a Lehane short story in his collection Coronado: Stories, is great. I posted a link to an internet copy of that story somewhere here in Goodreads but can't remember where.

I should track that down again.

Here's that cite to "Until Gwen"....

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/p...