Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

Between work and trying to keep up with all the basketball I did not actually read very much this month. Here are my March reads:

Top Read


After I'm Gone
Laura Lippman
I always enjoy Lippman's books and this was no exception with the usual compelling story, well developed characters, and Baltimore setting. It was also nice to see a few old favorite characters pop up too.

Good Reads

The Blessing Way
This, the first book in the long running Joe Leaphorn series, was an Edgar nominee for best first mystery back in 1971 and was a good listen on audio. I did think it started out a bit slow though but about half way through it picked up the pace. The narration was done by the always excellent George Guidall.

Dead Solid Perfect
Dan Jenkins
A quick, comic, fairly raunchy novel about a golfer from Fort Worth who finds himself leading the U.S. Open while in the midst of various personal crises.

Sycamore Row
John Grisham
Even though the plot revolves around a contested will case there is still plenty of suspense which, added to some great characters and the Ford County setting, made this an audio book worth the listening time. The narration was done by Michael Beck who did a wonderful job with the southern accents.

The Guns of Avalon
Roger Zelazny
Another fun adventure with Corwin of Amber. The ending was especially compelling and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next. Some of the voice characterizations did seem a bit off but the narrator, Alessandro Juliani, did a great job with Corwin's first person parts.

Stallion Gate
Martin Cruz Smith
At first I did not think this was going to quite up to par with the Renko series but this standalone turned out to be an entertaining tale of historical suspense. Listened to the audio version which was narrated by Frank Muller who was one of the best.

Not a bad month for as busy as I imagine you've been at work!

Good selection, as always. I enjoyed the audio of Sycamore Row also.

Good month, Sandi! (even with the season at work and basketball) I also read After I'm Gone though I listened to it in April, and really enjoyed it too.

The Jenko looked interesting enough to put on my list. If it does not work out, I can give it to one of my friends who play golf.

I like Cruz' standalones as much as his Renko series.

I haven't read Grisham in years, might try this new one.

I was like that too Merrilee - and I enjoyed Sycamore Row. The group discussion threads were fun and added to the experience.
Merrilee in AZ wrote: "I haven't read Grisham in years, might try this new one."