Witches, Weres, and Vamps, Oh MY! discussion

Mystery Theme - As long as there is a mystery and some paranormal elements it's good to go! Hopefully it's not too hard of a theme since a lot of books have a Who-Done-It factor to them :)

DISCUSSIONS FOR THIS BOOK WILL START 10/1 - if possible have the book read by then so that we can all discuss it at the same time. Discussions will remain open so if you are late reading it you can still join in.

Timeline:
*Nominate your book through the 26th
*Voting in the polls through the 31st
*We'll know on the 1st what our 10/1 book will be so that gives everyone 2 months to read it


11/1's book will be nominated & voted on sometime in August - we'll be picking just one book a month from here on out.


Rules for submissions:
1. One recommendation per member
2. The book needs to still be in print & readily available.
3. Needs to fit the theme of Mystery

Nominations:
1. Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie - #1 in Psychic Eye Mysteries
2. Possessed by Stephanie Doyle
3. Witch Way to Murder by Shirley Damsgaard - #1 in Ophelia and Abbey Mysteries
4. Dead Girls Are Easy by Terri Garey - #1 in Nicki Styx
5. What's a Ghoul to Do? by Victoria Laurie - #1 in Ghost Hunters Mysteries
6. Already Dead by Charlie Huston - #1 in Joe Pitt Casebooks
7. Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris - #1 in Harper Connely
8. Storm Front by Jim Butcher - #1 in Dresden Files
9. Unshapely Things by Mark Del Franco
10.

I'm going to nominate Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye. Abby is a psychic who is trying to find the murderer of someone she knows when all clues point to her. It's the first book in the Psychic Eye Mysteries series.

I'll nominate Possessed by Stephanie Doyle. It's a Silhouette Bombshell book from Nov 06. I checked on Amazon and it's still available new for $1.25 or used from $0.01 (plus $3.99 shipping) from their used marketplace. So technically it isn't still being printed but it sounds like its still easy enough to buy (if this counts). All the places to buy online that GRs lists under a book title all still have copies available, and all under $2.

(Blurb from back of book): When the dead want to speak, she is their voice. Cassandra Allen's gift is so uncanny that even the skeptical police now consult her on murder investigations. But when she's called in to investigate a rash of seriel murders, her mind is assaulted by a terrifying being from beyond... Cass believes the evil force attempting to possess her is involved in the killings. But how? Then she meets Malcom DcDonough, brother of the first victom. He's successful, attractive, unsettling...and he doesn't believe that Cass hears the dead. Yet even as Malcom denies her claims, he is counting on Cass to lead him to the killer. Because all the victoms have one thing in common - her.

I'd like to nominate Witch Way to Murder by Shirley Damsgaard. it's the first book in her Ophelia and Abbey mysteries.

I'll nominate Dead Girls Are Easy by Terri Garey. Fun read!!

i am going to Nominate Real Murders by Charlaine Harris

Real Murders
Aurora Teagarden Series Book 1

A society of crime buffs discovers a mutilated body in their clubhouse kitchen and the town librarian suspects a fellow member because the crime closely resembled the club's ""murder of the month.""

*Stephanie* wrote: "i am going to Nominate Real Murders by Charlaine Harris

Real Murders
Aurora Teagarden Series Book 1

A society of crime buffs discovers a mutilated body in their clubhouse kitche..."

Have you read the Aurora Teagarden books? They aren't paranormal at all. Her Harper Connelly series is, but neither the Aurora Teagarden nor the Lily Bard series is.

Melodie wrote: "Have you read the Aurora Teagarden books? They aren't paranormal at all. "

I didn't even pay attention to what books I was adding to the list - oops. Aurora has no paranormal stuff at all, but it's a great mystery series. I usually read them when I need a break from all the vamp/were/shifter/witch books I'm usually into.

Steph - want to nominate something else? Sorry I didn't notice sooner...

I've been thinking about starting this series, it's also by Victoria Laurie though. Hope that's ok!


What's A Ghoul to Do?


M.J., her partner Gilley, and their client, the wealthy, de-lish Dr. Steven Sable, are at his family's lodge, where his grandfather allegedly jumped to his death from the roof-although Sable says it was foul play. But the patriarch's isn't the only ghost around. The place is lousy with souls, all with something to get off their ghoulish chests. Now M.J. will have to to quell the clamor-and listen for a voice with the answers...

Shannon wrote: "I've been thinking about starting this series, it's also by Victoria Laurie though. Hope that's ok!"

I have that book somewhere around here :) - I LOVE the cover!

Shannon wrote: "I've been thinking about starting this series, it's also by Victoria Laurie though. Hope that's ok!


What's A Ghoul to Do?



M.J., her partner..."

I like this series. The first one was good, didn't care for the second one as much and liked the third one which I finished just recently. Also like Abby Cooper series.

I'm nominating Already Dead by Charlie Huston. It's a detective novel, with the detective being a vampire and it sounds like some zombie elements too. Here's the description:

Those stories you hear? The ones about things that only come out at night? Things that feed on blood, feed on us? Got news for you: they're true. Only it's not like the movies or old man Stoker's storybook. It's worse. Especially if you happen to be one of them. Just ask Joe Pitt.

There's a shambler on the loose. Some fool who got himself infected with a flesh-eating bacteria is lurching around, trying to munch on folks' brains. Joe hates shamblers, but he's still the one who has to deal with them. That's just the kind of life he has. Except afterlife might be better word.

From the Battery to the Bronx, and from river to river, Manhattan is crawling with Vampyres. Joe is one of them, and he's not happy about it. Yeah, he gets to be stronger and faster than you, and he's tough as nails and hard to kill. But spending his nights trying to score a pint of blood to feed the Vyrus that's eating at him isn't his idea of a good time. And Joe doesn't make it any easier on himself. Going his own way, refusing to ally with the Clans that run the undead underside of Manhattan -- it ain't easy. It's worse once he gets mixed up with the Coalition -- the city's most powerful Clan -- and finds himself searching for a poor little rich girl who's gone missing in Alphabet City.

Now the Coalition and the girl's high-society parents are breathing down his neck, anarchist Vampyres are pushing him around, and a crazy Vampyre cult is stalking him. No time to complain, though. Got to find that girl and kill that shambler before the whip comes down . . . and before the sun comes up.

ok i will go with Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris

Grave sight
(Harper Connelly Mystery #1)

Harper Connelly has what you might call a strange job: she finds dead people. The way Harper sees it, she's providing a service to the dead while bringing some closure to the living-but she's used to most people treating her like a blood-sucking leech. Traveling with her stepbrother Tolliver as her manager and sometime-bodyguard, she's become an expert at getting in, getting paid, and getting out fast. Because for the living it's always urgent-even if the dead can wait forever.

sorry i had no idea that the other book didn't have any paranormal in it.

I just finished Grave Sight and thought it was a very good start to a series. I'm liking the book the more I think about it and I just started book 2.

Kathryn wrote: "I'm nominating Already Dead by Charlie Huston. It's a detective novel, with the detective being a vampire and it sounds like some zombie elements too. Here's the descript..."

I'm a fan of Charlie Huston's Joe Pitt series. These are VERY dark books, very violent and a COMPLETELY different take on the whole vampire thing. Joe comes across a bit like the really hardboiled old time private eyes. The books are basically hardboiled mysteries with a strong "weirdness" quotient as these aren't really your usual type of vampires.

*Stephanie* wrote: "ok i will go with Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris

Grave sight
(Harper Connelly Mystery #1)

Harper Connelly has what you might call a strange job: she finds dead people. The way H..."

I didn't like the first one of this series. Never read the 2nd one, but the 3rd was okay.

Melodie wrote: I'm a fan of Charlie Huston's Joe Pitt series. These are VERY dark books, very violent and a COMPLETELY different take on the whole vampire thing. Joe comes across a bit like the really hardboiled old time private eyes. The books are basically hardboiled mysteries with a strong "weirdness" quotient as these aren't really your usual type of vampires."

SOLD!

I'd like to nominate Storm Front by Jim Butcher. My husband loves this series and its been on my Tbr pile for a while. Here's the back of the book:

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he's the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capabilty, they come to him for answers. For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magicial things-and most of then don't play well with humans. That's where Harry comes is. Takes a wizard to catch a-well, whatever.

There's just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's black magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start to get...interesting.

Ahh, I'm in another group that will hopefully be reading Storm Front soon, otherwise I would definitely read it. Melodie, thanks for the info on Already Dead. I think I'll stick with it, even though most other times I do not vote for the book I nominated :)

Unshapely Things by Mark Del Franco

The poll is up and ready for everyone to vote...

http://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/20...

Storm Front by Jim Butcher has won our Mystery theme! We'll start discussing it on 10/1.


I'm really excited to read this one! I'll probably end up reading it this month and try to get through as much of the series as possible.

I might reread it. I've been meaning to for a while now since I sold my paperbacks and started collecting them in hardcover, I haven't even cracked them open yet!

That's too funny Shannon! I've done the same thing with books & movies too - bought them because I liked them then didn't touch them again. I bet they look good on your shelves though :)

Shanon wrote: "That's too funny Shannon! I've done the same thing with books & movies too - bought them because I liked them then didn't touch them again. I bet they look good on your shelves though :)"

Haha yeah. It's hard for me to reread something when I have so many books I haven't read for the first time yet. I sold my Sookie paperbacks too and I'm rebuying them in hardcover as well. I sort of reread Dead Until Dark while watching the first season of True Blood because it was neat how each episode kind of matched a chapter. I didn't reread the whole book though ...

I really need to restart the Dresden books though. I read them back when they came out and it seems like forever ago. Wow, just looked, almost 10 years ago! I'm sure they'll feel like brand new stories now, I probably forgot all the important stuff anyway.

I am current on the Dresden books, but fully intend to reread this for the discussion. I've been meaning to reread these anyway, so this is a very good excuse :D

I am definitely re-reading this series as soon as I get Storm Front back from my SIL. My husband just read the first two after coaxing him for the longest time! lol

I'm excited so many people are going to be (re)reading this!

I actually just read the first 3 dresden books last month and passed them on to my mother to try. I hope she likes them as much as I did. :)

I'm excited to re-read this now. I have it at home so I don't have to wait for the library to send it to me. yay!

It's great that Storm Front is up for discussion. I'm going to read it again. The first time around I don't think I paid enough attention to everything.

I feel the same way Paula. My husband is on book 5 of the series and he keeps asking me questions. I have no idea what he's talking about! I need to re-read the whole series I think! lol

I liked this book a lot, it was the book that introduced me Urban Fantasy. I got tired of the serie after the third one but my husband has read the 11 books of the series!

Me too Elena! Jim Butcher was my kick-off point for Urban Fantasy.
I have read his books/shorts faithfully (except the codex ones (?) - not really into those types).

Elvia wrote: "My husband is on book 5 of the series and he keeps asking me questions. I have no idea what he's talking about!

I did the same thing to a friend at work. He has read all of Jim Butchers books. I was shooting off questions in rapid succession. I'm pretty sure that after the first few questions, he was only thinking about escaping. I found a time line on Jim Butcher's web site. It satisfied me to the point where I was not having to chase after my friend to get answers!

I adore all things Butcher lol His Codex Alera books are good. Epic fantasy with strong military these though. The world he creates is just so amazing.

Paula I plan to re-read them all so my hubby and I can actaully talk about them lol.
Jessica - I think it's the epic fantasy thing I'm not into. I don't know why. Maybe I'll give it another try eventually.

I'm not usually an epic fantasty fan. I see its appeal, but I find I am better able to enjoy the character complexity in a modern world since I don't have to keep track of the world creation as much. The Alera books are good though, among the only epic fantasy I keep up with.

That's exactly it Jessica. Urban Fantasy is easier, so to speak, to understand since it's set in modern times.

Thanks, I have already read this one, enjoy it.

That's actually a good thing. You can join in the conversations on 10/1!

I have this one pulled off my bookshelf to reread right before discussions begin. I'd hate to give away spoilers so I want to reread before replying so that I remember what things are from THIS book and what things I remember are from teho tehr books in the series I've read.

LOL good Idea Jessica. My sis-in-law has it right now so I probably won't get it back before 10/1 to re-read it. :(

I need to reread Storm Front, also. I'm on the 5th book, but I read Storm Front too quickly and need to go back a digest it more slowly. One of my favorite quotes comes from the Dresden File books. Love the series!

Honestly, I forgot we were doing this book for a group read. I know I said I was going to reread it but it slipped my mind, I think the main reason is because I said so three months ago. Wow, time flies, huh?

I have to say, I'm having a hard time keeping up with what book we're supposed to be reading and discussing for the month. That could just be me though, maybe I'm the only one who's not liking the new format. It seems like there's less discussion on the group reads since the change though ... or is it just me?

I would have loved to see more discussion going on in the monthly reads, but, I don't know if that's format, Books, or seasonal.

Jessica wrote: "I would have loved to see more discussion going on in the monthly reads, but, I don't know if that's format, Books, or seasonal."



I read this book and couldnt find a discussion for it, now this pops up, do we discuss it here?

All of the discussions were under the folder October Group Reads.

We discussed it here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

and here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...



We're open to any ideas you might have on how to improve the group reads.

Shanon wrote: "All of the discussions were under the folder October Group Reads."

I knew where to find the discussions, I just forgot I wanted to read October's book! I think there was just too big a gap between picking it and starting discussions on it. That could just be my poor memory though.

Shanon wrote: "All of the discussions were under the folder October Group Reads.

We discussed it here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...

here:
http://www...."


thanks, I just couldn't find them. I LOVED storm front and can't wait to devour this series.