Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

Hi everyone. Had a great month of reading including our group reads.

Top Reads

The Little Drummer Girl
John le Carré
As always with le Carré, this was well written and plotted though perhaps a bit slow paced at times. I found the characters fascinating and the story line totally absorbing. Listened to the audio version which was well read by Michael Jayston.

Shooting Star
Peter Temple
Really enjoyed this tension filled thriller set in Melbourne Australia. Frank Calder, a former solider and cop, was an interesting lead and the plot, which involved a kidnapping, moved at a brisk pace. Listened to the audio version read by David Tredinnick who was quite good.

Disco For The Departed
Colin Cotterill
Another engaging mystery featuring Dr. Siri, the most reluctant national coroner of Laos, and his faithful co-workers, Nurse Dtui and Mr. Geung. In this installment Siri and Dtui are sent to the Huaphan Province, where a body has been found right before a planned celebration by the government, while Mr. Geung has his own adventure.

The Good Daughter
Karin Slaughter
I really enjoyed this stand alone legal suspense set in a small southern town. I thought the plotting and pacing were well done and I found the all of the main characters and their various backstories compelling. Usually I find the violence in Slaughter's books veering somewhat close to gratuitous, but did not feel that way with this work. My only quibble is that it was a bit too long but found listening to the audio version read by Kathleen Early made the time fly by.

Good Reads

The Late Show
Michael Connelly
A new series character and, while I did have a few quibbles with parts of this book overall, I found it to be an entertaining read.

Four Days
Iain Ryan
This was an extremely dark debut crime novel set during the mid eighties in Brisbane and Cairns Australia. The writing was lean with a very unsettling story line, complex characters, and lots of violence.

The Guards
Ken Bruen
First in a series featuring a former member of the Irish police force who, after being kicked out, is now a sometime private eye. Had the unique and readable writing style of the author's previous works and was an enjoyable, quick read.

Extreme Prey
John Sandford
I am always impressed that the author keeps this long running series fresh and entertaining and this installment was no different. While Lucas is on his own and operating in Iowa, I found this quite entertaining, though did miss the interactions with his BCA colleagues. As always, I listened to the audio version because I love the narration by Richard Ferrone.

Black Water Lilies
Michel Bussi
Though I had problems with parts of this book, in the end I found it a worthwhile read. The setting and descriptions of Giverny and Monet's garden along with the art history were very well done and though there were some slow patches the plot was engaging.

A good month! I had a few reservations about The Late Show, but on the whole, I liked it.

Good month Sandi

Good month Sandi! We have had some good group read discussions for The Late Show and Black Water Lilies and I am glad to hear The Good Daughter is enjoyable. Your comment on the toned down violence in this one is welcome news. I hope to start it in about a week or so, depending on due dates.
I hope to get to the Dr. Siri series soon and also like Ken Bruen's writing style. The Guards is very good; I like Ken Bruen's spare and unique prose.

I think that The Coroner's Lunch, which is the first book in the Dr. Siri series, is the best one. So I'm going to recommend that you RIO for this series. I know that's a shocking recommendation from an UOOOR like me.

Thanks for that RIO recommendation Shomeret; I don't always force reading in order either as you know. Digital availability of audio books has led me to more orderly series progressions but not always. :)
Shomeret wrote: "I think that The Coroner's Lunch, which is the first book in the Dr. Siri series, is the best one. So I'm going to recommend that you RIO for this series. I know that's a shocking rec..."

Ann wrote: " I am glad to hear The Good Daughter is enjoyable Your comment on the toned down violence in this one is welcome news. I hope to start it in about a week or so, depending on due dates. .."

I don't want to give the wrong impression because there are some violent scenes that were hard to listen to in the Good Daughter. I just did not find them overdone like I have in some of her previous books.

I agree with Shomeret that The Coroner's Lunch has been the best Dr. Siri book so far but I have enjoyed all of them that I have read.

I need to add The Late Show to my wish list!

Susie: yes you do!
Susie wrote: "I need to add The Late Show to my wish list!"

I'll have to give the Dr. Siri series a try.

Stellar month, Sandi. I agree with you on Connelly and Sandford, and look forward to reading, maybe listening to, the Slaughter.