Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

Since Lehane's book is delayed (it was scheduled to be our September group read) let's have some nominations on what folks would like to read. I'm suggesting we stay away from series books for those who feel compelled to read the previous ones first.

A friend told me about this and it sounds intriguing. It's the first in a series:

Think of a Number by John Verdon.

Here's the first paragraph of the GR description; click on the book to read more.

"An extraordinary fiction debut, Think of a Number is an exquisitely plotted novel of suspense that grows relentlessly darker and more frightening as its pace accelerates, forcing its deeply troubled characters to moments of startling self-revelation."

Think of a number looks like a good nomination, Carol!

The Care and Management of Lies looks interesting, a stand-alone by Jacqueline Winspear.

Let's give ourselves till Wednesday, July 16 to make any nominations before Ann sets up the poll, unless we get a sense from posts in this thread.

That works, Carol! Looks like so far we have
Think of a Number suggested by Carol,
The Drop Dennis Lehane's screenplay novel movie tie-in (James Gandolfini's last movie) and
The Care and Management of Lies, the new Jacqueline Winspear stand-alone,
Any comments or additions?

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Let's give ourselves till Wednesday, July 16 to make any nominations before Ann sets up the poll, unless we get a sense from posts in this thread."

Sandford has a new Virgil Flowers book in Oct. " Deadline "

How about Personal the new Lee Child coming in Sept.

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Let's give ourselves till Wednesday, July 16 to make any nominations before Ann sets up the poll, unless we get a sense from posts in this thread."
I never get any sense from these posts.

Merrilee in AZ wrote: "Sandford has a new Virgil Flowers book in Oct. " Deadline ""


we'll hold onto that for the October nominations, Merrilee!

There will likely be plenty of us reading it, Merrilee
Though as number 19 in the series it may be a bit controversial as a choice like Field of Prey. It would probably need to be an alternate.
Merrilee in AZ wrote: "How about Personal the new Lee Child coming in Sept."

How about Michael Connelly's The Gods of Guilt? Mary Jo

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "A friend told me about this and it sounds intriguing. It's the first in a series:

Think of a Number by John Verdon.

Here's the first paragrap..."

I almost bought this book having had it on my to check out list or wish list forever it seems. the new/used bookstore I went to must have had the author for a signing because all his books were in the front signed. but didn't buy it. but I would love to read it when the time comes just have to know enough ahead to go and pick up a copy of the book. I wish I knew I might have gone to the signing. I'll have to check back when it was on their fb page.

We said we'd close nominations tomorrow, then Ann will put up a poll or we'll start to narrow down the choices in this thread. Since this is for September people will have plenty of time to get your hands on whatever we choose.

Mary Jo: The Gods of Guilt is a very good book. It is number five in the Mickey Haller series.

Mary wrote: "How about Michael Connelly's The Gods of Guilt? Mary Jo"

so far we have the following suggestions for our poll or further discussion here on this thread.
September Think of a Number by John Verdon
Personal #19 Jack Reacher by Lee Child 01-Sep-2014 release
The Drop movie tie-in by Dennis Lehane 02-Sep-2014 release date
The Care and Management of Lies stand-alone by Jacqueline Winspear 01-Jul-2014 release
The Gods of Guilt #5 Mickey Haller by Michael Connelly

October
Deadline Virgil Flowers #8
(release date 07-Oct-2014) byJohn Sandford

A Poll for the three Non-series books has been added. I set it up through 20-July but can extend it if we don't have time to vote by then.
A suggestion about the series books that were suggested: they could be listed as alternatives if we would like to have two books in September and October. This way someone who isn't caught up with a series will have a non-series book to read, and those who are caught up can participate with the Reacher, Mickey Haller and Virgil Flowers books.

Ann wrote: "A Poll for the three Non-series books has been added. I set it up through 20-July but can extend it if we don't have time to vote by then.
A suggestion about the series books that were suggested: ..."

or we could read which ever book comes in second as an alternate or october read. i like the drop and think of a number- was hard to choose :)

I'm hoping by that time I'll be caught up with books. but the idea of the non series and stand alone is a good idea. and if both are wanted it's not that the threads disappear after the month. I still haven't been able to get to cop town hopefully at some point I can squeeze it in.

Ann wrote: "and those who are caught up can participate with the Reacher, Mickey Haller and Virgil Flowers books. ..."

I think those of us who read these series are definitely going to read the above books anyway, so I'm not sure what to do with them as a group read. The target group is smaller so it seems like a lot of work posting the summaries for just a handful of people. But I'll go with whatever others want to do. Maybe we could think of a way to simplify the summaries. I do like the idea of a discussion thread that's waiting for people whenever they get to the books.

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Ann wrote: "and those who are caught up can participate with the Reacher, Mickey Haller and Virgil Flowers books. ..."

I think those of us who read these series are definitely going to read the a..."

or maybe just a thread to discuss the book in general and labeled spoiler- but not individual chapter summaries?

Carol and Sherry:
I think Sherry's suggestion is a good one, the series books could be just a single thread labeled spoiler under the spoiler's welcome folder and no detailed chapter threads, or summaries needed.
Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I think those of us who read these series are definitely going to read the above books anyway, so I'm not sure what to do with them as a group read. The target group is smaller so it seems like a lot of work posting the summaries for just a handful of people. "

Sherry wrote: "or maybe just a thread to discuss the book in general and labeled spoiler- but not individual chapter summaries? "

well, our poll to name a new August book is a tie currently! If you haven't voted, here is a link:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/1...
This is the upcoming lineup so far. The first two cycle off this month, then we have Cop Town and Mr Mercedes continuing into August. We could add one of these for August and one for September.
Jun-2014 to Jul-2014 Natchez Burning by Greg Iles
Jun-2014 to Jul-2014 and Field of Prey by John Sandford
Jul-2014 to Aug-2014 Cop Town by Karin Slaughter
Jul-2014 to Aug-2014 Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
Sep-2014 to Oct-2014 tbd POLL 16-Jul to 20-Jul
Nov-2014 to Dec-2014 shall we list Stephen King's Revival?
Dec-2014 to Jan-2014 tbd

Sounds good to me!

So the poll closed with a tie, Since we seem to have a couple of slots "open" to keep something fresh on the Group Read list in August and September we'll add one to each as noted below.
Aug-2014 to Sep-2014 Think of a Number by John Verdon
Sep-2014 to Oct-2014 The Drop by Dennis Lehane

The upcoming list
Jul-2014 to Aug-2014 Cop Town by Karin Slaughter
Jul-2014 to Aug-2014 Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
Aug-2014 to Sep-2014 Think of a Number by John Verdon
Sep-2014 to Oct-2014 The Drop by Dennis Lehane
Oct-2014 to Nov-2014 tbd
Nov-2014 to Dec-2014 shall we list Stephen King's Revival?
Dec-2014 to Jan-2014 tbd

i like the books, but , for me, i'd prefer one book a month as opposed to two - so i really like the threads because i can read them when i am ready and not have to stress about reading two books for our group, as well as reading the book for my f2f book group and the books that i want to read, not for book group!. also, not a fan of stephen king so probably won't read revival- but that's ok :)

I''m going to try and get the verdin book from a different library bn didn't have it. And I see one of the libraries have it so hopefully it will come fast all other copies were out. So have to see if I can get there tomorrow today I'm helping to babysit and tomorrow is JC so will try to stop there afterwards to do the request. The other one I have requested it taking forever it seems and another library had it

When I checked, my library had Think of a number for Kindle. Hopefully when I'm ready to read it, it will still be there.

I'm excited that Think of a Number was one of the two selected. I had no trouble getting a hardcover and an audio version from my library, so will probably start that after I finish Cop Town. These group reads are keeping me busy!

guess what again had a message on my machine from the library that a book was waiting on the shelf for me. guess which one that I just requested yesterday that came in already. Think of a number. never expected it that fast. the other book I requestion took more than 2 weeks. I guess they had other books coming from that library. so I'll hold off starting it for a week then jump start it. since it has to be returned around 8/21.

That's great, DJ! My CD and hardcover copies came in quickly also.

Ann will be posting the threads in the next week so will be ready when you get started. I'm going to start it today or tomorrow.

Donnajo wrote: "guess what again had a message on my machine from the library that a book was waiting on the shelf for me. guess which one that I just requested yesterday that came in already. Think of a number...."

If you are thinking about lining up the September group read book, The Drop by Dennis Lehane here is the text of a Publishers weekly review (contains some plot points in a summary which is protected by a spoiler alert.
Publisher's Weekly Review
This gritty gem from Lehane (Mystic River) has a curious origin. The short story "Animal Rescue," which appeared in 2009's Boston Noir, was the basis for the screenplay of the soon-to-be-released film The Drop, to which this is the tie-in. (view spoiler)[Boston bartender Bob Saginowski pulls a beaten pup from a winter trash can, a small good deed with large consequences. The rescue leads Bob to Nadia Dunn, who helps him take care of the dog, and also to crazy Eric Deeds, who claims the dog is his. While Bob tries to fend off Deeds, his cousin Marv, onetime owner of Cousin Marv's bar, contends with money issues and pride and the Chechens, who now own his bar and use it as a money drop. A parade of weary, quirky characters-thieves, thugs, and hard guys-will resonate with Lehane fans. Amid his struggles, Bob establishes a tenuous relationship with Nadia, and finally takes a stand in this stark and moving short novel. (hide spoiler)]
Agent: Ann Rittenberg, Ann Rittenberg Literary. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
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(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

This topic is being closed; a new one for October nominations has been opened.