Crime Detective Mystery Thriller Group discussion

I always like to get recommendations from my friends on Goodreads and I do get a lot of them. I thought it would be good to come up with them here as well just as a general type of topic. I'll start out with some from different areas.

If you're into urban fantasy, then this is quite a book. I guess the closest I can think of here is to movies like Men In Black. Great characters who are up against vampires and zombies.

This goes back to the pulp fiction days. Craig Rice is actually a woman. She writes murder mysteries that are solved by a lawyer and a rich couple. The characters are off the wall and there are a lot of laughs in this one. My review is on Goodreads.

Her biography is available also. It's called Who Was That Lady. Interesting story but very sad as well. Some good concepts here if you're a writer. There is some good insight on this. Even if you're not a writer, it's interesting since you're back in the days of WWI.

William Diehl was one of my favorite authors. He passed away a few years ago. He left behind some great books. You may have seen this movie with Richard Gere since it was adapted from the book. He wrote other books that followed in this series as well as some great stand alone books. Can't go wrong with him.

Another blast from the past. When I bought this book in the 90's, it had a money back guarantee that if I didn't like it, I should return it. It was a great book.

It's good to get recommendations from other people. Happy to share them with you. In this case, I've had three people recommend this book. Odds are it might be good. It's been in my Kindle so I'll read it soon.

This was recommended to me by someone else. Watching for the price to drop on Kindle before I buy it.

I've read all of Dan Mahoney's books. Can't go wrong on any of them but this was my favorite. If you're into police procedural stories, then he is the best at it.
On another note, Eddie Money is Dan Mahoney's brother.

A good French Procedural Frédérique Molay I like it very much to read the next book CROSSING THE LINE due out September 26, 2014

Ron wrote: "

Another blast from the past. When I bought this book in the 90's, it had a money back guarantee that if I didn't like it, I should return it. It was a great book."

Thanks for the recommendation! I just added it to my "to-read" shelf.

Nefer wrote: "Ron wrote: "

Another blast from the past. When I bought this book in the 90's, it had a money back guarantee that if I didn't like it, I should return it. It was a ..."

I'm sure you'll enjoy it. It's a great book.

One of my favorite authors if you like Spy Novels from authors like Robert Ludlum.

Covert One Project is a great series if you haven't started it yet.

Here's an interesting recommendation I received tonight. I added it to my wish list.

David Morrell was always one of my favorite authors. This is one of his best books.

Delirious is a book that is worth more than five stars. One of the best psychological thrillers I have read this year. My review is on Goodreads.

I know this is not a recommendation but I was wondering if anyone has read Tana French and if yes would you recommend her?

I read her first book and thought it was great. One of the best books I read and I want to read more of her series.
You may want to check out our group read in October with Elizabeth Little. Tana French recommended her debut book, Dear Daughter.

Thank you Ron that helps a lot I will give Tana French a try. The Dear Daughter book is on my to-read list so it gives me a excuse to go and buy it, so I can read it for the group read. Thanks again.

Janice wrote: "Thank you Ron that helps a lot I will give Tana French a try. The Dear Daughter book is on my to-read list so it gives me a excuse to go and buy it, so I can read it for the group read. Thanks again."

No problem. Be good to see you at the group read for Elizabeth Little.

I just finished reading The Outsmarting of Criminals by Steven Rigolosi. I really enjoyed it because it had a lot of twists and turns and surprises.

A couple books ago I read Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King and loved it. It's not a supernatural/horror book, it's a crime thriller. I think that's why many King fans didn't like it but that's my usual genre to read and this one was really good. I would recommend it to any fan of crime books.

It's been a long time since I read Stephen King. I stopped after Misery. I'll give this a try at some point since you recommended it Kathryn. Thanks.

Ron wrote: "It's been a long time since I read Stephen King. I stopped after Misery. I'll give this a try at some point since you recommended it Kathryn. Thanks."

It's a perfect book for this group being a crime thriller.

Kathryn wrote: "Ron wrote: "It's been a long time since I read Stephen King. I stopped after Misery. I'll give this a try at some point since you recommended it Kathryn. Thanks."

It's a perfect book for this g..."

Sounds good to me.

Kathryn wrote: "A couple books ago I read Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King and loved it. It's not a supernatural/horror book, it's a crime thriller. I think that's why many King fans di..."

I am loving this book Kathryn....1/2 way through and looking forward to another good session with Mr King later this afternoon. 8:D

Sandra wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "A couple books ago I read Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King and loved it. It's not a supernatural/horror book, it's a crime thriller. I think that's why m..."

I'm glad you like it, Sandra. I think the pace gets faster as you read it. Great characters.

Kathryn wrote: "A couple books ago I read Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King and loved it. It's not a supernatural/horror book, it's a crime thriller. I think that's why many King fans di..."

Thanks for the clue, Kathryn. I'd been skipping this because I don't care for horror anymore. I'll give this a go.

Lynne wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "A couple books ago I read Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King and loved it. It's not a supernatural/horror book, it's a crime thriller. I think that's why m..."

I hope you enjoy as much as I am Lynne. It is definitely not a horror - very much a thriller with all Mr King's lovely witticisms! I have to admit at chuckling out loud while reading him. Enjoy! 8:D

I don't what is about Wyoming law enforcement, but I'm hooked on CJ Box's Joe Pickett series and Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire series...Don't be turned off by the A&E Longmire series...book Walt has that perfect light touch, in spite of the serious nature of the crimes..."Boy Howdy"

I really enjoyed this book by CJ Box.

Sandra wrote: "Lynne wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "A couple books ago I read Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King and loved it. It's not a supernatural/horror book, it's a crime thriller. I thin..."

I do love King's sense of humor!

Mark wrote: ".Don't be turned off by the A&E Longmire series...book Walt has that perfect light touch, in spite of the serious nature of the crimes..."Boy Howdy" "

I'm another fan of the books but I watch almost no TV and never could get involved in the A & E series at all. I grew up and lived a big part of my adult life in the area where the series is located and the books get it exactly right. I've *known* many of the characters that appear in the books and Johnson is one of the very few authors that get the modern Cheyenne and Crow right.

Kathryn wrote: "A couple books ago I read Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King and loved it. It's not a supernatural/horror book, it's a crime thriller. I think that's why many King fans di..."

Will have to try this one. I don't care for the horror so have actually not read many of his books, this sounds promising.

by Marta Tandori
Spanning the years between the end of WWII and current times, and taking us between Nazi Germany, Norway and Hollywood, this intriguing thriller tells the story of Kate Stanton and her family.
Who is the homeless woman who is run down by a hit-and-run driver after a violent confrontation with several teenagers, one of them Kate's grand-daughter?
What was she trying to put in Kate's letter-box?
And why?
And where is it now?
Kate soon realizes that some questions are better left unasked after she is left scrambling to stay one step ahead of a killer who’s determined to end her life in order to save his own.
In this sweeping murder mystery based on the novella FORBIDDEN, past mistakes are pitted against bittersweet revenge and family secrets as old as Hollywood and Hitler threaten to destroy one family tainted by a poisonous legacy none of them can ever hope to escape.
I really enjoyed this book. Every time I thought I had it all figured out, there would be a clever twist in the plot, and I would have to begin again.
I will definitely be reading the rest of the Kate Stanton series!

27 by William Diehl


Kiss Me Once by Thomas Maxwell


Kiss Me Twice by Thomas Maxwell

If you're into books from WWII, these are some great ones to check out.

The very first Bryant and May mystery-The Full Dark House by Christopher Fowler. Most of the story is set in war London.

Would anyone have some recommendations for books with a male main character for my Grandsons who are 10 and 13?

Lynn wrote: "Would anyone have some recommendations for books with a male main character for my Grandsons who are 10 and 13?"

What kind of theme are you looking for Lynn?

Ron, I'm not sure lol. When I was a kid I read everything, but it was suggested that boys my Grandsons age would prefer a male main character driven book. I was looking for a mystery who dun it type book. Looking at Amazon I've found the following they may like but thought a mystery would promote brain activity.
The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Boxed Set by Rick Riordan
And
Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja by Marcus Emerson

I always purchase books for the kids but don't know what is in now that they are getting older.

Ross McDonald books with Lew Archer might be an interesting choice.

Lynn wrote: "Ron, I'm not sure lol. When I was a kid I read everything, but it was suggested that boys my Grandsons age would prefer a male main character driven book. I was looking for a mystery who dun it typ..."

My kids enjoyed the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson and my daughter reads the Virals series by Kathy Reichs. I actually have read both of those myself. They have enjoyed the Percy Jackson series, also. They are getting older now and enjoy reading more adult books, though. Oh, another 4-book series is the Homelanders series by Andrew Klavan. All of these series have teens and Maximum Ride has some younger kids, also.

Lynn wrote: "Would anyone have some recommendations for books with a male main character for my Grandsons who are 10 and 13?"

I was probably 12 or 13 when I read all the Sherlock Holmes books. He's not much of a role model but they are great stories.

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. Now to start purchasing some books each month until Christmas.

Great plan, Lynn. I've already bought all the books that I wanted for Christmas for my husband to give to me.

I just finished I really enjoyed it. Great book if you like a mystery with some political intrigue. Here is my goodreads review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and my blog link http://bjohnson-author.blogspot.com/2...

Hi guys and dolls, Thought this new member might recommend his all-time favorite crime-mystery-detective novel to the gang: Ira Levin's "A Kiss Before Dying". (And don't watch the (or rather: either) movie - no good.) Just finished "This Perfect Day" by the same author - not bad either: read it in one breath - full of unsuspected twists. Cheerio, Koen.

The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


London 1922. The colourless and impoverished Mrs Wray and her defeated daughter Frances are forced to take in "paying guests" following the death of Mr Wray and the revelation that he had made bad investments. There is no money, no servants, and no joy in this house.
The thoroughly modern young couple, Lil and Len Barber, move in upstairs with their gramophone, an eclectic mix of belongings, Lil's beautiful clothes, and her slapdash housekeeping routines.
Slowly, Frances is drawn to Lilian, much as a moth to a light, with disastrous consequences.
There were times, when i was reading this book, that the tension was so great, I found myself not breathing!
I thoroughly recommend The Paying Guests.



View all my reviews

Koen wrote: "Hi guys and dolls, Thought this new member might recommend his all-time favorite crime-mystery-detective novel to the gang: Ira Levin's "A Kiss Before Dying". (And don't watch the (or rather: eithe..."

Hi Koen. Welcome to the group. Glad you can join us. Thanks for the recommendation.
I guess it's hard to go wrong with Ira Levin since he wrote one of my all time favorites - The Boys From Brazil.

Ron wrote: "Koen wrote: "Hi guys and dolls, Thought this new member might recommend his all-time favorite crime-mystery-detective novel to the gang: Ira Levin's "A Kiss Before Dying". (And don't watch the (or ..."

Welcome Koen and hello Ron,
I LOVED "The Boys from Brazil" and I've been having "A Kiss Before Dying" on my bedside table waiting to be read for more than two years now. I guess it's time to get reading. Thanks for the recommendation!