The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

How many books do you plan to read this year? What are you few you had in mind?

150 books is my challenge this year. Some of the ones I am looking forward to are:

The Long Goodbye, by Raymond Chandler (reading now)

On His Own Terms: A Life of Nelson Rockefeller by Richard Norton Smith (also reading now)

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind and Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari

Faith, Hope and Charity by Len Deighton

Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith

It Had to Be Murder by Cornell Woolrich

Archer at Large by Ross Macdonald

Night and the City by Gerald Kersh

The Ringworld Engineers by Larry Niven

Seance on a Wet Afternoon by Mark McShane

Diaspora by Greg Egan

and probably a lot of pulp science fiction as well...

I loved Seance on a Wet Afternoon.

Only 10 books!!
My reading habit has deteriorated sadly over the last couple of years...
Looking back at the previous year, I barely made it out alive of my target of reading 10 books (I read 13 books in total, most of which was at the end of the year, during a sort of reading spree)...
This just goes to show that I can most certainly read more, provided that the books catch my attention all the way...
I'm currently reading The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle...

Nancy wrote: "I loved Seance on a Wet Afternoon."

I loved the film, and hope the book is as good.

I plan to read 55 books this year, and have around 20 on my list so far. The following will be preordered new releases:

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
The Suspect by Fiona Barton
I Know Who You Are by Alice Feeney
After the End by Clare Mackintosh
Machines Like Me by Ian McEwan
Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout
Sleep by C.L. Taylor
The Hiding Place by C.J. Tudor
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
Double Take by S.J. Watson

I addition I'll be reading some new releases by Scandinavian authors + a few old favourites like Margaret Millar and Dorothy B. Hughes. For the rest of the challenge I'll be most grateful for recommendations!

Tone, I definitely will be reading some Millar and Hughes this year, but don't know which ones to start with. Do you have any recommendations?

David wrote: "Tone, I definitely will be reading some Millar and Hughes this year, but don't know which ones to start with. Do you have any recommendations?"

Certainly, David.
My favourites of Millar's books are A Stranger In My Grave, How Like an Angel and The Soft Talkers. Hughes' best is In a Lonely Place.

Perfect, thank you, Tone!!

I have to leave for California on Tuesday for a week, but when I get back I'm going to organize a buddy read in this group for Margaret Millar's The Fiend. It's available as a kindle book, so I hope you might consider joining me.

I love her work -- I have all volumes of The Collected Millar, so I'm eager to get busy on it.

Nancy wrote: "I have to leave for California on Tuesday for a week, but when I get back I'm going to organize a buddy read in this group for Margaret Millar's The Fiend. It's available as a kindle..."

Thanks for organizing a buddy read, Nancy. I've read The Fiend, but that was many years ago, and I wouldn't mind reading it again. I have most of her books, too.

I plan to read , , , , , , , , ,

I plan to read 110 books this year. I exceeded that in 2018. I have challenges in another group. I plan to read some of the series that I've enjoyed but have neglected over the past few years; the Albert Campion books, Ellis Portal, Inspector Dekok, Anna Pigeon, Tom Thorne, Irene Kelly, Travis McGee, Gervase Fen, etc. I've also got challenges where I'll read the book I've had the longest on my Goodreads bookshelf; the middle of my Goodreads bookshelf and the newest addition to my Goodreads bookshelf and then a random number generator..

My first books have been -
- We Fed an Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time by José Andrés
- Blunt Instrument, Aby Georgette Heyer
- Undone by Karin Slaughter
- The Road to Little Dribbling: More Notes From a Small Island by Bill Bryson

Bill wrote: "I plan to read 110 books this year. I exceeded that in 2018. I have challenges in another group. I plan to read some of the series that I've enjoyed but have neglected over the past few years; the ..."

Interesting challenge. Good luck. I have scaled back to 70 books for my challenge.

Nancy wrote: "I have to leave for California on Tuesday for a week, but when I get back I'm going to organize a buddy read in this group for Margaret Millar's The Fiend. It's available as a kindle..."

And it is currently $4.99.

Bill wrote: "I plan to read 110 books this year. I exceeded that in 2018. I have challenges in another group. I plan to read some of the series that I've enjoyed but have neglected over the past few years; the ..."

Bill, I love your idea on Longest on Shelf, Newest on Shelf, random number, middle of shelf, etc. I might do that, but currently have 36 lined up, ready to roll.

How did you like "We Fed an Island?" I've been meaning to pick it up.

My goal for this year is much more modest than many here, but more robust than some. I want to read 65 books this year as that's a bit higher than what I achieved last year.

Nancy wrote: "Bill wrote: "I plan to read 110 books this year. I exceeded that in 2018. I have challenges in another group. I plan to read some of the series that I've enjoyed but have neglected over the past fe..."

Thanks, Nancy. I'm enjoying Fed an Island so far. 65 books is a good amount. I hope you enjoy the first 36.

Thomas wrote: "Bill wrote: "I plan to read 110 books this year. I exceeded that in 2018. I have challenges in another group. I plan to read some of the series that I've enjoyed but have neglected over the past fe..."

70 is a realistic doable amount, Thomas. Enjoy.

This year, I plan to complete many of the series I’ve begun and haven’t finished over the years. In the process, I’ve started a new series because I misread a “Want to Read” as a “Read”.
Here is the first set of five:

1. Simon Serrailler Mysteries by Susan Hill
2. Dr. Ruth Galloway by Elly Griffiths
3. Detective Inspector Huss by Helene Tursten
4. Inspector Sejer by Karen Fossum
5. Joins Linna by Lars Kepler

That’s 39 books to go!

Patty wrote: "This year, I plan to complete many of the series I’ve begun and haven’t finished over the years. In the process, I’ve started a new series because I misread a “Want to Read” as a “Read”.
Here is t..."

I've enjoyed my intros to the Simon Serrailler series, Inspector Sejer and Joins Linna. I was kind of disappointed with Inspector Huss, but I have wondered if it was the translation. Enjoy your reading, Patty.

I've read the most current book in my bookshelf and the 5th, now starting the 10th, that being the 26th installment in the Roderick Alleyn mysteries, When in Rome by Ngaio Marsh.

I finished the book that's been on my Goodreads bookshelf the longest time. I should have read it ages ago. Undone by Karin Slaughter
My review here - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next is the book that's been there 5th longest, the 13th Nevada Barr mystery - Hard Truth by Nevada Barr.

My wife and I have read all of Barr's books. We were on a trip when I mentioned that she was one of the authors that we enjoyed. To my surprise, a woman in the group knew her. Her husband was a retired US Park Ranger and had worked with Barr. She said Barr was a bitch in real life.

Thomas wrote: "My wife and I have read all of Barr's books. We were on a trip when I mentioned that she was one of the authors that we enjoyed. To my surprise, a woman in the group knew her. Her husband was a ret..."

Everybody has an opinion. I like the exposure to the National Parks, makes the stories even more interesting.

Bill wrote: Next is the book that's been there 5th longest, the 13th Nevada Barr mystery - Hard Truth by Nevada Barr.

I like this series too, mostly for the various National parks settings. I feel the series is uneven, but there have been quite a few that I thought were quite compelling.

Chris wrote: "Bill wrote: Next is the book that's been there 5th longest, the 13th Nevada Barr mystery - Hard Truth by Nevada Barr.

I like this series too, mostly for the various National parks settings. I fe..."

I agree totally, Chris. I've liked some more than others. I didn't enjoy Flashback with its ghost story aspect and I thought the one in Carlsbad Caverns was very tense and claustrophobic.. It is neat visiting the various parks.

My wife and I have visited many of the National Parks in these books and still read her books.
There is a Canada National Parks series. See my review of Full Curl
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Thomas wrote: "My wife and I have visited many of the National Parks in these books and still read her books.
There is a Canada National Parks series. See my review of Full Curl
https://www.goodr..."

Interesting.

Bill wrote: "Chris wrote: "Bill wrote: Next is the book that's been there 5th longest, the 13th Nevada Barr mystery - Hard Truth by Nevada Barr.

I like this series too, mostly for the various National parks ..."

I am still stuck on Flashback. Not crazy about ghost stories.

Jan C wrote: "Bill wrote: "Chris wrote: "Bill wrote: Next is the book that's been there 5th longest, the 13th Nevada Barr mystery - Hard Truth by Nevada Barr.

I like this series too, mostly for the various Na..."

It was a real step backwards in the series, in my mind...

I would love to read 200 books this year.

Considering that I plan to read and finish at the least:

1. Wheel of Time Series - 14 books
2. Court of Thorn and Roses series - 4 books
3. Throne of Glass series - 7 books
4. IT by Stephen King

It may be hard to read 200 books this year. It's a personal aim.

Angela wrote: "I would love to read 200 books this year.

Considering that I plan to read and finish at the least:

1. Wheel of Time Series - 14 books
2. Court of Thorn and Roses series - 4 books
3. Throne of..."

That will be impressive!

Wow, I haven't even managed 100 since joining GR, got close at 98, but found I was reading lots of shorts to get close, and I like doorstops.

Yea my problem is some of the books I have to read are 1000+ pages and between working FT and having 2 little ones night time is usually when I catch up

Angela wrote: "I would love to read 200 books this year.

Considering that I plan to read and finish at the least:

1. Wheel of Time Series - 14 books
2. Court of Thorn and Roses series - 4 books
3. Throne of..."

I thought I was a big reader! The last couple of years I've focused on quality rather than quantity, so I'm aiming for 80 this year.

This is my second Agatha Christie book. I’ve read And then there were none and now I’m almost through Murder on the orient express. Can anyone recommend me another good one

John wrote: "This is my second Agatha Christie book. I’ve read And then there were none and now I’m almost through Murder on the orient express. Can anyone recommend me another good one"

The ABC Murders. One of my favorites.

John wrote: "This is my second Agatha Christie book. I’ve read And then there were none and now I’m almost through Murder on the orient express. Can anyone recommend me another good one"

Nancy wrote: "John wrote: "This is my second Agatha Christie book. I’ve read And then there were none and now I’m almost through Murder on the orient express. Can anyone recommend me another good one"

The ABC M..."

You can hardly go wrong, no matter which of of Agatha Christie's books you choose to read. One that stands out is The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, her great breakthrough as a mystery writer.

I agree The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a must read.

I will for sure check it out TY all!

I've been working through my Goodreads bookshelf sort of in 4 ways this year as my challenges for 2019; a. from the books on my list the longest, b. from the most recent additions, c. from the middle and d. randomly using a random number generator. I finished one from category b this morning, 15 books down from the most recent addition. Next will be the book 20 down..

I finished Sleeping Beauty, a Lew Archer mystery by Ross Macdonald. My review is here -

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (5 stars)

Next will be a new author / series, that being Rex Carver, PI... Doubled In Diamonds by Victor Canning.

I finished an Inspector Brunetti mystery this morning. It fits into the 'I've had it on my Goodreads bookshelf for ages' challenge category. Love this series. I read Blood from a Stone by. My review (4 stars)

[authhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show... Leon|16290]

My next book in this challenge is an Inspector Dalgliesh mystery, one of the later ones; Death In Holy Orders by P.D. James

Because I read another 10 books I get a freebie so I'm going to try a pulp fiction thriller I've had for ages; Last Laugh for the Baron by Anthony Morton.

I finished my freebie this morning. Nice entertaining action a la '60s adventure series. It's part of the Baron series, which was a TV series in the '60s, starring Steve Forrest as the Baron. Last Laugh for the Baron was the 42nd book in this series written by John Creasey, aka John Creasey, aka J.J. Marric, etc. My review is below.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...