The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

Nominations time again; this time around it's all about mystery, crime, thriller, true crime, etc. set in the American West. To avoid confusion, I've posted a map of the area here -- personally I've always lumped Texas into the west so if you want mysteries set in Texas, I'll allow them too. I've also given you a few links where you might pick up author/series ideas.

As always, you may NOT nominate your own books; as always, if your book is chosen in the poll, you will become discussion leader. If you don't want to do that, then don't nominate a book.

links:
https://crimereads.com/where-the-west...
https://austinmysterywriters.com/2016...
https://murder-mayhem.com/authors-lik...

I'd like to nominate Coyote Wind by Peter Bowen which features French-Indian cattle-brand inspector Gabriel Du Pre and is set in Montana. It's a rings true mystery set in small town Montana (I lived in Montana for 10 years of my life). The dialect takes a bit to get used to as it's a patois with odd grammar, but I loved all the books in the series

This isn't much help but years ago I enjoyed J.A. Jance and her books are set in Seattle and Arizona. But I wouldn't know which one to recommend. Maybe someone else is a fan of hers.

Judy wrote: "This isn't much help but years ago I enjoyed J.A. Jance and her books are set in Seattle and Arizona. But I wouldn't know which one to recommend. Maybe someone else is a fan of hers."

I prefer the Arizona ones with Joanna Brady

I'd like to nominate The Cold Dish, by Craig Johnson. It's the first book in the excellent series that inspired the TV show, Longmire.

Question: Did any of you see the mini-series Dark Winds, which was based on Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn & Chee series? It was excellent.

Hi everyone. Since becoming a member, I’ve voted, and essentially lurked occasionally. I found a book that seems really intriguing that meet this criterion; and I am hesitant to nominate it. BECAUSE I don’t know what a Discussion Leader’s duties entail! Before I make a decision that may bite me in the butt, will someone please clue me in (no pun intended) and clarify this aspect? Is there a thread that might be especially helpful in this regard? Thanks people!

I just keep commenting in the thread when I'm it, but then maybe I'm a bad discussion leader. I'll also look up some outside references (like interviews with the author or about the setting) for people to read

SassafrasfromAmazon wrote: "Hi everyone. Since becoming a member, I’ve voted, and essentially lurked occasionally. I found a book that seems really intriguing that meet this criterion; and I am hesitant to nominate it. BECAUS..."

It's so not a big deal. Just introduce yourself at the start, and after that you check for comments and reply if you can. It's like having a conversation with the other readers.

Nancy & CBR , thanks for your input. I’ve a few days to think about it. I’m leaning towards doing it though—nothing beats a try.

dean lay wrote: "I believe Cormac McCarthy’s ‘No Country For Old Men’ is set in the west or Midwest

I’ve heard that’s a good story"

Texas, I believe

dean lay wrote: "I believe Cormac McCarthy’s ‘No Country For Old Men’ is set in the west or Midwest

I’ve heard that’s a good story"

It's in Texas, and I'll let that one in. We'll call it west Texas.

dean lay wrote: "I’m from UK so forgive my not knowing too many books settings when based in USA"

Not to worry. I often have a map open online while reading books from the UK!!

:)

SassafrasfromAmazon wrote: "Nancy & CBR , thanks for your input. I’ve a few days to think about it. I’m leaning towards doing it though—nothing beats a try."

You're welcome.

Pam wrote: "Question: Did any of you see the mini-series Dark Winds, which was based on Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn & Chee series? It was excellent."

That was good, for sure. I just loved how they built upon Navajo spirituality and mysticism in that show.

I have a small problem with considering books set in LA or San Francisco as really Western mainly because most of those books are big city books and, to me, Western is more prairies, mountains and other settings as in the Western genre of books and movies. I wouldn't even include Houston (it's more Southeastern) as Western.

Also, if you're going to Consider West Texas, you might want to also add Oklahoma and the Dakotas as possibilities.

CBRetriever wrote: "I have a small problem with considering books set in LA or San Francisco as really Western mainly because most of those books are big city books and, to me, Western is more prairies, mountains and ..."

I can appreciate that. However, I did not say "western" but books set in the American west; last time it was books set in the American south.

Nancy wrote: "CBRetriever wrote: "I have a small problem with considering books set in LA or San Francisco as really Western mainly because most of those books are big city books and, to me, Western is more prai..."

I will point out that you can't get much further west than when you're standing on the shore of the Pacific Ocean, but I have removed the nomination I made set in Los Angeles. Now you've got Texas, Wyoming and Montana to choose from (so far).

CBRetriever wrote: "I have a small problem with considering books set in LA or San Francisco as really Western mainly because most of those books are big city books and, to me, Western is more prairies, mountains and ..."

Just a comment, not a suggestion for the group read: Red Harvest by Hammett feels like a Western at times.

Tom wrote: "I'd like to nominate The Cold Dish, by Craig Johnson. It's the first book in the excellent series that inspired the TV show, Longmire."

I second this one.

Nancy wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I will point out that you can't get much further west than when you're standing on the shore of the Pacific Ocean, but I have removed the nomination I made set in Los Angeles. ."

it's just that I'd read the book and seemed to remember it as being in Chicago for some reason. It didn't have as much of a sense of being in the west. I'll be glad to endorse it in another situation. Heck, Los Angeles could easily have it's own group read category in the future

So if Texas is West, Oklahoma too, right? I’m rereading The Long and Faraway Gone, and would love to read it with the group. It’s partly set in Vegas too, so totally nominating it. Top quality, excellent writing.

Peter wrote: "So if Texas is West, Oklahoma too, right? I’m rereading The Long and Faraway Gone, and would love to read it with the group. It’s partly set in Vegas too, so totally nominating it. Top quality, exc..."

I consider Oklahoma the West (I said so in post 18) as it's definitely not the Midwest

I changed my mind about my initial choice. Instead, I am nominating Desert Heat by J. A. Jance (1993) Book 1 of the Joanna Brady series.
Setting: Arizona Desert

Murder Once Removed by S.C. Perkins

This is the first book in a terrific series set in Austin Texas, where the detective is a genealogist who solves murder mysteries that link back to her client’s family tree, old secrets & America’s illustrious past.

SassafrasfromAmazon wrote: "I changed my mind about my initial choice. Instead, I am nominating Desert Heat by J. A. Jance (1993) Book 1 of the Joanna Brady series.
Setting: Arizona Desert"

that's a good one

Peter wrote: "I’d like to also nominate The Black Dahlia by Ellroy"

If you wouldn't mind narrowing down your nominations to one, I'd appreciate it. Poll goes up tomorrow.

I have been wanting to read 'To Young To Kill' by 'M. William Phelps' for ages so I would love this book to be chosen as it would give me the push to move it to the top of my mile high books to read pile ! btw how do people highlight their choices ?

Redmakesmyheartsing wrote: "I have been wanting to read 'To Young To Kill' by 'M. William Phelps' for ages so I would love this book to be chosen as it would give me the push to move it to the top of my mile high books to rea..."

That takes place in Illinois, right? Also, it's on Kindle, but print copies are out of stock. So we'll pass on it this time. Sorry.

Okay everyone, the poll is now live. You can click on the polls link at the right hand corner of any of the group's pages or you can get there using this link:

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/1...

Pam wrote: "Question: Did any of you see the mini-series Dark Winds, which was based on Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn & Chee series? It was excellent."

Sounds great!