Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

Hi all,

Actually having to work at work is really cutting into my reading time but luckily all were of high quality including another great group read. Here are my March reads:

Top Reads

The Kind Worth Killing
Peter Swanson
A really good suspense thriller with just enough plot twists and turns to keep things interesting. I did think the beginning was a bit slow but then things took off, I became engaged with the characters, and then the ending was quite fitting.

Hush Hush
Laura Lippman
It has been a number of years between books in the series but I did not think the quality suffered any for the break. PI Tess Monaghan has gone through many changes over the years and motherhood has definitely altered her life and perspective. While the plot was interesting enough what I really enjoyed was learning more about some of the supporting characters.

Broken Harbor
Tana French
I went into this book with some trepidation since I had not practically cared for the character of Mick Kennedy in the previous book. I should not have worried though since the author is so talented with characterizations. I thought the plotting in this story was also very good and the psychological drama was up to the high standards of her previous work. I listened to the audio version which was read by Stephen Hogan who did a really excellent job.

Good Reads

Hell Is Empty
Craig Johnson
I have always found this series consistently good but this book will not rank among my favorites. I did not really care for the plot (too much action no real mystery) and while I found certain parts interesting (especially all the scenes with Virgil White Buffalo) I really missed the regular supporting cast. I listened to the audio and George Guidall did his usual excellent job with the narration.

The Summer Tree
Guy Gavriel Kay
I had tried to read this many years before and bogged down but, while the audio version still started a bit slow, the last third of story was very compelling. The only problem with the audio is that there are so many characters and since it is a fantasy book most have somewhat different names. The narration was done by Simon Vance whose female characterizations were not great but overall did a fine job.

Let's Go Crazy: Prince and the Making of Purple Rain
Alan Light
An entertaining look at the making of the movie Purple Rain. I was a big fan of the movie and soundtrack though just a casual fan of Prince so I learned quite a lot. Also enjoyed the look back at the year 1984 and remembering all the other big albums that sold in the millions that year.

You were much kinder to Lippman than I was.

Agree with you 100% on Broken Harbour.

Have to get the Prince book; I'm a big Prince fan, and loved the Purple Rain album. I remember dressing in purple and driving to Worcester with my besties to see him in the '80s. We still laugh about that adventure. My BFF's husband watched us pile into the car and just shook his head.

Any time you want to relive it all, I will gladly take you to a lake on my bike and help you jump in.

I started Hush Hush in print and ran out of time (it was a two week book on the Lucky Day shelf). I couldn't decide whether to seek it out again, looks like the current votes are 50/50. Barry wrote: "You were much kinder to Lippman than I was."

Nice month, Sandi! I loved Broken Harbor. I think we should be looking for another Tana French book soon, (wishful thinking!) .

sandi-
i'm so excited! i finally have heard of, or read, most of the books on your list this month!

Good month, Sandi. Don't let work interfere too much.

I tried to get Hush Hush from the library, but they didn't have it so I
reserved it for the hardcover.
My library never seems to have the books I want for my Kindle. Anybody else
have this?

Amy:
The library here is hit and miss for kindle format and audio books. I am seeing less overdrive MP3 audiobooks lately for new releases which is disappointing. Sometimes they pop up later. It is a challenge to find them.

Ann, yes it is, especially new books.

Need to check out the Prince book!

Good month! I don't think I've ever read Lipman, have to check her out.

Not quite what I had in mind, but thanks for the thought...

Barry wrote: "Any time you want to relive it all, I will gladly take you to a lake on my bike and help you jump in."