Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

Hi Everyone,

I have been remiss in posting my reads lately. Caught up on some group reads and am trying to read some of the works that were nominated for Anthony Awards so I can vote during Bouchercon.

Here are my reads from May-July:

Top Reads

The Hunter - Tana French
Atmospheric with engaging characters and a suspenseful plot, this was another excellent read by the author.

Shy: The Alarmingly Outspoken Memoirs of Mary Rodgers - Mary Rodgers Guettel
A very engaging memoir from the daughter of Richard Rogers, who was also a talented composer and young adult fiction writer in her own right. I know little to nothing about Broadway musicals but the book had lots of footnotes that explained who everyone was and why they were important.

A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them - Timothy Egan
Since I live only a couple of blocks from the former Indiana Klan leader's house I knew bits and pieces of this disturbing time in the state's history but this book really did a great job of delving into D. C. Stephenson's rise and takeover of Indiana politics and his criminal behavior. Listened to the audio version which was read by the author.

Meet Me in the Bathroom: Rebirth and Rock and Roll in New York City 2001-2011 - Lizzy Goodman
A very readable oral history of the NYC rock scene that exploded during the late nineties and earlier aughts when The Strokes and other bands like Interpol and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were getting their starts.

Good Reads

Toxic Prey - John Sandford
A fun Lucas and Letty adventure. Listened to the audio version which was narrated by Robert Petkoff who was fine.

The Spy Coast - Tess Gerritsen
A nicely paced spy adventure featuring a group of retirees who have come to Maine to enjoy their golden years.

Lowdown Road - Scott Von Doviak
A fun pulpy caper with lots of action and violence. The book is set in 1974 during the big Evel Knievel Snake River jump which I hope was not as out of control as depicted in this story. Listened to the audio version which was narrated by L. J. Ganser who I thought could have done a better job differentiating the characters.

Everybody Knows - Jordan Harper
Dark, bleak look at Hollywood that was a bit too slickly written for me,

City Under One Roof - Iris Yamashita
A well done debut mystery set in a small town in Alaska where all the residents live in a single condo unit. Listened to the audio version which was narrated by Aspen Vincent, Shannon Tyo, and
Anna Caputo who all did a fine job.

Ok Read

If Morning Ever Comes - Anne Tyler
The author's debut novel published back in the sixties. I found it to be an Ok though slight read.

Sandi - nice lists - I also read Everybody Knows I can see what you mean about the LA / Hollywood fixer slickness. I loved The Hunter too, and am intrigued by two of your tops reads, A Fever in the Heartland and Meet Me in the Bathroom.

Sandi wrote: "Hi Everyone,
I have been remiss in posting my reads lately. Caught up on some group reads and am trying to read some of the works that were nominated for Anthony Awards so I can vote during Bouchercon..."

Sandi, I also enjoyed Toxic Prey, The Hunter and The Spy Coast. A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them sounds important to read if I can get myself in the mood.