Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

Hello 2025! Happy new year to all. It’s time for a clean slate and chatting about the great (and not so great) books we read.
Post your JF Just Finished and NR Now Reading books here to discuss and get recommendations!

A Tip - if you use the insert book cover feature, the book cover images and any text you type 'after the first inserted cover image' won't display on the Goodreads app. Inserting just the link of the title or an author link works great on the app. If you want to avoid parts of your post not showing on the app, insert book covers at the end after any text or links and nothing is lost.

Thank you Ann for posting A Tip. I have that problem when I look at posts from my iPad which I normally do rather than the laptop.

NR:
Crossing The Line by Kelly Jamieson (Netgalley Live 1/12)
Exodus by Kate Stewart (Library Hoopla ebook)
The Appeal by Janice Hallett (Library print book)

Updated list I took one kindle freebie off and also a print owned book off for time being. Just because of the storylines above. I'll be adding another print owned book soon. I'll also be adding a book waiting for me from library and also the library february book club book which is enroute to library for me.
Tryst Six venom by Penelope Douglas (waiting)
Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead (enroute)

Also will be adding in the January Library short story
The Girl Who Loved Graveyards by P.D. James

No JF in 2025 yet -
NR I am struggling with the storyline of I Found You. I think I know where it is going, and it isn't getting there quick enough. I am over 50% in so may still finish it (and love Lisa Jewell) so it may be my first book of the year.
NR Otherwise I have quite a few (too many Libby audiobooks) in the queue so will se what else rises to the top. I had a few too many that were similar so have been book-hopping to avoid similar plots at the same time.

NR:
His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope - audio
The God of the Woods - print

The 2025 Challenge thread is set up. The Determination Challenge part of it is ready for you to go and Pick your Option out of the three that are listed and further instructions are there for you. We hope you will join us. The Choose for Me (CFM) will be added in the next few days or weekend and we will let you know when that is available.

I’m reading a book called The Devil Wears Scrubs by Freida McFadden

Just finished The Dark Library a WWII era "Gothic" set in a small college town in New York. If you enjoy dark mysteries with libraries at their center and frequent plot twists, you're in for a treat.

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

Ann wrote: "No JF in 2025 yet -
NR I am struggling with the storyline of I Found You. I think I know where it is going, and it isn't getting there quick enough. I am over 50% in so may still f..."

Ann, I remember reading I Found You... and had the same feeling. It read more like a "this is what is happening" rather than a mystery to me if that makes any sense.

JF: One False Move

NR: Tracers in the Dark: The Global Hunt for the Crime Lords of Cryptocurrency - audio and kindle - sooooo good so far.

Need to pick out another book as well... decisions... decisions...

JF: Crossing the Line by Kelly Jamieson

I’m reading a book called The Gift by Freida McFadden

Christina: Exactly! I did finish JF I Found You I eventually decided that since I was halfway through, I would stick with it. I listened to it in a spurt, and it was my first book of 2025.

ChrisQ wrote: "Ann, I remember reading I Found You... and had the same feeling. It read more like a "this is what is happening" rather than a mystery to me if that makes any sense. "

JF: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, our Group Read for January

Still reading: Pay Dirt by Sara Paretsky

Now listening to: Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage

j/f: The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year- Margaret renkl
n/r: Nobody’s Fool- harlan coben- pub. 3/25/25

I’m reading a book called My Son is a Murderer by Spencer Guerrero

Sherry, Did you like The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year! ? I’m going to pull it out and start it soon.
NR Don't Let the Devil Ride by Ace Atkins audio

Sherry wrote: "j/f: The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year- Margaret renkl
n/r: Nobody’s Fool- harlan coben- pub. 3/25/25"

Ann wrote: "Sherry, Did you like The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year! ? I’m going to pull it out and start it soon.
NR Don't Let the Devil Ride by Ace Atkins,

I did, ann although i mostly skimmed through it. it was beautifully written but not "my" kind of book. my book club usually reads 1 non fiction book a year. somehow this one ended up on the list where we voted for fiction books (totally my fault since I'm the one who makes the lists we use to vote..lol) instead of the non-fiction list.

Updated List

NR:
The Way to a Cowboy's Heart by Barbara Ankrum (Tule arc)READ 1/4/25
Exodus by Kate Stewart (Hoopla ebooks-BK 2)
The Appeal by Janice Hallett (library book)
Harlem Shuffle by Colton Whitehead (Feb Library book club)

So far today I read a few pages of The Appeal not sure what I think of it yet. An epistolary. (only 16 pages into it)
I'll be starting to read The Way to a Cowboy's Heart and might start reading Harlem Shuffle (might hold off for that one until tomorrow)And I want to read more of Exodus today.
So many books.

Sherry, I get that completely, Margaret Renkl books for me are read in small bites over time; not so conducive for a monthly book club probably. I think I’m going to try to time my reading of The Comfort of Crows with the seasons across 2025. She is local, works sometimes part-time at Parnassus Books (Ann Patchett’s bookstore) and writes Opinion pieces for the New York Times. She has led some live interviews for author visits.
Sherry wrote: "I did, ann although i mostly skimmed through it. it was beautifully written but not "my" kind of book.”

Ann wrote: "Sherry, Did you like The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year! ? I’m going to pull it out and start it soon.
NR Don't Let the Devil Ride "

Christina: this title was intriguing so I checked to see if my library had it in print. I ended up with it on Kindle after returning the cookbook that was incomprehensible in the format (no chapters or index for the recipes and lots of commentary about each of them making it hard to find the actual steps and ingredients)
I think I am hooked on this one. lol I needed more books on the TBR active pile. Thanks!
ChrisQ wrote: "
NR: Tracers in the Dark: The Global Hunt for the Crime Lords of Cryptocurrency - audio and kindle - sooooo good so far ..."

Ann wrote: "Sherry, I get that completely, Margaret Renkl books for me are read in small bites over time; not so conducive for a monthly book club probably. I think I’m going to try to time my reading of The C..."

ann- what a great idea to read The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year "seasonally". if i'd had more time, that would have been a perfect way for me to read it. i ended up reading all of the first section, then 1-2 of the essays for each subsequent season so I could at least discuss it. my book group knows I am not a fan of non-fiction books, so I don't think they are expecting me to read any of it lol

JF: The Way to a Cowboy's Heart by Barbara Ankrum (Tule Arc)

Ann has moved up the thread for Choose For Me underneath the Determination Challenge thread. The info on how you do it is in a post under Choose for me. We were originally told about this Challenge if you want to call it that by Jess back in 2022 I believe.
I already picked and posted 3 of my print owned books for other's to let me know which 1 they select for me to read next after I complete my library mystery book. Whichever book gets selected the most will be the one I end up reading next (hopefully in January)
Come over and join in.

Donnajo wrote: "Ann has moved up the thread for Choose For Me underneath the Determination Challenge thread. The info on how you do it is in a post under Choose for me. We were originally told about this Challenge..."

Just gave you my opinion, including my thoughts on the book. If that is not okay, please let me know!

Gail W wrote: "Donnajo wrote: "Ann has moved up the thread for Choose For Me underneath the Determination Challenge thread. The info on how you do it is in a post under Choose for me. We were originally told abou..."

It's perfect Gail thank you. Also I answered your post over there too.

Ann- Tracers is fascinating! So glad you are enjoying it. My husband read it and raved about it. I love how it makes cryptocurrency accessible and the race to catch the criminals discussed is exciting. Some of the twists in the narrative are better than most books but that's real life - you can't make that up. lol I am about 40 percent in.

I figured I would give a update Current reads post.

NR:
Exodus by Kate Stewart (Hoopla ebook)
The Appeal by Janice Hallett (library book-Epistolary)
Harlem Shuffle by Colton Whitehead (Library February book club)

Only reading I did yesterday was some of The Appeal (it's easy to put down. You would think a book done like this would read faster only 96 pages into it, but it's not my only book) and Harlem Shuffle (only 16 pages into it not sure about this one yet hasn't grabbed me).

I’m reading a book called A Murder in the Neighborhood by Spencer Guerrero

I’m reading The persuader by Lee child

I have added The God of the Woods

and I think I am gonna finish Iron Flame... am debating this. I tried reading it when it first came out and lost interest but the next book is out this month so I may give it another go.

Christina: I have had Iron Flame in my audible queue for a while - it will be for my determination top ten eventually this year when the mood is right! The God of the Woods is first in line of that queue. and probably will gain NR status later today.
JF I just finished Don't Let the Devil Ride by Ace Atkins . It reminded me of The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store and was very good on audio. (James McBride)


ChrisQ wrote: "I have added The God of the Woods
and I think I am gonna finish Iron Flame... am debating this. I tried reading it when it first came out and lost interest but th..."

JF: Exodus by Kate Stewart

I think I’ll hold off until after I read the library print book by Penelope Douglass before reading the next book in series by Kate even if the excerpt is pulling me in.

Shadow at the Morgue is the first volume in a new Victorian mystery series. I'm withholding judgement at the moment.

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

I don't think it's possible to overstate the importance and power of Between the World and Me, written by Ta-Nehisi Coates as a letter to his then teenaged son. Who decided what "race" is ... and why?
My review of Between the World and Me with many quotations

I've seen True Love by Paddy Crewe compared to Sally Rooney's writing, and I think that's appropriate. I preferred his unusual first book, My Name Is Yip. I like this, but less.
My review of True Love

Aussie writer Adrian Hyland's outback and remote rural mysteries feature female protagonists who are unruly in the best sense of the word - they have to be.

Jesse Redpath is great in The Wiregrass, and my only complaint is that Hyland doesn't write faster.
My review of The Wiregrass

I’m reading a book called Last Patient of the Night by Gary Gerlacher

i just typed out this whole post and it disappeared. so here it is again, but abridged lol
j/f: Nobody’s Fool- coben- pub. 3/25/25- follow up to Fool Me Oncewith sami keirce- liked it a lot
n/r: Wayward Girls -susan wiggs- pub.7/15/25

Don't know where I left off:

Finished:
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore.
Swift and Saddled and Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage.
Pay Dirt by Sara Paretsky.

Now listening to: Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton.
Now reading: Robert B. Parker's Buzz Kill by Alison Gaylin

JF: The Appeal by Janice Hallett

NR:
Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead (library february book club)
Trial by Fire by Jo Davis (Print Owned paperback)

I removed the Penelope Douglas library book off my list. I'll be returning it to library unread. I read 1 chapter of it but had never read the storyline by got it because it was an author pick and I ended up reading the storyline and I'm just not in the mood to read that type of storyline. I need to have a book that is off my own printed bookshelves besides having Harlem Shuffle which I'm 122 pages into it and it's again not my usual type of book so I'm having a harder time reading it.

JF The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. This is our current group read and we are discussing it now. Join us!
I need to work on lining up the February group read, Butter by Asako Yuzuki
NR will settle on shortly.

If they've found The Wrong Hands, then whose are they? This is Mark Billingham's Detective Miller #2, but it could easily be a standalone. He is an experienced author who leads us gently through back stories without making me feel guilty for not remembering who's who. 😊)
My review of The Wrong Hands

I’m reading a book called The Nurse's Lie by Daniel Hurst

Hi All, I read this as an ARC back in November but it is published today. Well worth a read.

A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay

Here's my four star review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just Finished:The God of the Woods The God of The Woods

NR: The Count of Monte Cristo as my bedtime book...

Will probably pick up something else as well....

Just finished Mrs Hudson and the Capricorn Incident: The latest in the bestselling series inspired by the great detective's housekeeper in Baker Street. This series involves Sherlock Holmes, but the real stars are housekeeper Mrs. Hudson and maid Flotsam. It's borderline cozy, but not predictable in its plotting.

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

Sarah-Hope wrote: "Just finished Mrs Hudson and the Capricorn Incident: The latest in the bestselling series inspired by the great detective's housekeeper in Baker Street. This series involves Sherlo..."

Sarah - your link goes to your review list, not this book.

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Sarah-Hope wrote: "Just finished Mrs Hudson and the Capricorn Incident: The latest in the bestselling series inspired by the great detective's housekeeper in Baker Street. This ser..."

Thank you! Fixing it now.

I’m reading a book called No Son of Mine by C.L. Swatman