Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

The year flew by and now it is time for a new thread to post our 2026 books!
Happy new year to all. We look forward to hearing 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!

Posting 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.

Happy New Year everyone!

Happy New Year Everyone.

I would like to add to the posting tip that Ann posted. Mostly I look at my comments on my iPad. A lot of the time I don't see the books people are posting. I always forget the reason so glad that Ann posts that every year. A few people still post the same way so I still don't see them but it would be nice to see the complete comments.

Also I want to repeat about the 2026 Determination Challenges that are posted so come on over to check it out and join in.

NR: Triple Cross by James Patterson (hardcover print own)
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown (libby audio)
Rook & Rebel by Kate Crew (Netgalley live 1/16)
Crushed by Dawn Rae Miller (trade print owned)

NR: All the Colors of the Dark - fabulous! for F2F book club
NL: The Fisherman King

Still waiting for a copy of my library book club book. It’s Weyward by Emilia Hart. My library will be closed for renovations for the month of January so books going back have to go in book drop and any pick ups they say curb side but last I heard they still have to figure out how.

Donnajo wrote: "Happy New Year Everyone.

I would like to add to the posting tip that Ann posted. Mostly I look at my comments on my iPad. A lot of the time I don't see the books people are posting. I always forge..."

I have nowhere to post except on the computer where I'm posting now. My only other device just contains e-books. So I can't post there. Sorry!

I'm starting 2026 off with Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman.

This is a biography of the scientist Richard Feynman. I've only read 25 pages and I'm finding it engaging. I'm estimating that I'll finish it in mid-February if I continue reading it at this rate. This means I'll have no books finished in January.

Donnajo wrote: "Happy New Year Everyone.

I would like to add to the posting tip that Ann posted. Mostly I look at my comments on my iPad. A lot of the time I don't see the books people are posting. I always forge..."

Sorry, Donnajo, but I have no other place where I can post other than the computer that I'm posting on now. I have no IPad or other similar device. My only other device can only contain e-books.

I'm starting 2026 with Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman. It's in paperback format and I purchased it second hand. I've only read 25 pages. If I continue at that rate, I won't finish the book until May 2026. I hope I can pick up the pace. I am finding this biography engaging.

JF: All the Colors of the Dark. I read 150 pages on the train Tuesday, picked it up again last night around 9 and just finished off the 608 pages. OMG. I LOVED it!
My son called and left a message and I can't call him back yet because I am just ugly-crying...

NR: Can't think right now. Need to take a nap.

Shomeret no problem seeing yours. It’s maybe two or three other’s when they post their lists. Sometimes I get just person’s name sometimes I just get picture of book with nothing after.

Gail: I loved All the Colors of the Dark and can relate to your residual feelings. Chris Whitaker is a treasure of an author, and his books always hit me hard.

JF my first book completed in 2026, last night after midnight
Invisible Citiesby Italo Calvino - Marco Polo tells Kublai Khan stories about fantastical cities, the imagery evoked is quite interesting.

NR Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazo Kawaguchi
If you could go back in time, who would you want to meet? There are a lot of rules.

Finished Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung

Now reading The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa 30% and enjoying it quite a bit.

I’ve been in a reading slump the last day or so I think. Not a good way to start my reading year off.

Hi there! Im Andrea and my NR is Secret of Secrets and my next read is Thursday Murder Club. Im typically a “last to know”/ “ late to the game” person 🙃. I love mystery/suspense/thriller. Last year I loved The Silent Patient, Beautiful Ugly, Sometimes I Lie.

Donnajo wrote: "I’ve been in a reading slump the last day or so I think. Not a good way to start my reading year off."

Look at it as your brain (and eyes) telling you they needed a rest. Then it's not a reading slump, it's simply a reset.

Andrea wrote: "Hi there! Im Andrea ..."

Welcome, Andrea!

Gail sounds good. Hopefully can get some of my reading mojo back today. Added a Tule Arc to the current TBR lineup.
The Rodeo Cowboy’s Redemption by Kyra Jacobs

So today I hope to read more of that book, I already listened to some of my audio, and want to read more of the netgalley and maybe a few chapters of Patterson.

Welcome Andrea! I love the Thursday Murder Club - we usually have group read discussions for those. We also read The Silent Patient as a group read. Better late than never I say!

Andrea wrote: "Hi there! Im Andrea and my NR is Secret of Secrets and my next read is Thursday Murder Club. Im typically a “last to know”/ “ late to the game” person 🙃. I love mystery/suspense/thriller. Last year..."

Just to give everyone the group's 2026 Determination Challenge Link if you want to check the Challenge out.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

JF: The Rodeo Cowboy’s Redemption by Kyra Jacobs
Rook & Rebel by Kate Crew

JF: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown (Libby Audio)

NR: Three Little Mistakes by Nikki Sloane (Hoopla Audio)
Crushed by Dawn Rae Miller (Print owned)
Triple Cross by James Patterson (Print Owned)

Might finish Nikki Sloane audio today I'm passed the half way point in the audio.
Already read some of Triple Cross today I'm determined to get a few chapters read of this one today I don't want to put it aside again but I haven't been in the mood for one of his books lately I'm almost at 100 pages in the book.
Really want to start another one of the Netgalley arcs but I only have 2. The Heir of Whitestone by Catherine Coulter (live 2/24) & Don't Fall in Love with me by Paige Toon (live 4/25). Maybe when I finish one of the Print owned books.
I've been also working on combining some of my Goodreads shelves to get rid of a few of past years.

Shomeret wrote: "Donnajo wrote: "Happy New Year Everyone.

I would like to add to the posting tip that Ann posted. Mostly I look at my comments on my iPad. A lot of the time I don't see the books people are posting..."

I found the physics content difficult, so I abandoned the Feynman bio. I am now reading We'll Prescribe You Another Cat. This is a sequel. The first book is We'll Prescribe You a Cat and I've read it. The review is at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

We'll Prescribe You Another Cat is a 2025 book in hardcover which I purchased at my favorite bookstore. I wasn't that fond of the first book, but I couldn't help picking up the sequel because I love cats. I could hear a cat in my head telling me to buy it "Now!"

j/f: The Top of the World- ethan joella - pub. 6/30- loved it
n/r: We Were Never Friends- kaira rouda]

I finally began reading Irish author Niall Williams with History of the Rain. He has been on my pick-me list for ages, and this book is now on my favourites list. Captivating. Enough said!
My review of History of the Rain

I also read an F. Scott Fitzgerald story, A Short Trip Home, where I sympathised with the unfortunate young college student who was being ignored by the girl he'd known 'forever' in favour of a mysterious older Lothario. The story is in some collections.
My review of A Short Trip Home

JF: Three Little Mistakes by Nikki Sloane (hoopla audio)

NR: Triple Cross by Patterson
Crushed by Dawn Rae Miller

Almost want to DNF Crushed but at 100 pages I’m too far in maybe around 150 pages left to read. I think it’s because I want to start something else but determined to finish the current ones first. I’ve been working in my Goodreads shelves the last few days and moving books around in them so seeing books I want to read. Switching lists for bookshelf challenges taking ones off that don’t want on list anytime soon.

I’m reading a book called The Good Son by Todd Strasser

JF:Someone Knows by Vi Keeland

• ​Genre: Psychological Thriller
• ​Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My Review

NR: I haven't decided

JF: crushed by Dawn Rae Miller

NR: Triple Cross by Patterson
Calypso by David Sedaris (Libby audio)
The Butterfly Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe (print Owned)

recent reads ...
JF Gone Before Goodbye read by Reese Witherspoon and others, co-author Harlan Coben audio

JF Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi audio and very good.

JF The End of the World As We Know It: New Tales of Stephen King's The Stand short stories edited by Christopher Golden from Stephen King's masterpiece, The Stand - these stories continue the epic novel

JF Poems & Prayers written and narrated by Matthew McConaughey

I’m reading a book called The Deep End of the Ocean by Jacquelyn Mitchard

Christine wrote: "I’m reading a book called The Deep End of the Ocean by Jacquelyn Mitchard"

Oh, I really liked that book. Hope you enjoy.

I'm slow to post so far this year--the holidays were a mixed bag of highs and lows, and I'm preparing for retirement at the end of February. After that, watch out!!!!

DJ I will set up my Determination List for 2026 soon.

Just now getting to King Sorrow by Joe Hill. So far, so good!

Carol/Bonadie wrote: " ... and I'm preparing for retirement at the end of February. After that, watch out!!!! ..."

Congrats!!

NR The Widow by John Grisham
audio

NR The Final Problem by Arturo Pérez-Reverte arc ebook

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I'm slow to post so far this year--the holidays were a mixed bag of highs and lows, and I'm preparing for retirement at the end of February. After that, watch out!!!!

DJ I will set up my Determina..."

hooray!

Strange Sally Diamond by best-selling (easy to see why) Irish author Liz Nugent is strange indeed, but in a good way. Unusual character and story that takes place in NZ and Ireland. Excellent.
My review of Strange Sally Diamond

Nature Poems to See By: A Comic Artist Interprets More Great Poems is an attractive introduction to poetry for anyone - kids or adults. Julian Peters has illustrated them in different styles, some with humour, some with serious messages. Good poems, talented artist.
My review of Nature Poems to See By... with several of the illustrations. It's out in March and still available until then for NetGalley reviewers.

PattyMacDotComma wrote: " Strange Sally Diamond by best-selling (easy to see why) Irish author Liz Nugent is strange indeed, but in a good way. Unusual character and story that takes place i..."

Ohhhh! :This looks really good!

j/f: The Mastermind's Trap- Debbi Michiko Florence- YA m/t- sequel to A Study in Secrets- pub. 3/17/26
n/r: More Than Enough- anna quindlen- pub.2/24/26

Aussie author Tim Ayliffe has just released a new standalone, Dark Desert Road, a real cops and robbers thriller, (not as simple as I'm making it sound). Drugs, bikies, and sovereign citizens making bombs. Dark indeed.
My review of Dark Desert Road

JF: A Texas Soldier’s vow by Julie Benson (Tule arc)

Also noticed I hadn't mentioned I finished from above:
Three Little Mistakes-Nikki Sloane
Crushed-Dawn Rae Miller
Triple Cross-James Patterson

NR: The Heir of Whitestone by Catherine Coulter (Netgalley Live 2/24)
The Butterfly's Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe (Print owned)
The Pursuit by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg(libby audio)

I would like to work on trying to read the rest of Coulter's book but not far into it. I like her FBI series better but wanted to give this one a try. My february book club book is finally waiting for me but we are starting to get some white stuff so I'm planning on hopefully picking it up on tuesday that one will be Weyward. With library closed for renovations until feb you can only do curb side pickup. but I have seen online pictures and all I can say is Wow the work that is being done. Yesterday we did Zoom workplace for the short story group had problems getting on to it. But once I did it was good. The next february short story will be Lovesick by Jason Fernandes. 8 books finished this year so far. Part of me is resisting on starting too many books. I also only have one other Netgalley by Paige Toon but I have more time for that one.

JF. The Widow - John Grisham delivered with a bang-up legal trial and situation, galloping to the end. Excellent on audio.

JF The Seven Rings by Nora Roberts book three of the Lost Brides trilogy. I actually won a hardback copy in a Goodreads giveaway, listened on audio.

NR my Kindle is backing with several - up continuing The Final Problem since it is the arc.

NR audio - deciding.

I’m reading a book called Guilty Minds by Joseph Finder

Ann wrote: "JF. The Widow - John Grisham delivered with a bang-up legal trial and situation, galloping to the end. Excellent on audio.

JF The Seven Rings by [au..."
You convinced me, I put The Widow on hold at the library.

JF: A Replacement Life by Boris Fishman
NL: The Correspondent and adoring it!
NR: The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters

My laptop died last week, ordered new one which won’t be here until this week, snow and ice, and I’m … well, going batty. 🤪

Barry, I struggled to find a likable character in the beginning, the set-up is worth it in the end IMHO.

BarryP wrote: "You convinced me, I put The Widow on hold at the library.

Ann wrote: "JF. The Widow - John Grisham delivered with a bang-up legal trial and situation, galloping to the end. Excellent on audio.

..."

Oh Gail, so sorry you are laptop-less for a short stint. Isn’t the audio of The Correspondent marvelous!

NL A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn I love Veronica Speedwell!

GailW wrote: "JF: A Replacement Life by Boris Fishman
NL: The Correspondent and adoring it!
NR: The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters

My laptop died last week, ordered new one which won’t be here until this week, snow and ice, and I’m … well, going batty. 🤪..."

Just Finished: Voter Suppression: Blocking the Ballot Box which I will rate four stars

Now Reading: She is Here by Nicola Griffith