The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

Nominations are now open for the July/August Group Read.

General rules for Group Reads. Please read before you create your post.

One nomination per person from any mystery genre. Authors, please no self-nominations.

Nominations will be open until Thursday, July 1st, with voting until July 8th.

For your post, use Title, Author and Link (use the "add book/author" link at top of comment box) please.

The person who nominated the winning book will be the leader of the discussion. The discussion leader's job does not have to be elaborate. A few comments or questions to keep the discussion moving along will be fine or it can be more if you like.

Since we are a rather international group please check Amazon or some other site to make sure the book is readily available. Is it available in paperback? Used? Your local library? The last thing we want is to nominate a great book that no one can get!

Finally, a word about series - the joy or bane of a mystery reader’s life! Please consider whether the book you are nominating would be best read by someone who has read all the previous books in the series or can be enjoyed by someone new to the series too.

I've never read it but I think it's about time that I did:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

One of my recent purchases

Raven Black by Ann Cleeves

Takes place in the Shetland Islands. I was intrigued by the description. Haven't read it yet.

I just received my Mooch Copy, so I will nominate:

My Name Is Red by Orhan Pamuk



It's a historical crime mystery and everyone I know who has read it has loved it.

I nominate Black Cherry Blues: A Dave Robicheaux Novel by James Lee Burke



This is the 3rd in the series and the newest will be released next month.

I'd nominate "The Lion," by Nelson Demille. It's the sequel to "The Lion's Game," from a decade ago. I'm looking forward to reading it.
The Lion

Charlotte (Buried in Books) wrote: "I've never read it but I think it's about time that I did:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee"

It is an important read because it is a classic but I think it is politically slanted and highly overrated

I'd like to nominate Maisie Dobbs, by Jacqueline Winspear.

Gary wrote: "I'd nominate "The Lion," by Nelson Demille. It's the sequel to "The Lion's Game," from a decade ago. I'm looking forward to reading it.
The Lion"

One of my favorite authors. When I last read him he seemed burned out.

Donna wrote: "I nominate Black Cherry Blues: A Dave Robicheaux Novel by James Lee Burke



This is the 3rd in the serie..."

I think Burke's best writing is behind him.

Charlotte (Buried in Books) wrote: "I've never read it but I think it's about time that I did:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee"

Well, Charlotte, I just want to add that it is still a major best seller for a reason, as it is an insightful, wonderfully written historical fiction story that depicts its time period most accurately. I've read and taught this book, and the historical and literary allusions alone make the book well worth reading. You've made an excellent nomination, which if it wins, will have me reading this book again.

I, also, want to add that I think positive comments are perfectly fine here about nominations (although maybe we should just nominate and not comment), but I don't see why anyone feels compelled to say something negative about someone's nomination. If someone doesn't like or approve of the nomination, he/she should just nominate one him/her self and keep negativity out of it. If a nomination that someone doesn't like wins, then the book discussion would seem the forum to discuss problems with the book. Sorry, Hayes, I just felt this needed to be said, and I'm sure that I was inclined to say so because of the one that was dissed.

Gary wrote: "I'd nominate "The Lion," by Nelson Demille. It's the sequel to "The Lion's Game," from a decade ago. I'm looking forward to reading it.
The Lion"

I would also like to nominate "Lion" by Demillie It is #1 of my 2 favorite authors. Greg Isles is the other one. I gave it to my daughter for her birthday and I get it when she reads it.

"it is an insightful, wonderfully written historical fiction story that depicts its time period most accurately"
That comment shows the bias of someone who was not there calling a fairytale accurate. Tsh tsh.

Moderators at Work:

Instructions for nominations state:

"For your post, use Title, Author and Link (use the "add book/author" link at top of comment box) please."

And nothing else please.

You will have your chance to comment on the nominations when you cast your vote in the final poll.

The place for comments on the winning book, will be in the thread for the winning book, not here in the nominations.

Thank you,
Hayes and Donna

Linton wrote: ""it is an insightful, wonderfully written historical fiction story that depicts its time period most accurately"
That comment shows the bias of someone who was not there calling a fairytale accura..."

I'm not sure who or what you are, but this kind of talk has no place here. I will not participate in a discussion with someone who attempts to bait me by insulting my intelligence. I think we realize who the biased person is. Please, Hayes and/or Donna, let this person know that this kind of discourse will not be tolerated here! I love this group and don't want to see it spoiled by such hatefulness.

Linton wrote: ""it is an insightful, wonderfully written historical fiction story that depicts its time period most accurately"
That comment shows the bias of someone who was not there calling a fairytale accura..." Could someone give me a clue about who and what was said about ???

The Spellman Files Lisa Lutz.

It's a sequel to Firedrake's Eye but is even better than this first book:

Unicorn's Blood by Patricia Finney

A great writer of the Elizabethan Period and this is a wonderful mystery/thriller in which you can almost smell the streets of Elizabethan London and feel its dangers.

I would recommend the Lion by Nelson DeMille.

Linton wrote:
It is an important read because it is..."

Well Linton - you're entitled to your opinion, but I'd rather read it for myself and form my own.

What seems to be overrated to you seems to be held in high esteem by others.

Sorry Hayes and Donna - didn't think nominating a book would cause such strong feeling!!

I nominate Cool Blue Tomb by Paul Kemprecos. It is the first book in the Aristotle "Soc" Socrides mysteries. They are about a private investigator that lives on a houseboat in Cape Cod. There were only 6 books before he started writing with Clive Cussler on the Numa Files. I wish there were more. Cool Blue Tomb

I nominate The First Deadly Sin by Lawrence Sanders.

Mary wrote: "I nominate The First Deadly Sin by Lawrence Sanders."

I forgot about Lawrence Sanders. He wrote very exciting thrillers and I used to love him. Does he still write?

I nominate Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murdersby Vincent Bugliosi.

I've never read it, but I thought it would be interesting to read a non-fiction crime/thriller book.

Judith wrote: "Mary wrote: "I nominate The First Deadly Sin by Lawrence Sanders."

I forgot about Lawrence Sanders. He wrote very exciting thrillers and I used to love him. Does he still write?"

Deadly Sin... is copyright 1973. It's an oldie but a goodie! Sanders went on to write
McNally's Secret and an entire "McNally's Series". He died in 1998.

I nominate Faithful Place: A Novel by Tana French, which comes out on July 13th, just in time for the Group Read! Loved both of her other books and I don't think they have to be read together.

Maise Dobbs

Charlotte (Buried in Books) wrote: "Linton wrote:
It is an important read because it is..."

Well Linton - you're entitled to your opinion, but I'd rather read it for myself and form my own.

What seems to be overrated to you se..."

You're not the one who should apologize, Charlotte.

May I remind (again) everyone that all opinions are welcome. Not welcome are disparaging, snarky comments.

I'd like to nominate Play Dead by Harlan Coben, my favourite author (or at least favourite thriller writer.

Linton wrote [of To Kill a Mockingbird:]: "That comment shows the bias of someone who was not there calling a fairytale accurate. Tsh tsh.

It is certainly a book that had an impact on prejudice that may in turn have given rise to a new prejudice: i.e. it replaced the "black man as sexual predator" myth with the "lower class white woman as congenital liar and false accuser" myth.

But the fact that the book (and the movie more so) may have had such a mixed effect, and generated such controversy here, makes it all the more interesting to read (or re-read) and discuss. I would therefore like to add my support for this nomination.

Got to agree with David that a book that generates controversy is worthy of being read as a group.

However, I'd like to nominate River of Darkness by Rennie Airth.

David wrote: "I'd like to nominate Play Dead by Harlan Coben, my favourite author (or at least favourite thriller writer."

He is just re-releasing this book in September. I have not been able to find it under a $100. I love Coben. I am reading Promise Me right now. At first I only read his stand alone books. I had no interest in a sport agent doing detective work, but now his Myron books are among my favorites.

Donna wrote: "Nominations are now open for the July/August Group Read..."

Hi Donna / Hayes,

Just a question: will there be a general vote, or is the voting only for the ones that made a nomination?

Cheers! - Laura (newbie!)

Laura wrote: "Donna wrote: "Nominations are now open for the July/August Group Read..."

Hi Donna / Hayes,
Just a question: will there be a general vote, or is the voting only for the ones that made a nomina..."

Hi Laura,
On July 2nd we will put together a list and using the poll feature everyone can cast one vote.

David wrote: "I'd like to nominate Play Dead by Harlan Coben, my favourite author (or at least favourite thriller writer."
Love Coben! First got hooked when a librarian told me about
Tell No One...

Charlotte (Buried in Books) wrote: "Linton wrote:
It is an important read because it is..."

Well Linton - you're entitled to your opinion, but I'd rather read it for myself and form my own.

What seems to be overrated to you se..."

Charlotte, you can read it for any reason you choose. My point was that once read whether you like it or not you will know what other people are talking about when discussing it. Nothing in my comments are made to disrupt, but when I read someone misrepresenting fiction as history, I feel obligated to step in.

Moderator at Work

This thread is for nominations of books for the Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group read.

Discussions of specific books will take place if and when the book is chosen as the group read.

Thanks,

The Moderators

Lonesome Dove Larry McMurty

The Last Town on Earth: A Novel by Thomas Mullen. This book is a historical fiction novel, a genre most of us are quite familiar with and enjoy, dealing with the 1918 flu epidemic and entwined with mystery elements. I have been meaning to read this one for quite a while.

To our wonderful moderators, Donna and Hayes, thank you.

Kathy wrote: "The Last Town on Earth: A Novel by Thomas Mullen. This book is a historical fiction novel, a genre most of us are quite familiar with and enjoy, dealing with the 1918 flu epidemic and..."

almost nominated this one:>)

Mary wrote: "Kathy wrote: "The Last Town on Earth: A Novel by Thomas Mullen. This book is a historical fiction novel, a genre most of us are quite familiar with and enjoy, dealing with the 1918 fl..."

I agree this would be a good choice!

Linton wrote: "Lonesome Dove Larry McMurty"

Is Lonesome Dove Crime/Thriller? If so, I never knew that!

Hillamonster wrote: "Linton wrote: "Lonesome Dove Larry McMurty"

Is Lonesome Dove Crime/Thriller? If so, I never knew that!"

I don't think it is either. Would you like to nominate another, Linton?

Perhaps this would be a good point to remind everyone that if your nomination wins and becomes the group read you are responsible for leading the discussion.

Fred wrote: "David wrote: "I'd like to nominate Play Dead by Harlan Coben, my favourite author (or at least favourite thriller writer."

He is just re-releasing this book in September. I have not been able ..."

Amazingly it is available in the UK already. It is a bestseller in major British supermarkets and is also available from Amazon UK

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Play-Dead-Har...

I don't know if there are any legal issues about them sending it to the US if it is due to be published separately there, but you can try.

David wrote: "Fred wrote: "David wrote: "I'd like to nominate Play Dead by Harlan Coben, my favourite author (or at least favourite thriller writer."

He is just re-releasing this book in September. I have n..."

You could try Abe Books...they have a very large assortment of UK books...they are a great website that I got from my used book store owner..

Linton wrote: "... when I read someone misrepresenting fiction as history, I feel obligated to step in."

I think she said "historical fiction" and that it "depicts its time period most accurately."

As to the former, it was published in 1960 and set in the 1930's, ergo it was historical and fiction (although inspired by real events that Harper Lee recalled from her childhood).

As to the latter, one doesn't need to have been there personally to say that it depicts the times accurately. Scholarship, conversations with those who were there and/or a sufficient range of other reading about the time and place can justify such an assertion.

Having said that, your comments will be most interesting if it is chosen and I forsee a fascinating (and vigorous) discussion.

BTW have you read Thomas Tryon's Lady? It also explores the theme of race prejudice through the eyes of a child, but is set in New England.

Hayes wrote: "Hillamonster wrote: "Linton wrote: "Lonesome Dove Larry McMurty"

Is Lonesome Dove Crime/Thriller? If so, I never knew that!"

I don't think it is either. Would you like to nominate another, Linton?"

No I dont. I cant believe a novel that is a thriller from start to finish, deals with crimes as varied as cattle rustling, prostitution, the stringing up of a wrangler for horse thievery, the kidnapping, rape, and rescue of a woman from Indians and on and on and on. Hello. Is there any rationality out there? I dont think we are on the same page here, Hayes. So I'll leave you girls to your little sewing session and go try and find some readers with a modicum of intelligence.

Linton wrote: "Hayes wrote: "Hillamonster wrote: "Linton wrote: "Lonesome Dove Larry McMurty"

Is Lonesome Dove Crime/Thriller? If so, I never knew that!"

I don't think it is either. Would you like to nominate a..."

Well, Linton, if you're "pulling up your pants" and going home I guess you'll never read this. But just in case you're lurking around to see the reaction of your post I will suggest Goodreads Book Addicts group. They cover all books and subjects that are not books like dvds, gardening, just chit chat etc. I read "Lonesome Dove" twice and saw the movie three times. It is a wonderful book but, sorry, Linton, it is an historical western.

Linton wrote: "Hayes wrote: "Hillamonster wrote: "Linton wrote: "Lonesome Dove Larry McMurty"

Is Lonesome Dove Crime/Thriller? If so, I never knew that!"

I don't think it is either. Would you like to nominate a..."

I didn't know a thing about Lonesome Dove (except that it's sitting on my shelf not being read...), but I guess you're right, Lonesome Dove could be classified as a mystery/crime/thriller novel as much as To Kill a Mockingbird.

I'm not sure how the nomination/voting works in this group, but it could be interesting to read one of these and have a discussion about how historical novels involving crime compare to traditional "mystery" or "thriller" novels.

I think the nomination could very much stand and if others want to read a more traditional mystery genre book, that's fine too.

That being said, can we please stop including snide comments with our good points? I think we are all old enough to argue without belittling each other. I think our comments and opinions should be allowed to speak for themselves.