Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

JULY 2010

Albert, Susan Wittig......The darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree (new series)
Burke, James Lee..........The Glass Rainbow(Robicheaux)
Connolly, John............The Whisperers
Crouch, Blake.............Snowbound
French, Tana..............Faithful Place
Gardner, Lisa.............Live to Tell
Gerritsen, Tess...........Ice Cold(Rozzoli & Ives)
Hurwitz, Gregg............They're Watching
Jance, J. A...............Queen of the Night
Kava, Alex................Damaged
Lawson, Mike..............House Justice (Joe Demarco)
Pronzini, Bill............Detrayers (Nameless)
Reich, Christopher........Rules of Betrayal
Silva, Dainiel............The Rembrandt Affair (Allon)
Stevens, Chevy............Missing (debut)
Andrews, Donna............Stork Raving Mad (Meg Lanslow)

Notable Paperbacks (JULY)
Gilstrap, John...........Hostage Zero (pbo)
LaPlante, Linda..........Silent Scream (Anna Travis) tpo


AUGUST 2010
Barr, Nevada.............Burn (Anna Pigeon)
Church, James............The Man with the Baltic Stare
Cook, Robin..............Cure
Coyle, Cleo..............Roast Mortem
Francis, Dick & Felix....Crossfire
Kellerman, Faye..........Hangman (Decker/Lazurus)
Lippman, Laura...........I'd Know You Anywhere
Pearson, Ridley..........In Harm's Way
Robinson, Peter..........Bad Boy
White, Stephen...........The Last Lie(Alan Gregory)
Cook, Thomas H...........The Last Talk with Lola Faye
Cotteril, Colin..........Love Songs from A Shallow Grave (Siri Paiboun)
Fossum, Karin............Broken
Haig, Brian..............The Capitol Game
Patterson & Marklund.....The Postcard Killers
Reichs, Kathy............Spider Bones (Temperance Brennan)
Rosenfelt, Davis.........Dog Tags (Andy Carpenter)
Todd, Charles............An Impartial Witness (Bess Crawford)

paperbacks of note (AUGUST)
James, Miranda (Dean James)...Murder Past Due
Gruley, Brian.................The Hanging Tree
Barrett, Lorna................Chapter and Hearse
McGee, Chaz...................Angel Interrupted

At the rate I'm going I may get to Love Songs In A Shallow Grave in August. I picked up a library copy of Anarchy and Old Dogs , the fourth book in the Siri Paboun series a few days ago. That means I'll read it in July.

Thanks, Cheryl! I had already requested The Glass Rainbow by James Lee Burke (number 6 on the request list) and just requested The Last Talk with Lola Faye by Thomas H. Cook (number 2 on the request list).

Cheryl wrote: "JULY 2010

Albert, Susan Wittig......The darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree (new series)
Burke, James Lee..........The Glass Rainbow(Robicheaux)
Connolly, John............The Whisperers
Cro..."

Thanks Cheryl...appreciate your doing this. Anyone heard from Gail?

Thanks! I really appreciate your list! I am so excited!

Cheryl wrote: "JULY 2010

Albert, Susan Wittig......The darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree (new series)
Burke, James Lee..........The Glass Rainbow(Robicheaux)
Connolly, John............The Whisperers
Cro..."

I've been thinking about the new Susan Wittig Albert series. The title has kind of put me off, but the description actually sounds like it might be a good story. I've got the Lorna Barrett and Chaz McGee (Katy Munger) books on order!

Thanks Cheryl:
It is very nice of you to keep up the lists in Gail's absence. I hope she is doing better and will be able to communicate with us again soon.
You have added some interesting new titles for us! I am a little disappointed in a new library policy for a seven day renewal policy for new releases with a lot of demand. That puts a crimp on the validity of getting to the front of the line for new releases; I am not always able to start and finish a book on a tight schedule like that. We don't appear to be able to see which books are 7 day titles until they are out for circulation so I am tempering my requests accordingly and sticking more with audio books.

The lists I have are sometimes two or three pages long. I try to put up the books by the authors we read or that are mentioned on the board.
The book Missing by Chevy Stevens is getting a lot of prepublication publicity, and that's why I added it here. I know I have left some out so please feel free to add others that you know about.

Ann wrote: "Thanks Cheryl:
It is very nice of you to keep up the lists in Gail's absence. I hope she is doing better and will be able to communicate with us again soon.
You have added some interesting new tit..."

That is not right. So you mean you only get 7 days? At my library we get new releases for 21 days, but they shelve a bunch of sizzlers ( the new releases) which are not requestable and only go out for 21 days no renewals. It works pretty well. this way everyone gets a chance at them.

Tess Gerritson's ICE COLD is due out tomorrow! Hope I like it because I'm having trouble getting into Karin Slaughter's BROKEN...it's probably me and not the book that is dragging though. DH Robert went back Afghanistan this past Friday 8~[

Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "Tess Gerritson's ICE COLD is due out tomorrow! Hope I like it because I'm having trouble getting into Karin Slaughter's BROKEN...

Tess will be at Thrillerfest next week, and I think I will wait until then to buy a book and have it signed.

Barry Eisler's new book comes out tomorrow, too. Inside Out It's not new to me since I read it in January, but... I am heading for Bethesda, Maryland on Friday for a book signing. It's the only place where are schedules coincide.

I was thinking about you two this weekend, wondering if the reunion had happened yet. My good wishes to you both.


Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "DH Robert went back Afghanistan this past Friday 8~[ ..."

Teresa:
Our policy was like yours and still is 21 days for most books. The 7 day checkout is new and I have just noticed it on selected popular new releases in the last week or so. They appear to be trying to make up for not buying a copy for every branch and the hold lists that were 100's long.

"New book by your favorite author?
12 people ahead of you on the hold list?
7-day checkout was designed with you in mind!
Beginning May 1, 2010, new fiction titles on our “hit” list (think Stuart Woods & Sue Grafton) will be designated 7-day checkout. (Don’t worry—if it’s 700 pages, it won’t be a 7-day book!)
Just think—you’ll get your fast reads 3 times faster. Enjoy!",

Teresa in Ohio wrote: "That is not right. So you mean you only get 7 days? At my library we get new releases for 21 days, but they shelve a bunch of sizzlers ( the new releases) which are not requestable and only go out for 21 days no renewals. It works pretty well. this way everyone gets a chance at them. "

Mary QC:
I hate that you and DH are separated again. :(

Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "Tess Gerritson's ICE COLD is due out tomorrow! Hope I like it because I'm having trouble getting into Karin Slaughter's BROKEN....it's probably me and not the book that is dragging though. DH Robert went back Afghanistan this past Friday 8~[ "

Ann wrote: "Teresa:
Our policy was like yours and still is 21 days for most books. The 7 day checkout is new and I have just noticed it on selected popular new releases in the last week or so. They appear to b..."

I still this is stupid : ) If I request a book I WANT my 21 days, if I go into the library and see it on the sizzler shelf I accept 7 days.

On the other hand the library will save and make $$$$$ they will buy less books and people will just keep them longer and pay fines.

Teresa in Ohio wrote: "Ann wrote: "Teresa:
Our policy was like yours and still is 21 days for most books. The 7 day checkout is new and I have just noticed it on selected popular new releases in the last week or so. The..."

our library is 21 days unless there's a really hot, requested book, then it's 10 days. they called me the other day to tell me that Sizzling Sixteen was in. i asked if it was a 10 day book and they said no. when i went to pick it up the next day, all of a sudden it was a 10 day book because 3 people had requested it after they called me.

Ann...I hate it too. But I haven't fallen apart this time, which is good. The first time was such a shock to the system, so much change all at once, alot of additonal responsibilites and chores for me. Now I have a routine established and have got right back into it. I'm trying not to think how far away October is!

Thank you Carol. He got off the plane wearing a brand new suit, tan, 40lbs lighter...he looked amazing. I was looking for a chunky guy in a Michigan tee shirt and at first didn't recognize him! We had a wonderful time...not a harsh word exchanged...just a few tears at goodbye. I am a lucky girl.

Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "Thank you Carol. He got off the plane wearing a brand new suit, tan, 40lbs lighter...he looked amazing. I was looking for a chunky guy in a Michigan tee shirt and at first didn't recognize him! W..."

Yes you are!! I remember when DH was in the military and the first time he came home. He got off the plane in his dress blues and, boy, did he look good!! And when he had to leave again it was the worst!

Mary, I bet you were the envy of everyone awaiting passengers from the plane. I'm glad you made the most of your time together. And October will be here again before you know it!


Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "Thank you Carol. He got off the plane wearing a brand new suit, tan, 40lbs lighter...he looked amazing. I was looking for a chunky guy in a Michigan tee shirt and at first didn't recognize him! We had a wonderful time...not a harsh word exchanged...just a few tears at goodbye. I am a lucky girl. ..."

Ooh, I bet he did! That's a picture I'd like to see. ;-)

Melodie wrote: "! I remember when DH was in the military and the first time he came home. He got off the plane in his dress blues and, boy, did he look good!!..."

Thanks Melodie and Carol...when he first left in February I took it much harder than I expected to. This time I'm taking it better than I thought I would. I'm due, I guess!

you know, I didn't even take a picture of him in his suit...I was so shocked.

Mary QC:
I have a feeling that picture of your DH coming off the plane is indelibly imprinted in your memory!

Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "you know, I didn't even take a picture of him in his suit...I was so shocked. "

Sherry wrote: "Teresa in Ohio wrote: "Ann wrote: "Teresa:
Our policy was like yours and still is 21 days for most books. The 7 day checkout is new and I have just noticed it on selected popular new releases in t..."

I am sorry that is really wrong

teresa said : I am sorry that is really wrong

thanks. i was really annoyed. normally i wouldn't have cared but we're moving tomorrow and i knew that i wouldn't get to it until next week. wouldn't have bothered to go and get it . oh well.

Sherry...I often read books in a couple days, but I would hate "having to" read them in a certain number of days. It would take the fun out of it for me. Stinks for you...hope the move goes well!

Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "Sherry...I often read books in a couple days, but I would hate "having to" read them in a certain number of days. It would take the fun out of it for me. Stinks for you...hope the move goes well!"

thanks, mary. i usually do, too. i know with moving, that i wouldn't even start sizzling 16 until next week at the earliest so i didn't want it hanging around the house until then..lol

Sherry:

That "on the fly" 10 day designation seems rather unfair, especially after you were told it wasn't a fast track book. It appears our 7 day books are handled in a similar on the fly manner.

Sherry wrote: "our library is 21 days unless there's a really hot, requested book, then it's 10 days. they called me the other day to tell me that Sizzling Sixteen was in. i asked if it was a 10 day book and they said no. when i went to pick it up the next day, all of a sudden it was a 10 day book because 3 people had requested it after they called me."

Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "DH Robert went back Afghanistan this past Friday 8~..."

Best wishes to both of you. When I was in Nam I don't think I would have wanted to come home during the middle of the tour because it would have been so hard to go back. Of course, I wasn't married (to a beauty like you), so I'm sure that would have changed my mind.

Cheryl wrote: "JULY 2010

French, Tana..............Faithful Place"

Anticipating this one!!!

Cathy...me too, I loved Tana French's IN THE WOODS but I haven't read her second one yet. Did you like it?

Daniel...you are so sweet, thank you.

Our situation is a bit different from the soldiers. DH is a civilian contractor, a union electrician. He didn't work for 14 months here, so we agreed to a one year contract over there. He has to take leave after each 4 month stretch...thank goodness. He's fairly safe because he's on an established base, and is most at-risk when he travels home...ironically. So, we are apart, which is hard, but soldiers families have it much tougher. I bless them and pray for them everyday. I can't imagine being apart and worrying for a loved ones safety, too.

Only 98 days to our next r&r...which will be in San Francisco at Bouchercon!

Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "Daniel...you are so sweet, thank you.

Our situation is a bit different from the soldiers. DH is a civilian contractor, a union electrician. He didn't work for 14 months here, so we agreed to a..."

My husband's friend, who also is our across the street neighbor, is thinking about going to Iraq like Robert is doing. (He's in Afghanistan, right?) He's also a union electrician, but so far has only been out of work for 5 months. His girlfriend, who's one of my best friends, is terribly upset at the thought of him going.

Melodie...Yes, Afghanistan. It is really hard to be apart, but as I said, I'm not worried daily about him being hurt. Electrician is a dangerous job no matter where you do it, but I'm not as concerned about violence as I thought I would be. His company is very good and offers great benefits and good pay. We talk & see each other on Skype phone calls every other day, but could do it everyday. They work 6-10 hour days there, only sunday off, and sometimes they work Sunday. It's very hard work and the guys have to be in excellent physical health to go. Have your friend get in touch...she can friend me on fb and I'll chat with her about it, online or on the phone. I'd be happy to help.

Mary QC:
Not Cathy, but I liked The Likeness: A Novel (Tana French) even more than In the Woods! I am eager for the new one! It comes out on my birthday!

Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "Cathy...me too, I loved Tana French's IN THE WOODS but I haven't read her second one yet. Did you like it?"

Ann...really? Better than IN THE WOODS is very high praise. I was disappointed that the story in THE LIKENESS was about the girl and not the male mc. I'll give it another go based on your opinion...thanks for sharing. Your birthday is July 13th? Yea...what a great gift that is! I preordered it for Kindle months ago but forgot to put it on my calendar...updating now!

There are two other new releases that same day: Lisa Gardner and Alex Kava. Wow, ann has a very cool birthday!

Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "Cathy...me too, I loved Tana French's IN THE WOODS but I haven't read her second one yet. Did you like it?"

I liked the first one the best, but I've gotten interested in the characters...

Mary QC:
I think I just really like Cassie and The Likeness is very suspenseful! I hope you like it too. It will be a cool birthday, and it is DonnaJo's birthday too!

Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "Ann...really? Better than IN THE WOODS is very high praise. I was disappointed that the story in THE LIKENESS was about the girl and not the male mc. I'll give it another go based on your opinion... Your birthday is July 13th? Yea...what a great gift that is! I preordered it for Kindle months ago but forgot to put it on my calendar...updating now!
There are two other new releases that same day: Lisa Gardner and Alex Kava. Wow, ann has a very cool birthday! "

donnajo has a very cool birthday too

Yes it was very cool. Staying at the shore for the week (plus) and even though my sister & bil was up north and I was solo the only thing I would have changed would have been the weather. But I was able to go have breakfast at the inlet (which I think what I ate the price was a rip for what they charge but we know their overcharge and I give them a chance once a summer) and it rained so I was in and out most of the day then it stopped raining for lunch walked again to one of the places on the walkway for pizza (which was surprising okay another place we always talk about but haven't had their pizza in years so gave a try) family got back around 3:30 and we had a late dinner at a very nice place that is a favorite of ours that is on Avon's broadwalk. They had a concert outside of the place but we couldn't hear it inside and it was nicole and denise they call themselve a group of 2 women that my sister & bil have seen in the past and loved and they kept telling me to go outside to listen to them because we wouldn't be done in time to listen. But I didn't. But after dessert I did run out and got to hear the last song which was great and everyone was dancing. We got their concert shedule now and they were their usual place from last year on friday night but we didn't end up going. I did go thursday night on my own to the one on our beach and it's another good band who almost sounds like Bruce springsteen. For the fact he was at the place they usually place in town and heard them and told them they were great. So he's been in the area again. So we have to be on the lookout for him. That band I friended on facebook so you can hear Enjoy's music if you like.

I still have to read In the woods. Hopefully soon I'll give it a try maybe after MHC's book.