Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

Dog On It (Chet and Bernie Mystery #1) by Spencer Quinn - Chet, the lovable canine narrator and his private investigator partner Bernie are hired to find a missing girl. At first, I thought this would be too cutesy for me, but the winning combination of 2 main characters who are extremely likable (though flawed), an interesting (though light) mystery and a wonderful narrative tone made for a very enjoyable read. I will definitely read on in the series.

The Capitol Game by Brian Haig - Brian Haig, a writer whose Sean Drummond series I really enjoy, has penned a stand alone thriller about corporate greed, corrupt officials and a very clever protagonist. The plot should have made it unputdownable, but unfortunately, the current real and sad state of our government and Wall Street greed made this book an uncomfortable reminder of how bad things have become in our country. It was a page turner, but I think I need less reality and more fiction in my life.

I’d Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman - The arrival of a letter from death row saying "I'd know you anywhere" forces 38 year old Eliza Benedict to remember the man and the circumstances of her extended kidnapping when she was 15. This book was a very revealing psychological look at the effects of crimes on victims, with wonderful characterizations, beautifully descriptive language and many suspenseful moments.

Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie: A Flavia de Luce Mystery by Alan Bradley - Precocious 11 yr. old Flavia de Luce is at war with her two older sisters. She is also an intriguing character who in addition to being a remarkable chemist, happens to be a brave, determined and effective detective. When a dead body is found on her family's estate, Flavia sets out to discover if, how and why her father is being framed. I loved this book. It was an interesting mystery wrapped up in an entertaining read with a delightful main character. Thank you, Mary for gifting this to me from your B'Con stash.

The 7th Victim by Alan Jacobson - Karen Vail, an FBI profiler, is on the team hunting for the Dead Eyes serial killer, but as the murders continue, her personal life is falling apart. It took me forever to make my way through this kindle freebie book as I kept putting it down in favor of library books near their due date. I did keep going back though, because the storyline was enough of a grabber and the writing was well enough done to keep my interest. I did have some issues with too many coincidences, as well as too many back-stories, but will probably go ahead with the series.

One Day by David Nicholls - The story in this charming book takes place on a single day each year for 2 decades in the lives of Dexter and Emma, who meet as they are graduating university. In general, this manages to be a funny, sweet and emotionally deep novel with great dialog and flawed, but well drawn-out characters - a nice change of pace from serial killer madness.

Great reviews Marcy! I may have to try Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie again someday. I gave up on it after two chapters. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood.

I did enjoy it, Susie but I totally understand about not being in the mood for certain reads. It has happened often to me. Sometimes when I went back to try again, I loved a book and other times, it still wasn't for me. Good thing we can never run out of reading material!

I have the 7th Victim as a freebie on my nook too but haven't started it and now I voted for juliet which won for november so will be starting that with the nook board I guess at some point.

DJ - though I did have some mixed feelings about The 7th Victim, it was still worth it for the price :-)

I seem to have alot of those on the nook. I figure it's worth the price of free to try something I wouldn't normally try or a new author.

Good month!

I want to see Brian Haig do Drummond again as well. Too much gritty reality.

Another Drummond would be great. I chuckle out loud as I read.

Marcy wrote: "Another Drummond would be great. I chuckle out loud as I read."

Me three. I love Sean Drummond.

I just looked at Brian Haig's website and he has signed a contract to co-write two thrillers with Vince Flynn and while he wants to write another Sean Drummond they were not selling well enough so he is hoping for a standalone breakthrough so he can put his kids through college.

Marcy:
Thanks for your reviews, especially these two! I need to get to both!!

Marcy wrote: "Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie: A Flavia de Luce Mystery by Alan Bradley ..
I’d Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman "

Sandi - I'm sorry to hear that Sean Drummond is not a big enough sellthough I do appreciate Haig's honesty.

Ann - I think you would enjoy both!

Marcy...I love the Spencer Quinn Chet the Jet series. The 3rd one came out in October.

Did you order your K3 yet?

I have the first in the Spencer Quinn series. I need to find it so I can read it soon.

Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "Marcy...I love the Spencer Quinn Chet the Jet series. The 3rd one came out in October.

Did you order your K3 yet?"

oh i didn't know there was a third. what's the name of it?

Sherry wrote: "Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "Marcy...I love the Spencer Quinn Chet the Jet series. The 3rd one came out in October.

oh i didn't know there was a third. what's the name..."

To Fetch a Thief

Cheryl wrote: "Sherry wrote: "Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "Marcy...I love the Spencer Quinn Chet the Jet series. The 3rd one came out in October.

oh i didn't know there was a third. what's the name..."

To ..."
thanks, cheryl!

Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "Marcy...
Did you order your K3 yet?"

I haven't yet, but I'm close. I almost hope my battery fails completely on the K1 so that I'll feel totally justified.

Marcy wrote: "Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "Marcy...
Did you order your K3 yet?"

I haven't yet, but I'm close. I almost hope my battery fails completely on the K1 so that I'll feel totally justified."

marcy-
i give you permission to buy a new kindle! the other day my kindle wouldn't connect wirelessly and i was hoping it was broken and i'd have to send it back and they'd send me a new one..lol
turned out it just needed to be rebooted.
get thee to amazon and shop, girl!

Lol - thanks Sherry. I usually am an easier sell but have become fiscally conservative since I'm currently planning a couple of big trips with DH and those deposits tend to eat up money, Of course, I will need to have reliable reading material with me....

While looking for a certain small purse that I want to use friday night I found The first of the Spencer quinn book so pulled it out and it might be close to next up on the pile.

Marcy wrote: "Lol - thanks Sherry. I usually am an easier sell but have become fiscally conservative since I'm currently planning a couple of big trips with DH and those deposits tend to eat up money, Of cours..."

where are you going? and wouldn't it be nice to have a smaller kindle with much better battery life to go with you?

We're heading to Hawaii after the holidays and then on a Adriatic cruise and trip around northern Italy in the spring. Had to go shopping for new bathing suits (right up there with getting a root canal for me) and the cost of 2 bathing suits = 1 new kindle. Which would give me more pleasure? Easy choice but practicality had to rule this week.

Marcy"
Your trips sound great!! I am with everyone else, go for the new Kindle3 before your trip!
Marcy wrote: "We're heading to Hawaii after the holidays and then on a Adriatic cruise and trip around northern Italy in the spring. Had to go shopping for new bathing suits (right up there with getting a root canal..."

Okay been hearing that comment about rather get root canal (or go the the dentist) than going out for bathing suits. I know someone or a few people that use the same thing. I was supposed to get a new one or two last summer but never went back to the store this year so I guess next year will be the one. But I've been lucky been going to the same place for mine for a few years and the owners remember you and know exactly what to pull out for you. What great trip you have to look forward too.

We are looking forward to doing some traveling again. Too many friends have suddenly had health problems and are unable to do so. This is my "carpe diem" year - even if it means that I have to shop for bathing suits.

This is my "carpe diem" year...
Fish of the day?

Marcy, I also give you permission to purchase a new kindle. It is practically a trip necessity. Besides, if you shopped for bathing suits, you deserve a treat. I would rather have a root canal while wearing a bathing suit than go shopping for one. I usually just order blindly from Lands End where I can get a 14 bottom and a 10 top! Then I just don't look in the mirror while wearing them!

I more or less did shop blindly, refusing to more than glance in the mirror. You're right - I do need a treat now.

I bought the Kindle 2 before going to Florida this weekend and I had so much fun playing with it on the plane. Plus I'm sure I saved myself an extra luggage charge by leaving two heavy books at home....

Mary/Quite Contrary wrote: "Marcy, I also give you permission to purchase a new kindle. It is practically a trip necessity. Besides, if you shopped for bathing suits, you deserve a treat. I would rather have a root canal w..."

Good for you Carol!!
Did you not get a Kindle 3?

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I bought the Kindle 2 before going to Florida this weekend and I had so much fun playing with it on the plane. Plus I'm sure I saved myself an extra luggage charge by leaving two heavy books at home..."

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I bought the Kindle 2 before going to Florida this weekend and I had so much fun playing with it on the plane. Plus I'm sure I saved myself an extra luggage charge by leaving two heavy books at ho..."

i know i definitely saved myself an overweight baggage charge last year when i went to florida! the year before my suitcase weighed 49 1/2 lbs because i had 22 books in the bottom of it!

...i know i definitely saved myself an overweight baggage charge last year when i went to florida! the year before my suitcase weighed 49 1/2 lbs because i had 22 books in the bottom of it
I would have shipped the books and left them, except for the reading on the plane.

Barry wrote: "...i know i definitely saved myself an overweight baggage charge last year when i went to florida! the year before my suitcase weighed 49 1/2 lbs because i had 22 books in the bottom of it
I would ..."

didn't think about that. i think this year i am going to ship my clothes, though..lol
and i did leave all the books there. didn't bring any home

Oh, no, you're right, I got the Kindle 3. The gray one.

Math was never my strong suit LOL.

Ann wrote: "Good for you Carol!!
Did you not get a Kindle 3?

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I bought the Kindle 2 before going to Florida this weekend and I had so much fun playing with it on the plane. Plus I'm sur..."