Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason - Detective Erlendur Sveinsson is called in to investigate the Reykjavik murder of an elderly man and discovers that the victim had been accused of multiple rapes in his earlier years. In addition, he may have held the secret to a genetic mystery. Even with lots of his own personal family drama, Erlendur perseveres in solving this solid mystery. I had hoped to get more of a feel for the Icelandic setting from this work, but in this respect, I was greatly disappointed. In short, Jar City was somewhat gloomy but kept my interest because of the fine writing and plot.

Life Sentence by David Ellis - An innocent man accused of murder, a cover-up of a decades old crime, an elaborate frame-up and a heated election involving some of the possible criminals all come together in the complex plot of this compelling legal thriller. After loving Ellis' first book, Line of Vision, I quickly became engrossed in this, his second. Story driven, with lots of twists and turns, this book kept my interest to the last, surprising me with a final twist at the end. Very good!!

Hunger Games (audio) by Suzanne Collins - Put off from by reading the book's premise and doubtful that this was the read for me, I nevertheless took the advice of trusted friends and began a journey I ended up loving! The concept is so imaginative, the details are so vivid and the characters are so real! Can't wait for the next in the series.

Truly, Madly (Lucy Valentine #1) by Heather Webber - Very entertaining paranormal mystery in which Lucy Valentine is suddenly thrust into assuming control of the successful Valentine family matchmaking business, even though her psychic talents are quite different from those of her family. Very light read, part romance, part mystery and lots of fun!

Among Thieves by David Hosp - A fictional mystery inspired by the 1990 real life art theft from Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Among Thieves features Boston attorney Scott Finn who unwittingly becomes involved in the decades old unsolved case when he takes on as his client a less than wonderful thief. Strong characters, a complex plot and a well written story made this a hard to put down and very satisfying read.

A Play of Isaac by Margaret Frazer - In mid-fifteenth century England, a band of traveling players is performing at the behest of a patron. Unfortunately, soon after their arrival, murder and mayhem take center stage. One of the thespians, Joliffe, uncovering a web of deceit involving religious heresy and financial shenanigans, works to solve the mystery. I loved this historical who-done-it for its glimpse into the past, it's humorous tone and the inclusion of a character with Downs' syndrome. Yay - another series to continue on with!

Nice variety, Marcy! Among Thieves especially looks intriguing. I enjoyed the Arnaldur Indriðason book I read, The Draining Lake, haven't gotten to Jar City yet. I can't remember specifics of the Icelandic flavor in the story, but it seemed to convey the setting well as memory serves.

I'm glad you liked THE HUNGER GAMES & Lucy Valentine! I finished the HG trilogy in January and it's definitely a series that will stick with me for a long time!

Ann, I had read an earlier Hosp - Innocence - and just enjoy his writing style.

Melodie, I'm truly surprised by how much I enjoyed The Hunger Games. Listening to Catching Fire now. My DH caught my excitement and is loving the books as well.

Marcy wrote: "Melodie, I'm truly surprised by how much I enjoyed The Hunger Games. Listening to Catching Fire now. My DH caught my excitement and is loving the books as well."

I would never have read these books without prodding from all sides. Would have missed out on a great story!

I have Sherry to thank for this series, and it is you, I believe, who got me started on the ..In Death one. I just love these boards.

Thanks for the great review Marcy! You've almost got me convinced to try Life Sentence and Hunger Games ;)

Susie in KS wrote: "Thanks for the great review Marcy! You've almost got me convinced to try Life Sentence and Hunger Games ;)"

You really should try THE HUNGER GAMES, Susie. I can't recommend it enough, and it's not my usual read.

I've taken a liking to the Hosp series.

Looks like you had a great month Marcy! I will definitely look into A Play of Isaac since I love historical mysteries. I need to get caught back up with David B. Ellis too.

Marcy wrote: "I have Sherry to thank for this series, and it is you, I believe, who got me started on the ..In Death one. I just love these boards."

and we can all thank the 7th grade english teacher at the school where i work. if my students weren't reading it, i never would have picked them up.

What else are the kids reading?

Marcy wrote: "What else are the kids reading?"

nothing as good as hunger games..lol

That series is on my wish list but I know it's one of the nook lend me books so I could probably have no problem getting it lent to me on my nook board. But I haven't started put together a list of my lend me books and I don't want to start borrowing books until I'm ready to lend or even know I have more time reading the nook.

Nice selection, Marcy.

I'm still ticked off by the robbery at the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum. If I were a fictional character (no comment, Barry or Dan) I would quit my job and launch into an investigation, and miraculously solve the crime after lots of life-threatening encounters, LOL. Oh, and I'm sure I'd meet and fall in love with the man of my dreams along the way.

Say Dan, isn't it about time for you to get started on another book? ::batting eyes furiously:::

I guess the rest of you guys are going to browbeat me into reading The Hunger Games ...

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Nice selection, Marcy.
I guess the rest of you guys are going to browbeat me into reading The Hunger Games ...

Blame Sherry :-) She started it.

Carol (and Marcy)
Among Thieves awaits me at the library! Wouldn't it be fun if that could happen Carol!! (maybe leaving out the life-threatening encounters, I would rather read about those than experience them!) ;)
Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I'm still ticked off by the robbery at the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum. If I were a fictional character (no comment, Barry or Dan) I would quit my job and launch into an investigation, and miraculously solve the crime after lots of life-threatening encounters, LOL. Oh, and I'm sure I'd meet and fall in love with the man of my dreams along the way."