Kindle British Mystery Book Club discussion

Let us know...

(a) are you a writer or a reader or both?
(b) where are you from?
(c) who is your favorite author?
(d) what are your favorite books?

a) BOTH! I love, love, love to read and also love, love, love to write =)
b) My family is from Colorado, I left my heart in Seattle and my physical self is currently residing in Maryland.
c) Thomas Hardy, hands down - no competition.
d) Ummm... books by Thomas Hardy? =) I love the classics but also love a great modern story. I'm a big fan of 'upmarket' fiction (is that what they are calling it these days?) and science fiction if it's done well. And if the tweens aren't too obnoxious I also love the occasional YA book =)

Hey, Clarissa! I don't own a kindle. But I'll try to keep up anyway. Online is easier than going to someone's house. What a great idea.

OH, sorry. Three questions.

a.)I'm a writer and reader.
b.) My favorite author is . . . uh, do I have to choose? I don't know, maybe Laurie Halse Anderson.
c.) I really like the YA genre, but this is a mystery thriller club. Lets see, I've enjoyed just about everything I've read by Greg Iles.

Hello!

a) I'm both. I spend far too much time reading when I should be writing (but don't tell my editor).
b) I live in lovely Lancashire in the UK.
c) Favourite authors? Yikes, too many to count but they include Agatha Christie, James Patterson, Ian Rankin, Val McDermid...
d) I love anything with a mystery involved, police procedurals, private investigator novels, gritty or cozy...

Angela wrote: "Hey, Clarissa! I don't own a kindle. But I'll try to keep up anyway. Online is easier than going to someone's house. What a great idea."

You don't need a Kindle! You can either download Kindle for PC on your computer for FREE or you can borrow the book from the library. Or you can buy it.

Sierra wrote: "a) BOTH! I love, love, love to read and also love, love, love to write =)
b) My family is from Colorado, I left my heart in Seattle and my physical self is currently residing in Maryland.
c) Thomas..."

Thomas Hardy is a wonderful writer. Perhaps we can read one of his novels.

a)Both
b)Co Durham, north-east UK
c) Far too many. Margaret Atwood, David Eddings, Peter Robinson, Dean Koontz, Tess Gerritson, Karin Slaughter, John Grisham, Jane Austen to name just a few.
d)As you can see from my favourite authors I read and love most genres and generally have at least 2 books on the go, picking up whichever one fits my mood at the time. I do feel I don't read enough work by UK authors though so this club is a great idea.

Clarissa wrote: "Let us know...

(a) are you a writer or a reader or both?
(b) where are you from?
(c) who is your favorite author?
(d) what are your favorite books?"

I am a reader. A compulsive reader. For 40 years I read mostly non-fiction work-related books but when I got close to retiring I switched to mostly novels.

I was born in Tennessee in the U.S., lived and worked for 35 years in Colorado, and moved to Oaxaca, Mexico, in 1998.

I don't have a favorite author but I do tend to read mostly male authors and a lot of British authors. Right now I'm enjoying an Ian Rutledge mystery by Charles Todd and his mother. One of my favorite books, neither a mystery nor British, is "Crossing to Safety" by Wallace Stegner. I like Norbert Davis' Carstairs and Doan series. What can I say? I'm a book junkie.

An aside. For almost 13 years I read what I could find. It was mostly books left by visiting tourists and occasional paperbacks from the English Lending Library. Now, with an ereader, I can actually read what I want to read. It's a wonderful new world for me.

Welcome, Patrick!

HI,
I'm a reader from Livonia, MI (summer and way too hot here right now)!
I don't have a favorite author. I enjoy mysteries, contemporary fiction , the occasional classic...
I'm looking forward to reading and discussing the group's selections!

(a) are you a writer or a reader or both? BOTH
(b) where are you from? Denmark, but I write (mainly) in English.
(c) who is your favorite author? All good crime writers. Some favourites: Ruth Rendell, Colin Dexter, Val McDermid, Sue Grafton.
(d) what are your favorite books? Traditional crime fiction, cosy mysteries, occasional thrillers - but not graphic violence and rarely noir.

Hello,
(a) are you a writer or a reader or both?
I am a reader first and foremost.
(b) where are you from?
I'm from Australia and I enjoy British Crime, Mystery and Police Procedural,
(c) who is your favorite author?
Peter Robinson, Reginald Hill.

(d) what are your favorite books?
British Mysteries,but naturally, have a liking for Australian authors, also.

My other interest is compliling Family History and am starting to write a Historical Fiction on my Australian forefather. Could be a lifetimes work!!!

I am looking forward to the discussions on books and am currently reading Pauline Rowson's - Tide of Death. Good read!

Thank you Clarissa, for organizing this book.

(a) I read fiction for enjoyment and sanity, and write science for purposes of self-flagellation.
(b) I grew up in California, was born in the Netherlands, and am moving to New York.
(c) PG Wodehouse is my lifetime favorite. I like to jump into the over-intellectualized bathtub of donnish Brits, like Margery Allingham, Dorothy Sayers, and Michael Innes. I don't know what's the matter with me, this stuff is way out of date but it's unbelievably juicy. And mordant. Very funny, too.

Hi, my name is Dana and I live in Vancouver Washington, USA. I am an avid reader who writes only for my own pleasure. I don't think I can choose one favorite author because I enjoy so many different genres. PD James is probably at the top of my list for mysteries. I have too many favorites to list, but I tend to love Brittish books/authors best. I am really excited to join this group!

Thank you Clarissa for organizing the group and David for being so active and tenacious in bringing it back to activity.

A) I'm mostly a reader although I write for work.
B) Originally from Argentina. Have been living in Puebla, Mexico for the last 30 years by way of Nashville, Tennessee.
C) Among my favorites are Dorothy L. Sayers, P.D. James but perhaps my first choice would be Reginald Hill.
D) I mostly read mysteries, preferably British, preferably ones with lots of humour.

Hi I am pleased to have joined this group.

a) I am a reader
b) I am from Renfrew just outside Glasgow
c) I like lot's of mystery writers but I would say Agatha Christie is my favourite.
d) I like all sorts of books but would say English murder mysteries are my favourite.

a) I'm a crime writer foremost and a reader.
b) I'm from Beaconsfield, Bucks, UK, but have lived in several other places.
c) Well, that's difficult. For crime it's George Pelecanos, for other genres it's a toss-up between Ian McKewan, Philip Roth and Stephen King.
d) Crime and contemporary fiction.

Welcome, Nick! We would love to have your thoughts on the monthly reads.

Thanks, Clarissa. I've just downloaded In a Dry Season. Hope to read it in time. I'm in the middle of another at the moment.

Hi - I'm Tina
I'm from NJ.
I love MC Beaton, Agatha Christie, Charlaine Harris (the Shakespeare series and Aurora Teagarden not so much Southern Vampire, Lawrence Block and Dick Francis. I also like Cleo Coyle, Avery AAMes, and Laura Childs. Right now I just recently discovered Kerry Greenwood and am reading through the Corrina Chapman series.
I read across a broad range of genre's - some non fiction - political and memoirs, chick lit, contemporary fiction, romance, education related non-fiction (I'm a teacher), but my favorite genre since I have been a child is mystery.

I look forward to reading some new authors. I have a nook not a kindle but I'm sure I will be able to get the books.

HI everyone. I've been on Goodreads for a couple of months but just realized I never introduced myself here. My name is Lee, and I'm from Massachusetts. I love British mysteries, and I just got my Kindle a week ago. I've been following this group since I joined, knowing my Kindle was backordered. Now I can read along with everyone and discuss! My favorite mystery authors are Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh and Anne Perry, to name a few.

I look forward to some good books and conversation. :)

Hi
I'm a reader and writer.
I read mainly crime and suspense but some humour, fantasy and "chick-lit." (I hate that phrase) My writing is along similar lines.
Favourite author - the writer of the last favourite book I read. (I'm a bit fickle)
Authors I've enjoyed reading recently - Kate Atkinson, Linwood Barclay, Tess Gerritsen, Theresa Walsh, Susan Boyer - I could go on and on and on.

Confessionalpoetess wrote: "HI everyone. I've been on Goodreads for a couple of months but just realized I never introduced myself here. My name is Lee, and I'm from Massachusetts. I love British mysteries, and I just got my..."

Hi from your list of favourite authors you should check out Kate Atkinson. I think you'd enjoy her books.

I'm afraid I've been distracted with the task of completing my second novel. I am John Campbell from Wisconsin (originally Chicago). My pseudonym is Nigel Fields (my Amazon reviews are done under this name). My wife and I are big fans of British mysteries. Authors Anne Perry and Charles Todd influenced my work, evident in Walk to Paradise Garden, which is actually a saga, but nonetheless evocative of their colors and approach (and containing a small mystery).
My favorite authors of this genre also include:
Will Thomas, Barbara Cleverly, Caro Peacock, Charles Finch, Martha Grimes and Susan MacNeil.
I'm still doing the Day Job and trying to write (and read, of course). But I will try to interact and follow the monthly goal. This looks like a great group.

Thank you, David. I will read the chosen Anne Perry for the upcoming discussion.
Cheers!

Diana wrote: "Hi from your list of favourite authors you should check out Kate Atkinson. I think you'd enjoy her books. "

hi Diana,

Thanks for the suggestion. I watched the PBS airings of Case Histories a few months ago and was intrigued. I've just added her novels to my Kindle wishlist. Cheers!

Notwithstanding the success of Harry Potter and other fantasy stories (originating or set in some real or imagined pseudo-British realm), I wonder if any other British authors, writing stories set largely in the UK and Europe, have any thoughts on the perceived lack of popularity of such stories not only with Americans in particular but also, it has to be said, some British readers, who do often seem to prefer their crime, thriller and mystery stories to be set in the U.S. and who baulk at long, clause-filled sentences.
Any thoughts?

Hi Russell
I agree there is quite a difference between the average U.S./U.K.thriller/mystery both in tone and subject matter.
As a reader I enjoy reading both, probably with different expectations.
As a writer I'm sure I sound very British (because that's what I am).
The joy of books is there are thousands to choose from, nobody can force you to read what doesn't interest you (after you've left school anyway).

Hello Diana,
The reason this has been exercising me is that my books don't seem to go down at all well with some (by no means all) Americans. Of course, it would be patronising to try to make my work more "American" (even if I knew how to) but a part of me thinks it might just be a touch less arrogant of me to try! I'm never going to make my fortune as a writer so the financial implications are neither here nor there but it would be nice to know how to grab and interest Americans without losing the British flavour of the work. Anyway, thanks for the reply!

Russell wrote: "Hello Diana,
The reason this has been exercising me is that my books don't seem to go down at all well with some (by no means all) Americans. Of course, it would be patronising to try to make my w..."

Dig deep & write what you want to write. Unless you are 100% unique and nobody on planet earth could possibly like any of the things you do, you will build up an audience. And keep learning as you go.

Hi, I'm from New Jersey but go to school in Mississippi. I've always enjoyed reading mainly mystery, action/adventure, biographical, and some nonfiction. I don't think I have a particularly favorite author or book for that matter but Clive Cussler, Dick Francis, and Lawrence Block are generally authors I like. I probably won't be able to actively participate this month but I surely will in December!

Hi,
I'm a reader and a writer of psychological fiction (find me in Meet The Author).
I'm from north Derbyshire and love reading books set around the area.
Favourite author Lesley Glaister (from Sheffield) but also enjoy Barbara Vine, Nicci French, Julie Myerson and lots more.
Favourite book probably Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale.

Hello, I'm from Virginia, in a town just outside of DC.I have been a big Agatha Christie fan for along time. I enjoyed reading her bio the Duchess of Death. I also like Sherlock Holmes and Margaret Truman (but that's American)and Ruth Rendell.

Hi, I'm a writer of contemporary mystery/romantic suspense but mainly a reader of mystery--especially English. Like Jean, I'm in Alexandria Virginia. Favorite authors? Gazillions, but I do love Margery Allingham and Ngaio Marsh. I've read every Agatha Christie,Ruth Rendell, & Dorothy Sayers, as well as A. Conan Doyle.I like Martha Grime's works (even though she's an American!)I do NOT like Grisham. :)

a)Reader
b)I'm from Texas
c)I really enjoy Elizabeth George, Peter Robinson, Deborah Crombie, Ruth Rendell, Ian Rankin, P D James,and of course, you can't beat Agatha Christie.
d)From my favorite authors, its pretty apparent that I love police procedurals

(a) i write lyric and music for my theatrical rock music project 'the scarlet sky'...and yes, i am a reader :)

(b) i am from dhaka, bangladesh...a country from south east asia

(c) edgar allan poe, sir arthur conandoyle, jules verne, stefen king

(d) they r so many!!!

Welcome!

a) I'm a reader :)
b) Originally from Scotland, now living in Florida
c) Favorite author(s) include: Stephen King, Ian Rankin, Ann Cleeves and Barry Maitland
d) I have far too many favorite books of all kinds but a good mystery/thiller/detective story is hard to beat. Looking forward to finding some new authors to love!

a.) I'm a reader. I used to write just for my own personal enjoyment, but I've since given it up.
b.) I'm from Louisville, KY
c.) My favorite author is Edgar Allan Poe
d.) My favorite genres to read are horror, historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, medieval romances, and much more.

(a) hello, I am a reader, do not think I could ever be a writer!
(b) I am Greek and live in Greece but am mainly reading in English I prefer to read the original version of the book and not the translations
(c) fave authors.. a lot, lately I am into a Spanish author called Carlos Ruiz Safon but I also like a lot of different authors from Fiodor Dostoevsky, Tom Robins, J.R.R. Tolkien, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Jo Nesbo....
(d) hm... "Dracula" but Bram Stocker, "Jitterbugs perfume" by Tom Robins, "The shadow of the wind" but Carlos Ruiz Safon, "The Lord of the Rings" by Tolkien etc etc
Hope I can find a lot of interesting books here to read :)

(a) are you a writer or a reader or both? A reader, although I do write occasional articles for a Felizine.
(b) where are you from? Born in London, now living in Norfolk, UK
(c) who is your favorite author? Hard to say;I love Karin Slaughter, Mark Billingham, Elizabeth George, Simon Kernick, Lee Child, plus loads more
(d) what are your favorite books? Murder/mysteries

thank you for the warm welcome David and the compliment about my English.

David wrote: "Hi Anthi,

I must say your English is excellent and some great authors there as well. Welcome to the group."

Clarissa wrote: "Welcome!"

thnx so much! :)

Clarissa wrote: "Let us know...

(a) are you a writer or a reader or both?
(b) where are you from?
(c) who is your favorite author?
(d) what are your favorite books?"

I am a reader from Cape Town, South Africa. I read widely but I do enjoy crime fiction and British mystery in particular. I don't really have a favorite author, if I find a book I like I will usually read more books by the same author. I am looking forward to being in this group.

Hi, I just joined this group. I love British mysteries, Dorothy Sayers is my favorite. I also love Elizabeth George and PD James.

I also write cozy mysteries set in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania. I wish they were as good as the British mysteries. I guess I'll have to keep on trying.

I just read "A Dying Fall" a Ruth Galloway mystery. It's not one of the great British mysteries and I have to admit I was disappointed in this book, but the characters are amusing.

I'm sure I'll enjoy this group.

Thanks for the welcome. If you read any of my Montbleu Mysteries, I hope you like them!

I'm new to the group. I'm both a writer and reader. I write historical fiction.

My newest favorite author is Jacqueline Winspear who lives in California, USA but is British. I'm also a fan of Anne Perry and Marion Chesney.

I live in Pasadena, CA, home of the Rose Bowl.

I look forward to finding out what others in this group are reading.

Sarah Richmond

Welcome Sarah, I'm new, too. I write cozy mysteries set in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania, but I enjoy historical novels. I particularly like historical mysteries. I've found several good ones. I'll try to put them on my shelf when I find them!

Nancy wrote: "Hi, I just joined this group. I love British mysteries, Dorothy Sayers is my favorite. I also love Elizabeth George and PD James.

I also write cozy mysteries set in the Endless Mountains of Penn..."

Hi Nancy
I'm a new British writer. I write mysteries set in rural present day England. I'm nowhere in the league of P D James but if you are ever interested I'd be happy to send you a copy of one of my books to see what you think.