Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

The Musician’s Daughter by Suzanne Dunlap - Fifteen year old Theresa Maria Shurman is determined to solve the mystery of the suspicious death of her father, a violinist in the 18th century Viennese court, and the apparent theft of his valuable Amati violin. Her godfather, Franz Josef Hayden, her father's employer and friend attempts to help and soon she finds herself amidst gypsies, spies and danger. This was a good story with an interesting setting and unusual characters and offered the additional bonus of the musical theme.

Florida Straits by Lawrence Shames - Joey Goldman leaves the life of low-level New York mobster and hopes to find his fortune in Key West, Florida. Unfortunately, he finds it hard to make his mark and the life he thought he left behind catches up with him. With its wonderful, lovable characters and great humor, this book was a perfect summer read!

Long Gone by Alafair Burke - Alice Humphrey finally lands a job managing an art gallery only to shortly thereafter discover the dead body of the person who hired her as well as an elaborate plan to frame her for his murder. Though I thought the plot suspenseful and tightly woven, I could not get invested in the characters and actively disliked many of them. The book was a fast read, but not one that I'd recommend.

Perfect Alibi (Mike Daley #7) by Sheldon Siegel - Mike Daley and his law partner/ex-wife Rosie Fernandez have a particularly daunting task. Their client is accused of murdering his father, a prominent judge and his perfect alibi is that he was with their daughter at the time. Although I find the premise that they would take on this conflict of interest case somewhat dubious, I do enjoy this series for the wonderful San Francisco setting, and the great, witty dialog. The main characters, with all their faults and strengths are old friends by now.

Island of the Sequined Love Nun (audio) by Christopher Moore -Tucker Case is a washed up pilot who is offered a supposedly lucrative opportunity on a tiny island in Micronesia. Unfortunately, all is not as it seems. This hilarious book, filled with absurd characters and very witty dialog was a joy to listen to.

Buried Secrets (Nick Heller #2) by Joseph Finder - Having enjoyed Finder's series debut, Vanished, I was happy to read this next one. Typically, Finder's works are fast moving thrillers with minimal character development and lots of action. I found that to be the case here as well. Nick Heller, now working as a PI in Boston is asked by a family friend to investigate his daughter's kidnapping, but the frantic father may not be telling Nick everything. Not the best of Finder, but I did enjoy the ride and will continue on with the series.

I Am The Messenger (audio) by Markus Zusak - Ed Kennedy, an Australian slacker must rise to the moral challenge after evidently being chosen as "the Messenger" of both good and bad to a selected group of people. Beautifully executed with powerful prose, a wonderful assortment of characters and lots of humor, this audio was a definite winner.

A Prayer for Owen Meany (audio) by John Irving - Friendship, politics, predestination and love are all themes in this wonderfully humorous book with a compelling and complicated plot, very interesting characters and beautiful use of language. It took me quite some time to complete this long and outstanding audio (I loved the narrator's rendering of "the voice"), but it was well worth it!

What a stellar month, Marcy!
I agree with your assessment of I Am the Messenger, I can still hear Ed Kennedy's voice in my head! Christopher Moore's crazy humor is always a treat. I also enjoyed Island of the Sequined Love Nun.

Marcy: Sometimes I wonder why or maybe more so, how some authors can engage you in their characters to the point that you are even rooting for the serial killer (Dexter); and other authors manage to turn you off on all of the characters to the point that you don't want to read the book.
Marcy wrote: "Long Gone by Alafair Burke .... Though I thought the plot suspenseful and tightly woven, I could not get invested in the characters and actively disliked many of them. "

I love Christopher Moore! His books never fail to make me laugh out loud.

Ann wrote: "Marcy: Sometimes I wonder why or maybe more so, how some authors can engage you in their characters to the point that you are even rooting for the serial killer (Dexter); and other authors manage t..."
I also wonder about that. Some authors' ability to make even the most immoral characters sympathetic is a true talent. I think it's because they are able to portray them fully as people and not as stereotypes. Even if some of the characters are not likable, they are at least somewhat understood.

Melodie wrote: "I love Christopher Moore! His books never fail to make me laugh out loud."

I always forget to go back and find others to enjoy. Haven't disliked one yet. Off to my library website while I remember.

Marcy wrote: "The Musician’s Daughter by Suzanne Dunlap - Fifteen year old Theresa Maria Shurman is determined to solve the mystery of the suspicious death of her father, a violinist in the 18th century Viennese..."

You had a good month of reading.

Marcy: That is most likely it! Some authors write dialog, others give character studies. The secret is somewhere in the proper mix.
Marcy wrote: "Some authors' ability to make even the most immoral characters sympathetic is a true talent. I think it's because they are able to portray them fully as people and not as stereotypes. Even if some of the characters are not likable, they are at least somewhat understood. "

I enjoyed the first two books by Sheldon Siegel but for some reason the series just slipped off my radar.

Sandi wrote: "I enjoyed the first two books by Sheldon Siegel but for some reason the series just slipped off my radar."

Siegel is a meatloaf and potatoes author for me - comfort reading.

I had mixed feelings about Owen Meany right until the last page. That page made the whole novel.

Barry and Marcy: I had the audio of A Prayer for Owen Meany out from the library for weeks and even considered downloading the CD's but ran out of time to listen - someday!
Marcy wrote: "A Prayer for Owen Meany .... It took me quite some time to complete this long and outstanding audio (I loved the narrator's rendering of "the voice"), but it was well worth it! "
Barry wrote: "I had mixed feelings about Owen Meany right until the last page. That page made the whole novel."