Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading? - Page 1012

kennyc · 01-12-2013, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmw

... I can see how it might work as a TV series, a sort of "Days of our Lives" in a fantasy world.

....

I have not read it (or seen the TV show - except for a small bit of the first one) but from what I've read about it I understand that's exactly what it is.

Apache · 01-12-2013, 07:18 AM

I am reading At Close Quarters: PT Boats in the United States Navy by Robert J. Bulkley.

Quote:

Small though they were, PT boats played a key role in World War II, carrying out an astonishing variety of missions where fast, versatile, and strongly armed vessels were needed. Called "weapons of opportunity," they met the enemy at closer quarters and with greater frequency than any other type of surface craft. Among the most famous PT commanders was John F. Kennedy, whose courageous actions in the Pacific are now well known to the American public. The author of the book, another distinguished PT boat commander in the Pacific, compiled this history of PT-boat operations in World War II for the U.S. Navy shortly after V-J Day, when memories were fresh and records easily assessable. Bulkley provides a wealth of facts about these motor torpedo boats, whose vast range of operation covered two oceans as well as the Mediterranean and the English Channel. Although their primary mission was to attack surface ships and craft close to shore, they were also used effectively to lay mines and smoke screens, to rescue downed aviators, and to carry out intelligence and raider operations. The author gives special attention to the crews, paying well-deserved tribute to their heroism, skill, and sacrifice that helped to win the war.

So far I am enjoying this account of PT Boats during WWII. Well written and not dry at all.
After this I plan to read The Hitman's Guide to Housecleaning by Hallgrimur Helgason.

Quote:

With some 66 hits under his belt, Tomislav Bokšić, or Toxic, has a flawless record as hitman for the Croatian mafia in New York. That is, until he kills the wrong guy and is forced to flee the States, leaving behind the life he knows and loves. Suddenly, he finds himself on a plane hurtling toward Reykjavik, Iceland, borrowing the identity of an American televangelist named Father Friendly. With no means of escape from this island devoid of gun shops and contract killing, tragicomic hilarity ensues as he is forced to come to terms with his bloody past and reevaluate his future.

I broke down and bought it because it sounds like a great fun read.
Apache

orlok · 01-12-2013, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apache

I broke down and bought it because it sounds like a great fun read.
Apache

Ha! The only thing I can't resist is temptation

HarryT · 01-12-2013, 10:26 AM

Just finished "The Mammoth Book of Locked-Room Mysteries and Impossible Crimes", a superb anthology of mysteries of the "locked-room" variety. Very good indeed, and it's introduced me to a number of new authors whose work I shall certainly investigate further. Highly recommended if this type of mystery story appeals to you.

kennyc · 01-12-2013, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Just finished "The Mammoth Book of Locked-Room Mysteries and Impossible Crimes", a superb anthology of mysteries of the "locked-room" variety. Very good indeed, and it's introduced me to a number of new authors whose work I shall certainly investigate further. Highly recommended if this type of mystery story appeals to you.

Thanks Harry!

Will check it out!

covingtoncat73 · 01-12-2013, 11:43 AM

I am almost finished with Gillian Bradshaw's Hawk of May, the first of an Authurian trilogy. It is first person and from the POV of Gwalchmai (Gawain). I got it on Kindle Daily Deal the other week and I found it reasonably enjoyable.

Bradshaw knows how to make a first person narrator appealing, as I knew from her Cleopatra's Heir, and that is the case here. Also, she is good with historical detail, as evidenced by her other books. This is true here as well.

However, I was a bit disappointed. There is a good bit of repetitiveness to Gwalchmai's thoughts, true, but the bigger problem to me was the lack of any shades of grey. Dark is dark and light is light. I'm thinking here of Morgawse, our protagonist's mother. I got excited when she was going to teach him Latin, hoping that she was going to be complex and interesting. No such luck. Also, then we get into magical stuff. This is not Bradshaw's strong suit. At all. However, it was a brisk enough read and I may pick up the other books at some point.

HarryT · 01-12-2013, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

Thanks Harry!

Will check it out!

I've got half a dozen of the "Mammoth Book" series. They cover all sorts of topics, and all the ones I've read so far have been very good.

dreams · 01-12-2013, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alansplace

Soul Identity was an interesting story with interesting characters, and also included a neat mystery. I'll get the sequel, Soul Intent and add it to my TBR list.

<snip>

I read both of these when the author (member denbatch) popped on to MR in response to a post in 2009. I really liked the first one and the second was good, but I liked the first one best.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Just finished "The Mammoth Book of Locked-Room Mysteries and Impossible Crimes", a superb anthology of mysteries of the "locked-room" variety. Very good indeed, and it's introduced me to a number of new authors whose work I shall certainly investigate further. Highly recommended if this type of mystery story appeals to you.

This sounds good and one that pooh would like.

I am trying to decide what to read. I have quite a few freebies that look interesting and just can't decided what I am in the mood to read.

orlok · 01-12-2013, 04:14 PM

You do find some excellent avatar pics dreams. This one is particularly good. Very evocative.

dreams · 01-12-2013, 05:14 PM

I love it too, but pdurrant found it for me.

WT Sharpe · 01-12-2013, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Just finished "The Mammoth Book of Locked-Room Mysteries and Impossible Crimes", a superb anthology of mysteries of the "locked-room" variety. Very good indeed, and it's introduced me to a number of new authors whose work I shall certainly investigate further. Highly recommended if this type of mystery story appeals to you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreams

...This sounds good and one that pooh would like....

Speaking of whom, I got a PM from poohbear this morning alerting me to the fact that several new Perry Mason titles have been added at Amazon again. Ordered a couple more, and I'd love to get into that The Mammoth Book of Locked-Room Mysteries and Impossible Crimes as well, but for right now, I'm reading The Pines by Blake Crouch, a story I'm told by folks in the "Best twist?" thread has a killer jaw-dropping surprise.

Also still reading Jane Austin's Persuasion for the Book Club.

Nyssa · 01-12-2013, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Also still reading Jane Austin's Persuasion for the Book Club.

Still? uh-Oh. Is it that long?? I haven't started yet. I was saving it for next week so that I would, hopefully, finish around discussion time.

I was hoping to finish Among Others tonight, but I don't think thats going to happen.

Fbone · 01-12-2013, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Just finished "The Mammoth Book of Locked-Room Mysteries and Impossible Crimes", a superb anthology of mysteries of the "locked-room" variety. Very good indeed, and it's introduced me to a number of new authors whose work I shall certainly investigate further. Highly recommended if this type of mystery story appeals to you.

Sounds interesting. Thanks for the rec.

WT Sharpe · 01-12-2013, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyssa

Still? uh-Oh. Is it that long?? I haven't started yet. I was saving it for next week so that I would, hopefully, finish around discussion time.

I was hoping to finish Among Others tonight, but I don't think thats going to happen.

It's not that long. Just seems that way.

poohbear_nc · 01-12-2013, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Speaking of whom, I got a PM from poohbear this morning alerting me to the fact that several new Perry Mason titles have been added at Amazon again.

Start with "The Case of the Caretaker's Cat" - it's a hoot! Classic Perry Mason with some vividly weird characters!

And yes dreams, I've just downloaded "The Mammoth Book" that HarryT recommended .....
[taking notes now ...]

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01-12-2013, 10:26 AM	#15169
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,548 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Just finished "The Mammoth Book of Locked-Room Mysteries and Impossible Crimes", a superb anthology of mysteries of the "locked-room" variety. Very good indeed, and it's introduced me to a number of new authors whose work I shall certainly investigate further. Highly recommended if this type of mystery story appeals to you.

01-12-2013, 11:43 AM	#15171
covingtoncat73 Wizard Posts: 2,745 Karma: 83407757 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Lenovo Duet Chromebook, Moto e	I am almost finished with Gillian Bradshaw's Hawk of May, the first of an Authurian trilogy. It is first person and from the POV of Gwalchmai (Gawain). I got it on Kindle Daily Deal the other week and I found it reasonably enjoyable. Bradshaw knows how to make a first person narrator appealing, as I knew from her Cleopatra's Heir, and that is the case here. Also, she is good with historical detail, as evidenced by her other books. This is true here as well. However, I was a bit disappointed. There is a good bit of repetitiveness to Gwalchmai's thoughts, true, but the bigger problem to me was the lack of any shades of grey. Dark is dark and light is light. I'm thinking here of Morgawse, our protagonist's mother. I got excited when she was going to teach him Latin, hoping that she was going to be complex and interesting. No such luck. Also, then we get into magical stuff. This is not Bradshaw's strong suit. At all. However, it was a brisk enough read and I may pick up the other books at some point.

01-12-2013, 04:14 PM	#15174
orlok Close to the Edit! Posts: 9,797 Karma: 267994408 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis, Amazon Fire 8", Kindle 6"	You do find some excellent avatar pics dreams. This one is particularly good. Very evocative.

01-12-2013, 05:14 PM	#15175
dreams It's about the umbrella Posts: 25,110 Karma: 56250158 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony 505\| K Fire \| KK 3G+Wi-Fi \| iPhone 3Gs \|Vista 32-bit Hm Prem w/FF	I love it too, but pdurrant found it for me.