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

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by HarryT

They're certainly formulaic, just as the "Perry Mason" books are, too, to name one other example, but that's their appeal to many: you know exactly what you're getting. That's the appeal of "cozy mysteries" to many people. Safe reading that you know you're going to enjoy.



(Only one "m" in "Hamish", btw )

Many books I read because they challenge or educate me. Not Perry Mason books. Those are for fun, and typically sandwiched between more erudite fare. You're right about the appeal of "cozy mysteries". They're safe, enjoyable, and much like a visit with old friends. And like old friends, you learn to have certain expectations of them. You expect to be entertained, but not shocked. Sure, people die in these things, but their deaths are very neat. All the blood is off-stage.

I just finished two books tonight:
• The Case of the Sleepwalker’s Niece by Erle Stanley Gardner. This was a nice, safe, and cozy mystery that made me feel I was among old and trusted friends. Not the best in the series, but certainly entertaining, with some very expected admissions in the courtroom by the master.
• Through a Window: My Thirty Years with the Chimpanzees of Gombe by Jane Goodall. Well, I haven't actually read the afterword and the two appendices yet, but I am done with the main body of the work. I discovered a lot about humans can be learned by reading her insights into chimpanzee behavior. Highly recommended.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by issybird

I preferred Hamish to Agatha but read both, until I got tired of the increasingly skimpy texts and, especially with Agatha, the deus ex machina to wrap things up. I'm done. M.C. Beaton cranks out books at a Cartland rate and it shows.

I get where you are coming from, and in some ways they annoy me as they are often trite and the denouement sometimes ridiculous, but as HarryT said, you know what you are getting, and there's just enough in the character of Hamish to keep me reading. I also use them as "pallet cleansers" - a quick easy read when I'm not sure what I want to move on to next.

[mewmartigan]

Managed to grab the Harry Potter eBook collection from Amazon during their awesome 1 day sale. I had only ready books 1-5 in dead tree format so I am starting from the beginning now. Just finished Book 1.

[Cyclops]

Currently reading The Drought by J. G. Ballard

[drjd]

Originally Posted by drjd

Reading of Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke has been postponed for some reasons. Meanwhile finished today Bedrooms Have Windows by Erle Stanely Gardner. Next will be Top of the Heap by Gardner, I think.

Finished Top of the Heap by Erle Stanely Gardner. Still no mood for a SF, therefore moving along next cozy detective mystery by Gardner, Some Women Won't Wait . This March was literally dedicated to ES Gardner.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by CRussel

I just read the first of the Loon Lake mysteries, Dead Angler. Not sure, but probably on your recommendation. I liked it. I'm not sure how far I'm willing to go with this, but I'll likely read the second one at least, especially since these are in KU which I need to justify or drop. But before I read anything else, it's time for the newest Maise Dobbs mystery, Journey to Munich, which release yesterday. I'm not quite sure why I like these so much, but both my DW and I read them as soon as they come out.

Still reading Journey to Munich, and still enjoying it even though it isn't quite what I usually want. OTOH, it's a good break from my usual, and maybe that's part of its appeal.

[Fbone]

I read Earthfall by Mark Walden. One of my recent purchases. It was OK, it reminded me of Charlie Higson's Enemy series but without the zombies. Writing competent, little character development, a lot of action. One big honking d.e.m. at the climax. Very YA but more in the low-reading-level style. There is a sequel but not sure if I'll go for it. Rated C- [2 stars].

Next read TBD.

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by Dazrin

I am waiting for The Three-Body Problem to be available at my library so I am going to work on finishing up the Odd Thomas series instead. Next up: Deeply Odd, Odd Thomas book 6 of 7, by Dean Koontz.

I enjoyed this a lot, as expected.

Still waiting for one of my holds to show up, so I will just finish the Odd Thomas series. Next up: Saint Odd the finale of the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz.

[fantasyfan]

I finished March with a novel by Pat Frank that was certainly acclaimed when it was first published and still has study guides available for school use. Alas, Babylon is an apocalyptic science-fiction novel that deals with the great nightmare of the fifties and sixties--the results of a nuclear holocaust caused by the failure of the combined policies of a nuclear arms race and the preventive policy of mutually assured destruction. The book deals as much with the hopes of rebuilding a society from the ruins following the atomic disaster as with the horror of the war itself.

Personally I feel that the charges of racism and sexism that have been levelled against the author are misplaced. The book is a product of the late fifties and sexual stereotyping of gender roles certainly does occur. But this is most apparent before the nuclear attack destroys traditional roles. Pat Frank is certainly not a racist; the new society depends on the mutual respect and equality of all its citizens for each other so as to work together for the mutual benefit of all. Still, it is irritating to hear a black man constantly address Randy as "Mr Randy". I was personally horrified at the presentation of Randy's father--a judge--who is quite righteous about his right to administer a terrible beating to his son because the 10 year old told a lie. Another thing I dislike about this character is a willingness to use a vicious nickname against someone who has done him no harm--a habit emulated by his son. Yet Judge Bragg, who is deceased when the book starts, is presented by his son as an upright, admirable man and a wise father.

So, the book has not aged well in many ways. On the other hand, it does present a vivid description of the mentality created by the Cold War of that era and was praised as a powerful statement against that attitude when first published. Perhaps it is most useful when read as Social History.

[cromag]

Originally Posted by cromag

...
I just started Dead Man's Float, by Beth Sherman. I picked it up quite a while ago -- mostly because it's set at the Jersey shore, an area that I'm very familiar with.

Originally Posted by Fbone

...
I wonder if she is referring to Ocean Grove?

Originally Posted by cromag

I've only just started, but the "fictional" town really sounds a lot like Ocean Grove. And the neighboring towns are identified as Bradley Beach and Neptune Township, there's a mention of Route 35, etc.

The fictional setting of Oceanside Heights was almost certainly modeled after Ocean Grove.

Oceanside Heights was incorporated by a religious organization which remains a major influence in town development, social standing, etc. This provides a setting for the mystery, and a major factor in the storyline, but religion itself isn't a major plot element -- at least, as far as I felt.

The plot involves the death of a young girl in a hotel fire many years ago, and the more recent death of the man everyone in town believes set the fire -- although he was never charged by police. It's a slow-paced read, but I liked it. There were several (logical) false trails. The solution was logical and satisfying and -- up until the final scene -- one of several possible paths.

The book is being pitched as a "cozy" mystery, both in the description and with the current cover design -- which features a "paper-doll" style cut-out of the heroine among pastel-colored Victorian homes at the shore. It came across to me as quite a bit "grittier" than a typical Cozy. I liked it, but I'd caution someone who is expecting a cozier read. The cover images of the original hardback and paperback editions are more "noir" and a better fit to the storyline, I think.

There were a couple of minor formatting issues. Also, the author makes a mistake that would probably only be obvious to a New Jersey resident -- and even then, only to a few. She refers to the Neptune City Sheriff from neighboring Neptune City -- in New Jersey, at least, the Sheriff's office is part of the county government. They handle the county court security, county correctional facilities, assist with warrants, etc. The sheriff would not usually be involved in local police work. I just substituted Neptune City Police Chief where necessary.


I'll be reading some short stories before deciding on my next novel.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by cromag

There were a couple of minor formatting issues. Also, the author makes a mistake that would probably only be obvious to a New Jersey resident -- and even then, only to a few. She refers to the Neptune City Sheriff from neighboring Neptune City -- in New Jersey, at least, the Sheriff's office is part of the county government. They handle the county court security, county correctional facilities, assist with warrants, etc. The sheriff would not usually be involved in local police work. I just substituted Neptune City Police Chief where necessary.

The use of sheriff may have been intentional to keep things fictional. If the author knew about a 2-lane highway in Neptune City, I'm sure she would know NC has its own police force.

[Hampshire Nanny]

Originally Posted by CRussel

Still reading Journey to Munich, and still enjoying it even though it isn't quite what I usually want. OTOH, it's a good break from my usual, and maybe that's part of its appeal.

3 days ago I used the "Recommend a book" option in Overdrive to request that the library add Journey to Munich to the catalog. This morning I see that it's been checked out to me! Yay! Fastest response ever.

And two more books that I requested are also newly acquired: Un Lun Dun by China Mieville (checked out to me) and Abaddon's Gate by James S. A. Corey (on hold). There's another reader at the library who is working his/her way through The Expanse, so I have to wait for each book. Sure wish I knew who it was so we could chat about the books!

[HarryT]

Two books completed yesterday (a long train journey!):

"The Beckoning Lady", by Margery Allingham. The 15th book in the "Campion" series. A classic "English country-house" murder mystery. A local tax inspector is found dead in a ditch close to the home of two of Campion's friends, who are holding a large party. The book reintroduces many characters who have appeared in earlier books in the series, so this would not be a good book in read in isolation. Extremely enjoyable.

"Between the Strokes of Night", by Charles Sheffield. Originally bought from Baen in 2002. Superb hard SF - one of the best SF novels I've read in a very long time. The book explores the consequences of the speed of light being an absolute speed limit, and ways that the human race could still colonise the galaxy even with this limit. It explores some fascinating ideas in doing so, and stretches from 2016 into the very, very distant future (some 8 billion years). Unfortunately the book is no longer available to buy from Baen, although previous purchasers can still download it. I don't know if it's available elsewhere. This is a masterpiece: truly memorable SF that will keep me thinking about the issues raised for quite some time.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by Hampshire Nanny

3 days ago I used the "Recommend a book" option in Overdrive to request that the library add Journey to Munich to the catalog. This morning I see that it's been checked out to me! Yay! Fastest response ever.

That feature JUST showed up on the BC Library Overdrive page. Excellent. Didn't really need it for Journey to Munich, since I've already read it, but others will enjoy it, so I went ahead and recommended it. It will be interesting to see if it ever comes in. I'm hopeful only because the BC Library consortium seems to be finally buying a few books again.

[Rev. Bob]

Well, I started the month with an impromptu Nth-time reread of Heinlein's The Door into Summer. Start to finish in one session, and just as good as I remembered. Found and fixed a couple of glitches in the ebook, but nothing serious.

Also read the sixth prequel novella in the Dorothy Must Die series, which should really be the second in a chronological list. (The Straw King is earliest, Ruler of Beasts happens about a year later, and both are before Dorothy's return in No Place Like Oz. The other three all happen after that.) This publication order makes no sense to me...

My next book may be Red Hot Steele, first in the Daggers & Steele fantasy/procedural series. It's an old story - hard-bitten cop gets partnered with an elf straight from the Academy, cultural clashes happen, and of course there's a case to investigate.