What Fiction are you reading this week, October 1, 2023?

[hermetic]

Really.

I'm reading Dead Cold Brew by Cleo Coyle, a Coffeehouse Mystery. This cozy starts off with a bang. Seems someone wants to shoot as many policemen as they can. Lots of suspense. I was quite amused to see there's a bad guy named De Santis. This was published in 2016 so moRon was not too well known then. But he had been up to no good for several years so I don't know if the name was intentional or just a happy accident.

I just started listening to The Wedding Guest by Jonathan Kellerman. Psychologist Alex Delaware and Detective Milo Sturgis dig into a shocking crime at a raucous wedding reception in this gripping psychological thriller.

What books are you starting off with this week?

[Srkdqltr]

1. The Thursday Murder Club. Just started it. So far so good.

Pillers of the Earth. It was good. I'm not sure about reading the rest. Sis-in-lawsays the rest are good. I'll try the next one later this week.

I have been revisiting The Cronicals of St Mary's. I like the stories, I very seldom reread books except those.

[hermetic]

7. The Murder Club and St. Mary's series

are on my list of want-to-reads. I've heard they are great. Just thought I'd add that St. Mary's are authored by Jodi Taylor and Murder Club is by Richard Osman and there were supposed to be more but I can't any evidence of them yet.

[hermetic]

15. Did you see

down below, rsdsharp has just finished The Armor of Light, the 4th in the Kingsbridge series. Maybe you two should chat.

[justaprogressive]

2. Umm I usually read multiple books at one time

Right now I'm reading Dewey NYT bestseller about a library cat in Iowa,

Just finished re-reading Black Tiger at Indianapolis (Donald O'Connor) a favorite when I was a boy...

and I'm re-reading Norman Spinrad's masterpiece Agents of Chaos...

[hermetic]

5. Lots of folks here

read several books at one time. It's a good thing. We all like learning about books we maybe never knew about before.

I LOVED the Dewey story. Sweet baby.

That Chaos story sounds amazing.
From 1967, "Now at last available to the general reader, the science fiction novel that not only has created a cult of followers, but profoundly influenced some of the most dramatic political actions of our time."

[justaprogressive]

38. I can't recommend Mr. Spinrad enough

You'll be pleased to know he has written LOTS of books

Two more I can recommend right off the bat are Songs from the Stars
and "A World Between"

[QED]

3. I'm reading the second in the Wrexford & Sloane Mystery series by Andrea Penrose

The series is set in Regency England and has a sciency side to it. Here's the amazon blurb for the first:

The Earl of Wrexford possesses a brilliant scientific mind, but boredom and pride lead him to reckless behavior. So when pompous, pious Reverend Josiah Holworthy publicly condemns him for debauchery, Wrexford unsheathes his rapier-sharp wit and strikes back. As their war of words escalates, London’s most popular satirical cartoonist, A.J. Quill, skewers them both. But then the clergyman is found slain in a church—his face burned by chemicals, his throat slashed ear to ear—and Wrexford finds himself the chief suspect.

An artist in her own right, Charlotte Sloane has secretly slipped into the persona of her late husband, using his nom de plume, A.J. Quill. When Wrexford discovers her true identity, she fears it will be her undoing. But he has a proposal—use her sources to unveil the clergyman’s clandestine involvement in questionable scientific practices, and unmask the real murderer. Soon Lord Wrexford and the mysterious Mrs. Sloane plunge into a dangerous shadow world hidden among London’s intellectual enclaves to trap a cunning adversary—before they fall victim to the next experiment in villainy . . .

“Sharp, engaging characters, rich period detail, and a compellingly twisty plot, Andrea Penrose delivers a winner.” —Deanna Raybourn, New York Times–bestselling author

“Fans of C.S. Harris take note! A riveting ride through Regency London, from the slums of St. Giles, to the mansions of Mayfair.” —Lauren Willig, New York Times–bestselling author

“Historical chemistry meets alchemy . . . A delight of a book.&rdquo

[hermetic]

6. Sounds great

Thanks!

[vanlassie]

30. I love them. Read them all. Want more.

Those boys!❤️

[QED]

33. Love the weasels!

I loved how Raven left a package for "his nibs" using his formal name. I can imagine the look on the butler's face hearing him say it.

[vanlassie]

34. They are the best characters!

And about to turn into very cool adults, soon!

[TheBlackAdder]

4. The Brain Farts of Marjorie Taylor Greene, and it's scaring the shit out of me.

[txwhitedove]

17. Snort! Horrifying, but all too true.

[Bayard]

8. Rampage

The third and final book in the series by John Sandford and Michele Cook. Its the continuing exciting saga of, "Shay Remby and her band of renegade activists." They are going after a company that does experiments on humans.

Recommended.

[hermetic]

10. Sounds really good

Thanks. I'm a big fan of Sandford's books. There's A LOT of them.

[cbabe]

11. I'd like to read this series but can't find it in book form.

[Bayard]

21. I got all 3 online from Better World Books

Good condition used books for great prices. I get a lot from them.

[cbabe]

29. Thanks for the tip!

[brer cat]

23. Thanks. I would like to try that series.

[cbabe]

9. Thomas Perry/The Butcher's Boy

Revisiting this series. Perry creates unbearable suspense describing a character walking across the room. I had forgotten what a master writer he is.

(Warning: a few uses of the n word.)

[hermetic]

12. Looks like that was his first book

From 1982. He's written a bunch more since. 30 some. Lots of awards and fans. I will have to start looking for those.

[cbabe]

13. I also highly recommend his Jane Whitfield series.

[rsdsharp]

14. I just finished Ken Follet's The Armor of Light,

the fifth book in the Kingsbridge series. Machines come to the woolen industry, causing labor unrest, as the Napoleonic wars rage on the continent.

I’ve read, and largely enjoyed, the other four. Pillars of the Earth is one of my favorite books. In this one, it’s starting to feel formulaic, and I had sometimes had problems distinguishing certain characters. Still, I zipped through the 740 pages pretty quickly.

[hermetic]

16. I was just reading about this series.

Pretty amazing. Follet has been writing this saga for like 34 years. I salute your commitment to reading all those thousands of pages.

[txwhitedove]

18. So many books to read. Finished Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter by Blaize Clement,

and happily see why this is a popular series, a very funny, witty, mystery with great characters. Already ordered the 2nd in series from my poor little library, who has to have books sent from around Harris County. They have no room for donated items at this time, but advised to make a direct contribution, make payable to:
Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library @ Mercer Park, 22306 Aldine Westfield,
Humble, TX 77338, and [e-mail]. I thank you for suggesting this.

After working and raising kids for many years, I have a lot of books to catch up on. Now reading non-fiction, oops! I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, complete with some young persons tiny pencil scribles and highlights, beautiful.

[hermetic]

19. Lovely

Thanks.

[Jilly_in_VA]

20. I'm reading fluff because I'm sick

Started with The Lie, by Kathryn Crofts, which is a very British mystery about a young girl who is killed, and of course her ostensible boyfriend, who was the last person seen with her, is the main suspect, but the the book goes through a lot of what I would call a lot of unnecessary "jiggery-pokery" to show that in the end, of course someone else did. I didn't find any of the characters particularly likable and would ward you off from reading it, which is why I included a partial spoiler. Followed that with Louder Than Love, by Jessica Topper, which I would classify as a 5 star romance that would probably wear well with several age groups. I liked it because the hero wasn't young and callow and everyone had their flaws. Now I'm reading the second book in the Resting Warrior Ranch series by Josie Jade and Janie Crouch, this one called Montana Desire. They all feature heroes and/or heroines with PTSD, a subject that is close to my heart.

[hermetic]

22. I'm so sorry

that you are sick. Covid? Whatever it is, I do hope you are feeling better soon. And I'm glad you have books to help you through it. Books have always helped me get through illnesses.

[hermetic]

24. Just saw your other post

Covid. Yuck. When I had it I didn't want to eat, either. Food had no appeal. I made myself drink a lot, though. Tea, juice, water, broth. I would advise you to do the same. You really need to stay hydrated. Take care.

[brer cat]

25. Daniel Silva's House of Spies.

This is from 2017 but somehow I missed it earlier. I enjoy his books, and this one should keep me entertained all week.

I am moving next weekend, leaving my tiny town (pop. about 800) for a real city. They have a newly renovated large library that I am anxious to explore. I am trying to stick with library books because once I buy a book I tend to keep it. I have given away about 500 books preparing for this move! It's like giving away my children.

[hermetic]

27. Oh my

I know exactly how that feels. About 20 years ago I sold about a gazillion books and somehow I have now managed to get about that many again. I do try to stick with library books but there is always something that looks really great and I just have to get it. Best of luck with your move. Hope it all goes well.

Silva is on my must-read list.

[yellowdogintexas]

36. House of Spies was good! I am also a fan of Silva's work

I just read this one about a month or so ago, and of course I loved it!

Like you, I end up with books because I just have to have them, and I tend to keep them once I get them

However, having a Kindle has made a huge difference! I seldom buy an actual book anymore, unless mr YD requests one as a gift or it is written by one of a few favorite authors. We always buy the book if it is by Alexander McCall Smith, and all our Song of Ice and Fire books are in hardback. A major book purge needs to be done here, but at least I am not adding to the pile anymore

[japple]

26. Thanks for the weekly thread, hermetic. I'm now reading Kathleen Grissom's book,

Crow Mary and enjoying the story and history. Based on a true story. Here's the blurb from amazon.

In 1872, sixteen-year-old Goes First, a Crow Native woman, marries Abe Farwell, a white fur trader. He gives her the name Mary, and they set off on the long trip to his trading post in Saskatchewan, Canada. Along the way, she finds a fast friend in a Métis named Jeannie; makes a lifelong enemy in a wolfer named Stiller; and despite learning a dark secret of Farwell’s past, falls in love with her husband.

[hermetic]

28. That sure sounds good

Thanks for sharing.

[mike_c]

31. I've just finished Chuck Wendig's The Wanderers and Wayward

Pretty standard near future post-apocalyptic fare, just slightly sci-fi-ish. It's a compelling story if you like that genre. I finished Wayward last night and started Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, which I'll finish tonight. I've been meaning to read it for many months. Not sure what I'll read next.

[hermetic]

32. Me, too

Been meaning to read that one. "An exquisite ode to the natural world against a heartbreaking coming of age story and a surprising murder investigation."

Thanks for checking in.

[yellowdogintexas]

35. I finished "A Child for the Reich" this weekend and am dithering

over my next read. Having a hard time choosing.

Anyway, this book was good. Yet another awful thing the Nazis did. I honestly think if I live to be 100, I will not run out of new horrid things.



Info on last week's read:
Rumours of the Nazis coming for Czech children swept through the villages like a breeze through the trees, and the story was always the same…
They wanted our children to raise as their own
Since her husband, Josef, joined the Czech resistance three years ago, Anna Dankova has done everything possible to keep her daughter, Ema, safe. But when blonde haired, blue-eyed Ema is ripped from her mother’s arms in the local marketplace by the dreaded Brown Sisters, nurses who were dedicated to Hitler’s cause, Anna is forced to go to new extremes to take back what the Nazis have stolen from her.

Going undercover as a devoted German subject eager to prove her worth to the Reich, the former actress takes on a role of a lifetime to find and save her daughter. But getting close to Ema is one thing. Convincing her that the Germans are lying when they claim Anna stole her from her true parents is another…

[ExWhoDoesntCare]

37. This is a big non-fiction week for me

Still, I'm hoping to get to Kartography by Pakistani writer Kamila Shamsie, sometime this week.

Opposite sex friends since childhood start drifting apart when they become teens. The girl is sort of obsessed with this unusual twist to their shared history: Her mom used to be engaged to his dad, while his mom used to be engaged to her dad. You can bet that doesn't happen much in Pakistan, even today. What's the real story there, and what impact is it having on the lives of their children now?

Shamsie is a "serious" writer, so I doubt this will be a light read, but the premise intrigued me.