Book Club

[smoky22]

@Lilysmom1   Ann Cleeves.  I am not a huge fan of her other two series, the Shetland series (now concluded) and her newest, the Matthew Venn series.  They are all similar in style and the types of mysteries she writes, but I found those other two characters too bland for me

Vera Stanhope is more quirky and feisty and I love the character.  I have read that most people think you don't need to read them in order but I'm a stickler for reading a series in order.  I would suggest at least to read the first one first  Hope that helps.

[smoky22]

@Lilysmom1   I meant to mention, The Crow Trap is the first Vera Stanhope.

[teganslaw]

I adore Vera Stanhope! I would like her as my neighbor. 

I put the book "The Dark Wives" on hold at the library. Only one person is ahead of me, so I won't have to wait too long.

[Lilysmom1]

@teganslaw That is encouraging to me because we like the same books.

[Lilysmom1]

@smoky22 , thanks for that.  I will give it a try.  Not having much luck lately...been doing a PTB too much which is not like me at all.

[Janey2]

The Berry Pickers. Amanda Peters

Bad Liar. Tami Hoag

Lies He Told Me. James Patterson/David Ellis

[pateacher]

I finished The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny. I admit that was not my favorite Inspector Gamache Novel.  2025 brings The Black Wolf. I will keep my fingers crossed for that one.

I started our  December read for book club, Running in the Family by Michael Ondaatje, but couldn't get my footing (pun intended) and turned instead to The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister. I fared a little better with this title but had little trouble putting it down.

Maybe I'm due a vaction from reading for a while.

[Judaline]

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@Janey2 wrote:

The Berry Pickers. Amanda Peters

Bad Liar. Tami Hoag

Lies He Told Me. James Patterson/David Ellis

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Now reading Bad Liar. Too many characters and I keep getting the two cases mixed up.  If that isn't enough, I keep falling asleep while reading it. Still looking  for a good detective story but they're usually girls (I prefer a tough guy eg Robert Crais). I know he has a new book coming out next month so there's that.

[Janey2]

@Judaline  You are right. I did not realize that pretty much every book I read the main character (detective or police) is a woman. Not done purposely but I guess that's what I am drawn to without realizing it. 

if you want really good stand alone mystery/thrillers try Mark Edwards' books. The main characters are not detectives but the stories are really good.

[nwbabs]

Thanks for the sweet note @smoky22. I can totally understand why Milkman would be a polarizing read.

I've been on the waitlist for The Dark Wives by Cleeves and look forward to hearing your thoughts when you finished. Cheers.

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@smoky22 wrote:

@nwbabs   I'm pretty sure I tried to read Milkman a while ago and couldn't get into it.  As you mentioned, you are drawn to Irish authors.  And you are much more eclectic in your reading choices than I am.  I admire that and always enjoy reading your reviews..   

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