Suspense/Mystery Books Discussion...

Margaret · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 863

The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen - was a near perfect read for me. This is the 1st in the series, the 2nd book is The Absent One and is due out this week...I can't wait.

It's about detective Carl Morck who has survived a recent shooting, and has pent up emotions and guilt for what happened to two of his team members during the same attack. Returning to work he is put in charge of a new department--Department Q, which is now to investigate cold cases.

There is an interesting cast of charcters, including Carl's new "assistant" Assad, who has a murky background.

My grade is a strong 'A'.

I seems that The Keeper of Lost Causes is being made into a movie.

D Rogers · Joined: 31 Jul 2009 Posts: 147

[quote="jaime"]What a great thread!

Well, I just checked out Gaudy Night from the library - will I be able to enjoy this knowing nothing about these characters prior to this book?

How are you getting on with this? I started with Strong Poison, which is the book in which Lord Peter and Harriet meet, so I was prepared for Gaudy Night when I read it (it might be difficult to understand Harriet's hesitation in marrying Lord Peter, but basically, he's rather famous for detection, and she's rather famous as a mystery novelist AND as a maybe murderess, so the press has a field day every time they are seen together, making courtship absolutely horrible, especially for Harriet who compromised her principles for the former lover she is thought to have murdered). At this point in the book, Lord Peter has been courting Harriet on and off for five years. So in this book, they are at the point where Harriet has to decide yeah or nay (nay, Lord Peter goes away forever).

And oh yeah, there's a mystery involving a Poison Pen letter writer, and Harriet is called in to try to solve it.

Denise

PatW · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 614 Location: Central Maryland

csmiley · Joined: 26 Sep 2010 Posts: 84

I don't think anyone has mentioned Beverly Cleverly's Joe Sandilands mysteries. The first one The Last Kashmiri Rose takes place during the British Raj era. There are several more during that time period and later he goes back to England. He is a Scotland Yard detective. All the books are amazing and I just got the last one on my Kindle today Not My Blood. She also writes a mystery series about Laetitia Talbot, an aspiring archaeologist that takes place in the late 1920"s.

MEK · Joined: 09 Dec 2010 Posts: 222

KayWebbHarrison · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 1206 Location: SE VA. USA

Susan/DC · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 1596

MrsFairfax · Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 1065

I'll toss out three more with fun locales -

Malla Nunn's Emanuel Cooper mysteries, set in 1950s South Africa during apartheid. Like Ian Rutledge, Cooper also has the voice of his old sergeant-major in his head. The social aspects of the race relations at the time are fascinating and well-portrayed. Starts with A Beautiful Place to Die.

Michael Stanley's Detective Kubu (that's hippo in Setswanan) Bengu books, set in present day Botswana. Grittier and with more forensics than Alexander McCall's books. Starts with A Carrion Death.

The Darko Dawson series by Kwei Quartey. This one's set in Ghana, and the every day clash of ancient village superstitions with modern technology is what makes this series stand out for me. The first book is Wife of the Gods.

Kubu and Darko are both happily married, so not a great deal of romance, but fun if you want to try a new setting.
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LinnieGayl · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 752

Manda · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 519

Well, I finished the last of the Archie Sheridan/Gretchen Lowell books last night. Tee, I think they work just fine with Gretchen taking a (somewhat) back seat in them. As usual I found the characterization in this one fascinating and I had mixed feelings about the whole [spoiler] Susan/Leo/Archie triangle. I am really torn about it because I genuinely like Leo, but I want Archie to end up with Susan. Despite the age difference, and Archie's inability to let Gretchen go (and his new affair with the neighbor, whom I do NOT trust) I think they would be good together. But I don't want Leo to get hurt. Which will definitely happen if Susan/Archie happens. So I'm torn. [/spoiler] I am so bummed that I've finished all of the Will Trent and Archie Sheridan books now. Sad

It's going to be a long wait until the next ones come out.

I downloaded Jennifer Hillier's CREEP last night, but what I really want is something like Will Trent or Archie Sheridan. I'm addicted, I'm afraid.
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Manda Collins

csmiley · Joined: 26 Sep 2010 Posts: 84

What a great thread! I am about to reread Kate Ross's Julian Kestrel books. Unfortunately there are only four as she sadly passes away! I wish they were available on Kindle as the print is small Smile

. Also did anyone mention Dana Stabenow's Kate Shugak and Liam Campbell series? Keep those recs coming!

Susan/DC · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 1596

A little surprised that no one has mentioned either the Lady's No. 1 Detective Agency or Isabel Dalhousie books by Alexander McCall Smith, although it's true that in neither series is the mystery the reason to read. I read them for McCall Smith's portrayal of the characters; he has a realistic yet compassionate sense of human frailty and manages to be sweet without being saccharine (which is harder than it seems). There is such insight and warmth, and I love the Botswana setting for the No. 1 Detective Agency books. It's such a different picture than one usually gets of Africa in more hard edge thrillers, and it's a nice corrective. As one who is somewhat traditionally built myself, I also like that aspect of the book.

And I will always love him for what happens to Isabel several books into the series. At a time when I needed optimism (my son was with a medical unit it Iraq), McCall Smith provided that for me through her. I read Elizabeth George's With No One as Witness at the same time, and it almost sent me into a tailspin -- it was very much the opposite of what I needed just then. I've not read another of her books since.

From all my posts can you tell that mysteries are my second favorite genre?

Tee · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 4045 Location: Detroit Metro

Minerva · Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Posts: 126

I finished CRIMINAL which is my favorite Karin Slaughter. I agree! I want more Will Trent types.

I just don't think Chelsea Cain is for me. I've read some reviews/spoilers and I think I'll pass.

I just picked up GONE GIRL from the library tonight. So my weekend is set!

This is a great thread. I'm reminded of all the authors I love - you guys are totally on my wavelength. I'm picking up all sorts of new recs too!

I've been a huge fan of Edwardian, WWI mysteries. But after Downton Abbey, I went on a huge glom. I've been a fan of Charles Todd's post WWI mysteries for quite a while. I enjoy the Ian Rutledge mysteries more than the Bess Crawford ones. I've also enjoyed Elizabeth Speller's post WWI mysteries THE RETURN OF CAPTAIN JOHN EMMETT and THE STRANGE FATE OF KITTY EASTON.

Right now, I'm definitely into contemporaries, so I love to hear everyone's updates.