Mystery Max Tries Something More in 24

I've never listed particular books that I wanted to read in the upcoming year before. Instead I have simply tried to read as much as I could and my categories were quite simple.

This year, for some unknown reason to me, I am actually going to pinpoint some books I really want to read. I'll figure out some way to mark them as read later. And I am going to be more critical in my ratings.

Not only that, because of the nature of my choices I couldn't see reading month to month and instead I feel more comfortable dividing my reading year into quarters.

My other goal is to interact more on LT. I usually start out pretty well and as the year wears on I visit, and comment, less and less. This year I want to stay in touch.

Place holders are going up right now, and content soon to follow I hope!

PLACE HOLDER FOR TICKER RIBBON

STAY INSIDE AND READ! It's Winter! January-February-March



BIG BOOK: Lorna Doone READ
REREAD: Alice in Wonderland READ & Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
SERIES: The Inheritance Cycle READ (Eragon, Eldest, Brisinger, Inheritance, Murtagh)
MYSTERY: Poirot books by Agatha Christie READ
(The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Murder on the Links, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, The Mystery of the Blue Train, Peril at End House)
MAPS: The Charting of the Oceans : Ten Centuries of Maritime Maps by Peter, Whitfield READ
MISC: READ
American Sherlock : Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of American CSI by Kate Winkler Dawson
Bones Never Lie : How Forensics Helps Solve History's Mysteries by Elizabeth Macleod
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
A Dark Anatomy by Robin Blake
Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes
The Last Legion by Valerio Massimo Manfredi
I am the Only Running Footman by Martha Grimes

TOTAL FOR THE FIRST QUARTER = 20

IT'S SPRING! CAN WINTER REALLY BE GONE? April-May-June



BIG BOOK: Dracula by Bram Stoker READ
REREAD: On the Beach by Nevil Shute READ
SERIES: Matthew Swift series (A Madness of Angels, The Midnight Mayor, The Neon Court, The Minority Council) by Kate Griffin READ
MYSTERY: Nero Wolfe books by Rex Stout READ
The Rubber Band, The Red Box, Too Many Cooks, Some Buried Caesar, Over My Dead Body
MAPS: The Map Thief by Michael Blanding READ
MISC: READ
Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
The Burglar in the Closet by Lawrence Block
The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling by Lawrence Block
The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza by Lawrence Block
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
God Save the Mark by Donald Westlake
Long Time No See by Ed McBain
Maigret and the Apparition by Georges Simenon
Murder at First Pitch by Nicole Asselin

WONDERFUL SUMMER. SIT OUTSIDE & READ July-August-September



BIG READ: Moby Dick by Herman Melville READ
REREAD: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley READ After a few chapters I quit. Changed my mind and finished it. Waste of hours when I could have read something good. Not just the story, but the way it was written. Yuck.
SERIES: Jessie Stone series by Robert Parker READ
MYSTERY: Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle
MAPS: The History of Topographical Maps : Symbols, Pictures, and Surveys by P. D. A. Harvey
MISC: READ
Dewey Decimated by Charles A Goodrum
The Best Cellar by Charles A Goodrum
Murder at the ABA by Isaac Asimov
The High Window by Raymond Chandler
The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie
Dissecting Death by Frederick T. Zugibe
A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
Cop Hater by Ed McBain

IT'S AUTUMN! BEST TIME OF THE YEAR! October-November-December



BIG BOOK: The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper
REREAD: Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton READ
SERIES: World War One series by Anne Perry
MYSTERY: Perry Mason books by Erle Stanley Gardner
MAPS: The Book Nobody Read : Chasing the Revolutions of Nicolaus Copernicus by Owen Gingerich
MISC: READ
The Phantom Patrol by James R. Benn
Enter a Murderer by Ngaio Marsh

PLACE HOLDER FOR WHAT I FORGOT!

I hope you are ready for visitors. Dividing the year into quarters sounds like a good idea. Here's wishing you a successful and happy book-filled 2024!

Going to sneak in behind Judy and say hello! :) I hope you have an excellent reading year!

"Placeholder for what I forgot" sounds like a really good idea! Happy reading in 2024!

Looking forward to your reading this year, Max.

Good luck with your reading in 2024.

>8 DeltaQueen50: >9 rabbitprincess: >10 VivienneR: It's probably the category I'll use the most! >11 dudes22: Thanks all!

Good luck with your 2024 reading!

Happy planning and reading for 2024!

Happy reading for 2024, Max! I like your divisions by season, and your big book plans.

Hi there, and happy reading! May 2024 bring us all peace.

What a good idea to use the seasons! Happy reading in 2024!

>17 LadyoftheLodge:, >18 MissBrangwen: Welcome! Yes, a year of peace, common sense, and manners would help us all regain our balance.

Months and seasons seem popular this year!
Have a great New Year.

Book #3


Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
pages: 150
Illustrations by: John Tenniel and coloured by: Fritz Kredel
Stars: 3.5
It's Kredel's magical colourization of the timeless drawings that makes this small edition so special. I enjoyed the read...it remains a wonderful introduction to fantasy for young readers.

Book #4


The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
pages: 185
Stars: 3.5
This was Poirot's first case, so I chose it to be the first Poirot in my first quarter reading. I enjoyed this one, a clever locked-room mystery, and it clearly cements Suchet's characterization of Poirot as the best. The death is that of the lady of the estate where Hastings is staying to rest from the war. He begs Poirot to take the case. She's been poisoned and all the doors to her room are barred.

Book #5



Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore
pages: 679
stars: 4.5

Finished Lorna Doone - all 600 plus pages. When I was very young...like a kid... I was given an abridged version of this book with beautiful woodcut illustrations. John Ridd was handsome, Lorna was beautiful, the robber Doones were bloodthirsty men with wild beards and eyes...and I loved it. I read it so many times the binding began to fall apart.

I now have three copies - the one I had as a kid, and it's the only book remaining from my childhood with the exception of The Book House, Volume 1 which is also falling apart. I also have a Folio Society Edition which also has woodcut illustrations, but not as nice as the one in my original book, and a small, red one with onion skin pages and no illustrations. This is the one I read because it was easier to hold.

I was afraid that I would find it difficult to stay with since it was written in 1869. But that was not the case. With the exception of John Fry's dialogue (written in dialect and impossible for me to understand more than a tenth of) it flowed along and I was soon completely immersed in Lorna and John's fate.

>24 mysterymax: - re: dialogue - Our book for book club next month is Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. It too is written in - I guess - what you would call dialect. It was slow going for me, so I put the book on hold for the audio not thinking I'd get it in time, but I did and it's much easier to understand. It also helps that Ruby Dee is the narrator.

>24 mysterymax: I would agree that the dialect portions were difficult and turned me off! I also found some of the battle scene descriptions tedious. I think you liked it more than me!

>26 Tess_W: For me the battles were such a small percentage of the story that it didn't make much difference for me. In fact, I like the fact that John Ridd could deplore the battles (when the book was written at such a time as battles were supposed to be virtuous things). The book itself was not a sugar-coated romance even though John's love for Lorna carried him through all his adventures. The Doones were murderers as well as thieves and the King's court were willing to take bribes and line their own pockets.

Book #6



Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie
pages: 220
stars: 4.0

This was a more complicated plot than the first Poirot appearance. I've decided to watch Suchet's version after reading the book to see the differences. I have to go back and see who did the screen version of the first on because it suffered only a slight change from the book (a secondary character was omitted probably to make the presentation fit into a time frame) but it followed very closely the book. This one was done by Anthony Horowitz, who did Foyle's War so magnificently, but a lot was rearranged in the telling, a character (an important one) was omitted, and how Poirot became involved were all changed. As much as I love Suchet, the book was better.

>28 mysterymax: I always think David Suchet would be Agatha Christie's choice to play Poirot. Like you, I love him in the role but in my opinion the books are always better.

Book #7



Eragon by Christopher Paolini
pages: 407
stars: 4.5

I was so excited about rereading this series now that a new book has been added to it that I forgot to enter it when I finished and instead went straight into the next book...sort of like staying up all night and binging on a tv series, lol. I loved the story of Eragon, the young lad who finds a dragon egg and becomes a Dragon Rider. The series has everything...dragons, elves, humans, dwarves, magicians.

Book #8



Eldest by Christopher Paolini
pages: 608
stars: 4.5

I've raised the stars on this second time though the series. Initially it was 4 stars, but now it's 4.5. I see so much more this time through. Eldest takes Eragon through a lot of training and battles, and you also followed what happens to his cousin after Eragon flees his village to protect his dragon. And you find the truth of Eragon's parentage. I'm already into the next one.

First Quarter : Episode One (January)

Books Read: 8
Pages Read: 2774
Completed two of my goals for the first quarter: Big Book - Lorna Doone, and ReRead - Alice in Wonderland.
Favorite Read: Lorna Doone
Least Favorite: Bones Never Lie (Probably because it wasn't what I expected. I wanted something more technical and this was more a popular type of presentationl)

Book #9



Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
pages: 748
stars:4.5

The saga continues! So much happens in this book! It is a series that should be read from the beginning, but Paolini thoughtfully has a recap of previous books at the beginning of each one. I wish I had been more attentive and kept a notebook handy because there are some very good thoughts in each book that I wish I had made note of! I'm now in the book which was meant to be the conclusion so I'm eager to get to the new one and see why he decided to write it.

Book #10



Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
pages: 849
stars:4.5

Here is where the original series ends. It has all the sweep of any great novel...Magnificent end...Murtagh and Angela are two characters whose story isn't brought to a 'conclusion' and so it seems natural that Murtagh would reappear and I only hope that Angela does as well, because you have to suspect that Angela has magic far beyond anything she has revealed. I spent the morning finishing Inheritance so I need to accomplish something!

Book #11



Murtagh by Christopher Paolini
pages: 665
stars: 4.0

Clearly this is not the end of the story, but I don't know if it is the end of the Eragon cycle, the continuation, or the beginning of a new cycle. During the first four books Murtagh was present, and important at times, but he wasn't as fully developed a character as others, and certainly little was know about his dragon, Thorn. We knew he had a difficult background, and in this book we really learn the stories of the two of them. Most of what they face, they face alone so you get glimpses and explanations of their past, as well as the trials they undergo in this book.

The book ends with Murtagh and Thorn, and those they helped safe. But we are also left with the knowledge that there is an even greater and stronger evil to be faced.

Book #12



The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
pages: 213
stars: 3.0

Not my favorite.

>36 mysterymax: Interesting! It's been ages since I've read that one, and oddly enough I remember the guilty party but nothing else about the book. I have found that Christie's most famous titles aren't always my favorites...for example, I think Murder on the Orient Express is overrated.

>37 christina_reads: I agree, and there doesn't seem to be a great deal of consistency about them. Some are wow-good and others not-so-much. Since I picked Poirot as my first quarter mystery read I'm going to keep going. I'm trying to do them in order, but only in as much as I already have them on my shelf! I'm doing the Blue Train now. Sometimes, too, I can't remember if I've read it before or just have the movie stuck in my head. (which is the case with the Blue Train)

Book #13



The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie
pages: 226
stars: 3.5

This one I enjoyed more than the previous one, but Christie plays a little loose with the rules. Not everything Poirot learns is available to the reader. He often gets a telegram near the end, or dashes off the meet someone, and this piece of information that he obtains is vital to the final unmasking of the guilty person. And we don't have that information until the end.

I'm off to watch the Blue Train and Roger A. to see how the film differs from the books.

I do so like the older films which stick more closely to the books. In the Roger Ackroyd movie Poirot is involved right from the beginning and we learn the case through his eyes. In the book, the narrator is Dr. Sheppard and Poirot doesn't appear for quite a while. Dr. Sheppard's wife does things she doesn't do in the books. Otherwise it didn't stray too far.

However, the Blue Train film ran off the rails from the start. In the end, the right people were exposed but once again Poirot is involved from the beginning and in fact, is on the Blue Train himself. (He wasn't in the book)

And extra characters are involved - both the wife and the mistress of the murdered woman's father appear quite unnecessarily (they weren't in the book) and Inspector Japp is there working the case even though it takes place in France. (He wasn't in the book, either, except - if I remember correctly Poirot does make a phone call to him. (I could have the books mixed up on that phone call.) The climax at the end is different as well.

Bottom line - the films are enjoyable as they are, but the books are better. I enjoyed the blue train one much more than the Ackroyd one. But that's just my personal opinion.

>40 mysterymax: I’ve often thought I should watch the movie first—the book almost always ruins the film for me, but I doubt the film would ruin the book, so I’d enjoy both better that way!

>41 Charon07: I agree in some ways. Right now I'm reading and watching more as a comparison. I've read a lot of them already and seen most of them, but it has always been over a bigger space of time. This is giving me a chance to recognize the differences.

Book #14



Peril at End House by Agatha Christie
pages: 213
stars: 3.5

Once again, Poirot must get a telegram at the last minute to prove his theory. Nick Buckly has had three attempts made on her life and the last one has left an innocent party dead.

Book #15



All Systems Red by Martha Wells
pages: 152
stars: 4.0

Here's the kicker. When I got to the final scene I thought, this is familiar. Sure enough, I read it years ago.

>44 mysterymax: - I hate when that happens.

I'm going to be spending less time on LT. The glaring whiteness of the pages gives me a headache when I'm here for any length of time. I'll probably just be keeping my catalog up to day and my reading challenges will get updated from time to time. I'm wondering if useing sunglasses would help!

>46 mysterymax: Sorry to hear. :( I tried to search for "LT dark mode" to see if it was possible to switch to a dark background, and I saw that you already found the relevant thread! Maybe turning down your computer screen's overall brightness would help? But argh, I hope LT is able to make dark mode an option soon.

Book #16



A Dark Anatomy by Robin Blake
pages: 358
stars: 3.5

Set in 1740, Coroner Cragg is called to the scene of death of a local squire's wife. Helped by his friend, Doctor Fidelis, they find an astonishing motive for the murder.

Book #17



Murder Your Employer : McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes
pages: 388
stars: 4.0

New twist on a mystery!

Book 18



The Last Legion by Valerio Massimo Manfredi
pages : 422
stars: 5.0

I hadn't known that the movie (starring Colin Firth, Ben Kingsley) was from a book until someone here mentioned it. This is one of my all time favourite movies so, of course, I had to get the book. The rule is - the book is always better, right? But how do you beat a 5 star rating for a movie? I started it with trepidation knowing there would be changes (the movies that are practically word for word with the book are few and far between).

The movie casting was spot on with the exception of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan being cast as the love interest Mira from an Indian family (which meant creating a story line that wasn't in the book) instead of Livia who was from Venice. The trip to Britannia is different. John Hannah is cast as Nestor, the Roman senator who betrays the group. I love Hannah, so I was cool with that, but it meant cutting out a lot of the story plot which may have been done with the length of the film in mind.

But all in all, the book gave depth to the story. I loved it and will look for a decent hardcover copy. The movie carried all the essentials.

Book #19



The Charting of the Oceans
pages : 136
stars: 4.0

Beautifully done. A heavy, coffee table book with glorious photos of ancient maps. Text is informative and interesting to read, but is done in my the maps. You read 10 or 20 pages and then stop to page through and examine the maps.

Disappointment in that there was only a couple of maps showing the east coast of Africa, and neither of them were detailed. A route that was heavily travelled by spice traders and even earlier people. Trade routes linked to the Great Zimbabwe pre-Christian era. The book clearly has a European focus and there is only a small section about the Chinese and their maps...almost as though they didn't exist. The maps of the oceans in the far east are recent ones, mostly WWII vintage.

So 4.0 stars for the text of what IS there, and the beautiful photos. Perhaps a 3.0 for not being more comprehensive.

Book #20



I Am the Only Running Footman by Martha Grimes
pages : 206
stars : 3

This one seemed to lack the charm of the others I've read.

First Quarter Final Report

Books Read: 20
Goals Completed: ALL
Books over the goal: 7
Favorite Read(s): Lorna Doone, The Last Legion, and the Eragon series
Least Favorite Read(s): I Am the Only Running Footman

Books #21 & 22



The Rubber Band & The Red Box by Rex Stout
pages : 257
stars: 3.5

I think I enjoy Rex Stout more than Agatha Christie. These two were the third and fourth books in the Nero Wolfe series. An extra bonus in this edition was a memo done by Stout describing Wolfe and Goodwin and also the office (complete with floor plan).

>53 mysterymax: Congrats on achieving all your first-quarter goals!

>55 christina_reads: Thanks!

Book #23



Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block
pages : 288
stars : 4

This is the first in the Bernie Rhodenbarr series by Lawrence Block. Bernie is a professional burglar. Of course, along with the items he wants to steal, there's often a dead body attached. And Bernie is no killer.

Book #24



The Burglar in the Closet by Lawrence Bloc
pages : 290
stars: 4.5

Second of the Burglar series by Lawrence Block. Bernie is surprised by the owner of the apartment during one of his heists. He ducks into the bedroom closet to hide. Bad place to hid because the woman, not knowing that he is in there, locks the closet door. He hears the woman being killed and realizes that he's going to be the chief suspect if he doesn't catch the killer quickly.

#25



The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling by Lawrence Block
pages : 301
stars : 4

Bernie is stealing a rare first edition Kipling on commission, but the person he is stealing if for is now dead. Once again, Bernie is in trouble. He should stick to his legit job...owner of a used bookstore.

Book #26



The Burglar who Studied Spinoza
pages : 288
stars : 4

This time Bernie steals a rare coin. Then his 'fence' and someone he considers a friend turns up dead.

Book #27



Dracula by Bram Stoker
pages : 502
stars : 3.5

My big book read for this quarter. I've never been a fan of "horror" so had never read this. Decided that it was actually a classic in its genre and I should find out what it was like. It wasn't scary and I basically read it as an adventure - good guys trying to defeat the evil guys. As such it held together very well. Clearly authors and movie makers have made fast and loose with the characters (Mrs. Harker in the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen for example) and it was good to find out what their characters were really like in the original story.

Book # 28



On The Beach by Nevil Shute
pages : 278
stars : 4.5

My goodness. One good reason to reread books...memory is a funny thing. This book was not at all as I remembered it. Perhaps the movie version made more of an impact than the book had. Nevertheless, a good read, but a sobering reminder of what we are capable of doing to ourselvesl

Book #29



Long Time No See by Ed McBain
pages : 263
stars : 4

Love McBain's writing. Must read more of his.

Book #30



The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
pages : 215
stars : 4

Another read from long ago. Loved it. Great gems there that are still true.

Going to be at the Natick Farmer's Market on Saturday, the 8th. If you are in the Boston area stop by and say hi! I love collecting LT friends!

>65 mysterymax: - It's about 1 1/2 hours from me, but if I'd had a little more notice, I might have tried to come. It would be good to see you again. Unfortunately, I have something I can't get out of tomorrow.

>66 dudes22: Too bad! Would be nice to see you too. The day was very windy and chilly...so of course I got a chill But sold a batch of books and met a lot of nice people, so all in all it was a good day, but I am exhausted and going straight to bed!

Finished all four of the Matthew Swift series! A Madness of Angels, The Midnight Mayor, The Neon Court, and The Minority Council. All I can say is - I'd give my right arm if I could write like Kate Griffin (Catherine Webb). Imagine my disappointment one time when I picked up a book by Catherine Webb and thought "What? She writes better than this!" Then to learn that someone else also writes under that name and I wasn't reading MY Catherine Webb! I know her type of story doesn't appeal to everyone (urban fantasy) but even for her wordsmith and world building she's worth a read. I need to read my map book before the end of the month but I am very motivated to go back and make notes on some of her well crafted bits, in hopes that one day I can figure out how to do what she does.

>67 mysterymax: Glad you met nice people and sold some books! Hope you've had a great week :)

>69 rabbitprincess: I did! At the end of this month I'm off to Jericho VT, in the far north!

Book #31



The Map Thief by Michael Blanding
pages : 222 plus 70 pages of notes, etc.
stars : 3.5

A true crime story with a lot of history about maps. The cover calls it "the gripping story." I wouldn't go that far. It was good, informative, and well-written, but gripping? Not.

Book #32



God Save the Mark by Donald Westlake
pages : 268
stars : 4.0

Loved this. Laugh out loud funny. Fred Fitch is a walking target for con men. He'll fall for just about anything.

>72 mysterymax: BB for me!

>73 christina_reads: I loved it, hope you do too!

Book #33



Too Many Cooks by Rex Stout
pages : 179
stars : 3.5

Wolfe is away from the Brownstone at a gathering of chefs.

Book #34



Some Buried Caesar by Rex Stout
pages : 190
stars : 4.0

Wolfe is once again away from the Brownstone. This time he is away for an flower contest but he and Archie get mixed up with the death of a champion bull. A few funny moments, a clue withheld which is not fair, and Archie meets Lily Rowan.

Book #35



A Madness of Angels by Kate Griffin
pages : 458
stars : 4.5

The is the beginning of the Matthew Swift urban fantasy series, which I had read before. I think I loved it even more the second time around. If you like this genre and you haven't read the series, try to do so. Every second paragraph I sigh, "I'd give anything to write like she does."

Book #36



The Midnight Mayor by Kate Griffin
pages : 467
stars : 4.5

Book #37



The Neon Court by Kate Griffin
pages : 501
stars : 4.5

Book #38



The Minority Council by Kate Griffin
pages : 569
stars : 4.5

Although this is the "end" of the Matthew Swift series, there are two more books that carry on from this story: Stray Souls and The Glass God. Then you put the books down and go Wow!

Book #39



Over My Dead Body by Rex Stout
pages : 257
stars : 3.5

This is the one where Stout meets his adopted daughter. I don't recall any book where she reappears, but I'm going to keep my eyes open.

Book 40



Maigret and the Apparition by Georges Simenon
pages : 159
stars : 4.0

Another Inspector is shot and serious wounded and Maigret investigates. Art forgeries are taking place and the wounded Inspector found out about it.

Book 41



Murder at First Pitch by Nicole Asselin
pages : 173
stars : 3.5

A fairly good baseball mystery with a female protagonist.

Second Quarter Final Report

Books Read: 21
Goals Completed: ALL
Favorite Read(s): God Save the Mark, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, and the Kate Griffin series
Least Favorite Read(s): The Map Thief

One of the books I'm supposed to be reading this quarter is Moby Dick. I have to say it is slow going, and every once in a while I need to take a break and read something else so I'm working on the Jesse Stone mysteries. Will get them added when I have time.

Had a great book event at Tatnuck Booksellers in Westborough MA on Saturday. Looking forward to going back there in November.

More later.

Just dropping in to say hello. I see you've been enjoying lots of mystery classics. I love Simenon but for some reason the library owns very few.

>86 VivienneR: Sorry to be so late in answering. This month has been insanely busy and once in a while I think...haven't checked LT! I am trying to get through Moby Dick, but it requires a lot of mysteries between sections! I have found a new (to me) author... Charles Goodrum! His first book was Dewey Decimated. (Library setting, of course) One reason I enjoyed it was that instead of a detective and his usually helpless sidekick, he had three very capable people working on the crime. I do as well in my series. So it really struck a chord with me. I haven't posted them yet, but hopefully I will get around to it one of these days.

I am SO behind in my posting! I think I will just list what I have read. I like having the covers show, but it would take me hours to get this done. So here goes. (Not in order of reading, either, because I can't remember...except for the Jesse Stone books.)

Book #42 Dissecting Death by Dr. Zugibe and David L Carroll. 4 stars on forensic cases
Book #43 The High Window by Raymond Chandler 4 stars a Phillip Marlowe case
Book #44Night Passage by Robert B Parker 4 stars because I love Jesse's books.
Book #45Trouble in Paradise by Robert B Parker 3.5 stars because this is where the books and the tv series start to differ.
Book #46 Stone Cold by Robert B Parker 3.5 stars
Book #47 Sea Change by Robert B Parker 3.5 stars
Book #48 High Profile by Robert B Parker 3.5 stars
Book #49 Stranger in Paradise by Robert B Parker 3.5 stars almost a 4 star
Book #50 Night and Day by Robert B Parker 3.0 stars
Book #51 Split Image by Robert B Parker 4.0 because he finally gets past his ex-wife
I didn't read the ones written after Parker's death. I can't seem to find the same feeling in a book when someone else tries to write them. They may even be better reads, but it just isn't the same for me.
Book #52 Dewey Decimated by Charles Goodrum 4.0 Loved this!
Book #53 The Best Cellar by Charles Goodrum 4.0 stars... have order the other 2 in the series.
Book #54 Murder at the ABA by Isaac Asimov Also 4.0 stars. Loved it.
Book #55 The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie 4 stars, not a Poirot or Marple.

I'm still wading through Moby Dick. I think I'll finish it this month. What a slog.
I may have to add to this list if I find something I read!

>88 mysterymax: - P and I spent a week or so binging on the Jess Stone movies a while back.

>88 mysterymax: I love that Isaac Asimov wrote a few detective novels in addition to all the sci-fi! I remember really enjoying his A Whiff of Death.

>89 dudes22: As I read I realized that I liked the movies more than the books. In many places, there were exact quotes and many of the characters were the same, but the plots were different. In the movies I grew really tired of his relationship with Jesse, in the books it is worse. She actually comes to Paradise. Yuck. There were other differences, too.

>90 christina_reads: I am now on the lookout for his mysteries.

Book #56
Another Read: A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
Not only is Moore off the wall funny, sometimes he says things that are spot on. I've read a couple I didn't enjoy, but this one was a good one.

>93 mysterymax: Christopher Moore is one of my favorite authors. I agree that he’s written a few clunkers, but I thought A Dirty Job was one of his better ones.

>94 Charon07: I agree!

Book #57
Well, I decided that since I had challenged myself to read Brave New World by Aldous Husley I should do it. And I did, but it is a few hours of my life that I will never get back. Stars? a minus 1.

Book #59
Moby Dick by Herman Melville

I've always said that anyone who claims to have read Moby Dick is telling a tall tale. Well, I've finally done it...more or less. There are some beautiful lines in this book and some amazingly accurate statements that are as true today as when the book was written (1851). There are also long passages and entire chapters that the eye can only skim over. Assigning stars is difficult...so much to praise...so much to dislike. I'll give it 3.5 stars.

Book 60
The Phantom Patrol by James Benn
Stars : 4

It is amazing that after so many books, Billy Boyle remains as fresh and readable as the first book. Benn's carefully researched details continue to amaze me. I only worry about what will happen to this series when the war draws to a close. Will we follow Billy as he returns to being a Boston cop? Will he stay in the Army? Will he continue to aid Eisenhower as Eisenhower moves into the political life? I love this series.

>99 mysterymax: - I need to figure out where in the series my husband is so I can request a few more books from the library for him.

>96 mysterymax: I read A Brave New World more than fifty years ago when it was still admired but I've never been tempted to re-read. I know it wouldn't stand up.

>101 VivienneR: Fortunately I just reread another oldie that has stood up. In fact, I don't remember it being such a phenomenal book the first time around. And it may even be more relevant now than it was when it was written (1948).

Book #61 It was Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. It was an amazing, beautiful, meaningful read. I had goosebumps the entire time.

Book #62
Forgot to add! Carnage of the Realm by Charles A Goodrum 3.5 stars

Book #63
A Slip of the Tong by Charles A Goodrum 3.5 stars

I seem to get further and further behind.
Reread two books in order to be up to date on the new one in the series"
Book #64 Ink and Sigil by Kevin Hearne (reread)
Book #65 Paper and Blood by Kevin Hearne (reread)
Book #66 Candle and Crow by Kevin Hearne 4 stars because I quite enjoyed this series

Book #67 Cozy Up to Death by Colin Conway 3.5 stars because it isn't really a cozy.
Book #68 The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman 3.5 stars because I mark down for 'hype' and this book has received a lot of it. It's good, it's enjoyable, and it's going to be a movie with big name stars.
Book #69 The Big Four by Agatha Christie 4 stars The movie (tv) version is terrible.

>102 mysterymax: Just yesterday I pulled that one off the shelf as I was considering books for next year. I'll attribute the BB to you.

>105 VivienneR: I hope you enjoy it.

I have more to add, maybe tomorrow. I've been copying my comments from the challenges into the review section. Time consuming. The brightness of the pages is annoying and eye straining, but I'm determined to get this done. I know if I take a long break, I'll never get started again.

Book 70



Case Histories by Kate Atkinson

pages: 409
stars: 2 stars

I know Atkinson is a writer with a big following but I couldn't get into the characters, the writing style, or the plot.

Book 71



Art in the Blood by Bonnie MacBird

pages: 300
stars: 4.5

Bonnie MacBird is the best of all the Sherlock Holmes pastiche writers, in my opinion. She writes with Dr. Watson's voice and plots consistent with Doyle's style. Excellent way to go if you are feeling the need for some Holmes.

Book 72



Unquiet Spirits by Bonnie MacBird

pages: 492
stars: 4.5

Ghosts!

Book 73



What Child is This? by Bonnie MacBird

pages: 222
stars: 4.5

A perfect Christmas Sherlock Holmes story.

Book 74



Now or Never by Janet Evanovich

pages: 312
stars: 3.5

All Stephanie Plum fans know about 'the big decision' Steph has to make in this book.

Book 75



One Lonely Night by Mickey Spillane

pages: 254
stars: 4.5

It goes on my list of the Best Books I've Read (and the only mystery on the list.) Goodness knows you don't normally think of pulp fiction and hard-boiled detectives when you want to be awed by the writing. But if you can read the opening of this and not rear back in your chair and go, "Holy S***, you don't know amazing writing when you come across it. Could I ever write like this? Probably not. Do I wish I could. Yes, definitely. Not for the faint of heart this book is Violent. Pulpy. Raw. Honest. Hammer winds up fighting American Communists with a vengeance. He fights for himself, and for Velma, and the end is as amazing as the opening.

Book 76



Richter the Mighty by J. B. Manning

pages: 398
stars: 3

This is a scathing parody of the current political situation with a couple of laugh out loud scenes. Raw, raunchy, ridiculous.

Book 77



Summit's Edge by Sara Driscoll

pages: 311
stars: 4.5

This is one of my favourite series. Meg and her dog Hawk are on a dangerous mission.

>115 mysterymax: A perfect series for dog lovers!

Wishing you a happy, healthy new year. I'll be expecting BBs!