General Chat

I'm into crime/thriller novels and most things except for romance and have just read the new Val McDermid book. It was excellent, with good plots and characterisation. For all you peeps out there unable to sleep, why not do what I do and read. At least the time passes very quickly!!!

Sue

I read the sad true life books, they're so upsetting though. Just read Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth. An eye opener!! Recently read Urban Grimshaw by Bernard Hare, too.

there at two books which in my lifetime I have practically read in one go because I couldn't put them down.

One years ago was called "Harvest Home" by Tom Tryon

the other "Falling for a Dancer" by Deirdre Purcell. She;s an Irish writer and there were several sequels to it. All her books are brilliant

just my view on them anyway

I loved the C.J.Sansom series of crime novels set in Tudor times - 'Dissolution', 'Dark Fire' and 'Sovereign'. I read lots of non-fiction, true crime, history, science, anything that 'grabs' me - not keen on biographies unless it's someone really interesting who's actually older than 30 and has DONE something other than been a 'celeb' or had a hard childhood!! I read some fiction but am fairly choosy and don't like 'chick lit' or anything too light, prefer something I can get my teeth into!

I like fiction, and auto/biographies too. Sometimes I just need escapism stuff and other times can cope with more reality. I've read some good ones recently, will add the titles later as they are upstairs and I don't want to disturb Mr Blobby while he is sleeping lol

You didn't get much sleep Susan? Last night was a laugh.
Lizxxx

Agree chic lit is absolutely not for me either. Something really absorbing Is what I love. Maybe this will give us all some ideas for new reading which I am always on the lookout for.

Sue

I have been an ardent reader for most of my life. I was bought up in an era when only the ruler of the Scottish island where I lived had televsion (well I am presuming he had one) because no one else did.
Sometimes at night, a knock would come at the back door, with the words "Any boooks", and you would exchange paper backs, (the adults that was). But I can remember being a library member from the time I started school at 41/2.
These days I really enjoy the American crime writers eg. Patricia Cornwall, Karin Slaughter, Kathy Reichs etc. I am hoping to get a copy of Call the Midwife, for a change of genre, when I go to Tesco at the weekend.

Tess Gerritson, James Patterson, Patricia Cornwell and Peter james are my current faves at the moment. If you haven't tried them yet, then do. They are good.

Krystyna x

Hubby says he has just read a book by Samuel Beckett about a doctor who does forensic work. It was called 'Written in Bone' but it is a sequel and he hasn't read the first one yet. It was full of twists and excellent.

He is also a big fan of Val McDermid.

Chrissie

Chrissie - I have that book in my 'to read pile' . Will look for the prequal when I go for 'Call the Midwife'.
Krystina - I have read many by the authors you have mentioned
Julia in Derbyshire

P eter James, scary but its a safe way of being scared.! HOST very scary.!! you will definately not sleep.

Sue

I have just read Relentless by Simon Kernick, it was recommended by someone on here and I ordered it last year and only took me a few days, may order some more now.
I will check out the other titles on Amazon.

Rosalind

That's funny Rosalind. I saw that thread last year and put 'Relentless' in hubbys stocking at Christmas. He thought it was brilliant and has read several more Simon Kernick since.

Susan, which of the Val Mcdermid one to you recommend to start with, see there are loads? I do read the reviews to see what they say, sometimes you find that some of the books have been written to order and are not up to the standard of others, but do make up my own mind. Always on the look out for something different.

Rosalind

Chrissie, I found it gripping, plenty of murders, but they got on with it and no hanging around. You really felt on the edge of your seat sometimes and I was impressed at that.

Rosalind

I was really grateful to whoever put the thread up Rosalind because I am always stuck for hubbys stocking fillers at Christmas. I can't remember who it was now can you? Hubby says that he agrees with your summary of it:)

Chrissie

Hi Rosalind,
I have read quite a few of her books and the ones I prefer have DCI Carol Jordan and the profiler Tony Hill in them. The thing is, there tends to be a continuation in the lives of the characters so if possible and you a keen reader, maybe start with earlier ones and go in a sort of order. There are one or two earlier ones with other people, but I dont rate them much. On the whole, I think she gets better and better, the latest one being one of her best. but if you read them out of the general order it can be muddling with the lives of the characters.
Hope you get the gist of that without me sounding like an anorak!!! Which I admit I am.

Sue

Hi

I read all sorts of books from chic-lit, historical romance, crime/thrillers - just reading "The Witch of Portobello" by Paul Coehlho but finding it very strange and not an easy read!!

I recently read the latest Harlan Coben "The Woods" - he's a crime writer and I really enjoy these books, usually quick and easy to read. My hubby also reads a lot of Lee Child, not read them myself but they tend to get passed around to our friends who also enjoy them.

Shelli

Hi Sue, yes I get the gist!! Fortunately she has a website which gives the dates as a lot have the date of Feb 2006, which are obviously new editions. I have five of the one's you mention starting with The Mermaids singing, and the reviews are good. Will see if anyone has them here, if not then I will order from Amazon.

Rosalind

Just read a good one but can't remember the author, got it from library, non-fiction- Waiting for Daisy- have just started one by Barbara Delinsky - The Family Tree- a novel and not murder but def. a mystery should be interesting . am having a change from murder/mystery ones have read so many was getting so that I could solve them!This last one was recommended at the N.Wales Meet.