BellaOnline Forums Books and Music Mystery Books What Are You Reading Now? What's Next?

Now that the holiday season is past, and in some climates winter has set in, what books are on your reading list for 2009?

Edit: Post title changed.

What are you currently reading? What's next on your list?

I'm finishing the Aurora Teagarden series by Charlaine Harris. I plan to also finish the Lord Meren mystery series.

Paula,

Thanks for stopping in. Apparantly over the last couple of years I have spent too much time on old favorites. On this forum I am finding out about other mystery series I haven't yet read. I will check these out.

I'm really addicted to Janet Evanovich's Plum series. The soft cover of the 14th will be out in June so it's high on my list.

Moe,

I love Stephanie Plum. My daughter got me hooked on her and we both have read and reread the whole series. I also pick up the between-the-numbers books. The whole concept of Steph and the gang make a great series and the stories are hilarious.

Take care, and thanks for stopping by.

I just finished the Blueberry Muffin mystery by Joanne Fluke and am now reading Blood Dreams by Kay Hooper. I used to really like Kay Hooper's books but this one is kind of disturbing. Maybe my tastes have changed.

Joan,

Our tastes may change over time, but I have found some of my favorite authors have changed the way they write. Although I understand why, sometimes I lose interest in their writing if they change too much.

I requested a couple of Joanne Fluke books and Harris' Aurora Teagarden books from the library. I'm looking forward to reading these two new-to-me authors.

Take Care!

Does Sidney Sheldon qualify as a mystery writer? If so, I LOVED his books. I was so sad when he passed away in 2007.
Does anyone know of any writers with his same style of writing?

Dianne,

I checked in which genre he was classified, and he is listed as crime fiction and thriller. His first book was nominated for an Edgar by the MWA.

He was known for writing about strong and capable women who still kept their femininity, so it's no surprise that most of his readers were women.

I remember reading his books in the 70's and 80's, but then drifted away. He was a great writer.

I just ordered Plum Spooky and I want to get Espresso Shot by Cleo Coyle. There are several series that I've read the first book of and I want to read the rest of them! I don't even know where to begin in telling you.

Okay, Barbara, you got me - who is Cleo Coyle? Espresso Shot sounds like a great title. I'll check that one out.

Hi, Edie. Cleo Coyle is the one who wrote the Coffeehouse Mystery series. Her titles are all great: On What Grounds, Through the Grinder, Latte Trouble, Murder Most Frothy, Decaffeinated Corpse and French Pressed. Clever since they are coffee-related.

Decaffeinated Corpse? French Pressed? Sounds like the author is pretty creative on the titles. Going on-line at CADL to order more books! (Capital Area District Library)

Thanks for adding to my growing list of books to read.

Hmmm... My reading goal for 2009 would be to finish up two of my favorite series: Ruth Rendell's Inspector Wexford and the Inspector Henry Tibbet series by Patricia Moyes.

Unfortunately, this is a goal that I am sure I won't succeed in accomplishing... as long as some of my other favorite authors keep publishing new books... M. C. Beaton, Alexander McCall Smith, ETC. I can never resist new books by favorite authors!

What is it they say about "so little time..."?

Danna, I hear you. There are so many wonderful mystery books to read, not to mention other genres. Thanks for stopping by and adding to our lists.

I'm going to nudge this up a little - anyone else have a mystery book at the top of their reading list for 2009? Feel free to list several!

I just went to the library and got: Carpe Demon by Julie Kenner, Candy Apple Dead and Peppermint Twisted by Sammi Carter, Killer Hair by Ellen Byerrum, The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis and Death Swatch by Laura Childs. I guess those would be my top for now!

Barbara,

That will keep you busy for a little while!

Okay - What mystery book tops your reading list for 2009?

One new character I just "met" is Brianna (Bree) Winston-Beaufort, an attorney created by Mary Stanton in her paranormal cozy mysteries, Defending Angels and Angel's Advocate.

I really enjoyed reading Angel's Advocate.

Anyone else find a new-to-you book or author this year?

I'm currently reading Cleo Coyle's Espresso Shot. Also, just finished the first in Cleo's coffeehouse series, On What Grounds.

Any coffee lovers out there who have enjoyed this series?

I am reading The Ghost and Mrs. McClure by Alice Kimberly, and am really enjoying the story.

Have you read any of the haunted bookshop mysteries? Have you ever had a similar experience?

Just finished the third Paco and Molly book by Rosemary and Larry Mild. A great, fun mystery series. Check out the review of the third book here:

Boston Scream Pie

I just discovered Camille Minichino/Margaret Grace. I am SO enjoying both of her (or should that be "their"?!?) cozy mystery series. As Minichino she writes the Periodic Table Mystery Series and as Grace she pens the Miniature Mystery Series. I am so glad that I have several more books of hers to "play catch-up" in my TBR bookshelf!

(I am already feeling a little bittersweet about the time when I have to wait patiently for her to put out a new book...)

Danna

I know what you mean - I'll read a series and get caught up, then wait. Once I get going I would rather keep the pace.

Is it my imagination or are you ladies into "food/drink" mysteries? I love Lee Child, Greg Isles, but also love Sue Grafton and am patiently awaiting her next Kinsey Millhone book. I am trying to get into Nevada Barr and J. A. Jance.

Hi, Ginnmi, I can't speak for everyone, but I do like the "food/drink" mysteries - along with others. I like Sue Grafton, I like Sara Peretsky (which I probably spelled wrong!) and others. I tried to read one Nevada Barr book because it was set in Michigan, but I didn't like it so I didn't finish. Right now, I'm reading "Death by Darjeeling" by Laura Childs but I have a few books waiting for me and not all are mysteries. Do you *not* like the food/drink mysteries?

Food and drink mysteries do seem to be attractive to some of us, although one of my favorites is the Sue Grafton series. My other favorites are Janet Evanovich/Stephanie Plum and China Bayles mysteries by Susan Wittig Albert.

I haven't read Greg Isles, but seems like I have read Laura Childs somewhere along the line.

Barbara - I haven't read any of Nevada Barr books. Are you a Childs or is this the first of hers you have read?

Hi, Edie. Death by Darjeeling was my first Childs but I didn't even finish it. I just couldn't get into it. Too bad, because I've heard such great things about her.

I'm reading The Begotten by Lisa T. Bergren. I'm not sure if it's a mystery or not but it's interesting. It's the first of a series and so far it's just setting up storyline.

Edie, I read On What Grounds, the coffeehouse mystery and liked it a lot. Just never got back to her other books though.

I'm reading Mariah Stewart's Last Breath. I picked up one of her books at the bookstore because she seemed to have written dozens and I like to find an author who has written several if I enjoy the book. I just finished Dead End by her and it was good too.

I like several of the food and drink authors but recently decided not to get anymore Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson mysteries. Nothing much seems to happen in them-lol.

I really enjoyed the coffeehouse series although I haven't read them all as yet. Haven't read any of Mariah Stewart's books. Thanks for giving us a heads-up!

I saw a whole display of Mariah Stewart's different titles at a Barnes and Noble when we were visiting Boston. I've tried the Half Price Book store for used ones tho and couldn't find one. The library had a couple of them. For someone who's written so many, the used ones are hard to find.

Joan,

I wonder if that means they are keepers (?). Maybe readers are holding onto the series for a while.

Thanks for the update.

Just received a half dozen new cozies in the last couple of days. Reviews are on the way. I'm excited because most are authors I haven't yet read.

What cozy are you currently reading?

I am not currently reading anything. It has been a few years since I last read a book which is crazy since I love reading. I am right now trying to get every books of Jim Benton and I will read these first then others.

I just finished The Hate U Give which was quite powerful. I'm leading teen and tween writing groups on Outschool so I want to become more familiar with what they are reading. Next up is going to be Keeper of the Lost Cities.