Hanneri's 2015 Categories Challenge

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Hanneri's 2015 Categories Challenge

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1Hanneri
Editat: març 2, 2015, 6:18 am

I am back for a second year! I really enjoyed my reading this year and my reading was much more varied as a result of the challenge. I am so looking forward to my reading of next year!

I have decided to only have eight categories. Although I had a very good reading year, I felt that for next year I would rather have less categories and read more in each.

My categories are:

1. Crime, Mysteries and Thrillers
2. Booker Prize Winners, Orange Prize Winners or Pulitzer Prize Winners
3. Books set in Europe
4. Culinary Reads
5. History
6. Cozy Mysteries
7. WWII and Cold War
8. Just because

I am aiming to read at least 80 books - I am not limiting myself to a specific number of books in each category.




Happy reading everyone!

2Hanneri
Editat: gen. 3, 2016, 8:06 am

1. Crime, Mysteries and Thrillers



Lots of mysteries to solve!!

1. Winterlude by Quentin Bates
2. The Amber Room by Steve Berry
3. Cold Courage by Pekka Hiltunen
4. First Frost by James Henry
5. Chilled to the Bone by Quentin Bates
6. Cold Steal by Quentin Bates
7. The Drowned Man by David Whellams
8. Wolves Eat Dogs by Martin Cruz Smith
9. The Crypt Thief by Mark Pryor
10. By the Time You Read This by Giles Blunt
11. More Bitter Than Death by Camilla Grebe
12. The Blood Promise by Mark Pryor
13. Crime Machine by Giles Blunt
14. Summerchill by Quentin Bates
15. In the Darkness by Karin Fossum
16. Some Kind of Peace by Camilla Grebe
17. Until the Night by Giles Blunt
18. Eeny Meeny by M.J. Arlidge
19. Pop Goes the Weasel by M.J. Arlidge
20. The Doll's House by M.J. Arlidge
21. Fatal Frost by James Henry
22. One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson
23. The Guards by Ken Bruen
24. The Hanging Girl by Jussi Adler-Olsen
25. The Button Man by Mark Pryor
26. Liar Liar by M.J. Arlidge
27. Silence of the Grave by Arnaldur Indriason
28. The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey
29. The Dark Winter by David Mark
30. A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey
31. Spring Tide by Cilla Borjlind

3Hanneri
Editat: des. 9, 2014, 5:08 am

2. Booker Prize Winners, Orange Prize Winners or Pulitzer Prize Winners



Not always the books that I would pick up myself, but always good to read...

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

4Hanneri
Editat: juny 12, 2015, 2:06 am

3. Books set in Europe



I love Europe and hope to add more of a European flavour to my reading!

1. Lehrter Station by David Downing (Germany)
2. The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted by Bridget Asher (France)
3. One Day in May by Catherine Alliott (UK)
4. Red Square by Martin Cruz Smith (Russia, Germany)
5. Stalin's Ghost by Martin Cruz Smith (Russia)
6. Three Stations by Martin Cruz Smith (Russia)
7. Tatiana by Martin Cruz Smith (Russia)
8. Lost and Found in Prague by Kelly Jones (Czech Republic)
9. Hidden in Paris by Corine Gantz (France)

5Hanneri
Editat: juny 26, 2015, 5:27 am

4. Culinary Reads



Bon appetit!

1. Friendship Bread by Darien Gee
2. Georgia's Kitchen by Jenny Nelson
3. Table for Seven by Whitney Gaskell
4. To Brie or Not to Brie by Avery Aames
5. The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry

6Hanneri
Editat: juny 21, 2015, 1:20 pm

5. History



Looking back in time...

1. Stasiland by Anna Funder
2. Behind the Berlin Wall: East Germany and the Frontiers of Power by Patrick Major
3.
4.
5.

7Hanneri
Editat: gen. 3, 2016, 8:18 am

6. Cozy Mysteries



I love trying to solve these!

1. The Secret of Chimeys by Agatha Christie
2. Blueberry Muffin Murder by Joanne Fluke
3. Lemon Meringue Murder by Joanne Fluke
4. Police at the Funeral by Margery Allingham
5. Sweet Danger by Margery Allingham
6. Fudge Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke
7. Parker Pyne Investigates by Agatha Christie
8. The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie
9. Murder in the Raw by C.S. Challinor
10. The Killings at Badger's Drift by Caroline Graham
11. Death of a Ghost by Margery Allingham
12. Flowers for the Judge by Margery Allingham
13. The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie
14. Murder is Easy by Agatha Christie
15. Death of a Hollow Man by Caroline Graham
16. The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie
17. Days of Wine and Roquefort by Avery Aames
18. Death in Disguise by Caroline Graham
19. A Brush with Death by Elizabeth J. Duncan
20. Dead Man's Folly by Agatha Christie
21. C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton
22. D is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton
23. E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton
24. Sugar Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
25. Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie
26. Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie
27. Twelve Drummers Drumming by C.C. Benison
28. Death Comes as the End by Agatha Christie
29. Dancers in Mourning by Margery Allingham

8Hanneri
Editat: jul. 20, 2015, 5:30 am

7. WWII and Cold War



I am facinated by the Cold War and hope to learn more through my reading.

1. Night Soldiers by Alan Furst
2. Berlin Game by Len Deighton
3. Masaryk Station by David Downing
4. The Secret Speech by Tom Rob Smith
5. The Berlin Conspiracy by Tom Gabbay
6. Mexico Set by Len Deighton
7. Agent 6 by Tom Rob Smith
8. The Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
9. London Match by Len Deighton

9Hanneri
Editat: gen. 3, 2016, 7:57 am

8. Just because



Because you don't need an excuse to read a good book!

1. The Chimney Sweeper's Boy by Barbara Vine
2. A Rural Affair by Catherine Alliott
3. Havanna Bay by Martin Cruz Smith
4. Beneath the Shadows by Sara Foster
5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
7. Death of a Murderer by Rupert Thomson
8. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
9. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
10. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
11. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
12. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
13. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
14. Foul Play by Janet Evanovich
15. The Magic of Christmas by Trisha Ashley

10MissWatson
des. 9, 2014, 5:32 am

Interesting categories, especially the Cold War. I'm looking forward to that!

11christina_reads
des. 9, 2014, 9:50 am

I'm also interested in your Cold War category! Your challenge overall looks like a lot of fun. :)

12Poquette
des. 9, 2014, 1:34 pm

Seconding (or thirding) the previous comments! Will be watching with interest.

13mamzel
des. 9, 2014, 2:01 pm

The map of Europe is really cute!

14rabbitprincess
des. 9, 2014, 5:57 pm

I'll be following pretty much all of your categories ;) Love the map of Europe, too! Have fun with your challenge, and welcome back for a second year! :)

15LittleTaiko
des. 9, 2014, 10:34 pm

Love the Just Because category - nice way to fit in all the other books.

16VivienneR
des. 9, 2014, 11:04 pm

Love your theme and categories. Looking forward to following along.

17-Eva-
Editat: des. 10, 2014, 12:23 am

That' a very nice spread - wishing you a happy reading year!

18Hanneri
des. 10, 2014, 7:02 am

Thank you so much for all the kind comments! I am really looking forward to my reading next year! Will be following your reading with interest as well!

19DeltaQueen50
des. 10, 2014, 7:43 pm

You have some really interesting categories, and I am looking forward to following along with your reading again this year.

20mysterymax
des. 11, 2014, 8:32 am

mmmm - cold war! Lots of good spy stories there.

21Roro8
des. 11, 2014, 4:02 pm

Nice set up. I'm interested in what you think of the prize winners you read next year. Plus history, Europe and just because.

22lkernagh
des. 25, 2014, 7:58 pm

Welcome back for another fun year of category reading!

23Hanneri
des. 26, 2014, 12:19 pm

Thank you! I can't wait for the new year!

24Hanneri
gen. 1, 2015, 2:23 am

Ready for a brand new reading year! Happy New Year everyone!

25Hanneri
gen. 7, 2015, 1:22 am

1. The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie

Somewhere in Africa, in the 1920s (the book was published in 1925) two friends meet and have a strange conversation about stolen love letters and the memoirs of a famous balkan politician. One of them, Anthony Cade, returns to England intending to give the letters back and see the biography published, however he is visited by a strange man wanting the book and he unexpectedly finds that the letter writer is not what he thought… not to mention that she will involve him in a mysterious death.

The Chimneys of the title is the home of the Marquis of Caterham and a favourite place for political reunions much to the current Marquis’ desperation. All the characters will end up there looking for a famous jewel stolen a few years and that is connected with the letters, the biography and the story of a fictional country named Herzoslovakia. When a murder occurs Superintendent Battle is called to Chimneys to investigate all the clues and see if he can not only solve the murder but also unravel the mystery of the stolen jewel. All this in an atmosphere of secret and political intrigue since the happenings may influence Herzoslovakia’s government. The political events mentioned felt very much inspired in what was going on at the Balkans at the time, from the secret society mentioned down to the royal assassination due to a poor choice of a bride and the fragile political balance the governments had.

What a lovely story! I spent an afternoon reading it with a cup of coffee by my side. It doesn’t get much better than that.

26electrice
gen. 7, 2015, 7:41 am

>4 Hanneri: I love this map, yep, it's cute; >5 Hanneri: Merci, I'm anticipating delicious treats; >6 Hanneri: Zeppelin, you've said Zeppelin; >7 Hanneri: it sure is COZY.

>25 Hanneri: I spent an afternoon reading it with a cup of coffee by my side. It doesn’t get much better than that. Isn't that true, for me it will be a tea though :)

27christina_reads
gen. 7, 2015, 10:19 am

>25 Hanneri: I love that book! There's also a sequel (of sorts) called The Seven Dials Mystery...you should definitely check that one out too!

28Roro8
gen. 8, 2015, 2:48 pm

>25 Hanneri:, that does sound like the perfect afternoon.

29LittleTaiko
gen. 8, 2015, 6:42 pm

>25 Hanneri: & >26 electrice: - That does sound like a lovely afternoon - much better than sitting in front of a computer staring at spreadsheets all day. I have to agree to the tea over coffee too, at least if it's herbal tea.

30Hanneri
gen. 9, 2015, 2:13 am

2. Lehrter Station by David Downing

This is the fifth book in the John Russell series. It takes place immediately after WWII ends, during the fall and winter of 1945. At the close of the previous book in this series, Russell is reunited with his son and Effie, along with a few other individuals who are important figures to Russell and Effie, just as the Allies are entering Berlin.

In this book John and Effie are living in London when John is called upon to repay an old but significant debt. He's forced to return to a devastated Berlin, which is where the book really takes off. The story is fast and engaging and the main characters as sympathetic as ever.

Just as he did in the previous books, Downing paints a vivid picture of everyday life in Berlin, even as he introduces a variety of historic elements such as the quest for Nazis in hiding, revenge seekers among the Jews who endured and survived the war, as well as the chain of Haganah operatives who smuggled people to Palestine. All this, plus a kaleidoscope of glimpses into how ordinary Germans coped with the war's end.

31Hanneri
gen. 9, 2015, 2:30 am

I wish I could have more afternoons with a good book and a cup of coffee (or tea!) - alas work gets in the way!

32Hanneri
gen. 13, 2015, 1:03 am

3. Blueberry Muffin Murder by Joanne Fluke

In her third culinary cozy, Hannah Swensen once again faces murder and mayhem with good cheer. To fight the late February doldrums, Lake Eden is about to celebrate its first winter carnival with ice sports on the lake, activities for children and Hannah's delicious cookies from the Cookie Jar. The whole town is involved, and even Hannah's mother, who usually spends her time trying to get Hannah married, has found a new interest in recreating the home of one of Lake Eden's founding fathers. Connie MacIntyre, bestselling cook book author and star of a popular cable TV cooking show, has agreed to make the cake for the carnival banquet. But when Hannah discovers Connie's dead body in the pantry of the Cookie Jar, Hannah and her sister Andrea join forces to track down the killer, despite warnings to stay out of the investigation. Since everyone who had contact with the abusive Connie disliked her, the sisters have plenty of suspects. Delicious food descriptions and recipes, warm and familiar characters who grow into real people, a vivid picture of the small lake town and a well-crafted mystery provide the ingredients for yet another tempting feast that should satisfy all.

33thornton37814
gen. 14, 2015, 9:33 pm

An Agatha Christie and a Joanne Fluke so far. You have been having some fun reading!

34Hanneri
gen. 18, 2015, 8:30 am

4. The Chimney Sweeper's Boy by Barbara Vine

When respected novelist Gerald Candless dies of a sudden heart attack he leaves behind two stricken daughters and a neglected wife who is finally free to live her own life.

Candless’s narcissistic self-absorption and obsessive devotion to his daughters have left Ursula, his wife, puzzled and, eventually, estranged. Hope, the younger daughter, is shattered. But Sarah, the elder, decides to take on his publisher’s request and write a biography of her father.

Her research soon uncovers shocking revelations about Candless and a mysterious need to reinvent himself. In the process of this investigation, all three women discover much about him and themselves. Whether writing as Barbara Vine or under her own name, few writers can match Rendell’s insight into the human psyche. She has penned her a stellar exploration of love, sex and obsession.

35Hanneri
gen. 18, 2015, 8:39 am

5. Winterlude by Quentin Bates

Gunna is a member of the serious crimes unit and stationed in Reykjavik. She sends Helgi, another team member, to the north of Iceland where he grew up, to assist in the investigation. This story is short, with major loose ends being tied up, and some minor ones being dropped. Helgi's work receives a larger part of the focus of the story. Not as good as the first two books, and I still look forward to the next novel, which is full-length.

36Roro8
gen. 18, 2015, 3:39 pm

You've been busy on the mystery front.
I've been thinking of reading the David Downing books. I usually need extra motivation to start a series though.

37Hanneri
gen. 19, 2015, 4:49 am

>Roro - the John Russell series by David Downing is definitely worth reading!

38Hanneri
gen. 21, 2015, 2:24 am

6. Lemon Meringue Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke

It's summer in Lake Eden and Hannah's Cookie Jar cafe has expanded to selling pies on Fridays. Norman has bought property out by the lake which he wants to demolish and rebuild with their "dream house". The seller, Rhoda Scharf, had inherited the house from her aunt, and is leaving for a long vacation in Rome. Since she doesn't want to keep anything in the house, Hannah, Norman and Delores, Hannah's mother, go out to the house as there are some antiques that Delores wants for her store. Hannah finds one of her lemon meringue pies in the kitchen with one slice taken, and remains of a take-out dinner in the garbage. While Delores is checking the basement, she discovers Rhoda's body in the furnace room, partially buried. Hannah is encouraged to investigate.

Andrea, Hannah's pregnant sister, takes on the job of designing a Cookie Jar float for the July 4 parade, and Michelle, their 19-year old sister, comes home from college for a holiday. She's still torn between Norman and Mike. The killer is discovered within a week. An enjoyable read.

39Chrischi_HH
gen. 21, 2015, 6:32 am

Nice categories, Hanneri. They seem to promise a lot of fun (the books you've read are good proof for that). I am especially interested in what you will read for the prize winner category. That's something I haven't cared for in the past.
And a book bullet hit me, the David Downing thrillers are noted down for future reading. :)

40thornton37814
gen. 23, 2015, 9:39 pm

>38 Hanneri: I don't have a rating on that one, but it is in my library. I'm sure I read it before I was really tracking the reads on LT. It will probably be one of the ones that ends up in the pile going to the used bookstore before too long as I'm downsizing.

41Hanneri
gen. 29, 2015, 12:44 pm

7. The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted by Bridget Asher

A young widow, Heidi, with a son, Abbott, can not move forward after her husband's tragic car accident. Her mother and sister thrust her into as what they describe as a "needed lost summer" at their homeplace in Provence, France in hopes that the magical stone house and countryside will bring her back to life. Heidi also takes her niece, misunderstood 16 year old Charlotte, along with her. The lovely mountains and fresh air surround the threesome with peace and a childhood friend of Heidi's arrives, bringing with him a restlessness for more than just friendship. But, when Abbott disappears and fear returns, Heidi is ready to go back to the US and the continued life of mourning.

I love the characters and the depth of their emotions. Abbott is a smart, sweet character with obsessive compulsive tendencies, that have appeared after his father's death. Heidi is very patient and loving in dealing with this, knowing that Abbott is part of her beloved husband. You feel for Heidi as she tries to paste on a smile and act normal around her friends and family. Don't think this book is all about sadness, because there is a lot of laughter thrown in and romance that lightens up the heavy sadness that permeates the first part of the novel.

42dudes22
gen. 30, 2015, 8:32 am

sounds like a BB for me.

43Hanneri
feb. 3, 2015, 1:09 am

8. Police at the Funeral by Margery Allingham

Number 4 in the British mystery series featuring Albert Campion. A friend asks Campion to help deal with a situation developing involving where his fiance is staying in Cambridge. He then becomes involved with an eccentric family dominated and supported by Great Aunt Caroline. He works closely with a Scotland Yard inspector who is called in to help solve the murder of one of the family members.

There are a lot of false leads in this mystery and much of the story revolves around the very colorful family members.

44Hanneri
feb. 11, 2015, 5:21 am

9. One Day in May by Cathrine Alliott

This is a story all about lies. Big lies, little lies. Lies to yourself and lies to your family.

I have to admit, that I was bowled over by the shocking admission that happens towards the end of the story. I, as a reader, had been suckered into the lies that Hattie had managed to weave around her life, and when I read it, I was as shocked as the characters in the story.

And that is why I loved this story. It was gritty, it was life, it was fantastic, and was real. Hattie had spent a lifetime telling herself lies to make herself feel better, and while they didn’t unravel, it struck a chord, because often we tell ourselves lies in order to feel better about ourselves and our lives.

Hattie as a character was shallow to start with; a married man that she had left and mourned for the rest of her young life; with a younger man that she told herself she wasn’t serious about; an adopted son that she adored, a thriving business, but there was something missing. By the end of the story you knew what was missing. And so did Hattie. After years of lies, she finally found the truth.

45Roro8
feb. 12, 2015, 2:01 am

>41 Hanneri:, I've had that one sitting on my shelf for ages. Eventually I will get to it.

46Hanneri
feb. 17, 2015, 4:49 am

10. The Amber Room by Steve Berry

The Amber Room was a treasure looted by the Nazis and lost during the end of WWII. Steve Berry's debut novel is a thriller based around the story. While there are similarities to the many types of book dealing with lost treasures, it was refreshing and interesting to have the WWII elements. Yes, we do have a couple involved and ruthless killers, but this is actually well written and well researched. The "suddenly, as rare things will, it vanished" is a quote from Browning and is used during the book, it's an apt and appropriate quote.

A US Judge follows the trail of the Amber Room once her father is killed and she discovers he was involved in the search for the room at the back end of the war. It appears he had a secret that he kept until his death. Rachel's estranged husband joins her as they follow the trail through the types of adventures and close calls that we have now come to expect of these books. Well written and quite good fun if you like these kind of things.

47Chrischi_HH
feb. 17, 2015, 5:34 am

>46 Hanneri: This one sounds intersting, your BB has hit!

48Hanneri
feb. 17, 2015, 5:34 am

11. Cold Courage by Pekka Hiltunen

Definitely different, this is a slow burn with a noir type feel throughout. Lia a Finnish graphic designer who has a life changing experience when a murdered Latvian prostitute is found dead in broad daylight, the tragic circumstances do not leave Lia she becomes somewhat obsessed with any progress on the case.

Lia meets Mari, an enigmatic woman with an almost supernatural power, who has an innate ability to read people, running a secretive organisation called 'The Studio'. Here they try to put right injustices which come in many wide and varied forms. they manipulate the system and are often on the wrong side of the law to gain the results they want. All in all an enjoyable read.

49Hanneri
feb. 23, 2015, 5:07 am

12. Sweet Danger by Margery Allingham

Amanda is one of the best characters Allingham ever crafted. This is where Campion meets Amanda and discovers his lieutenant and female counterpart. Lugg works with his country 'cousin' Scatty William who is to Amanda what Lugg is to Campion.

One of the best bits is how Campion and Amanda work behind the scenes together. A perfect team in the making beginning with Amanda baffling her family with her sudden acquisition of £300, and plans to buy first a car and then some electronic equipment. While doing this she also nips in ahead of Campion's masculine cohort to retrieve a pertinent clue. All done without making the rest seem like dolts just slower on the uptake. A good read overall.

50Hanneri
feb. 23, 2015, 5:16 am

13. First Frost by James Henry

This is a prequel to the Jack Frost series. The book is set in 1981. Frost is a DS at the time. His mentor DI Bert Williams is missing, the station is short handed and the bad guys seem to taking advantage of this. There is a 12 year old girl missing, a possible outbreak of rabies, what may or may not be a case of child abuse, some bank robberies and some dead bodies turning up. Frost is trying to work his way through these cases and then is hit with a very personal crisis.

I've not read the original Frost series but if this book is any indication of them I will certainly add them to my TBR list. There is a lot going on in this book but the authors manage very well to keep the narrative flowing in a smooth way. The characters are outstanding and the dialogue is good. I'm very glad I stumbled onto this book and will be sure to read more in this series.

51DeltaQueen50
Editat: març 2, 2015, 4:56 pm

I love the original Frost series and have First Frost on my shelves, I've been nervous to try it since I am such a big fan, but I think I will pull it down and give it a try soon.

52Hanneri
març 2, 2015, 6:11 am

14. Night Soldiers by Alan Furst

Brilliant WWII era spy novel. Furst's characters are full and realistic, his dialog is crisp and believable, the plotting intricate and logical. This book was a great, sprawling, epic story of a Bulgarian, Khristo Stoianev, recruited by the NKVD (Soviet secret police and forerunner of the KGB) in the lead up to the second world war. Stoianev falls victim to one of Stalin's irrational purges during Stoianev's operations in the Spanish Civil War. He escapes to France, closely pursued by his former NKVD colleagues, and hilarity ensues.

I recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in spy fiction, WWII or the inner workings of Soviet espionage organizations.

53Hanneri
març 3, 2015, 1:11 am

15. Fudge Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke

This is the fifth title in the Hannah Swenson series, and another great read for culinary cozy fans. Sheriff Grant has ruled Lake Eden with an iron fist, making plenty of enemies along the way. Hannah’s brother-in-law has decided to run against the sheriff, in the upcoming election. Just as the polls begin to move in Bill’s favor, Hannah makes a startling discovery. She has been teaching a cooking class at the local high school. After cleaning the cooking stations, Hannah takes the trash out behind the school. She discovers Sheriff Grant’s body in a dumpster. Hannah knows Bill is innocent, but he is on leave and cannot interfere with the case. The town now has a dead sheriff, his deputy accused of the murder, and a “real” killer on the loose! This case makes more sense, as Bill is "forced" to allow Hannah to gather evidence. There are some clever red herrings in this one and the suspect list is a long one!

54AHS-Wolfy
març 3, 2015, 4:10 am

>52 Hanneri: I'm glad you enjoyed that one. I've read just 3 in the series so far but liked them all and will definitely be carrying on at some point. They mostly don't even have to be read in order.

Another series that I've started recently that has a similar feel to it is by David Downing that starts with Zoo Station.

55Hanneri
març 5, 2015, 2:51 am

16. Parker Pyne Investigates by Agatha Christie

In this collection of short stories, Mr. Parker Pyne is a middle-aged retiree from a job in statistics, and he applies the knowledge he gained through his work towards the goal of helping make people happy. The first few stories take place in England, and mostly involve Pyne creating elaborate adventures for his clients, that they think are happening naturally. In the second half of the book, Pyne goes on holiday to the Middle East, Egypt, and Greece, and finds himself in the role of detective, solving murders and thefts.

Considering that I am not a fan of short stories, this was quite enjoyable.

56Hanneri
març 5, 2015, 2:53 am

#54 - I have read all of the David Downing books, except for the last one and I enjoyed every minute of it! I hope the same goed for you!

57Hanneri
març 9, 2015, 6:42 am

17. The Berlin Conspiracy by Tom Gabbay

Jack Teller was born in Germany. His father died in WWI. His mother died when he was young. He left his little brother with his aunt and he went to the US. He is recruited by the CIA as an operator in the South America desk. In his later years he works on the invasion of Bay of Pigs. Frustration mount up to retirement and he goes to live in Florida. After years in retirment he is called into service and sent to Berlin where he discovers a plot to kill President Kennedy. The plot is planned out by a Cuban exile in cohutts with top CIA members. He meets his brother who is a Colonel in the STASI and who is providing him the information about the plot. After a seires of events he is captured by the CIA and is going to be the scapegoat in taking the fall for killing the president.

This is a good read for anyone interested in Berlin during the Cold War years.

58Hanneri
març 16, 2015, 2:17 am

18. Chilled to the Bone by Quentin Bates

Another great book by Quentin Bates. Police sergeant Gunnhildur is alerted when a man is found dead tied to a bed in a hotel. The investigation brings her to more strange occurances of men being found tied to their beds in hotels and robbed, they are not hurt however just their pride. She is concerned that this whole thing had been kept under wraps and away from the knowledge of the police force. The investigation escalates into a group of ruthless people who will do anything to keep their secrets safe. The Icelandic council and business men do not come out looking good but as the investigation hots up where will it end. Gunnhildur also has her own family problems to deal with as well.

I love Bates writing and the forays into gunnhildurs life and the life of some of the other characters does not detract from the real plot. I cant wait for the next book.

59Hanneri
març 17, 2015, 8:59 am

19. Friendship Bread by Darien Gee

Healing comes from an unexpected gift: friendship bread. The story follows the lives of five women, all at different painful areas of life and all of them struggling alone from the weight of the pain they are going through.

One day, Julia comes home to find a plate with a loaf of bread, and a recipe for friendship bread. Her five-year-old daughter Gracie pleads for her to make the recipe because she wanted her daddy to try some of it. And in 10 days, Julia is left with bags of starter and sends them to school with Gracie. What happens is an epidemic of friendship bread.

While the bread is a sweet spot in the story, the pain and grief the women and families that are the focus of the story is not. Ms. Gee has written this story so well that the reader feels the pain and heartache of each character. The reader cannot help but cry, feel hope, smile, laugh, and cry some more while reading 'friendship bread'.

60Hanneri
març 17, 2015, 9:08 am

20. Georgia's Kitchen by Jenny Nelson

When Georgia's life comes crumbling down around her she picks up the pieces by changing location, lifestyle, leaving family and friends behind. She finds herself working with an old friend at an up-and-coming restaurant, with a staff that's helpful and encouraging, she makes new friends and even finds a love interest in a neighbor... but although Italy holds its appeal, her dream has always been to own a restaurant in New York.

Ms. Nelson creates a wonderful protagonist in Georgia. She's tough but you can't help to feel bad for her with all the unlucky events she's going through. You like her from the start and will definitely be rooting for her. The supporting characters were just as fun and endearing. But my favorite were the descriptions of Tuscany itself. You will find yourself picturing the rustic backdrop, hearing the sounds and smelling its scent. Ms. Nelson definitely captures the tiny details and creates a very vivid setting. And then there were the descriptions of food - the details were so rich that I could actually envision and practically smell what was being cooked. Mouth watering.

All in all, fans of chick-lit, romance and foodies will all find something in Georgia's Kitchen. It is light, entertaining and very charming.

61mamzel
març 17, 2015, 2:56 pm

<59 I remember getting a bag of starter dough and making friendship bread a few times.

62Hanneri
març 22, 2015, 10:23 am

21. Red Square by Martin Cruz Smith

Martin Cruz Smith creates a fully formed protagonist in Arkady Renko. His character is at odds with almost everything around him in the freshly created ruins behind the Iron Curtain. His disgust at the government he works for, despite his love of Mother Russia make him a pariah wherever he finds himself. Dogged determination is his only virtue, and it seems to be all he needs.

Through his eyes, Smith allows us a rare glimpse into the sad world of emerging capitalism - one without capital for the vast majority. The peculiarities of everyday life are deliciously captured in sardonic wit, and expose the absurd desperation of Russian life circa 1991. The story line is a bit convoluted, but that's what you expect from the author of Gorky Park, or any well written spy novel.

63mamzel
març 22, 2015, 4:08 pm

I've skipped through the Arkady Renko stories but I missed this one. I did very much enjoy the ones I've read.

64Hanneri
març 23, 2015, 9:29 am

22. Berlin Game by Len Deighton

The story of Bernard Samson, a field agent for MI6, surrounded by incompetent, glory-grubbing superiors who have held desk jobs all their lives and can’t speak German fluently. Set-up: there’s a leak in Berlin Station, and London’s main informant wants out, so it’s up to Bernie to get him. Although the various plots are complicated (the financial explanations, especially, to me), I guessed the “twist” ending quite a bit before it was revealed. A time-filler of a book, nicely done, but the two-dimensional characters that surround the ever-weary Samson could stand to have been filled out. Surely he’s not the only agent in MI6 worth a damn? Still, I do admire Deighton’s style of narration, which lets the characters and situations introduce themselves rather than slogging through tedious and extraneous background.

65rabbitprincess
març 23, 2015, 4:57 pm

I love Deighton's writing style! As you say, he's good at letting the story introduce itself. It's been a long time since I read Berlin Game, but I've read all of the Bernard Samsons and my favourite is Spy Sinker. Of his non-Samson books, my favourite is Bomber.

66Hanneri
març 26, 2015, 8:09 am

23. A Rural Affair by Catherine Alliott

Poppy had imagined, in an abstract way, how it would feel if she were to become a widow. When her husband is suddenly struck by debris from a plane, she is actually relieved. When a woman comes to her door after the funeral, Poppy learns that her marriage was an even bigger sham than she thought and spirals downward. Thanks to her quirky friends and her loving father, Poppy receives more support and advice than she needs, but she figures everything out, finally, on her own.

Even with the downward spirals, Poppy continued to make me laugh as she made her way through her sudden status as a widow, single mom, and dating eligible men.

67Roro8
març 26, 2015, 6:43 pm

>66 Hanneri:, A Rural Affair sounds like a nice, light read.

68Hanneri
març 29, 2015, 8:49 am

24. Masaryk Station by David Downing

Masaryk Station is a powerful and fitting conclusion to David Downing's 'Station' series. Intelligent and complex plotting, rich and atmospheric detail and historically accurate settings across post war Europe make this an engrossing and convincing read. Allied Forces occupy an increasingly isolated Berlin. Downing's writing seems understated but he skilfully creates a sense of division and oppression. The Cold War American/Russian power struggle has started and our hero, John Russell, is right in the thick of it a foot in both murky camps working as a double agent.

Right from Zoo Station, the first book of the series, I've found Russell well rounded, complex and totally plausible as a protagonist. He's now a family man looking to the future. But with a conscience. His moral ambiguity means choices. Which is the right one and why?

The opening scene is brutal but believable. The pace thereafter varies as the story moves across Europe, deftly weaving together a number of threads to the main and sub plots. Then it races to a well rounded conclusion. Although fiction, the grubby cat and mouse world of espionage and duplicity is exposed with honesty and truth. It's a glorious slow burn which kept me enthralled.

69Chrischi_HH
març 29, 2015, 9:11 am

>68 Hanneri: Thanks for your review! I have not yet started the series, but have Zoo Station high up on my wishlist. Your review makes me even more looking forward to getting started. :)

70Hanneri
març 30, 2015, 5:57 am

>69 Chrischi_HH: Chrischi: I enjoyed every book in the series! The characters were all well rounded and developed during the series. I am sure you will enjoy it!

71Hanneri
abr. 2, 2015, 3:45 am

25. Stasiland by Anna Funder

Having no knowledge of the destination before reading this book, Funder's guide to 'Stasiland' provided a compelling insight into life within enforced boundaries, under constant surveillance. Cleverly written so as fact engages like fiction, this book enables you to walk with the East Berliners and consider how you would respond to and resolve the experience of 'Stasiland'. The true stories of individual desperate efforts to get over, under or through the wall in the physical sense and the efforts to contain them were engaging, but most powerful for me was the insight provided into humanity. I was exposed to the kinds of motives, weaknesses and courage we are all capable of and it was made clear that 'getting over the wall' will be a life long endeavour for the victims and perpetrators alike. This book highlighted to me the values of freedom and privacy as well as the importance of such literature for societies of all political persuasions.

72Hanneri
abr. 7, 2015, 2:43 am

26. Cold Steal by Quentin Bates

Officer Gunnhilder Gisladottir, or Gunna as she is affectionately known, finds herself in the midst of yet another murder mystery. A businessman has been shot dead, and Gunna must investigate his affairs. In doing that she also has to track down a very successful and as yet, unidentified housebreaker who has been on the Police radar for some time now.

Quentin Bates has yet again delivered a complex, well-written story that is as intriguing as it is exciting. Gunna's character develops more with each new episode of her story, and the reader learns more about her and her family, as well as following her through an incredibly difficult case. I like Gunna as a heroine. She's down-to-earth, sometimes very funny, intelligent and witty. She has a family problems and she has a difficult job, but she's always real.

I was particularly interested in the inclusion of characters from Iceland's immigrant population, giving a different take on life in the country as they have to deal with language and culture that is not their own. This is an intelligently written, complex thriller.

73Hanneri
abr. 7, 2015, 4:51 am

27. Table for Seven by Whitney Gaskell

Table For Seven was a good read. The novel is about seven people that decided to start a dinner club. What starts out as a dinner club soon turns into an interesting turn of events. As each member gets to know more about each other they learn even more importantly about themselves. Fran and Will have what seems to be an idealistic marriage but over time it has turned into a less than ideal life together. Jaime and Mark are a blended family. Jaime has a tough time dealing with Mark who has had a previous marriage and spends lots of time with his stepdaughter. Jaime has growing suspicions that Mark's stepdaughter isn't the only person he is seeing when he is away. Audrey is a widow of seven years that lost her husband and isn't too excited about reentering the dating poll. Coop is a bachelor with sex appeal and a reputation with the ladies. Leland is a seventy-five year old widower that has years of wisdom and a great personality. All the characters come together to create an interesting read that keeps you captivated until the end.

74Chrischi_HH
abr. 7, 2015, 10:53 am

You're shooting again! I'll take a BB for >71 Hanneri: and >72 Hanneri: (here I'll write down the first in the series).

75Hanneri
abr. 10, 2015, 2:14 am

>74 Chrischi_HH:. Definitely both worth the read!

76Hanneri
abr. 10, 2015, 2:15 am

28. Havanna Bay by Martin Cruz Smith

The author of “Gorky Park” brings back the Russian investigator Arkady Renko. This time he is in Havana trying to figure out the death of his friend (and worst enemy) – another Russian that worked for the Russian government in Cuba.

Renko is, like always, dogged, suicidal and not too smart. The author conveys very well the strange environment of Castro’s Cuba with unexpected, or perhaps just surprising to Renko, twists and turns.

The book is somewhat depressing in vividly describing an environment without hope or a way out. It is a good read and though not as easy to read as some other detective stories it is informative and, at times, gripping. All in all I highly recommend this book.

77Hanneri
abr. 14, 2015, 3:47 am

29. The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie

This Agatha Christie mystery had quite a different feel to it from the Miss Marple and Poirot mysteries. The protagonists were young people, rather than the more mature sleuths that Christie peopled her stories with. You find wealthy, carefree, Lady Eileen (aka Bundle) Brent and Jimmy Thesiger and their acquaintances trying to solve the murders of two of their friends. What it the Seven Dials group? Who are the mysterious members? I thought it was a pretty standard thriller/ mystery, but in the last section, there were many twists and turns and any guesses I had about the culprit and the mysterious group were turned on their heads. Excellent story.

78christina_reads
abr. 15, 2015, 12:44 pm

>77 Hanneri: Oh, I really liked that one too! I love Superintendent Battle.

79Hanneri
abr. 16, 2015, 4:15 am

30. To Brie or Not to Brie Avery Aames

Charlotte Bessette, owner of The Cheese Shop (Fromagerie Bessette) is busy with her best friend and her cousin's upcoming wedding; her grandmother's production of Hamlet in the city square; and deciding on her own wedding date. On top of everything, a body is found in the ice cream parlor's freezer. Too many characters to keep up with even though I've read this series in order. I like cheese and wine and this series, but just did not enjoy this. Too much focus on everything around the mystery going on, and too little on the mystery itself.

80Hanneri
abr. 20, 2015, 2:07 am

31. Murder in the Raw by C.S. Challinor

The cast of characters in this one were no less colorful than in the previous book so that was terrific but at the same time, the characters were quite different so you didn't feel like you were reading about the same people, just with different names and a different location. It had it's funny moments too; especially considering the island's nudity that caught Rex offguard. Here is how I see it; anytime you read a mystery and you are cheering for a character to NOT be the guilty party, you've gotten a good book because it shows you care about the story and how it's unfolding as you read it.

81Hanneri
abr. 23, 2015, 3:17 am

32. The Drowned Man by David Whellams

Complex and very grown up mystery. I can't decide if part of the complexity was the writing itself. I made it through and liked it very much--so that's what counts. He did one thing I found particularly endearing. After the bad stuff had ended, he took an extraordinary amount of time on the wrap up. He put a great deal of thought and effort into the ending of the book. I really enjoyed this.

82Hanneri
abr. 23, 2015, 3:24 am

33. Wolves Eat Dogs by Martin Cruz Smith

Cynical, melancholy Moscow special investigator Arkardy Renko has a serious problem. One of Moscow's newly minted billionaires has taken a fatal plunge off of a twenty-story condominium - suicide or murder? As Renko dryly observes "We prefer suicides. Suicides don't demand work, or drive up the crime rate."

In his fifth book featuring his laconic, down-trodden detective, Martin Cruz Smith is at the top of his game. Wolves Eat Dogs takes Renko, filling his role as Moscow's most dogged and quixotic gumshoe, from the heady environs of the new Russian elite down a twisted, wayward path into a deadly quietly radioactive heart of darkness, the 30-mile Exclusion Zone surrounding Chernobyl.

Tautly written, intriguing and quite frankly offering a more humane glimpse of the Russian pysche then western fiction typically offers, Wolves Eat Dogs is a terrific and unique mystery, with Renko, as ever, leading the reader deeper and deeper into uncharted territory - in this case, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, with its eerie abandoned towns, burgeoning wildlife, icon-thieves, corrupt car parts dealers and obsessive scientests. Smith weaves an involving and immersive mystery with first-rate characters and plotting, in a very unique setting.

83AHS-Wolfy
abr. 23, 2015, 6:02 am

>82 Hanneri: Glad to see you're still enjoying the Arkady Renko series. It's one I should get back to sometime soon as I've only read the first, Gorky Park, but do have the next few waiting on the tbr shelves.

84Hanneri
abr. 27, 2015, 1:28 pm

34. The Secret Speech by Tom Rob Smith

Good read. Fast-paced and exciting with so many twists and turns I was on the edge of my seat. This is the second novel I have read by this author and enjoy the character of Leo Demitov, former MGB officer. This novel explores the horrific tension of those living in post WWII Russia. Not quite at the level of the first book, but still very good. I look forward to the third book in the trilogy.

85Hanneri
maig 4, 2015, 8:50 am

35. The Crypt Thief by Mark Pryor

Good read, after this second Hugo Marston novel I am really thinking the series will be very good. This book in its own is good, not quite as good as the first, but it kept me flipping the pages quickly! A little too much specific detail writing at times in places that were a little dark but I guess that's an attribute to the author that I was really visualizing. It has the same depth of characters, layered plots and intriguingly unique storylines.

86Hanneri
maig 20, 2015, 2:14 am

36. Death of a Ghost by Margery Allingham

Albert Campion is attending the unveiling of a new painting. Actually, the painting is very old but it has never been seen before. When the artist died, he left twelve paintings with the instructions that his family should wait ten years and then start having grAnd parties to show off one painting a year. This year, though someone dies. And, per mystery convention, there are plenty of people with motives. The answer is somewhat obscured but it's a great addition to the Campion canon.

87Hanneri
maig 20, 2015, 2:28 am

37. Stalin's Ghost by Martin Cruz Smith

Moscow Inspector Arkady Renko, who made his first appearance more than twenty years ago in Gorky Park, has lived through all the political since the fall of communism. Sadly, Renko's current Russia is every bit as bleak as his old one. Understandably, Renko is not a happy man. In Stalin's Ghost, the sixth Renko novel, riders on Moscow's Metro are convinced that the ghost of Stalin, still a hero and savior in the eyes of many, has been making appearances in the station he once visited while alive. When Renko attempts to discover what's really happening, he steps, quite literally, into a minefield.

Stalin's Ghost is well worth reading. There's a doggedness about Renko that's admirable, even heroic, as against his better judgment, he can't stop pushing for justice, even when it nearly kills him. There's also a sense of hopefulness as the book draws toward its conclusion, and it may be that his life may be about to undergo a long overdue change for the better.

88Hanneri
maig 20, 2015, 2:35 am

38. By the Time You Read This by Giles Blunt

A fine 4th novel in the series of police procedurals featuring Detective John Cardinal, which are set in the fictitious town of Algonquin Bay in rural Ontario. In this tale, Cardinal's wife dies from an apparent suicidal jump from the roof of a building where she was doing a photographic session. While John deals with his grief and tries to come to terms with the sad outcome of his wife's bipolar illness, his team investigates a cold case of child pornography and child abuse. Blunt's development of his characters and weaving of the efforts of the struggling investigators with the dodging of their criminal prey provide a pleasurable read. I equally enjoyed two others in this satisfying series.

89Hanneri
Editat: maig 20, 2015, 2:56 am

39. The Killings at Badger's Drift by Caroline Graham

The opening book of the Inspector Barnaby series featuring Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby, the first episode takes place in a small village setting where murder is afoot. Miss Emily Simpson, an octogenarian, has had an ongoing competition with her friend Lucy Bellringer for years. It seems there is a particular type of orchid that grows only every so many years, and the two of them vie with each other to find it first, the loser being treated to a formal, high tea. This year Emily's determined to find it, but she won't be around to fix Lucy's high tea. And thus the book starts. Inspector Barnaby & Sgt. Troy meander through a number of suspects (in the typical British village there are quite a few!) and uncover some not-so-nice secrets in the process.

90mamzel
maig 20, 2015, 11:34 am

>87 Hanneri: I don't think I've read this one but I have enjoyed the Arkady Renko books I have read.

91Hanneri
maig 26, 2015, 3:20 am

40. Mexico Set by Len Deighton

After the defection of his wife Bernard Sampson is left to prove that he is a loyal, company man. The way he is supposed to do this is by persuading a senior KGB agent to defect. The agent is spotted in Mexico City and Bernard plus colleague is sent out there to start the process of enrolment. Although Bernard grew up in Berlin and lives in London he is not particularly cosmopolitan. Len Deighton does an excellent job of having him reflect the typical English bloke of the time who doesn't like travel, foreigners or foreign food very much. He also does an excellent job of describing office politics and all the jockeying for position that goes on. Bernard clearly does not like many of his colleagues who have spent their working lives behind desk rather than in the field. I can sympathise, I recognise many of the characters from my working life and appreciate just how deadly a game it can be.

This is the middle book in a trilogy and very much feels like it. Well worth the read but best read in the correct order.

92Hanneri
maig 26, 2015, 5:03 am

41. Beneath the Shadows by Sara Foster

A gothic tale, set on the northern moors in winter. I enjoyed the novel's setting in a UK village, with its creepy sense of ghosts, scandal, history and stoic Brit characters all of whom have secrets they're unwilling to share. The novel focuses on a young mum whose husband goes missing, a premise which is instantly intriguing, and the mystery is kept rolling well till the end. As a debut popular fiction novel, Beneath the Shadows is pretty assured. A good one to cosy up with on a cold winter's day next to the fire.

93Hanneri
maig 28, 2015, 5:09 am

42. Three Stations by Martin Cruz Smith

Investigator Arkady Renko in Putin's Russia, battles the foes within his corrupt police department as well as the criminal elements outside in the decadent Three Stations enclave of Moscow. At times, Renko recalls his late father, a vain general in the old army. Other times, he rues his lost romances. But through it all, he remains tenacious and relentless in his pursuit of a prostitute's killer. We're given a behind-the-scenes view of Russian society, high and low, at least as it's filtered through Mr. Smith's nonsentimental prism. I've enjoyed reading previous titles in the Arkady Renko series of which Three Stations is number seven.

94Roro8
maig 28, 2015, 6:46 am

You've been busy reading and posting reviews. I like the sound of Beneath the Shadows.

95DeltaQueen50
maig 29, 2015, 6:18 pm

I've taken a Book Bullet for Beneath the Shadows as well, and the cover certainly grabbed my attention!

96Roro8
maig 29, 2015, 10:45 pm

I bought a copy of Beneath the Shadows yesterday, I'm already 40% through the it. I have no idea what has happened to Adam.....

97Hanneri
juny 1, 2015, 4:03 am

I liked the fact that the mystery about what happened to Adam remained a mystery for so long!

98Hanneri
juny 2, 2015, 3:20 am

43. Agent 6 by Tom Rob Smith

With this final installment, Tom Rob Smith ties off his espionage trilogy involving the trials and tribulations of Russian State Security Officer Leo Demidov.

The journey has taken Leo from his cushy Moscow berth as a favored and faithful agent to demotion and denouncement under Stalin's rigorous regime. And now, in the deceptively ambivalent grip of Cold War conflict, a conspiracy unravels in America that will shake Demidov to the core and transport us even further afield to Soviet-occupied Afghanistan. Smith has done some impressive work here. The series is thoughtful, the characters are deep and convincingly drawn, the mysteries and miseries engaging enough to have you keep the books close at hand.

99-Eva-
juny 2, 2015, 11:48 pm

>89 Hanneri:
Most of the books in that series are very good. I think there was only one I didn't care for.

100AHS-Wolfy
juny 3, 2015, 5:31 pm

>43 Hanneri: I really should try and get around to finishing that series sometime. The 3rd book has been sitting on the tbr shelves for a while now.

101Hanneri
juny 5, 2015, 6:25 am

44. Tatiana by Martin Cruz Smith

I've been following Arkady Renko's depressing investigative career since Gorky Park, through 30 years of political change, as he drags his Russian soul into hopeless tasks because every government, no matter how bad, knows that having an honest man is useful--if only to sic him on enemies. This installment finds him in a corrupt and violent Russia, although the crime is from a stable and expected confluence of bad government, greedy mobsters and far-reaching oligarchs. The death of a journalist, which the authorities insist is a suicide, and the corpse of a business translator lead Renko into a breathtakingly audacious plot involving the Chinese and a nuclear submarine, as well as the presence of a new beautiful woman who is sure to stomp Renko flat by the next book. Meanwhile, his semi-feral, chess-hustling adopted son is hatching a really badly thought-out plan to join the Russian army.

102Hanneri
juny 8, 2015, 4:03 am

45. Lost and Found In Prague by Kelly Jones

I loved the premise of this book. It takes place in Prague twenty years after the Velvet Revolution. The characters were also great. Dal is a detective going through marriage struggles and find the murderer of a senator. He has his own struggles that he’s trying to deal with and balance out. Dana is on vacation, and stumbles into a mystery concerning the Infant of Prague. Her cousin wants her to help figure out what happened with a nun in the convent, and what really happened that night. Father Borelli is only trying to help a fellow priest and friend in the events that happened at the church.

I enjoyed the mystery. I was left guessing, and trying to figure out what was going to happen next. The way these three characters worked together was great. Each of them formed a type of bond with the other. I especially liked how Borelli and Dana came to be friends through this ordeal. I loved traveling the streets of Prague while Dal, Dana and Borelli figured out what was going on in this city, and how events were connected.

103Hanneri
juny 12, 2015, 2:05 am

46. Hidden in Paris by Corine Gantz

This book is set in Paris and follows the trials and tribulations of Annie, an expat whose husband tells her he is leaving her and then dies in a car accident. She is widowed with small children and can no longer afford her life and lifestyle. To make ends meet, she decides to offer room and board in her home. Two women, Lola (and her kids) and Althea, answer her ad and move in with all of their literal and figurative baggage. Lola is a former fashion model whose husband is verbally abusive to her. Althea is a 20-something anorexic. Among these three characters, most contemporary issues are addressed. Not to mention the two male characters and a variety of secondary characters. Regrettably, Paris was not an integral part of the novel, and others have questioned the accuracy of the references to Paris landmarks. The story is a good distraction which will make most readers feel their lives are not nearly so chaotic. It's a bit like an old-fashioned soap opera with a modern twist. The book is good for when you don't want to think too much.

104Hanneri
juny 14, 2015, 6:24 am

47. More Bitter Than Death by Camilla Grebe

I haven't read the first book but this seemed interesting. More Bitter Than Death is a murder mystery set in Sweden. Tilda was five years old when her mother was beaten to death. She was hiding under under the table coloring. She never seen the persons face who killed her mother. Siri the therapist she she's also has a dark past. The story is basically about domestic abuse and its very informative in that area. All in all a great mystery read. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

105Hanneri
juny 19, 2015, 6:03 am

48. The Blood Promise by Mark Pryor

The best one yet. Concentrated more on characters this time around, and not so much background on Paris. But what a great setting, and always interesting glimpses into Embassy life and protocol. Hugo is a very likable character, though Tom gets all the best lines. I thought the plot and suspense flowed better in this story than in the previous ones, probably because there was less need to set up the characters and situation. A really enjoyable read.

106Hanneri
juny 19, 2015, 6:09 am

49. Flowers for the Judge by Margery Allingham

The publishing firm of Barnabus is suddenly in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons when one of its directors is found dead in a locked cellar which the firm uses as a strong-room. Albert Campion has already been called in to investigate because Paul has disappeared and naturally becomes involved in the subsequent investigation.

What follows is an intricate story with many strands both past and present and the tension gradually builds to a nail biting finish and an intriguing epilogue. I found myself totally engrossed in this story and having read three or four Albert Campion stories I am starting to warm to Campion himself as a character.

Margery Allingham’s writing is excellent as is her plotting and her characters and the reader has to be very observant to work out where the story is going. This story has stood the test of time well and it is still readable eighty years after it was first published. If you like crime stories in the conventional mould then try this one.

107Hanneri
juny 21, 2015, 1:19 pm

50. Behind the Berlin Wall: East Germany and the Frontiers of Power by Patrick Major

Very interesting read - it gives a new perspective on the impact of the Wall on the population. It is not simply a factual synopsis of this part of the history of the Cold War, but gives a much more personal insight. A must read for anyone interested in Cold War history.

108Hanneri
juny 23, 2015, 2:02 am

51. The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie

Thirteen short stories were bundled in this volume. As a group of friends fond of detective stories gather to tell each other solved mysteries in order to test their deductive reasoning. Among the cases, the intelligence of a single woman will stand out: she is a quiet a rural ancient lady whose name is Miss Marple. A book really easy to read: the stories and short and provide all the elements to solve the problems. Some of them even show an outstanding quality, which is a delightful surprise the fans of Christie will find attractive.

109Hanneri
juny 26, 2015, 5:27 am

52. The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry

Ginny, a twenty-something chef-extraordinaire finds solace in her family kitchen as a means of avoiding people and the world around her. Often referring to her Normal Book and multiple blogs and websites for advice and cooking information, Ginny lives a quiet life in the safe shelter of her mother and father. When they both pass away in an accident, Ginny must grapple with her world turning upside down, and to cope, turns to the kitchen's familiar scents and tastes. However, she is now able to summon the spirits who created the beloved recipes she holds dear, and these spirits reveal information to her that will change her reality.

It's a quick read with the smell and taste of food really brought to life by the author's words; for me, this was the best part of the book. Worth a read if you enjoy foodie fiction.

110dudes22
juny 26, 2015, 6:39 am

>109 Hanneri: - that's in my TBR pile. Maybe I'll move it up the pile.

111hailelib
juny 27, 2015, 8:57 pm

I always did like Miss Marple!

112Hanneri
juny 29, 2015, 2:29 am

53. Crime Machine by Giles Blunt

The fifth of the John Cardinal/Lise Delorme Canadian police procedurals was worth the read. Set in Algonquin Bay, a couple of hundred miles north of Toronto, the town of 60,000 or so is rocked by a particularly grisly crime: the murder and beheading of two wealthy Russian fur dealers in town for the annual fur fair. Cardinal is lead investigator, and is also assigned to clearing a cold case from almost forty years earlier involving the disappearance of a family. How the two investigations work out is consistently interesting, as is Cardinal and Delorme's friendship. As in the other books, supporting characters are carefully drawn, the investigations are well conducted, and there is a burst of action near the end.

113Hanneri
juny 29, 2015, 3:07 am

54. Murder is Easy by Agatha Christie

Although Luke Fitzwilliam is one of the least likable characters Christie has ever come up with I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. If he had been any less dense than he was the story would not have played out quite so deliciously. This is a mystery which has the frightening suspense of the reader realizing who the murderer is while the dumbwitted Fitzwilliam remains in the dark. Of course, Ms. Conway has figured it all out but as the reader doesn't know she has until rather late in the story there are still a few nail biting worthy pages in there. Loads of fun.

114LittleTaiko
Editat: juny 29, 2015, 10:16 pm

>113 Hanneri: don't remember this one at all. Can't wait to get to it again as part of my rereading Christie plan.

115Hanneri
jul. 2, 2015, 9:37 am

55. Summerchill by Quentin Bates

This was a pleasant read and as always with this author there was a nice Icelandic feel with the financial crash still affecting everyone. The problem is that, although the characters did some surprising things, there was no mystery/suspense at the core of the story. In addition, if you have not read previous installments in the series, you will not appreciate the characters and their relationships.

116Hanneri
Editat: jul. 6, 2015, 2:47 am

56. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

This was a reread for me and it just reminded me again why I loved the Harry Potter books so much! It took my imagination to flight again and I can't wait to read the rest of the series again!

117Hanneri
jul. 6, 2015, 2:43 am

57. In the Darkness: An Inspector Sejer Novel by Karin Fossum

The book opens with two seemingly unrelated murders - a woman found dead in her apartment, and miles away, a man has washed up into the river. Eva Marie Magnus, however, lies at the center of this plot. She and her daughter discover the man’s body, but rather than report it to the police, she makes a different call and takes her daughter out for a meal. Though Eva’s perspective is central to the novel, it is actually Inspector Sejer who is the series’ lead character - and it is easy to see why. He is an intriguing, caring and genuinely kindly man.

The plot moves forwards and then backwards in time, but this convoluted chronology works well as the full story unravels. It’s an interesting novel but does rely on some rather extraordinary coincidences. There are some abrupt and rather unfortunate shifts in perspective that disrupts the flow of the narrative. But, this serves an intriguing beginning to the series and I am looking forward to reading the next novel in the series.

118Hanneri
jul. 8, 2015, 10:38 am

58. Some Kind of Peace by Camilla Grebe

Siri Bergman is a 34 yr old psychologist who is still mourning the death of her husband. She lives along in the cottage by the sea they shared outside of Stockholm. Every night she goes home, turns on every light in her house and drinks too much wine. Soon, odd things start happening. It is obvious to all but Siri that someone is watching her. She finally accepts that but has no idea why anyone would want to hurt her. In between, we meet a woman who is hurting and, despite being a psychologist, is in denial when it comes to her own needs. This is an intelligent and well-written book. If you are a fan of thrillers, this is a terrific example of the genre.

119Hanneri
jul. 12, 2015, 9:06 am

59. Death of a Hollow Man by Caroline Graham

The community theater group of Causton is gearing up for another theatrical extravaganza under the imperious thumb of impresario and director Harold Winstanley. This time, they are putting on Amadeus, and of course perpetual leading man, Esslyn Carmichael, will play Salieri. Since it is community theater, though, there are myriad personal affronts, snits, and snarking behind the scenes as big egos collide on the small stage. Wouldn't you know it: on opening night someone ends up dead. And with a dramatis personae such as this, sorting out the who and why of the murder will keep Barnaby on his toes right up until the curtain rings down on this murder mystery most fun.

120Hanneri
jul. 14, 2015, 3:36 am

60. The Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society tells of Nazi occupation of this Channel Island during WW II. The story is told via a series of letters exchanged between residents of the island and a writer attempting to learn about their experiences. We are offered a wide range of characters, some warm and charming, some extremist buffoons, some heroic, some not so heroic. The core of the story is Elizabeth, a particularly brave and wonderful individual. She is the emotional heart of the tale, as the many characters all have some experience that relates to her. Another important aspect is how all the characters relate around literature.

Shaffer offers us a charming and wide-ranging palette of humanity trying their best to cope under very trying circumstances. Sit back and enjoy. This is a delightful, informative, and satisfying read that celebrates the impact of reading on people’s lives.

121Hanneri
jul. 14, 2015, 3:50 am

61. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling

Another reread for me and I again enjoyed the book immensly! I have not read the books for a while and I was yet again amazed at the amount of detail put in the book. This book just enveloped me in my magic. Magic, magic everywhere. Surrounding me. Making me feel like I was a person living inside this magnificent world, but terrifying and dangerous nonetheless!

122Hanneri
jul. 16, 2015, 7:31 am

62. Until the Night by Giles Blunt

Until the Night is the latest entry in Giles Blunt's exceptional series featuring North Bay police officers, John Cardinal and Lisa Delorme. The story moves back and forth between an Arctic research station and a case which begins with the discovery of a woman's body in an abandoned building in the woods. The woman had been dressed for the cold weather, then chained to prevent escape. Blunt slowly reveals how the two stories are related, building the tension to a perfect pitch.

123Hanneri
jul. 17, 2015, 4:03 am

63. Eeny Meeny by M.J. Arlidge

Eeny Meeny is a gritty foray into the brutal mystery that is DC Graves' recent serial killer case. A twisted woman has been luring pairs of victims, drugging them and then forcing them to make a terrible choice.

I found the protagonist to be rather remote. Although this may lend itself to upholding an air of mystery, whenever I was told she was feeling a certain emotion, it never rang completely true due to the lack of disclosure at other times. Couple this with a tendency to jump viewpoints within the same scene, and it became trickier to connect with the story. Still, the darkly compelling plot line drove me to finish this book in a single day.

124Hanneri
jul. 20, 2015, 3:27 am

64. Death of a Murderer by Rupert Thomson

A police constable assigned to morgue duty to watch over the body of a woman who was convicted of torture and murder of children spends the night contemplating his lost youth, lost love, crumbling marriage, his daughter with Down's Syndrome, his own transgressions: in short, he re-lives most of his life.

This is one of those British novels where there is no story involved; rather, the novel uses its 'a day in the life of' scenario to throw open the most intimate moments and thoughts of the protagonist without any real beginning or end to the story. There is no plot here, and not really worth reading.

125Hanneri
jul. 20, 2015, 5:29 am

65. London Match by Len Deighton

The final book in the Game Set & Match trilogy, in which Bernard Samson helps capture a KGB courier using information from former KGB major Erich Stinnes – whom Samson convinced to defect in the previous book. But the courier’s confession implies that there is another KGB mole in London Central – which is bad news for Samson, whose loyalty has been questioned since his wife turned out to be a KGB mole herself. Now he must find out who the mole is – or if the courier is lying. Deighton delivers a very good spy yarn that makes the most of the chief problem of the espionage business: never knowing for sure just who is on whose side, and who is telling the truth. London Match gets a bit too bogged down by the domestic lives of the characters – everyone seems to be having affairs with someone else and expecting Bernard to deal with it – and it gets a little tedious for the likes of me. But the twists and turns of the espionage angle more than make up for it.

126Hanneri
jul. 21, 2015, 4:47 am

66. The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie

A very clever, simple solution that makes you look back on everything that's gone before and see it in a different light. Miss Marple's hardly in it, so it doesn't really feel like a Miss Marple book, but there's so much good stuff in it, you don't really mind. Mrs Dane Calthrop, the vicar's wife, is a wonderful character.

127Hanneri
jul. 26, 2015, 8:12 am

67. Days of Wine and Roquefort by Avery Aames

In this Cheese Shop Mystery, Charlotte's fianacé, Jordan, has gone off to the trial that will help end his involvement in the WITSEC program, leaving Charlotte and her other cast of characters from Providence, Ohio, to solve the mystery of who killed her house guest, Noelle, and why. More and more of Charlotte's friends and family are becoming involved in snooping (as Police Chief Urso calls it) and with as many as five suspects she needs all the help she can get.

I really enjoy this series but this one came together a little roughly for me. There was too much conclusion jumping.

128Hanneri
jul. 31, 2015, 2:15 am

68. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling

Possibly my favourite of the Harry Potter series! Harry is growing up and his relationships are becoming more mature. I also love Lupin as a character and I am looking forward to the next book!

129-Eva-
ag. 2, 2015, 2:21 pm

>128 Hanneri:
That one's my favorite too. I wish I had time for another reread of the series. Perhaps Xmas holiday this year???

130christina_reads
ag. 11, 2015, 3:02 pm

You've been reading some great stuff! I loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and Death of a Hollow Man looks like fun. The Moving Finger is one of my favorite Agatha Christies!

131Hanneri
ag. 21, 2015, 3:02 am

69. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

Not my favourite Harry Potter book, but enjoyable none the least. This book features the introduction of yet more characters that will play important roles in the rest of the series. I am really enjoying the reading by Stephen Fry!

132Hanneri
ag. 21, 2015, 3:09 am

70. Death in Disguise by Caroline Graham

Set on a large estate that is run and occupied by a New Age religious group. Chief Inspector Barnaby and Sgt. Troy arrive when The Master, the head of the group, is murdered during a regression session. This book was very slow-moving for me, long and drawn out, with much detail about the lives of the members of the group, such that Inspector Barnaby doesn’t even make an entrance until a third through the book.

I liked the other two books in the series, but really found this one tedious and slow-going. I don’t know if it was just that I couldn’t get interested in any of the characters, but this was a real struggle for me.

133Hanneri
ag. 24, 2015, 7:38 am

71. Pop goes the Weasel by M.J. Arlidge

There is a serial killer on the loose in Southampton but in a change from the usual, he/she is targeting the men who use prostitutes rather than the girls themselves. The murders are quite gruesome with the victims' hearts being cut out, put in a box and sent to someone known to the deceased.

This is the second novel by the author in the Detective Helen Grace series. It is advisable but not essential to read the first (Eeny Meeny) before this one. This is because characters and events are referred to which would spoil your enjoyment of its predecessor if you read it out of sequence. Pop Goes The Weasel is set a year on; as well as having a difficult case to try and solve Helen has issues and secrets in her personal life to deal with.

134Hanneri
set. 1, 2015, 2:34 am

72. A Brush with Death by Elizabeth J. Duncan

Spa owner Penny Brannigan has just moved into the cottage that she inherited from her friend, Emma. While going through Emma's possessions, Penny discovers that Emma had been in love with a woman named Alys Jones, who was a promising painter. Alys died in a hit-and-run near Emma's home forty years ago. With the police's blessing, Penny and her friends work together to find out if Alys' death was an accident or murder.

I did not enjoy this one as much as the first book in the series as it felt as if the story never really got going. I will however, still read the next book in the series in the hope that it lives up to the first book.

135Hanneri
set. 1, 2015, 5:43 am

73. The Doll's House by M. J. Arlidge

A young woman wakes up in a cold, dark cellar, with no idea how she got there or who her kidnapper is. So begins her terrible nightmare. Nearby, the body of another young woman is discovered buried on a remote beach. But the dead girl was never reported missing - her estranged family having received regular texts from her over the years. Someone has been keeping her alive from beyond the grave. For DI Helen Grace it's chilling evidence that she's searching for a monster who is not just twisted but also clever and resourceful - a predator who's killed before. And as Helen struggles to understand the killer's motivation, she begins to realize that she's in a desperate race against time.

136Hanneri
set. 11, 2015, 5:42 am

74. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling

This is not my favourite book in the series, but I have more appreciation for it and its place in the series having listened to it. I cannot wait for the last two books in the series!

137Hanneri
set. 16, 2015, 2:19 am

75. Fatal Frost by James Henry

This features characters created by RD Wingfield who only wrote six novels featuring Inspector Frost. In this book set in the early 1980s Frost is still a sergeant. The various plots are preposterous and at the end I was still not sure how the young girl died at the start of the book. An average read.

138DeltaQueen50
set. 16, 2015, 6:50 pm

>137 Hanneri: Oh dear, I am currently reading Fatal Frost and really liking it although it does seem that characters are more cartoon-like than ever!

139Hanneri
set. 21, 2015, 4:01 am

76. Dead Man's Folly by Agatha Christie

This was not one of my favourite Agatha Christie books. I found it difficult in the beginning to keep going and there were so many characters that really played a very small role in the plot, that it made it difficult at times to keep track of all of them.

140Hanneri
set. 21, 2015, 4:21 am

77. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

A fantastic read! Surprising considering that I did not like any of the main characters. I thought that the characters were well rounded and believable. The twist at the end was well thought out and made for a read that kept me reading into the small hours of the morning. I will recommend this to readers who enjoyed Gone Girl.

141Roro8
set. 22, 2015, 3:14 am

>140 Hanneri:, I've been thinking about reading that one, I even borrowed it from the library and sent it back unread. Maybe I should borrow it again.

142Hanneri
oct. 13, 2015, 7:20 am

78. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling

Possibly my favourite in the series. I love the way Dumbledore's character develops and the relationship between him and Harry.

143Hanneri
oct. 13, 2015, 7:35 am

79. One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson

It took me long enough to finish this one, which says a lot.

I really liked Kate Atkinson's Case Histories. All in all, it had a very slow start.

I love a good mystery, but something was lacking here. The characters were odd, and not exactly in a good way. Things were made needlessly complicated with too many characters, and behind the sheen of the mystery, there was a distinct lack of sincerity. I didn't find myself particularly caring about the secret behind all the seemingly random events that were actually tied together.

144Hanneri
oct. 30, 2015, 6:23 am

80. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

A fitting book to make my target for the year! I loved the way that Stephen Fry made the characters come alive in his reading. I will again and again come back to the series to spend time with my favorite witch and wizard!

145Hanneri
oct. 30, 2015, 6:37 am

81. The Guards by Ken Bruen

Stylishly written mystery with a touch of poetry. Like no other detective of crime fiction, Jack Taylor sneaks up on you, making you like him against your (and his) will. An Irishman with a drinking problem and anger management issues, he's oddly endearing in his own way. He's also brave and has a knack for deduction. I look forward to reading more in the Jack Taylor series!

146mamzel
oct. 30, 2015, 11:50 am

>144 Hanneri: My daughter loaned me her Griffindor cape and tie and even allowed me to bring her wand to school today. Since I read a lot (and am a girl) I am representing Hermione.

147AHS-Wolfy
oct. 31, 2015, 7:50 am

>145 Hanneri: Glad to see you enjoyed that one. I love the series though it does get quite brutal at times. There's also quite good TV movie adaptations of a few of the books starring Iain Glen as Jack Taylor.

148-Eva-
oct. 31, 2015, 4:32 pm

>144 Hanneri:
Stephen Fry is such a fantastic reader! I'd listen to him read pretty much anything. :)

149Hanneri
nov. 6, 2015, 1:39 am

82. C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton

Kinsey Millhone is a private investigator. She takes cases and causes. In this chapter of her life, she is hired by a young man who feels in danger. She starts to investigate when things get messy with her client. In addition, Henry her landlord, has met a woman that both Kinsey and Rosie dont trust. So she takes the cause of protecting Henry. The two investigations are stressful as she delves into her clients concerns and Lila henry's girl. Each gets resolved but not without some danger to Kinsey.

150Hanneri
nov. 10, 2015, 4:55 am

83. The Hanging Girl by Jussi Adler-Olsen

Carl Morck works in the Department Q of the Copenhagen Police Department. He comes off as unhappy and uncivil. Carl has two eccentric assistants to help dig into the cold cases, including Assad, whose background is a mystery itself, and Rose, who is intelligent but fights bouts of mental illness.

The trio have grown over the years, and in the latest book they are working at their best to solve a case on the island of Bornholm. When they investigate the death of a 17-year-old girl who was found hanging high up in a tree, their digging leads them to a mysterious sun worshipping cult. Readers get to know the trio a little more, and see how Carl and Assad form a strong bond. The Hanging Girl is another entertaining, compelling story from Adler-Olsen.

151-Eva-
nov. 10, 2015, 5:13 pm

>150 Hanneri:
I love how Assad's past is revealed slowly-slowly. Adler-Olsen had better reveal all before he stops the series!

152Hanneri
nov. 11, 2015, 7:04 am

84. The Button Man by Mark Pryor

In The Button Man, Marston, a former FBI profiler, is at this point in his career the head of security for the US Embassy in London. He is assigned to protect two American movie stars who have been involved in a deadly hit and run accident and are about to be released from custody.

The assignment goes wrong at an early stage and people start to die. Marston spends most of the book chasing down clues and trying to put the puzzle pieces together. I found the story and characters entertaining and look forward to the rest of the series.

153dudes22
nov. 11, 2015, 8:12 am

>150 Hanneri: - I've heard good things about this series and plan to start it next year.

154Hanneri
nov. 12, 2015, 1:27 am

85. D is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton

In this book, the deadbeat is Garrett, a man in his fifties who turns up asking Kinsey to deliver a $25 000 cheque for him. When her own payment from him bounces, she gets drawn into the personal mystery of a raging alcoholic who killed a family and friends through a drink-driving accident. And shortly ends up dead himself - the police have it down as an accident but Kinsey isn't convinced and decides to investigates.

The book had an interesting ending and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I listen to these while communting and it is just at right thing for it.

155Hanneri
nov. 24, 2015, 1:11 am

86. Liar Liar by M.J. Arlidge

This is the fourth book in the Helen Grace series, and it would be easy to think that Helen and her team might be getting a little old and tired now, as some characters and their series tend to after a few books, but this is not the case. The storyline is fast and well-written, Arlidge pulls the reader along on a tightrope of tension all the way through.

With strong, believable characters I found myself investing emotionally in them, particularly in Callum and Naomie. This is a series, and I would advise reading them in order as it gives the reader a chance to see how each character has grown and developed into the characters they are now. Helen Grace has intrigued me as a character from the start and she gets more complex with every book.

156Hanneri
nov. 24, 2015, 1:23 am

87. E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton

Kinsey Millhone is a private investigator. Its Christmas time but Kinsey has other problems $5000 deposited to her account but not hers. An investigation on a fire at a company near san teresa. She has her ex husband Daniel also hanging around with Henry her landlord gone. The fire was at a company ownedby the family of a high school friend. She meets up with Ashley and learns some issues but it is Ashley 's mother that wants info. Kinsey is being looked at for insurance fraud causing lots of issues. Olive, Ashley's sister, meets with Kinsey and invites her to a party. Kinsey goes to help but an explosion occurs causing death. Kinsey continues to investigate with Darcy from the insurance company. Lots of suspects but in the end it goes back to the family and Ashley's mother to clear up the investigation.

157Hanneri
nov. 30, 2015, 6:39 am

88. Sugar Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

This short novel takes place at the annual Christmas buffet where this year, they have tested all the recipes for Hannah's community cookbook. Martin Dubinski's new wife is found dead in the parking lot (by Hannah of course). Hannah, her sisters and Norman solve the case just in time to whisk Andrea off to the hospital to have her new baby girl. The second half of the book is devoted to all the recipes tested at the buffet.

158Hanneri
nov. 30, 2015, 6:46 am

89. Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie

It's a nice book that talks about a Belgian detective ,Hercule Poirot, who investigates crimes and unravels mysteries that pose danger to his clients.Along with him Scotland Yard is also chasing these villains away coming second. The whole book is made up of 11 parts or small chapters, and every chapter contains a different adventure that Poirot has been through and exposed the criminals through his analyzing mind that sees through the plot. Sometimes murders manage to get away with the crime, but not for long...

159Hanneri
Editat: des. 9, 2015, 2:30 am

90. Silence of the Grave by Arnaldur Indriason

The discovery of two skeletons at a construction site in suburban Reykjavik leads Erlendur and his colleagues to a case of severe and terrifying domestic violence dating back to World War II, when American troops were posted in Iceland. There's no urgency to solving the crime, given that it's decades old, but there are several mysteries that need resolving.

160Roro8
des. 7, 2015, 2:50 pm

Your on a roll with the crime/mysteries at the moment. Sounds like you were impressed with Liar Liar

161Hanneri
des. 9, 2015, 2:30 am

91. The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey

Tey's first Alan Grant detective story is a complex and entirely reasoned foray, with quite a literary flair, into the blatantly guilty who is actually innocent. Grant chases him through the wilds of Scotland and takes us along for the adventure.

162Hanneri
des. 11, 2015, 4:46 am

92. The Dark Winter by David Mark

What a refreshing change it is to have a detective in this genre who isn't the stereotypical flawed maverick with an idiosyncratic style and a drinking problem. I found McAvoy a likeable but rounded character, and the premise of a murderer wiping out lucky survivors of tragedies was fascinating. Mark avoided falling into the "grittiness" trap, which must have been tempting when dealing with towns like Hull and Grimsby, yet still presented a realistic picture of these locales. I found the book very well written, and the plot was engaging, interesting and believable for the most part.

163rabbitprincess
Editat: des. 11, 2015, 5:48 pm

>162 Hanneri: I went to add this to my to-read list and found it was already there. Very glad you reviewed it; the added endorsement had me submitting a hold request at the library! :)

164Hanneri
des. 14, 2015, 1:22 am

93. Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie

A really good mystery for Hercule Poirot with a Christmas background rather than a Christmas theme. I have come to expect with Agatha Christie that I am never going to be right when it comes to figuring out who the murderer is. Even when I am on the right track she always has one more twist up her sleeve. I think this is the reason for her books enduring appeal.

165Hanneri
des. 15, 2015, 3:08 am

94. Foul Play by Janet Evanovich

I wanted something light to read, but this was bad. The ending was very blunt and the story generally unbelievable.

166Hanneri
des. 15, 2015, 3:16 am

95. A Shilling for Candles by Josephine Tey

The body of a movie actress Christine Clay is found on Westover beach. Insp Grant follows the obvious suspect but does not apply the handcuffs and he disappears. There is a hint of desperation as he founders about looking into the goings on of her husband and her brother. An astrologer fortells the death, and madness and the Chief Constables daughter all come into the plot.

167Hanneri
des. 18, 2015, 1:38 am

96. Twelve Drummers Drumming by C.C. Benison

Twelve Drummers Drumming is a cozy English mystery which is perfect for a quiet read with a lap quilt and a favourite hot drink on a cold winter's day. The cast of characters, as introduced in a section at the beginning of the novel as "Inhabitants of Thornford Regis", hold promise for several future books in this new series. They are complex with only a few of what is likely many secrets hinted at throughout Twelve Drummers Drumming, building the promise for more captivating reading in the years to come.

I look forward to learning more of the "Inhabitants of Thornford Regis" through the eyes of Father Christmas.

168dudes22
des. 18, 2015, 7:24 am

I've been wanting to get to this series, but I'm not sure I'll get to it this year either. Seems like it should be read around Christmas. Plus it's on my e-reader and I usually only read from that on vacation or the treadmill.

169VivienneR
des. 18, 2015, 2:24 pm

Benison's series appear to be Christmas books but only because of the titles and the character who is a priest with the last name of Christmas. I don't think any of them have a Christmas setting. However, they are worth the read.

170dudes22
des. 18, 2015, 2:45 pm

>169 VivienneR: - well - how about that? I never actually checked the descriptions enough to know that. Maybe I'll start them next year.

171Hanneri
des. 21, 2015, 2:25 am

I made the same mistake - thought it was a book with a Christmas setting, but it was anything but! Still enjoyed it though!

172Hanneri
des. 21, 2015, 2:26 am

97. Death Comes as the End by Agatha Christie

This is an atypical Christie book, being set in ancient Egypt in as authentic a setting as Christie could research. In the most important way it is entirely typical, being a locked room mystery of sorts where members of the isolated family of a ka-priest begin getting bumped off. As always, Christie does a masterful job of diversion and psychological examination in the midst of family character types we all recognize.

173christina_reads
des. 28, 2015, 11:05 am

>172 Hanneri: This is one of my favorite Agatha Christies! Loved the atypical setting but the entirely typical (for Christie) mystery.

174Hanneri
gen. 3, 2016, 7:51 am

98. The Magic of Christmas by Trisha Ashley

It's August and the villages of Middlemoss are gathering for their first Christmas Pudding Club meeting. Among them is Lizzy who is considering leaving her verbally abusive husband, Tom. When he takes her car and disappears for days, part of her hopes he just won't come back. He's often done this before but this time he turns up dead.I t might not seem the cheeriest premise for a festive read by Lizzy isn't all that bothered by the death of her husband. She is slightly concerned that the police think she finished him off but the secrets of his life slowly come out into the open. There's a busy cast of characters portraying village life. They are busy planning the annual mystery play.

175Hanneri
gen. 3, 2016, 8:05 am

99. Spring Tide by Cilla Borjlind

I really enjoyed this book. It starts out with a rather horrific murder and then wends it's way through several plot lines, but has some really engaging, and yes, flawed characters as protagonists. There are folks with mystery in their backgrounds, corporate greed, youthful naivete , human kindness and suspense enough to go around, but most of all a good murder mystery. A very good read.

176Hanneri
gen. 3, 2016, 8:17 am

100. Dancers in Mourning by Margery Allingham

I did not enjoy this Champion as much as the others that I have read. Dragged on far to long with not much of a story.

177paruline
gen. 3, 2016, 11:30 am

100 books read! That's a great reading year!

178lkernagh
gen. 3, 2016, 7:50 pm

Good job on 100 books read!

179Roro8
gen. 4, 2016, 3:56 am

I'm extremely impressed with your 100 books. Hats off to you.

180Hanneri
gen. 6, 2016, 4:45 am

Thank you! It helps when you have a long summer holiday at the end of the year!