Tonight was the first meeting of the year for my mystery book group and I think we started the year off just right. The book we discussed was Don’t Ever Get Old by Daniel Friedman. I had some mixed feelings about this one when I finished it over the weekend but after our discussion I kind of like it a bit more. Isn’t it funny how that sometimes happens? I’ll try to do a bit more of a write up on it soon.
In the next couple of months we’ll be reading mysteries set in Italy and Iceland. One of these is from the World Noir set so I’m especially looking forward to that one.
Of course while waiting for book group to start I had to check out the mysteries aisle to see what books I need to add to my list:
- India Black by Carol K. Carr. I’m not very big on spy stories but this is a historical mystery series and I do like the idea of a female spy. I think this would be fun. Anyone read this series?
- Phantoms of Breslau by Marek Krajewski. I don’t think I’ve read anything by a Polish crime author so this is definitely going on my list. The book is set in 1919 Breslau.
- Dead to Me by Cath Staincliffe. This is a modern police procedural set in England and according to a blurb I read about it, it should appeal to fans of Deborah Crombie books, so that would be me.
Oh and I did mention the other day that I wanted to start a new mystery and decided to go with Lost by S.J. Bolton. So far, it’s just as good as I was expecting.
I’ve read several installments of Krajewski’s noir series (I don’t think all of them have been translated yet). Breslau is actually the German-occupied version of my husband’s hometown Wroclaw, and the author grew up in that city as well. So my hubby and I were pretty interested in reading them (he reads them in Polish). They are DARK. Really disturbing. I don’t exactly recall one from the other but I know I’ve read Phantoms. The protagonist is not all that sympathetic, that is for sure.
Those three mysteries you mention sound really good! Like you, I’m not a huge spy book reader, but they’re growing on me, especially when it’s got a historical element. I’ll have to look for India Black.
I am glad your book discussion went so well! There’s a mystery book group that meets at the local indie store, but it’s not at a time or on a day I can attend. 🙁 I would love to though. Maybe someday my schedule will change . . .
Sandy – I was wondering if you had heard of this author! I must have missed your post mentioning these books. Or it must be my bad memory 🙂 Well, you’ve got me intrigued though. It does sound a lot more grim than my usual mystery read but I’m up for it!
Literary Feline – I think the India also has a bit of a romance angle to it so I kind of like that in mysteries 🙂 What a bummer that you can’t make it to your local book group but hopefully you’ll be able to join later or maybe find another! I love belonging to a book group. I find so many books I may not have picked up on my own!
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Lost by Bolton! I’m such a huge fan of this series. I have the India Black book on my TBR list so I will be looking forward to your thoughts on that one. Enjoy 🙂
I love that World Noir series–which books are you going to be reading? And I need to check out that Staincliffe book, too!