I went to my book club meeting today and we discussed The Case of the Missing Servant by Tarquin Hall. I had already read it a few months ago (my review) and overall it was a crowd pleaser. I actually have the second book in the series waiting for me so one day.
Next up we’ll be reading Fieldwork, which I know some of you have really enjoyed, and Cop Hater, which I’m excited to find out it’s actually the first book in the long running series. We picked up few others but I am not sure which order they are in so I’ll post about those later.
As far as my own personal mystery reading goes, I started The Lies That Bind by Kate Carlisle. I’ve mentioned before that my real interest in this series is due to the fact that the sleuth is a bookbinder. I mean, how can I not like this girl right? So I love all the talk about tools, paper, techniques but the mystery itself is much more on the cozy side.
I used to read a lot more cozy mysteries and I still enjoy one here and there but I really think over the past years my taste in mysteries leans more towards a bit more gritty. I don’t mean that I particular like to read about the violence but I like the serious tone. Cozies can get on my nerves really quickly when people find the dead bodies and next paragraph they’ve quickly moved on to something light and funny. I just find that jarring.
What about you, do you like cozies? Am I missing some good ones that manage to bridge the gap between cozy and gritty? For example, I do think Louise Penny’s books offer a nice mix of a light and serious tone.
Finally, I’m sorry I fallen behind on responding to comments, answering emails and visiting blogs but my job has gone full time and let me tell you, it’s been quite an adjustment. Don’t even get me started on the state of my studio and house in general. So I’m trying to settle into a new routine and I promise to get back on track soon.
Sounds like you have been quite busy, Iliana. Starting back up full-time would be time consuming! Just switching my hours makes me feel like I have less time in the day–when really, I’m still working the same amount as before.
I really want to read Fieldwork one of these days. I am not familiar with Cop Hater, but will definitely look it up.
I do enjoy a good cozy now and then, although I tend to prefer more hard boiled mysteries in general.
I know full-time job is very difficult! I hope you enjoy all your reads. I am not sure what kind of mysteries i like. but i do gravitate towards cozy ones.
I enjoy a good cozy now and then, but prefer longer, more complex mysteries that have more in depth character studies.
Sometimes I like a cozy series because of the character’s job, vocation, or profession. Characters who own book stores or antique shops or are archeologists, for example. I think I might like Lies That Bind for the information on book binding. It is such an easy, fun way to learn!
Full time jobs require balancing other interests. Hope you find the right balance soon!
Fieldwork sounds really interesting! As to mysteries . . . I burned out on them so thoroughly that I just read one on rare occasions, now, but I read quite a few cozies a couple years back. They did get on my nerves, actually.
Hi, I still enjoy the cozies, because I love the British sensibility. In mysteries I am not interested in how gruesome the murder is, but rather the character development and the solving of the puzzle. I do find that my favorite books are literary mysteries like PD James, Elizabeth George and right now I’m reading the Debbie McCrombie (author) series.
Congrats on being full-time.
Best of luck.
Learn a lot.
How long is your lunch? Do you go out or bring food?
I enjoy reading and writing cozy mysteries and I like that there isn’t loads of sex and violence. I am hooked on Harlan Coben at the moment – not exactly cozies but I like the interraction with the characters.
Ann
Isn’t it fun to be part of a mystery group? I’m about to start John LeCarre’s first book for my group. He’s not known as much for mystery writing, but I hear the one we are reading is more of a mystery than a thriller. I like reading cozies now and then, although I haven’t actually read many of them, so I don’t know the genre that well.
Literary Feline – I haven’t worked full time in an office for a while so it’s definitely a change of pace. Plus, I think it’s hard on my mom and husband who got used to me running all the errands! haha.. Oh well, change is good and just have to get a bit used to it. I can imagine how crazy things must be for you too and especially as you guys get ready for the move right?
Veens – There are some cozies I really love – like the Ladies Detective Agency books. Have you read those? Set in Botswana and just really charming.
jenclair – Exactly, that is one reason I’d go to cozies – if the vocation was something I was interested in. I especially don’t like the cooking ones as I’m terrible in the kitchen. Haha. And, yes, finding balance. Oh dear, I’m really having to remember what I’ve learned in yoga!
Bookfool, aka Nancy – It is easy to get burned out right? Then again, I think I can get burned out on other genres too… Right now the vampires have reached my limit I think!
Teresa – Oh you’ve named a few that I really like, PD James, Elizabeth George and Deborah Crombie! Those are really good. Have you read any Jacqueline Winspear? Highly recommend hers!
Isabel – Thanks girl! I’ve only got a 30 minute lunch as my commute is a pain. I want to get a head start as soon as possible. We have a very good cafeteria the problem is the food tends to be on the “heavy” side so I’m trying to take my lunch for the most part. Don’t want to end up gaining weight!
Ann – I’ve not read anything by Harlan Coben but I keep hearing that I’m missing out 🙂 I hope I didn’t come across like such a curmudgeon against cozies. Some I really do like but I also have to be in the mood which pretty much goes for all of my reading. Whatever I’m in the mood for will dictate what I’m reading.
Dorothy W. – I love it! I actually joined another one too but they’ve been reading more thriller type books I guess and I don’t read those as much so I’ve missed a few meetings but hopefully will get back into it soon. Never read LeCarre. I hope you enjoy your book and I’ll be looking forward to what you think of it.
I tend to move back and forth. I like cozies, but I like certain authors more than others–prefer British cozies with witty repartee or period atmosphere rather than anything too cute or humorous. I also like gritty, psychological mysteries for their character development. Am still working on the most recent Elizabeth George. It’s a long one and I need to get moving as I’m getting a little fidgety to pick up a new mystery.
You haven’t heard from me lately because I’m working full-time, too, and finding it hard to keep up with blog reading and writing! So I feel your pain. But thrilled to hear you’ll be reading Fieldwork — it’s really remarkable. I’ll be looking forward to your review.
I used to read alot of Anne George’s Southern Mysteries, which were nice cozies with humor mixed in. I do prefer the grittier mysteries and thrillers myself now. Its been years since I read a cozy mystery, I may have to pick one up.
Danielle – Oh yes, the British cozies are really good. I think my problem with cozies are the ones that just go for humor. It just seems so out of place when falling upon dead body after dead body! I still very behind on the George series, #5 I think, but I really do like those.
Mindy Withrow – Isn’t it crazy how hard it is to get back into a full time schedule? I was so tired this weekend. Had to even take a long nap on Saturday! I hoe you are doing well and just do what you can. Glad to hear you loved Fieldwork!
bookworm – I’m much more keen on the grittier mysteries too. I guess it really is a tough balance for an author to find a nice mix. Some of my favorite cozies are the Alexander McCall Smith ones, the Ladies Detective Agency. Those are good. It’s been a while since I picked one up though.
I prefer the grittier mysteries to the cozy ones so I can’t help you there!