What We're Reading III

sealpuppy · **Posted:** 18 Nov 2017, 18:37

Bless you, thanks, Lizco!

sealpuppy · **Posted:** 21 Nov 2017, 18:26

http://amzn.to/2z8HCeA Re-reading City of Shadows by Ariana Franklin for the eleventy-billionth time because it's such a wonderful book - and the best Anastasia mystery I've ever come across. I know I've recommended it on here before but it really is brilliant. I'm reading the paperback when I'm home and the ebook when I'm out and about and waiting for any length of time.

lizco · **Joined:** 29 Dec 2009, 15:11 **Posts:** 576

Just read this as written by Arethra Franklin - say a little prayer for me!!

AilidhNoor · **Posted:** 22 Nov 2017, 13:16

My mum introduced me to the Phryne Fisher mysteries a couple of weeks ago, and I have been steadily reading my way through them ever since. I tend to binge on books at this time of year when it's so miserable outside, and an escape into Jazz era glamour is just the ticket.

I have a real weakness for historical detective fiction.

Noreen · **Posted:** 22 Nov 2017, 13:25

AilidhNoor wrote:

I have a real weakness for historical detective fiction.

Do you know the Kate Shackleton books by Frances Brody (set in the 1920s)? Someone very kindly donated the first four to my GP's Surgery, and I'm wending my way through them ATM.

I know they've been mentioned on here before - I'm not sure whether I entirely like the heroine, but I'm still reading, so she hasn't put me off, at all events.

AilidhNoor · **Posted:** 23 Nov 2017, 13:06

I don't, so I shall look those up. Thanks Noreen

Noreen · **Posted:** 23 Nov 2017, 17:59

Oh, you're welcome - I'll be interested to see what your verdict is if you do. So far I've read 2, 1 and 3 in that order and I'm really enjoying the third one, so perhaps it's taken the author a while to settle into them herself!

Abbey · **Posted:** 23 Nov 2017, 18:46

That's interesting, Noreen. I read the first three (I think) and didn't really enjoy them that much, but maybe I should try some of the later ones!

Noreen · **Posted:** 23 Nov 2017, 21:18

Interesting, Abbey - there does seem to be a bit of a consensus that the later books are the better ones.

cestina · **Posted:** 23 Nov 2017, 21:41

I gave up on page three of the first one....

I am having a lovely reread of the Russell and Holmes series by Laurie R. King.

I thought I had read all but the most recent of them to discover to my joy that I had not read Justice Hall. I think I had it in my head that it featured the two main protagonists from O Jerusalem which I hadn't enjoyed very much so I had ignored it.

It does indeed do so, but in a very different setting. I loved it.

Abbey · **Posted:** 25 Nov 2017, 15:43

I did get through the first of those, cestina, but I have to confess I wouldn't bother with another! Holmes just seemed so... unHolmesy.

cestina · **Posted:** 25 Nov 2017, 16:58

Interesting Abbey - to me he seems totally Holmes, well, certainly once they get going on the work rather than his being a recluse.

I absolutely love them.

janetbrown23 · **Posted:** 25 Nov 2017, 17:42

cestina wrote:

Interesting Abbey - to me he seems totally Holmes, well, certainly once they get going on the work rather than his being a recluse.

I absolutely love them.

I love most of them too Gill, some of the later ones I've not enjoyed quite so much. I've not managed to get into The Murder of Mary Russell yet, must try again.

ivohenry · **Posted:** 25 Nov 2017, 20:45

Noreen wrote:

AilidhNoor wrote:

I have a real weakness for historical detective fiction.

Do you know the Kate Shackleton books by Frances Brody (set in the 1920s)? Someone very kindly donated the first four to my GP's Surgery, and I'm wending my way through them ATM.

I know they've been mentioned on here before - I'm not sure whether I entirely like the heroine, but I'm still reading, so she hasn't put me off, at all events.

I liked the first few of these, but the last couple not so much.

mrs helston · **Posted:** 04 Dec 2017, 04:24

I decided to heed the severe weather warnings by curling up with a book all weekend!

lizco wrote:

Just spent a grey, November afternoon curled up in front of the fire reading, The House at Ladywell, Sealpuppy's latest offering. Thoroughly enjoyed it - modern-day romance combined with flashback historical sequences. Thank you Nicola.

I second this! It was a delightful read, I loved the glimpses of such a rich tapestry of characters. Thank you sealpuppy!

I also just finished Duplicity in Dorset, the latest Clara Benson- much more enjoyable than the previous one, particularly enjoyed the introduction of Freddy's grandfather

ivohenry wrote:

Noreen wrote:

AilidhNoor wrote:

I have a real weakness for historical detective fiction.

Do you know the Kate Shackleton books by Frances Brody (set in the 1920s)? Someone very kindly donated the first four to my GP's Surgery, and I'm wending my way through them ATM.

I know they've been mentioned on here before - I'm not sure whether I entirely like the heroine, but I'm still reading, so she hasn't put me off, at all events.

I liked the first few of these, but the last couple not so much.

I tried the first one of these and couldn't really get into it. An easy read for a rainy afternoon.

sealpuppy · **Posted:** 04 Dec 2017, 17:03

Thank you, Mrs Helston, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

I haven't got round to reading the fourth Angela Marchant but have it on my Kindle ready. I'm amazed how many books Clara Benson seems to have written in a short time but perhaps she had a few already done.

JayB · **Posted:** 21 Dec 2017, 23:33

I'm reading the Victorian San Francisco Mysteries, by M. Louisa Locke. The first one, Maids of Misfortune, is free on Kindle.

Interesting setting, which seems to be well researched. The main character is an intelligent, independent woman and there's a likeable supporting cast.

Merlot · **Joined:** 24 Jul 2009, 18:58 **Posts:** 166

that sounds really interesting, must go and download

MaryR · **Posted:** 27 Jan 2018, 17:52

JayB wrote:

I'm reading the Victorian San Francisco Mysteries, by M. Louisa Locke. The first one, Maids of Misfortune, is free on Kindle. Interesting setting, which seems to be well researched. The main character is an intelligent, independent woman and there's a likeable supporting cast.

Thank you for that endorsement, JayB.

I am now on my fifth book in the series, and loving them. Are the shorter novellas as good, and the books of short stories? Not sure whether to invest.

JayB · **Posted:** 27 Jan 2018, 21:11

Mary, I haven't read them all yet, so can't say. I'm allowing myself one every so often as a treat, rather than blitzing through them quickly. I'm glad you're enjoying them.

I'm currently doing a Georgette Heyer re-read. My local library has a lot of her books as e-books. I haven't read Heyer for years, and I find I'm reading much more critically this time round. When she was at her best she was very, very good, but some I've struggled to get through, or abandoned.

What We're Reading III

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