I decided to read the other Rebus book, Mortal Causes, that I’d gotten from BookSwap, a couple books earlier in the series than Let It Bleed (my review here) I’m nearly done with it, and liking it better. Still, I think it will be a while before I read another by Ian Rankin.
Now, suddenly, I have several books waiting at the library. Funny how that happens. So when I finish the Rebus, I’ll start on those.
Barbara finished Harbour Street by Anne Cleeves, and has started Night School by Lee Child, a Reacher novel. She always likes those, so I’m sure she will enjoy this one too.
So how about you?
What have you been reading?
note: replies to your comments will be delayed due to the usual weekday reason.
Tip the Wink 
Finished The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi. Not his best but a quick enjoyable read. Also read The Golden Spiders by Rex Stout. I read all of his stuff back in the 60’s but nothing since. I enjoyed it and will probably read more by him. Read The night Ocean by Paul La Farge. It has been getting a lot of good reviews but I bailed out about half way through. Also read Relics by Tim Lebbon which was okay but nothing special and Real Tigers by Mick Herron which I didn’t enjoy as much as others of his. Just started Ask Me Tomorrow by Margaret Millar. The new Bernie Gunther novel by Philip Kerr should arrive by Tuesday and that goes on top of my tbr pile. This is one of my favorite series.
Rick, I guess I like Ian Rankin better than you. He is in the top 5 of current mystery writers for me and I have read most of his more than once.
My reading time will be cut back now. The Detroit Tigers start tomorrow.
As Bill Crider said, the Scalzi is an obvious setup for the next book. My initial reaction was “where are the rest of the chapters?” followed by “oh, of course, in the next book”. Otherwise, I liked it, and there aren’t many SF writers writing like him.
As for Rankin, I liked Knots and Crosses, didn’t much care for Let It Bleed (too much of politics) and though Mortal Causes was somewhere in the middle. Maybe it’s because I have no interest in the setting of the novels, nor in “the troubles”. I find myself liking that last quarter of the books better than the first three-quarters. So, yes, you do like him more than I, and that’s good on you. I’m not familiar with the other books you mention.
The Bernie Gunther novels by Philip Kerr take place mostly in Germany from the late 20’s thru the 50’s. In the earlier books Gunther is a Berlin police detective. Margaret Millar wrote from the early 30’s thru the mid 70’s. She was the wife of Kenneth Millar(Ross MacDonald).
Yep, knew that. Millar has written some brilliant books.
Since I am very familiar with Edinburgh, and it is one of my favorite cities, I do have a great interest in the setting of the novels. I used to frequent a bookstore where Ian Rankin also frequented, though (sadly) not when I was there, and the proprietor had stories about drinking with him in the local pub, as he lived nearby at the time.
That’s cool, Jeff.
I’m far behind on Rebus but have been slowly catching on Reacher. Miles to go…
Quiet week here on the reading front. To say that Neil Gaiman’s NORSE MYTHOLOGY is merely a retelling of old myths does both the book and the author discredit. Each of these stories are retold as only Gaiman could, with wit and reverence for the source material. A great read and highly recommended. I also read Stephen King’s revision of THE GUNFIGHTER, the first book in his Dark Tower series (my FFB this week). This smoother version fits much better into the series as a whole. I’m currently reading — with only three stories left — Lawrence Block’s Edward Hopper anthology IN SUNLIGHT OR IN SHADOW. There’s some pretty good stuff in the fourteen stories I’ve read thus far.
Coming up, who knows? It’s time to mount my trusty steed, take my rusty (but sill trusty) lance, and go charging full-tilt at the windmill that is mount TBR.
Enjoy your week,Richard.
I did, and shall again enjoy my weekend, Jerry. Thanks. I’ll skip the Gaiman, but I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I finished Dan Chaon’s ILL WILL, which I liked but nowhere near as much as Chaon’s previous novel, AWAIT YOUR REPLY. The “villain” was very obvious quite early in boom. I kept hoping I was wrong and that it was simply “misdirection” on Chaon’s part–but, alas, no.
I’m now reading Kate Morton’s THE SECRET KEEPER, a dual-timeline novel about an actress trying to discover the story behind an event involving her now 90-year-old mother some 50 years ago.
I’m also trying to read Jane Casey’s THE BURNING, but it’s rather tough going (perhaps because the novel alternates between third- and first-person narration). I had high hopes for this one–it’s the first in a series featuring D.I. Maeve Kerrigan and I love it when I find a new British police procedural series…but this just isn’t grabbing me.
Boom=the book
/stupid autocorrect!
I also read The Secret Keeper, or rather read most of it before I lost interest. The Burning would be too wrong for me because of those POV changes.
Phil felt rather like you about ILL WILL. So I will not read it. Loved IRON LAKE by WKK. Reading DOWN CITY by Leah Carroll, which was reviewed yesterday in the NYT. Megan sent me her arc. Phil just finished Paris Spring, a spy novel and is reading Ordinary Grace by WKK, He also like THE WIDOW by Fiona Barton.
The Krueger books just get better as you go in the series, so I hope you’ll try another soon. I’m not sure about Down City, don’t think it’s for me.
Like Steve, I read THE COLLAPSING EMPIRE. I agree that it’s fun and fast, if not Scalzi’s best. I also reread THE GOLDEN SPIDERS, and a review will eventually appear on my blog. It’s never going to be my favorite in the Wolfe series.
See my comment to Steve, above. I’m planning to read a Wolfe soon, but probably not Spiders.
Just checked my list and I’d gotten further than I’d thought last week with Rankin. I’ve read 8 Rebus novels (through BLACK AND BLUE) as well as the two short story collections (not all Rebus). I agree you should space them out.
I read a very negative review of Herron’s REAL TIGERS to returned the library download, as like you I have a bunch of other library books to get through that interest me more.
Besides the ongoing short stories (Saki, Fitzgerald) – I read 64 in March and I’m at 216 for the year – I read the odd, interesting, if not totally satisfying UNIVERSAL HARVESTER by John Darnielle, mentioned last time. Also read one of Deb’s favorite authors, DARK MATTER by Blake Crouch. This reminded me at various times of 12 MONKEYS, SLIDING DOORS, the short-lived series AWAKE, and other time travel/alternate universe books, television shows, and movies. It might not appeal to you, but I’m glad I read it.
Currently reading SNOWBLIND, the first in a new Icelandic series by Ragnar Jonasson, and so far, so good.
I’ll be picking up a book of Hap & Leonard stories at the library today.
I saw something about the Darnielle recently, but don’t recall being intrigued. I liked Twelve Monkeys well enough as far along as I got, but missed a couple of episodes and the last two.
I’m reading Scalzi’s THE COLLAPSING EMPIRE, too. I’ve enjoyed all of Scalzi’s SF novels. The reviews warn THE COLLAPSING EMPIRE is set up for sequels so I”m expecting that tactic. I’m reading the SANDMAN SLIM series (quick reads to whittle down the Library stack of books). Silly, but fun.
My Scalzi comment is above (to Steve). I just hope the wait for the next one isn’t too long. I’m now reading Storm in A Teacup, which you reviewed and recommended. I got it as an ebook from the library. Good so far.