Yes, I got some books for my birthday, and thought these might be of interest to you.
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- The Thinking Machine: 50 Novelettes & Short Stories by Jacques Futrelle
The first two are from the excellent British Library Crime Classics series. The next is a huge collection of The Thinking Machine stories, none of which I have read. The last is one of the latest collections from Crippen & Landru.
Have you read any of these? Do any look interesting to you?
Tip the Wink 
The Gilbert does look interesting. I’ve enjoyed the work of his that I’ve read, and I hope you’ll enjoy this one.
I’ve read some Gilbert, but, obviously, not this one.
Three of those interest me for sure, but I don’t know much about Futrelle’s stories. I had just been looking into Michael Gilbert’s books today, because I bought a few at the book sale and have read four or five previously. I have read a couple of Inspector Hazelrigg mysteries, so definitely want to read Death Has Deep Roots someday. I haven’t read anything by Q. Patrick either but I do know I would like to read something by that author (who is actually two people?).
You’re ahead of me on these, Tracy. I’m overwhelmed with books just now; these four plus two from library, plus two others that are here and awaiting my attention. I’m coming down with a cold, I think, so warm clothes, a box of tissues and a book is the plan.
Maybe Q. Patrick is 2 people, not sure.
Q. Patrick/Patrick Quentin/Jonathan Stagge were (for the most part) Richard Webb and Hugh Wheeler, although Q. Patrick was at first Webb and co-writer Martha Mott Kelley. Kelley left after she got married and Webb wrote under the pseudonyms solo and with Mary Louise Aswell for a couple of books until Webb found the perfect literary partner in Wheeler. Most of the classic novels under the various pseudonyms were the product of the Webb-Wheeler partnership. After Wheeler left to pursue a career a career writing for the stage (he wrote SWEENEY TODD, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, CANDIDE and others), Webb once again wrote under the pseudonyms as a solo act.
Have read some Gilbert. Love the covers here. I am reading NORMAL PEOPLE by Sally Rooney. And trying to decide what to take to Dallas. Not that there won’t be the odd book around.
It’s funny, I always took books to Bouchercon too. Then I rarely read any, as there were activities with friends, events and new books purchased. Still, it’s a security blanket of sorts.
Nice! Of course, I have – and have read – the Q. Patrick, which I enjoyed a lot and definitely recommend. Have also read a differently titled (but probably very similar) Futrelle collection of The Thinking Man stories. Futrelle died on the Titanic, for those who don’t know it. I’ve read a lot of Michael Gilbert – in particular, I am a big fan of his short stories – but don’t think I’ve read this one, which was published in 1951.
This week I read THE SECOND BIGGEST NOTHING, the 14th (which surprised me, but so it claims) Dr. Siri book by Colin Cotterill, wherein the now 76 year old former Laotian coroner has to figure out which “enemy” from his past is threatening the lives of him and his loved ones. It’s a good one, one of the faster reads, though with less humor than in the past. Also read Viet Thanh Nguyen’s short story collection, THE REFUGEES, after finishing his Pulitzer and Edgar winning THE SYMPATHIZER. I liked this one very much. They are stories about Vietnamese refugees in Los Angeles.
I have a couple of downloads on the Kindle, as well as the second of Dervla McTiernan’s mysteries, so not sure what I will read next. We’re leaving for Dallas tomorrow. Jackie has a bad cold but says she feels better and is well enough to fly.
Jeff, it was probably your comment that alerted me to the Timothy Trant book, or else an email from C&L. I knew you’d read it. I, too, have read Gilbert, but this is new to me. I read the first two Cotterill books and liked them, and probably have a couple more here, but haven’t gotten back to him. There always seems to be something else…
Sorry to hear Jackie has a nasty cold, but hope you both have a great time in Dallas.
I like all four books…but only own two of them. DEATH HAS DEEP ROOTS is a classic Michael Gilbert novel. Like Jeff Meyerson, I have the Q. Patrick (but haven’t read it yet). I have a collection of Futrelle’s stories, but not this one. I’ve been busy working ahead on my blog so there will be content while Diane and I are attending BOUCHERCON. Wish you were attending!
I wish I were too, George, but I’ll be missing. I’m glad to hear there’ll be blog content, I hope you can look in and answer comments. Also, Wednesday I’m posting a Bouchercon post, so look in there and give a brief con report, okay?
I have the Gilbert somewhere around here but haven’t read it yet. The Melville is completely new to me. I’ve read a number of The Thinking Machine stories and enjoyed them, as well as a few Timothy Trant stories in old EQMMs — both of these volumes are beginning to sing their siren songs to me…
This week I finished Richard Matheson’s HUNTED PAST REASON, a thriller about a backpacking trip that went horribly wrong. I also read several short stories, including the ESG Pete Quint tales covered in my FFB this week. I have been slowly going through John Connolly’s latest Charlie Parker thriller A BOOK OF BONES; I’m about two-thirds through. This is a massively dense book and the most ambitious book in the long series. It’s a follow-up to his THE WOMAN IN THE WOODS and goes deep into the history of the book in the title and efforts over the years to find it. A good portion of the book veers from Parker and his friends Louis and Angel, concentrating instead on a British police investigation of a brutal ritual murder. (I’m wondering if these British cops will play an important role in future books in the series or if, perhaps, they may get their own spin-off series.) I’m really enjoying A BOOK OF BONES but it does demand slow reading.
After the Connolly, I still have the Craig Johnson, Joe Hill, and F. Paul Wilson books I mentioned last week ahead of me, along with a couple of other goodies that are waiting at my local library. Looks like I’ll be keeping busy.
I know you get few trick or treaters in your area, so be sure to buy the type of candy/goodies that you and Barbara can feast on after Halloween. And have a spookin’ good week!
Barbara has the Connelly on hold at the library, but there is a long line ahead of her.
We have bought NO CANDY this year at all. No one has come to the door in a few years, so we don’t turn on the porch light and leave the living room dark to discourage visitors.