Messages

1

What I'm Reading / Re: Hank Phillippi Ryan's THE FIRST TO LIE

« on: September 05, 2020, 03:58:39 am »

I'm also a huge fan of Hank and have met her too. She like a lot of female thriller writers has a fantastic and scary writing voice.
 I'll be reviewing the audio version for Macmillan Audio hopefully they can clear up some issues they've been having and get me the file.

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Welcome and General Discussion / Re: Say Hi and Introduce Yourself

« on: February 07, 2020, 08:08:28 am »

Hi, Debbie, nice to see some of the old B&N gang finally showing up here! I think several have joined, but few have posted (just Becke, me, and now you!). I was dulcinea3 on B&N.

Hi Denise yes I remember you too, it's nice to reconnect! I brought some of my old B&N members to a Goodreads forum but its nice to see some others here too!

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What I'm Reading / Re: THE BOOK OF LOST FRAGRANCES by M.J. Rose

« on: February 06, 2020, 04:10:01 am »

MJ is also one of my faves and someone I've been reviewing for LJ for many years. You should try Cartier's Hope and Tiffany Blues
Her writing is very atmospheric

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What I'm Reading / Re: WHEN YOU SEE ME by Lisa Gardner

« on: February 06, 2020, 04:06:50 am »

This was a fantastic read Becke I reviewed it for Library Journal. Lisa is my all time favorite thriller writer I'll never forget my first book by her The Perfect Husband still gives me chills. I remember I had the opportunity to interview her once in fact I think it was back in our B&N days and I asked if her husband slept with one eye open LOL

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Welcome and General Discussion / Re: The 2020 Edgar Nominations

« on: February 04, 2020, 07:13:25 pm »

There is one on my list by fave author Hank Phillipi Ryan, The Murder List!

Debbie - I just read THE MURDER LIST a few weeks ago (long waiting list at my library) and I think Hank knocked it out of the ballpark again. I've been a fan since Hank's first books came out. They weren't cozies, but sort of cozy-ish. Since she's moved to writing thrillers, her fan base has exploded and her books are always turning up on "Best of..." lists.

I know she's really grown as an author but I thought her last book was just okay. I'm hoping this one knocks my socks off!

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Welcome and General Discussion / Re: Bookmarks?

« on: February 04, 2020, 07:12:06 pm »

my preferred reading is digital but when I do open the pages of a print book I love a cute bookmark in fact I just got one from my sister-in-law for Christmas, but I must confess if one isn't around any old piece of paper, losing lottery ticket, grocery receipt etc... will do

Remember when I accidentally fried my Nook awhile back? Well, I'm still reading paper editions of books. True, my house is practically wall-to-wall books (if the predicted Big One comes, we'll be crushed by thousands of books, but what a way to go!), but I get great satisfaction out of sitting in front of the fire (gas log) with a book and a cup of tea (or a soda and a slice of pizza, not picky). I sometimes download PDF files authors send me, but since I have a desktop, it's not easy to comfortably settle down for a long read.

I know I know the feel of a real book but I gotta say digital is so convenient, either my kindle, ipad or phone the book goes where I do and I don't have to remember to put it in my purse LOL

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Welcome and General Discussion / Re: Do you prefer mysteries by male or female authors, or doesn't it matter to you?

« on: February 04, 2020, 07:09:42 pm »

It's all about the writing but I must admit that women authors understand how women's minds work and they are usually my go to authors however saying that there are a few men authors who I've read everything they've written like Nelson DeMille (I even had the chance to interview him once he's fascinating), Michael Connelly, John Sandford (all his series) and I'm sure there are more.

I've read one or two books by Nelson DeMille and John Sandford, but I've read a LOT of Michael Connelly's books. Not all, by any means - I can't keep up. Did you see the BOSCH series on TV? I thought it was surprisingly good. (I tend to expect the worst when it comes to television adaptations of books.)

No I don't subscribe because I watch so little TV, in fact I even get  the Outlander series on dvd after the end of the season

8

Welcome and General Discussion / Re: What kinds of features would you like to see here?

« on: February 04, 2020, 07:07:12 pm »

I think inviting authors to chat about their books is a really cool idea and maybe an online book club read where we could read one of the books Mystery Scene is featuring. I love the informal conversation that go on in online blog forums too. Just some thoughts

The forum hasn't even been around a full year yet, so I'm hoping more readers and authors will find their way here as time goes on. I've touched base with several cozy authors and a few publishers, so I'm hoping we'll have a selection of cozy authors checking in with us this month (and beyond).

Spread the word, Debbie - you know everybody!

I'm on it ;-)

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Welcome and General Discussion / Re: Who are your favorite kick-ass women of mystery (any genre)?

« on: February 04, 2020, 07:06:33 pm »

Hey Becke those are some great choices I love DD Warren and what mystery lover doesn't love Kinsey but I'm also old school and happen to think Ms. Marple and Nancy Drew kick butt too.
Some of my favorite are Maggie Hope who is a WWII era spy, Deborarh Crombie's Gemma James
And then we've got the cozy faves like Teddy Bently from Betty Webb's The Gun Zoo mysteries, Ellery Adams' Olivia Limoges, Joanne Flukes Hannah Swenson, Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs and of course I could go on.
I am really drawn to women protagonists who want justice. Great article Becke thanks!

Maggie Hope is definitely kickass. I'm a huge fan of Susan Elia McNeal's Maggie Hope books. I'm working my way back and forth through her book list.  I read THE PRISONER IN THE CASTLE first and I found the whole topic fascinating.  The next one I picked up was PRINCESS ELIZABETH'S SPY. I now have all of her books, except her new one - THE KING'S JUSTICE - goes on sale February 25.

And I'm currently reading Deborah Crombie's latest, A BITTER FEAST. I've read all of her books and have most of them in hardcover. While Gemma is brilliant, I think of her as a mother as much as a detective. That shouldn't keep her from being kickass, so my apologies to Gemma and Duncan for not giving credit where credit is due.

I need to catch up on Crombie's series I'm behind too many books don't you know
And I want to go to the beginning of the Maggie Hope series

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Welcome and General Discussion / Re: Say Hi and Introduce Yourself

« on: February 04, 2020, 07:05:07 pm »

Welcome to the forum Debbie!

Thank you

11

Welcome and General Discussion / Re: Say Hi and Introduce Yourself

« on: February 04, 2020, 07:04:42 pm »

Debbie - It's wonderful to see you here! I know how busy you are, both at home and with all your reviewing. You have built quite a career for yourself! What books have you been reading lately? Have you discovered any new (or new to you) authors I might like? (I feel like you know my taste in books!) Have a great week!

Becke Hi, yes I have discovered some new books thanks to Mystery Scene. You would like the Maggie Hope series by Susan Elia MacNeal
Also The Irish Murder series by Carlene O'Connor
Of course anything written by JT Ellison

I love being connected again!

12

Welcome and General Discussion / Re: The 2020 Edgar Nominations

« on: February 04, 2020, 06:55:41 am »

There is one on my list by fave author Hank Phillipi Ryan, The Murder List!

13

Welcome and General Discussion / Re: Say Hi and Introduce Yourself

« on: February 04, 2020, 06:43:58 am »

Hi I'm Debbie and I'm a current reviewer for Mystery Scene Magazine, Library Journal, Indie Reviews and contribute to a few other publications. I am an avid book nerd, I run a book blog, currently serve on the board of my local Library district and volunteer in other ways also to the library district. And I have a Goodreads Group General Fiction Expats formed when B&N closed the bookclubs - https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/133771
Personally I am a full time caregiver to my disabled husband enjoy spending time with my family and LOVE my doggie Pippa who is featured on my daily instagram "Our Daily Walk" posts.
I'm so excited to be here it's nice to meet you Brian and Hi (waving madly) Becke. Becke and I have known each other for many years as like her I also was a moderator for the now defunct B&N book club forums mine was called General Fiction and like Becke I enjoyed meeting and interacting with both new members and with authors.

I'm very happy to be here!

14

Welcome and General Discussion / Re: POLL: Married Detectives

« on: February 04, 2020, 04:57:21 am »

My favorite are Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James

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Welcome and General Discussion / Re: Do you prefer mysteries by male or female authors, or doesn't it matter to you?

« on: February 04, 2020, 04:56:14 am »

It's all about the writing but I must admit that women authors understand how women's minds work and they are usually my go to authors however saying that there are a few men authors who I've read everything they've written like Nelson DeMille (I even had the chance to interview him once he's fascinating), Michael Connelly, John Sandford (all his series) and I'm sure there are more.