Mystery Scene Community

General Discussion => Welcome and General Discussion => Topic started by: Becke Davis on April 07, 2020, 07:38:42 pm

Title: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on April 07, 2020, 07:38:42 pm
Thanks to Jay for the suggestion for a May feature focusing on sports-related mysteries. This conversation started on another thread (I'll copy those posts here), but I've been finding a lot of good book suggestions on Goodreads:

Troy Soos is a writer and teacher based in Winter Park, Florida. Soos is best known for his "Mickey Rawlings" series of historical baseball novels (seven books set from 1912 to 1923). He also authored a four-book historical mystery series set in 1890s New York featuring Marshall Webb and Rebecca Davies. Soos has written a nonfiction history of early New England baseball history, "Before the Curse," and two mystery short stories ("Pick-Off Play" and "Decision of the Umpire") now available as e-books. His newest release is "The Tomb That Ruth Built," the seventh in the Mickey Rawlings series (published March 2014).

Examples:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1535068.Murder_At_Wrigley_Field

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1535073.The_Cincinnati_Red_Stalkings
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on April 07, 2020, 07:43:36 pm
Thanks to Jay for the suggestion for a May feature focusing on sports-related mysteries. This conversation started on another thread (I'll copy those posts here), but I've been finding a lot of good book suggestions on Goodreads:

Troy Soos is a writer and teacher based in Winter Park, Florida. Soos is best known for his "Mickey Rawlings" series of historical baseball novels (seven books set from 1912 to 1923). He also authored a four-book historical mystery series set in 1890s New York featuring Marshall Webb and Rebecca Davies. Soos has written a nonfiction history of early New England baseball history, "Before the Curse," and two mystery short stories ("Pick-Off Play" and "Decision of the Umpire") now available as e-books. His newest release is "The Tomb That Ruth Built," the seventh in the Mickey Rawlings series (published March 2014).

Examples:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1535068.Murder_At_Wrigley_Field

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1535073.The_Cincinnati_Red_Stalkings

The start of this topic, from a different thread:

Let's make this easier. Instead of trying to read all these books we mention during a monthly feature, let's just make the feature a focus of conversation. That way we can add to our to-be-read piles without feeling pressured to read those books within the month.

All of you are welcome to suggest books you've already read and authors of featured books are invited to introduce themselves and tell us about their books, too.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on April 07, 2020, 07:45:06 pm
Posted by Jay (JRob):

With everything going on in real time, I think skipping April is probably a good idea. I've seen many authors and readers posting stuff about how it has been hard or even impossible to focus on their work. I've found reading hard the last week or so.

I had to read almost an entire book today so that I could do the review which was due today. So move to May is what I say.

Baseball season would be in full swing if things were going on. How about May being a sports mystery themed month?

I would suggest Nicole Asselin's Murder at First Pitch as one of the reads for people here. I loved the book myself.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on April 07, 2020, 07:46:01 pm
That's a great idea. We could also include Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar books - https://www.novelsuspects.com/series-list/harlan-coben-myron-bolitar-books-in-order/

Dick Francis has a wonderful series of books about horse-racing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Francis

A quick search led me to more sports-themed mysteries:

MURDER ON THE IDITAROD TRAIL by Sue Henry
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-on-the-iditarod-trail-sue-henry/1018218373;jsessionid=20347ABC1B4EC6AADF30ED343101D4D3.prodny_store02-atgap06?ean=9780802123398

On Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18056607-game-set-and-murder

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25251757-you-will-know-me

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31161081-still-kicking

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40329.Metro_Girl

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31871496-marathon

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29939066-one-perfect-lie

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29290.Time_of_Wonder

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20872263-figure-skating-mystery-series

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13498709-the-prophet
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: JRob on April 07, 2020, 09:01:30 pm
I read one of the Troy Soos books. I'm pretty sure it was MURDER AT FENWAY PARK, but I can't remember for sure.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on April 07, 2020, 09:24:18 pm
I read one of the Troy Soos books. I'm pretty sure it was MURDER AT FENWAY PARK, but I can't remember for sure.

Did you like it? As a native Chicagoan, I'm interested in the Wrigley Field book. And I used to live in Cincinnati, so I'm also interested in the Black Stockings book.

I was surprised how many types of sports have been featured in mystery novels.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: JRob on April 08, 2020, 12:36:53 pm
I read one of the Troy Soos books. I'm pretty sure it was MURDER AT FENWAY PARK, but I can't remember for sure.

Did you like it? As a native Chicagoan, I'm interested in the Wrigley Field book. And I used to live in Cincinnati, so I'm also interested in the Black Stockings book.

I was surprised how many types of sports have been featured in mystery novels.

It was OK but I wasn't blown away by it.

I've also read sports mysteries by sportswriters Mike Lupica and John Feinstein. There was one basketball themed mystery that I liked a lot too that centered on the Boston Celtics but I can't remember the title just the plot, which I can't describe because it would give away part of the story.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on April 08, 2020, 08:46:21 pm
I'm going nuts trying to think of other sports-themed mysteries I've read. I hope I'll think of more eventually, or I'll be tearing out my hair until I do!
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: JRob on April 08, 2020, 08:52:38 pm
I'm going nuts trying to think of other sports-themed mysteries I've read. I hope I'll think of more eventually, or I'll be tearing out my hair until I do!

Didn't Roberta Isleib have some golf themed mysteries?
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on April 08, 2020, 09:06:58 pm
I'm going nuts trying to think of other sports-themed mysteries I've read. I hope I'll think of more eventually, or I'll be tearing out my hair until I do!

Didn't Roberta Isleib have some golf themed mysteries?

She sure did - my dad loved them! http://robertaisleib.com/golf/index.htm
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: JRob on April 09, 2020, 04:40:06 am

She sure did - my dad loved them! http://robertaisleib.com/golf/index.htm

I think I have one of those.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on April 11, 2020, 01:54:46 am
I read one of the Troy Soos books. I'm pretty sure it was MURDER AT FENWAY PARK, but I can't remember for sure.

Did you like it? As a native Chicagoan, I'm interested in the Wrigley Field book. And I used to live in Cincinnati, so I'm also interested in the Black Stockings book.

I was surprised how many types of sports have been featured in mystery novels.

It was OK but I wasn't blown away by it.

I've also read sports mysteries by sportswriters Mike Lupica and John Feinstein. There was one basketball themed mystery that I liked a lot too that centered on the Boston Celtics but I can't remember the title just the plot, which I can't describe because it would give away part of the story.

Was that Celtics book written by the authors you mentioned? Google came up with this one, in case you're still looking for the title of the book you mentioned:

PLAY DEAD by Harlan Coben https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/307644/play-dead-by-harlan-coben/

The others that turned up on Google were memoirs, not mysteries.

Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: JRob on April 11, 2020, 09:55:25 am

Was that Celtics book written by the authors you mentioned? Google came up with this one, in case you're still looking for the title of the book you mentioned:

PLAY DEAD by Harlan Coben https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/307644/play-dead-by-harlan-coben/

The others that turned up on Google were memoirs, not mysteries.

Oh man, that's the one! Wow, so I have actually read a book by Coben after all!
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on April 11, 2020, 10:21:15 am

Was that Celtics book written by the authors you mentioned? Google came up with this one, in case you're still looking for the title of the book you mentioned:

PLAY DEAD by Harlan Coben https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/307644/play-dead-by-harlan-coben/

The others that turned up on Google were memoirs, not mysteries.

Yay! I may have that one, too. I'm sure I read it but it was a long time ago. I'm due for a reread.
Oh man, that's the one! Wow, so I have actually read a book by Coben after all!
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: CarlaZ on April 19, 2020, 08:13:19 am
I posted this on the April thread but I see we've switched topics to Sports Mysteries to May.

There's a terrific Emma Lathen mystery that centers around the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. It features John Putnam Thatcher, her banker sleuth, who investigates a fraud scheme that swindles Sloan Guaranty Trust out of a half million dollars. There's a murder of a skier, too. Lots of scenes with the athletes who are at odds with the Olympic committee.
Modify message
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: JRob on April 19, 2020, 12:35:11 pm
I posted this on the April thread but I see we've switched topics to Sports Mysteries to May.

There's a terrific Emma Lathen mystery that centers around the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. It features John Putnam Thatcher, her banker sleuth, who investigates a fraud scheme that swindles Sloan Guaranty Trust out of a half million dollars. There's a murder of a skier, too. Lots of scenes with the athletes who are at odds with the Olympic committee.

There's a lot of athletes at odds with the Olympic committee these days as well, so the book would have some modern day relevance for sure. Do you know the name of the book? I think this one sounds quite interesting.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on April 20, 2020, 12:08:49 am
I posted this on the April thread but I see we've switched topics to Sports Mysteries to May.

There's a terrific Emma Lathen mystery that centers around the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. It features John Putnam Thatcher, her banker sleuth, who investigates a fraud scheme that swindles Sloan Guaranty Trust out of a half million dollars. There's a murder of a skier, too. Lots of scenes with the athletes who are at odds with the Olympic committee.
Modify message

Emma Lathen was so popular in the 70s - I read a lot of her books back then.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: KiwiCraig on April 23, 2020, 02:37:04 am
I love sports, including baseball (despite being a New Zealander), have tonnes of baseball movies in my old DVD collection and have enjoyed the Troy Soos book I read a couple of years ago. Need to read more of that series.

Given my love for sports and crime writing, I've often bemoaned there aren't more mysteries set in the sports world - it certainly seems like fertile ground given the big money, competition, egos, gambling, drugs, corruption, and other things entwined in real-life sports.


Other sports mysteries/crime novels I've read and are worth considering:





Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: JRob on April 23, 2020, 09:39:09 am
Thanks for the list Craig, a couple of those titles look pretty damn interesting.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on April 23, 2020, 12:58:16 pm
I posted this on the April thread but I see we've switched topics to Sports Mysteries to May.

There's a terrific Emma Lathen mystery that centers around the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. It features John Putnam Thatcher, her banker sleuth, who investigates a fraud scheme that swindles Sloan Guaranty Trust out of a half million dollars. There's a murder of a skier, too. Lots of scenes with the athletes who are at odds with the Olympic committee.

There's a lot of athletes at odds with the Olympic committee these days as well, so the book would have some modern day relevance for sure. Do you know the name of the book? I think this one sounds quite interesting.

According to Wikipedia, it's called GOING FOR THE GOLD. I thought this was interesting, I'm sharing it from this link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Lathen

Emma Lathen is the pen name of two American businesswomen: economic analyst Mary Jane Latsis (July 12, 1927 – October 29, 1997) and attorney Martha Henissart (born 1929). The pseudonym is constructed from two authors' names:[1] "M" of Mary and "Ma" of Martha, plus "Lat" of Latsis and "Hen" of Henissart.

Henissart and Latsis met as graduate students at Harvard,[2] where Henissart studied law and Latsis studied economics and public administration.[3][4] Latsis grew up on Chicago, and graduated from Wellesley College.[3] Henissart received her B.A. in physics from Mount Holyoke College in 1950.[5][4] Latsis would work for the CIA, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, and teach economics at her alma mater Wellesley College. Henissart practiced law in New York and then returned to the Boston area to become the chief legal counsel for Raytheon. When they began writing mysteries in the early 1960s they decided to use a pseudonym and maintain the secret of their identities to avoid any conflict with employers and clients.[4] Their identities as co-authors of the popular Lathen books remained a secret until 1977.[1][4]

As Lathen, they wrote 24 mystery novels starring John Putnam Thatcher, a Wall Street banker. According to Latsis, “We decided on a banker because there is nothing on God’s earth a banker can’t get into.”[4] They also wrote under the pseudonym R. B. Dominic; the 7 Dominic stories feature Congressman Benton Safford as the sleuth. Each book features events in a specific industry or activity with which Thatcher or Safford become involved in the course of their work. The books often refer to specific public events in their plotting; for example, When in Greece is mostly set in that country during the Colonels' Revolution,[3] and Going for the Gold involves the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid. Others relate to more general social and other trends, such as Death Shall Overcome[1] which links with the Civil Rights Movement.[4]

For each book they determined the basic structure and major characters, then wrote alternate chapters, with Latsis writing the first chapter, and Henissart the last. They would then do a joint rewrite to eliminate inconsistencies or conflicts.[4]

At the time of Latsis' death in 1997, the duo were eighty percent through a new book using the setting of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, but Henissart elected not to finish it.[4]
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: CarlaZ on April 25, 2020, 02:27:59 pm
Sorry for forgetting to put the title in my post about Emma Lathen. That's pretty important!
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Kate Stine, Editor on April 25, 2020, 02:39:30 pm
I just love Emma Lathen. She's one of the few authors that I reread, her narrative voice is such a pleasure. I have all of her books.

We have a feature on Lathen coming up in our Fall Issue #165 by Michael Mallory.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on April 25, 2020, 11:52:53 pm
I love sports, including baseball (despite being a New Zealander), have tonnes of baseball movies in my old DVD collection and have enjoyed the Troy Soos book I read a couple of years ago. Need to read more of that series.

Given my love for sports and crime writing, I've often bemoaned there aren't more mysteries set in the sports world - it certainly seems like fertile ground given the big money, competition, egos, gambling, drugs, corruption, and other things entwined in real-life sports.


Other sports mysteries/crime novels I've read and are worth considering:

  • Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series (basketball player turned agent/investigator who gets entwined with crimes relating to some of his sports clients);
    THE FIXER by John Daniell (set in the world of French professional rugby, well written by a former professional player turned journalist)
    Dick Francis and Felix Francis' horse racing mysteries
    A SEASON IN THE SUN by Robert Rees - conspiracies and cricket in the Seychelles
    EXPOSED AT THE BACK by Arild Stavrum - murder in the European football world, written by a former pro player who delves into the locker rooms and dirty side of the game that may not be that well known (eg pro clubs and how they treat adolescent/young teenagers they sign etc).
    MATCHING THE EVIDENCE by Graham Smith - a crime novella set against the world of English football hooligans etc.
    FLASH & BONES by Kathy Reichs - a Tempe Brennan tale set against the world of NASCAR
    THE RULES OF BACKYARD CRICKET by Jock Serong - exceptional, Edgar shortlisted crime novel that's part coming-of-age tale, part crime drama, part meditation on toxic masculinity, all set against the world of cricket.

You've listed several books I haven't read. I can't afford to order them all, so I'm adding them to my "when the library opens again" list!
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Hannah Adams on May 04, 2020, 01:35:38 am
I think I have that book by Emma Lathen, Going for the Gold. I also have some Dick Francis books. Since my library is closed and I haven't won the lottery, I'm going to read some sports mysteries that I already have. They might be re-reads, or maybe my bookshelves will have surprises in store.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on May 11, 2020, 11:17:04 am
This month's feature is, by necessity, going to be pretty low key.  As far as I can tell, most libraries are still closed and the bookstores that are open seem to be open for pick-up only. (I find this especially sad, since one of the joys of bookstores is browsing the shelves and finding new books/authors.)

I'm not a huge sports fan but I do enjoy reading some of the sports-related mysteries we talked about. (By the way, my son used to play lacrosse - if any of you come across lacrosse mysteries, let me know. I'd love to read them!)

I like Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar books a lot, and I've read ALL of the Dick Francis books, even though I've never attended a horse race in real life.

What are the sports you most enjoy reading about? I vaguely remember reading a mystery about ice skating once, but I can't find it and Google hasn't helped (so far).  I think I've read a mystery about croquet, too - if you'd even consider that a sport.

I guess I'd compare it to reading cozies about yarn shops, knitting and crocheting, etc. I don't knit or crochet but I do enjoy reading mysteries about those subjects if I like the author's voice and find the characters entertaining.

What are your favorite sports to read about in mystery novels? Your least favorites?
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: JRob on May 11, 2020, 07:43:26 pm
I've liked reading about basketball, baseball and football.

I wouldn't want to read about stuff like lacrosse or croquet.

Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on May 11, 2020, 09:59:51 pm
I've liked reading about basketball, baseball and football.

I wouldn't want to read about stuff like lacrosse or croquet.

I'm not particularly into croquet or cricket. I am interested in lacrosse and horse racing, and I've read some interesting books that featured hockey, baseball and football. I like basketball but don't remember reading any mysteries with a basketball theme.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on May 11, 2020, 10:22:47 pm
I was just thinking, I would be interested to read a mystery centered around a marathon or triathalon. I remember a TV episode of Rizzoli and Isles that involved a murder at the Boston Marathon, but I don't think it was based on a book. I found a series on Goodreads that I want to check out. The author is Lynn Cahoon: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25605824-killer-run

I also found a lacrosse mystery, but it's for kids. I wish I'd known about this series when my son was young (if it was even written back then): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50738081-the-lacrosse-mix-up?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=PSx1Xvz0VB&rank=1
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: JRob on May 12, 2020, 09:43:14 am
Sportswriters Mike Lupica and John Feinstein have written  some pretty good sports books including some on basketball.

Lupica writes kid sports stories as well but the ones I mean are his "adult" mysteries.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on May 12, 2020, 07:33:29 pm
Sportswriters Mike Lupica and John Feinstein have written  some pretty good sports books including some on basketball.

Lupica writes kid sports stories as well but the ones I mean are his "adult" mysteries.

I came across several books by John Feinstein while I was searching for sports-related mysteries. Have you reviewed any of his books?
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: JRob on May 13, 2020, 07:51:06 am

I came across several books by John Feinstein while I was searching for sports-related mysteries. Have you reviewed any of his books?

No, I've never reviewed any of his books. He writes books about sports AND he wrote some fiction as well. So if you decide to check out anything be careful to get his fiction, not the non-fiction stuff. I did read a non-fiction book he wrote about tennis that was pretty good though.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on May 14, 2020, 12:54:14 am
Thanks, Jay - I'll remember to check for that.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Hannah Adams on May 18, 2020, 10:10:43 pm
I went through some boxes of old paperbacks and found Going for the Gold by Emma Lathen. I was nervous to read it again in case it felt really dated, but I still liked it. Of course there were no cell phones (not as we know them) when this was written in 1981, and being a travel agent was considered a nice, safe career in those pre-internet times but I still found it an entertaining read.

The book is about a couple mysteries at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York and the chaos that ensues when a massive blizzard engulfs the area in several feet of snow. We meet several of the Olympic athletes. The book mentions ski-jumps, luge, ice skating and a couple that I'm forgetting.

In addition to the Olympic games and the blizzard, there are all kinds of things going on, from murder to counterfeiting and bank fraud. I read this book when it first came out but I had forgotten who did it. I don't know if I have any other Emma Lathen books around, but now I'd like to reread some of her others.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: JRob on May 19, 2020, 05:56:31 am
I went through some boxes of old paperbacks and found Going for the Gold by Emma Lathen. I was nervous to read it again in case it felt really dated, but I still liked it. Of course there were no cell phones (not as we know them) when this was written in 1981, and being a travel agent was considered a nice, safe career in those pre-internet times but I still found it an entertaining read.

The book is about a couple mysteries at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York and the chaos that ensues when a massive blizzard engulfs the area in several feet of snow. We meet several of the Olympic athletes. The book mentions ski-jumps, luge, ice skating and a couple that I'm forgetting.

In addition to the Olympic games and the blizzard, there are all kinds of things going on, from murder to counterfeiting and bank fraud. I read this book when it first came out but I had forgotten who did it. I don't know if I have any other Emma Lathen books around, but now I'd like to reread some of her others.

I'm glad to see the book held up for you Hannah. Did the author mention the US Hockey Team in the book? It would seem strange that the biggest story to come out of that particular Olympiad didn't rate a mention.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Hannah Adams on May 19, 2020, 05:35:03 pm
I went through some boxes of old paperbacks and found Going for the Gold by Emma Lathen. I was nervous to read it again in case it felt really dated, but I still liked it. Of course there were no cell phones (not as we know them) when this was written in 1981, and being a travel agent was considered a nice, safe career in those pre-internet times but I still found it an entertaining read.

The book is about a couple mysteries at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York and the chaos that ensues when a massive blizzard engulfs the area in several feet of snow. We meet several of the Olympic athletes. The book mentions ski-jumps, luge, ice skating and a couple that I'm forgetting.

In addition to the Olympic games and the blizzard, there are all kinds of things going on, from murder to counterfeiting and bank fraud. I read this book when it first came out but I had forgotten who did it. I don't know if I have any other Emma Lathen books around, but now I'd like to reread some of her others.

I'm glad to see the book held up for you Hannah. Did the author mention the US Hockey Team in the book? It would seem strange that the biggest story to come out of that particular Olympiad didn't rate a mention.

I think that there was a mention of the U.S. Hockey Team but it was brief. If I had an ereader I could search for it, but I just have an old paperback. I'm curious now, so maybe I'll search for it later.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Hannah Adams on May 19, 2020, 05:42:04 pm
I had fun going through the same box of old paperbacks where I found the Emma Lathen book. There are a couple more of her books, plus a Doris Miles Disney book I want to read again. But, considering this month's feature, I'm excited about a book I found in the box that I don't even remember reading. It's called Strike Three, You're Dead by R.D. Rosen. The cover says, Edgar Award Winner, Best First Mystery. And Major League Murder, "The Dick Francis of Baseball, and more" from the Philadelphia Enquirer.

On the back cover there's a comment from Robert B. Parker, who wrote the Spenser mysteries. "If you love good writing and baseball, Strike Three, You're Dead will take you to paradise."

I think I'll read this next.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on May 19, 2020, 06:13:44 pm
I dug out a couple old Dick Francis paperbacks. I've read them all before, but this one is at least 25 years old. I think rereading it will be fun, AND in keeping with this months' feature.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: KiwiCraig on May 20, 2020, 03:09:20 pm
I dug out a couple old Dick Francis paperbacks. I've read them all before, but this one is at least 25 years old. I think rereading it will be fun, AND in keeping with this months' feature.

Only author in history, I believe, to have won three Edgar Awards for Best Novel (the likes of James Lee Burke and John Hart have won two each - in fairness Burke probably should have won more but you get the feeling there's a bit of a 'they've had their turn' that goes on nowadays, not like in Francis's time)
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on May 22, 2020, 09:22:07 pm
I just read WILD HORSES by Dick Francis, first published in September 1994. I thought I'd read all of his books but, much to my surprise, I hadn't read this one! It's not your typical Dick Francis fare. Horse racing and jockeys only play a small part in the overall plot. The story is told from the point of view of a young movie director working with a Hollywood studio and LA producer, and a big Hollywood movie star to tell the story of a 26-year-old murder.

Even though this was probably the least sports-related Dick Francis books I've ever read, I really enjoyed it and definitely recommend it.
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Hannah Adams on May 24, 2020, 12:01:31 am
I had fun going through the same box of old paperbacks where I found the Emma Lathen book. There are a couple more of her books, plus a Doris Miles Disney book I want to read again. But, considering this month's feature, I'm excited about a book I found in the box that I don't even remember reading. It's called Strike Three, You're Dead by R.D. Rosen. The cover says, Edgar Award Winner, Best First Mystery. And Major League Murder, "The Dick Francis of Baseball, and more" from the Philadelphia Enquirer.

On the back cover there's a comment from Robert B. Parker, who wrote the Spenser mysteries. "If you love good writing and baseball, Strike Three, You're Dead will take you to paradise."

I think I'll read this next.

I just finished Strike Three, You're Dead by R. D. Rosen. It was in a box of old paperbacks but I don't remember it at all. Maybe I picked up a used copy and never got around to reading it. At first I thought it was going to be too try for me, since there are a lot of statistics and a lot of technical details about baseball. But I remembered it won an Edgar so I kept going. After awhile I got used to all the statistics, and it turned out they provided some important clues so I'm glad I stuck with it.

I like baseball but I'm just a normal fan. I think this book would be a hit with die-hard fans, since the author goes into so much detail. I liked the main character enough that I looked up the author. It turns out he went on to write a lot of other books, and seven or eight books with the same main character that starred in this book. I liked this one and might try to find other books by R.D. Rosen. A couple of these titles sound familiar. Maybe I've already read other ones! Here's his website: http://rdrosen.com/mysteries/
Title: Re: Sports-Related Mystery Novels - Feature for May
Post by: Becke Davis on May 24, 2020, 05:43:54 pm
I dug out a couple old Dick Francis paperbacks. I've read them all before, but this one is at least 25 years old. I think rereading it will be fun, AND in keeping with this months' feature.

Only author in history, I believe, to have won three Edgar Awards for Best Novel (the likes of James Lee Burke and John Hart have won two each - in fairness Burke probably should have won more but you get the feeling there's a bit of a 'they've had their turn' that goes on nowadays, not like in Francis's time)

I'm a big fan of Dick Francis - oddly, I only started reading his books when my father-in-law was in the hospital and asked for some reading material. He mentioned he liked Dick Francis - we bought him a couple of books, and I started looking for them at the library. And then I couldn't stop until I'd read them all!

My dad was a huge fan of James Lee Burke. I like his books, too. I've read a lot of them, but not all. I've read more books by his daughter, Alafair Burke. Both of the Burkes are brilliant writers.