Cozy Chicks: Holiday Baking, Music, and More

Cozy Chicks: Holiday Baking, Music, and More: by Maggie Sefton The Holidays are definitely here, folks. We're shopping for gifts, decorating our houses (well, I'm not because I'll spe...

Christmas Dinner and Book Discussion

We're celebrating the holidays at our annual Christmas Dinner at a local restaurant on December 28 at 6:30 p.m.  Following dinner, we'll be discussing Water Like a Stone by Deborah Crombie, the 11th book in the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series.

If you plan to attend the dinner and book discussion, contact Bonnie at bstrope@lickingcountylibrary.info or 740.349.5524.

The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton: Discussion Questions

We will be discussing The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton at our next meeting on Wednesday, November 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the Newark Library's conference room.  If you've finished reading the book, here is a discussion guide provided by Princeton Book Review.com.

1. How do you think the tragedy Michael experienced as a child influenced the choices he made as an adult? At what point in one’s life is the past no longer an excuse for bad decisions?

2. In what ways did Michael’s uncle help or hurt him? Do you think he provided proper guidance? Did his actions in anyway contribute to Michael’s outcome? Do you think he cared and did his best? Should he have know more about Michael’s involvement with the unsavory characters that he became mixed up with?

3. If you listen to Michael’s inner voice, he was a young man with morals and a conscience, yet he became mixed up with criminals. Do you think this is because he had no options?

4. Do you think it’s realistic for Michael to risk his life for Amelia? What do you think the driving force in their relationship was? Loneliness? First love? Common bond?

5. Did Michael’s actions and decisions demonstrate courage or cowardice? Would your answer differ if he hadn’t survived the tragedy he suffered at age 8?

6. How effective was the author’s technique of using a silent main character? Did this approach enhance the book? The mystery? Did Michael’s silence make you think about the difficulty of not being able to speak? Was it realistic?

7. Amelia’s father was a manipulative person. Was it acceptable to sacrifice Michael for the safety of his daughter? How much do you think he attributed to the downfall of Michael? Do you think he compromised his daughter in any way? Does the end always justify the means? What do you think motivated him? Greed? Fear? Family?

8. Which characters, if any, grew throughout this book? Did the book or any of the personality traits of the characters provoke thought or teach you anything? Do you think the right people were punished?

9. How well do you think the book examines the effects of trauma on children? Which threads or actions in articular addressed this? Can a child overcome a tragedy such as Michael experienced?

10.The book examines the redemptive powers of art and the power being accepted by peers has on a person. Discuss this both from the perspective of the book’s characters and real life experiences.

11. Considering the outcome of the main characters involved in this story, do you think Michael regretted his decision?

12. The author shifts between the past and present and gradually converges the two. Did this method suit the story line? Was it seamless or at anytime confusing?
© 2008 Princetonbookreviews.com

Murder, Mystery & Mayhem: Witches, Goblins, and Ghosts - Halloween Mysteries...

Murder, Mystery & Mayhem: Witches, Goblins, and Ghosts - Halloween Mysteries...: The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown. - - - H. P. Lovecraf...

Case Histories Tonight on PBS' Masterpiece Mystery!

 We read Case Histories in June 2011 and gave it a 2.5 / 5 rating.  It was a "love or hate" kind of book, but it inspired a lively discussion. The three-part BBC adaptation begins tonight on PBS. Here's a review from the Los Angeles Times.

Case Histories - PBS 

P.D. James' Pride & Prejudice Sequel - Coming Soon

I can't wait to get my hands on Death Comes to Pemberley, P.D. James' new book (to be released in the U.S. on December 6). I would probably gringe if any other author attempted a crime fiction sequel to Pride & Prejudice, but if anyone can pull this off, it is P.D. James. 

BBC News: P.D. James Writes Pride & Prejudice Crime Novel

Mystery Awards Announced

The 2011 Anthony Awards were presented on Sunday September 18, 2011 at the Bouchercon convention in St. Louis. Here are this year's winners:

Best Novel  - Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny

Best First Novel
 - The Damage Done by Hilary Davidson

Best Graphic Novel - The Chill by Jason Starr

Best Short Story - "Swing Shift" by Dana Cameron (Crimes By Moonlight)

Best Web Site/Blog -
Stop, You’re Killing Me! edited by Stan Ulrich and Lucinda Surber

For a complete list of nominees, visit the Bouchercon website.

The Shanghai Moon by S.J. Rozan

Next meeting: September 28, 2011 at 6:30 PM, Newark Library

We will be discussing The Shanghai Moon: A Lydia Chin/ Bill Smith Novel by S.J. Rozan. Click here for a recent Publishers Weekly article about the origins of the Lydia Chin/Bill Smith series.

The Chicago Sun-Times on The Shanghai Moon:  “It takes a gifted writer to create characters and stories this rich and touching, and Rozan has done it in spectacular fashion.”

Best Novel Nominee, 2010 Anthony Awards.

Copies of the book are available at the Newark Library. 

Crime Writers' Association (U.K.) Dagger Award Nominees Announced

EuroCrime - CWA Shortlist for 2011

Swedish Crime Fiction

Excellent review of Swedish crime fiction from Petrona

Michael Connelly news

ABC is developing "Lincoln Lawyer" series.
When we discussed The Lincoln Lawyer in 2007, we gave it a perfect score of 5! Click here for a complete list of the Mickey Haller series. 

Shatter by Michael Robotham

We will be discussing  Shatter  (Book 4, O'Loughlin/Ruiz series), a psychological thriller by Australian writer Michael Robotham, at our August 24th meeting. Robotham  had a successful career as an investigative reporter before turning to writing crime novels full time.  For more information about Michael Robotham and his books, check out this Author Spotlight from Fair Dinkum Crime.

Copies of Shatter are available for checkout at the Newark Library.

If you like Nordic crime fiction ...

More on the popularity of Scandinavian crime fiction from the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Book 1, Joona Linna series

Book 5, Inspector Van Veeteren series

New European crime fiction titles.

New Crime Fiction Reviews From Euro Crime

Tess Gerritsen

Several of us will be attending the Thurber House Evening With Authors event  in Columbus on July 12 featuring Tess Gerritsen, author of the popular Rizzoli and Isles series. Here is a recent interview with the author that appeared in the Wall Street Journal.

Reserve Tess Gerritsen's books by searching our online catalog or by calling the Information Desk at 740.349.5553.  To find a list of the series books in order, go to Stop You're Killing Me or the author's website.

The Aging Detectives

It really isn't news to us that some of our favorite detectives are ... well, getting up there ... but this is an interesting story from the Wall Street Journal.  The (Really) Long Goodbye

Mystery Fanfare: Macavity Award Nominations

Mystery Fanfare: Macavity Award Nominations: "The Macavity Awards are nominated and voted on by members of Mystery Readers International . Mystery Readers Journal is MRI's publicatio..."

What is your favorite medieval mystery series?

I have always been compelled to read medieval mysteries in the summer. Probably just sheer escapism on my part, but I plan to indulge myself this summer by catching up on my favorites.  At the top of my list are the last two books in Michael Jecks' Knights Templar series, The Bishop Must Die and The Oath. The 30th book in this series, King's Gold, is due out in August. This series was recommended to me this past Christmas by a friend and retired librarian, and I am happy to pass on the recommendation.

I'd also recommend Susanna Gregory's Matthew Bartholomew series set in 14th century Cambridge, Sharan Newman's Catherine LeVendeur series set in 12th century France, and the Dame Frevisse series by Margaret Frazer set in 15th century Oxfordshire, England.

There are many more outstanding medieval mystery series and standalone novels. What are some of your picks?

For a complete list of books in mystery series, visit http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/

What are you reading?

Share your current book or the next one on your TBR pile!

I just started Blood Harvest by S.J. Bolton and The October Killings by Wessel Ebersohn is next.

RA for All: Around the World in 80 Murders: Pacific Islands an...

RA for All: Around the World in 80 Murders: Pacific Islands an...: "Sleuth your way around the world, explore novel destinations, and help catch a killer as you go… Around the World in 80 Murders Pacific ..."

RA for All: Around the World in 80 Murders: Western US and Can...

RA for All: Around the World in 80 Murders: Western US and Can...: "Sleuth your way around the world, explore novel destinations, and help catch a killer as you go… Around the World in 80 Murders Western U.S..."

Murder, Mystery & Mayhem: A Resource for Readers: June New Releases 2011 - Mystery, Crime, Thriller,...

Murder, Mystery & Mayhem: A Resource for Readers: June New Releases 2011 - Mystery, Crime, Thriller,...: "The Upright Piano Player by David Abbott The Ranger by Ace Atkins One Summer by David Baldacci Now You See Me by S. J. Bolton Tunnel..."

Reading in Reykjavík: List Love: More bookish pet peeves, detective novel and mystery version, revised version

Reading in Reykjavík: List Love: More bookish pet peeves, detective novel and mystery version, revised version

Jo Nesbø

Last year we read Redbreast by Norwegian writer Jo Nesbø, the first book featuring police detective Harry Hole to be translated into English.  Now, Nesbø's latest release, The Snowman, has become his first novel to become a bestseller in the United States even though he is a household name in most of Europe. For a complete list of the Harry Hole series, visit the author's website.

Trailer for The Snowman.

Case Histories by Kate Atkinson

Jackson Brodie #1

Jackson Brodie #2

Join us on June 22 at 6:30 pm for a discussion of Case Histories by Kate Atkinson, the first book in the Jackson Brodie series.  Copies of the book are available for checkout at the Newark Library. Visit Kate Atkinson's website for more information about her books.

Jackson Brodie #3

Jackson Brodie #4

If you can't attend the discussion, submit your comments or questions here.

Dog On It by Spencer Quinn

Seventeen of us met this week to discuss Dog On It by Spencer Quinn. This is the first book in the series featuring a canine narrator (Chet), who partners with his human (Bernie Little, P.I.) to solve crimes.

We have been meeting for 9½ years and until now we have avoided the whole talking cat and dog mystery genre, but the many positive reviews of this book prompted us to add it to our reading list.

From our discussion, it was clear that the book's appeal is not limited to just dog lovers, or animal lovers of any kind (with a few exceptions!). We all agreed that the author's ability to translate Chet's doggy thoughts and behavior was absolutely uncanny. 

Most of us thoroughly enjoyed the book as a nice change of pace and found it to be a funny, quick read--an ideal beach book. Only a few book group members knew prior to the meeting that Spencer Quinn is the pseudonym of New York Times' best-selling author Peter Abrahams.

A few members thought the plot was the weakest part of the book. Involvement of the Russian mob seemed overdone. As adorable as most of us found Chet to be,  a few members did not relish reading his thoughts for an entire book and thought his musings were repetitious ("Don't get me started on . . .") and -- for one cat lover at least -- insulting to cats. :)  For the record, the majority of the group loved Chet's insights.

This book did not inspire the impassioned discussion that we have with more serious titles and social themes.  However, the evening ended very nicely with members sharing anecdotes about some of the special dogs in their lives.


Book Rating:   3.8
Using our group's voting system on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the best possible.