Unless the schedule is pushed off for some reason, we always talk about what we’re reading on Thursdays. This Thursday is no exception. However, we’ll also round out the lists of favorite books with Glen Davis’ selections. I always enjoy Glen’s succinct, wry comments about the books he’s read. His list is no exception. So, he’s going to tell us what books he enjoyed the most in 2019, and then we can talk about what we’re reading. I hope you enjoy Glen’s comments as much as I do. Thank you, Glen.
*****
This year, I read as many book as
usual, but I felt like it was a down year.
usual, but I felt like it was a down year.
Several of my favorite authors didn’t
publish a book this year. I’m looking at you, Barry Lancet!
publish a book this year. I’m looking at you, Barry Lancet!
The thrillers weren’t thrilling, the chillers weren’t chilling, the cookbooks
weren’t filling.
The only genre that really pushed
things forward was the Men’s Adventure genre. Moribund only a few years ago,
it’s made a real comeback thanks to the e-book revolution.
things forward was the Men’s Adventure genre. Moribund only a few years ago,
it’s made a real comeback thanks to the e-book revolution.
Best Cozy:
Antiques Ravin’ by Barbara Collins:
Latest book in the almost over the
top Trash ‘N’ Treasures series, has the Bourne girls going to a Poe festival,
where there’s antiques, intrigues, and of course, Murder!
top Trash ‘N’ Treasures series, has the Bourne girls going to a Poe festival,
where there’s antiques, intrigues, and of course, Murder!
Honorable mention: Death of a Gigolo
by Laura Levine:
by Laura Levine:
Similarly almost but not quite over
the top, just the way I like my cozies.
the top, just the way I like my cozies.
Best PI Novel:
The Devil’s Music by Stephen Mertz:
Kilroy is a detective operating in
1970’s Denver. He helps a blues singer find out who is trying to kill him, so
that he can make a comeback. Lots of fighting, shooting, and skateboarding!
1970’s Denver. He helps a blues singer find out who is trying to kill him, so
that he can make a comeback. Lots of fighting, shooting, and skateboarding!
Honorable Mention: False
Gods by W. Glenn Duncan Jr. The son of the original author revives the revered and much too short Rafferty series. This one deals with a cult.
Best Police Procedural:
That Old Scoundrel Death by Bill
Crider:
Crider:
The final Dan Rhodes novel, finds a
man shot in an abandoned school house, and Dan has to solve the murder despite
all the distractions that keep getting in his way.
man shot in an abandoned school house, and Dan has to solve the murder despite
all the distractions that keep getting in his way.
Honorable Mention:
The Line by Martin Limon; Sort of
NCIS: Korea, when a South Korean soldier is murdered in the demilitarized zone.
NCIS: Korea, when a South Korean soldier is murdered in the demilitarized zone.
Best Hitman Novel:
Killing Quarry by Max Allan Collins:
Quarry finds himself on the wrong side of a hit.
Honorable Mention:
A Talent for Killing by Ralph Dennis;
A former CIA agent loses his memory and becomes a hitman, killing people while
the CIA is thinking about killing him.
A former CIA agent loses his memory and becomes a hitman, killing people while
the CIA is thinking about killing him.
Best Espionage Novel:
Blowback by Brad Thor:
Somebody
kidnaps Scott Harvath and takes him to Russia. He has to escape and make his
way through thousands of miles to get to friendly border.
kidnaps Scott Harvath and takes him to Russia. He has to escape and make his
way through thousands of miles to get to friendly border.
Honorable Mention:
Mission Critical by Mark Greaney: The
Gray Man is on a plane. When terrorists try to take the plane, The Gray Man
goes after them, despite the best efforts of the suits.
Gray Man is on a plane. When terrorists try to take the plane, The Gray Man
goes after them, despite the best efforts of the suits.
Best Psychological Thriller Novel:
The Return by Rachel Harrison:
A
group of friends have a girls’ weekend after one of their number returns after
being missing for two year. She is not the same person who disappeared.
group of friends have a girls’ weekend after one of their number returns after
being missing for two year. She is not the same person who disappeared.
Best True Crime:
Killers of the Flower Moon by David
Grann:
Grann:
One of the most chilling books I’ve read in this genre. So many of the
murders have never been solved.
murders have never been solved.
Horror:
The Madness of Frankenstein by
Derrick Ferguson:
Derrick Ferguson:
A Hammer Frankenstein film in prose, like an adaptation of
a screenplay that never saw the screen.
a screenplay that never saw the screen.
Martial Arts Thriller:
Sumotori by GP Hutchinson:
The World Champion of Sumo finds himself framed for a crime he didn’t commit
when he refuses to go along with the Yakuza.
when he refuses to go along with the Yakuza.
Fantasy:
Legends of the Condor Heroes Book
One: A Hero Born by Jin Yong:
One: A Hero Born by Jin Yong:
The first book in a long series of novel about
the Martial World. First time translated into English!
the Martial World. First time translated into English!
Biography:
The Lu Family Saga by Kim S. Luke:
Read several biographies about the immigrant experience from Asia. This is the
best I read this year.
best I read this year.
Pop Culture:
Monster Mash by Mark Voger:
This book
investigates the “monster boom” that lasted from the 1950’s to the
1970’s. I just missed it, but always loved the classic monsters.
investigates the “monster boom” that lasted from the 1950’s to the
1970’s. I just missed it, but always loved the classic monsters.
Honorable Mention:
Hero-A-Go-Go by Mark Eury: Examines
the confluence of comic books and the camp movement spawned by the 1960’s TV
series Batman.
the confluence of comic books and the camp movement spawned by the 1960’s TV
series Batman.
And Finally—-
Men’s Adventure:
Hunt Them Down by Simon Gervais:
Ranger turned DEA agent Pierce Hunt is on the track of his daughter, who
was kidnapped by a criminal outfit. Unfortunately, his girlfriend is the
daughter of the leader.
was kidnapped by a criminal outfit. Unfortunately, his girlfriend is the
daughter of the leader.
Honorable Mention:
High Risk by JT Sawyer: Mitch Kearny
has to break an arms dealer out of a prison in Belarus. Easier said than done,
and nobody said it would be easy!
has to break an arms dealer out of a prison in Belarus. Easier said than done,
and nobody said it would be easy!
Out of approximately 500 books, these
are the ones that made the list. I hope next year, I have a harder time picking
out the best.
are the ones that made the list. I hope next year, I have a harder time picking
out the best.
*****
Glen, I’m glad you took the time to pick these from those 500 books! Thank you.
So, everyone. Four lists of our favorites. They couldn’t be any more different, although there were a few titles that overlapped. I hope you found one or two on the lists that you’re interested in reading. I appreciate all the work that Jeff, Margie and Glen put into their lists. Thank you.
So, now it’s time for you to talk about Glen’s list, or just move on to talk about what you’re reading. It’s Thursday. You have the floor!
Nice list, I've even read a few. But 500 books? Yikes!
Since we are mostly settled in down here for the rest of the winter, I have managed to get some reading done. I read S.K. Dunstall's STARS UNCHARTED, as mentioned last week, the first in a new series of SF space adventures. It was entertaining enough but didn't excite me.
I really liked W. L. Goodwater's first (as mentioned last year), BREACH, about magic and the Berlin Wall and young magician Karen O'Neill. I was looking forward to the sequel, which brought Karen to Cuba on the brink of the Castro revolution at the end of 1958, but compared with the first one I found this very disappointing indeed. Readable, yes, but for me something was missing.
Currently reading the latest Jack Reacher by Lee Child, BLUE MOON, which appears to be back on track (if you like Reacher) after the last misfire. Reacher, as he is wont to do, gets off a bus almost at random when an apparent crime catches his eye. It looks like we are in for a RED HARVEST-like war between Ukrainian and Albanian mobs orchestrated by our favorite former MP. We'll see.
After the John Scalzi collection of Christmas-related stories, I am reading (and very much enjoying, as always) the latest collection of Edward D. Hoch's stories from Crippen & Landru, HOCH'S LADIES. This brings together the stories of three of his lesser known detectives: bodyguard Libby Knowles (three stories, written 1983-85); Susan Holt (the best known), promotions director for a huge department store (eleven stories, mostly from the '90s, with two later ones); and Annie Sears, a homicide detective who moved from El Paso to San Diego (three stories, 2005-08, the year Hoch died). I've read most of the Holt stories previously but didn't know the other two detectives. As always with Hoch, you can expect a clever mystery, often a seemingly "impossible" crime, and a good solution.
Next up on the Cloud Library is the third Nick Petrie book about the Reacher-like Peter Ash, LIGHT IT UP. And as soon as I get through these last library books (for now), I have the latest Jeffrey Siger and Andrea Camilleri books waiting to be read.
I know, Jeff! 500 books! Wow!
I haven't yet read Jeff Siger's latest book, although I have it. I didn't get it early enough last year, and it got away from me. I need to get to it.
I remember reading Hoch's stories in magazines. I always liked them, but I've never looked for his collections.
Interesting list. I saw Brad Thor on a morning news show speaking about his book and recommending other titles (The Glittering Hour by Iona Grey which I had just finished was one). I suggested the Thor title to my husband. It is the type of book he enjoys.
This week I read Murder at the Opera by D. M. Quincy. I am hoping with all the strings she tied up it does not mean the end of the series. I would like to spend more time with Atlas Catesby. I also love his sister Thea.
Now I am reading Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn. Very different writing style than D.M. Quincy but I am enjoying it.
Happy Reading!
I have never made a year's best twice before, and don't imagine I ever will again! ANTIQUES RAVIN' (co-written with my wife Barbara Collins, of course, as "Barbara Allan") and KILLING QUARRY may seem worlds apart, but humor is the binding element. Thank you so much.
My Goodreads challenge is 120 books per year–but quilting books, cookbooks, and picture books count as well as "chapter books." (Books for adults (as well as for third graders) have chapters, right?) My favorites of 2019:
* The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna, by Juliet Grames
* Bowlaway, by Elizabeth McCracken
* The River, by Peter Heller
* The Most Fun We Ever Had, by Claire Lombardo
* Nothing to See Here, by Kevin Wilson
* (NF) Chaucer's People, by Barbara Picard [the social/historical context of every one of the characters in The Canterbury Tales]
Now I'm reading Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid. It's an ARC from ALA Annual, published 1/7. I anticipate getting many new ARCs at ALA Midwinter next week. I will never catch up.
Glen–500 books! I thought I read a lot, but you've beaten me by a mile. I like the fact that you read a wide variety of genres, too. Thank you for your list. Here's my reading from this week:
Sharon, thank you for letting me know this second Laetitia Rodd Mystery, THE CASE OF THE WANDERING SCHOLAR by Kate Saunders, was available. I enjoy these quiet stories about a widow of a certain age who makes money doing various jobs appropriate for a gentlewoman but also gets involved in investigations. A dying man wants her to find his long-estranged and eccentric brother, to make peace with him before it's too late. There was bad blood between the brothers in the past, and the missing brother doesn't seem to want to be found. Other plots involve a reviled monastery accused of luring men of the cloth into the Catholic church, a wealthy squire raising orphaned young twins, and, of course, more than one mysterious murder.
After enjoy a pair of Brian Freeman's books, I Went back to read the 2nd in the series, STRIPPED. Duluth detective Jonathan Stride decides to take a job in Las Vegas, where his girlfriend, Serena, is on the force. He becomes involved in a case where the deaths keep piling up, from a child killed in a hit-and-run to a celebrity shot at point-blank range. And both seem to be linked to the murder of a showgirl many years ago and the pending destruction of the hotel where it happened. There are all sorts of fascinating characters, including Jon's partner, Amanda, whose open secret makes her unpopular on the force, a variety of underworld bosses, and a folk singer with a mob connection. The action is exciting and suspenseful, and the plot is convoluted and engrossing.
The fifth in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries, THERE'S A MURDER AFOOT by Vicki Delany, finds co-proprietor Gemma Doyle in London with her beau, detective Ryan, as well as best friend and business partner Jayne, rare book dealer Grant, and avid Sherlockian Donald. They're in town for a Holmes convention, but they don't expect Gemma's mum's brother Randy, a shady art dealer,to show up–in fact, Gemma has never met him. When he turns up dead, no one who knew him is too upset, so suspects abound. Unfortunately, Gemma's father seems particularly suspicious when he's found unconscious in the room with Randy's dead body. I really prefer the books where Gemma and company are in the U.S., but it was a quick, pleasant read.
After loving Have You Seen Luis Velez last year, I wanted to read more of the prolific Catherine Ryan ALLIE AND BEA is about two souls who have lost everything. Widowed Bea is scammed out of her bank account and has to abandon her trailer (neglecting overdue rental charges), traveling and living in her car on her monthly Social Security payment. Fifteen-year-old Allie's parents were both taken away in handcuffs and she was placed in a group home, where her roommate threatened her life, so she also went on the run. The two met up and, although wary of each other at first, settled into a grandmother/granddaughter relationship while seeking to avoid law enforcement and simultaneously enjoy new life experiences. Not as good as Velez, but an enjoyable, quick read.
I wasn't expecting to polish off a psychological thriller in a day, but THE SILENT PATIENT by Alex Michaelidis has short chapters and a propulsive plot that made me want to find out what would happen. This is a debut novel and the writing could have been better, but I think it achieved the author's goal and delivered a satisfying twist. The story revolves around Alicia, an artist who killed her husband and refused to speak thereafter. The other protagonist is psychotherapist Theo, who is fascinated by her story and gets a job at the facility where she is housed. I can't say more without spoilers–you'll have to read it yourself.
A belated Happy Anniversary greeting, Lesa! I dont remember when I started reading your blog but it was sometime during your Phoenix tenure. You introduced me to many Southwestern books….and then later Floridian books and now Northern & Midwestern books 🙂 as well as the larger field of mysteries, literary, and lately some humorous “chic-lit” and historical romance. I have loved it and hope you will continue for many more years. I just finished reading one of your latest recommended books by Paige Shelton “Thin Ice” and enjoyed it very much…..but because some loose ends werent tied up, it is frustrating having to wait for the next book to come to be published.
Sharon,
I can only tell you what D.M. Quincy said to me at Bouchercon. She did wrap up strings because she didn't know if her publisher would pick up anymore books in the series. She wants to continue it, but we'll see. Like you, I'm a fan of the Atlas Catesby books, and I'd like to see them continue. We'll keep our fingers crossed.
Thank you, Mr. Collins. I know your books are ones that Glen always raves about. He definitely appreciates your humor.
Nann, I love your comments about counting books. Of course, those all count, and they do have chapters! I'm with you. And, there are some nonfiction titles that should count twice because they're sometimes slow reading, in my opinion.
I really need to try those Laetitia Rodd mysteries since you and Sharon both like them, Margie. And, I have the latest Vicki Delany book & just haven't had a chance to read it yet. I'm reading the new Sandra Dallas, Westering Women, and liking it more than her last couple books.
I know, Pat! It's tough to have to wait a year, and then try to remember what the previous book was about when we read so many!
Thank you for your kind remarks. And, thank you for following through different areas of the country & different genres and sub-genres. I love to discover new authors and books, so I'm happy to take others along with me on that discovery journey!
Thanks Glen. I’ll have to look for a copy of Monster Mash.
This week I read:
BREATH OF FRESH AIRby Zoey Chase. A murder in a campground during a cornhole tournament.
REIMAGINING MR RIGHT by Wynter Daniels. A paranormal romance without very much paranormal but I liked the characters.
CRIME TRAVEL edited by Barb Goffmsn. I liked how different all of the stories were from each other.
The plan for today is to finish off STATUE OF LIMITATIONS, the first in a new series from Kate Collins. I haven’t read very many of her books, so I’m not super familiar with her. I’ve been enjoying this one.
I agree with you, Sandy. I liked the differences in concept in Crime Travel as well.
Looks interesting, Mark. I checked it out because I know Kate Collins writes the Flower Shop mysteries set in Indiana, and they were part of the Hallmark Mystery Channel mysteries until they were cancelled. I like the sound of this one.
Thanks for all the compliments!
This week I read:
Lethal Pursuit by Will Thomas; A bit of a departure for this series. It seems like actual English people live in London for once!
The Complete Cases of Seekay by Paul Ernst: Pulp reprints of a weird detective.
The Set Up Man by TT Monday; A relief pitcher moonlights as a PI.
The Daughter by Jane Shimilt; Veddy British Psychological Thriller. A Daughter goes missing, the family falls apart, it turns out the mother didn't know what anybody she lived with was doing.
Dark Site by Patrick Lee; Someone is trying to kill Sam Dryden, so he starts killing them. Dryden is kind of a doofus compared to a lot of his contemporaries, so it makes for a different read.
Jeff, I've read a few of the Peter Ash series. I'm ambivalent about them. They seem like something I should like, but I suspect that I don't.
Margie, I read the Silent Patient a while ago. It go really good reviews, but I felt like it was overrated. One of the thrillers that didn't thrill me.
Deserved compliments, Glen. Thank you, again, for taking the time to go through 500 books to come up with that list!
Glen, I don't read a lot of thrillers–not usually my thing–and I agree that The Silent Patient was overrated. But I appreciated that it was a quick read and I enjoyed the final twist.
I'm reading and enjoying A Bitter Feast – the latest by Deborah Crombie, The Vanishing – the first in a new series by jayne Ann Krentz, and Dog Songs by Mary Oliver – as usual she sees things we never notice.
Oh, I'm glad you're enjoying A Bitter Feast, Gram. Probably my favorite in her series.