What are you currently reading?

[QualityBookReviews]

An open discussion on what everyone is currently reading. Make recommendations to others, discuss what is new, hot, bestsellers, anything and everything related to books and the authors.

[Joy Calderwood]

I read THE STRANGER BESIDE ME many years ago. Very interesting, not just a study of the crimes but of the criminal's psychology -- and Rule's relationship with Bundy. As I recall, she actually worked with him. It would have been a good start to her successful career as true crime writer. I have her GREEN RIVER, RUNNING RED. Haven't read it yet.

Today I finished two books that I've had going for a while.
First MY LORD DE BURGH - apologies to author Deborah Simmons, from whom I expected better. An unexciting romance with a thoroughly despisable "hero".
AUDITION, Barbara Walters's memoir. I came away with a great respect for her, in spite of her job of exposing people's private lives.

Back to work now on SAFETY FOR SAVVY SENIORS, a useful handbook for the retired.

[I. J. Parker]

Having seen the title written up a lot this past year or so, I sampled DARKLY DREAMING DEXTER, by someone called Lindsay. I sampled briefly. This is a serial killer novel (I don't have anything against good ones, though as a genre they're getting pretty old). This one is bad. It's juvenile. It's overwritten with an eye to sensational detail. It offers the victim's POV even when the story is 1st person from the killer's POV. It combines serial killings: not only is the protagonist a serial killer, but he works for the police and investigates other serial killings. I think you get it. There's plenty of the sick stuff that makes people run out and buy a book.

[mike D]

Now the show Dexter is incredible, while I agree the books leave quite a bit to be desired. The show, with a killer as the main character, and a good guy to boot, is pretty well written etc.

I have recently found Donald Westlake, who was recommended to me, and I cannot believe I have not heard of him before. I just read "Somebody Owes Me Money", and I read it cover to cover in one sitting. Since I have been having heart issues these last few months, this has been the perfect time to catch up on my reading, and I have put Westlake on my list. Cannot believe how much I really enjoyed his writing.

[Marcia Divack]

I am currently reading Hater by David Moody, a brutally vivid book about seemingly contagious murderous rage (very reminiscent of the film 28 Days Later.) If you like your books full of over-the-top, outrageous violence, then you'll love this book.

[HappyRuby]

I read Hater and it was over-the-top. Can't list it as one of my favorites but was an interesting read.

[Juri Nummelin]

Stephen Greenleaf's THE TOLL CALL. Or I actually finished it last night. It's a very good thriller, but there's something to be desired in the end climax - or actually there are two. The book seems also a precursor of Sean Chercover's Ray Dudgeon books. This one sports Greenleaf's private eye hero John Marshall Tanner, but the book is pretty far away from the Ross Macdonald influences of Greenleaf's earlier novels. Which I like more, though, that must be said.

[Luke]

the Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid.

First person monologue from an upper middle class Pakistani who went to Princeton and gets a top drawer job. 911 comes along and his cosy Western world experience is shattered. I read it from the perspective of a pro USA white Brit who has been several times to Pakistan. The guy becomes one of Dubbya's 'enemies' and the monologue is addressed to the man who has come to assassinate him...or?

[I. J. Parker]

Colin Harrison, THE FINDER. Readable but not particularly addictive or memorable. Too many little bitty choppy section/POV changes.

[K Barrett]

Finished listening to 'Daemon' by Daniel Suarez. A prose video game. Well, that's too easy. Video game but with far reaching implications in terms of how computers run our lives. The Terminator's 'SkyNet' but v 2.0. A bit more scary than Jeff Deaver's attempt at computer crime, too. Another instance of the author getting many balls in the air, you can see many ways for the plot to twist, you fear for the character's lives. Will 'A' happen? Will 'B', 'C' or 'D'? And then the book ends.... I'm not sure what teh *f* happened.

Going through 'Lost City of 'Z'' and enjoying it. Liked 'River of Doubt' better, but this one ain't bad.

[Karen from AustCrime]

JF The Paris Enigma by Pablo De Santis which was light and amusing and okay, but then I read The Chalk Circle Man by Fred Vargas (first in the series but just translated which is just unfathomable) - but it was really good - Vargas does quirky characters (well eccentric really) incredibly well. Currently - Pat Flower's Criss Cross.

[I. J. Parker]

Listening to a Tom Sharpe novel in the car, and decided to buy a couple of his from Amazon. One needs a good laugh now and then. Reading Val McDermid's A DARKER DOMAIN.

[HappyRuby]

I recently did a review on A Darker Domain for Armchair Interviews. I thought I had it all figured out but the end was a surprise to me.