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.

[Julie Lewthwaite]

My time is currently consumed by OUT OF THE GUTTER and MURDALAND, both of which have contributions from some of our crime buddies here. I haven't finished either, yet, but I can tell you that they are wonderful chocolate boxes full of spiky little pleasures, and they are both highly recommended. Meanwhile, I'm adding stuff mentioned here to my already ridiculously long list of things to buy...

[Jack Getze]

I am suffering. I started Ken Bruen's Priest because every crime writer I've met in the last two months says I should, and I loved the first few pages, but my wife just finished "The Watchman" by Robert Crais, who is one of my favorites, so I read the first page of that and am now HOOKED on TWO BOOKS at the same time. Yesterday, I couldn't read either one because I felt guilty about the other.

[Harry Hunsicker]

I'm reading BENEATH A PANAMANIAN MOON by Crimespace's own David Terrenoireat the moment. Loving it and hope to have time to finish it today.

[Daniel Hatadi]

I finished Terrenoire's book last week. The man knows what he's doing and he knows how to have a good time while he's doing it. Both writer and main character.

"Crimespace's own..."

I have to say, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

[Stephen Blackmoore]

I picked up BAPM last year at Thrillerfest. Between the drinking, panels, drinking, conversations, drinking, hanging out in the bar and drinking, I still found myself unable to put the damn thing down until I was done with it. Excellent book. I can see why it was a nominee for best novel at Thrillerfest.

[J.D. Rhoades]

Good stuff, innit?

[Jean Langlais]

Currently reading Final Curtain, the English translation from the Norwegian of Kjersti Scheen's Teppefall. This is my first reading of a Margaret Moss mystery, and I hope I get to read more. I want to explore the chances of purchasing such translations from U.S. sources since I select mysteries for my public library. Procedures require me to find U.S. source.
I am enjoying Margaret Moss. I have no idea where Final Curtain falls in the Moss series. As we meet her in this novel, Moss is a private investigator in Oslo. She is a former actress, and former police officer. She is a very believable woman. coping with her uncertain income from her PI business, with teenage daughter and an aging aunt to deal with at home. She has a healthy libido and gets distracted by some of the men who cross her path.
The premise of Final Curtain is Moss' investigation into the disappearance of a former colleague, the actress Rakel Winkelmann. She travels from Oslo to Bergen and other places.As with other mysteries in translation, this novel makes me aware of my ignorance of the rest of the world and prompts me get out the maps and encyclopedias, etc., and vicariously explore Oslo, Bergen, and Malmoya.
This novel is very enjoyable. I would characterize it as character-driven, with Moss, her family, and her acquaintances central to the narrative. The translation is a bit challenging as the translator is British and sometimes I feel I miss the meaning. But I still keep picking it up and look forward to the next Scheen/Moss I can get my hands on.

[Barbara Fister]

This is the golden age of Scandinavian crime fiction - at least Scandinavian crime fiction translated into English. I have to try this. Recently read Jo Nesbo, Helene Tursten, and Karen Fossum and it's a good thing there are more by these authors now that I have to wait for the next translation of Arnaldur Indridason's series. Thanks for the suggestion, Jean.

[Karen from AustCrime]

I particularly love the character of the daughter in that book - thought she was really well done. I also really liked the idea that Moss was the sort of women who was willing to throw herself bodily into a problem - she must be bruised black and blue constantly :)

[Bill Cameron]

I always have two books going at once. Right now it's JUNE BUG by Jess Lourey and THE NIGHT GARDENER by George Pelecanos. I pick either up depending on whether I want some humor or some seriousness.

[Dave White]

i'm reading WHAT THE DEAD KNOW with Chris Mooney's THE MISSING currently on deck.

[Sandra Scoppettone]

I'm reading The Gospel According to Luke by Emily Maguire. I got the book from England because I learned it wasn't going to be published here. After reading her debut novel, The Taming of the Beast, which you can buy here, I wanted to see what she'd do next. This woman is good.

I just finished Scott Free by Vin Packer (Marijane Meaker) her first Packer novel since 1969. Packer was an early PBO writer for Gold Medal and highly respected by those who read and write about the pulp novel. All the Packer trademarks are here. I enjoyed it very much.