Monday, September 12, 2016

Where Is Your Bookmark? (09/13/2016)

This week I am spending time with my September TBR List poll winner, The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman, which is the first in a series featuring a professional spy for the mysterious Library that collects fiction from different realities.



Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.

Irene passed the mop across the stone floor in smooth, careful strokes, idly admiring the gleam of wet flagstones in the lantern light. Her back was complaining, but that was only normal after an evening's work cleaning. The cleaning was certainly necessary.
The pupils at Prince Mordred's Private Academy for Boys managed to get just as much mud and much on the floor as any other teenagers would. Clean indoor studies in the dark arts, military history, and alchemy didn't preclude messy outdoor classes in strategic combat, dueling, open-field assassination, and rugby. 

Every Tuesday, Jenn from Books And A Beat hosts Teaser Tuesdays at which time participants grab their current read, open to a random page, and share two or three "teaser" sentences from that page while avoiding any spoilers.


Teaser from page 2% of The Invisible Library:
Irene didn't bother pausing to curse fate. There would be people here within seconds. With a loud scream, she threw herself down on top of her mop and bucket, deliberately sprawling in the inevitable puddle of dirty water. 
and at 5%:
She just wanted--had always wanted--a good book to read. Being chased by hellhounds and blowing things up were comparatively unimportant parts of the job. Getting the books--now, that was what really mattered to her.  

What do you think? Would you keep reading?  


What are you reading at the moment?  Is it anything you would recommend?


Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's  Top Ten Tuesday is Top Ten Favorite Crime Fiction Novels that I Have Read in the Past Ten Years. I narrowed this list down by not duplicating authors, which was hard to do (a few would have made the list multiple times if I had). Of course, settling on the top ten was hard in and of itself. I have read so many great mysteries and thrillers over the past several years.

1.

Little Black Lies by Sharon Bolton ~ An excerpt from my review:
Little Black Lies is everything I love in a crime fiction novel.  It is intense and thought provoking with fully fleshed out characters, a complex plot, and a setting that itself could be its own character. 

2.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Hercule Poirot #4) by Agatha Christie ~ An excerpt from my review:
I found Ms. Christie’s novel to be delightful to read. I enjoyed getting to know here characters and spending time in the presence of M. Poirot. 

3.

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins ~ An excerpt from my review:
The Woman in White may be a quiet thriller at its start, but by the end events unravel so quickly that the reader's knuckles may turn white trying to keep up. It is obvious that Wilkie Collins planned out his novel with great care, each thread carefully sown into the greater story. It is a true gothic novel at its core: dark, gloomy, romantic and thrilling.

4.

Lincoln Lawyer (Mickey Haller #1) by Michael Connelly ~ An excerpt from my review:
Michael Connelly has written a funny, suspenseful thriller that was difficult to put down and kept me up until the wee hours of the morning to finish.

5. 

In the Woods by Tana French ~ An excerpt from my review:
Tana French’s gift lies not just in crafting an utterly intriguing story, but also in creating characters that are complicated and very much three dimensional, from the big players in the novel to the minutest of characters. 

6.

T is For Trespass (Kinsey Millhone #20) by Sue Grafton ~ An excerpt from my review:
I've been reading Sue Grafton's alphabet series for years and am quite invested in it. There is rarely anything flashy about Grafton's novels. She isn't one to take her stories over the top like so many crime fiction novels today. And the crime isn't always murder. They have a realistic vibe to them, something I especially love about these novels.

7.

The Devil of Nanking by Mo Hayder ~ An excerpt from my review:

The Devil of Nanking is not a novel for the faint of heart. Mo Hayder was not afraid to put down on paper the grim realities of the atrocities committed during wartime. She takes readers deep into China during a very dark moment in history as well as flirts with the deadliest of the Tokyo gangsters. The Devil of Nanking is definitely worth taking the time to read.

8.

Into The Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes ~An excerpt from my review:
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book--and how much it disturbed me. I found myself double checking the locks on my own doors.

9.

The Cold Dish (Walt Longmire #1) by Craig Johnson ~ An excerpt from my review:
Craig Johnson paints a breathtaking picture of Wyoming with the harsh wintry weather, the beautiful mountains and lakes as well as the ranch and reservation lands that are stretched out over the county where the novel is set. He shows the diversity of the land as well as of the people. He also touches upon the past and current tensions between the Native Americans and the white folk, weaving it throughout the book. 

10.

Out by Natsuo Kirino ~ An excerpt of my review:
Out is not only a suspense ridden thriller but also a harsh study of human nature. The story is as complex as the characters. [. . . ] The characters got under my skin (most of them, anyway), and I carried them with me even when I was not reading.

Have you read any of these books? What is your favorite crime fiction novel?


© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

70 comments:

  1. In the Woods looks so intriguing! Lovely list. :-)

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    1. Chrissi - It is! I absolutely loved In the Woods. I still haven't read the author's other books. I need to do that.

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  2. Oh wow, I included Little Black Lies as well and contemplated some of Mo Hayder's! And I love Agatha Christie!

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    1. Deborah - Great minds think alike. :-) I love how we both came up with similar topics for this week's list.

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  3. Love your top ten and I know what you mean about keeping it one per book per author - Sharon Bolton, Tana French (I reviewed her latest yesterday) and Agatha Christie have all written more than one great - Into a Darkest Corner would certainly make my list too!!

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    1. Cleo - Thank you! Some of those authors could take up the entire list if I didn't put a limit on one spot per author. Haha

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  4. I'm looking forward to your thoughts on The Invisible Library, Wendy.

    And that's a great list you've there for this week's TTT. I can see there are several authors on my favourite list, too. I wonder about Mo Hayder as it seems she hasn't got a new book out for a while. I hope she's still writing.

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    1. Melody - So far I am enjoying it. :-)

      Thank you! I had fun putting the list together. Although it was difficult in spots. I wish I could have included more titles. I haven't heard anything new about Mo Hayder and her books in a long while. Hopefully she is busy writing. :-)

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  5. I did like the way The Invisible Library opened, with her pulling a heist and barely escaping. It was fun. :) Hope you like it. Little Black Lies looks nice, I like that cover with the water and the rocks. And I really need to read more Christie, I've only read one and it didn't wow me but maybe I just picked the wrong book.

    Tana French is another author I've been meaning to try after hearing rave reviews.

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    1. Greg - It was an exciting opening to the book. Definitely fun. :-) I really liked Little Black Lies. I haven't yet read anything else by Bolton, but if that one is anything to go by, I'm sure I will enjoy everything she writes. It is a great cover, isn't it?

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  6. I loved "In the Woods" by Tana French and I keep meaning to continue the series! I'll have to check out the other books on your list. I'm always up for a good crime novel!

    Hope you like "The Invisible Library"! I thought it was such a fun read.

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    1. Lindsay - I need to read more of French's series too. I have all her books.

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  7. I definitely need to get my hands on The Invisible Library. It sounds wonderful!

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  8. Ooooh, I loved crime novels too (Out was fantastic!). Now I want to read The Devil of Nanking as well!

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    1. Eustacia - I hope you do get a chance to read The Devil of Nanking. Mo Hayder is such a good writer. (Congratulations on the publication of your book!)

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    1. Deb - Sue Grafton's series is definitely one of my favorites. :-)

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  10. This one sounds good Wendy and I do want to try OUT as well -- have a copy on my shelf.

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    1. Diane - Out is dark, but very good. I really enjoyed it. I hope you do get a chance to read it!

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  11. I haven't read like ANY crimey books recently, which is a crying shame because they're awesome. Although I do love the Aussie Sherlock retellings: Every Breath by Ellie Marney. Murder mysteries and deducing yaaaas.
    And oh oh! I only recently got The Invisible Library and I can't wait to dive in!!
    Here's my TTT!

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    1. Cait - I will have to look for the Aussie Sherlock retellings you mentioned. Those do sound good!

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  12. I like the second one better - I can understand that character! My TT is probably the longest two-sentence TT ever http://drchazan.blogspot.co.il/2016/09/teaser-tuesday-for-september-13-2016.html

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    1. Davida - Yes, yours was very long. LOL It was good though. :-)

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  13. The Invisible Library sounds good. I like a number of the books on your top ten.

    My excerpt from hilarious and heartwarming "A Dog's Purpose": https://wp.me/p3Nz8P-QP

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    1. PD - I am enjoying The Invisible Library so far. Your book this week sounds like a fun one too.

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  14. WOW...so many fabulous books...
    sherry @ fundinmental My TT

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  15. Your First Chapter book sounds so interesting! I have also read The Murder of Roger Ackroyd within the last two years. I can definitely see Christie's growth with some of her later novels.

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    1. Charlie - I'm liking it so far. Hopefully it stays good. :-) It's been a while since I last read anything by Agatha Christie. I read quite a few of her books when I was a teenager and keep meaning to go back and re-read them.

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  16. Nice top ten list, Wendy. I put The Invisible Library aside and now have to pull it back out, as I noticed the next book in the series at Barnes & Noble over the weekend.

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    1. Catherine - I hope to read the second book too. Hopefully I will continue to enjoy The Invisible Library.

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  17. First of all, lovely top ten list. I've only read 4 of them, can you believe? But those 4 are lovely. I've read other books by several of the authors, but not the ones you listed. My favorite mysteries are all of Louise Penny's (I know. I'm a broken record there. LOL). Now, your teaser was great! I need to read that book. 'Prince Mordred?' - seriously? Ha!

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    1. Kay - Thank you. :-) I have only read one Louise Penny book so far. I really need to get to the rest. I loved the one I did read.

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  18. I liked your top ten crime thrillers, though most of them looked a bit too strong for my taste... And LOVED your Tuesday Teaser! This book has been on my TBR pile for FAR too long and this tease has definitely nudged it further to the top. This is my offering - https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2016/09/13/teaser-tuesday-13th-september-2016/

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    1. Sarah - Thank you. Yes, most of these are pretty dark. I go through phases. :-)

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  19. I have been wanting to read The Lincoln Lawyer, as I enjoyed the movie. I also want to read the Craig Johnson series, since Longmire is one of my new obsessions on Netflix.

    I love Elizabeth Haynes, and enjoyed Into the Darkest Corner. And Sue Grafton is a go-to author of a series I enjoy.

    Here's mine: “ALL THE UGLY & WONDERFUL THINGS”

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    1. Laurel-Rain - I thought they did a good job with the movie, but the book version of Lincoln Lawyer is better (of course). :-) I have only seen a couple of episodes of Longmire. I wasn't overly impressed, but I do want to go back and give it another chance.

      I have loved everything Elizabeth Haynes has written so far. She's so talented.

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  20. It sounds rather like a Harry Potterish setting. Intriguing. Here's my link: http://wp.me/p4DMf0-1gR

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  21. I hope it's good--as I love the title and description!

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  22. I abandoned the Library series with the first book, but I love several on your Top Ten List! In fact, I first read Craig Johnson because of a review you wrote years ago, and he is one of my favorite authors as a result!

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    1. Jenclair - Did you just not like The Invisible Library from the start or was it down the road you decided it wasn't worth it? I am still barely in, but liking it so far.

      I think everyone who got into the Johnson series because of me is farther in the series than I am now. I'm so bad. I need to spend a year just catching up on my favorite series . . .

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  23. I came to read your first paragraph, but got caught up in your Top Ten Crime novels. I've read five of them and completely agree with you, which is amazing. Now I feel that I must read the other five on your list. For a reader this is like discovering a pot of gold - well, you know what I mean. Thanks so much.

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    1. Margot - Yay! I am glad you like my top ten list, Margot. I hope you are able to give some of the ones you haven't read a try and enjoy them if you do.

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  24. The Woman in White was a really pleasant surprise last year when I read it for the first time. Plus I love sue Grafton and have read all her books.

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    1. Emma - I loved The Woman in White! I had put off reading it so long and wondered why when I finished it.

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  25. Great list of thrillers! I'm a fan of Bolton especially. And I'd definitely keep reading The Invisilbe Library...but then it's on my list and a book I'm hoping to read before the end of the year. :)

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    1. Lark - Thank you! I look forward to reading more by Bolton. Little Black Lies was so good.

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  26. The last ten years - wow! I don't know if I could narrow it down that far! :)

    Check out my TTT.

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    1. Lauren - It was a challenge, although some of the titles popped right out at me. :-)

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  27. Love your pick this week and your list is excellent. We have several of the same books so I can't wait to read the ones I asked. Happy Reading!

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    1. Heather - Thank you! I hope you enjoy them when you get to them. :-)

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  28. The Woman in White was awesome. And I want to read the first one listed here. My favorite crime fiction may possibly be another by Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None

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    1. Emma - I thought so too! I read And Then There Were None over twenty years ago and don't remember it. Unfortunately that's where many of her books fall. I read them when I was a teenager. I would like to reread Christie's books at some point.

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  29. I'm sitting here nodding my head reading the titles that made it on your list. Such good crime novel recommendations. I still haven't read Mo Hayder and Elizabeth Haynes but one day!

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    1. Iliana - You must find time to read both! I enjoy their books.

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  30. The Invisible Library is on my hot list. That means you can bet I'll be reading it soon. LOL All of these look good. Read a few already and want a few.

    My TT from Who Walks The Night

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    1. Laura - I hope you like The Invisible Library when you read it!

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  31. The Woman in White is the only one that I have read. I really must get to others at some point!

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    1. Kelly - They are all good, so even if you read just one or two, you hopefully will enjoy it.

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  32. Yes, I'd keep reading. I'm looking forward to your review! I'm reading a few books at the moment and would recommend 12 Years A Slave but that's probably obvious!

    I don't read all that much crime fiction but I recently read Frederic Dard's Bird In A Cage and it's pretty great.

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    1. Charlie - I've heard good things about 12 Years a Slave and am glad you recommend it. It does sound good!

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  33. I was just recently thinking that I need to read The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. I bought it recently on a Kindle deal so I need to pick it up soon. I haven't read any of the books on your list. Such a good list!

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    1. Athira - I've found a couple books offered on Kindle's Daily Deal that interested me as of late. I've been avoiding looking to closely for the past several months since I have so many other books to read. They're so tempting though!

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  34. Oh! I think I need to pick up The Woman In White for R.I.P.!

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    1. Lisa - I highly recommend The Woman in White. I need to read his other work as well. I've heard Moonstone is good.

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  35. I'm always on the lookout for more gothic novels! The Woman in White sounds like an excellent addition to my TBR, hehe.

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    1. Nina - I hope you do get to read The Woman in White. I don't often read classics, but there are some good ones out there--and this is definitely one of them!

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