What better time to read than January? Where the Wickeds live, it’s cold (well, not for Barb, since she’s already landed in Key West). Snuggling on the couch with a hot drink and a great story is just the ticket for chilly days and evenings. Some of us probably got new books at the holidays. So dish, Wickeds. What are you reading this winter?
Barb: I am recommending The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. It’s a comic mystery that also serves up poignancy and heart. Kate Atkinson blurbed it as “A little beacon of pleasure in the midst of the gloom…SUCH FUN!” And who can’t use that?
Jessie: Barb, I am so glad of the reminder of that book! I’ve heard so many interesting things about it! I just added Escaping Dreamland by Charlie Lovett to my fiction queue. I loved his novel The Bookman’s Tale so I am eagerly looking forward to diving into this one! Next up for non-fiction is The Journey to the Mayflower by Stephen Tomkins. I have been enjoying all sorts of English history of late and am very curious about what set some of my relatives on their path from the old world to the new!
Sherry: I’m reading The Thursday Murder Club because Barb had mentioned it a couple of weeks ago. It’s a delight. Next up I’m looking forward to reading two books from fellow members of the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime. Murder in the Parador by Paula Mays and They’re Gone by E.A. Barres who also writes as Ed Aymar. I gave Ed’s book to my husband for Christmas so I could read it!
Edith/Maddie: I just finished – and loved – Frances McNamara’s Death on the Homefront, her eighth Emily Cabot mystery set in Chicago, this one in 1917. Next up are Sherry Harris’s and Jess Lourey’s new ones, as well as a non-fiction book about Blacks settling in California. Good reading, all!
Liz: I finally started reading Visitation Street by Ivy Pochoda – it’s been on my list for years and since she has a new book out I figured I’d start with this one. Also, Sherry’s Absence of Alice!
Readers: What’s your pleasure this winter?
Still slogging away at the email inbox, now at 10,865 unread despite diligent effort. The current book is See No Evil Love No Evil in preparation for the ARC of the Witch’s Demon by Bella Benz. May you have a blessed day. Barbara
And you!
Hmmm, I also have THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB on my short stack of TBR this month, as well as the latest Longmire mystery, NEXT TO LAST STAND by Craig Johnson.
I am signed up for two The Back Room virtual sessions in January and February, so I plan to catch up with the latest reads by Joe Ide (IQ books 2-5), John McMahon (THE EVIL MEN DO) and Karen Dionne (THE WICKED SISTER).
The winter book I am most looking forward to is WINTERKILL, Book #6 in the Dark Iceland series by Ragnar Jonasson. I had pre-ordered the book from the UK’s Book Depository last autumn. It has a late January release date so I hope to get it by early February.
Great minds!
I enjoyed THE NEXT TO LAST STAND.
Barb, I don’t think there has been a Longmire book that I didn’t enjoy. I was reading the Longmire books long before the Netflix series started.
i started reading them when Craig Johnson came to Crimebake and quickly got caught up. Now I have to wait for the new ones.
I’m in the midst of reading the ARCs I got to do reviews for Mystery Scene. I’ve read the upcoming books by C.J. Box and P.J. Tracy so far. I’m currently working on the next Donna Leon book and hopefully I will get to read the new James Grippando novel after that.
As for holiday books, I received Paige Shelton’s COLD WIND so that will be the first book I read after the ARCS. I’m looking forward to picking up MURDER IN A IRISH COTTAGE by Carlene O’Connor when it comes out in paperback at the end of the month.
A good list, Jay!
I’m reading Murder with a View by Diane Kelly, comes out in Feb. Next up is Absence of Alice by Sherry Harris and Edith, the book about Blacks in California sounds intriguing. But of course, I’m patiently waiting for the next J.D. Robb book, coming in Feb.
Hugh has been reading West of Jim Crow, Dru, and he said it’s well written. It’s also research for my new dream project!
I just finished Rhys Bowen’s THE TUSCAN CHILD (I somehow missed it the first time) and now I’m reading Mary Stewart’s THE WICKED DAY, the fourth in her Arthurian legend series.
I loved Tuscan Child!
I am completely guilty of buying books for my family at Christmas that I will read when they are done! I have two reading lists: the cozies I’m reading for research- currently reading Lee Hollis’ Murder at the PTA, and my own down-time reading- currently VE Schwab’s The Invisible Life of Addie Larue. I could also include my audiobook list, where I’ve just finished Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, read by Dan Stevens of Downton Abbey fame (I read it many years ago in high school, but this was a treat). Highly recommend his performances- he does a great job with all the voices.
You have some good ones there!
Thanks for good suggestions — so we’ll never run out.
I’ve seeking mostly light reading, like M.C. Beaton’s, but a former student suggested THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS and it was compelling, harsh, dystopian, but with a glimmer of hope.
Gotta have that glimmer, right?
CITY OF SCHEMES by Victoria Thompson is out today. It was a ton of fun; no real surprise there.
As I mentioned yesterday, I’m currently reading A BATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH by Ellie Alexander. Not sure why I waited so long between entries in this series. I’m enjoying it.
I just finished QUICKSAND by Gigi Pandian, another book I wish I hadn’t waited to long to read.
Waiting in the wings, I have THE BROKEN SPINE by Dorothy St. James, CRIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINARA by Stephanie Cole, and A PAIRING TO DIE FOR by Kate Lansing.
I’ve got to get my hands on a copy of THURSDAY MURDER CLUB. I keep hearing such great things about it.
I have City of Schemes ordered at my local indy, Mark – and she’s our guest here on Friday!
LOVED the Thursday Murder Club. Just finished Elizabeth Little’s wonderful Pretty as a Picture, a deep dive into the world of movie making with a delightful, snarky, extremely socially awkward heroine (my favorite kind). For a guest blog I’m writing for Criminal Element on Ten Classic Mysteries for Foodies, I’m re-reading old favorites like Rex Stout’s Too Many Cooks and Dorothy Sayers’ Strong Poison. Such fun to spend time with the likes of Archie Goodwin and Harriet Vane again!