Reading Cormac McCarthy's Suttree. Heard for years he is brilliant but hard going. It's true. Not given up yet.
I read that quite recently and also found it pretty hard to follow the plot - especially early on. It does get easier. I finished it and enjoyed in places but wouldn't really recommend it.
About half way through Crime and Punishment. Not sure why I started but going to finish... Did tell myself I'll read War and Peace after this but I think that's a no go...
War and peace is much more readable.
I think I'd struggle with it as i've read that each character has multiple names and I think I'd get a bit lost. Also the length of it does seem a bit of a mountain on its own! It's on my kindle anyway, got it for free from the Gutenberg Project so might give it a go at some point.
About half way through Crime and Punishment. Not sure why I started but going to finish... Did tell myself I'll read War and Peace after this but I think that's a no go...
The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov are must reads, along with The Double.
Yeah The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov are also on my list of books to read at some point - might have to look at the The Double next though as it seems to be a lot shorter.
Although might go back to the 99p Kindle detective mystery books to reset my brain a bit after reading Crime and Punishment
My struggles might also be down to the translation!
'War and Peace' is an easier read than 'Crime and Punishment' and doesn't deserve its reputation as a difficult read. I would, though, recommend jotting down your own quick guide to who is who, as there are a lot of characters. It ranks in my top 5 novels of all-time.
Finished two books over the last couple of weeks. Stop Them Dead by Peter James. The most recent "conventional" Roy Grace novel. Grace finds himself investigating the world of illegal dog smuggling and puppy farming, along with a murder or two committed by the baddies to keep the lucrative business going. It's quite heart wrenching at times if you are a dog lover, and as James is so meticulous in his research, it is an eye opener to find out that this is such big business in the criminal world. I am sure as an animal lover himself it is a very deliberate ploy on Peter James's part to put the situation in the spotlight. As usual it is a gripping tale that keeps you turning the pages.
As is Headhunter by Jo Nesbo. A standalone novel that has more twists than a Chubby Checker double album. The plot is complicated, but written so well it is easy to follow, if that makes sense? The (anti) hero of the book is not particularly likeable - a bit like Stelfox in Kill Your Friends - but also like Stelfox, you find yourself somehow rooting for him. It is a cleverly written book, you make assumptions about things that are not there, by the end you realise it is as much about what Nesbo leaves out as what he writes.
About 100 pages into Richard Thompson’s Beeswing and really enjoying it. A newbie to his music also which I am thoroughly enjoying. Not sure how I’ve got to 58 and missed him!
The Running Grave - Robert Galbraith. As promised by others, a stonker of a read. Great plot, an absolute page turner, and no idea who the guilty party/parties were until the reveal. Only criticism - again, it needs a character list (though I appreciate that could give stuff away unless very well handled).
Just finished 'The Mercy Chair' by MW Craven, 6th in the Sgt Washington Poe series. (best read in order) Wow! More twists than a set of cornrows but believable when the whole picture is revealed. Murder, torture, evil, humour and intelligence all adds to the mix.
Natural Causes by James Oswald - the first Inspector McLean book. At first the writing style seemed a bit primative, but it seemed to improve as the book went on. Set in Edinburgh, he is investigating a ritual killing from sixty years before, after a body is discovered in a walled up room, horribly mutilated. It seems to be linked to a series of gruesome modern killings that are ongoing in the city. As with all fictional detectives, there is a quirk, this time it appears to be that he's actually stinking rich...
Also just read Mark Billingham's most recent Tom Thorne novel, The Murder Book. Classic Thorne - the usual supporting cast are all there, and it's an intriguing plot as always with Mark Billingham. An old adversary reappears, and life becomes very difficult for Thorne. The ending is a slow reveal, but it does not spoil the final twist.
The Running Grave - Robert Galbraith. As promised by others, a stonker of a read. Great plot, an absolute page turner, and no idea who the guilty party/parties were until the reveal. Only criticism - again, it needs a character list (though I appreciate that could give stuff away unless very well handled).
Natural Causes by James Oswald - the first Inspector McLean book. At first the writing style seemed a bit primative, but it seemed to improve as the book went on. Set in Edinburgh, he is investigating a ritual killing from sixty years before, after a body is discovered in a walled up room, horribly mutilated. It seems to be linked to a series of gruesome modern killings that are ongoing in the city. As with all fictional detectives, there is a quirk, this time it appears to be that he's actually stinking rich...
Also just read Mark Billingham's most recent Tom Thorne novel, The Murder Book. Classic Thorne - the usual supporting cast are all there, and it's an intriguing plot as always with Mark Billingham. An old adversary reappears, and life becomes very difficult for Thorne. The ending is a slow reveal, but it does not spoil the final twist.
I've read all of James Oswald's McLean books and really like them.
If you like his stuff, a few other authors to check out:
- Denzil Meyrick - Alex Gray - Craig Robertson - Stuart MacBride
All great exponents of the Tartan Noir crime genre
Natural Causes by James Oswald - the first Inspector McLean book. At first the writing style seemed a bit primative, but it seemed to improve as the book went on. Set in Edinburgh, he is investigating a ritual killing from sixty years before, after a body is discovered in a walled up room, horribly mutilated. It seems to be linked to a series of gruesome modern killings that are ongoing in the city. As with all fictional detectives, there is a quirk, this time it appears to be that he's actually stinking rich...
Also just read Mark Billingham's most recent Tom Thorne novel, The Murder Book. Classic Thorne - the usual supporting cast are all there, and it's an intriguing plot as always with Mark Billingham. An old adversary reappears, and life becomes very difficult for Thorne. The ending is a slow reveal, but it does not spoil the final twist.
I've read all of James Oswald's McLean books and really like them.
If you like his stuff, a few other authors to check out:
- Denzil Meyrick - Alex Gray - Craig Robertson - Stuart MacBride
All great exponents of the Tartan Noir crime genre
Thnaks for the tips Clem - have you read Malcolm McKay or Denise Mina? They are pretty good Tartan Noir too?
Natural Causes by James Oswald - the first Inspector McLean book. At first the writing style seemed a bit primative, but it seemed to improve as the book went on. Set in Edinburgh, he is investigating a ritual killing from sixty years before, after a body is discovered in a walled up room, horribly mutilated. It seems to be linked to a series of gruesome modern killings that are ongoing in the city. As with all fictional detectives, there is a quirk, this time it appears to be that he's actually stinking rich...
Also just read Mark Billingham's most recent Tom Thorne novel, The Murder Book. Classic Thorne - the usual supporting cast are all there, and it's an intriguing plot as always with Mark Billingham. An old adversary reappears, and life becomes very difficult for Thorne. The ending is a slow reveal, but it does not spoil the final twist.
I've read all of James Oswald's McLean books and really like them.
If you like his stuff, a few other authors to check out:
- Denzil Meyrick - Alex Gray - Craig Robertson - Stuart MacBride
All great exponents of the Tartan Noir crime genre
Thnaks for the tips Clem - have you read Malcolm McKay or Denise Mina? They are pretty good Tartan Noir too?
Kate Atkinson has a couple as well that fit within the genre, they are good (the Jackson Brodie ones)
Natural Causes by James Oswald - the first Inspector McLean book. At first the writing style seemed a bit primative, but it seemed to improve as the book went on. Set in Edinburgh, he is investigating a ritual killing from sixty years before, after a body is discovered in a walled up room, horribly mutilated. It seems to be linked to a series of gruesome modern killings that are ongoing in the city. As with all fictional detectives, there is a quirk, this time it appears to be that he's actually stinking rich...
Also just read Mark Billingham's most recent Tom Thorne novel, The Murder Book. Classic Thorne - the usual supporting cast are all there, and it's an intriguing plot as always with Mark Billingham. An old adversary reappears, and life becomes very difficult for Thorne. The ending is a slow reveal, but it does not spoil the final twist.
I've read all of James Oswald's McLean books and really like them.
If you like his stuff, a few other authors to check out:
- Denzil Meyrick - Alex Gray - Craig Robertson - Stuart MacBride
All great exponents of the Tartan Noir crime genre
Thnaks for the tips Clem - have you read Malcolm McKay or Denise Mina? They are pretty good Tartan Noir too?
Have read a few Denise Mina. Nothing by Malcolm McKay. Will check him out.
'The Seventh Son' .. Sebastian Faulks .. an intriguing slow burner to do with big corporation genetic manipulation and skulduggery CAFC even gets one mention, the are are a lot more about Crystal Palace though .. Faulks is a very fine novelist i m o
Finished reading "Among the Thugs" by Bill Buford, American journalist who got involved in football hooliganism in the late 80s. Really good! Anyone have any more recommendations for good football hooligan books, preferably non-fiction.
Comments
As usual, late to the party, came out in 2011.
White lawyer defending a black couple for the murder of rich white folk.
As is Headhunter by Jo Nesbo. A standalone novel that has more twists than a Chubby Checker double album. The plot is complicated, but written so well it is easy to follow, if that makes sense? The (anti) hero of the book is not particularly likeable - a bit like Stelfox in Kill Your Friends - but also like Stelfox, you find yourself somehow rooting for him. It is a cleverly written book, you make assumptions about things that are not there, by the end you realise it is as much about what Nesbo leaves out as what he writes.
Best book I've read in a decade.
Also just read Mark Billingham's most recent Tom Thorne novel, The Murder Book. Classic Thorne - the usual supporting cast are all there, and it's an intriguing plot as always with Mark Billingham. An old adversary reappears, and life becomes very difficult for Thorne. The ending is a slow reveal, but it does not spoil the final twist.
https://thewritinghalf.com/2023/10/03/the-running-grave-a-character-guide/
If you like his stuff, a few other authors to check out:
- Denzil Meyrick
- Alex Gray
- Craig Robertson
- Stuart MacBride
All great exponents of the Tartan Noir crime genre
CAFC even gets one mention, the are are a lot more about Crystal Palace though .. Faulks is a very fine novelist i m o