Sep 3, 2022

Sunday Salon: Crime Solving and Romance

 Book Club Pick: 

The Thursday Murder Club

(Thursday Murder Club #1)

by 

We had so much to discuss with this murder mystery book at our book club this week. We loved the main characters, all eccentric in their own way, but very likeable characters. We enjoyed the complexity of the plot and the red herrings, plot switches in the novel, and the humor in the telling of the story.

We did agree however, that there are so many characters, about 27 in all, that we had trouble remembering who did what and to whom, and some of us had to make cheat sheets to keep track of the murders and who the final culprits turned out to be.

Nevertheless, we were enthusiastic about the book, the first of three in the series, and all wanted to read more about main characters, especially Elizabeth and Joyce, all senior pensioners in an upscale independent living complex in Kent, England, who are able to solve murders in their Thursday Murder Club before the police do. 

I just borrowed number 2 in the series from our library, The Man Who Died Twice, and am enjoying this one as well. 


Delightful Rom Com:



The Fraud Squad by Kyla Zhao

Publication: January 7, 2023; Berkley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The novel is part Pygmalion and the story of Icarus, who fell from the sky after flying too close to the sun. At least this is how working class woman Kyla Zhao sees herself, especially when she pictures herself failing in her bold attempt to infiltrate the highest levels of elitist Singapore social circles.

This clever romantic comedy reveals Singapore's upper class behavior and aspirations. Kyla is shown as a daring young woman whose own aims are to become a writer and public relations person for the most prestigious society magazine in Singapore. But first she must show herself socially worthy to be part of the higher echelons of that exclusive group. Kyla enters a pact with two upper class friends to have her pass as a Singapore socialite. 

I liked reading about the ups and downs of a Cinderalla-like young woman chased from the ball by time and by deceitful individuals who may block her in her pursuit of her career goals. 

An enjoyable romantic comedy.

Just finished: 

 

Murder at the Porte de Versailles

(Aimee Leduc Investigations #20)

by 
PI Aimee Leduc and her investigative group work to clear a friend, Boris, of a crime she knows he didn't commit - bombing a police laboratory in Paris. The bombing happened during a birthday party for Aimee's three-year-old daughter Chloe which Boris had just attended.

The complex world of international spies, world politics, and the aftermath of the 2001 World Trade Center bombing in NYC has everyone on edge, even in Paris. Aimee rushes in and through the city that she knows so well, finding clues and interviewing people who might know the reasons behind the deadly bombing at the Paris police lab.

Added to this is Aimee's personal, romantic life, which brings more intrigue and drama to the novel.

I enjoyed this 20th in the Paris mystery series, and through reading it, find Paris as enticing as ever, what with the detailed descriptions of history, place and people in the book.


What are you reading this week? 

Memes: The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated BookreviewerAlso,  It's Monday: What Are You Readingand Sunday SalonStacking the ShelvesMailbox Monday


56 comments:

  1. Sadly, The Thursday Murder Club was a DNF for me, I even purchased the audio version through a membership but could not get into. Honestly, I don't think the print edition would have had be feeling differently. I think I tried about 25% I'm glad your group enjoyed it Harvee. The Cara Black book sounds good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane, I persisted with the book because of Book Club, and I glad I did, as I began to like the characters more and more and really got into the stories.

      Delete
  2. I like the look of The Fraud Squad!

    ReplyDelete
  3. My husband has read and enjoyed the Thursday Murder Club books and is eager to read #3. I'll get to them eventually!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've been wanting to read The Thursday Murder Club. It looks really good.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club. I liked it enough to buy the sequel. But it's sitting somewhere on my TBR pile, and the third one comes out this month.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Reading the second now and looking forward to the third.

      Delete
  6. I want to read Thursday Murder Club! One day.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like the description of The Thursday Murder Club as a humorous crime novel. The Fraud Squad sounds fun, too.

    And isn't it great that Cara Black has now written twenty of her Paris mysteries?

    ReplyDelete
  8. My sister gave me the first Thursday Murder Club book and I loved it, read the second one when it came out, and I’m glad you remembered to tell me to read the third one this month when it’s published.

    best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Richard Osman has been on my radar since Mae mentioned one of his books on her blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad someone on our Book Club put the book on our reading list.

      Delete
  10. The Thursday Murder Club series is a delight, I’m looking forward to reading #3.

    Wishing you a great reading week

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've not read any of this, but I've wanted to read The Thursday Murder Club for a while. I do struggle when there is a large cast of characters though so I'd probably have to make a cheat sheet as well. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have The Thursday Murder Club on my kindle and am planning to read it for RIP this fall. Thanks for the tip about making a cheat sheet!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I really want to try the Thursday Murder Club series. The Fraud Squad sounds like something I would enjoy. It sounds like you have been reading a good mix of books. I hope you have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I loved the Thursday Murder Club and the Man Who Died Twice. I pre-ordered the third one before it was finished being written... The other books look good.

    Have a great week ahead.

    Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
    My post:
    https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2022/09/04/sunday-salon-19/

    ReplyDelete
  15. The Fraud Squad seems quite an interesting book. Will have to take a look at it.

    Happy readings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's on NetGalley now and out the end of this month.

      Delete
  16. I want to read The Thursday Murder Club. I've heard such great things about it including you. 27 characters is a lot, though. I'm glad I know before-hand so I can be prepared. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a funny novel, written with a lot of humor even if you get some of the characters mixed up.

      Delete
  17. These look like three fun mysteries! Especially the one set in Paris because...Paris! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the Paris mystery series is a good one!

      Delete
  18. The Fraud Squad looks like my kind of read! Thanks for sharing these!
    Lisa Loves Literature

    ReplyDelete
  19. I would definitely have a hard time keeping track of 27 characters and would need to jot them down to remember lol. Murder at the Porte de Versailles sounds like a good one. Happy reading this week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember the main characters, the club members, who are the ones who really count! Cara Black's mystery series set in Paris are a must read.

      Delete
  20. Murder Club does look good and a good discusion book as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, that first book in the series had a lot to discuss.

      Delete
  21. What a great mix of books - I don't think I would be able to cope with 27 characters in a book though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Most of the 27 are minor characters that you wouldn't need to remember much.

      Delete
  22. great list! I have read a bunch of Aimee Leduc, but I think my favorite by Cara Black is an amazing historical mystery standalone, also set in Paris: https://wordsandpeace.com/2020/06/16/book-review-three-hours-in-paris/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have that book on my ereader and hope to read it soon, based on your praise of it.

      Delete
  23. I'd like to try a Cara Black mystery. Your book club must be quite astute. 27 characters is a lot ! Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I've read many good things about Richard Osman's books so hopefully I'll try them at some point. The Fraud Squad sounds like a fun read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Two good books I hope you get a chance to read.

      Delete
  25. The Fraud Squad looks fun, but I would definitely give all of these a try.

    ReplyDelete
  26. My sister just picked up The Thursday Murder Club for £3 from The Works and she said I could borrow it when she's done. I'm looking forward to it as I've heard lots of good things. I'm sure I'll struggle to remember all the characters, though.

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate your comments and thoughts...

Three Novels: Japanese Mystery; Family Drama; Ecuadorian

  Books in the mail The Night of Baba Yaga  by Akira Otani (translated from the Japanese). July 2, 2024, Soho Crime This is an unusual novel...