Hey, mystery fans! Looking for something good to read?
At the January 2023 Just Desserts meeting, 18 group members participated in a discussion of the novels in three established series by British author Rhys Bowen — the Constable Evans series (1997-2006), the Molly Murphy series (2001-present), and the Her Royal Spyness series (2007-present).
Nobody seemed to absolutely “love” any of the series, but at the same time, only a few people truly disliked any of them. Most of the group’s readers fell into the category of generally liking whatever they’d chosen to read but not really being engaged enough that they will continue with the series they sampled. One observation that resonated with the group was that Rhys Bowen titles were great things to read “if you [were cooped up and] had the Flu” and needed something to entertain you but which didn’t require paying very close attention. There were still a few group members who were regular Rhys Bowen readers who will continue to be so!
Here are the Rhys Bowen series titles read by Just Desserts members for our January 2023 discussion, and each reader’s reaction:
So…What did you think of the works of Rhys Bowen? Which have you read?
This was our first“in person” meeting for 2023. Just Desserts returns on February 23rd, with a discussion of the first three novels by author S.A. Cosby. We hope to see you there!
The Just Desserts mystery fiction discussion group met online using Zoom meeting software, on March 25th, 2021, due to the libraries ongoing pandemic safety precautions. Attendees discussed Magpie Murders, first in a new series by British author Anthony Horowitz, the creator of Midsomer Murders, Foyle’s War, and the Alex Rider YA series of novels. If you read this book, and would like to contribute your comments about it, please do so as a reply comment to this blog post, below.
For additional reminders about upcoming Just Desserts meetings (once they resume) and/or other announcements of interest to mystery fans, don’t forget to sign up for the Just Desserts e-mail list. Or, once in-person meetings are possible again, if you’re logged into your account on Facebook, you can visit the Events page for the Lincoln City Libraries, and mark whether or not you plan to attend upcoming sessions of Just Desserts – this is a great way for you to help us promote this engaging discussion group!
So…What did you think of Anthony Horowitz’ Magpie Murders?
The following handout was prepared for the members of Just Desserts: The Fiction of Anthony Horowitz.
We hope to return to public meetings, including Just Desserts, at some point in the current Book Group season. Watch the libraries’ website and social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for the latest updates! In the meantime, we hope Just Desserters will join us on Zoom on April 29th, for a discussion of the three different mystery series from author Elly Griffiths.
When the Just Desserts mystery fiction discussion group met on August 29th, 2019, 16 group members discussed the 2013 novel The Cuckoo’s Calling by author J.K. Rowling, writing under her pseudonym of Robert Galbraith. Whether or not you attended the actual meeting, you are welcome to share your own thoughts and opinions about The Cuckoo’s Calling and “Robert Galbraith”, in a reply comment to this blog post, below.
For additional reminders about upcoming Just Desserts meetings and/or other announcements of interest to mystery fans, don’t forget to sign up for the Just Desserts e-mail list. Or, if you’re logged into your account on Facebook, you can visit the Events page for the Lincoln City Libraries, and mark whether or not you plan to attend upcoming sessions of Just Desserts – this is a great way for you to help us promote this engaging discussion group! Our selections for future meetings are usually posted there months in advance — currently through our October 2019 meeting.
So…What do you think of “Robert Galbraith”, and the Cormoran Strike series, starting with The Cuckoo’s Calling?
Join us again on September 26th, 2019 for the next meeting of Just Desserts. We’ll have a special theme this month, instead of our normal assigned author/title. The discussion topic for September with by “Favorite Stand-Alone Mystery Novel”. All participants will have to chance to describe their all-time favorite stand-alone mystery novel — it can be a classic or modern story, but it can’t be part of a series. We hope to see you there!
When the Just Desserts mystery fiction discussion group met on April 26th, 2018, group members discussed the entire body of works by British author Ruth Rendell, often dubbed “the Queen of mysteries”. Whether or not you attended the actual meeting, you are welcome to share your own thoughts and opinions about Ruth Rendell and here fiction, in a reply comment to this blog post, below. This meeting of Just Desserts was recorded for eventual release as part of the libraries’ audio podcast series!
For additional reminders about upcoming Just Desserts meetings and/or other announcements of interest to mystery fans, don’t forget to sign up for the Just Desserts e-mail list. Or, if you’re logged into your account on Facebook, you can visit the Events page for the Lincoln City Libraries, and mark whether or not you plan to attend upcoming sessions of Just Desserts – this is a great way for you to help us promote this engaging discussion group! Our selections for future meetings are usually posted there months in advance — currently through October 2018.
What do you think of Ruth Rendell, her Inspector Wexford series of novels, her psychological suspense novels, or the novels she wrote under the Barbara Vine pseudonym?
Join us next month for our annual “Series Share” meeting, where everyone will share a new mystery fiction series they’ve recently discovered, at South Branch on May 31st, 2018.
Click here to check out the audio podcast recording of this meeting!
Back in October, for the final Just Desserts meeting of 2017, we recorded our round-robin discussion of the Hercule Poirot series of novels and short stories by Agatha Christie, for release through the libraries’ audio podcasts series.
That episode has now been posted to the libraries’ podcast feed. You can listen to it (or download it for later listening) here: