Last night the virtual crime book club met up to discuss Dennis Lehane’s novel Mystic River. It was an outstanding success with all members enjoying the book. You can watch the video of the meeting below and this month you should be free to watch even if you haven’t read the book as there aren’t any spoilers. One member hadn’t quite finished the book so we were sensitive to that.
I do have to thank the attending members as I made an error and forgot to send the linked email out on Sunday as usual and only sent it out a couple of hours prior to the meeting. Apologies to those who didn’t pick up the email in time. There’s a note in my diary for next month so I don’t forget!
The choices for next month’s read are below. The theme is books published in the last twelve months as recent books we’re read seem to have been pretty old. The next meeting is Monday 11th October at 8 pm GMT (UK time zone). We’d love for you to join us if you haven’t yet. Sign up details are on THIS PAGE.
I did find it quite difficult finding books this month. I have to check that the book is also available on the .com site and the choices I originally selected (some of these are member choices) are not published overseas. But I think in the end, we do have a good selection again. Please leave your vote in the comments.
The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson
Little Rebel by Jerome Leroy (translated by Graham Roberts) (Novella)
Constance by Matthew Fitzsimmons
In the near future, advances in medicine and quantum computing make human cloning a reality. For the wealthy, cheating death is the ultimate luxury. To anticloning militants, it’s an abomination against nature. For young Constance “Con” D’Arcy, who was gifted her own clone by her late aunt, it’s terrifying.
After a routine monthly upload of her consciousness—stored for that inevitable transition—something goes wrong. When Con wakes up in the clinic, it’s eighteen months later. Her recent memories are missing. Her original, she’s told, is dead. If that’s true, what does that make her?
The secrets of Con’s disorienting new life are buried deep. So are those of how and why she died. To uncover the truth, Con is retracing the last days she can recall, crossing paths with a detective who’s just as curious. On the run, she needs someone she can trust. Because only one thing has become clear: Con is being marked for murder—all over again.
Hotel Cartagena by Simone Buchholz (translated by Rachel Ward)
With the police looking on from outside their colleagues’ lives at stake and Chastity on the inside, increasingly ill from an unexpected case of sepsis, the stage is set for a dramatic confrontation and a devastating outcome for the team all live streamed in a terrifying bid for revenge.
Crackling with energy and populated by a cast of unforgettable characters, Hotel Cartagena is a searing, relevant thriller that will leave you breathless.
Greenwich Park by Katherine Faulkner
Daniel is the perfect husband.
Rory is the perfect brother.
Serena is the perfect sister-in-law.
And Rachel? Rachel is the perfect nightmare.
When Helen, finally pregnant after years of tragedy, attends her first antenatal class, she is expecting her loving architect husband to arrive soon after, along with her confident, charming brother Rory and his pregnant wife, the effortlessly beautiful Serena. What she is not expecting is Rachel.
Extroverted, brash, unsettling single mother-to-be Rachel, who just wants to be Helen’s friend. Who just wants to get know Helen and her friends and her family. Who just wants to know everything about them. Every little secret…
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker
Walk has never left the coastal California town where he grew up. He may have become the chief of police, but he’s still trying to heal the old wound of having given the testimony that sent his best friend, Vincent King, to prison decades before. Now, thirty years later, Vincent is being released.
Duchess is a thirteen-year-old self-proclaimed outlaw. Her mother, Star, grew up with Walk and Vincent. Walk is in overdrive trying to protect them, but Vincent and Star seem bent on sliding deeper into self-destruction. Star always burned bright, but recently that light has dimmed, leaving Duchess to parent not only her mother but her five-year-old brother. At school the other kids make fun of Duchess―her clothes are torn, her hair a mess. But let them throw their sticks, because she’ll throw stones. Rules are for other people. She’s just trying to survive and keep her family together.
A fortysomething-year-old sheriff and a thirteen-year-old girl may not seem to have a lot in common. But they both have come to expect that people will disappoint you, loved ones will leave you, and if you open your heart it will be broken. So when trouble arrives with Vincent King, Walk and Duchess find they will be unable to do anything but usher it in, arms wide closed.
Wendy Turbin says
Hi Rebecca
My vote is for Constance as a first choice, with second choice of We Begin at the End.
Emma-Louise says
I vote for Constance.
Margot Kinberg says
Thanks, as ever, for coordinating this, Rebecca. I know it’s a lot of work. My vote’s for Greenwich Park this time, but they all look interesting.
Melanie says
Hi Rebecca, my vote is for We Begin at the End. Clocks change here before the next meeting, looking forward to joining in again.
Craig says
Constance for me please.
Thanks again for organising this great group.
Craig
Ellen Milholland says
I vote for We Begin at the End.
A tough decision. All the selections are interesting,
Thank you for another great discussion.
Linda says
My vote is for We Begin at the End. However, all of the book suggestions look great! Thank you!
Vera Luz says
Hi Rebecca, thanks for organising last evening’s meeting.
This time my vote goes to something less grime 🙂 – Greenwich Park
Thanks
Emma @ Words And Peace says
I vote for Constance. I’ll be thrilled to finally join you, if this is the book chosen
Lorna says
My vote goes to Little Rebel or Hotel Cartagena.
Lynn Jackson says
The Jigsaw Man gets my vote..
Jane Beresford says
Looking forward to joining the next meeting. My first choice would be The Jigsaw Man with Greenwich Park a close second
Jacqui says
Hello Rebecca
Thank you for another good evening and for all your hard work. My vote is for Jigsaw Man. I will be content whatever the vote.
Best wishes
Karen Selwood says
My vote would be jigsaw man but all look interesting
Hilary Lewis says
Hi, My vote goes to Constance.
Hilary
Kathy says
My vote is for The Jigsaw man.
Rebecca Bradley says
Norman has emailed me and his vote is for We Begin at the End.
Emma @ Words And Peace says
So thrilled I will be able to join you all on October 11!