March was a good reading month and I stuck to crime fiction the entire month. So without further ado I will list the books I read...Fear Itself by Andrew Rosenheim
This is the first in a series of historical mysteries set in the US just before and during World War II, starring Jimmy Nessheim, a German-American FBI agent. My review is here.Over My Dead Body by Rex Stout
This is the 7th book in the Nero Wolfe series, published in 1939. I am rereading the series in order at least until I get to The Silent Speaker, book 11 in the series. And I will probably continue past there. I like this book because it features Nero Wolfe's long-lost adopted daughter, who is visiting the US and needs his help.
Dancers in Mourning by Margey Allingham
The Albert Campion books are another series I am rereading in order. In this case, I am aiming to get to Tiger in the Smoke (1942). Dancers in Mourning is the 8th book, published in 1937, and I read it for the Crimes of the Century meme at Past Offences. My review is here.The Rainbird Pattern by Victor Canning
The Rainbird Pattern (1972) is the 2nd book in a loose series called the Birdcage books. They all revolve around a covert security group in the UK, a branch of the Ministry of Defense. In this case we have two plots, one about the search for an heir to a fortune and the other dealing with a kidnapping plot, which converge at the end. The book was adapted as a film, Family Plot, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film treatment is very different from the book. My post on the first Birdcage book, Firecrest, is here.
The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum
The Bourne Identity, published in 1980, was the first of three novels about Jason Bourne written by Robert Ludlum. (The series was continued by Eric Lustbader, starting in 2004.) My review is here.
The Hunter by Richard Stark
Richard Stark is a pseudonym used by Donald E. Westlake for two of his series, the Parker series and the Alan Grofield series. This book is the first in the Parker series, and it is a revenge novel. Parker has been double-crossed and left for dead and now he is tracking down the people who betrayed him.
17 comments:
Looks like you had some good reading there Tracy. I love the Parker series from Stark/Westlake, I read the series up to about number 16. I haven't read any from when he restarted after taking a breather for 20 plus years!
Canning and Ludlum await on the pile.
I read a later Stout that his daughter played a part in. Would be good to read the earlier one.
You did have a good reading month, Tracy, and I'm glad for you. Somme classic books there!
I have the 2nd one and will be reading it in the next month or two, Col. The movie version (Payback with Mel Gibson) did not prepare for Parker's character in the book ... although it has been years since I have seen the movie.
I prefer the Jason Statham one. I think there was one with Lee Marvin perhaps, but can't remember if I've seen it or not.
I agree, Patti. Both of the books with his daughter are different from the standard Nero Wolfe format, but I like both of them.
I was surprised to find that all except one of my books this month were published in 1980 or before, Margot.
I have not seen the one with Lee Marvin but we plan to get it from Netflix soon. I did not know that Jason Statham did one. I like his movies.
Westlake continues to be on my wish-list. Unfortunately, he hasn't moved up the line.
Great reading list. What did you think of The Hunter? Also, I thought I left this comment earlier, too, but I see it didn't even show up. *shakes fist at Blogger* --Keishon
The thing about Westlake, Prashant, is that he wrote so many different types of books. You have to try a humorous story, but the Parker novels and some others are very dark. Both are good... at least the ones I have read.
My first reaction to The Hunter, Keishon, was that I did not know what to think of it. I have not read many books with a protagonist so ruthless and with few, if any, redeeming qualities. But the writing is really good, so I am trying more of them.
I meant to comment on your problems with commenting on blogger, Keishon. I am sorry that happens, I know that blogger can be difficult. I have more problems with commenting on Wordpress but that is probably because I have a Blogger blog.
I'm a big fan of the Richard Stark . Parker books - what did you make of THE HUNTER? It is very indicative though not the best of the series.
I enjoyed reading THE HUNTER, Sergio, but at the end I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue reading about a character like that. I do plan to read more of the books, and I did have the impression that others in that series would be better.
Nice choices, will look out for more reviews. AS you know, I loved Rainbird Pattern, one of the best thrillers I read last year: I will await your verdict. And the Stout is one I haven't come across - a daughter, eh? Interesting news!
I do remember that you loved the Rainbird Pattern, Moira, and I did too. Another author that I want to find his books and read them all. Although I do realize that the quality of his books varied over the years.
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