tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post1387799468794685640..comments2024-03-28T22:42:54.810-07:00Comments on Bitter Tea and Mystery: Short Story Wednesday: Sue Grafton and Alexander McCall SmithTracyKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-6622828795875894872022-10-13T15:49:01.830-07:002022-10-13T15:49:01.830-07:00Kathy, I definitely have always preferred to read ...Kathy, I definitely have always preferred to read series in order. And in a lot of the series (like those you named here) order is important. Maybe Donna Leon's series could be read out of order? I have only read three in that series. And I think I would not have much problem skipping books in Sue Grafton's series. <br /><br />The Matt Scudder series is one I regret not continuing, and I still hope to do so.<br /><br />As I get older I am more inclined to break my rules and read a series out of order, but it is still a problem for me. TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-46578466287306742952022-10-13T12:37:56.425-07:002022-10-13T12:37:56.425-07:00Hi Tracy, Sue Grafton and Andrew McCall Smith are ...Hi Tracy, Sue Grafton and Andrew McCall Smith are two mystery novelists I have been meaning to try out and actually I did read many years ago Grafton's first book A is for Alibi. Not sure why I never continued. I know what you mean about after awhile not following through on a series. I was sure when I found Donna Leon that I would read everything she wrote. Lawrence Block's Scudder series as well. But since I found Louise Penny I have neglected Leon and Block. I think part of the problem is we can get too hung up on reading a mystery series in order and it can become alot of pressure and we end up abandoning the writer.Kathy's Cornerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03967595794483824444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-50996468197023475372022-10-12T15:10:01.046-07:002022-10-12T15:10:01.046-07:00Sam, It is good to hear from you. I haven't re...Sam, It is good to hear from you. I haven't read enough of the Sue Grafton books lately to have a real feel for them, which I why I hope I can continue reading them now and then. Plus the Santa Barbara setting, at least sometimes. <br /><br />I have avoided the Alexander McCall Smith books for the same reason, but I figured that with so many series, there might be something I would like, plus the fact that my tastes in fiction are either changing or broadening. So it can't hurt to try a couple of books.<br />TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-87385233289141713592022-10-12T14:34:57.808-07:002022-10-12T14:34:57.808-07:00Patti, I am sure that I am way behind in many seri...Patti, I am sure that I am way behind in many series for the same reason... I cannot read all the books I want to. Even when I was not reading so many newer books, there were always older authors I wanted to read more of. TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-80012929572854577192022-10-12T14:10:28.320-07:002022-10-12T14:10:28.320-07:00George, I hope I don't get too addicted to the...George, I hope I don't get too addicted to the 44 Scotland Street series because it has 15 books already, and I can't afford to get into another long series.<br /><br />I have heard that Sue Grafton was a very nice person.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-29335698224436701572022-10-12T13:57:39.555-07:002022-10-12T13:57:39.555-07:00I've read close to 20 of the Sue Grafton books...I've read close to 20 of the Sue Grafton books, including the one you feature here. I've loved a few of them, liked most of them a lot, and been bored with one or two, but I suspect that's more a reflection of my mood at the time that I picked them up than anything else because I keep coming back. Haven't tried any of Smith's yet, mainly because they strike me (from the outside looking in) as being a little to Cozy to suit my tastes. Maybe one day...Sam https://www.blogger.com/profile/17448913705757509608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-75811571467036052032022-10-12T12:58:31.115-07:002022-10-12T12:58:31.115-07:00Margot, I am eager to try some of the stories and ...Margot, I am eager to try some of the stories and see what they are like. And the novel, 44 Scotland Street, since it is made up of many short chapters and that often works well for me.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-52145851179123038462022-10-12T12:44:49.973-07:002022-10-12T12:44:49.973-07:00Cath, Based on G is for Gumshoe, I liked these boo...Cath, Based on G is for Gumshoe, I liked these books for a good picture of various parts of California and Santa Barbara especially, and I probably will read more of them over time. I have copies of the books for H, I, J and K, and of course there are many copies of all the books at the book sale every year.<br /><br />I bought the copy of the first in the 44 Scotland Street series because he wrote that one in serial form in The Scotsman and I thought that would be interesting. In the introduction he talks about the differences in writing a daily piece for serial publication. Also the book has a few illustrations by Iain McIntosh.<br />TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-1276229009170298302022-10-12T10:27:27.813-07:002022-10-12T10:27:27.813-07:00I loved the early ones but quite reading them abou...I loved the early ones but quite reading them about midway through. Not sure why although I imagine I felt there were other writers I wanted to read more. pattinase (abbott)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-61726607409389413152022-10-12T07:51:22.448-07:002022-10-12T07:51:22.448-07:00My wife, Diane, has read all the Sue Grafton books...My wife, Diane, has read all the Sue Grafton books. I met Sue Grafton at the BOUCHERCON in Albany a few years ago. Lovely lady! Diane also reads Alexander McCall Smith's 44 Scotland Street Series, too. Alexander McCall Smith spoke eloquently at the recent BOUCHERCON in Minneapolis on the Death of the Queen.Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04546161337366365635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-59774751620533974832022-10-12T04:09:25.898-07:002022-10-12T04:09:25.898-07:00Oh, Tracy, I really must read that Alexander McCal...Oh, Tracy, I really must read that Alexander McCall Smith collection! He is such a talented writer, and I can imagine those stories would be very good. I'll have to look that one up.Margot Kinberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08599589137890528065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-26183614120323239972022-10-12T02:22:37.045-07:002022-10-12T02:22:37.045-07:00A friend of mine recently reread Sue Grafton's...A friend of mine recently reread Sue Grafton's book for 'X' for an alphabet challenge and said it reminded her that the early books in that series were much the best. She thought the X one too long with too much superfluous detail. Personally, I haven't read any so can't judge. <br /><br />I have read quite a lot of AMcS's books. Lots of the No. 1 Detective Agency, probably a dozen, but the last one I read convinced me enough was enough. But I liked the early ones. I've also read about half a dozen of his 'Philosophy' series (sorry the proper title eludes me). Again, I liked the first ones but after that I felt like he was just repeating the same storylines. Just my two cents worth... but I would think short stories by both authors would be well worth a look. Cathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06371069000185280668noreply@blogger.com