2226 replies to this topic

[Four Aces]

I have just finished Concerning the Saint, and am proceeding on to Saint Errant.

4A

[spynovelfan]

I just finished The Osterman Weekend by Robert Ludlum. I was re-reading Fleming and going through some of the continuation Bond novels I hadn't read before in preparation for a certain film that will come out in November and decided--golly, I was just in the mood for another spy thriller. Having never read Ludlum before, I picked Osterman because it was one of his big early success, was adapted by Sam Peckinpah as his last film, and is substantially shorter than many of his other works. Good stuff, nice paranoia and tension. Ultimately far-fetched in the extreme, but the writing has enough conviction to get you past that. I find Ludlum has a brisk and readable style that doesn't draw too much attention to itself. I might read more Ludlum in the future, but I think the next classic thriller I'll read is Follet's Eye of the Needle or Ambler's Journey into Fear.

I've never read THE OSTERMAN WEEKEND, but I've heard that about it. It's pretty different than the rest of his stuff, then, which tends to be far too long, with lots of gripping twists and turns, but sometimes so poorly written that it does draw attention to itself.

EYE OF THE NEEDLE and JOURNEY INTO FEAR are both brilliant thrillers, though very different.

[Joyce Carrington]

'Lost in a good book' - by Jasper Fforde. This is the second from the Thursday Next series.

[james st.john smythe]

Escort, readers wifes. its a top read!! 8/10

[Santa]

Seducers in Ecuador & The Heir - Vita Sackville-West.

[Bon-san]

Have recently finished:

John le Carre: Call for the Dead - enjoyed it very much. Tight, gripping. I would like to see le Carre try his hand at a traditional murder-mystery-in-the-English-manor kind of thing.

Agatha Christie: Murder in Mesopotamia - very good Christie. Poirot is my idol. Also by Dame Agatha: Cards on the Table, The ABC Murders, both are very good Poirot stories.

Dick Francis: Blood Sport - more a secret agent adventure than a horse racing mystery. Enjoyable nonetheless, but not as much as other Francis books I've read.

Ngaio Marsh: Death of a Fool (UK title, Off with His Head ) - great stuff. Lots of rich character and atmosphere before the murder. Then lots of fairly dry (but still entertaining) detection, deduction and explanation by Inspector Alleyn after the murder. Quintessential Marsh, then.

[Vauxhall]

Having to read an exceptionally dull textbook on medieval Europe for a tutorial session. At least there are some nice pictures to break up the text - which is filled with people who have the most ridiculous names.

[Lazenby880]

I might read more Ludlum in the future, but I think the next classic thriller I'll read is Follet's Eye of the Needle or Ambler's Journey into Fear.

*Do* read Journey Into Fear if you find the time. It is a dark and tense thriller steeped in paranoia. Ambler's usual danger and intrigue are there, however Journey Into Fear presents the reader with a fundamentally more chilling element; a constant feeling of terror pervades the book. Part of this may be the claustrophobic setting of the ship, and Ambler adroitly captures the atmosphere of the sitzkreig which marked the beginning of the Second World War. Graham (the protagonist) is an amateur thrown into the seamy games of espionage, another (sort of) innocent thrown in at the deep end. Having been in Turkey to help our (ostensible) ally against possible invasion an assassin makes an attempt at his life, as a result of which Colonel Haki (of The Mask of Dimitrios

[Qwerty]

Just started reading Three Blind Mice by Agatha Christie today.

[00Twelve]

Finished Thunderball...yet again. Rereading Dr. No...yet again.

Also reading the book of Judges.

Edited by 00Twelve, 10 October 2006 - 04:29 AM.

[Qwerty]

Rereading Dr. No...yet again.

[00Twelve]

I know. One of Fleming's best. Hey, 400! Someday I'll get to 61,000 like you.

[killkenny kid]

Inside the Delta Force - Eric L. Havey.

[bond_girl_double07]

License Renewed.. very quickly!

[Qwerty]

Just started They Came To Baghdad by Agatha Christie earlier today.

[Roebuck]

The Book of Skulls by Robert Silverberg. Four American college boys go take a road trip into the desert to find a legendary cult that promises the secret of eternal life. The sting is that in order to pass the initiation rights a blood sacrifice is required from one of them. I'd assumed, this being Silverberg, that it was a science fiction novel. Instead the book interests itself with the psychology of people who are attracted to cults and how the cult in turn draws them into believing its interpretation of reality.

William Friedkin's name was recently attached to a film version; a good choice since, with its minimal locations and small cast, The Book of Skulls does feel a bit like the screenplay for a cult 70's movie. Ultimately though, the novel ends just as it's started pick up steam and leaves a lot of questions without answers.

[Double-O Eleven]

The Prestige by Christopher Priest, the 1995 novel that is the basis of the film coming out this Friday. Astonishing work, like a literary magic trick. Structurally fascinating and with amazing plot twists and concepts. It is definitely the sort of book that makes you want to flip to the beginning a re-read sections to see how the author has "tricked" the reader like a stage magician. Obviously, I can't say any more about it... I hope the movie lives up to its source (but it's directed by Christopher Nolan, so I'm not that worried).

[killkenny kid]

One Perfect Op. - Command Master Chief Dennis Chalker, USN. (ret) with Kevin Dockery.

[Qwerty]

Just started skimming through James Bond and Philosophy today.

[Roebuck]

The Prestige by Christopher Priest, the 1995 novel that is the basis of the film coming out this Friday. Astonishing work, like a literary magic trick. Structurally fascinating and with amazing plot twists and concepts. It is definitely the sort of book that makes you want to flip to the beginning a re-read sections to see how the author has "tricked" the reader like a stage magician. Obviously, I can't say any more about it... I hope the movie lives up to its source (but it's directed by Christopher Nolan, so I'm not that worried).

In the main I enjoyed The Prestige, but one of the big twists was too obvious (though it should work better in the movie). Didn't feel the sci-fi/fantasy elements sat comfortably with the tone of the rest of the novel either.

[Qwerty]

Ken Adam and the Art of Production Design

[bond_girl_double07]

This crazy book called "Postsecret" by Frank Warren. The author dropped 3000 postcards around various cities and people wrote back with their darkest secrets.. it's facinating. So far my favorite is "I act like I care about recycling.. when I really don't"

[moorebond82]

I'm actually reading Octopussy and The Living Daylights as we speak.

[Qwerty]

I'm actually reading Octopussy and The Living Daylights as we speak.

Be sure to post your review in the .

[Qwerty]

Ken Adam and the Art of Production Design

Have you finished ALL of Agatha Christies' books ???

Nope - I'm reading a few different books at the same time right now though. The above book about Ken Adam and Agatha Christie's They Came To Baghdad. I still have a few more from her to read. Will make a thread on here once I've finished them all.

[TortillaFactory]

I'm about two pages into 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke, sent to me by my wonderful Mike. Unsure how I feel about it. I'm about 3/4 of the way through Vladimir Nabikov's Lolita as well, and I'm enjoying it, but I just don't see it ending well. On the graphic novel front I've just finished Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth. It's like Death of a Salesman with pictures; quite the mindscrew. I can't decide if I like it or not. The art's good, though.

(My next challenge is to get through a post without mentioning my boyfriend. Don't think I can do it! I'm just not strong enough!)

[Mr.Kiss Kiss Bang Bang]

I'm rereading "Casino Royal" Fine novel it is! Makes me very curious now to see the movie.
The torture scene is going to be in it and whe all know that the car Bond's driving is going to end up in pieces! In the book it's his faithfull Bentley, in the movie his Aston Martin!

[00Twelve]

Re-reading Live And Let Die. Again. Can't get tired of it.

[Matt_13]

Moonraker. Damn good book.

[bond_girl_double07]

"Diffuse Libraries: Emergent Roles for the Research Library in the Digital Age"..

It's like those shredded wheat that don't have any frosting... boring, dry, and probably good for me somehow