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in_and_out_of_the_stash's review against another edition
4.0
Apart from one essay, I was impressed by the effort put in by each writer and also the praise they had for other authors.
jmclincoln's review against another edition
5.0
This book is extra special. I enjoyed it so much that I had to buy a copy (I had read my library's copy). I learned about authors who wrote great detective/mystery novels only to be lost to time. I use this as a reference book, returning to it often to find another great read. I also enjoy learning why a particular author inspired someone writing today. I immediately read books by Josephine Tey and Dorothy B Hughes. If you like the genre and want to explore how the genre developed then this is the book for you.
carolpk's review against another edition
5.0
Books to Die For is like an appetizer what with its recommendations of the greatest mystery stories by the authors who are currently writing in this genre. These essays will stimulate your appetite for more.
This is a book to own. I call it a dipping book, dip in and out and find something new with each reading. I could not possibly read all the wonderful books suggested but have chosen one or two to add to the pile. Edmund Crispin's (1946) The Moving Toyshop enthusiastically presented
by Ruth Dudley Edwards caught my eye. Crispin loved locked room mysteries as do I. Ms. Edwards goes on to state that "it is not for his plots that I love Crispin, but for the wit, intelligence, gaiety, and decency that informed his writing." Early in the essay she mentions that she
dislikes the snobbery of those who think a book is diminished if it makes you laugh. These two thoughts; decency in writing and the ability to make one laugh, make me curious to read this fellow whose real name is Bruce
Montgomery.
Though I love to hold the hard copy of a book in my hands Books to Die For is the perfect book to add to my Nook. I can easily pepper it with bookmarks, highlight titles and search for author recommendations using the Nook’s tools.
Surely there will be an outcry for the books that are missed but overall Books to Die For is a treasure trove for mystery readers.
This is a book to own. I call it a dipping book, dip in and out and find something new with each reading. I could not possibly read all the wonderful books suggested but have chosen one or two to add to the pile. Edmund Crispin's (1946) The Moving Toyshop enthusiastically presented
by Ruth Dudley Edwards caught my eye. Crispin loved locked room mysteries as do I. Ms. Edwards goes on to state that "it is not for his plots that I love Crispin, but for the wit, intelligence, gaiety, and decency that informed his writing." Early in the essay she mentions that she
dislikes the snobbery of those who think a book is diminished if it makes you laugh. These two thoughts; decency in writing and the ability to make one laugh, make me curious to read this fellow whose real name is Bruce
Montgomery.
Though I love to hold the hard copy of a book in my hands Books to Die For is the perfect book to add to my Nook. I can easily pepper it with bookmarks, highlight titles and search for author recommendations using the Nook’s tools.
Surely there will be an outcry for the books that are missed but overall Books to Die For is a treasure trove for mystery readers.
caroparr's review against another edition
3.0
Just what we all need: more books we want to read. But I really will track down Rogue Male before too long.
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
2.0
The subtitle for Books to Die For (2012) by John Connolly & Declan Burke is The World's Greatest Mystery Writers on the World's Greatest Mystery Novels. I felt from the first that I wasn't sure that I ought to take the word of a book that claims as "the World's Greatest Mystery Writers" a whole slew of people I've never heard of. Not just haven't read...but haven't actually heard of OR seen their books on shelves when browsing. I do not recognize about 80 out 120ish names. [I may have inadvertently counted some twice--some authors submitted more than one novel.] That's quite a lot. Now, granted, I don't read a lot of modern crime fiction--but some of my blogging friends do and I should have at least seen these names go by--If they really are the "World's Greatest." One of the contributors's work is described as "glamorous thrillers/bonkbusters/chick lit...Tart Noir"....um. Not exactly a recommendation in my book. I didn't want to be snobbish about this, really I didn't. But seriously?
So...I wrote the above as I was starting the book. I've now finished it. And, I must say, this is quite the disappointment for a mystery reader. A large percentage of the books recommended are noir, hard-boiled, spy/espionage, or thrillers. Not true mysteries. Some of the recommenders even say that straight up and they themselves are not authors of true mysteries. Fine. But don't be advertise your book as being recommendations on mystery novels by mystery writers. At best, you might say that it's a book of recommendations on crime novels by crime writers. It was a huge disappointment to see how few true vintage mystery novels were mentioned for years representing the Golden Age--one Christie, one Sayers, one Crispin, one Allingham, and one Tey. That's it. And of the later books just a handful would count as mysteries rather than noir and all the rest.
My final take: most of these seem to be books I'd be just fine with having died without having ever read.....I can't say that I'd recommend it for those of you who consider yourself a mystery lover. But--if noir, hard-boiled, spy/espionage, suspense, and/or thrillers are your thing, then this may just be the reference book for you.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
So...I wrote the above as I was starting the book. I've now finished it. And, I must say, this is quite the disappointment for a mystery reader. A large percentage of the books recommended are noir, hard-boiled, spy/espionage, or thrillers. Not true mysteries. Some of the recommenders even say that straight up and they themselves are not authors of true mysteries. Fine. But don't be advertise your book as being recommendations on mystery novels by mystery writers. At best, you might say that it's a book of recommendations on crime novels by crime writers. It was a huge disappointment to see how few true vintage mystery novels were mentioned for years representing the Golden Age--one Christie, one Sayers, one Crispin, one Allingham, and one Tey. That's it. And of the later books just a handful would count as mysteries rather than noir and all the rest.
My final take: most of these seem to be books I'd be just fine with having died without having ever read.....I can't say that I'd recommend it for those of you who consider yourself a mystery lover. But--if noir, hard-boiled, spy/espionage, suspense, and/or thrillers are your thing, then this may just be the reference book for you.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
stephang18's review
2.0
Various famous and not-so-famous mystery writers write two or three pages describing their favorite mystery. Many of the famous mystery writers write instead about themselves.
stanl's review
4.0
Nice reference book. Worth taking the time to read every essay. Even for avid crime fiction buffs there should be some discoveries.
jeanm333's review
4.0
Books to die for is a fun read, but beware - if you are a fan of mysteries, it will add many books to your "to read" list. It's non-fiction, a listing of favorite books by mystery writers. The list is chronological, beginning with Wilkie Collins, Poe, and Sherlock Holmes. (I learned that Holmes afficionados never say the name of the author, since it's assumed that Holmes is/was a real person.) The discussion on each book included how the author found it and why it is a favorite, and how it deserves a place in the list of "world's greatest."
Lots of other fun facts about old and new mystery novels. For example, did you know that Michael Connelly reads a section of Raymond Chandler's "The Little Sister" for inspiration before he begins a new novel?
The book won several awards this year (2013)(the Anthony Award and the Macavity Award) and I can see why. There was a bit too much noir for my taste, and I questioned some of the inclusions (Stephen King?), but apparently authors were allowed to select whatever they wanted. Other novels I would classify more as thriller or suspense than mystery, but I can't question their inclusion (Silence of the Lambs, for example).
Yes, I now have quite a long list of books I want to read, as if I needed more.
Lots of other fun facts about old and new mystery novels. For example, did you know that Michael Connelly reads a section of Raymond Chandler's "The Little Sister" for inspiration before he begins a new novel?
The book won several awards this year (2013)(the Anthony Award and the Macavity Award) and I can see why. There was a bit too much noir for my taste, and I questioned some of the inclusions (Stephen King?), but apparently authors were allowed to select whatever they wanted. Other novels I would classify more as thriller or suspense than mystery, but I can't question their inclusion (Silence of the Lambs, for example).
Yes, I now have quite a long list of books I want to read, as if I needed more.
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