I read with interest the comments about Grafton's latest books.
question: What authors of series started out really good, but after awhile kind of petered out for you? And did you stop reading them, or do you just go on as if addicted?
For me, Patricia Cornwell sort of tops the list. Her early Scarpetta books were good, but each passing one just gets worse and worse, more and more tired. And I don't like her non-Scarpetta books AT ALL. (But I'm still a sucker for each new Scarpetta, hoping it'll be as good as I remember the earlier ones being. And I've been continually disappointed. But it's like a habit.)
Maeve Binchy went through a period (Scarlet Feather, Quentin's) in which I think she got away from her earlier style and tried to be "relevant" and address social ills - but IMHO it just weighed them down. She doesn't do darkness well; she's better with a light touch. Fortunately, I think she's realized this and returned to her roots.
Others? I remember Jasper Fforde being discussed in the past, what about some of the other fantasy and mystery writers? Diana Gabaldon? Diane Mott Davidson? Grafton?
Ditto ditto on the Cornwall books. I read the last one and kept hoping it would get better but was ultimately left feeling like I had wasted hours.
Love Janet Evanovich, but didn't think Fearless 14 was up to some of her previous work.
Stephen King - good stuff at first, some schlock in the middle and his more recent stuff is better - more grown up. And of course there's the Dark Tower series - most of those are really good, but one of them (#4, I think) was not as good.
JA Jance's Joanna Brady books - haven't enjoyed the last two or three.
I would have to agree with you wholeheartedly on Cornwall's Scarpetta books - I haven't even bothered to read the last few since I figured it would be a waste. For forensic stuff I actually really like Kathy Reichs - her books are much more entertaining to me - although not really like the TV show "Bones".
I used to be a huge fan of the Spencer books by Robert Parker - but after so many books they became so predictable and not involved enough for my taste....yawn. I believe his Jesse Stone novels are supposed to be good (Tom Selleck has done a few movies from them) but I haven't tried those yet.
And Sue Grafton - eh - I feel like I've read so far into the alphabet I should probably hang on til the end but the main character just hasn't ever really grabbed my attention so I'm not sure.
If you like mysteries you might like Nevada Barr - her main character is a National Park law enforcement ranger - and she's been one in real life. Lots of interesting information as the stories take place in different parks and not all the same types of crimes. So far I've been very happy with her books.
I like Kathy Reichs, too. When "Bones" first started, I was terribly disappointed because they have no relationship to the books. But after awhile, at DD's urging, I watched the TV show and really enjoyed it, as long as I forget that it's supposed to be related in any way to the books and just take it as an entirely different thing. Severed from the books, the TV show is somewhat enjoyable!
(Sometimes too much knowledge is not a good thing.)
Do I not read Piers Anthony's Xanth series him because the books aren't as good as they were or maybe I've changed?? Anyone else experience something/anything similar?
Former rctn denizen's (Monica Ferris') books aren't as good as they used to be; characters were downright stodgy and Betsy was almost unlikeable with her judgemental opinions -- not quite heresy but close to it.
I kind of agree about Sue Grafton and definitely agree about Patricia Cornwell. I devoured the early Scarpetta books and stopped reading them a few years back.
Maeve Binchy I was always so so on, Diane Mott Davidson I haven't seen in a long time and the others I don't know about.
I haven't been doing so much reading for a while now. I'll get back to it, but for the time being I only occasionally find something I'm really happy with.
I like John Sandford's novels. They're more "police procedural" in that you usually know early on who the killer is, but they're a good read. I'm also a great fan of P D James, for her whodunnits in the very British style.
I gave up on the Scarpetta novels some years ago, and Kathy Reichs hit a low point a couple of novels ago, but she's picked up again, at least in my opinion.
Ah - my favorite whine - good authors gone bad. Cornwell and Mott Davidson head that list. I think I can include a few romance novelists in there too; series that had such promise and now too rotten even for the compost heap.
Still getting better series - Nevada Barr (Anna Pigeon), Dana Stabenow (Kate Shugak and Liam Campbell), Susan Wittig Albert (China Bayles), Donna Andrews ( Meg Langslow) and my new favorite Suzzanne Arrunda's Jade del Cameron. I liked the Tasha Alexander series too.
Mercedes Lackey's 500 Kingdoms series is a joy. Haven't read much of her other series.
Not a mystery but the
I like the 900 Kingdom series from Lynn Kurland, but found the last few of the romance books sort of a waste.
Loved the early Kate MacAllister books. Won't bother now...
The world around me seems to be reading the "Twilight" series - may have to pick them up. DD is interested in reading it - all her girlfriends are.
Maureen was delighted when Cornwell's latest "Azincourt" came on the mobile library van. However, she was deeply disappointed with it and stopped reading after a couple of chapters.
I am currently listening to Anna Quindlen's _Rise and Shine_ on CD and am loving it. I'm having a hard time keeping out of the car, but since I have to drive to Franklin tomorrow (75 minutes each way), I'm being good. I remember liking Quindlen before, but this is truly delightful.
I am currently listening to Anna Quindlen's _Rise and Shine_ on CD and am loving it. I'm having a hard time keeping out of the car, but since I have to drive to Franklin tomorrow (75 minutes each way), I'm being good. I remember liking Quindlen before, but this is truly delightful.
Elizabeth
I did read Black and Blue and remember liking it. I just can't seem to get back in the groove. I seem to go through this every few years.
I'm smakk in the middle of the James Pattersons at the moment. Where d'you reckon he gets tiresome?
I've read the 'Women's Murder Club' titles and enjoyed all of those. I'm nearly half-way through the Alex Crosses and have listened to a few of the 'others' (eg. 'Against Medical Advice', which was *wonderful*) as well. Sometimes, Alex Cross' maundering on about his kids and Nana Mama and 'the man-mountain' gives me the heebies and, yes, he blathers on about his current love interest in a most un-bloke-like way. But I still enjoy the stories (so far). I'd be interested to know where he 'wore out' for you? ;-D
Stephen Donaldson, the sci-fi writer, lost me after his third trilogy. Same-old, same-old and his writing style is a bit too enigmatic and convoluted to be worth battling once the spark was lost. I gave up.
James A. Michener is my utterly most favourite author, but he also 'lost' something after a long series of his epic novels. The earlier ones were so gripping and informative, but the later ones just smacked of 'the same', despite different subject matter. I gave up after 'Texas'.
I've enjoyed most of Bernard Cornwall's works (especially the 'Sharpe' series), but his early British historical series eventually wore me down and I gave up.
Jean M. Auel's 'Clan of the Cave Bear' series was great to start with and has been steadily petering out. It's kind of devolved into a Mills'n'Boon etched on stone (at least, IMHO).
Probably the most disappointing experience for me has been with Wilbur Smith. Dad and I used to wait eagerly for his next title and devour them several times each. Sadly, he just ran out of puff for both of us. The 'River God' series was good (probably mostly because it was a departure from the formula), but the ongoing Courteney saga has just lost any spark of interest for me. 'Wild Justice' and 'Hungry as the Sea' and even the first trilogy were *wonderful* boys-own stories. As time has progressed, though, WS' heroes are like cardboard cutouts and their exploits just get more and more ho-hum. IMHO.
Authors who *haven't* worn out on me include Minette Walters, Nigel McCrery, Maeve Binchy, CS Forrester and Patrick O'Brian. I have to say POB's series about Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin is the most rip-snorting adventure series ever! I've read all 31 books several times over and never get sick of 'em!
As you said, Patterson can get repetitious in his descriptors. Also, Alex is always perfect, or imperfect but recognizes it so well he's perfect. And that whole storyline about Ali coming to live with Alex
- just a tad too contrived. Plus I can't believe he's not remarried yet. Handsome caring professional black guy? Professional black women would be throwing themselves at him.
I've heard Against Medical Advice is supposed to be great but haven't read it yet.
I have enjoyed the women's murder club books.
But too much of the co-authored stuff (Quickie comes to mind) is just him putting his name out there to sell an otherwise unmemorable book.
I haven't seen a mention of Lynda La Plante. With a name like that I would expect soppy love stories, but they're actually excellent mysteries. I've just finished "Trial and Retribution", and have an "omnibus" waiting.
I gave up on Wilbur Smith when his Courtney books became love/lust stories, and Frank Slaughter the same. I loved Jean Auel's "Clan of the Cave Bear", and have only recently obtained the next couple of books, so have recently finished the second in the series.
I got Twilight for Christmas and had to run out and buy the rest. Girl books but they were really good . Bones is a great show. I borrowed never to read or return a Kathy Reichs book even though I love the show Bones And James Patterson really bottomed out at Quickie and I quit reading his books. I really liked Alex Cross but Cross was the last one for that. I really need to find new books to read. Donna
Me, too. The Scarpetta books have gotten so whiny. I did read the 2 in the slightly related series, which were ok. I hated the Jack the Ripper book. WRT Sue Grafton, I've hung in there, the plot is always kind of similar, but still. OTOH, I haven't gotten through "T" yet.
I'm still good with Joan Hess, and both her series - the Magoody & the bookseller one - they're light, somewhat predictable, but I think the Magoody ones are hysterical. The most recent Claire the bookseller actually moved forward, ant the teen daughter not so whiney.
Not much for the romantic historicals so much, myself. I tend to literature (hah) or mystery/sf/fantasy.
Fantasy wise, I liked a lot of early Tanya Huff, her Paksenarion series, and the Bard, Singing the Quarters. Not so much others. Love Katherine Kurtz Deryni - but, again - is she now in the big retread. Loved a lot of Anne McCaffrey & Pern, plus some others - but as the series continues it just got retread, redundant. One who I think has stayed fresh - Stephen Brust. I love his stuff.
Well, I've gone back into a reading phase, but haven't time to think of more. Got to go to...the bookstore to pick up some recent Wine mags. Long story - will relate if things work out - or not.
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