What Are You Reading?

[Dana Jean]

I'm sitting on my fanny as we speak! ( DJ, you ought to know that neither Scott nor I could leave your sentence unscathed, right?) But, (pun intended), what book are you referring to? Is it 'I still Dream About You'? Or does she have another one out?

It did cross my mind.


The All Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion

 

[kingricefan]

It did cross my mind.

The All Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion

Oh, that's right, I remember seeing this in a bookstore a week ago or so. Goodie, another new Flagg book to look forward to!

 

[skimom2]

I read Cornwell's book and I felt that she really did 'crack' the case. DNA is pretty indisputable evidence. Especially when there isn't any way that a crooked cop from that era could plant evidence, since noone knew about any DNA stuff back then. She used millions of her own money to solve the case (which I guess would be all the more reason for her to bend facts her way to support her case) but she also has enough money that she could have just said 'Well, it isn't who I thought it was.' and walked away from it.

I agree, DNA would be pretty conclusive, especially nuclear. Unfortunately, that didn't work out, and the samples they obtained were contaminated. Cornwell was pretty cavalier about dismissing the DNA from his wife on one letter, too. Although it's not likely that the missus was the killer, if his surface DNA (can't remember the proper name for that) is proof he is the killer, why isn't the presence of HER DNA also proof, and so one negates the other? KWIM? Like I said, I liked the book, but more as one more conjecture than as proof positive.

 

[Mr Nobody]

The other thing about the DNA testing of the letters is that they're bound to be contaminated by others anyway, including (but not limited to) the lead detective on the case. And (iirc) the handwriting on some of the letters is different (and one of them is thought, but not proven, to be the work of a hoaxer).
All in all, it's unlikely that anyone will ever come up with the definitive answer, not when serving and former Scotland Yard detectives - all of whom have cracked tough cases in their careers - as well as forensic scientists with a specific interest in the case have got nowhere near to solving it.
(As for the amateur 'Ripperologists', for every one that's worth listening to there are at least a dozen who aren't, and who have come up with the most far-fetched ideas and 'proofs' to back up their - usually heavily agenda-based - argument. For example, one 'theory' still has it that the Ripper was the-then Crown Prince, who was diseased and blamed prostitutes particularly - and women generally - for his condition; the Yard cleared it up - the case, not his dose of whatever - and identified the killer, but it was hushed up and the detectives on the case, silenced. That one's really popular among Republicans (UK and Commonwealth, not US )).

 

[Todash]

Just finished Neil Gaiman's Stardust, which was an utterly charming book (though it started a bit slow). I'm now onto Jim Butcher's Changes, book number whatever in the Dresden Files series.

 

[Haunted]

I have Fannie's right next to me!

Good?

 

[Dana Jean]

Good?

Haven't started it yet.

 

[EMARX]

Just started Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl.

 

[morgan]

Just finished Dr. Sleep! Now I am going to continue my reread of 'Salem's Lot then onto Danse Macabre (@king family fan ).

 

[skimom2]

Just finished Neil Gaiman's Stardust, which was an utterly charming book (though it started a bit slow). I'm now onto Jim Butcher's Changes, book number whatever in the Dresden Files series.

I really liked STARDUST! The book was much better than the movie (though it was okay).

 

[skimom2]

The other thing about the DNA testing of the letters is that they're bound to be contaminated by others anyway, including (but not limited to) the lead detective on the case. And (iirc) the handwriting on some of the letters is different (and one of them is thought, but not proven, to be the work of a hoaxer).
All in all, it's unlikely that anyone will ever come up with the definitive answer, not when serving and former Scotland Yard detectives - all of whom have cracked tough cases in their careers - as well as forensic scientists with a specific interest in the case have got nowhere near to solving it.
(As for the amateur 'Ripperologists', for every one that's worth listening to there are at least a dozen who aren't, and who have come up with the most far-fetched ideas and 'proofs' to back up their - usually heavily agenda-based - argument. For example, one 'theory' still has it that the Ripper was the-then Crown Prince, who was diseased and blamed prostitutes particularly - and women generally - for his condition; the Yard cleared it up - the case, not his dose of whatever - and identified the killer, but it was hushed up and the detectives on the case, silenced. That one's really popular among Republicans (UK and Commonwealth, not US )).

I actually thought the conclusion the detectives on the TV show WHITECHAPEL came up with was pretty convincing--they decided it was a laborer named George Hutchins (for a variety of reasons). I agree--it will probably never be conclusively solved, but it's so interesting to consider!

 

[skimom2]

Finally got JOYLAND, so I think I'll put DANCE WITH DRAGONS (though it's getting interesting and scary--I think one of the characters I thought would last to the end is on the way out, damn it!) and HARBOR aside for a little while.

 

[Anthea M]

I am about to start Zero Day by David Baldacci. Have never read any of his novels but he has been recommended to me. Has anyone read any of the Scarecrow novels by Australian writer Michael Reilly? Really good page turner thrillers.

 

[kingricefan]

Started Betrayal Of Trust by J.A. Jance lst night. It's another in her detective J. P. Beaumont series.

 

[king family fan]

Bronze Horseman Paullin Simons

 

[kingricefan]

Bronze Horseman Paullin Simons

I read her first novel 'Tully' and enjoyed it alot but haven't read any of her others.

 

[ghost19]

I'm finally getting around to reading Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons after many years. A bit slow at the beginning but about 60 pages in now and it's getting much better. Cool plot.

 

[EMARX]

I'm finally getting around to reading Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons after many years. A bit slow at the beginning but about 60 pages in now and it's getting much better. Cool plot.

Like any long novel it takes time to set the wheels in motion, but I agree it is a cool plot.

 

[Haunted]

Oh, that's right, I remember seeing this in a bookstore a week ago or so. Goodie, another new Flagg book to look forward to!

I started it yesterday, it's so Fanny Flagg, love it!!

 

[Lisey Landon]

Just finished Neil Gaiman's Stardust, which was an utterly charming book (though it started a bit slow).

I really liked STARDUST! The book was much better than the movie (though it was okay).

I loved this book, too. And the movie was quite good. I loved DeNiro's role most of all, I think.
I just wish they hadn't changed Tristran's name to Tristan in the movie, I love the names Neil Gaiman give to his characters.