|
|
The Mist by Ragnar Jonasson; translated by Victoria Cribb What it is: the twisty, suspenseful final entry in the acclaimed Hidden Iceland trilogy starring Reykjavik Inspector Hulda Hermannsdottir. The series' inventive chronology follows Hulda's career from its end (depicted in the 1st book, The Darkness) to its early years, detailed here.
What it's about: Hulda is haunted by personal events that occurred in December 1987, but is back at work, perhaps too soon, in February 1988, investigating both a missing young woman, who'd been traveling the country, and the discovery of two bodies at a remote farmhouse where an older couple had taken in a stranger during a storm. | | Death on Tuckernuck by Francine Mathews What it's about: As a hurricane bears down on the Nantucket, Massachusetts area just three days before her wedding, police detective Merry Folger investigates a double shooting on a grounded yacht.
Reviewers say: "An exhilarating, page-turning blend of mystery, detection, romance, and people-versus-the-elements" (Kirkus Reviews).
Series alert: While newcomers can start here, events in Merry's personal life make this atmospheric 6th novel an absolute must-read for fans. | | Death in the East by Abir Mukherjee 1922 India: In his 4th outing, Calcutta police detective Captain Sam Wyndham heads to an ashram to fight his opium addiction, but on his way, he thinks he sees a man he knew nearly 20 years ago in England, a killer he thought was dead. Then, a murder at the ashram leads Sgt. Surendranath "Surrender-not" Bannerjee to come help Sam investigate.
Don't miss: the flashbacks to 1905 England, which provide fascinating details about Sam's background.
For fans of: well-wrought locked-room mysteries, richly described historical stories, Barbara Cleverly's Detective Joe Sandilands mysteries, and Sujata Massey's Perveen Mistry novels. | | These Women by Ivy Pochoda What it is: a gritty, dialogue-rich mystery with an evocative South Los Angeles setting and vivid writing centered around diverse women.
The women: Feelia, a prostitute left for dead by a serial killer in 1999; Lecia, a teen murdered by the same killer; Dorian, Lecia's mom, who still seeks justice in 2014; Julianna, the girl Lecia once babysat, now an exotic dancer; Marella, an artist living with her parents; Anneke, Marella's mom, who disapproves of her neighbors; and Essie, a police detective.
Read this next: Caitlin Mullen's Please See Us, Louisa Luna's The Janes, or Laura Lippman's Lady in the Lake. | | The Shooting at Château Rock by Martin Walker What it's about: A wealthy sheep farmer, who'd recently changed his will to disinherit his family, dies suspiciously. This leads Bruno Courrèges, the chief of police of St. Denis, France, to investigate a case with ties to a British rock star and his family living in a château nearby, a luxury retirement home in another château, and a Russian oligarch.
Series alert: Like earlier entries, this leisurely paced 13th Bruno mystery has a charming setting and appealing descriptions of food and friends, making it a good pick for Francophiles, foodies, and armchair travelers. | | Dead on the Vine by Elle Brooke White The setup: After she inherits her uncle's California farm, Charlotte Finn leaves Chicago and career disappointment to start over, with help from her two best friends from childhood, siblings Beau and Diane.
The problem: Not everyone is friendly, the farm's a money pit, and Charlotte finds a dead body on the property -- which means she needs to figure out how to make the farm profitable and solve a murder.
Don't miss: the clever baby pig named Horse and the ladybug named Mrs. Robinson. | | One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson What it's about: Attending the Edinburgh Arts Festival, restless former detective Jackson Brodie witnesses a road rage attack that draws him and other witnesses -- including a housewife and a crime novelist -- into danger.
For fans of: clever crime novels with intriguing, well-drawn characters.
Series alert: This is the 2nd Jackson Brodie novel; there's also a BBC television series, Case Histories, based on the books. | | Mumbo Gumbo Murder by Laura Childs with Terrie Farley Moran What happens: During Jazz Fest in New Orleans, scrapbooking store owner Carmela and her best friend, Ava, investigate the murder of their antiques shop owner friend -- but Carmela's cop boyfriend is not happy with their efforts nor that Carmela's ex has opened a store next to hers.
Read this next: If you enjoy this 16th Scrapbook mystery and want another romantic, cozy read that's centered around a musical event in Louisiana, try Ellen Byron's fun Fatal Cajun Festival. | | A Capitol Death by Lindsey Davis What happens: In 89 C.E. Rome, the city prepares to celebrate Emperor Domitian's military successes with a large festival, and a project manager falls to his death. Was it suicide or a political assassination? Private informer Flavia Albia tries to find out, uncovering unsettling truths about the victim and a disturbing number of suspects.
Series alert: This is the richly detailed, atmospheric 7th Flavia Albia mystery; the 8th entry, The Grove of the Caesars, comes out this month. Fans of the author's Marcus Didius Falco series will recognize Flavia as his captivating daughter. | | Spider Web by Earlene Fowler Starring: Benni Harper Ortiz, the director of a folk art museum in a California college town; Gabe Ortiz, Benni's husband, who's the chief of police of San Celinas and a Vietnam veteran.
What it's about: Set in 1998, Benni's planning a Memory Festival street fair, but it's all upended when a sniper injures local cops, causing Gabe's PTSD to resurface and Benni to investigate the incidents. Meanwhile, Benni's dad faces unwelcome matchmaking from family members.
Series alert: This 15th entry in a quilt-centric series will please cozy fans who enjoy a cast of quirky characters and small-town charm. | |
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|
|
|
|