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| Magpie Murders by Anthony HorowitzMystery. Readers can imagine the frustration of book editor Susan Ryeland: the final chapters are missing from author Alan Conway's latest mystery manuscript starring his Poirot-esque detective! Conway’s sudden, suspicious death means that Susan must piece together the ending by interviewing his friends and family; then she realizes that the novel’s characters are stand-ins for real people and that the book may be related to the author’s death. Containing a novel-within-a-novel, suspense, and plenty of details that Golden Age mystery fans will relish, the cleverly plotted Magpie Murders has something for everyone. On the hold list? Read some of the original Golden Age authors, like Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, or Margery Allingham. |
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| The Right Side: A Novel by Spencer QuinnMystery. Sgt. LeAnne Hogan has one eye, a scarred face, PTSD, and short- and long-term memory issues (no matter how hard she tries, she can't remember what happened in Afghanistan). When Marci, her roommate at Walter Reed Hospital, suddenly dies, LeAnne takes off for Marci's Washington state hometown. There, LeAnne bonds with a stray dog and learns that Marci's eight-year-old daughter is missing. While trying to heal and remember, LeAnne hunts for the missing girl. Readers who adore Spencer Quinn's humorous Chet and Bernie novels will find this nuanced mystery grittier and more serious but just as good. |
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| The Birdwatcher by William ShawMystery. As the son of a homicide victim and a self-professed murderer, William South of the Kent Community Police has steered clear of murder investigations. Until now. Teamed with the new DS (the single mother of a troubled 15-year-old girl), South finds himself at the murder scene of a friend, neighbor, and fellow birder. South works to find out who killed his friend even while trying to keep his own secrets hidden and teaching his new partner's daughter about birding. Alternating between South's childhood troubles and his current ones, The Birdwatcher offers readers a strong sense of place, nice plotting, and well-drawn characters. |
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| Love & Death in Burgundy by Susan C. SheaCozy Mystery. Hoping for acceptance from her Burgundy, France village, American expat painter Katherine Goff organizes a local fête, which will include performances by her former rock star husband and a country music star. Meanwhile, the owner of the local chateau dies after a fall down the stairs and rumors abound that it was murder. Katherine can't help but nose about, and teenager Jeannette, the daughter of a local thief who's got a talent for spying, helps out. Fans of village mysteries peopled with eccentric characters should pick up this 1st in a new series. For another cozy series featuring an expat detective, pick up Elizabeth Duncan's Wales-set Penny Brannigan mysteries. |
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If You Like: Lindsey Davis |
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| Terra Incognita: A Novel of the Roman Empire by Ruth DownieHistorical Mystery. Together with his outspoken slave/housekeeper Tilla and the Twentieth Legion, Roman Army doctor Gaius Petrius Ruso heads to the uncivilized north border region of Britannia in 118 AD. Tilla is from the area and quite happy to be home, but the recently divorced Ruso finds himself wondering what he's agreed to, especially when he's tasked with figuring out who beheaded a soldier and why. Those who enjoy Lindsey Davis' mysteries will appreciate the amusing Ruso and Tilla as well as Ruth Downie's dry wit and character-driven style; Terra Incognita is the 2nd of seven books. |
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| Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana FranklinHistorical Mystery. In 1171 Cambridge, England, someone is killing Christian children. The locals are blaming the Jews, who have taken refuge in a protected castle. King Henry II thinks the Jews are innocent (and he needs their tax revenue), so he requests the best master of the art of death (medical examiner) from a famous Sicilian school to examine the bodies -- but what he gets is a mistress of the art of death. For her part, the engaging, intelligent Adelia Aguilar struggles with life in less-civilized England as she tries to catch a killer. Lindsey Davis fans who appreciate forensic details should like this atmospheric award-winning series debut. |
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The year of confusion
by John Maddox Roberts
"When Dictator Caius Julius Caesar rankles the public by bringing in foreign astronomers and astrologers to revise the Roman calendar, overseer Decius finds himself investigating the murders of two of the foreign consultants, which are linked to an Indian fortune teller. (Historical mystery)."
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Through a glass darkly
by Donna Leon
After coming to the aid of his assistant Vianello's old friend, Ribetti, arrested during an environmental protest, Commissario Brunetti becomes concerned about Ribetti's father-in-law, Giovanni De Cal, a nasty factory owner heard making threats against his son-in law, a situation complicated by the killing of De Cal's night watchman.
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A mist of prophecies
by Steven Saylor
When a beautiful seeress is murdered while Julius Caesar and Pompey make war for control of the Roman Empire, Gordianus the Finder investigates the murder amid the larger intrigues of ancient Rome.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Central Mississippi Regional Library System
100 Tamberline Street
Brandon, Mississippi 39042
601-825-0100
http://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us
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