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"The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts." ~ Marcus Aurelius (121-180 A.D.), Roman emperor and author, Meditations
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New and Recently Released!
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| A June of Ordinary Murders: A Mystery by Conor BradyHistorical Mystery. For the 1887 Dublin Metropolitan Police, an "ordinary murder" was one that wasn't political in nature. When the mutilated bodies of a woman (dressed as a man) and a boy are found in a local park, the case isn't given special priority despite the strangeness. But as veteran Detective Sergeant Joe Swallow investigates, evidence suggests the killings might not be so "ordinary" after all. Meanwhile, a sweltering heat wave embraces the city, the land wars rage, criminals jockey for position after the death of a crime lord, and celebrations for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee get under way. This debut novel by Conor Brady, former editor of The Irish Times, slowly builds tension, brims with authentic details, and has "a baffling mystery" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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| Folly: An Alex Duggins Mystery by Stella CameronMystery. After the unexpected end of her marriage, 33-year-old Alex Bailey-Jones leaves London for her Cotswolds hometown. A poor kid made good, she buys The Black Dog Inn, where her mother's worked for years, and settles into life in Folly-on-Weir. But while walking in the snow one morning, she's accosted by a small dog who leads her to his murdered owner, a monk. The crime launches an investigation that unearths old secrets and forces Alex to bring to light the town's darkest deceptions in order to clear her own name. Readers who enjoy Louise Penny and Mary Daheim's novels might want to try this "top-notch" (Booklist) village mystery, the suspenseful 1st in a series. Note: this book was previously self-published as Cold. |
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| Game of Mirrors: An Inspector Montalbano Mystery by Andrea Camilleri; translated by Stephen SartarelliMystery. Bombs detonating in warehouses (with multiple people claiming credit), a beautiful married neighbor intent on seduction, illegal drugs, the Sicilian mafia, and quirky characters all come together to create a "thoroughly entertaining romp" (Booklist) in this fine 18th entry in the Investigator Montalbano series. Readers new to these witty, gritty, and internationally popular novels can start here or can pick up the first book, The Shape of Water. Old hands looking for more Italy-set mysteries featuring entertaining characters and descriptions of the local meals can try Donna Leon's Guido Brunetti mysteries or Magdalen Nabb's Marshal Guarnaccia books. |
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| The Invention of Fire: A Novel by Bruce HolsingerHistorical Mystery. It's 1386 in London, and 16 men have been discovered dead in a river, the victims of a new type of weapon, a "handgonne." Poet and purveyor of secrets John Gower, who may be losing his sight, investigates the shocking mass killings and discovers clues that the victims may have been test subjects. Once again, with help from his friend, fellow poet Geoffrey Chaucer, Gower hunts a killer in medieval England. With its evocative and historically accurate details, this 2nd in a series after A Burnable Book makes you feel like you've traveled back in time. For another richly detailed look at England during the middle ages, pick up Ariana Franklin's fascinating Adelia Aguilar mysteries. |
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| Grave Consequences: A Charlie Henry Mystery by David and Aimée Thurlo Mystery. A turquoise-and-silver necklace made by a recently murdered Navajo artist -- and buried with him -- causes no end of trouble in this suspenseful follow-up to The Pawnbroker. Former soldier Charlie Henry and his Army buddy Gordon are still running FOB Pawn in Albuquerque, and after a young woman brought it in, they have the one-of-a-kind piece in their possession...for now. But there's a number of people who want the necklace, and quite a few of them are packing heat. David and Aimée Thurlo wrote dozens of books together over their 43 yeas of marriage; unfortunately, Aimée passed away in 2014 after a short battle with cancer. |
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Focus on: Colorful Mysteries
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| Purple Cane Road: A Novel by James Lee BurkeMystery. Cajun detective Dave Robicheaux is working to help Letty Labiche get off of death row (she killed the man who molested her for years), when he learns some stunning news from a pimp: his beloved-but-barely remembered mother was a prostitute who was forcibly drowned in a mud puddle. Robicheaux wants revenge for the 30-year-old crime, but he's going to have a tough time getting it. And he still needs to help Letty. If you like lyrical prose and gritty tales, the Robicheaux books (this is the 11th) are a must-read (those who want to start with the first book can check out The Neon Rain). Looking for other authors like James Lee Burke? Try Dennis Lehane's dark, character-centered stories. |
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| Red Velvet Cupcake Murder by Joanne FlukeCozy Mystery. Lake Eden, Minnesota's Hannah Swensen is once again up to her elbows in flour, sugar, and murder. It all starts when she's serving her famous Red Velvet cupcakes at a fancy party and a police department secretary falls -- or is pushed -- off the roof. Then, the killing of a different woman, a romantic rival of Hannah's, finds the 30-something baker a prime suspect in a murder investigation. If you're craving a light, fluffy morsel with recipes included, this tasty tidbit should hit the spot. If you haven't read this series (this is the 16th entry), but think it sounds familiar, perhaps you saw the recent Hallmark channel premiere of Murder She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery starring Alison Sweeney. |
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| The Girl in the Green Raincoat: A Tess Monaghan Novel by Laura LippmanMystery. Bed-ridden at home while in the last trimester of her unplanned pregnancy, 35-year-old Baltimore PI Tess Monaghan is bored. So she takes to people-watching à la Rear Window, and notices that at the same time every day a woman in a green raincoat walks an Italian greyhound...until one day only the frightened dog appears. Becoming obsessed with the idea that harm has befallen the dog's owner, Tess has her employee, friends, and boyfriend investigate. Though this 11th book in the excellent Tess Monaghan mysteries is a gem and packs in plenty of details and action, it's actually a novella that was originally serialized in The New York Times Magazine. |
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| Blue Shoes and Happiness: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series by Alexander McCall SmithMystery. Precious Ramotswe and her able assistant Grace Makutsi may not deal with murders like a lot of fictional PIs do, but they sure have plenty of intriguing cases. In the 7th book in the bestselling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, there's the moral chef who might lose her job; a newspaper columnist who's giving out questionable advice; a strange uneasiness among workers at a nearby game reserve; a local doctor who doesn't want his nurse to take patients' blood pressures; and, closer to home, there's romantic trouble for the recently engaged Grace as well as a deadly cobra in the detective agency's office. Publishers Weekly says, "even newcomers will be charmed by this wonderful novel." |
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| A Little Yellow Dog: An Easy Rawlins Mystery by Walter MosleyMystery. Within the first few pages of this 5th installment in a popular, critically acclaimed series, Easy Rawlins is easily seduced by a beautiful teacher in trouble. Now Easy, who's been on the straight and narrow for two years and is the head custodian at the junior high school where the woman works, feels compelled to help her. And, boy, does she need it. Taking in the woman's little yellow dog that her husband supposedly wants to kill finds Easy dealing with lowdown criminals and drug runners, hanging out in some of his dangerous old haunts, and trying to solve three murders. If you like dialogue-rich, well-plotted historical mysteries, check out this stellar book set in Los Angeles in November 1963. |
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Contract your librarian for more great books!
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Prince George's County Memorial Library System 6532 Adelphi Rd. Hyattsville, Maryland 20782 301-699-3500http://www.pgcmls.info/ |
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