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The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict"Twelve clues. Twelve keys. Twelve days of Christmas. But how many will die before Twelfth Night? The annual Christmas Game is afoot at Endgame House, the Armitages' grand family home. This year's prize is to die for-deeds to the house itself-but Lily Armitage has no intention of returning. She hasn't been back to Endgame since her mother died, twenty-one years ago, and she has no intention of claiming the house that haunts her dreams. Until, that is, she receives a letter from her aunt promising that the game's riddles will give her the keys not only to Endgame, but to its darkest secrets, including the identity of her mother's murderer. Now, Lily must compete with her estranged cousins for the twelve days of Christmas. The snow is thick, the phone lines are down, and no one is getting in or out. Lily will have to keep her wits about her, because not everyone is playing fair, and there's no telling how many will die before the winner is declared. Including additional scavenger hunts for the reader, this clever murder mystery is the perfect gift for fans of classic mysteries, festive Christmas books, and armchair detective work"
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| Blackwater Falls by Ausma Zehanat KhanWhat it is: a timely police procedural and series opener starring a Muslim woman detective from Denver Police's Community Response Unit, who's assigned a volatile case in a small Colorado mountain town.
What happens: Investigating the murder of a 16-year-old Syrian refugee who was found crucified to the door of a mosque, Det. Inaya Rahman thinks the case is linked to two missing Somali girls. But to sort it all out, she must deal with sexism, anti-Islam sentiment, and police corruption.
Reviewers say: "stunning...not to be missed" (Publishers Weekly). |
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| Sinister Graves by Marcie R. Rendon1970s Minnesota: Cash Blackbear is an unforgettable 19-year-old Ojibwe college student who has psychic dreams and sometimes works alongside her mentor Sheriff Wheaton.
After the Red River floods... the body of a Native woman floats down river. To identify her, Cash deals with a strange pastor and his wife.
Series alert: Sinister Graves is the atmospheric 3rd Cash Blackbear novel, but fans of fascinating characters can start here, especially those who like William Kent Krueger's Cork O'Connor mysteries or Ramona Emerson's recent debut, Shutter. |
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| A Death in Door County by Annelise RyanIntroducing: Morgan Carter, who runs Odds and Ends, a Loon County, Wisconsin, book and curiosity shop she inherited from her parents, who also passed along their passion for cryptozoology.
Stranger things: After two people are found drowned in a nearby lake with mysterious bite marks, Morgan agrees to help the police chief try to figure out what caused the injuries before word gets out.
Why you might like it: This fun 1st in the Monster Hunter series offers appealing characters (including a sweet dog) and a touch of romance. |
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| The Decagon House Murders by Yukito AyatsujiThe Murder Club: Seven Japanese university students with nicknames inspired by famous mystery authors -- Agatha, Carr, Ellery, Leroux, Orczy, Poe, and Van Dine -- plan to spend a week on an isolated island that was the scene of terrible murders six months earlier.
The problem: A new murder occurs and there's no way off the island, so they must figure out how to stay safe and who is after them.
Why you might like it: Originally published in Japan in 1987, this atmospheric novel is part of the Japanese Honkaku tradition, which prioritizes the puzzle aspect of mysteries. |
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| A Forgotten Murder by Jude DeverauxA holiday? Wealthy Florida author and amateur sleuth Sara Medlar takes her niece Sara and friend Jack for a stay at an English estate.
Surprise guests: Sara's also invited five others, all of whom were there 25 years ago when two people mysteriously disappeared. With her friends' help, Sara plans to plot out the truth.
Why you might like it: This 3rd in the Medlar mysteries series by bestselling author Jude Deveraux (who's best known for her romance novels) is an engaging modern country house mystery with an intriguing cast of characters and an entertaining wrap up. |
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| They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell HallTrip of a lifetime: Miriam Macy, whose life is off the rails, accepts the chance to compete in a reality show competition, sailing to a private island off the coast of Mexico with six strangers: an ex-cop, a chef, a financial advisor, a nurse, a lawyer, and a happy young widow.
The lies: There isn't a TV show, and they've been lured there due to secrets they harbor. When strange accidents start to happen, Miriam realizes she must figure out what's going on or die trying.
Why you might like it: In this new take on Agatha's Christie's And Then There Were None, "Hall slips from funny to darkly frightening with elegant ease" (Publishers Weekly). |
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| Magpie Murders by Anthony HorowitzThe frustration: While reading Alan Conway's latest mystery manuscript starring his popular Poirot-esque detective, his editor Susan Ryeland discovers that the final chapters revealing the killer are missing.
What happens: Conway has suddenly (and suspiciously) died, so Susan tries to piece together the book's ending by interviewing his friends and family -- which leads to her realization that his characters are stand-ins for real people, and the manuscript might be related to his death.
Why you might like it: The cleverly plotted 1st in the Magpie Murders series, which is the inspiration for a new PBS series of the same name, has suspense, a novel-within-a-novel, and delightful Golden Age elements. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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