Mystery
June 1, 2011
Working out of their comfort zones is the unifying theme for this month’s protagonists. Our heroes and heroines struggle both internally and physically. Whether in the ocean (usually not by choice) or caves, graves, and burning barns, you can count on excitement and something just a bit out of the norm with these titles.
There’s an abundance of pirates, buried treasure, and old-fashioned greed running through the mysteries here, and I’m not talking about the Johnny Depp type. Prepare to be astonished by Randall Peffer’s Vietnam-based saga (Screams & Whispers), intrigued by Jenifer LeClair’s Maine island adventure (Danger Sector), and delighted by Barbara Warren’s romantic gothic (Murder at the Painted Lady). (You do know that Laurie R. King’s newest, Pirate King, due in September features pirates, don’t you?)
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines, because more automotive mysteries are on the track this month, following Steve Ulfelder’s debut (Purgatory Chasm) in May. Tammy Kaehler’s hot debut (Dead Man’s Switch) features a spunky female driver, while Amy Myers concentrates on collectors of classic cars (Classic in the Barn). Both offer terrific readers’ advisory opportunities considering the popularity of NASCAR and vintage gear.
In the “rising tide lifts all boats” department, mass-market paperback niche mysteries continue to expand and satisfy us in ways we couldn’t have imagined. Janet Bolin’s new series (Dire Threads) brings thread arts to the forefront, and Wendy Lyn Watson keeps scooping up winners (A Parfait Murder) with her “Mystery à la Mode” series.
Don’t forget to scan the “Series Lineup” so you don’t miss your readers’ longtime favorites. Ray Banks is concluding his noir series with Beast of Burden, and you’ll want to ensure you haveall four volumes.
BOOK CRAWL
Pittsburgh Noir. ed. by Kathleen George. ISBN 9781936070930.
San Diego Noir. ed. by Maryelizabeth Hart. ISBN 9781936070947. ea. vol:
Akashic. (Akashic Noir). Jun. 2011. c.300p. pap. $15.95. M
For my money, the “Akashic Noir” series has been one of the best bargains of the past decade. Started in 2004, the series has almost 50 titles thus far. These regional gems give us a chance to sample new stories from the locals, writers who know the dark sides of their cities, regions, or even countries. The introductions, maps, and author bios all enhance the respective volumes. George, author of an Edgar-nominated Pittsburgh-based series (Hideout; The Odds) shares the “dark underbelly” of her city, sectioning her anthology off thematically: “Prime Real Estate”; “Three Rivers”; “Universities, Parks, Recreation”; and “Neighbors Who Care.” The volume is solidly anchored with familiar names like K.C. Constantine, Thomas Lipinski, and Nancy Martin—plus others you might not have expected.
The San Diego volume, edited by the co-owner of San Diego bookstore Mysterious Galaxy, is structured much the same, but this city’s themes run to “Working Stiffs”; “Neighborhood Watch”; “Life’s a Beach”; and “Boundaries & Borders.” T. Jefferson Parker and Don Winslow are headliner choices, but it is delightful to find Martha C. Lawrence, Taffy Cannon, and Luis Alberto Urrea included, too. Maria Lima brings in a bonus urban fantasy. VERDICT Keep in mind these are noir collections, not at all cozy. I get the feeling that the contributors enjoy stretching their wings and trying new personas, so proceed accordingly. Perfect for adventurous book groups and for travelers seeking the less rosy side of the cities they’re planning to visit.
CHECK THESE OUT
Brand, Axel. The Dead Genius: A Lieutenant Joe Sonntag Novel. Five Star: Gale Cengage. Jul. 2011. c.298p. ISBN 9781432825140. $25.95. M
Post–World War II Milwaukee can hide stories as well as any other place. When noted forensic document examiner (a new field) Armand de Trouville dies suddenly at his desk, it looks like a natural death. But Police Capt. Ackerman has a hunch, and he sends Lt. Joe Sonntag (A Hotel Dick) to investigate. Where to begin with a man whose background is a mystery? Well, for one thing, too many people want the cops to think they’re barking up the wrong tree. VERDICT A fine little police procedural from a master storyteller better known as Western writer Richard S. Wheeler. This is historical fiction done well, with steady pacing and bullpen humor. Think of Sheldon Russell’s The Yard Dog for time period and sense of place. Highly recommended.
Kaehler, Tammy. Dead Man’s Switch. Poisoned Pen. Aug. 2011. c.250p. ISBN 9781590588819. $24.95; pap. ISBN 9781590588833. $14.95. M
Driver Kate Reilly is following the car racing circuit as a freelancer, which means she’s available to drive if a team needs a replacement. When driver Wade Becker turns up dead—and she’s the one who finds his body—all suspicions focus on her, because she now has a job. If you still think women are the biggest gossips, just take a look at a man’s world. Kate wades in as “Miss Marple in a helmet” and learns more secrets than she wants, including a troubling blackmailing ring. But when Kate’s buckled into her Corvette, we’re on the track, too, thanks to Kaehler’s breathless prose and vivid descriptions. Trouble is, we can’t figure out if Kate is in more danger on the track or off. VERDICT Kaehler’s clear explanations of technical jargon make the racing world come alive. An engaging debut; I can’t wait to see where Kate and the crew go next.
LeClair, Jenifer. Danger Sector. Conquill Pr. (Windjammer Mystery, Bk. 2). Jul. 2011. c.324p. ISBN 9780980001709. pap. $15. M
If you love sailing, grab this title and prepare to be immersed for a few hours. LeClair brings back Minneapolis homicide detective Brie Beaumont (Rigged for Murder), who is currently on the crew for the sailing ship Maine Wind. They are on a layover on a small Maine island, visiting an old friend who’s the lighthouse keeper. Brie, still on leave and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, nonetheless knows she must investigate when a neighbor of the lighthouse keeper disappears unexpectedly. Islanders don’t cotton easily to outsiders, and Brie has her hands full finding out who needed to silence the missing woman and why. Romantic suspense is a strong component to this fairly gentle read, as Brie also puzzles out her growing attraction to her ship’s captain. VERDICT A strong sense of place and a fine little closed-room drama make this seafaring read a real pleasure. The glossary of nautical terms is a nice touch.
McCaffrey, Vincent. A Slepyng Hound To Wake. Small Beer. Jul. 2011. c.280p. ISBN 9781931520263. $24. M
Yes, that’s Chaucer’s line in the title, and it’s just a hint of the flavor of Henry Sullivan’s (Hound) Boston, where he scouts out promising used books, sells them online, and ponders life. His introspection is interrupted when troubled book scout Eddy Perry sells him a title and then is murdered that very night. On the heels of that incident, Henry’s old lover, bookstore owner Barbara, asks him to look into the possibility of a plagiarism problem involving her friend and a blockbuster-type author. (Still with me?) Longtime friend Albert and wannabe love interest Della provide the wherewithal for Henry’s sleuthing, not to mention the wits to keep him alive. VERDICT There’s a Woody Allen tone to this one, and you’ll enjoy sharing it with bibliophiles or anyone who appreciates quirky characters. The plotting and weaving of story lines hide a clever puzzle, but most readers will forget they’re reading a mystery until all the pieces fall into place at the very end. Lisa Lutz fans could like this.
Myers, Amy. Classic in the Barn: A Case for Jack Colby, Car Detective. Severn House. Jul. 2011. c.224p. ISBN 9780727880185. $27.95. M
Everyone is lusting after this classic car housed in a barn—a 1938 Lagonda. But it brings trouble. Polly, the owner, held onto this cherished car long after her late husband’s death, and now she’s been killed. Much as he appreciates rare vehicles, car restorer Jack Colby begins to wonder if the car is really the target when the barn is hit again—after the car has been moved. Despite all the potential suspects’ posturing, Jack knows enough about car cloning and thievery to suspect that greed and blackmail are at work here. Will he be able to protect his client and himself from the final silencing? VERDICT This series launch from the author of the “Marsh and Daughter” series (Murder on the Old Road) is destined to be popular with car buffs and puzzlers. Recommend to Simon Brett fans and consider pairing with Tammy Kaehler’s title above. A Jack Colby website (jackcolby.co.uk) features the cars in the book.
Olsen, Jimmy. Poison Makers. Hoffman House. Jun. 2011. c.354p. ISBN 978098083542. $19.95. M
Officially, Adam Quist, the U.S. ambassador to the Dominican Republican, died of a heart attack one morning in 1972, but readers know that he’s been poisoned by a voodoo concoction. Guileless part-time PI Edgar Espinosa-Jones (EJ), our Dominican American hero, is hired to investigate Quist’s death. Big mistake! EJ’s over his head with the myriad Caribbean cultures—Haitian and Cuban politics and religion mixed in with a heady dose of the CIA and the Marines. He is sent to Washington, DC, and New York City to interview the Quist family and barely makes it back to the Dominican Republic alive. Even worse, the evil forces trying to kill him—because he knows too much at this point—are pursuing his family, too. VERDICT Put this in your cart right now. EJ has more lives than Indiana Jones, and you’ll be hand selling Olsen’s (Things in Ditches) second mystery as soon as you’ve finished it yourself. Exciting, twisted, educational, if you will, with great dialog and an unforgettable finish.
Peffer, Randall. Screams & Whispers. Tyrus. (Cape Islands Novels). Jul. 2011. c.300p. ISBN 9781935562368. $24.95; pap. ISBN 9781935562535. $15.95. M
Peffer’s latest series entry is pure opera, a multiact tragedy enhanced with opium tea and nunchakus. Big-hearted fisherman and former attorney Michael DeCastro (Provincetown Follies, Bangkok Blues) knows he must rescue former client and big love Tuki Aparecio, who’s in serious trouble in Vietnam. Still in possession of the incredibly precious ruby known as the Heart of Warriors, Tuki has been caught by Wen-Ling, a villainous dragon lady who covets the gem and won’t be fooled again. Michael takes his dad with him; he’s a Vietnam War vet with his own backstory and, thankfully, a fluency in Vietnamese. Stripping his protagonists down to their most basic survival instincts, Peffer makes his characters sing. VERDICT This intense, gritty, and grim story is not for the faint of heart. But such passion! Recommended for fans of Timothy Hallinan’s Bangkok mysteries (The Queen of Patpong) and for those who want a thriller laced with history and a search for belief.
Upson, Nicola. Two for Sorrow. Harper: HarperCollins. Aug. 2011. c.488p. ISBN 9780061451584. pap. $13.99. M
This is the third in the engrossing series (Angel with Two Faces) featuring real-life mystery author and playwright Josephine Tey. Tey is researching a true crime story about the hanging deaths of two midwives who were convicted of running baby farms at the turn of the 20th century. Trouble is, Tey’s research overlaps with people in her immediate circle, some 30 years later. Tey’s habit of observing others is challenged when she is forced to bare her own emotions, not just in the case at hand, but in her personal life. Inspector Archie Penrose smells danger and guilt, and the killer gets desperate. All illusions are stripped bare by the end of this meaty psychological thriller. VERDICT This excellent entry in this highly recommended series provides all the classic detective components with a contemporary kick. If your readers relish Tey’s original golden age mysteries and know their details, Upson’s series should have strong appeal. The case is intricate and surprisingly intimate, weaving in and out of two historical periods and featuring that Upstairs Downstairs class element. It showcases London’s theater scene beautifully, as well.
COZY CORNER
Bolin, Janet. Dire Threads: A Threadville Mystery. Berkley Prime Crime. Jun. 2011. c.336p. ISBN 9780425241899. pap. $7.99. M
Willow Vanderling wants to leave her New York City life behind and has joined good friend Haylee in tour bus destination town Threadville. Nicknamed for the abundance of fiber art and fabric stores, Elderberry Bay, PA, looks like a perfect setting for Willow’s new machine embroidery shop. And it is, until a powerful bully from the village is found dead in Willow’s backyard, and she was the last one to wish him dead! Being the newest shopkeeper in town, Willow has no way to figure out her allies, initially. But as she and Haylee sleuth, they learn about the village’s dark secrets. As expected, all hands are on deck to solve this whodunit, including a loyal posse of tour bus gals. VERDICT With a winning cast of characters, Bolin should be able to stitch together quite a series for Willow and her fellow shopkeepers. Certain to appeal to Lorna Barrett’s “Booktown Mystery” readers. Embroidery project included.
Duncan, Alice. Genteel Spirits. Five Star: Gale Cengage. Jul. 2011. c.296p. ISBN 9781432825003. $25.95. M
Daisy Gumm Majesty is a local spiritualist of some renown in 1922 Pasadena, CA. The leisure class—in this case, Hollywood stars—are susceptible to mediums, and Daisy knows her talents help put food on the table for her loving and tragedy-hit family. Husband Billy has never been the same since sustaining wounds during World War I, and this fifth outing (after Hungry Spirits) finds his health declining rapidly. Nevertheless, Daisy puts on her game face and works the movie set, protecting a diva star and a Rudolph Valentino–type with his own secrets. When threatening letters are found in the stars’ dressing rooms, Daisy and her sidekick, Harold, move into snoop mode, much to the consternation of police detective Sam Rotondo. VERDICT With an engaging dog obedience class side story and a real feel for the time and place, Duncan’s historical series has much to recommend it. While gentle and humorous, this first-person tale is tinged with sadness because of Billy’s plight. Recommended for Jacqueline Winspear and Carola Dunn readers.
Warren, Barbara. Murder at the Painted Lady. Avalon: Thomas Bouregy. Jun. 2011. c.186p. ISBN 9780803476530. $23.95. M
A young, single woman inherits an old Victorian house in the Ozarks region of Missouri. Check. Other people think they should have inherited the house so they try to scare her off. Check. She makes new friends and hunkers down to make her dream come true. Check. What part of haunted house stories have we forgotten? Not to worry, all the elements are here. This is a charmer of a book, and spunky Allie McGregor likes her new home—even when a corpse shows up in her drawing room. There’s a reason everyone wants to get this house: a rumor of hidden jewels. The historical twist to figuring out the mystery enhances the modern gothic feel. VERDICT Warren’s (The Gathering Storm) story flows well, and the characters are endearing. This one is easy to recommend for those seeking gentle romantic suspense. Try with Clare O’Donohue’s “Someday Quilts” series.
Watson, Wendy Lyn. A Parfait Murder: A Mystery à la Mode. Obsidian Mysteries: NAL. Jun. 2011. c.280p. ISBN 9780451233806. pap. $6.99. M
Hot August nights and the Lantana County Fair bring back Tallulah (Tally) Jones and her wacky small-town Texan ensemble (Scoop To Kill). Cousin Bree is accused of murdering smug attorney Kristen Ver Steeg in one of the carnival rides. Tally and Finn, her reporter boyfriend, are hot on the trail to figure out who wanted Kristen dead—aside from Bree. Assorted family secrets make for some bumps in the ride and keep us guessing as we go. VERDICT Laugh-out-loud humor and snappy dialog create a perfect confection for a summer afternoon. Watson’s cozy series pokes fun but never too hard, making this an easy recommendation for those who enjoy family and friends ensemble mysteries. Think Avery Aames and Lila Dare for writers with similar small-business owners solving crimes on the side. And don’t forget to try the to-die-for ice cream recipes.
ADDITIONAL MYSTERIES
Allbritten, Esri. Chihuahua of the Baskervilles: A Mystery. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Jul. 2011. c.288p. ISBN 9780312569150. $23.99. M
Reporters Angus MacGregor, Suki Oota, and Michael Abernathy are sent by a travel magazine specializing in the paranormal to the town of Manitou Springs, CO, to investigate sightings of a ghost dog. Charlotte Baskerville, the owner of designer dog clothes company Petey’s Closet, reported being awakened by her deceased Chihuahua Petey’s distinctive, yodeling bark. Things turn deadly when Charlotte’s disreputable husband runs in front of a car while chasing Petey’s “ghost.” The journalists are naturally drawn into the mystery while researching the canine spirit and the town’s paranormal ambiance. VERDICT Allbritten, who previously wrote two supernatural romances under the name of Esri Rose, has created likable characters, an intriguing mystery, and a quaint setting. Her series debut will appeal to cozy mystery lovers, especially those from Colorado. [Minotaur First Edition selection; regional tour; library marketing.]—Susan Hayes, Chattahoochee Valley Libs., Columbus, GA
Estleman, Loren D. Infernal Angels: An Amos Walker Novel. Forge: Tor. Jul. 2011. c.304p. ISBN 9780765319555. $24.99. M
Few authors could write a gripping crime novel about the theft of HDTV convertor boxes in Detroit; but if the tale is told by esteemed noir writer Estleman, sit back and enjoy the ride. Motown’s most cantankerous gumshoe is back in his 21st novel, and he’s never been more irrepressible or caustic. When Amos Walker (The Left-Handed Dollar) gets a tip on a client looking to recover some stolen convertor boxes, he signs on for a few days work. What follows is the uncovering of a heroin smuggling ring that turns an easy case into a federal investigation. Throw in the widow of an infamous crime boss, dead junkies, and Walker’s increasing dependency on Vicodin, and you’ve got yourself a great story. VERDICT While this mystery can be read as a stand-alone, it is more enjoyable when the reader is familiar with the cast of characters from past adventures. Gritty and full of depressing facts about an American city that has seen better days, this would strongly appeal to fans of Raymond Chandler, Ross MacDonald, and other authors of hard-boiled detective fiction.—Amy Nolan, St. Joseph P.L., MI
Speller, Elizabeth. The Return of Captain John Emmett. Houghton Harcourt. Jul. 2011. c.384p. ISBN 9780547511696. $26. M
Laurence Bartram is a young widower grappling not only with the loss of his young wife and infant son but also with a return to normalcy after his service in World War I when he receives a letter from Mary Emmett, the sister of a boyhood friend, asking him to look into her brother’s supposed suicide. He is as intrigued by Mary herself as he is by her letter, and his investigations uncover a series of crimes and help Laurence confront his own horrendous memories of the war. An absorbing mystery set in postwar London, Speller’s literary debut is brimming with historical details of the period and doesn’t shy away from war’s atrocities. There are many references to British writers and poets that the average American reader may not be familiar with, and the myriad names of officers and soldiers may be confusing. VERDICT World War I history buffs will enjoy this mystery, as will fans of period pieces set in London. Readers who like Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs series will enjoy this as well. [Previewed in M.M. Adjarian’s genre spotlight, “Dispatches from the Edge,” <LJ 4/15/11.—Ed.] —Julie Pierce, Fort Myers–Lee County P.L., FL
DEBUT OF THE MONTH
Carter, Maureen. A Question of Despair. Crème de la Crime: Severn House. Jul. 2011. c.216p. ISBN 9781780290003. $28.95. M
Nothing horrifies us quite as much as a child abduction, and Baby Evie was indeed snatched off the streets of Birmingham, England, leaving her hysterical teen mother behind. DI Sarah Quinn, aka The Ice Queen, leads the hunt as the hours tick by and the trail grows cold. Concurrently, independent TV news producer Caroline King fancies herself the expert who can flush out the killer. Each woman in her unique, irritating manner shuts the other out because of their shared history, letting ego and pride hamper progress in this hard-boiled, briskly paced procedural. Carter uses multiple points of view to help tighten the psychological tension. VERDICT This is just the ticket for readers captivated by human depravity. Crisply written with an electric pace—this story won’t soon leave you. Compare to Denise Mina or recommend to across-the-pond Lisa Gardner’s Detective D.D. Warren series fans. Carter is the author of the Bev Morriss series (Blood Money). [Crème de la Crime is the newly acquired imprint of Severn House.—Ed.].
SERIES LINEUP
Banks, Ray. Beast of Burden: A Cal Innes Novel. Houghton Harcourt. Aug. 2011. c.304p. ISBN 9780151014538. $25. M
Make sure you get this final entry in Banks’s compelling noir series (Saturday’s Child; Sucker Punch; No More Heroes) featuring Manchester PI Cal Innes. Sure to become a cult classic.
Barrett, Lorna. Sentenced to Death: A Booktown Mystery. Berkley Prime Crime. Jun. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9780425241868. pap. $7.99. M
New Hampshire mystery bookstore owner Tricia (Chapter & Hearse) is in the middle of things when a small plane crashes during the village’s Founders’ Day celebration.
Buzzelli, Elizabeth Kane. Dead Dogs and Englishmen: An Emily Kinkaid Mystery. Midnight Ink. Jul. 2011. c.360p. ISBN 9780738718781. pap. $14.95. M
Mystery writer Emily (Dead Sleeping Shaman) knows the dead dogs tie in with the British author she’s working with, but how?
Clemens, Judy. Flowers for Her Grave: A Grim Reaper Mystery. Poisoned Pen. Aug. 2011. c.288p. ISBN 9781590589182. $24.95; pap. ISBN 9781590589205. $14.95. M
Casey is reinventing herself again in this third paranormal entry (after The Grim Reaper’s Dance). This time she tries a new life in Florida. Death, of course, follows. [For another tale featuring a sleuth/Grim Reaper, see Darynda Jones’s Second Grave on the Left reviewed on p. 96.—Ed.]
Douglas, Carole Nelson. Cat in a Vegas Gold Vendetta: A Midnight Louie Mystery. Forge: Tor. Aug. 2011. c.384p. ISBN 9780765327468. $24.99. M
Our favorite 20-pound noir feline detective is back (Cat in an Ultramarine Scheme) helping Temple Barr solve the crimes of Las Vegas.
DuBois, Brendan. Deadly Cove: A Lewis Cole Mystery. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Jul. 2011. c.304p. ISBN 9780312566340. $24.99. M
Journalist Lewis Cole (Dead Sand) probes the murder of a protestor at an antinuclear rally.
Genelin, Michael. Requiem for a Gypsy: A Commander Jana Matinova Investigation. Soho Crime. Jul. 2011. c.356p. ISBN 9781569479575. $25. M
Once again, a compelling and intricate case for the Slovakian detective (The Magician’s Accomplice).
Hambly, Barbara. The Shirt on His Back: A Benjamin January Novel. Severn House. Jul. 2011. c.256p. ISBN 9780727880109. $29.95. M
The tenth entry in this outstanding historical series (Dead and Buried) is set in the Rockies as our hero, a free man of color, attends the annual rendezvous of mountain men.
Harrison, Cora. Scales of Retribution. Severn House. Jun. 2011. c.216p. ISBN 9780727869968. $28.95. M
When Malachy the physician is poisoned, new mother and local judge Mara (Eye of the Law) must investigate in this 16th-century Irish historical.
Hayes, J.M. English Lessons: A Mad Dog & Englishman Mystery. Poisoned Pen. Jul. 2011. c.250p. ISBN 9781590589151. $24.95; pap. ISBN 9781590589175. $14.95. M
Christmas looks to be bleak for Sewa Tribal Police Officer Heather English (Server Down) when she finds a dead Arizona state official and a warning that she’s a target, too.
Jaffarian, Sue Ann. Twice as Dead: An Odelia Grey Mystery. Midnight Ink. Jun. 2011. c.312p. ISBN 9780738713526. pap. $14.95. M
Prepare to laugh as “Corpse Magnet” Odelia (Corpse on the Cob) finds yet another dead body, this time at a fancy Newport Beach, CA, wedding.
QUOTABLE
“Not long after that, it was Albert who had first taken Henry to the ballpark one July, and had bought the better seats. ‘Why sit in the bleachers if you don’t have to.’ These came as words of revelation.”—Vincent McCaffrey, A Slepyng Hound To Wake
“Two pivotal events grieved me that autumn of 1972; the mysterious death of Adam Quist and my purchase of a television set for the maid. Both swung against the flow of my life, but the maid’s TV troubled me from the first morning I switched it on.”—Jimmy Olsen, Poison Makers
O CANADA!
Bloody Words 2011 (www.bloodywords2011.com), Canada’s major mystery convention, runs June 3–5 in Victoria, that beautiful city on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. That same week in Victoria, the Crime Writers of Canada (www.crimewriterscanada.com) announce the Arthur Ellis Awards. Consider featuring Canadian mysteries with a map of the provinces displayed with their most famous fictional protagonists tagged. You might be surprised at how rich your collections are with our friends from the north. Bios are given on the websites listed above, just in case you can’t think beyond Louise Penny, Giles Blunt, and Peter Robinson. Newcomer Janet Bolin, reviewed on page opposite, is also Canadian.
