Mystery, May 1, 2011
May 1, 2011Get Your Boarding passes ready for a tour around the world this month. Your readers will love the variety of tones and unique voices. Of course, murder clouds all these entries, but that’s another story. Make sure you catch Colin Cotterill’s delightful Killed at the Whim of a Hat—no, it’s not Dr. Siri, but a new heroine, reporter Jimm Juree. See if you aren’t captivated by Anne Zouroudi’s “Seven Deadly Sins” entry, The Taint of Midas. Like dark and gritty? Then by all means, meet the world’s greatest detective, Claire DeWitt, in Sara Gran’s Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead.
Going back in time with more strong historicals, two debuts show great potential: Bernadette Pajer’s Seattle-based professor in A Spark of Death and Reavis Z. Wortham’s take on 1964 rural Texas in The Rock Hole. And the “Cozy Corner” is leaning toward the book arts this month. Don’t miss Kate Carlisle’s spy novel–within–a cozy offering! Be sure to scan the “Series Lineup” so you don’t miss your readers’ longtime favorites.
Changes are afoot in the publishing industry, so pay attention to new imprints over the coming months. Pegasus Books announced in March that it’s launching a new imprint, Pegasus Crime. Expect to see about a dozen titles this year; the first is Camilla Läckberg’s The Preacher, the just-out sequel to The Ice Princess. Additionally, Severn House has acquired Crème de la Crime, which will enhance their British crime fiction lineup. New titles in this imprint are coming out this month.
Word-of-mouth enthusiasm works in bookstores just like libraries, of course. See my “Mystery Shopper” notes for a couple of fun recommendations. What are the mystery store owners in your area hearing?
JUSTICE FOR THE GODS
Dingwall, Wendy. Hera’s Revenge: An Yvonne Suarez Travel Mystery. Canterbury. 2011. c.213p. ISBN 9780982905425. pap. $14.95. M
Yvonne, superconscientious travel agent, plans the perfect Greek tour for her group, only to have corpses pop up almost immediately. And then a priceless little gold sculpture of Hera is stolen from the museum when her group is there. As the wide-eyed bunch explores Athens and beyond, Yvonne befriends handsome David, who assists her in this homage—both in tone and locale—to Mary Stewart’s The Moon-Spinners. VERDICT An abundance of red herrings and choppy dialog distract a bit, but the author’s love of Greece and her insights into a tour group’s dynamics make this light romantic suspense debut a welcome distraction for an armchair traveler. A series to watch.
Zouroudi, Anne. The Taint of Midas. Reagan Arthur: Little, Brown. (Mysteries of the Greek Detective). Jul. 2011. c.294p. ISBN 9780316076296. $23.99. M
The old beekeeper didn’t deserve to die in a hit-and-run, and his friend Hermes Diaktoros vows to find his killer. Our hero, Hermes (The Messenger of Athens), better known as the fat man, returns in a leisurely paced contemporary steeped in Greek mythology. In this case, a lovely little island is suffering from developers’ greed and folks who have zero respect for history. Conducting his investigation surreptitiously, with the help of two sympathetic cops, Hermes upends guilty parties and reestablishes justice. Not content to focus solely on the case at hand, Hermes delves deeper and acts as an informal therapist to several individuals along the way. VERDICT With its wonderful premise for a mystery series, this entry captivates. Hermes is a fastidious philosopher, making this perfect book group material. Highly recommended, particularly for Alexander McCall Smith fans and perhaps the Nero Wolfe set as well.
CHECK THESE OUT
Cameron, Bill. County Line. Tyrus. Jun. 2011. c.403p. ISBN 9781935562351. $24.95. M
Retired cop Skin Kadash returns from an extended retreat (following his last outing in Day One) to find his friend Ruby Jane’s apartment occupied by a dead man, and Ruby Jane nowhere to be found. Grasping at straws, Skin drives to the San Francisco Bay Area to corner Pete, Ruby Jane’s former lover, and see if he knows something. Great: now we have two desperate men who have reason to think she’s fled to Ohio, where she grew up. She’s there, but, clearly, going back home was not the answer. Toggling back and forth between Skin’s first-person narration and Ruby Jane’s voice from two decades ago, Cameron writes a gripping tale of longing, loss, and greed. Just when we think we’ve figured it all out, he throws another curve ball to keep us wanting more. It’s exhausting and disturbing yet, ultimately, a sliver of justice is attained. VERDICT Nothing’s soft about Cameron’s dark tale, but a surprising tone of compassion tucks itself into the narrative. It’s a perfect fit for Archer Mayor and William Kent Krueger fans.
Cotterill, Colin. Killed at the Whim of a Hat. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Jul. 2011. c.374p. ISBN 9780312564537. $24.99. M
Jimm Juree, disgruntled journalist and loyal daughter banished to the Thailand hinterlands by her mother’s rash decision to buy a run-down resort, is jubilant when the remains of a long-buried VW bus complete with two skeletons are unearthed in a field. But wait, there’s more! A second mystery opens up when an abbot is stabbed to death at the local monastery. Soon Jimm has befriended the local police (already smarting from the put-downs by the big-city types), a local nun, and a priest. She’s enlisted the help of her transgendered sibling (an Internet guru) and her grandfather, a retired cop. Laugh-out-loud observations coupled with George W. Bush quotes make this book remarkably fresh. Jimm knows she has the newspaper story of her life—that is, if she can stay alive to write it. VERDICT This outstanding series debut from the author of the Dr. Siri Paiboun mysteries (Love Songs from a Shallow Grave) would appeal to crossover readers who enjoy well-developed ensemble casts and a sense of the absurd. It’s not just about Thailand; Cotterill understands people and writes subtle humor like a master.
George, Kathleen. Hideout. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Aug. 2011. c.307p. ISBN 9780312569136. $24.99. M
When Pittsburgh detectives Colleen Greer and Richard Christie, plus regulars Dolan and Potocki, are handed a hit-and-run case, there’s initially nothing that connects their victim to two desperate, late-teen brothers on the run. It’s a meaningless crime that Greer and team desperately want to solve. The boys hole up in a rural summer vacation cabin, and Jack does day labor work for the older woman down the road. His drug-addled brother’s behavior leads to harrowing situations that force more bad choices. This outstanding police procedural brings the detectives ever closer with a tense and chilling buildup, in which amorality confronts old-fashioned ethics. Can anything positive emerge from this dilemma? VERDICT Edgar-nominated George’s (The Odds) latest entry plays to her strength: psychological character study. Once again she explores what happens when kids are forced to make their own way in a complex world. This would appeal to Dennis Tafoya and Tana French readers.
Gooden, Philip. The Durham Deception: A Cathedral Mystery. Severn House. Jun. 2011. c.248p. ISBN 9780727869951. $28.95. M
The fascination with magicians, conjurers, and mediums in Victorian England brings newlyweds Tom and Helen Ansell to their second case (after The Salisbury Manuscripts). Helen’s spinster aunt is about to fall victim to a medium’s scam, and Helen’s mother asks Helen to go check on the situation in Durham. Concurrently, Tom’s law firm wants him to take a disposition from a client, a magician in possession of an exotic item from India; the magician just happens to be in Durham as well. The couple find plenty of intrigue and a bit of danger in this puzzler that shows us how the magic’s done but demonstrates that solving a murder goes beyond hidden doors and sleight of hand. VERDICT This second entry in Gooden’s historical series is cleverly plotted and nicely structured in five acts. The cathedral plays a minor role, but this reviewer looks forward to seeing where the couple is headed next.
Pajer, Bernadette. A Spark of Death: A Professor Bradshaw Mystery. Poisoned Pen. Jul. 2011. c.212p. ISBN 9781590589052. $24.95; pap. 9781590589076. $14.95.M
Many people disliked Professor Oglethorpe, but who hated him enough to make sure he died in his own laboratory? Seattle in 1901 is the setting for this distinctive scientific mystery that delves into the political machinations of the university and the changing technological landscape of that era. Like today’s concerns about terrorists, fear of anarchists ran high at the time. Professor Bradshaw, our intrepid protagonist, becomes the amateur detective in this promising new series. VERDICT If your readers are looking for a new venue and something they can dig their teeth into, this is an intriguing title. The science is key to the plot, and Pajer does a fine job of interpreting for the lay reader. Compare it to Stefanie Pintoff’s turn-of-the-century historicals (In the Shadow of Gotham) for appeal, and consider this for YA audiences as well.
Seewald, Jacqueline. The Truth Sleuth: A Kim Reynolds Mystery. Five Star: Gale Cengage. May 2011. c.299p. ISBN 9781594149634. $25.95. M
When teenager Sammy Granger is murdered, Kim Reynolds (The Drowning Pool) feels it happening because she experiences paranormal visions. Kim has just been laid off from her librarian position at the university, so when a last-minute teaching job at the local high school opens up, she takes it. It’s no walk in the park, though, as she gets mixed messages from her colleagues and administrators, plus the students are not just predictably challenging—some are threatening. It gets worse: her police officer fiancé Mike Gardner’s wife shows up unexpectedly, and it becomes clear his divorce isn’t final after all. Kim throws in the towel with him and turns to her hunky principal for comfort. When another student dies, all bets are off as Kim is in more danger than she envisioned. VERDICT This title is more romance than mystery, so proceed accordingly. Kim doesn’t seem to use her gifts very consistently, as she is constantly making bad choices. Let’s hope Seewald involves detectives Bert St. Croix and Mike Gardner more in the next one.
Weiss, Jan Merete. These Dark Things. Soho Crime. May 2011. c.217p. ISBN 9781569479384. $24. M
Just when we thought all the possible plots had been taken, Weiss brings us a new police procedural set in Naples, Italy, that taxes the brain and gives us pause for the future of society. Captain Natalia Monte of the Carabinieri is brought in as the lead to solve the perplexing murder of beautiful graduate student Teresa Steiner. Was she killed because she challenged the old-boy network—and which one? The church, the university, or the Camorra (mob)? Natalia and her partner, Pino, must proceed cautiously because paybacks come fast and furious in this volatile city. Surprisingly, a trash strike and the controlling interests play a huge part in the investigation because of Teresa’s many liaisons before her death. Natalia’s a favorite type of heroine because she’s no saint herself, so dig in and prepare to be riveted by this intense and violent read. VERDICT Natalia represents a new era in Italian culture in which women can operate effectively as authority figures. For all readers who love a complex story fraught with tough decisions about friendship, family loyalties, and justice.
Wortham, Reavis Z. The Rock Hole: A Red River Mystery. Jun. 2011. Poisoned Pen. c.250p. ISBN 9781590588840. $24.95; pap. ISBN 9781590588864. $14.95. M
Texan farmer Ned Parker takes his part-time role as a constable seriously, so when mutilated animals with symbolic messages attached to their bodies start showing up in his neck of the woods, he pays attention. He makes sure his friend, black deputy sheriff John Washington, knows about the crimes as well. His ten-year-old grandson, Top, has just come to live with the Parkers, and much of this tale is told from Top’s viewpoint. If anyone was hoping for an Andy of Mayberry story, this isn’t it, because the rural area is harboring a serial killer. And the killer has plans for Parker’s family. VERDICT Wortham does a great job of creating a foreboding atmosphere from the get-go. His assured debut is multilayered and shows his love of storytelling. The juxtaposition of the old ways with the new era—the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War—provides just the kindling needed for a crackling good mystery in a Western setting.
COZY CORNER
Carlisle, Kate. Murder Under Cover: A Bibliophile Mystery. Signet: NAL. May 2011. c.280p. ISBN 9780451233516. pap. $7.99. M
Brooklyn Wainwright (The Lies That Bind), San Francisco’s bookbinder–cum–crime solver, steps away from her desk again in this smart and intriguing cozy. Steeped in San Francisco culture and characters, including the hippie commune parents and requisite gay and lesbian friends, this beach read has the bonus of spy intrigue built into its plot, and not just in Brooklyn’s James Bond–like boyfriend, Derek Stone. BFF Robin has just returned from a trip to India bearing a valuable book for Brooklyn to restore. A handsome Ukrainian guy Robin met spends the night—but then he’s murdered execution-style in her bed. Now the bad guys are after Brooklyn, too, but why? VERDICT There is a high body count here for a cozy, but rest assured, all killings are done off-scene. A terrific read for those who are interested in the book arts and enjoy a counterculture foray and ensemble casts. Great fun all around!
James, Miranda. Classified as Murder: A Cat in the Stacks Mystery. Berkley Prime Crime. May 2011. c.294p. ISBN 9780425241578. pap. $7.99. M
Bringing local color to life, this second entry in the series (Murder Past Due) featuring librarian Charlie Harris and his cat, Diesel, is a gentle, closed-room drama set in Mississippi. Charlie is hired by James Delacorte to inventory his rare books collection with the understanding that the local college will eventually inherit it. But almost immediately, James is poisoned, and Charlie is suddenly in the midst of solving the murder. Charlie has to deal with James’s eccentric family while he’s perplexed by the return home of his own adult son, lawyer Sean. And what to make of yet another cat detective? Well, Diesel, a huge Maine coon, is no ordinary cat. VERDICT You just never know who you’re going to meet on the reference desk, do you? A slow start, but James picks up the pace and the humor as Sean’s character thaws. Ideal for Christie fans who enjoy a good puzzle.
O’Donohue, Clare. Missing Persons: A Kate Conway Mystery. Plume: Penguin Group (USA). May 2011. c.280p. ISBN 9780452297067. pap. $15. M
Kate isn’t prepared to be the prime suspect when her 37-year-old almost-ex-husband dies of a heart attack. A freelance TV producer of true crime shows, she finds her work converging in a very uncomfortable way with her personal life. While researching and interviewing people for a missing person story, Kate soon wonders if the two cases overlap. The dual mystery clouds Kate’s viewpoint, so we have plenty of suspects to consider as the tension builds. If you’ve enjoyed O’Donohue’s “Someday Quilts” series (The Double Cross), be sure to try her new protagonist. VERDICT Perfect for fans of Hank Phillippi Ryan’s “Charlotte McNally” series (Prime Time), this title provides a true traditional mystery with two puzzles to solve and plenty of motives.
St. James, Dorothy. Flowerbed of State: A White House Gardener Mystery. Berkley Prime Crime. May 2011. c.312p. ISBN 9780425240571. pap. $7.99. M
Cassandra (Casey) Calhoun hasn’t been working at the White House for very long, so she’s anxious to please and works exceptionally hard. Unfortunately, while gardening in the predawn hours, Casey is mugged. Once she’s out of the tulips, she realizes there’s a dead woman in a nearby trash can. Secret Service agents converge, and Casey begins to puzzle out why a pretty bank auditor would die this way. Her own inner turmoil helps explain her dogged determination to help solve this case despite her itty-bitty physical presence. Think Reese Witherspoon at the White House. VERDICT This spunky new romantic suspense series is an obvious pick for readers who enjoy Julie Hyzy’s “White House Chef” series (Buffalo West Wing), but also think of gardening mystery series such as Rosemary Harris’s (Slugfest). Margaret Truman fans might also try. Gardening tips included.
ADDITIONAL MYSTERIES
Bolton, S.J. Now You See Me. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Jun. 2011. c.416p. ISBN 9780312600525. $25.99. M
Bolton’s latest gothic mystery (after Blood Harvest) is almost impossible to put down. It opens with a woman murdered in a parking lot, practically in officer Lacey Flint’s arms. Two senior officers arrive at the murder scene—Flint’s boss and her disturbing colleague, Joesbury, who seems to be instantly suspicious of Flint. When a reporter receives a letter that triggers a comparison to Jack the Ripper, the police begin to suspect that they are dealing with a copycat killer. A second murder confirms their worst fears and increases Joesbury’s interest in Flint’s past. Flint herself becomes central to the murder case as the new Ripper’s unknown tie to her is used to the police’s advantage, but she finds the attention uncomfortable as she struggles to keep her past secret. VERDICT The twists keep coming, and the truth is not revealed until the final page in Bolton’s best novel yet.—Lisa Hanson O’Hara, Univ. of Manitoba Lib., Winnipeg
Quartey, Kwei. Children of the Street: An Inspector Darko Dawson Mystery. Random. Jul. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9780812981674. pap. $15. M
DI Dawson (Wife of the Gods) has been assigned a homicide case in which the victim is determined to be a teen boy who had been working and living on the busy streets of Accra, Ghana. The body has been mutilated in a very specific way and left to decompose in a particularly unclean location. When a second street child is found dead in a similar manner, and then a third, Dawson pulls in as many experts and as many favors as possible to put him one step ahead of the killer. There’s a message being sent; can Dawson decipher it in time? With so many elements of African life to explain to the Western reader, this story could have easily become a confused mess of plot vs. background detail. Instead, the author manages to share details of the harsh conditions of street life in a city that is a difficult mix of traditional ways and modern conveniences. VERDICT Darko Dawson, with his secret struggle to stop smoking marijuana and his son’s chronic illness, is one of the most engaging characters this reader has ever encountered. The police work, the unexpected reveal of the murderer and the motivation for the killings, and the clever interactions among characters of widely different professions and social classes will completely satisfy readers who enjoyed the first book and intrigue newcomers. [Academic and library marketing; Thrillerfest promotion.]—Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH
Ulfelder, Steve. Purgatory Chasm. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. May 2011. c.288p. ISBN 9780312672928. $23.99. M
Conway Sax is a former race car driver who lost everything because of his alcohol addiction. After a stint in jail and a newfound sense of belonging with his Alcoholics Anonymous group, he is finally getting his life back in order. When one of his AA associates asks for his help, he is unable to refuse despite his dislike for the man. What starts off as a simple negotiation evolves into a murder investigation and the unraveling of deadly family secrets. Conway’s own past comes into play as his destitute father reappears in his life. VERDICT This outstanding debut by a former journalist and racing enthusiast is gritty and fast-paced, with an intriguing plot and believable characters. Ulfelder has introduced a solid new protagonist, and the many race car anecdotes add to the novel’s allure. It will appeal strongly to readers of Loren D. Estleman and Ross MacDonald and those who enjoy hard-boiled detective mysteries.—Amy Nolan, St. Joseph P.L., MI
DEBUT OF THE MONTH
Gran, Sara. Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead. Houghton Harcourt. Jun. 2011. c.273p. ISBN 9780547428499. $24. M
As brash and bold as Sherlock Holmes himself, Claire DeWitt arrives in still-chaotic New Orleans 18 months after Katrina. She’s been hired to investigate the disappearance of Vic Willing, a local prosecutor, who’s not been heard from since the hurricane. Claire surprises the local gangtsa set with her unique bravado. One of them, Andray, is compelled to help her tap into the darkness of Katrina’s aftermath. From there, Claire finds her answers. Mentored and deeply inspired by a famous French detective, the I Ching, and profoundly illuminating dreams, a complex Claire leads us into her own nightmares as well. VERDICT This is not to be missed—Claire is a moody, hip, and meticulous investigator. Gran (Dope; Come Closer) builds an addictive sense of anticipation with a fantastical frame. Alternately gritty and dreamy, this would appeal to those who liked Colson Whitehead’s The Intuitionist and readers of Charlie Huston (e.g., The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death). Highly recommended. [See Prepub Alert, 12/13/10.]
SERIES LINEUP
Albert, Susan Wittig. Mourning Gloria. Berkley Prime Crime. 2011. c.301p. ISBN 9780425239131. $25.95. M
Herbalist China Bayles (Holly Blues) pursues when a young reporter gets swallowed up in a crime.
Fowler, Earlene. Spider Web: A Benni Harper Mystery. Berkley Prime Crime. May 2011. c.306p. ISBN 9780425240984. $25.95. M
What brings a cop-hating sniper to Benni Harper’s (State Fair) Memory Festival?
Gregson, J.M. Merely Players: A Chief Inspector Peach Mystery. Severn House. May 2011. c.200p. ISBN 9780727869845. $27.95. M
DCI Peach (Wild Justice) digs in when things turn deadly with a TV actor’s ruthless ambitions.
Haines, Carolyn. Bones of a Feather: A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Jun. 2011. c.340p. ISBN 9780312595029. $24.99. M
Jewelry isn’t the only thing missing in PI Sarah Booth Delaney’s (Bone Appétit) latest case.
Housewright, David. Highway 61: A McKenzie Novel. Minotaur: St. Martin’s. Jun. 2011. c.326p. ISBN 9780312642303. $25.99. M
A Twin Cities detective (The Taking of Libbie, SD) finds the stakes are high when he helps a guy trapped in a scam.
Lovesey, Peter. Stagestruck: A Peter Diamond Investigation. Soho Crime. Jun. 2011. c.325p. ISBN 9781569479476. $25. M
Maybe there’s a good reason for Peter Diamond’s (Skeleton Hill) theater phobia.
Meier, Leslie. English Tea Murder: A Lucy Stone Mystery. Kensington. Jul. 2011. c.265p. ISBN 9780758229311. $24. M
Lucy (Gingerbread Cookie Murder) heads to England in her 16th outing, but the tour group leader dies on the plane.
Morson, Ian. Falconer and the Death of Kings: A Master William Falconer Mystery. Severn House. May 2011. c.216p. ISBN 9780727869777. $28.95. M
Falconer (Falconer’s Trial) and Symon leave 1273 Oxford for Paris in their latest assignment.
Sefton, Maggie. Unraveled: A Knitting Mystery. Berkley Prime Crime. Jun. 2011. c.292p. ISBN 9780425241141. $24.95. M
The Lambspun regulars (Skein of the Crime) tackle a real estate case in this popular Colorado-set series.
Wynn, Patricia. A Killing Frost: A Blue Satan Mystery. Pemberley.Jul. 2011. c.362p. ISBN 9781935421018. $29.95. M
The fourth entry (after The Motive from the Deed) in this Georgian England series will delight fans.
MYSTERY SHOPPER
Mysteries To Die For Thousand Oaks, CA
One of the best mystery bookstores around, Mysteries To Die For in the Southern California community of Thousand Oaks consistently draws major authors on the West Coast circuit. Visiting recently with one of the store’s partners, Alan Chisholm, I queried him about local tastes. All three partners agree: Cold Dish by Craig Johnson is a sure-bet recommendation. Their monthly book group doesn’t always agree, but it’s thumbs-up for Colin Cotterill’s The Coroner’s Lunch. What were they reading in April? One of the Edgar nominees, of course: The News Where You Are by Catherine O’Flynn. Visit them at www.mysteriestodiefor.com.
(top) MTDF’s location, with long lines for an in-store appearance by Sue Grafton (third from left in photo, right—along with partners Deanne Harrington, Heidi Sobel, and Alan Chisholm)
QUOTABLE
“If I learned anything during my twenty-five years as a cop, it’s that the body can’t be wished away. Schrödinger’s cat only lives and dies in the symbols of an equation.”—Bill Cameron, County Line
“The possible circuit paths to Oglethorpe’s death formed and reformed in Bradshaw’s mind, components rearranging themselves, wires crossing and shorting at so fast a rate for a moment Bradshaw thought he could hear the crackle of the circuit, smell the sharp odor of burning wire and metal.”—Bernadette Pajer, A Spark of Death
| Author Information |
| Teresa L. Jacobsen, retired librarian, was a training coordinator for Solano County Library, and previous to that, a fiction evaluator/reference librarian for Santa Monica Public Library. She has written occasional feature articles for LJ and BookSmack! and reviewed fiction regularly since 2004. She is an unabashed mystery fan who enjoys bringing new readers into the fold |
