In honor of Halloween, or just because I love them, I give you 15 mysteries/and or crime stories. Some creepy, some not so much, all great reads. (I've been doing too much reading and not enough writing, therefore abbreviated reviews to follow:)
Posie Parker Mysteries by L. B. Hathaway
Set in 1921 London, Murder Offstage is the first in this delightful newish and new-to-me series. If you love Agatha Christie and Downtown Abbey, you will love the exploits of Nosy Posie Parker as she positions herself to be London's next great private detective. As they should, the next three books just add more layers to the characters of Posie and her cohorts as they investigate crime in the Roaring Twenties. Looking forward to the next one!
Closed Casket by Sophie Hannah
Speaking of Agatha Christie, Closed Casket by Sophie Hannah is the newest Hercule Poirot Mystery. Hannah has taken on the responsibility of continuing to bring such a beloved character to life, and I think she handles it well. A classic mystery of death at a house party, Closed Casket is all that we expect from an Agatha Christie story. Thank you, Sophie Hannah!
The Queen's Accomplice by Susan Elia MacNeal
A copy cat Jack the Ripper is loose on the streets of 1942 London, and MI-5 special agent Maggie Hope is on the case. But can she get to him before he gets to her? Read this latest installment in one of my favorite series to find out.
The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra and
The Perplexing Theft of the Jewel in the Crown
by Vaseem Khan
(I gave the Unexpected Inheritance to my daughter, so no photo!) I LOVE THIS SERIES!!! Set in Mumbai, recently retired police Inspector Chopra inherits the mystery of a dead body and a baby elephant. All on the same day. In the second book, he must find the Koh-i-Noor diamond, stolen from the British Crown Jewels right under the noses of Mumbai's elite special police. Of course, he is an honest man surrounded by corruption, so neither case is easy. Lucky he has that baby elephant. Read and find out why:)
Inspector Singh Investigates: A Frightfully English Execution by Shamini Flint
Usually annoying his superiors in Singapore, Inspector Singh is shunted off to London to participate in a Commonwealth police conference. A man of action, not a paper pusher, he's more than a little incensed, especially when his wife insists on coming along. But things get interesting fast, as murder and terrorism tend to cause that. Can he save the people of London, and it turns out, his much loved wife? Well, he didn't get to be an inspector by pushing papers.
Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd by Alan Bradley
Flavia de Luce is back! Back in her newest book, and back from her hated boarding school in Canada. She should be happy, but her Father is in the hospital with pneumonia, and nothing can make her feel better...except investigating a murder. Flavia is not your normal twelve-year-old, but that's why I love her so much!
Precious and Grace by Alexander McCall Smith
The 17th book of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series is just as delightful as the first. Gentle fiction at its best that doesn't shy from the realities of life. Always my favorite.
A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny
This is one of my favorite series. (I have many favorites!) Inspector Armand Gamache is coming out of retirement in the quiet village of Three Pines to take over as Commander of the Surete Academy, where things have been rotten to the core. Determined to clean house, he fights a culture of intimidation by fear while determined to protect the young cadets of Quebec's future police force. But change brings out the worst in some, and death soon follows.
Curious Minds by Janet Evanovich and Phoef Sutton
A reclusive, rich and handsome eccentric meets young, beautiful Texan and Harvard Business and Law Grad. Emerson Knight and Riley Moon. Together they fight evil and win. The first of the Knight and Moon series. Yay!
Shoot 'Em Up by Janey Mack
The continuing saga of Maisie McGrane's quest to be on the Chicago Police Force. Despite her family's best efforts and wishes to the contrary, she finds herself deep undercover with a Mexican drug cartel. She couldn't be happier, until it all goes terribly wrong. And where the heck is Hank Bannon, her ex-special forces and soldier-for-hire boyfrend? We'll have to wait for the next book to find out:(
Razor Girl by Carl Hiaasen
Saving the craziest for last, Carl Hiaasen never disappoints. This one has it all...insurance fraudsters, beach sand stealers, redneck reality stars, class action lawyers and mobsters. In the middle of the mess is ex-detective Andrew Yancy, now working for the health department after an anger management issue gone awry. If he could just untangle this illegal mess in Key West, maybe he will be reinstated onto the force. Is that too much to ask? But first he has some giant rats to catch. Really, giant Gambian rats. Only in Florida.
