Literary Sleuths & Such...

“Just One More Thing”…

I have wonderful memories of watching television mysteries with my mom. Sunday nights were must-see TV, hobnobbing with Jessica Fletcher as she ambled into yet another murder in her quaint hometown. Thursdays were all about Columbo, even though we were aware of who the killer was, our eyes were riveted to the boob tube in stupefied fascination as the seemingly bumbling detective laid it all out. The chagrin of the dastardly culprits as they were unmasked by either of these genius sleuths was priceless.

It’s no surprise that this fondness translated to books as well. During my childhood, I never stumbled into a mystery that didn’t have me picturing myself solving it, with what I was sure were my amazing powers of observation and deduction. Surely, I was as skilled as any sleuth on the page or the screen.

The ingredients of a good whodunit are a tale as old as time. A murder, it can be a heist or white-collar time, but typically we mystery lovers need a little blood on the page. An investigator, professional or amateur, but one with a laser focus on cracking the case. And a series of clues and red herrings that invite the reader to inhabit the story.

Over the last few years, we have witnessed unprecedented innovation in the genre. Mysteries have become stylish stories that toy with the category’s expectations, written by authors brave enough to revamp the tropes, adding complexity to the crafting of the puzzle.

The collection I have gathered here features gusty amateur sleuths, dogged detectives, twisty plots, and brain teasers. Find time to curl up and turn those pages, you won’t be sorry!

The Amateurs

…bookies, maids, rock stars & bookish types

Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect – Benjamin Stevenson

Imagine a train full of mystery writers, agents, editors, and fans…then add a murder! Ernest has been invited to a crime writing festival aboard a train and is looking for some inspiration for his book. You know what they say about being careful what you ask for. When one of the writers aboard is murdered, the remaining authors turn into detectives. It should be noted however, that one of them might be the killer. So much fun!

The Mystery Guest – Nita Prose

Molly is not like anyone else. With her flair for cleaning and proper etiquette, she has risen through the ranks of the glorious five-star Regency Grand Hotel to become the Head Maid. But just as she reaches this pinnacle of perfection, her life is turned upside down when J.D. Grimthorpe, world renowned mystery author, drops dead on the tearoom floor. With murder most foul, suspects galore and wonderful characters, this is a must read!

The Busy Body – Kemper Donovan

Dorothy, having lost the vote for President of The United States, has retreated to her rural home, inviting her ghostwriter to join her. Hardly able to believer her luck, the ghostwriter soon finds herself caught up in a mystery, the suspicious death of a neighbour. A mystery Dorothy is determined to solve. A delightful romp of a read that shows how much trouble two smart women with time on their hands can get up to!

The Mystery Writer – Sulari Gentill

When Theo shows up on her big brother’s doorstep with an abandoned life plan and an unfinished novel in hand, she never expects to be drawn into a hidden literary world. Deciding to dive headlong into her dream of becoming a novelist, Theo befriends Dan, a published author who she turns to for advice and friendship. Even sharing her unpublished novel with him. When he calls her over to his place to chat about it, she finds him dead and her whole world is thrown off its axis.

Rock Of Ages – Timothy Hallinan

Junior Bender, burglar and off the book’s detective to the felonious, is reminded that rock and roll will never die when Hollywood’s most dangerous geriatric mobster retains his questionable services. Four old gangster colleagues have put together a tour of once popular bands they own a piece of, hoping for a last gasp of glory. Can you imagine the shenanigans that ensue? You have no idea. And the nonstop banter? Priceless.

Glory Be – Danielle Arceneaux

On a hot, sticky Sunday in Louisiana, Glory has settled into her usual after-church routine, meeting gamblers at the local coffee shop where she holds court as the small-town bookie. Glory is stunned when she hears that her best friend, a beloved nun, is found dead. When police declare the mysterious death a suicide, Glory launches her own shadow investigation. Glory is a force to be reckoned with! And beyond charming.

The Cleaner – Samantha Beal

Edie is the woman you call when you need a stain removed, a drain unplugged, or a body stashed in the closet. There’s not a murder scene she can’t erase. She is the preferred house cleaner of one of California’s most prominent murderers, so she knows how to keep her mouth shut. Soon she gets roped into a bloody, sticky mess that she might not be able to get herself out of.

48 Clues Into The Disappearance Of My Sister – Joyce Carol Oates

On an otherwise average day, Marguerite left her family home, never to return. No note was left, no explanation, just a bedroom in disarray and her sister Gigi. A sister driven to dig through the meager clues and discover the truth. As Gigi trails the detectives assigned the case, she finds out unknown troubles in the life of her perfect sister. Troubles that seem to reflect her own. Bit by bit some dark truths are revealed. A masterpiece of storytelling with an unforgettable narrator.

Blackstone Fell – Martin Edwards

Journalist Nell is on the trail of a bizarre mystery, in 1606 a man vanished from a locked gatehouse in Blackstone Fell, a remote Yorkshire village. Three hundred years later, it happened again. Day’s after telling amateur sleuth Rachel, Nell herself vanishes. Investigation ensues. A gothic feel and labyrinthine plot are perfect for a chilly afternoon spent reading.

The Experts

…investigators, police, says & private eyes

West Heart Kill – Dann McDorman

An original and irresistible murder mystery set at a remote hunting lodge where everyone is a suspect, including the erratic detective on the scene. An isolated hunting club. A raging storm. Three corpses, discovered within four days. A cast of rich, scheming, and untrustworthy characters. What more could you want? A gleeful upending of the rules of the genre? Look no further!

Holly – Stephen King

Holly is a rather shy and reclusive private investigator who is hired by a mother desperate to find out what happened to her missing daughter. Soon Holly discovers connections to other missing people. A broad plot that has certainly made the rounds among thriller writers, so what’s left to offer? The answer to that is the casting of diabolically depraved miscreants created by a master. Apparently, the bonkers Annie Wilkes was barely skimming the surface of this authors reservoir of seemingly harmless villains. I was thrilled to be reminded that King is a superb writer who smoothly navigates the realm in which all genres meet. As long as the darkness is allowed to enter.

Eight Detectives – Alex Pavesi

If you are looking for a mystery that is not a full-frontal assault on your intellect, look elsewhere! This stellar contribution to the genre is a mystery within a mystery, a nesting dolls level of unpacking will be required. An ambitious editor comes to a secluded island to review the work of a reclusive author with the intent to republish his one and only book. As they sit and read through his seven murderous tales, he educates her on the key ingredients of the mystery. Each of these seven stories has its own intricate stand-alone puzzle, all will engage the reader in an utterly unique battle of wits with themselves as they attempt to navigate the endless misdirection.

A Killer’s Game – Isabella Maldonado

FBI agent and former military codebreaker, Dani, witnesses a murder on a Manhattan sidewalk. The victim is the chief of staff for a powerful senator. Forced to partner with Toro, an assassin turned informant. Dani finds herself swept up in a powerful conspiracy. Together they must infiltrate the inner circle based at a remote location. Except it’s a trap. Think Criminal Minds with a dose of Squid Game!

Sweet Thing – David Swinson

In a red brick house on a tree lined street, homicide detective Alex stares at the bullet ridden body splayed out before him. As he searches for evidence, he finds an old polaroid, the decedent, arm in arm with Alex’s informant from years ago. An informant that has gone missing, leaving behind a seductive girlfriend that he feels compelled to protect as the dead bodies start to pile up. With dialogue that cuts like a scalpel and chemistry that sizzles, this is a read not to be missed.

City Under One Roof – Iris Yamashita

When a local teenager discovers severed limbs washed up on the shore of a small town in Alaska, Cara, a detective from Anchorage is on the case. Soon stranded by a blizzard blocking the only tunnel in or out of the town, Cara has plenty of time to investigate the odd and suspicious residents. A gripping and at times unsettling story.

Should Have Seen It Coming – Jack Kane

Hank figured that broken hearts would be the business of his detective agency, mostly liars and cheaters. Then a stranger appears on his doorstep bringing with him a whole new world of trouble. Hank is a top-notch investigator and Alice his assistant, is snarky and brilliant. Think Moonlighting!

The Donut Legion – Joe R. Lansdale

Charlie has a bad feeling. His ex-wife Meg has been missing for over a week and a quick peek into her home shows all her possessions packed up in boxes. Neighbours claim she’s running from bill collectors, but he suspects something more sinister. Her recent job had her working at the local donut shop, a business run by a shadowy evangelist cult who believe the second coming is likely to be extraterrestrial in nature. To say this is brimming with colourful characters would be an understatement.

The Columbo Collection – William Link

Lieutenant Columbo, short and unkempt inn a shapeless raincoat, unlight cigar in hand, always get his man. Keeping suspects off balance with his constant refrain of “just one more thing”, he is back in twelve new stories in which murderers are positive they have gotten away with it, at least until Columbo shows up on the scene! Keep company with the greatest TV detective of them all!

The Regulars

…sassy seniors, hardboiled detectives, snarky cops & ballsy broads

The Last Devil To Die – Richard Osman (Thursday Murder Club Mystery)

At their usual Thursday meeting, shocking news reaches the club members. An old friend has been killed and the dangerous package he was protecting has gone missing. Our wonderful gang of misfit seniors is soon on the case. Finding themselves lured into the antique business, they encounter drug dealers, art forgers, and online fraudsters. All in a day’s work. Brilliantly constructed mystery with characters that you will want to keep company with long after the last page is turned!

Close To Death – Anthony Horowitz (Hawthorne & Horowitz Mystery)

Detective Hawthorne is once again called upon to solve an unsolvable case, a gruesome murder in an idyllic gated community, with suspects at every turn. The residents of the six exclusive and beautiful homes never expected anything more than being able to enjoy tranquility, then the Kentworthy family moved in. With a gaggle of children and garish taste, they upset the equilibrium in no time. Drastic steps must be taken…

Resurrection Walk – Michael Connelly (A Lincoln Lawyer Mystery)R

After getting a wrongfully convicted man out of prison, Mickey Heller, a lawyer that prefers to take the long shot cases, is inundated with incarcerated people claiming innocence. Turning to his half-brother Harry Bosch for help weeding through the letters, they pull a needle from the haystack. A woman in prison for killing her husband, a sheriff’s deputy. And things just aren’t adding up. This dream team from two of Connelly series is a bounty of riches for any reader.

The Spider – Lars Kepler (Joona Linna Mystery)

Our story launches with a decomposing body being discovered alongside a white bullet casing. Soon the police begin to receive complex riddles from the killer, taunting them with opportunities to stop future planned murders. One down, eight to go. Joona is a brilliant detective who has caught more than his fair share of sociopathic murderers. He is not unaccustomed to starting off a case playing the killers game, following their rules until he can wrap his head around all the evidence.

The Investigator – John Sandford (Letty Davenport Mystery)

By age twenty-four, Letty has seen more action and uncovered more secrets than most law enforcement professionals. A recent Stanford grad with a master’s in economics, she is bored stiff in her desk job working for senator Colles. Sensing she is on the verge of quitting; Colles offers her some investigative work. Who is stealing the profits from the Texas oil companies? Sandford fans and newcomers alike can rejoice, it’s time for the next generation of cool and smart mouth mouthed Davenports!

After That Night – Karin Slaughter (Will Trent Mystery)

One night in the ER, Doctor Sara battles to save a broken young woman who has been brutally attacked. But as the investigation progresses, led by special agent Will Trent, it becomes clear that there are eerie similarities to parts of Sara’s past she would rather forget. Stellar series that always manages to have a great core mystery and memorable characters. Characters you will miss when you are done!

A Killing Of Innocents – Deborah Crombie (Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James Mystery)

After being bumped into on a rainy night, Sasha collapses. When Detective Kincaid arrives at the scene, he discovers she has been stabbed. He immediately calls on his detective wife, Gemma to aid in the investigation. As the team unravels the victims’ tangled connections, another murder raises the stakes and the tension. You will be hard pressed not to fall in love with this series and its wonderful cast of characters!

The Viper – John Verdon (Dave Gurney Mystery)

Dave Gurney has never taken retirement very seriously, despite repeated vows to family to slow down. Always up for puzzling out whatever mystery someone brings to him. Even when he commits to only giving it a cursory look, he will immerse himself in no time. However, his latest foray into crime solving might put him on the other side of the law. As he investigates the murder of a blackmailer, by a man a friend thinks is wrongfully convicted, he will find himself questioning if there was ever any extortion plot. If the facts of the case weren’t facts at all.

The Final Curtain – Keigo Higashino (Kyoichiro Kaga Mystery)

A decade ago, Tokyo detective Kaga went to collect the ashes of his recently deceased and long estranged mother. Today the strangulation death of a woman is bringing up unexpected connections to his own mother’s death. Brilliantly crafted mystery, in the classic style but with an edge.