Books Blog : mysteries

A Very Unique Murder Mystery

Shh_ImReading@evpl — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 15:27:00 GMT

I was very much looking forward to reading Heads You Lose, a murder mystery by Lisa Lutz and David Hayward. Lisa Lutz's Spellman series is one of my absolute favorite series of books and I was sure this new book would be wonderful even though it wouldn't feature the Spellman family. I wasn't wrong but I wasn't really right either.

Let me tell you about the format of Heads You Lose. There is an editor's note and a few more pages of reading before you get to the title page. Don't skip these or you'll be a bit out of the loop before you hit page one. From there it gets more unique. Lisa Lutz wrote the odd numbered chapters and David Hayward wrote the even numbered chapters. Notes between the authors are featured throughout but mostly between chapters. These notes were distracting at first but eventually they became the best part of the book.

The mystery itself wasn't very thrilling. I honestly got bored with it about half way through, even as more bodies were turning up in the small California town were brother and sister Paul and Lacey Hansen live and work. There were some good characters but they weren't enough to keep me interested when the awkward plot let me down. I did finish the book but I didn't really like the resolution and mostly felt relieved to be done with the book. My overall feeling about the book is that it's just okay; different but not quite special.

There's word that there will be fifth Spellman book next year and I'm still looking forward to it. David Hayward hasn't written other novels but I believe he could write a good one. I just don't think this collaboration worked out very well.

The book's website: http://headsyoulose.com/

Lisa Lutz's website: http://lisalutz.com/

Joy to the Readers: New Christmas Fiction

Shh_ImReading@evpl — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:08:00 GMT

Every year, sometimes starting as early as September, the EVPL starts recieving new Christmas fiction. Here are a few of the titles we've gotten in so far this year:

Sarah's Christmas Miracle by Mary Ellis

The Three Kings by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez

The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig

The Next Queen of Heaven : A Novel by Gregory Maguire

Busy Body: An Agatha Raisin Mystery by M.C. Beaton

A Chesapeake Shores Christmas by Sherryl Woods

Christmas Mourning by Margaret Maron

Call Me Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber

Cat Coming Home: A Joe Grey Mystery by Shirley Rousseau Murphy

Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe: Two Heartwarming Stories of Christmas Past and Present

A Piggly Wiggly Christmas by Robert Dalby

A Darcy Christmas: [a holiday tribute to Jane Austen] by Amanda Grange, Sharon Lathan, Carolyn Eberhart

Christmas at The Mysterious Bookshop : 'Tis the Season to be Deadly : Stories of Mistletoe and Mayhem from 17 Masters of Suspense edited by Otto Penzler

Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson

Christmas with Tucker by Greg Kincaid

A Holiday Yarn: A Seaside Knitters Mystery by Sally Goldenbaum

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball : A Novella by Donita K. Paul

Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke, Laura Levine and Leslie Meier

A Simple Amish Christmas by Vannetta Chapman

Some of these titles are availble in large print or as audiobooks too!

Commander Jana Matinova investigates

Meditatinglibrarian@evpl — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 13:54:00 GMT

I've discovered a new mystery author and series to read! I was reading reviews of forthcoming books and very much liked what I read about The Magician's Accomplice by Michael Genelin. I looked to see if we had the earlier books in the series. We do, but they haven't been checked out and read very much. So I decided to read the earlier books before deciding whether or not to get the new title.

I read both Siren of the Waters and Dark Dreams over the Memorial Day weekend; I did very little else. The Magician's Accomplice is third in the series, scheduled for publication in July. Jana Matinova is a very fine investigator committed to seeking justice. Her personal life is complicated. She works for the police force in Bratislava, capitol of the current Slovakia, growing up there during the time the Czechoslovakian Communists were in control. I became interested enough in the setting to look up some of the history of Bratislava. From 1918-1939, and again from 1945-1992, it was part of Czechoslovakia. The Czechoslovakian Communists came to power in 1947. From 1939-1945 Bratislava was an independent state under German direction. The Slovak Republic, or Slovakia, became an independent state with Bratislava as its capitol in 1993. This is a part of the world I heard very little about during the time period in which the novels are set, when I was also growing up. Genelin provides a window into that world the makes it more comprehensible to me. Jana travels to Venice, Nice, Strasbourg, and Kiev during her investigations - descriptions of the settings, the politics, and the people add tremendously to the very suspenseful and well-written story. I loved these books.

My Dick Francis addiction

kiya@evpl — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:46:00 GMT

Dick Francis jockey, mystery writer 10/31/1920 - 2/14/2010

My friend Theresa turned me on to Dick Francis and his mysteries. Her whole family was already hooked. And it only took one before I was, too. Francis' books followed a certain formula, but that formula included honorable men of integrity, often with a secret sadness or some emotional damage, and a determination to get to the bottom of whatever problem the bad guys were causing, no matter the cost. The heroes in these books are people you feel good about liking. They did tend to get beat up a lot, and because of that, I don't recommend reading too many in a row. Dick Francis is very realistic in his descriptions of pain - as a steeplechase jockey, he was well-acquainted with injury and pain.

In addition to having characters I liked, the books were very well-researched. I always learned things I didn't know while reading a Dick Francis novel. It might be about horses and racing, but it could just as well be about photography, wine, glassblowing, planes, acting, marksmanship, investment banking, or hurricanes. Folks often had the perception that because he had been a jockey, Dick Francis only wrote about horses. Not only was that wrong, even the books that were about horses and racing, were also about life, and loyalty, and knowing when you had to stand up for something, no matter how difficult. The critic John Leonard once said, "Not to read Dick Francis because you don't like horses is like not reading Dostoevsky because you don't like God."

If you've never read Dick Francis, you have a treat in store. Where do you start? Nearly all are standalone novels [exceptions: 4 about Sid Halley: Odds Against, Whip Hand, Come to Grief, and Under Orders; and 2 about Kit Fielding: Break In and Bolt], so you can start almost anywhere without worrying about order. So what about my favorites? Reflex is great, and you'll learn a lot about cameras. Risk introduces you to the most interesting accountant. Blood Sport is his first set in the US, and gave me the first glimpse at depression where I thought I actually understood for a moment what living with depression is like. Nerve was the first I ever read, I'm pretty sure. Oh, and The Danger looks at the psychology of kidnapping. The Edge takes place on a train ride across Canada......well, it's clear I can't pick a favorite for you. So, start with his earlier books. His later books, written with his son, are good, but not quite as wonderful as the ones he wrote with Mary, his wife. And if you like it, don't read them all at once. Promise yourself the next one at a certain time in the future - re-create the sense of anticipation his fans always felt as the seasons changed and it was almost time for this year's Dick Francis. Ah well, rereading Dick Francis is almost as good as reading him for the first time.

EVPL books and audio books by Dick Francis
Dick and Felix Francis website
BBC obituary
Dick Francis Books fan site: home of the Dick Francis, complete with favorite DF quotes and trivia questions
Earlier blog entry re: Dick Francis

The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

HRevvdon@evpl — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:31:00 GMT

Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s novels feature a very human hero and several cynical malevolent bad guys in sleazy film noir settings. They are ominous and foreboding. They are also well written and unpredictable. I finished reading The Angel’s Game (2009) last week; well actually I listened to a download from EVPL. I thought listening to it would help me follow the twists and turns, which it did. However, despite a very good reader I lost some of the pleasure of reading the writing. I enjoyed The Angel’s Game more than Zafon’s other novel, The Shadow of the Wind (2005).

David Martín, is the young hero and narrator The Angel’s Game, and is tormented soul – undereducated, orphaned, and alone in the word save one or two good men who have been his benefactors while growing up. Martin is also a tormented writer turning out a “penny dreadful” newspaper serial called “The Mysteries of Barcelona.” His success with the newspaper serial does not lead him to write a great novel, but a series of books entitled “City of the Damned.” Martin is approached by a mysterious publisher, Andreas Corelli, who entices him to write a book for him, a writing espousing a new religion; he begins to believe he has made a deal with the devil. The project Corelli has hired Martin to do involve him in all manner of deceptions and crimes, including a fair number of violent deaths.

David’s saga starts in the final days of World War I and ends with a spooky epilogue in 1945 in a dark Barcelona. The plot is an elaborate pact-with-the-devil filled with love, hate, and violence.

The Secret Adversary by Dame Agatha Christie

HRevvdon@evpl — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:09:00 GMT

Agatha Christie’s young upper-class detectives Tommy and Tuppence are often overshadowed by her better known detectives Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. Tommy and Tuppence are totally different than either. They are young and fun and out for adventure. The Secret Adversary (1922) is the book that introduces Tommy and Tuppence to Christie’s readers. The two are childhood friends that meet again at the end of World War I and decide to become adventurers. They are trying to recapture some of the sense of life from their wartime days. Soon they become involved in a complicated quest to retrieve secret diplomatic papers that first are “lost” at the sinking of the Lusitania. Now, post-war, the papers are sought by villains to undermine the current government. This quick and easy read is full of international intrigue, secret treaties, disguises, blackmail, amnesia, an American millionaire, and fun!

Tommy and Tuppence are both charming and innocent in their endeavors. During the course of their adventure, the two realize they are more than friends and in subsequent books marry. The Secret Adversary is Christie’s second book; it is a good strong representation of the wonderful style she develops to near perfection. I love the dedication in this book: "To all those who lead monotonous lives in the hope that they experience at second hand the delights and dangers of adventure."

You can also check out the dvds of Tommy and Tuppences adventures at EVPL: http://evans.evpl.org/search~S0?/achristie/achristie/1%2C44%2C352%2CB/frameset&FF=achristie+agatha+1890+1976&19%2C%2C267 and http://evans.evpl.org/search~S0?/achristie/achristie/1%2C44%2C352%2CB/frameset&FF=achristie+agatha+1890+1976&20%2C%2C267.

Nancy Drew fans--don't miss this one

this.is.not.here@evpl — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:51:00 GMT

After my gory blog about the Trilogy of Terror by Chelsea Cain I began to investigate what other books she had written. Funny I should use the term "investigate".

This title Confessions of a Teen Sleuth: a Parody by Chelsea Cain caught my eye and I couldn't believe it was actually about Nancy Drew. When I was a young I was one of those girls who devoured each new Nancy Drew title as soon as it hit the shelves. I was neither impressed or pleased with the varying modernized incarnations of Nancy and her chums. Chelsea Cain has done an outstanding job portraying Nancy in a lighthearted satirical way with descriptions right out of the mysteries themselves.

"I had just checked my reflection in the mirror -slim and attractive, as always." As Nancy and her secret heartthrob Frank (The Hardy Boys - Hardy) sped along in her blue custom Ford Roadster she heard a piercing scream. She wondered if she'd hit someone ----again. The judge had let her off the first time but if she hit someone again it would certainly be manslaughter.

There are references to her "pals" Bess and George. And Carolyn Keene is the roommate turned traitor who misrepresented her life in those awful mysteries she penned. The book takes Nancy from 1926 to 1992. She has married her "special friend" Ned Nickerson but for some mysterious reason their son, Ned Jr. looks exactly like Frank. Hannah Gruen, the motherly housekeeper for Nancy and her father, world famous lawyer, Carson Drew, insists on being called Mrs. Gruen although to the best of her knowledge Nancy doesn't think she's ever been married. Her mother really didn't die like Carolyn Keene said and best chum Bess really isn't pleasingly plump.

Join Nancy on a joyride that takes her all over the country solving mysteries, and uncovering secrets. I really laughed out loud while reading this one.

The Mystery of the Secret Ingredient in the Chocolate Chip Cookies

kiya@evpl — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:26:00 GMT

David Handler started it all. I had enjoyed his mystery series about the ghostwriter Stewart Hoag and his dog Lulu, so when he started a new mystery series, I was one of the first to read about Mitch Berger, a New York film critic, and Lt. Desiree Mitry, a Connecticut State Trooper. There are now six Berger & Mitry mysteries, and I enjoyed them all, and always eager to see a new one arrive. I definitely recommend reading them in order, as the relationship between Mitch and Dez grows.

An interesting sidelight to this recommendation is that the early books mention Mitch's neighbor, who makes the best chocolate chip cookies, but won't share the identity of her secret ingredient. Mitch does her grocery shopping, so he has a pretty good idea that the secret ingredient is sour cream, but he doesn't inform his neighbors (only the readers of the book). The recipe, however, is not included.

I'm always looking for good cookie recipes, so I've kept my eyes open for a chocolate chip cookie recipe with sour cream as an ingredient, but never found one. Even A Baker's Field Guide to Chocolate Chip Cookies didn't have one that looked right. Then last month, Shh I'm Reading blogged about finding recipes online, and while playing with those sites, I located several chocolate chip cookie recipes with sour cream as an ingredient. My daughter and I are testing them now, and when we declare a winner, I'll post a link to that recipe. Meanwhile, enjoy some David Handler mysteries! (And if you have a good sour cream chocolate chip cookie recipe, feel free to post it!)

Mitch Berger and Desiree Mitry:

Stewart Hoag and Lulu: (these books have all been out of print, but the first four have recently been reprinted by Busted Flush Press, dedicated to reprints of fine hardboiled crime fiction)

1. The Man Who Died Laughing
2. The Man Who Lived By Night
3. The Man Who Would Be F. Scott Fitzgerald
4. The Woman Who Fell From Grace
5. The Boy Who Never Grew Up - out of print
6. The Man Who Cancelled Himself - out of print
7. The Girl Who Ran Off With Daddy - out of print
8. The Man Who Loved Women To Death - out of print

David Handler's website

Busted Flush Press

Elementary, my dear Peabody ...

myzticrhythmz@evpl — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:37:00 GMT

There are some books you read to stay current and informed, and some that you read because you "should" or you "have to". Then there are the books you read simply for the pure enjoyment of reading them.

One of my favorite fun reads is the Amelia Peabody mystery series by Elizabeth Peters. This series features intrepid Egyptologist Amelia Peabody Emerson (aka "Peabody") and is set between 1884 and 1923, mostly in Egypt. Our heroine is a wry, progressive woman, madly in love with her husband Professor Radcliffe Emerson (aka "Emerson," or the "Father of Curses" to the native Egyptians), and ever-watchful of her precocious son Ramses. What makes this series so appealing is the interplay between characters, the witty dialogue, and the realistic way Peters paints turn-of-the-twentieth-century archaeology.

I have not read this series in order but have gone back to the beginning to pick up some of the first books. My most recent read was Lion in the Valley. This story has Peabody, Emerson, Ramses and their entourage excavating pyramids, accompanied by a companion for Ramses and a wayward young woman in Amelia's care. The latter come with their own troubles, and when you add a couple of kidnappings, a couple of murders, and the return of Amelia's arch-enemy, the "Master Criminal," the Emersons (and readers) are in for quite an adventure.

The Author gave me... ...breakfast?

kiya@evpl — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 21:46:00 GMT

You never know what you might find when you go exploring on authors' websites. Maybe there will be a contest - a chance to win a signed book or other prize. Perhaps some short stories about minor characters in an ongoing series. With Google or other search engines it can be easy to locate author websites. Here are some interesting things I've located lately.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips writes modern romances with engaging characters, strong women, and very descriptive love scenes. When I went looking for her website I found an epilogue for one of her books, a contest, writing tips, information about the charities she supports, a message board, and the grand prize - RECIPES! So far, my favorite is the Baked Oatmeal - a casserole that can prepared ahead and pieces reheated in the morning for a quick and easy hot breakfast - SO much better than instant oatmeal, and just as easy in the morning. The whole family likes it, and I've started experimenting with adding different fruit before baking. My kids also liked the Harvest Soup, and the Pumpkin Dip was yummy for dipping apple slices.

Emilie Richards writes a mystery series about a minister's wife, occasional romances, and what is often called "women's fiction" - including her Shenandoah Valley Quilt series. Her website includes her blog - I loved this entry about her recent trip to Guatemala. Also included on her website is information about quilting, and the quilts she describes in the Shenandoah Valley series, along with other treasures.

Jeffrey Cohen mostly writes mysteries and screenplays, but he also has a couple of nonfiction books about raising children who are somewhere on the Autism spectrum.

Whatever he is writing, you can be sure his sense of humor shows through. Cohen's latest gift to his readers is a song about all the different subtypes of mysteries: cozies, noir, hard-boiled, etc. Take a couple of minutes to watch the video, and see why his fellow authors are taking up a collection to buy him a trench coat.

Last but not least, Len Fisher writes about science for those of us who are interested in science, but not especially well-educated in the field. At least one magazine describes him as "the guy who puts the Fizz in Physics." His website features cartoons, his blog about the writing he does, some humorous stories from the media about science.

Please share the authors' websites that you like to visit.

EVPL has books by:

Monster of Florence

wag.mado@evpl — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:20:00 GMT

Wow! That was what I was saying most of the way through Douglas Preston's bestselling book. To think I wandered around Florence in the dark four years ago without ever knowing of these crimes. It gives me goose-bumps. If you didn't pick it up while it was on the NY Times Best Sellers list last year, it's not too late.

This is a true-life crime story like no other. A serial killer began a killing spree in 1968 murdering young lovers all around the Tuscan countryside. It ended 20 years later with a total of 16 victims. Douglas Preston became fascinated with the story after moving to Florence in 2000, and soon became involved in writing a book about the mystery, after spending countless hours with crime reporter and co-author, Mario Spezi. The tale weaves, twists, zigzags, and finally turns you upside down, when the authors become part of the story itself.

"Monster" has all the hallmarks of a modern work of fiction - mystery, murder, body parts, police corruption, deception, satanic cults, revenge, and madness. Will the real killer be revealed? Preston and Spezi give us a final twist at the end and plenty to think about.

United Artists and Tom Cruise have acquired the movie rights to "Monster of Florence" and we'll see if the movie is as good as this book.

new Tim Dorsey -- Nuclear Jellyfish

this.is.not.here@evpl — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 03:48:00 GMT

If you are tired of the same old stuff and really want something wild and funny to listen to I have to recommend Tim Dorsey. I've read most of his books and they are all funny but they also translate beautifully into the spoken word. A native of Florida, Tim Dorsey writes about a character named Serge Storms who is tagged as a lovable serial killer. This is of course a contradiction in terms if there ever ever was one. The reader uses a voice like Joe Peschi in My Cousin Vinnie.

Serge A. Storms, the main character is a walking encyclopedia of Florida historical trivia. Serge is fond of conducting Florida Night Tours and on one he mentions the fact that The Beatles stayed at the famous Deuville Hotel in Miami Beach when they did the Ed Sullivan show in the 60's. A little later he points up to a window from which they were reported to have waved to the fans below. His sexual prowess is legendary and he usually has no less than 3 or 4 adoring females following him. He has an opinion on pretty much every subject and will begin to espouse at the drop of a hat. His letters to the editor of the Florida newspaper are filled with expletives but also describe his discomfort with the sudden omission of Bridge next to the Crossword Puzzle. "It's reassuring to see the little hearts and clubs as they provide a reassuring cultural anchor in these troubled times." Prepare to laugh out loud as you listen to these books. Serge always has a plan of sorts and it usually includes punishing someone bad. Of course that "punishment" normally results in the bad someone's demise but only by accident. In fact for the most part Serge seems more like a hero than a villain. His sidekick Coleman is portrayed with a Keanu Reeves-like drugged out spacey voice. Coleman is always in a state of perpetual intoxication either from alcohol, drugs, or both and never really seems to know where he is, how he got there or what he's doing. They both carry on wonderful stream of consciousness conversations with each other and sometimes just with themselves.

For years I have been recommending Tim Dorsey to patrons who want kind of a mystery but funny like Carl Hiaasen. In fact I have patrons that have come running up to me to share the exciting news that Tim Dorsey has written a new book and they can't wait to read it. The titles are clever, colorful and a little twisted. Hurricane Punch, Cadillac Beach, Torpedo Juice, Stingray Shuffle, Triggerfish Twist, Orange Crush, Hammerhead Ranch Motel, and Florida Roadkill are a few of the titles available. And of course the new one not yet available, Nuclear Jellyfish I guarantee once you hear Oliver Wyman give voice to Tim Dorsey's Serge and Coleman and all the other cast of characters you'll be hooked.

Other Dorsey titles are read by George Wilson but I'm not sure how they sound. And of course you can still read them and just hear the voices in your head.

Author Tony Hillerman dies

Meditatinglibrarian@evpl — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:07:00 GMT

Tony Hillerman died Sunday, October 26, 2008, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was 83. New York Times Book Review mystery columnist Marilyn Stasio has posted a nice tribute and appreciation of him. USA Today also posted an article. I'm sure there will be lots more.

Are you a fan of Hillerman's Navajo Tribal Police mysteries and officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee? Here's a link to author search results in EVPL's catalog.

"Silks"

Meditatinglibrarian@evpl — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:10:00 GMT

Dick Francis is an author I came to by way of listening to someone else talk about what she likes about his books. Dick Francis books are set against a background of the English horse-racing world, and character, especially such values as loyalty and courage, are as central to the books as the action, violence, romance, and mystery plot-line. I just finished reading his/their newest title, Silks, which I enjoyed very much. Dick Francis used to write his books with major research assistance from his wife Mary - the two of them together were "Dick Francis". Mary died in 2000, and no more books came out until 2006, when Under Orders was published. Felix Francis, Richard and Mary's son, is now his father's research assistant and co-author. From my perspective, that partnership seems to be working, and it's good to have Dick Francis back [tho the older titles written with Mary are still a bit better]. He's now 87 years-old, so I don't expect we'll have him for much longer.

"Death's Half Acre" by Margaret Maron

GoldensRule@evpl — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:40:00 GMT

If you're not familiar with author Margaret Maron, you should be. Maron sets her mysteries in North Carolina. Her protagonist, Judge Deborah Knott, is the youngest of 12 and the only girl. In this installation there is murder, 2 to be exact, as those who want to cover the gorgeous Carolina countryside with McMansions fight with those who care about the environment and keeping the countryside from wholesale develpment. As usual, the many family connections play a big part in Maron's novel. This is the 13th in this series, so you might want to start with the first, Bootlegger's Daughter, to see the wonderful character development between Deborah and local Sheriff Dewight Bryant unfold.