I’ve been on a big mystery kick these past several weeks. To me, my mysteries are what I go to when I want to de-stress. I like to hang out with some of my favorite detectives as they solve their cases and of course I like to meet some new detectives as well. So I’ve been reading books by Stieg Larsson, Andrea Camilleri, Louise Penny, Carola Dunn and a few others.
And, I’ve also been adding a few mysteries to my radar. Here are the ones that have come to my attention recently.
- Poisonville by Massimo Carlotto. A noir thriller set in Italy which features a less than heroic protagonist in a tale of greed and corruption.
- The Pianist’s Hands by Eugenio Fuentes. Spanish detective Ricardo Cupido delves into a passionate investigation where the alibis matter less than the dark and desolate description of the human condition.
- The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths. When she’s not digging up bones or other ancient objects, quirky, tart-tongued archaeologist Ruth Galloway lives happily alone in a remote area called Saltmarsh near Norfolk. Soon though she’s involved in a mystery when Detective Chief Inspector Harry Nelson asks for her help.
- Murder on the Eiffel Tower by Claude Izner. Paris, 1889 and a bookseller who becomes an amateur sleuth? Oh yes, I want to read this one.
Tell me if you’ve read any of these series or if they are on your list as well.
Me, I’m going back to my latest mystery, White Nights by Ann Cleeves which is the second book in the Shetland Island quartet. So far, it’s very good.
16 Comments
I use mystery in exactly the same way. Louise Penny has been my real ‘find’ of the autumn and I will be avidly waiting for ever new book she publishes. I really enjoyed ‘The Crossing Places’ and you’ve reminded me to go back and see if Griffiths has a new one coming soon – definitely someone to watch.
I don’t read too many mysteries, but all of these sound good to me.
I haven’t read any of these but they all sound good. Thank you for bringing them to my attention, Iliana. Crime fiction is great for de-stressing, I agree.
I can safely say I haven’t read any of these, but I hope you enjoy them very much!
The Crossing Places is very good.
I haven’t had the opportunity to read any of these but they sound like good possibilities for my list of “to be read” in the future. I love a good mystery!
I haven’t read any of those series, so I’m looking forward to learning about them! I’ve had such fun reading lots of mysteries over the last couple years.
Table Talk – Ah, I had probably first heard about the Griffiths book on your blog! I knew that one sounded familiar when I saw it. I’m so glad to hear you liked it. And, yes, isn’t Louise Penny’s detective Gamache the best? Love him.
Anna – I really enjoy them. I think part of it must be when I like the characters a lot it’s just so nice to keep reading about their experiences. Unfortunately we don’t get that too often with “regular” fiction books so this is quite nice.
Literary Feline – Isn’t it great? I just love that everything turns out well and/or is resolved. I’ll have to keep you posted if I read any of these.
Stefanie – They sound good don’t they? I have really been on a mystery kick!
Cathy – Oh yay, another good word for that one. Seriously, I may have to check if my library has that one.
Kathleen – A good mystery also just seems perfect for cold winter days when you just want to curl up with a good book doesn’t it? 🙂
Dorothy W. – I promise to keep you posted if/when I get to these 🙂
I am looking forward to reading the Stieg Larsson books in the coming year (I hope they are as good as everyone says!) and also have some by Louise Penny on my TBR, but the one on your list that looks most intriguing is definitely Murder on the Eiffel Tower.
I was not always a fan of detective stories, but have realized it was because I had not read really good ones. Thanks for your recommendations. I have The Brutal Telling by Penny that I have to get to one of these days.
Thanks for the nudge. 🙂 Wisteria
I have not ready any of these but I am just now moving into reading crime fiction. They are really good for de-stress. I have one of Stieg Larsson’s books on my shelf as well. I like the Kathy Reichs books and I am reading one of those right now….
Priscilla – I really loved both of Larsson’s books and am also a fan of the Penny books. I hope you’ll enjoy them!
Wisteria Leigh – See, I was sort of falling out of love with mysteries but I realized I wanted something a bit grittier. I still read cozies but tend to go for more crime novels which are just great. The Penny novels to me have a bit of coziness but are much deeper. Very good books! I hope you’ll enjoy those 🙂
christine – yay, I can’t wait to hear what you think of the Larsson book. And, I also highly recommend Tana French. Definitely different from the typical mystery novels so I think you may enjoy those as well.
i don’t read tons of mysteries…but these sound interesting. Maybe I’ll give one of them a try when I want a mystery!
I’ve taken The Crossing Places out from my library. I’m planning on starting it next. I’m reading The 13th Hour by Richard Doetsch.
Oh, I must add a few of these to my wishlist! I love mysteries too and often say I could stick to a steady diet of them. I am reading Charles Todd’s newest set in 1916 and featuring a nurse. It’s really good!
I’ve just added Poisonville to my list of books to read. I’m very intrigued about this one.
One of my favourites crime authors is Andreas Camilleri. I see that he’s already on your list. But have you read Fred Vargas? Personally, I think she’s one of the best crime authors out there. Very original. If you haven’t read her yet, I recommend ‘Have Mercy on Us All’ or ‘Seeking Whom He May Devour’. Simply brilliant! If you prefer to start with the first installment of this series, then you need to read ‘The Chalk Circle Man’. I must admit, however, that I read her in French, so I don’t know how well she has been translated.
Happy New Year & Good Reading in 2010!