“Nobody reads a mystery to get to the middle. They read it to get to the end. If it’s a letdown, they won’t buy anymore. The first page sells that book. The last page sells your next book.”
~ Mickey Spillane
Ah how I love a good mystery and as yesterday I posted on two mysteries I’ve enjoyed, I thought I’d continue now with some mysteries that have captured my attention and I’d like to check out one of these days.
- Carte Blanche by Carlo Lucarelli. The setting for this mystery is 1945 Italy. The country is still under a Fascist regime but the Commissario is investigating a murder of a drug dealer. An Italian noir novel.
- The Last Nightingale by Anthony Flacco. This novel of suspense is set during the aftermath of the San Francisco earthquake of 1906
- The Gentle Axe by R.N. Morris. Just before Christmas, in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1867, police investigator Porfiry Petrovich faces his most challenging murder case since the events made famous by Dostoevsky in the novel Crime and Punishment-a case with disturbing parallels and even darker implications.
- Days of Atonement by Michael Gregorio. A whodunit set during 1807 in Prussia, a magistrate is summoned from his country refuge to solve a heinous multiple murder.
- The Dragon Scroll by I.J. Parker. In an adventure filled with highway bandits, unscrupulous politicians, and renegade monks, The Dragon Scroll introduces readers to the lively world of eleventh-century Japan and an irrepressible hero-Sugawara Akitada.
Hm, I just realized all of these are historical mysteries. Well, I have been on a bit of a historical kick lately so I guess this makes sense. If you’ve read any of these let me know what you thought.
11 Comments
That’s a great quote! All of these look interesting, but I’m particularly intrigued by The Last Nightingale. The San Francisco earthquake is something that has fascinated me since elementary school.
I love that quote, Iliana! It’s very true! 🙂
I like the quote too, although I’m not sure that people read any kind of book to get to the middle…
I’ve not read any of the books you mention, but I’m planning to investigate Carlo Lucarelli soon.
I like the title of the Gentle Axe, as if an ax is nice!
Have fun reading them and living in another century for a bit.
Great quote!
I’ve not read any of those books you mention, but I might investigate. I read a historical mystery a couple of months ago (my first for ages) and enjoyed it, so maybe that’s another genre for me! The book in question was ‘The Interpretation of Murder’ by Jed Rubenfield.
Oh, The Gentle Axe sounds good. And I love the quote.
I read The gentle Axe last year because it was somewhat of a spin-off from Crime and Punishment. I loved it, can’t wait to hear your opinion! 🙂
Those are all new to me, though I own the Morris book. I think I tend to read more historical mysteries than contemporary ones (though I like those, too). I’m reading one by Cordelia Frances Biddles set in mid-1800s Philadelphia. Have you read her yet? She’s pretty good. I like the quote by the way.
Ruth – I think that’s gotta be an interesting mystery. I mean, you have this horrible event and at the same time something else major is going on. Could be a good one!
Melody – So true right. I know if I like that first book, I’m definitely following up… granted it may take me a while but I’m there! 🙂
Rob – Ha, too true. Apparently the Lucarelli books are big in Italy. Good to see they are being translated and brought over.
Isabel – Indeed! I actually thought of you when I read about it because I know you love books set in those cold countries 🙂
Fern – Ooh I’ve got that book on my shelves. Glad to hear you liked it! Hopefully one day I’ll get to it 😉
Tanabata – I saw the second book too and it sounds equally as interesting. Gotta investigate 🙂
Matt – Ah! Ok, glad to hear you read it and enjoyed it. Now it’s definitely on my radar. Have you checked further into the series? I think there’s one more right?
Danielle – No, I haven’t gotten to her books yet. I think I remember the book you mention! I have it on my radar but you know how it goes sometimes 🙂
Wait! I need to get notebook and pencil out. Okay. I’m ready. They all sound good, Iliana. And I notice they are all historical! Even better! I can tell I’m going into another mystery phase because all the books that are catching my eye these days are mysteries and thrillers.
I love that quote– concise and accurate. I love historical mysteries, so thanks for some great new possibilities!