Earlier this year I got an ARC for Missing by Karin Alvtegen which was sent to me by the mystery publisher, Felony & Mayhem. I think I first heard of this publisher via Bas Bleu books and remember adding lots of their mysteries to my wish list. I highly recommend checking both out and I’ll bet you add some books to your wish list too.
Of course I was excited to read the book because aside from enjoying mysteries, if they are in a foreign location even better. Missing is set in Sweden and although I didn’t find it as, say brooding, as other scandinavian mysteries I’ve read, it was still a good one. The main character is a homeless woman and it’s quite a different take from the typical amateur sleuth type mystery. You can read more of my thoughts here.
In keeping with the mystery theme I have a couple of mysteries that are lined up waiting for me and I’m anxious to read. There’s The Eye of Jade by Diane Wei Liang and another title from Felony & Mayhem, A Clubbable Woman by Reginald Hill.
I also finished Dope by Sara Gran recently. I am saving my comments on that one until I meet up with my book group. Let’s just say I liked her other novel Come Closer much more.
Just in case you were wondering, I am reading a new mystery now, and I can’t believe it took me so long to finally “discover” this author. I’m really enjoying A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George. At least it’s great to know that I have a lot more books to look forward to in this series. Actually speaking of great series, I found out that Peter Robinson has a new book coming out soon. Friend of the Devil is 17th in the Inspector Banks series, which I love. I’m up to book 10, so I’m still behind but I like taking my time.
I wonder what you will make of ‘A Clubbable Woman’? It’s one of the very early Dalziel and Pascoe books. If you don’t like it and haven’t read any of the later ones, don’t give up on Hill. His work gets very much better.
Missing sounds interesting as does The Eye of Jade. What is about those foreign settings that is always so appealing? I’m trying to resist picking up a mystery right now since I have quite a few other books lined up to read, but we’ll see, I may give in.
I love mysteries, too. Maybe I’ll have to check this out. Thanks for the recommendation.
EEK! I haven’t read a Robinson, George, Gran, Hill, Liang or Alvtegen! Talk about behind!!!
I do have Robinson, George, and Hill on my TBR list. However, the list just keeps growing and growing and growing. It’s so hard to get any where near caught up.
*deep sigh* 🙂
Ann Darnton – I’ve heard such good things about this series so I am looking forward to it. Good to hear it’s one that gets better as it goes along. I like that.
Tanabata – I know, right. I love traveling and as I can’t do it all the time via books is the next best thing.
aka Nik – It was good so if you do get to it you’ll have to let me know what you thought.
Joy – Ha,ha.. I know the feeling! Of course it doesn’t help that I keep seeing so many other good ones out there. I have several favorite mystery series and Robinson’s ranks high up on that list so I do recommend that one.
I think it’s time for you to write a mystery novel. You know a lot now!
I came across Elizabeth George while watching the Inspector Lynley DVDs.
These are really well done with excellent casting.
http://dwarfurl.com/5106e
Worth watching I think.
Oops. I think my link has upset your page formatting.
Please feel free to delete it 🙂
Isabel – Can you just imagine?! Ha,ha… I think mystery novels have got to be hard to write – all those clues you have to keep track of!
Gavin – Ooh I do love a good tv series too. Thanks for letting me know – I fixed the link too 🙂
I love thos Felony and Mayhem books, too. I always mark all the interesting titles when I get the Bas Bleu catalog. Have you read any Elizabeth Ironside mysteries–they publish her work. And glad you’re enjoying the Lynley mystery! I’m looking forward to the new one out this spring.
Elizabeth George has been a huge favorite of mine for a long time! How lucky you are to have all her mysteries yet to enjoy. I’ve read several of them (including Great Deliverance) more than once, which is rare to do with a mystery.
And Peter Robinson is also a big favorite in our house (my husband and I fight over his books!)
Deborah Crombie writes in a similar style to these two – you might try her books when you’re needing a new mysetery fix!
Danielle – I haven’t read any Ironside yet but I want to. I’ve a couple of her books on my list!
ravenous reader – Oh so glad to hear I have a great series awaiting! I have read some of the Crombie books and really liked them but I had to put the series aside for a while because someone in one of my book groups spoiled several of the books! Can you believe that? So rude. I actually got to meet Crombie – she came to speak at our mystery book group a couple of years ago – very nice and so gracious. She had a huge deadline and still made time to visit with us and chat for a while.
After one of your last posts, I ended up coming home with several books just because of you. 🙂
Missing sounds really good. A homeless protagonist. Hmm. Must read.
I have read one Elizabeth George novel and that was so many years ago. I do want to read more by her as evidenced by the collection of her books I’ve amassed for when I’m ready.
I do hope you enjoy Friend of the Devil. I read that one several months ago and loved it. My first Peter Robinson book and definitely not my last.
Literary Feline – Ha,ha.. I’m such a bad influence. Well you are too my dear ’cause find such great reads 🙂 Missing was so different from any other book because of that. I think I remember your review on the Robinson book – I probably skipped it just because I didn’t want to know too much. I’m at that point in the series where I think big things are going to happen so I almost don’t want to know anything about the next books 🙂