Summer Reading Series 5: Mysteries

If you just read the title of the post and thought, “I don’t read mysteries, this post isn’t for me,” I’m going to ask you to stick with me for a moment.  See, I don’t consider myself a mystery reader, either.  Mystery readers, to me, are like any genre-only readers—they’ve found a type of book that they really love, and that genre makes up the bulk of what they read.  Then there are the rest of us, who love to read and sometimes read mysteries.  I definitely fall into the latter category, and maybe you do, too.  The trick is finding a style of mystery that suits you, and there are bunches to choose from.  Here are a few of my top picks:

For cozy* mystery readers:

The China Bayles series by Susan Wittig Albert.  Lawyer turned herb-shop-owner, China Bayles is one witty, brilliant, small-town Texan super-sleuth.  Each novel is complete with recipes, herb lore, and small town charm.  A wacky cast of characters makes for an extra-entertaining read.  My advice is to start at the beginning with Thyme of Death.  You might also try the Hannah Swenson mysteries by Joann Fluke (starting with Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder) or the antique-themed Trash ‘n’ Treasures mysteries by Barbara Allan(starting with Antiques Roadkill).

For detective mystery readers:

Try sleeper hit The Snowman, by Norwegian author Jo Nesbo.  Oslo Detective Harry Hole is incredibly qualified but troubled by a number of personal demons.  Given a new partner and a rapidly developing string of murders hinting at a serial killer on the loose, Harry must struggle through his issues and catch the killer before he strikes again.  Nesbo is being called the heir apparent to Stieg Larsson—this is definitely one to check out.  Other detective series I recommend: The Nic Costa Italian police series by David Hewson  (start with Season for the Dead) and Jeffery Deaver’s criminologist Lincoln Rhyme series (start with The Coffin Dancer).

Finally, for those who prefer historical mysteries:

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Anne Perry here.  Both her William Monk (The Face of a Stranger, etc.) and Charlotte and Thomas Pitt (The Cater Street Hangman) are marvels of Victorian English history and mystery combined.  You might also try Jules Verne circa 1889 in Carol McCleary’s Illusion of Murder.  Or consider Renaissance Italy among the murderous Borgias in Sara Poole’s Poison.

Have a favorite that’s not on the list?  Leave a comment below and tell us!

Next time on our Summer Reading Series:  Reading Ahead!  What’s coming soon from your favorite authors?  I’ve got it for you!

*What makes a mystery “cozy”?  The crime-solver in a cozy mystery is usually (but not always!) a woman who is an amateur sleuth. Almost always, she has a college degree, whether she is using it or not. Her education and life’s experiences have provided her with certain skills that she will utilize in order to solve all the crimes that are “thrown her way.”