Whodunnits: Titles for Mystery Buffs

By Andrea Plaziak

My granddaughter Katrina received a copy of “Olivia and the Missing Toy” by Ian Falconer at Christmas. This is her first mystery and we enjoyed this book so much, we now have two copies, one at her house, one at mine. Katrina may be only two, but I believe it’s never too early to introduce someone to the joys of solving the puzzle. That’s what mysteries are for me, an exercise for the brain. I started reading mysteries as a child, and have always enjoyed them. Some I find invigorating, some morose, all of them keep me on my toes.

Over the years I have had many patrons take an “At the Libraries” column out of their wallet or purse and ask for help finding a title one of us mentioned in our column. The first time one of our patrons brought in one of my booklists and told me she had read and enjoyed each title on the list and what else could I recommend I was flabbergasted; then I was pleased to meet someone else who not only enjoys solving the puzzle but also enjoys my recommendations.  With that in mind I’ve comprised a list of authors I’ve been reading lately. I’ve mentioned Peter Robinson before. His mysteries take place in Thames Valley, the latest one titled “Playing with Fire”. I started this one night and stayed up until 3:00 am reading. Ed McBain’s 87^th precinct mysteries are wonderful police procedurals, the newest “Hark” is true to form. Philip R. Craig is an author most of us at West Warwick read. The fact that Mr. Craig always speaks of libraries and librarians in a positive vein doesn’t hurt either. His latest is “Murder at a Vineyard Mansion”. This series takes place on Martha’s Vineyard and features J. W. Jackson and his lovely family. A new author for me is Rick Riordan. His mysteries take place in Texas and feature Tres Navarre, a college professor and private investigator. He also wrote a novel “Cold Springs”. This takes place in Texas and deals with troubled teens and a wilderness survival program. “High Country” by Nevada Barr takes us to Yosemite National Park. I’m not going to tell you anything about the plot, but I will say this is another one you don’t want to stop reading. Carlotta Carlyle, that tall red-headed Boston PI is back in “Deep Pockets” by Linda Barnes. Another series I like features Benni Harper, a museum curator in California, married to a local police officer. The author, Earlene Fowler uses the names of quilt designs, including “Dove in the Window” and “Sunshine and Shadow”, for her book titles. Her brand new Benni Harper is titled “Broken Dishes”. Another new author for me is John Dunning. I read “Deadline”, then found his series featuring Cliff Janeway, a Denver police officer with a tremendous knowledge and love of books. The first book in this series is “Booked to Die”. Julia Spencer-Fleming, another new author, has published her third in a series which features Clare Fergusson, Episcopal priest and Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne. “Out of the Deep I Cry” builds a background for the town of Millers Kill and the past of the current police chief.

On the lighter side Isis Crawford’s first mystery “A Catered Murder” is an enjoyable read and it includes recipes. Sarah Graves’ series is set in Eastport, Maine. The newest is entitled “Mallets Aforethought” and once again Jacobia is repairing that big old house of hers. “Muletrain to Maggody” is the latest in the Ozark series by Joan Hess. She also writes a series featuring Claire Malloy, the owner of a bookstore in Arkansas. Claire’s daughter Caron has the largest case of teen-age angst I’ve ever seen. Then there are the Darlings, Annie and Max. Annie owns a mystery bookstore “Death on Demand” and between her cats and her interesting mother-in-law, things are always percolating. Carolyn Hart also writes a series featuring journalist Henrie O. I do have to mention “The Cat Who …..” series by Lilian Jackson Braun. Her latest is “The Cat who Talked Turkey”. If you like tall tales, this is the series for you. Tamar Myers writes a bed and breakfast mystery series that take place in Pennsylvania Dutch country. The titles alone make you smile. Pick up “Thou shalt not Grill”, “Custard’s Last Stand”, “Between a Wok and a Hard Place”, and my favorite title “Gruel and Unusual Punishment”. Murder and mayhem may abound, but definitely not to be taken seriously.

Bring this article into your library; take one or two or more of these titles home. Stop by and see me; tell me what you thought of the book you chose to read. I’m always happy to talk about what I’ve read, what I want to read for myself, and to my beautiful granddaughter.