Summer isn’t over just yet. Check out these mysery novels for your weekend trip to the beach.
- “The Alienist: A Novel” by Caleb Carr
“The Alienist” takes place in New York City, 1896. The story follows Theodore Roosevelt, then New York City police commissioner, and Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, as their investigative team attempts to solve gruesome murders through new methods, including fingerprinting and psychology. A great read for those that like history and serial killers in their mysteries. There also is a great sequel, “Angel of Darkness.”
Recommended by Terri, Holly Springs Community Library
- “Dreaming Of The Bones” by Deborah Crombie
What do you get when you combine a bizarre and powerful connection between 1960s poet Lydia Brooke (who supposedly committed suicide) and Scotland Yard superintendent Duncan Kincaid’s ex-wife Victoria McClellan with Edwardian poet Rupert Brooke? Kincaid and his partner-lover, Gemma, soon find out in this riveting mystery that features poetry, history, murder, obsession and dark secrets hidden for three decades.
Recommended by Edward, Southeast Regional Library
- “The Strange Files Of Fremont Jones” by Dianne Day
A feminist woman ahead of her time, Fremont Jones leaves Boston for San Francisco after her father marries a woman she doesn’t like. She starts her business as a typist. However, she ends up becoming a private investigator when one of her clients, who resembles Edgar Allen Poe, is murdered. This is a breath of fresh air after all the modern day mysteries.
Recommended by Donna, Zebulon Community Library
- “Finding Nouf” by Zoe Ferraris
When 16-year-old Nouf disappears, her prominent family hires desert guide Nasir-al Shariq to find her. After 10 frustrating days of searching, the girl’s body is found by desert travelers. When the coroner’s report indicates that Nouf died of drowning and not of dehydration, Mr. Nasir questions what the family says. To unravel the mysterious world of women he takes the help of Katiya Hijazi, a woman ready to work in public to get to the bottom of the mystery and questions surrounding Nouf’s death. This is a fast-paced mystery set in Saudi Arabia.
Recommended by Radhika, Eva Perry Regional Library
- “Posted To Death” by Dean James
Who needs sparkly, brooding vampires in the Pacific Northwest when you can have a FAAABULOUS gay vampire detective solving murders in a cozy English village? Simon Kirby-Jones is an American vampire in Snupperton Mumsley, keeping his vampirism at bay through medications and finding out that there’s more going on in this sleepy village than meets the eye. You’re guaranteed to enjoy every moment of Simon’s rapier wit and the quirky personalities of the townsfolk.
Recommended by Stephanie, Holly Springs Community Library
- “This Pen For Hire” by Laura Levine
The first in a wonderful mystery series about Jaine Austen (not the author). A who-dun-it with humor. Freelance writer Jaine (sarcastic & carb-loving) is joined in this series by Prozac, her very finicky cat, and Lance, her gay neighbor who works at Neiman Marcus. Also adding to the mix are her mom (a home shopping network addict) and her dad who constantly emails Jaine about some disaster her father has unwittingly caused. If you like solving mysteries and smiling while doing it, I highly recommend these.
Recommended by Katherine, Southgate Community Library
- “The Last Detective” by Peter Lovesey
Peter Diamond is a detective superintendent in Bath, England. He is middle-aged, digitally challenged, on the un-fit side and a bit irascible, but also smart and tenacious. In this first book in the Peter Diamond series, he does everything he can to solve the mystery of a murdered British soap star and two lost letters written by Jane Austen, including resigning from the police force. This is a cleverly-plotted mystery that will keep you guessing to the end.
Recommended by Lisa, Eva Perry Regional Library
- “The Spellman Files: A Novel” by Lisa Lutz
Isabel Spellman has never met a nut she can’t crack, except maybe her own family. Working as a private investigator for the family firm, Spellman Investigations, Izzy has always found a need for her special skills, especially when it comes to invading her family’s privacy. But when her parents hire her sister to follow Izzy and find out the identity of her new boyfriend, enough is enough. This madcap family caper is as hilarious as it is endearing and will leaving you yearning for more. You’ll be in luck; it’s a series that continues with “The Curse Of The Spellmans.”
Recommended by Mary, Wake Forest Community Library
- “How To Murder A Millionaire” by Nancy Martin
Meet Nora Blackbird, blue blood socialite from Philadelphia, who is a little bit broke. Her parents have fled the country to avoid going to jail for tax evasion and the IRS wants $2 million for back taxes on her family’s estate. When she stumbles across a dead body on her first paying gig as a society columnist, Nora must use her wits to keep those she loves safe.
Recommended by Marci, West Regional Library
- “Some Danger Involved” by Will Thomas
If after reading all of the Sherlock Holmes tales, you are still hankering for a Victorian mystery starring a daring duo, then consider “Some Danger Involved” by Will Thomas. Enigmatic detective Cyrus Barker places an ad seeking an apprentice to accompany him through the grimy underworlds of London in order to solve the crucifixion of a student in the Jewish ghetto. Llewelyn learns the ropes as the case delves deeper into the city’s multi-layered criminal class.
Recommended by Elizabeth, Leesville Community Library
- “In a Dry Season” by Peter Robinson
When a drought causes an old village to be revealed beneath a dried up reservoir, Chief Inspector Banks finds himself with a 50-year-old murder. This case was given to him as a punishment for insubordination and no one really believes the murder will be solved. But once Banks sinks his teeth into the investigation, he is determined to not let go. The novel switches back and forth between World War II, when the village was last occupied, and the present day investigation, making the mystery seem more suspenseful as events unfold, leading up to the violence you know is coming.
Recommended by Pam, Duraleigh Road Community Library
- “Hollywood Moon: A Novel” by Joseph Wambaugh
Nowhere are the characters more real than that place we all think we know…Hollywood. Whether it is the officers of Hollywood Station, the scam artists or the violent felons, the characters jump off the page. The fact that Wambaugh is an ex-LAPD detective sergeant makes his work more real. You soon feel yourself on the streets of L.A.
Recommended by Stephen, Cary Community Library
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