I wrote on Tuesday that this week is unofficially Thriller Week at BookPage—but there are a lot of different flavors of suspenseful plots. For example, Bruce Tierney—our Whodunit columnist—favors “Nordic noir” a la Jo Nesbo or Henning Mankell. I can’t say no to a literary thriller with a strong female protagonist. (I’m looking at you, Laura Lippman.)
Graphically violent scenes do not deter me from reading a mystery—so many of the plots are grisly, after all—but many readers want a suspenseful book that will not make them wince. These recommendations are for you.
If you love cozy mysteries and are looking for a smart new series, I’d recommend What the Cat Saw by Carolyn Hart. The plot revolves around the murder of the founder of a charitable foundation. Add a protagonist who can understand a clever cat’s thoughts plus a nice dash of romance, and you have a winner from multiple award-winning author Hart. Read more about the novel, book #1 in a series, here.
Homages to classic novels and authors have become de rigueur in the world of cozy mysteries, but Murder Most Austen by Tracy Kiely is a winner—especially because the author is obviously so well-versed in Austen’s body of work, packing Austen allusions into her novel. In the book, the series heroine, Elizabeth Parker, goes to Bath’s annual Jane Austen Festival—and is greeted by a murder or two. Shortly after, a strange assortment of suspects present themselves. Read more about the novel in this review.
What books would you recommend for readers who want a lighter mystery?
Psst: Our giveaway of 10 thrillers is still going strong. Enter now!
Is it OK to give a shout out for my own cozy books? I write the Professor Bradshaw Mystery series, published by Poisoned Pen Press. There are 2 books now out, A SPARK OF DEATH and FATAL INDUCTION, and a 3rd will be release May 2013.
This fast-paced whodunit series features Benjamin Bradshaw, Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Washington. Bradshaw’s electrical forensic and investigative skills, combined with a keen understanding of human nature, bring the Seattle Police, and murder, often to his doorstep during the social and scientific turmoil of the early twentieth century.
Publisher’s Weekly called A SPARK OF DEATH a “deft, highly entertaining debut.”
Hi Bernadette, Of course it’s okay to give a shout-out to your own books! That sounds like a fun series; thank you for sharing.
I love a great mystery, especially after a long day. What a way to relax and stretch my little grey cells at the same time!
Agreed! I love relaxing with a mystery at the end of a long day.
I LOVE Susan Kandel’s clever, charming, funny Cece Caruso mystery series that combines famous mystery writers, vintage clothes, and LA lore.
I’ve enjoyed Carolyn Hart’s mysteries over the years.
It’s been a while, but I loved the Aunt Dimity series by Nancy Atherton. They are fun books set in the English countryside with the ghost of Aunt Dimity.
There is a new Nicole Elliot Mystery, “This Business of Murder,” by Scottish author Martha E. M. Whitelaw. The complete serialized version may be read by everyone at: http://www.theredcache.com, for free (yes, it really is for free). New chapter about every two weeks.
Oh, from all all of us here … please have a most mysterious day.