Mystery and True Crime

An unabashed thriller with a conscience, Murder in the Marais rushes you through the streets of Paris in the early 90s, as France stands on the brink of terribly repeating the past. Old secrets— both personal and national—vie with current conspiracy, and a trained detective long out of the game finds herself dodging hate groups and government goons through alleyways and old graves. An exciting, fun, and heart wrenching start to a wonderful series.  —Jocelyn

Ruth Galloway is comfortable in her life living on a remote salt marsh and working as an archeologist, but when a child’s bones are found buried in the moor, she’s pulled into the world of crime and murder. Ruth is a sharp-tongued, intelligent character, and I love her acerbic wit and wry observations, as well as her archeological point of view. I’ve read every book in this series and enjoyed them all.  —Flannery

Lillian Jackson Braun’s Cat Who books are the original cozies. Following the adventures of the inquisitive newspaperman Qwilleran, who solves crimes in small town Michigan with hints from his two Siamese cats, these books are the definition of a fun mystery: Funny, clever, and well written. I read the whole series an enjoyed them all thoroughly.  —Flannery

Craig Johnson is one of my absolute favorite mystery writers. His characters are realistic and lovable, and the Wyoming setting is as much a character as they are. His mysteries are always deftly plotted, and his sparse writing style is infused with dry humor. I’ve read every book in this series, and they just keep getting better, as evidenced with Dry Bones. I love these books!

Pleasantville is an engrossing combination of intrigue, action, and personal drama that put me in mind of an early John Grisham novel, but with far more heart. The story begins with a missing woman, a community mobilizing for a search that is all too familiar, and a lawyer who is unwillingly pulled from his personal grief into a public role. Locke weaves together the complicated lives of a powerful political family and the ongoing conflict between corporate greed and community welfare. I really enjoyed that the political intrigue initially felt outdated but Locke pulled twists and turns at the end to reveal its contemporary national implications.

Kick is a survivor. Rescued from child pornography at the age of 12, she struggles through her PTSD until a detective suggests she learn to fight. When a mysterious figure asks for her help in a case, Kick finds herself roped into all-too-familiar territory and must use her background and knowledge to save two children. I could not put down this exciting, emotional thriller. Kick makes a kick-ass female protagonist, one we could all root for.

I discovered Alafair Burke (daughter of the famed James Lee Burke) last year and enjoyed her so much, I began reading everything she’d written. All Day and a Night is a part of her Ellie Kemper series. Kemper is a dogged, bright New York detective whose tenacity and drive make her an excellent detective and character. This was a smart, fast mystery filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end.                                        

After the Lady Gaga-esque Molly Metropolis disappears, devoted fans set out to find her and end up in the freezing waters of Lake Michigan. In this very well done found-manuscript-style book (don’t skip the editor’s note), Disabato creates an alternate history with philosophy, history, larger-than-life characters, mysterious happenings, and pop music. Be prepared: Once you become immersed in the world, you won’t want to put the book down.

Paddy Buckley, charming Irish undertaker, finds himself on the wrong side of a beautiful, elderly Dublin widow, two severe gang leaders (one dead) and, to sweeten it all, one very unfortunate crematorium mishap. Watching Buckley’s professionalism and decision-making deteriorate spectacularly over the course of his last four days is, at all times, a delight. Funny, uncomfortable, smart and engaging, this is a winning debut mystery novel from Jeremy Massey. —a.c.

The first of a popular British series now being brought to the United States. Fans of Ian Rankin or of chilly, rain-drenched mysteries will love this book. David Raker is still a bit shell-shocked from recent experiences when he’s pulled into a missing family case that takes him from small-town coastal England to Las Vegas. Be prepared for twists and turns you’ll never see coming. I enjoyed this and will definitely read its sequel!