An exciting fall of new mystery releases is almost upon us! There are some additions to some series favorites and some debuts as well. Visit our website for a full list of reading recommendations, including the newest titles on our shelves.
What Time the Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust by Alan Bradley Bradley’s young crime solving heroine, Flavia de Luce, is back after a five year hiatus! Flavia still resides in the cozy British village of Bishop’s Lacey and now eight years after the end of World War II, the village still feels the effects and is trying to return to normalcy. In this 11th book in the series, Flavia has inheirited Buckshaw, the family estate, after the death of her father. She is also responsible for her younger sidekick and cousin, Ondine, who returns from an earlier book. In this installment, the two investigate the death of fellow villager Major Greyleigh, while trying to defend one of their own. Buckshaw’s longtime staff is family to Flavia and have worked for the de Luce family for decades, including beloved chef, Mrs. Mullet who is accused of poisoning Major Greyleigh. With Flavia’s aptitude for chemistry and her clever insight into the characters in her village, it is good to have Flavia back solving the crimes of the English Countryside!
The More the Terrier by David Rosenfelt Book 30 in the Andy Carpenter series, finds the lawyer back at home in New Jersey after a restful week of vacation. On his return (alongside his three pups), Andy finds a dog waiting patiently at his door. He recognizes his former foster dog, Murphy, and can’t understand how Murphy made it back to his door after being adopted by BJ and his mother. Upon returning Murphy to his rightful owner, he finds the new adoptee family in shambles, with BJ’s mother telling the tale that her son has been arrested for murder and Murphy ran out the door during the arrest. Andy takes on the case and hopes to prove BJ innocent and reunite him and his dog.
The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny In Louise Penny’s 19th book in the Armand Gamache series, The Grey Wolf opens with Chief Inspector Gamache and his wife, Reine-Marie relaxing at home in their quaint village of Three Pines. Their quiet morning is quickly shattered by a phone call that changes everything. Strange events occur, including a cryptic note that contains a list. This note, along with other curiosities, point Gamache and his team toward a frightening realization. They chase the threat across the country and know if they fail it will have catastrophic consequences.
Killing Time by M. C. Beaton Clever and quirky Agatha Raisin is back in Killing Time, the 35th book of the series. This time Agatha’s detective agency takes on a string of burglaries in the serene English Cotswolds. Things take a sinister turn when the burglars violently kill someone during their heists. Now, finding the culprits is more important than ever. At exactly the same time, Agatha’s sometimes paramour, Sir Charles Fraith has asked her to help with an extravagant soiree on his estate. Whe Agatha and her fellow private eyes are targeted and she barely escapes a kidnapping attempt, heading for a tropical vacation seems like the perfect solution. Freshly reinvigorated, Agatha heads back to the Cotswolds to find a killer!
A Messy Murder by Simon Brett Ellen Curtis has seen it all as a professional declutterer. Throughout her career, she has helped hundreds clear out their messes and, at times, found more than she has bargained for – including finding clients who have met suspicious deaths! In this book, the fourth in the Decluttering Mystery series, Ellen’s latest job is assisting an aging former British TV star, Humphrey Carter, and his years of memorabilia and other rubbish that has accumulated in his home. On the day Ellen is set to begin, she arrives to find Humphrey deceased! His wife insists that he would not take his own life and it must be murder. Unsure, Ellen investigates and finds many enemies of Humphrey. Was one suspect angry enough to kill or did he take his own life?
Brew Unto Others by Sandra Balzo Uncommon Grounds owner Maggy gets involved with family drama in the latest Maggy Thorsen mystery, Brew Unto Others. Maggy’s business partner Sarah has just lost her mother and right after the funeral, Sarah’s sister, Ruth, is found unconscious in her mother’s home. Signs point to Ruth being poisoned by carbon monoxide are crystal clear. Was this an accident or did someone intentionally tamper inside the home? Ruth seemed adamant about burying their mother quickly. Was there more to this than meets the eye? Maggy is called upon to help and she has just scratched the surface of the family’s secrets.