Good Reads & Views

Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings by Liz Ireland
Fiction

What it’s about: When widowed April met Nick Claus at her Oregon inn, she never dreamed he was part of the Claus family – in fact, holder of the title “Santa” himself. Now Mrs. Claus lives near the North Pole in a land inhabited by elves and snowmen. When one of the elves is murdered, suspicion falls on Nick. When Inspector Jake Frost (not Jack) starts finding clues pointing to Nick, April knows she has to find the truth to clear her husband. But she has only known him for a few months – what if she has married a murderer? 

Reviewers say: “This fun, well-plotted mystery is the perfect holiday entertainment” (Publisher’s Weekly). 

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Dying in the Wool by Frances Brody
Fiction

What it’s about: Kate Shackleton is a widow who lost her husband in World War I. Now, in 1922, she spends her time as an amateur sleuth helping find missing people. An old friend, Tabitha Braithwaite, is about to get married and she wants Kate to locate her father who has been missing since 1916. Kate agrees and starts sniffing around the mill town of Bridgestead where Joshua Braithwaite went missing. With her trusty camera in hand, Kate starts questioning the townspeople, and turning up things that someone wants to keep buried. Did Joshua start a new life he wants to keep secret, or did someone kill him all those years ago?

Reviewers say: Frances Brody “introduces a refreshingly complex heroine and adds a fine feeling for the postwar period" (Kirkus Reviews).

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And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by Jon Meacham
Nonfiction

What it’s about:  It may be hard for people today to realize how much of our country’s history hung on the slavery/antislavery issue, but it consumed the politics and social life of the US the first 60 years of the 19^th century. Meacham shows how Lincoln’s position on slavery grew over the years leading up to and including the Civil War. He also, with quotations from famous and not-so-famous people, lays out how the sides were drawn.

Reviewers say:  “Richly detailed and gracefully written, this is an essential reminder that ‘progress can be made by fallible and fallen presidents and peoples’" (Publisher’s Weekly).

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The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray 
Fiction

What it’s about: Jane Austen fans rejoice! Claudia Gray has brought together beloved characters from across Austen’s novels in a historical mystery. Mr. and Mrs. Knightley are having a house party and have invited characters from other Austen books. From the title, readers already know who gets killed, but will be on pins and needles – is their favorite character the murderer? Readers don’t have to be an Austenite to enjoy this historical mystery. 

Reviewers say: “There's so much fun to be had in this reimagined Austen world--and the mystery is so strong--that one can only hope, dear reader, that more books will follow” (Booklist); “A captivating production that's perfect for readers who enjoy historical mysteries and for those Austen fans who'd love to see Mr. Wickham's ultimate comeuppance” (Library Journal).

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The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty
Fiction

What it’s about:  The notorious pirate of the Indian Ocean, Amina al-Sirafi, has retired and wants to raise her daughter in peace. Then someone connected to her piratical past appears and demands Amina rescue her kidnapped granddaughter. Amina reluctantly agrees, and in quick succession is rounding up members of her old crew and gaining a ship. The kidnapper is a sorcerer, so the battles that follow are not your usual sea epic!   

Reviewers say: “If readers are not won over by the playful plot twists and thrilling action sequences, they will fall for the charmingly crooked cast and dry humor” (Publishers Weekly); “Chakraborty creates a world of high stakes and action, enhanced by its excellent representation of Southwest Asian and North African culture, as well as its challenge to gender roles” (Booklist).

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Plantation Shudders by Ellen Byron
Fiction

What it’s about: Artist Maggie Crozat is back in her home town of Pelican, Louisiana, helping run her family’s B&B in their old plantation. The B&B is full of guests for the local end of summer food festival. When an elderly couple dies within minutes of each other, the good ol’ boy sheriff is only too willing to arrest one of Maggie’s family for murder. Even though the new deputy has a more open mind, Maggie decides to investigate herself. As she digs deeper, motives surface for every guest at the B&B. 

Reviewers say: “A twisty plot and engaging colorful characters complete this mystery's many pleasures” (Library Journal); “Byron's debut brings energy and verve to the cozy formula of a woman returning home after troubles in the big city” (Publishers Weekly).

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A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
Fiction

What it’s about: Mahit Dzmare is eager to take the post of ambassador from Lsel to the Teixcalaanli Empire, but she arrives to find that her predecessor is dead – possibly murdered. Now Mahit must find out who wanted Yskandr dead and why, all the while guarding her people’s memory technology. Author Martine portrays the complex and seductive Teixcalaanli culture while keeping the human characters believable. 

Why you might like it: Martine’s Hugo Award-winning space opera with sympathetic characters and fully developed world building draws the reader into the palace intrigue and civil unrest surrounding an interplanetary empire. 

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A Murder for the Books by Victoria Gilbert
Fiction

What it’s about: After a disastrous end to her last romance, librarian Amy Webber fled to her aunt’s home in Taylorsford, VA, and took a job as the library director. When handsome professional dancer Richard Muir shows up at the library, wanting to research his late uncle Paul’s history, Amy tells herself it’s just the research that she finds interesting. They go to the archives where they find dementia patient Doris Virts shot dead. Though deeply shaken, Amy and Richard decide to dig into the town’s history, where they find the tragic story of Eleanora Cooper, accused of murdering her husband. Eleanora was acquitted, but disappeared without a trace. Richard says his uncle Paul was in love with Eleanora, and he wants Amy to help clear her name. Amy digs deeper into both present and past mysteries, and soon finds that someone wants her to leave both alone.

Reviewers say: “This debut mystery and series launch by a former librarian is an intriguing cozy that combines historical tidbits, a taste of the supernatural, a budding romance, and humor” (Library Journal); “Gilbert's series kickoff offers an intricate mystery, an interesting look at the past, and a clever and determined heroine” (Kirkus Reviews).

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Death at Wentwater Court by Carola Dunn
Fiction

What it’s about: Daisy Dalrymple, though the daughter of a Viscount, has taken a position as a writer for a magazine, quite a step in the 1920s. Daisy is sent to write about the history and family of Wentwater Court. She joins a group of guests including the cold, suave, “absolute cad” Lord Stephen Astwick. When his body turns up in the frozen lake, at first it is thought he fell through the ice by accident. Daisy takes photos of the scene, however, and when handsome Scotland Yard Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher arrives, he uses the photos to determine that it was murder.

Why you might like it: If you like classic cozy mysteries, you’ll find this spritely mystery is a delight to read. Daisy is a sympathetic character whom people want to confide in, even the Chief Inspector!

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Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood
Fiction 

What it’s about:  Flapper Phryne Fisher agrees to go from 1920s England to Melbourne, Australia, to investigate a suspected wife-poisoning. While there she becomes enmeshed in uncovering the “king of snow” who has taken over the local cocaine trade and an illegal, butcher-like abortionist. Phryne takes it all in stride, gathering an entourage of human rescue cases as she breezes along. 

Why you might like it: If you like your cozy mysteries mixed with strong local color and some tasteful but erotic scenes, give the Hon. Phryne Fisher’s first mystery a try. 

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