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| The Game Is a Footnote by Vicki DelanyStarring: Gemma Doyle, the British expat owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium in West London, Massachusetts, who sometimes (albeit reluctantly) uses her analytical mind to solve crimes.
What happens: After several odd nighttime occurrences at Scarlet House, a local historical re-enactment museum, Gemma, her friend Jayne, and a few others camp out. When the night ends with a dead body, Gemma investigates.
Series alert: Featuring endearing characters, this is the 8th in a charming series that starts with Elementary, She Read. |
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| The Mitford Secret by Jessica FellowesChristmas, 1941: With bombs landing on London, Louisa Cannon takes her six-year-old daughter to join her former employers, the Mitford family, for the holidays at their country house. But rumors and murder interrupt the festivities as Louisa, who has some experience in detective work, sets out to unearth the truth.
Series alert: This engaging tale is the 6th, and possibly final, book in a well-plotted series that begins with the 1920s-set The Mitford Murders.
Why you might like it: The Mitford Secret features real-life members of the famous Mitford family and evocatively depicts World War II-era Britain. |
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| Showstopper by Peter LoveseyThe show must go on? The British crime show Swift has had its successes, including a six year and counting run, but it's also had a series of strange accidents and deaths. Is it jinxed as rumor says?
New problems: An actress dies of a heart attack during a robbery and a crew member disappears while on location in Bath. Peter Diamond, the city's brusque senior police detective, must figure out what's going on or his detested boss Georgina might force him into retirement.
Series alert: This is the cleverly plotted 21st Peter Diamond novel by the much-lauded Peter Lovesey. It's a fine place to start, but those who'd like to begin with the 1st novel should pick up The Last Detective. |
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| Witnesses for the Dead: Stories by Gary Phillips and Gar Anthony Haywood, editorsWhat it is: a collection of 14 engaging, thought-provoking stories that examine what happens when someone witnesses a crime.
Stories include: "Spiders and Fly" by Gary Phillips, "Post-Game" by Alex Segura, "Code Name Penelope" by Cara Black, "A Family Matter" by Sarah M. Chen, and "On Gossamer Wings" by Gar Anthony Haywood.
Did you know? Witnesses for the Dead was inspired by the courage of Darnella Frazier, the teen who videoed George Floyd's murder; book royalties are being donated to the Alliance for Safe Traffic Stops. |
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| Blown by the Same Wind by John StraleyHello, stranger: Several people, including a famous monk, an FBI agent, and two racist fishermen, arrive in the small village of Cold Storage, Alaska, in 1968. Barkeep Ellie and other locals aren't sure what to make of them all, especially once odd break-ins and a killing occur.
Series alert: This 4th Cold Storage mystery can be read on its own, but readers who appreciate well-drawn settings, unpredictable plots, and eccentric characters will want to check out the earlier novels too.
Reviewers say: "Perfect" (Kirkus Reviews); "funny and quirky...a delight" (Booklist). |
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| City Under One Roof by Iris YamashitaWelcome to... Point Mettier, Alaska, formerly a secret military base and now home to 205 people, all of whom live in the same condo building.
Stranded: Anchorage detective Cara Kennedy is sent to investigate after a local teen discovers a severed hand and foot washed up on shore. When bad weather cuts off her exit, things get violent, and Cara must work with a local cop to figure out what's going on.
Author buzz: City Under One Roof is the debut novel of Iris Yamashita, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of 2006's Letters from Iwo Jima. |
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Short stories for a short month
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| Seasonal Work: Stories by Laura LippmanWhat it is: a collection of 12 stories, including a new novella, by the acclaimed author of numerous popular crime novels, such as those starring Baltimore PI Tess Monaghan (who makes two appearances here).
Reviewers say: "Clever, well-paced, laced with humor and insight" (Kirkus Reviews); "delightful" (Library Journal).
Keep an eye out for: Lippman's next novel, Prom Mom, which is due in July and is sure to be another bestseller. |
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| Crime Hits Home: A Collection of Stories from Crime Fiction's Top Authors by S.J. Rozan, editorHome sweet home? In this "superior" (Publishers Weekly) gathering of 20 short stories, many of which are quite gritty, the authors explore various ideas of home, and what it's like when a crime occurs there.
Stories include: "Not Exit" by Walter Mosley, "Little House in the Big Woods" by Sara Paretsky, "Grand Garden" by Naomi Hirahara, "Calling Mr. Smith" by Ellen Hart, "Flip Top" by Gary Phillips, "What They Knew" by Gabino Iglesias, and "Playing for Keeps" by S.J. Rozan. |
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| Midnight Hour by Abby L. Vandiver, editor; foreword by Stephen Mack JonesWhat it is: a wide-ranging collection, from cozy to noir, of 20 original stories centered around the midnight hour, showcasing authors of color and edited by Abby L. Vandiver (aka Abby Collette).
Authors include: Jennifer Chow, Tracy Clark, E.A. Aymar, Raquel V. Reyes, Gigi Pandian, V.M. Burns, and David Heska Wanbli Weiden.
Reviewers say: "must reading for mystery aficionados" (Publishers Weekly); "an excellent collection" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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| Bruno's Challenge: And Other Stories of the French Countryside by Martin WalkerWhat's inside: a charming set of 14 short stories starring Chief of Police Bruno Courrège of France's Dordogne region, who must settle town disputes, mediate family quarrels, and track down lawbreakers.
Is it for you? Heavy on food, atmosphere, and beloved characters, these stories also have recipes and a dash of crime.
Stories include: "The Chocolate War," "A Market Tale," "Dangerous Vacation," "Fifty Million Bubbles," "Oystercatcher," "Boeuf Neanderthal," and "Bruno and le Père Noël." |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Atlantic County Library System | 40 Farragut Avenue, Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Phone: (609) 625-2776 | www.atlanticlibrary.org
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|  | Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson
Atlantic County Board of Commissioners, Maureen Kern, Chairwoman |
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