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| The Queens of Crime by Marie BenedictDorothy L. Sayers, a cofounder of the Detection Club, wants to prove to the male members that the women writers are just as worthy. So in 1931, she teams up with Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham, and Baroness Emma Orczy to solve a real murder. Read-alikes: Colleen Cambridge's Phyllida Bright mysteries; Nicola Upson's Josephine Tey mysteries; Nina de Gramont's The Christie Affair. |
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| The Next Deadly Chapter by V.M. BurnsNewly engaged cozy mystery author Samantha Washington gives a talk at a casino that's interrupted by a heckler. When he's later found dead and her future mother-in-law is a suspect, Sam investigates. The modern murder case combined with excerpts from Sam's historical work-in-progress gives readers two cases to enjoy in this charming 10th Mystery Bookshop novel that's fine for newcomers. |
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| I Died for Beauty by Amanda FlowerDuring a brutal cold snap in 1857 Amherst, Massachusetts, a suspicious fire kills a young Irish American couple, leaving their toddler an orphan. Poet Emily Dickinson and Willa Noble, the young maid who narrates the story, investigate the deaths in this intricately plotted 3rd in a well-researched series. Read-alikes: Bella Ellis' Brontë Sisters mysteries; Stephanie Barron's Jane Austen mysteries. |
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| Schooled in Murder by Victoria GilbertThis bookish series starter introduces Jen Dalton, the director of a Virginia university campus writing center and a mystery writer. Happening upon a body in the library, Jen teams up with a librarian, a cafeteria manager, and a psychologist to solve the case. Read-alikes: Jenn McKinlay's Library Lover's mysteries; Miranda James' Cat in the Stacks novels. |
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| The Dark Hours by Amy JordanIn this gripping dual timeline debut, retired Garda detective Julia Harte is relieved to hear the serial killer she put away in 1994 has died. Then she learns that a copycat crime has occurred in Cork and she's needed on the disturbing case, forcing her to leave her rural home behind and face old demons. For other crime novels set in Ireland, try Tana French's Dublin Police Squad series or Dervla McTiernan's Cormac Reilly books. |
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| The Lost House by Melissa LarsenAgnes' grandfather left Iceland for California 40 years ago after villagers blamed him for killing his wife and child. With him dead and a podcaster wanting to explore the cold case, Agnes travels to her ancestral home hoping to clear his name and finds herself looking into a new death in this "haunting whodunit" (Kirkus Reviews). Read-alikes: Scandinavian crime novels by Camilla Läckberg or Ragnar Jónasson. |
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| Knife Skills for Beginners by Orlando MurrinThough he's still mourning his husband's death, London chef Paul Delamare agrees to teach a culinary course for an injured friend. But after Paul finds his pal dead, he becomes the prime suspect and needs to clear his name. This amusing debut by a chef/food writer features a closed circle of suspects, recipes, and a bit more edge than some cozies. Read-alike: Jessa Maxwell's The Golden Spoon. |
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| Beast of the North Woods by Annelise RyanCryptozoologist Morgan Carter, who owns the Odds and Ends gift shop, agrees to investigate when an employee's nephew is accused of killing his high school rival while ice fishing in Wisconsin's North Woods. The nephew swears a hodag committed the crime, but the police don't buy his story about a murderous mythical creature in this engaging 3rd in a fun series. Read-alikes: Tom Ryan's The Treasure Hunters Club; Holly Danvers' Lakeside Library mysteries. |
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| Dead in the Frame by Stephen SpotswoodAfter the evidence points her way, famed detective Lillian Pentecost is arrested for murder in 1947 New York. While Lillian, who has multiple sclerosis and lots of enemies, tries to survive jail, her determined assistant, Willowjean "Will" Parker, searches for the real killer in this suspenseful 5th series entry. Read-alikes: Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher mysteries; Lev AC Rosen's Evander Mills novels. |
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| Murder in the Dressing Room by Holly StarsIn London's Soho neighborhood, Misty Divine's drag mother, Lady Lady, is found murdered in a stolen dress in her dressing room. When the cops assume the performers are guilty, Misty steps up to solve the crimes. Fans of RuPaul's Drag Race will want to pick up this debut that has "lovable characters, lively dialogue, and dry humor" (Publishers Weekly). |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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Roxbury Public Library
103 Main Street
Succasunna, New Jersey 07876
(973) 584-2400
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