| The Windsor Knot by S.J. BennettWhat happens: After a Russian pianist is murdered during an event at Windsor Castle in 2016, Queen Elizabeth II turns detective with the help of Rozie Oshodi, her young British Nigerian assistant private secretary.
Series alert: This is the fun 1st in a new series; a 2nd entry, A Three Dog Problem, is already in the works.
For fans of: the Netflix TV series The Crown; Allison Montclair's A Royal Affair, the 2nd Sparks & Bainbridge mystery, which cleverly covers the time leading up to Elizabeth and Philip's engagement. |
|
| The Hiding Place by Paula MunierWhat happens: Former military police officer Mercy Carr agrees to investigate a case her murdered sheriff grandfather had worked on -- and then her granddad's killer breaks out of prison. To add to her troubles, her dog's original military handler shows up wanting Elvis back.
Series alert: Following A Borrowing of Bones and Blind Search, this is the atmospheric, action-packed 3rd outing for Mercy and Elvis.
Read this next: For other working dog mysteries, try Kylie Logan's Jazz Ramsey novels, Margaret Mizushima's Timber Creek K-9 books, or Jeffrey B. Burton's Mace Reid K-9 series. |
|
| Murder in an Irish Bookshop by Carlene O'ConnorWhat happens: In County Cork, Ireland, Garda officer Siobhán O'Sullivan feels overwhelmed by her duties training a new recruit while also planning her wedding -- and that's before she becomes embroiled in the murder of a visiting author at a snobby new bookshop.
Series alert: This literary 7th in the Irish Village Mysteries once again features the close-knit O'Sullivan siblings, an evocative setting, and lots of charm.
Reviewers say: "[Carlene] O’Connor reinforces her place as the queen of the cozy police procedural" (Publishers Weekly). |
|
| Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. SutantoThe setup: Accidentally causing the death of a blind date who attacks her, 26-year-old California wedding photographer Meddy is persuaded by her meddlesome Chinese Indonesian mom and aunts to hide the body.
The problem: The corpse is accidentally shipped to the site of a big wedding organized by Meddy's family...which is at a luxury resort owned by Meddy’s ex.
Why you might like it: It mixes wacky crime caper with banter-filled romantic comedy, and there's a Netflix movie already in the works. |
|
| Nighthawking by Russ ThomasStarring: Adam Tyler, a gay detective sergeant working cold cases in South Yorkshire, England, who's a bit of a loner; Mina Rabbani, Adam's resourceful, newly promoted detective constable.
What it's about: At the Sheffield Botanical Gardens, a nighthawker -- someone who uses metal detectors to illegally hunt for treasure -- uncovers a body with ancient coins over the eyes. Adam and Mina identify the victim as a Chinese college student with a powerful family, and Adam also looks into the years-ago death of his dad.
Series alert: This sequel to Firewatching offers complex characters, a smart look at modern policing, and an intriguing mystery. |
|
| Dance with Death by Will ThomasLondon 1893: A British royal wedding has aristocrats gathering from around the globe, including Nicholas, heir to the Russian throne, who's sporting a scar from an attempted assassination. Worried about his boss's safety, Jim Hercules, Nicholas' Black American bodyguard, asks private enquiry agents Barker and Llewelyn for help.
Series alert: Though this is the atmospheric 12th in the Barker and Llewelyn mysteries, newcomers (especially fans of Sherlock-style deduction) can start here. Those who want to pick up the pair's 1st outing should check out Some Danger Involved.
Reviewers say: "cerebral and action-packed" (Kirkus Reviews). |
|
| Lavender Blue Murder by Laura ChildsWhat happens: Attending a South Carolina CEO's bird hunt patterned on a traditional English one, Charleston tea shop owner Theodosia Browning and her 60-something tea sommelier Drayton discover their host dying in a lavender field. Theo's cop boyfriend investigates, but so does Theo, while still serving up tea and mouthwatering treats.
Series alert: This is the 21st book in the popular Tea Shop mysteries; the 22nd and most recent entry, Haunted Hibiscus, just came out.
Read this next: Fans of evocative settings, recipes, and teatime tips can try Vicki Delaney's Tea & Treachery, the 1st in a new cozy series. |
|
| Moonflower Murders by Anthony HorowitzWhat it's about: In Crete helping her boyfriend run a small hotel, former London editor Susan Ryeland is asked to look into an eight-year-old Suffolk murder that was fictionalized by her most famous author (who's now deceased, see Magpie Murders for details).
What happens: Back in the U.K. to investigate, Susan rereads the book she edited about the killing, searches for a missing girl affiliated with case, and tries to solve the crime.
For fans of: appealingly unconventional storylines, witty writing, a strong sense of place, and story-within-story novels. |
|
| Thistles and Thieves by Molly MacRaeWhat happens: American expat Janet Marsh, co-owner with her daughter and two friends of a Scottish Highlands bookshop, finds the body of a local doctor while on a bike ride -- then another murder occurs.
Why you might like it: It's leisurely paced with appealing characters, red herrings, and lovely descriptions of the west coast of Scotland.
Read this next: If you like this 3rd Highland Bookshop novel, you might enjoy other atmospheric cozies set in Scotland, such as Paige Shelton's Scottish Bookshop mysteries or M.C. Beaton's humorous Hamish Macbeth mysteries. |
|
| Flowers Over the Inferno by Ilaria TutiStarring: gruff 60-something Italian police superintendent Teresa Battaglia, who has a loyal team, high standards, and health problems.
What happens: In a village in the Italian Alps, a mutilated body is found and all signs point to a serial killer. Teresa, an expert at criminal profiling, investigates with help from young inspector Massimo Marini in a story that flashes back to events at a 1978 Austrian orphanage.
Series alert: This is the gruesome, suspenseful 1st Teresa Battaglia novel and Italian author Ilaria Tuti's compelling debut. The next in the series is The Sleeping Nymph. |
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|