Hi mystery fans! This week I have for you crime stories, a multiple point of view small-town mystery, and one of my favorite series!
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Where did Sherlock Holmes go during his famous disappearance between his death at Reichenbach Falls and reappearance in Baker Street, three years later? God of mystery Keisuke Matsuoka contends that it was in the Far East—in Japan, to be exact. In 1891, Nicholas Alexandrovich, the Tsarevich of Russia, was traveling in a fragile Meiji-era Japan on an official tour when he was almost assassinated. The Otsu Incident, as this came to be known, led to fear of an international incident, perhaps even a declaration of war from Russia. In steps Sherlock Holmes—on the run from the British police and presumed to be dead. Together with Hirobumi Ito, the first Prime Minister of Japan, the two unlikely allies immerse themselves in a knotted tangle of politics, deceit, and great powers.
Good Dark-ish Crime Short Stories (TW suicide/ domestic abuse)
Diary of a Murderer: And Other Stories by Young-Ha Kim, Krys Lee (Translation): This felt like reading a novella and three short stories that all either follow a criminal and/or those affected by crime. It starts with the title of the novel, which was super interesting as it’s a retired serial killer diagnosed with dementia. He’s upset that he thinks he recognizes his daughter’s boyfriend and knows the man is going to do her harm. It only escalates from there and feels like a psychological thriller because what is real and what are thoughts caused by his dementia? There’s also a story about an affair gone wrong, and an abducted child found 10 years later who is trying to fit back in with his family, and a bonkers-y tale of a writer with writer’s block–which I found the funniest. The stories are dark-ish, dry humored, and a good read for crime fans, neo-noir fans, and a good place to start if you’re a mystery/thriller fan who has never read crime before–and by that I mean there is no puzzle mystery you’re trying to solve, it’s just an exploration of humans through the lens of criminal acts.
Small-Town Mystery! (TW suicide attempt/ talk of pedophile)
Before She Was Found by Heather Gudenkauf: Ever since I read Umami by Laia Jufresa, Sophie Hughes (Translation) I’ve been in love with novels that have multiple point of view ranging from children to adults. When done well, it offers such a great insight from different perspectives. And, obviously, I tell you this because Gudenkauf did this very successfully in Before She Was Found. I got a small-town mystery, which I love, plus multiple points of view ranging from tweens to seniors (the older than 65 kind not the high school grade). Twelve-year-old Cora Landry is found a bloody mess on the train tracks–instead of at home having a slumber party–with her friend covered in blood, and the third girl’s whereabouts unknown. As the parents, doctors, and police try to figure out what happened, the girls offer no help… This is a page-turner as the pieces are put together following Violet’s mother being pressured to have her daughter talk, Jordyn’s grandfather doing everything he can to protect his granddaughter from accusations, police interrogations, a doctor’s insights, and Landry’s journal. There are plenty of suspects, including an urban legend, to keep you guessing until the end.
May This Series Go On For-EV-er
A Dangerous Collaboration (Veronica Speedwell #4) by Deanna Raybourn: I absolutely adore this series! If you’re already a fan and have yet to catch up I highly recommend you do so–I’d been saving this book as a treat and am now bummed my treat is done, but glad it was so delicious. Speedwell and Stoker find themselves caught in family drama on a remote island while solving the case of a missing bride–all while Speedwell pretends to be Stoker’s brother’s fiancée. I know!! If you’ve yet to read this series let me tell you all the reasons why you should: It follows Veronica Speedwell, a lepidopterist, who refuses to marry or abide by societies rules; Stoker, a natural historian and pain in the cheeks you sit on, is always around to help solve the mystery, join in on the adventure, and steam things up; the witty banter; it’s so funny; it’s fun; the mysteries are great; interesting history; family drama; will they or won’t they?! If you like shows like Castle, where the leads kind of want to strangle each other but also you’re waiting for them to steam up the windows, you’ll love Speedwell and Stoker. And if I still haven’t sold you I’ll just leave you with one of the many reasons I love Speedwell so much:
“‘Did he have a good cause?’
‘Is there ever a good cause to choke a fellow human being?’ he asked, blinking slowly.
‘I can think of at least a dozen,’ I replied.”
Recent Releases
I Know Who You Are by Alice Feeney (Psychological thriller)
A Good Enough Mother by Bev Thomas (When your patient looks like your missing son…)
Murder on Trinity Place (Gaslight Mystery #22) by Victoria Thompson (Historical mystery)
The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware (Paperback) (A good suspenseful mystery: Full review)
Murder, She Wrote: Manuscript for Murder by Jessica Fletcher, Jon Land (Paperback)
A Noise Downstairs by Linwood Barclay (Paperback) (Fun Page-Turner Psychological Thriller!: Full review) (TW suicide/ animal cruelty)
Browse all the books recommended in Unusual Suspects previous newsletters on this shelf. And here’s an Unusual Suspects Pinterest board.
Until next time, keep investigating! And in the meantime, come talk books with me on Twitter, Instagram, and Litsy–you can find me under Jamie Canavés.
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