Hello mystery fans! I am excited that Moonlighting is finally on streaming (Hulu), so that is definitely my next show.
I have the best job that matches people with what they want to read more of through TBR, so if you want to give it a try, here’s a thing about it: Autumn is here, which means it’s time to curl up with a great read and get cozy—whatever your version of cozy looks like. Whether it’s romance, creepy reads, modern classics, or escapist reads you crave, TBR can help you find the perfect books for your fall reading, with options curated to your specific reading tastes.
Bookish Goods
New Releases
Murder and Mamon (Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery #4) by Mia P. Manansala
For fans of family cozy mysteries with delicious recipes!
Lila Macapagal’s life revolves around the cafe she runs with two of her friends. But now her godmothers–the Calendar Crew, which consists of April, Mae, and June–are opening up a laundromat, and many in town are not happy. Plus, April’s niece, Divina de los Santos, is visiting from the Philippines, and Lila isn’t enamored with her. Throw in the laundromat being vandalized and a murder, and Lila is back to baking and solving crimes!
If you want to start at the beginning of the series, pick up Arsenic and Adobo.
Die Laughing (Amos Parisman Mystery #4) by Andy Weinberger
For fans of L.A. settings and elderly PI series!
Al Pupik, a legendary late-night comedian, has been murdered in his L.A. home, which becomes Jewish PI Amos Parisman’s new case. The police are looking at this case with the comedian’s best friend, Benny Wolf, as the suspect, hence why Benny hires Amos. Not only are Benny’s recent memory issues complicating the case, but it also overlaps with Amos’ personal life, where he’s recently had to put his wife in a care facility because of her dementia.
If you want to start at the beginning of the series, pick up An Old Man’s Game.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
Here are two translated crime novels that I really enjoyed–one from China and one from South Korea– which are on the darker side.
Bad Kids by Zijin Chen, Michelle Deeter (Translator)
This book follows three young teenagers, two who have run away from an orphanage, and the man they decide to blackmail. Two unrelated events take place to propel all the characters and story into a game of wits, crime, and getting away with murder: a sibling is accidentally murdered, and a man is unintentionally recorded killing his in-laws…
(TW brief domestic abuse, mention of child abuse/briefly mentions rape, not detailed/mentions past child sexual abuse/police discussions of child sexual assault)
The Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo, Chi-Young Kim (Translator)
Hornclaw has been a contract killer for decades. She kills for money, doesn’t ask questions, and has always been very good at her job. She’s 65 though, reaching the age of retirement and being assigned less jobs. The problem is she’s not looking to retire, but does she get a choice? Is retiring even an option for contract killers? When she makes an error on a job and her life gets turned upside down, Hornclaw is suddenly faced with a lot of questions and answers she doesn’t like.
(TW attempted sexual assault/ mentions drug overdose/ baby killing/ natural dog death from age/ child kidnapping)
News and Roundups
Arsène Lupin books in order – how to read the novels behind Netflix series Lupin in English
Traditional Osage Design Shines in Killers of the Flower Moon
10 Thrilling Crime Shows Like Lupin You Can Stream Right Now
Monk Reunion Movie Starring Tony Shalhoub Sets December Premiere Date at Peacock
Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap and Brad Pitt’s Plan B in Talks to Co-Produce The Thin Man Remake
Browse all the books recommended in Unusual Suspects previous newsletters on this shelf. See 2023 releases and upcoming 2024 releases. Check out this Unusual Suspects Pinterest board and get Tailored Book Recommendations!
Until next time, keep investigating! In the meantime, come talk books with me on Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and Litsy — you can find me under Jamie Canavés.
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