What I’m Reading, In No Particular Order (May 2024)

The cover of a book titled 'Dodge and Burn' by Ellen Crosby. The image features a silhouette of a person holding a camera up to their face, capturing the sun as it sets or rises behind the Washington Monument, which is centered in the background. The sky is painted with hues of yellow and orange, suggesting either dawn or dusk. The title 'Dodge and Burn' is written in large, bold red letters at the top, with the author's name 'Ellen Crosby' in a larger font size below. A tagline on the cover reads 'A Sophie Medina Mystery', indicating the book is part of a series featuring this character. A quote at the bottom from Booklist on Blow Up states 'Sophie is a principled, smart, well-drawn character in a fast-paced story'. The overall design suggests a mystery or thriller genre for the book.

Ellen Crosby, Dodge and Burn, 2024.

The fourth in Crosby’s Sophie Medina thriller series about a former international press photographer who tools around DC on her mint green Vespa solving crimes. Crosby also writes the Wine Country Mysteries, set in Virginia.

The cover of the book 'The Hunter' by Tana French, a New York Times bestselling author. The background is a gradient of orange and yellow hues, evoking the feeling of a sunrise or sunset. At the top, in small white text, it reads 'New York Times bestselling author of THE SEARCHER'. The author's name, 'TANA FRENCH', is displayed in large, bold white letters in the center of the cover. Below the author's name, the title 'The Hunter' appears in smaller white font, followed by 'A NOVEL' in an even smaller font. At the bottom of the cover, there is a small image of a lone white house or cabin situated in a vast field, adding to the sense of isolation and intrigue. The overall design suggests a mystery or thriller genre, with the stark contrast between the large text and the small house creating a dramatic effect

Tana French, The Hunter, 2024.

A first-class mystery set in Ireland exploring family ties and revenge.

The cover of the book 'The River We Remember' by William Kent Krueger, noted as the New York Times bestselling author of 'This Tender Land'. The image depicts a serene natural scene with a person standing at the edge of a river or stream, looking out at the water. The surrounding landscape includes lush green trees and the sky is rendered in a gradient of warm oranges and yellows, suggesting a sunset or sunrise. The title of the book is written in large, bold white letters that span across the top of the cover, while the author's name is in a larger yellow font at the bottom. The phrase 'A Novel' is included below the title, indicating the book's fiction genre. The overall design conveys a sense of contemplation, nature, and possibly the theme of memory or reflection.

William Kent Krueger, The River We Remember, 2023.

Set in the fifties in rural Minnesota, Sheriff Brody Dern investigates a suspicious death while dealing with demons from his own past. I also enjoy the twenty books in Krueger’s Cork O’Connor series, 1998-2024.

The cover of the book 'Murder at La Villette' by Cara Black, who is a New York Times bestselling author. The cover features a scenic photograph of a canal in Paris, with the waterway flanked by trees and street lamps, and buildings lining the banks. A bridge crosses over the canal in the midground, and the image has a soft, pastel color palette, giving it a tranquil, early morning feel. At the top of the cover, there is a quote from Lee Child describing the book's protagonist as 'Wry, complex, sophisticated, intensely Parisian... One of the very best heroines in crime fiction today.' The author's name, 'CARA BLACK', is displayed in large, bold white letters in the upper half of the cover, while the title 'MURDER AT LA VILLETTE' is in large, bold red letters in the center against a light background. Below the title, the text 'An Aimée Leduc Investigation set in Paris' is in smaller white font, indicating the book is part of a series set in Paris and featuring the character Aimée Leduc

Cara Black, Murder At La Villette, 2024

In the twenty-first book in her Parisian private investigator series, Aimee Leduc is a suspect in her ex-lover’s death.

Laura Lippman, Prom Mom, 2023

His wife, mistress, and high school prom date orbit around a charming, charismatic, and worthless man, leading to his downfall.

The cover of the book 'The Last Mona Lisa' by Jonathan Santlofer. The cover art features a layered composition with a close-up of the iconic Mona Lisa painting, partially overlaid by a torn paper effect that reveals a blue-toned cityscape, likely Paris, in the background. The title 'THE LAST MONA LISA' is written in bold, capitalized blue letters that dominate the upper half of the cover, while the author's name 'JONATHAN SANTLOFER' is in smaller blue letters at the bottom. A quote from Michael Connelly at the top praises the book with the words 'Unstoppable what-happens-next momentum... An unputdownable book!' The overall design suggests a blend of art history and thriller elements, with the distorted image of the Mona Lisa hinting at a story involving mystery or crime.

Jonathan Santlofer, The Last Mona Lisa, 2021

Shifting between past and present, a suspenseful story about the 1911 theft and subsequent return of the Mona Lisa.

The cover of the book 'The Lost Van Gogh' by Jonathan Santlofer, a National Bestseller. The cover art features a close-up of a face that appears to be a self-portrait of Vincent Van Gogh, rendered in his distinctive, vibrant, and expressive painting style with bold brushstrokes and striking use of color. The background is a deep, rich red, providing a dramatic contrast to the face. The title 'THE LOST VAN GOGH' is displayed in large white text at the top, and the author's name 'JONATHAN SANTLOFER' is at the bottom in white text. Above the title, a quote from Harlan Coben describes the story as 'A compelling story...a thriller! Fans of Dan Brown and Steve Berry will love it!' The cover suggests a work of fiction inspired by the life and art of Van Gogh, likely involving elements of mystery and suspense.

Jonathan Santlofer, The Lost Van Gogh, 2024.

Shifting between past and present, a suspenseful story about Van Gogh’s last self-portrait.

The cover of the book 'The Crow Trap' by Ann Cleeves, a New York Times bestselling author. The cover features a picturesque landscape with a small stone cottage nestled in a valley, surrounded by rolling hills and a stream running through the center. The sky is filled with dramatic, cloudy hues of purple and blue, creating a moody and atmospheric setting. The title and author's name are prominently displayed at the top of the cover in light blue text, with the subtitle 'A Vera Stanhope Novel' just below the author's name, indicating the book is part of a series. A badge in the lower right corner shows 'The basis for the hit series VERA', suggesting the novel has been adapted for television. The serene, rural landscape with the charming cottage appears to be the focus of the book's narrative, and the overall design conveys a sense of mystery and intrigue.

Ann Cleeves, the Vera Stanhope Mysteries, the Shetland Island Mysteries, and the Matthew Venn Mysteries.

Three different series featuring police detectives, set in Northumberland, the Shetland Islands, and Devon.

Danielle Arceneaux, Glory Be, 2023.

A delightful romp set in rural Louisiana starring Glory Broussard, a retired grocery store worker turned bookie and amateur sleuth.

The cover of the book 'The Thursday Murder Club' by Richard Osman. The design is simple yet striking, with a bold red background and a black silhouette of a dog standing atop a curved hill, which frames the title text. The author's name, 'RICHARD OSMAN', is displayed at the top in white capital letters. Below the silhouette, the title 'The Thursday Murder Club' is written in large, white, capitalized letters, with 'MURDER' emphasized in a larger font size. A quote from Kate Atkinson, a #1 New York Times bestselling author, is featured at the top in smaller white text, describing the book as 'a little beacon of pleasure.' The overall design is clean and eye-catching, with a playful yet mysterious feel that suggests a novel with elements of intrigue and humor.

Richard Osman, The Thursday Murder Club books, 2020-2023.

A four-book series featuring a group of seniors meddling in local crimes.

The cover of the book 'The Spy Coast' by Tess Gerritsen. The cover features a snowy winter landscape with bare trees silhouetted against a gray sky. There are footprints in the snow leading across the scene, suggesting a journey or pursuit. The title 'THE SPY COAST' is written in bold, capitalized red letters that span across the middle of the cover, with the author's name 'TESS GERRITSEN' in white below it. At the top, a quote from David Baldacci praises the book as 'A masterfully plotted read.' The overall design conveys a sense of isolation and suspense, indicating the book is likely a thriller

Tess Gerritsen, Spy Coast, 2023.

Retired CIA agent Maggie Bird and her fellow Martini Club members tackle a case from Maggie’s past.

The cover of the audiobook 'Killers of a Certain Age' by Deanna Raybourn. The design is bold and minimalist, with a cream-colored background and a graphic illustration of a red-gloved hand holding a black knife with the blade pointing downwards. The title 'Killers of a Certain Age' is written in large, capitalized red letters that span across the top of the cover, while the author's name 'Deanna Raybourn' is in smaller red font at the bottom. A tagline in black text reads 'It's kill or be killed, but they've been at this a long time...' suggesting a theme of experienced characters in a life-or-death situation. The overall design conveys a sense of danger and intrigue, indicating the book is likely a thriller or mystery novel.

Deanna Raybourn, Killers of a Certain Age, 2022.

Four female professional assassins emerge from their recent retirement to protect themselves and eliminate their foes.

Nita Prose, Molly the Maid series, 2022 and 2023.

Molly is an odd-ball and a dedicated and efficient maid at a posh big city hotel when she isn’t solving crimes.

Robert Thorogood, Marlow Murder Club series, 2021-2024.

Three women of a certain age living in a small English village work together to investigate local murders.

The cover of the book 'Mother-Daughter Murder Night' by Nina Simon, which is a New York Times Bestseller and part of Reese's Book Club. The cover has a dark, textured background with horizontal stripes and features two pairs of eyes, presumably representing the mother-daughter aspect of the title. The eyes are depicted with a minimalist design, using simple white circles and black dots to convey the gaze of the characters. The book's title is written in large, bold white letters, and the author's name is displayed in a smaller white font at the bottom. The overall design and imagery suggest a suspenseful or thriller-related narrative, with the eyes hinting at the observant nature of the characters involved in the story.

Nina Simon, Mother Daughter Murder Night, 2023.

A multi-generational group of women join forces to solve a murder.

Daniel Silva, the Gabriel Allon thrillers.

The twenty-fourth book in the series, A Death in Cornwall, will be published in 2024. Silva’s books are my favorite airplane read.

The cover of the book 'Little Monsters' by Adrienne Brodeur. The cover features an illustration of two silhouetted figures, a man and a woman, standing in a field of tall grass or reeds against a backdrop of a sunset or sunrise sky. The sky is rendered in soft pastel colors, transitioning from a warm yellow at the horizon to a pale blue at the top. The title 'LITTLE MONSTERS' is written in large, bold white letters across the top, and the author's name 'ADRIENNE BRODEUR' is in smaller white font at the bottom. The cover includes positive reviews from The Washington Post and Elin Hilderbrand, with phrases like 'Simmers with tension ... The consummate summer read.' and 'Absolutely captivating.' The overall design evokes a sense of mystery and intrigue about the story within the book

Adrienne Brodeur, Little Monsters, 2023.

A Cape Cod family saga.

The cover art for the audiobook "The Mountains Wild" by Sarah Stewart Taylor, narrated by Marisa Calin. The cover features a woman with long, dark hair walking alone on a path through a mountainous, misty landscape. The title and author's name are prominently displayed at the top of the image. The overall aesthetic evokes a sense of mystery and adventure, fitting the genre of the book

Sarah Stewart Taylor, the Maggie D’Arcy series, 2020-2023.

An American homicide detective moves to Ireland and joins the Garda.

The cover of the audiobook 'Deer Season' by Erin Flanagan, read by Sarah Welborn. The cover features a scenic landscape with a forest in the background under a cloudy sky. The title 'deer season' is prominently displayed in large, bold white text, with orange arrows pointing inward on either side, creating a sense of focus on the title. The author's name, 'Erin Flanagan,' is also displayed in the bottom portion of the cover in white text. The overall design suggests a connection to nature and possibly a theme related to hunting or the outdoors, as implied by the term 'deer season.' The cover's imagery and typography convey a sense of rural life and the significance of seasonal events

Erin Flanagan, Deer Season, 2021.

A novel about the impact of a young woman’s disappearance in a rural Nebraska farming community.

The cover of the book 'The Crossing Places' by Elly Griffiths. The cover features a large black owl perched on a branch against a teal-colored background. The title and author's name are prominently displayed in a bold, dark font. There is also a quote from the New York Times Book Review praising the book as "Highly atmospheric." The book appears to be a mystery novel, as indicated by the "A Ruth Galloway Mystery" label at the bottom of the cover. The owl is a common symbol associated with mysteries and the supernatural. Overall, the cover design creates a moody, atmospheric tone that suggests the book may explore themes of the supernatural or the unknown. The striking visual elements and the positive review excerpt work together to make this book cover visually appealing and intriguing.

Elly Griffiths, the Ruth Galloway series, 2009-2023.

Ruth Galloway is a university teacher and archaeologist in Norfolk, England, who assists the police in their investigations.

The cover of the book 'Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead' by Elle Cosimano. The cover features an illustration of a woman's face, with large eyes and glasses, peeking out from behind the book title. The woman's expression appears to be one of surprise or concern. The book cover also includes a quote from Janet Evanovich stating that 'Finlay Donovan is irresistible!' The book appears to be a mystery or thriller novel, with the tagline 'Someone wanted my ex-husband dead. And this time it wasn't me.' This suggests the story may involve the main character, Finlay Donovan, being accused of or involved in the death of her ex-husband. The overall design of the book cover is vibrant and eye-catching, with the use of bold colors and the distinctive illustration of the woman's face. This style is likely intended to appeal to readers of contemporary fiction, particularly those interested in mystery and suspense novels

Elle Cosimano, the Finlay Donovan series, 2021-2024.

Finley Donovan is a newly-divorced mother of two and struggling mystery writer. A fun, fast-paced series.

The cover of the book 'A Share in Death' by Deborah Crombie, described as the first Kincaid and James mystery. The cover features a large, imposing castle-like structure set against a night sky with a full moon. The castle is illuminated from within, casting a warm glow. The title and author's name are prominently displayed at the top and bottom of the cover, respectively, in light blue text. A quote from the Houston Chronicle at the top of the cover describes the book as 'a thoroughly enjoyable piece of entertainment.' The overall design conveys a sense of mystery and intrigue, hinting at the genre and tone of the story within. The castle and night sky setting suggest a gothic or supernatural element, which is common in mystery and suspense novels.

Deborah Crombie, the Gemma James and Duncan Kincaid series, 1993-2023.

A long-running series about married London police detectives and their three children.

The cover of the book 'In the Bleak Midwinter' by Julia Spencer-Fleming, a New York Times bestselling author. The cover features a snowy, wintry scene with a bare tree silhouetted against a bright blue sky. In the foreground, there appears to be a small house or cabin with a warm light glowing from the windows, creating a cozy contrast to the stark, cold landscape. The title and author's name are prominently displayed in white text. This book appears to be part of the "Clare Fergusson / Russ Van Alstyne" novel series, as indicated by the text below the title.

Julia Spencer-Fleming, the Clare Ferguson and Russ Van Alstyne series, 2002-2020.

A long-running series about an Episcopal priest and her police detective husband in the small town of Miller’s Kill in upstate New York.

The cover of the book 'Maisie Dobbs' by Jacqueline Winspear, an International Bestseller. The cover features an illustration of a woman in a long dress and cloche hat, silhouetted against an orange background. The woman is holding an umbrella and appears to be walking, with the Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament faintly visible in the background, suggesting a London setting. The title 'MAISIE DOBBS' is written in large, bold white letters at the top, and the author's name 'JACQUELINE WINSPEAR' is in smaller white font below the title. A quote from The New York Times Book Review at the bottom of the cover states 'Be prepared to be astonished.' The overall design of the cover, with its vintage style and silhouette, evokes the historical setting of the novel and hints at the mystery and detective elements of the story.

Jacqueline Winspear, the Maisie Dobbs books, 2003-2024 and a standalone novel, The White Lady, 2023.

In the series, we follow Maisie, a lowly maid in a grand house, on her journey to Cambridge University, as a military nurse, and psychologist and private investigator, wife, and mother. The final book in the series, The Comfort of Ghosts, will be published in 2024.

The cover of the book 'The White Lady' by Jacqueline Winspear features a snowy winter scene with a silhouetted figure of a person, possibly a hunter or soldier, crouching in the foreground. The background shows a forest of snow-covered trees. The title and author's name are prominently displayed in red and black text, creating a stark contrast against the white and gray tones of the winter landscape. The overall design evokes a sense of mystery and the chill of winter, suggesting a story that may involve suspense or historical elements.

Jacqueline Winspear, The White Lady 2023

Elinor White is the intrepid heroine of The White Lady, a wartime operative during two world wars.

The cover of the Kindle edition of the book 'On What Grounds' by Cleo Coyle. The cover art depicts a cozy and cluttered coffee shop scene. In the foreground, there's a table with a steaming cup of coffee, surrounded by items such as a newspaper, a flower vase, and a pastry. The background features a rustic, vintage-style interior with wooden furniture, shelves, and decorative elements like a clock and a hanging plant. The title 'On What Grounds' is displayed in a whimsical, curly font at the top, suggesting a play on words with a coffee theme. The cover also includes a tagline 'Includes recipes & coffee-making tips!' and a note that this book is 'First in the new series.' The author's name, 'Cleo Coyle,' is written at the bottom. The overall atmosphere of the cover conveys warmth, comfort, and a hint of mystery, indicating that the book may involve a coffee-related investigation or story.

Cleo Coyle, the penname for the husband and wife writing team of Alice Alfonsi and Marc Cerasini, writes the Coffeehouse cozy mystery series 2003-2023

Set in Greenwich Village, New York City. Bulletproof Barista is the 2023 release in this long-running series.

The cover of the 25th Anniversary Edition of 'One for the Money' by Janet Evanovich, a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author. The cover is vibrant with a bright yellow background. The author's name is at the top in large blue letters, and the title is in the center in bold red letters. A badge in the upper right corner celebrates the 25th anniversary of the book. The cover notes that this is the novel that first introduced the character Stephanie Plum. The design is simple yet eye-catching, with a strong contrast between the yellow background and the red and blue text, drawing attention to the book's long-standing popularity and its significance in introducing a beloved character to readers.

Janet Evanovich, the Stephanie Plum series

thirty-one books starring an intrepid bounty hunter and Jersey girl, set in Trenton. Now or Never will be published in 2024.

The cover of the book 'Magpie Murders' by Anthony Horowitz, who is described as a "New York Times bestselling author". The cover features a large black silhouette of a magpie or similar bird-like creature against a bright red background. The bird's body is divided into various sections, each containing a different symbol or icon, such as a telephone, a key, and an "X" mark. The overall design and color scheme create a striking and visually compelling cover that suggests a mystery or crime-related narrative.

Anthony Horowitz, the Susan Ryeland books

Magpie Murders, 2016, and Moonflower Murders, 2020. Publishing house editor Ryeland solves the crimes surrounding the publication of a series of mysteries, books within books.

The cover of the book 'Bruno, Chief of Police' by Martin Walker. The cover features an illustration of an old, cobblestone street in what looks like a European town, with warm, glowing lights illuminating the buildings. The title and author's name are prominently displayed at the top of the cover. The street scene depicted on the cover appears to be set at night, with the warm, golden lighting creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The cobblestone road, historic-looking buildings, and the absence of modern elements suggest a traditional, old-world setting. The decorative border around the title and author's name, with its swirling patterns and butterfly motifs, adds a touch of whimsy and elegance to the cover design. Overall, the image seems to evoke a sense of mystery, intrigue, and a connection to a specific place and time, likely setting the stage for the story within the book

Martin Walker, the Bruno, Chief of Police series, 2008-2024.

A Grave in the Woods is the 2024 entry into this beloved long-running series set in Dordogne, southwest France.

The cover of the novel "Still Life" by Louise Penny, featuring a close-up image of a single white flower in a glass vase against a dark background. The title and author's name are displayed at the top, with a positive review quote from Kirkus Reviews highlighting the book's cerebral and compassionate nature. Louise Penny is noted as a #1 New York Times bestselling author, and the book is associated with her previous work "A Great Reckoning.

Louise Penny, Chief Inspector Gamache Mystery series, 2008-2024

The nineteenth book in the series, The Grey Wolf, will be published in 2024.

The cover of the book 'China Trade' by S.J. Rozan. The cover features a large, red Chinese lantern hanging in front of a wooden structure with intricate architectural details. The text on the cover prominently displays the book title and author's name. The overall design and imagery suggest the book is likely a work of fiction set in or around China, possibly involving themes of trade or commerce

SJ Rozan, the Bill Smith and Lydia Chin series, 1994-2023.

The Mayors of New York is the latest in a long-running series about two private investigators.

The cover of the book 'The Queen of Christmas' by Shari Randall, an Agatha Award-winning author of 'Curses, Boiled Again!'. The cover features an illustration of a mermaid with long, flowing red hair and a blue tail, sitting on a rock against a dark background with falling snowflakes. The mermaid is adorned with a red flower in her hair and has a contemplative expression. The title and author's name are displayed in an elegant, cursive white font at the top and bottom of the cover, respectively. The phrase 'A Lazy Mermaid Lobster Shack Story' is positioned above the title, suggesting the book is part of a series or collection related to the Lazy Mermaid Lobster Shack. The overall design combines elements of fantasy with a festive holiday theme, indicated by the snowflakes and the title's reference to Christmas

Shari Randall/Meri Allen, the Lazy Mermaid Lobster Shack Series 2018-9, and the Ice Cream Shop Mysteries, 2021-23.

In the first series, ballerina Allie Larkin helps her aunt run a lobster shack and solves mysteries in coastal Connecticut. In the second series, former CIA librarian and amateur sleuth Riley Rhodes manages an ice cream shop and solves crimes.