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Molly's Mysteries

Molly is our mystery resource person. She writes mystery reviews for many publications. She and her husband have a day lily farm as well. Check out her blog, MERITORIOUS MYSTERIES.

Killed at the Whim of a Hat (Hardcover)

By Colin Cotterill
$24.99
ISBN-13: 9780312564537
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Minotaur Books, 7/2011
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Jimm Juree, first-person narrator of this excellent mystery, is a crime reporter out of work. Her mother, with early dementia, sold the family home and business and relocated to southern, rural Thailand. Jimm's grandfather, a retired cop, rarely talks and her younger brother who wants to be a world-class body builder moved with the family; her older brother, a transgendered former beauty queen now computer hacker stayed in the city.

Suddenly, things begin to happen in their new village: A Volkswagon van, complete with two skeletons, is discovered by a well-digger then a visiting Buddist abbott is violently murdered shortly after Jimm meets a nun and a monk who become suspects in the case. As Jimm works the case hoping to break back into news, she finds allies in unexpected places.

The charm of Whim isn't the crime story. It's the characters, the whimsey, and the humor woven subtly through the novel that make it a cut above the rest. Of course, the chapter headings, quotes from President Malaprop, are well worth the read. Don't miss the beginning of this excellent new series!

NOTE: Many readers will remember Cotterill's wonderful series about Dr. Siri, a 70-something Laotian county coroner. I predict even more fans for Jimm!

Death of a Cozy Writer (Paperback)

By G. M. Malliet
$13.95
ISBN-13: 9780738712482
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Midnight Ink, 7/2008
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I occasionally get emails with photos captioned something like, "If FDR married Marilyn Monroe, their kids would look like this." Well, if Agatha Christie and P. G. Wodehouse wrote a book together, it would be something like this one. Malliet adheres to the traditional mystery framework endorsed by Christie and enriches it with high jinks worthy of Plum himself. Save this for a Sunday afternoon in front of the fireplace--with a cup of tea by your side.

Forests of the Night (Mass Market Paperback)

By James W. Hall
$6.99
ISBN-13: 9780312937010
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: St. Martin's Paperbacks, 12/2005
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When London policeman John Hawke volunteered for duty during World War II, he dreamed of serving his country. He never considered the possibility of being wounded during training, losing an eye, and, consequently losing his ability both to serve his country and to return to his profession. Chosing to make virtual lemonade from life's lemons, he sets up as a private investigator. A job investigating the disappearance of a young woman offers an opportunity to prove his skills in his chosen profession. A chance meeting with a runaway boy awakens him to his humanity. More Johnny Hawke, please!

The Star: A Tarot Card Mystery (Hardcover)

By David Skibbins
$23.95
ISBN-13: 9780312361938
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Minotaur Books, 2/2007
What's an aging hippie to do? After being underground since 1970, Warren Ritter is still trying to keep a low profile in Berkeley. But when the daughter he never knew he had until this year asks for help, he knows he has to be there for her. After all, her underlying problem, bipolar disorder, is his problem too. Fran's marriage to a police officer is going down the tubes, and Orrin is trying to get custody of six-month-old Justin. Warren pulls out all the stops in his efforts to help Fran — including allowing his therapist to drive his prized Aprilia motorcycle. When I saw "A Tarot Card Mystery" on the front cover, I was skeptical. Once I met Warren, I was in for the ride. Now I'm going back to the bookstore to find EIGHT OF SWORDS and HIGH PRIESTESS.

The Blight Way: A Sheriff Bo Tully Mystery (Paperback)

By Patrick F. McManus
$15.00
ISBN-13: 9780743280488
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Simon & Schuster, 1/2007
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Stuck in a doctor's waiting room about 20 years ago, I idly leafed through a "Field and Stream" magazine trying to find something to fill the time. An article's title struck me as vaguely funny, so I began reading. In that few moments, I was hooked. I wrote the name Patrick F. McManus in my Palm Pilot and began searching for anything he had written. I devoured every book of outdoor essays and read them aloud to anyone who would listen. Later, I drove an hour to hear him speak at a booksigning. The store was packed. He was an hour late but nobody left. We knew, from reading his books, that he'd probably gotten lost. When I learned he'd moved on to write mysteries, I immediately ordered them from Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh. Meeting Sheriff Bo Tully was much like being introduced to an old friend. Once again, I reveled in being in the wild Rocky Mountains with a competent yet self-deprecating guide. Even as I laughed aloud, I appreciated the strength of the story-telling and the skill of dropping clues and placing red herrings. Welcome to the mystery world, Mr. McManus.

Avalanche: A Sheriff Bo Tully Mystery (Hardcover)

By Patrick F. McManus
$24.00
ISBN-13: 9781416532651
Availability: Special Order - Subject to Availability
Published: Simon & Schuster, 3/2007
Other Editions of this Title
Another great one from the travel writer turned mystery writer, Patrick McManus!

Trial & Error (Mass Market Paperback)

By Paul Levine
$6.99
ISBN-13: 9780440242765
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 days
Published: Bantam, 5/2007
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When a new Soloman and Lord novel appears in my mailbox, I clear my docket for the rest of the day. Their cases are always wacky, always clever, and always endearing. Steve Soloman will try almost anything to win acquital for his clients; Victoria Lord will follow the law to the letter. When they're together, pandemonium is always waiting in the wings. What elevates this series, for me, is the overriding love they both have for Steve's brilliant nephew who has autism. This time, Bobby brings the case to his uncle—somebody has freed the dolphins from Cetacean Park. Of course, it's not that easy, and there's much more to it than appears on the surface. Drag out your hammock, pour yourself a cool one, and kick back and relax with Florida's most lovable law team.

Jigsaw (Hardcover)

By Jerry Kennealy

ISBN-13: 9780312354756
Availability: Out of Print
Published: Minotaur Books, 4/2007
Imagine Drew Carey as the entertainment critic for a San Francisco newspaper. Give him a zany mother, a dashing father, and a set of emails from someone giving clues to Alfred Hitchcock movies. Then watch as the clues foretell the murder of an industry friend. Imagine Drew's, er— Carroll Quint's, consternation as he investigates, only to find indicators that point him to his mother as the killer, while the police think they point to him. JIGSAW is a wonderfully plotted, charming look at murder. I hope to see more of Quinn.