Category: Contemporary Setting
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A Forensics Investigator Sinks Her Teeth into Mysteries across New Zealand
Alexa Glock, never married, no kids, uses her expertise in odontology to help solve murders involving Māori customs, killer white sharks and more in this appealing series.
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On the Lighter Side: A Cozy Series for Garden Lovers
Amateur sleuth Steph Williams puts to bed any ideas that gardening is a leisurely pursuit as she works for Britain’s modern monied classes — and solves a fair share of their problems — in this cozy series.
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A British Cop Thriller Led by a Wary and Whip-smart Protagonist
Detective Inspector Jan Talantire of the Devon and Cornwall Police is called away from a rare date to a murder echoing a similar stabbing from 50 years ago, complete with crucifix through the heart and the victim’s name, Ruth Lyle.
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Welcome Back, Vic! The Tough Chicago PI Returns
The now middle-aged Warshawski is still reeling from her last case when she agrees to search for a missing young woman in Kansas — and then stumbles across another woman’s body. I loved book 22 in this series.
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And Now For Something Completely Different: PI Izzy Spellman
There’s rarely a murder in this mystery series, which focuses instead on a hilarious young PI working for her very dysfunctional family’s investigations agency. Quirky family dynamics and humor are the stars of these books.
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Edgar Award Winners 2024: Few Female Sleuths, Few Surprises
Familiar names and titles dominated the list of award recipients but I think this annual winners’ roundup — described as “the Oscars of mystery awards” — is always worth a look.
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What Lies in the Woods: A Survivor’s Suspenseful Tale
A twist-filled tale about the resilience of little girls and the adults who are supposed to take care of them. I was cheering for our tough protagonist by the end, a grand finale I definitely didn’t see coming.
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Scorched Grace: A Poet Pens a Lyrical Debut
Lush language, an atmospheric setting and the most original protagonist in many a mystery. There’s so much to love in this intense noir debut featuring a queer punk rock nun in the sweltering heat of New Orleans.
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Holly: Stephen King Lets His Unusual Female PI Shine
It’s been a minute since I read a novel by Stephen King. I’d forgotten a) what a great storyteller he is and b) how gross he can get. You’ll need a strong stomach for this chilling tale of two academics gone very, very wrong.
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Cyanide and Sensibility: A Cozy with Flavors of Austen
It’s fun to spot the references to Jane Austen and her characters in this cozy mystery featuring a professor of English literature who likes to dress in Regency-style gowns while teaching — and solving murders.
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