Category: Contemporary Setting
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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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One Puzzling Afternoon: Solving a Decades-Old Mystery
At 82, Edie Havercroft’s memory is slipping a bit. So when she claims to have seen a young girl who went missing 67 years ago, is she merely confused or does she know something that can crack the case?
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Gone for Good: A Young Detective Tackles a Serial Killer
Twenty years ago, the Lovelorn Killer stalked Chicago and murdered seven dark-haired women. Now, Homicide Detective Annalisa Vega is called to a crime scene with all the hallmarks of the serial killer’s bizarre rituals.
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It’s Glory’s World, and We’re Lucky to Be Living in It
Author Danielle Arceneaux has created a darkly humorous amateur sleuth/bookie who doesn’t let age — or anything else — stand in her way. The relationships shine in this mystery set in small-town Louisiana.
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The Third Girl: Fleeing to France in this Modern Cozy
Molly Sutton, 38, returns to France after her marriage ends and settles into a large village, where she discovers a love of almond croissants — and a gift for solving murders. First published in 2015, there are now 11 books in the series.
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Celine: The Armani Sleuth with “the Underdog Bone”
At 69, Celine Watkins may qualify as a senior sleuth. But her experience – and shooting skill – are assets in this tale of families broken and, sometimes, reunited. A traditional mystery set in and around Yellowstone National Park.
FemaleSleuths.com 