Engaging, atmospheric mystery!
341656
The Golden Scales is not just a mystery novel; it is much more. The book's basic plot stems from the two mysterious disappearances, but the author develops this into a full-fledged almost literary novel touching upon subjects from personal upheaval to public politics to Islamic philosophy. Bilal builds up Makana's character beautifully; we know Makana as he is now and we delve into his past. We understand why he is what he is, and the events that have shaped him. Makana is a strong protagonist, down but not out, bearing the courage to stand and press on for what is right. This book, as strongly built-up as it is, is quite unforgettable because of Makana.

Bilal also describes Egypt well - it's people, it's locales, it's vernacular language, and the political influences that shape the region. As readers we are able to get a good virtual look-seee around. As Makana goes about investigating he meets all sorts of people - football stars, film producers, politicians, struggling actresses, land sharks, Russian gangsters - each person for himself, wanting, grasping. Each of the characters in the book is well depicted, from their back-stories and their connections to the missing people, to their own motivations for the crimes. I loved the fact that even while this was a mystery novel, I got a sense of the socio-political climate, the life of ordinary people, the quality of women's lives and the ever-present corruption; the mystery didn't exist in isolation, it stemmed from it's society and it's culture and the nature of it's people.

This is an engrossing book, an atmospheric mystery and an engaging piece of fiction. I hope to read many more Makana mysteries. Highly recommended.
2043091
On a snowy winter day recently I snuggled under a warm comforter and allowed myself a real treat. No, I'm not talking about chocolate or a favorite movie, but the most recent Galway Evans and Letitia Dunbar mystery, A TUNE OF MURDER by B.A.L. McMillan. I was hooked on the first page as the mystery opened, small clues revealed like breadcrumbs leading the reader through a maze of characters and clues. Set in a small town with a thriving music community, the tale not only deals with the universal issue of plagiarism, but also with greed and the quest for validation in one's chosen field. Letitia Dunbar is a delight as she contributes her own unique perspective toward Galway Evens' investigations.  Letitia's superstitions afford the reader a glimpse into her fear of the supernatural. Occasionally a random fact appears --such as painting a thin blue line around the windows and doors to discourage wandering spirits. The author certainly understands herbs and their uses. THE TUNE OF MURDER kept me guessing until the end. I refrained from flipping to the last page because I wanted to enjoy every delicious paragraph. The author underscores the importance of wisdom that comes with age and experience.  I am looking forward to reading about another case involving the elderly Letitia and her mysterious neighbor Galway.
596940
Many people who live in big cities have fantasies of moving to rural areas, with their close-knit communities, serene countryside, and charming eccentric characters. But in this excellent mystery set in the mountains of North Carolina in the 1980s, things go off the rails rather quickly for Della Kincaida former D. C. reporter who buys a country store. She discovers a dead young woman in the woods and doesnt for a minute buy the finding of suicide. Her friend and helper is a mentally challenged teenager named Abit, who is much wiser than he seems. We proceed with their voices interwoven, in first persona smart and effective choice on the authors part.

The mystery itself unfolds at a deliberate pace, as Della works her way through the clues. Theres a grace and thoughtfulness here thats rare in genre mysterymade vivid by Lynda McDaniels assured writing style. This story stops often to enjoy the scenery and the good things in life. It could almost be a cozygiven its perquisitesbut its serious air moves it away from that style.

If thoughtful, character-driven mystery is your cup of tea, don't miss A Life for a Life. I know that I enjoyed the heck out of it.
1217920
If you're looking for a book that will pull you into the story, put your thinking caps on, get involved with the characters, the history, and the colorful landscape surrounding a good mystery while the hours fly by then you have come to the right place. You will get to know Professor Cait Morgans interesting character traits as she unravels and exposes the details that lead her to solving a mystery. While visiting the south of Frances Cait bumps into her old lying ex-boss Alistair Townsend. He invites her to his wifes birthday party. Unfortunately for Cait, lets just say, she couldn't leave the party or the country! The drama begins on page one and keeps you guessing till the end.
This is the first book in the Cait Morgan mystery series, but it won't be my last. A thoroughly good choice!
1777239
Its been over a decade since I read Chaons debut novel. Although I must admit that I don't recall much other than enjoying it, I am excited to be reading his latest. Its premise with a mystery both present and past is certainly promising! The modern mystery, a series of drownings, seems to be rooted in current urban legend as well  even I recall hearing about mysterious drowings in the Great Lakes of mainly young men with a hint toward there being a darker force at work than irresponsible drinking. The narrative here skips around between characters and timelines, but is engaging from the very start!

I like, too, how Chaon uses the Satanic Panic of the 1980s for the historical mystery  it lends more authenticity to the storyline and this couples well with how the modern murders are taking shape. Really, all of the elements work together quite well to make an engaging and entertaining mystery. It isn't an uplifting read, and while the ending is in some ways unsatisfying, it has a realistic edge to it and the plot provides enough genuine surprises, that even this doesnt really detract from my overall enjoyment of the book. While I would love something a bit more concrete, I really enjoyed reading this and am definitely looking forward to seeing what Chaon writes next!
4125437
I enjoyed this mystery! The characters were engaging and likable.  I'm a scuba diver and loved the detail surrounding the technical diving.  Highly recommend this book!
4911406
Whispers Beyond the Veil marks the beginning of a superb historical mystery series.  Jessica Estevao manages to create an extremely likeable, flawed heroine, Ruby Proulx, and place her in an equally enjoyable setting, the charming seaside resort town of Old Orchard, Maine.  As the book opens in 1898, Ruby is traveling in Canada with her father, a charlatan who enlists Ruby in his fraudulent schemes.  After one of his supposed cures causes a death, Ruby escapes to Old Orchard, Maine to join her estranged Aunt Honoria and avoid being charged with the murder.  Honoria owns the Hotel Belden which caters to spiritualists, a popular interest during this time period.  When the medium hired by Honoria fails to show, Ruby steps in to fill the mediums shoes. Meanwhile, Old Orchard is building a large pier to attract more visitors, and the additional people mean an increase in crime. As the story unfolds, several individuals are murdered, and Ruby takes it upon herself to help the police solve the murders.

The historical aspects of the story are wonderful, and the characters well-developed.  Estevaos attention to historical detail is fantastic  I felt like I was there.  The story held my interest through the entire book, and the resolution was particularly creative.  While I really loved the entire book, one of my favorite things about Whispers Beyond the Veil was how different it is from anything else I have read.  As I mention frequently in my reviews, I feel like I encounter an overabundance of the same types of stories over and over again, and it gets old.  Estevaos originality is much appreciated and welcomed; I cannot wait to read the next installment.

I highly recommend this clever, well-written, and very entertaining novel.  Thank you to Berkley Publishing for this wonderful book.
989113
White Tombs is a through;y engaging mystery that provides the reader with more than just a detective mystery.  It's a mystery within a mystery.  Not only is John Santana solving a mystery, he is a mystery himself.  Christopher Valen has successfully woven this engaging subplot into the "solving a mystery".  The main plot places the reader into a different culture, the Hispanic culture in Minnesota, and then Valen weaves in Santana' s past in his homeland of Columbia.  He isn't just a detective chasing down a murderer; he's a detective with "a past", and murderers chasing him.  The reader is led into Santana's past in Columbia and learns that Santana is also on the run.  But as a mystery, it's much more.  It is an intelligent mystery.  The reader learns not only about the case at hand, but  about the scenes behind the case. We go into the Hispanic culture; we go into the CSI labs; we see the sights of St. Paul, we experience the politics of the police department, and we actually learn something.  The reader also sees Santana as empathic--a detective who isn't just  a cop, but a detective who has deep feelings and we can empathize with him.  Valen has created characters who are real. The writing is NOT your typical mystery genre writing either.  It's rich with detail; the dialogue expertly moves the plot along; and there is true verisimilitude in the characterization.  And then we have Valen's sardonic wit.  Wonderful!  White Tombs is not a page turner, but a chapter turner.  You won't go to bed at the end of the chapter.  You'll stay awake reading chapter after chapter wondering if Santana will catch his murderer, or if he will be murdered in the process.
422779
I like a mystery occasionally, and someone on my social media mentioned that this was on their list of books to read because it was set in a very non-western world.

It's a locked room mystery, which you think you understand, but this is not only a mystery set in the Atzec Empire, it's a mystery that does have magical elements. I was taken-aback at first, because that VIOLATES THE MYSTERY RULES, but then I realized that it was still a classical mystery format, just with weapons and actors that are otherworldly. The process of solving the mystery doesn't vary.

Colonel Jaguar in the tlolemec with the Star Demon?

The characters are diverse and sharply drawn, and even though I sometimes mixed up the names, as soon as they spoke or acted, I could tell who they were.

On the whole, I was very pleased, and went right out and bought the next two, and plan to keep buying all I can get my hands on.
2096957
In 1904, 11-year-old Suzanna Snow spends most of her summer working at a fancy coastal hotel in New Brunswick, Canada. But it isn't Zanna's dream to follow in her parents' footsteps of hotel management; she doesn't care much about doling out cups of tea, working in the kitchen and laundry, or serving guests' every need. Her dream is to become a detective, just like her famous Uncle Bruce who lives in Boston. So in between preparing dinner, running errands, washing dishes, and babysitting young hotel guests, Zanna practices her detective skills.

One of the most important parts of being a detective is having good observational skills, so Zanna always carries a notebook with her to record anything and everything that's interesting. And then one night, life gets extremely interesting when a seven-year-old hotel guest disappears in the middle of a storm. Search parties comb the surrounding forests as guests and staff anxiously await news of the missing Maddie. But no clues are found other than the one Zanna herself finds. She's positive she caught a glimpse of the girl in the servant's tunnel during the storm, but no one will believe her. After an exhaustive search with no results, an expert is called in to the case.

Zanna can't wait for her Uncle Bruce to arrive. He's sure to believe her about seeing Maddie, and then he will welcome Zanna's help on the case that they will solve together. Unfortunately, he doesn't quite live up to her expectations, calling her the hated nickname of "Suzie" and otherwise pretty much ignoring her. But Zanna isn't about to be pushed away; she has a notebook full of clues and lots of suspicious behavior to investigate, and is determined to solve the case.

Angie Frazier delivers an intriguing mystery for the middle-grade crowd that is lots of good, wholesome fun. Its unique setting of a 1904 coastal Canadian town gives it a distinctive foundation from which the excitement explodes. Zanna is an amazing character, filled with determination, curiosity and spunk. I knew I would like her right away when on page one she complains about her mother's list of "social taboos," things a "proper lady" wouldn't do ("Proper. Pah! It was too blazing hot to be proper."). Even at 11, Zanna knows she wants to be a detective and doesn't let anyone stop her (though she does so while still respecting her parents and other adults, for the most part). She also endures the heartbreaking situation of meeting her hero to find out he's not all that heroic after all.

The mystery unfolds quickly with lots of clues planted throughout, and readers will have fun trying to solve the case alongside Zanna. Fans will be asking for more Suzanna Snow mysteries as soon as possible.

  --- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman
4510156
If you're looking for an exceptionally well-written mystery with a sharp sense of humor and beautifully realized setting, this is the book for you! "Iced Chiffon" has all the twists and turns you expect from a great murder mystery, but with a wit and sense of fully-developed context that sets it apart from other titles in the genre. Brown's writing style imagines a narrator that any insecure 30-something can immediately identify with, and though I've never been to Savannah I feel as though I've learned enough of what makes it tick that I could fit right in upon first visit! I can't wait for the next installment of the series and look forward to more of Brown's effortless way of making murder mysteries fun while transporting the reader to exciting new places!
3288803
Sandra Neilys Deadly Tresspass is a edge of your seat mystery that starts with a quick jolt and doesnt let up. Cassandra Patton Conover is a middle-aged woman down on her luck  lonely it seems, and yet finds peace and joy in nature, and especially the woods of Maine.  Yet one day she literally stumbles upon her best friend killed in a forest  struck by a fallen tree.  What at first seems like an accident becomes more sinister and mysterious as Conover uncovers clues about her friends death.

The story is expertly told by Neily.  The book is very well written, and she knows how to keep the pages turning.  I also though that Neily is on to something unique here is an environmental-themed myster, set in the woods of Maine.  Its not your everyday thriller!  But its a great read and a lot of fun.  Im looking out for more mysteries by Neily!  Strongly Recommended.
3972004
I loved the storyline of this "surfing" detective story. The characters are great, too, with complex motivations to keep the reader guessing. I enjoyed the setting too, as a lover of Hawaii and all things tropical, sinking into the sea breeze and palm tree scenery while reading was a special treat. The mystery aspect was well-crafted, and kept me guessing right up until the end. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
2042656
A great read! Ms Boatwrights use of imagery and language transported me into the sites and sounds of rural England at this most celebratory of seasons. Add to this idyllic backdrop a captivating and page-turning mystery whose protagonist is clever, delightful and doggedly determined in her pursuit of truth. Im an Ellie Kent fan and look forward to her next adventure!
4585293
When a neighbor is murdered practically in her backyard, Cali May emerges from the self-imposed seclusion of her widowhood to solve the crime. Driven by her innate sense of justice and curiosity, she is also inspired by the ghost of a Native America. She feels the ghost won't let her rest till the crime is solved.

This cozy will appeal to readers who like a brisk pace. Cali diligently scours her Southwestern suburb for clues. The biggest charm of the book, though, is Calis personality. She is smart, compassionate, and persistent. In investigating, Cali uses her artistic talent. Its intriguing to watch her at her art work. A thread of romantic interest for Cali adds warmth to the story. The paranormal element, the ghost, will please those who enjoy exploring the supernatural.

The setting will gratify those who enjoy reading about the Southwest. Not only is the desert landscape featured, but we also learn about Native American beliefs and artwork.

A fun read with an engaging sleuth!
3481605
Wonderful writing,interesting characters and an engaging mystery. A nice cerebral detective story. The unique setting and windswept shores add an atmosphere that enhances the events and pace of the novel.
3813476
The "Geographer's Library" is a historically rich debut mystery by Jon Fasman. Readers who enjoy esoteric historical mysteries will really enjoy Fasman's offering and find themselves hooked until the final secrets of the mystery are revealed.

Fasman lays out the story slowly and carefully. His writing is bright, colorful, and intelligent; and it is uniformly interesting in its details and gripping in the mystery that it weaves.  The main narrative follows Paul Tomm, a young reporter working for a small-town newspaper. A college professor dies, and Tomm is assigned to write the obituary. Unsurprisingly, Tomm's assignment entails more work than a typical death notice. I will not reveal the details of Tomm's investigation, lest I give away the secrets of the mystery.

Tomm's first-person story alternates with chapters that comprise the contents of a "library" put together by a 12th century figure, nobly named Yussef Hadras ibn Azzam Abd Salih Jafar Khalid Idris. The library chapters detail various exotic objects that have a relation to the practice of alchemy. Each chapter tells a story about the object's origins and its current situation.  It is clear that the library contents and Tomm's investigation are intriguing connected.

Fasman takes the reader to many sites around the world: Crdoba, Baghdad, Bukhara, Mikkouni, the Khamantor Mountains of the Khazars, the cities of Yazd, Eshahan, Ahvaz, Dimashq, Beirut and Jerusalem, the islands of Sicily, Malta and Minorca, and, of course, New England, where Tomm is living and working to unravel the mystery of the professor's death. It is a fascinating journey for the reader, involving numerous interesting characters and engrossing situations.  The book is a sheer joy to read, not just to find out whodunit, but to enjoy the many stories within the main story.  The journey to the end of the tale is as much fun as the tale itself.

In his review in the LA Times, Allen Kurzweil aptly says: "Alchemy, Fasman tells us more than once, is the science of transformation. Good fiction aspires to the same lofty goal, and it is achieved in 'The Geographer's Library,' a cabinet of wonders written by a novelist whose surname and sensibility fit comfortably on the shelf between Umberto Eco and John Fowles." I agree.