historical mystery - Macmillan Library

FATAL ENQUIRY in NYTBR!

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Anne Spieth

Great news! Tulsa librarian Will Thomas's latest Barker & Llewellyn historical mystery, FATAL ENQUIRY, received a great review in Marilyn Stasio's New York Times Book Review mystery column this past Sunday!

“[A] Classic detective duo…. The best fun in this Big Boys’ Adventure Book is observing [protagonist Cyrus] Barker in action. An autodidact who keeps a French chef in his kitchen and rare penjing trees in his garden, he’s a formidable foe who applies the wits he was born with (and the subversive skills he acquires in Canton) in hand-to-hand combat.” — New York Times Book Review (read the full review here)

Additional praise for FATAL ENQUIRY:

“Recommended for historical mysteries enthusiasts, Anglophiles, and Sherlockians. Fans of Alex Grecian, Anthony Horowitz, and Charles Todd should take special note.” — Library Journal, starred review

“Readers will relish the appealing characters, clever twists, and colorful vision of late 19th-century London.” — Publishers Weekly

“Well-crafted and immersive, this a great addition to the to-be-read stacks of Thomas’ fans, as well as those of Alex Grecian and Anne Perry’s.” — Booklist

Don't miss Will Thomas at ALA Annual!

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Thriller Thursday (2/20/14 Edition)

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Anne Spieth

We're a day away from TGIF and you know what that means: #ThrillerThursday! Here's what we're reading this week:

RUNNER by Patrick Lee
You know how much Anne loves this "high-tech thriller that's hard to put down" (Library Journal, starred review) because she can't stop recommending it to anyone who will listen (hey casting directors: Channing Tatum!). She's not the only one–it's a March Indie Next pick, has three starred reviews, and the adoration of Lee Child, Steve Berry and Nelson DeMille.

THE INNOCENT SLEEP by Karen Perry
This psychological thriller about a couple restarting their lives five years after losing their son in a tragic accident is perfect for those of you who enjoyed the March 2014 LibraryReads pick, PRECIOUS THING. "This novel, with a premise that taps into the fears of every parent, is an entertaining thriller that fans of Tana French and Gillian Flynn will enjoy." — Library Journal
(get the free downloadable praise sheet)

DEAD WATER by Ann Cleeves
In the eagerly awaited new entry in Ann Cleeves' popular Shetland Islands series (now airing on BBC as the television series Shetland), Detective Inspector Willow Reeves and Inspector Jimmy Perez team up to investigate the murder of a journalist. "Cleeves has an unusually deft hand with characters; not one of them seems purely plot-functional, and Perez’s character keeps deepening with each book." — Booklist, starred review

BROTHERHOOD OF FEAR by Paul Grossman
It's 1933 and famed detective Willi Kraus is avoiding deportation back to Nazi Germany when he finds himself unwittingly drawn into a murder mystery in Paris. "Grossman again manages to make the past come alive, and his complicated investigator displays enough depth and frailty to warrant continued exploits, even without the series’ initial hook of a Jewish cop fighting for justice under the Nazis." — Publishers Weekly, starred review [...]

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Thriller Thursday (1/16/14 Edition)

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Anne Spieth

We've got a super-sized Thriller Thursday for you today (and stay tuned for very exciting just-announced mystery-related news!):

THE HARLOT'S TALE by Samuel Thomas
In "Thomas’s superior second whodunit set in 17th-century York" (Publishers Weekly, starred review), midwife Bridget Hodgson investigates a series of murders she thinks are being committed by someone under the influence of a fanatical preacher. "Historical-mystery readers will enjoy this well-plotted story featuring an assortment of strong women." – Booklist

APPLE TREE YARD by Louise Doughty
A woman in the wrong place, at the wrong time with the wrong man—evocative of the psychological suspense and dangerous eroticism found in the blockbuster thrillers “Unfaithful” and “Fatal Attraction.” "Shocking, seductive, and wickedly intense, the latest literary work from top British author and columnist Doughty is a knockout novel with thriller undertones." – Booklist

DEAD TO ME by Cath Staincliffe
British TV screenwriter and CWA Award winner Staincliffe's latest mystery pairs a team of unlikely detectives hunting a murderer. "Most reminiscent of television’s Cagney & Lacey series, the novel—a prequel to a popular British television programs, Scott & Bailey—should appeal to readers who enjoy female buddy books like Tess Gerritsen’s Rizzoli and Isles series and Lisa Scottoline’s Rosato & Associates legal thrillers." – Booklist, starred review

BAD WOLF by Nele Neuhaus
In the next book in the internationally bestselling series that began with SNOW WHITE MUST DIE, Inspectors Kirchhoff and von Bodenstein work two seemingly unrelated cases that converge in a scandalous twist. "Fans of Jo Nesbö's gritty thrillers will enjoy the intricacies of the plot." – Library Journal

NYPD PUZZLE by Parnell Hall
In Hall's 15th(!) Puzzle Lady mystery, Cora Felton storms New York City, only to find herself the key suspect in a murder. Including new puzzles by Will Shortz, solving for 4-DOWN is just as satisfying as finding out whodunnit. "Between Hall’s snappy dialogue and Will Shortz’s puzzles, comic mystery buffs have plenty to enjoy." – Publishers Weekly

SNOWBLIND by Christopher Golden
Survivors of a blizzard twelve years ago are being haunted by the memories of those who died. Booklist called it, "Great fodder for a dark and snowy night" and horrormeister Stephen King decreed, "Throw away all those old ‘it was a dark and stormy night’ novels; this one is the real deal.”

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