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Posts by Katie H

Edgar Awards announced

Cover of Mystery Winners
A review of Mystery Winners by

The Mystery Writers of America bestowed their annual Edgar Awards April 26, recognizing the best in crime writing in several genres and formats. The evening's top prize for fiction went to Attica Locke's Bluebird, Bluebird, an East Texas set whodunit featuring a black Texas Ranger investigating the deaths of a black man and a white woman that soon promises to unearth long-buried romantic and racially motivated crimes.

Apr 30, 2018

Sweet Anticipation for April 2018

A review of New Titles by

May and June are the big months for summer publishing, with most top-selling authors getting their works out just as school vacation begins and leisure reading begin in earnest (at least in theory). But April serves as a kind of sweet spot for publishers—early enough to avoid overshadowing by the big name authors, but still close to the golden summer sales period to establish buzz and perhaps snag a spot on the bestseller lists. Here are the highlights:

Mar 19, 2018

The skeleton in the attic

Cover of Beau Death
A review of Beau Death by Peter Lovesey

Peter Diamond may wince at being called the ‘veteran superintendent’ of the Bath, England police force, but it will prove impossible to escape historical comparisons with the city’s newest crime scene. Or maybe it’s the oldest crime scene? The recent demolition of eighteenth century row houses reveals a literal skeleton in the attic of one of the condemned buildings—and this one happens to be unmistakably dressed as Beau Nash, one of Bath’s most famous denizens, in authentic 1760s-era clothing.

Jan 3, 2018

Sweet Anticipation for January 2018

New Titles by

Well, readers, it’s time to bid 2017 adieu. The year saw its share of notable titles although no one blockbuster dominated the scene as in previous years. Instead, it was a year for rediscovering old classics such as The Handmaid’s Tale and 1984, word-of-mouth hits (A Gentleman in Moscow and Before We Were Yours being prime examples) and of course, a new political book or memoir appearing on shelves seemingly every week. But that was the old year, and new titles of 2018 beckon.  Forward, readers!

Dec 26, 2017

Murder in Bombay

Cover of The Widows of Malabar Hill
A review of The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey

Compared to the bustling streets of 1920s Bombay, the secluded zenana of an observant Muslim household would seem the least likely site for a murder. Yet for the three newly widowed wives of a wealthy factory owner, simply keeping men out does nothing to keep motives and means of killing from lurking among them.

Nov 29, 2017

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