After seeing my mystery bins, it won't come as any surprise to you that I am very fond of mysteries and crime fiction. Actually if you drop by regularly you'll already have known that even without seeing my stuffed bins. I always think that I could be very happy on a steady diet of mysteries, but ultimately variety in reading (as in most things) is best. Still, I have many favorite mystery and crime authors that I like to follow and always hope to squeeze in as many books as I possibly can, and this year is no different.
At the moment I am midway through Jacqueline Winspear's Among the Mad, which I am thoroughly enjoying. I am making myself read it slowly, as when I finish I'll have to wait another year before there's more. I won't say much about the story right now, but I like how Maisie is changing and developing as a character. The story is a bit darker than recent books, though it reflects the turmoil of the early 1930s perfectly.
I think I'll read one of the few unread Barbara Vine novels I have next. I'm leaning towards The Blood Doctor, but we'll see what happens when I finish with Maisie. Barbara Vine has a new novel due out in March called The Birthday Present. Vine is one of those authors who I will buy no matter what she writes. Granted some of her books are better than others, but even a so-so Barbara Vine is usually a worthy and entertaining read.
I'm anxiously awaiting Deanna Raybourn's third Lady Julia Grey mystery, Silent on the Moor, though I will say I am disappointed in the cover. It looks decidedly of the bodice-ripping persuasion, when the previous illustrations appeared far more like Victorian mysteries. Granted Lady Julia is an intelligent heroine well able to hold her own against any man, and there's the makings of a healthy romance in the first two stories, which I expect will be fleshed out (sorry, no pun intended) in the third book. But the beauty of Julia and Nicholas's romance is in its subtlety. It'll be interesting to see how things pan out despite the slightly saucy cover.
Jo Nesbo's Nemesis is due out in the US today (Jan. 6). I loved The Redbreast--it was one of my favorite reads of last year. I love a good, gritty crime novel, and Nesbo knows how to serve them up. I loved the first book so much I ordered two more of his books from the UK. So I have Nemesis(in hardcover no less) already. I guess this means I really do need to get it read soon.
I'm on Clare Langley-Hawthorne's mailing list. In her most recent newsletter she mentions that her third Ursula Marlowe mystery is titled, Unlikely Traitor, though I don't see a release date listed yet. If you happen to follow the Ursula Marlowe mysteries, you'll know her last novel The Serpent and the Scorpion ended with a bit of a cliffhanger. Needless to say I'm looking forward to the next instalment. In the interim Clare has promised three short stories that can be downloaded from her website starting in March as well as podcasts from the author herself. Perhaps that will alleviate a little of my impatience while waiting?
One last note. I've discovered an online mystery reader's group via Euro Crime (one of my favorite places to keep up on all the mystery and crime novel news). The Mystery Reader Cafe has a reading challenge of their own going, which I am contemplating doing (unofficially perhaps). Another place to get more reading ideas. Just what I need.
Any favorite mystery writers you follow coming out with a new book this year?