The Other Mother by Carol Goodman (2018)

Interesting but strange novel that I found while researching novels inspired by Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca. 

Two women meet in a post-partum support group and form a tight friendship.

Twisty, interesting, much mystery and a mental hospital. Complex and engaging.

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite (2018)

“Ayoola summons me with these words—Korede, I killed him. I'd hoped I would never hear those words again."

Fantastic short novel about Korede and her sister Ayoola, the serial killer of the title, who keeps murdering her boyfriends. Korede is left to clean up the messes. When Ayoola starts to date Korede's longtime crush, things get especially complicated and messy. SO readable, engaging, and gripping, and the setting of Lagos is vivid and fascinating. 

Looking forward to Treasure and The Baby Is Mine, out in 2020.

Carter & Lovecraft by Jonathan L. Howard (2015)

Fascinating novel about a private detective (Carter) who gets a mysterious bequest of a bookstore currently run by the only surviving descendant of H.P. Lovecraft, who is also African-American. Carter moves to Providence to oversee his new bookstore, but quickly very mysterious and spooky things are happening in town. 

This book has some really chilling moments and I liked it a whole bunch until I got to the end and discovered that there was no ending and I had to read the second book. DANG IT. We'll see if I do. But again, good characters, nice suspense/horror vibe, and fascinating look at the legacy of Lovecraft.

Update: I did not read the second book. I rarely do.

Force of Nature by Jane Harper (2018)

Five women and five men go out into the Australian bushland on a corporate adventure team-building retreat, but only four of the women return. 

A couple of detectives with a vested interest in the missing woman join the search and investigation. Everyone has something to hide and what happened to the missing woman is complicated on a Who Shot Mr. Burns level (basically everybody). Very readable and enjoyable, though.

And apparently, it's the second in a series that starts with Dry and features investigator Aaron Falk. So I'll be requesting that one now!

Safer by Sean Doolittle (2009)

Pretty awesome thriller novel set in a small midwestern college town.

Paul Callaway and his wife Sara have just moved into a neighborhood on a small cul-de-sac. The neighbors are extremely friendly and welcome Paul into their vigilant neighborhood watch. Paul tries to fit in with the neighbors until one day, the neighborhood watch sets its sights on him.

Wonderfully told--the story starts at the end and is unfolded bit by bit in a completely compelling, suspenseful way.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (2015)

Getting lots of buzz as this year's Gone Girl, I have to say, it's a pretty darn good thriller. 

Lonely, alcoholic Rachel rides the train every day, pretending to go to the job that she lost. She gazes out the window and into the windows of the houses she passes on her way, making up stories about the people who live there. But one day she sees something very mysterious and gets involved with a murder investigation.

Told by various characters, this was an interesting, well-written, great characterized novel. Plus, and not insignificantly, a fascinating look at alcoholism. Also, the end is so suspenseful that I kept putting it down, not wanting it to be over.

The Outsmarting of Criminals by Steven Rigolosi (2014)

This mystery novel, subtitled: A Mystery Introducing Miss Felicity Prim, is absolutely adorable.

Miss Prim lives in NYC, but gets mugged and decides to move to Connecticut and take up her dream job: Criminal Outsmarter. This book has so much love for mysteries and books, and great, rich characters, including the fabulous Miss Prim herself, who is practically perfect in every way (but has NO idea that she drives like a bat out of hell) and is not averse to a slight crush on an attractive policeman. So darling. And she's one of those characters who gets everyone to do what she wants--kindly and with excellent etiquette--but it gets DONE.

A few things I particularly loved:  The signs at her local bookstore:

 "New York Times Best-Sellers That Nobody Reads, The Latest Dreck from Writers Who Phone It In, Ponderous Literary Prose with No Plot and Snotty Characters, Urban Musings by Self-Involved Authors who Don't Take Showers, Ongoing Sagas/Series That Lost Their Edge 4-5 Books Ago," and my all time favorite: "Books by Ivy League Graduates That Got Glowing Reviews in Prestigious, Low-Circulation Magazines Edited by Other Ivy League Graduates." (p. 123) Hilarious and SO true.

 Also: 

"Why, Miss Prim could even see a highly talented novelist writing about her exploits. The book jacket would feature a slim, attractive woman in her rose garden. under the title, the words "A Mystery Introducing Miss Felicity Prim" would appear, thus positioning her tale as the first in a wildly successful, long-running series. But no--Miss Prim was getting carried away. All of that was fiction, and this was the real world." (p 151-2)

Killer Librarian by Mary Lou Kirwin (2012)

A pretty adorable mystery novel despite the cheesy tagline on the cover: "When she checks in, someone always checks out."

Karen Nash is a librarian at a small-town Minnesota library who has dreamed of travelling to London her whole life. She planned a trip with her boyfriend and is all set to go when he breaks up with her. She decides to go anyway (spying him at the airport with a new, younger woman) and stays in a charming bed and breakfast. All goes well apart from a few murders here and there.

Great characters, charming setting, and a fascinating profession (librarian!) make this a lovely cozy mystery that hits all my favorite points: libraries, bookstores, London, pubs. Fun!

Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell (2009)

Subtitled: A Witchcraft Mystery, this is a charming light mystery about a woman with some witchy powers who runs a vintage clothing store in San Francisco. I loved the mysterious back story of the main character (it's so refreshing when an author doesn't give you all the information right away). It also features handsome romantic interests, evocative San Francisco setting, and a really serious treatment of the seriousness of magic that you don't see in your usual paranormal novel. An unexpected treat.

High Season by Jon Loomis (2007)

Funny and suspenseful mystery novel starring Frank Coffin, a homicide detective from Baltimore who saw one too many crime scenes and fled for the beach town of Provincetown. However, a series of murders are livening up the town considerably, which is already lively due to its wild and varied gay population. The best elements of this novel are the vivid and unique setting of P-town, the affectionate portrayal of the gay community, and the well-drawn, often eccentric characters. Great female characters, including Frank's girlfriend, a yoga instructor who can take care of herself, as well as Frank's partner Lola. Also, there's a light, dry humor that runs through the entire book that is most enjoyable.  Here's a fascinating description of the "tall ships" in town:

"The straight cross-dressers were harder to figure out--the just plain transvestites everyone in town called tall ships. The tall ships tended to be large men who strode up and down Commercial Street in plus-sized tweed skirts, support hose, and pumpkin-colored lipstick; craggy-faced and lonely-looking men with dispirited wigs and five o'clock shadows poking through pancake makeup."

Later, Frank is showing the photo of the cross-dressing reverend who was found murdered: 

"Oh my God," the drag queen in the sequined dress said. "Look at that sad little outfit. It's just heartbreaking."

Good fun!

Places in the Dark by Thomas H. Cook (2000)

Thomas H. Cook writes spooky, haunting mysteries mostly involving a secret in the past.  This one is a an excellent mystery about a man searching for a woman involved in the death of his brother. Beautifully told, poetically described and almost cinematic in its dreamy, Sixth Sensian tone.  See also Breakheart Hill, another excellent mystery by Cook, this one about a country doctor haunted by the death of his childhood crush. Very evocative, unfolds slowly, but quite compelling.

Social Crimes by Jane Stanton Hitchcock (2002)

Tale of drama and revenge, set in New York society.  A jilted millionaire's wife attempts to get her money, her social standing, and her power back. Dishy and delicious, this is like a fifties women's movie (i.e., Mildred Pierce) in book form.

Death by Chick Lit by Lynn Harris (2007)

Adorable mystery about a chick lit author who is amateurishly investigating the murder of several other chick lit authors. Great characters and relationships, and tons of cute publishing jokes, like the fact that everyone she meets (from doctors to cab dispatchers) is writing a book. And has a book deal, no less!

L.A. Confidential by James Ellroy (1990)

Unbelievably complicated and delightfully absorbing tale of corruption in the LAPD in the 1950s. Amazingly adapted into an excellent movie (good work Brian Helgeland!).  See also Big Nowhere, a prequel (sort of) to L.A. Confidential. Excellent story. Evocative portrait of L.A. in the 1950s.

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane (2003)

Amazingly gripping tale of two U.S. Marshals investigating a disappearance at an insane asylum on an island near Boston in the 1950s. Sparely written, but compelling and twisty and creepy and exciting. Also a film--directed by Scorsese, no less.

The Ghost and Mrs.McClure by Alice Kimberly (2004)

Cozy mystery novel about a young widow who takes over her aunt's mystery bookstore and the ghost who inhabits it, who proceeds to help her solve the murder of a mystery writer who is killed at her first reading. Very charming, fun hard-boiled dialogue by the ghost detective, and lots of fun book chat. Followed by two sequels.

Dope: A Novel by Sara Gran (2006)

Set in 1950s New York City. Joe (Josephine) is a ex-junkie who gets hired to find a young woman who is a drug addict, and gets framed for murder. Really atmospheric and reminiscent of noir novels like Cain and Chandler without being a direct aping of the style. Gran gives her own modern style to the writing, which is really delightful. Loved the settings, and pretty interesting take on drug addiction.

Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell (2008)

One of those books that you pick up to see if you like, and before you know it, you're thirteen pages into it. It's about a mob hitman turned doctor whose story unfolds over one very eventful night at the hospital. 

Interesting main character and lots of black humor.  Nearly impossible to put down.

Aunt Dimity’s Death by Nancy Atherton (1992)

A charming tale that includes a ghost, a cottage in the Cotswolds, a stuffed bunny, and a fairy godmother. Followed by many sequels, only one of which I found readable: Aunt Dimity and the Duke.

What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn (2007)

Amazing first novel about about a young British girl who goes missing many years ago, and the way her disappearance affects people several years in the future, including the boy who was accused of being involved, and a security guard at the mall. Along the way, it's also an interesting look at mall culture and life, and retail life, and people in general. And everything in the story unfold so beautifully. I swear I gasped a couple of times. Really amazing and hard to describe.