Reading right now:

            I just picked up “If You Can’t Stand the Heat” by Robin Allen. This is the first in the Poppy Markham, Culinary Cop series that came out in 2011. Last year she came out with the second book in the series, “Stick a Fork in It.” The books take place in Austin, Texas, with Poppy being the local public health inspector. The combination of murder and food always seems a good mix in a mystery. 

 

On hold right now:

            “The Light in the Ruins” by Chris Bohjalian. A serial killer is eliminating the members of an aristocratic family in Florence.       

Of Interest:

            Mystery authors have created some legendary detectives over the years including Sherlock Holmes, Charlie Chan, Sam Spade, Philip Marlowe, Lord Peter Wimsey, Miss Marple, Nero Wolfe, Ellery Queen, Brother Cadfael, and Spenser. The list of famous detectives is long and varied and while the writers of many of these mysteries are long dead, the books continue to be read and are still great reads. There is an ever growing list of newly famous and popular detectives (police, PI, forensic investigators, etc.) in fiction: Alex Cross, Kay Scarpetta, Harry Bosch, Elvis Cole, Peter Decker, Kinsey Millhone, Dave Robicheaux, Lucas Davenport, Stone Barrington, Lincoln Rhyme, Jack Reacher, Chief Inspector Gamache, J. P. Beaumont, and on it goes. We’re all waiting for that new and unique character that will draw us in and demand our attention. Luckily for us as readers, mystery authors keep coming up with new and interesting ideas that keep us reading and engaged. It’s a great time to be a mystery reader. Any one of these authors debuting their new books this month could create the latest legend:

            Hank Steinberg’s “Out of Range”

            Ingrid Thoft’s “Loyalty”

            Pieter Aspe’s “The Square of Revenge”

            Elanor Dymott’s “Every Contact Leaves a Trace”

Other Mysteries of Interest:

            All those downloadable mystery TV series on Netflix are a fabulous way to waste a hot afternoon during the summer. Look for “Spiral,” “Jack Taylor,” “The Finder,” “Wallander,” “Luther,” “Longmire, ”The Fall,” “Copper,” “Wire in the Blood,” “The Glades,” and on it goes. You could take the whole summer off and get lost in a host of thrilling mysteries.