Travel is a great experience, but sometimes not possible. Thank god that there are amazing mysteries set in locations all over the globe that we can enjoy while on our couch or even in bed with hot chocolate.

Reading can take you everywhere...

and anywhere…

Reading right now:

Cecilia Ekback’s latest stand-alone mystery “The Historians” is an historical set in 1943 Sweden. Laura Dahlgrens’ best friend is murdered after writing a report on racial profiling in Scandinavia. Mystery and political intrigue combine for a fascinating look at Sweden in the 1940s.

On hold right now:

Katrine Engberg’s second novel “The Butterfly House” in her Korner and Werner series which started with “The Tenant” features Detectives Jeppe Korner and Anette Werner in Copenhagen. Now they find themselves trying to solve a series of murders set in a Danish hospital where the levels of greed and ambition shock even hardcore detectives.

“The Shadow” is Melanie Raabe’s third novel which once more brings revenge to the forefront of this unnerving psychological thriller set in Vienna. Raabe writes stand-alone novels and her first book “The Trap” also centered around revenge. In “The Shadow,” Norah Richter is walking to work when she is accosted by a homeless woman who tells her that she is going to kill Arthur Grimm on February 11. Richter soon meets an Arthur Grimm and begins to realize that her past has caught up with her and she may just have a reason to kill Grimm.

“Sleep Well, My Lady” is the second book in the Emma Djan series which takes place in Ghana and is by Kwei Quartey. Private Investigator Emma Djan is hired to investigate the death of a fashion icon and social medical celebrity. Djan goes undercover and finds a long list of suspects.

Other Mysterious Things:

Out this month was English author Priscilla Master’s third book in her Claire Roget series “A Game of Minds.” “Death and the Singing Birds” is the third book in English author Amy Myers historical novel set in Kent. Swedish author Anders Roslund’s “Knock Knock” is his first novel writing outside his usual team up with Borge Hellstrom.

It is important to point out that there are many new historical mystery novels coming out which should not be missed. Even if you don’t usually like historical mysteries, there is surely something here for you.

Reading right now:

“Portrait of Peril” is Laura Joh Rowland’s fifth book in the Sarah Bain series. This is a fantastic historical mystery series set in 1890 London which opens with Sarah Bain finally getting married to Detective Sergeant Barrett. Unfortunately, murder follows them right into the church and takes them on a journey into the world of spiritualism. The murder victim was a photographer who was trying to photograph ghosts in the church because many believe it to be haunted. While trying to solve one complicated mystery, Sarah is also dragged back into her family’s dark past which forced her father into hiding from a murder charge. All of Sarah’s fascinating friends are back while they all try to cope with how their lives are changing especially with Sarah now married.

On hold right now:

“A Sinister Service” is the sixth book in the Lady and Lady’s Maid series by Alyssa Maxwell.  This series takes place in post-World War I England where a young Lady Phoebe Renshaw and her lady’s maid seem to always be ready to solve a mystery. Even trying to commission a gift for her grandparents’ wedding anniversary puts her in a position to find a dead body and try to discover who the killer is.

Bill Pronzini’s ninth book in the Quincannon & Carpenter book is “The Paradise Affair.” This historical series takes place in 1890s San Francisco where this time former Pinkerton operative Sabina Carpenter and her detective partner, ex-Secret Service agent John Quincannon, go in pursuit of two con men who have stolen from their employer and left for Hawaii.

“Death Comes to the Rectory” is the eighth book in the Kurland St. Mary series by Catherine Lloyd. After one of their guests for their daughter’s christening is found dead with a note in his hand, Lady Lucy and her husband Major Sir Robert Kurland both jump in to solve the murder. Sir Robert because it is his job and Lady Lucy because her father is implicated in the murder.

“City of Schemes” is the fourth book in the Counterfeit Lady series by Victoria Thompson. World War I is over and Elizabeth Miles is planning her wedding to Gideon Bates. Unfortunately, one of their friends, recently discharged from the army, receives a letter from a woman in France that he fell in love with and she now needs help. Elizabeth is convinced the letter is a con job, but how can she prove that it isn’t real?

Other Mysterious Things:

There were several historical mysteries that came out in December that are must reads. “The Mystery of Mrs. Christie” by Marie Benedict is an exciting take on why Agatha Christie disappeared for 11 days in 1926. Alys Clare’s second novel in the World’s End Bureau Victorian Mystery series is out and is called “The Outcast Girls.” Clare’s series is definitely one not to miss. “Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder” is T.A. Willberg’s first book which takes place in London in 1958. Harald Gilbers’ first book is also the first in a new series. Called “Germania” it takes place in Berlin in 1944 where Jewish detective Richard Oppenheimer hunts for a serial killer in war-torn Nazi Berlin.

Happy New Year!

Here are some hot new releases to look for over the next three months:

Patricia Cornwell’s second book in the Captain Chase series “Spin.”

Faye Kellerman’s 26^th book in the Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus series is “The Lost Boys.”

Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston presents the second book in the Nora Kelly series “The Scorpion’s Tail.”

Gregg Hurwitz adds the sixth book to his Orphan X series “Prodigal Son.”

Rachel Hawkins’ latest standalone “The Wife Upstairs.”

Janet Evanovich and Steve Hamilton’s seventh book in the Fox & O’Hare series “The Bounty.”

Harlan Coben’s latest standalone is “Win.”

C. J. Box presents the 21^st book in his Joe Pickett series “Dark Sky.”

Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen’s latest in the Kendra Michaels series which is the 8^th book in the series “Blink of an Eye.”

Jonathan Kellerman’s 36^th book in his Alex Delaware series is “Serpentine.”

Linda Castillo adds a short story collection to her Kate Burkholder series “A Simple Murder.”

Walter Mosley’s 15^th book in his Easy Rawlins series is “Blood Grove.”