Every month it is astonishing how many people win the publishing lottery to present their debut novel to the reading public. The question is always will they be another David Baldacci or will they sizzle out. All of the following are recently released debut novels from aspiring new mystery authors.

Reading right now:

Elizabeth MacNeal’s “The Doll Factory” is a new thriller which takes place in 1850s London where women are unable to enter the art world as anything but models. Louis Frost finds Iris irresistible as a model so when he asks to work with her, she will only agree if he is willing to teach her how to paint. Unfortunately for Iris, she doesn’t realize that she has attracted a stalker called Silas Reed. Obsession is the key in this mystery. Obsession with art and the Pre-Raphaelite movement and the obsession of one man for a woman who doesn’t know he exists.

 

On hold right now:

Allison Dickson’s “The Other Mrs. Miller” is a twisty domestic thriller which centers around Phoebe Miller who is living a boring suburban life until new neighbors completely turn her life upside down. Her new neighbors are so interesting that she forgets about the old car that was hanging around her neighborhood. Someone is watching her from that car. Someone who will turn her life into a nightmare.

M. T. Edvardsson adds to the long line of Swedish mystery authors with his novel “A Nearly Normal Family.” When their teenage daughter is arrested for murder, this normal family has no idea why their daughter is under arrest or how she could have known or been involved with a much older businessman. On the surface this mystery is a legal thriller, but underneath is a psychological thriller asking how well can you really know your children and how far will you go to protect them.

R. H. Herron’s “Stolen Things” starts off with a bang when 911 police dispatcher Laurie Ahmadi receives a call from her daughter while on the job. Her daughter Jojo was drugged before waking up in a famous football player’s home with a man’s corpse in the corner and her friend Harper missing. Mother and daughter team up to discover where Harper is and uncover secrets about Harper and the local police department.

 

Other Mysterious Things:

Other debut mysteries to consider:

Ellen Lacorte “The Perfect Fraud”

Alex North “The Whisper Man”

Daniel Nieh “Beijing Payback”

Cambria Brockman “Tell Me Everything”

Layne Fargo “Temper”
    

Special locations sometimes add to the depth of a book especially when those locations seem like an important part of the story. They call it a sense of place. For Americans a special location can just be the place outside the U.S. where the author lives since there are many famous mystery authors from all over the world that Americans enjoy. If we are not familiar with a certain location, it is easy for it to seem exotic. It is sometimes fascinating to travel to a new location with an author especially if that author mentions his city or country and it becomes a major part of the book. Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch series is well known for making Los Angeles not just a background, but a part of the story.

Reading right now:

If you haven’t picked up an Ace Atkins’ book, the question is where have you been? Start from the beginning in the Quinn Colson series with “The Ranger” and work up to the ninth book in this series which just came out in July called “The Shameless.” Colson is a former Army Ranger who is now the local Sheriff. His latest investigation is a cold case with links to his past. Atkins lives in Mississippi and the deep south plays an important part in his books. I love this series by Atkins while not being particularly thrilled with his continuation of Robert Parker’s Spencer series (the latest of which comes out in November).

On hold right now:

Colin Cotterill’s latest in the Dr. Siri Palboun series is “The Second Biggest Nothing.” This is the 14^th book in the series which takes place in Laos which is a very exotic location for most of us. In the latest book, Dr. Palboun, who is the retired national coroner of Laos, finds his past rearing its head to threaten everyone he loves. Cotterill’s first book in this series, “The Coroner’s Lunch,” won a Dagger Award.

Cleveland may not be as exotic as Laos, but Vivien Chien’s latest in her Noodle Shop mystery series gives us a glimpse of Cleveland’s Asian community that may be unexpected. This exceptionally fun cozy features Lana Lee who finds herself running her family restaurant and playing amateur sleuth. “Wonton Terror” is the fourth book in the series with “Death by Dumpling” being the first and “Egg Drop Dead” coming out February, 2020.

Karin Fossum has been called the “Queen of Norwegian Crime fiction.” Her 13^th book in the Inspector Konrad Sejer series is “The Whisperer.” Her first in that series was “Eva’s Eye” (or “In the Darkness”). Fossum’s books feature average people caught in deadly circumstances with Inspector Sejer trying to untangle their lives. In the case of “The Whisperer,” an unassuming woman named Ragna Riegel finds her secrets coming back to destroy her.

“The Truth Behind the Lie” is the latest from Swedish author Sara Lovestam. This is her first adult book offered in America and is a stand alone novel (so far). When a little girl goes missing, her Mother is unable to call the police so she looks for a Private Investigator to hire and finds one online. His ad reads, “Need help, but can’t contact the police?” Secrets on both sides may get in the way of saving a child.

Stieg Larsson’s death did not stop his famous series, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” from continuing on. Fifteen years after his death, the latest in the series “The Girl Who Lived Twice” is coming out soon. This is now the sixth book in the series. While Larsson wrote the first three novels, David Lagercrantz has continued the series.

Other Mysterious Things:

Known as France’s most acclaimed mystery writer, Fred Vargas (Frederique Audoin-Rouzeau) is known for her police procedural series featuring Commissionaire Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg. Her first book in this series came out in 2009 and was called “The Chalk Circle Man.” Now her ninth is about to drop in August (“This Poison Will Remain”). Vargas has been called brilliant and her books are twisty, quirky, and stunning. Vargas is definitely an author to read if you enjoy interesting locations.

Reading right now: 

Excited to read this series by Diane Kelly with a police dog as Officer Megan Luz’s new partner. This is a cozy series which sounds fun with a feisty female police officer and an adorable canine named Brigit. So far there are eight books available in this series with the ninth coming out in November.

On hold right now:

Linda O. Johnston’s newest book in her series Barkery & Biscuits is “For a Good Paws.” This is the fifth in the series which started with “Bite the Biscuit.” In the first book, Veterinary technician Carrie Kennersly buys a bakery which she turns into the Barkery where she sells canine treats which sets off fights with her competition who turns up dead. Her latest involves a convicted killer who is released from prison only to kill again. Carrie doesn’t believe he is guilty and sets out to find out what really happened. Her cozy series includes recipes for humans and dogs.

 

Laurien Berenson’s Melanie Travis series started with “A Pedigree to Die For” after Melanie’s uncle dies and his prize-winning poodle disappears. Now the 23^rd book in the series is out and Melanie is accused of murdering Evan Major, the owner of a Bulldog puppy that Melanie has agreed to train. To solve the murder, Melanie gathers her Bite Club Reading group together to trap the real killer. Watch out in September for the 24^th Melanie Travis book called “Here Comes Santa Paws.”

 

Spencer Quinn’s latest is “Heart of Barkness” which is the ninth book in the Chet and Bernie mystery series which started with “Dog on It.” Chet and Bernie have had more than their share of bad luck. When they first met, Chet was a failing PI and Bernie had just flunked out of police dog training. Once they found each other, they found that together they could be great detectives. Chet actually narrates this series of novels in a gritty and hardboiled voice.

In the nineteenth book in the Andy Carpenter series, golden retriever Tara and attorney Andy Carpenter continue solving mysteries. Andy’s self-deprecating humor is entertaining and fun, but his dedication to Tara and all things dog is heartfelt and enticing. While Tara gives Andy the will to live, Andy is an attorney who not only defends his clients in court, but enlists his friends to solve the puzzle before going to court. In “Bark of Night,” Andy is trying to discover who murdered the owner of a perfect French bulldog named Tiny. Tiny was left with Andy’s vet with instructions to euthanize the dog. When the vet started asking questions, he discovered that Andy’s help would be needed. For those of us who love Andy Carpenter, the good news is that October 1 will see the release of the 20^th book in this series, “Dachshund Through the Snow.”

Other Mysterious Things:

Dogs as major or minor characters in books are extremely popular--almost as popular in books as in our society. With our growing love of dogs, it is no wonder that authors are finding ways to include them in their books. Some of the authors who are indulging dog lovers include: Carol Lea Benjamin, Sheila Connolly, Krista Davis, Margaret Mizushima, David Handler, Bethany Blake, Waverly Curtis, Peggy Webb, Susan Conant, Donna Ball, and so many others that I will have to come back to doggie mysteries again soon. The books shown below are the first in each series:

  

Reading right now:

            “Arsenic with Austen” by Katherine Bolger Hyde. When English teacher, Emily Cavanaugh inherits an estate from her great aunt, she hears rumors that her aunt was murdered and finds herself being targeted for death. Is it possible that the people developing the coastal village where her aunt lived into a major resort want her out of the way?

On hold right now:

Miss Dimple and the Slightly Bewildered Angel” by Mignon F. Ballard. First grade teacher Miss Dimple is the main character in Mignon F. Ballard’s series the latest of which came out this month. This is the fifth book in the series.

Other Mysterious Things:

As summer ends, it’s back to school. Lots of mystery books have main characters who are going to college or changing careers, or are teachers or professors. In Donald Bain’s Murder She Wrote series, Jessica Fletcher is a retired English teacher. Watch out for his latest in the series coming out in October called “Hook, Line, and Murder.” The Ohio Amish mystery series by P. L. Gaus features History Professor Michael Branden. If you like Bill Crider, you may have read his Sally Good series. Dr. Good is the Head of the English and Fine Arts Division of Hughes Community College in Texas. In August, Crider presented the 23^rd book in Dan Rhodes series (“Survivors Will Be Shot Again”). Laurien Berenson writes a series with Melanie Travis who is a special education teach and dog lover. Her latest in the series came out in July (“Life and let Growl”). Erika Chase’s book club series features Lizzie Turner, a tutor and literacy teacher. The fifth book in the series came out last year in September so, hopefully, there will be a new book soon. Elizabeth Spann Craig’s 10^th Myrtle Clover mystery “Cruising for Murder” just appeared. Myrtle is a retired English teacher who is bored and ready for action.

Reading right now:

            “Die Like an Eagle” by Donna Andrews. Andrews’ 20^th book in the Meg Lanslow series, has Meg and Michael participating in typical suburban parent fashion in their sons’ youth baseball team. Between fighting with the league’s head, trying to discover who killed the brother of the league’s head, and keeping the boys from running the wrong way around the bases, the Lanslow family is, as usual, in over its head.

On hold right now:

“A Catered Tea Party” by Isis Crawford. In this 12^th book in the Mystery with Recipes series, the opening of the remodeled Blue House art complex finds catering sisters Bernie and Libby Simmons planning a tea party for the opening night fundraiser. When the billionaire who is funding the project is murdered, the sisters find themselves with a long list of suspects.

Other Mysterious Things:

So many Cozy mysteries available in August! In addition to the above, Ellery Adams' "Murder in the Secret Garden" is the third book in her Book Retreat mystery series; the fifth Miss Dimple mystery comes out by F. Ballard Mignon (“Miss Dimple and the Slightly Bewildered Angel"); the new Cora Crafts mystery series called "Death Among the Dollies" by Mollie Cox Bryan: the fifth Bookmobile Cat mystery series "Cat With a Clue" by Laurie Cass; the third book in the Book Club mystery series by Laura DiSilverio (“The Readaholics and the Gothic Gala"); "Bruised Spirits" is the tenth book in the Daisy Gumm Majesty mystery series by Alice Duncan; the 19^th Needlecraft Mysteries mystery series "Knit Your Own Murder" by Monica Ferris; Daryl Wood Gerber’s “Grilling the Subject” is the fifth book in the Cookbook Nook mystery series; Victoria Hamilton’s “Much Ado About Muffin” is the fourth in the Merry Muffin mystery series; A.L. Herbert’s Mahalia Watkins Soul Food mystery series' new book is  “Murder with Macaroni and Cheese” and is the second in the series; the second Dixie Dew Mystery series is "Wedding Bell Blues" by Ruth Moose;  and the final cozy I will mention here is Marty Wingate’s “The Bluebonnet Betrayal” which is the fifth in the Potting Shed mystery series.

A lot of light and fun cozies to make the end of summer even more enjoyable.