Reading right now:

            “The Devil’s Breath” by Tessa Harris. This third book in the Dr. Thomas Silkstone mystery series continues the adventures of the Philadelphia doctor living in London in the 1780s. Dr. Silkstone is an anatomist in the time of superstition, environmental disasters, and murder. This terrific series will continue with the fourth book in July 2014 called “The Lazarus Curse.” 

On hold right now:

            “The Last Death of Jack Harbin” by Terry Shames. This second book in new author Terry Shames’ mystery series stars ex-police chief Samuel Craddock. Shames’ first book in the series was “A Killing at Cotton Hill” which came out only six months ago. These novels take place in central Texas and feature the isolation and secrets of small town life, as well as, shocking murders.

Other Mysteries Not to Miss:

            “Home of the Braised” by Julie Hyzy. This is the seventh book in the fantastic White House Chef mystery series. White House executive chef Olivia Paras once more finds herself in the middle of murder and threats to the president while trying to plan her wedding.

            “In Retrospect” by Ellen Larson. Larson writes science fiction and mysteries and a combination of the two. “In Retrospect” is a stand-alone which takes place in a post-apocalyptic future. If you like a solid mystery with elements of time travel, set in the future rift with problems, “In Retrospect” sounds made for you.

A List to Treasure:

Read a book and hit the beach!

            There are many lists available at the end of the year and some of them involve the so called best mysteries of 2013. According to bookpage.com the 10 best included: “Ghostman” by Roger Hobbs, “Perfect Hatred” by Leighton Gage, “The Golden Egg” by Donna Leon, “Murder as a Fine Art” by David Morrell, “A Delicate Truth” by John le Carre, “The Abomination” by Jonathan Holt, “Mystery Girl” by David Gordon, “How the Light Gets In” by Louise Penny, “Tatiana” by Martin Cruz Smith, and “Death of a Nightingale” by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis. Library Journal includes “Cries of the Lost” by Chris Knopf, “How the Light Gets In” by Louise Penny, “Circle of Shadows” by Imogen Robertson, and “Death on Demand” by Paul Thomas in their list of the best of 2013. The Seattle Times included “Deadly Virtues” by Jo Bannister, “Speaking from Among the Bones” by Alan Bradley, “The Return” by Michael Gruber, “The Case of the Love Commandos” by Tarquin Hall, “Ghostman” by Roger Hobbs, “Play Dead” by Bill James, “The Shanghai Factor” by Charles McCarry, “Critical Mass” by Sara Paretsky, “No Man’s Nightingale” by Ruth Rendell, and “The Ghost Riders of Ordebec” by Fred Vargas. There are many ideas out there about what is the “best,” but for me the best are all those books that draw me in and keep me wanting more.