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.