We love to read mysteries that introduce us to other cultures and explore intrigues from around the world. Authors such as Volker Kutscher (Germany), Charles Cumming (Scotland), Joe Nesbo (Norway), Carlos Ruiz Zafon (Spain), Val McDermid (Scotland), Louise Penny (Canada) and so many others have expanded our world view and given use unforgettable mysteries that have entertained and enlightened us. The following new books fall under this umbrella. Two of the following authors are American authors, but one writes about Americans in Paris and the other about World War II.

Reading right now:

Emilia Bernhard’s third book in the Death in Paris Mystery series is “Designs on the Dead.” This series centers around two American private detectives Rachel Levis and Magda Stevens who now live in Paris. In this third book in the series, they get involved in the world of high fashion when fashion designer Roland Guipure is found dead outside his birthday party. This series is considered a cozy series so be ready for a lighter mystery read.

On hold right now:

Swedish journalist Tove Alsterdal’s latest “We Know You Remember” is the first in a new series. Police Detective Eira Sjodin finds herself investigating the death of a local man whose son was convicted of raping a local girl when Sjodin was only nine. Sjodin remembers the fear she went through at the time and how the person convicted of the rape was only 14 and was sent to a youth home. Now he is out and when he returns home he finds his Father dead in the bathroom shower. As Sjodin investigates the new death, she is haunted by the past and wonders if the two crimes are connected.

Ronald H. Balson’s “Defending Britta Stein” is the sixth book in the Catherine Lockhart and Liam Taggart series.  This series of legal thrillers involves a crack investigative team and has an historical aspect as well. This time around Lockhart and Taggart takes on the task of defending a 90-year-old Britta Stein who is accused of defacing the property of a popular restauranteur Ole Henryks. Their investigation takes them back to Nazi-occupied Denmark to prove that Henryks may not be the man people think he is.

“Road of Bones” is the sixteenth book in James R. Benn’s Billy Boyle World War II mystery series. This time around Boyle is sent to the USSR to solve a double-murder. Lots of interesting historical information about WWII in these books as well as a great mystery series.

Canadian writer Gail Bowen’s 20^th book in the Joanne Kilbourn series is “An Image in the Lake.” Many of Bowen’s Kilbourn books involve political issues which gives an interesting twist to her books. In this latest book, Joanne and her husband are involved in the political campaign of Ali Janvier and also in a new series for TV that Joanne co-wrote and that their daughter has an interest in because of a romantic relationship with one of the actors. Unfortunately, the couple’s relationship is threatened and Joanne steps in to solve the problem.

Other Mysterious Things:

Several mystery authors from England also have new books coming out this month: Lisa Jewell’s “The Night She Disappeared,” Ann Cleeves’ second in a series “The Heron’s Cry,” Alice Feeney’s “Rock, Paper, Scissors,” and the always reliable Anne Perry’s third book in her Elena Standish series “A Darker Reality.”