April's In the Queue

When April showers force you inside, don't be sad! Pick up one of these great new books and read your worries away! 

Fiction

Sisters of Heart and Snow by Margaret Dilloway

Two estranged sisters reconnect when they return home to care for their mother recently diagnosed with dementia. The sisters soon realize that sisterhood has no limits.

One Mile Under by Andrew Gross

A Colorado town makes a deal with the devil (a big energy company) to save their town. In no time at all the company and the townsfolk face off over one of the world’s most precious resources, water. Both sides are prepared to kill for it.

Where They Found Her: A Novel by Kim McCreight

When an infant's body is found in the New Jersey woods near a university campus, freelance journalist Molly Anderson is told to write the story. She faces the demons from her past to cover the story that reminds her of the baby she lost.  

You Can Trust Me: A Novel by Sophie McKenzie

Livy investigates her friend’s suspicious suicide and uncovers horrifying clues that her friend, Julia, may have been killed by the same man who murdered Livy’s sister 18 years ago. Livy also discovers the killer must be someone who knows her and her family very well.

Church of Marvels by Leslie Parry

Readers will journey back to turn-of-the-century New York-a city of hardship and dreams, love and loneliness, hope and danger. This is a marvelous debut novel whose beautifully written prose will leave readers breathless.

Miss Julia Lays Down the Law: A Novel by Ann B. Ross

Visiting the home of a snobby newcomer who criticizes her beloved hometown, Miss Julia decides to confront the lady only to discover that she has been murdered and that Julia herself is the prime suspect.

Early Warning: A Novel by Jane Smiley

The Langdon family finds itself at a crossroad after the patriarch, Walter dies. This is an engrossing story of the challenges and rewards of being a family.

 New Books by Best Selling Authors

Robert B. Parker’s Kickback by Ace Atkins

The Forgotten Room by Lincoln Child

Piranha by Clive Cussler

Solitude Creek by Jeffrey Deaver

A Quiet End by Nelson DeMille

Chasing Sunsets: A Novel by Karen Kingsbury

The Fall: A Novel by John T. Lescroart

Perfect Match by Fern Michaels

Blood on Snow by Jo Nesbo

14th Deadly Sin by James Patterson

Garden of Lies by Amanda Quick

Beauty’s Kingdom by Anne Rice writing as N. Q. Rouqueline

Nonfiction

A Fine Romance by Candace Bergen

Candice is hilarious, brutally honest, down-to-earth, and wise. She talks frankly about the important milestones in her life. 

Ashley’s War: The Untold Story of a Team of Women Soldiers on the Special Ops Battlefield by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Lemmon transports readers into a community of fierce women bound together by valor, danger, and the desire to serve. Ashley's War is a gripping combat narrative and a testament to the unbreakable bond of friendship born of war.

Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination by J. K. Rowling

These words of wisdom are for anyone at a turning point in their life. J. K. Rowling addresses how we can embrace failure and teaches readers how to use their imagination to better both themselves and others. 

Women of Mystery Part 2: Culinary Mysteries and Humorous Mysteries

This week we will cover a couple of other mystery sub-genres featuring women detectives.  These two categories mostly fall under the designation of a cozy mystery.  What is a cozy mystery you say?  The following are some characteristics of a cozy:

--the crime solver is usually a female, amateur detective.
--the mystery is usually set in a small town or village.
--the sleuth usually has a friend or family member that is in law enforcement.
--most cozies are part of a series.
--the series characters are almost always likable.
--these are considered gentle books with no graphic sex, violence, or language.
--these tend to be fast-paced, with several twists and turns throughout.
--the cozy mystery puts an emphasis on plots and character development.

Lately, authors of what are considered cozy mysteries are adding more graphic language and adult situations so beware.

To read more about cozy mysteries, go to this fabulous resource: www.cozy-mystery.com.

Snoops Du Jour

Female sleuths in culinary mysteries.

Jessica Beck--Glazed Murder

--Suzanne Hart is a coffee shop owner in April Springs, N. C.  She is a nosy sleuth with a quirky cast of supporting characters.  Recipes included.

Cleo Coyle--On What Grounds?

--Clare Cosi is the owner of a coffee shop in Greenwich Village, N.Y.  This series is about coffee as much as it is about crime.

Diane Mott Davidson--Catering to Nobody

--Goldy Bear Schulz is a caterer in Aspen Meadows, CO.  These are lively and fun mysteries with delicious recipes.

Joanne Fluke--Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder

--Hannah Swensen runs the Cookie Jar bakery in small-town Minnesota.  These are funny and quirky mysteries.

Sharon Kahn--Fax Me a Bagel

--Ruby Rothman is a Rabbi's widow in Texas in this fast-paced and funny series.  It is full of quirky characters and Jewish humor.

G. A. McKevett--Just Desserts

--Savannah Reid is a Southern, food-loving, plus-sized police officer.  She loves solving crime as much as she loves food.

Tamar Myers--Too Many Crooks, Spoil the Broth
--Magdalena Yoder is a Mennonite inn keeper in Hernia, Pennsylvania.  These are lighthearted and witty mysteries.

Katherine Hall Page--The Body in the Belfry
--Faith Fairchild is a caterer and minister's wife in a quaint Massachusetts town.  These are great, leisurely mysteries.

Wry Detectives

Female sleuths in humorous mysteries.

Margaret Chittenden--Dying to Sing

Charlie is a 30-something Country/Western club owner in California.  She is divorcee with attitude and bright, orange hair.  These are fun and sassy reads.

Jill Churchill--Grime and Punishment

--Jane Jeffry is a widowed, single mom in suburban Chicago.  This series has believable characters and is funny from start to finish.

Janet Evanovich--One for the Money

--Stephanie Plum is a big-haired, smart-mouthed, bumbling bounty hunter in Trenton, NJ.  She lives in the "Berg" with a nutty family and goofy friends.

Joan Hess--Malice in Maggody

--Arly Hanks is police chief in the Ozark town of Maggody, Arkansas.  These are bawdy and cheerful mysteries.

Marne Davis Kellogg--Bad Manners

--Lily Bennett is a U. S. Marshall in Roundup, Wyoming.  This is a witty, sexy, and action-packed series.

Sarah Strohmeyer--Bubbles Unbound

--Bubbles Yablonski is hair dresser studying journalism in North Carolina.  She is a sexy, irrepressible heroine who loves her high heels.

Kathy Hogan Trocheck (Mary Kay Andrews)--Every Crooked Nanny

--Callahan Garrity is an ex-cop who owns a cleaning business in Atlanta, Georgia.  She is surrounded by wacky friends and family.

Lois Winston--Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun

--Anastasia Pollack is an editor for a craft magazine in New Jersey.  These are dead-pan droll and hilarious cozy mysteries.

Did you know?

Whether you're on the hunt for your next read or you're just interested in browsing what's new and notable, we have the resources you need to get started. You may not know it, but the library offers a variety of newsletters in all sorts of genres that you can peruse online or have delivered right to your inbox. Are mysteries your thing? Take a look at these. How about thrillers? Try these on for size. There's more: fantasy, horror, romance, and lots of others. On the other hand, if you'd rather see which books are topping the bestsellers lists, we've got those too, fiction and nonfiction. And speaking of nonfiction, you can find everything from cookbooks to home and garden to travel, all at your fingertips. Sounds good, doesn't it? Now if you'd like to check out all the newsletters the library has to offer, you can find them right here. If you'd rather subscribe to your favorites and receive them monthly or bimonthly in your inbox, you'll want to go here.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up today!

Great New Thriller!

I love suspenseful mystery novels especially when there's action that keeps me on the edge of my seat.  Erica Spindler's new novel, The First Wife combines a fantastic thriller with a touch of romance.  This is a fantastic must read novel for all readers who love suspenseful thrillers. The story opens with Bailey Browne in the hospital. She's been injured and another man is found dead. Bailey is covered in the dead man's blood and the police chief is waiting for her to wake up so he can interrogate her. Unfortunately when  Bailey wakes from her coma she has no memory of the events leading up to her injury. 

The stage is set and the mystery begins. We are taken back into the past where Bailey meets the man of her dreams, Logan Abbott. He is a mysterious stranger who sweeps her off her feet and whisks her away from her ordinary life.  She finds and marries her prince charming sure it will lead to the happily ever after she desires. She loves Logan with all her heart, but barely knows him. When Logan brings her to his horse farm Bailey's dreams of happily-ever-after fades. The family has a tragic history and Logan will not discuss it. The police chief suspects Logan of murdering his wife and several other women who have mysteriously disappeared. As the story opens we wait to learn who injured Bailey. Could it be the man she just married or could it be one of the people she just met?  

This is one story that is filled with multiple twists. If you enjoyed Before I Go To Sleep or Gone Girl you are bound to enjoy this fast paced thriller. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 

Women of Mystery Part 1: Native American Sleuths and Sleuths with Odd Jobs

I recently attended a workshop on women in the mystery genre, so, I thought I'd pass along some excellent reads.

Native American She-Sleuths

All mysteries involving women of Native American descent.

Margaret Coel--The Eagle Catcher
--Vicki Holden is an Arapaho attorney on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.  She and Catholic priest Father John O'Malley solve crime and help their people.

Jean Hager--Ravenmocker
--Molly Bearpaw is a Civil Rights investigator on tribal lands in rural Oklahoma.  This series explores Cherokee culture and history with compassion and humor.

Sara Sue Hoklotubbe--Deception On All Accounts
--Sadie Walela is a Cherokee banker in Northeastern Oklahoma.  This series is action-packed with a little romance and has a diverse supporting cast.

Thomas Perry--Vanishing Act
--Jane Whitefield is a Seneca "guide" in Upstate New York who helps people in mortal danger disappear.  "If Tony Hillerman reinvented "The Equalizer", she would be Jane."

Dana Stabenow--A Cold Day For Murder
--Kate Shugak is a part Aleut, part Russian investigator in Niniltna, Alaska.  Excellent series, great characters, and explores the wilds of Alaska.

Aimee Thurlo--Blackening Song
--Ella Clah is a FBI agent and special investigator on the Navajo Reservation in Shiprock, New Mexico.  Well researched series that combines modern police work with Native mysticism.

Women At Odds

All female sleuths with unusual and/or interesting occupations.

Susan Wittig Albert--Thyme of Death

--China Bayles is a former corporate lawyer who leaves the big city to open a herb shop in the West Texas hill country.  This is a mystery with recipes and lots of interesting facts about herbs.

Sarah Andrews--Tensleep

--Em Hansen is a forensic geologist in the Western United States.  She starts out in the oil industry and moves on to helping law enforcement solve crimes.

Nancy Bartholomew--The Miracle Strip

--Sierra Lavotini is an exotic dancer in Panama City, Florida.  She is a good Catholic girl from Philadelphia, far from the eyes of her policemen/firemen family.  Wild characters and snappy dialogue will tickle your funny-bone.

Lyn Hamilton--The Xibalba Murders

--Lara McClintoch is a Toronto antiques dealer who travels all over the world.  Well researched and interesting tidbits on other cultures and locales.

Charlaine Harris--Shakespeare's Landlord

Lily Bard is a house-cleaner and martial artist in Shakespeare, Arkansas.  Running from a horrific past, Lily is tough as nails and somewhat unapproachable but she will grow on you.  

Sue Henry--Murder on the Iditarod Trail

--Jessie Arnold raises and races sled dogs in Alaska.  Full of meticulous research and interesting facts on Alaska, dogs, and mushing.

Virginia Lanier--Death in Bloodhound Red

--Jo Beth Sidden is a bloodhound trainer and fugitive tracker in the Okefenokee Swamp area of Georgia.  She is stubborn and self-reliant in a male dominated law enforcement field.  Excellent series!

Jessica Speart--Gator Aide
--Rachel Porter is an US Fish and Wildlife Officer in the southern United States.  She is tough, opinionated, and fights for the environment and not the politicians.

All of the titles listed are the first in each series.  If the library does not own any copies then we can get them for you through Search Ohio.

Next time I will highlight the ladies of cooking and humorous mysteries.