Arts & Events

This month I have six mystery/thriller novels to recommend. 

(A) The Night We Lost Him Laura Dave (5 stars) 

A mystery set in New York City and Carpinteria, California. 

A well written mystery that centers around the death of a famous hotel magnate, Liam Noone. His daughter, Nora, and son, Sam, suspect that Liam’s death from a fall was not accidental. As part of their grieving process, they investigate what happened and discover their father had a secret life. 

Several times each year, an author writes a mystery so evocative that it stands on its own as literary fiction. In “The Night We Lost Him, Laura Dave creates a deep believable character, Nora Noone, who searches for the truth about her father’s death, while battling her own relationship issues. 

One of the best books of the year. 

(B) The Examiner Janice Hallett (5 stars) 

An innovative thriller set in a Multimedia Art Master’s degree program at Royal Hastings University of London. 

An interesting approach to a mystery/thriller where the story is told using retrieved digital messages (text, Doodle, WhatsApp…) Gena, the instructor responsible for the art program enlists six candidates: Alyson, Cameron, Jem, Jonathan, Ludya, and Patrick. They have very different life and artistic experience, but the program seems to be working until the six candidates undertake a collaborative project. This effort results in conflict and two of the candidates disappear. Investigation of what happened reveals that each of the degree candidates has a secret. 

Innovative and fun but perhaps not for readers who are uncomfortable with leading-edge technology. 

(C) The Dark Wives Ann Cleeves (5 stars) 

A police-procedural mystery set in Northumberland, England. 

The 11^th Vera Stanhope mystery finds the redoubtable Vera investigating the death of a worker at a home for troubled teens. The primary suspect is a 14-year-old girl, Chloe, who has disappeared. Vera and her team, Joe and Rosie, trace Chloe’s movements and find a second murder victim in the Northumberland wilds near the famous Three Dark Wives monument. 

A distinctly British mystery told primarily through the point-of-view of Vera Stanhope. Good characters and just enough mystery to keep us engaged. 

(D) Death at the Sign of the Rook Kate Atkinson (4 stars) 

A mystery set in Yorkshire, England. 

The 6^th Jackson Brodie mystery finds intrepid private investigator Brodie pursuing the woman responsible for the theft of several valuable paintings. He’s assisted by his reluctant sidekick DC Reggie Chase. 

An entertaining read highlighted by the characterization of Brodie and Chase. “Death at the sign of Rook” concludes with a scene borrowed from Agatha Christie, where Brodie and Chase are trapped overnight at a grand country house with a cast of characters that includes a dowager, vicar, major, actors, miscreants, and an escaped convict. 

Fun mystery that’s loosely plotted. 

(E) We Solve Murders Richard Osman (4 stars)

A mystery set in Axley, England, South Carolina, St. Lucia, Dublin, Dubai, and New York.
Richard Osman, author of “The Thursday Murder Club” mysteries, is back with a new series. I wanted to like this series as much as The Thursday Murder club,’ but while it has its moments, “We Solve Murders” falls short.

Widower Steve Wheeler, a retired detective, enjoys his routine in rural England. His daughter-in-law Amy, a high-end bodyguard, is the one with the exciting job. When Amy realizes she is being framed for three murders, she gets Steve to help her.

Richard Osman is skilled at characterization and “We solve Murders” is filled with intriguing characters, particularly Steve Wheeler and Rosie D’Antonio, the best-selling author Amy Wheeler is assigned to protect. I’m not happy with the characterization of Amy. And, I found the plot contrived. 

(F) Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell Nicholas Meyer (3.5 stars) 

A WWI spy mystery that begins in London and moves to the US and Mexico. 

In June of 1916, with the US neutral, and the outcome of the conflict between Germany and the allies still uncertain, the British government asks Sherlock Holmes to come out of retirement. He is to track down a mysterious telegram that details Germany’s plan to win the war. 

Holmes and Watson are senior citizens – Holmes is 62. Unfortunately, this plot has the arthritic pace associated with men past their prime. “The Telegram from Hell” is entertaining but slow. A book for Sherlock fans. 

Summary: 2024’s best novels are: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker, The Hunter by Tana French, and The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave.