Category Archives: award winners

Mystery Writer’s of America – shortlist for Edgar Allan Poe Awards

Posted on March 21, 2019 by

The Mystery Writer’s of America have just released the finalists for the 2019 Edgar Allan Poe Awards! I was surprised to learn that this year I have only read one of the top five titles. See my review of “The … Continue reading →

Posted in award winners, Mystery fiction | Tagged | 7 Comments

Throwback Thursday – April 19, 2018

Posted on April 19, 2018 by

Renee at It’s Book Talk began this meme as a way to share old favorites. This week I’ve chosen “The truth and other lies” by Sascha Arango for my Throwback Thursday post. It was first published June 2015 by Atria Books and was, for … Continue reading →

Posted in award winners, Book Reviews, debut novels, NetGalley, Throwback Thursday | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Series to Savour 8 – Louise Penny’s Armand Gamache mysteries

Posted on May 27, 2017 by

I can’t believe that I have not yet written about the fabulous Louise Penny on my “Series to Savour” blog series. Well, that must be remedied immediately!  Set in the charming small town of Three Pines, the series features police Chief Inspector … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, award winners, Canadian fiction, Mystery fiction, series to savour | Tagged , , , , , | 19 Comments

Series to Savour 7 – Elly Griffith’s Ruth Galloway mysteries

Posted on April 18, 2017 by

This morning, as I peruse my lovely bookshelves I spy one of my all-time favorite series and realize that I have not yet posted about it on my “Series to Savour” blog series. Well, that must be remedied immediately!  I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, award winners, Favorite books, Mystery fiction, Series order, series to savour | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

“The goldfish bowl” by Laurence Gough

Posted on April 10, 2017 by

“The Goldfish Bowl“, winner of the Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Novel from the Crime Writers of Canada is the first of thirteen police procedural novels featuring Detectives Willows and Parker. It was originally published in 1987. The blurb: An elusive … Continue reading →

Posted in 1st in series, award winners, Canadian fiction, Mystery fiction, NetGalley | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Series to Savour 6 – Susan Hill’s Simon Serrailler mysteries

Posted on March 22, 2017 by

Several years ago, I read a mystery called “The various haunts of men“. It remains as one of my favorite mysteries to this day.  It is only fitting then, that I feature Susan Hill in my ‘Series to Savour‘ blog … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, award winners, Favorite books, Mystery fiction, Series order, series to savour | Tagged , , , , , | 19 Comments

Series to Savour 5 – Peter Robinson’s Inspector Banks mysteries

Posted on February 8, 2017 by

Back in 1988, when my children were tiny, I belonged to one of those book clubs where you bought a book every month and it was delivered in the mail.  One of my treasured deliveries was “Gallow’s View”, the very … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, award winners, Canadian fiction, Favorite books, Mystery fiction, Series order, series to savour | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Trilogies to Treasure – Part 2 – Peter May’s Lewis trilogy

Posted on January 10, 2017 by

Many readers cannot commit to a lengthy series.  They find it too daunting, too time intensive.  They will often choose stand-alone novels for these reasons.  I am here to introduce you to some prime examples that bridge the gap between … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, award winners, Favorite books, Mystery fiction, Trilogies to treasure | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Series to Savour 4 – Ann Cleeves’ Shetland mysteries

Posted on December 14, 2016 by

I’m not sure what it is about the remote, isolated, and beautiful Hebrides that attracts so many readers.  All I know is that it is THIS SETTING that first attracted me to this series and enticed me to read it. … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, award winners, Favorite books, Fiction, Mystery fiction, Series order, series to savour | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

“The Trap” by Melanie Raabe – Book Review

Posted on October 26, 2016 by

Winner of the prestigious Stuttgart Crime Prize for best crime debut of the year, “The Trap” has been called a ‘must-read’ debut thriller. The premise is intriguing.  A reclusive novelist, traumatized by her sister’s murder, sets an elaborate trap for the murderer. … Continue reading →

Posted in award winners, Book Reviews, debut novels, Dustjackets, novels in translation, Psychological thrillers | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

“Of sea and seed” by Annie Daylon

Posted on August 26, 2016 by

Historical fiction should do two things. #1 Portray the time period, culture, and events with accuracy (i.e. be well researched); #2 Entertain. Annie Daylon’s “Of sea and seed” succeeds on both counts.  She has captured Newfoundland’s history with articulate accuracy … Continue reading →

Posted in award winners, Book Reviews, Canadian fiction, Family sagas, Favorite books, Fiction, Historical fiction, Literary fiction | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

“The Wacky Man” by Lyn G. Farrell – Book Review

Posted on May 13, 2016 by

A heartbreaking novel that packs a visceral punch! “The Wacky Man” is a compulsively readable debut novel that expounds upon the life of Amanda May.  Amanda is fifteen when we meet her and she is a scarily intelligent and seriously mentally … Continue reading →

Posted in award winners, Book Reviews, debut novels, Fiction, Literary fiction, NetGalley | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

“The truth and other lies” by Sascha Arango

Posted on July 7, 2015 by

Not a full blown psychopath, Henry Hayden is nevertheless pretty darn close to being one.  As a young boy he killed his tyrannical father without even meaning to.  Since then he has moved on to bullying and other unempathetic acts.  … Continue reading →

Posted in award winners, Book Reviews, Fiction, NetGalley, novels in translation, Page turners, Psychological thrillers | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

“Little Black Lies” by Sharon Bolton – Book Review

Posted on June 10, 2015 by

For several years now I have been a huge fan of Sharon Bolton’s novels. In particular, her Lacey Flint mystery series. When NetGalley offered another of her titles for review of course I jumped at the chance. I’m so glad … Continue reading →

Posted in award winners, Book Reviews, Favorite books, NetGalley, Page turners, Psychological thrillers | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

“The devotion of Suspect X” by Keigo Higashino

Posted on May 24, 2015 by

First off, I have to say, this title was not MY choice.  It was the required reading of my “Whodunit” bookclub.  With the narrative set in Japan, it did not appeal to me – not even a little bit. WOW!  … Continue reading →

Posted in award winners, Book Reviews, Favorite books, Mystery fiction, novels in translation | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments