Nothing Like a Murder (Novel) Around the Corner

There are few things more beautiful than a mystery series all in a row...at least for this reader.

 

It's been a long break for café con leche, but I'm home, settled in and back to blogging and reading. Though not a noir series, I've just read the latest in this series by Victoria Thompson, Murder on St. Nicholas Avenue. This is #17 in the Gaslight Mystery series, all set in different New York City neighborhoods at the turn of the century. 

 

There are some aspects of police procedural -- when Theodore Roosevelt was the Police Chief -- and we here we meet Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy. But in my mind, the star of these novels is Sarah Brandt, midwife and member of one of New York's socialite families. The difference between Frank and Sarah's social standing and perspective on New York City life provides some of the most interesting aspects of the novels.

 

The first in the series is "Murder on Astor Place," and it's definitely the place to begin. I read one book almost every week when I first discovered the series and the character development builds with each volume. This is one of my favorite historical series and the realities of life in New York City during the time of massive immigration isn't prettied. There are serious issues raised in each book and though the world view of Sarah and Frank isn't noir, these are not cozy mysteries in any way. I took the title for this post from one of the latest books in the series, "Murder on Amsterdam Avenue," which is only two blocks from where I live. 

 

There was lots of café con leche in Peru and lots of reading on the flights. I read two mysteries that featured forensic anthropologists -- not by planning -- and enjoyed both. I'll be writing about them in my next post.

 

 Until the next post, so many mysteries, so little time. Thanks for stopping by.



Time for Cafe Con Leche

Coffee Light... is taking a short hiatus while I travel to Peru, for some café con leche.  I anticipate a lot of sightseeing in addition to a lot of coffee drinking. I'll be looking for mysteries set in Peru and reading my almost infinite to-be-read list on the flights. When I'm back I'll be writing about Ian Rankin, one of my all-time favorite writers.

 

 

Until then, so many mysteries, so little time.

Thanks so much for visiting.

The Second Deadly Sin

The Second Deadly Sin, this post's selection and previews of coming attractions.

 

I've got a million -- perhaps that's hyperbole -- ideas about books to write about, but I'm going to begin with one that embodies "Noir."  There are probably as many definitions of noir as there are novels and the classic noir mysteries generally involved a tough, hard-drinking private eye, think Sam Spade in "The Maltese Falcon. The definition has grown considerably wider and when I think of noir, it's a mystery novel with an edge. The investigator often has a dark side or dark secret and very often they find themselves investigating not simply a murder, but a pattern of corruption. 

 

I especially appreciate mysteries that have an edge to them. However many of the mysteries from Scandinavia -- especially the legendary trilogy, plus one -- have more than an edge and at times are so dark that they are completely depressing. But "The Second Deadly Sin," the first book I've read by Asa Larsson is a dark mystery with one of the most appealing main characters I've come across in a non-cozy mystery. Rebecka Martinsson has had share of sorrow, but she is engaging and deeply drawn, as though Edith Wharton had written a mystery set in modern Northern Sweden. The writing is clear and spare and tightly put together. I've got catching up to do with Larsson's other titles, The Savage Altar, The Blood Spilt, The Black Path and Until Thy Wrath Be Past.

Another mystery I enjoyed very much, also set in Scandinavia, is Jar City, written by Arnaldur Indriadson. Set in Iceland, it's the first book in the Detective Erlendur series. The main character is in the mold of tough, world-weary detective and the plot is both quickly engaging and thoughtful. This is another series I'm looking forward to continuing.

Any other fans of the Scandinavian noir mysteries? Please share your favorites.

So many mysteries, so little time! Thanks so much for stopping by.
  

Do You Like a Mystery?

Welcome, you've come to the right place.

 

This blog is about mystery novels, and only mystery novels. I may write about a thriller or two -- and there will definitely be a post about the line between mysteries and thrillers -- but otherwise it's all mysteries, all the time.

 

I love to read and I like to read a variety of books.  But let me loose in a bookstore or a library and I inevitably drift over to the mysteries. Even though my bookshelves and my iPad have an almost endless list of titles waiting to be read, I'm always in search of the mystery that got away, my own elusive Moby Dick of reading. It might be a new author, or a title or if I'm really lucky, a new series. 

 

I like historical settings -- can't get enough of Tudor times -- and I like modern settings. I like a little noir, as well. Cozy settings can be fun, but I'm happiest when things are a little more gray, or even better, darker still. I'm going to be sharing my thoughts on my favorites, as well as new discoveries. I hope that the readers that find their way here will be sharing their thoughts, too. I welcome comments and guest bloggers and look forward to creating a space for all of us who like mysteries.

 

A little bit about me...I'm from New England, but have lived in New York for the last forty years. I like a comfortable corner to curl up for reading, but I'm probably happier reading on the subway. Love to read, to write and to travel. I like my coffee light, but I like my mysteries noir.

 

I hope to post twice a month and however you take your coffee (or tea or lemonade) and however you like your mysteries -- whether in a teashop or in a brooding Norwegian forest -- welcome. I hope you'll stop by often.