How to Write a Murder

This metafictional account of a murder is set in a refurbished California monestery, now a luxury hotel, during an ostensible writers' conference. But such a unlikely cast of characters would be hard to find. The famous mystery writer and keynoete speaker Ian McCloud, his resentful assistant Bennett, McCloud's occasional lover Simone, his agent who he has accused of stealing $2 million in royalties, an octogenarian wanna-be writer, McCloud's YouTube fan boy Darius, Isabel--a writer of fantasy novels, Jade a fake conference facilitator and her sister Jasmine. Everyone has secrets that make for motives when McCloud turns up dead. Publishers Weekly calls this a "clever if overlong meta-thriller..." and I have to agree with their concluding assessment: "Before long, a landslide blocks the monastery's sole access road, and a mysterious figure who seems to be orchestrating the action starts interrupting the plot to deliver tongue-in-cheek asides. Unfortunately, as these initially intriguing, fourth wall--breaking communiques become more frequent and frenetic, they begin to feel intrusive, a narrative device more successful in concept than execution. By the time a dead body turns up and an investigation gets underway, most readers will be exhausted--though Brody ties everything up with an admittedly killer finale. This is fun, but it overstays its welcome."

Kirkus was considerably more effusive in their praise,  saying the book is "wildly metafictional account of what happens, or maybe happens, or sort of happens, to the participants in a mystery writers’ conference at a refurbished California monastery." They go on to this summary conclusion "As the characters ask whodunit, readers are more likely to ask how many other shameless cliches Brody, or another character identified as The Author who hovers over the whole mishmash, can cram into 560 pages—doubles, disguises, accusations and counter accusations, red herrings broadly identified as such, flash drives chock-full of incriminating information about everyone on the guest list—and how this can possibly end for characters who keep protesting, 'For the last time, this isn’t a mystery novel!…This is real life!' Spoiler: It’s a mystery novel that couldn’t possibly have less to do with real life. If you suspect anyone here of hiding a guilty secret, you’re absolutely right—except that these are actually unending layers of secrets.A gleeful demonstration of the universally acknowledged truth that 'if anyone can get away with murder, it’s a writer.'"

 

The Age of Walls

The publishers website describes the author's background as "Tim Marshall is a leading authority on foreign affairs with more than thirty years of reporting experience. He was diplomatic editor at Sky News and before that worked for the BBC and LBC/IRN radio. He has reported from forty countries and covered conflicts in Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Israel." Marshall uses the term "walls" as "shorthand for barriers, fences, and divisions in all their variety," as he describes walls past, present and future. The book is divided into geographical chunks including Israel/Palestine, the U.K., Russia, China, the Middle East, Africa, the U.S., etc. Reviews are generally positive. Booklist describes this as "an incisive, meticulous survey of humanity's physical barriers, the factors that lead to their construction, and the hope for building bridges across them," and goes on to say "Marshall explores walls actual and metaphorical, how their presence is intended not only to physically prevent people from entering but also to protect ideologies." They conclude their review with "Marshall presents concise overviews that allow readers to quickly grasp geographical ruptures and draw universal comparisons. Marshall reminds us that we fear the unknown; crave safety, health, and opportunity; and that where there is inequality, there are walls. This enlightening, shrewd assessment of the walls that separate us proves that there is actually far more that unites us."

Library Journal asserts that "In these examinations, he reveals a depth of knowledge of the region involved, along with its residents and the issues they face..." and "Marshall looks at the history of the area that led to the creation of the wall, its effects today, and where the future might lead." They conclude with this praise, "A provocative and well-written look at current issues in the political landscape."  Kirkus notes that "Even though walls tend not to be very effective at keeping undesired people—or ideas—out, they continue to go up... " and they finish by saying that "Marshall is a skilled explainer of the world as it is, and geography buffs will be pleased by his latest." Even though this is a relatively short book (less than 300 pages), it felt overlong in places. I was intrigued by his claim that barriers built on religious ideology are the most difficult to overcome...another nail in the coffin of organized religion in my book. 

Babel: Or The Necessity Of Violence : An Arcane History Of The Oxford Translators' Revolution

This massive volume from R.F. Kuang presents lots of food for thought as the New York Times notes "The word “translation” connotes movement: carrying meaning from one language to another, or shifting bodies from one place — or one context — to another, all while recognizing that moving entails loss and change. These books dwell in that potent space between setting out and arriving."Eventuallly it was a DNF although I read over half of the book. 

 Kirkus' review is positive but measured: "In 1829, professor Richard Lovell brings a young Chinese boy now known as Robin Swift from his home in Canton to England. Saved from the cholera outbreak that claimed the rest of his family, Robin has the chance to begin a new, comfortable life at professor Lovell's estate. In exchange for food and lodging, he will spend years studying Latin, Greek, and Mandarin to prepare himself to enter Oxford’s Royal Institute of Translation, known as Babel. In Oxford, Robin meets other students who are not so different from him: young people brought to England from other countries to maintain the empire. Britain has built its power upon silver bars and the magical powers imparted to them by translation, but in order to maintain that power, Britain needs foreigners and their languages. Though Robin and his friends are met with racism, they also find true joy in their studies and the heady business of translation. Soon, Robin learns of the secretive Hermes Society, a group working against the hegemony of the Royal Institute of Translation. As Robin’s studies continue, he begins to question the colonial machine from which he can’t seem to break free. Kuang draws a keen parallel between extracting knowledge and extracting resources, examining the terrible power of systems built on inequality and the uncomfortable experiences of the marginalized within those systems, whether due to race or gender. While occasionally hampered by rather self-aware critiques of colonialism, in general this is an expansive, sympathetic, and nevertheless scathing critique of Western imperialism and how individuals are forced to make their peace with the system and survive or to fight back and face the consequences. It's ambitious and powerful while displaying a deep love of language and literature." 

Publishers Weekly is somewhat less positive, asserting that the author "underwhelms with a didactic, unsubtle take on dark academia and imperialism." They conclude "The narrative is frequently interrupted by lectures on why imperialism is bad, not trusting the reader or the plot itself enough to know that this message will be clear from the events as they unfold. Kuang assumes an audience that disagrees with her, and the result keeps readers who are already aware of the evils of racism and empire at arm's length. The characters, meanwhile, often feel dubiously motivated. Readers will be drawn in by the fascinating, linguistic magic system and righteous stance, but many will come away frustrated." The New York Times closes their review with this praise: "“Babel” has earned tremendous praise and deserves all of it. It’s Philip Pullman’s “The Golden Compass” by way of N.K. Jemisin’s “The Fifth Season”: inventive and engaging, passionate and precise. Kuang is fiercely disciplined even when she’s playful and experimental..."

Backwater

This short novel by James Sallis received such rave reviews that I was anxious to read it. But you need to adjust your expectations. Here's a summary and review from Publishers Weekly:

"...Sallis, who died earlier this year, delivers a masterful, bittersweet swan song about a retired cop who's called in for one final job. Bishop agrees to take the reins of the tiny police department of Anne's Ferry, his hometown, after its longtime chief walks off the job and is never seen again. He learns how to prepare a budget and report to city council while overseeing a staff of three quirky officers: Hollis, Felicia, and Raymond. To rescue himself from feeling "like tumbleweed, blowing into town, rolling idly about the streets," Bishop digs into the case of a car found abandoned at a truck stop with blood smeared over every surface. He chips away at that inquiry in between dealing with the mundane crimes of small-town America--fender benders, wandering elderly neighbors, squatters in old farmhouses--and learns to find beauty in life's quieter moments. Eventually, the bloody car case gets resolved, as do most of the other daily dramas on Bishop's beat, but Sallis is more interested in the texture of life in Anne's Ferry than page-turning action. Brief but brimming with life, this is a tender farewell from a towering talent."

Booklist claims that "The author's death in early 2026 created a void in existentialist noir..." That's a new genre to me. The New York Times gushes that this "one last noir gem. Like the best of his crime fiction work ... Backwater... doesn’t waste a single word, and conveys more layers of emotion than most books double the length ever could." Similarly, Kirkus concludes their review saying "Although [protagonist] Bishop opines that “we use stories” to fit together the pieces of our lives, his six months in Anne’s Ferry play out less like a story than like a prose poem—or better yet, like a series of riffs on a jazz theme. Sallis’ valedictory novel is his most poignant and elliptical, and that’s saying a bit."

In short, the crimes of a small town eventually get solved but this is more a philosophical examination of policing and life in general than a typical whodunnit. 

The Shadow Friends

This is the third installment in Tess Gerritsen's "Martini Club" series (see my posts on the two previous books: The Spy Coast and The Summer Friends). This time the trouble comes from a case of mistaken identity and Ingrid's past missions. Publishers Weekly has a good summary.

"Gerritsen's suspenseful third Martini Club mystery ... spotlights former CIA agent Ingrid Slocum. During her time with the agency, Ingrid was responsible for guarding Sophie, a witness against a Russian organized crime syndicate. When five members of that syndicate found the pair at their safe house, they killed Sophie and drove a stiletto through the eye of one of Ingrid's colleagues. In the ensuing struggle, Ingrid's backup team took out four men, leading Ingrid to worry the fifth got away. Decades later, Ingrid is a member of the Martini Club, a group of retired spies living in Purity, Maine, and she is working as the travel coordinator for a bioweapons conference being held in town. The gathering is disrupted when Mikhail Maslov, a bioweapons expert who defected from Russia, is fatally poisoned, and another attendee is found dead in the trunk of a car with a stiletto sticking out of their eye. Ingrid's fellow Martini Club members--her husband, Lloyd, and neighbors Maggie, Declan, and Ben--join forces to help her figure out if her old attacker has reemerged. Gerritsen keeps the action churning at a steady clip without skimping on character development. This series is in good shape. " I love the fact that the protagonists are all seniors in their 60's and I highly recommend this follow up to the earlier books. 

The Tailor

I discovered a great new mystery author with a likable protagonist. Tim Sullivan has seven police procedurals to his name with DS  George Cross as his neurodivergent detective. With no social skills, George keeps a notebook of the appropriate things to say offered over the years by long-time partner Josie Ottey. In this book, the 6th in the series, Ottey has been promoted and DS Cross is about to be tagged with a new partner, never an easy thing for either party. Library Journal calls the book "compelling and cerebral"...and goes on to summarize and review the book:  "The morning commute to Paddington Station is disrupted when a body is found in the train's bathroom. If George Cross had been a passenger, he would've been more than miffed at the disturbance of his routine. Detective Sergeant Cross is assigned as investigating officer in the death of tailor William Titcomb, and he must inquire as to who savagely murdered the renowned clothier in the crowded train's lavatory. Cross is a gifted police officer whose ability to clear cases overshadows his lack of social graces. In addition to his latest vexing case, Cross must adjust to breaking in a new partner. As Cross and his junior officer delve further into the investigation, he comes to believe that Titcomb's widow is hiding information and that there may be connections between Titcomb's death and the suspicious suicide of a scientist. This is far from a tidy homicide probe. ... In this edgy and smart whodunit, Sullivan continues to bring nuance to his stalwart protagonist. Cross possesses the brilliance of a Columbo with the tact of a Temperance Brennan; a transfixing character." 

Kirkus has similar flattering things to say: "Sullivan’s experience as a screenwriter keeps the scenes crisp and entertaining, his vividly drawn regulars augmenting the mystery plot." And they conclude their review saying "readers will likely be entertained by the internal drama of the precinct and Cross’ Sherlock-ian deductions. "A sharp whodunit with an engaging cast and abundant humor.

I will be sure to read the whole series starting with the first book, The Dentist. 

How to Kill a Crime Writer

This book by Sarah Lotz has an interesting premise. When Annie Morrissey dies from an apparently accidental fall from a ladder, estranged daughter Niamh moves into the now vacant cottage in a small rural village to take care of the cat, Brian, and generally look after her mother's affairs. Except that she is "crap," as she will tell you, at dealing with anything-- her grief, the house, her mother's last emails to her or her mother's final book manuscript. She does befriend the cat; however she doesn't expect or welcome the sudden appearance of Leah Overton. "Leah isn't a stranger - she's the ultra-competent sleuth heroine from Annie's novels. The antithesis of Niamh in every way, she's lived in the fictitious character's shadow for years. But why (and how) has Leah turned up now? And why can only Niamh see her?" (Book jacket) And why is she claiming that it wasn't an accident but something more nefarious?

Library Journal would like to see a sequel. "Lotz's ... cozy mystery throws possible solution after possible solution at readers, but it does play fair. The fun odd-couple pairing of Leah and Niamh sets up a potential series. They'd be worth visiting again." Publishers Weekly asks "Can a meek woman solve her famous mother's murder with the help of her mother's fictional protagonist? That's the concept of this ambitious but slow-moving whodunit from Lotz..." They conclude their lukewarm review with "Though Niamh and Leah eventually crack the case, the plot never really heats up, and the ghostly conceit at the center of the novel feels undercooked. This feels like a missed opportunity." Booklist is considerably more positive. "Cozy mystery readers will relish Niamh and Leah's prickly relationship, Niamh's first-person narration, the book's dark humor and fresh plot, and Niamh's growing confidence as she and a ghost close in on a killer." And Kirkus finds merit in this tale. "Lotz creates a compelling mystery that’s also a genuinely touching look at grief. Annie’s career as a writer provides a fun meta touch, while Niamh and Leah make a charmingly mismatched crime-solving duo. And while the premise may involve a fictional character come to life, Niamh’s believable feelings about the loss of her mother keep the story grounded in reality. An absorbing murder mystery with a unique twist and a poignant look at grief."

 

The Book Witch

This delightful fantasy by Meg Shaffer imagines a world where specially trained people, Book Witches, can go into stories and save characters and story lines from bad actors in the real world, Burners. Rainy March--yes that's her name and not a weather forecast--has been a 3rd generation Book Witch since she was 15. She is an orphan, never having known a father and a mother who died when she was just 6 months old. She was raised by adoring grandparents and Pops--as she calls her grandfather--is still alive and living with her in Fort Meriwether, Oregon. Book Witches live by a series of rules which include the rule saying real people belong in the real world and fictional characters belong in works of fiction. So it is extremely against all the rules when Rainy falls in love with a character, a detective called the Duke of Chicago, when she is on a mission to save one of his books. Worse yet, the Duke falls in love with her, too. When her grandfather goes missing and the book her mother left her--her only inheritance--is stolen, there is no one Rainy trusts to help her solve the mystery except the Duke. The resolution of the book is a total surprise, or at least it was for me. Rainy will end up "uncovering secrets that could change the course of Rainy’s life"  (Kirkus). Kirkus goes on to say that Shaffer's writing style, while "a touch too cutesy to mine real emotional depths, the charms of the heroine and the conceit itself make up for it in spades. Catnip for anyone who ever wished they could walk around in their favorite book." There are lots of literary references and adventures inside other books on Rainy's mission to solve the mystery. Booklist calls it "magical, emotional and charming."

The Phoenix Crown

Two award winning authors of historical fiction, Kate Quinn and Janie Chang, team up to tell this tale of intrepid women in the weeks preceding and the years following the earthquake and fire that destroyed San Francisco in 1906. 

Booklist provides this useful summary of the storyline:  "In 1906, opera singer Gemma Garland moves to San Francisco to take her place in the chorus for a performance by the great Caruso, hoping to room with her old friend Nellie Doyle. But when she arrives, Nellie is nowhere to be found, though her housemate, botanist Alice Eastwood, encourages Gemma to stay. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Suling Feng dresses as a boy to help deliver her family's laundry, doing brisk business with hand-embroidery on the side. She is desperate to escape an arranged marriage, and she's also trying to forget her white lover, Reggie, who disappeared without a trace. One of Suling's hustles is serving champagne at the parties of industrialist Henry Thornton, who becomes taken with Gemma and offers to become her patron. But it's mere days before the devastating San Francisco earthquake and it will draw the women together in surprising ways. " They conclude their review with these praises: "Lushly detailed, richly imagined, and utterly satisfying, The Phoenix Crown will entrance readers."

Publishers Weekly agrees in their praise, "Readers of historicals with strong female leads will savor this."

 

 

Mad Mabel

Sallly Hepworth's newest novel opens with the lines "It's interesting to note that there are two groups of people who are rarely, if ever, suspected of murder. These groups are elderly women and little girls." Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is 81 years old and has been living a quiet life on Kenny Lane for 60 years. She gets along with all her neighbors except for the man next door who lets his yappy dog poop on Elsie's roses. Elsie throws the feces back over the fence in an endless battle. When the neighbor dies, Elsie's dark past is revealed by one of her neighbors to the police. In her youth, she was known as Mabel Waller, the youngest person ever to be convicted of murder. Her height and red hair would probably be enough to single her out for torment as as a child, but her father spreads the rumor that, when 3-year-old Mabel got polio, she intentionally exposed her younger sister. Sister Kitty was a toddler and subsequently died from polio. Mabel herself did not know the story until the neighborhood kids started calling her "Mad Mabel."

The news that Mad Mabel was living in this quiet cul de sac of Melbourne spreads quickly and the press and conspiracy fanatics show up in droves. Mabel decides to reveal her history to two young documentarians who want to present Elsie/ Mabel's side of the story.  The chapters alternate between young Mabel's childhood and the present day. This is a story of redemption which "emphasize[s] resilience and the power of friendship" (Kirkus). Library Journal concludes their review by saying, "Hepworth... showcases her storytelling prowess with this dual-timeline tale that is part thriller, part historical mystery and filled with quirky characters that will pull readers in different directions emotionally. The twists may not all be surprising, but readers will be fully enraptured by the story and fall in love with Mabel, curmudgeonly woman that she is."