Murder on the Ile Sordou by ML Longworth
This book is being publicised as the fourth in the Verlaque and Bonnet Provencal mystery series set in or around Aix-en-Provence, but fear not if you are new to the series. It had not previously registered on my Francophile radar either, and it stands well…
Malice by Keigo Higashino
Translated by Alexander O Smith — This year has been a good one for lovers of Japanese literature in translation. Across all genres, Japanese literature in English has flown off the shelves. In crime fiction in particular, the second half of 2014 has seen three…
The Corpse with the Platinum Hair by Cathy Ace
Canadian crime fiction writers are having their well-deserved moment in the sun just before the long winter sets in. Louise Penny, Peter Robinson and Linwood Barclay are merely the best known of a very diverse and entertaining group of crime writers. Not all of the…
Mystery at the Manor by Matthew Costello and Neil Richards
Mystery at the Manor is the second episode in the 12-book Cherringham series of cosy mysteries, which transatlantic writing duo Matt Costello (US) and Neil Richards (UK) intend to release in monthly instalments. Each book is intended to be a self-contained mystery and they all…
Dandy Gilver & A Deadly Measure of Brimstone by Catriona McPherson
The Dandy Gilver series first entered the historical crime arena back in July 2005 with After the Armistice. The book was set in Perthshire shortly after World War I as Britain moved into the 1920s and looked back on the devastation of the War. It…
Nightmare in Burgundy by Jean-Pierre Alaux and Noël Balen
Translated by Sally Pane — This is the third in the Winemaker Detective series co-written by two French journalists who love gourmet food and wine. This gentle series features two amateur detectives – wine specialist Benjamin Cooker and his able assistant Virgile Lanssien. In this…
Reunion with Death
Written by Sheila Connolly — Cosy mystery fans will be familiar with the work of bestselling American author Sheila Connolly. She’s probably best known for three sets of books – The Glassblowing series, The Orchard series and The Museum series. Her last book, Let’s Play…