Author: Deanna Raybourn
Rating: 3 Stars
Review By: Shana

Meet Veronica Speedwell, a lady of mysterious parentage and odd (at least for Victorian England) appetites (read: science, rationality, and the occasional romantic dalliance). Upon the death of her guardian aunt, she is flung into intrigue as some burly and unsavory ruffians appear determined to kidnap her. A rather dapper and avuncular elderly gentleman comes to her aid, whisking her away from the countryside to London, and placing her in the care of his trusted, if surly, friend Stoker. Stoker, of less mysterious but perhaps bastardly parentage and fallen out of aristocratic favor, likewise besotted of science, and ever-honorable takes it upon himself to protect her. What follows is a decidedly cheeky, mildly predictable, tale of uneasy friendship, evasion of ruffians, mystery detanglement, and hints of romance to come (unsurprising, as Raybourn is a noted romance author). Not paradigm changing, but very enjoyable.

Author: Elly Griffiths
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review By: Shana

This initial entry into a mystery series (currently ten books strong) feels like a quieter, British version of the mystery series by Kathy Reichs (famously turned into the American TV series Bones). Instead of a forensic anthropologist and FBI agent we have an archaeologist and detective chief inspector. There are fewer explosions and chases, no gun battles and more limited witty repartee, but you have the contrast of styles between a street smart, tough cop and a slightly out-of-touch academic.  

Author: Christopher Fowler
Rating: 4 Stars
Review By: Shana

This book was not exactly as advertised, though I enjoyed it anyway. Some of the blurbs about the book, not to mention the name of the unit in question (Peculiar Crimes Unit), suggested a paranormal, supernatural, and/or occult twist. Though there is plenty of theorizing, outside the box thinking, a medium, and the suggestion of the inexplicable, this ends up being more classic British mystery accented by theatrical overtones and an odd couple detective partnering. 

Author: John Sandford
Rating: 3 Stars
Review By: Shana

I'm always looking for series of books to get into, especially older series that hold the promise of plenty of material to keep me engaged. In my quest for established mystery series, I finally picked up the first book in the nearly 30-year-old Lucas Davenport series (now clocking in at 20 books). While I'm interested enough to explore further books in the series, a reader of more contemporary mysteries will notice that some of the delivery and ideas in the book feel dated.

Author: Louise Penny
Rating: 3 Stars
Review By: Shana

I tend to be a fairly picky mystery reader, but I am always open to trying out a series (especially a lengthy one), in hopes that I will find a detective that I enjoy spending time with. Many people swear by Louise Penny and there are many who love her Chief Inspector Gamache. For me, the jury is still out.

Author: Spencer Kope
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review By: Shana

This was a nicely done FBI procedural with a twist - one half of the "Special Tracking Unit" masquerades as a man tracker but actually has something of a paranormal power to track people by their unique "shine" (an aura or essence that is particular to each individual). Known as "Steps," very few people know the true source of his amazing tracking ability.

Author: Liz Jensen
Rating: 4 Stars
Review By: Shana

Another book in the long line of horror and horror-adjacent stories that casts children as antagonist, monster, an inscrutable and malevolent force.  

Author: Anthony Horowitz
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review By: Shana

Having read this absolutely wonderful novel, I understand why this is the first time the Arthur Conan Doyle Estate authorized a new Sherlock Holmes novel. Horowitz is masterful, giving period appropriate details, weaving a plot and conspiracy as complex as it is deplorable, and hitting all the right notes to make this feel authentically Holmes-ian without merely aping Conan Doyle. 

Author: Laurie R. King
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review By: Shana

​Entertaining variation on the Sherlock Holmes canon. King imagines the famous sleuth, now in his 50s, and introduces him to the similarly gifted but unpolished 15-year-old Mary Russell. She becomes his apprentice, friend, and eventual partner.  

Author: Stephen King 
Rating: 4 Stars
Review By: Shana

​King ties up this trilogy well, with most loose ends taken care of but not in too pat or too convenient a way. The trilogy began as somewhat standard mystery fare, with retired police detective Bill Hodges unable to fully walk away from an unsolved case. Over the course of the trilogy this became more than just a game of cat and mouse between Hodges and the main antagonist (of course, at any given point the reader was unsure who exactly was the cat). The cast of characters expanded and gradually a supernatural aspect was introduced. In this third book, the inexplicable mixes with the classic mystery/private investigator mold, with just a tinge of the horror King is well known for.