From the Stacks
By Carol Ann Robb, PPL Reference Librarian
The Mystery Game is Afoot
I’ve had a rather long hiatus from reading an honest-to-goodness mystery. Not that the lighter than usual fare hasn’t been enjoyable but I started craving a book that I could sink my teeth into. And I found that and more in Sulari Gentill’s “The Woman in the Library.”
Unfortunately, I can’t tell you very much about the book without giving too much away. It’s a book within a book, sort of, with some epistolary bits thrown in to enhance the storytelling. And it’s set in Boston, mostly. It can be a bit confusing but fascinating at the same time. I can tell you this much—don’t expect to fly through this book as it takes some concentration. Take your time reading it and don’t overthink what’s going on (I wish I had known that before I started it). Enjoy the ride that is “The Woman in the Library.”
After that, I needed a more traditional, fast-paced novel and the latest in the Mercy Carr series by Paula Munier fit the bill. “The Wedding Plot,” is set in Vermont but this time around there’s less outdoor tracking with Elvis and Susie Bear and more sleuthing by Mercy and Troy. But there is a luxury resort serving as the destination wedding location for Mercy’s grandmother and her beau, as well as family drama, unsolved murders, and some goats to go with the dogs. It was a needed quick read.
I’m currently cleansing my mystery palate with an uplifting little read set in England but sitting on the end table, just waiting to be picked up is the latest Allison Montclair book, “The Unkept Woman.” This is the fourth in the Sparks and Bainbridge series, set in London just after WW II. I’ve come to like this series and look forward to diving into it this weekend.
Waiting in the wings—I’m still second or third on the hold list—is “Holy Chow,” the newest David Rosenfelt book featuring Andy Carpenter and Tara, the Golden Retriever wonder dog. Hopefully I’ll get it while it’s still National Dog Month but whenever my turn comes around, I’ll drop everything and settle in for a satisfying read. The only mystery, then, will be what will I find to read next?