February 3, 2021

Best two mystery reads of January…

Annie Uncategorized 5 Comments

For those of you who are looking for a fun read on these cold winter nights (and who happen to enjoy mysteries), here are my top two mystery/detective reads from the month of January:

Unnatural Death by Dorothy Sayers

An elderly lady dies—when her doctor was under the strong opinion she would live. Lord Peter Wimsey gets curious and stumbles upon a track of crime and murder. The intricate trail leads from a beautiful Hampshire village to a fashionable London flat–and many places in-between.

As a seasoned reader of hundreds of detective stories and mystery novels I have never (to my recollection) been so astounded at the “how” of the murder. My hat is off to the masterful and fresh method Dorothy Sayers cooked up for her plot of leaving no trace of murder on the body. It was clever and unique in a genre that abounds with repetition.

Sparkling dialogue and fun characters round out this delight of a novel. First published in 1927. Excellent detective fiction.

Lena Campbell never knew her grandfather—but she always dreamed of visiting Wyoming. When she receives word that her grandfather is dead and his Wyoming ranch belongs to her, she jumps at the chance.

Only later does she learn that her grandfather Garth McKay was murdered, and the murder is still unsolved.

Despite this shadow hanging over her, Lena thrives in her new life—and unexpectedly finds love there. Then a new revelation breaks the McKay murder case wide open again, and leaves her reeling…

A tranquil and cozy western mystery. It picks up speed and intensity in the second half, and I gladly stayed awake ’till past midnight to finish it. It feels very much like a cousin to a Mary Stewart mystery/suspense novel. But with all the fun of Louis L’Amour and Agatha Christie. A new favorite among Elisabeth Grace Foley’s works (author’s website for those interested). Published in 2020.

A most delightful read.

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