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 Book
Sense 76 Picks
These are the 10
most noteworthy new and recent Mystery books, as compiled from hundreds
of recommendations by independent booksellers across America. One bookseller's
quote has been chosen to represent each of these top vote-getters.
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 The
Shape of Snakes
by Walters,
Minette
(Putnam, $24.95, 0399147330) "M. Ranelagh is convinced one of her neighbors
on Garden Street is guilty of murder. Was it racism or greed that drove one of
them to leave poor Mad Annie Butts for dead in the gutter? Her compulsion to solve
this case is so magnetic that you are there with her every step of the way."
- Sheri Kraft, Alibi Books, Glenview, IL
In
a Strange City
by Lippman,
Laura
(Morrow, $24.00, 0380978180) "P.I. Tess Monaghan goes to wait for the 'Visitor'
at the annual birthday gathering at Poe's gravesite. She gets involved with more
strange visitors as well as being stalked herself. Lippman's high level of writing
is eloquent and holds your interest from beginning to end. This Poe-ish mystery
is a delight." - Mary Jane Weber, Town Book Store, Westfield, NJ
 Critical
Space
by Rucka,
Greg
(Bantam, $23.95, 0553801325) "Bodyguard Atticus Kodiak returns, this time
protecting a famous children's advocate. Read this masterful work. Read all of
his books. Buy them all at once because you'll consume them. Rucka deserves inclusion
on the same list as Connelly, Lehane, Burke and Pearson, masters all of the twisting,
morally complex, and reliably entertaining, crime story." - J.B. Dickey,
Seattle Mystery Bookshop, Seattle, WA
Total
Recall
by Paretsky,
Sara
(Delacorte, $25.95, 0385313667) "Loyal fans will be wowed by the latest V.I.
Warshawski mystery. When good friend and mentor Dr. Lotty Herschel is disturbed
by the appearance of an odd man claiming to be a Holocaust survivor and possible
relation, V.I. jumps into action and searches for the truth. Paretsky grabs us
and doesn't let go until the last word." - Marla Alexander, The Book Bin,
Northbrook, IL
 The
No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
by Smith,
Alexander McCall
(Columbia University Press, $13.00, 0748662529) "Hailed by the TLS as one
of 1998's International Books of the Year, this book is now available here. And
it is delightful, unusual and captivating. Precious Ramotswe has opened Botswana's
first and only detective agency staffed by women. Smith traverses this landscape
with an air of simplicity, euphony, and harmony, never patronizing Precious and
never boring the reader. I loved every word." - Barbara Peters, The Poisoned
Pen, Scottsdale, AZ
Cold
Blue Blood, The
by Handler,
David
(St. Martin's/Minotaur, $23.95, 0312280033) "The Edgar Award-winning author
of the Stewart Hoag mysteries delivers the first in what looks to be an even stronger
series, featuring New York film critic Mitch Berger and Connecticut homicide detective
Desiree Mitry. Intelligent, witty writing, and a fine whodunit. One of the best
mystery novels of the year!" - David Thompson, Murder By The Book, Houston,
TX
 Stormy
Weather
by Woods,
Paula L.
(Norton, $24.95, 0393020215) "This is a wonderfully complex police procedural
set in L.A. a few months after the riots, and it has dual themes: historical Black
Hollywood and corruption in the LAPD. Woods' story is tight and fascinating, and
heroine Charlotte Justice lives and works in both worlds. It was impossible to
put down!" - Jean Utley, Book 'em Mysteries, South Pasadena, CA
Blindsighted
by Slaughter,
Karin
(Morrow, $25.00, 0688174574) "A debut novel that mystery readers won't be
able to resist. Dark suspense, fast pace, twists and turns that won't let the
reader put this one aside. Pediatrician and county coroner Dr. Sara Linton is
an engaging and interesting character. Can't wait for the sequel!" - Regina
Lowry, Best of Books, Edmond, OK
 Too
High
by Hirschfeld,
Corson
(Forge, $25.95, 0765300117) "Unscrupulous artifact collectors, a wacky mountain
militia, rattlesnakes, and a guy who can do more drugs than...well, all play a
part in Too High. A well-written, offbeat mystery with Hiaasen-like characters."
- Jon Platt, Nonesuch Books, Scarborough, ME
Blue
by Padgett,
Abigail
(Mysterious Press, $12.95, 0446677027) "Padgett's first Blue McCarron mystery
is full of wit and excitement. The intricate plot challenges both Blue and the
reader, leading us through a maze of twists and turns. Fans of Laurie King will
delight in discovering this new series!" - Erik Swallow, Lambda Rising
Bookstore, Norfolk, VA
Further reading:
Top mystery authors
we've interviewed (or who have written something especially for us!):
Dana
Stabenow , Lewis
Shiner, P.J.
Grady, Tom
Nolan, Jonathan
Carroll, John
Searles, and James
Sallis.
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