What is your favorite medieval mystery series?

I have always been compelled to read medieval mysteries in the summer. Probably just sheer escapism on my part, but I plan to indulge myself this summer by catching up on my favorites.  At the top of my list are the last two books in Michael Jecks' Knights Templar series, The Bishop Must Die and The Oath. The 30th book in this series, King's Gold, is due out in August. This series was recommended to me this past Christmas by a friend and retired librarian, and I am happy to pass on the recommendation.

I'd also recommend Susanna Gregory's Matthew Bartholomew series set in 14th century Cambridge, Sharan Newman's Catherine LeVendeur series set in 12th century France, and the Dame Frevisse series by Margaret Frazer set in 15th century Oxfordshire, England.

There are many more outstanding medieval mystery series and standalone novels. What are some of your picks?

For a complete list of books in mystery series, visit http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/

What are you reading?

Share your current book or the next one on your TBR pile!

I just started Blood Harvest by S.J. Bolton and The October Killings by Wessel Ebersohn is next.

RA for All: Around the World in 80 Murders: Pacific Islands an...

RA for All: Around the World in 80 Murders: Pacific Islands an...: "Sleuth your way around the world, explore novel destinations, and help catch a killer as you go… Around the World in 80 Murders Pacific ..."

RA for All: Around the World in 80 Murders: Western US and Can...

RA for All: Around the World in 80 Murders: Western US and Can...: "Sleuth your way around the world, explore novel destinations, and help catch a killer as you go… Around the World in 80 Murders Western U.S..."

Murder, Mystery & Mayhem: A Resource for Readers: June New Releases 2011 - Mystery, Crime, Thriller,...

Murder, Mystery & Mayhem: A Resource for Readers: June New Releases 2011 - Mystery, Crime, Thriller,...: "The Upright Piano Player by David Abbott The Ranger by Ace Atkins One Summer by David Baldacci Now You See Me by S. J. Bolton Tunnel..."

Reading in Reykjavík: List Love: More bookish pet peeves, detective novel and mystery version, revised version

Reading in Reykjavík: List Love: More bookish pet peeves, detective novel and mystery version, revised version

Jo Nesbø

Last year we read Redbreast by Norwegian writer Jo Nesbø, the first book featuring police detective Harry Hole to be translated into English.  Now, Nesbø's latest release, The Snowman, has become his first novel to become a bestseller in the United States even though he is a household name in most of Europe. For a complete list of the Harry Hole series, visit the author's website.

Trailer for The Snowman.

Case Histories by Kate Atkinson

Jackson Brodie #1

Jackson Brodie #2

Join us on June 22 at 6:30 pm for a discussion of Case Histories by Kate Atkinson, the first book in the Jackson Brodie series.  Copies of the book are available for checkout at the Newark Library. Visit Kate Atkinson's website for more information about her books.

Jackson Brodie #3

Jackson Brodie #4

If you can't attend the discussion, submit your comments or questions here.

Dog On It by Spencer Quinn

Seventeen of us met this week to discuss Dog On It by Spencer Quinn. This is the first book in the series featuring a canine narrator (Chet), who partners with his human (Bernie Little, P.I.) to solve crimes.

We have been meeting for 9½ years and until now we have avoided the whole talking cat and dog mystery genre, but the many positive reviews of this book prompted us to add it to our reading list.

From our discussion, it was clear that the book's appeal is not limited to just dog lovers, or animal lovers of any kind (with a few exceptions!). We all agreed that the author's ability to translate Chet's doggy thoughts and behavior was absolutely uncanny. 

Most of us thoroughly enjoyed the book as a nice change of pace and found it to be a funny, quick read--an ideal beach book. Only a few book group members knew prior to the meeting that Spencer Quinn is the pseudonym of New York Times' best-selling author Peter Abrahams.

A few members thought the plot was the weakest part of the book. Involvement of the Russian mob seemed overdone. As adorable as most of us found Chet to be,  a few members did not relish reading his thoughts for an entire book and thought his musings were repetitious ("Don't get me started on . . .") and -- for one cat lover at least -- insulting to cats. :)  For the record, the majority of the group loved Chet's insights.

This book did not inspire the impassioned discussion that we have with more serious titles and social themes.  However, the evening ended very nicely with members sharing anecdotes about some of the special dogs in their lives.


Book Rating:   3.8
Using our group's voting system on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the best possible.