The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard
The heroine of this novel, Capri Sanzio, is instantly likable and endearing to readers diving into this new book that successfully straddles the line between opposing tones. The topic of serial killers—Capri is the Granddaughter of “Overkill Bill”—has real gravitas, but Chouinard counterpoints this with a lighter air of freshness that keeps things from getting too gloomy. When Capri and her daughter become suspects in a recent murder, the hunt for the real killer begins. Peppering the book with details about real San Fransisco killers is an effective way to structure the novel’s timeline. There’s a nice balance of teamwork in this novel—while keeping the central focus on Capri—whom readers will certainly hope to see again in future books.
The Case of the Missing Maid by Rob Osler
The author of the Hayden & Friends quozy series turns his pen to historical mystery without losing the LGBTQ+ focus. Harriet Morrow is the first female operative for the Prescott Detective Agency and she is a force to reckon with from the moment she first hits the page. As he does so successfully in his light-hearted series, Osler weaves the history and concerns of the LGBTQ+ community into the plot in a way that never feels preachy. And with this new book, he also includes the plight of immigrants—namely the Polish population—making the book feel as timely as ever. Harriet proves herself a worthy edition to 19th century female detectives and surely she will be back for future adventures.
The Close-up by Pip Drysdale
Pip Drysdale crafts a plotline that will intrigue even the most jaded crime fiction readers. Zoe Ann Weiss is a writer whose debut novel—a thriller about a stalker—is an unmitigated failure. But with a two-book deal, she must figure out what to write next, while working a delivery gig to help pay the bills. When she delivers flowers to her ex, it spurs a series of events that makes both Zoe and her first novel go viral on social media. At which point, the violent scenes in Zoe’s book start to happen in real life. Now that her life is in danger, her previous problems seem inconsequential. Despite the contemporary vibe of Drysdale’s novel, it also has a retro feel that will entice fans of Jackie Collins and other insider-Hollywood authors who know that beneath the glitz and glamour lies a cesspool of sin and corruption.
Scotzilla by Catriona McPherson
Fans of the Last Ditch cozy mystery series have been waiting for this day—Lexy Campbell is getting married and everything is going to go completely smoothly. HA! As if. When a dead body halts the festivities the Last Ditch gang must band together to figure out who killed Sister Sunshine. As always in this beloved series, McPherson blends the comical with the heartfelt in skilled manner—keeping the reader invested while planting clues and red herrings around every corner, including the local graveyard. In many ways this one feels like the conclusion of one chapter in Lexy’s life and the start of a whole new series of adventures for both her and her friends.
Everyone this Christmas has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson
Stevenson is able to take all the things that make his full-length novels so successful—the meta nature of the narrative, the endearing and quirky characters, and the labyrinthine mystery puzzle plots—and distills it down to a novella size, perfect for a holiday-themed reading experience. This time Ernest Cunningham is attending a famous Christmas magic show when a body (or two) appears out of the blue. Structured around the holiday tradition of the Advent Calendar, this one again harkens to the Golden Age of Mystery with a clever locked-room murder and seven very likely suspects. Make a cup of cocoa, turn on some Christmas carols, and settle in for a few hours to read this gift to all crime fiction readers.
