A Killing of Innocents by Deborah Crombie

 

First Line: She stood looking down at her daughter, sleeping, damp hair tangled, her duvet kicked half off.

 

When a young doctor is found knifed to death in London's Russell Square, the first person Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid thinks of is his wife, Detective Inspector Gemma James, who's been assigned to a task force on knife crime. 

But Gemma and Detective Sergeant Melody Talbot quickly learn that, although Dr. Sasha Johnson doesn't fit the profile of the typical knife crime victim, she does have secrets. While Kincaid and his team (with the help of Gemma and Melody) untangle those secrets, another similar murder occurs. There's a killer stalking the dark streets of Bloomsbury, and even friendships will be put on the line in order to bring this murderer to justice.

~

It seems like a millennium since the last Kincaid & James mystery, but it was only four very long years. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed sinking back into Deborah Crombie's excellent series. A Killing of Innocents is what I've come to expect from Crombie: a compelling mystery guaranteed to test readers' deductive capabilities combined with one of the best ensemble casts in all of crime fiction.

Untangling all the secrets being kept by the dead woman and her circle of acquaintances is no guarantee that readers will be able to solve the mystery and identify the killer. I know that I'd had a couple of warning lights pop up with one of the characters, but-- I'm sorry to say-- I ignored them. This author does an excellent job of distracting me while making the solution to the mystery so logical. If only I'd paid attention!

Why wasn't I paying attention? Because of that world-class ensemble cast, that's why. Most writers-- no matter how talented they are-- have a limited cast of characters; a bit like my own small family which consisted of two grandparents, my mother, and me. A total of four. And that's fine. But there are some authors with wicked skills who can somehow populate an entire village with nuanced characters, characters who have their own lives, their own personalities, their own agendas. The most important skill is not just in creating this village of characters but in eliminating reader confusion. It's great to have so many wonderful characters just as long as readers don't get headaches trying to keep them all straight. Crombie is a magician when it comes to her characters.

If you're in the mood for a first-class mystery populated by characters who come to feel like family, pick up A Killing of Innocents. If you're a character-driven reader and new to the series, start at the beginning with A Share in Death. You're in for a treat, and I envy you for being able to experience it all for the first time.

 

Here's hoping that it's not another four years before I get to spend time with these characters again.

A Killing of Innocents by Deborah Crombie

eISBN: 9780062993502

William Morrow © 2023

eBook, 368 pages

 

Police Procedural, #19 Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James mystery

Rating: A

Source: Purchased from Amazon.

February 2023 New Mystery Releases!

 

It's been a rainy January here in the Sonoran Desert, which is a wonderful thing-- although Californians might disagree with me. I hope Mother Nature continues to give this desert I love gentle, soaking rains. Who knows? We may even have a super bloom of wildflowers this year, which is so gorgeous it has to be seen to be believed.

Of course, I'm well-known for multi-tasking. I'm able to stretch out on the daybed to read and watch it rain as well as keep my eyes peeled for the best new crime fiction being released throughout the month of February.

The following list contains my picks for the new mysteries you need to read. I've grouped them by their release dates, and I obtained their covers and synopses from my favorite showroom, Amazon.

Let's see if any of my choices are on your own lists...

=== February 1 ===

Title: Invitation to a Killer

Author: G.M. Malliet

Series: #2 in the crime writer Augusta Hawke series set in the Washington, D.C. area.

240 pages

Synopsis: "Callie Moore is no ordinary aspiring writer. Notorious wife of a Washington lobbyist, Callie believes no publicity is bad publicity and that publishing her scandalous memoirs will help her achieve her heart's desire: a diplomatic posting. She just needs crime novelist Augusta Hawke to be her ghostwriter.

It's hard to say no to Callie, but Augusta does agree to attend her dinner party. The guest list is impressive, and it's Augusta's chance to meet celebrity doctor Doc Burke. But before Augusta really gets a chance to chat with the famous humanitarian, the evening ends in his untimely death.

Signs point to a heart attack, but Augusta isn't convinced. Especially when his niece tells Augusta about the mystery woman who claimed the doctor's remains.

Augusta decides to host a writers' retreat and invite all the suspects, most of whom are connected in some way with writing. Isn't that what Agatha Christie would do? But the remote lodge soon becomes snowed in and the group starts to crack when it becomes clear the killer may not be finished killing. Can Augusta flush out the culprit before anyone else gets hurt?"

=== February 7 ===

Title: Wined and Died in New Orleans

Author: Ellen Byron

Series: #2 in the Vintage Cookbook cozy series set in New Orleans, Louisiana.

288 pages

 

*Upcoming review on Kittling: Books.

 

Synopsis: "It’s hurricane season in New Orleans and vintage cookbook fan Ricki James-Diaz is trying to shelve her weather-related fears and focus on her business, Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware Shop, housed in the magnificent Bon Vee Culinary House Museum.
 
Repairs on the property unearth crates of very old, very valuable French wine, buried by the home’s builder, Jean-Louis Charbonnet. Ricki, who’s been struggling to attract more customers to Miss Vee’s, is thrilled when her post about the discovery of this long-buried treasure goes viral. She’s less thrilled when the post brings distant Charbonnet family members out of the woodwork, all clamoring for a cut of the wine’s sale.
 
When a dead body turns up in Bon Vee’s cheery fall decorations, the NOPD zeroes in on Eugenia Charbonnet Felice as the prime suspect, figuring that as head of the Charbonnet family, she has the most to gain. Ricki is determined to uncover the real culprit, but she can’t help noticing that Eugenia is acting strangely. Ricki wonders what kind of secret her mentor has bottled up, and fears what might happen if she uncorks it.
 
In the second Vintage Cookbook Mystery, Ricki has to help solve a murder, untangle family secrets, and grow her business, all while living under the threat of a hurricane that could wipe out everything from her home to Bon Vee."

 

 

Title: Last Seen in Lapaz

Author: Kwei Quartey

Series: #3 in the Emma Djan private investigator series set in Ghana.

360 pages

 

*Upcoming review on Kittling: Books.

 

Synopsis: "Just as things at work are slowing down for PI Emma Djan, an old friend of her boss’s asks for help locating his missing daughter. According to her father, Ngozi had a bright future ahead of her when she became secretive and withdrawn. Suddenly, all she wanted to do was be with her handsome new beau, Femi, instead of attending law school in the fall. So when she disappears from her parents’ house in Nigeria the middle of a summer night, they immediately suspect Femi was behind it and have reason to believe the pair has fled to Accra.

During Emma’s first week on the case, Femi is found murdered at his opulent residence in Accra. There are no signs of Ngozi at the scene, and fearing the worst, Emma digs further, discovering that Femi was part of a network of sex traffickers across West Africa.

Emma must figure out which of Femi’s many enemies killed him, but more urgently, she must find Ngozi before she, too, is murdered in cold blood."

 

 

Title: Sentenced to Death

Author: Betty Hechtman

Series: #3 in the Writer for Hire cozy series set in Illinois.

224 pages

 

Synopsis: "When writer for hire Veronica Blackstone is asked to write the copy for The Friends of Hyde Park's annual house and garden tour, she never expects to get involved in a violent death. But that's exactly what happens when famous author Landon Donte is found dead in his study during a dinner to highlight the tour.

With his career on the wane, and apparently having deleted his last manuscript, it looks as though Landon committed suicide. But Veronica isn't so sure. She discovers that left-handed Landon was killed by someone right-handed and becomes convinced someone murdered him.

It's true that Landon had many enemies: his rival and neighbor, bestselling romance author RL Lincoln; his put-upon assistant, Brad; even his own daughter! But are any of them capable of murder? Veronica is determined to uncover the truth."

 

 

Title: A Killing of Innocents

Author: Deborah Crombie

Series: #19 in the Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James police procedurals set in England.

368 pages

 

Synopsis: "On a rainy November evening, trainee doctor Sasha Johnson hurries through the evening crowd in London's historic Russell Square. Out of the darkness, someone jostles her as they brush past. A moment later, Sasha stumbles, then collapses. When Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his sergeant, Doug Cullen, are called to the scene, they discover that she's been stabbed. 

Kincaid immediately calls in his detective wife, Gemma James, who has recently been assigned to a task force on knife crimes which are on the rise. Along with her partner, detective sergeant Melody Talbot, Gemma aids the investigation. But Sasha Johnson doesn’t fit the profile of the task force’s typical knife crime victim. Single, successful, career-driven, she has no history of abusive relationships or any connection to gangs. Sasha had her secrets, though, and some of them lead the detectives uncomfortably close to home.

As the team unravels the victim's tangled connections, another murder raises the stakes. Kincaid, Gemma, and their colleagues must put even friendships on the line to find the killer stalking the dark streets of Bloomsbury."

 

 

Title: Playing Dead

Author: Peggy Rothschild

Series: #2 in the former PI Molly Madison cozy series set in California.

304 pages

 

Synopsis: "Molly Madison has barely had a moment to catch her breath after moving to the sleepy beach town she now calls home. But as a former PI, she can’t help but notice the odd chemistry between members of Playtime Academy on the first day she and her loyal Saint Bernadoodle, Noodle, and golden retriever, Harlow, visit. When a trainer’s body is found on-site, Molly knows it’s her duty to put her ex-police skills to use. She can’t say no to temporarily taking in the deceased woman’s dog, either—not with those puppy dog eyes.

Relationships at the training facility are not as clean as the prize-winning agility runs, making it difficult for Molly to get a leash on potential suspects. And her personal life is just as messy—her boyfriend is hiding something, her agoraphobic neighbor needs help, and her number of four-legged friends keep growing as she agrees to dogsit a wriggly local French bulldog.
 
When Molly’s friend is arrested for the murder, she’s not sure who to believe anymore. Is the case as simple as the local cops make it seem, or is something more devious afoot?" 

=== February 14 ===

 

 

Title: The Cliff's Edge

Author: Charles Todd

Series: #13 in the Bess Crawford historical mystery series set in post-World War I England.

320 pages

 

Synopsis: "Restless and uncertain of her future in the wake of World War I, former battlefield nurse Bess Crawford agrees to travel to Yorkshire to help a friend of her cousin Melinda through surgery. But circumstances change suddenly when news of a terrible accident reaches them. Bess agrees to go to isolated Scarfdale and the Neville family, where one man has been killed and another gravely injured. The police are asking questions, and Bess is quickly drawn into the fray as two once close families take sides, even as they are forced to remain in the same house until the inquest is completed.

 

When another tragedy strikes, the police are ready to make an arrest. Bess struggles to keep order as tensions rise and shots are fired. What dark truth is behind these deaths? And what about the tale of an older murder—one that doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the Nevilles? Bess is unaware that when she passes the story on to Cousin Melinda, she will set in motion a revelation with the potential to change the lives of those she loves most—her parents, and her dearest friend, Simon Brandon…" 

=== February 21 ===

Title: Irish Knit Murder

Author: Peggy Ehrhart

Series: #8 in the Knit & Nibble cozy series set in New Jersey.

304 pages

 

Synopsis: "The Listers have been part of Arborville society for generations—though seventy-something Isobel Lister doesn’t fit the role of upper-crust heiress. She’s always been a colorful character, and her fun-loving spirit is on display at the senior center celebration as she performs some beloved Irish songs. But just minutes later, her body is found backstage.

It’s hard to imagine who’d target such a harmless eccentric, but Pamela finds herself suspecting everyone. There’s the Wiccan who thought St. Patrick wasn’t so saintly; the woman upset about cultural appropriation who feels the commercialization of shamrocks is a sham; the two men Isobel was seeing, who could have been green with jealousy—and old friends and family who may have feared Isobel would spill their secrets. But Pamela’s on the case, and that means for the killer, the jig will soon be up . . ."

 

 

Title: Sea Castle

Author: Andrew Mayne

Series: #4 in the Underwater Investigation Unit series set in Florida.

315 pages

 

*Upcoming review on Kittling: Books.

 

Synopsis: "When a young woman washes ashore on a Fort Lauderdale beach, Sloan McPherson of the Underwater Investigation Unit is called in to consult. Sloan’s instinct says murder, but even then, there are too many questions.

For answers she reaches out to Gwen Wylder. The Miami homicide detective is notorious for being manipulative, bitter, a tyrant to her peers, and wicked smart. And she demands something in return from Sloan: fresh insight into seemingly unrelated cold-case murders and disappearances―and a possible serial killer trolling the Florida coast.

As loose ends of the old files begin to come together, another woman disappears. Sloan and Gwen are certain she’s the newest link in a deadly chain. They are determined to track her down before she dies, but they soon find themselves in uncharted waters. And the deeper Sloan and Gwen go, the stranger the case gets." 

 

 

February is another one of the months that I love where there's something for everyone. If there's one book on my list that I'm the most excited about, it's Deborah Crombie's A Killing of Innocents. It's been much too long since there's been a new Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James mystery!

 

What about you? Are any of these books on your own lists? Which ones? You know that inquiring minds would love to know!

On My Radar: Deborah Crombie's A Killing of Innocents!

 

I think we all have favorite authors who just don't write fast enough to suit us, and Deborah Crombie is one of those authors for me. I love her Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James police procedural series set in England, both for the stories and for the wonderful cast of characters. So... you know what I did when I learned there was a new installment in the pipeline. Happy Dance!

 

Let me tell you more about it (because I know some of you have to be Crombie fans, too)!

 

 

Available February 7, 2023!

 

Synopsis: 

 

"On a rainy November evening, a young woman hurries through the crowd in London’s historic Russell Square. Out of the darkness, someone jostles her, then brushes past. A moment later, she stumbles, collapsing against a tree. When a young mother finds her body and alerts the police, Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his sergeant, Doug Cullen, are called to the scene. The victim, Sasha Johnson, is a trainee doctor at a nearby hospital, and she’s been stabbed.

Kincaid immediately calls his detective wife, Gemma James, who has recently been assigned to a task force on knife crime. Along with her partner, detective sergeant Melody Talbot, Gemma joins the investigation. But Sasha Johnson doesn’t fit the profile of the typical knife crime victim. Single, successful, daughter of a black professional family, she has no history of abusive relationships or any connection to gangs. She had her secrets, though, and Kincaid uncovers an awkward connection to his Notting Hill friends Wesley and Betty Howard.

As the detectives unravel Sasha’s tangled relationships, another stabbing puts London in a panic, and Kincaid’s team needs all their resources to find the killer stalking the dark streets of Bloomsbury." 

 

Sounds like another good'un from Deborah Crombie. Which reminds me-- if you love mystery series like Elly Griffiths' Dr. Ruth Galloway that have excellent stories and a rich, deep cast of characters, and you have yet to make the acquaintance of Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James, I urge you to begin at the beginning and gobble up this marvelous series. I envy you all the reading you have ahead of you.

A Bitter Feast by Deborah Crombie

First Line: She'd never been much of a sleeper.

Scotland Yard Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his wife, Detective Inspector Gemma James, are all set for a relaxing weekend in one of the most famed and popular areas of England: the Cotswolds. Duncan, Gemma, and their three children will be staying at Beck House, the family estate of Gemma's detective sergeant, Melody Talbot. It will be Gemma's first time staying in a country house owned by a wealthy, prominent family, and she's a bit nervous about it all. (Are the kids going to behave? Will she behave?)

The centerpiece of the weekend is a charity luncheon catered by Viv Holland, an up-and-coming chef. With this luncheon being attended by the local movers-and-shakers as well as national press food bloggers and restaurant critics, this event could make Viv a star.

But a tragic car accident and a series of mysterious deaths put Duncan and Gemma right at the heart of the investigation. The killer seems to have a connection with Viv's pub and Beck House itself. Will Duncan and Gemma find the truth in the past, or in the tangled relationships between the staff at Beck House and Viv's pub? Or is it even more personal still?

If anyone asked me to name my top five mystery series, Deborah Crombie's Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James books would be on that list. A Bitter Feast is an absorbing mystery with an added bonus or two: one, Kincaid, James, and their three children get to leave London for a while; two, readers get to wander along the narrow lanes of a beautiful area of England; and three, any foodie worth their salt is going to appreciate the mouthwatering menus Crombie serves up.

It is my firm belief that Deborah Crombie has been liberally sprinkled with fairy dust. She has a way of telling a story that quite simply makes it a pleasure to read. The mysteries are always good, and the one in A Bitter Feast is no exception. A fatal car wreck ratchets up the tension, not only concerning the identity of a fatality but also concerning the well-being of one of the main characters.

But I have to admit that a lot of Crombie's fairy dust has been sprinkled on the power of her characterizations. Her ensemble cast is superb, and at the moment, I cannot think of anyone else in crime fiction who does it better. By this eighteenth book in the series, these characters have become personal friends. Readers have seen them grow. They've seen them overcome tragedy and experience extreme happiness. Moreover, readers have watched Duncan and Gemma's three children grow. Each child has his or her own personality and life, and each one is fully capable of adding to the story without taking it over. In A Bitter Feast among other things, they provide quite a contrast to Viv Holland's troubled young daughter.

Crombie fans, rejoice! The wait is over and you have another wonderful mystery to carry you off into your happy place. For those of you who have yet to experience a Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James mystery, there's no time like the present. Since the characters' lives are central to the series, I recommend starting with the very first book, A Share in Death. You have so much wonderful reading ahead of you that I'm a tad envious!

A Bitter Feast by Deborah Crombie

eISBN: 9780062271686

William Morrow © 2019

eBook, 384 pages

Police Procedural, #18 Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James mystery

Rating: A

Source: Net Galley


 

October 2019 New Mystery Releases!

Another summer has flown past with the speed of light. It brought me some mighty fine books to read amongst many other blessings. I have so many things to look forward to this fall, but I have to admit that my anticipation is dulled somewhat by the loss of my dearest friend in September.

Comfort can be found in routine; however, and what better comfort for a voracious reader than keeping an eye peeled for new crime fiction that is going to be released?

I've grouped my picks according to their release dates and give you a little information about each one. Book covers and synopses are courtesy of Amazon.



Let's see if I managed to include a title or two that will make it onto your own wishlists!

=== October 1 ===

Title: Dachshund Through the Snow

Author: David Rosenfelt

Series: #20 in the Andy Carpenter legal mystery series set in New Jersey. 

352 pages

Synopsis: "Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his wife, Laurie, have started a new Christmas tradition. Their local pet store has a Christmas tree, where instead of ornaments there are wishes from those in need. One poignant wish leads Andy to a child named Danny, whose selfless plea strikes a chord. Danny asked Santa for a coat for his mother, a sweater for his dachshund, Murphy, and for the safe return of his missing father.

It turns out Danny’s father doesn't want to be found, he’s on the run after just being arrested for a murder that took place fourteen years ago – a murder that Danny’s mother swears he didn’t commit.

With his trademark humor and larger-than-life characters – including a police officer and his K-9 partner, Simon – Rosenfelt never fails to deliver as Andy and his eccentric crew dash to reunite a family in time for Christmas."

Title: A House of Ghosts

Author: W.C. Ryan

Standalone Gothic thriller set in England.

384 pages

Synopsis: "Winter 1917. As the First World War enters its most brutal phase, back home in England, everyone is seeking answers to the darkness that has seeped into their lives. At Blackwater Abbey, on an island off the Devon coast, armaments manufacturer Lord Highmount has arranged a spiritualist gathering to contact his two sons, both of whom died at the front.

Among the guests, two have been secretly dispatched from the intelligence service: Kate Cartwright, a friend of the family who lost her beloved brother at the Somme and who, in the realm of the spiritual, has her own special gift; and the mysterious Captain Donovan, recently returned from Europe. Top secret plans for weapons developed by Lord Highmount’s company have turned up in Berlin, and there is reason to believe enemy spies will be in attendance. As the guests arrive, it becomes clear that each has something they would rather keep hidden. Then, when a storm descends, they find themselves trapped on the island. Soon one of their number will die. For Blackwater Abbey is haunted in more ways than one . . . .

An unrelenting, gripping mystery, packed with twists and turns and a kindling of romance, A House of Ghosts is the perfect cold-weather read."

=== October 8 ===

Title: A Bitter Feast

Author: Deborah Crombie

Series: #18 in the Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James police procedural series set in England.

384 pages

*Upcoming review on Kittling: Books.

Synopsis: "Scotland Yard Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his wife, Detective Inspector Gemma James, have been invited for a relaxing weekend in the Cotswolds, one of Britain’s most enchanting regions, famous for its rolling hills, golden cottages, and picturesque villages.

Duncan, Gemma, and their children are guests at Beck House, the family estate of Melody Talbot, Gemma’s detective sergeant. The Talbot family is wealthy, prominent, and powerful—Melody’s father is the publisher of one of London’s largest and most influential newspapers. The centerpiece of this glorious fall getaway is a posh charity harvest luncheon catered by up-and-coming chef Viv Holland. After fifteen years in London’s cut-throat food scene, Viv has returned to the Gloucestershire valleys of her childhood and quickly made a name for herself with her innovative meals based on traditional cuisine but using fresh local ingredients. Attended by the local well-to-do as well as national press food bloggers and restaurant critics, the event could make Viv a star.

But a tragic car accident and a series of mysterious deaths rock the estate and pull Duncan and Gemma into the investigation. It soon becomes clear that the killer has a connection with Viv’s pub—or, perhaps, with Beck House itself.

Does the truth lie in the past? Or is it closer to home, tied up in the tangled relationships and bitter resentments between the staff at Beck House and Viv’s new pub? Or is it more personal, entwined with secrets hidden by Viv and those closest to her?" 

=== October 15 ===

Title: The Art of Theft

Author: Sherry Thomas

Series: #4 in the Lady Sherlock historical series set in England.

304 pages

Synopsis: "As "Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective," Charlotte Holmes has solved murders and found missing individuals. But she has never stolen a priceless artwork—or rather, made away with the secrets hidden behind a much-coveted canvas.

But Mrs. Watson is desperate to help her old friend recover those secrets and Charlotte finds herself involved in a fever-paced scheme to infiltrate a glamorous Yuletide ball where the painting is one handshake away from being sold and the secrets a bare breath from exposure.

Her dear friend Lord Ingram, her sister Livia, Livia's admirer Stephen Marbleton—everyone pitches in to help and everyone has a grand time. But nothing about this adventure is what it seems and disaster is biding time on the grounds of a glittering French chateau, waiting only for Charlotte to make a single mistake..."

=== October 22 ===

Title: A Cruel Deception

Author: Charles Todd

Series: #11 in the Bess Crawford historical series set in England.

320 pages

Synopsis: "The Armistice of November 1918 ended the fighting, but the Great War will not be over until a Peace Treaty is drawn up and signed by all parties. Representatives from the Allies are gathering in Paris, and already ominous signs of disagreement have appeared.

Sister Bess Crawford, who has been working with the severely wounded in England in the war’s wake, is asked to carry out a personal mission in Paris for a Matron at the London headquarters of The Queen Alexandra’s.

Bess is facing decisions about her own future, even as she searches for the man she is charged with helping.  When she does locate Lawrence Minton, she finds a bitter and disturbed officer who has walked away from his duties at the Peace Conference and is well on his way toward an addiction to opiates. When she confronts him with the dangers of using laudanum, he tells her that he doesn’t care if he lives or dies, as long as he can find oblivion. But what has changed him? What is it that haunts him? He can’t confide in Bess—because the truth is so deeply buried in his mind that he can only relive it in nightmares. The officers who had shared a house with him in Paris profess to know nothing—still, Bess is reluctant to trust them even when they offer her their help. But where to begin on her own?

What is driving this man to a despair so profound it can only end with death? The war? Something that happened in Paris? To prevent a tragedy, she must get at the truth as quickly as possible—which means putting herself between Lieutenant Minton and whatever is destroying him. Or is it whoever?"

Title: Strangers at the Gate

Author: Catriona McPherson

Standalone thriller set in Scotland.

368 pages

Synopsis: "Finnie Doyle and Paddy Lamb are leaving city life in Edinburgh behind them and moving to the little town of Simmerton. Paddy's been made partner at the law firm in town, and Finnie has snagged a job as a church deacon. Their rented cottage is quaint; their new colleagues are charming, and they can't believe their luck.

But only days after moving into the gatehouse, Finnie begins to have doubts. She keeps hearing strange sounds, and the thicket of trees make her feel claustrophobic rather than safe. When they witness the bloody aftermath of a brutal murder, it changes everything. They've each been keeping secrets about their pasts. And they both know their precious new start won't survive a scandal. Together, for the best of reasons, they make the worst decision of their lives.

And that's only the beginning. The deep, deep valley where Simmerton sits is unlike anywhere Finnie and Paddy have been before. They are not the only ones hiding in its shadow and very soon they've lost control of the game they decided to play..."

Title: The Night Fire

Author: Michael Connelly

Series: #4 in the Renée Ballard & #22 in the Harry Bosch police procedural series set in Los Angeles.

416 pages

Synopsis: "Back when Harry Bosch was just a rookie homicide detective, he had an inspiring mentor who taught him to take the work personally and light the fire of relentlessness for every case. Now that mentor, John Jack Thompson, is dead, but after his funeral, his widow gives Bosch a murder book that Thompson took with him when he left the LAPD 20 years before -- the unsolved killing of a troubled young man in an alley used for drug deals.

Bosch brings the murder book to Renée Ballard and asks her to help him find what about the case lit Thompson's fire all those years ago. That will be their starting point.

The bond between Bosch and Ballard tightens as they become a formidable investigative team. And they soon arrive at a worrying question: Did Thompson steal the murder book to work the case in retirement, or to make sure it never got solved?" 

=== October 29 ===

Title: Shot Through the Hearth

Author: Kate Carlisle

Series: #7 in the Shannon Hammer cozy series set in northern California.

304 pages

*Upcoming review on Kittling: Books.

Synopsis: "Shannon's good friend and retired tech billionaire, Raphael Nash, is loving his new retired life but he can't stay unoccupied for too long. He's started the Marigold Foundation that helps fund small companies and individuals who do humanitarian work around the world. It's an exciting time in Lighthouse Cove as Raphael hosts the first-ever global conference inviting big thinkers from every area of industry to give presentations on eco-living.

Raphael's old business partner arrives in town with a grudge and a plan to steal him away from his important new passion project. Shannon knows her friend has no intention of giving up Marigold and is proud of Raphael for sticking to his guns. But when his former associate winds up dead, all signs point to Raphael.

It's up to Shannon to hammer out the details of the murder before her friend gets pinned for the crime..."

Title: Silent Knit, Deadly Knit

Author: Peggy Ehrhart

Series: #4 in the Knit & Nibble cozy series set in New Jersey.

304 pages

*Upcoming review on Kittling: Books.

Synopsis: "Pamela has been in merry spirits since her artsy daughter Penny returned home from college for the holidays. But their mother-daughter bonding time gets cut short when a terrified Penny stumbles upon the dumped body of Millicent Farthingale, a wealthy craft shop owner who was popular for all the wrong reasons. From a scheming business partner to a seedy husband several years her junior, Millicent attracted scammers so in love with her assets, they’d toss her down a chimney to get their paws on them. Now, with only a hand-knit red scarf connecting the killer to the crime, Pamela and the Knit and Nibblers could use some extra creativity as they find out who’s really naughty or nice in Arborville—because going up against a looming culprit is DIY or die!"

=== October 31 ===

Title: A Body in the Bookshop

Author: Helen Cox

Series: #2 in the Kitt Hartley Yorkshire cozy series set in England.

304 pages

*Upcoming review on Kittling: Books.

Synopsis: "It's nearly Christmas in York, but it seems the season of goodwill hasn't touched everyone... 

When DS Charlotte Banks is suspended from the police on suspicion of assaulting a suspect in the burglary of a local bookshop, librarian Kitt Harley and her friend Evie Bowes refuse to believe she is guilty. But why is she being framed?

With Charlotte's boss DI Malcolm Halloran unable to help, Evie decides to take matters into her own hands. Kitt takes little persuading to get involved too - after all, as well as Charlotte's career to save, there are missing books to be found!

From the tightknit community of York's booksellers to the most gossipy bus route in the country, Kitt and Evie leave no stone unturned to get at the truth behind the burglary.

Then the discovery of a body raises the stakes even higher. For Evie, and now Kitt, this case is as personal as it gets. Can they catch the murderer in time to turn a bleak midwinter into something merry and bright?"

Title: The Case of the Reincarnated Client

Author: Tarquin Hall

Series: #5 in the Vish Puri Private Investigator series set in India.

240 pages

*UK Release*

Synopsis: "When a young woman comes forward saying she's the reincarnation of Riya Kaur, a wife and mother who vanished during the bloody 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Puri is dismissive. He's busy enough dealing with an irate matrimonial client whose daughter is complaining about her groom's thunderous snoring. Puri's indomitable Mummy-ji however is adamant the client is genuine. How else could she so accurately describe under hypnosis Riya Kaur's life and final hours? Driven by a sense of duty - the original case was his late father's - Puri manages to acquire the police file only to find that someone powerful has orchestrated a cover-up. Forced into an alliance with his mother that tests his beliefs and high blood pressure as never before, it's only by delving into the past the help of his reincarnated client that Puri can hope to unlock the truth."

So many good new books for October! Which ones made it to your own wishlists? Inquiring minds would love to know!

On My Radar: Deborah Crombie's A Bitter Feast

I fell in love with Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James the second I picked up the first book in Deborah Crombie's remarkable series, A Share in Death, which means that Deborah Crombie has been an "Auto-Buy" author for me for a long time.

It's been two years since the last book in the series, Garden of Lamentations, and those two years have simply d-r-a-g-g-e-d! You can imagine my happy dance when I learned that the newest Kincaid & James mystery will be released in October. Let's find out more about A Bitter Feast, shall we?

Available October 8, 2019!

Synopsis: "Scotland Yard Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and his wife, Detective Inspector Gemma James, have been invited for a relaxing weekend in the tranquil Cotswolds, one of Britain’s most beautiful and historic regions, famous for its rolling hills, sheep-strewn green meadows, golden cottages, and timeless villages that retain the spirit of old England.

Duncan, Gemma, and their children are guests at Beck House, the country estate belonging to the family of Melody Talbot, Gemma’s trusted detective sergeant. No ordinary farmers, the Talbots are wealthy and prominent with ties to Britain’s most powerful and influential. A centerpiece of this glorious fall getaway is a posh charity luncheon catered by up-and-coming chef Viv Holland. After more than a decade in London, Viv has returned to her native Gloucestershire, making a name for herself with her innovative, mouthwatering use of the local bounty. Attended by several dozen of the area’s well-to-do, as well as national food bloggers and restaurant critics, the event could make Viv a star.

But a tragic car accident followed by a series of mysterious deaths could ruin her ascent. Each piece of information that surfaces makes it clear that the killer had a connection with Viv’s pub—and perhaps with Beck House itself.

Does the truth lie in the past? Or is it more immediate, woven into the tangled relationships and bitter resentments swirling among the staff at Beck House and at Viv’s pub? Or is it even more personal, entwined with secrets hidden by Viv, her business partner Bea Abbot, and Viv’s eleven-year-old daughter Grace?
Further revelations rock the Talbots’ estate and pull Duncan and Gemma and their colleagues into the investigation. With so much at stake both personally and professionally, especially for Melody Talbot, finding the killer becomes one of the team’s most crucial cases."


Sounds like a good'un, doesn't it? How many of you are already Deborah Crombie fans? If you aren't acquainted with Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James, I can't recommend this series highly enough!

Garden of Lamentations by Deborah Crombie

First Line: She stood at the bus stop, shuffling her feet.

The two investigations that Scotland Yard detectives Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James find themselves involved with could easily have disturbing and even deadly consequences in their personal lives. 

Gemma has been called in to help with the investigation into the death of a young woman who was found in one of Notting Hill's private gardens. Reagan Keating was the nanny of a child who attends the same dance class as Gemma and Duncan's son, Toby.

While Gemma tries to solve Reagan's murder, Duncan finds himself with many unsettling questions about cases involving members of Scotland Yard. If he's right and the crimes are all linked, are his family and friends in danger? When an officer close to him is brutally attacked and left for dead, Duncan knows he's right. But is there anyone he can trust who can help him?

It's been a long three years between the publication of To Dwell in Darkness and this latest Kincaid and James mystery, Garden of Lamentations. Crombie's series has been one of my favorites since I read the very first book, so getting this latest installment was a major priority. I'd barely started reading when I found myself sinking into the magic of a good story and one of the best casts of characters in fiction.

There was a very palpable feeling of danger around Duncan, and since he felt as though he couldn't confide in Gemma, this led to some strain and bitterness on Gemma's part. And speaking of Gemma-- I do love the way she treats witnesses during her investigations. There's such a gentleness and compassion to the way she behaves that I think I'd be telling her all my deep dark secrets within five minutes. 

Duncan's plotline held most of the danger while Gemma's gave us an intimate look at the families living in those London homes that share a private garden. In their relationships and behavior, the families sharing one of those gardens are a microcosm of London. Both investigations compliment each other very well, and with an interesting proposal by Kincaid's parents at the end of the book, here I am in a very familiar position: waiting eagerly for Deborah Crombie's next book!
   

Garden of Lamentations by Deborah Crombie

ISBN: 9780062271631

William Morrow © 2017

Hardcover, 432 pages

Police Procedural, #17 Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James mystery

Rating: A

Source: Purchased at The Poisoned Pen.


 

Deborah Crombie & Charles Todd at The Poisoned Pen!

When it was time to hop in the Jeep and head on over to The Poisoned Pen, I had to wonder what the turnout would be like for Deborah Crombie and the mother-son writing team of Charles Todd. You see, it was raining, and I never know how Phoenicians are going to jump when rain is on the menu. I was thinking that, with such a stellar lineup, most people weren't going to let a little rain keep them away from my favorite bookstore. I was right. It was another event when Poisoned Pen staff members had to keep bringing out more chairs.

Many people who only occasionally come to The Poisoned Pen do not realize that the authors are in another room busily signing all the mail order books before the event begins. Sometimes the piles of to-be-signed books are huge, so this means that host Barbara Peters has to chat with us for a few minutes. I never mind because she always has something interesting to say. This time it was what Scottsdale was like in 1950, the year that Barbara moved here. Scottsdale had not been incorporated yet. There were only two paved roads, and you had to take a buckboard from Sky Harbor Airport to the Camelback Inn. Needless to say, Scottsdale and the entire metropolitan area has experienced unbelievable change since then!

Barbara had taken the Todds around on a tour of some of the museums in the area, which is when she discovered that Caroline Todd has a penchant for buying jewelry in museum gift shops. While Peters was talking, I was cognizant of Mark Pryor, who had flown in from Austin, Texas, the day before to interview Ian Rankin ("It was a mob scene, and we sold out of books!") and of Jenn McKinlay who was sitting behind me. She was there for fellow Jungle Red writer Crombie. 

L to R: Caroline Todd, Charles Todd, Barbara Peters, Deborah Crombie

When the event for Rankin was mentioned, David Todd (yes, David is his real name) said, "I attended an event for Ian Rankin and Val McDermid. That was so much fun!"

Talk swiftly moved to books, beginning with the Todds' Racing the Devil, the nineteenth Ian Rutledge mystery. "Racing the Devil has one of the most chilling villains I've ever read!" Peters commented. Then it was Crombie's turn to introduce Garden of Lamentations. "It's a locked garden mystery," she said. "How many of you have seen the movie Notting Hill?" Several of us raised our hands. "So you're a bit familiar with the private gardens in London that only residents have access to. I just want you to know that Cornwall Garden does not exist. I walked all over to find the perfect garden in which to set the book, then I decided to create my own and plop it down where some ugly council flats are.

Deborah Crombie

"I also want to apologize to all of you," she continued. "I know it's been much longer between books!" (Many heads were nodding agreement in the audience.) "When I was finished, I turned in a 650-page manuscript. My editor told me, 'You do know that this could be two 300-page books?' I did realize this, but I liked the interweaving of the stories and wanted to keep it as one book.

"This is the first time that I've written a book with two separate cases that do not mesh, although I do feel that they mesh emotionally."

Caroline Todd said, "I received an early copy of this, and I loved it!" We then discovered that Caroline likes to send messages to authors that mark her progress through their books. "She's a mad texter!" Crombie laughed.  

"You'll find as you read Garden of Lamentations that lots of things were done in the upper echelons of the Metropolitan Police to save face," Crombie said. "I also loved the references to yummy mummies!" Peters commented. Crombie laughed. "Yes, areas like Notting Hill are very posh places to live, and you see them everywhere." (For those of you seeking to increase your British slang vocabulary, a yummy mummy is a slang term used in the United Kingdom to describe young, attractive and wealthy mothers with rich, high-powered husbands.) 

Caroline & David, who write as Charles Todd

Back to Racing the Devil, it's November 1920 for Inspector Ian Rutledge. Caroline told us that the timeline of the books has deliberately been taken very slowly because of Rutledge dealing with his problems. ("Shell shock" then would be referred to as PTSD now.) If each book had represented a year in Rutledge's life, the series would've taken him into the 1930s and a very different world. The way the Todds write, he solves a new case every six weeks or so.

David told us that it depends upon the case as to Hamish's involvement. "If the case has something to do with the war [World War I], Hamish is involved more," Caroline said. The Todds found themselves on several mountain roads in the south of France that had no guard rails-- including the stretch of road where Princess Grace of Monaco and her daughter had their accidents-- and during one period of travel on these treacherous roads in a heavy mist, Caroline said, "Wouldn't this be a great place for a murder?" This is why part of Racing the Devil takes place in France.

This led to David researching automobiles of the period. He and his mother have had readers write and tell them that they've gotten the driving times and the number of times they'd have to stop for petrol wrong. They are very well aware of this without being told. "The books aren't always true to life because all these stops slow the book's momentum to a crawl," Caroline said. A brief and interesting conversation about the early days of the automotive industry ended with Caroline admitting that they had friends in the Rolls Royce club upset with them because they were crashing these classic cars in the book. 

Available Now!

Many people in the audience were shocked when they learned that the Todds had written the entire book not knowing the identity of the killer. (Doesn't seem possible, does it?)

The Todds have it written into their contract that they do not have to turn in an outline of the next book, just a one-paragraph description--"Some of our best fiction," David said deadpan. He went on to mention a staple of crime fiction, the red herring. "If you don't make red herrings, it's amazing how they appear, and if you don't know how it ends, doesn't that make the book more fun to write?"

Caroline thinks not knowing the identity of the killer as the book is being written is a good thing. "If you don't know the killer, then he's just another character in the book, and there are no giveaways in descriptions and the like." She then spoke of their perfect proofreader, her husband the chemical engineer. "He's brilliant  with all the little details. Two-thirds of the way through reading the manuscript, he'll say, 'You're not going to be able to finish this.' When he finishes reading the manuscript, he says, 'I don't know how you did it!' I think that if he doesn't know, no one else will."

Caroline Todd

Jenn McKinlay had a question for the Todds: "Do you ever fight?" "All the time!" they replied.

"You did something really fun in this book," Crombie interjected. "We've known all along that Ian Rutledge and Bess Crawford [the main character of the Todds' other series] know someone in common-- Melinda Crawford-- but in this book Rutledge and Melinda actually mention Bess and Bess gives him a piece of information that helps him solve the case!"

"But don't expect them [Rutledge and Bess] to get married!" Caroline said quickly. "Our publisher wants Bess and Simon to get married. Bess will decide in her own good time!"

This reminded Peters of a piece she wrote for Left Coast Crime involving Laurie R. King. Peters asked King why her Kate Martinelli character was a lesbian. King replied, "I wanted Kate to be able to work with men with no chance of romance."  Crombie knew what the others were talking about. "I never meant Duncan and Gemma to be together." 

Following this was a brief foray into one of Crombie's book titles, Leave the Grave Green. "I have always-- always-- called it Leave the Grass Green!" Barbara Peters lamented. "That's okay," Crombie replied. "My publisher calls it 'the fertilizer book'!" The reason why I include this little snippet is because I'd had an earlier conversation with someone else in the bookstore who admitted to needing caution when typing the title of Crombie's latest. I was relieved to learn that I'm not the only one whose typing fingers try to leave out the first "t" making the title "Garden of Lamenations" (which makes me itch to find something to use my laminator on).

Available Now!

David Todd also enjoyed reading Garden of Lamentations. "Everyone in the book seems to be at cross purposes," Crombie said, to which he remarked, "Gemma is feeling out of the loop, and Duncan can't tell her what's going on."

A fan mentioned Melody and Doug, two other characters in Crombie's series. "I love writing about them not getting together!" Crombie laughed. 

Another fan asked what was next for the Todds. The next Bess Crawford book, A Casualty of War, will be released in September. In August, they're going to Manchester and Hadrian's Wall for research. 

"Have you ever thought of setting one of your books during the Peace Conference?" Peters asked. Caroline replied, "We looked into it, but there's so much going on that it would be hard to focus on a murder."

The Todds have written a short story about Hamish, "The Piper," but it's only available in digital format right now. They're working on getting it in print. (Speaking of differing formats, Peters mentioned that The Poisoned Pen now has the capability to sell audiobooks. Just go to The Poisoned Pen website, scroll down to the bottom of the first page, and the last item on the right hand sidebar has the information you'll need if you're interested.) Talk of audiobooks reminded the Todds that they'd just re-signed their two audiobook readers.

L to R: Barbara Peters and Deborah Crombie

What's next for Deborah Crombie? "Duncan and Gemma had three scenes together in this entire book," Crombie said. "This next time, I'm sending the entire family to the country, and they will all work together to solve one crime. I've been fascinated with Melody Talbot's family, so Duncan and Gemma will be going to Melody's parents' country home for Guy Fawkes weekend. It will have something to do with a well-known female chef... and I'll have you know that I am determined not to get into another multi-book storyline!"  

When asked, Deborah admitted that she's "always wanted to set a book in the Cotswolds, but I love London so much that I've never had a problem with ideas for it." 

"The landscape is a character in both your books," Peters said, looking at Crombie and the Todds. "HarperCollins hired topographers to do maps showing where our books are set,"David said. "Just go to Charles Todd Map." 

David Todd

Another fan wanted to know if the Todds had ever thought about setting one of their books in Hay-on-Wye, the UK's "booktown." "No, I'd spend too much time in the bookshops!" Caroline replied. "We won't set one in Eton, either," said David. "I'd spend too much time in the antique shops!" 

When asked why they all set their books in England, the answer was simple: all three are Anglophiles. 

"I was married to a Scot for several years and lived in the UK. Besides... if Lee Child can write about America, we can bloody well write about England!" Crombie exclaimed to an appreciative audience. 

Another fan question concerned Wren, one of Crombie's characters. "Which came first, the character of Wren, or your granddaughter, Wren?" "The character," Crombie said. "I've dedicated the book to my granddaughter."

Another wanted to know about how the Todds' writing partnership works. "Very interestingly," David said. "We started writing when I was living in North Carolina and my mother was in Delaware. We work scene by scene. Thank God for email and the phone companies dropping long distance charges! We work each scene until we're comfortable with it. Now I can't tell which sentence is mine and which is hers."

"And no, David does not write all the war scenes," Caroline stated. "He's had to learn his fair share about interior design and clothing!"

What are these writers reading and recommending now?

Deborah Crombie: "Elly Griffiths' and Terry Shames' latest books, and The Devil in the Kitchen, which is a memoir by the first British chef rock star."

David Todd: "Swiss Vendetta and War of Nerves, which is about nerve gas." 

Caroline Todd: "Lori Rader-Day's The Day I Died. I really enjoy Anne Cleeland's books, and Ragnar Jonasson's mysteries set in Iceland." 

If you'd like to watch this event in its entirety, go to The Poisoned Pen's Livestream channel and enjoy! 

A small percentage of a very appreciative audience!