Ellen Crosby's The Merlot Murders beings late one night when Lucie Montgomery receives a phone call from her brother, Eli, telling her to come home immediately, because her father has been accidentally shot and killed. Lucie has been living in France for the past 2 years, recuperating from a car accident that has left her dependant on a cane.
Returning to her family's Virginia-based vineyard, Lucie discovers that much has changed since she left and that her father has actually died under suspicious circumstances. The family home is in shambles, Eli is desperate to sell the vineyard to escape their debts and her younger sister, Mia, is now dating Lucie's ex, who caused her debilitating accident.
Lucie's godfather, Fitz, warns Lucie that her father was murdered because he refused to sell the vineyard and gives her a mysterious key. The next day Fitz's body is discovered in one of the wine canisters. Lucie realizes family, friends and employees have suddenly become suspects. She also discovers that the murderer may be after her. While trying to get the harvest in and save the vineyard, Lucie must also try to unmask the killer before it's too late.
Sequels to Jane Austen's novels are often greeted by fans of Austen's works with a variety of reactions, which can range anywhere from curiousity and enthusiasm through distain and resentment.
P.D. James (or Baroness James of Holland Park, to use her official title) is one of a few well-known authors to publish a sequel of one of Jane Austen's books. P.D. James is one of Britain's best known detective fiction authors. She has published 19 novels, most of which feature policeman Adam Dalgliesh.
In Death Comes to Pemberley, she continues the story of Pride and Prejudice, revealing the six years between the end of that book and the beginning of this story in the Prologue. I think Austen fans will particulary enjoy this part of the book, as it is quite "Austen-esque".
The story itself begins on the eve of Lady Anne's Ball, with Jane and Bingley, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Georgiana and the Bingleys' friend Henry Alveston all visiting Pemberley. Just as they are about to retire for the night, a chaise arrives driven quite unexpectedly. As the galloping horses come to a stop, a hysterical Lydia Wickham throws herself out of the carriage and screams that her husband Wickham has been murdered in the Pemberley woods. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Alveston soon set off, only to discover Wickham over the body of Captain Denny crying "He's dead! Oh God, Denny's dead! He was my friend, my only friend, and I've killed him! I've killed him! It's my fault". Has Wickham really killed Denny?
Publishing a sequel to such a enduring classic is not done lightly, paricularly by a well-respected author. P.D. James discusses her motivation for writing this story in a interview with the Telegraph and in this video interview, which took place in her home in October 2011.
Quite a number of reviews of this book have been written, including in the New York Times and Globe and Mail. The Toronto Public Library also has it available in audiobook format.
Maureen Jennings, well-known for writing the popular Murdoch Mysteries, which were turned into a television series based on the books, and was recently picked up for a fifth season on CBC, has started a new series with the book Season of Darkness.
Set in rural England during World War II, the story begins early one morning with the murder of Elsie Bates, a Land Army Girl. The Women's Land Army was an agricultural organization created to replace men away at war. Elsie had a notorious reputation for being a flirt; however, her death was very brutal and cold-blooded. Detective Inspector Tom Tyler finds himself with numerous question and very few facts. Elsie was hit by a car, shot and then her body moved. Was it a jilted lover? Was there more than one killer?
As soon as the news of the murder breaks in the village of Shropshire, the rumours being to circulate. A temporary German internee camp is located just outside the village and many people feel that a prisoner has escaped or a German parachutist has landed. Complicating matters for Tom is the fact that Clare, his first love, has returned as a translator at the camp, just as his marriage is falling apart. Tom must put aside his personal demons and prejudices and work with a German psychiatrist in the camp to find the murderer before another Land Army Girl is lost.
Sworn to Silence is the first book in a mystery series by Linda Castillo. The small rural community of Painters Mill, Ohio, is thrown into upheaval when a serial killer begins stalking young women.
Chief of Police Kate Burkholder grew up in the Amish community of Painters Mill, before abandoning their way of life for the big city. The Amish, who drive horse-drawn buggies and shun the chaotic rush of the modern world, have lived peacefully side by side with the "English" residents of Painters Mill for centuries. Kate is the perfect candidate for Chief bringing together an understanding and familiarity for Chief bringing together an understanding and familiarity for both of these communities. One character describes Kate as, " 'a gun-toting, cursing, former Amish female chief of police.' "
When the body of a young woman is found naked in a snowy field one night, Kate realizes she may have a serious problem. Sixteen years ago, a series of brutal unsolved murders took place in this small town and then suddenly stopped. The newly discovered body bears the former killer's signature, of Roman numerals carved into the victim's stomach. Has the Slaughterhouse Killer returned? Or is it a copycat?
Kate is determined to stop the killer before he strikes again, but to do so she may have to open old wounds, betraying her family and revisiting a past she left behind.
Melissa Marr's new novel Graveminder, will captivate fantasy and horror fans alike. Rebekkah Barrow has tried to forget everything from her past, including the suicide of her sister. She left the small town of Claysville years ago and hoped to never return. However, with the sudden death of her grandmother, Maylene, Rebekkah must return to fulfill her duties at the funeral. Maylene taught her the many rituals, which must be followed at a funeral and Rebekkah is the only one who can perform these tasks.
Upon returning to serene Claysville, Rebekkah is greeted by her former boyfriend Byron, the undertaker, and is informed that her grandmother was actually murdered. Oddly, the police and town council do not seem concerned and the council simply explains that they will take care of everything. Rebekkah knew that Claysville was an eccentric small town, which follows strict burial customs, including not embalming the deceased, but she is now about to discover the many secrets that Claysville hides. "Death himself had made a bargain with Claysville, that the townsfolk knowingly accepted such a bargain in exchange for health and semisealed borders." After arriving in town, Rebekkah feels a strange pull to stay. The people of Claysville tend to live their whole lives there and if they do leave, they feel obliged to return.
Rebekkah will learn that following in Maylene's footsteps, she is now the Graveminder, who keeps the dead in their final place of rest. It is up to Rebekkah and Byron to hunt down the monster who killed Maylene.
The Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award was presented on July 21 to Lee Child for 61 Hours, the 14th novel in his Jack Reacher series. The novel has been translated into 40 languages and has sold more than 50 million copies internationally. It is also available in these alternative formats:
This is the seventh year for the award, open to British or Irish authors whose books were published in paperback between January 1, 2010 and May 31, 2011. Although there is a panel of judges, members of the public also vote.
In addition, P.D. James, who celebrates her 91st birthday on August 3, was honoured for Outstanding Contribution to Crime Fiction. When asked to account for the popularity of crime fiction, James responded, "It's very popular in times of anxiety, times of war, because there are certain social problems that are insoluble and in these books you have a problem at the start and by the end it is solved. That's reassuring. I suppose we like them because we want to think we live in a rational society, despite all the evidence at present to the contrary."
Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Shortlist:
Join Toronto Public Library's virtual book club Book Buzz! It's perfect for those busy summer months. Participate when it's convenient for you from the comfort of your own home, or cottage, or local coffee shop. All you need is an internet connection and a love of books.
Each month a single book is featured for discussion but we also have an open discussion for anything book related. Share reviews, get suggestions and meet other readers.
These are our featured books for the next several months:
August
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield When a reclusive author hires biographer Margaret Lea to write her life story, both women must confront their pasts and the weight of family secrets.
The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis Although speech writer Daniel Addison wants to escape Canadian politics, he finds himself responsible for finding a Liberal candidate and running his campaign in a traditionally Conservative riding. This novel was named the "most essential Canadian novel of the past decade" in this year's Canada Reads competition. Winner of the 2008 Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour.
October
Benevolence by Cynthia Holz Ben Wasserman, an organ transplant psychiatrist and Renata Moon, a psychologist find that their marriage is crumbling from a lack of time, effort and an inability to communicate effectively.
November
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot In 1951, Henrietta Lacks was an African-American mother with cervical cancer. Without her knowledge or consent, tissue was removed and used to create the first "immortal" cell line. Skloot describes the profound impact of her life, death and immortal cells.
During the sixteenth century, "intelligencer" was the term for spy. Leslie Silbert's debut thriller, The Intelligencer, contrasts the world of espionage in the sixteenth century and present day. Silbert can definitely relate to her main character Kate Morgan, being a Renaissance scholar and former private investigator herself.
In 1593, Christopher Marlowe, Shakespeare's rival playwright, takes on what will be his last assignment with Queen Elizabeth's secret service. Within three weeks of accepting this assignment, Marlowe will be murdered, a murder that still remains unsolved.
Present day Renaissance scholar turned private eye, Kate Morgan, is sent to London to look into the attempted burglary of a home containing a collection of papers written in code. As Kate breaks the cipher, she discovers that the papers were written by Marlowe, detailing his work as an intelligencer. Could the papers finally reveal clues concerning the mysterious death of Marlowe? As Kate investigates the burglary, focusing on an art dealer who may not be what he seems, bodies begin to pile up. Kate must unravel the mystery behind Marlowe's death and why someone, centuries later, would still want it kept secret at all costs.
Quebec writer Louise Penny has won her fourth consecutive Agatha Award for Bury Your Dead, the sixth novel in the Inspector Gamache series. The Agatha Awards are named after mystery writer Agatha Christie and celebrate the traditional mystery. Works considered for the prize contain no gratuitous sex or excessive violence.
