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Digital Audiobook

The Department of Sensitive Crimes

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The Department of Sensitive Crimes by Alexander McCall Smith
Who it’s for: Adults
Format: Book, eBooks, Audiobook on CD, eAudio

Scandi-noir is big these days – Stieg Larsson, Jo Nesbo, and Peter Hoeg are just a few of the authors known for this crime fiction genre set in any one of the Nordic countries. Scandi-noir is known for being dark, moody, and often grisly. Alexander McCall Smith’s newest series about a Swedish police department assigned to investigate crimes that are a bit too quirky for the rest of the police force is a bit of a different take on the genre. The series deals with crime in a Nordic country, but it lacks the bleakness typically associated with Scandi-noir. McCall Smith refers to it as “Scandi-blanc,” defined as “Scandinavian crime fiction without much crime and without any bodies.”

The cases the title team takes on are strange, but not so bleak and gory as typical Scandi-noir: a man stabbed in the back of the knee and the disappearance of an imaginary boyfriend are just the start. The complicated lives and relationships of Detective Ulf Varg and his team are also explored: Will Ulf and Anna admit their feelings for each other? Will Varg’s deaf dog Martin overcome his depression?

Fans of Alexander McCall Smith will enjoy his familiar writing style, while fans of Scandi-noir might just like this tongue-in-cheek play on the genre.

Do you prefer listening to digital audiobooks? The eAudio version of The Department of Sensitive Crimes is only available through RBdigital, so create an account with your St. Mary’s County Library card and download the app to get started listening!

Find The Department of Sensitive Crimes in the catalog.

The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish

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The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish
Format: Digital Audiobook
Who it’s for: Adults

This book is hilarious. The audiobook is exuberantly read by the author and her grit and honesty shine through from the very first line. Haddish unfurls an intense string of experiences that make readers feel a personal connection with her. She shares stories of her grade school bullies, her time in foster care, a mother with mental illness, experiences with sexual abuse, and domestic violence. Her hardships have been intense but through humor and bravery she refuses to fail.
Haddish opens her life to her us with no filter. The language is excessively profane but the blunt retelling of her experiences makes the reader feel spellbound by her strength and self confidence. This book leaves readers with the feeling that they can succeed through anything. If you’re looking for a gritty, uplifting read, this is a winner. Find it in the catalog.

The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

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The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
Format: Digital Audio Book
Who it’s for: Adults

Everyone has those days that never end. Aiden Bishop, however truly is doomed to repeat the same 24 hour period eight times, unless he can learn the truth of who killed Evelyn Hardcastle. Every day, Aiden wakes up in the body of another guest at the party, saddled with that guest’s talents, insecurities, and quirks. And every day, he must work to solve an unsolvable crime. If he cannot do so by the 8th day in the body of the 8th guest, he will have to begin once again from square one. Stuart Turton has created a dark world filled with complex characters who are often not what they seem. If the idea of the Bill Murray movie, Groundhog Day, as a psychological thriller filled with violence and set in the 19th century England appeals to you, you will want to rush to the shelves to get a copy of The 7 ½ Death of Evelyn Hardcastle. The audiobook, available both on Overdrive and Hoopla is particularly well done and read by James Cameron Stewart.
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The Happy Vegan: A Guide to Living a Long, Healthy, and Successful Life

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If you’ve ever considered adopting a plant based diet, this book is for you. Simmons takes readers on a journey that begins with his personal introduction to a vegan lifestyle and travels chapter by chapter through the reasons why others should consider this lifestyle as well. He appeals to all fronts by exploring the health benefits of veganism, the environmental impact, animal suffering, and the subconscious, emotional impacts of veganism. And, he does all of this with a very direct, no nonsense approach. He does not sugar coat the truth out of fear of upsetting the reader. This is particularly true in the section about animal abuse that contains graphic descriptions of the conditions inside concentrated animal feeding operations (also known as factory farms) and rendering plants. Although difficult to read at times, the graphic descriptions serve as a catalyst for action and force the reader to at least acknowledge, if not fully accept, the truth about where their meat comes from.

But, despite this direct approach, Simmons does allow that a plant based lifestyle will look different for everyone. Some may choose to be strict vegans. Some will make exceptions and eat this, but not that. For example, Simmons concedes that he’ll eat something cooked in fish stock, but not beef stock. Simmons encourages readers to find a space on the spectrum that works for them and to do their best at doing the least amount of harm possible. The book ends with tips on beginning a plant based diet, and it includes an appendix that takes readers through the practice of meditation. Highly recommended for adults. Find it in the catalog.

All By Myself, Alone

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All By Myself, Alone by Mary Higgins Clark
Format: Digital Audiobook
Who it’s for: Adults

I often do a fair amount of travelling to see family and my favorite thing to do while on a long drive is play a good mystery audiobook. I enjoy the pace of Agatha Christie’s Poirot novels and this book was able to satisfy my need for a pleasant mystery! We follow married couple Alvirah and Willy Meehan who are recently wealthy lottery winners on a luxury cruise. The Meehan’s investigate the mysterious death of a fellow passenger in possession of an emerald necklace that once belonged to Cleopatra. Clark tells the story with a fun ensemble of colorful characters including a Gemologist, Celia Kilbride, and Shakespeare Professor, Ted Cavanaugh. With the death of a passenger, a missing necklace, and a man overboard, this luxury liner turns out to be more excitement than the passengers were expecting!

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Merry and Bright

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Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

Merry Smith has family obligations to her brother with Down Syndrome, aging parents and her brother’s golden retriever.  She struggles to keep up with her job with a consulting firm at the Boeing Company.  She has no time for a social life but her mother and brother create a profile on an online dating service and she starts to accumulate many matches.  When Merry begins chatting with a stranger online she discovers that they have similar interests.  The chats soon become the best part of her day but she is reluctant to meet her mystery man.  This holiday story will be the perfect way to brighten your spirits.

Find it in the catalog