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Mystery

Ten dead comedians

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Ten dead comedians by Fred Van Lente
Format: Book
Who it’s for:  Adults

“Fred Van Lente’s brilliant debut is both an homage to the Golden Age of Mystery and a contemporary show-business satire. It is a darkly clever take on Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None (aka Ten Little Indians) and other classics of the genre. As the story opens, nine comedians of various acclaim are summoned to the island retreat of legendary Hollywood funnyman Dustin Walker.  These fictional comedians all will remind you of real life comedians in many ways. All nine arrive via boat to find that every building on the island is completely deserted. Marooned without cell phone service or wifi signals, they soon find themselves being murdered one by one. But who is doing the killing, and why?” -Publisher’s blurb

I picked this up because of the publisher – Quirk books. They have many fun, different books for all ages.

If you have read or seen the movies based on And Then There Were None, you know it’s a locked room mystery with a crazy, unbelievable, twisty ending.  I love Agatha Christie mysteries but I always tell people she cheats. The murder is always rather complicated. The murderer is a very fast MacGyver with the best luck. The timing is always just right. The murderer always figures out some hack to accomplish their goals. And the murderer is lucky that nobody sees them, except 1 person. Of course, that one person is eventually murdered. That is a Christie style mystery. I enjoy them but they cheat.

This parody is no exception. The murders are elaborate and take MacGyver type skills to pull off.  The murderer times things VERY well as they move from room to room. The ending is so fantastical you know nobody in real life could pull it off. But the story is an enjoyable mystery. The fact it is funny and satirizes showbiz is an added bonus.

I would recommend this book to mystery lovers, parody enthusiasts, folks in need of a laugh and those interested in the life of a comedian.

Find it in the catalog

The Woman In Cabin 10

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The Woman In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

In this tightly wound, enthralling story, Lo Blacklock, a journalist who writes for a travel magazine, has just been given the assignment of a lifetime, a week on a luxury cruise with only a handful of cabins.  The sky is clear, the waters calm and the veneered, select guest jovial as the exclusive cruise ship, the Arora, begins her voyage in the North Sea.  At first, Lo’s stay is nothing but pleasant, the cabins are plush, the dinner parties are sparkling, and the guest are elegant.  But as the week wears on, frigid winds whip the deck, gray skies fall and Lo witnessees what she can only describe as a dark and terrifying nightmare, a woman being thrown overboard.  The problem, all passengers remain accounted for, so the ship sails on as if nothing has happened, despite her attempts to convey that something terrible has happened.

With surprising twist, turns and a setting that proves as uncomfortably claustrophobic as it is eerily beautify, Ruth Ware offers up another intense read.

Find it in the catalog.

A Gathering of Secrets

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A Gathering of Secrets by Linda Castillo
Format:  Audiobook
Who it’s for:  Adults

Another plot twister by Linda Castillo!  In this latest audio book you’ll hear another story about the dark side of Amish life.

The main character, Chief of Police, Kate Burkholder investigates a fire that completely destroys a barn on an Amish farm in the community of Painter’s Mill.  When the body of an 18 year old Amish boy is discovered in the ruins, it is ruled a homicide and Kate has to unravel the secrets.  As the truth comes to light, the twists and turns of the story will keep you in suspense until the very end!

I enjoy all of this author’s books and recommend them to readers who love a good mystery/thriller.  Since the author has the same characters in her books, I recommend reading from the beginning of the Kate Burkholder series.  You’ll discover that Kate was Amish but left the faith after a life changing event in her young life.  She is appointed the Chief of Police in the small town because of her past relationship with the Amish.

The reader, Kathleen McInerney does an excellent job!  And of course, you can always read this bestseller in book form too. Find it in the catalog.

After Anna

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After Anna by Lisa Scottoline

Format: Audiobook

Who’s it for: Adults

Lisa Scottoline never fails to come up with a plot that is believable and has a thrilling twist!

In the audiobook “After Anna” you’ll hear about a family who has been reunited with a long lost daughter. Anna wants to reconnect with her mother, Maggie, who was voluntarily institutionalized with postpartum psychosis after her birth. Anna’s extremely wealthy father whisked her away to Europe, but eventually left her in a boarding school. Maggie has since recovered, and her new husband Noah along with his son Caleb, have created an idyllic little family. Out of the blue she gets a call from her daughter, Anna, who wants to reunite with her mother and very quickly, comes to live with them. However, it is not a fairy tale ending! Soon after moving in Anna is murdered and her stepfather Noah is blamed.

The author unravels the story with a back and forth look of “Maggie, Before” and “Noah, After” chapters, referring to Anna’s death.

I always like her books because she tends to throw in that “didn’t see that coming” plot twist. Also, since the author is a former attorney, she shares her expertise with the reader/listener and I always learn some interesting facts about the law as well.​ Find it in the catalog.