Tickled to Death by Joan Hess

Claire Malloy, widow, bookstore owner, mother of a teenage daughter and amateur sleuth, takes another case when her friend Luanne's latest boyfriend is accused of murdering two former wives. This comedy/mystery has great dialogue, many plot twists, and is reminiscent of a "Nancy Drew" type mystery. Tickled to Death is a quick read, non-graphic and fun.

Fallen Man by Tony Hillerman

On Halloween a skeleton is found wedged near the apex of 1700 foot high Ship rock, one of the holiest places in Navajo religion. Baffled in his attempts to determine the skeleton's identity, Jim Chee is glad that newly retired Joe Leaphorn, shows up with a solid lead. The book has an ingenious plot, gripping descriptions of the Southwest's harsh beauty, and unique insights into Navajo culture. A very enjoyable read.

 

When the Bough Breaks by Jonathan Kellerman

Child psychologist Alex Delaware finds his early retirement abruptly terminated when he becomes involved with the investigation of a murder in When the Bough Breaks. The only witness to the grisly homicide is a troubled young child, which is one of several complications Delaware faces as he pursues the case. This rapid-paced mystery is the first of several which Jonathan Kellerman has written about Delaware. The reader is granted a satisfying solution to the mystery, as well as insight into the complex characters which are encountered throughout the novel.

 

Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley

Walter Mosley's series Devil in a Blue Dress  (1990) A Red Death (1991), White Butterfly (1992), Black Betty (1994),Little Yellow Dog (1996), and Gone Fishin' (1997) features private detective Easy Rawlins. The books are set in post World War II black Los Angeles. Moral questions, issues of race and class, are explored with language and dialogue which is brilliant, colorful and often violent.Easy is usually drawn into his investigations against his will, facing ethical dilemmas in his own unique way.

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Crime by Tamar Myers

If you like mysteries that score a zero on explicit sex and violence but get high marks on humor and good recipes, try Tamar Myers. Ms. Myers has created Magdalena Yoder, a proper Mennonite innkeeper, who seems to be a magnet for murder. In this, her second book, Magdalena hears the call of the stage, as Hollywood types rent out her inn to shoot a movie. The results are deadly and Magdalena is suspect number one. Her culinary series is called "A Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery with Recipes." Other culinary writers are: Virginia Rich, Diane Mott Davidson, and Claudia Bishop.

Shankman, Sarah. The King Is Dead by Sarah Sha

Born in the South, Sarah Shankman uses its eccentricities and her flair for caricature to great advantage in The King is Dead, arguably the best of her Samantha Adams mystery series. A healthy dose of satire and a touch of feminism add to the fun of a trip to Tupelo, Mississippi(birthplace of Elvis), by Sam and Harry Zack, her handsome young boyfriend,for the Third Annual International Barbecue Cookoff. Awaiting them are all sorts of mayhem, topped off by some crazy cooking in a Jacuzzi!

Murder at Watergate by Margaret Truman

Margaret Truman has written a novel of political intrigue, set in both Washington, DC and Mexico. Vice President Joseph Aprile who is aspiring to become the next President of the United States is determined to establish a new policy toward Mexico. If his position were to become public, it would surely place him at odds with the current president. Enter Mackensie Smith,law professor at the George Washington University and confidant of the Vice President. Accompanied by his lovely wife Annabel, the two quickly become involved in the political turmoil.

 

Footsteps of the Hawk, and Safe House by Andrew Vachss

The detective, Burke, is an ex-convict who has gathered together a familyof equally disenfranchised ex-convicts and petty criminals who help him fight for victimized women and children. The novels are gritty, realistic urban crime stories that tend to become preachy on the subject of child abuse. The author is a champion of the cause.

Harm's Way by Stephen White

Stephen White's series, (Privileged Information, Private Practices, Higher Authority, Harm's Way, Remote Control, and Critical Conditions) is set in Boulder, Colorado with Alan Gregory, a modest, low-key psychologist involved in murder investigations. Graphic details of murder scenes and medical procedures. Some violence. White, himself a psychologist, writes thoughtfully about human emotions. Current topics such as the unsolved murder of JonBenet Ramsey and the HMO debate (Critical Conditions), interesting secondary characters and western locales add interest.

Blown Away by David Wiltse

New York is under siege. When an elusive bomber who calls himself Spring terrorizes the city, it is up to FBI agent John Becker and his special unit to stop him before he strikes again. This is the sixth novel in the John Becker series.