Crime fiction is concerned with any crime, whereas detective fiction is concerned purely with the process of detection and has a detective as the central figure. These are sometimes referred to as ‘whodunnits’ and in Britain as ‘procedurals’. Detailed police work usually solves the mystery working within the rules and procedures of the police force. The following are a few of the still favorite British mystery writers.
The Devil’s Whisper by Miyuke Miyabe
An eerie tale of a young parentless boy, Mamoru, who now lives with his uncle Taizo Asano, a taxi driver. Taizo has been arrested after accidently running over a young woman. Mamoru, in trying to exonerate his uncle discovers the victim may have been fleeing from the person responsible for two other recent strange deaths. Miyuke Miyabe is Japan’s best selling mystery writer. Another title is All She Is Worth. [Miy]
Silver Swan by Benjamin Black (pseudonym of John Banville)
Set in Dublin, this is a crime novel featuring Quirk, a pathologist. Deirdre Hunt, the beautiful wife of an old acquaintance has apparently committed suicide. The husband begs Quirk not to do an autopsy on her body. Quirk has his suspicions and uncovers some dangerous secrets as he investigates her death. Benjamin Black was born in Wexford, Ireland. The writer John Banville has won the highly regarded Booker prize. Another title is Christina Falls. [Bla]
Black Seconds by Karin Fossum
Chief Inspector Konrd Sejer searches for a schoolgirl who is missing from her home in Glassverket, a Norwegian suburb. When he finds her yellow bicycle this leads to a possible suspect, a local character who lives alone and hasn’t spoken since childhood. A media frenzy follows but Inspector Sejer calmly reassures the community as he solves this puzzling case. Critically acclaimed across Europe, Karin Fossum’s Inspector Sejer novels have been translated into 61 languages. She is known as “Norway’s Queen of Crime.” Other titles are: Don’t Look Back and Indian Bride. [MYS Fos]
Princess of Burundi by Kjell Eriksson
Inspector Ann Lindell has appeared in previous Eriksson mysteries but has just been introduced to U.S. readers. The Princess… was a runaway best seller in Sweden. Inspector Ann Lindell takes time off from her maternity leave to track down the killer of a local reformed troublemaker. A jogger accidently stumbled on his mutilated body. Ann faces risk to herself and her unborn child when she has a deadly confrontation with the killer. Another title: The Demon of Dakar. [MYS Eri]
In The Woods by Tana French
This engrossing crime story set in a suburb of Dublin, introduces detectives Cassie Maddox and Adam Ryan. Adam was the lone survivor when he and his two young friends disappeared in the local woods Adam, known as Rob as a child, was forced to move to a new home because of the suspicion surrounding his survival. He also adopted a new name. Only Cassie knows his secret. Now, twenty years later, he and Cassie must try to solve a similar crime when Kathy Devlin’s body is found in the same woods. Tana French grew up in Ireland. She won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. [Fre]
Slip of the Knife by Denise Mina
This brilliant new thriller features Paddy Meehan who is no stranger to murder. As a reporter she covered crime scenes. Her former boyfriend has been murdered. To her surprise he has left her his home and several suitcases of notes. She is soon involved in a maze of secrets and lies which threaten to trap her in this story. Denise Mina lives in Glasgow, is a Law Professor and is known for her crime fiction. Other titles: The Dead Hour and Field of Blood [Min]
Red Mandarin Dress by Xiaolong Qiu
Inspector Chen has taken a leave of absence to pursue an advanced degree in literary studies. Duty calls when an influential politician insists he investigate a current crime. The body of a beautiful woman dressed in a red mandarin dress has been discovered by a morning jogger. The body of a second victim has been found wearing a similar red dress. Inspector Chen quietly unravels the mystery but not without stopping for periodic feasts of nourishment. A fascinating read and a wonderful gourmet guide to Chinese cuisine. Qiu was born in Shanghai. He moved to the United States in 1988. Other titles: Case of Two Death of a Red Heroine [MYS Qiu]
Best picks by Anita Frey