Murder, They Wrote
Three new suspense novels by local scribes—one newcomer to the genre and two who are well accustomed
By Seattle Mag December 12, 2011
This article originally appeared in the January 2012 issue of Seattle magazine.
Not only is Seattle home to a multitude of mystery writers (see: the weather), it’s also an excellent place to curl up with a mystery novel (see also: the weather).
Neon Panic
($14.95; Vantage Point)
Author: West Seattle’s Charles Philipp Martin, formerly a bass player in the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, sets this first novel in a steamy Hong Kong setting and fills it with music.
The hook: The woman whose body washes up in the city harbor turns out to have had ties to both a criminal syndicate and the symphony. Is her death related to the sudden disappearance of symphony player Leo Stern?
Believing the Lie
($28.95; Dutton)
Author: Elizabeth George, the Whidbey Island writer acclaimed for her New York Times best-selling “Inspector Lynley” mysteries, adds this (17th!) title to the character-driven series.
The hook: Inspector Lynley is back, plowing through the secrets and lies of the wealthy Fairclough family to discover the truth: Was the nephew’s death an accidental drowning? Or murder?
Reading: January 10, 7 p.m. Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park
The Alpine Winter
($25; Ballantine Books)
Author: Mary Daheim, beloved for her “Alpine Alphabet” crime series set in the Pacific Northwest, brings plucky publisher Emma Lord into the fray once again.
The hook: A decomposed body is found in a cave in the Cascade Mountains—but why are so many different people claiming it as their missing loved one?
Reading: January 15, 3 p.m. Eagle Harbor Book Co. on Bainbridge Island