See the world, one murder at a time

Summer was made for vacations and road trips, but if, like me, you can't find the time to get away, you might enjoy exploring new lands in the pages of a good book! We've put together a list of international mysteries from every corner of the globe for you to enjoy. All titles link to the print edition, but several are available as audiobooks or eBooks too. If the list is overwhelming, be sure to stop by the Recommendations Desk on the 1st floor to pick up an International Mysteries bookmark!

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Turkey
Hotel Bosphorus by Esmahan Aykol

Israel

The Missing File by D.A. Mishani

Iraq
The Wreckage by Michael Robotham
Egypt
The Golden Scales by Parker Bilal
Saudi Arabia
Finding Nouf by Zoe Ferraris

Botswana

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

Kenya

Nairobi Heat by Mukoma Wa Ngugi

Ghana

Wife of the Gods by Kwei Quartey

Nigeria

Treachery in the Yard by Adimchinma Ibe

South Africa

Random Violence by Jassy Mackenzie

The October Killings by Wessel Ebersohn  

India

Witness the Night by Kishwar Desai

The Case of the Missing Servant by Tarquin Hall

Japan

Villain by Suichi Yoshida

The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino

North Korea

A Corpse in the Koryo by James Church

Laos

The Coroner’s Lunch by Colin Cotterill

Singapore

A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder by Shamini Flint

Australia

Kittyhawk Down by Garry Disher

Blood Junction by Caroline Carver

Canada

Still Life by Louise Penny

Mexico

Mexico City Noir by Various

Brazil

Hotel Brasil by Frei Betto

Sweden

Sun Storm by Asa Larsson 

Misterioso by Arne Dahl

Iceland

Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason

Norway

Don’t Look Back by Karin Fossum

The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo

Denmark

The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol & Agnete Friis 

France

Murder in the Marais by Cara Black

Germany

Kismet by Jakob Arjouni

A Trace of Smoke by Rebecca Cantrell

March Violets by Philip Kerr

Slovakia

Siren of the Waters by Michael Genelin

Greece

The Messenger of Athens by Anne Zouroudi

Italy

Temporary Perfections by Gianrico Carofiglio

Northern Ireland

Mr. Dixon Disappears by Ian Sansom 

Staff Review: Vintage by Susan Gloss

Set against the trendy backdrop of a vintage boutique in Madison, Wisconsin, Susan Gloss’s charming novel revolves around 30-something store owner Violet and the female customers she befriends.

Each chapter begins with an introduction to one of the shop’s retro items. Readers then become acquainted with a cast of women who, like the clothing and accessories in the boutique, have unique stories to tell and are beautiful, despite their flaws. Each character has recently encountered a challenge in her life, whether it be divorce, adultery, or an unplanned pregnancy. Even the vintage shop, which is a character in its own right, is struggling to survive in the neighborhood’s changing landscape.

As the lives of the characters grow more entwined, they find ways to help one another overcome their problems. Vintage becomes a celebration of life and death and stresses the importance of friendship and following your heart. The book’s outcome may be a bit sappy for some, but the optimistic, feel-good ending suits the overall tone of the story.

Readers looking for tales of female friendship and a touch of romance should check out this book. Despite the hardships plaguing the novel’s characters, Vintage remains sweet and upbeat. This, coupled with the fact that the chapters are easy to fly through and don’t require a great deal of concentration, makes the book perfect for a summer read. Author Susan Gloss also goes out of her way to bring the downtown area of Madison to life, making this a fun read for anyone familiar with the city.

-Abbey, Technical Services

July Magazines of the Month: Smithsonian & The Sun

Our July magazines of the month celebrate the culture and history of this great nation. The Smithsonian is a national collection of museums, archives, and research centers covering everything from history to space exploration. The Sun is a literary and photography magazine that began publication in a North Carolina garage in 1974.

The Smithsonian magazine is available to read through our Zinio collection on your tablet, smart phone, or computer. The magazine began publication in the 1970s, and issues are released monthly. You can learn more about the Smithsonian Institution here: www.si.edu and the Smithsonian magazine here: www.smithsonianmag.com

Sy Safransky is the man behind The Sun, and is in many ways a reflection of his ideals, including its dedication to physical print and keeping its pages ad-free. You can learn more about The Sun on their website: thesunmagazine.org

Boating and NASCAR Illustrated are our June Magazines of the Month

June is a perfect time of year for outdoor activities, which has inspired our selection for the magazines of the month: Boating and NASCAR Illustrated. That Father's Day is June 15th, and many fathers (including mine) enjoy both boats and NASCAR is an additional bonus.

Boating is a magazine for powerboat enthusiasts and publishes ten issues every year, as well as a yearly boat buying guide. Each issue covers industry developments, reviews of boating gear and accessories, boating safety guides, fishing information, and DIY projects.

You can check out a copy from the library, or learn more on their website: www.boatingmag.com

NASCAR Illustrated is, as the title suggests, packed with full color photographs from NASCAR races. In addition to the pictures, there are profiles, interviews, and features to appeal to any NASCAR fan.

There are additional photos and videos available through their website: www.nascar-illustrated.com