International Mysteries: Winter Book Group in Berkeley

Each winter our Mystery Readers International NorCal bookgroup discusses International Mysteries ... mysteries set in other countries. Our group meets every Tuesday night and has done so for over 30 years. Obviously we've read a lot of books. Since few of us actually travel during the cold winter months, it's the perfect time to 'visit' new countries, new authors, new mysteries... or to rediscover them.

You're welcome to join us in Berkeley, CA or post comments about the books. If you would like to join us physically, let me know, and I'll send the address. We meet every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. I believe we're the oldest continuous mystery reading group in the Bay Area, and certainly the oldest that continues to meet every week!

About selection of the books: I try to choose books we haven't discussed before as a group, are readily available  in the library or through bookstores or online,  and that I think will make for a good discussion. That doesn't mean that I think everyone will like the books. That's what makes for exciting discussions. I also like to choose at least two books that are new or whose authors are new to most people in the group. If you think we're missing an important crime fiction novel, it might be because we've already read and discussed it. Nevertheless, feel free to post a comment. Some of the books on this list are written by residents of the countries in which the books are set, some are in translation, and some are written by people who live and write in a totally different place. Even if you can't join us, read along. It's a good list.

Be sure and check back on the reading list. Things often change at the first meeting!


Winter 2011 International Mysteries

There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away

January 11   S.J. Rozan’s Shanghai Moon (China)

January 18   Adrian Hyland’s Moonlight Downs (Australia)

January 25   Zoe Ferraris’s City of Veils (Saudi Arabia)

February 1   Claudia Pineiro’s Thursday Night Widows (Argentina)

February 8   Deon Meyer’s Thirteen Hours (South Africa)

February 15 Jo Nesbo’s The Redbreast (Norway)

February 22 Fred Vargas’s The Chalk Circle Man (France)

March 1      Martin Limon's The Wandering Ghost (Korea)

March 8     Vanda Symon's Containment (New Zealand)

March 15    Donna Leon’s Friends in High Places (Italy)

Mystery Readers Journal has had several issues devoted to crime fiction in other countries. 2 issues of Mysteries set Italy, Mysteries set in France, Mysteries set in Scandinavia,  Mysteries set in Ireland, Murder in the Far East, Mysteries set in Africa, Murder Down Under and so many more.

Each issue contains a section entitled Author! Author! in which authors contribute essays about their writing and region. Most issues are available either as hardcopy of .pdf download. This year we'll be having two issues devoted to London crime fiction! That should be fun!