For the past few years, I've posted a list of May Day Mysteries. I love May Day with its Morris Dancing and the Maypole, all dating back to pagan Celtic times. And, although May may seem idyllic with its flowers and showers, it can actually be murderous! Later this month, I will have an updated list of Cinco de Mayo Mysteries, Mother's Day Mysteries and Memorial Day Mysteries. All take place in May.
I've expanded my May Day list to include a few other May mysteries. Let me know if I've forgotten any titles. Be sure and check out the Morris Dancing Mysteries at the end of the list.
May Day Mysteries
Five Days in May by Paul Eiseman
30 Days in May by Wayne Hancock
Five Days in May by Christopher Hartpence
Seven Days in May by Fletcher Knebel
The Moonlit Door by Deryn Lake
May Day by Jess Lourey
May Might Mean Murder by Bill McGrath
A Hearse on May-Day by Gladys Mitchell
May Day in Magadan by Anthony Olcott
The Merry Month of May by Elvi Rhodes
A Hot Day in May by Julian Jay Savarin
May Day Murder by Julie Wassmer
The May Day Murders by Scott Wittenburg
Morris dancing is one of the Great English Mysteries, like cricket and warm beer.
--Rosemary Edghill, mystery writer, in Book of Moons, 1995
For over 35 years at dawn on May Day, Berkeley Morris Dancing takes place at Inspiration Point in Tilden Park. This year, they will be there on Monday, May 1 from 5:30-6:30 a.m. Can't make that time? They will be at UC Berkeley North Gate 10:00 am., then at College and 63rd (near Philz Coffee) at 11:15. On May 7, they will be at the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden from 10-10:30 am. and then the Little Farm (Tilden Park) from 11:30-12:30 (May Pole) and finally from 1:30-2:30 at the Tilden Park Carousel. Check for Morris Dancing in your area.
Morris Dancing Mysteries
The Case of the Missing Morris Dancer: A Cozy Mystery Set in Wales by Cathy Ace
As the Pig Turns by M.C. Beaton
Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate; Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton
Blind to the Bones by Stephen Booth
Thieves by Hannah Dennison
The Moonlit Door by Deryn Lake
The Shortest Day by Jane Langton
Death of a Fool (Off with his Head) by Ngaio Marsh
Dead Men's Morris by Gladys Mitchell
The Death-Cap Dancers by Gladys Mitchell
The Lazareth Pit by Elizabeth Patterson
All of a Winter's Night by Phil Rickman
I haven't finished reading it yet, but there are some mighty sinister Morris dancers in Phil Rickman's new book, All of a Winter's Night.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I've added it to the list. :-)
ReplyDeleteDoes Michael Jecks talk about Morris Dancing in any of his books? I don't remember but would think so since Michael, himself, belongs/belonged to a Morris Dancing troupe.
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ReplyDeleteHow about a romance novel? https://helenjperry.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/spring-in-my-step-or-the-morris-dancing-romance-story/
Oh, if we're talking romance, you might like my "Blue Eyed Stranger," a m/m romance between a morris dancer and a historical re-enactor :) http://riptidepublishing.com/titles/blue-eyed-stranger. I am a dancer myself so I drew on a lot of personal experience!
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