British CWA Dagger Awards

The British Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) announced the winners of the 2025 Dagger Awards. Congratulations to all!

Gold Dagger:
The Book of Secrets, by Anna Mazzola (Orion)

Ian Fleming Steel Dagger:
Dark Ride, by Lou Berney (Hemlock Press)

ILP John Creasey Dagger (New Blood):
All Us Sinners, by Katy Massey (Sphere)

Historical Dagger:
The Betrayal of Thomas True, by A.J. West (Orenda)

Crime Fiction in Translation Dagger:
The Night of Baby Yaga, by Akira Otani, translated by Sam Bett (Faber & Faber)

ALCS Gold Dagger for Non-fiction:
The Peepshow: The Murders at 10 Rillington Place, by Kate Summerscale (Bloomsbury Circus)

Short Story Dagger:
 “A Date on Yarmouth Pier,” by J.C. Berthal (from Midsummer Mysteries)

Twisted Dagger (for psychological and suspense thrillers):
Nightwatching, by Tracy Sierra (Penguin)

Whodunnit Dagger (for cosy crime, traditional mysteries, and Golden Age crime stories):

The Case of the Singer and the Showgirl, by Lisa Hall (Canelo Hera)

Dagger in the Library (for a body of work by an established crime writer that has long been popular with borrowers from libraries):

Richard Osman

Publishers’ Dagger (Best Crime and Mystery Publisher of the Year):
Orenda Books

Emerging Author Dagger (for the opening of a crime novel by an unpublished writer):

Joe Eurell

Nick Herron previously received the CWA Diamond Dagger.

VINTAGE FOURTH OF JULY POSTCARDS: May the Fourth be with You!

Fireworks have been a part of Independence Day celebrations for more than 200 years. Fireworks, though, can be dangerous, especially for children. That's why I find these Vintage Postcards so odd. Today this would be considered "child endangerment." Have a safe Fourth of July... with Liberty and Justice for All!

Silver Falchion Award Nominees: Killer Nashville

Founder Clay Stafford of the Killer Nashville International Writers' Conference  announced this year's Silver Falchion Award Finalists. The Silver Falchion Award is given for the Best Book in each category for the previous year (2024). Winners in each category will be announced at the annual Killer Nashville Awards Dinner taking place on August 23rd in Franklin, TN. 

For the complete category and nominee lists, go Here.

Best Action Adventure 
 
JERICHO BURNING  by T.G. Brown
 
THE GENERAL’S GOLD by Bruce Robert Coffin and LynDee Walker
 
DESPERATE MEASURES by Ley Esses
 
WHERE LOVE MEANS NOTHING by Howard Gimple 
 
THE NORTH LINE  by Matt Riordan 
 
Best Comedy

THE PRINCESS SHOPPE 
Kerry Blaisdell
 
SWIPED by L.M. Chilton
 
GET GRIBNITZ by Howard Gimple 
 
MODEL GHOST  by TK Sheffield 
 
SORRY, KNOT SORRY by Lois Winston 
 
Best Cozy

BEESWAX BEWITCHMENT  by S.E. Babin 
 
ELIZABETH SAILS by Kristin Owens 
 
STUDY GUIDE FOR MURDER by Lori Robbins 
 
FRAMED FOR MURDER  by Marla White 
 
WHEELING AND DEALING  by Becki Willis 
 
Best Historical 
 
EMPOWERED BY THE DREAM: A JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE
Gladys A. Barrio 
 
THE PARIS MISTRESSb y Mally Becker 
 
A KILLING ON THE HILL  by Robert Dugoni 
 
FIND YOUR WAY TO MY GRAVE by Chris Keefer 
 
WHAT ONCE WAS PROMISED by Louis Trubiano 
 
Best Investigator
 
THE THINGS THAT CANNOT BE FORGOTTEN  by Peter W.J. Hayes
 
LAST DOG OUT  by Candace Irving 
 
BLACK & WHITE  by Justin M. Kiska 
 
TIGER CLAW by Michael Allan Mallory 
 
MURDER OUTSIDE THE BOX by Saralyn Richard 
 
Best Juvenile / Y.A.
 
BEYOND THE CEMETERY GATE: THE SECRET KEEPER’S DAUGHTER by Valerie Biel 
 
DEAD GIRL  by Kerrie Faye 
 
STEALING TIME  by Norman Birnbach and Tilia Klebenov Jacobs 
 
SNOWED by Twist Phelan 
 
STAR BROTHER by Maxine Rose Schur 
 
 
Best Mystery 
 
DROP DEAD SISTERS by Amelia Diane Coombs 
 
OBEY ALL LAWS by Cindy Goyette 
 
AT FIRST I WAS AFRAID  by Marty Ludlum 
 
A WORLD OF HURT  by Mindy Mejia 
 
SCORCHED: BURN ME ONCE…by Cam Torrens 
 
 
Best Short Story Collection / Anthology

NEVER TELL COLLECTION, edited by Kjiersti Egerdahl
 
DAY, edited by Patrick Kitson (author)
 
DEEDS OF DARKNESS, William Burton McCormick (author)
 
6-LANE HIGHWAY, Sean Mitchell (author)
 
LARCENY & LAST CHANCES: 22 STORIES OF MYSTERY & SUSPENSE, edited by Judy Penz Sheluk
 
Best Suspense
 
A FRIEND IN THE DARK by Samantha M. Bailey
 
IF YOU TELL A LIE by Lucinda Berry
 
THE NEXT MRS. PARRISH  by Liv Constantine
 
LOST TO DUNE ROAD by Kara Thomas
 
THE LAST PARTY by AR Torre
 
Best Thriller
 
RICH JUSTICE by Robert Bailey
 
THE DREDGE by Brendan Flaherty
 
THE MECHANICS OF MEMORY  by Audrey Lee
 
A FORGOTTEN KILL by Isabella Maldonado
 
THE ASCENT  by Adam Plantinga
 

 

Fourth of July Mysteries // Fourth of July Crime Fiction

The Fourth of July (Independence Day) used to be one of my favorite holidays, maybe because I was born in Philadelphia, the birthplace of our nation. Despite what's happening in the U.S. this year, I decided to post my Fourth of July Crime Fiction list. Maybe in spite of it. I claim this holiday and what it stands for. It's so important to this nation, and I don't want to lose sight of and the meaning of the flag, the Declaration of Independence, and the U.S. Constitution. Even if you're not celebrating Independence Day, you can celebrate this great group of mysteries that take place on the holiday! 

And don't miss my Summertime Mysteries List, Summer Sleuthing: Lazy, Hazy, Murderous Days of Summer! 

As always, let me know if I've missed any titles. This is an updated list.

Fourth of July Mysteries

The Fourth of July Wake by Harold Adams
Sweet Tea and Secrets by Joy Avon
Murder on Parade by Donald Bain (as Jessica Fletcher) 
Home of the Brave by Donna Ball
Bomb Pop Threat by Christy Barritt 
Hair of the Dog by Laurien Berenson 
Murder by Fireworks by Susan Bernhardt
Jealousy Filled Donuts by Ginger Bolton
Plot Boiler by Ali Brandon 
The Cat Who Went Underground by Lilian Jackson Braun
Rockets' Red Glare by Lynn Cahoon
The Chocolate Frog Frame-Up by JoAnna Carl

Gone with the Whisker by Laurie Cass
Dead on the 4th of July by Meg Chittenden
Someone to Watch Over Me by Jill Churchill
Independence Day by Anne-Marie Clark
Twanged by Carol Higgins Clark
Independene Day by Ben Coes

Oh Say Can You Fudge by Nancy Coco

Star Tangled Murder by Nancy J. Cohen
BlackBuried Pie by Lyndsey Cole
Murder Most Frothy by Cleo Coyle
The Carousel of Death by Elisabeth Crabtree
A Catered Fourth of July by Isis Crawford
Murder on the 4th of July by P. Creeden
Red, White, and Blue Murder by Bill Crider
Firework Fiasco; Fireworks in Paradise by Kathi Daley

Framed and Frosted by Kim Davis
Guilty as Charred by Devon Delaney
Blood Red, White and Blue by Kathleen Delaney
Dead on the Fourth of July by R. E. Derouin
Four Dog's Sake by Lia Farrell
Blackberry Burial by Sharon Farrow
One Fete in the Grave by Vickie Fee
Lemon Meringue Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke
Independence Slay by Shelley Freydont
Booneville Retribution by S. Furlong-Bollinger
Mistaken Identity by Patricia Gligor

Katelyn's Killer by John Gordon
Born on the 4th of July by Heather Graham

Tool & Die, Triple Witch; Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake by Sarah Graves
Red, White and Blueberry Murder by Susan Gillard
Light my Firecracker by Carolyn Gregg
Act Of Darkness by Jane Haddam
Bowled Over by Victoria Hamilton
Yankee Doodle Dead; Dead, White and Blue by Carolyn Hart
Fourth of July Fatality by Kelly Hashway

Past Imperfect by Kathleen Hills
Death of a Cookbook Author by Lee Hollis
The Ghost Who Lied by Bobbie Holmes
The Falls: Fourth of July by George Jackson
Exit Wounds by J. A. Jance
Fourth of July Forgery by Tonya Kappes

The Fourth of July by J.D. Kincaid

Murder Served Neat by Michelle Hillen Klump

4th of July in Sweetwater Country by Clara Knight

A Star-Spangled Mayfair by Kassandra Lamb
A Timely Vision; A Watery Death by Joyce and Jim Lavene
Silence of the Jams by Gayle Leeson
Die Like a Hero by Clyde Linsley
The July Girls by Phoebe Locke

Knee High by the Fourth of July by Jess Lourey
Dahlias and Death by London Lovett
Death on Nantucket by Francine Mathews
Left Hanging by Patricia McLinn
Star Spangled Murder by Leslie Meier
Cold Hard News by Maureen Milliken

Flag Cake Felonies by Addison Moore
Manic in Christmas River; Mayhem in Christmas River; Mutts & Murder by Meg Muldoon
Bats and Bones Karen Musser Nortman
A Fifth for the 4th of July by Doug Olsen and Julie Gollan
Foal Play by Kathryn O'Sullivan 
Iron Ties by Ann Parker
4th of July by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
The Body in the Birches by Katherine Hall Page
4th of July by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro

King Suckerman by George P. Pelecanos
Murder is No Picnic by Amy Pershing

Final Resting Place by Jonathan Putnam
Three Woofs for the Dead, White and Plus by Laura Quinn

Dead, White, and Blue by Amy M. Reade

Can't Never Tell by Cathy Pickens

Spilling the Spice by Sheri Richey
Firecrackered by Patricia Rockwell
Death by Deep Dish Pie by Sharon Short
The Dam Committee by Earl H. Smith
Killing Grounds by Dana Stabenow
And Four to Go ("Fourth of July Picnic") by Rex Stout
Independence Day Plague by Carla Lee Suson
Doggone Dead by Teresa Trent
Prepped for the Kill by A.E. H. Veenman
The 4th of July Can Be MURDER! by Dianne Warth Vereen
Thread and Gone by Lea Wait

A Medium's 4th of July by Chariss K. Walker and Marty Parker

Firework Kisses and Summertime Wishes by Linda West
Independence Day Murder by Linnea West
Kaboom by J.A. Whiting and Nell McCarthy
Some Welcome Home by Sharon Wildwind
Mrs. Morris and the Sorceress by Traci Wilton
Star Spangled Murder by Valerie Wolzien
Happy 4th of July Murder by Rachel Woods

Embarking on Murder by Sue Owens Wright

Short Stories

Rex Stout's "Fourth of July Picnic" in Century of Great Suspense Stories, Edited by Jeff Deaver.
S. Furlong-Bolliger's "Booneville Retribution: 4th of July Mystery Short Story" in Kings River Life.
A Sparrow Falls Fourth of July in A Sparrow Falls Holiday by Donna McLean. 

Children’s Mysteries

Fireworks at the FBI (Capital Mysteries Series #6) by Ron Roy, Timothy Bush (Illustrator)
Murder On The Fourth of July by Carolyn Keene
The Philly Fake by David E. Kelly
Calendar Mysteries: July Jitters by Ron Roy and John Steven Gurney
The Fourth of July Fiasco by Jim McNeal
The Case of the July 4th Jinx by Lewis B. Montgomery and Amy Wummer

True Crime  

Death on the Fourth of July: The Story of a Killing, a Betrayal, and Hate Crime in America by David A. Neiwert

As always, I welcome additions and comments.

CANADA DAY: Mystery Readers Journal: Canadian Mysteries

Happy Canada Day! Hope my friends up North are having a great day!

FYI: Mystery Readers Journal had an issue devoted to Canadian Mysteries (30:1), Spring 2014. This issue is still available for purchase as a PDF, but I've included links to two articles by Canadian mystery writer,s Vicki Delany and Louise Penny.

Buy this back issue! Available as a downloadable PDF.

MYSTERY READERS JOURNAL: CANADIAN MYSTERIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLES

• Canadian Crime, the Undiscovered Country by Kevin Thornton
• The Canadians Are Coming by Robin Harlick

AUTHOR! AUTHOR!

• Murder, Eh? by Lou Allin
• Becoming Canadian by Cathy Ace
• Setting Out From Saskatoon by Anthony Bidulka
• Land of Ice and Snow, Smoggy Steeltown, and the Italian Mob! Or, how to write mob comedies… by Melodie Campbell
• Mysteries in the Canadian North by Brenda Chapman
• An Insider’s Take by Miriam Clavir
• A Quiet Courage by Peter Clement
• Writing Canadian Cops by Vicki Delany
• Sleeping With an Elephant by Ruth Donald
• Research Made Fun With Vancouver’s Police Dogs by Elizabeth Elwood
• Mystery Is in the Mind by A.R. Grobbo
• Exploring the Canadian Wilds with Meg Harris by R.J. Harlick
• France on Berlin Time, Part II: The Canadian Connection by J. Robert Janes
• Canadian From Coast to Coast by Amber Harvey
• The Canadian Conundrum by Tim Heald
• Left Coast Noir by Dietrich Kalteis
• The Canadian Mystery Writer’s Wardrobe by Linda Kupecek
• Ordinary People, Like You and Me, Interrupted by Murder by J. A. Menzies
• Thoughts About Killing the Canadian Way by John Moss
• Canadianese by Louise Penny
• The Canadian Who Came in From the Cold (But Just for a Short Time) by Steve Shrott
• The Inferiority Complex of a Canadian Mystery Author by Cathy Spencer
• From Rangers to Red Serge by Kay Stewart
• Canadian as Maple Murder Pie by Robin Timmerman
• APOK? by Mike Walton

COLUMNS

• Mystery in Retrospect: Reviews by Madeleine Harris-Callway, Lesa Holstine, Gay Toltl Kinman, L.J. Roberts, Lou Allin, Margaret Blair
• Children’s Hour: Canada by Gay Toltl Kinman
• In Short: Canadian Capers by Marv Lachman
• Crime Seen: North of the Border by Kate Derie
• From the Editor’s Desk by Janet Rudolph

Cartoon of the Day: Editor

 

GLASS BELL AWARD LONG LIST 2025

Goldsboro Books revealed the Long List for the 2025 Glass Bell Award, celebrating the very best storytelling across all genres of contemporary fiction. Launched in 2017, the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award is awarded annually to outstanding work of contemporary fiction, rewarding quality storytelling in any genre. 

Glass Bell Award Long List

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden (Century, PRH)
The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks (W&N, Orion)
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown (Transworld, PRH)
James by Percival Everett (Picador & Mantle, Pan Macmillan)
The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey (Hutchinson Heinemann, PRH)
The Silverblood Promise by James Logan (Arcadia, Quercus Books)
Hunted by Abir Mukherjee (Vintage, PRH)
Berlin Duet by S. W. Perry (Corvus, Atlantic Books)
A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike (Fig Tree, PRH)
There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak (Viking, PRH)
The Kellerby Code by Jonny Sweet (Faber & Faber)
All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (Orion Books)

(nominees in bold reflect crime fiction)

Cartoon of the Day: Cats!

 Happy Caturday!

MAIGRET: New TV series on PBS

MASTERPIECE on PBS has announced that Maigret, a contemporary series, will premiere on Sunday, October 5, 2025 at 9/8c on PBS. The first trailer for the brand-new series has been released in conjunction with the news. Scroll to watch the trailer, and scroll down for a short history of Maigret on TV and film.

Writer and EP Patrick Harbinson  has taken the Georges Simenon detective stories and updated them into a contemporary show starring Benjamin Wainwright as the detective Jules Maigret. The Maigret novels are the second best-selling detective series ever, behind only Sherlock Holmes and this is the first modern-day adaptation for the screen.

Maigret inhabits a vividly realized Paris that takes us from the glitzy upper-class world of luxury hotels and mansions to local bourgeois bistros and bars and the underground haunts of the professionally criminal. “To understand and not to judge”: Maigret strives above all to unravel  motivations. He is good at this not because he is a genius, or has special methods, but because he listens – he doesn’t solve crimes so much as he solves people. 

Patrick Harbinson's adaptation reframes Maigret as an unconventional young detective with something to prove, a rising star in the Police Judiciare, relentless in his investigations, with an uncanny ability to get under the skin of the criminals he is chasing and a matchless knowledge of Paris and its inhabitants. 

I haven't seen the series yet, but my main question is where is Madame Maigret? She is one of my favorite characters in the Simenon books. It doesn't look like she's in this new series which is about the 'young' Maigret. I guess we won't be seeing all those mouth-watering French meals. Other questions: Where is Maigret's crumpled trenchcoat, pipe, and hat? Perhaps he acquired them later in his life?

Since this series debuts in October, you have plenty of time to get reading.The Simeon Maigret mysteries are short and easy to read. And, there are 75 novels and 28 short stories, so lots to read.

FYI: There have been over 35 actors that have played Maigret. French film adaptations began in 1932, but Jean Gabin was the first 'well-known' French actor playing the role in 1958, 59, and 63. French actors Jean Richard and Bruno Cremer followed with Jean Richard appearing in 90 episodes.

On British TV, Rupert Davies starred in the role in the 1960s (more than 50 episodes). In the early 1990s, Michael Gambon solved 12 crimes. I loved this series, and I thought Gambon was the perfect Maigret. But, the first actor in the Uk to play Maigret was Charles Laughton in the 1949 film The Man on the Eiffel Tower. I think the most recent Maigret series on TV starred Rowan Atkins in 2016 and 2017. Several of these series are streaming. 

Here's the trailer for the new series on Masterpiece. 

Cartoon of the Day: Book Signing

 

The Women Who Transformed the CIA: Agents of Change

Thursday, July 10, 5:30 p.m.

The Commonwealth Club of California

110 The Embarcadero

Toni Rembe Rock Auditorium
San Francisco, CA 94105 

Join the Commonwealth Club of California for a lively discussion of Christina Hillsberg's book Agents of Change: The Women Who Transformed the CIA. Hillsberg is a former intelligence operative who has written a narrative exploration of the agency’s history, told through exclusive interviews with current and former female CIA officers, many of whom have never spoken publicly until now. The book fills a necessary gap in the agency’s history and takes a critical view of the agency’s indisputable record of suppressing the women who would become its most valued trailblazers—and its most vocal troublemakers. 

These were women who sacrificed their personal lives, risked their safety, defied expectations, and boldly navigated the male-dominated spy organization, routinely passed over for promotions, recruiting assets, and managing clandestine operations. 

Terry Shames, who worked at the CIA and is an acclaimed, award winning mystery writer, will provide additional energy and knowledge of both the CIA and writing. 

You won't want to miss this program!

Register: https://commonwealthclub.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/a0FVb000004wQ6HMAU

***

Christina Hillsberg of Chicago is a former CIA intelligence officer and writer. While at the CIA, she wrote analytic assessments for the president, his cabinet, and other senior-level policymakers. Hillsberg specialized in African politics and leaders and was one of the intelligence community's few Swahili and Zulu linguists. She later worked in the CIA's Directorate of Operations, clandestinely collecting intelligence from the field. She is the recipient of multiple CIA Exceptional Performance Awards. After leaving the CIA, Hillsberg worked in information security at Amazon, where she stood up the company’s first insider threat program, created a new global framework to analyze cyber risks, and established new processes to utilize intelligence tradecraft to analyze information security threats.

Terry Shames is the award-winning, best-selling author of 11 Samuel Craddock mysteries. As well as winning the Macavity Award for Best First Novel, her first book, A Killing at Cotton Hill, was also shortlisted for the Strand Critics Award. She has been short-listed for the Left Coast Crime Lefty Award, and in 2016 won the RWA Editor’s Choice award for The Necessary Murder of Nonie Blake. The eleventh in the series, The Troubling Death of Maddy Benson, October 2024, was an Amazon Editor's Pick. In April 2024, she debuted the Jessie Madison thriller series with Perilous Waters. In March she published Out of Control, her first domestic suspense novel. After graduating from The University of Texas, Shames worked for the CIA for three years in the China division. After she left the CIA she went into computer programming and analysis for 10 years, during which she began writing fiction. Shames lives in Southern California with her husband, her dog Monty and her cat Max. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers and the Texas Institute of Letters.

Moderator: Frank Price

Cartoon of the Day: Your order

 

Vintage Typewriters: National Typewriter Day!

I often see Vintage Typewriters at the Flea Market and Estate Sales. They're really cool. I learned to type on my mother's already vintage typewriter, so vintage typewriters are close to my heart. 

Vintage Typewriters I've come across at Flea Markets. Great for National Typewriter Day!

THRILLER AWARDS 2025: International Thriller Writers Organization

The International Thriller Writers Organization (ITW) announced the winners of the Thriller Awards last night at ThrillerFest. Congratulations to all!

BEST SHORT STORY

Ivy Pochoda—“JACKRABBIT SKIN”

BEST FIRST NOVEL

Marie Tierney—DEADLY ANIMAL

BEST YOUNG ADULT NOVEL

Marisha Pessl—DARKLY

BEST AUDIOBOOK

Kate Alice Marshall—NO ONE CAN KNOW Narrated by Karissa Vacker

BEST STANDALONE MYSTERY NOVEL

Kellye Garrett—MISSING WHITE WOMAN

BEST STANDALONE THRILLER NOVEL

Jason Rekulak—THE LAST ONE AT THE WEDDING

BEST SERIES NOVEL

David Baldacci -- TO DIE FOR 

Cartoon of the Day: Prank

 

SUMMER SOLSTICE: Summertime Crime Fiction

Today marks the Summer Solstice! It is my favorite day of the year because it's the longest, and I love light! Today is also the first day of summer. 

Summertime, and the living is easy. Or is it? So many mysteries taking place during Summer are filled with murder and mayhem -- on the Beach, at the Lake, and in the 'hot' City! What follows is a list of Summer Crime Fiction that exudes the heat and accompanying crime of Summertime. I've omitted most Fourth of July and Labor Day Mysteries from this list because I'll be updating those specific lists later this Summer. 

Check out Mystery Readers Journal (40:2) that focuses on Murder Takes a Holiday. Plenty of summertime mysteries in this issue. I will gradually add some of the reviewed books to this list. I will also post a short list of Summer Camp mysteries. I'm sure there are more. Love to hear from you.

As always I invite you to add any titles I've missed. Post a note in the comments or shoot me an email. This is far from a definitive list, but it's been updated since last year. I've included thrillers, cozies, traditional, suspense, and more. Put a bunch of these mysteries in your beach bag and enjoy the reads!

Summertime Mysteries 

Foxglove Summer by Ban Aaronovitch
The Corpse with the Garnet Face; The Case of the Uninvited Undertaker; The Castoff the Unsuitable Suitor by Cathy Ace
A Cat on a Beach Blanket by Lydia Adamson
A Deadly Cliche; Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams
Moon Water Madness by Glynn Marsh Alam
A Tangled June by Neil Albert
Meet Your Baker; Hold on for Beer Life by Ellie Alexander

Mint Chocolate Murder by Mere Allen

The Leaving by Tara Altebrando  
Gone Gull: Murder Most Fowl by Donna Andrews

Sunset Beach; High Tide Club; The Home-Wreckers by Mary Kay Andrews
Tiger's Eve by Barbara Annino
Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea by Nancy Atherton
Sweet Tea and Secrets by Joy Avon
Live and Let Chai; Partners in Lime by Bree Baker
Gold Medal Threat by Michael Balkind (Kids: 7-15)
A Midsummer Night's Killing by Trevor Barnes
Milwaukee Summers Can Be Deadly by Kathleen Anne Barrett
One Hot Murder by Lorraine Bartlett
Love, Lies and Liquor by M.C. Beaton
Summertime News by Dick Belsky
Pups, Pilots and Peril by Cindy Bell

The Hiding Place by David Bell
The Summer School Mystery by Josephine Bell
Jaws by Peter Benchley
Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry

Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore
Murder by Fireworks by Susan Bernhardt
The House without a Key by Earl Derr Biggers

A Death in Summer by Benjamin Black
The Beach Hut Murders by Peter Bland

Another Man's Ground by Claire Booth
The Down East Murders by J.S. Borthwick
Royal Flush by Rhys Bowen
Lowcountry Boil by Susan M. Boyer
Deadly Readings by Laura Bradford
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
Tour de Force by Christiana Brand

Pot Boiler by Ali Brandon
The Cat Who Saw Stars, The Cat Who Went Up the Creek by Lilian Jackson Braun
Chill of Summer by Carol Brennan
Death by the Sea by Kathleen Bridge
Death at the Seaside by Frances Brody

Devils Island by Carl Brookins
Killer in Crinolines; Braking for Bodies by Duffy Brown
Tall Tail by Rita Mae Brown
Scrappy Summer by Mollie Cox Bryan
A Fatal Fettucinne by Julia Buckley
Death on the Riviera by John Bude

Magic and Macaroons by Bailey Cates
Wonton Terror by Vivien Chien 

Twanged; Zapped by Carol Higgins Clark
Footprints in the Sand by Mary Jane Clark
Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark
Thin Air by Ann Cleeves
Dead and Berried by Peg Cochran
All You Need is Fudge, To Fudge or not to Fudge; A Midsummer Night's Fudge by Nancy Coco
BlackBuried Pie by Lyndsey Cole
Murder at the Mansion; Digging Up History by Sheila Connolly
Beach Music by Pat Conroy
Claws for Alarm by Cate Conte

Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell
Death on a Summer Night by Matthew Costello
Murder Most Frothy by Cleo Coyle
A Shoot on Martha's Vineyard by Philip Craig
The Trouble with a Hot Summer by Camilla Crespi
A Poisonous Page; Digging Up Trouble by Kitt Crowe

Never Say Pie by Carol Culver
Barkley's Treasure, Bikinis in Paradise; Beach Blanket Barbie; Camp Carter; Maui Madness; Bikinis in Paradise by Kathi Daley
The Alpine Recluse; The Alpine Zen; Clam Wake; Dune to Death by Mary Daheim
The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss by Krista Davis

Deadly Summer Nights by Vicki Delany
A Summer in the Twenties by Peter Dickinson
The Gold Coast, Plum Island by Nelson DeMille
Dead & Buried by Leighann Dobbs

The Safe Place by Anna Downes
He Started It by Samantha Downing

Dead in the Water; Fall of a Philanderer by Carola Dunn
Kilt at the Highland Games by Kaitlyn Dunnett
Murder at the Bridge by Frances Evesham
Killer Heat by Linda Fairstein

Cloudy with a Chance of Murder by Gerald Elias

Margin for Muder by Lauren Elliott

Four Dog's Sake by Lia Farrell
Blackberry Burial, Dying for Strawberries; Killed on Blueberry Hill by Sharon Farrow
One Fete in the Grave by Vickie Fee
Murder Sends a Postcard; Murder Buys a T-shirt by Christy Fifield
The Angel of Knowlton Park by Kate Flora
Lord James Harrington and the Summer Mystery by Lynn Florkiewicz
Apple Turnover Murder, Blackberry Pie Murder, Carrot Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
A Wrinkle in Thyme by Sarah Fox

Beneath the Skin by Nicci French
Independence Slay by Shelley Freydont
A Death Long Overdue (and others) by Eva Gates
A Dish Best Served Cold by Rosie Genova

Murder Makes Waves by Anne George
The Caleb Cove Mystery Series  (3 in the series) by Mahrie Reid Glab
Summertime, All the Cats are Bored by Philippe Georget
Reserved for Murder by Victoria Gilbert

The Cats that Watched the Woods by Karen Anne Golden
A Fatal Fleece, Angora Alibi: Murder at Lambswool Farm by Sally Goldenbaum
A Fatal Booking; Reserved for Murder by Victoria Gilbert

Sunflower Street by Pamela Grandstaff
Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake; Knockdown; Death by Chocolate Malted Milkshake by Sarah Graves
Sound Proof by Barbara Gregorich
Spirited Away; Whole Latte Murder by Lena Gregory

Mystery on Mackinac Island by Anna W. Hale
Bowled Over by Victoria Hamilton
Murder at the Blueberry Festival by Darci Hannah

Dead Days of Summer; Dead Man's Island by Carolyn Hart
Pesticide by Kim Hays
Town in a Lobster Stew; Town in a Strawberry Swirl by B.B. Haywood
A Stitch in Crime by Betty Hechtman

Thunder Moon by Richard Helms
Tilling the Truth by Julia Henry
The Summer of Dead Toys by Antonio Hill
The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
Summer of the Big Bachi by Naomi Hirahara
Death of a Cookbook Author; Death of a Lobster Lover; Death of an Italian Chef by Lee Hollis
Cracked to Death by Cheryl Holton
Beach Bags and Burglaries by Dorothy Howell
Murder at Wrightsville Beach by Ellen Elizabeth Hunter 

Last Summer by Evan Hunter
Magic Hour by Susan Isaacs
Death in Holy Orders by P.D. James
A Death at Candlewick Castle by Emma Jameson

A Palette for Murder by Sybil Johnson
Laid Out in Lavender by Gin Jones
Outdoors, Oars, & Oath (and others) by Tonya Kappes
One Feta in the Grave by Tina Kashian
A Summer for Dying by Jamie Katz
Murder Under a Full Moon by Abigail Keam

The Foxglove Killings by Tara Kelly (YA)
Hooked on a Feline by Sofie Kelly
Rainy Day Women by Kay Kendall

Murder in the Past Tense by E.E. Kennedy
Death and a Pot of Chowder by Cornelia Kidd
Banana Split by Josi S. Kilpack

Joyland by Stephen King
Antique Auctions are Murder by Libby Klein
Summer House with Swimming Pool by Herman Koch

Midsummer Malice by M.D. Lake
Dark Nantucket Noon by Jane Langton
The Bottoms by Joe Lansdale

A Timely Vision; A Watery Death by Joyce and Jim Lavene
You Only Witch Once by Amanda M. Lee
Death of a Bacherlorette by Laura Levine
A Sense of Entitlement by Anna Loan-Wilsey

Fishing for Trouble by Elizabeth Logan
A Tale of Two Biddies by Kylie Logan
Boarding with Murder by Kathryn Long

Murder on the Ile Sordou by M.L. Longworth
August Moon, June Bug by Jess Lourey
Nun But the Brave by Alice Loweecey
Jasmine and Jealousy: Peonies and Poison by London Lovett
A Summer to Die by Lois Lowry
The Body in the Wetlands by Judi Lynn

Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies by Catherine Mack  
Berried to the Hilt, Death Runs Adrift; Claws for Alarm; Murder on the Rocks by Karen MacInerny
A Demon Summer; Death in Cornwall by G.M. Malliet
Grave Heritage by Blanche Day Manos
Swimming Alone by Nina Mansfield (YA)
Death in a Mood Indigo by Francine Mathews
Murder at Beechwood; Murder at the Breakers by Alyssa Maxwell
Till Death Do Us Bark by Judi McCoy
Killer Honeymoon by G.A. McKevitt
Left Hanging by Patricia McLinn
Tippy Toe Murder by Leslie Meier
Summers Lease by John Mortimer

Murder Most Finicky by Liz Mugavero
Country Club Murders Series (Killing Me Softly - and others) by Julie Mulhern

Bats and Bones; Peete and Repeat, The Lady of the Lake, To Cache a Killer by Karen Nortman
Murder at Kildare Mensa by Clare O'Beara
Foal Play; Murder on the Hoof by Kathryn O'Sullivan
The Body in the Lighthouse; The Body in the Birches; The Body in the Wake by Katherine Hall Page
Murder at the Seaside Hotel by Sonia Paris
Mercury's Rise by Ann Parker  

Paws in the Action; A Timely Murder by Max Parrott
The Heat of the Moon by Sandra Parshall
Mrs. Bundle's Dog Days of Summer: A Case of Artful Arson by Allison Cesario Paton
The Summer House by James Patterson; Lifeguard by James Patterson and Andrew Gross; The Murder House by James Patterson and David Ellis
Thread and Dead by Elizabeth Penny

A Rule Against Summer by Louise Penny
Summer of the Dragon by Elizabeth Peters
5 Dan Marlowe/Hampton Beach, NH mysteries by Jed Power
Murder at Honeysuckle Hotel by Rose Pressey
The Cabin by Natasha Preston

Cat of Many Tails by Ellery Queen
Still Life in Brunswick Stew by Larissa Reinhart
Deep Green Envy by Joy Ann Ribar
Cons & Quinces by Sheri Richey 
Summer Garden Murder by Ann Ripley

In the Dead of the Summer; How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Gillian Roberts
Calamity@the Carwash by Sharon Rose
Mint Juleps, Mayhem, and Murder; Milkshakes, Mermaids and Murder by Sara Rosett
Boiled Over, Clammed Up ( and others) by Barbara Ross

Murder in the Dining Room by Betty Rowlands
The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager
The Field of Prey by John Sandford 

Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom
Hang My Head & Cry by Elena Santangelo
Miss Lizzie by Walter Satterthwait

Have His Carcase by Dorothy L. Sayers

Purl Up and Die; Yarn Over Murder by Maggie Sefton
Love & Death in Burgundy by Susan C. Shea
Vacations Can Be Murder; Bushel Full of Murder by Connie Shelton
Bushel Full of Murder, If Onions Could Spring Leeks by Paige Shelton
Poised to Quill by Morgan W. Silver
Summer in the Woods by Steven K. Smith
Pick Your Poison; The Cat, The Vagabond and The Victim by Leann Sweeney
Live and Let Fly by Clover Tate

Cape Cod Mystery by Phoebe Atwood Taylor
A Fine Summer's Day by Charles Todd
Deception in the Cotswolds; The Threlkeld Theory by Rebecca Tope
Trouble in the Tarot by Kari Lee Townsend
Rooted in Deceit by Wendy Tyson
Board Stiff by Elaine Viets
Shadows of a Down East Summer; Thread and Gone by Lea Wait
Deadly Delights by Laura Jensen Walker

The Lying Game by Ruth Ware
The Great Chili Kill-Off; Killer Crab Cakes; Never Trifle with Murder by Livia J. Washburn
Murder and Misfortune; Sweet Avengers; Sweet Sun and Shadow by J.A. Whiting
A Sense of Entitlement by Anna Loan Wilsey

Trail of Secrets by Laura Wolfe (YA)
An Old Faithful Murder, Remodelled to Death; Death in a Beach Chair by Valerie Wolzien
Orchid Beach by Stuart Woods
Sins of a Shaker Summer by Deborah Woodworth
Summer Will End by Dorian Yeager

Murder by the Seashore by Samara Yew
Heart of Stone by James Ziskin 

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Short Story Collections

Murder by the Seaside: Classic Crime Stories for Summer (Edited by Cecily Gayford)
Murder in Midsummer (not to be mistaken for Midsomer)

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Any titles you'd like to add? Make a comment below.

The Vesper Martini: National Martini Day!

Today is National Martini Day, and perhaps the most iconic Martini is that of James Bond aka 007! The Vodka Martini is as synonymous with 007 as the Walther PPK and the Aston Martin DB5. James Bond first ordered his trademark drink in Ian Fleming's debut novel Casino Royale (1953):

'A dry martini,' he said. 'One. In a deep champagne goblet.'
'Oui, monsieur.'
'Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon-peel. Got it?'
'Certainly, monsieur.' The barman seemed pleased with the idea.
'Gosh, that's certainly a drink,' said Leiter.
Bond laughed. 'When I'm . . . er . . . concentrating,' he explained, 'I never have more than one drink before dinner. But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold and very well-made. I hate small portions of anything, particularly when they taste bad. This drink's my own invention. I'm going to patent it when I can think of a good name.'

Having invented his own signature drink for Bond, Fleming left the reader hanging for the name for the drink until Vesper Lynd entered the novel. Bond thought her name was perfect for his preferred drink:

'Vesper,' she said. 'Vesper Lynd.'... She smiled. 'Some people like it, others don't. I'm just used to it.'
'I think it's a fine name,' said Bond. An idea struck him. 'Can I borrow it?'
He explained about the special martini he had invented and his search for a name for it. 'The Vesper,' he said.
'It sounds perfect and it's very appropriate to the violet hour when my cocktail will now be drunk all over the world. Can I have it?'
'So long as I can try one first,' she promised. 'It sounds a drink to be proud of.'

The 'Vesper' Martini created by Bond in Casino Royale and liked by Fleming:

Add 3 measures Gordon's Gin
Add 1/2 measure Vodka
Add 1 measure blond Lillet vermouth
Shake very well until it's ice cold
Garnish with a slice of lemon peel

The medium-dry Vodka Martini preferred by James Bond in the films:

4 measures Vodka (use a tbsp or an oz as a measure to fill one cocktail glass)
Add 1 measure dry Vermouth
Shake with ice. Do not stir. (Shaking gives the misty effect and extra chill preferred by Bond)
Add 1 green olive ( James Bond prefers olives)
Garnish with a thin slice of lemon peel
Serve in a cocktail glass

Thanks to MI6-HQ.com for the citations