Hello mystery fans! It’s time for new releases, news, roundups, and all the things crime related I think may be of interest to you.
New Releases
Death on Gokumon Island (Detective Kosuke Kindaichi #2) by Seishi Yokomizo, Louise Heal Kawai (Translator)
I love translated mysteries. I love Japanese mysteries. I love seeing the classics from other countries. I love mysteries set on remote islands. All those reasons, and more, make me so glad that Pushkin Vertigo is translating this series–don’t worry about the series number, they read as standalones and have actually been translated out of order. Detective Kosuke Kindaichi not only comes to Gokumon Island with news of a man’s death, but also that his dying words were a warning that his three step-sisters were now in danger.
The Locked Room (Ruth Galloway #14) by Elly Griffiths
Ruth Galloway fans can cheer for a new entry in this long running mystery series! Ruth is clearing out her mother’s London home a few years after her mom passed away and discovers a photo that opens a mystery she must solve. Now back in Norfolk, she finds new roadblocks to her detecting as COVID-19 lockdowns have begun. Add to that a possible serial killer plot that DCI Harry Nelson is investigating…
Looking for more new releases? Check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
This week I have a very real case that inspired a literary novel and now a true crime book: Florida’s Dozier School for Boys was meant to be a place boys were sent to for reform but instead housed cruelties and horrors.
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
In this historical fiction novel, Whitehead delves into the human cruelty of the very real Florida school presented as a reform school for boys. Elwood Curtis ends up there as an idealist who holds onto Dr Martin Luther King’s words “Throw us in jail, and we will still love you,” but his views will quickly be tested by cruelty and those who believe you have to be as cruel as your oppressors to survive, especially when no one is coming to help.
We Carry Their Bones: The Search for Justice at the Dozier School for Boys by Erin Kimmerle
This is a true crime book written by the forensic anthropologist who worked to locate the graveyard and graves of the boys who “disappeared” at a Florida reform school. The school was able to operate for more than 100 years as it wasn’t until the reports of cruelty and mysterious deaths finally got the attention they should have always had that the school was closed in 2011. Erin Kimmerle and her team worked to find the bodies and through DNA testing let their families know their children’s bodies had finally been found.
News and Roundups
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Crime Writers of Color Podcast: Vaseem Khan, author of the Baby Ganesh Agency Investigation and Malabar House series, is interviewed by Robert Justice.
Paula Hawkins’ ‘Blind Spot’ Gets Blumhouse TV Adaptation
Miami New Times names Alex Segura Best Author of 2022
Ruth Ware, for It Girl, Virtual Barnes & Noble event Wednesday, July 13, 2022 3:00 PM ET
Trial & Error: A Great True Crime Parody Show That Needs a New Home
Browse all the books recommended in Unusual Suspects previous newsletters on this shelf. See upcoming 2022 releases. Check out this Unusual Suspects Pinterest board and get Tailored Book Recommendations!
Until next time, keep investigating! In the meantime, come talk books with me on Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, and Litsy–you can find me under Jamie Canavés.
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