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Unusual Suspects

Anna Kendrick’s True-Crime Directorial Debut, THE DATING GAME

Hello mystery fans! Abbott Elementary is back (ABC and Hulu)! And if you didn’t know Quinta Brunson has a funny essay collection: She Memes Well. Now let’s dive into the world of mystery with new releases, nonviolent true crime, and news.

Bookish Goods

a sticker of a ghost reading a book and holding coffee with the text "ghosting you for coffee & books"

Ghost Book Sticker by booksrbtrthanreality

Love this cute sticker. ($4)

New Releases

cover image for Murder out of Character

Murder Out of Character (Peach Coast Library Mystery #2) by Olivia Matthews

Looking for a cozy mystery starring a librarian? Meet librarian Marvey. While at a library fundraiser she finds a list containing four names. Not so weird. Except, one of the names is a murder victim. Okay, not 100% not-weird. Innocent list of names? Or murder list? Marvey is on the case! If you want to start at the beginning pick up Murder by Page One.

cover image for Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley

For biography fans, here’s one on the queen of crime. We all know Agatha Christie for her very famous mystery books but not only did she have her own mystery (she disappeared for days, case was never actually solved) but also presented herself the opposite of her actual personality and passions. Why? What were all the sides of Agatha Christie? British historian Lucy Worsley took a deep dive into Agatha Christie’s life.

Looking for more new releases? Check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Now for some nonviolent true crime biographies: one focuses on the numbers, (which became the state lottery) while centering a mother and the other on fraud, while centering a famous business owner.

cover image for The World According to Fannie Davis

The World According to Fannie Davis: My Mother’s Life in the Detroit Numbers by Bridgett M. Davis

This is a memoir, biography, nonviolent true crime, history of the numbers, and a love letter to a mother. Bridgett M. Davis talks about growing up in Detroit in the ’70s and ’80s with the secret that her mom’s job was operating a numbers business from their house, which was a form of illegal gambling at the time–until the state saw the value in it and turned it into the state lottery. It’s a fascinating look at growing up with a secret, a mom who made sure the family was never in need, and how easily you can change something from illegal to legal depending on who wants to profit from it. I really enjoyed the audiobook which is narrated by the author, Fannie Davis’ daughter.

(TW brief mention of past child death, not graphic/ mentions murder suicide, detail/ parent cancer death/ historical hate crime, racism)

cover image Retail Gangster

Retail Gangster: The Insane, Real-Life Story of Crazy Eddie by Gary Weiss

There’s a good chance you know of Crazy Eddie without knowing it based on the commercials for his electronics stores that had a DJ yelling “His prices are insane!” At one point his name recognition was higher than Ronald Reagan’s, his commercials were in the movie Splash, and even SNL did a spoof. But behind the empire and money is a story wilder than his commercials, starting with fraud. Yet even though he is responsible for one of the largest SEC frauds in America, he’s still remembered fondly by many.

News and Roundups

Silent Parade cover image

Japanese crime drama and Galileo spin-off reunites Masaharu Fukuyama and Ko Shibasaki for more outlandish criminal investigation

S. A. Cosby: Interview and Cover Reveal

The Best And Worst Agatha Christie Mysteries

ITV’s New Cold Case Detective Drama Is Giving Mare Of Easttown – But Scottish

Anna Kendrick’s True-Crime Directorial Debut, ‘The Dating Game,’ Already Got Bought Up Like Crazy At TIFF

Madeleine McCann’s parents lose court challenge over detective’s book

HBO’s ‘The Case Against Adnan Syed’ Will Get Follow-Up Episode

Censorship News (Get involved in your local library and school boards/meetings, vote against book banners trying to hold these positions, and actively fight book bans!)

Overwhelming Majority of American Voters Strongly Oppose Book Banning According to National Poll

A Colorado Library Board Has Voted to Ban Book Bans

“Anita Hill Would Have to Agree with Me”: LET’S TALK ABOUT IT Removed from Oak Brook Public Library

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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