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Unusual Suspects

Can You Solve Albert Einstein’s Famous House Riddle?

Hi mystery fans! So here’s a bit of news I haven’t seen getting attention (there is so much news!): all mail-in-ballot requests in Florida have been deleted and you/they have to re-request them. So if you are/know any Florida voters, please note/share: you can get all the info here.

In the world of entertainment I am excited that Shrinking on Apple TV starts this week.

And if you’re looking for a tailored bookish gift for Valentine’s day for someone, or yourself, (or for any other time of the year) gift Tailored Book Recommendations!

Bookish Goods

a wooden triangle frame with a black and white outline image painted inside of an opened book with flowers growing out

Floral Book Triangle Wood Sign by BeatnikBirch

If you love flowers and books and are looking for decor, you can hang this on the wall or add it to any flat surface. ($38)

New Releases

cover image for Better the Blood

Better the Blood by Michael Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue)

Armchair travel to New Zealand! Hana Westerman is a Māori detective working with the Auckland PD. As a single mother, she’s juggling a lot with her stressful job, which lands her a murder case with very few clues. But soon it’s not the only murder and Hana tries to connect the crime to others, only to find that the past is never really in the past…

The audiobook is narrated by New Zealand actors Miriama McDowell and Richard Te Are.

cover image for The Twyford Code

The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett

For fans of past mysteries, unique formatting, and amateur sleuths. Steven Smith has just been released from prison and decides to look into a mystery that happened in his childhood that he can’t quite remember: after finding a book that his teacher confiscated, his teacher disappeared on a field trip. Now Smith is looking into that book — including interviewing people about the author — and getting past students together to figure out what happened to their teacher. But we’re hearing this story based on transcripts made from recordings found on an old iPhone…

The audiobook is narrated by Thomas Judd, who has such a long list of narrated books you’ve certainly heard him before.

For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter.

Riot Recommendations

For those participating in the 2023 Read Harder challenge, I thought I’d give some crime book suggestions for prompts. I have two great suggestions for #7: Listen to an audiobook performed by a person of color of a book written by an author of color. One is nonfic and the other fiction.

cover of Know My Name by Chanel Miller

Know My Name by Chanel Miller

This is a true crime memoir narrated by the author, and both the writing and narration are excellent on their own merit and in tackling such a difficult subject. Until this memoir, Chanel Miller had only been referred to as Brock Turner’s victim, Emily Doe, in The Stanford Rape Case. She was defined by the media, rape apologists, her rapist, and later her victim impact statement posted on BuzzFeed. Not wanting to be reduced to a violent act done to her, she wanted to come forward to tell the story. She takes readers through her assault and the court case, but also into her life and who she is and wants to be with introspection and observation. If you’re able to read on this subject, this is a don’t-miss memoir for many reasons including what a fantastic writer Miller is.

(TW rape/ gaslighting/ discussions of past suicides, with detail/ discussion of mass shooters, event details/ misogyny)

Deacon King Kong cover image

Deacon King Kong by James McBride

This is an excellent crime book that shouldn’t be missed for fans of literary work and mystery books that give you the crime but need to work out the why instead of the who. And it’s narrated by Dominic Hoffman who played Whitley’s boyfriend Julian on a A Different World. In 1961 the Brooklyn Cause Houses housing project is filled with interesting people. But things take a strange turn when a church deacon who’d taught the youth baseball team, nicknamed Sportcoat, walks up to known drug dealer, Deems Clemens, and shoots him. In front of everyone! Sportcoat, also known as the drunk, is as surprised as everyone else not even realizing he was the one responsible. Not knowing doesn’t stop a price from being put on his head though. Follow along with the members of this community — including Colombian ants (yes, the actual insects) — to find out how and why this happened…

(TW alcoholism/ past child abuse/ suicide)

News and Roundups

HarperCollins union strikes for better pay, more diversity in publishing industry: “This fight has really been focused on trying to make publishing a more diverse and equitable place that reflects our values and the books that we make.”  

Can You Solve Albert Einstein’s Famous House Riddle?

All the Books! podcast: Liberty and Tirzah chat recent releases including What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall and Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson.

Before Peacock’s ‘Poker Face,’ revisit the 8 best mystery series

Book Bans are Driving Kids Away from Libraries and Reading

NYT: New Crime Fiction

8 International Crime Thrillers You Need to See

One in three Brits think they could solve real-life crime – thanks to watching crime TV

The Best Debut Novels Coming Out in January

Browse all the books recommended in Unusual Suspects previous newsletters on this shelf. See upcoming 2023 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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