Hello mystery fans! I once again have a few links to censorship news (out of a never-ending amount) so I wanted to urge you all, if you’re not already, to join in the fight against all the book-banning and censorship going on. The movement is growing and awful at its current state but is not the end goal. I hear a lot of comments about states like Florida and how they deserve it or it’s their problem — which are not great to begin with, especially since it’s reliant on the false narrative that a state is a monolith — but for those who only care when something is in their backyard: Florida is the canary in the coal mine, it is the template meant to be applied to all states. While Book Riot has tool kits for fighting book bans, tips on How to Talk About Book Bans With Friends, Library Patrons, and a book (How to Fight Book Bans and Censorship), there are also great organizations fighting the fight that can always use your help, including the Florida Freedom to Read Project.
And Book Riot has a new newsletter! Looking for fascinating stories, informed takes, useful advice, and more from experts in the world of books and reading? Subscribe to Book Riot’s newest newsletter, The Deep Dive, to get exclusive content delivered to your inbox.
Bookish Goods
Reading Critters Washi Tape by thecleverclove
I mean this had me at the title — which I squealed at. ($5)
New Releases
What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez by Claire Jimenez
For fans of contemporary novels with great voice and an underlying mystery that is solved at the end. This is one of my favorite books of the year, I really loved the voice(s) and its mix of genres. The central running mystery is about Ruthy Ramirez who disappeared after track practice in junior high. She’s never been heard from since. Over a decade later, one of her sisters swears that she spots Ruthy on a reality show. But how? We follow the remaining women of the Ramirez family living in Staten Island who in different ways have been worn down by life. We watch them struggle in their personal lives, work, with each other, the dreams they had and have, and the questions of what happened to Ruthy — how can someone just disappear? The novel alternates between the three women — Dolores, Jessica, and Nina — in their current lives, while they also recount their childhood and past stories. And then, at the end of the book, their need to know if that is Ruthy on TV leads them to drive to the set of the show in hopes of getting answers…
I highly recommend this book for the pleasure of getting to know these women. And if you listen to audiobooks, it’s a fantastic choice as it’s narrated by the author, Claire Jimenez, who really brings to life the Ramirez women and the rhythm of their voices.
(TW mentions of past child abuse/ talk of diet culture/ recounts of past child sexual assault, not graphic/ mentions past domestic abuse)
A Sinister Revenge (Veronica Speedwell #8) by Deanna Raybourn
I adore this entire series with all my heart. This is a must-read series for fans of fun historical mysteries with great opposites-attract pairings. Raybourn also has a gift for humor and consistently delivers one great entry into the series after another.
Veronica, a lepidopterist, and her partner Stoker, a natural historian, find themselves forced back together by Stoker’s brother Tiberius, who may be in great danger. Tiberius was a part of a friend group called the Seven Sinners, which recently had two members die. A bit odd. But what really seals the something-isn’t-right-here feel is that Tiberius’ is sent a message to get his own affairs in order. So Veronica and Stoker team up to throw a party and invite all the remaining Seven Sinners in order to smoke out the possible murderer. What could go wrong?!
Among a great series that I always love–for it’s characters, humor, and adventures–this may be my favorite! And the audiobook has a great narrator, Angèle Masters, which really brings all the characters to life.
If you want to start at the beginning pick up A Curious Beginning.
Looking for more new releases? Check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
Thought I’d show a bit of the spectrum of Japanese crime books by picking one dark crime novel and one slow-burn look at how people are affected by a crime — with a twist!
In the Miso Soup by Ryū Murakami, Ralph McCarthy (Translator)
This is a dark crime novel that dives into Japanese subculture, makes comparisons between U.S. and Japanese societies, and like most Japanese crime novels doesn’t have the use of guns. It also works for fans of horror and psychological thrillers as the further you read, the deeper you get into a character’s mind.
Kenji is hired as a tour guide by an American who wants to experience Tokyo’s sex industry. At first Kenji doesn’t care, mostly ignores, that he feels like something is off with Frank — but the deeper into the night they get, the more anxious Kenji becomes.
(TW rape/ past suicide attempt/ graphic violence/ statutory relationship)
Six Four by Hideo Yokoyama, Jonathan Lloyd-Davies (Translation)
This gives you a really detailed procedural for the majority of the book and then at the end it cranks up to a thriller. Mikami is a former investigator, now working in press relations, who is inundated with all the politics happening in the department. In his personal life his daughter is missing which has led to his wife no longer leaving the house. At work he’s looking into a fourteen-year-old unsolved kidnapping/murder case and the possible department screw-up, along with a current case where the police are withholding the name of a driver and the media is upset and pushing back. I was fully absorbed in this one and loved seeing the difference/similarities in a procedural from a country other than the US and was really satisfied by the “twist” ending.
(I didn’t keep TW notes when I read this one, sorry.)
News and Roundups
Giving Up Is Not an Option: Book Censorship News
Volusia County Schools (FL) Want to Invest in Moms For Liberty’s BookLooks
Here are the Comics Moms for Liberty and Other Book Banners Call Inappropriate, and Why
12 Heart-Pumping New Thrillers To Read In 2023
Alma Katsu – 10 Questions for Crime Writers of Color
‘The Confessions Of Frannie Langton’ Exclusive
Luther: The Fallen Sun Review: The Award-Winning Series Rises Again
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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