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Use this lens to explore books, authors, dramas, and anything else that seems to fit under the label "mysterious". Checkout the "Lens Content" list on the right for everything mystery from author's sites to writing the mystery.
Recent updates: Blog entries on mystery authors. Lawrence Block and Lawrence Shames are featured. Mystery Search Engine.
The title for this lens was inspired by an old time radio series, "I Love A Mystery". I've been a reader as long as I can remember and a mystery fan almost as long. Please rate the lens. Stop by the Guestbook at the end of the lens with any suggestions.
Mystery Search Engine
A search engine focused on the mystery story
- I love a mystery search engine
- This search engine is tuned to "mystery".
Discover ...
Mystery Author HubPages
So many good writers have earned a wide audience, like Lawrence Block, Michael Connelly, Robert B Parker, etc. There are many more terrific mystery writers whose names are not on the NY Time's list, but deserve to be. Let's discover some of these.
- Discover Harold Adams, mystery writer
- Carl Wilcox would be the first to tell you he was a bum. An ex-con who was homeless, a drifter, a drinker and eventually called the murder man, might earn the bum label. Harold Adams created Carl Wilcox and placed him in the 1930s, as the depression was gripping the country, smothering rural...
Block brings the hit man into the neighborhood ...
John Keller lives a very quiet, ordinary life. He's single. Lives in Manhattan. Had a dog as a pet for a while. Had a midlife crisis, sort of, and thought about moving to a small town. Collects stamps, his one small obsession. Thinks about retirement, but has been making some large stamp purchases that eat into his savings. Travels widely in his work. Oh yes, his work - he kills people on contract, a hit man.
Lawrence Block created Keller in short stories that have evolved into three books, Hit Man, Hit List and the latest, Hit Parade. The books read like stitched together short stories and sketches but that's ok. Block's subject is a hired killer, but the stories are as much about Keller as any man, with any man's concerns, interests and issues. The big anomaly is that killing other people is against the moral code of most any man. Block doesn't shy from the mundane accounting of Keller's workday, providing the occasional detail but not justifying or showcasing it. The hit man scenes in the stories are more about the business side, the planning, the problems to be worked out and the occasional moral or ethical hiccup. He's a sociopath and a little sensitive about the label! Block doesn't try to make you root for Keller and success in his work, but he does make you interested in Keller the man.
These stories are more about anti-detection - doing a job and avoiding getting caught or getting hurt; the law and order authorities play almost no role. Keller the man could almost be viewed as a boring nobody (with the exception of his profession). Yet, for me, Block gives him the appeal of the quirky detective, the oddball protagonist, or the non-hero that engages the reader. Caring is too strong, but you are interested in how it all plays out. The appeal might be that Keller does have everyman doubts, neighbor hood type issues, aging anxieties, and a sense of the struggle of daily life. Or it might be that Block is just such a darn fine writer.
Recommendation - Lawrence Block is such a fine and prolific author that recommending him is like saying you should catch a sunset sometime. His Matt Scudder books have complex story lines and a hard edge, about an alcoholic ex-cop who gets drafted into private detection of the noir kind. His Bernie Rhodenbarr series is light and fun reading about a casual burglar and bookstore owner. John Keller is the hit man, next door. Block has been equally prolific with the short story where he has given his series characte
Lawrence Block created Keller in short stories that have evolved into three books, Hit Man, Hit List and the latest, Hit Parade. The books read like stitched together short stories and sketches but that's ok. Block's subject is a hired killer, but the stories are as much about Keller as any man, with any man's concerns, interests and issues. The big anomaly is that killing other people is against the moral code of most any man. Block doesn't shy from the mundane accounting of Keller's workday, providing the occasional detail but not justifying or showcasing it. The hit man scenes in the stories are more about the business side, the planning, the problems to be worked out and the occasional moral or ethical hiccup. He's a sociopath and a little sensitive about the label! Block doesn't try to make you root for Keller and success in his work, but he does make you interested in Keller the man.
These stories are more about anti-detection - doing a job and avoiding getting caught or getting hurt; the law and order authorities play almost no role. Keller the man could almost be viewed as a boring nobody (with the exception of his profession). Yet, for me, Block gives him the appeal of the quirky detective, the oddball protagonist, or the non-hero that engages the reader. Caring is too strong, but you are interested in how it all plays out. The appeal might be that Keller does have everyman doubts, neighbor hood type issues, aging anxieties, and a sense of the struggle of daily life. Or it might be that Block is just such a darn fine writer.
Recommendation - Lawrence Block is such a fine and prolific author that recommending him is like saying you should catch a sunset sometime. His Matt Scudder books have complex story lines and a hard edge, about an alcoholic ex-cop who gets drafted into private detection of the noir kind. His Bernie Rhodenbarr series is light and fun reading about a casual burglar and bookstore owner. John Keller is the hit man, next door. Block has been equally prolific with the short story where he has given his series characte
Mystery Events
Where you can meet author's, discuss books, listen to expert panels . . .
A mystery convention makes a great vacation trip for the mystery addicted. Get away for a long weekend in a different local and immerse yourself in mysteries, the creators of mystery and the business of mystery. Attended by many fans, authors and authors in training.
- Bouchercon 2006
- The 2006 Bouchercon was the 37th Annual World Mystery Convention and has come and gone in Madison Wisconsin. Quick review - a fine convention in one of the finest state capitals in America!
- Bouchercon 2007
- "Bearly Alive", in Anchorage Alaska.
- Bouchercon Home Site
- Lists past and future conventions. Has by-laws, rules, and minutes.
- Left Coast Crime
- An "unofficial" information page about Left Coast Crime, an annual event for authors and readers of Mystery.
- Left Coast Crime 2007
- We're 'Reading in the Rain' as Seattle hosts the 2007 Left Coast Crime Convention.
- Left Coast Crime 2006
- Left Coast Crime will be coming to Bristol, UK on the left coast of Britain in 2006. It will be the first time the convention is held outside the US.
Mystery Timeline
For a perspective on the evolution of the mystery and it's place in social history.
- Social History Timeline for Mystery Readers
- From the middle ages to the present This chart is intended to assist the mystery reader in visualizing time periods in which the mystery novel was written (or set). Should be helpful to the writer as well.
- Crime Thru Time's Timeline
- Crime story series and their place in time.
- Mystery Time Line
- Mystery Time Line on Mystery Net. With information on mystery's classics writers.
Writing the mystery story
Inside each reader is writer's voice . . .
Even if you don't plan to be a writer, these are interesting reading.
- The Mystery of Mystery Writing
- An article by Michael Connelly.
- Getting the Right Agent
- From Mystery Writers of America website. This article is the Good Parts Version of several panels on this subject put on by Sisters in Crime.
- Mystery Writing with Joan Lowery Nixon
- A teacher's guide is included.
- What is a Mystery Short Story?
- Writer's Guidelines
- How-to: Beginner's Guide
- Writing a Mystery by Robert Kemp - The elements of a good mystery are usually those of good atmosphere and suspense ...
Author's Web Sites
Authors I've enjoyed and can recommend . . .
One good read deserves another. These are some of the authors that have entertained me. It's a bonus that many maintain their own web sites. We can learn more about the authors, events in their lives, and find more books to read . . . .
- Lawrence Block
- Lawrence Block is on most favorite mystery author lists, and heads mine. He has a series for every taste: Matt Scudder (alcoholic, now a recovering alcoholic); Bernie Rhodenbarr (a very selective thief, who hangs out in his own used book store); Evan Tanner (the man who doesn't sleep); Martin Erengraf (criminal lawyer who doesn't lose, even if he has to cheat), and scores of stand alones and short stories.
- Thomas Perry
- As a writer and producer of television, it's no surprise that his stories are visual as well as entertaining. He writes compelling thrillers with a craftsman's touch. His characters are unique, from a hit man protagonist to a lady that makes people disappear. One of my favorite authors.
- Stephen White
- Stephen White is the author of the Alan Gregory series. Both the author and the protagonist are clinical psychologists. The series is based in Boulder Colorado. His wife is a prosecutor and lives with Multiple Sclerosis. There is a lot of social texture to these thriller stories.
- Jon Jackson
- Official web site of Jon A. Jackson, author of mysteries, thrillers, the Fang Mulheisen detective series, and one of my favorite "bad guys", Joe Service.
- Michael Connelly
- Michael Connelly - Harry Bosch LAPD detective series.
- Lee Child
- Lee Child - Jack Reacher series.
- James Sallis
- File under - Noir. Avant garde literature, crime fiction, short stories, poetry, and essays. Bibliography. Book covers. Critical comment. Interviews.
- Jonathan Kellerman
- Known for his Alex Delaware series, but I've enjoyed the Petra Conner books more.
- Stuart Kaminsky
- I enjoy the Toby Peter's series for the time setting. Lot's of OTR references. Don't miss Abe Leiberman though!
- Robert B. Parker
- Parker is the author of several popular series: Spenser, Jesse Stone, Sunny Randall and other books. Yet, he doesn't have his own web site?! The Spensarium - is focused on the man and does a good job.
The Quirky Detective
How do you like your detectives and mysteries?
Some people like them quirky . . . Quirky Detective Home Page
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWherein I discover an author who has been around ...
The Naked Detective, by Lawrence Shames
The detective - Pete Amsterdam, in The Naked Detective by Lawrence Shames, makes the cut as a quirky detective, by being a complete fraud as a detective. He hangs out his PI shingle as a business tax shelter on the advise of his accountant. He is living a good life in Key West that consists of tennis, a quality wine cellar and appetite, a music room, a pool and spa, and has no need or intention to work. He discourages all detecting inquiries and the book opens with his rejecting one in a personal visit by a cross dressing thief who asks for help while Pete is in the spa. Of course other peoples needs and events drag him into detecting. Along the way he turns down more clients and shirks payment. The book follows his dogged detecting and finds closure with Pete in the spa. Pete Amsterdam is not the first reluctant detective, but he is one of the most engaging, and yes, quirky.
The recommendation - This was my first experience with Lawrence Shames. Don't know why it took me this long! I thoroughly enjoyed the story and especially the story telling. It was funny throughout, and Pete Amsterdam was engaging from the first scene to last. The first person narration works and Shames is a master of the simile. His voice is fluid with a rhythm that is easy listening. I recommend the book, and especially the audio book.
Dual kudos - I listened to the audio book version narrated by Ron McLarty. His performance was terrific. Firstly, his voice matched, perfectly for me, what Pete's voice should sound like. His reading of Shames prose was less a reading and more a story telling. His voice for other characters managed to convey their personalities and become instantly recognizable as the story progressed. Even his handling of female characters was fine. He didn't attempt to feminize the voice for these characters, just softened the tone and let the characters speak. Great combination of author, book and narrator!
The recommendation - This was my first experience with Lawrence Shames. Don't know why it took me this long! I thoroughly enjoyed the story and especially the story telling. It was funny throughout, and Pete Amsterdam was engaging from the first scene to last. The first person narration works and Shames is a master of the simile. His voice is fluid with a rhythm that is easy listening. I recommend the book, and especially the audio book.
Dual kudos - I listened to the audio book version narrated by Ron McLarty. His performance was terrific. Firstly, his voice matched, perfectly for me, what Pete's voice should sound like. His reading of Shames prose was less a reading and more a story telling. His voice for other characters managed to convey their personalities and become instantly recognizable as the story progressed. Even his handling of female characters was fine. He didn't attempt to feminize the voice for these characters, just softened the tone and let the characters speak. Great combination of author, book and narrator!
Recommended enthusiastically. . .
Got to the bookstore, go to the library, click on Amazon, this is a winner . . .
Sometimes a book, author, or presentation is so strong that you want to pass out copies to all your friends.
- The Program, by Stephen White.
The Program starts with one hit man and ends with another. Along the way it's an exploration of the Witness Protection (Security) Program and two participants who come from different directions. Kirsten (nee Peyton) is a prosecutor forced to seek help from the agency she has ridiculed to hide her daughter and herself. Carl Lupo is a hit man informer. Both lives take interesting and different directions when they both end up in Boulder Colorado. I enjoyed the way Carl "picked up" Kirsten. This is the first I've read of Alan Gregory, White's psychologist protagonist. He has a relatively small and tangential part in the story that unfolds. He and his pregnant wife play a bigger role at the end. If anything, their involvement in the story is it's weakest point. I found the story to be very well written. This felt like a Thomas Perry book, well written, nice characterizations, interesting story line, tension building . . . Recommended to me by my friend George, and I'm recommending it to you.
Mystery book sites and resellers . . .
So many books, so little time . . .
These are some of my favorite mystery sites and sources of mystery books.
- The Poisoned Pen
- My home base mystery bookstore. Two locations here in Phoenix. Great selection. Many signed first editions. Active mailorder business.
- The Thrilling Detective
- Great reference site for the detective and mystery genres.
- Clues Unlimited
- Another Arizona amazing mystery spot! Knowledgeable owners enjoy bookchat and helping others find new authors.
- Uncle Edgar's Mystery Bookstores & Uncle Hugo's Science Fiction Website.
- A must visit if you get to the twin cities in Minnesota. Lot's of used books, new books, signed copies, friendly folks . . .
- Once Upon A Crime Mystery Bookstore
- My second stop when I'm in Minneapolis.
Where to find books . . .
Amazon generally has most titles . . .
Please also support your local library and new and used book sellers.
Mystery books on EBay
Live auctions, nearing close . . .
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Blog Posts about mystery authors
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