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The Best Man to Die
The Best Man to Die
Lorry driver Charlie Hatton shows up late to Jack Pertwee’s stag party. Charlie “was a little fellow with a brown face and very brilliant sharp eyes. They flashed quickly and calculatingly over the assembled company before Charlie smiled. He showed a set of perfect white teeth which no one there but Jack knew were false.” Charlie proceeds to needle the guests at the Kingsmarkham and District…
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Too Soon To Say Goodbye
Too Soon To Say Goodbye
This one hits harder… On Wednesday, January 19, my Pekingese Ching passed away. This time, there was no other Peke to meet me at the door when I returned home. The house was empty. His food and water bowl were full and waiting for a dog that wouldn’t be coming back. I hadn’t anticipated the loss. Unlike with my other Peke, Ming-Lee, who had declined in her fifteenth year, there hadn’t seemed to…
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Top 10 Romance Novels of 2021
Top 10 Romance Novels of 2021
For the first time, The Poisoned Martini is taking a look at the most popular romance novels of the previous year. What were the most popular romantic reads that readers picked up? Based on circulation figures at the library where I work, these were the most checked out titles in 2021. *** 10. The Dating Plan by Sara Desai—A marriage of convenience will get Daisy Patel’s matchmaking family off…
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Top 10 Sci-Fi Novels in 2021?
Top 10 Sci-Fi Novels in 2021?
We’ve taken a look at mysteries and fantasies, now it’s time to check out the most popular Sci-Fi stories of 2021. Based on circulation figures at the library where I work, these were the most checked out titles last year. *** 10. Machine by Elizabeth Bear—A space station begins to unravel when a routine search and rescue mission goes dangerously awry. 9. The End of Men by Christina…
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Top 10 Fantasy Novels of 2021?
Top 10 Fantasy Novels of 2021?
Following a look at last year’s top mysteries, it’s time to check out the fantasy novels that were the most popular in 2021. Based on circulation figures at the library where I work, these were the most checked out titles in 2021. *** 10. The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu & A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas — It’s a tie for 10th place! The Paper Menagerie and Other…
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Before the Coffee Gets Cold
Before the Coffee Gets Cold
Clang-Dong. Welcome to Funiculi Funicula, a quaint little tucked away café in Tokyo with a remarkable secret. “Several years had passed since the café had its moment of fame because of an urban legend that claimed it could transport people back to the past.” If you could travel back to the past, would you? Time travel is a popular trope of speculative fiction. Whether characters are whisked…
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Top 10 Mysteries of 2021
Top 10 Mysteries of 2021
A new year has arrived with all new potential, but before we step further into 2022, let’s take a look back at the semi-normal year that was 2021. What were the most popular mysteries that readers picked up? Based on circulation figures at the library where I work, these were the most checked out mysteries in 2021. *** 10. A Song for the Dark Times by Ian Rankin — Inspector John Rebus may be…
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Visualizing Characters
Whether reading or writing about them, we all tend to conjure up an image of the characters in a story. What does he or she (or they) look like? We take cues from the text. Hair color, eye color, complexion, stature, and build all give us a sense of a character’s appearance. I’m sure we’ve all read a lot of stories that run the gamut from sparse to overflowing descriptive passages describing the…
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Redshirts
In the opening pages of Redshirts, Ensign Davis is on an away mission for the Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union. He’s accompanying the ship’s officers: Captain Lucius Abernathy, Science Officer Q’eeng, and Chief Engineer Paul West; and they’ve all been trapped in a cave infested by carnivorous Borgovian Land Worms. “Davis!” Captain Abernathy called. “Stay where you are! Any movement…
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Top 10 Mystery eBooks of 2020
Top 10 Mystery eBooks of 2020
Though it took me a bit longer than I’d like, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the most checked out ebook mystery titles in 2020. After digging through various reports, I came up with a massive list of titles tagged as mystery or suspense, but not all of them would be considered a traditional mystery—at least, they likely wouldn’t be found in the mystery section of a library or…
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Top 10 Mysteries of 2020?
Top 10 Mysteries of 2020?
Welcome 2021! So glad you’re here. But… Let’s take one last look at the most unusual of years, 2020. What were the most popular mysteries read? Based on circulation figures at my local library, these were the most checked out mysteries in 2020. *** 10. Vendetta in Death by J.D. Robb — Eve Dallas in on the trail of a killer who targets men and has dubbed herself Lady Justice. 48th in the…
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Friday Cocktail: Elderflower Sour
Friday Cocktail: Elderflower Sour
The Elderflower Sour
As the temperatures warm up this Spring, cool off with a refreshing Elderflower Sour.
This is a perfect cocktail for warm weather moments. And it doesn’t have to be a particularly sour one either. More on that later.
This is a relatively newer cocktail. Most certainly post-2000 in creation. It likely dates to around 2007 when one of the key ingredients, St. Germain, was…
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Welcome to Part Seven of 15 Years of Mysteries! 2010 was the dawn of a new decade and the lucky 7th year of the Mystery Book Club. A few ideas to breathe new life into the discussion group were beginning to percolate with the idea of theming mysteries.
January 2010 selection
Murder on K Street by Margaret Truman
Synopsis: The senior senator from Illinois arrives home from a fundraiser to find his wife dead. Immediately, he phones his attorney, former DA Philip Rotondi, to begin an investigation into the murder.
Thoughts: This 23rd book in the Capital Crimes series, while not quite as good as the earliest entries, was nonetheless an enjoyable read.
February 2010 selection
Boston Noir by various authors, edited by Dennis Lehane
Synopsis: A collection of stories featuring the city of Boston and its environs. Each gritty story in this collection is set in a different neighborhood of the city, from Cambridge to Boston Harbor to Southie to Roxbury.
Thoughts: Lehane introduces this collection of stories, which also includes his own contribution, Animal Rescue, set in Dorchester. For me, one of the standout stories was Dark Waters by Patricia Powell about a middle-aged woman finding a man bleeding at her front door.
March 2010 selection
Heat Wave by Richard Castle
Synopsis: Read the book inspired by the ABC TV series, Castle, featuring New York police detective Nikki Heat.
Thoughts: This book parallels the characters of the TV series and reads like a book the fictitious Richard Castle from the show would write.
April 2010 selection
The Edge by Dick Francis
Synopsis: Travel the transcontinental Canadian railroad along with the super-rich for a horse-racing tour. Along the way, an undercover agent seeks to investigate corruption, blackmail, and murder.
Thoughts: If Murder on the Orient Express is considered the greatest mystery set on a train, The Edge, in my opinion, would be a close second.
Edgar Award Winning Mysteries. For a change of pace, the selections for the months of May, June, and July all featured Edgar Award nominees, one of which won the award for best first novel. It was the first time the group explored themed selections, which lead to comparisons of the chosen titles.
May 2010 selection
The Foreigner by Francie Lin
Synopsis: After the death of his mother, Emerson Chang travels to Taiwan in search of his younger brother who has become involved with the criminal underworld. This novel won the 2009 Edgar Award for Best First Novel.
Thoughts: While some in our group liked the story, we unanimously agreed it is not a mystery. If the Edgar Award is meant to honor the best in mystery fiction, how did this book even get nominated? Emerson’s brother may be involved in the Taiwanese criminal underworld, but there is no murder to solve. The book did make for a likely discussion of what defines the mystery genre.
June 2010 selection
A Cure for Night by Justin Peacock
Synopsis: A rising-star lawyer joins the Brooklyn Defenders office and becomes involved with a high profile murder case involving a pot dealer from the projects. What’s cut and dried turns out to be more complicated than the trial initially seemed. An Edgar Award Nominee for Best First Novel in 2009.
Thoughts: Yes, this book lost to The Foreigner for Best First Novel, but its story is a far better fit for the mystery genre. The main character and the case he’s assigned are equally compelling. A full review of this novel appeared on my blog in February 2011.
July 2010 selection
In the Shadow of Gotham by Stefanie Pintoff
Synopsis: A historical novel set in New York at the turn of the last century. Detective Simon Seale has suffered a tragedy and transfers to a department north of the city. A few months into his new life, a quiet country town is rocked by a scandalous murder that occurred in the middle of the day. Winner of the 2010 Edgar Award for best first novel.
Thoughts: This was a solid historical mystery. Fans of the TV series, Copper and Ripper Street, would like this one.
There was no meeting in August 2010.
September 2010 selection
Requiem in Vienna by J. Sydney Jones
Synopsis: Set in 1899, a falling fire curtain narrowly misses Gustav Mahler, the director of the Vienna Court Opera, but does kill a soprano during a stage rehearsal. Lawyer Karl Werthen teams with criminologist Hans Gross to look into this and subsequent accidents apparently aimed at Mahler. As the investigation descends into the politics of music, Mahler emerges as the nexus for an ever-widening pool of suspects.
Thoughts: An interesting historical featuring a fictionalized Gustav Mahler. A full review of this novel appeared on my blog in February 2011.
October 2010 selection
Death at the Alma Mater by G. M. Malliet
Synopsis: The Master of St. Michael’s College, Cambridge, holds a fundraising weekend for wealthy alums, but all goes awry when the glamourous and despised Lexy Laurant is found strangled on the grounds. There’s a lengthy list of likely suspects. As Detective Chief Inspector St. Just weighs clashing egos, he discovers unsavory secrets…and a most shocking twist.
Thoughts: A malice domestic in the traditional of Christie. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but there’s a handle cast of characters guide included. I did a full review of this book in January 2011.
The Poisoned Martini Launches! In November 2010, I took the plunge into the online world of blogging with The Poisoned Martini. As a home to feature my personal writing, The Poisoned Martini was also conceived with the idea of covering the mystery genre, cocktails, and more. Some of the first books I reviewed came from these 2010 book selections!
November 2010 selection
The Poisoner’s Handbook by Deborah Blum
Synopsis: Against the backdrop of New York City’s Jazz Age, two pioneering forensic scientists embark on a true story of chemistry and detection, poison and murder.
Thoughts: A very readable nonfiction account of 11 poisons and the tools used to detect their use in early criminal cases through the Jazz Age. The very first book I ever reviewed on The Poisoned Martini!
December 2010 selection
Bookmarked for Death by Lorna Barrett
Synopsis: In this second installment of the Booktown Mystery series, Tricia Miles – owner of the Haven’t Got a Clue bookstore – must solve a murder when a bestselling author is found dead in her store’s washroom.
Thoughts: Fans of the Death on Demand series by Carolyn G. Hart would like this one. This was the second mystery book group pick I reviewed for my blog.
***
And those were the selections for 2010. The Edgar Award winners as a themed selection were an interesting experiment that would lead to big changes in 2011.
In 2004, I began a book discussion group focused on the mystery genre. In the 15 years since, the Mystery Book Club has read more than 150 mysteries, suspense thrillers, and a few true crime tales. Follow along as I take you through the years in a look back at “15 Years of Mysteries.” Stay tuned for part eight.
To choose an Edgar Award winning book for your next read or discussion, check out: http://theedgars.com/awards/
15 Years of Mysteries: Part Seven Welcome to Part Seven of 15 Years of Mysteries! 2010 was the dawn of a new decade and the lucky 7th year of the Mystery Book Club.
Friday Cocktail: Fontainebleau
The Fontainebleau Special
In the mood for something a little different, try the Fontainebleau.
One night, upon deciding to have a cocktail and considering the ingredients I had on hand, I stumbled across the Fontainebleau in the Old Mr. Boston Deluxe Official Bartender’s Guide1974 edition. Officially the drink is referred to as the Fontainebleau Special. It doesn’t appear in the previous 1964…
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Top 10 Mysteries of 2019?
Top 10 Mysteries of 2019?
A new decade has dawned! But before we get much further into 2020, it’s time to take one last look at the last decade (and last year), and see what the most popular mysteries were in 2019. Based on circulation figures at my local library, these were the most checked out mysteries in 2019.
***
Robert B. Parker’s Blood Feud by Mike Lupica — There have been other authors to take on the mantle of the…
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Welcome to Part Six of 15 Years of Mysteries! The list of titles for 2009 proved to be a bit more challenging to my powers of recall. Knowing what was read is far different from remembering what my thoughts and opinions were. Over the years, some books made an impression while others are but a vague memory. The challenge in revisiting these 15 years of mysteries is most definitely in trying to jog one’s memory.
One thing I most definitely remember is that, in 2009—for the first time—the group could read any book by the author chosen for the monthly discussion. And what better mystery author to select than the Queen of Mystery herself.
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January 2009 selection
Various by Agatha Christie
Synopsis: Agatha Christie (1890-1976) is considered the Queen of Mystery. She wrote 66 novels and 14 short story collections; many of which are considered classics of the genre. The Mystery Book Group was free to choose any Christie novel to read.
Thoughts: Technically, I didn’t choose any particular title for this one as I had already read every Christie novel and short story. No matter what anyone in the group had chosen to read, I was prepared to discuss it! If I had to recommend a Christie for a first-time reader (depending on their taste), I would suggest: The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Murder on the Orient Express, Murder at the Vicarage, A Murder is Announced, or Murder is Easy.
February 2009 selection
Death on Demand by Carolyn G. Hart
Synopsis: Annie Laurance and Max Darling investigate a locked room mystery in this first book in the long-running Death on Demand series. Annie is the prime suspect when murder strikes at a gathering of famous mystery writers. It’s up to Annie and Max to prove her innocence and find the real killer.
Thoughts: A solid read.
March 2009 selection
The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler
Synopsis: Marlowe befriends a down on his luck war veteran with the scars to prove it. Then he finds out that Terry Lennox has a very wealthy nymphomaniac wife, whom he’s divorced and re-married and who ends up dead. Now Lennox is on the lam and the cops and a crazy gangster are after Marlowe.
Thoughts: I had previously seen the 1946 film, The Big Sleep, but this book left a far more favorable impression on me. The Big Sleep is an excellent example of classic film noir. Yet Humphrey Bogart’s Marlowe doesn’t seem all that different from the actor’s portrayal of Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon. This Edgar Award-winning novel is a much better presentation of the character, and I really enjoyed it.
April 2009 selection
Killer Year: Stories to Die For edited by Lee Child
Synopsis: Sample 13 debut crime/mystery/suspense authors (whose books were published in 2007) in this anthology of murder and mayhem stories.
Thoughts: This was our group’s first time reading a short story collection. It’s a great way to sample a variety of authors, many of them well known. I can’t say I remember much about the stories included, but I do recall that the groups consensus was that we liked Sean Chercover’s “One Serving of Bad Luck” as the best story of the bunch.
May 2009 selection
The Ballad of Frankie Silver by Sharyn McCrumb
Synopsis: In 1833, Frankie Silver became the first woman in North Carolina to be hanged for murder. Now, 100 years later, Spencer Arrowood begins to question the similarities between Frankie’s case and a crime that sent a man to his execution based on Spencer’s testimony.
Thoughts: The historical case, based on a true one, is far more interesting than the modern parallel.
June 2009 selection
Monkeewrench by P.J. Tracy
Synopsis: When people start dying in strange ways in Minneapolis, everyone wonders what the murderer will do next—everyone except the employees of Monkeewrench Software, who are all too aware that their new serial-killer computer game is the model for the crimes.
Thoughts: I remember our group really liking this one. The book was originally written in 2003, just two years before the debut of Criminal Minds. This book has a bit of that TV show’s vibe; both feature criminal profiling but in unique ways.
July 2009 selection
Naked in Death by J. D. Robb
Synopsis: Eve Dallas is a New York police lieutenant hunting for a ruthless killer. In over ten years on the force, she’s seen it all – and knows that her survival depends on her instincts. And she’s going against every warning telling her not to get involved with Roarke, an Irish billionaire – and suspect in Eve’s murder investigation. First in the In Death series.
Thoughts: This is part-mystery, part sci-fi lite. It’s a quick read and an entertaining story.
August 2009 selection
The Bluest Blood by Gillian Roberts
Synopsis: For English teacher Amanda Pepper, the champagne gala on behalf of Philly Prep’s library is her introduction to the très rich Main Line society–an evening so extravagant that nothing can tarnish the party, not even a group of protesters outside burning the host in effigy. Soon, Amanda learns firsthand that the bluest blood bleeds just as red. Especially when it comes to murder.
Thoughts: 8th book in the series. The world of academia and the clash with censorship drive this mystery plot.
September 2009 selection
Death is Now My Neighbor by Colin Dexter
Synopsis: The peaceful quadrangle of Lonsdale College seems remote from the shooting of a young woman in her North Oxford home. But things at Lonsdale are not as tranquil as they appear. The Master of the college is retiring, and two senior dons are vying to succeed him. There are only two people to whom the coveted appointment means more than it does to the two senior dons – their wives. Chief Inspector Morse, investigating the murder on Bloxham Drive, follows a trail that leads to the university. For Morse and his partner, Sergeant Lewis, the question becomes: Is the Mastership of Lonsdale worth killing for?
Thoughts: Mistaken identity, airtight alibis, academic politics, and quirky detectives… What more could a reader want in this intellectual British thriller?
October 2009 selection
Live Bait by P.J. Tracy
Synopsis: St. Paul police detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth look into the murder of an elderly man found face up near his greenhouse with a bullet hole in his head; the first in a string of murders.
Thoughts: The group liked Monkeewrench so much that we opted to read the next book in the series!
November 2009 selection
Wings of Fire by Charles Todd
Synopsis: WWI veteran, Inspector Ian Rutledge, is sent to investigate the sudden death of three members of the same eminent Cornwall family. Now, Ian must uncover the haunting truths of murder and madness rooted in a family crypt.
Thoughts: This historical mystery does a great job of portraying the aftereffects of war, in this case World War I. Rutledge is “haunted” by the voice of a Scottish soldier, who he had been forced to execute during the war, and which serves as a sort of conscience.
December 2009 selection
Antiques to Die For by Jane K. Cleland
Synopsis: In Antiques to Die For, Rosalie confided a secret to her friend Josie, and now Rosalie is dead. Rosalie left behind information that leads to a mysterious treasure and a secret admirer who has turned his creepy attention to Josie.
Thoughts: This cozy mystery offers a glimpse into the fascinating world of antiques and collecting while serving up an intriguing two-fold plot. Who killed Josie? And what priceless artifact did she discover?
***
And those were the selections for 2009. Once again we read a potpourri of titles.
It’s interesting to note that some of the best reads from this year’s picks were written by co-authors. P.J. Tracy is the pseudonym for a mother-daughter team, and Charles Todd is a mother-son duo.
In 2004, I began a book discussion group focused on the mystery genre. In the 15 years since, the Mystery Book Club has read more than 150 mysteries, suspense thrillers, and a few true crime tales. Follow along as I take you through the years in a look back at “15 Years of Mysteries.” Stay tuned for part seven.
15 Years of Mystery: Part Six Welcome to Part Six of 15 Years of Mysteries! The list of titles for 2009 proved to be a bit more challenging to my powers of recall.
Welcome to Part Five of 15 Years of Mysteries! In 2008, my local library moved to a new location and the Mystery Book Club moved along with it. Since the move closed the library for two weeks in January, the club did not meet that month. Fittingly, when we resumed in February, the club read a book with an apt title and a story set in Syracuse.
February 2008 selection
Origin by Diana Abu-Jabar
Synopsis: Lena is a fingerprint expert at a crime lab in the city of Syracuse. She is drawn into a case involving a series of crib deaths—indistinguishable from SIDS except for the fevered testimony of one distraught mother with connections in high places.
Thoughts: A chilling read, but well worth it. The story is inspired by a well-known true crime case Central New York residents would be familiar with, but this mystery takes its own course and is quite original. I did a full review of this book for my blog in 2012.
March 2008 selection
Aunt Dimity: Snowbound by Nancy Atherton
Synopsis: Lori Shepherd and the phantom Aunt Dimity have become one of the mystery genre’s most celebrated detective duos. In this # novel, a blizzard forces Lori to take shelter in Ladythorne Abbey, where a prized heirloom leads to murder.
Thoughts: This is a light cozy mystery about a stolen jewel, not a murder mystery.
April 2008 selection
Final Jeopardy by Linda Fairstein
Synopsis: Alex Cooper awakens one morning to news of her own brutal murder. Soon, Manhattan’s top sex-crimes prosecutor discovers that the actual victim is film star Isabella Lascar, who had sought refuge at Alex’s private retreat. Now Alex must find the killer before another victim surfaces. 1st book in the long running series.
Thoughts: The initial premise of the book is very similar to the classic Vera Caspary novel, Laura, but this story makes use of the author’s real-life experiences in and out of the courtroom to great effect.
May 2008 selection
The Silver Pigs by Lindsay Davis
Synopsis: Rome. AD 70. Private eye Marcus Didius Falco stumbles onto a highly profitable, if highly illegal, trade in silver ingots or pigs. Falco finds the start of a murderous trail that leads far beyond the seven hills.
Thoughts: Keeping the characters straight in this one can be a challenge (for some) due to the nature of naming conventions in ancient Rome. I enjoyed this one.
June 2008 selection
Rubicon by Steven Saylor
Synopsis: As Caesar marches on Rome and panic erupts in the city, Gordianus the Finder discovers the body of Pompey’s favorite cousin. Now, Pompey exacts a terrible price, Gordanius must find the killer or sacrifice his own son-in-law to service in Pompey’s legions, and certain death. 6th in the Roma Sub Rosa series.
Thoughts: Totally did not see the solution to the crime coming, but it was fairly presented. A very clever tale that breathes life into the history of Ancient Rome.
July 2008 selection
Rosemary Remembered by Susan Wittig Albert
Synopsis: China finds a woman with an unsettling resemblance to her murdered in a pick-up truck. The local police discover the woman’s fiancé is on the lam in Mexico City and focus on him as the main suspect. Meanwhile, China takes the advice of a psychic and finds the killer closer to home. 4th in the China Bayles series.
Thoughts: Another enjoyable cozy, prefect for summer reading.
August 2008 selection
Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs
Synopsis: The inspiration for the hit Fox series Bones! Forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan is stuck teaching at a lackluster archeology field school in the ruins of a Native American burial ground on the Charleston shore, but when she stumbles upon a fresh skeleton, her old friend Emma Rousseau, the local coroner, persuades Tempe to stay on and help with the investigation.
Thoughts: The details of the case were quite interesting and the mystery is gripping. But once again, jumping into the middle of a series, I found it a challenge to grasp the character’s personal life – how is it that she works part-time in North Carolina and part-time in Quebec?! Still this is a book that very much entices you to read them all – preferably in order.
September 2008 selection
Dark Horse by Mike Langan
Synopsis: Nicky Rigopoulos is a slick personal injury lawyer who sells out his clients to finance his campaign for state court judge in Syracuse, NY. When his law partner is murdered, Nicky finds himself the target of a police investigation.
Thoughts: We read this one in advance of the author coming to speak at the library. It was a fun read that makes good use of local landmarks. I should note that this book has been recently re-issued under a new title: Grave Injuries. I also did a full review of this book for my blog in 2013.
October 2008 selection
The Husband by Dean Koontz
Synopsis: On an ordinary day, Mitchell Rafferty answers his cell phone. “We have your wife. You can get her back for two million cash.” The caller is deadly serious and doesn’t care that Mitch runs a small two-man landscaping operation and has no way of raising such a vast sum. He’s confident that Mitch will find a way.
Thoughts: Horror master Koontz pens a more conventional suspense thriller with this title, but like many of his horror books, it’s an intense read.
November 2008 selection
Tourist Season by Carl Hiaasen
Synopsis: The only trace of the first victim was his Shriner’s fez washed up on the Miami Beach. The second victim, the head of the city’s chamber of commerce, was found dead with a toy alligator lodged in his throat. And that was just the beginning …
Thoughts: Madcap fun.
December 2008 selection
Weep No More My Lady by Mary Higgins Clark
Synopsis: Elizabeth Lange checks into the ultimate California spa to uncover the dark truth behind her beloved sister’s plunge off a Manhattan penthouse balcony.
Thoughts: One of Clark’s best page turners.
***
And those were the selections for 2008. Another mixed bag of mystery treats.
As an addendum, I should note a curious phenomenon I’ve seen over the years. Mysteries set in ancient Rome do not circulate well at my local library. In fact, historical mysteries set in an era prior to the Victorian Age do very poorly and have been – gasp – withdrawn from the collection with a few exceptions. I cannot explain this dire streak. The above selections for May and June were some of my favorite, memorable reads.
In 2004, I began a book discussion group focused on the mystery genre. In the 15 years since, the Mystery Book Club has read more than 150 mysteries, suspense thrillers, and a few true crime tales. Follow along as I take you through the years in a look back at “15 Years of Mysteries.” Stay tuned for part six.
15 Years of Mysteries: Part Five Welcome to Part Five of 15 Years of Mysteries! In 2008, my local library moved to a new location and the Mystery Book Club moved along with it.