Mysterious Ways

[bibliogramma]

This year I got bitten by the mystery bug. I have tended to go through periods of reading a lot of mystery/detective/crime novels, and then reading very little in the genre for years before finding myself in the mood again.

What got me started this time was reading the very excellent novels written by Nicola Griffith featuring private investigator Aud Torvingen. These are not your typical thriller - the quality of characterisation and plot, and the vividly and beautifully detailed prose, make there books something special indeed.

Nicola Griffith, The Blue Place
Nicola Griffith, Stay
Nicola Griffith, Always


Left with a hankering for more of the genre, it struck me that lately I'd been watched several TV shows that had their genesis in mystery series: Bones, Rizzoli and Isles, and Murdoch Mysteries. So that's what I turned to next.

The novels of forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs are, as we are informed in the afterwards of a number of her books, inspired by her own experiences. Her protagonist, Temperence Brennan (like Reichs herself) is a professor of anthropology, and a forensic anthropologist who works with the Laboratoire des Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale for the province of Quebec and is often called in as a consultant by a variety of American organisations. The character shares little with the protagonist of the TV show, but that's fine, because the differences are so marked, you really don't think about the connection. These novels are enjoyable both for the mystery and the forensic science, but there can be a lot of infodumping, and Reichs has a habit of making the crines in too many of the novels materially linked to Brennan's friends and family members.

Kathy Reichs, Déjà Dead
Kathy Reichs, Death Du Jour
Kathy Reichs, Deadly Decisions
Kathy Reichs, Fatal Voyage
Kathy Reichs, Grave Secrets
Kathy Reichs, Bare Bones
Kathy Reichs, Monday Mourning
Kathy Reichs, Cross Bones
Kathy Reichs, Break No Bones
Kathy Reichs, Bones to Ashes
Kathy Reichs, Devil Bones
Kathy Reichs, 206 Bones
Kathy Reichs, Spider Bones
Kathy Reichs, Flash and Bone
Kathy Reichs, Bones are Forever


Tess Gerritsen's novels about Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and coroner Maura Isles are rather more faithfully adapted in the TV show names after the lead characters, although there are some significant changes in Isles' backstory. The novels are fun to read, and Gerritsen's experience as a physician grounds the forensics in scientific fact. Well written and quite enjoyable.

Tess Gerritsen, The Surgeon
Tess Gerritsen, The Apprentice
Tess Gerritsen, The Sinner
Tess Gerritsen, Body Double
Tess Gerritsen, Vanish
Tess Gerritson, The Mephisto Club
Tess Gerritsen, The Keepsake
Tess Gerritsen, Ice Cold
Tess Gerritsen, The Silent Girl
Tess Gerritsen, Last to Die


And last but not least are the novels of Maureen Jennings, which I am just starting to read. Set in 1890s Toronto and featuring Detective William Murdoch of the Toronto Constabulary, the first three books were fairly faithfully adapted into made-for-TV movies starring Peter Outerbridge, and were then further transformed into a TV series starring Yannick Bisson.

I quite thoroughly enjoyed the two novels I've read so far and am looking forward to reading more. The historical aspect of the novels - and the fact that they are set in my home town - adds to their entertainment value.

Maureen Jennings, Except the Dying
Maureen Jennings, Under the Dragon’s Tail