I don’t read very quickly any more, for some reason, so I didn’t get to read 100 books in 2009, as some people have done. Still, I really enjoyed what I did get read, and in looking over my list (yes, I write them all down), I see a very definite trend.
I discovered mysteries and suspense thrillers in 2009. It was all because of this blog, in fact, as I started signing up for newsletters from various publishers. And I started noticing how interesting some of these suspense novels sounded.
So I discovered Brian Freeman, for example, with his novels set in Minnesota that feature police detective Jonathan Stride and his partner Serena Dial. The stories are complex and interesting, and I like that the two main characters have histories, and that their histories and personalities play as much of a role in the plot as the actual mysteries. Not all mysteries and thrillers, I’ve learned, place as much importance on the personalities of the protagonists.
But Mark Billingham also makes the character and history of his protagonist, Tom Thorne, very much a part of the story, which was why I started reading his books too. In fact, Thorne is so deeply involved, not to mention a little eccentric, that I understand the BBC is making a series revolving around him. Gotta love those British detective series! I can see why they are attracted to this one.
I found Will Adams with his two (now three!) Daniel Knox archeology mysteries set in modern Egypt (talk about bread and butter to me!), and Margaret Frazer with her Dame Frevisse and Joliffe the Player series, set in England in the 15th century. I dipped a toe into the Evan Evans mysteries of Rhys Bowen.
And of course I discovered the Canadian mystery writer, Gail Bowen, with her calm, intelligent, university professor hero, Joanne Kilbourn.
There other types of books interspersed with these, but there was definitely a theme for the year. I wonder if that will continue into 2010, or if a whole new theme will emerge? I can’t imagine myself just dropping these now, but I do want to expand the range somewhat. We’ll see what happens.
I’m a huge mystery lover but am not familiar with these series. I will definetly have to check them out. Thank you so much for brining them to our attention.
I do love the Gail Bowen series! I used to read a lot more mystery fiction than I do now — I think it goes in cycles. You are right that quality is of more direct import than quantity when it comes to reading. Enjoying what you are reading is the goal after all!
I love mysteries and thrillers, but have’t read any of these. Thanks to you I’ll be looking for them next year!
I’ve never read the Gail Bowen, but I heard her interviewed on DNTO by Sook-Yin Lee and I’m now very interested. You’ve got me interested in Will Adams, too, I’m sure I’ll pick up some of his stuff soon. I really enjoy mysteries, but thrillers do funny things to my heart rate
I know I’ve heard Gail Bowen interviewed several times on CBC Radio — probably the first time by Peter Gzowski on Morningside, when I think of it. I’ve always wanted to read her books, but never got around to it until recently, when I found myself spending more time in the libraries than in book stores. I mean, her books were sitting right there…