Ranae

Detective Inspector Hazel Micallef is a 61-year-old divorcée and is the interim detachment commander of several small Canadian towns. Interim, in Hazel’s opinion, because of the political agenda of the powers that be. Hence, when the rare murder occurs on her watch, Hazel decides to tackle it alone. A bloody good read ensues when Hazel realizes she may be on the trail of a cross-country serial killer! ~ Ranae

If you’re looking for an old-fashioned mystery with more character and plot than blood and gore, try this first book of Louise Penny’s Inspector Armand Gamache mysteries. Of course, there’s a murder—but only one—and it occurs on a lovely walking path in the charming Canadian village of Three Pines. I will be reading more in this series! ~ Ranae

This is a delightful little classic. On October 20th, 1944, Cleveland, Ohio experienced a catastrophic natural gas tank explosion. Robertson's endearing protagonist, nine-year-old Morris Bird III, became an unlikely and unsung hero. Voice, style and story earn this charming gem a spot on my list of favorite reads.

When his mother became critically ill, nice-guy Miles Roby dropped out of college and came home to Empire Falls. Twenty years later he?s still flipping burgers at the Empire Grill, his wife is leaving him for the pompous proprietor of the local health club, his free-loading father is off on yet another drunken excursion of indeterminate duration, and the town cop, who happens to be in the back pocket of the domineering town matriarch?who owns the Grill?seems bent on a confrontation. Miles is ripe for a mid-life crisis. And Russo, a master storyteller, keen observer of human nature, and expert on small-town life, lets it play out in his trademark serio-comic style. Engaging, entertaining, and replete with characters you will recognize, Empire Falls is deservedly a national bestseller, a New York Times Notable Book, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, and, now, ?Ranae?s Favorite Book of the Year.? You can?t go wrong with this one. ~ Ranae

This ambitious debut novel has something for everyone: mystery, history, mythology, religion, and romance. On his 21st birthday, Sean Corrigan is given a journal written by his uncle Michael, a New York policeman who fled to Ireland after a questionable shooting, and who Sean didn’t even know existed.  The journal inspires Sean to travel to Ireland in search of his uncle’s fate and his family’s history. It is a wild ride for young Sean Corrigan, revealing not only ancestral secrets, but perhaps glimpses into his own future. Until the Next Time is unique, engrossing, and just plain fun.  I will be watching for more from the creative Mr. Fox! ~ Ranae

A seventh murder in the charming Canadian village of Three Pines!?! Mais oui! What better place for murder than among old friends? And a seventh opportunity for Penny to deliver another reliably clever, character-driven, Chief Inspector Gamache mystery. Penny and Gamache never disappoint! ~ Ranae