28 June 2019

7 Crime Fiction Picks: The Shallow Edition

I often judge a book by its cover. Yeah, admit it, you do too. I’m also big into escape reading (see last Friday’s post). Thus today’s mystery/thriller round-up is heavily into the covers and all about getting lost in someone else’s problems. Hello, summer; I welcome your long days of reading on the porch (on the deck, by the pool, on the beach, on the train, in the cabin . . .).

All about Bone Deep & A Perfect PlanI Want to Go There

I’m in love with the cover of Bone Deep by Sandra Ireland (Gallery Books, June 11). I downloaded an eGalley of this psychological thriller set on a semi-isolated estate because of it. The plot involves a baker, a writer, an unlikely assistant, supposed accidents, and long ago deaths. I’ve already started it and I’m hooked. Can you sense a theme? I was absolutely drawn to the cover photo of The Perfect Plan by Bryan Reardon (Dutton, June 18) and was also swayed by the comp to The Marsh King’s Daughter, which I really liked. This one involves a kidnapping, brothers, politics, and a hidden past and is set in Delaware. Anyone ready for a walk around the pond?

All about Dear Wife, The Starter Wife, and Death in Kew GardensShow Me Your Face

It’s so typical of crime fiction to hide the face of the women on the covers. Is it because we’ll guess the ending if we could see their faces? (That’s a joke, folks.) I picked Dear Wife by Kimberley Belle (Park Row; June 35) because it involves a missing woman, new identities, secrets, and possible crimes. Plus, Belle wrote the very popular Three Days Missing. We get a better glimpse of the woman on the cover of The Starter Wife by Nina Laurin (Grand Central; June 11) but still can’t quite ID her. This one revolves around a supposed drowning, a second wife, an unreliable narrator, and a past that comes back to haunt. Laurin is a sure bet for suspense. Even historical mysteries get into the Who’s that woman? act, as seen on the cover of Jennifer Ashley’s Death in Kew Gardens (Berkley, June 4). This third in a series set in Victorian London features Chinese tea, a murder, government officials, and a downstairs cook. Lots of fun and well-researched period details.

All about Her Daughter's Mother & The Book SupremacyDeceptively Attractive

At first glance the dragonfly and bright flowers on the cover of Her Daughter’s Mother by Daniela Petrova (Putnam; June 18) look pretty. But a closer look shows the wilty petals and hints at something darker. Set in New York City, this thriller features a stalker, obsession, and fertility alternatives. Oddly, this too is comp’d to The Marsh King’s Daughter. I love the fun cover—including the kitties!—on Kate Carlisle’s The Book Supremacy (June 4, Berkley), but appearances can be deceptive. This cozy mystery series, set in San Francisco, features twisty multiple murders that always have a bookish theme. If you like light mysteries, I strongly recommend Carlisle, one of my go-to authors.

8 comments:

bermudaonion 6/28/19, 8:13 AM  

Covers definitely draw me in. I love this type of book so I'm taking notes of your list.

JoAnn 6/28/19, 8:28 AM  

I especially like the covers of The Perfect Plan and Her Daughter's Mother. Summer is the perfect time for these books!

rhapsodyinbooks 6/28/19, 9:55 AM  

Not only do I pick books by their covers, but wines and beers by their labels! Probably not the best criteria but certainly the most fun!

Les in Oregon 6/28/19, 1:43 PM  

When I was working at Barnes & Noble, we put together an endcap with a bunch of faceless women on the covers. Another popular endcap was one with all the headless women. We were pretty surprised to discover several books using the same cover art models.

I'm eager to read Dear Wife. It's receiving pretty good reviews and I'm ready for a thriller!

Mary R. 6/28/19, 8:30 PM  

I just finished a Carlisle earlier in this series and agree that she is entertaining. The Kew Gardens one sounds good so have added the first book in that series to my TBR. Thanks for the reviews!

rhonda 6/28/19, 11:49 PM  

I am definitely drawn to the cover of the book if it’s appealing to my eye I’m more likely to investigate it.

sherry fundin 6/29/19, 11:58 AM  

the first two on the page sound perfect for me!!!!!!!!
sherry @ fundinmental

(Diane) bookchickdi 6/30/19, 2:04 PM  

I so enjoyed this post! I love to find book covers to post on our bookstore Instagram and Facebook pages.

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