It's summertime, and the reading is easy. I usually like to tackle non-fiction in the winter, when there's nothing else to do. But in the summer, like many, I'm a sucker for mysteries, thrillers and suspense.
I've been a fan of Robert B. Parker's "Spenser" series for a few years, but started to get a little annoyed with how site-specific all the action was. I wanted a Minnesota detective. I was all excited, and decided I'd write my great American mystery novel. I told my friends at the local watering hole, and they looked at me dumbfounded. How could I not know of Lucas Davenport, star of the Minneapolis Police Department, and role-playing game inventor? Where have I been? Author, and creator of the Davenport character John Sandford has been around for a while. Heck, he's even been featured on Minnesota Public Radio's Midmorning several times in the past few years (2005, 2004).
So I went out to the used bookstore and got the first of John Sandford's "Prey" books, Rules of Prey. It's a bit more intense and graphic than all the Spenser books have been. But it's definitely a page-turner. And it's really nice to read about landmarks, streets, newspapers you already know of.
So what's your ideal summer reading? Know of any other good site-specific mysteries?
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Brett Baldwin, Web Producer, Minnesota Public Radio
Read more Minnesota Readers at mnreaders.gather.com
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Comments: 15
Have you read any of Ed McBain's books? His are more police detectives but there's the 87th precinct and the Matthew Hope series, both which are good.
"It's a bit more intense and graphic than all the Spenser books have been."
How so? Can you give an example without providing a spoiler?
For Minnesota site-specific summer reading, there's Stanley West Gordon's mystery, Until They Bring the Streetcars Back, or anything by Faith Sullivan. I recently read her latest novel, Gardenias, which was a delightful summer read.
Author Brian Freeman from Minnesota has written a crime thriller, Immoral, that has won a few awards. I haven't read it but Brian is a creative guy who is actually a former co-worker of mine, although I did not know him well. I suspect that might be a good choice, too.
Marianne Combs
MPR Arts Reporter and MN Readers Host
Diane and Debby--Thanks for the tips. I should have no trouble filling my summer evenings with so many book suggestions!
I mean, i wanted something a little closer to home, but NOT THAT CLOSE.
PS: Mary outed herself in a New York Times op-ed column a year or so ago.
Thanks for all the great book tips!