Just in under the midnight wire (on the West Coast anyway!) - here are the mystery recommendations.
Death is a Lonely Business by Ray Bradbury - Ray's mysteries are very quirky - kind of LA noir wrapped around some serious nostalgia and moments that are maybe fantastic and maybe not. His protagonist is basically himself, as a young writer, and the novel takes place in Venice, CA in the early 1950s. There's a murder and a chase and also a dead carnival train. There's lots of bits about writing and reading and trying not to lost his mind. It's surreal in a certain respect but also one of my favorite books ever. There are two sequels, and both of them are odd and unforgettable as well.
The Travis McGee mysteries by John D. MacDonald - I grew up in FL and Travis will always have a place in my heart because of that. The stories are from the sixties and forward - some might seem dated but really they aren't. Travis lives and loves in Lauderdale and saves some folks and loses a few as well. Mostly, he loves Florida and he hates all the badness that it seems to attract. These books tell the story of what the Sunshine State used to be - and they make me happy and sad at the same time.
The Luanne Fogarty mysteries by Glynn Marsh Alam - These are more modern FL mysteries, taking palce in the northern portion of the state and away from the tourists and beaches. Luanne is a cave diver who works sometimes for the cops and finds all sorts of nasty things in the rivers. She also lives in and loves the swamps, giving readers a unique chance to see another critical part of the Florida landscape.
The Penny Ferry by Rick Boyer - This is a Doc Adams mystery and while I enjoyed them all it's this battered paperback I've held on to all of these years. It involves a modern twist on the infamous Sacco and Vanzetti case. It's smart - it's actually brilliant - and it brings a lot of bad history into the modern age. The characters are outstanding - you will love them all - and the story is tough to beat. I wish Boyer had kept writing these books, I really miss them.
Murder in Belleville by Cara Black - An Aimee Leduc mystery, taking place in the seedier sides of Paris. For everyone in France wondering what happened this Fall, well, Black was writing a mystery over five years ago about how "tension runs high in the working class neighborhood of Belleville as a hunger strike to protest strict immigration laws escalates." Black has a great series with this character and does not shy away from France's many cultural and traditional problems.
The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett. It's a classic for a reason. Hammett created not only a cool mystery, but more importantly, a mystery solving dynamic duo. After you read the book, watch the movie, and then watch them all. Nick and Nora rock, and everyone should know them.
Masuto Investigates by Howard Fast. Masuto is a Japanese American detective in Beverly Hills in the 1960s. He is a Zen Buddist who cultivates roses and practices karate. These are thoughtful and insightful mysteries, as much about who we are as people as they are about the plots and murders that Masuto must crack. I love this guy - he's just about the coolest cop in fiction.
Any Spenser for Hire mystery by Robert B. Parker. My father got me reading these more than 20 years ago. Spenser and Hawk and Susan are practically family to me at this point. The detail about Boston is rich and deep, the mysteries are tightly written and the dialog - well, the dialog is a blast. Mostly though, you will end up reading these books because you just like hanging out with the characters and watching them develop more and more over the years.
Two days left of recommendations, then it's on to other things. Don't forget to take a look at the Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Olreans. Preordering means you give all your money to the folks rebuilding the city - and it would mean the world to those of us who made this book.
