Last Wednesday night I was at Borders in Fairfield for a panel of authors -- several being mystery writers -- who shared their favorite beach reads.
Rhode Island author Jan Brogan, who writes the Providence reporter Hallie Ahern series, recommended Mrs. Kimble by Jennifer Haigh Although it is not a mystery, it is nonetheless a compelling story about three women who marry the same man -- an enigmatic opportunist named Ken Kimble.
Local author Jessica Speart, who writes the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Agent Rachel Porter series, recommended Randy Wayne White’s Doc Ford mysteries. Doc Ford is a marine biologist in Sanibel Island, Florida. Lots of beach.
Jane Cleland, author of the Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series set in a small coastal New Hampshire town, recommended I Shall Not Want, Julia Spencer-Fleming’s new Clare Fergusson/Russ Alystyne book, and Clubbed to Death, the latest Dead-End Job mystery from Elaine Viets.
Jane was not only the Guest of Honor at the recent Deadly Ink Conference, but her second Josie title, Deadly Appraisal, won the David Award for Best Mystery of 2007 as well..
Rosemary Harris recently published Pushing up Daisies, the first in a new series, Dirty Business Mysteries, featuring Connecticut amateur sleuth Paula Holliday, a gardening enthusiast.
Rosemary recommended anything by Carl Hiaason for the beach. My favorite Hiaasen is Basket Case. The one with the dead iguana in the freezer. Fun reads!
Hank Phillippi Ryan writes the Charlie McNally mysteries. Hank is an Emmy award winning television reporter in Boston, and Charlie is in the same line of work.
Hank won an Agatha in the Best First Novel category this past May for the first title in the series, Prime Time, which is now in the running for the 2008 Daphne Du Maurier Award.
Hank recommended two of her fellow Agatha award winners: Katherine Hall Page’s caterer Faith Fairchild series set in New England and Louise Penny’s Inspector Armand Gamache mysteries, which are set in southern Quebec.
Jane, Rosemary and Hank have graciously agreed to present a Women of Mystery panel here at the Westport Library on Saturday, November 22nd, at 2 pm. This will probably be your last chance to take some time to relax and enjoy yourself for an afternoon before the “holidaze” kicks in, so mark your calendar now! They are outstanding presenters and I know you will enjoy their warmth and humor.
