Volume 1 Issue 3 The consummate mystery writer P.D. James once said in an interview that the inspiration for her novels begin with determining their setting. Location to her was an intrinsic part of the story. In this newsletter issue, I recommend novels by American authors whose settings become characters as distinct and colorful as the human characters they create. Baltimore — Laura Lippman
New York Times best-selling author Laura Lippman gives readers a vivid, authentic portrait of Baltimore, its quirks, neighborhoods, and people, in her twelve-book Tess Monaghan series. Baltimore Blues, the first in the series, introduces Tess, a former reporter turned PI, who uses her instincts and unorthodox methods to nail the bad guys. Lippman’s work has earned her numerous honors, including the Edgar, Macavity and Shamus awards. Boston — David Lehane
Lehane’s debut novel, A Drink Before the War, kicks off his series of Boston neo-noir novels. Mystic River, one of his best, revisits the consequences of a child’s abduction during a murder investigation decades later. This powerful novel was made into an award-winning 2003 film, starring Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon and Laurence Fishburne. Two other novels, Gone Baby Gone and Shutter Island, were also made into feature films. Lehane grew up in the working-class Boston neighborhood of Dorchester. Louisiana –James Lee Burke
Burke’s Dave Robicheaux series of 23 novels immerses readers in memorable characters, which of course includes the setting, as well as intricate plots, and masterful prose. In the first novel, The Neon Rain, Robicheaux, a Viet Nam veteran battles police brass and the bottle. Burke is the winner of two Edgar Awards and was named Grandmaster by Mystery Writers of America. His work remains both topical and timeless. The backdrop for his novel Tin Roof Blowdown is Hurricane Katrina. American Southwest’s Four Corners — Tony Hillerman
The setting of Hillerman’s series featuring Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Officer Jim Chee, of the Navajo Tribal police, is the Southwestern US region where the borders of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah meet. The author skillfully weaves the culture and traditions of the Navajo nation seamlessly with each novel’s underlying mystery. The first in series is The Blessing Way. Hillerman, who lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico until his death in 2008, was honored with the Navajo Tribal Council Special Friend of the Dineh award. His novels also won Edgar, Anthony and Macavity awards. Consider Independent Book Stores When you purchase books, please consider patronizing an independent bookstore to help keep them viable within our communities. Please be sure to add my email, chrisquarembo.com to your contacts list and feel free to also email me and share your comments about the newsletter, books that you’re reading and books to recommend to readers of this newsletter. Watch for my next newsletter in September.
“A good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever.” Martin Farquhar Tupper, English writer, and poet (1838-1889)
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