At the beginning of 2024 the country was plagued by horrendous winter storms. The most recent one to hit the east coast left our little community with a multitude of problems. Lots of  flooding, roads washed away and downed trees were widespread. Our faithful library also felt the impact with flooding and electrical problems, but she bounced back quickly and the staff was ready with a smile to help those weathering nature's fury.

The Mystery Book Club  postponed its January meeting, reluctantly as we were anxious to discuss this month’s pick, “Raven Black” by Ann Cleeves. The story takes place in a small town. A teenage girl is found murdered and suspicion falls on a lonely outcast simply because he is different. (Food for thought.)

There were many wonderful mystery novels that came out at the end of 2022 and throughout 2023. I have put together a short list of popular titles.

“Twenty Years Later” by Charles Donlea.  A victim of the attack on the World Trade Center (9/11) had been accused of a murder. In her frantic last phone call, she pleaded with her sister to prove her innocence. (Enter a TV Crime Investigator.)

“Blackwater Falls” by A.Z. Khan. Girls from immigrant communities have been disappearing for months from the small Colorado town. Their fate is largely ignored by the local sheriff. As a trio of women investigators attempt to find the solution they face an onslaught of racial discrimination.

“Happiness Falls” by Angie Kim. (A GMA pick) A tick-tocking investigation into the disappearance of a father and a family whose most personal secrets just might be at the heart of his disappearance. Shocking twists and turns. Questions of love, language, race and the human connection.

Also:

• “None of This is True” by Lisa Jewell
• “Spy Coast” by Tess Gerritsen
• “The It Girl” by Ruth Ware
• “A Flicker in the Dark” by Stacy Willingham
• “The Girl Who Survived” by  Lisa Jackson
• “The Maid” by Nita Prose
• “Paris Apartment” by  Lucy Foley
• “What Happened to the Bennetts” by Lisa Scottoline
• “The Nigerwife” by  Vanesa Walters

Happy Reading mystery lovers!

Upcoming: Library After Hours: Trivia Date Night - Saturday, Feb. 10, 5-7 p.m.