Who Done It? A List of Mysteries

Mysteries are never top of my mind for reading because they are so formulaic. But I often succumb to their ease of reading as a bit of popcorn for the mind. Fortunately, they are often fun and surprising.

Tokyo Express by Seicho Matsumoto, translated by Jesse Kirkwood (The Modern Library, 2025, original copyright 1958)

Considered a classic of the Japanese mystery genre, this is a quick, but not necessarily easy read. That’s because the plot is based on the complex train schedules connecting Japanese cities. You are guided by the author to focus on them. The juxtaposition of the seasoned regional police officer with the quick-witted, younger Tokyo-based inspector works well. As a contemporary reader, the mystery quickly solves itself, but in 1958, the solution was novel.

The Great Houses of Pill Hill by Diane Josefowicz (Soho Press, 2026)

A murder mystery with no intrigue. The characters are flat, and Josefowicz kept missing opportunities to engage the reader with further descriptions of murder scenes, sex scenes, and plain old romance. I enjoyed the setting of an interior decorator specializing in historic restoration. The book would have benefitted from line drawings of the houses, layouts, and historic dioramas created by the main character.

A Minute to Midnight by David Baldacci (Grand Central Publishing, 2019)

I picked up this book when the Chicago Public Library had trouble with deliveries, and I needed reading material. New to Baldacci, I loved this and finished the 441 pages in 24 hours. It’s the second in the Atlee Pine series, so I’ll unearth the first. The plot revolves around FBI agent Atlee’s decision to search for the truth about her identical twin’s (Mercy) disappearance 30 years prior. But you learn little about that mystery as Atlee and her FBI administrative assistant, Carol Blum, dive into local serial killings. That research (tied into a neat resolution) provides some clues about Mercy that will probably be advanced in the next book. A good read!

Split Second by David Baldacci (Warner Books, 2003)

My second Baldacci book was published 16 years prior to my first Baldacci read. He has improved with age and experience. Though a thriller, unlike A Minute to Midnight, this book labors with a complex plot and protagonists too slick to be real. I’d rather stick with his later books.

The Scottish Ladies’ Detective Agency by Lydia Travers (Bookouture, 2023)

If you enjoy historical cozy mysteries, this is a book for you. Set in 1911 Edinburgh, our new detective and her lady’s maid set out to make their way in a man’s world. The plot is simple, the denouement predictable, and the excitement is controlled. Enjoyable reading when you are looking for something that requires little brainpower. First in a series of four books.

Venetian Vespers by John Banville (Books on Tape Audiobook, 2025)

Selected because in 2025 I first visited Venice (bucket list item). This mystery takes place at the turn of the 20th century in both England and Venice. The protagonist is a writer who marries a wealthy young woman. She’s disowned by her father, who subsequently dies, leaving the couple in tight financial circumstances. The writer knows not the reason for the disinheritance, but his wife, mysterious and canny, certainly does, but says nothing. Instead, she hustles them off to Venice, a familiar venue for her, but unknown to her husband. Illicit romance, mayhem, and eventually murder ensue. When his wife disappears, the husband resolves to “keep a stiff upper lip, and life goes on” in a manner that seems fitting.

I enjoyed the Venetian setting. While there, my sister-in-law treated me to tea at Caffe Florian on St. Mark’s Square, the oldest coffeehouse in Italy. This site figures many times in the book. Even then, patrons knew it was high end. Our visit was delightful: the most delicious tea and a small plate of biscuits for $100. Worth every penny. Thank you, Norah. The book was only ok and the ending was disappointing.

Let’s Talk Books:

What type of mysteries do you read? Who is your favorite author? What about series? What’s one mystery book that kept you biting your nails as you turned the pages?