If you look at the menu above, you’ll find I’ve added a new item: “Book Reviews.” I’m starting off focusing on mysteries, and so far I’ve only written reviews for mysteries that are well-known and don’t really need reviewing. But the reason for doing this is so that you can see what kind of mysteries I like and what sort of reviewing I intend to do.

Mainly, I want to give the reader a sense of what makes a particular mystery or mystery series appealing. You can read the jacket copy online if you want to find out what the hook is. When I’m searching for a new mystery, it doesn’t really tell me much to hear that it’s about a lighting technician who discovers a dead body in a closet at a concert venue and is afraid her affair with the stage manager will be exposed if she reports it… (I made that all up, by the way.) What I would rather know is–is it funny or dark? Realistic or pleasantly improbable? Does it feel like a lot is at stake–is it intense? Is it an interesting setting?

Some of that does come through in the jacket copy, at least if it is well-done. But not always. I hope this will help someone else find a new book to enjoy.

Till next post.