Asides

I almost put Murder Mindfully down after the first couple of chapters, but I’m glad I didn’t. Karsten Dusse weaves a clever and unconventional plot that blends self-improvement with crime in a way that’s both darkly comedic and oddly satisfying.

Björn, the lead character, starts off as incredibly frustrating—his rigid, almost passive approach to life makes him difficult to root for at first. But as he embraces mindfulness (in the most unconventional way possible), he becomes surprisingly engaging. His journey from overworked lawyer to… well, mindful murderer, is absurd yet strangely logical within the book’s world.

The plot unfolds in a fairly predictable manner, but that doesn’t take away from the enjoyment. The way mindfulness principles are twisted into justifications for cold-blooded efficiency is both unsettling and amusing. The humor is sharp, at times edgy, and adds to the book’s unique tone.

Overall, Murder Mindfully is an entertaining, offbeat read that offers an amusingly twisted take on both personal growth and crime fiction. If you enjoy dark humor and don’t mind a protagonist whose moral compass is… flexible, this book is worth the read.

Reading Farewell, Amethystene feels like catching up with an old friend after years apart—familiar yet full of surprises. Walter Mosley once again delivers a richly layered mystery, steeped in history, moral complexity, and the unshakable presence of Easy Rawlins himself. Now 50, Easy is a man who has survived against all odds, building a life of stability and success. But when Amethystene Stoller reappears, pulling him into an investigation that stirs up ghosts from his past, that hard-won balance is thrown into question.

I enjoyed the interplay between characters, particularly the ever-compelling Fearless Jones, whose presence adds both tension and camaraderie. Mosley’s signature prose remains as evocative as ever, immersing the reader in the shifting landscape of 1970s Los Angeles, where social change simmers beneath the surface of every encounter. The way Mosley intertwines racial politics, personal history, and crime noir is masterful, making every conversation and revelation feel weighty and significant.

The plot itself is intricate, and while the journey is mesmerizing, the resolution left me with lingering questions. At times, I wasn’t sure I fully understood all the twists and turns, but that didn’t take away from the impact of the story. Like many of the best noir tales, it’s less about the neatness of the ending and more about the atmosphere, the moral reckoning, and the evolution of its characters.

Farewell, Amethystene is another strong entry in the Easy Rawlins series, proving that even after all these years, Easy remains one of crime fiction’s most compelling figures. A must-read for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Ajay Chowdhury delivers another gripping, atmospheric thriller with The Shadow. Detective Kamil Rahman’s latest case takes him back to Mumbai, where a string of gruesome murders—starting with a British engineer found pierced by eighteen arrows—pulls him into a tangled web of revenge, superstition, and corruption.

The book brings Mumbai to life in vivid detail, from its bustling streets to the stark realities of the slums, immersing the reader in both its beauty and its brutality. Kamil and his sharp-witted partner Anjoli make for an engaging duo, and their dynamic adds both depth and moments of levity to the dark and twisted mystery at hand. The interplay between the supernatural elements—an ominous family curse—and the stark reality of cold-blooded murder keeps the tension high and the pages turning.

Chowdhury masterfully balances action, suspense, and character development, leading to a satisfyingly neat finish that ties up the mystery while leaving the reader eager for more.

Mick Herron delivers again—The Secret Hours is a masterclass in spy fiction, weaving tension, intrigue, and razor-sharp wit into a gripping thriller. Set on the fringes of the Slow Horses universe, this novel peels back layers of backstory while standing strong as a brilliant espionage tale in its own right.

From the first page, Herron’s signature style is on full display: darkly comic, endlessly twisty, and packed with characters who are as flawed as they are fascinating. The story follows the long-running Monochrome inquiry, a frustrating investigation into the intelligence services that suddenly finds itself with an unexpected breakthrough—the elusive OTIS file. What follows is a thrilling chase through buried secrets, past betrayals, and a present that refuses to let the past rest.

The writing crackles with tension, the plot unfolds with masterful precision, and just when you think you know where it’s going, Herron pulls the rug out from under you. If you love intelligent, unpredictable spy thrillers, The Secret Hours is an absolute must-read.

Greg Iles is usually a fantastic writer, but Sleep No More is an absolute mess. What starts as a promising thriller quickly devolves into a bizarre, supernatural possession story that feels completely out of place. The premise had potential, but instead of a gripping psychological mystery, we get a plot that stretches believability past the breaking point.

The characters are frustrating, the pacing drags, and the supernatural elements feel forced rather than compelling. I kept reading, hoping it would redeem itself, but it never did. If you enjoy Iles’ usual blend of suspense and deep character work, skip this one—it’s nothing but over-the-top nonsense.

Sherry Rankin’s The Killing Plains is an engaging mystery that keeps you guessing. Set in the small town of Crescent Bluff, where everyone knows each other—and everyone has something to hide—the story weaves together past and present crimes in a way that feels both intricate and believable.

Detective Colly Newland is a strong, relatable protagonist, navigating not only a complex case but also personal ties that make her investigation even more challenging. The pacing is steady, with just enough misdirection to keep things interesting without feeling forced. The final reveal is unexpected but well-earned, with clues placed subtly throughout.

Rankin’s writing draws you into the setting and characters without over-explaining, letting the suspense build naturally. A solid debut novel, and I’ll definitely be looking forward to what she writes next.

With the explosion of new Sherlock Holmes novels now that the stories are out of copyright, The Serpent Under by Bonnie MacBird is another addition to the growing list. While it captures the character of Holmes and Watson well, it ultimately feels unexceptional.

The plot interweaves multiple cases—murder, political intrigue, and espionage—taking Holmes and Watson across a variety of settings, from Windsor Castle to the London docks. Unfortunately, despite the promise of these interlocking mysteries, the story never fully delivers on suspense or deduction. The final resolution feels more like a “rabbit out of the hat” than a satisfying unraveling of clues.

MacBird does a solid job with characterization, and fans of the Great Detective may appreciate her take on Holmes and Watson’s dynamic. However, if you’re looking for a truly compelling Holmes mystery, you’d be better off re-reading the originals.