SouthArk's selection of mystery novels
Do you get a thrill out of reading (and solving) a mystery? Often there is no greater reading experience than working through a captivating and suspenseful tale. Sometimes you hardly can turn the pages fast enough! And what about those oddball detectives and their quirky sidekicks?
There are so many genres these days: hardboiled police procedurals, cozy mysteries, psychological thrillers and many others. It is exhilarating—and sometimes frustrating—to puzzle over the details of the case, uncover the murderer and connect all the dots. Finally, there’s the satisfaction of the “A-ha!” moment when all the loose ends are tied together (hopefully!).
If you’re in the mood for a good whodunit, the South Ark Library has a great selection. Ask our staff—we are fans of the genre, too! Our latest favorite is “Magpie Murders” from British author Anthony Horowitz, also known for his work on the popular “Alex Rider” series for young adults, as well as a new entry in the Sherlock Holmes chronicles, “The House of Silk.” “Magpie Murders” is a book about a book—an ingenious thriller—while “The House of Silk” brings the classic Sherlock Holmes back for a new generation.
Interested in forensic or CSI fiction? “The Bug Man” series by Tim Downs is a good choice for you. Consulting entomologist Nick Polchak is dedicated to his work and nothing gets in his way… except a few maggots, flies and other disgusting critters. Start with “Shoofly Pie” and get to know this singular character and his creepy but absorbing occupation.
Luckily for most of us, forensics and other aspects of crime are experienced only through the pages of a book. Some people, however, reach into that horrific world on a daily basis and learn as much as possible about the perpetrators. John E. Douglas is one of those individuals. He’s shared many of his experiences in a series of books featuring some of the most famous true crime stories of recent years. The world of crime and serial killers is a dark, chilling place that this author knows all too well, although it’s a topic of endless fascination for many. South Arkansas Community College is fortunate to have him as the guest speaker at next month’s South Ark Lecture Series on Oct, 12. Douglas spent 25 years with the FBI and is the leading expert on criminal-personality profiling and criminal investigative analysis. If you plan to attend, or are interested in learning more about his work, we’ve added several of his books to the library collection.
His work as a profiler is chronicled in “Mind hunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit” by Douglas and Mark Olshaker, and he was the inspiration for the character of Jack Crawford in the movie “Silence of the Lambs.” With good reason: He interviewed many serial killers and murderers including Ted Bundy and Charles Manson. In “Journey Into Darkness” and his latest, “Law and Disorder,” he continues his pursuit of the most high-profile cases and how they were brought to justice eventually.
In “BTK: The True Story Behind the 30-Year Hunt for the Notorious Wichita Serial Killer,” the focus is on Dennis Rader. This seemingly-normal man terrorized the Kansas area for decades and finally was tracked down and arrested after police asked for assistance from Douglas.
But why are these crimes committed at all? Motive is explored in all its shadowy detail in “The Anatomy of Motive: The FBI’s Legendary Mind hunter Explores the Key to Understanding and Catching Violent Criminals.” Douglas explores the minds of poisoners, bombers, hijackers and arsonists as well as serial and mass murderers. Ever try to imagine what was going on in the heads of Lee Harvey Oswald, Ted Kaczynski and Timothy McVeigh? “Motive” investigates all of them and more, allowing us to learn how to predict brutal acts before they occur.
Whether you prefer thrillers, traditional mysteries, twisted tales of suspense, or true crime writers, the South Ark Library has you covered! Contact library staff with any questions or recommendations and visit us to browse our robust collections!
We’ll see you in the library!