Deborah

Christmas has come to Buckshaw and with it, film star Phyllis Wyvern and her crew and, eventually, the whole of Bishop's Lacey. But not everyone stranded in the blizzard is in a holiday mood. And in setting out to capture Santa Claus, Flavia may just find herself catching a killer.

A charming steampunk novel in which our heroine, Ministry Agent Eliza D. Braun ("the brawn") and hero, Archivist Wellington Thornhill Books ("the brains") battle nefarious secret societies bent on world domination all the while engaging in witty repartee and upholding staunch British values.

In Jennifer Crusie's fairytale world everything is a little skewed. Beauty is pleasantly plump and has problems with carbs, The Beast turns out to be a prince among men, the pumpkin coach is a hideously orange couch, and Elvis has not left the building, he's been reincarnated as a mangy stray cat. But fear not, there is a happy ending.
---Deborah

Cal Cunningham has written the latest Great American Novel; too bad he stole the manuscript from his dead roommate. Now if he can only keep his beautiful new wife, high-powered literary agent and the rest of America from finding out. What should be a morality tale will have you rooting for the villain all the way. --Deborah

Following the shocking conclusion of her previous Lynley novel, "With No One as Witness," Elizabeth George backtracks to show how a child with a great promise can become completely lost and how there can be more than one victim of such a crime. Reading this was like watching a train wreck happen, I knew what was coming, but couldn't turn away.
---Deborah

Pick up "Shutter Island" and be prepared to fall down the rabbit hole with this tale of two U.S. Marshals investigating the disappearance of a mental patient on a secluded island in the midst of a hurricane. Or maybe none of what I've just written is true...

Cotton Malone embarks on his most personal quest yet: discovering the truth behind the secret Navy submarine mission that claimed his father's life. From the time of Charlemagne, to the Nazi era and into present-day Antarctica, Steve Berry delivers another fast-paced historical thriller. - Deborah

A Greek tragedy in a Northern European is the case that will forever haunt Inspector Van Veeteren in his first novel, although it is the 3rd to be published in the U.S. Rich in philosophical musings, dry wit and top-rate mysteries, Nesser is at teh forefront of the current Swedish crime invasion.

The plot and locale of this debut novel could easily be that of a classic Agatha Christie murder mystery, if Miss Jane Marple had been a precocious eleven year old girl with an unhealthy interest in death and poison (and I don't she was!.) Simply the most delightful book of 2009.

Winter may be a distant memory, but Jo Nesbo's "The Snowman" will chill you to the core. Oslo detective Harry Hole has battled demons both personal and professional throughout his career, but the emergence of Norway's first serial killer may be the greatest challenge he has faced. Dubbed 'The Snowman' after his calling card left at the scene of grisly murders, this evil and cunning killer has very carefully planned his finale and the role Harry Hole will play in it. Suspenseful and thrilling!