Best of
Detective

1997

The Bone Collector


Jeffery Deaver - 1997
    But now a diabolical killer is challenging Rhyme to a terrifying and ingenious duel of wits. With police detective Amelia Sachs by his side, Rhyme must follow a labyrinth of clues that reaches back to a dark chapter in New York City's past -- and reach further into the darkness of the mind of a madman who won't stop until he has stripped life down to the bone.

The Secret Cases of Sherlock Holmes


Donald Serrell Thomas - 1997
    Watson, MD1 The Ghost in the MachineThe Case of the: 2 Crown Jewels 3 Unseen Hand 4 Blood Royal 5 Camden Town Murder 6 Missing Rifleman 7 Yokohama Club Author's Note

Night Passage


Robert B. Parker - 1997
    He's left the LAPD in disgrace but lands on his feet as the new chief of police in Paradise, Massachusetts -- a town not far from Boston that's a lot less idyllic than it sounds.On arrival, the new chief finds himself in between corrupt town leaders, a local militia group, and a murderer on the loose.This exciting departure for the creator of Spenser, Robert B. Parker, "the reigning champion of the American tough-guy detective novel" (Entertainment Weekly), has landed Parker on the New York Times bestseller list once again but this time with Jesse Stone. Both readers and critics are thrilled.

Plum Island


Nelson DeMille - 1997
    the wry wit of The Gold Coast...this is vintage Nelson DeMille at the peak of his originality and the height of his powers.Wounded in the line of duty, NYPD homicide cop John Corey is convalescing in rural eastern Long Island when an attractive young couple he knows is found shot to death on the family patio. The victims were biologists at Plum Island, a research site rumored to be an incubator for germ warfare.Suddenly, a local double murder takes on shattering global implications -- and thrusts Corey and two extraordinary women into a dangerous search for the secret of PLUM ISLAND....

Bitter End


Rex Stout - 1997
    "Bitter End" is the first story to receive the shorter novella-length treatment. These shorter cases are unjustly considered inferior to the novels by some critics (and even some fans), but they simply are, for the most part, faster reads of adventures with well-developed plots and characters that compare very favorably with the full length novels, though if they are roughly one third in length. "Bitter End," the first novella length adventure featuring Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin, appeared in the November 1940 issue of "The American Magazine" and marked the beginning of a long relationship between Rex Stout and that publication that lasted uninterrupted for 15 years. The story, which is dark and complex, explores the family, business and personal relationships of the owners and employees of a specialty food manufacturer. Wolfe has a personal encounter with one of their products that has been poisoned and feels compelled to investigate. After its first appearance in The American Magazine, the novella was published in book form in a collection titled "Corsage: A Bouquet of Rex Stout and Nero Wolfe" first and later in the book titled "Death Times Three." This eBook includes, as a bonus, the short story "Out of the Line" that was published first in "All-Story Cavalier Weekly" and is not available anywhere else in electronic format.

Miss Marple Omnibus Volume 3: Murder at the Vicarage / Nemesis / Sleeping Murder / At Bertram's Hotel


Agatha Christie - 1997
    Murder at the Vicarage - the local vicarage seems to be a very busy place what with people always coming and going. And then one of them is found dead.2. Nemesis - Miss M had met Mr. Rafiel previously in the Caribbean; he called her 'Nemesis.' Can she solve a puzzling crime for him back in England?3. A Sleeping Murder - Miss M warns a newly married couple returning from New Zealand that the disappearance of a woman years ago may be a forgotten murder.4. At Bertram's Hotel - a church official mixes up his flight date while staying at a respected hotel in London and sets off a chain of events only Miss M can handle.Librarian's note: this entry is for the collection, "Miss Marple Omnibus Volume 3." Entries for each of the 12 novels and 20 stories in the Miss Marple series can be found elsewhere on Goodreads.

The Seventh Cadfael Omnibus: The Holy Thief / Brother Cadfael's Penance / A Rare Benedictine


Ellis Peters - 1997
    When heavy rain brings the threat of floods to Shrewsbury and the holy relics must be removed to a place of safety, the subsiding waters reveal a robbery has been committed. The master sleuthing of Brother Cadfael is put to the test once more, but to the crime of theft is soon added a murder... BROTHER CADFAEL'S PENANCE: In the year of our Lord 1145, the bitter rift between King Stephen and Empress Maud at last has a chance of reconciliation, particularly the question of the prisoners of war. Brother Cadfael learns that amongst the prisoner is Olivier de Bretagne; his son. His determination to come to his son's aid prompts a perplexing investigation of a uniquely personal nature. A RARE BENEDICTINE: In these three vintage tales of intrigue and treachery: 'A Light on the Road to Woodstock,' 'The Price of Light' and 'Eye Witness,' emerges the events that have turned Cadfael from a crusading and seafaring past to the momentous decision of entering the Benedictine Order in the Abbey of St Peter and St Paul at Shrewsbury.

The Howling Dog and Other Stories


Seymour Simon - 1997
    This book contains ten baffling puzzlers combining basic science skills with downright fun.Here you'll find: The Rotating RollerbladesThe Howling DogThe Incredible Shrinking MachineThe Universal SolventThe Strange MuseumThe Heavy WeightThe Flying-Saucer PeopleThe Angry BullThe Disappearing CookiesThe Baseball Pitching Challenge.

Detecting Men Pocket Guide: Checklist Only


Willetta L. Heising - 1997
    Owing to its small size, the pocket guide includes 'just the facts' -- author name (last name first), character name, numbered book titles in series order, publication date and major mystery awards. This book includes more: More than 800 series detectives; Over 4400 titles in correct series order; More than 500 new titles from '95 and '96; Award winners and Nominees; Pseudonymous authors (P).