A list of the top ten mystery hardcover bestsellers for the week ending October 20, 2006 has been posted on the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books website.Debuting at the second position on both the Borders / Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com lists is a prequel of sorts from Elizabeth George,
What Came Before He Shot Her. The brutal, inexplicable death of Inspector Thomas Lynley's wife (in With No One as Witness) has left Scotland Yard searching for answers. Who is the twelve-year-old boy who pulled the trigger? What were the circumstances that led to his horrific act? That story begins on the other side of London, where the three mixed-race Campbell children are sent to live with their aunt. The oldest, fifteen-year-old Ness, is headed for trouble as fast as her high-heeled boots will take her. That leaves the middle child, Joel, to care for the youngest, Toby. But before long, Joel has his own problems with a local gang. To protect his family, he makes a pact with the devil - a move that leads straight to the front doorstep of Thomas Lynley. Library Journal calls the book a "gripping story" and Kirkus Reviews states "... this is George's best since A Great Deliverance, her 1988 debut."
Most authors would be thrilled to have their mystery appear on the New York Times Bestseller list. But what must come as something of a disappointment to Janet Evanovich is that her latest book, Motor Mouth, debuts "only" in third position. No doubt it will have staying power. Twelve Sharp, her previous mystery, remains on the list (currently 33) four months after its release in June.Visit the Hidden Staircase Mystery Books often where we provide readers and collectors of mysteries with the best and most current information about their favorite mystery authors, books, and series.
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I generally enjoyed What Came Before He Shot Her, even though it is relentlessly grim. E.G. took the opportunity presented by Helen's death to explore the anatomy of what seems to be, on the surface, a senseless crime. There is always a "backstory" behind horrific events that appear to be inexplicable. Having said that, I will be glad to see her return to her regular cast of characters in her next book.
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