Commentator Pages
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Michael Cohen
Michael Cohen is Professor Emeritus at Murray State University. His book Murder Most Fair: The Appeal of Mystery Fiction was published by Fairleigh Dickinson University Press and is available on Amazon.com. |
Amanda Cross' Kate Fansler debut is 'uncommon mystery'
Now that schools across the region are back in full swing, it's once again time to dawn that literary hat and pick up a good read. Commentator Michael Cohen recommends an academic murder mystery by Carolyn Heillbrun, who wrote under the pseudonym, Amanda Cross. Cohen peaks through the pages of her first novel starring literature professor Kate Fansler, titled In The Last Analysis.
"Knots and Crosses by Jedediah Berry"
This year, BBC reported that Edinburgh, Scotland was the most desirable place to live in the United Kingdom because of its “atmosphere” and “positive reputation.” Step into gothic Old Town or the Edinburgh Vaults and you’ll see that such was not always the case. Author Ian Rankin strides through the city’s grittier side in his book, Knots and Crosses, in which police detective John Rebus must investigate the case of the Edinburgh Strangler. Michael Cohen peaks through the pages of this ‘Tartan Noir’ series.
"The Manual of Detection by Jedediah Berry"
Literary critics can’t help comparing Jedediah Berry’s debut mystery novel, The Manual of Detection to the works of Franz Kafka, Jorge Louis Borges or Ray Bradberry. One could argue the case for these comparisons simply because the book is difficult to define in its originality. Michael Cohen addresses this conundrum as he peaks through the pages of this cerebral, absurdist Uncommon Mystery.
"Wit's End by Karen Joy Fowler"
Have you ever loved a story or a book so much that you’ve imagined the characters to be real? What if they literally became real? Author Karen Joy Fowler blurs this line between fiction and reality in her latest novel, Wit’s End, in which the protagonist takes residence in the home of a famous mystery writer and finds herself to be the subject of fanatical blog posts. Commentator Michael Cohen peaks through the pages of this humorous and transformative Uncommon Mystery.
"Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon"
Teatro La Fenice in Venice is one of the most famous opera houses in Europe and is the setting for the Donna Leon’s internationally best-selling “Brunetti” mystery novel series. Commentator Michael Cohen peaks through the pages of this Venetian who-done-it in his latest Uncommon Mystery.
"Corpus Christmas by Margaret Maron"
There’s nothing like a warm Christmas corpse to chill your bones in the holiday season. That’s what the artisans of the Bruel House in Grammercy Park must deal with in Margaret Maron’s novel, Corpus Christmas. Michael Cohen says this artsy mystery will have you guessing until the end.
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