Crime fiction readalong with S.
For our third readalong, S. and I have decided to leave American West books behind and have a year of reading atmospheric crime fiction from different countries. We have settled for twelve books that cover all continents. We’ll read one per month, starting this September.
Les larmes noires sur la terre by Sandrine Collette. It’s not available in English and the title means Black tears on the earth. It’s set in a junkyard in France, a place we’d rather think doesn’t exist. I’ve already read a Collette book Il reste la poussière and I was impressed by her style. Someone should translate her into English.
The Black Ice by Michael Connelly. No need to explain who Connelly and Bosch are. I’m looking forward to spending time in LA with them.
The Shaman Laughs by James D. Doss will take us to the Ute reservation. I’ve read several books by Tony Hillerman and I expect to find in Charlie Moon a cousin of Jimmy Chee or Joe Leaphorn.
L’île des âmes by Piergiorgio Pulixi. It means The souls’ island and it’s not available in English. Set in Sardinia, it’s Italian crime fiction that delves into local folklore and customs on top of the usual crime investigation.
Yeruldelgger by Ian Manook is the beginning of a French crime fiction series set in Lapland. According to Goodreads, it’s available in German, Italian, Greek, Romanian, Vietnamese, Czech and Spanish.
A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny. I’m looking forward to going back to Québec and see what Gamache is up to.
Adieu Oran by Ahmed Tiab. A series of violent crimes happen in Oran, Algeria. Commissaire Fadil is in charge of the investigation. Another book only available in French.
Les disparus de Pukatapu by Patrice Guirao is set in Tahiti. We’ll see what’s beyond the paradisiac islands. Only available in French.
La Maison où je suis mort autrefois by Keigo Higashino. The title means The house where I once died. This is a Japanese crime fiction book and it’s not available in English either.
The Survivors by Jane Harper will be an opportunity to travel to Tasmania.
Dead at Daybreak by Deon Meyer and we’ll fly out to South Africa
Les hamacs de carton by Colin Niel is set in French Guyana. As I’ve already read it , I will go back to New Zealand, reunite with the Maori cop Tito Ihaka and read Inside Dope by Paul Thomas.
I am grateful for translators who brings these books to French readers and for the publishers who promote foreign literature.
Twelve books, twelve months, twelve armchair travels. What do you think of our selection?
Book Around the Corner 
Glad to see Louise Penny made it to your list. There are some here that sound interesting but sadly not ones I can read unless they ever do an English translation
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I’ve enjoyed the Penny I’ve read. I like the atmosphere and to see how Francophones and Anglophones interact in her books.
I’m sorry to hear that the books that appeal to you aren’t available in English. Out of curiosity, which ones would you have picked?
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Quite a few of them appealed to me Emma -the Ian Manook for example intrigues me because of its setting. Also the one in Algeria
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I’m curious about both.
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This sounds a great readalong! I’ll look forward to your reviews.
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I’m excited about it and truly love the crime fiction around the world concept.
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What a great idea! Be interested to hear what you think of The Survivors.
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Thanks. Join us for some readalongs if you want to.
I liked the two Harpers I’ve read, I suppose I’ll like this one too.
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Thanks. I will see what is available. I love Higashino, but too bad this one hasn’t been translated into English…yet?
I hope you like the Harper. (I’ve decided I’m not a fan… )
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I hope you’ll join us!
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Well, of course you are missing Romania from your list, but don’t mind me, I might be prejudiced! 🤣🤣 some unusual places there, looking forward to your thoughts on these. I too love to travel via crime fiction.
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Marina Sofia, I am Romanian too and I’d love to hear what Romanian crime writers you recommend. Others than Rodica, of course :). And Emma, what an inspiring list! Amazon has already received money from me after I’ve visited your blog. I’ve read Ian Manook’s book (all of them, actually) and I liked them a lot. Very unusual, but interesting.
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I wrote a little article about Romanian crime fiction for the Romanian Riveter edition and founded a publishing house in the UK to publish Romanian crime fiction (amongst other nations) https://www.eurolitnetwork.com/the-romanian-riveter-crime-fiction-in-romania-past-and-present-by-marina-sofia/
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Thank you. Which book did you get after reading oneof my billets? I’m curious!
I’m looking forward to the Ian Manook.
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True, true, I could have picked another Romanian book.
Join us some months!
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Nice list! I didn’t know this one by Higashino. Louise Penny is definitely a must. I just read her brand new book (#17 in the series) and it’s again so good. #16 is set in Paris by the way
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Thanks!
How is the Penny set in Paris? She’s too subtle to fall down the cliché pit?
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You’ll have a heavy suitcase to carry, with all this travelling! Nice itinerary and an interesting selection for sure.
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Thanks! It’s going to be so much fun!!
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One of my favorite ways to read crime fiction – I love reading mysteries written from and about other countries so I’ll be following your journey with interest.
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I always love reading crime fiction from other countries, it’s a good way to see their dark side and past the touristic clichés.
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One of Sandrine Colette’s books is available in English, the one about the flood/wave. It was very compelling indeed. These others sound good too. Especially intrigued by stories set in/around/about Lapland and the people there. Am very behind with Louise Penny, but I enjoy that series.
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Good to know one of her books made it into English.
I’m curious about the one set in Lapland too. I hope there will be info about life there.
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