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Reader's Paradise

Recommending a really good mystery.

15 years ago

I just finished reading "Mapping Charlie", a first novel by Jane Meyerding. I sincerely hope she writes another book soon. The story is a mystery but it includes strong subplots of Autism, Prosopagnosia (a neurological condition in which the person lacks the ability to recognize the faces of people he has met or even family members), and insights into same sex couples' sincere love for each other. I enjoyed this book as much as any other I have read and hope many people buy it. Her book is available from Lulu in paperback and also as a PDF file. I tore my hair out trying to modify the PDF version and download it to my Kindle, so I even learned some new technical skills.

Nancy

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Comments (4)

lauramarie_gardener
15 years ago
Is it a murder mystery?
Where does it take place ... England/U.S./etc. ?
Is it a long or short book?
mudlady_gw
Original Author
15 years ago
Yes, it is a murder mystery. It takes place in Seattle and is a full length book. I am a picky reader and appreciate a book that is written in proper English. The dialog flows naturally. Just when I thought the story seemed bogged down with a long section of similar description and action, there was a surprising moment. Three such injections of a change of interest that keep the story moving. There are three areas of special interest covered; one is about the life of an autistic person. I believe this story is better, and the book better written than "House Rules" by Jodi Picoult, which also includes autistic behavior. I can't say more without giving away too much of the plot. This is a first novel and I hope the author receives the notice she deserves.
Nancy
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Thank you. This thread has kept me from the gardening and a possible bee sting. I see many old favorites and more exciting, new authors to try. One of my favorites not listed is Robert Van Gulik, Dutch, world reknown expert on China, son of a diplomat I believe and wrote about Judge Dee in the Tang dynasty. Warning, one book has descriptive scene - 'drawn & quartered' for a mean malevolent being. Was Nevada Barr mentioned? Her lonely ranger, Anna Pigeon, works in the natl. parks. Rarely have physical locales' descriptions stayed with me as strongly. I can still go back to the depths of Lake Superior or the Anasazi cliff dwellings. Perhaps a bit on the dark side.
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wig, I'm not a great reader of mysteries or a member of a book club/reading group but I would second cece's recommendation of Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin and the next in the series Serpent's Tale or Death Maze to give it it's US title (why do they do this?). I wonder if An Instance at the Fingerpost by Iain Pears might be rather long-winded/too detailed for a group discussion? Set in 'Restoration' Oxford, but quite a lot of threads running through it to inspire comment. Here's a new one that just won the 'Samuel Johnson Prize'. The Suspicions of Mr Whicker or The Murder of Road House by Kate Summerscale. I've read extracts of it in the newspaper. The true story of a child's murder in Victorian England and the detailed police work that went into finding the killer. Must order it from the library to find who dun it. Here is a link that might be useful: Samuel Johnson Prize Winner
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lauramarie_gardener
15 years ago
Thanks, Nancy.
iris_gal
15 years ago
Can't locate the thread for my thank you.

Carolyn_ky recommended The Nomination by William Tapply. I read what our library had to offer and she is right. THANK YOU!!! What a treat.

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