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Otherworldly Mysteries   by Hilary Williamson
October 2007

Henry Ward Beecher's last words (spoken in 1887) were 'Now comes the mystery.' More and more books in the mystery genre explore the afterlife and the supernatural - from detectives with varying psychic or magical abilities to ghostly assistants or adversaries, and PIs coping competently not only with regular villains but with powerful vampires and demons as well. Ready for a few mysteries from the twilight zone? Here are thirteen spooky suggestions for you ...

The Alchemist's Apprentice by Dave Duncan
Shades of Nero Wolfe in old Venice, with alchemy, magic and demons.

All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
The seventh in the Southern Vampire series starring Sookie Stackhouse.

Blind Spot edited by Terri Persons
Bernadette's sight allows her to see the world through others' eyes.

The Devil You Know by Mike Carey
In an alternate London, exorcist Felix Castor investigates a ghost sighting.

A False Mirror by Charles Todd
In post-WWI Britain, Inspector Ian Rutledge investigates, aided by a ghost.

The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
Mystery, loss and the Whitney women skilled in the art of reading lace.

Poltergeist: A Greywalker Novel by Kat Richardson
An enchanting blend of mystery and horror, starring PI Harper Blaine.

Season of the Witch by Natasha Mostert
A literally spell-binding gothic tale of mystery and metaphysics.

Territory by Emma Bull
Magical mystery with the Earps in an alternate 1881 Tombstone, Arizona.

Unshapely Things by Mark del Franco
Connor Grey helps his friend Murdock on police cases that involve the fey.

Wings to the Kingdom: Eden Moore by Cherie Priest
Ghosts become restless on the Chickamauga Civil War battlefield.

The Witch is Dead: Ophelia & Abby by Shirley Damsgaard
Abbie's young ward Tink is repeatedly visited by unhappy ghosts.

X-Rated Bloodsuckers by Mario Acevedo
Reluctant vampire, ex-GI Felix Gomez makes a decent living in the PI business.

Whether they've been put off by the untraditional elements of this new sub-genre, or simply haven't bumped into the books yet, many longtime mystery fans have been missing out on great reading. With Halloween looming on the horizon, perhaps it's time to sink your fangs into some of these otherworldly mysteries and drink deep.
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