Beginning its eighth year, this reading group meets on the first Monday of the month from October through June. Members of the group, affectionately known as “the squad,” discuss not only the case, but also the structure and characterization used by the author. The group is open without charge to members of CSC. If you are interested in joining “the squad” and becoming one of the detectives/critics, just click on the Register button.
This year’s theme is Historical Mysteries
October 6 The Savage Garden
Set in the Tuscan Hills in 1958 Author Mark Mills
Two murders 400 years apart, the 16th century and WWII
Adam Strickland is an English Architecture Student in Cambridge who goes to Tuscany to study the Docci Family’s Renaissance Villa garden.
Discussion Leader: Maryanne Ward
November 3 A Murder on the Appian Way (Book 5 of Roma Sub Rosa)
Set in 52 BC (final years of the Roman Republic) Author Steven Saylor
Based on original document for the time period describing the murder of Clodius. Characters in the novel include Pompey, Marc Antony, Cicero, Milo, and Marcus Caelius.
Discussion Leader: Byron Stuhlman
December 1 The Silver Pigs (Book 1, Marcus Didius Falco)
Set in the 1st Century Rome CE Author Lindsey Davis
Falco has a knack for trouble and bad luck in his drive for justice. Involved are stolen ingots, political machinations and Helena Justina, a senator’s daughter.
Discussion Leader: Janet Williams
February 2 Murder at the Manor
Stories cover a period of 65 years of British society life in country houses.
An Anthology of short stories celebrating the British country house mystery. Includes: Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Copper Beeches” and W.W. Jacobs “The Well”.
Discussion Leader: Jayne Gordon
March 2 The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee
Set in the Ming Dynasty. Translator Robert Van Gulik
Three intricate murder mysteries solved by the fictional magistrate, Judge Dee based on the historical figure Dj Renjie of the Tang dynasty. Features Chinese legal procedures and customs of the time.
Discussion Leader: Stephanie Stephenson
April 6 The Player’s Boy is Dead (Joan and Matthew Stock #1)
Set in Elizabethan England Author Leonard Tourney
Between adulterous wives, less than holy priests and a brutally enforced political hierarchy. Rich in historical detail and suspense.
Discussion Leader: Byron Stuhlman
May 4 My Father’s House (Rome Escape Line Trilogy #1)
Set in 1943/1944 Rome and Vatican City Author Joseph O’Connor
A fictionalized account of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, an Irish priest who led a daring rescue operation to help Jews and Allied prisoners to escape. Explores themes of courage, sacrifice and the human spirit in the face of adversity and the moral complexities of war.
Discussion leader: Maryanne Ward
June 1 The Silver Bone (Kyiv Mysteries #1)
Set in 1919 during Russian Revolution and Civil War Author Andrey Kurkov
Samson Kolechko, a former engineer and newly hired police detective, is grappling with the political turmoil and personal tragedy after the Russian Revolution with various factions vying for control, and the struggle for justice in a chaotic world.
Discussion leader: Janet Williams
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