It’s been a good three weeks of Cozy Mysteries. The Indian summer generally finds me catching up on old favourites like Eric Segal’s ‘Acts of Faith’ - read for the umpteenth time or a rediscovery of ‘Bono on Bono’ by Michka Assayas or a new horde of Mills n Boon ‘Intrigue’ or ‘Paranormal’. But since our Spring-Summer TV viewing leaned heavily toward British Crime dramas from “Father Brown” to “Grantchester” to “Harry Wild” and more, my book hunting turned toward the cosy mystery genre of novels behind these dramas. And a treasure trove I discovered.

The latter half of May had me devouring Alexia Gordon’s ‘Gethsemane Brown Series – 5’ books (eagerly awaiting more in the series), Sarah Fox’s Music Lover’s Mystery - 3 Books, Esme Addison’s Enchanted Bay Mysteries - 2 Books, Terri Reid’s Mary O’Reilly’s Paranormal Mysteries - 20 Books (Just begun this series), and many others lined up for the coming weeks.

But June 6th was a reading date much awaited as Andrew Cartmel’s ‘The Paperback Sleuth - Death in Fine Condition’ was about to make an appearance on my eBook shelf. As soon as Amazon listed it as available, I swiped it up. I didn’t get to hit the Books app till June 9th late evening at a bar pulsating with loud Friday night Bollywood Beats and finished it in two evening sittings between Friday and then Saturday at my favourite pub in my area - The Den Bandra, while Dj hubby was spinning some amazing English retro tunes from the 70s and 80s. Great soundtracks for a truly delightful read.

So before I get immersed in Clive Cussler’s ‘Fire Strike with Mike Maden’, I want to talk about Andrew Cartmel’s latest sleuth ‘The Paperback Sleuth’. A hideously delectable character that one can love to hate and hate to love, Cordelia had me avidly following her exploits from the opening sentence. Cartmel has created a character that is beautifully sinful and deliciously depraved. Cameos from his The Vinyl Detective Series add much depth to the main story like your favourite TV series crossover. And I must admit, like in the defence of any favourite already-watched or -read character, I did get angry with this little slip of a first book girl calling my much loved VD series characters some not so nice names. And then had a good loud laugh at myself over this defensive behaviour. Each character in this new series is so well nuanced you can’t help but want to know more. The places and spaces described will have you right there in the room or on the street with them.

Books have always excited me. And the ‘Paperback Sleuth’ had me diving into a world of book covers and spines and types that took me back to childhood summers of rifling through my grandparents library and teenage ones with the many evenings spent at the Youth Social Service centre’s reading room as well as Diwali Vacations at my Parish Library sifting through the many books donated by parishioners hunting for gold and then rearranging the rest on shelves for everyone else to read.

‘Death in Fine Condition’ not only resurrected the years I’ve spent buried in or surrounded by books but also the thrill of discovering an edition for which you’ve been long hunting. While my book hunting has been nowhere as unscrupulous as Cordelia’s, her delight at procuring her hoards definitely matches mine.

Before you begin to ask if Cordelia is just another female character written badly by a man, let me stop you right there. Andrew Cartmel has written this lead delightfully well. At no point in time did I ever stop to wonder if this character was written by a man or a woman. She is as true to life as a writer can make a character. Her motivations may be suspect but her intentions are clear. I must add, and definitely not as a side note, the adult scenes, the sexploits, sexcapades, call them what you will, are a treat to read whether you’re straight or gay. Rambunctious and all get out as a full moon, I say.

There’s murder. There’s motivation. And love at first sight. And the seedy criminal underground. And a kooky landlord with a handy secret. And great cars. A chase. A church. Lots of books. And… and… well if that doesn’t have you heading to Amazon or my house to read the book, I don’t know what will. Go on. Get yourself a copy. Or come on over. It’s the perfect cosy read for the onset of our monsoons.

Book:The Paperback Sleuth - Death in Fine Condition

Author: Andrew Cartmel

Available on: Amazon India

© Ayesha Dominica

About the Author

Ayesha Dominica is a fiercely independent writer who has been published regularly since age 13. When she's not intimidating strangers with her love for polysyllabic words, she works as an artist manager for DJ Russel. She is prone to withdrawal symptoms if distanced from her books or her Funko collection. But you can easily distract her with the colour yellow, anything Doctor Who, Supernatural, and music trivia. ​