The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer by Ragnar Jonasson (2023)

Second book in the series. This one answers some of the questions from the cliffhanger that ended the first book, but not all. And this one ends with a cliffhanger as well -- how long till the third book in the trilogy? Very enjoyable and suspenseful, less of an Agatha Christie vibe than the first. Again Detective Helgi reads Golden Age mysteries while investigating the possible crime. I'm intrigued by the picture I'm getting of Iceland and its people.

The Misty Harbor by Georges Simenon (1932)

#16  The Maigrets are an interesting series in that there is no relation between one case and the next, we learn little more about him from one book to another, there are few continuing characters other than Maigret himself, his behavior is inconsistent -- at times veering wildly from previous patterns, and he doesn't grow, evolve, or reflect back between books. This is based only on having read the first 16 books in the series (of 75 novels). And this one is pleasantly complex, proceeding in unexpected directions, as Simenon expertly evokes the intricacies of the sea-faring life of a coastal village. Readers will be surprised to find Maigret trussed up like a chicken for a night. Simenon worked a little harder on this one.

The Only Good Secretary by Jean Potts (1965)

A secretary is found murdered in the office when the staff return to work Monday morning.

Mystery Review: The Only Good Secretary is a fine example of the mystery genre known as domestic suspense or domestic noir. In domestic noir the mystery is usually solved, whether largely or wholly, by the ordinary people involved rather than by some genius detective, hardboiled private eye, or a meticulous police procedural. Seeing the events through the eyes of those directly affected, family, friends, or as here, co-workers, is a refreshing change and more relatable. In many domestic suspense novels, as here, I feel the ghost of Shirley Jackson hovering above, the verisimilitude strong until it takes a turn and the whole world shifts on its axis. This is a well-plotted mystery with surprises as co-workers, roommates, exes, and others (not so much the police) try to figure out who killed the boss's secretary. Another excellent reprint (available as a twofer along with Potts' 1957 mystery The Man with the Cane) from Stark House Mystery Classics.  A good lost novel found again, which always makes me happy.  [4★]