6 summer mystery reads that are sure to make waves

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This summer’s bumper crop of crime fiction does not disappoint.Authors Ron Currie and David Heska Wanbli Weiden both return to their singular protagonists with narratives that deepen their legends by immersing readers in overlooked communities.

Amy Bloom, best known for her literary fiction, steeps her mystery in the academic world she happens to hail from.Danielle Postel-Vinay and Gary Phillips pay homage to literary legends with stories that sizzle with personality and authenticity.

And then there’s literary chameleon Silvia Moreno-Garcia, who slips into a dark and steamy tale steeped in the tropes of James M.Cain, recent Mexican history and telenovelas.

Consider this season’s mystery must-reads a literary feast for all.If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookstores.Murder Most Delicious By Danielle Postel-VinayHarper Perennial(May 26)Olivia Beech, America’s youngest female sommelier, tragically lost her sense of taste during COVID, but relied on her sharp sense of smell until she was fired for her deception.Hoping for a second chance in Paris with renowned chef Jacques de Bizet, her nose warns her something is wrong with a Burgundy he uncorks during her interview — just before he drinks the wine and drops dead.

Hustled from the scene by a neighboring florist, she meets the vigilant but eccentric Neighborhood Watch group at the home of reclusive former detective Augusta Dupin.Will Beech join forces with them to solve the crime while sparking a romance with a handsome local cop? Mais oui! Written by Postel-Vinay — the pen name of L.A.

Times Book Prize winner Danielle Trussoni — this cozy read blends a clever plot with the author’s evocative descriptions of Parisian food, wine and community reminiscent of Julia Child’s “My Life in France.” C’est magnifique!Blunt Instr...