Beth Kava has been reading mysteries her entire life. During her long career as a history teacher, she engaged students by helping them think of past events as mysteries to be investigated. She is currently a volunteer in her community and president of the White Plains Library (NY) Foundation, helping to support a library with, among many riches, an ever-enticing section of mysteries. She’s a member of three book groups— including the library’s crime fiction group, Book ‘Em— and her reading choices are eclectic and far-ranging.

THE READING EXPERIENCE

Kava first discovered mysteries when she was young. “Like a lot of my generation, I grew up reading the Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, and the Hardy Boys. I read plenty of other books as well, including nonfiction, but these are the ones I remember the best,” she says.

The structure of the stories and the characters appealed to her then, and both factors remain important to this day. “I enjoy the premise of mysteries, that when things go wrong, they can be corrected, often by people with foibles like our own.

“As a history teacher, you are faced with so many questions that are open-ended, with multiple perspectives. Why did the Cold War happen? There are many answers,” she says. With crime fiction, Kava appreciates the arc of the story, knowing that there will be resolution by the end.

“I also enjoy it when the author puts me in the mind of the detective and I’m actively trying to figure out the crime,” Kava continues. She expects the author to play fairly, to share the same information with the reader that the detective possesses. As for red herrings—plot devices to send detective and reader on the wrong track—“too many can begin to seem artificial.”

Like a lot of crime fiction readers, Kava loves to discover a new series and will regularly backtrack to start a series from its first title. A super-reader, Kava will close out this year having read more than 80 titles. “About 80 percent of those were borrowed from the library, and 25 percent of the library books were ebooks,” she says.

THE ART OF DISCOVERY

Feeding Kava’s reading habit takes work. “I read the reviews, like those in the New York Times, subscribe to several publisher newsletters, and regularly visit several websites, like stopyourekillingme.com,” she says.

Years back, she discovered Mainely Murders Bookstore in Kennebunk, ME. In addition to visiting it annually, Kava also subscribes to the store’s monthly newsletter, which is a great help in discovering new titles.

Despite all the research, browsing in person, whether in a library or bookstore—a visit to Otto Penzler’s Mysterious Book Shop in lower Manhattan is a treat—remains a huge part of discovery. “Going to the library is like hunting,” she says, “and while I don’t pay attention to blurbs, an interesting biography will grab my attention.”

What does she look for in a crime novel? “It varies, but what I really enjoy is a strong character, a strong sense of place, and a book that is well plotted. The novels of Jane Harper are a good example.” Her tastes range from comfort reads— Robert Parker in the past, Anthony Horowitz today—to books that take on social issues, “such as Jo Spain’s With Our Blessing, which is about the Magdalene laundries in Ireland.”

Kava will sometimes purchase a book she’s already read and loved— most recently, Colson Whitehead’s Harlem Shuffle—as well as the first title in a series.

Her travels are somewhat curtailed today, but when planning a trip in the past, Kava would read mysteries set in the locale to gain a better sense of place. Conversely, she has also made trips because of the books she has read. After reading Barbara Ross’s “Maine Clambake” series, Kava was inspired to make a trip to Maine’s Damariscotta region.

What’s Kava reading next? “I recently finished Fortune Favors the Dead by Stephen Spotswood and enjoyed the PI team he created, so I’m planning to read the second in the series, Murder Under Her Skin. Next up is the library’s mystery book club selection, When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole. Abir Mukherjee has released the fifth in his ’Wyndham & Banerjee’ series, Shadows of Men, so I’ve got that on reserve. And a friend just recommended Clark and Division by Naomi Hirahara. Lastly, I’m reading through the ‘Nate the Great’ series with my seven-year-old grandson and introducing the three-year-old to Brian Selznick and David Serlin’s Baby Monkey, Private Eye, a delightful mystery!”

Brian Kenney is cofounder and coauthor of First Clue, a free weekly newsletter that reviews mysteries and thrillers as far in advance of publication as possible. Librarian and editor Kenney has worked with publications including LJ, SLJ, and Publishers Weekly and is the director of the White Plains Public Library (NY).  

The Case Continues:

The Crime Fiction Preview 

A Cozy Quiz

Q&A with Kellye Garrett