Death Takes a Road Trip: New England

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It's approaching summertime, and in keeping with the annual tradition of the Great American Road Trip, we here at the ACLD have put together a tour of the fifty states, visiting a notable detective series or two in each locale. So buckle up and prepare to be puzzled, as we pack up the assorted sharp objects and undetectable poisons and head to the six New England states for the part one of our whodunit series.

We begin our crime-filled road trip in the scenic state of Maine, home to lobsters, blueberries and scenic seacoasts. The Pine Tree State is also home to a few sleuths who are keeping the state safe from scofflaws. Dana Cameron's Emma Fielding and Lea Wait's Antique Print series both showcase small-town sleuths who are keeping crime curtailed Down East.

The next state on our road map is the great state of New Hampshire, the Live Free or Die state, where more than a few of the inhabitants are turning up dead in suspicious circumstances. Never fear, bookstore owner Tricia Miles is here to document any dastardly deeds.

It's just a short trip to the neighboring state of Massachusetts, where a number of detective series find their home. On tourist-filled Cape Cod, Asey Mayo keeps both natives and tourists in line while solving a series of gruesome crimes. Boston has the privilege of calling private investigator Spenser a native son, and the long-running series of the same name will be sure to occupy many dull hours in the car.

Blink and you might drive through it, but the Ocean State of Rhode Island lays claim to a detective series or two of its own. Private investigator Gwen Gellman is learning about her elven heritage at the same she's solving cases in this interesting blend of urban fantasy and detective fiction.

Next up is Connecticut, home to traffic jams and lovely estates, as well as the quintessential New England villages and cozy mysteries that serve up small-town humor along with crime-solving sleuths. Crossword Puzzle Lady Cora Felton and her long-suffering niece Sherry are busy catching criminals, most of whom incorporate word-play into their criminal antics. A bit further north, housewife Susan Henshaw is also cleaning up crime in her exclusive Connecticut suburb, proving the rich are not immune to the quick and violent temptations of crime.

The last state on this leg of the trip is scenic Vermont. Time to stretch the muscles and take a short walk, but be careful not to trip over any corpses on your journey. Vermont may be pretty, but those scenic hills hide the baser passions of more than a couple of murderers. But fear not, Vermont detective Joe Gunther is here is resolve any crimes that might crop up. 

Can't get enough of the murder and mayhem? Stay tuned for the next blog in the series, as we move our motorcade of malfeasance to the Mid-Atlantic states.