WICE’s Murder, They Read group offers members the chance to explore the mystery form—from classic sleuths and gritty detectives to unconventional investigators and amateur gumshoes.

A compelling mystery will be selected for each month's reading and discussion, with an eye toward strong writing, memorable characters, and inventive plotting. From contemporary noir to historical mysteries, the group’s selections will span subgenres, eras, locales and cultures, offering something for longtime mystery lovers and curious newcomers alike.

Discussions—to be held in English—will delve into themes, character development, setting, and of course, the crime itself. The goal is not just to guess the culprit, but, through the eyes of the sleuth, to benefit from a literary immersion into another time, place, and/or culture;  to appreciate how the author constructs the mystery and what the story reveals about the world it portrays.   And of course  to enjoy time spent with others who love the mystery genre.

Selections are chosen with these criteria in mind:

  • Available in English (paper or ebook)

  • Standalone/can be read on it’s own, or first in a series

  • Rich in atmosphere, character, or setting

  • Offers an unexpected perspective




Representative titles include:

  1. A Clubbable Woman – Reginald Hill

  2. The Blessing Way – Tony Hillerman

  3. The Silver Pigs – Lindsey Davis

  4. Death at La Fenice – Donna Leon

  5. Maisie Dobbs – Jacqueline Winspear

  6. The Chalk Circle Man – Fred Vargas

Whether you’re drawn to the streets of Venice, the mesas of New Mexico, or a shadowy corner of 1920s London, Murder, They Read invites you to join the investigation.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

    • 08 Sep 2025
    • 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • La Grande Colette, 10 Rue Saint-Martin, 75004
    • 11

    Murder, They Read group offers members the chance to explore the mystery form—from classic sleuths and gritty detectives to unconventional investigators and amateur gumshoes. The September book will be posted on or around 01 August.


    Two spaces are reserved for new WICE members. If no new WICE members have registered before 01 September, those two spaces will become available to the general WICE membership.


    The book group meets in the backroom of La Grande Colette café, 18 rue Saint-Martin, 75004.

    Registration for the September meeting opens on 15 August 2025.