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

Each month, the group selects a compelling murder mystery to read and discuss, with an eye toward strong writing, memorable characters, and inventive plotting. From contemporary noir to historical mysteries, the group’s selections span subgenres and eras, offering something for longtime mystery lovers and curious newcomers alike.

Discussions—held in English—delve into themes, character development, setting, and of course, the crime itself. The goal is not just to guess the culprit, but to appreciate how the author constructs the mystery and what the story reveals about the world it portrays.

Selections are chosen with these criteria in mind:

  • Available in English (paper or ebook)

  • Standalone or first in a series

  • Rich in atmosphere, character, or setting

  • Offers a fresh voice or notable contribution to the genre



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

  • LS081 Murder, They Read: A Clubabble Woman, by Reginald Hill

    • 08 Sep 2025
    • 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
    • To be announced
    • 11

    In A Clubbable Woman, the first novel in Reginald Hill’s acclaimed Dalziel and Pascoe series, Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel and his more refined partner, Peter Pascoe, investigate the death of Mary Connon, a rugby club wife found murdered in her Yorkshire home. Suspicion immediately falls on her husband, Sam, a former rugby star whose alibi is suspiciously vague. As the detectives probe deeper, they uncover a tight-knit, male-dominated world of sportsmen bound by long-standing loyalties and secrets. The investigation exposes layers of marital tension, jealousy, and unspoken grievances, as well as the claustrophobic dynamics of small-town social life. Dalziel’s blunt, intuitive approach contrasts with Pascoe’s more methodical reasoning, creating both tension and comic relief. Hill’s deft writing introduces a psychologically rich, character-driven mystery that departs from the formulaic whodunit. A Clubbable Woman sets the tone for a long-running series marked by wit, social commentary, and literary sophistication.



    Two spaces are reserved for new WICE members. If no new WICE members have registered before 23 June, those two spaces will become available to the general WICE membership.


    The book group meets at the organizer's apartment. The directions, door code, telephone number, etc., are sent in the 7-day and 1-day reminder emails, following registration.

    Registration for the June meeting opens on 15 August 2025.




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