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

  • LS081 Murder, They Read: "The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra", by Vaseem Khan

    • 08 Sep 2025
    • 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • La Grande Colette, 10 Rue Saint-Martin, 75004
    • 8
    Register

    On his last day before forced retirement, Mumbai police inspector Ashwin Chopra faces two surprises: the suspicious death of a young man dismissed as accidental, and the arrival of an unusual gift—a baby elephant named Ganesha from an uncle he barely knew. Unwilling to let the drowning case go, Chopra begins an unofficial investigation, venturing from Mumbai’s wealthy enclaves to its poorest slums. Along the way, he navigates corruption, political intimidation, and domestic tensions, with his spirited wife Poppy questioning his secrecy.

    Ganesha, more perceptive than expected, becomes a quietly indispensable ally—sometimes in ways that baffle Chopra himself. Together, man and elephant untangle the truth behind the boy’s death, confronting the city’s underbelly while offering flashes of humor and warmth. The novel blends classic mystery with vivid evocation of Mumbai life, launching a detective duo whose bond is as unusual as it is endearing.

    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, 10 rue Saint-Martin, 75004.

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