Mysteries set outside of the USA are becoming more and more popular — just look at the success of Stieg Larsson! One publisher, Soho Press, has been exploring new territory for many years as evidenced by the success of Cara Black, Colin Cotterill, Stuart Neville and many others. I am thrilled to announce that Queen Anne Books will be carrying a long list of mysteries published by Soho all featuring policemen, sleuths and detectives from around the world.

Graeme Kent spent eight years as head of the BBC Schools broadcasting service in the Solomon Islands and he is now using that experience and knowledge to start a new mystery series set in the South Sea islands in the early 1960’s.

Ben Kella is an aofia, a spiritual leader and peacekeeper for the Lau people. He is also a Sergeant in the Solomon Islands Police Force. Both positions require tact, wisdom and a lot of patience. Sister Conchita is a new American nun at the mission on Malaita known for her compassion and also her ability to stir up trouble. When Kella catches Sister Conchita trying to reinter bones of a murdered expat/beachcomber he becomes enmeshed in a mystery going back 18 years when Japan invaded the Solomon Islands.

Before reading Devil-Devil, I knew nothing about the Solomon Islands. I read a few reviews of this new mystery and some felt Kent focused too much on the culture and not enough on the mystery. I disagree. First, I loved learning about the indigenous cultures and the colonial history. I also thought the mystery was well-paced, interesting and complex. Bottom line, I really enjoyed this novel and look forward to more cases for Kella and the young nun. ~Patti