Tired of the traditional urban detective novel? Looking for mysteries or thrillers with some midwestern grit and characters? Look no further than these titles, used in Donna's "Not-So-Quiet Countryside Book Talk recently.

Jamie Harrison -- Set in Montana

Edge of the Crazies [1995]


Going Local [1996]


An Unfortunate Prairie Occurence [1996]


Blue Deer Thaw [2000]

Donald Harstad -- Set in Iowa

Eleven Days [1998]


Known Dead [1999]


The Big Thaw [2000]


Code 61 [2002]


A Long December [2003]

Craig Johnson -- Set in Wyoming

The Cold Dish [2005]


Death Without Company [2006]


Kindness Goes Unpunished [2007]

Patrick McManus -- Set in Idaho

The Blight Way [2006]


Avalanche [2007]

Charlene Weir -- Set in Kansas

The Winter Widow [1992]


Consider the Crows [1993]


Family Practice [1995]


Murder Take Two [1998]


A Cold Christmas [2001]


Up In Smoke [2003]


Edge of Midnight [2006]