Homicide at the Exhibition Hall
In the face of funding cuts and escalating climate change, cultural institutions are at risk of being targeted, sold, or damaged. While museums still exist, readers may find solace in museum-based mysteries and thrillers. Here are four recent and upcoming novels that encapsulate cultural institutions and a generous dose of crime.
Heather McGowan's "Friends of the Museum," published by Washington Square Press, is a humorous yet biting satire that sheds light on the sacrifices made to preserve cultural institutions, and the loss of personal identity that often comes with it. The novel raises a pertinent question: why can't we have federal funding for culture, rather than relying on private donors?
"The Museum Detective" by Maha Khan Phillips, published by Soho, presents an intriguing plot revolving around an archaeologist who is tasked with identifying a unique mummy, one that many would like to claim for personal or political gain.
Poupeh Missaghi's "Sound Museum," published by Coffee House, parodies corporate feminism and professionalism's misplaced morality. In this novel, women propping up a brutal regime demand acknowledgement for their contributions. One woman creates a peculiar archive dedicated to analyzing the sounds of torture, aiming to share her findings.
Kosoko Jackson's "The Macabre," published by Harper Voyager, presents a bizarre storyline where an artist is recruited by the British Museum to locate and destroy nine malevolent paintings, potentially capable of destroying the world. Jackson's new book promises an immersive narrative, much like his previous post-apocalyptic thriller, "Survive the Dome." The novel is rumored to have a unique magic system that might lend itself easily to an adaptation.
These museum-based mysteries and thrillers offer a blend of entertainment and thought-provoking themes, serving as a welcomed escape from the potential looming threats to our cultural institutions. Readers seeking a captivating reading experience can immerse themselves in these novels on their bookshelves or in their e-readers.
Engross yourself in the 'home-and-garden' of literature with these museum-based mysteries and thrillers, as they transport you into realms of 'entertainment' that reflect the current state of cultural institutions. 'Social-media' abuzz with conversations, these books, such as 'Friends of the Museum' by Heather McGowan, 'The Museum Detective' by Maha Khan Phillips, 'Sound Museum' by Poupeh Missaghi, and 'The Macabre' by Kosoko Jackson, offer a 'lifestyle' enriched with suspense, humor, and thought-provoking themes.
