A man goes missing in a small gold-mining town

One man is dead, another is missing, and 12 have gathered to solve the mystery. Spinning an extensive and intricate tale of love, lust and mayhem, Eleanor Catton’s The Luminaries weaves together a colourful cast of characters in the small gold-mining town of Hokitika, New Zealand. Reminiscent of Wilkie Collins’ mysteries The Moonstone and The Woman in White and winner of the 2013 Man Booker Prize, Catton’s novel blends the eloquence of classic literature with the gripping pace of a contemporary thriller. Don’t be overwhelmed by the book’s hefty size; it’s completely addictive and you won’t be able to put it down!

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton, $29.