Stories by John Powers
John Powers
Pop Culture Critic, Fresh Air
By John Powers
Travel to Italy and Algeria in these two brilliant, translated mysteries
John Powers | May 26, 2026, 5:50 PM UTC
The End of the Sahara is a kaleidoscopic murder mystery by the Algerian writer Saïd Khatibi. An Enigma by the Sea is a witty, socially astute novel set along well-to-do Tuscan coast.
By John Powers
'Widow's Bay' is cursed -- but manages to be both funny and frighteningJohn Powers | May 22, 2026, 9:00 AM UTC
By John Powers
'The Wizard of the Kremlin' captures the rise of Putin — and 'anything goes' RussiaJohn Powers | May 15, 2026, 3:58 PM UTC
By John Powers
An off-beat family makes some 'Big Mistakes' in this clever crime farceJohn Powers | Apr 27, 2026, 4:23 PM UTC
By John Powers
Netflix does Nordic noir right in 'Jo Nesbø's Detective' seriesJohn Powers | Apr 8, 2026, 1:18 PM UTC