Payback
Jasmine Cresswell
Mira, Nov 2007, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778324874
After being a media sensation (for two books - SUSPECT and MISSING), the late wealthy bigamist Ron Raven is no longer headlines news and his two families are finally moving on past his transgressions. Everything changes when Chef Luke Savarini sees Ron dining in a Chicago restaurant. He calls Ron’s “second” wife who informs her daughter, Chef Kate Fairfax, what her former lover claims.
Kate reluctantly agrees to talk with Luke, but believes he is either an idiot or for some reason cruel. However, once her rage cools down to a slow burn, she begins to accept the possibility that her father pulled off an even wilder stunt than anyone imagined. She plans to learn the truth, but someone wants Ron to remain “dead” so if his daughter and her ex need to die so be it.
This is an exciting ending to the Ravens and Fairfax trilogy although the police come across as more incompetent than the Keystone cops. The story line is fast-paced as the lead couple investigates what happened to Ron but their attraction reigniting in a second chance subplot seems unnecessary as the hunt for Raven, if he lives, is more than poetic justice to sustain the PAYBACK.
Harriet Klausner
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Trapped-Chris Jordan
Trapped
Chris Jordan
Mira, Nov 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 9780778324713
In Valley Stream, Long Island single mom Jane “The Wedding Lady” Garner and her sixteen year old daughter Kelly share a strong bond forged from when the younger almost died from leukemia. When Jane wakes up one morning, she is stunned to find her daughter not home. She calls the police, but they do nothing as they assume Kelly ran off with her boyfriend Seth, whom Jane has never met; even an AMBER Alert is considered inappropriate as the teen left on her own accord instead of abduction.
Jane learns that Seth is not a teen, but instead is an adult her daughter met on MySpace.com. She also finds out that her offspring has been trying daring stunts of late so riding a motorcycle with Seth is no longer a shocker. When the call of help from Kelly is cut off, Jane panics, but hires ex-FBI agent Randall Shane to find her daughter.
This is a fabulous suspense thriller that changes viewpoints from third person filled with action to first person so that the reader can see how deep her fear is gutting Jane’s insides and how much she blames herself. The story line is loaded with fabulous twists from the moment that Jane knows her daughter is in trouble and never slows down as Russell works diligently to save her life while trying to help Jane cope. By not having a romance interfere, Chris Jordan makes the desperation seem even more harrowing in this superb drama.
Harriet Klausner
Chris Jordan
Mira, Nov 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 9780778324713
In Valley Stream, Long Island single mom Jane “The Wedding Lady” Garner and her sixteen year old daughter Kelly share a strong bond forged from when the younger almost died from leukemia. When Jane wakes up one morning, she is stunned to find her daughter not home. She calls the police, but they do nothing as they assume Kelly ran off with her boyfriend Seth, whom Jane has never met; even an AMBER Alert is considered inappropriate as the teen left on her own accord instead of abduction.
Jane learns that Seth is not a teen, but instead is an adult her daughter met on MySpace.com. She also finds out that her offspring has been trying daring stunts of late so riding a motorcycle with Seth is no longer a shocker. When the call of help from Kelly is cut off, Jane panics, but hires ex-FBI agent Randall Shane to find her daughter.
This is a fabulous suspense thriller that changes viewpoints from third person filled with action to first person so that the reader can see how deep her fear is gutting Jane’s insides and how much she blames herself. The story line is loaded with fabulous twists from the moment that Jane knows her daughter is in trouble and never slows down as Russell works diligently to save her life while trying to help Jane cope. By not having a romance interfere, Chris Jordan makes the desperation seem even more harrowing in this superb drama.
Harriet Klausner
Trapped-Chris Jordan
Trapped
Chris Jordan
Mira, Nov 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 9780778324713
In Valley Stream, Long Island single mom Jane “The Wedding Lady” Garner and her sixteen year old daughter Kelly share a strong bond forged from when the younger almost died from leukemia. When Jane wakes up one morning, she is stunned to find her daughter not home. She calls the police, but they do nothing as they assume Kelly ran off with her boyfriend Seth, whom Jane has never met; even an AMBER Alert is considered inappropriate as the teen left on her own accord instead of abduction.
Jane learns that Seth is not a teen, but instead is an adult her daughter met on MySpace.com. She also finds out that her offspring has been trying daring stunts of late so riding a motorcycle with Seth is no longer a shocker. When the call of help from Kelly is cut off, Jane panics, but hires ex-FBI agent Randall Shane to find her daughter.
This is a fabulous suspense thriller that changes viewpoints from third person filled with action to first person so that the reader can see how deep her fear is gutting Jane’s insides and how much she blames herself. The story line is loaded with fabulous twists from the moment that Jane knows her daughter is in trouble and never slows down as Russell works diligently to save her life while trying to help Jane cope. By not having a romance interfere, Chris Jordan makes the desperation seem even more harrowing in this superb drama.
Harriet Klausner
Chris Jordan
Mira, Nov 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 9780778324713
In Valley Stream, Long Island single mom Jane “The Wedding Lady” Garner and her sixteen year old daughter Kelly share a strong bond forged from when the younger almost died from leukemia. When Jane wakes up one morning, she is stunned to find her daughter not home. She calls the police, but they do nothing as they assume Kelly ran off with her boyfriend Seth, whom Jane has never met; even an AMBER Alert is considered inappropriate as the teen left on her own accord instead of abduction.
Jane learns that Seth is not a teen, but instead is an adult her daughter met on MySpace.com. She also finds out that her offspring has been trying daring stunts of late so riding a motorcycle with Seth is no longer a shocker. When the call of help from Kelly is cut off, Jane panics, but hires ex-FBI agent Randall Shane to find her daughter.
This is a fabulous suspense thriller that changes viewpoints from third person filled with action to first person so that the reader can see how deep her fear is gutting Jane’s insides and how much she blames herself. The story line is loaded with fabulous twists from the moment that Jane knows her daughter is in trouble and never slows down as Russell works diligently to save her life while trying to help Jane cope. By not having a romance interfere, Chris Jordan makes the desperation seem even more harrowing in this superb drama.
Harriet Klausner
All the Pretty Girls-J.T. Ellison
All the Pretty Girls
J.T. Ellison
Mira, Nov 2007, $6.99
ISBN 9780778324430
The serial killer kidnaps young women and takes them to the next state before killing them. After having his fun with his chosen pretty ones, he slices off their hand to take with him and leaves behind the previous victim’s hand with the fresh corpse. When a female is found by a Nashville highway with the trademark hand of the "Southern Strangler", homicide detective Taylor Jackson is assigned the case.
However, she and her team go nowhere as there are neither witnesses nor have any useful evidence beyond the hand. Taylor turns to her lover, FBI profiler John Baldwin but he fails to help her solve the case. When a local TV reporter dies in what seems an accident, Taylor is assigned that case, leaving John to deal with the Southern Strangler.
ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS is an interesting police procedural romance in which the serial killer steals the show from the two cops pursuing him. The story line is at its best when the Southern Strangler performs his deadly deeds and when the police investigate; when the subplot turns to romance, it seems forced as the heroine is obviously not ready for dangling alliances. Still sub-genre fans will enjoy this exciting cat and mouse game in which the culprit makes the rules that the vulnerable mouse must play by.
Harriet Klausner
J.T. Ellison
Mira, Nov 2007, $6.99
ISBN 9780778324430
The serial killer kidnaps young women and takes them to the next state before killing them. After having his fun with his chosen pretty ones, he slices off their hand to take with him and leaves behind the previous victim’s hand with the fresh corpse. When a female is found by a Nashville highway with the trademark hand of the "Southern Strangler", homicide detective Taylor Jackson is assigned the case.
However, she and her team go nowhere as there are neither witnesses nor have any useful evidence beyond the hand. Taylor turns to her lover, FBI profiler John Baldwin but he fails to help her solve the case. When a local TV reporter dies in what seems an accident, Taylor is assigned that case, leaving John to deal with the Southern Strangler.
ALL THE PRETTY GIRLS is an interesting police procedural romance in which the serial killer steals the show from the two cops pursuing him. The story line is at its best when the Southern Strangler performs his deadly deeds and when the police investigate; when the subplot turns to romance, it seems forced as the heroine is obviously not ready for dangling alliances. Still sub-genre fans will enjoy this exciting cat and mouse game in which the culprit makes the rules that the vulnerable mouse must play by.
Harriet Klausner
Cut Throat-Sharon Sala
Cut Throat
Sharon Sala
Mira, Nov 2007, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778325079
Solomon Tutuola killed her father before he sliced her throat; he left her expecting she will die, but the then thirteen years old Cat Dupree survived. Although a teen she pledged to herself one day she will kill her wannabe murderer Tutuola. Thus to insure she is ready to act when her moment occurs, Cat became a bounty hunter waiting for her moment.
Now the opportunity has finally occurred due to an incident in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and ignoring everyone who cares about her even her lover Wilson McKay she goes after Tutuola. Irate with Cat when she sneaks out of Dallas to follow a moving GPS signal in Mexico that she knows will lead her to the villain who haunts her nightmares, Wilson pursues her. He vows to keep her safe although he refuses to invest anymore emotional capital in their dysfunctional relationship.
CUT THROAT is an exhilarating romantic suspense with the emphasis on the action. The fascinatingly flawed kick butt heroine has used her job to train her for her life’s work, but her goal also never allows her to get to close to anyone such as Wilson, who loves her and knows first hand. Sharon Sala fans will appreciate this tense thriller as the anticipation of the High Noon showdown leads to a one sitting tale.
Harriet Klausner
Sharon Sala
Mira, Nov 2007, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778325079
Solomon Tutuola killed her father before he sliced her throat; he left her expecting she will die, but the then thirteen years old Cat Dupree survived. Although a teen she pledged to herself one day she will kill her wannabe murderer Tutuola. Thus to insure she is ready to act when her moment occurs, Cat became a bounty hunter waiting for her moment.
Now the opportunity has finally occurred due to an incident in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico and ignoring everyone who cares about her even her lover Wilson McKay she goes after Tutuola. Irate with Cat when she sneaks out of Dallas to follow a moving GPS signal in Mexico that she knows will lead her to the villain who haunts her nightmares, Wilson pursues her. He vows to keep her safe although he refuses to invest anymore emotional capital in their dysfunctional relationship.
CUT THROAT is an exhilarating romantic suspense with the emphasis on the action. The fascinatingly flawed kick butt heroine has used her job to train her for her life’s work, but her goal also never allows her to get to close to anyone such as Wilson, who loves her and knows first hand. Sharon Sala fans will appreciate this tense thriller as the anticipation of the High Noon showdown leads to a one sitting tale.
Harriet Klausner
Monday, October 1, 2007
Lord John and the Hand of the Devils-Diana Gabaldon
Lord John and the Hand of the Devils
Diana Gabaldon
Delacorte, Dec 2007, $25.00, 306 pp.
ISBN: 9780385311397
“Lord John and the Hellfire Club”. Lord John Grey is asked by Robert Gerald, the junior setetary of the prime minister, for help with a problem. He agrees seeing how upset Gerald is but later that day Robert is killed. The last word he spoke is Dashwood. That night he attends a Hellfire club invitation, not knowing that he is to be the murderer’s second victim.
“Lord John and the Succubus”. Rumors move swiftly through the troops that a succubus is on the loose. Lord John is persuaded to use his white horse to find the grave where the succubus inhabits a dead body. The horse moves to the grave of the man’s mother who made the accusation. They also find the body of a dead English solder in the cemetery. The allies are nervous about the rumors, but John believes that someone secular has spread them and he plans to expose them before the upcoming battle in the long drawn out world war (1756-1763).
“Lord John and the Haunted Soldier”. After being injured by a cannon that blew up during battle, Lord John answers his superior’s inquiry re the incident. John later learns eight more guns blew up that the military wants kept quiet and he would make a good scapegoat. He needs evidence to prove he wasn’t negligent; help comes from an unexpected source.
These three novella give insight into the character of Lord John Grey, an honorable man who has to hide his homosexual preference from the world since it is a crime punishable by death. He always chooses the most ethical cause of action even when silence would better serve him. Diana Gabaldon has written an exciting anthology of an eighteenth century solder at war in which don’t tell means avoiding “friendly” fire.
Harriet Klausner
Diana Gabaldon
Delacorte, Dec 2007, $25.00, 306 pp.
ISBN: 9780385311397
“Lord John and the Hellfire Club”. Lord John Grey is asked by Robert Gerald, the junior setetary of the prime minister, for help with a problem. He agrees seeing how upset Gerald is but later that day Robert is killed. The last word he spoke is Dashwood. That night he attends a Hellfire club invitation, not knowing that he is to be the murderer’s second victim.
“Lord John and the Succubus”. Rumors move swiftly through the troops that a succubus is on the loose. Lord John is persuaded to use his white horse to find the grave where the succubus inhabits a dead body. The horse moves to the grave of the man’s mother who made the accusation. They also find the body of a dead English solder in the cemetery. The allies are nervous about the rumors, but John believes that someone secular has spread them and he plans to expose them before the upcoming battle in the long drawn out world war (1756-1763).
“Lord John and the Haunted Soldier”. After being injured by a cannon that blew up during battle, Lord John answers his superior’s inquiry re the incident. John later learns eight more guns blew up that the military wants kept quiet and he would make a good scapegoat. He needs evidence to prove he wasn’t negligent; help comes from an unexpected source.
These three novella give insight into the character of Lord John Grey, an honorable man who has to hide his homosexual preference from the world since it is a crime punishable by death. He always chooses the most ethical cause of action even when silence would better serve him. Diana Gabaldon has written an exciting anthology of an eighteenth century solder at war in which don’t tell means avoiding “friendly” fire.
Harriet Klausner
My Lady Judge-Cora Harrison
My Lady Judge
Cora Harrison
St. Martin’s, Sep 2007, $24.95
ISBN: 9780312368364
In 1509 in the Burren region of Ireland, King Tirlough Donn O’Brien and the clan chieftains in this rocky coastal area think highly of the Brehon Mara. She courageously settles disputes and passes judgment on violators of the ancient Brehon law sentencing those convicted of crimes.
Everyone celebrates the May Day festival on Mullaghmore Mountain. Afterward all the revelers return home. However the female judge realizes her assistant Coleman is missing. She organizes a search party that ultimately finds his ravaged by animals corpse on the mountain side with a dagger in his neck. Partly because it is her job as a judge and partly out of loyalty to the murdered Coleman, Mara investigates, but finds no one wants to discuss their dealings with the victim especially with his boss. She soon realizes her assistant was involved in many nefarious activities committing all types of crimes and making enemies who would want him dead. Stunned that she failed to see Coleman’s criminal behavior, Mara also remains blind to the fact that if she keeps digging she will be a victim too as the culprit has plenty beyond a single homicide to hide.
MY LADY JUDGE is an interesting early sixteenth century Irish legal thriller. The story line focuses on Mara’s investigation, which in turn enables the audience to obtain a vivid picture of Brehon legal interpretations and applications in Western Ireland as the heroine is a sort of investigator, judge and jury. The May Day celebration augments the fine plot as the gala and its aftermath provide a sense of time and place. Cora Harrison writes an enjoyable historical whodunit starring a wonderful protagonist who understands no one is above Brehon law.
Harriet Klausner
Cora Harrison
St. Martin’s, Sep 2007, $24.95
ISBN: 9780312368364
In 1509 in the Burren region of Ireland, King Tirlough Donn O’Brien and the clan chieftains in this rocky coastal area think highly of the Brehon Mara. She courageously settles disputes and passes judgment on violators of the ancient Brehon law sentencing those convicted of crimes.
Everyone celebrates the May Day festival on Mullaghmore Mountain. Afterward all the revelers return home. However the female judge realizes her assistant Coleman is missing. She organizes a search party that ultimately finds his ravaged by animals corpse on the mountain side with a dagger in his neck. Partly because it is her job as a judge and partly out of loyalty to the murdered Coleman, Mara investigates, but finds no one wants to discuss their dealings with the victim especially with his boss. She soon realizes her assistant was involved in many nefarious activities committing all types of crimes and making enemies who would want him dead. Stunned that she failed to see Coleman’s criminal behavior, Mara also remains blind to the fact that if she keeps digging she will be a victim too as the culprit has plenty beyond a single homicide to hide.
MY LADY JUDGE is an interesting early sixteenth century Irish legal thriller. The story line focuses on Mara’s investigation, which in turn enables the audience to obtain a vivid picture of Brehon legal interpretations and applications in Western Ireland as the heroine is a sort of investigator, judge and jury. The May Day celebration augments the fine plot as the gala and its aftermath provide a sense of time and place. Cora Harrison writes an enjoyable historical whodunit starring a wonderful protagonist who understands no one is above Brehon law.
Harriet Klausner
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