A Secret and Unlawful Killing
Cora Harrison
St. Martin’s, Sep 2008, $24.95
ISBN: 031237268X
In 1509 everyone in the Burren region of Ireland looks forward to the Michelmas Fair until Steward Ragnall MacNamara raises the annual tribute. Even before his avaricious spin, the pompous nasty Stewart was an unpopular individual with many wanting him dead. Someone however decides to do the deed beating MacNamara to death in a churchyard.
The only LADY JUDGE in Ireland Brehon Mara leads the investigation into the homicide and the murder of another unlikable chap, Ragnall’s enemy Aengus the miller. However as she expected seemingly everyone residing in the Burren had a motive to kill the odious Steward and disliked the Miller. The case seems to be going nowhere, but the Brehon continues her inquiries knowing the people need resolution.
The key to this excellent sixteenth century legal investigative thriller is the insight into Irish law during that era. The cast is strong with key players developed enough to enhance the exciting plot. Especially fully developed is the heroine whose intelligence and courage enables her to break through the gender barrier; in fact men somewhat fear her. However, the tidbits cleverly interwoven into the Brehon’s inquiries so that they may seem odd today make for a fine refreshing historical tale.
Harriet Klausner
Monday, September 1, 2008
Sweetheart-Chelsea Cain
Sweetheart
Chelsea Cain
St. Martin’s, Sep 2008, $24.95
ISBN: 031236847X
Emotionally scarred detective Archie Sheridan returns to his hometown of Portland, Oregon hoping to find some peace, but doubts he will succeed. He feels deranged as he still dreams of serial killer Gretchen Lowell as his SWEETHEART although he no longer visits her as he did weekly when she was first incarcerated. He hopes work will help him forget his deranged HEARTSICK mind starting with the murder at Forest Park; the place where Lowell left her first victim.
While Archie battles with his mental state, Herald reporter Susan Ward writes an article accusing U.S. senator Castle of seducing the then fourteen year old babysitter of his children ten years ago. Two more corpses are found in Forest Park and Gretchen escapes from prison. When Castle dies, Susan finds a connection between his sex scandal and the park deaths. When Gretchen escapes from prison, Archie knows he must confront the Beauty Killer who he is obsessed over before she begins a second serial killing spree.
This is an exhilarating police procedural sequel due to the emotional relationship between Gretchen and Archie who understand one another. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action as the subplots tie together, but it is the odd coupling as it was in HEARTSICK that makes SWEETHEART a must read.
Harriet Klausner
Chelsea Cain
St. Martin’s, Sep 2008, $24.95
ISBN: 031236847X
Emotionally scarred detective Archie Sheridan returns to his hometown of Portland, Oregon hoping to find some peace, but doubts he will succeed. He feels deranged as he still dreams of serial killer Gretchen Lowell as his SWEETHEART although he no longer visits her as he did weekly when she was first incarcerated. He hopes work will help him forget his deranged HEARTSICK mind starting with the murder at Forest Park; the place where Lowell left her first victim.
While Archie battles with his mental state, Herald reporter Susan Ward writes an article accusing U.S. senator Castle of seducing the then fourteen year old babysitter of his children ten years ago. Two more corpses are found in Forest Park and Gretchen escapes from prison. When Castle dies, Susan finds a connection between his sex scandal and the park deaths. When Gretchen escapes from prison, Archie knows he must confront the Beauty Killer who he is obsessed over before she begins a second serial killing spree.
This is an exhilarating police procedural sequel due to the emotional relationship between Gretchen and Archie who understand one another. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action as the subplots tie together, but it is the odd coupling as it was in HEARTSICK that makes SWEETHEART a must read.
Harriet Klausner
Blood Alone-James R. Benn
Blood Alone
James R. Benn
Soho, Sep 2008, $24.00
ISBN: 1569475164
In 1943 the Allied army invades Sicily. However, General Eisenhower’s Special Investigator Billy Boyle carries a special message, but not from his boss who is a distant relative. The former Boston police detective brings a note from American Mafiosi Don Lucky Luciano to the Sicilian Mafia asking them to not fight the American soldiers.
However Billy is wounded before he can deliver his message. As he struggles with amnesia, less scrupulous individuals plan to take advantage of the battlefields. One particular felon needs Billy dead before his memories return; while Billy slowly puts together his past and his assignment making him wonder if he is a mob hit man.
The third Boyle WWII thriller is an exciting tale that brings to life Sicily in 1943 (see THE FIRST WAVE). As the allies invade the island, readers obtain a taste of the abject poverty alongside of mob rule. Although the amnesia ploy is an over used technique, Billy is terrific as he struggles more with what type of person he is than with just who he is. James R. Benn provides another fascinating look at the madness and anarchy of war in the European Theater of Operation.
Harriet Klausner
James R. Benn
Soho, Sep 2008, $24.00
ISBN: 1569475164
In 1943 the Allied army invades Sicily. However, General Eisenhower’s Special Investigator Billy Boyle carries a special message, but not from his boss who is a distant relative. The former Boston police detective brings a note from American Mafiosi Don Lucky Luciano to the Sicilian Mafia asking them to not fight the American soldiers.
However Billy is wounded before he can deliver his message. As he struggles with amnesia, less scrupulous individuals plan to take advantage of the battlefields. One particular felon needs Billy dead before his memories return; while Billy slowly puts together his past and his assignment making him wonder if he is a mob hit man.
The third Boyle WWII thriller is an exciting tale that brings to life Sicily in 1943 (see THE FIRST WAVE). As the allies invade the island, readers obtain a taste of the abject poverty alongside of mob rule. Although the amnesia ploy is an over used technique, Billy is terrific as he struggles more with what type of person he is than with just who he is. James R. Benn provides another fascinating look at the madness and anarchy of war in the European Theater of Operation.
Harriet Klausner
Salvation in Death-J. D. Robb
Salvation in Death
J. D. Robb
Putnam, Nov 2008, $25.95
ISBN: 9780399155222
Father Miguel Flores is presiding over the funeral service for Hector Ortiz at St. Cristobal’s Church in Spanish Harlem when he drinks the wine from the chalice; he keels over immediately and dies. NY Police and Security Department officer Lieutenant Eve Dallas catches the case. Examining the body affirms her belief that the priest was poisoned with a deadly put in the consecrated wine. Eve and Detective Peabody search Father Miguel’s apartment where she finds amedallion taped to the back of a dresser drawer; it contains the name Lino on it which came from his mother.
The medical examiner finds the priest had extensive facial reconstruction and knife wounds scarred all over the bones in his body. He also had a tattoo removed, but the ME was able to resurface the design, which turns out to be a mark of a gang member. Eve ponders whether the real Father Flores is missing most likely dead with an imposter replacing him. She soon confirms her theory as the false father is Linno Martinez who obviously had a purpose for being at this church in 2160. The cop needs to find a motive for why Martinez was at St. Cristobal’s, why someone killed him, and where is the real Father Flores
Each new book in this superb bestselling futuristic police procedural series enhances the Eve Dallas mythos and deservedly the reputation of J.D. Robb. Eve’s current case is extremely complex having to go back in time to when Juno was a gang leader. This case prove difficult to get a handle on even with her spouse Roarke’s help with all the assets at his disposal. The heroine runs a methodical step by step investigation with each new clue requireing hard work from either Eve or part of her team. There is less banter between the characters even with Roarke and Eve (though the pair still steam up the city), as the official inquiry moves the story line forward in what may be the best “in Death” tale to date.
Harriet Klausner
J. D. Robb
Putnam, Nov 2008, $25.95
ISBN: 9780399155222
Father Miguel Flores is presiding over the funeral service for Hector Ortiz at St. Cristobal’s Church in Spanish Harlem when he drinks the wine from the chalice; he keels over immediately and dies. NY Police and Security Department officer Lieutenant Eve Dallas catches the case. Examining the body affirms her belief that the priest was poisoned with a deadly put in the consecrated wine. Eve and Detective Peabody search Father Miguel’s apartment where she finds amedallion taped to the back of a dresser drawer; it contains the name Lino on it which came from his mother.
The medical examiner finds the priest had extensive facial reconstruction and knife wounds scarred all over the bones in his body. He also had a tattoo removed, but the ME was able to resurface the design, which turns out to be a mark of a gang member. Eve ponders whether the real Father Flores is missing most likely dead with an imposter replacing him. She soon confirms her theory as the false father is Linno Martinez who obviously had a purpose for being at this church in 2160. The cop needs to find a motive for why Martinez was at St. Cristobal’s, why someone killed him, and where is the real Father Flores
Each new book in this superb bestselling futuristic police procedural series enhances the Eve Dallas mythos and deservedly the reputation of J.D. Robb. Eve’s current case is extremely complex having to go back in time to when Juno was a gang leader. This case prove difficult to get a handle on even with her spouse Roarke’s help with all the assets at his disposal. The heroine runs a methodical step by step investigation with each new clue requireing hard work from either Eve or part of her team. There is less banter between the characters even with Roarke and Eve (though the pair still steam up the city), as the official inquiry moves the story line forward in what may be the best “in Death” tale to date.
Harriet Klausner
Living with the Dead-Kelley Armstrong
Living with the Dead
Kelley Armstrong
Bantam, Nov 2008, $22.00
ISBN: 9780553806649
After her husband dies tragically, Robyn Peltier moves to Los Angeles and gets hired as an assistant to a celebrity Portia Kane; her immediate job is to clean up the woman’s image. At a luncheon Portia innocently takes a picture of her “frenemy” Jasmine, which starts a chain of events that lead to the woman’s death. Robyn finds her corpse and she runs from the scene which makes her look guilty.
Robyn visits her friend Judd Archer to ask for his aid; he gladly agrees to help her. When she goes to the bathroom in his home, she hears a shot; she finds Judd murdered and once again flees the crime scene. Detective Findley, who Judd called just before he was killed, arrives to find the corpse. He has the special skill of being able to see and communicate with spirits, which is why he is the department’s best detective at solving homicides. Robyn enters the supernatural world because the dead bodies have her dealing with factions who want a powerful clairvoyant like the killer is to join them. Robyn’s friend part chaos demon Hope and her lover Karl, the werewolf, help Robyn while seeking to bring the troublemakers to supernatural justice.
The latest Otherworld novel is a fantastic exciting tale that readers will devour in one session. The humans and supernatural live side by side yet the former know nothing about the latter. When Robyn gets caught in the crossfire between two groups, she concludes she can get a job helping the supernaturals conceal their secrets from humanity. Hope and Karl are interesting support characters who look like they will a novel of their own soon. Kelly Armstrong provides a great urban fantasy whodunit.
Harriet Klausner
Kelley Armstrong
Bantam, Nov 2008, $22.00
ISBN: 9780553806649
After her husband dies tragically, Robyn Peltier moves to Los Angeles and gets hired as an assistant to a celebrity Portia Kane; her immediate job is to clean up the woman’s image. At a luncheon Portia innocently takes a picture of her “frenemy” Jasmine, which starts a chain of events that lead to the woman’s death. Robyn finds her corpse and she runs from the scene which makes her look guilty.
Robyn visits her friend Judd Archer to ask for his aid; he gladly agrees to help her. When she goes to the bathroom in his home, she hears a shot; she finds Judd murdered and once again flees the crime scene. Detective Findley, who Judd called just before he was killed, arrives to find the corpse. He has the special skill of being able to see and communicate with spirits, which is why he is the department’s best detective at solving homicides. Robyn enters the supernatural world because the dead bodies have her dealing with factions who want a powerful clairvoyant like the killer is to join them. Robyn’s friend part chaos demon Hope and her lover Karl, the werewolf, help Robyn while seeking to bring the troublemakers to supernatural justice.
The latest Otherworld novel is a fantastic exciting tale that readers will devour in one session. The humans and supernatural live side by side yet the former know nothing about the latter. When Robyn gets caught in the crossfire between two groups, she concludes she can get a job helping the supernaturals conceal their secrets from humanity. Hope and Karl are interesting support characters who look like they will a novel of their own soon. Kelly Armstrong provides a great urban fantasy whodunit.
Harriet Klausner
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Blinded by the Light-Morgan Hunt
Blinded by the Light
Morgan Hunt
Alyson, Books, Aug 2008, $14.95
ISBN: 1593500858
After battling cancer, nothing bothers Tess Camillo because she realizes the only thing that matters is the cliché of living life to the fullest. Of course she would like a job since the firm she worked for downsized her. When her friend Beth Butler offers her work refining software for her company in New Mexico Tess grabs it.
After Tess is through working at the Bryce Corporation she and Beth decide to visit the Lightning Field; conceptual art that at dawn and dusk turns into a masterpiece and during a storm is incredibly beautiful. They stay at a cabin shared with four other people; they begin to bond after witnessing the Lightning Field at night. However, the next morning Tess sees a body of one of the other guests in the field. The medical examiner decides it is a homicide from an electrical gadget like a taser of cattle prod. Beth has a taser and her fingerprints are the only ones on it. When Beth is arrested, Tess investigates because she knows her friend is innocent.
Morgan Hunt has written an excellent amateur sleuth tale filled with plenty of red herrings and surprising plausible twists. A subplot involving a bit of romance eases some of the tension, but the methodical investigation by Tess is what the tale is all about; in fact the kind hearted woman should consider going professional as she does a great job seeking the real culprit. Ms. Hunt is a great mystery writer
Harriet Klausner
Morgan Hunt
Alyson, Books, Aug 2008, $14.95
ISBN: 1593500858
After battling cancer, nothing bothers Tess Camillo because she realizes the only thing that matters is the cliché of living life to the fullest. Of course she would like a job since the firm she worked for downsized her. When her friend Beth Butler offers her work refining software for her company in New Mexico Tess grabs it.
After Tess is through working at the Bryce Corporation she and Beth decide to visit the Lightning Field; conceptual art that at dawn and dusk turns into a masterpiece and during a storm is incredibly beautiful. They stay at a cabin shared with four other people; they begin to bond after witnessing the Lightning Field at night. However, the next morning Tess sees a body of one of the other guests in the field. The medical examiner decides it is a homicide from an electrical gadget like a taser of cattle prod. Beth has a taser and her fingerprints are the only ones on it. When Beth is arrested, Tess investigates because she knows her friend is innocent.
Morgan Hunt has written an excellent amateur sleuth tale filled with plenty of red herrings and surprising plausible twists. A subplot involving a bit of romance eases some of the tension, but the methodical investigation by Tess is what the tale is all about; in fact the kind hearted woman should consider going professional as she does a great job seeking the real culprit. Ms. Hunt is a great mystery writer
Harriet Klausner
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The Private Concierge-Suzanne Forster
The Private Concierge
Suzanne Forster
Mira, Oct 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 0778325458
In Los Angeles, the rich and famous go to Lane Chandler to discreetly handle their whims and desires. Lane’s firm THE PRIVATE CONCIERGE has earned a superior reputation for subtly and tastefully taking care of the legal needs of the elite.
However someone must have either hacked into her client database or is a TPC employee because in a short time customers have been exposed to scandal and one is murdered in a scandalous way. LAPD investigates the homicide suspecting another TPC client Ned Talbert. His friend former cop Rick Bayless thinks otherwise and begins to investigate starting with TPC and its owner whom he recognizes as arresting back in 1993 when she was the juvenile Lucy Cox. She was innocent then and innocent now, but being innocent means nothing when it comes to the criminal system where money and power enable Lady Justice to look away. Although she loathes cooperating with the man who forced her to change her name, Lane has no choice as Rick is her only hope to end the reign of terror.
This is a fascinating investigative romantic suspense as the beleaguered heroine knows her options are limited to working with a man she detests though to her chagrin is attracted to him. The story line is action-packed from the opening salvo and never slows down as the predator assaults TPC with insider knowledge. Nick is a unique protagonist who regrets what he did fifteen years ago as he falls in love with Lane; however what makes him refreshing (pun intended) is he a slob who leaves dirty plates on the floor for a mouse to clean. Fans will enjoy Suzanne Forster entertaining tale.
Harriet Klausner
Suzanne Forster
Mira, Oct 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 0778325458
In Los Angeles, the rich and famous go to Lane Chandler to discreetly handle their whims and desires. Lane’s firm THE PRIVATE CONCIERGE has earned a superior reputation for subtly and tastefully taking care of the legal needs of the elite.
However someone must have either hacked into her client database or is a TPC employee because in a short time customers have been exposed to scandal and one is murdered in a scandalous way. LAPD investigates the homicide suspecting another TPC client Ned Talbert. His friend former cop Rick Bayless thinks otherwise and begins to investigate starting with TPC and its owner whom he recognizes as arresting back in 1993 when she was the juvenile Lucy Cox. She was innocent then and innocent now, but being innocent means nothing when it comes to the criminal system where money and power enable Lady Justice to look away. Although she loathes cooperating with the man who forced her to change her name, Lane has no choice as Rick is her only hope to end the reign of terror.
This is a fascinating investigative romantic suspense as the beleaguered heroine knows her options are limited to working with a man she detests though to her chagrin is attracted to him. The story line is action-packed from the opening salvo and never slows down as the predator assaults TPC with insider knowledge. Nick is a unique protagonist who regrets what he did fifteen years ago as he falls in love with Lane; however what makes him refreshing (pun intended) is he a slob who leaves dirty plates on the floor for a mouse to clean. Fans will enjoy Suzanne Forster entertaining tale.
Harriet Klausner
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