Silent Truth
Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love
Pocket, Apr 20 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9781416597452
Bureau of American Defense operative Hunter Thornton-Payne has been a dedicated warrior since he joined the black ops squad. However he also has a personal vendetta, which the karabiner he carries with him always reminds him of. For four years ever since his newly married friend Eliot died on a mission off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, he has hunted the killer; at the same time he avoids Eliot’s wife Cynthia and their son, unborn when he died.
Hunter attends a women’s shelter in Chicago as apparently a terrorist group to include Eliot’s killer plans to be there also. At the gala is investigative reporter Abbie Blanton who Hunter knew during his affluent social days. When her mother becomes critically ill following a visit to the women's center, Abbie investigates. However, neither she nor Hunter expected to run into each other and to be on the run from some bad dudes.
The latest BAD thriller (see Whispered Lies and Phantom in the Night) is a high octane romantic suspense starring two people who after each went rogue unites to elude danger. The story line is razor thin and takes abrupt leaps, but is fun to follow as Hunter fears love even before his best friend died, which accentuated his belief that operatives don’t marry, but Abbie has him crazy with desire even with danger engulfing them.
Harriet Klausner
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Fortuna-Michael R. Stevens
Fortuna
Michael R. Stevens
Oceanview, May 1 2010, $25.95
ISBN 9781933515779
Bored computer science major at Stanford University Jason Lind loves playing the online game Fortuna, based on Renaissance Florence economics. However, his role playing character Father Allesandro da Scala begins to take over more of Jason's time than his real life. He soon falls into heavy debt due to his character, but remains addicted to playing the game even as he is aware of what he is doing as the Renaissance Father
Broke he leaves Stanford to work for his Uncle Frank at Global Packet Control (GPC); the same firm his dad worked at before he died in a car accident almost a decade ago. At GPC, Jason uncovers questionable probably illegal deals and underhanded practices that leave him wondering what to do, but he thinks Father da Scala would know how to proceed.
Though the premise feels over the top of Mount Whitney, this is an intriguing blending of on-line role playing and global economics, as Michael R. Stevens argues that both consist of players starring in roles other than themselves. Except for a romantic subplot that feels forced and required, readers will find the saga of Jason-Father Allesandro fascinating.
Harriet Klausner
Michael R. Stevens
Oceanview, May 1 2010, $25.95
ISBN 9781933515779
Bored computer science major at Stanford University Jason Lind loves playing the online game Fortuna, based on Renaissance Florence economics. However, his role playing character Father Allesandro da Scala begins to take over more of Jason's time than his real life. He soon falls into heavy debt due to his character, but remains addicted to playing the game even as he is aware of what he is doing as the Renaissance Father
Broke he leaves Stanford to work for his Uncle Frank at Global Packet Control (GPC); the same firm his dad worked at before he died in a car accident almost a decade ago. At GPC, Jason uncovers questionable probably illegal deals and underhanded practices that leave him wondering what to do, but he thinks Father da Scala would know how to proceed.
Though the premise feels over the top of Mount Whitney, this is an intriguing blending of on-line role playing and global economics, as Michael R. Stevens argues that both consist of players starring in roles other than themselves. Except for a romantic subplot that feels forced and required, readers will find the saga of Jason-Father Allesandro fascinating.
Harriet Klausner
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Memory-Donald E. Westlake
Memory
Donald E. Westlake
Hard Case (Dorchester), Apr 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780843963755
Traveling with a troupe actor Paul Cole wakes after being comatose for over fifty hours at Memorial Hospital after receiving a vicious beating from the husband who caught him having intercourse with his wife. City Police Lieutenant Murray informs Paul he can press assault charges while the cuckold spouse can counter with adultery; the cop suggests to the actor and the husband to file nothing.
With little money and Murray putting him on the bus to leave town, he heads east to New York City where he lives, but has to stop at Jeffords as he lacks the funds to get the rest of the thousand miles or so home. Worse his memory is failing him since he got his brains battered. He needs to build a future, but his past is foggy. He knows he needs to find work to come up with the $33.42 to get home. Unemployment offers him no employment except to check with Jeffords Leather Works who hire the unskilled. He soon learns how difficult it is for a person with a disability to get help from others.
Written in the 1960s, once the reader moves past the sticker shock of costs and Murray’s crime scenario, readers will relish this powerful still timely tale of a man struggling with memory issues while trying to get home to regroup. Paul is a great central character as he realizes increasingly the consequences of his indiscretion as well as the futility of dealing with people to busy to assist him especially those paid to do so. This is a great look at society through the eyes of a man condemned for life due to one relatively minor gaffe.
Harriet Klausner
Donald E. Westlake
Hard Case (Dorchester), Apr 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780843963755
Traveling with a troupe actor Paul Cole wakes after being comatose for over fifty hours at Memorial Hospital after receiving a vicious beating from the husband who caught him having intercourse with his wife. City Police Lieutenant Murray informs Paul he can press assault charges while the cuckold spouse can counter with adultery; the cop suggests to the actor and the husband to file nothing.
With little money and Murray putting him on the bus to leave town, he heads east to New York City where he lives, but has to stop at Jeffords as he lacks the funds to get the rest of the thousand miles or so home. Worse his memory is failing him since he got his brains battered. He needs to build a future, but his past is foggy. He knows he needs to find work to come up with the $33.42 to get home. Unemployment offers him no employment except to check with Jeffords Leather Works who hire the unskilled. He soon learns how difficult it is for a person with a disability to get help from others.
Written in the 1960s, once the reader moves past the sticker shock of costs and Murray’s crime scenario, readers will relish this powerful still timely tale of a man struggling with memory issues while trying to get home to regroup. Paul is a great central character as he realizes increasingly the consequences of his indiscretion as well as the futility of dealing with people to busy to assist him especially those paid to do so. This is a great look at society through the eyes of a man condemned for life due to one relatively minor gaffe.
Harriet Klausner
Set Sail For Murder-R.T. Jordan
Set Sail For Murder
R.T. Jordan
Kensington, May 25 2010, $22.00
ISBN: 9780758229397
With the economy in the tank, even former TV stars like Polly Pepper feels the pinch. Her portfolio of investments has dramatically diminished and she will do anything to keep Polly Plantation running. Polly even accepts a show biz reunion with cast mates from the Polly Pepper show on a cruise ship for the Kool Krooz line.
The only major drawback is scene stealer Laura Crawford, who remains the ultimate diva; Polly dislikes the nasty sneak. However, someone else must detest the prima Donna as she is found dead in the spa area; the murder weapon is a sharpened Season Six CD of The Polly Pepper Playhouse DVD collection. With many of those on board having motives including her, Polly fishes for clues to the murderer by eliminating one by one those she deems innocent. When she figures out who the killer is, she fears telling the authorities because they will assume she is crying wolf; her silence leads to the culprit trying to kill her.
Although Polly is in the role like other former stars who once made it but no longer gets parts, she behaves like a diva so that her name remains before the public. Yet she also has a heart of gold which is proven by the way she carird for others. Imbued with a wink and humor especially witty repartee and sexual slapstick, Set Sail For Murder is a delightful lighthearted amateur sleuth.
Harriet Klausner
R.T. Jordan
Kensington, May 25 2010, $22.00
ISBN: 9780758229397
With the economy in the tank, even former TV stars like Polly Pepper feels the pinch. Her portfolio of investments has dramatically diminished and she will do anything to keep Polly Plantation running. Polly even accepts a show biz reunion with cast mates from the Polly Pepper show on a cruise ship for the Kool Krooz line.
The only major drawback is scene stealer Laura Crawford, who remains the ultimate diva; Polly dislikes the nasty sneak. However, someone else must detest the prima Donna as she is found dead in the spa area; the murder weapon is a sharpened Season Six CD of The Polly Pepper Playhouse DVD collection. With many of those on board having motives including her, Polly fishes for clues to the murderer by eliminating one by one those she deems innocent. When she figures out who the killer is, she fears telling the authorities because they will assume she is crying wolf; her silence leads to the culprit trying to kill her.
Although Polly is in the role like other former stars who once made it but no longer gets parts, she behaves like a diva so that her name remains before the public. Yet she also has a heart of gold which is proven by the way she carird for others. Imbued with a wink and humor especially witty repartee and sexual slapstick, Set Sail For Murder is a delightful lighthearted amateur sleuth.
Harriet Klausner
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Maps of Hell-Paul Johnston
Maps of Hell
Paul Johnston
Mira, May 1 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778327783
When he regains consciousness, he finds himself naked and in pain. He cannot remember his name, where he is, or how he ended up without any clothing in a cell barely bigger than a closet. Although confused, he knows he is not a guest of whoever detained him so he must escape in order to regroup mentally and physically.
Fleeing his captivity, he begins to recall things taken for granted like he is British crime writer Matt Wells and was kidnapped by the NANR militia who brainwashed him in the Maine wilderness although he is unsure what they want him to do. Law enforcement on several levels seeks him out as a possible serial killer and for questioning in the disappearance of his pregnant lover, British DCI Karen Oaten. He eludes the militia, the FBI, and state and local police as he must learn what happened to his Karen and if still possible rescue her; to do this Matt needs to figure out what they did to him.
Told by Matt in a traumatic first hand account starting with his smelling his vomit in the cell, Maps of Hell is a superb action-packed thriller. Fast-paced throughout, readers will be spellbound as the hero struggles to survive, elude the enemy that includes cops, and seeks his beloved. Mindful of the Manchurian Candidate and the Prisoner only much more graphic as the “victim” tells the tale from his perspective, Paul Johnston affirms once again that he is one of today’s best thriller writers (see The Death List and The Soul Collector).
Harriet Klausner
Paul Johnston
Mira, May 1 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778327783
When he regains consciousness, he finds himself naked and in pain. He cannot remember his name, where he is, or how he ended up without any clothing in a cell barely bigger than a closet. Although confused, he knows he is not a guest of whoever detained him so he must escape in order to regroup mentally and physically.
Fleeing his captivity, he begins to recall things taken for granted like he is British crime writer Matt Wells and was kidnapped by the NANR militia who brainwashed him in the Maine wilderness although he is unsure what they want him to do. Law enforcement on several levels seeks him out as a possible serial killer and for questioning in the disappearance of his pregnant lover, British DCI Karen Oaten. He eludes the militia, the FBI, and state and local police as he must learn what happened to his Karen and if still possible rescue her; to do this Matt needs to figure out what they did to him.
Told by Matt in a traumatic first hand account starting with his smelling his vomit in the cell, Maps of Hell is a superb action-packed thriller. Fast-paced throughout, readers will be spellbound as the hero struggles to survive, elude the enemy that includes cops, and seeks his beloved. Mindful of the Manchurian Candidate and the Prisoner only much more graphic as the “victim” tells the tale from his perspective, Paul Johnston affirms once again that he is one of today’s best thriller writers (see The Death List and The Soul Collector).
Harriet Klausner
Bargain with the Devil-F.J. Chase
Bargain with the Devil
F.J. Chase
Mira, May 1 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778327776
Mercenaries Herbert Payne-Best and Pieter De Wet are hired for regime change in Central Africa. They offer security consultant Peter Avakian, an opportunity to makee a million euros for doing the advance legwork in Benin. Although he has doubts the French paratroopers will stay out of the country if the current leadership is removed, he accepts the job by attending their meeting; rejection equates to his death.
Avakian debates bringing in the CIA as he knows his employers will dispose of him after he is no longer of use while the agency sucks civilians and agents dry. However, he agrees to conduct undercover surveillance for the CIA hoping to come out of this entangled oily fiasco alive and with minimal damage to the innocent. His hope is not with the spooks who will protect their butts first and last, but with two women South African reporter Patience Mbatha and Darkness Under Heaven CIA compatriot Dr. Judy Gold.
Bargain with the Devil is a superb action-packed romantic suspense thriller starring a likable beleaguered gun-slinging hero who makes a bad first misstep by showing up at the “coup” meeting. Readers will enjoy Avakian’s efforts to minimize collateral damage, prevent a coup, and save his life.
Harriet Klausner
F.J. Chase
Mira, May 1 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778327776
Mercenaries Herbert Payne-Best and Pieter De Wet are hired for regime change in Central Africa. They offer security consultant Peter Avakian, an opportunity to makee a million euros for doing the advance legwork in Benin. Although he has doubts the French paratroopers will stay out of the country if the current leadership is removed, he accepts the job by attending their meeting; rejection equates to his death.
Avakian debates bringing in the CIA as he knows his employers will dispose of him after he is no longer of use while the agency sucks civilians and agents dry. However, he agrees to conduct undercover surveillance for the CIA hoping to come out of this entangled oily fiasco alive and with minimal damage to the innocent. His hope is not with the spooks who will protect their butts first and last, but with two women South African reporter Patience Mbatha and Darkness Under Heaven CIA compatriot Dr. Judy Gold.
Bargain with the Devil is a superb action-packed romantic suspense thriller starring a likable beleaguered gun-slinging hero who makes a bad first misstep by showing up at the “coup” meeting. Readers will enjoy Avakian’s efforts to minimize collateral damage, prevent a coup, and save his life.
Harriet Klausner
Wrecked-Carol Higgins Clark
Wrecked
Carol Higgins Clark
Scribner, Apr 13 2010, $25.00
ISBN: 9781439170250
It is the first anniversary of the marriage between Regan and Jack Reilly. They plan to celebrate the weekend at his family’s Cape Cod home. The pair look forward to quality time together as Jack is the head of the Boston PD Major Crime Squad and Regan is a busy private investigator.
Their quiet weekend turns to hell when a brutal storm hits the Cape and their handyman finds the unconscious body of Adele Hopkins. Skip rushes over to ask Regan and Jack for help. The trio returns to the spot where he found Adele, but her body is gone. They fear Adele is lost at sea as the flood waters rushed ashore. While they seek the next of kin, they are stunned that Adele’s rental place has no trace of her. The owners Jan and Dannie Carpenter did not know who Adele was nor have any information about her. As various people try to learn who she is and who should they notify about her death, they along with the Reilly pair remain blind to the fact she is alive and held prisoner by a psychopath who demands she perform a function for him, but Adele has no idea what her kidnapper wants.
Although needing a loving respite, the married couple easily falls back into their professional roles as they seek information on the mysterious Adele, but he is treated by his family’s neighbors as just a Reilly while she is distrusted by the eccentric Cape Cod clans. Their mini second honeymoon vacation is distracted by their inquiries into a reclusive woman. Readers will enjoy their latest escapades into the life of a missing woman mystery wrapped inside a community drama as Carol Higgins Clark provides an exhilarating investigative thriller.
Harriet Klausner
Carol Higgins Clark
Scribner, Apr 13 2010, $25.00
ISBN: 9781439170250
It is the first anniversary of the marriage between Regan and Jack Reilly. They plan to celebrate the weekend at his family’s Cape Cod home. The pair look forward to quality time together as Jack is the head of the Boston PD Major Crime Squad and Regan is a busy private investigator.
Their quiet weekend turns to hell when a brutal storm hits the Cape and their handyman finds the unconscious body of Adele Hopkins. Skip rushes over to ask Regan and Jack for help. The trio returns to the spot where he found Adele, but her body is gone. They fear Adele is lost at sea as the flood waters rushed ashore. While they seek the next of kin, they are stunned that Adele’s rental place has no trace of her. The owners Jan and Dannie Carpenter did not know who Adele was nor have any information about her. As various people try to learn who she is and who should they notify about her death, they along with the Reilly pair remain blind to the fact she is alive and held prisoner by a psychopath who demands she perform a function for him, but Adele has no idea what her kidnapper wants.
Although needing a loving respite, the married couple easily falls back into their professional roles as they seek information on the mysterious Adele, but he is treated by his family’s neighbors as just a Reilly while she is distrusted by the eccentric Cape Cod clans. Their mini second honeymoon vacation is distracted by their inquiries into a reclusive woman. Readers will enjoy their latest escapades into the life of a missing woman mystery wrapped inside a community drama as Carol Higgins Clark provides an exhilarating investigative thriller.
Harriet Klausner
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