The Prostitutes' Ball
Stephen J. Cannell
St. Martin’s, Oct 12 2010, $25.99
ISBN: 9780312557300
LAPD Homicide Special Chief Tony Filosiana sends Detective Shane Scully to investigate an alleged shooting at a dilapidated Hollywood mansion with Detective Sumner Hitchens as his partner since his regular mate Sally Quinn is on leave for the holidays. Like most of the hardcore members of the unit, Scully detests the African-American detective, who dresses like he is the centerfold of GQ as he made a fortune selling the story of a homicide case to the movies. Scully reappraises his partner following a harrowing incident.
At the mansion, the two cops find three dead people (a producer and two females who Scully assumes are hookers) shot by the same gun. The homicides ended an apparent party in which the attendees fled for the hills. They apparently solve the case, but have one problem as an extra shell casing not from the murder weapon is found. Soon the pair works a cold case murder at the same locale that occurred over two and a half decades ago.
The dynamic partnering of the seemingly snob and the slob make for a refreshing Scully entry as each learns not to judge a book by its cover; both prove courageous, intelligent and full of heart. Although the teaming of apparent opposites is not new (see Hollywood Homicide with Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett), fans of the saga (see The Pallbearers) will enjoy this fine entry as Stephen J. Cannell provides his fans with an engaging police procedural.
Harriet Klausner
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Nowhere to Hide-Carlene Thompson
Nowhere to Hide
Carlene Thompson
St. Martin’s, Nov 2 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780312360740
After leaving Chicago, journalist Marissa Gray returns to her birthplace Aurora Falls where she takes a job on the small but well written local paper. One night while she drives home, another car deliberately runs her off the road; she falls into unconsciousness. When she reawakens she watches her vehicle teetering on a cliff and with little further effort it will fall into the river below.
Her ex-fiancé Chief Deputy Eric Montgomery, who was instrumental in her rescue, rejects her tale of someone wearing a mask trying to send her car over the edge. This reminds Marissa of a dangerous inquiry from five years ago when she saw Dillon Archer kill Eric’s sister Gretchen; no one believed her then either. Rumors spread that he is killing people and soon those he “helped” begin dying. Eric and Marissa team up in search of a deadly psychopath before someone becomes the next victim.
Readers will admire the brave heroine who in spite of her fear goes around trying to do something to end the murderous reign of terror. Though a bit over the top of the town’s church steeple fans will enjoy Carlene Thompson’s entertaining action-packed thriller as a solid romantic subplot enhances the prime story line of Nowhere to Hide from a lethal predator.
Harriet Klausner
Carlene Thompson
St. Martin’s, Nov 2 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780312360740
After leaving Chicago, journalist Marissa Gray returns to her birthplace Aurora Falls where she takes a job on the small but well written local paper. One night while she drives home, another car deliberately runs her off the road; she falls into unconsciousness. When she reawakens she watches her vehicle teetering on a cliff and with little further effort it will fall into the river below.
Her ex-fiancé Chief Deputy Eric Montgomery, who was instrumental in her rescue, rejects her tale of someone wearing a mask trying to send her car over the edge. This reminds Marissa of a dangerous inquiry from five years ago when she saw Dillon Archer kill Eric’s sister Gretchen; no one believed her then either. Rumors spread that he is killing people and soon those he “helped” begin dying. Eric and Marissa team up in search of a deadly psychopath before someone becomes the next victim.
Readers will admire the brave heroine who in spite of her fear goes around trying to do something to end the murderous reign of terror. Though a bit over the top of the town’s church steeple fans will enjoy Carlene Thompson’s entertaining action-packed thriller as a solid romantic subplot enhances the prime story line of Nowhere to Hide from a lethal predator.
Harriet Klausner
Adam and Eve-Sena Jeter Naslund
Adam and Eve
Sena Jeter Naslund
Morrow, Sep 28 2010, $26.99
ISBN: 9780061579271
In 2017, renowned astrophysicist Thom Bergmann cannot hide his euphoria as he informs his wife Lucy that he has found extraterrestrial life. He gives her his flash drive data for safekeeping as he knows there are those who prefer to bury facts that they believe counter their religious system. Before Thom can go public, he is murdered. The Perpetuity rejects any proof that dares to oppose their fundamentalism. They destroy the evidence and assassinate the heretics. The leaders send fanatics to stalk Lucy.
While grieving her loss, Lucy is contacted by a friend of her late spouse Pierre Saad. He asks her to help him smuggle out of Egypt an ancient codex that that retells the Creation story of Adam and Eve from a perspective that would devastate the three major monotheistic religions. The Perpetual will die if necessary while trying to kill Lucy and Pierre as heretics and burn the scroll before they allow this to occur.
With multiple over the top story lines that only interact through Lucy, Adam and Eve is an odd thriller that feels like several short stories, which never quite gel into a cohesive tale. For instance, the title is based on Lucy crashing a plane in Iraq and meeting a crazed GI as they establish an Eden. Still fans who enjoy the creationist vs. evolutionist debate will appreciate this convoluted spin in which Sena Jeter Naslund makes the case that regardless of your belief, lunacy is war.
Harriet Klausner
Sena Jeter Naslund
Morrow, Sep 28 2010, $26.99
ISBN: 9780061579271
In 2017, renowned astrophysicist Thom Bergmann cannot hide his euphoria as he informs his wife Lucy that he has found extraterrestrial life. He gives her his flash drive data for safekeeping as he knows there are those who prefer to bury facts that they believe counter their religious system. Before Thom can go public, he is murdered. The Perpetuity rejects any proof that dares to oppose their fundamentalism. They destroy the evidence and assassinate the heretics. The leaders send fanatics to stalk Lucy.
While grieving her loss, Lucy is contacted by a friend of her late spouse Pierre Saad. He asks her to help him smuggle out of Egypt an ancient codex that that retells the Creation story of Adam and Eve from a perspective that would devastate the three major monotheistic religions. The Perpetual will die if necessary while trying to kill Lucy and Pierre as heretics and burn the scroll before they allow this to occur.
With multiple over the top story lines that only interact through Lucy, Adam and Eve is an odd thriller that feels like several short stories, which never quite gel into a cohesive tale. For instance, the title is based on Lucy crashing a plane in Iraq and meeting a crazed GI as they establish an Eden. Still fans who enjoy the creationist vs. evolutionist debate will appreciate this convoluted spin in which Sena Jeter Naslund makes the case that regardless of your belief, lunacy is war.
Harriet Klausner
Friday, October 1, 2010
Double-Edged Detective-Mallory Kane
Double-Edged Detective
Mallory Kane
Harlequin Intrigue, Oct 12 2010, $4.99
ISBN: 9780373695041
In St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, Police detective Ryker Delancey concludes a serial killer is operating in the area. However, he has failed to sell his theory to his boss Mike Davis though four women have died in the last five years starting with Autumn Moser. Instead, for the past year, on his free time he serendipitously guards the only person to survive this psychopath though not authorized to do so.
As the anniversary of her escape draws near, Ryker doubles his surveillance of chef Nicole Beckham because he fears the predator will make a statement on that day. He is attracted to her and her to him, but Nicole remains angry that she is the prisoner instead of the person who wanted to kill her. However, when another female victim surfaces, Nicole realizes her only hope to survive resides with the dedicated cop who watches over her like a guardian angel.
This is an exciting unauthorized regional police procedural starring two likable lead characters and a strong support cast especially the victims’ loved ones, the cops, his family and those at the restaurant. Fast-paced though a straight forward romantic intrigue, fans will the first Delancey Dynasty thriller as Ryker and Nicolle fall in love while he tries to keep her safe with his twin (next story) having his back.
Harriet Klausner
Mallory Kane
Harlequin Intrigue, Oct 12 2010, $4.99
ISBN: 9780373695041
In St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, Police detective Ryker Delancey concludes a serial killer is operating in the area. However, he has failed to sell his theory to his boss Mike Davis though four women have died in the last five years starting with Autumn Moser. Instead, for the past year, on his free time he serendipitously guards the only person to survive this psychopath though not authorized to do so.
As the anniversary of her escape draws near, Ryker doubles his surveillance of chef Nicole Beckham because he fears the predator will make a statement on that day. He is attracted to her and her to him, but Nicole remains angry that she is the prisoner instead of the person who wanted to kill her. However, when another female victim surfaces, Nicole realizes her only hope to survive resides with the dedicated cop who watches over her like a guardian angel.
This is an exciting unauthorized regional police procedural starring two likable lead characters and a strong support cast especially the victims’ loved ones, the cops, his family and those at the restaurant. Fast-paced though a straight forward romantic intrigue, fans will the first Delancey Dynasty thriller as Ryker and Nicolle fall in love while he tries to keep her safe with his twin (next story) having his back.
Harriet Klausner
A Brisket, A Casket-Delia Rosen
A Brisket, A Casket
Delia Rosen
Kensington, Oct 1 2010, $6.99
ISBN: 9780758241702
After her marriage fell apart and her Uncle Murray died, Gwen Katz Silver moved down to Nashville, Tennessee to take over her inheritance, the only kosher deli in town. Gwen looks on it as a new start and becomes familiar with all the employees except the manager Thomasina who was her late uncle’s lover. Business is good until Kosher Karaoke Night when Buster Sergeant just keeled over and died.
The deceased was a powerful business man so his death got media attention upsetting a lot of folks. People start boycotting the restaurant. The police detective Beau McClintock informs Gwen that the victim was murdered with coyote poison that was injected into his food. Other dangerous things happen to Gwen as she investigates the workings of the restaurant. Someone locks her in the freezer so she can die. The list of vendors that her uncle used is missing and must be found because using the yellow pages leads to hilarious situations but doesn’t bring in any customers. Another individual business mogul Royce Sinclair offers to buy her property in order to change it into a resort. However, Gwen has forensics skills that she applies bringing her closer to a killer.
This is Gwen’s tale as she takes over from her late uncle the pastrami swami; if her personality can be summed up in one word it would be moxie. She knows something is not kosher at the deli and is determined to find what that is even risking her life. Gwen is obstinate as her friends know they can slightly nudge her, but never budge her once she makes up her mind. The support cast is everyday people who enhance understanding of the feisty heroine as she works to save the deli and identify the killer in an entertaining cuisine amateur sleuth.
Harriet Klausner
Delia Rosen
Kensington, Oct 1 2010, $6.99
ISBN: 9780758241702
After her marriage fell apart and her Uncle Murray died, Gwen Katz Silver moved down to Nashville, Tennessee to take over her inheritance, the only kosher deli in town. Gwen looks on it as a new start and becomes familiar with all the employees except the manager Thomasina who was her late uncle’s lover. Business is good until Kosher Karaoke Night when Buster Sergeant just keeled over and died.
The deceased was a powerful business man so his death got media attention upsetting a lot of folks. People start boycotting the restaurant. The police detective Beau McClintock informs Gwen that the victim was murdered with coyote poison that was injected into his food. Other dangerous things happen to Gwen as she investigates the workings of the restaurant. Someone locks her in the freezer so she can die. The list of vendors that her uncle used is missing and must be found because using the yellow pages leads to hilarious situations but doesn’t bring in any customers. Another individual business mogul Royce Sinclair offers to buy her property in order to change it into a resort. However, Gwen has forensics skills that she applies bringing her closer to a killer.
This is Gwen’s tale as she takes over from her late uncle the pastrami swami; if her personality can be summed up in one word it would be moxie. She knows something is not kosher at the deli and is determined to find what that is even risking her life. Gwen is obstinate as her friends know they can slightly nudge her, but never budge her once she makes up her mind. The support cast is everyday people who enhance understanding of the feisty heroine as she works to save the deli and identify the killer in an entertaining cuisine amateur sleuth.
Harriet Klausner
Hell’s Corner-David Baldacci
Hell’s Corner
David Baldacci
Grand Central, Nov 9 2010, $$27.99
ISBN: 9780446195522
American President James Brennan informs retired CIA assassin Stone that his country needs his unique skills. Stone says he is John Carr and not Oliver Stone, American killer; he wants to refuse, but cannot. The Russian control the illegal drug pipelines in both hemispheres and their government is involved in the lucrative trade as they see it as a means back to the top tier of superpowers. Stone tells POTUS that this is his penitence from their last endeavor together when he rejected the Medal of Honor. The impossible assignment is to learn all he can about the trafficking through Mexico and what can be done to disrupt it.
Afterward, Stone is in Lafayette Park, across from the White House, when the British prime minister leaves only to have a terrorist attack occur. Stone’s mission changes to identify who is behind the assault as allegedly the Russian drug cartels are the prime suspects. His partner is British MI6 agent Mary Chapman. They need help as the enemy remains elusive, but neither trusts their own agency any longer as a traitor seems to have infiltrated either the CIA, MI6 or both. Instead Stone reluctantly turns to Camel Club associates as he knows Shaw, Rhodes, Conroy, Ford and Finn has hit back and that they will never stay out of this dangerous inquiry anyway.
The latest Camel Club thriller (see Divine Justice and Stone Cold) is an exciting action-packed tale that grips the audience from the initial meeting between Brennan and Stone. Though the story line is similar to many in the genre, fans will want to know who was behind the bombing. Filled with twists and fast-paced, Stone and the camel Club will soon find themselves trapped in aptly titled Hell’s Corner with no way out except death.
Harriet Klausner
David Baldacci
Grand Central, Nov 9 2010, $$27.99
ISBN: 9780446195522
American President James Brennan informs retired CIA assassin Stone that his country needs his unique skills. Stone says he is John Carr and not Oliver Stone, American killer; he wants to refuse, but cannot. The Russian control the illegal drug pipelines in both hemispheres and their government is involved in the lucrative trade as they see it as a means back to the top tier of superpowers. Stone tells POTUS that this is his penitence from their last endeavor together when he rejected the Medal of Honor. The impossible assignment is to learn all he can about the trafficking through Mexico and what can be done to disrupt it.
Afterward, Stone is in Lafayette Park, across from the White House, when the British prime minister leaves only to have a terrorist attack occur. Stone’s mission changes to identify who is behind the assault as allegedly the Russian drug cartels are the prime suspects. His partner is British MI6 agent Mary Chapman. They need help as the enemy remains elusive, but neither trusts their own agency any longer as a traitor seems to have infiltrated either the CIA, MI6 or both. Instead Stone reluctantly turns to Camel Club associates as he knows Shaw, Rhodes, Conroy, Ford and Finn has hit back and that they will never stay out of this dangerous inquiry anyway.
The latest Camel Club thriller (see Divine Justice and Stone Cold) is an exciting action-packed tale that grips the audience from the initial meeting between Brennan and Stone. Though the story line is similar to many in the genre, fans will want to know who was behind the bombing. Filled with twists and fast-paced, Stone and the camel Club will soon find themselves trapped in aptly titled Hell’s Corner with no way out except death.
Harriet Klausner
Mister X-John Lutz
Mister X
John Lutz
Pinnacle, Oct 1 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780786020263
Five years ago in Manhattan, the serial killer dubbed by the media as the Carver murdered five women. He carved an X on their chest, cut off their nipples before slitting the victim’s throat. Tiffany Keller was his last fatality.
Frank Quinn never worked the Carver case because he was hospitalized from an on the job injury on another investigation. He was forced to retire so started a private detective agency with Pearl Kasner and Larry Fedderman. Chrissie Keller hires them to find the Carver so she can bring closure to herself by obtaining justice for her late twin sister. A recent lottery winner she pays a healthy retainer before disappearing. The three sleuths pursue leads, which comes to the attention of the Carver, and starts a new killing spree. The case takes several odd twists but the strangest spin occurs when Tiffany’s mother arrives at the office insisting their client Chrissie is not her daughter. The detectives want to know who hired them, but have no time to find out as the Carver is escalating the kill rate of women of a certain type.
This private investigative thriller is filled with unexpected turns as John Lutz takes his fans on a wild roller coaster as nothing is quire like it seems. Readers will be hooked from the moment Chrissie enters the agency claiming to be Tiffany. She uses shock value so the private detectives will be interested in taking her case. That is only one of the superb spins as Mister X is a terrific mystery that will baffle the audience as much as the three sleuths.
Harriet Klausner
John Lutz
Pinnacle, Oct 1 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780786020263
Five years ago in Manhattan, the serial killer dubbed by the media as the Carver murdered five women. He carved an X on their chest, cut off their nipples before slitting the victim’s throat. Tiffany Keller was his last fatality.
Frank Quinn never worked the Carver case because he was hospitalized from an on the job injury on another investigation. He was forced to retire so started a private detective agency with Pearl Kasner and Larry Fedderman. Chrissie Keller hires them to find the Carver so she can bring closure to herself by obtaining justice for her late twin sister. A recent lottery winner she pays a healthy retainer before disappearing. The three sleuths pursue leads, which comes to the attention of the Carver, and starts a new killing spree. The case takes several odd twists but the strangest spin occurs when Tiffany’s mother arrives at the office insisting their client Chrissie is not her daughter. The detectives want to know who hired them, but have no time to find out as the Carver is escalating the kill rate of women of a certain type.
This private investigative thriller is filled with unexpected turns as John Lutz takes his fans on a wild roller coaster as nothing is quire like it seems. Readers will be hooked from the moment Chrissie enters the agency claiming to be Tiffany. She uses shock value so the private detectives will be interested in taking her case. That is only one of the superb spins as Mister X is a terrific mystery that will baffle the audience as much as the three sleuths.
Harriet Klausner
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