White Shotgun
April Smith
Knopf, Jun 21 2011, $25.95
ISBN 9780307270139
On leave from the FBI, Special Agent Ana Grey and her lover private security expert Sterling McCord are in London when her handler Mike Donnato calls from Los Angeles asking her to visit the Embassy. The FBI Legat in London Sheila Kuser asks her go to Siena, Italy to meet her half-sister Cecilia Maria Nicosa nee Sanchez of El Salvatore, who Ana had not known existed until the Fed call. The FBI wants Ana to meet Cecilia in order to investigate her wealthy coffee importer spouse Nicoli whose mistress vanished allegedly due to a White Shotgun murder.
Meanwhile Siena prepares for the Palio gala culminating with the legendary horse race between the city’s wards. Someone stabs Nicosa’s son Giovanni and Cecilia vanishes. Ana and Sterling trust no one local as they prepare to locate and rescue Cecilia before she becomes a White Shotgun victim.
The latest Agent Grey FBI thriller (see Good Morning Killer and Judas Horse) is an exciting European caper starting with a mass shooting in London and continuing on the continent. The complex story line is fast-paced and filled with suspense as the paternal siblings meet while family war breaks out in Italy. Though connecting the dots seem a bit convoluted, readers will appreciate Ana’s European vacation.
Harriet Klausner
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
English Tea Murder-Leslie Meier
English Tea Murder
Leslie Meier
Kensington, Jul 1 2011, $24.00
ISBN: 9780758229311
Winchester College Professor George Temple sponsors a tour of England. Tinker‘s Cove, Maine newspaper reporter and surprisingly good sleuth Lucy Stone and her three close friends excitedly join his group. However, while still in the air crossing the ocean, George dies from anaphylactic shock. Another member of the tour Dr. Cope tries to save Temple, but fails.
Lucy is sad by the professor’s death, but did not know him so she, her BFFs and the rest of the group tour the country. After a while, Lucy notices an odd vibe amongst the group excluding her pals. There is a lack of passion towards the deceased and in fact she thinks there is general sigh of relief. Then there are the strange dangerous accidents including a student falling off Brighton Pier and someone tried to push Lucy’s friend Pam into oncoming traffic. Lucy has a theory to what is happening, but Metropolitan Police easily explain an alternative to her concerns.
Leslie Meier writes a complex cozy in which life imitates art. Fans of the long running series will enjoy the first book outside of Maine, as armchair travelers will appreciate the tour that provides timely insight into British history. The characters are believable as American tourists who have to get used to a new culture very different than in the United States. The whodunit is clever as Lucy Stone amateur sleuth investigates once again.
Harriet Klausner
Leslie Meier
Kensington, Jul 1 2011, $24.00
ISBN: 9780758229311
Winchester College Professor George Temple sponsors a tour of England. Tinker‘s Cove, Maine newspaper reporter and surprisingly good sleuth Lucy Stone and her three close friends excitedly join his group. However, while still in the air crossing the ocean, George dies from anaphylactic shock. Another member of the tour Dr. Cope tries to save Temple, but fails.
Lucy is sad by the professor’s death, but did not know him so she, her BFFs and the rest of the group tour the country. After a while, Lucy notices an odd vibe amongst the group excluding her pals. There is a lack of passion towards the deceased and in fact she thinks there is general sigh of relief. Then there are the strange dangerous accidents including a student falling off Brighton Pier and someone tried to push Lucy’s friend Pam into oncoming traffic. Lucy has a theory to what is happening, but Metropolitan Police easily explain an alternative to her concerns.
Leslie Meier writes a complex cozy in which life imitates art. Fans of the long running series will enjoy the first book outside of Maine, as armchair travelers will appreciate the tour that provides timely insight into British history. The characters are believable as American tourists who have to get used to a new culture very different than in the United States. The whodunit is clever as Lucy Stone amateur sleuth investigates once again.
Harriet Klausner
Monday, May 2, 2011
Hidden Threat-A. J. Tata
Hidden Threat
A. J. Tata
Variance, Dec 21 2010, $25.95
ISBN: 9781935142171
On the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, Special Forces Colonel Zach Garrett and his commando unit attack an enemy camp. In the combat, their helicopter is destroyed and all assumed dead. In Spartanburg, South Carolina the Casualty Assistance Officer and Chaplain visit the next of kin, Zach’s teenage daughter Amanda, who loathes her father for never being there for her or her mother Melanie; she is indifferent to her dad’s death until she learns of his $500,000 life insurance policy. While her mother and maternal grandma Nina celebrate, there is a stipulation before she can collect, she must visit psychiatrist Dr. Riley Dwyer.
In Loudoun County, Virginia, a Casualty Assistance Officer informs CIA operative Matt Garrett of his brother’s death. Matt travels to Afghanistan to bring home Zachary's remains. However, he decides on one unsanctioned avenging raid on those who killed his sibling, but begins to find interesting information. Back in South Carolina Zach’s ex wife and former mother-in-law begin the purge of his existence.
The third Garrett “threat” thriller (see Rogue Threat and Sudden Threat) is an exciting military operative tale that rotates between the theater and the home-front. The story line is fast-paced in theater while poignant at home. Beyond what they do to brainwash their daughter, the unbelievable additional activity by Nina and Melanie are over the top of Sassafras Mountain. Still fans will enjoy this solid entry as the field escapades are entertaining and the spotlight on a stay at home parent’s destructive influence towards her offspring make for a powerful storyline as Melanie and Nina make Cruella DeVille look like Mother Teresa when it comes to brainwashing Amanda.
Harriet Klausner
A. J. Tata
Variance, Dec 21 2010, $25.95
ISBN: 9781935142171
On the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, Special Forces Colonel Zach Garrett and his commando unit attack an enemy camp. In the combat, their helicopter is destroyed and all assumed dead. In Spartanburg, South Carolina the Casualty Assistance Officer and Chaplain visit the next of kin, Zach’s teenage daughter Amanda, who loathes her father for never being there for her or her mother Melanie; she is indifferent to her dad’s death until she learns of his $500,000 life insurance policy. While her mother and maternal grandma Nina celebrate, there is a stipulation before she can collect, she must visit psychiatrist Dr. Riley Dwyer.
In Loudoun County, Virginia, a Casualty Assistance Officer informs CIA operative Matt Garrett of his brother’s death. Matt travels to Afghanistan to bring home Zachary's remains. However, he decides on one unsanctioned avenging raid on those who killed his sibling, but begins to find interesting information. Back in South Carolina Zach’s ex wife and former mother-in-law begin the purge of his existence.
The third Garrett “threat” thriller (see Rogue Threat and Sudden Threat) is an exciting military operative tale that rotates between the theater and the home-front. The story line is fast-paced in theater while poignant at home. Beyond what they do to brainwash their daughter, the unbelievable additional activity by Nina and Melanie are over the top of Sassafras Mountain. Still fans will enjoy this solid entry as the field escapades are entertaining and the spotlight on a stay at home parent’s destructive influence towards her offspring make for a powerful storyline as Melanie and Nina make Cruella DeVille look like Mother Teresa when it comes to brainwashing Amanda.
Harriet Klausner
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Those in Peril-Wilbur Smith
Those in Peril
Wilbur Smith
Dunne, May 10 2011, $27.99
ISBN: 9780312567255
Adam Tipoo Tip and his grandfather Sheik Mohammed Khan Tipoo Tip set in motion a diabolical scheme to obtain blood money. Off of Africa, they send Somali pirates to kidnap nineteen year old Cayla Bannock who is leisurely sailing on her yacht. When her mother Bannock Oil CEO Hazel learns of her daughter’s abduction, though powerful she fails to motivate world leaders to intervene.
The Tipoo Tip pair torture Cayla so that the world can see even as they demand ransom for her release. Hazel sends her private security chief Hector Cross to rescue her daughter. The Tipoo Tips expected this move as part two of their plan is to abduct Hazel and demand billions and will torture her to get at Cross as they owe him in a long running family blood feud.
This is an exhilarating fast-paced thriller that is over the top of Mt. Shimbiris with the insane decisions made by the Tipoo Tip duo, the Bannock pair and Cross as logic is a nasty L word. Still the action is non-stop and the locale ideal for a confrontation as fans expect High Noon in Africa.
Harriet Klausner
Wilbur Smith
Dunne, May 10 2011, $27.99
ISBN: 9780312567255
Adam Tipoo Tip and his grandfather Sheik Mohammed Khan Tipoo Tip set in motion a diabolical scheme to obtain blood money. Off of Africa, they send Somali pirates to kidnap nineteen year old Cayla Bannock who is leisurely sailing on her yacht. When her mother Bannock Oil CEO Hazel learns of her daughter’s abduction, though powerful she fails to motivate world leaders to intervene.
The Tipoo Tip pair torture Cayla so that the world can see even as they demand ransom for her release. Hazel sends her private security chief Hector Cross to rescue her daughter. The Tipoo Tips expected this move as part two of their plan is to abduct Hazel and demand billions and will torture her to get at Cross as they owe him in a long running family blood feud.
This is an exhilarating fast-paced thriller that is over the top of Mt. Shimbiris with the insane decisions made by the Tipoo Tip duo, the Bannock pair and Cross as logic is a nasty L word. Still the action is non-stop and the locale ideal for a confrontation as fans expect High Noon in Africa.
Harriet Klausner
Don’t Take Any Wooden Nickels-Mindy Starns Clark
Don’t Take Any Wooden Nickels
Mindy Starns Clark
Harvest House, Apr 1 2011, $13.99
ISBN: 9780736929578
Widow Callie Webber investigates not for profit organizations to determine whether the J.O.S.H.U.A. foundation should grant money to the group. At her church in the Chesapeake Bay area near DC, she also helps battered women.
Callie, after providing a grant to include a vehicle to a veterans group, is excited that she will finally meet her enigmatic boss Tom in person at Reagan National Airport. However, Shayna Greer, who Callie has helped with work related issues, calls her hysterically that her abusive boyfriend Eddie Ray walked out on her. Meanwhile Janine MacDowell tells Callie that her Tom had to change plans and is on a plane flying to New Orleans. Disappointed not to meet her boss and to learn he apparently has a history with his assistant, Callie meets with Shayna at Advancing Attire. Soon afterward, Eddie’s corpse is found in the trunk of Shayna’s car; the police consider her as the only suspect. Callie investigates the homicide as she believes Shayna did not kill her boyfriend. She soon believes the murder revolves around Eddie who had gotten into something that proved his life was not worth a wooden nickel to his killer.
The Ray murder amateur sleuth is a terrific prime story line while the Tom subplot is deftly handled as he seems to avoid his employee, which frustrates Callie the trooper. Readers will enjoy this entertaining Christian thriller as Callie’s faith helps her when confronted with personal loneliness and with peril as she knows “It’s a Wonderful World” for those who trust the Lord.
Harriet Klausner
Mindy Starns Clark
Harvest House, Apr 1 2011, $13.99
ISBN: 9780736929578
Widow Callie Webber investigates not for profit organizations to determine whether the J.O.S.H.U.A. foundation should grant money to the group. At her church in the Chesapeake Bay area near DC, she also helps battered women.
Callie, after providing a grant to include a vehicle to a veterans group, is excited that she will finally meet her enigmatic boss Tom in person at Reagan National Airport. However, Shayna Greer, who Callie has helped with work related issues, calls her hysterically that her abusive boyfriend Eddie Ray walked out on her. Meanwhile Janine MacDowell tells Callie that her Tom had to change plans and is on a plane flying to New Orleans. Disappointed not to meet her boss and to learn he apparently has a history with his assistant, Callie meets with Shayna at Advancing Attire. Soon afterward, Eddie’s corpse is found in the trunk of Shayna’s car; the police consider her as the only suspect. Callie investigates the homicide as she believes Shayna did not kill her boyfriend. She soon believes the murder revolves around Eddie who had gotten into something that proved his life was not worth a wooden nickel to his killer.
The Ray murder amateur sleuth is a terrific prime story line while the Tom subplot is deftly handled as he seems to avoid his employee, which frustrates Callie the trooper. Readers will enjoy this entertaining Christian thriller as Callie’s faith helps her when confronted with personal loneliness and with peril as she knows “It’s a Wonderful World” for those who trust the Lord.
Harriet Klausner
Disturbance-Jan Burke
Disturbance
Jan Burke
Simon & Schuster, Jun 21 2011, $25.00
ISBN: 9781439152843
Sacramento reporter Aaron Mikelson calls his friend and former peer at the Las Piernas News Express Irene Kelly with the news that her worst nightmare serial killer Nick Parrish (see Bones) is walking after recovering from a spinal cord trauma. She is upset as it took her loving husband and a shrink to help her heal after her confrontation with Parrish and his original Moth groupie, both locked away in maximum security prisons. Kelly tries to warn her friend forensic anthropologist Ben Sheridan who lost part of a leg to Parrish. Ben and his roommate Ethan Shire arrive with their dogs.
Meanwhile, Kelly becomes the center again thanks to Parrish of a media feeding frenzy while the serial killer’s Moths threaten her bodily harm for what she did to their “god” and their increasing belief that his resurrection will be soon. The Moths expect to assist Parrish when he returns to confront Kelly. When the corpse of woman painted with moths all over her body is found in Kelly’s car, the reporter knows that even with her ruthless foe still incarcerated, she is back in hell as one of his disciples has begun the war.
This is an engaging thriller though the journalist does not have to do much investigating as the ruthless enemy brings the fight directly to her. Readers know early who Parrish’s most devoted and dangerous allies are which detracts from the tension. Still, with insight into the plight of printed newspapers and the stunning number of previously secret psychos like the Moths who have surfaced via the Internet, fans of the series will enjoy round two anticipating the face to face confrontation.
Harriet Klausner
Jan Burke
Simon & Schuster, Jun 21 2011, $25.00
ISBN: 9781439152843
Sacramento reporter Aaron Mikelson calls his friend and former peer at the Las Piernas News Express Irene Kelly with the news that her worst nightmare serial killer Nick Parrish (see Bones) is walking after recovering from a spinal cord trauma. She is upset as it took her loving husband and a shrink to help her heal after her confrontation with Parrish and his original Moth groupie, both locked away in maximum security prisons. Kelly tries to warn her friend forensic anthropologist Ben Sheridan who lost part of a leg to Parrish. Ben and his roommate Ethan Shire arrive with their dogs.
Meanwhile, Kelly becomes the center again thanks to Parrish of a media feeding frenzy while the serial killer’s Moths threaten her bodily harm for what she did to their “god” and their increasing belief that his resurrection will be soon. The Moths expect to assist Parrish when he returns to confront Kelly. When the corpse of woman painted with moths all over her body is found in Kelly’s car, the reporter knows that even with her ruthless foe still incarcerated, she is back in hell as one of his disciples has begun the war.
This is an engaging thriller though the journalist does not have to do much investigating as the ruthless enemy brings the fight directly to her. Readers know early who Parrish’s most devoted and dangerous allies are which detracts from the tension. Still, with insight into the plight of printed newspapers and the stunning number of previously secret psychos like the Moths who have surfaced via the Internet, fans of the series will enjoy round two anticipating the face to face confrontation.
Harriet Klausner
Saturday, April 30, 2011
The Delta Solution-Patrick Robinson
The Delta Solution
Patrick Robinson
Perseus/Vanguard, May 3 2011, $25.99
ISBN 9781593156473
Mohammed "the Godfather of the Dark Continent" Salat provides the funding and orders to the Somali Marines. This group of pirates is extremely well trained and equipped to achieve their mission of capturing tankers and cargo ships off the Somali coast.
Salat sends his brigands to capture the American freighter Niagara Falls whose $100 million dollar cargo belongs to the United States Agency for Internationals Development. Refusing to pay the $10 million dollar ransom demands, the American government assigns Commander Mackenzie "Mack" Bedford to lead a newly activated SEALs team Delta Platoon. Their current mission is to mount sea rescues and end the Somali Marines’ piracy by assaulting their headquarters in Haradheere, Somalia.
The keys to this timely engaging thriller are that the SEALs receive focused training and the Somali Marines are a very capable organized unit. Once the cast is set and the team ready to invade, The Delta Solution goes into hyperspeed as Mack and his elite team assault the impenetrable base of the Somali marines knowing the likelihood that many SEALs will not come home even in body bags and the collateral damage is a certainty. Less action than Mack’s previous adventures (see Intercept and Diamondhead), The Delta Solution is a more complete thriller as the audience observes two highly trained and effective units prepare for a showdown in the Indian Ocean.
Harriet Klausner
Patrick Robinson
Perseus/Vanguard, May 3 2011, $25.99
ISBN 9781593156473
Mohammed "the Godfather of the Dark Continent" Salat provides the funding and orders to the Somali Marines. This group of pirates is extremely well trained and equipped to achieve their mission of capturing tankers and cargo ships off the Somali coast.
Salat sends his brigands to capture the American freighter Niagara Falls whose $100 million dollar cargo belongs to the United States Agency for Internationals Development. Refusing to pay the $10 million dollar ransom demands, the American government assigns Commander Mackenzie "Mack" Bedford to lead a newly activated SEALs team Delta Platoon. Their current mission is to mount sea rescues and end the Somali Marines’ piracy by assaulting their headquarters in Haradheere, Somalia.
The keys to this timely engaging thriller are that the SEALs receive focused training and the Somali Marines are a very capable organized unit. Once the cast is set and the team ready to invade, The Delta Solution goes into hyperspeed as Mack and his elite team assault the impenetrable base of the Somali marines knowing the likelihood that many SEALs will not come home even in body bags and the collateral damage is a certainty. Less action than Mack’s previous adventures (see Intercept and Diamondhead), The Delta Solution is a more complete thriller as the audience observes two highly trained and effective units prepare for a showdown in the Indian Ocean.
Harriet Klausner
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