The Chalice of Blood-Peter Tremayne

The Chalice of Blood


Peter Tremayne

Minotaur, Oct 25 2011, $25.95

ISBN: 9780312551216



Already a dalaigh advocate of the law, Sister Fidelma of Cashel asks her brother King Colgu of Mumen to appoint her as the Chief Brehon magistrate. He conditionally agrees, but insists she first look into the suspicious death of scholar Brother Donnchad.



Abbott Iarnla asked the king to investigate the death of the Brother who recently feared for his life. He was found dead in his locked cell with stab wounds on his body yet his corpse seemed restful rather than frantic. Additionally manuscripts he was working on appear missing. Accompanying Sister Fidelma to the island where the Abbey of Lios Mor is located is her Brother Eadulf, Even before reaching the abbey, someone tries to assassinate the two investigators. At Lios Mor, cooperation is not forthcoming from most of the residents.



This is a great seventh century locked room Mystery of Ancient Ireland. As always the setting comes to life in this strong historical series (see The Dove of Death). While the lead couple struggles with divisive personal issues that enhance the plot as both lose some focus on the mission, it is the brilliant locked cell inquiry that makes Peter Tremayne’s The Chalice of Blood an excellent thriller.



Harriet Klausner

Dead Bolt-Juliet Blackwell

Dead Bolt


Juliet Blackwell

Obsidian, Dec 6 2011, $7.99

ISBN: 9780451235305



There are few females in Melanie Turner’s occupation, but the general contractor relishes taking over Turner Construction from her retired dad. Currently she leads the restoration of the Cheshire House a historic Queen Anne Victorian house in San Francisco. Every house has problems in the renovation, but this one includes Jim and Katenka Daley who insist on residing in the basement apartment while the renovations occur.



Mel also has the ability to see and hear ghosts. She believes there are many spirits roaming Cheshire House. Initially the ghostly occupants play harmless pranks like handprints on a very high ceiling and footprints in which only Mel the medium can see them. However, not all the spirits resting in Cheshire Inn are benign; one who is malevolent has the skill to make people do what it wants them to do. When cantankerous neighbor (and former resident) Emile Blunt is found dead, a former resident of Cheshire House when it was a boarding house, Mele believes there is a link between the murder and the spirits. Although she understands the lethal risk that no other living person on the project does, Mel must find a way to coax the ghosts to move on and out of Cheshire House while finding out who killed Emile.



The second Haunted House Renovation Mystery (see If Walls Could Talk) is a chilling paranormal locked inn whodunit that will frighten even the Ghostbusters let alone readers. Mel is a courageous strong person who though scared feels she must complete the project which includes ridding the house of its otherworldly occupants. Dead Bolt is a terrific paranormal amateur sleuth.



Harriet Klausner

At the End of the Road-Grant Jerkins

At the End of the Road


Grant Jerkins

Berkley, Nov 1 2011, $15.00

ISBN: 9780425243343



During the sweltering summer of 1976 on a infrequently traveled back dirt road in rural Georgia, Melodie Godwin driving her car swerves to avoid hitting ten year old Kyle Edwards riding his bike. Her quick action leaves the tweener unhurt, but the car overturned severely injuring Melodie. Kyle sees her blood everywhere and takes off in a panic. He tells no one.



The next day the lad returns to scene of the accident with trepidation, but there is no major indication an incident occurred just yesterday. Not long afterward, Sheriff’s Deputy Officer Dana Turpin searches for the missing woman while Kyle’s neighbor viciously clever stroke victim Kenny “the Paralyzed Man” Ahearn observes the youngster with a malicious intent.



This is an exciting historical suspense thriller starring a frightened child, a nasty villain, a dedicated law enforcement official, and the missing victim. The tense story line is fast-paced from the moment of the near collision and never slows down until the final confrontation. Although over the top of Stone Mountain, readers will enjoy what goes down At the End of the Road.



Harriet Klausner

Death’s Long Shadow-Kinley Roby

Death’s Long Shadow


Kinley Roby

Five Star, Oct 21 2011, $25.95

ISBN: 9781432825355



In Avola, Florida, someone who knew affluent Brandon Pike’s riding habits on his Oaks estate tied a garrote across the Ride bridle path, decapitating the horseman. Local law enforcement suspects Brandon’s younger widow Holly and the stable manager Tyce Yellen for killing the victim as the assumption is they are lovers which both deny.



Holly hires private detective Harry Brock to protect her interests though he is unsure what his client wants of him. He learns about Brandon’s relationship with his half-sister Clarissa Cruz, who holds a lease that is running out on the adjoining Oleander Farm owned by Pike. She has two adult brothers with one of them Miguel working the farm. As Harry works his inquiry, his ailing ex wife Katherine arrives at an inopportune moment though he invited her. They make love, but he knows his actions betray his girlfriend Sonadora Asturias, who is considering returning home to Guatemala to help her people. His elderly neighbor on Bartram’s Hammock takes a fall further distancing him from his case until someone sets up Brandon’s macho stallion to kill Tyce and sets a barn on fire.



The super latest Harry Brock mystery (see Death in a Hammock) is a terrific tale as Harry’s personal life overwhelms him while a killer using creative weapons involving horses stalks the Sunshine State. The story line is loaded with action at the Oaks and on Bartram’s Hammock while Oh, Brother, Sanchez and Jane Bunting add comic relief to an engaging whodunit.



Harriet Klausner

Bonnie-Iris Johansen

Bonnie


Iris Johansen

St. Martin’s, Oct 18 2011, $27.99

ISBN: 9780312651220



Forensic sculptor Eve Duncan was a kid having a kid when she gave birth at sixteen years old to Bonnie. Eve thought Bonnie’s father John Gallo died on a military mission, but she and her long time significant other police detective Joe Quinn learned John lived incarcerated by the North Koreans until he escaped. Meanwhile when Bonnie was seven, she was abducted in Atlanta. Owing Eve for saving her son, FBI Agent Catherine Ling targeted John who suffers mental illness from his ordeal as the killer of Bonnie, but he proved to be innocent.



Clues lead the quartet to the Louisiana bayous and from there to Georgia as Bonnie’s spirit guides her mom. They track a new suspect with powerful ties enabling a government cover-up of unsanctioned mind experiments. As they get nearer to the truth, the new target prepares to kill if they get too close.



The final of the Bonnie trilogy (see Eve and Joe) is an exciting twisting thriller as the truth can set you free to a degree. Although the serpentine sensational story line contains too many spins that slows down the pace, fans of the Eve Duncan saga will relish learning what happened to Bonnie.



Harriet Klausner

One Foot in the Gravy-Delia Rosen

One Foot in the Gravy


Delia Rosen

Kensington, Oct 4 2011, $7.99

ISBN: 9780758241719



Following her nasty divorce, Gwen Silver inherits her late Uncle Murray’s Jewish deli, the Pastrami Swami in Nashville, Tennessee. She packed her bags, reverted back to her maiden name and quickly became dubbed the Nashville Katz as she takes over the deli although she was unprepared for a side order of murder (see A Brisket, A Casket). The native New Yorker miraculously adjusts to living in the "Music City" and feels welcomed by her employees except for the Pastrami Swami boss of bosses Thomasina Jackson.



Wealthy socialite Lolo Baker hires the deli to cater a murder mystery-themed dinner. Lolo rings the crystal bell to start The Cozy Foxes’ gala, but horrible noises from the room above frighten the deli employees and the attendees. The racket upstairs is quickly accompanied by a crash through the ceiling; Chocolatier Hoppy Hopewell has fallen dead with One Foot in the Gravy. NPD Detective Grant Daniels leads the homicide investigation that turns stranger when Lolo's housekeeper Lizzie Renoir is murdered. Unable to mind her deli, the former Manhattan forensic accountant, as well as the Cozy Foxes, tries to find the ties between the two victims; with only Lolo connecting them.



The second lighthearted Nashville Katz amateur sleuth is a fun cozy as the heroine using her New York shtick investigates the homicides knowing Grant will be unhappy with her placing herself in a pickle as someone who kills twice will have no remorse adding a body to the gravy. The support cast is a horde of quirky individuals who enhance the tale with a touch of mustard. Readers will enjoy a Reuben with a knish as Delia Rosen provides an entertaining deli whodunit.



Harriet Klausner

Murder, She Wrote: The Fine Art of Murder-Jessica Fletcher & Donald Bain

Murder, She Wrote: The Fine Art of Murder


Jessica Fletcher & Donald Bain

Obsidian, Oct 4 2011, $23.95

ISBN: 9780451234735



Mystery writer Jessica Fletcher is vacationing in Italy where she has joined the Great Art, Humble Places tour. She and the group are inside the Church of San Bernardino of Siena in the town of L’Aquila when two friars enter. They steal a Bellini, but when a visitor former Italian cop Fandello pulls a gun out, one of the thieves kills him and aims at Jessica before fleeing. She saw his face vividly and reported so to the police investigating the homicide art theft.



Back home in Cabot Cove, Maine Jessica learns that Jonathan Simsbury, husband of her best friend Marlise from her New York days was murdered in their home in Chicago. Not long after that Jonathan’s adult son from his first wife Wayne arrives. He asks Jessica for help because his stepmom always said she was levelheaded. Jessica agrees to accompany a troubled Wayne back home where Marlise is the prime suspect in her spouse’s homicide. At the office of Marlise’s attorney Mr. Corman, Wayne says his stepmom murdered his father. Stunned by the revelation, Jessica investigates the murder while the Italian police want her to return there to testify in the art theft homicide in the Abruzzi region.



The latest Murder She Wrote is an exciting twisted thriller that has Jessica for the most part still on tour (see The Queen’s Jewels). The Chicago caper takes several unexpected spins while stealing of art is the third most profitable felony. Readers will appreciate the latest Fletcher amateur sleuth as the heroine learns it is hard to be in two places an ocean apart at the same time.



Harriet Klausner