Plum Pudding Murder
Joanne Fluke
Kensington, Oct 2009, $24.00
ISBN: 9780758210241
December may be freezing in Lake Eden, Minnesota, but hearts are warm as the residents celebrate the holidays. This year entrepreneur Lunatic Larry Jaeger has created a Christmas shopping mall where he sells trees at cost. There are rides adding to the colonial like atmosphere as well as the Tree Lot store and food court in which the cookies are supplied by Cookie Jar owner Hannah Swensen and her business partner Lisa.
The Mayor has cut short his fishing trip because he is concerned over Jaeger's business practices and as an investor wants to make sure his is safe and as the mayor he wants to keep everyone who goes to the Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot safe from Larry’s financial maneuvering. Larry’s business partner and fiancée gives accountant Luanne the books for Jaeger's Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot to audit; she is up all night to find why they fail to balance. Hannah looks in on her and helps her return the books. When Hannah and one of her boyfriends Norman go to Larry to pick up her check, they find him dead and his large screen TV shot with holes. Her other boyfriend Mike the cop zeroes in on a suspect, but Hannah disagrees. She investigates with the help of friends and family and is almost killed by the real culprit.
Minnesota in the winter as seen through the eyes of the natives is pictured as a freezing, snow filled and wind blown; yet these same natives find plenty of fun things to do to keep from going stark crazy. Thus the cast adds a sense of a vivid seasonal place that anchors the whodunit. This long running amateur sleuth retains the freshness of the first snow of the year. PLUM PUDDING MURDER is brilliantly executed and Hannah’s inquiry seems credible though she should know by now an investigation can prove potentially lethal even when she asks a few penetrating questions out of inquisitiveness that she failed to recognize as dangerous.
Harriet Klausner
Monday, August 10, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Deadly Design-Marian Moore Hill
Deadly Design
Marian Moore Hill
Pemberley Press, Sep 2009, $17.95
ISBN: 9781935421009
In 2002, single mom Millie Kirchner and her nine year old son Danny head to Lynchburg, Virginia where she is a volunteer at an archaeological site; the Poplar Forest, secret retreat of Thomas Jefferson. Her recently widowed friend Alice invited the mother to join the dig while Danny attends camp next door. The women met when they both found out they are heirs along with others to a trust fund set up two centuries ago by a Nathan Henry (see DEADLY WILL).
However, after a near incident with a motorcycle driver whose recklessness reminded her of her ex Jack, she learns that archaeology intern Paige Oberlin was murdered. Soon after that roommate Cynthia flees as her unwanted former boyfriend Ted stalks her. Soon afterward someone kills another roommate Jill. Millie investigates finding ties back to the nearby Jeffersonian Era Highgrove mansion and Lewis and Clark; as she believes the early nineteenth century has the answers to the twenty-first century murders.
This entertaining amateur sleuth mystery occurs in 2002, but has more of a feel of a historical tale as told by a tour guide; as much of the story line especially the musing of the amateur historians and the archeological professionals focuses Jefferson or the nearby attractions. Still though the whodunit takes a back seat, fans of cozies with a strong sense of location will enjoy Marian Moore Hill’s fun guided tour of Jeffersonian Virginia.
Harriet Klausner
Marian Moore Hill
Pemberley Press, Sep 2009, $17.95
ISBN: 9781935421009
In 2002, single mom Millie Kirchner and her nine year old son Danny head to Lynchburg, Virginia where she is a volunteer at an archaeological site; the Poplar Forest, secret retreat of Thomas Jefferson. Her recently widowed friend Alice invited the mother to join the dig while Danny attends camp next door. The women met when they both found out they are heirs along with others to a trust fund set up two centuries ago by a Nathan Henry (see DEADLY WILL).
However, after a near incident with a motorcycle driver whose recklessness reminded her of her ex Jack, she learns that archaeology intern Paige Oberlin was murdered. Soon after that roommate Cynthia flees as her unwanted former boyfriend Ted stalks her. Soon afterward someone kills another roommate Jill. Millie investigates finding ties back to the nearby Jeffersonian Era Highgrove mansion and Lewis and Clark; as she believes the early nineteenth century has the answers to the twenty-first century murders.
This entertaining amateur sleuth mystery occurs in 2002, but has more of a feel of a historical tale as told by a tour guide; as much of the story line especially the musing of the amateur historians and the archeological professionals focuses Jefferson or the nearby attractions. Still though the whodunit takes a back seat, fans of cozies with a strong sense of location will enjoy Marian Moore Hill’s fun guided tour of Jeffersonian Virginia.
Harriet Klausner
David's Revenge-Hans Werner Kettenbach
David's Revenge
Hans Werner Kettenbach
Bitter Lemon, Oct 1 2009, $14.95
ISBN: 978-1904738398
German school teacher Christian Kestner is shocked to receive a letter from Tbilisi with the civil war going on even though it took four weeks to arrive. David Ninoshvili asks if he can stay with Kestner while in Germany.
Kestner agrees with trepidation. Seven years ago he stayed at the home of Ninoshvili only to have a tryst with his host’s wife. Ninoshvili’s letter triggers guilt, remorse, and fear that the guest comes to enact vengeance. More bitterly disturbing to Kestner after his guest moves into the spare bedroom is the obvious fact that Ninoshvili seems to get on better with Christina’s wife Julia and teenage son Ralf than he does. Soon panic stricken Kestner fearing the loss of his family; he begins to believe he must act before the subversive Georgian asks for asylum.
DAVID'S REVENGE is a timely deep thought provoking tale that is a combination psychological thriller and a historical fiction of Georgia. Kestner’s growing paranoia is the prime center of the former while Ninoshvili represents the latter; both are fascinating as each seeks the Golden Fleece defined differently by each of them. The backdrop of religious and ethnic cleansing, “socially right” patriotic nationalism, and anti immigration scapegoat fervor are deeply explored in Germany and to a degree in 1990s Georgia, but could easily have been 2007 America.
Harriet Klausner
Hans Werner Kettenbach
Bitter Lemon, Oct 1 2009, $14.95
ISBN: 978-1904738398
German school teacher Christian Kestner is shocked to receive a letter from Tbilisi with the civil war going on even though it took four weeks to arrive. David Ninoshvili asks if he can stay with Kestner while in Germany.
Kestner agrees with trepidation. Seven years ago he stayed at the home of Ninoshvili only to have a tryst with his host’s wife. Ninoshvili’s letter triggers guilt, remorse, and fear that the guest comes to enact vengeance. More bitterly disturbing to Kestner after his guest moves into the spare bedroom is the obvious fact that Ninoshvili seems to get on better with Christina’s wife Julia and teenage son Ralf than he does. Soon panic stricken Kestner fearing the loss of his family; he begins to believe he must act before the subversive Georgian asks for asylum.
DAVID'S REVENGE is a timely deep thought provoking tale that is a combination psychological thriller and a historical fiction of Georgia. Kestner’s growing paranoia is the prime center of the former while Ninoshvili represents the latter; both are fascinating as each seeks the Golden Fleece defined differently by each of them. The backdrop of religious and ethnic cleansing, “socially right” patriotic nationalism, and anti immigration scapegoat fervor are deeply explored in Germany and to a degree in 1990s Georgia, but could easily have been 2007 America.
Harriet Klausner
The Chocolate Cupid Killings-JoAnna Carl
The Chocolate Cupid Killings
JoAnna Carl
Obsidian, Oct 2009, $21.95
ISBN: 9780451227973
Lee McKinney Woodyard is the business manager of TenHuis Chocolade owned by her Aunt Nettie; who is harboring an abused woman in her home. Her friend Sara Jane Harding, owner of a B & BB, is involved in the underground railroad that helps women in danger of being killed by an abuser to obtain new identities, homes, and money in order to start over elsewhere. Currently Christina Meacham who uses the name Pamela Thompson is staying with the aunt and niece until they can find a place for her to begin anew.
Pamela’s husband Harold ran a chop shop that had mob connections; he released his stress by beating her up. She testified against him in court leading to his sentencing of five years in prison. Now he is free and hunting his spouse. Private Detective Derrick Valentine visited TenHuis asking for Christina; Lee lies, but also knows her ward must leave town immediately. That night Nettie finds a dead Valentine near the dumpster; the women conclude Harold is involved. Pamela leaves town escorted by another woman on the railroad, an underground conductor, but when they assume they are finished with Chrisstine, she returns.
Readers should not taste this amateur sleuth on an empty stomach because of the mouthwatering descriptions of chocolates, which lead to snacking. The plot is cleverly constructed with false leads and intriguing twists leaving the mystery unpredictable, plausible and entertaining. JoAnna Carl provides a terrific thriller.
Harriet Klausner
JoAnna Carl
Obsidian, Oct 2009, $21.95
ISBN: 9780451227973
Lee McKinney Woodyard is the business manager of TenHuis Chocolade owned by her Aunt Nettie; who is harboring an abused woman in her home. Her friend Sara Jane Harding, owner of a B & BB, is involved in the underground railroad that helps women in danger of being killed by an abuser to obtain new identities, homes, and money in order to start over elsewhere. Currently Christina Meacham who uses the name Pamela Thompson is staying with the aunt and niece until they can find a place for her to begin anew.
Pamela’s husband Harold ran a chop shop that had mob connections; he released his stress by beating her up. She testified against him in court leading to his sentencing of five years in prison. Now he is free and hunting his spouse. Private Detective Derrick Valentine visited TenHuis asking for Christina; Lee lies, but also knows her ward must leave town immediately. That night Nettie finds a dead Valentine near the dumpster; the women conclude Harold is involved. Pamela leaves town escorted by another woman on the railroad, an underground conductor, but when they assume they are finished with Chrisstine, she returns.
Readers should not taste this amateur sleuth on an empty stomach because of the mouthwatering descriptions of chocolates, which lead to snacking. The plot is cleverly constructed with false leads and intriguing twists leaving the mystery unpredictable, plausible and entertaining. JoAnna Carl provides a terrific thriller.
Harriet Klausner
Saturday, August 8, 2009
The Hunch-Seymour Shubin
The Hunch
Seymour Shubin
Murder Slim Press, 2009
http://www.murderslim.com
ISBN: 9780955131585
As they prepare for the marriage of their daughter Diane, Jon and Cindy Hendricks seem to have the perfect marriage. That is until the night Cindy comes home late, hysterical and blood stained while Diane sleeps. Crying Cindy tells Jon she killed director Tony McDowell, but lost the kitchen knife she used on him. Between tears, she explains she had a tryst with Tony who demanded a second sexual encounter, which she refused. She met him in his BMW and killed him when he assaulted her. Jon goes to nearby Philadelphia to find the knife in the car near the corpse of Tony.
PPD Detective Woody Wedman and his partner Stillman lead the investigation. Jon’s best friend true crime reporter Colin Ryan has a growing interest in the homicide that ties back increasingly to the Hendricks. As Cindy becomes depressed and Diane worries about the estrangement between her parents, Jon, wracked with guilt tries to cover his wife’s role in the homicide while Tony’s family mourns their loss and find no closure.
This unique excellent crime thriller has a Kafka-Twilight Zone feel to the intense character driven story line as readers know from the start who committed the murder and allegedly why, but wonder like her spouse questions: is Cindy a clever Lady Macbeth? By covering the crime, Jon becomes an accessory and feels the impact in his gut. Fans who enjoy a refreshing psychological drama will wonder whether Cindy and Jon can wash their respective hands of the blood of Tony.
Harriet Klausner
Seymour Shubin
Murder Slim Press, 2009
http://www.murderslim.com
ISBN: 9780955131585
As they prepare for the marriage of their daughter Diane, Jon and Cindy Hendricks seem to have the perfect marriage. That is until the night Cindy comes home late, hysterical and blood stained while Diane sleeps. Crying Cindy tells Jon she killed director Tony McDowell, but lost the kitchen knife she used on him. Between tears, she explains she had a tryst with Tony who demanded a second sexual encounter, which she refused. She met him in his BMW and killed him when he assaulted her. Jon goes to nearby Philadelphia to find the knife in the car near the corpse of Tony.
PPD Detective Woody Wedman and his partner Stillman lead the investigation. Jon’s best friend true crime reporter Colin Ryan has a growing interest in the homicide that ties back increasingly to the Hendricks. As Cindy becomes depressed and Diane worries about the estrangement between her parents, Jon, wracked with guilt tries to cover his wife’s role in the homicide while Tony’s family mourns their loss and find no closure.
This unique excellent crime thriller has a Kafka-Twilight Zone feel to the intense character driven story line as readers know from the start who committed the murder and allegedly why, but wonder like her spouse questions: is Cindy a clever Lady Macbeth? By covering the crime, Jon becomes an accessory and feels the impact in his gut. Fans who enjoy a refreshing psychological drama will wonder whether Cindy and Jon can wash their respective hands of the blood of Tony.
Harriet Klausner
Thug Lovin' -Wahida Clark
Thug Lovin'
Wahida Clark
Grand Central, Aug 2009, $14.99
ISBN: 9780446178099
Following THUG MATRIMONY, Tasha and Trae Macklin leave the New York hood for L.A. though there is some unfinished business back East involving blood feud vengeance for the death of Trae’s cousin Shaheem. Three years later the west Coast has brought radical positive change to the couple. Tasha has kids to raise while Trace opens up a flashy nightspot, Club New York.
However Tasha fears the nightclub will lead Trae back to the hood as he made a deal with Chinese gangster Charles Li and his even deadlier daughter Charli. At the same time Sabeerah arrives from back east planning to extort money from Trae; as she saw what he did on the other side of the Hudson in retaliation for Shaheem’s homicide. The Macklin’s neighbor Police Detective Rick Bryant begins an affair with Tasha's married friend Kyra whose husband is addicted to drugs.
The fourth Thug thriller is an exciting out from the Hood tale that stars realistic characters. Fans will empathize with the women as Tasha and Kyra struggle with issues and their men; on the other hand Trae has taken several steps backwards as he seems to have regressed and lost the empathy vote. Wahida Clark provides another descriptive drama that once again pulls no punches or kicks with an in your face and groin realism.
Harriet Klausner
Wahida Clark
Grand Central, Aug 2009, $14.99
ISBN: 9780446178099
Following THUG MATRIMONY, Tasha and Trae Macklin leave the New York hood for L.A. though there is some unfinished business back East involving blood feud vengeance for the death of Trae’s cousin Shaheem. Three years later the west Coast has brought radical positive change to the couple. Tasha has kids to raise while Trace opens up a flashy nightspot, Club New York.
However Tasha fears the nightclub will lead Trae back to the hood as he made a deal with Chinese gangster Charles Li and his even deadlier daughter Charli. At the same time Sabeerah arrives from back east planning to extort money from Trae; as she saw what he did on the other side of the Hudson in retaliation for Shaheem’s homicide. The Macklin’s neighbor Police Detective Rick Bryant begins an affair with Tasha's married friend Kyra whose husband is addicted to drugs.
The fourth Thug thriller is an exciting out from the Hood tale that stars realistic characters. Fans will empathize with the women as Tasha and Kyra struggle with issues and their men; on the other hand Trae has taken several steps backwards as he seems to have regressed and lost the empathy vote. Wahida Clark provides another descriptive drama that once again pulls no punches or kicks with an in your face and groin realism.
Harriet Klausner
Oscar Wilde and the Dead Man's Smile-Gyles Brandreth
Oscar Wilde and the Dead Man's Smile
Gyles Brandreth
Simon and Schuster, Sep 1 2009, $14.00
ISBN: 9781416534853
Following his American tour (see OSCAR WILDE AND A GAME CALLED MURDER).Wilde sails home to England on the SS Bothnia in December 1892; musing that he still is all style and substance though solving a homicide does add luster. On board with the playwright is the French acting troupe, La Compagnie La Grange.
In Liverpool, customs officer find a dead poodle inside a trunk filled with dirt that Wilde thought were books. Soon afterward on the way to Paris, members of the troupe become victims of a serial killer with an obvious grudge or perhaps that person disdain Hamlet. Wilde and his companion journalist Robert Sherard investigate La Compagnie La Grange in order to uncover the identity of the murderer.
The third Oscar Wilde mystery (see OSCAR WILDE AND A DEATH OF NO IMPORTANCE) is a fabulous late Victorian whodunit with several neat plot devices including the star sending the mystery to Doyle in 1890. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Wilde meets the actors and never slows down. With Sherard, who was a real friend of the author and his biographer, adding realism to the mix, Gyles Brandreth provides a superb entertaining historical murder mystery.
Harriet Klausner
Gyles Brandreth
Simon and Schuster, Sep 1 2009, $14.00
ISBN: 9781416534853
Following his American tour (see OSCAR WILDE AND A GAME CALLED MURDER).Wilde sails home to England on the SS Bothnia in December 1892; musing that he still is all style and substance though solving a homicide does add luster. On board with the playwright is the French acting troupe, La Compagnie La Grange.
In Liverpool, customs officer find a dead poodle inside a trunk filled with dirt that Wilde thought were books. Soon afterward on the way to Paris, members of the troupe become victims of a serial killer with an obvious grudge or perhaps that person disdain Hamlet. Wilde and his companion journalist Robert Sherard investigate La Compagnie La Grange in order to uncover the identity of the murderer.
The third Oscar Wilde mystery (see OSCAR WILDE AND A DEATH OF NO IMPORTANCE) is a fabulous late Victorian whodunit with several neat plot devices including the star sending the mystery to Doyle in 1890. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Wilde meets the actors and never slows down. With Sherard, who was a real friend of the author and his biographer, adding realism to the mix, Gyles Brandreth provides a superb entertaining historical murder mystery.
Harriet Klausner
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