The Melodoy Lingers On - Mary Higgins Clark

This is the latest book from the Queen of Suspense and doesn’t disappoint. It’s a tale all too familiar in this world of big money and even bigger criminals. Average, middle-class, Americans are being robbed of their life saving by an unscrupulous, but charming, investment broker. When the pot reaches five billion the broker, Parker Bennett, mysteriously disappears from his sailboat – so does the money. He leaves behind a grieving wife who believes his innocence, a distraught son who has inherited his father’s charisma, and a devious mistress. Lane Harmon works for an upscale interior decorator that is currently redoing the mistress’s apartment for a cool five million. Her boss is also redoing an apartment for the supposed widow of Parker Bennett, who has lost the multi-million dollar mansion shared by her husband and son. Lane meets the charming Eric Bennett and immediately believes he is innocent of his father’s crime. Lane has a four year old daughter who is also enchanted by this man who claims to like her cookies. Is a trail of deception leading Lane and her daughter into irreparable danger? Or is she right in thinking Eric is only trying to clear his name? Who’s the guy renting the apartment next to Mrs. Bennett and listening in on conversations? Who’s driving the old, beat-up, black car that keeps following Lane around – will the golf partner of an alleged British engineer, living in the islands, finally figure out what he knew all along? It’s a tangled trail of suspenseful coincidences, of hurtful actions, and in the end true love.

Plum Spooky - Janet Evanovich

If you’ve never read a Stephanie Plum novel you’ve missed some pretty wild plots. Even if you have read one there are still plenty of bolts from the blue in the next one. Stephanie Plum is a bounty hunter and wherever she goes, who ever she is with, you can be sure that something is going to blow up, catch fire or just plain wind up in pandemonium. Plum Spooky is no exception. Some of the regular, or irregular, characters, show up in this book; Stephanie’s three men, Diesel, the one that shows up without warning, Ranger, the protector and her one love, Morelli. The story is centered in a place called The Pine Barrens where the Jersey Devil, among other weird and shocking living things reside; like a old man who thinks he’s the Easter Bunny, a family of Sasquatch, and the infamous Elmer, The Fire Farter. Yeah-that’s right, a fire farter. You can guess how that turns out! The opening paragraph of the book reads; “Sometimes you get up in the morning and you know it’s going to be one of those days. No toothpaste left in the tube, no toilet paper on the cardboard roll, hot water cuts out halfway through your shower and someone’s left a monkey on your doorstep.” Carl, the monkey, turns out to be an interesting addition with his one finger salute and an addiction to Mario Brother’s video game. Stephanie Plum isn’t for everyone – you have to have a perverse sense of humor and the ability to enjoy a story that at times flies into unknown, and mostly unbelievable, twists of plots. I don’t exactly give this book a thumbs up – it’s an acquired taste – but if you’re looking for something different, give it a try. The book is available at Novel World of Used Fiction. We ship free in the USA.

The Ballad of Frankie Silver - Sharyn McCrumb

“I want to show you a grave.” The sheriff said. There were three markers, smooth stubs of granite, showing the place where Charlie Silver lay. But, which marker was right? “All three. . .” the sheriff told Spencer Arrowood. Charlie Silver had been hacked into so many pieces that they had to bury whatever they found, and then bury some more. Charlie’s eighteen year old wife, Frankie, was accused to the gruesome crime. The year was 1832, the crime committed in the dead of winter. Did young, pretty, Frankie, mother to Baby Nancy, really commit this crime? According the courts of law she did; and was the first woman hanged in the State of North Carolina. Spencer Arrowood, over 100 years later and wounded in the line of duty, set out to find the truth. Was Frankie guilty? What was she trying to tell them when she had the noose around her neck and her father hushed her? He also wanted to know the truth about Fate Harkryder, another youth accused of being the Appalachian Trail murderer. Spencer, at that time a deputy, had arrested him twenty years ago and was a witness at the trial. Now – they were sending him to electric chair and Spencer wasn’t so sure that Fate was guilty, just like he wasn’t so sure of Frankie’s guilt. What did Fate know about the awful day when two young hikers were brutally murdered? He, like Frankie, was about to go to his death with the answer sealed on his lips. ‘The Ballad of Frankie Silver’ is a fascinating book about the law and lawyers. It’s a history lesson that keeps repeating itself.

Death Wears A Beauty Mask - Mary Higgins Clark

Death Wears a Beauty Mask is a novella never before published by the Queen of Suspense. In 1974, Clark, was inspired to write a story about the dark side of the New York City fashion world. It’s a tale about two sisters who look alike-and another woman who is made up to look like the sisters. Someone is found murdered in one sister’s apartment. Who was it? Was it really her sister – or someone else? What deep secret was being covered up in the newest fashion craze? The novella is a suspenseful thriller but there’s more, much more; nine other stories written by Clark in her early career. The first is, Stowaway, When the Bough Breaks, Voices in the Coalbin, The Cape Cod Masquerade, Definitely, a Crime of Passion, The Man Next Door, Haven’t We Met Before?, The Funniest Thing Has Been Happening Lately and the Tell-Tale Purr. This is an interesting book showcasing Clark’s many talents as a story-teller. Stowaway is Clark’s first published short story (1956). If you’re a fan of Mary Higgins Clark you won’t want to miss reading this one, and even if you have never read her before you’ll find this a good collection of suspenseful tales. Some, admittedly, better than others.

Summer Shadows

When Julia Lamontaigne received heartbreaking news that her sister and her husband were killed in an accident she never dreamed they had left their three children to her care. How could she possibly provide for herself and three other lives when she had just lost her job? Julia discovered that although the house she and the children were living in was mortgaged her sister had recently purchased an old fixer-upper in a small town near a lake in New Hampshire, hoping to make it their summer place. Financially, something had to give, and with thoughts of fixing up that place with the help of her three charges and selling it to make payments on the other house she packed up the kids, a few belongings, and began an adventure that would lead to far more than a financial solution! Julia found in their new location a house badly in need of cleaning and repair but did it also hold a deadly secret? A connection to that derelict old mansion at the end of the street where a young artist was murdered? It becomes apparent that someone doesn’t want Julia in town. Someone is watching her. . . Living in a neighborhood of free-spirited local characters, which tend to complicate life for Julia and her crew, especially the attractive cop next door, is the beginning of an engaging summer packed with action and emotional turmoil that leads to the knitting together of a real family. The family values addressed in this book were not only refreshing, in today’s jaded world, they added much to the mystery. I recommend Summer Shadows to any reader who wants a good read and to walk away knowing there are still people who care.

Three Days to Forever - Lauren Carr

Mac Faraday and Archie Monday are planning a wedding – simple enough until you throw in a few seemingly unrelated murders, a cell of terrorists, a heinous plot of mass destruction, bureaucratic cover up, and a new pair of high heeled boots – then, it gets interesting. Did Faraday kill the man who threatened him? Why was his DNA found at the murder site? What did Agnes, the tough handed mother of the bride, have in the black hole? Who targeted Faraday’s brother, David, as a sacrifice to Jihad? New characters, and old ones, merge in this exciting read. You’ll fall for the hard shelled naval officer, Murphy, who is a vegetarian and only drinks herbal tea. You’ll love the image of Jessica, Faraday’s daughter, her violet eyes, trendy clothes, closet full of shoes and purple Ferrari that screams spoiled rich girl – only don’t mess with her unless you’re up for a few surprises. And speaking of surprises, exactly who gets to walk down the wedding aisle? As always, the dogs take center stage every chance they get. From Jessica’s sheltie, Spencer (or is it Candi?), to Chelsea’s Molly and of course the ever present hero of the Mac Faraday series – Gnarly. This book, Three Days to Forever, is not only entertaining it is thought provoking. From the Bible reference to Ishmael, and in these shocking days of terrorist alerts, there are glimmers of truth mixed in a fictional account. The book is not intended as a political commentary, nor does it make broad accusations about our nation in general – yet, when you read it you may begin to wonder. . .what if?

The Deepest Dark

An elderly couple living out their remaining years in an isolated farmhouse – a famous writer, alone, working in a secluded cabin – three escaped convicts, Roach, Tattoo and Dog – sets up a terrifying and horrific scenario of brutal murder and willful kidnapping. Abby Miller’s life was torn apart when her husband, Corey, and daughter, Ellie, died in a car crash. Striving to get her writing life back on tract she told no one, not even Karen, her sister, where she had gone. Will that mistake cost her her life; or something even more horrible? And, why does the ring leader of the escaped convicts, Roach, seem vaguely familiar? Joan Hall Hovey’s The Deepest Dark is a thrilling, chilling, tale of sadness, regret and heart stopping suspense. Don’t miss it! Reader Beware: This is definitely not a cozy!!

Sucker Punches

This is a compilation of short stories written by Carolyn Rose and Mike Nettleton. I found the first three or four stories very entertaining. If you are an editor or publisher you will certainly enjoy the first one. After those it got a little far-fetched, although still amusing. It's a light read and something you can pick up and put down at will. Both writers are talented and imaginative. Worth the purchase.

The Novel World of Angela Crown

Crime has long reaching effects on its victims. Angela Crown is the small girl hiding under the bed when her mother is murdered – Angela Crown is the young woman, preparing for her honeymoon, who gets word that her fiancé and father are victims of a bank robbery gone bad. The violence suddenly becomes too much. As an aspiring writer, and avid reader, Angela is caught up in a world where she can no longer separate fact from fiction. Leaping into the pages of the latest thriller she sees herself as an avenging angel for the characters that are in danger. She perceives the authors and creators of the books as evil people preying on innocent beings. The Novel World of Angela Crown is a book within a book. The author skillfully takes the reader from the physical world of Angela Crown to the fiction world she creates from the books she reads. Her sister, Maggie, her psychiatrist, Liam Price, a police detective and a former teacher are striving to bring Angela back into the real world. A famous author sympathizes with her illness but becomes the victim of her increasing rage. It was difficult to place a rating on this novel. The concept was fascinating. Still, I found some of it very far-fetched and at times tedious. If you are looking for a book that is out of the ordinary you may want to give it a try. Reader beware – you may not like the ending.

Martini Regrets - Phyllis Smallman

If Sherri Travis hadn’t decided to have that last dirty martini her life would have taken a different turn. She wouldn’t have been traveling across the Florida Everglades in the middle of the night with an almost empty gas tank. She wouldn’t have wound up fighting off a plethora of critters both creeping and crawling; the most dangerous of all the kind that stands on two legs. Frightening beyond belief is Sherri’s adventure in the treacherous swamp land. But maybe not as terrifying as thinking she’s safe when that’s far from the truth. Why did a business card and a pink flip flop pose such a threat? Sherri and Clay, her finance, are thrown by circumstance into the elegant but amoral world of the ultra rich whose only passion is rare and exotic orchids. Would someone who would pay thousands of dollars for one orchid become a murderer to win the prize? Phyllis Smallman’s Sherri Travis is a sassy, tough but tender character that has never quite escaped her swamp rat image although she’s now the owner of the best bar on the coast, The Sunset. She’s mouthy, impulsive and a little paranoid but she’s also compassionate and loves deeply. If you have been following the Sherri Travis series, Martini Regrets, is a must read. Even if you haven’t read the others this book is guaranteed to keep you up at night eagerly turning page after page. Sherri may well start to regret more than that last martini as her life takes a dramatic turn. I personally can’t wait for the next book.

Murder Most Convenient

In Robert Colton's novel 'MURDER MOST CONVENIENT' it’s the 1940’s. Pulp fiction whodunits are all the rage. So, Mrs. Xavier Stayton, a recently widowed American woman of privileged class and her equally young English companion, Lucy Wallace, decide to get on the bandwagon and write their own ripping mystery. Mrs. X’s mother-in-law graciously arranges for the young women to stay with her deceased husband’s estranged relatives at a very proper British estate known as Pearce Manor. They do, after all, need atmosphere for their fledging novel. The ladies feel fate has smiled on their efforts but little do they know that their unwelcome appearance will set in motion a catastrophic procession of events that will spin light hearted murderous fiction into grim reality. Had someone already tried to murder the handicapped woman known as Phyllis? And why is she so interested in Mrs. X and Miss W’s manuscript? Does the handsome detective really believe that Mrs. X is the murderer? Stay tuned for a series of clues and revealing interviews that lead to truth about more things than murder. Murder Most Convenient is a light-hearted, humorous read with just enough actual mystery to keep the reader turning the pages. Be aware that there are some typos in this novel and I found Colton’s habit of addressing a future editor disconcerting. Otherwise – have fun with one!

A Dead Red Alibi

A DEAD RED ALIBI by RP Dahlke begins a new adventure for Lalla Baines and her zany family of characters. Left standing at the altar by true love Sheriff Caleb Stone Lalla just wants to get away. Rich Aunt Mae to the rescue. She gives Lalla the deed to a piece of property in Arizona where her great Uncle Ed found a gold mine. Since her dad, Noah, has sold his business, bought a new, bright red Jeep, he offers to accompany Lalla to see the gift property. It’s only a matter of hours until Noah is at the bottom of a mining pit with a near dead police officer, Caleb is wondering around the desert wearing nothing except his underwear, and Lalla is plunked down in the middle of yet another murder scene. The only one missing is crack pilot and wannabe P.I., Cousin Pearlie who soon shows up at the local airport. There is a suspicious deputy dubbed ‘Deputy Dumb-ass’ by Noah and a community of local artists who all have something to hide. Mix in a drug cartel, a member of the mob and you’ve got a rollicking escapade that features a downhill roll over in the new Jeep, a million dollar Italian race car, another shooting, a bomb and nonstop action. Oh, did I mention the Emu? RP Dahlke has a unique talent for blending humor, excitement and bigger-than-life characters in her Dead Red series. There are sad moments, moments when we are reminded of real life problems of real life people. But all together A DEAD RED ALIBI kicks off a promising following of Dahlke’s stimulating series. .

Dead Man Falling by Desmond Cory is book for the true adventurer. This action packed ‘walloping’ read is filled page by page with spellbinding questions of who’s who and where are the diamonds. Set in the ruggedly beautiful mountains of Austria the book gleams with vivid descriptions of stunning scenery. Former British agent, Johnny Fedora, alongside his attractive companion, Marie-Andree, board a train under the guise of a couple on their honeymoon. A man is murdered, another man jumps from the train and there is a muscular mountaineer supposed named Johann Beil who is sharing their compartment. Is this in any way connected to Fedora’s search for valuable diamonds? Reaching the Hunting Horn Inn in Oberneusl, Fedora gets his first look at Old Man Mountain. He realizes that somehow his fate is linked to that majestic peak. Will he be the ‘dead man falling’? No one is who they say they are and when dead bodies start stacking up Fedora begins his treacherous climb up the icy Hunting Horn in search of the ‘third hut’ and hopefully the diamonds. His guide is an ‘odd’ boy who just might be the son of the most famous German in history. Dead Man Falling is both exhilarating and gripping. An unexpected ending makes it well worth the read.

A WEDDING AND A KILLING – the latest book in the Mac Faraday series by Lauran Carr is a pleasurable read. Mac is a super rich retired police detective who learned that his biological mother was a famous mystery writer when she left him her multi-million dollar estate. The book is set along the beautiful shores of Deep Lake Creek and begins on a happy note. Mac and his true love, Archie Monday, have planned a ‘pre-wedding’ ceremony, wanting to tie the knot before the major event expected by Archie’s mother. It seemed simple enough – but Gnarly, Mac’s German shepherd spoils the occasion by finding an almost dead body at the chapel. Who would want to shoot a nice church elder that’s just doing his job by counting the Sunday offerings? There is actually a mystery within a mystery in Carr’s new book. It’s a tangled, twisting adventure that adds more dead bodies along the way. Carr devised a very unusual method for dealing with a rich man’s son who thinks that women were born to be abused. You’ll also be surprised at the choice of weapon used in the climax as well as the deciding factor on who committed one murder by a uniquely distinct residue left on the pistol grip. And then there’s Gnarly who, much to his humiliation, has a forced run-in with a Chihuahua. Carr’s characters are lively, her plots complex, there is always just enough humor to set a lighter tone.

I've Got You Under My Skin

Mary Higgins Clark didn’t accidentally get her title, “Queen of Suspense” she earned it. Even in her 80’s she still spins a chilling tale that keeps you up late at night, afraid to put the book down in case you miss something. The enchantment of her books; the thing that makes them so spine-tingling, is they could actually happen to you – or me. In I’VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN a seemingly senseless crime has been committed and a vicious threat shadows a woman and her child. Not knowing why – or when the killer will strike again makes life unbearably difficult for Laurie and her son Timmy. Yet, life must go on. Laurie, a producer of true-crime cold case stories, has focused on a twenty year old murder not knowing that the two, unrelated cases, are coming together with force of an oncoming train. The reader will be startled by the complex, tangled ending with more false clues, suspects and surprises than ever thought imaginable. And – there is that pair of ice blue eyes. . . even they can be deceiving. Review requested by Simon & Schuster

Grave Blogger

Wanna play a game? Choose from the three-sided dice. Choose A and I cut off your right thumb. Choose B I'll cut off your left thumb. Don't choose and I will be X and choose for you. Raya Landry is a 'Grave Blogger'. Simply put – she writes blogs about cold cases for True Crime websites. It's a solitary life, one Raya loved, until the day she came across a cold case headline, 'Two Decades Later, Bayou Family Slaughter Remains A Mystery'. What was it about that headline, out of hundreds Raya had worked, that reduced the 25 year old, independent woman, awesome internet gamer, to a quivering, crying facsimile of her former self? Donna Fontenot is a true Southerner. Born and raised in Louisiana where the setting of her debut novel takes place. She draws the reader into the Bayou with ease and grace. She paints the picture of Southern charm and a crispy poboy with accuracy and delicious knowledge. Does she also watch Criminal Minds? Getting inside her villain's brain would suggest careful, and time consuming research. What is it that would trigger a violent rage after twenty years? Is the murderous psychopath still living in St. Felicity? Is he, or she, watching innocent victims through equally innocent windows? 'Grave Blogger' introduces us to some unforgettable characters; Raya, Detective Nick Simoneaux, his uncle Perry, psychiatrist Jon Forester, eccentric forensic examiner Dustin and many others. WARNING: This book is not a cozy! If you are not into graphic crime scenes then give it a pass. And, if you are picky there is some lazy editing and typos. Otherwise, if you like the feeling of having to occasionally glance over your shoulder when you are reading, or take a second look before you open that door. . .you will be spellbound by this author's work. Donna Fontenot, will there be a sequel?

Inherit The Dead

MORE A BOOK FOR WRITERS THAN READERS

Inherit the Dead is a novel written by 20 top selling mystery writers, (names below), each writing one chapter of the same story.  Did it work?  Not really.  As a mystery the plot relied on an overdone storyline and far, far too much going over background that was already covered.  It was as though each writer had to fix in his or her own mind exactly where the plot was headed pulling the reader along with them.  I wouldn’t call it boring, just tedious.

What was good about it?  It was a fascinating study of twenty creative minds closing in on one central character and the subsequent supporting cast.  I found it amazing that, for the most part, they kept the character in character except for the chapter written by James Grady.  I thought he completely lost the concept.  I found it interesting to note the subtle, and not so subtle, writing styles brought into each chapter.  My favorite authors were true to their craft and didn’t disappoint even in this unusual medium.  The authors I didn’t know (and will probably never read) most likely true to theirs.  Some relied heavily on the ‘F’ word for shock effect, or to fill space I’m not sure which.  That word is vastly overused both in spoken and written speech and long ago lost whatever sensation it was supposed to generate.

Why should you buy the book?  It’s a passable read – interesting concept and proceeds from its sale go to, Safe Horizon, a victim assistance agency. More information about their mission can be found at www.SafeHorizon.org/   As sad as it seems without victims of crime, crime writers would have no plots. In an awkward sense you are supporting the genre by buying this book.

 If you are a writer, or want to be a writer, it’s a great book to read and re-read.  Knowing, as you do, that each of these authors are best sellers in the mystery field.  Analyzing how they were able to move within a structured framework and carry the storyline is a lesson in writing discipline.  And, that’s your homework for today!

 Contributors include: Lee Child, Jonathan Santlofer, Stephen L. Carter, Marcia Clark, Heather Graham, Charlaine Harris, Sarah Weinman, Bryan Gruley, Alafair Burke, John Connolly, James Grady, Ken Bruen, Lisa Unger, S.J. Rozan, Dana Stabenow, Val McDermid, Mary Higgins Clark, C.J. Box, Max Allan Collins, Mark Billingham, Lawrence Block, with an explanation about Safe Horizon from Linda Fairstein.

Daddy's Gone A Hunting

Kate Connolly is in a coma. Gus Schmidt is dead. The Connolly Fine Antiques Reproductions factory rests in ruins in Long Island City from a massive explosion that was obviously set. What were Kate, and former employee Gus doing in the museum section of her family’s furniture factory at 4 AM.?  

Since the boating accident that claimed the life of Kate and Hannah’s mother and uncle there has been something not quite right. Hannah, just a baby when the accident occurred, is now a promising clothing designer, older sister Kate a highly respected CPA. Douglas Connolly, the girl’s father, seems to have lost interest in the factory, and his daughters, and turned over the everyday business to a man named Jack Worth. Clyde Hotchkiss is a decorated Vietnam War veteran who has been living on the streets for nearly 30 years and lately sleeping in a wrecked Connolly factory van.  Is he responsible for the death of a young college student whose body was found floating in the river? And, did he have anything to do with the disappearance of a young actress, twenty-eight years ago?  Or, was that Jack Worth?

Mary Higgins Clark, infamous for her one-page chapters, spins a yarn in “Daddy’s Gone A Hunting” that dates back almost 30 years. With a master’s touch for suspense she brings together seemingly unrelated characters into a scenario of intrigue and mind-boggling bewilderment. Nothing is ever what it seems in Clark’s books. You always have to look beneath and beyond the obvious. What was the meaning of the recurring dream in Kate’s coma?  What were Kate's only spoken words?  They pretty much tell all.

Mary Higgins Clark is the author of 32 suspense novels, each one more spellbinding than the last. This book was sent to the reviewer by Simon and Schuster publishing company. Release date for this new mystery is April, 9.

Only the Truth

Just who was the blue-eyed girl with the red suitcase that forever changed Billy Ray Hutchins life?  She called herself Charlene.  She told him she didn’t remember anything about her past.  Slow-witted, illiterate, Billy Ray took her into his home, an Arkansas mountaintop cabin, and into his heart. She liked Big Dog and she made great biscuits.  Charlene and Billy Ray settled into a nice way of life; until the old man moved in across the road.

Arson, murder and mystery wend their way through the pages of this book. Unspeakable acts on innocents; a heart-wrenching crime scene that brings tears to the eyes of a seasoned police chief, false accusations that tear at the very thread of Billy Ray’s existence.  When the attorney, Mr. Green, gave up his defense of Charlene, Billy Ray remained doggedly determined to find Only the Truth.  Simple in mind and spirit he could see what professional investigators were missing.

It takes great skill, as a writer, to build an unforgettable character like Billy Ray Hutchins. Pat Brown has accomplished a remarkable feat allowing the reader into those special thoughts and emotions.  Companion characters like Charlene, Mrs. Covey, the kindly over-the-road trucker, the sheriff and chief of police lend depth and interest to a story well told. The ending seems abrupt, leading the reader to believe we haven’t heard the last of Billy Ray’s story.

I recommend reading Only the Truth not just for its content but for Pat Brown’s unique style of writing.  It’s refreshing, straight-forward, and doesn’t rely on contrived circumstances or ill-timed humor.  You might want to start reading this book when you have a favorable block of time – it’s hard to put down.

Mama Does Time

Is Southern humor, dysfunctional but loving families, and light romance on your reading list for 2013? Then give Mama Does Time, by Deborah Sharp, a try.

When middle daughter, Mace Bauer, gets the call that Mama, adorned in her sherbert-colored pants suit with matching scarf and shoes, has been locked up in jail suspected of murdering the man found in trunk of her turquoise blue convertible, she rushes to the rescue.  Joined by sisters, Marty and Maddie, a mixed bag of personalities at best, Mace is faced with a less then congenial big city, turned rural, cop who is convinced of Mama's guilt.

Soon in the lineup of suspects and complications are Mama's dubious boyfriend with a mysterious past, an hysterical police dispatcher who just happened to be engaged to the deceased, and a shady cowboy who's also Mace's ex-lover. Throw in a little illegal lending, blackmail, mob connections, and a preacher with a roving eye and you've got the makings of fun read. 

The plot is complicated enough to keep you guessing.  The characters sharp and delightful. This book is one of a series of Mace Bauer Mysteries written by  Sharp, a former USA Today reporter, who sets her books in the 'sweet tea and barbeque' part of her native state of Florida.

Oh, did I mention the alligator?