A Deadly Cliche

'As good as it gets' is the appropriate cliche for 'A Deadly Cliche' by Ellery Adams. This the second book in the Bay Mystery series, but the first read by this author for me. When I met the main character, Olivia Limoges, I was less than impressed. Too rich, too pretty, too spoiled, too perfect - until the chinks began to show. Olivia is more than she seems to be on the surface. There is a reason for her tough exterior.

A Deadly Cliche is more of a book about character than crime although there is enough mystery and untimely death to make the plot spin. The author's rich portrayal of people in Oyster Bay from the roller skating dwarf at Bagels 'n' Beans, to the sassy 'goth' barmaid who writes fantasy fiction, the reader is sure to identify with, or admire, at least one of the quirky, endearing creations by Adams.

Deciphering the cryptic meaning behind hints at cliches left behind at crime scenes occupies Olivia and her Bayside Book Writers group as they come to the aid of Chief Sawyer Rawlings; detective, artist, writer and maybe someone special.

Deadly Cliche is a book within a book.The reader is privileged with brief samples of the Bayside writer's creative endeavors. They are offered an emotional view of Olivia's past and present. Family secrets, friendships, love interests, this book has it all. And did I mention one of the most beloved characters? Captain Haviland is a standard size black poodle who is Olivia's constant companion. He plays his part in the capture of the criminals and not without peril. An effective scene for anyone who has cared deeply for a pet. 

Plus a wonderful 'feel good' ending that makes you want to revisit Oyster Bay again and again.

It's Murder. My Son

Who is Mac Faraday? Is he a topnotch homicide detective from Washington D.C., or is he Mickey Forsythe, a character from his famous birth mother's mystery novels? The people of Deep Creek Lake can't seem to make up their mind in It's Murder, My Son the premiere Mac Faraday novel by Lauren Carr. 

 Mac is recently divorced, and retired, when he learns he has inherited a multi-million dollar estate from the woman who gave him life. Along with a mansion and all the amenities that entails he is also the owner of a five-star lodge. Plus, he gets to keep Gnarly, an ex-GI canine with a dishonorable discharge. Couple this with the attractive woman editor, Archie, that lives in the guest cottage and you have the makings of a first rate mystery with a humorous bent. 

There are plenty of dead bodies, lots of suspects, hidden rooms, gangsters with big city gangs and a rampant 'thief' who is finally nabbed in the act. Carr has peppered this mystery with something for everyone - even a little romance. 

My only comment (and this is personal pet peeve) is I don't like epilogues. They always seem to take away from the magic of the book. Carr also seemed to mix up some of her facts in the last chapters but overall it's a great read. Light, humorous, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged and looking forward to the next Mac Faraday Mystery.

Dogs Don't Lie

Dogs Don't Lie by Clea Simon is the first in a new 'pet noir' series featuring Pru Marlowe an animal psychic. Everyone who loves animals, or even likes them, knows they communicate with their human counterparts. But, can they actually talk? Wallis, Pru's amazing feline not only speaks but has a real attitude! Wallis contends that all dogs lie but is Lily, the beautiful white pit bull dog lying?  Lily's person, Charles, is dead. Lily is covered in his blood and conveys to Pru terror and confusion. Is the pit bull a victim, or a killer?

When Pru Marlowe lets herself open to a unique psychic ability, being able to not only 'hear' an animal's thoughts, but to feel their fear and pain she didn't realize how much this was going to change her life.No longer able to live in the city because of her 'gift' she made the choice to go home. Quiet little towns are not always what you remember then to be and Beauville was no exception. The opening of this series proves to be an interesting new concept in solving mysteries.With the help of Wallis, Lily, a ferret named Frank, a stressed out Persian cat, and a Bichon, Pru learns more about the people involved in this grisly affair than the police detective who is trying to solve it. It is through her special powers that she finally understands what happened - a real shocker. 

If you have always wondered what your cat, or dog, was thinking you will want to read this book, meet Pru Marlowe, and find out that usually, Dogs Don't Lie.

Margarita Nights

Margarita Nights, the first of the Sherri Travis mystery series by Phyllis Smallman introduces the reader to a character, Sherri Travis, chiseled from real life. Although not the brightest crayon in the box Sherri holds true to her trailer camp background and heart of gold attitude instilled by her bartender mother, Ruth Ann. Sometimes you want to reach between the covers of this book and give Sherri a shake of the shoulders. Her persistence that her 'godawful' estranged husband, Jimmy, didn't blow up with his boat and the subsequent events caused mostly by Sherri's ability to talk to the wrong people at the wrong time make this book an exciting read. The police want to know who killed Jimmy, if he's dead, and Sherri is the prime suspect. When another close friend is murdered the plot becomes more tangled.

Sherri and Ruth Ann are characters you won't forget after the last page. There are very effective scenes played out between the two that make them larger than life. The mother-in-law, Jimmy's mother, who doesn't, even remotely, come from a trailer camp background is convinced that everything that happened to her son is Sherri's fault. Her grimace when she opens the door to her less than perfect daughter-in-law speaks volumes. But Sherri has always been 'Jimmy's girl' whether she admits it or not. 

All the characters in this book, although numerous, are all well crafted and defined. You won't want to miss the 'reunion' at the Sunset Bar when the people of Sherri's life sort out their individual parts. Smallman describes it as 'The air was charged with energy as if an electrical storm was about to crack open the room'.

All of this, plus a great look at the Florida coastline and surrounding towns ensure a very enjoyable read. You can visit Sherri again in the sequels. Smallman's series was chosen by Good Morning America as one of the top six mystery series for 2010.

Drive Time

What really happens when the parking valet gets in your car and drives off? Is the car you just rented really safe?  Hank Phillippi Ryan, author of Drive Time is an investigative reporter for a major television station. The main character in her books, Charlotte McNally, becomes a mirror image of Ryan by pursuing criminal elements in everyday life. Drive Time, the fourth book of a series  deals with a valet parking scheme, unscrupulous rental car owners, and the general public that chooses to ignore car manufacturer recalls. Top that with mysterious deaths at her soon to be step-daughter’s exclusive school, a deal of a lifetime offer for her career, last minute nerves about her upcoming marriage and you have a real show-stopper of a book.

Fast moving, arm chair gripping car scenes, and a particularly effective dark, parking garage element sets the tone for exciting reading. Danger calls again as McNally decides to investigate the deaths and finds herself face to face with a demented blackmailer and confessed killer.

Should she get married, or stay single and take the job offer? Should she get married, take the job offer, and try to make it work? All will be revealed in the pages of Drive Time, a good read with lots of thoughts provoking situations.

Hemlock Lake

A rattlesnake, a missing shotgun, a phantom in the mountains and a small town revolt are some of the ingredients in this Carolyn J. Rose novel. Add to that an accidental death, followed by a suicide, fires set by arson, graffiti on the walls of newly constructed lake homes, a mysterious dark-skinned woman and small, carefully crafted stone mounds that magically appear in the moonlight.  Mix these together and you have a heart-thumping, mind boggling, suspense filled ride that careens off the logging roads of the Catskill Mountains into a book that defies you to put it down. Who wants to kill Sergeant Dan Stone? Who doesn’t want to kill him becomes more the question.

Hemlock Lake is a ‘walk-in’ novel skillfully weaved by its talented author in first person narrative. The reader, through Dan Stone’s thoughts and words, is privileged to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of a Catskill Mountains summer.  They feel the emotional and physical pain of life-long bitterness, deception and betrayal.  Walking with Rose through the pages of Hemlock Lake is an adventure you won’t want to miss!

Threats at Three

Threats at Three is a series book by Ann Purser. This is actually the tenth book in the series. All are centered around the English village of Long Farnden and the lives of characters introduced in the first book which was Murder on Monday.

 When I started reading Threats at Three I didn't think I would like it but hung in there for a chapter or two and began to get interested, not so much in the plot, but in the characters. Actually, the plot was a little thin. For instance who was trying to burn down the hall? If that was clearly established I missed it. The characters, however, seemed well defined and tempted you to read the forerunner books to see how they developed.

If you like fast moving action, dead on suspense, and a stunning rap up, this book is probably not for you. If, instead, you want to spend a leisurely couple of days in an English village peering in the windows of some of the families then Threats at Three will be your 'cup of tea'.