FMAM MOSTLY MYSTERY REVIEWS
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THE FMAM MOSTLY MYSTERY REVIEW is the place to come
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write with the world! (Or, right in the world of write!) New reviews this month from: . Dr. Cynthia Clark . Harriet Klausner . Christine I. Speakman |
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August 2009
Hidden Fire
Terry Odell
Electronic book Publication: May 2008
Cost: $6.99
ISBN: 9781419916854
A Cerridwen Press Publication
www.cerridwenpress.com
Warning: Sexual scenes, semi-graphic in context to story.
A Stand-alone sequel to “Finding Sarah,” where we were introduced to Sarah and Randy, “Hidden Fire” questions whether their relationship will stand the test of his job…law enforcement.
Sarah owns a small shop, That Special Something, which she opened with her deceased husband. It was in “Finding Sarah” that Randy and her first crossed paths, through a serious of break-ins and the eventual realization Sarah’s husband had been murdered.
Now a couple, semi-couple, Sarah’s having doubts whether she would ever become use to “dateus interruptus” let alone what this would mean should they go beyond dating.
Randy has no doubts about their relationship; however, as he works through the politics of a small town’s budget, his doubts about having a job do climb.
Ms. Odell’s writing is as strong as ever. Her characters and scenery still come to life without hesitation or confusion. This time around her murder mystery twists quietly through the everyday lives of the people of Pine Hills. With secret meetings, near death chases, life saving role reversals, and battle for small town power, “Hidden Fire” is a perfect weekend read.
With “Hidden Fire” being the fourth Terry Odell book I have read, I easily state—A Terry Odell book equals quality reading; you will not be disappointed.
Hot Dogs
Janice Bennett
Electronic book Publication: June 2009
Cost $6.99
ISBN 9781419919787
Publisher’s website www.cerridwenpress.com
My favourite event coordinator is back stumbling into yet more murder and mayhem.
It’s the July 4th celebrations and wouldn’t you know, a dead body shows up just as the talent show sign up is to begin. What’s worse…who knows if the decorations can be used, they’ve been hiding the body for a year? And Lizzie Mobley’s two dachshunds and half a dozen mini poodles, the Hot Dogs, are not helping the chaos.
At least the dead body solves the mystery of where Lee Wessex went. Everyone just assumed he stole last year’s July 4th celebrations’ proceeds, along with his company’s money and jewels from his wife. Now, who knows?
Annike, our favourite coordinator, has one other small problem…when are Sheriff Owen Sarkisian and she getting married?
Ms. Bennett continues to write with laughter, clarity, and simple bliss. Her mysteries baffle me. Her characters are old friends come back for a visit. Her love of animals…well I can never figure out how she’s going to top the last batch of critters.
Ms. Bennett’s books are for any time; my favourite time is…well…hmm…ahh…yeah, all the time.
Crossing the Centerline
Allan Ansorage
Echelon Press LLC, $13.95, 269 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59080-635-7
Carl Fletcher had been seriously injured in car accident roughly a year and half ago. His fiancé was killed. As a result, he had to leave the police force and now walks with a limp. His life is simple – he lives on a boat; giving charters. When he goes out of town, he asks his good friend and former partner Mike to watch the boat. A body is found tangled in the line. Someone who meant to kill Carl. But why? After the crime lab finishes with the boat, Mike moves it to keep it safe. When Carl returns, Mike has him stay at the retirement home with Carl’s mother Maggie. Maggie joins in the search for who wants Carl dead by using the Internet. The dock café staffed by Sharon and Myers as well as the keeper of the police records Bernie. Before long there is a group of amateur working with Mike doing an excellent job. They uncover fraud, greed, a cover up and more. And love blossoms.
CROSSING THE CENTERLINE starts slow but halfway through it gains momentum and becomes exciting. We meet the Reverend, Delphinia, and Isaiah – charming characters. However, then the book wraps up all too quickly. It is entertaining, fun, and worth the read.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 3.9.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
The Gatekeeper
Michelle Gagnon
Mira, May 27, 2009, $7.99, 409 pages
ISBN: 13-978-0-7783-2672-4
Special Agent Kelly Jones and her fiancé Jack Riley are both working bizarre cases that are keeping them hopping. Kelly is working for the FBI on the case of a dismembered senator and Jack has taken on a pro bono case for his new PI Corporate Security Company the Longhorn Group. Jack’s case involves a teenage girl that falls prey to a computer predator.
Madison Grant, the teenager is sure she has met the love of her life through the Internet. He has even sent her a ticket to fly to spend the rest of their lives together. She is further thrilled when she arrives at the airport to see a chauffeur waiting to pick her up. Oh how her new man is treating her in style. Well that lasts as long as it takes for her to drink the water in the back of the limo. She wakes in dark celllike room. She can’t see a thing. Who would do this to her and why? Jack has been discretely brought in by Madison’s father to find who has taken his daughter. They want him to do something, something so horrible, so shameful, that he; well he just hopes that Jack and his partner Syd (ex CIA) can find her before he has to perform.
As Kelly investigates the death of the Senator she cruises through gang territories from skin heads to militia to biker gangs. But what she finds is more shocking than she expected.
What happens when homegrown terrorists roam amongst us? When they use our resources against us? This story for one. Michelle Gagnon has constructed a very plausible scenario. One part terrorist, one part FBI/Security Specialists, one part thrill ride equals one delicious thriller. THE GATEKEEPER is another winner from Ms. Gagnon.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 5.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
Toxin
Paul Martin Midden
Millennial Mind Publishing, $24.95, 338 pages
ISBN: 978-1-58982-492-8
Junior Senator Jake Telemark is hiding his demons; that is until a beautiful but strange woman approaches him who knows what they are. Isadore Hathaway tells him an unbelievable tale about a hit list of a right wing fundamentalist group intent on taking over the government. She tells Jake, he is one of those on that hit list. And soon one of the other names she has said was a target dies. Jake begins to become a believer of her incredulous tale. Not only does this organization plan to kill judges, senators, but even wipe out cities. When they drop some sort of toxin into the Denver water system, Jake is sold 100% and knows what he must do. He must join forces with Isadore and stop them. But nothing is as easy as it seems.
TOXIN is an adventure through homegrown terrorists with a bit of love thrown in. Who are the good guys? As you journey through the maze of terror you pitch and pull. Just when you think everything is going one way it’s goes another. Paul Martin Midden has written a plausible journey into internal terrorism.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.5.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
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