FMAM MOSTLY MYSTERY REVIEWS
 |
THE FMAM MOSTLY MYSTERY REVIEW is the place to come
to find out what to read next. Want to know what readers are saying
(as opposed to critics) about the books you see around you? You’ve
come to the right place! And, if you appreciate a critical review
we’ll have those, too. Come in, sit down and see what’s
write with the world! (Or, right in the world of write!) New reviews this month from: . Dr. Cynthia Clark . Harriet Klausner . Christine I. Speakman . |
 |
|
|
||
December 2007
Keeping Faith
R. E. Matheson
Electronic book Publication: September 2007
Cost $5.95
ISBN 9781419910814
Publisher’s website A Cerridwen Press Publication
www.cerridwenpress.com
Would you give up your identity for justice?
This is the background story to “Keeping Faith.” Valerie isn’t her name; Toronto isn’t her home. Five years ago she gave up her life when she testified against the man who killed her best friend. Now, she needs to give up this identity.
“Keeping Faith” is a pleasant romance/suspense story. In order to keep her safe, Valerie and cop, Alex Naumov, are forced together and, of course, fall into lust then love. Will they end up together?
No big surprises, but Ms. Matheson delivers a solid romance/suspense story. I spent a quiet two hours reading and recharging with “Keeping Faith” and sometimes that’s just what a person needs.
“Keeping Faith” is a quiet uncomplicated story for those times you need to escape.
Do Not Disturb Me At My Labors
Edward M Turner
Electronic book Publication: 2007
Cost $5.50
ISBN 1-59431-533-7
Publisher’s website ebooksonthe.net is a subsidiary of: Write Words, Inc.
I can’t say I mixed well with “Do Not Disturb Me At My Labors.” There isn’t anything poignant enough to put my finger on, but I couldn’t get into the story.
Although, as we know this doesn’t mean someone else won’t enjoy “Do Not Disturb Me At My Labors.”
This story follows Hollis well he travels around doing his job…hitman, serial killer, random murderer. I’m not quite sure why or how Hollis picks his victims. It would seem that he’s employed by a secret group of ex-military vigilantes.
Instead of a mystery story, what “Do Not Disturb Me At My Labors” reads as is a study of a man’s life and how he was changed by a war and dealing with his nightmares. I’m not sure if I would call Hollis a hero or a cold-blooded killer.
You’ll have to judge this story for yourself as it didn’t mix with me.
A Christmas to Remember
Kay Stockham
Harlequin
November 2007
280 pages, $5.50
ISBN: 13:978-0-373-71453-7
Beau Buchanan, a United States Marine is seriously injured in an explosion. When he awakes from his coma he has no memory. Amnesia. He is confused and has no clue as to where he is, what happened or how he got there. Eventually the doctor allows him to leave the hospital. Beau’s father retrieves him and brings him home to Kentucky hoping to jog his memory and help him recover.
Beau works as an electrician for his dad’s company and runs into Marley Pierce who recognizes him. She goes off on him for leaving her high and dry and pregnant eighteen years earlier. Beau can’t believe that he would do such a thing but as snippets of memory return he becomes confused and concerned.
As he works at regaining his memory, he falls in love Marley and what he learns is shocking.
I chose to review this book for selfish reasons. Not only is it a wonderful read, but I helped technically advice in amnesia. That aside, Kay Stockham has delivered a charming romantic light suspense (who is Beau Buchanan and what is his relationship to Marley and what is really going on)? For a feel good Christmas light suspense, read A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER, you will not be disappointed.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 5.
Flames in the Jungle
John Cunyus
IUniverse
142 pages, $12.95
ISBN: 10-0595408001
Miguel Escalante grew up watching Patton in Columbia. He modeled himself after the famed General and rose high in the Columbian military. His peers know him to be self disciplined and incorruptible. Ana Restrepo is a journalist doing a story on Miguel. After her interview she calls and invites him to dinner. He is a perfect gentleman, even so far as to have just water with dinner. And he is gone before she can turn the lock open on her door. This just serves to excite Ana, so she calls for a so called follow up interview. This time, they talk for hours, she asks him to go for a walk and then upstairs where he admits to being a virgin.
A continent away, a Venezuelan businessman in Dallas is shot and killed.
And within twenty four hours FARC, a terrorist organization, hijacks a US plane at Love Field and heads for Mitu, Columbia.
The news stations begin to report that the hijacking is FARC, Toromillo, and the Venezuelan President Perez, which is news to Perez. Who is setting him up? Who wants the US to go to war with him and his country?
Escalante is alerted of the planes eminent arrival and prepares for it. Five army trucks and a Colonel arrive. Escalante is curious about the trucks but is told it’s to transport the Americans so he dismisses it. But when the plane lands, the trucks move forward with no order, collecting the hijackers and the male hostages before Escalante realizes he’s been had. He does however rescue the last woman from the plane just before it blows up, making him a hero, but also incompetent for letting them get away.
What is this plan? Who is behind it? Can Ana and Escalante solve it in time to save the hostages and stop a war?
This is a novella, just the right size reading at lunch or an airport. I love this size when I have some time but not enough for a full length book. FLAMES IN THE JUNGLE is an easy, fast read. John Cunyus’s style is simple and enjoyable. This is a great for a quick read when time is limited or when time isn’t limited for that matter. It isn’t heavy, so it allows an escape without having to deal with burdensome clues or convoluted plots. Instead it flows with an ease of an effortless escape to Columbia and Caracas .
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.3.
A Grave Breach
James Macomb
OCEANVIEW Publishing, Inc.
October 1, 2007
360 pages $24.95
ISBN: 1-933515-07-4
Arthur Matsen is a good friend of attorney John Cann and needs his help. Cann never thought he would be defending a war criminal much less one accused of such horrific acts of violence. But there he is. And Cann continually thinks of Janie Reston, a young college student who was attacked, raped, and left for dead simply because she knew him. But Janie isn't out of danger even while Cann is in Europe. Janie sees Dr. Nathan Fredich who seems to have more than helping her in mind. His agenda includes exploiting her pain to promote his studies on repressed memories. Cann finds his own past is racing to catch up to him. Can the time, era, and place converge to give the answers needed?
A GRAVE BREECH is an intriguing political thriller with strong historical detail. James Macomber has written a rich mixture of what if and truth.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.
High Crimes
Joseph Finder
Harper
388 pages, $7.99
ISBN: 978-0-380-72880-0
Claire Heller Chapman is a star attorney. She spins golden lawsuits for her clients and her law firm. She has everything could want: a great job, is a respected law professor, has a great life and a wonderful husband, and a Boston Magazine wants to name them one of the top 50 power couples.
But everything is shattered when Tom Chapman is arrested. But before Claire could process what was happening Tom was making a daring escape, doing things, her Tom would have no reason to know how to do. When Tom wasn’t caught the Feds ordered Claire and her daughter, Tom’s step daughter held.
When Claire and her daughter return home they find the Feds searching and destroying things in their house. Their warrant is for Ron Kubik.
When Tom is caught, Claire decides to trust his fate to only her and she defends him. And then it all gets more complicated and more interesting…
I enjoyed the movie version of HIGH CRIMES with Ashley Judd, but it is rare that a movie is better than the book. That is no exception here. This book is excellent! The thrills and chills, and roller coaster ride is incredible and I saw the movie! The book and movie share some points, but there are many differences making it well worth the time to read it. An excellent thriller!
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 5!
Honeymoon for Three
Alan Cook
AuthorHouse
July 2007, 254 pages
ISBN: 9781434309501
The year is 1964. Gary Blanchard and his love, Penny are going their trip of a lifetime. Gary and Penny met through a Los Angeles computer dating service. They are sure they are meant for each other although Penny is a little concerned or afraid she might be jinxed. Her best friend had been murdered a year prior just two days before her wedding.
What Gary and Penny do not know is that she has a stalker, Alfred, a former high school class mate of Penny’s. And he has a fetish for belly buttons.
Alfred is a failure with the ladies. He is positive it is because he has an outie belly button. Outie aside, he is equally as positive that Penny is the woman for him and sets out to get her at any cost. He will do whatever he has to get his prize including eliminating Gary.
The story weaves through the western United States including Lake Tahoe, Reno, Yellowstone, and more as Gary and Penny go on their trip and Alfred follows.
HONEYMOON FOR THREE is a charming tale. When Alfred is attempting to stop their wedding, he is clever. The receptionist is kind of dense, but that aside, it is a cute setup and delivery. But the receptionist should have gotten Jack London. All in all, a delightful, amusing, suspenseful tale.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.5.
Twisted Justice
Patricia Gussin
Oceanview Publishing
December 1, 2007
336 pages, $23.95
ISBN: 1-933515-08-2
After a grueling surgery on a car accident victim who does not survive, Dr. Laura Nelson is exhausted and upset. The child she had operated on was one of many of a family who did not make it. And if the day couldn't get any worse, she goes home to find her husband, the evening news anchor in the throes of the other TV news anchor Kim. She orders her husband Steve out of the home. She is devastated. But that's not bad enough. The surviving car accident family member, the little girl’s dad is suing the hospital for malpractice, Kim is murdered, and Laura is accused of the murder.
And while Laura begins the process of defending herself, Steve takes their five kids and runs away.
Prior to Kim’s death she had decided to move to a bigger better TV market leaving Steve behind. This led to Steve’s being fired. Seeing a chance for limelight, Steve tells the media, he drove his wife to this crime by cheating on her. He tells their children that she will be going to jail yet he professes his love for her. And then he takes the kids. Of course, it doesn't end there. It gets weirder with some twists and turns.
TWISTED JUSTICE starts strong but towards the end gets a little strange in who killed Kim and why. The rap up is a little to quick compared to the story telling. Divorce is never easy but the terror that Ms. Gussin portrays makes anyone who has gone through a custody battle skin crawl.
I enjoyed the story and would recommend it.
On a scale of 5, I give this book a 4.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D.
Main Book Reviews Index
All rights reserved.
Contact Lida: publisher@fmam.biz
Website contact: webmaster @ fmam.biz