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 . Cerri Ellis . |
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February 2008
Back to Haunt You
Kate Hill
Electronic book Publication: October 2007
Cost $7.99
ISBN 9781419911552
Publisher’s website A Cerridwen Press Publication
www.cerridwenpress.com
Genre: Suspense, heavy on the Paranormal.
Trust is a fragile emotion.
This is a difficult review to write because while I believe there is a gem of a new series here, there wasn’t much mystery/suspense to the overall story. However, I’ve found that sometimes happens when you’re first introduced to a new series. I believe “Back to Haunt You” and the private institute for paranormal research will be a series simply because of Ms. Hill’s hint of minor characters joining the main characters and the questions she leaves unanswered. I could be wrong; I hope I’m not.
Ms. Hill’s prologue grabbed me and left me stunned. I had to continue reading. Who were these men and what were they looking to do. One of the best openings I’ve read in a while.
The heroines, a mother/daughter duo, are unique in their differences, let alone their mind power. I believe Ms. Hill has honestly captured the relationship between a mother and daughter.
The crime aspect of “Back to Haunt You” could have been played and described in more depth. While Ms. Hill took a detailed time in building her characters and their relationships, I would have preferred a bit more spent on the mystery/crime of the novel. This would have only strengthened an already effective story.
“Back to Haunt You” has its surprises; some I cheered and others shocked me. Well done, there.
“Back to Haunt You” contains some language and sexual content; however, each of these areas is handled within context and not overly graphic.
I hope to read more about Jerahmy, Morgan, Devlin, Wendy, Victor, and Uma…let alone Victor.
Black Cats and Boondoggles
Janice Bennett
Events Unlimited 3
Electronic book Publication: October 2007
Cost $6.49
ISBN 9781419913075
Publisher’s website A Cerridwen Press Publication
www.cerridwenpress.com
Another successful event!
Annike, Owen Sarkisian, Aunt Gerda, and all the SCOURGEs are back…and, yes better than ever. I spent the weekend curled up visiting with my favourite people and animals. This is what Ms. Bennett gives you…a place and characters you want to revisit, again and again.
In “Black Cats and Boondoggles” we meet new residents and lose another. We’re not tripping over bunnies, but we do have an adolescent bloodhound mix named Boondoggles. Boondoggles, yes I do love the name, has hitched himself to Sheriff Sarkisian. Our black cats are Artimouse and Caspurr.
Ms. Bennett’s inclusion of new animal characters to her stories is one of my favourite aspects of her story telling. They add their own character and enhance the story’s humour. They're useful in leading our humans from scene to scene. Let alone adding to the home feel of the Event Unlimited tales.
From my previous reviews of Ms. Bennett’s Event Unlimited tales, you know I love her stories. “Black Cats and Boondoggles” is no different. So, what can you expect with this new event?
The people of Upper River Gulch are debating incorporating their town. Of course, there’s a split between those for and against; but would anyone murder over it? And why in the middle of the Harvest Festival set-up?
Once again, Annike’s doing double duty: managing an extravaganza and knee deep in murder. This time, though, she’s flashbacking to when her husband was killed doing his duty. Does the same fate await Sarkisian?
Ms. Bennett works this relationship beautifully. She’s progressed the care between Annike and Sarkisian further without cheapening either. She’s also teased us…what are Sarkisian’s plans? And, who’s new in Aunt Gerda’s life?
More importantly, when’s the next Events Unlimited!
Cruel Cuts
John Lindermuth
Electronic book Publication: 2007
Cost $5.99
EBook formats ISBN: 978-1-59374-911-8
Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1-59374-910-1
Publisher’s website WHISKEY CREEK PRESS www.whiskeycreekpress.
“I have Sticks Hetrick’s next mystery all ready to start, and am looking forward to visiting Swatara Creek again.”
– Christine I Speakman, January 2008, http://www.fmam.biz/reviews/jan08.shtml#somethingincommon
That’s what I wrote in my review of Mr. Lindermuth’s first Hetrick’s book and I’m glad I revisited Swatara Creek.
Stick Hetrick’s stories are not cozy mysteries; however, they aren’t quite hardboiled. They are slightly uncomfortable due to pulling no punches regarding sexual thoughts and violence…not necessarily combined. This edge lends a realistic voice to characters, and keeps the reader off balanced. An interesting position to be in while reading a mystery. Good use of language, Mr. Lindermuth.
“Cruel Cuts” is a much faster read, but then again most seconds (and thirds and fourths) in a series usually are. It is also a better read, there’s a more ease to the writing as if Mr. Lindermuth found his rhythm to his created world. Looking forward to Stick Hetrick’s third mystery.
Mr. Lindermuth does something interesting with his chapters and cliff points. As a reader, you are rushing to the next page anticipating a momentous reveal only to find the end of the chapter. You quickly start reading the next chapter, expecting the reveal…boom, no reveal. You’re now wondering “what?” “come on, what happened?” and there through the characters you’ve been chasing you find the reveal. They, the characters, are now acting upon the information you sought. The characters are taking you through to the next phase of the solution, to the next piece of the puzzle. There’s no safe chapter to stop reading with Mr. Lindermuth, clever.
One more quirk of Mr. Lindermuth’s writing style, he allows you to know…through character Stick Hetrick…who the guilty party is, but leaves the guilty party either smug in their “can’t be caught” thoughts or squirming in their pants waiting for Stick Hetrick to drop the hammer of justice.
Mr. Lindermuth, I can’t honestly say your Hetrick mysteries are in my top five or ten favourites; HOWEVER, I am intrigued as to where you will take Hetrick and Swatara Creek next.
Black Widow
Laurie Breton
Electronic book Publication: November 2007
Cost $6.49
ISBN 9781419913990
Publisher’s website A Cerridwen Press Publication
www.cerridwenpress.com
A Romance-Suspense that I’m thrilled about!
Yes, you read that write. “Black Widow” is classified as a romance-suspense and I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you’ve read me before, you know I don’t usually mix well with this genre, but “Black Widow” had me glued to my screen and it’s just a really good read.
Kathryn McAllister was sent to prison for killing her husband. Of course, she didn’t do it…and when you find out who did, you’ll be surprised.
Police Chief Nicholas DiSalvo knows nothing about Ms. McAllister; he just knows she’s going to be a royal pain.
Both are outsider Yankees to the small close-knit southern town of Elba North Carolina. Both will find themselves on the outs with those who socially rule this town. Both know a killer is walking the streets. Both may just end up dead.
This is a story based on strong characters, strong plot, and ingenious weaving of innuendo and clues. “Black Widow” isn’t a story where the heroine needs the hero to protect her; to hide behind; for her to dominate. Ms. Breton allows her characters to perform the duties that are their characters.
DiSalvo is an ex-cop, now small town Police Chief he follows his instincts. He’s been allowed to stay true to what we expect a New York Detective to be…intelligent, powerful, stubborn, and for a romance-suspense attracted to the heroine.
Kath McAllister is a woman changed by circumstances. Her reaction to finding her husband dead would have been over the top, if only the changes in the character weren’t so opposite to our first view of her. She was young and innocent. She was in love with the town’s son. Now, after four years in a women’s penitentiary she’s harder, smarter, internally stronger than the town is prepared for…they will have to deal with her.
A very solid story.
Fire Owl
Gerald W. Mills
Copyright: 2004
Cost $5.50 USD ebook
Cost $16.95 USD trade paperback
ISBN: 1-931201-85-4
Publisher: Twilight Times Books http://twilighttimesbooks.com
How wrong do we have to be before we stop assuming?
James Foster is still being hunted. There are those who still believe he’s a threat, a terrorist, a killer.
They refuse to see the killer standing before their eyes. How many will have to die before the blinders are off?
“Fire Owl” is shorter than the previous Foster books, but in some ways a much better read. By now, we know Jim Foster. We know his powers and how his emotional mind works. He, truly, isn’t in for his own gain. He’s a sad character in many ways. He was dumped as a child in one country; disregarded in another; trapped and coerced; hunted and forced to kill, and still he wants to help.
In “Fire Owl” Foster discovers a new ability and use for this power…the power to control the very air. He can put out fire. Sounds simple enough; however, drain too much oxygen from air and anything else living will die as well as the fire. And, still Foster and Tricia, must look out for the hunters.
So, of course, given both the book’s title and Foster’s new ability, you know this latest danger to all will involve fire. However, the magnitude and thought behind it all will spin your head. THAT character…a possible hero? WOW!
Mr. Mills writes a compelling and terrifying adventure. He sets his readers up with mass destruction set to happen within impossible deadlines. He propels our hero through near captures, impossible feats and moral arguments that leave the hero in more doubts about his powers and actions. Mr. Mills weaves governmental people through endless conspiracies and power struggles, which hopefully are only in Mr. Mills’ head.
Mr. Mills also threads the past books through each new adventure carefully without boring the readers of all his books. They become an intricate part of the story.
I was hooked at the first page. And, again, hope there are more Foster stories to come. I missed a few favourite characters and found a few more.
Mr. Mills writes a clear and deep story, perfect for any day or night.
Anna’s Secret
Jude Atkins
Electronic book Publication: November 2007
Cost $5.95
ISBN 9781419911750
Publisher’s website A Cerridwen Press Publication
www.cerridwenpress.com
My type of romance-suspense!
Not a believable pairing of the main male and female character…that’s okay. It works.
Not about ‘pretty’ people…that’s okay. It works.
Not your normal romance-suspense…that’s okay. It works.
“Anna’s Secret” is strong in mystery. It’s lead by the main male character…Kelly McWinter. He’s an ex-cop hiding out in a small town…security guard for a flea market…while he deals with his wife’s death. Everyone in the quiet community of Indian Creek, Texas is shocked when local barfly, Anna, is brutally killed.
Which friend killed, Anna? Did Anna really have a large bankroll hidden in her cabin…or was she hiding something else?
Bluntly, “Anna’s Secret” is a little too fast; but is heavy on the murder mystery. The characters are different than any other romance-suspense I’ve read, but it tries to quickly to match the hero and heroine. While I couldn’t believe this match, Ms. Atkins spins a solid murder mystery plot.
Yes “Anna’s Secret” is a very different romance-suspense…that’s okay cause it works very well.
Alibi in High Heels
Gemma Halliday
Making It, February 26, 2008,
$6.99 , 352 pages
ISBN: 10-0843958359
Gemma Halliday has the most charming style of writing. ALIBI IN HIGH HEELS is written in the first person and has both delightful banter and prose. Maddie Springer designs shoes and lives in a studio apartment in Santa Monica . An actress, wearing a pair of her shoes gets arrested catapulting Maddie‘s designing career to the next level. A Paris showing is just around the corner. Her over worked homicide detective boyfriend Ramirez is disappointed in her going to Paris , but she reminds him of all the time he misses due to crime so he reluctantly gives in.
Maddie’s life is going great. It couldn’t get better until she’s shopping with her friend Dana when out of nowhere a sports car loses control and pins her to the sidewalk. The paramedics insist on cutting her Gucci boots. Can you imagine? The car is driven by her mother’s psychic friend. What are the odds? Now she has a broken leg, a cast, and has been told no high heels for three months. And if that’s not bad enough her mother and her mother’s friend insist on going to Paris with her!
Paris starts off hectic with a model, Gisella losing a very expensive necklace and then losing her life. But that’s not the worse part. Gisella was stabbed in the jugular with a high heel shoe. Maggie’s shoe. And if that’s not bad enough this crime bares a striking resemblance to a situation years prior where Maddie had to use a high heel to save her own life. Yes, she stabbed the crazed wannabe killer in the neck with her high heel.
Felix, a tabloid report and a Lord happens to be in Paris for Fashion week with his aunt, rescues Maddie from police questioning. And this just begins this saga of Maddie’s exploits.
Maddie’s friend Dana is an actress and Gemma has peppered the story with some ‘inside jokes” about the entertainment industry. But you don’t have to be an insider to get them.
Gemma has a natural flow to her writing, a vibrant, witty voice that makes you want to keep reading. Not only does she paint pictures with her words such that you feel like you are there, but she also creates scenes that draw you into them. I felt Maddie’s exhaustion when she hit the bed, for example. I wasn’t just a reader, I was truly along for the ride. Gemma Halliday has created a delightful reluctant sleuth! I will now seek out the previous HIGH HEEL Maddie Springer books and add Ms. Halliday to my favorite author pile.
If you’re in the mood for a fun, fast, easy read cozy, you can’t go wrong with ALIBI IN HIGH HEELS!
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 5! Excellent!
Beyond Eden
S.L. Linnea
St. Martin ’s Paper, October 2, 2007, $6.99, 384 pages
ISBN: 978-0312942151
BEYOND EDEN is the sequel to CHASING EDEN. Having not read CHASING EDEN, I as concerned about “catching up”, however, BEYOND EDEN is a strand alone book. There are references to it’s predecessor, but in a way that does not detract from this story but rather gives us a little of the history of Eden .
In BEYOND EDEN, several children have been kidnapped. At the same time someone who had gone missing year’s earlier, a chaplain in the service is found. She had been presumed dead and her return is a surprise to most but not to all. Not to one of the other residents of Eden . Chaplain Jamie Richards had spent the last two years in Eden . Now she returns to the Army but she is also on call for another type of army, that of Eden . And after getting a clear bill of health from the doctors, she is allowed a furlough, where she is called to action to find the missing children. One is a fifteen year old, he is the child of a good friend of Jaime, another is a toddler. Another is a young man that was just about to make the pitch of a life time , another is the daughter of missionaries, and the final kidnap victim is a young boy that went sledding with his friends and never came home.
Jamie meets with her Operative, Yani, someone she cared deeply for in Eden . Together they search for the children. Their search leads through Europe , some virtual reality, and a search to live forever. But are they working together are or are their missions different? Will they rescue the children?
BEYOND EDEN is an interesting journey of a secret society. I liked the book. I found the writing drawing me into the multiple worlds. Ms. Linnea has written not just of Eden and the outside world but also the scientific experimental community, the rich lady, the fraud, and more. There is an interweaving that makes one want to read more. I became invested in Did, the fifteen year old, Jaime, and others. To write such that the reader connects with the characters and feels like she is right there with them, feeling woozy or chewing gum, means you have done a superb job!
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 5.
Creation in Death
Nora Roberts writing as J.D. Robb
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2007, $29.95, 337 pages
ISBN: 978-0-399-15436-2
Lieutenant Eve Dallas and her husband Roarke are enjoying a movie when Eve’s phone rings. There has been a murder. One that is exactly the same as a series of murders from her rookie days. That killer was known as the Groom. He would carve into the girl’s body how long they lasted while he tortured them to death. He was not caught and is back. This present victim is one of Roarke’s employees. Is it just random that the Groom has taken Eve’s husband’s employee? Is someone out to hurt Roarke? Or Eve?
Then victim two is discovered missing. Another Roarke employee. Eve enlists her old partner to assist on the case. As the evidence techs do their job, they discover that the body has been cleaned in products from Roarke’s store adding more dimensions to the Roarke connection. Then another employee goes missing and number two is found dead. The sheets used to wrap them is found to belong to a Roarke store as well.
But why the nine years between the killings? Or was there a time span between killings? Could he have been killing somewhere else? What is his connection to Roarke?
Nora Roberts who writes the Eve Dallas series as J.D. Robb takes us on a journey into future crime fighting. The year is 2060. The toys are fun. The ideas Nora/J.D. bring to crime fighting are worth hoping for. Nora/J.D. takes us on quite a ride as Eve and her posse hunt down a killer before he wipes out all of Roarke’s young brunette employees much less Roarke’s most prized love, Eve. Nora/J.D. is a master story teller and CREATION IN DEATH is a not a disappointment!
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give is a 4.8.
Some Like it Hot-Buttered
Jeffrey Cohen
Berkley Prime Crime, October, 2007, $6.99, 299 pages
ISBN: 978-0-425-21799-3
Elliot Freed receives a hefty alimony check from his ex wife, the doctor. But he wants more than to be known as that sort of man so he buys a beautiful old theater in need of repair and turns it into a Comedy theater. He offers double features; an old comedy with a newer one. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN has brought in his regulars and a few more, but one isn’t laughing. In fact he isn’t doing anything. He is dead, died after eating the theater popcorn.
Who would kill Vincent Ansella? For that matter, who is Vincent Ansella? And if that’s not bad enough, when the police search the theater, the basement reveals thousands of pirated videos. Then his reel man, Anthony, an aspiring film maker goes missing and is the police’s prime suspect.
Leslie Levant, a police officer enters the fray, investigating the case and teasing Elliot. Yet, there is still something going on with Elliot and his ex. Elliot is determined to find out who killed Ansella, and clear his employee Anthony.
Jeffrey Cohen writes a clever repartee. His wit is delightful and fun to read. His film knowledge is vast an enjoyable. There is plenty of banter in this book that makes for a fun departure from the typical mystery although the who is this victim, who dunnit, and why is there. SOME LIKE IT HOT BUTTERED is a clever, fun cozy mystery. Want to escape into a both film and writing at the same time, this is your ticket!
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give is a 4.5.
Havana Noir
Edited by Achy Obejas
Akashic Books, October 2007,
$15.95, pp. 355
ISBN-13: 978-1-933354-38-5
Havana has worn many faces. Before the revolution, the city was an exotic paradise, a place where the colorful sights and sounds energized the body and soul of weary travelers.
After the revolution, a new Cuba emerged, one filled with hope fueled by the fervor of communism and its followers. At the same time, a great number of Cubans saw their world and all they had known, crumbling under the heavy foot of Castro and his rebel army.
Then there is the time habaneros refer to as the “Special Period,” Havana’s face ravaged by deprivation and neglect as the Wall fell–the aid and support of the Soviet Union was no more.
All of the city’s faces are represented in Havana Noir, part of the Noir anthology series from Akashic Books. Including stories from newcomers and established talents, Ms. Obejas has pulled together an incredibly rich-palette of fiction. The authors who contributed stories for this anthology are: Leonardo Padura, Pablo Medina, Alex Abella, Arturo Arango, Lea Aschkenas, Moises Asis, Arnaldo Correa, Mabel Cuesta, Paquito D'Rivera, Yohamna Depestre, Michel Encinosa Fu, Mylene Fernandez Pintado, Carolina Garcia-Aguilera, Miguel Mejides, Achy Obejas, Oscar Ortiz, Ena Lucia Portela, Mariela Varona Roque, and Yoss.
Most of the stories mention the ingenious albeit criminal ways most Cubans have had to live since the "Special Period." Life is impossibly hard for the characters. The overall tone of the book is dark and bleak, yet almost ironic. Good material if you plan to write noir.
Space does not permit me to include every story I enjoyed, but I do want to highlight a couple of exceptional tales. Ena Lucía Portela’s story The Last Passenger is about a woman with an unhealthy fascination for a serial killer. The characters emerge fully realized, even though we only meet the narrator.
Obejas's Zenzizenic treats readers to a unique insiders view of the small Jewish community in Cuba. The story has a delightfully sharp comedic edge I found refreshing.
Accolades also to Achy Obejas for her wonderful translation of several stories in the collection. Her dedication allowed this reviewer to discover several talented authors I might never have known about or read.
Although most of these stories do not resemble traditional noir, make no mistake––Havana Noir is hard-boiled fiction at its best.
The Mortal Groove
Ellen Hart
St. Martin’s Minotaur, December 2007, $25.95, pp. 384
ISBN-10: 0-312-34945-9
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-34945-5
The fifteenth book in Ms. Hart’s Jane Lawless mysteries, THE MORTAL GROOVE, showcases Ms. Hart’s versatile talents. When Jane’s father decides to run for the office of Minnesota’s governor, she knows her own sexual preferences as a lesbian will be called into question by snooping reporters looking for an angle–or paydirt. Her first brush with a freelancer named Tia reinforces her worries about the political landmines her family will face because of her father’s bid for the governor’s seat.
What she didn’t anticipate was that an old acquaintance, Melanie Gunderson, would be the leading snoop. Or that her father’s campaign manager and his buddies from Vietnam would be her center of interest. When Melanie is attacked rather brutally, Jane and friend Cordelia take up where she left off, going to Iowa to uncover the truth about an old, unsolved murder.
Having never read Ms. Hart’s work before, I was immediately pulled into the story. While her main characters are well-defined, I thought she relied too closely on stereotypes for some of her surrounding characters. I enjoyed the sub-plots, especially the one of Peter, (Jane’s brother), as he begins to search inward for his true place in the world. The other subplot–Cordelia’s heart-rending ache at the loss of her niece to her problematic sister–tugged at me.
Ms. Hart’s villain is a chilling portrayal of malice. Though the author tosses out red herrings and clues, the solution to the mystery won’t be a surprise to most buffs of the genre. Even so THE MORTAL GROOVE made for an interesting bedtime story.
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