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 will be posted on FMAM the 1st day of each month. Reviews will be kept on the FMAM website for 12 months.

New reviews this month from:

Dr. Cynthia Clark . Harriet Klausner . Christine I. Speakman

January 2007

BABY SHARK'S BEAUMONT BLUES
Robert Fate
Capitol Crime Press
May, 2007 $14.95
269 pages
ISBN: 10:0-9776276-2-4

BABY SHARK'S BEAUMONT BLUES is the second in the Baby Shark series. Kristen Van Dijk, Baby Shark is now a new PI. After her father's death, Henry Chin had nursed her back to health and taught her how to defend herself bringing in "experts" to assist. One was ex-cop Otis Millett who is her partner.

Kristen seems to either bring out the bullets or go where the bullets are, either way, when she searches for missing an heiress, the bullets fly and the bodies fall. She and Otis run afoul of gangsters, cops, and an EVENING IN PARIS wearing waitress.

I enjoyed the first in the series, but I find that BABY SHARK like all good things in age is getting better. And although she is only 21 years old, she has lived more than most of us!

BABY SHARK BEAUMONT BLUES is fast paced, exciting, and I did not want to put this book down.

Mr. Fate has outdone himself. Kristen continues to be exciting, intelligent, and has the gumption to play with the big boys and win! Otis, as crusty as he is, is just plain fun to read.

Mr. Fate paints an exhilarating story with his words. A wonderful read!

On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 5!

Cynthia Lea Clark

BAIT
Steven C. Levi
Electronic book, September 2006, $6.00
Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) ISBN 1-933400-19-6
www.chippewapublishing.com

Hide and seek in Alaska, what could be more dangerous and deadly.

Flyer and ex-State Trooper Aurora Shelters is trying to make her tourist flight business a success. So, there's nothing unusual with her fitting a few flights in before a storm hits. However, she didn't expect her passengers to be thugs from New Jersey led by Solomon J. Shungnak, the last man she arrested.

This short 78-page eBook is packed with breath-taking descriptions of Alaska and exciting action that puts you in the middle of the story.

Hang on, not only are you in for a bumpy ride, but one heck of a thrill.

Christine I. Speakman

Other available formats: Palm Doc (PDB), Rocket/REB1100 (RB), Pocket PC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB), hiebook (KML), iSilo (PDB), Mobipocket (PRC), OEBFF Format (IMP), Microsoft Reader (LIT), (HTML).

BLOOD MONEY, RIO STAR and REEF RUNNER
Pepper Smith
Patty O'Donnell Suspense series
Copyright 2005, 2006
EBook formats ISBN: 978-1-59374-319-2, 978-1-59374-417-5, 978-1-59374-419-9
Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1-59374-318-5, 978-1-59374-416-8, 978-1-59374-418-2
www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Welcome to author Pepper Smith and her heroine Patty O'Donnell. Hang on; you're in for a world-win ride.

I've chosen to review all three Patty O'Donnell stories together because they make a thrilling epic. I could not stop between RIO STAR and REEF RUNNER. Separate, they are exceptional stand-alone adventures.

Pepper Smith's Patty O'Donnell Suspense series is high quality writing and emotionally charged. I'm guilty of breaking my long-standing rule - never read the last page no matter what. In REEF RUNNER Pepper broke my heart and I had to make sure everything worked out in the end. I won't tell you what I found.

In BLOOD MONEY we are introduced to horse trainer Patty. She's been married and living in Ireland these last 4 years. Her husband Micheal is a jockey while father-in-law Seamas is the boss. Both men are a bit old world...a tad chauvinistic. However, they are somehow charming and likeable. It doesn't hurt that Seamas feels strongly for Patty's mystery writer Aunt Liz.

In Patty's first adventure they are hoping sunken treasure will free Aunt Liz's friend from an abusive husband. Meanwhile someone's hunting Patty. For her own safety Micheal sends Patty to help her sister and brother-in-law with the treasure hunt...okay, to be babysat by her brother-in-law. Getting kidnapped, nearly killed and kidnapped again wasn't part of the package.

With RIO STAR we are introduced to family rogue Cousin Collin. He's been known to tamper with horse races, a definite sin in this family. Now he wants Patty's help in a similar scam...in Argentina. Knowing she won't go willingly, he drugs her and inadvertently hands her over to our surprisingly likeable villain from BLOOD MONEY. However, what neither know is that Patty is pregnant. While this is a useful tool for our villain...do as you're told or risk losing your baby. For Collin it only adds another block to his infatuation with Patty. Aunt Liz uses family as background for her characters and while that is fiction, Collin believes he and Patty belong together just like their fictional characters.

What starts as a scam, and is a scam, is really a story of two wrongs making a right. But does the end justify the means? You will have to judge for yourself, just as Patty must deal with her own moral code.

REEF RUNNER finds Patty the proud mother of one-year old Brianne. It also finds her back under the brutal control of Collin and our mystery villain (Hey, who am I to spoil BLOOD MONEY's surprise). Due to Patty's quick mind and adaptable abilities she will be a great asset to this criminal family. Once she gets used to the idea of never seeing her child, husband, or family again. If she escapes - they're dead. If she tries to kill herself - Brianne is his.

However, none of them expected to be caught by Villain's teacher. A far more treacherous Mr. Wallis. Patty might have thought Villain was scary, Wallis will kill her sooner than look at her. After all, threats may be useful in keeping her in line, but death will keep her there.

Yes, this book is where I had to skip ahead. No, I'm not telling you what I found. Is it worth reading? Yes, just be prepared to lose yourself for a couple hours.

Yes, Pepper, you sure have put Patty through the ringer...a few of them. Normally, that can be a story's weakness; however, there's nothing weak about your stories.

While I might not have as much patience for Patty's husband as she does, you write them both truthfully. Cousin Collin is someone I wish I could stay hating, but there's something honest about him...even when he's deluding himself. Your Master Villain, well he's just plain mean, intelligent, scary, and why do I hope to read more about him?

What's next? There better be a next.

Christine I. Speakman

CARIBBEAN CALLING
J.D. Gordon
Red Engine Press
October 2006, $15.95, 256 pages
ISBN: 097456288

Firefighter/paramedic Eddie Gilbert takes a leave of absence from the Chicago Fire Department to explore other options. He goes to work for the very wealthy and connected Mr. Klein in Southern Florida . His duties start out simple, deliveries and drop offs.

Elaine Keller has just received her MD and instead of practicing and making money she decides to donate her new expertise to the Caribbean where doctors are desperately needed. She goes to work at a small aid station where she is the only doctor but there is a small collection of dedicated workers.

Mr. Crane has come to the Caribbean with two associates to cheat the Caretaker of the Plantation in an arms deal. Of course the deal goes bad and Mr. Crane and one of his associates are killed leaving the other, Marty to find his way to the aid station and Dr. Keller. The aid station treats and hides Marty but the Caretaker's people wreck the station and take Marty and Dr. Keller prisoner.

Eddie is asked to go to the Caribbean to find out why Dr. Keller is not responding to her satellite phone. Eddie is eager to beat the mundane drop off deliveries. But all is not as simple as it seems.

And what does a threat from the past - a fight on an asphalt playground in fourth grade have to do with the recovery of Dr. Keller?

J.D. Gordon, a firefighter paramedic wraps emergency medicine with action adventure. I could not help but picture the author as his own hero jaunting from Chicago to Florida and through the Caribbean . He uses his medical expertise to pepper just enough jargon to not bore the non medical person yet keep the action alive and stimulating. A fun, although slightly predictable read. CARIBBEAN CALLING can be read in a single sitting and is worth the read.

On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.7.

Cynthia Lea Clark

DEFENDING VIOLET
Jennifer Louise Jefferson
Five Star
November 2006, $25.95, 281 pages
ISBN: 1594145369

Ginger Rae Reddy leaves behind criminal law to concentrate on family law. A client is in need of her, but not for child custody rather for neglect. Ginger tries to talk her into another lawyer but 19 year old Violet begs her to be her defense lawyer. Against her better judgment, Ginger takes the case sure that the culprit is the very violent father of the baby, prison guard Teddy. But before long, the baby, Teddy dies of shaken baby syndrome and neglect turns to a murder charge.

Violet's refusal to incriminate AJ, leaves Ginger to use every skill, every wit, everything including neglecting her own family. Eventually, Ginger must deal with her own demons that come shouting through.

Ms. Jefferson is a real attorney who works on child abuse and domestic violence cases and that comes through loud and clear in her work. And her stance although noble, borders preachy. That being said, her writing is enjoyable, and a fast read.

On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.6.

Cynthia Lea Clark

EMBRACE THE STARS
Anna Parrish
Electronic book, September 2006, $5.99
Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) ISBN 1-933400-09-9
www.chippewapublishing.com

Space-age espionage, romance in the stars, or the galaxy-wide perils of Ida?

I'm not sure. "Embrace the Stars" wants to cover them all. It does, but it's a little jumbled and confusing.

Simple quiet Ida has fallen in love with Professor Wyatt. When the Professor insists on walking her home, life changes. He says he won't hurt her. He's a Signet agent. He's a danger to Satyr. He says the evil Satyr is using her. Satyr brainwashed her, programmed her for his own plans. This is why Ida's been moved planet to planet, personality-to-personality. Wyatt loves her.

Key elements are missing. Wyatt is stiff. Too many planet and personality changes, not enough filler information to pull them together. Not enough espionage. Needed more background information - why move Ida, what did Wyatt learn that made him so dangerous.

However, strong emotions are invoked. The extreme lonesomeness of Ida is painful, near gut wrenching. The writing of Ida does not fail to draw you in. You want her to find peace. You want to smack Wyatt, at least I did.

"Embrace the Stars" starts out as the simple quiet love story of shy Ida and professor/spy Wyatt. What follows is a long drawn-out game of hide Ida. Poor Ida, she really doesn't know if she's coming or going.

Christine I. Speakman

A FATAL APPRAISAL
J.B. Stanley
Berkley Prime Crime
October 3, 2006, $6.99, 224 pages
ISBN: 0425212645

Molly Appleby is a writer for COLLECTOR'S WEEKLY assigned to cover the hit TV series HIDDEN TREASURES. She joins them as they stop in Richmond , Virginia . Molly arrives early in the hopes of getting to know the hosts and appraisers. In this week's planned episode is a tribute to Civil War memorabilia.

The hosts are Frank Sterling, a crusty, highly allergic bur extremely knowledgeable appraiser in antique furniture and Victoria Sterling, a long legged, expensively dressed (but not tastefully) appraiser.

An 18th Century desk with multiple hidden compartments is on display. When Frank shows it to Molly during their interview, both of their hands are left with a black powder. Frank is furious and yells for the clean up crew to do their job.

Later all the appraisers and Molly have dinner as Frank discuses the townhouse full of furniture he has inherited. He invites them all back to check out the contents before he puts them up for auction. Bold mold assaults them and Frank must leave before the tour gets started. The next day Frank is found dead in his car.

Garrett, a visiting coin expert for the show is staying at the same Bed-n-Breakfast as Molly. His British accent wows the ladies but Molly's heart is with another, Mark, who also works for COLLECTOR'S WEEKLY.

The report of Franks' death being homicide is barely dry when another appraiser is found dead at the Robert E. Lee statue.

So, who is killing the appraisers and why? And what about the desk?

Molly is not your typical young beautiful heroine. No, she is a real woman. She is like us, real, down to earth, insecure.

J.B. Stanley has created a charming and informative series into the world of antiques. We are not only entertained by her writing but we learn something as well. J.B. writes in a fun, easy style. Curl up with her any night for a fast paced, enjoyable read.

On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.9!

Cynthia Lea Clark

EMERALD ENIGMA
A Bret Lamplighter Thriller
CJ Westwick
Krell Publishing, $26.95, 360 pages
ISBN: 0977600904

Millions of dollars of emeralds are missing and suspected to be in the Caribbean. Bret Lamplighter is hired to go to St. Martin to retrieve them. He hesitates at first, bad memories - a slaughter at Oyster Pond, but then decides it might just be what he needs to erase that ghost. So, off he goes, but nothing is as it seems and before long he is battling a corrupt government, running into various terrorist at nearly every corner, and then there are the crime lords.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this book filled with action, twist and turns, and a little bit of everything. A fun, fast paced thriller that will get you going on a wild roller coast ride of will he or won't he...I felt like Bret was James Bondish. Excellent! Loved it!

On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 5!

Cynthia Lea Clark

THE HAYLOFT
Alan Cook
AuthorHouse, $14.49, 268 pages
ISBN: 1425942210

Gary Blanchard is kicked out of high school shortly after beginning senior year and transfer to a new school, the one where his cousin, Ralph died six months earlier. Supposedly, Ralph's death was an accident, but once Gary attends the school he begins to question whether Ralph fell from the auditorium balcony or if he was pushed. Gary finds more questions than answers. What about a diamond necklace? What about the principal? The principal seems to like boys a little bit too much in Gary 's eyes. And some of the students seem to be holding back things.

Gary is likable and ingratiates himself with several of the girls that his cousin knew. Ed, another cousin, one from England comes to visit and stirs things up even more.

But before Gary gets any answers, true to the fifties, one of the student's father is questioned about his ties to communism. And the school is thrown into a tizzy, and even worse, Gary may be kicked out of another school. He seeks refuse in the hayloft on his aunt and uncle's farm which also holds the key to everything.....

An interesting jaunt into a time in our past where we were not good to some of us (accusing and seeking names in the name of communism), but a time we need to remember and not repeat. This reminder takes a mystery and weaves it with a serious time in history to educate and entertain us. Wonderfully done. Fun yet serious, not an easy task! I loved it. Alan Cook not only recreated the feeling of the fifties with his words but also the tone of the time. Excellent!

On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 5.

Cynthia Lea Clark

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