FMAM MOSTLY MYSTERY REVIEWS
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June 2010
Devils Island
Carl Brookins
Echelon Press Publishing, December 2009, 260 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59080-643-2
Mary Whitney has escaped a violent marriage and is now married to a loving man. Both of these men are wealthy. One wants to protect her and one wants to destroy her. But Mary is no wall flower and refuses to allow her ex-husband to rule her life, so when Michael, her current husband is delayed on business she flies to Wisconsin to begin the sailing trip they had planned. This is not a big deal as Mary is quite the experienced sailor.
A historian suggests that Mary visits Devil’s Island where she will find it rich in her family’s history. When Mary gets supplies for her journey she meets a young woman, not so adept at sailing but a willing learner and invites her to join her in her quest. What they do not know is that Mary’s ex is watching and waiting for the right moment to enact revenge.
What follows is a stormy ride of revenge and survival as Mary tries to keep her head above water. At times the book is bit incredulous and one does wonder why knowing one’s ex is crazy -- one would sail off into the sunset? But that being said, the story is a fast paced, exciting race to survive – not only the cold of the Lake, the hazards of the water, but of a mad man. Mr. Brookins has crafted an exciting story.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.0!
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
Justice in June
Barbara Levenson
Oceanview Publishing, 2010, $24.95, 301 pages
ISBN: 978-1933515717
Mary Magruder Katz has opened her own one person law practice having left a prestigious law firm where she was engaged to one of the partners. But what a difference a day makes. No more engagement, no more large law firm but now hot Latin lover and small but discreet law practice. And be careful what you wish for – a Judge contacts Mary needing her assistance on a case – her own. The Judge is being investigated for possible improprieties which not only could end her career but wind her in jail. Mary’s boyfriend’s family has sent their son to America to purchase a fashion business for them only he is arrested when the plane lands and is accused of terrorism. And her boyfriend’s condos are slightly behind in construction and he is being sued.
Although Mary meets with Luis as a favor to Carlos and his family, at first she has no intention of taking his case. But as the death threats and even an attempt on her life continue Mary has a change of heart. And nothing is as it seems.
The Judge is being accused of some serious judicial misconduct. She has been accused of being soft on some drug dealers something she is shocked by as she has a reputation as quite the opposite. And to make matters worse for the Judge, she is also accused of giving special treatment to the lawyer she recently started seeing.
Mary has her cut out for her. Is Luis a terrorist? Why won’t the feds let her see him? What is going on there? Could the Judge be corrupt? Could her new love be using her? Has someone set up the Judge? And why did Carlos sell his ex wife a condo in his new development for such a deal? And why has she joined in with this group suing him?
Barbara Levenson has crafted a fun, easy to read thriller. It has the ups and downs in all the right places causing me to want more. JUSTICE IN JUNE is a charming, legal thriller that I could not put down.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.9.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
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