MURDER-GO-ROUND: REVIEWS BY HARRIET KLAUSNER
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Harriet Klausner, was chosen the number
one reader in the entire USA by BOOK Magazine. What does that mean
to you? She reads constantly and knows what's out there and wants
to let you know, too. Read on for tips to great books from the wonder
reader Harriet Klausner. |
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April 2005
A
CONFIDENTIAL SOURCE
Jan Brogan
Mysterious, Apr 2005, $24.95, 326 pp.
ISBN: 0892960078
She had an affair having an affair with an alleged murderer that she was
profiling for the Boston Ledger. When she learns he was using her, reporter
Hallie Ahern quits and relocates to Rhode Island where she takes a journalist
position at a satellite bureau of the providence Morning-Chronicle. She
fears working on any major story until the night she is in the back of
the near deserted Mazurksy's market when someone shoots Barry the manager.
Hallie writes the article and Leonard of Late Night radio offers her vital
information for her story. Leonard tells Hallie that Barry had a gambling
addiction that forced him to sell his stores, but though broke still played;
he believes the mob sanctioned a hit. However Hallie notices how rabidly
anti-gambling Leonard is as he challenges the mayor every chance he gets
on the issue as His Honor wants to legalize the "vice" in Rhode
Island. He offers her more information on political corruption at the
highest state levels, but someone who has killed twice to keep the story
out of the media will add Hallie to the list of the dead if she fails
to drop her investigation.
Fans who read A CONFIDENTIAL SOURCE will understand why many people oppose
legalized gambling; Jan Brogan shows how the lure can cause a person to
lose everything yet the addiction keeps them playing. Hallie learns this
first hand when she begins playing at a casino and quickly is unable to
pay her bills. Though one sided on the issue by ignoring the multi billion
dollar illegal gambling industry, this novel is a well thought out thriller
that is full of misdirection especially a believable unexpected u-turn
that will surprise an elated audience.
Harriet Klausner
A
KILLING NIGHT
Jonathan King
Dutton, April 2005, $23.95, 304 pp.
ISBN 0525948651
Max Freeman was a Philadelphia cop until he gets injured so badly he received
a disability pension. One of the people he shot was an unarmed youth and
he was unable to cope with what he had done even though it was called
a righteous shooting. He leaves the Northeast and head to Southern Florida
where he works as a private investigator for attorney Billy Winchester.
Max's ex-lover Detective Sherry Richard asks him to check out former Philadelphia
police officer Dan O'Shea who is also in South Florida. Three women bartenders
have disappeared without any reason and O'Shea detests two of them and
knew the third. He travels to his old hometown to talk with O'Shea's ex-wife,
who tells him that Dan never hit her. Max also talks with his ex-wife
in charge of Internal Affairs who believes O'Shea was involved in the
disappearance of a young women though charges were never filed. When he
returns home he relies on his own instincts because he believes his ex-lover
is not thinking objectively and while she has her sights set on the wrong
man, the real killer gets away with murder.
Every once in a while a fictional private detective comes along that is
unforgettable like Perry Mason or Spenser. Max is in their league because
he goes the extra mile to see that justice occurs for the victims of violent
crimes. Max gets involved so that the wrong man is not convicted of a
crime because a police detective believes he's guilty and goes out of
her way to harass him. Jonathan King has written a gritty urban "noir
thriller" that is hard hitting and exciting.
Harriet Klausner
A
REAL MCCOY
Tori Carrington
Signature Select, Apr 2005
ISBN 0373836473
In the DC area, junior criminal defense attorney Kat Buckingham finds
her fiancé James Smith dead on the kitchen floor. Detective Leary
immediately arrests Kat for murder. US Marshal Harry Kincaid has been
undercover watching James who is actually the sleaze Darin Ichatious,
protected under the Witness Protection Program. He keeps quiet though
he realizes his stakeout substantiates no one else entered or left as
he would have seen them.
Sean McCoy visits Kat in jail and confesses that he is her biological
father. He also tells his second wife and his five married law enforcement
sons that their biological pregnant mother gave birth as she died; he
gave the infant away in his grief.
Harry whisks Kat from the cell to allegedly protect her from James' killer.
Harry, her overly protective five older brothers, and her dad refuse to
allow her to be killer bait; then again they want her to play touch football
at family gatherings, but Kat prefers tackle. She is ready to prove that
she is A REAL MCCOY.
Fans of the Magnificent McCoy Men miniseries (see FOR HER EYES ONLY, LICENSE
TO THRILL, YOU ONLY LOVE ONCE, NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN and THE PI WHO LOVED
HER) will appreciate this addition that brings back the brood. Though
the audience might believe a female could never be A REAL MCCOY (don't
tell the wives that), readers will accept Kat as the sixth sibling. The
who-done-it is cleverly handled so that all that testosterone cannot protect
the newcomer yet giving the audience a chance to see friends while the
romance between the lead couple adds to the feel that Kat is a legitimate
McCoy.
Harriet Klausner
BAKED
TO DEATH
Dean James
Kensington, April 2005, $22.00, 286 pp.
ISBN 0758204876
Taking the pill daily gives vampire Simon Kirby-Jones all the nourishment
he needs so he doesn't drink human blood, is able to walks in the sunshine
and has heightened senses. The only changes are that he is immortal and
is stronger and faster than humans. After he broke up with Professor Tris
Lovelace, the vampire that turned him, he moved to Laurel Cottage in the
English village of Snupperton Mumsley.
He is attracted to his assistant Giles but fears disclosing his feelings
in case his cherished one turns away in revulsion when Simon tells him
he is a vampire. Tris arrives declaring that he wants Simon wants back.
When a medieval fair comes to the village, Simon, Tris, and Giles are
present in the tent of Luke de Montfort when the host suddenly dies. Tris
believes he was poisoned; Simon throws himself into the investigation
to stop thinking about Tris who might have caused Luke's death because
he refuses to succumb to blackmail and change Luke into a vampire. There
are other suspects who hated Luke; Simon hopes that one of them and not
Tris will turn out to be the killer.
Dean James has written an upbeat amateur sleuth mystery with a vampire
as the hero. Simon has many wonderful qualities and his fear that Giles
will turn away from him in horror once he learns the truth about him endears
him to the audience. BAKED TO DEATH shows readers what it is like behind
the scenes at a medieval fair and how it mimics the real world. Readers
will find this charming entertaining and delightful mystery a book to
put on the keeper shelf.
Harriet Klausner
BUBBLES
BETROTHED
Sarah Strohmeyer
Dutton, April 2005, $19.95, 304 pp.
ISBN 0525948643
After a decade of working in hair salons and solving homicides, Bubbles
has a new career as a reporter at the News-Times. She is covering the
trial of Crazy Popeye, a homeless person whose real name is Julia Simon.
She is accused of killing revered Lehigh Principal Rudolph Schmidt in
his podiatrist's office. Because of a run in with security Bubbles shares
a cell with Julia, who tells the reporter that the podiatrist always let
her use her bathroom and even let her sleep in the waiting room.
She insists she didn't kill Schmidt; she heard a man and a woman running;
and was trying to save the Principal when the police busted her. In the
middle of the conversation Julia drops to the floor and dies. The police
demand Bubbles' notes but she refuses to turn them over. She not only
has the police on her case, but also a Polish Mafioso who want them as
well. While she pretends to be engaged to reporter Steve Stiletto and
deals with her eccentric family, Bubbles finds herself in the middle of
hostage situation hosted by a diabolical killer who plans the deaths of
three innocent people unless Bubbles can figure out a way out of her predicament.
Readers who like a funny upbeat mystery on the orders of Janet Evanovich's
Stephanie Plan novels will definitely love BUBBLES BETROTHED. The heroine
may not have a first class education or an upscale wardrobe, but she has
plenty of heart and that is why readers care about her. The scenes between
Bubbles and her "fiancé" are hilarious and the mystery
is well constructed with plenty of surprising twists and turns. Sarah
Strohmeyer scores again with another amusing who-done-it.
Harriet Klausner
BURNED
Carol Higgins Clark
Scribner, March 2005, $23.00, 288 pp.
ISBN 0743242750
Private investigation Regan Reilly is ready to leave California and spend
the weekend in New York with her fiancé Jack. She's also supposed
to go over wedding plans with her mother, a bestselling author. A terrible
blizzard closes down the airports in the East so when Megan's best friend
Kit calls her from Hawaii to invite her to stay with her for a long weekend
at the Waikiki Waters Playground and Resort she gladly accepts.
When she arrives she learns that an employee of the hotel washed ashore;
the police declared it an accidental drowning. What is strange about her
death is she was wearing a priceless lei that belonged to Hawaii's last
queen. The manager of the hotel Will Brown has doubts about the death
and hires Regan to investigate. The lei is the twin to the one that is
being auctioned off at the hotel on Saturday. The thief who originally
stole the lei returns and takes both leis. What follows is comedy of errors
as Regan and the police successfully find the leis. In the meantime, Regan
is also involved is saving the lives of two people who just got engaged
from two ruthless killers and investigating Kit's new boyfriend to make
sure he's on the up and up.
What starts out as a vacation for the heroine turns into a non stop workathon
where she tries to juggle three cases at the same time without getting
killed. Carol Higgins Clark has created a fantastic private investigator
that is a cross between Kinsey Milhone and Irene Kelly. There is so much
action that takes place readers will feel that they have taken a ride
on the world's fastest roller coaster.
Harriet Klausner
THE
CHAIRMAN
Stephen Frey
Random House, Apr 2005, $21.95, 320 pp.
ISBN: 0345457609
With the accidental death of founder Bill Donovan, Everest Capital selects
thirty-six year old Christian Gillette to replace him. Christian won the
CEO seat by a razor thin margin over Bill's heir apparent Troy Martin.
After a funeral ceremony at a church, Christian's driver opens the door
of the limousine to let him in when the vehicle explodes killing the chauffeur
and a passerby woman.
Christian wonders who amongst his rivals, (Troy, Ben Cohen, and Nigel
Faraday) would want him hostilely removed. He rules out the family oriented
Ben who is to into the weeds. He eliminates Troy because he believes the
culprit murdered Bill and Troy knew that it was a matter of time before
his mentor would retire. However as he takes charge of the firm now trusting
no one, he realizes the assailant is trying to destroy Everest Capital;
even with private investigator Tom McGuire and his firm on the case, it
appears the offender will succeed in obliterating the company and perhaps
killing the new CEO.
More a cat and mouse suspense tale than a finance thriller, THE CHAIRMAN
is an exciting boardroom novel. The ruthless cutthroat (in this case literally)
between inside rivals insure that the audience understands the golden
rule is do unto others before they do unto you. Thus, Christopher don's
call me Chris anymore is a cold person whose life motto is trust no one;
this mantra actually gets him in deeper trouble as he must rely on others
like McGuire if he to live let alone save the company. Stephen Frey continues
to be the chairman of the board when it comes to dirty deadly practices
on Wall St.
Harriet Klausner
COMPANY
MAN
Joseph Finder
St. Martin's, Apr 2005, $24.95, 528 pp.
ISBN: 0312319169
In Fenwick, Michigan, Fairfield Equity has taken over Stratton Corporation.
The new owners order Stratton CEO Nick Conover to lay off 5000 employees,
which makes the local resident the most detested person in the area; his
nickname the Slasher". On top of his pressure at work, Nick struggles
with the recent accidental death of his wife Laura and raising two children
alone.
However, someone is stalking Nick and his children, entering his home,
and recently upped the ante by brutally killing his family dog. His friend,
Stratton security chief, Eddie Rinaldi, installs a burglar alarm that
leads to Nick killing an intruder. Eddie convinces a reluctant Nick to
hide the corpse. Meanwhile Detective Audrey Rhimes investigates the homicide
and its links to Nick, who is already unglued with his neighbors' feelings,
his wife's death, his distraught children, and now a murder. Worse he
does not trust Fairfield to destroy him as culpable fodder for the masses.
This is a terrific thriller that focuses on the gimmicks and misdeeds
of the modern day corporation as much as it does on a police investigation.
The story line is action-packed, but insures the audience understands
how much Nick's world is collapsing. Although why Nick would hide the
body when he was in the right seems stretched for a sensible albeit beleaguered
guy, fans will want to find out what happens to this COMPANY MAN under
siege from family, friends, cops, and employers.
Harriet Klausner
CUT
AND RUN
Ridley Pearson
Hyperion, April 2005, $23.95, 416 pp.
ISBN 0786867264
U.S. Marshall Roland Larson has guarded Hope Stevens for forty-one days
waiting for her to be placed in the Witness Protection Program. She has
information of the Romero crime family that can put them away for life.
So far they have tried to kill her three times and although failed, they
will keep on trying so it is imperative that she gets a new identity quickly
so she can be alive to testify at their fraud and murder trials.
Before she disappears, Hope asks Larson to go into the program so they
can be together. The next day she is gone and nobody will tell Larson
where she has been relocated to or the name she is now using. Six years
later, Hope is out of the program and on her own with her five year old
daughter Penny. The Romero family has gone underground and wants to locate
her now because their brother Donny is due out of prison unless she comes
forth to testify. They kidnap Penny to use as a bargaining chip but Larson
has found Hope and he is determined to get Penny, no matter what the costs.
Action, adventure, and romance are blended together to become one of the
best books Ridley Pearson has ever written. The characters touch a chord
in the readers' hearts especially Hope who wants daughter safe at all
cost to herself. Larson wants Hope and Penny out of harm's way and with
him while Penny has to be brave beyond her years to survive the kidnapping.
The brilliant characterizations, the fast paced storyline and the romantic
sizzle between two protagonists make CUT AND RUN a book to put on the
keeper shelf.
Harriet Klausner
DEAD
RUN
P.J. Tracy
Putnam, April 2005, $23.95, 352 pp.
ISBN 0399152466
Deputy Sharon Mueller, on loan to the FBI, asks two Monkeewrench computer
software company partners Grace McBride and Annie Belinky to drive to
Green Bay from Minneapolis to help the police use their new software designed
especially for criminal apprehension. On their way Sharon convinces them
to make a quick stop at a place where she wants to show them something
unique.
They are in a deserted area when Grace immediately realizes something
is wrong in the town of Four Corners and the area surrounding it. There
are no people, animals or sounds of life except for men dressed in soldiers'
uniforms setting up a roadblock keeping everyone out. These soldiers know
Grace, Annie and Sharon are in the area and have orders to kill them on
sight but these women aren't easy to murder and lead the men on a merry
chase until they come up with a plan to get out of the area. The other
two members of Monkeewrench, Sharon's wannabe lover, and law enforcement
officials seek the trio so they can find out what these men are doing
and put a stop to it.
The soldier who are up against the Monkeewrench gang literally believe
the words in the Declaration of Independence "to provide new guards
for their security" since the government fails to do so. Tracy makes
readers wonder if these soldiers are misguided patriots or the terrorists
they want to annihilate. There is a very important political message embedded
in this fascinating thriller one the government should heed if it doesn't
want another revolution to explode on American soil. This refreshing novel
stars protagonists trying their best to stop a horrible catastrophe from
happening.
Harriet Klausner
DEATH
OF THE PARTY
Carolyn Hart
Morrow, Apr 2005, $23.95, 304 pp.
ISBN 0060004762
Britt Barlow lives on Golden Silk Island, a private place belonging to
billionaire Jeremiah Addison, taking care of her sister who is dying of
cancer. In the early morning hours, she hears a thump and sees Jeremiah
at the bottom of the stairs, dead after falling over a trip wire. Someone
on the island murdered him but with her sister dying she covers up the
crime making it look like an accident so her sibling wouldn't be disturbed
by the police or the media.
A year later, Jeremiah's will has gone through probate and through her
sister Britt inherits the island and a lot of money. She receives a letter
in which someone claims they saw her cover up the murder. Rather than
give in to blackmail, Britt invites everyone who was on the island a year
ago to return so the murder can finally be resolved. She hires Max Darling
of Confidential Commissions to help her. He and his wife Annie go to the
island not realizing that before the perpetrator is revealed one person
will leave taking the only transportation and communication with the mainland
with him, a guest will be murdered, and Annie will be held hostage.
Max Darling might like living a life of leisure but when he works, he
lets nobody get in his way, even his beloved wife Annie. Carolyn Hart
has written another exciting mystery with a cast of characters that are
memorable because they each had a motive to murder Jeremiah. Readers will
never guess who the real killer is and that is why Ms. Hart is such a
popular mystery writer. Fans will be pleased with the latest DEATH ON
DEMAND mystery.
Harriet Klausner
DEEP
BLUE
Kat Martin
Zebra, Apr 2005, $6.99
ISBN: 0821773828
In Manhattan, Midday News reporter Hope Sinclair finds her apartment trashed,
but nothing stolen and she is no longer covering the Buddy Newton Hartley
House story as the newspaper owner has assigned her temporarily to another
of his publications Adventurer Magazine to cover a treasure hunt story
in the Caribbean. Led by Operations Chief Connor Reese they seek the Spanish
gold and silver bearing ship the Nuestra Senora de Rosa which sunk along
with three other ships in 1605 due to a late hurricane.
Hope comes on board the Conquest upsetting Connor who was not expecting
a woman or a journalist. Conn fears publicity will make the quest more
dangerous with amateurs showing up. Hope frets over her attraction to
the belligerent Conn, who feels the same way as neither trust the other
gender. As they become acquainted with the courage and caring of the other,
Hope and Conn make love. As the search continues and the danger mounts
at Hartley House where Buddy is dead and at sea, Conn and Hope fall in
love, but neither is ready to compromise.
The third Sinclair sister romance (see DESERT HEAT and MIDNIGHT SUN) is
a strong suspense thriller starring a wonderful lead couple and fine support
cast especially the crew and the Professor. The story line takes the audience
under the sea with an interesting look at underwater salvage especially
the Caribbean locale. Surprisingly, the New York subplot enhances the
prime Caribbean story line; a tribute to Kat Martin's writing skills.
Hope's stubbornness makes her a terrific reporter although she drives
readers and Conn crazy with her fear of relationships. Still this is a
deep descriptive contemporary.
Harriet Klausner
EVIL
INENTIONS
Denise Osborne
Perseverance Press, Apr 2005, $13.95, 192 pp.
ISBN: 1880284774
Salome Waterhouse is a Feng Shui practitioner with some of her clients
being Georgetown's wealthiest and most powerful residents. June McGann
hires Salome's friend Germaine Brilliante to follow her sister April for
two weeks and report to her everything her sibling does. On the fourteenth
day, April enters Black Friar's Books followed by Germaine, but once inside
the latter realizes that her target is gone; the owner offers nothing.
A few days later, the police raid the bookstore breaking up a gambling
ring; however that does not interest June as she fears her sister is seeing
Duncan Mah again. He brings illegal aliens into the country for an exorbitant
fee and work off their entry price as indentured servants. An arsonist
targets Salome's house and she fears that Mah is behind the incident since
she forced him underground last year. Her ex-husband finds the murdered
body of a Chinese worker who has a link to Mah and therefore Salome as
well. Salome knows the danger that stalks her while she investigates Mah's
whereabouts.
Denise Osborne has written a fast-paced character driven amateur sleuth
mystery that will fascinate readers with its insightful look at Feng Shui.
Salome is offbeat and charming who in spite of the danger goes after an
evil man to bring him to justice. Her reconciliation with her former spouse
adds flavoring to a finely crafted mystery.
Harriet Klausner
FACE
DOWN BELOW THE BANQUETING HOUSE
Kelly Lynn Emerson
Perseverance Press, Apr 2005, $13.95, 246 pp.
ISBN: 1880284715
In Greenwich Castle in 1573, Lady Appleton's housekeeper Jennet Jeffries
watches in horror as her sister-in-law Sarah takes a jewel from the pocket
of her mistress Jeronyyme Hole. Sarah explains that Jeronyme steals things
from members of the court that Sarah tries to quietly return. This jewel
belongs to Elizabeth I and Sarah is stymied as to how stealthily to return
it.Sarah dumps the jewel on Jennet and she gives it to the queen with
an explantion. She ells her who she works for and shortly thereafter the
queen decides to makes a summer pilgrimage and plans to stay at Susanna's
manor as one of her stops.
Susanna is less than thrilled with the regal visit as she must get her
estate ready which entails plenty of hard work and incredible costs. She
also hates working with Brian Tymber, who insures that the Queen is comfortable
at any of her respites. Brian and his servant Miles threaten to reveal
information that locals want kept secret. However, instead of extortion
money, someone kills Miles though most people including Susanna's magistrate
lover Nick says it is an accident. When Nick's servant dies, he and Susanna
conclude murder and search for a killer.
Although it has been way too long between Lady Appleton novels, this is
one of the best of the long running enthralling Elizabethan mystery series.
The audience obtains a first hand seat into a meticulously researched
tale in which blackmail and murder occur, but who the killer is remains
just out of sight until the climax. Kelly Lynn Emerson's historical descriptions
surfaces throughout the tale, but especially when watching the manor prepare
for a royal visit (reminds me of when my beloved late mother-in-law would
be arriving to see her grandson). Amateur sleuth history fans will appreciate
this fine tale.
Harriet Klausner
FOR
CAMELOT'S HONOR
Sarah Zettel
Luna, Apr 2005, $13.99, 400 pp.
ISBN: 0373802188
Widow Adora is pulled in two directions as Arthur of Camelot and Urien
of Eufaen want her to align her cantrev Cantru Pont Cymryd with them.
Adora takes a daring approach weighing the honor being a vassal to both
men while her daughter Elen crosses the bridge to help one of the fae
l give birth. A healthy baby is born and Elen heads home, but finds Urien
is the Lord and her mother dead.
Morgaine le Fay cuts out Elen's heart and puts it inside a falcon so that
whoever controls the bird has the woman also under a gaes. Round Table
knight Sir Geraint falls in love with Elen while sensing her danger. He
tries to rescue her and grabs the falcon just before it takes them to
the land of fairy. Elen makes a deal with the Lord and Lady that she will
return to them the Spear of Monewydden once she completes her vengeance
on Urien. This means traveling to Morgaine's ally the Little King Gwiffert,
who has plans for the female falcon with only Sir Geraint to keep Elen
safe or die in the attempt.
The land where Gwiffert rules is loaded with magic and glamour making
it difficult for the two outsiders to locate him until they observe how
he treats his subjects. This is a microcosm of the bewitching tale that
focuses on one of King Arthur's knights and the woman he loves. Sara Zettel
has written an enchanting tale where magic is taken for granted in a similar
way to how we accept technology. The Arthurian crowd will love this adventure
and look forward to a sequel.
Harriet Klausner
FUNERAL
MUSIC
Morag Joss
Dell, Apr 2005, $6.99
ISBN: 044024241X
World class cellist Sara Selkirk remains stunned by the death of her lover,
which led to her inability to perform at a recent Paris concert. She has
come to Bath to play the Cello at a charity event although she still mourns
her loss. Following the event in the Pump Room, Sara finds the host organizer
Museum Director Matthew Sawyer floating in the Roman Baths' Sacred Spring,
stabbed to death.
Heading the investigation Detective Chief Investigator Andrew Poole has
a vested interest that should probably disqualify him as he gets cello
lessons from Sara and is attracted to her although he is unhappily married.
The inquiries go nowhere as everyone detested the victim. Initially reluctant
to talk with Sara about the suspects, Andrew realizes he needs her insight
to reduce the list because so many seem to have motive and opportunity.
She helps the DCI but rejects his romantic advances even when he swears
he left his wife because he loves her. Sara's efforts help her overcome
her grief, but also threaten her career as an angry female warns her that
if she fails to back off she will lose her hands.
This British police procedural tale hooks the audience due to the star
Sara, who struggles with the death of a loved one, understands that the
show must go on and rejects the romantic advances of the head investigator.
The who-done-it is cleverly designed for an Agatha Christie like finish,
but what makes the tale is the deep look at Bath and Sara especially her
refreshing refusal to become Andrew's lover. Several secondary players
seem add nothing to this well written allegro paced murder mystery that
has a crescendo ending.
Harriet Klausner
I
HUNGER FOR YOU
Susan Sizemore
Pocket, Apr 2005, $6.99, 336 pp.
ISBN: 0743467442
Los Angeles SWAT leader Colin Foxe gets ready to lead his team on an assault
to free hostages when he receives a mental message that one of the victims
is angry. He telepathically tells her to stay calm; she replies that she
is. As his team charges into the room, freelance writer Mia "Karate
Kid" Luchese has already overcome the criminals. Colin and Mia argue
over safety.
Six months later, Colin, a Prime of Clan Reynard vampire, thirsts for
Mia and even follows her at night. This evening he intercedes when the
rival Tribe vampire attacks her. Afterward, he admits he is a vampire
and she confesses that she comes from a long line of vampire hunters.
As they fall in love, they must overcome their respective heritages and
a deadly threat from the brazen Tribe vampire colony.
Susan Sizemore will make readers believe that colonies of vampires thrive
amongst us mortals with her delightful supernatural romance I HUNGER FOR
YOU. The relationship between Colin and Mia is wonderful to follow as
the alpha vampiric male struggles with his feelings for the independent
mortal female. There ancestry adds a Romeo and Juliet twist to the mix.
Vampire romance readers will hunger for more works like this one and the
previous thrillers like I THIRST FOR YOU and I BURN FOR YOU from Ms. Sizemore.
Harriet Klausner
IN
THE COMPANY OF LIARS
David Ellis
Putnam, April 2005, $24.95, 384 pp.
ISBN 0399152474
Famous novelist Allison Pagone is on trial for the murder of lobbyist
Sam Dillon, but she is not mounting any credible defense. Instead she
is more worried about her ex-husband who bribed three state senators to
pass a law that would allow the drug Divalpro to be put on the state's
prior approved Medicaid drug list. She made a deal with federal agent
Kat McCoy that she would allow the state to try her for murder if her
ex-husband and daughter gain immunity from prosecution.
Although Allison is protected as part of the deal, a terrorist from the
Liberation Front kills her because they believe she knows that a doctor
they are working with has developed a medicine that will kill millions.
The reason they believe this is because her lover lobbyist Sam Dillon
was going before the grand jury. They didn't know he had no idea about
a terrorist plot but was going to testify about the bribery involving
Allison's husband and daughter. Kat believes that if they capture the
head of the Liberation Front Allison wouldn't have died in vain.
This novel is told in reverse chronological order similar to the movie
Memento, a writing technique that is brilliantly successful in David Ellis's
capable hands. Even though readers know from the very first pages that
Allison is murdered that adds suspense and enjoyment to this exciting
thriller because although it looks like everyone's motive are clear-cut,
as the story progresses readers will see that things are not as they appear.
IN THE COMPANY OF LIARS demonstrates that some government operations are
ugly and morally wrong regardless of the ends.
Harriet Klausner
JIGSAW
Kathleen Nance
Leisure, Apr 2005, $6.99
ISBN: 0843954914
NSA Agent Daniel Chaplain completes a case only to see the name Isabella
Q appear on a sex chat line that is on the open web page of a computer
of the enemy along with an electronic message from Lokus, Cyber Soldier,
the premier hacker in the world. He wonders if this could be his Bella
who he betrayed four years ago when he proved her father falsified scientific
data. He heads to the Northern Peninsular of Michigan, but wonders if
it is to see Bella, see her safe, or confront her if she is Lokus.
Bella is driving home on terribly icy conditions when she is run off the
road. Daniel arrives to rescue her from hypothermia, but she hides Fran
an artificial intelligence computer that she created using her defrocked
father's design. She plans to unveil Fran at the Turing Competition in
three weeks. However, Lokus knows Bella has a major find and plans to
take it from her at any cost including murder; only Daniel can keep the
two females safe, but Bella does not trust him although Fran seems to
have faith in their man.
JIGSAW is a tense science fiction romantic suspense thriller that never
slows down from the moment Bella is run off the road until the final confrontation
with Lokus. The story line is action-packed, but it is the relationships
between Daniel and Bella, and Bella and Fran (think of Johnny Five is
alive) that make the tale spin as she needs him to survive, but distrusts
him with her beloved Fran, a daughter to Bella. Fans will appreciate this
fine tale that puts plenty of heart in the middle of a strong artificial
intelligence story.
Harriet Klausner
LEGACY
OF MASKS
Sallie Bissell
Bantam, Apr 2005, $23.00, 352 pp.
ISBN: 0553802798
Mary Crow has returned to Hartsville before (see IN THE FOREST OF HARM),
but this time she is serious about staying. She broke with her anthropologist
boyfriend Gabe while they were in Peru and quit her job as an ADA to seek
work as a prosecutor or in a law firm in the North Carolina Mountains.
No offer has come as no one believes that "Killer Crow" will
remain here after seventeen years in Atlanta; so she opens up her own
office.
Her first major case will not endear Mary with the bigwigs. The police
suspect Ridge Standingdeer killed his girlfriend Bethany Daws. Mary believes
her client is innocent, but her only help comes from two preadolescents
including Kayla the sister of the victim. Meanwhile sexual predator Deke
Keener, the wealthiest person in the country with major political ties
due to his construction company, targets Kayla as his next squeeze, but
needs to keep Mary occupied perhaps with some of his legal business.
The fourth Mary Crow tale returns her to her hometown where with exception
of Kayla and hunk Jonathan Walkingstick no one wants her to stay. Her
efforts to obtain work are met with resistance because of her stellar
reputation making her seem over-skilled and the fact that she did kill
the corrupt sheriff on a previous visit; even the native tribe rejects
her offer of council. The who-done-it is not quite as thrilling as Crow's
previous efforts, but the audience will appreciate her cat and mouse game
with this clever predator who uses money, contacts, and racism to hide
his being a killing pedophile.
Harriet Klausner
LONG
SPOON LANE
Anne Perry
Ballantine, Apr 2005, $25.95, 336 pp.
ISBN: 0345469275
By the summer of 1893, the English have become concerned with the bombing
activities of the Anarchists who set explosions recently in London and
Paris. A tip has come into the Special Branch, whose mission is to stop
terrorists, claiming a bomb is set to go off in East London. Special Branch
Chief Victor Narraway and Agent Thomas Pitt rush to the area; they capture
two of the bombers. A third, a parliament member's son, is killed.
Pitt investigates the crime in an effort to learn who murdered the third
prisoner. As he conducts an internal investigation of the affairs of his
office and the police as a whole, Pitt uncovers vast corruption with Bow
Street Inspector Wetron of Bow Street seemingly as the untouchable chieftain
protected by the highest levels of government. Meanwhile the media goes
on a feeding frenzy demanding the arming of Bobbies and invoking patriotism
insisting more power granted to law enforcement to intimidate suspected
terrorists. Only a devil's deal with his enemy Sir Charles Voisey might
stop Wetron from taking advantage of the public fervor, which seems to
make this mastermind even more potent and deadly.
Highly regarded for her terrific historical mysteries, Anne Perry may
have written her most relevant late nineteenth century police procedural
in LONG SPOON LANE. The story line is action-packed from the moment the
two Special Branch cops race to Myrdle Street to prevent a bombing and
never slows down as the hero learns how deep corruption and greed extend
in the force. Charlotte, Pitt's wife, plays a lesser role than she did
in SEVEN DIALS, but no one will mind as the parallels of 1893 England
to modern America is uncanny.
Harriet Klausner
MOUNTAIN
PERIL
Tom Eslick
Viking, April 2005, $24.95, 274 pp.
ISBN 0670033863
Climbers love to challenge New Hampshire's Mount Washington, New England's
tallest mountain. When they get in trouble a search and rescue is mounted;
one of the volunteers is high school teacher Will Buchanan. When it is
thought a boy is lost on the mountain Will and others in SAR go looking
for him but instead find the body of a dead woman. A month ago another
woman was also murdered in roughly the same area.
Will and his girlfriend Sheriff Laurie learn the deceased is Samantha
Rayley, who used to hike and rock climb on Mount Washington but was caring
for her son who has cancer and the bills are astronomical. The police
think she came back to town to blackmail the father of her child into
paying some of the medical bills. Suspicion falls on Mr. Carpenter who
had an affair with her years ago. A search of his house finds Samantha's
wallet, the gun that was used to shoot Laurie, a fair amount of pot and
a pile of money. Not content to let the police take care of it, Will goes
after Carpenter, but when his target has the chance to kill him he does
not. Will reconsiders Carpenter's guilt and intends to find out who the
real perpetrator is.
The vivid and colorful description of the mountain makes it easy to understand
how crimes can be committed in areas so isolated that the bodies are never
discovered. The protagonist is a strong yet vulnerable hero whose love
for Laurie is touching and is the reason he feels he has to personally
find out who the killer is. Tom Eslick is a very visual writer; whose
eye catching MOUNTAIN PERIL would make a great movie.
Harriet Klausner
OPEN
CHANNEL
Jill Morrow
Pocket, April 2005, $7.50, 404 pp.
ISBN 0743466277
Once before Katerina Pirelli and her husband Stephen Carmichael fought
the demon Asteroth and while they thought they were finished with him,
he was not through with them. He tried to break them up so the prophesized
Child of Light will not be born but Kat and Stephen now have two daughters
Julia and Kent. Her parents don't know it yet but Julia is having dreams
and visions of fourteenth century England.
Kat's Aunt Francesca has come home from touring Europe and tells them
Asteroth is back. He is in the fourteenth century using the dead body
of a man named Hugh and he is trying to get Isabel of the nearby convent
to pledge her fealty to him so he can use her as a conduit to return to
the twenty-first century. Francesca travels to where Asteroth is as does
Kat, Julia, and Stephen who hopes to bring them all home but Julia's doubts
weaken the light;. Julia fear causes one of them to make the ultimate
sacrifice.
OPEN CHANNEL continues the story in ANGEL CAFÉ where good and evil
fight on different sides for the child of light. Angels help the soul
travelers but it is Francesca whose total belief and faith in her spirit
gives her the confidence to strengthen her loved ones in the latest battle
with the demon. Kat, the most pragmatic person of the group, finally sees
with the spirit eyes and knows that she has the power to save her daughter
because she now has a strong belief in the light. Jill Morrow has written
a beautiful inspirational tale of good triumphing over evil because one
is so much stronger than the other when you believe.
Harriet Klausner
PRINCE
OF DARKNESS
Sharon Kay Penman
Putnam, Apr 2005, $24.95, 336 pp.
ISBN: 0399152563
The ransom for King Richard the Lionhearted is gathered and his mother
Eleanor goes to Germany to pay it. Prince John is unhappy with the news;
he is more perturbed that Lady Constance of Brittany, the mother of a
possible rival as heir to the throne Arthur, possesses a letter that implicates
John in a plot to assassinate his royal brother.
John knows the letter is a forgery and through subterfuge he gets Justin
de Quincy, the Queen's man, to come to Paris where he convinces his visitor
that Eleanor would want him to prove the document is a fake. During their
investigation, Justin and his companion see an ally of the Prince die
at the hands of an assassin's knife. They are charged with murder and
brought to Constantine's manor to linger in her dungeon until they die.
By the time they are freed, the killer has vanished, they have no proof
and Richard is home believing his younger brother a traitor. Justin reluctantly
returns to England pleading the Prince's case to Eleanor hoping she will
see justice occurs by interceding between the brothers.
Fans of Roberta Gellis' historical novels will definitely want to read
Sharon Kay Penman latest medieval thriller PRINCE OF DARKNESS as the story
contains a terrific mystery and a great look at the upper class lifestyle
especially the royals during the Middle Ages. The hero may not like his
assignments, but regardless of how he internally feels he always does
his best. Readers will cherish him and hope he finds happiness as he has
earned it. As usual Ms. Penman provides a spotlight that shines on a bygone
era with an intensity and illumination rarely seen.
Harriet Klausner
SUPERSTITION
Karen Robards
Putnam, April 2005, $24.95, 432 pp.
ISBN 0399152806
On Pawleys Island off the coast of South Carolina, television reality
reporter Nicole Sullivan of Twenty-Four Hours investigates is doing a
reenactment of the murder of teenager Tara Mitchell and the disappearance
of her two best friends who were supposed to have a sleepover together.
Nobody has lived in the house since the murder for very long because the
tenants felt they were residing with the ghosts of the dead girls.
During the filming, one of the technical people Kenen Wise is murdered
in almost the same way that the teen was killed over a decade ago. Nicky
investigates the crime which causes her to come into conflict with chief
of police Joe Franconi. Even though they are working opposite sides of
the murder investigation, the cop and the reporter fall in love, an emotion
neither wants. Nicky sees ghosts and Joe is haunted by his guardian angel
Brian who he knew when he worked vice in Trenton New Jersey. Joe thinks
he's going crazy and Nicky believes in ghosts including Joe's because
she sees him but it is up to the two protagonists to find the killer because
the spirits don't reveal their insider information.
Karen Robards is one of the best writers of romantic suspense available
today. Fans of Tami Hoag, Iris Johansen and Kay Hooper will love SUPERSTITION,
a fascinating romantic police procedural with supernatural elements that
add an extra dimension to the story line. Nicky is a wonderful protagonist,
a reporter in the tradition of Lois Lane who will do whatever is necessary
to get her story. Ms. Robards always delivers a thrilling reading experience.
Harriet Klausner
THE
FUTURE WIDOWS' CLUB
Rhonda Nelson
Signature Spotlight, Apr 2005
ISBN: 0373836465
In Moon Valley, Jolie Marshal regrets marrying charming SOB Chris who
embezzled money from their company leaving friends and her mother potentially
in the lurch. When she can pay back her "creditors", she will
divorce Chris, who she married when vulnerable following the death of
her father and rejection by her boyfriend Jake, who was not ready for
a wife.
The Future Widows' Club invites Jolie to join their group. Finding solace,
she agrees and begins following some of the rules like taking out life
insurance on her spouse. However, someone was irate when they shot Chris
in the heart and cut off his penis. Could it be Sheriff Dean who has pictures
of his wife with Chris? Or Police Officer Jake who is livid that this
worm hit Jolie, the woman he still loves and regrets he let down? Or perhaps
the grieving widow who just took out insurance on the rat?
THE FUTURE WIDOWS' CLUB is a strange dark humorous romance with police
procedural elements to add excitement to the question of who killed Chris.
The story line initially appears to be one of an abused spouse but switches
gear once the merry widows invite Jolie to join. Rhonda Nelson writes
a strong satirical dark look at society that accepts plenty of abusive
"values" under the label of protecting the family.
Harriet Klausner
TRIAL
BY FIRE
D.W. Buffa
Putnam, April 2005, $24.95, 304 pp.
ISBN 0399152814
Famous defense attorney Joseph Antonelli and Berkley law professor Justin
Sinclair met on the talk show "The Bryan Allen Show", with lawyer
Paula Constable and San Francisco assistant district attorney Daphne McMillan.
There was a rapport between Antonelli and Justin from the start. Joseph
represents all the goodness humanity has to offer while Justin admires
the defense attorney and thinks of him as a defender of truth. It is to
Joseph that Justin turns when he gets in legal trouble.
Justin calls Joseph early one morning and asks him to come over to his
house. When he arrives, he sees the butchered up body of Daphne there.
Justin admits she spent the night in his house but he never killed her
or heard any intruder in the house. Joseph knows Justin is innocent and
agrees to be his lawyer but before the case can go to trial, it is played
out in the media. Justin is found guilty and is sentenced to life without
parole but Joseph is determined to prove that Daphne's abusive husband
killed her and he goes to amazing lengths to see that justice prevails.
D.W. Buffa is one of the few authors since perhaps Zola who can write
a legal thriller and make it become a work of literary fiction that is
quite exciting. The story of TRIAL BY FIRE is not about guilt or innocence
or the death sentence but how a person's life can be decided in the court
of public opinion enflamed by a J'accuse media of controversial shock
television and radio shows. This work is haunting, memorable and will
be considered a classic in the years to come.
Harriet Klausner
TWO
DOLLAR BILL
Stuart Woods
Putnam, Apr 2005, $25.95, 304 pp.
ISBN: 0399152511
At Elaine's nightclub in Manhattan, lawyer Stone Barrington meets his
new client Billy Bob Barnstormer. Stone doesn't understand why Billy Bob
needs an attorney, but he gets his first inkling that this is the client
from the nether regions when someone shoots at them while in a moving
vehicle. Billy Bob stays at Stone's house for awhile floating a wad of
cash including two dollar bills. When his latest client and houseguest
vanish, Stone and his girlfriend District Attorney Tiffany Baldwin share
some recreational sex.
The next day on the Justice website, is a video of the DA and Stone having
sex; another relationship of Stone's is also trashed. Besides the video,
Billy Bob left behind a present for his host, the strangled body of a
call girl. Stone does an internet search on his former guest only to find
that Billy Bob has many aliases in varying corporations. The CIA want
Stone to help them find Billy Bob who has stole weapons that terrorists
will pay a great deal of money to get their hands on. The FBI wants Stone
to help them find Billy Bob who has stolen money in his possession. The
DA wants Stone to find Billy Bob not just because of the embarrassing
video, but because he stiffed many people with his con games. Stone wants
Billy Bob for personal reasons.
Stuart Woods has created a fabulous hero who can turn from nebbish to
dynamo when he feels someone threatens people he cares about. Stone does
not know why Billy Bob targeted him, but he knows he must take precautions
to stop this psychopath; alas his efforts fail and he becomes a hunter
tracking his prey. Mr. Woods provides a delightful Barrington tale in
which the enemy will fascinate readers with his outrageous behavior.
Harriet Klausner
Harriets's Archived Reviews
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