FMAM MOSTLY MYSTERY REVIEWS
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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 . Mystery Dawg . |
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March 2008
Angel's Fall
Baron R. Birtcher
IOTA Publishing, $23.95,
April 2008, 287 pages
ISBN: 978-0-9793720-1-8
Mike Travis, a former Los Angeles detective moves to Hawaii to seek his roots on his mother’s side. He settles in with a scuba charter business but can’t leave investigating behind. He discovers a body which leads to a fight between new construction and local customs.
Then a young girl, Cady ”hires” him to find her sister Ashley who has been missing for several days. Her parents refuse to acknowledge their daughter’s disappearance or any potential danger she could be in.
As Mike looks into where Ashley is he discovers a world of sex and drugs.
Personal memories and a visit from Mike’s nephew complicate Mike’s life while he’s searching for Ashley.
Roland, Ashley’s boyfriend says he hasn’t seen her in awhile. But he’s hiding something.
Where is Ashley? Why don’t her parents care that she is missing? What is really going on?
ANGEL’S FALLS is an easy to read novel. You zoom through it, losing all sense of time. I was drawn into the questions and the mystery however I was let down with the conclusion.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give is a 4.0.
Bangkok Laws
Jim Michael Hansen
Dark Sky Publishing, Inc., $13.95,
March 15, 2008, 425 pages
ISBN: 13:9780976924319
Pilot Ewing barely makes it back to the States from Bangkok when he is stabbed to death. At the same time a woman is following detective Coventry . He calls his partner for the 411 on the follower. He discovers her to be a PI. He stops at a bar. She follows him in. He motions for her to join him. She feigns that she needs to buff up her surveillance skills. As they sit there, he places his hand on her leg and she places it higher right when his phone goes off, a body. She asks if she might join her. Later that night they make love, and he falls for her. Ja’Von is her name.
In another part of town a new attorney unable to find work as such is waiting tables. When a tray falls dropping a ton of dishes nearly no one helps her untill a lady steps up. Paige warns the lady to be careful the pieces are sharp, but she says it with tears. Then she adds I shouldn’t be here. Where should you be? Asks Ja’Von. Being an attorney, says Paige. Ja’Von says then I have a job for you. Later she tells an incredible tale of sexual slavery in Bangkok and how she escaped, barely. She continues with how she had been set up by a law firm in Denver and she wants to sue them. Paige says fine and the games begin.
In the meantime, a young woman, with Merry Maids is kidnapped.
As Coventry and JaVon’s relationship blossoms, more deaths occur. Paige is almost murdered and random acts may not be random. Is everything connected to the slavery ring in Bangkok ? Is there something more going on? Who is pulling the strings?
Jim Michael Hansen has written another book in his “Laws” series. Bangkok Laws is a fast paced thriller. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is a long book but I read it one sitting because I had to know what was going on and who was doing what to who. There are many characters and when you first begin the book it is a little rough to follow but before long you are up and running with all the players. I enjoyed the book however I was a little disappointed in the ending. It was more of a wrap up rather than a play out. That being said, it was an excellent read!
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.7.
By Reason of Privilege
Frank Caceres, Ph.D.
iUniverse, Inc., $18.95, 287 pages
ISBN 978-0-595-45947-6
Detective Luis Ortiz’s nephew is run over by a drunk driver, the son of a very wealthy business man. Ortiz heads up the investigation and uncovers a heroine smuggling ring. But the high priced attorney hired to protect the driver plays fast and loose and gets the case dropped. He convinces the State’s Attorney that their case is simply circumstantial.
Frustrated Ortiz continues the case. He meets forensic investigator Kathryn DiAgostino and before long he finds himself longing for her. Passion in fact, passion he thought was long gone.
In the meantime, his team is uncovering a series of superficial crimes of what seems to be privileged criminals but eventually they begin to find a deeper world of deceit and power.
Money is the root of all evil, and BY REASON OF PRIVILEGE exemplifies this cliché. As Ortiz follows the money we follow Ortiz on a wild ride.
Once again Frank Caceres has woven a tale of mystery, treachery, and deceit. Not only that, but he has taken a horrible event, the loss of a child and in this case brought closure, which is never easy. Dr. Cancers has done another great job.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give is 4.8!
The Hard Way
Carol Lea Benjamin
Avon, $6.99, 289 pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-053904-7
Rachel Alexander is a research consultant, but she acts more like a PI. Garner Redstone has been pushed in front of a subway train. The witnesses say a homeless man did it. Garner’s daughter hires Rachel to find the homeless man.
Rachel takes on the persona Eunice, a homeless lady with her homeless dog. The house she is living in burns down and a homeless soldier, Perkins tells her of a safe place to stay. When she is Rachel, Perkins attempts to rob her at an ATM, and then begin a friendship of sorts. He says he will help her find the homeless man.
With Perkins looking for the homeless man, Rachel takes a temp job with Garner Redstone’s company.
Perkins finds the homeless man who swears he was pushed and that caused him to push the man. This makes Rachel reconsider the witness’s accounts and she begins the interviews again. And she uncovers many with motives to hurt Garner.
Who pushed the homeless man? Who wanted Garner dead?
THE HARD WAY is a bit wordy but none the less an interesting mystery. Not only who killed Garner, but who is Perkins? I was a little put off by the research consultant doing all the work of a PI; why not just have her be a PI? But all that aside, Carol Lee Benjamin has written a picturesque story that takes inside the world of homelessness to the world of the employed to the world of pretending to be one of the guys (temping at the company). She brings us right there. We are not on the sidelines; we are right in the midst of a dumpster, or being in a subway platform. Carol Lea takes us away and puts us smack in the middle of her book’s world. That is excellent writing!
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.5.
Hero's Often Fail
Frank Zafiro
Aisling Press, $13.95, 250 pages
ISBN: 978-1-934677-16-2
Frank Zafiro sucks you into a very real, very compelling police novel, and I mean that in the most complimentary way. From the moment you begin this novel and meet the two precocious six year olds Amy and Kendra you will be glued to the book. I read it in one sitting. I had no choice. The writing forced me to continue. The story is so riveting, so real, you cannot turn away.
Amy and Kendra play together. In fact they have found a dirty cave like area they call the Fairy Castle . One day a van pulls up alongside of them and grabs Amy. Fear so strikes Kendra, for a few seconds she cannot speak, she cannot move. As she tries to remember what they were taught in school about stranger abductions, she sees that Amy is as afraid as she is. Kendra musters all her force and runs and runs. She tells her mother something bad happens to Amy but her mother isn’t sure if her imagination is working again or is something as happened. Finally, after watched Kendra’s very bizarre behavior she calls the police. Officer Giovanni responds and believes that something has indeed happen to her friend. When he calls it in, instead of calling child abduction, Lieutenant Hart waffles and precious hours are wasted. Further investigated pursues and finally a missing child alert is issued.
Stefan Kopriva is on light duty following a shoot out where he had been wounded about six weeks prior. Katie MacLeod and Stefan are secretly seeing each other.
Officer Giovanni (Gio) is assigned to stay with Amy’s mom. Katie relieves him. Stefan and Officer Willow are assigned to question the estranged grandmother who is quite the loon.
As important as a missing child is, there are other cases in River City . A second case involves a domestic issue, and the best the cops can do at that moment is charge the father with theft. Theft of a movie ticket. But that is not the last of the veteran and the havoc and pain he can cause. These cases and the police interaction show not only the pluses and the good days but what a toll the bad things a policeman sees can take on him/her.
Mr. Zafiro can hold his own with the likes of GONE BABY GONE, MYSTIC RIVER , etc. He is able to show the humanity as well as the underbelly of a town. HEREOS OFTEN FAIL would make a great movie.
Mr. Zafiro’s first book UNDER A RAGING MOON was excellent. HEREOS OFTEN FAIL tops it. Again, Mr. Zafiro paints such a realistic picture that he makes you a voyeur in the activities of River City . A riveting, suspenseful novel in both the human condition as well as storyline. Excellent!
On a score of 1 to 5, I give a 5!
The Liar's Diary
Patry Francis
Plume, February 2008, $14.00, 309 pages
ISBN: 978-0-452-28915-4
Ali Mather joins the quiet high school as a music teacher causing ripples in many directions. Jeannie Cross befriends Ali and is both mesmerized and repulsed by Ali’s life style. Brian, a teacher falls madly in love with her risky his teaching career and his family. The kids dig the way she teaches. Her husband, George doesn’t divorce her although she blatantly has affairs. One such affair is Jack Butterfield, the sleazy car dealer.
Ali has an uncanny way of seeing things others deny. She sees something very wrong in Jeannie’s home. Jeannie is married to a successful heart surgeon, Gavin and they have a son, Alex. Alex doesn’t take music but is fascinated and drawn to Ali. Gavin takes an instant dislike to her.
Brian risks all to be with Ali, and when she is done with the fling, she throws him out. But Brian isn’t through. He can’t get over Ali. Beth, his wife is beside herself. And then he hangs himself in a hotel room. Ali takes it hard but not out of love or conscience, something else is going on.
Alex starts sneaking into Ali’s house? Why? Jeannie is concerned and when Ali is murdered she is not surprised when her son is accused of it.
But did young Alex kill Ali? And if he did why? There are many people who could have killed Ali. Beth, Brian’s widow, Jack Butterfield, Ali’s jealous sister, her husband? Gavin?
Ali kept all her secrets in a red notebook, her diary. Alex called it the Liar’s Dairy. How did he know there were lies in there? Asks the cop. Good question. Better question, where did it go?
Most of the book, Party Francis is introducing and defining the characters. We learn how they think, how they feel. When Ali is murdered we have a basket of suspects. It is extremely rare, that I read a book and not know who the murderer is long before the reveal, but Patry “got” me. I was convinced it was one person and whoa she fooled me. That is the mark of an excellent writer. Keep ‘em guessing and Patry does. Although there are some cliché moments in the book, most of it is excellent. For a well defined, character driver, who dun it, read LIAR’S DIARY?
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 5.
St. Bart's Breakdown
Don Bruns
Oceanview Publishing, March 1, 2008, $24.95, 280 pages
ISBN: 978-1-933515-12-0
Mick Server doesn’t know why the car tried to run him down in Chicago . It makes no sense to him but he has little time to think about it, for he is off to St. Bart’s to interview Danny Murtz, a recording mogul. Danny has quite the reputation for violence; hitting this one, pistol whipping that one, but now 2 girls he dated are missing. Did Danny have something to do with that?
Mick’s paper receives letters in the mail about Danny’s violence. The final letter says, “I know because he tried to kill me.” So Mick is down in St. Bart’s not only to interview Danny but to see if Danny did something to these girls. At the same time Danny is receiving letters, “I know what you did” type. Danny with the help of drugs and booze is unraveling,
While waiting for his interview with Danny, Mick meets Michelle. Michelle says she is Danny’s girlfriend. He has flown her to the island for sun and fun. But later that night she is alone and asks Mick if the dinner invitation is still open. Sure, so they have dinner. Eventually she tells him that she is a cop from Atlanta .
The bartender, Bertrand who tells me there have been no murders on the island and he does not believe the lovely Michelle is from Atlanta , rather she is form Chicago . Bertrand is an expert at detecting accents. Mick files this info away.
Danny has his lawyer, Harvey Schwartz and his secretary, Nancy to protect him and clean up after him.
Mick’s bad luck with cars continues when his rental blows up. He tells the police it was attempted murder and they say to him, no one has been murdered on the island, the engine was faulty. What?
Someone else is watching the Murtz house and taking notes. Who is the dark figure?
Mick’s interview with Danny is a bust. Danny starts yelling and accuses Mick of sending him threatening letters. Harvey escorts Mick out of the house but convinces him to stay on the island for another interview when Danny calms down. Reluctantly, Mick agrees. And then the world explodes….
Don Bruns has written a fast easy read. His characters are interesting. I especially enjoyed the richly diverse and talented bartender Bertrand. Mr. Bruns has written a strong suspense. Who will survive? Who will perish? All through it, we must remember, there have been no murders on St. Bart’s yet people die at an alarming rate. For a great escape read ST. BART’S BREAKDOWN.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.5.
Smoldering Embers
Christine McKay
Publisher’s website A Cerridwen Press Publication
www.cerridwenpress.com
Electronic book Publication: November 2007
ISBN 9781419911392
Cost $5.95
Will I mix with this romance/suspense?
I really wanted to like “Smoldering Embers.” Honest, I started to like the heroine…semi-recluse artist Serene. I sorta liked the stubborn male, Brice. And, the surprise on page 31 really made me sit up and think – all right, here we go!
However, “Smoldering Embers” while a nice romantic tale with a touch of mystery just isn’t for me.
“Smoldering Embers” is a quiet little story for those who want to escape into a romance. There’s a touch of danger, enough to worry the characters, enough to keep you guessing, not enough for me.
Ms. McKay has succeeded in writing a story that I can recommend to those readers who want romance.
A Scent In the Night
Isabella Montwright
Publisher’s website A Cerridwen Press Publication
www.cerridwenpress.com
ISBN 9781419912344
Electronic book Publication: December 2007
Cost $7.99
WARNING: Strong Sexual Scenes and Content. Suicidal Thoughts.
Okay, I really did not mix well with “A Scent In the Night.”
Because of this I may be a little unfair in my review. I will try to find a balance.
The characters, Lorelei and Galen, are both deeply hurt inside. It appears parts of their hearts have died due to life circumstances and in turn death is not unfriendly to them. Finding each other, while frustrating in the secrets they keep from each, may save them.
The mystery within this eBook surrounds gun smuggling, kidnapping, and Ireland’s long-standing fight.
Drawing on conversations with friends, those readers who enjoy embattled lust-filled characters who must give in to their desires will most likely be satisfied with “A Scent In the Night.”
If you are looking for a subtle romance you may want to look elsewhere.
Myself? I hope I have found the balance in this review.
If Not For You
JL Wilson
Publisher’s website A Cerridwen Press Publication
www.cerridwenpress.com
ISBN 9781419911170
Electronic book Publication: December 2007
Cost $5.95
Will I mix with this romance/suspense?
YES! Major Yes!
Layla Whitford is my type of heroine. She’s freewheeling. She’s smart. She’s gutsy. She is a full-bodied, free-speaking, laugh-filled woman. I love this character.
Mr. Max Lerner is, in Layla’s words, a SSG…Starched Shirt Guy. But, he won’t be for long. Nope, can’t stay that way when you fall in love with Layla.
Someone wants to financially destroy Max Lerner and for reasons only they know they are dragging Layla into the battle. The only common denominator is computers. The designing of computer software and its testing all the way to company takeovers and the megabuck that goes with it all. Is someone spying on someone?
I’m finding this review hard to write because while I don’t want to give anything away, I want to tell all. “If Not For You” is funny. It is a sexy, fast-paced, keep-you-guessing mystery.
Maybe it is, to quote Ms. Wilson own words “…I started writing romantic suspense…about older women, with some age on ‘em, who are interested in men and sex and having a good relationship, which may or may not include a marriage.” that has me so enthralled with the Layla character? But I don’t think so. Yes, the characters are a little older, closer to same age to each other and myself, but it still boils down to the writing.
Ms. Wilson has written a one of the most electrifying female leads I’ve read in some time.
Voodoo Laws
Jim Michael Hansen
Dark Sky Publishing, Inc.
Trade Paperback
ISBN 9780976924371
422 pages
$13.95 USA
March 15, 2009
Bryson Coventry returns in VOODOO LAWS, the seventh book in the LAWS series by Jim Michael Hansen. In this episode, the supernatural theme is extended into the world of voodoo and death curses and brings back the use of lawyers as central characters to the novel.
It seems that there is never a dull day in the life of Bryson Coventry, head of Denver’s homicide unit. While investigating the disappearance of Lindsay Vail and the death of a high placed lawyer, Ryan Ripley, Coventry has to deal with a death curse placed on him by a voodoo priestess Ida Wrisp. As always an alluring beauty comes into his life in the form of Ta’Venza Oceana, who may be his fatal attraction.
VOODOO LAWS introduced a whole slew of new characters and new locations for Coventry to interact with. In his previous work Hansen used Denver as his main setting and the place served as a prominent character in itself. On this outing we are taken to mystical New Orleans and its back alleys and voodoo shops. New villains are introduced who lack any moral composition and provide an additional challenge to Coventry’s investigation. In addition to new characters, Hansen has also introduced new members of the Denver PD, specifically Coyote, a beautiful officer who is tasked with surveillance on lawyer Mackenzie Lee. Lee is working for her client Erin Asher, who is trying to find out who is stalking her. All of the themes and subplots culminate in a climatic ending that will leave you shaking your head and yearning for the next book in the series.
Hansen is proving himself to be a master of the thriller. VOODOO LAWS is a well plotted and executed novel. Hansen continues to provide a level of tension that seems to be lacking in other series books and provides new challenges for his protagonist to explore the deeper layers of character’s makeup. The careful craft of taking multiple story lines, red herrings, carefully drawn characters and ratcheting up the suspense is not easy to pull off. Hansen seems to make it look effortless.
After seven books, VOODOO LAWS continues to showcase the fine writing skills of under recognized author and a marvelous series. If you are looking for high octane thrills, excellent characters and a rapid page turner, look no further. Be careful, there may be a reading voodoo curse in your future; Hansen has the skills to keep you glued to the pages well into the dawn hours of the night.
Aldo T. Calcagno
Mystery Dawg
http://acalcagno.blogspot.com
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