FMAM MOSTLY MYSTERY REVIEWS
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March 2009
Defending Angels
Mary Stanton
Berkley Prime Crime
December 2008, $7.99, 304 pages
ISBN: 978-0425-224984
Bree Wisnton-Beaufort has inherited her uncle’s law practice in Savannah. His office was destroyed by fire so she must find a temporary location to begin her new practice. But the rents being what they are, she is having a terrible time till she finds an interesting 19th century home available to be made into an office right in the middle of a cemetery. And not just any cemetery but one of all murderers.
The rent is just too good to pass up. And before long Bree has a receptionist and a law clerk, as odd as they are, they do work for cheap. Her first client is Liz Overshaw who wants Bree to prove that the very rich Skinner was murdered and not drowned as claimed. Okay, thinks Bree, but a client is a client. A professor from law school sends her much needed office equipment out of the clear blue sky. When she visits him to give him the equipment back she finds him not well, and his story even odder than everything else going on. And she meets her client.
And if all that isn’t bad enough her ex, Payton the rat is an attorney for one of the suspects. Then strange things begin to happen…what is the nightmare Bree has? What is with the haunting picture she cannot get rid of? How does Lavinia (the owner of the 19th Century house) know so much? Who killed Skinner?
DEFENDING ANGELS is an easy read through a paranormal legal who-dun-it. It examines the questions of “What if someone dies with a question as to whether or not their life was quite good enough to get into heaven, then who would try them in heaven’s court?” Bree would. DEFENDING ANGELS through haunts of the living find their way to Bree to assist loved ones, bosses, friends, etc, to find something that will get them through heaven’s gate.
DEFENDING ANGELS is a cute, fun read. It is a good escape from reality.
On a scale of 1 to 5. I give it a 4.1.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
Rupture
A. Scott Pearson
Oceanview Publishing
February 1, 2009, $24.95, 288 pages
ISBN: 978-1-933515-23-6
If your company built a medical device that failed killing its patients, what would you do to protect your company? Dr. Eli Branch, a young surgeon discovers an old friend on the operating table dying from such a device. Having been stuck during the surgery and being concerned about AIDS and curious about the cause of death, Eli decides to watch the autopsy where he meets the lovely Dr. Meg Daily. She finds some oddities but can’t quite figure out what they are. In the meantime, the head surgeon hangs Eli out to dry for the failure of the surgery costing Eli dearly. He barely retains his position at the hospital and the lab he was promised.
RBI a fancy research facility woos Eli with an incredible job offer, even promising to give Eli’s brother a fancy home. Eli’s brother is retarded and needs special care. Eli mulls the offer over, another device death is discovered. Dr. Daily has found more questions than answers.
Then while Eli is at the RBI meeting, his rather colorful lab assistant Vera is murdered and Eli becomes the prime suspect. He runs to prove his innocence. But can he Meg save his brother and her daughter not to mention all the others who have had the device implanted?
RUPTURE is a medical thriller complete with a colorful case of characters. Vera the short living lab assistant is quite charming in an atypical way. She is a loud, cursing yet endearing, clever character. When Eli has no lab equipment, she finds some and helps herself to it, cursing all the way. She gives delightful color to the story.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.2.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
A Foreign Affair
Caro Peacock
AVON/Harper Collins, April 2008, $13.95, 352pp.
ISBN: 9780061445897; ISBN10: 0061445894
In this debut novel, author Peacock introduces readers to Victorian England through the eyes of the book’s heroine, Liberty Lane, a young independent woman who is determined to prove that her father didn’t die in a duel. Readers also glimpse the fringe remains of French aristocracy as she attempts to unravel the mystery at the heart of A FOREIGN AFFAIR.
Using attention to detail and lush description, the author has created a dramatic story that incorporates real history. Issues such as class, poverty, and entitlement are addressed in the context of the era and of the main character. The book’s pace and timing, while adding authenticity to the story, were slower than my usual preference. I kept hoping the plodding pace would pick up, but never did.
In summary, I think fans of historical mysteries and the historical novel in general will enjoy this fresh voice in the genre. However, if you aren’t a fan of historicals in general, you should skip this book.
Say Goodbye
E.J. RAND
Deadly Ink Press
February 2008, $12.95, 268 pages
ISBN: 978-09787442-1-2
Gary Kemmerman went into a funk after his wife died the year before. But on this day his neighbor and friend, Norm told him he thought his life might be in danger. Later that night Norm’s wife called to tell Gary that Norm had died in a car accident. She asked Gary for his help because she was sure it was murder. Based on the earlier conversation he has his suspicions as well.
Becca, a nurse, was driving behind Norm when a black SUV knocked him off the icy road. She thought it was an accident and went to the widow’s house to give her condolences. Becca has sworn off men and is unsure of Gary as he suggests they meet to discuss what she saw, but agrees to. Norm’s wife brings over his computer print outs and sleeps on Gary’s sofa. They wake to fire engines as Norm’s house goes down in ashes. Defiantly, something more than an accident!
Becca, a strong woman joins forces to find out what happened to Norm. Then the police detective in the district is shot in a convenient hold up. Too many “accidents”. An employee from Norm’s company hires Gary (he used to be a crisis interventionist) to look into Norm’s “accident” and work with a secret PI. Someone breaks in and attacks Becca, and well, you get the picture, chaos! In a few days, there are missing people, shoot outs, etc.
SAY GOODBYE is an interesting romp through corporate backstabbing, espionage, and greed. Who do you trust? Is anyone who they say they are? Interesting book.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
A Hotel in Paris
Margot Justes
Echelon Press, $12.99, 288 pages
ISBN: 978-1-59080-534-3
Minola Grey has escaped to Paris to study her art. Yet it is so much more than that as Minola is an accomplished artist in her own right. After the emotional devastation of a cheating ex, she is trying to find herself in the City of Lights.
Her residence in a beautiful hotel is shattered when one of the other regular tenants on her floor is murdered. The police mistake her for a lady of the evening and she allows them, especially the very good looking Interpol agent, Peter Riley to think it.
Minola is painting a special portrait of her friends Sally and Robert for their anniversary, when Sally arrives in Paris. Soon she and Sally are investigating the death of Lord Yardleigh and making someone nervous.
Peter’s ex seems to want him back which upsets Minola. Robert’s associates are movers and shakers and Minola throws an anniversary party for Robert and Sally in the hopes of making the murderer nervous. In the meantime, Robert is digging into Lord Yardleigh’s finances. So many things aren’t adding up.
The descriptions of the art, the Parisian streets, and the museums are so clear; it is as if you are there. Margot paints a beautiful picture of the artistic scene in Paris however the story is bit predictable. A HOTEL IN PARIS is a fast, easy read. However, I felt a bit let down by the ending. All in all, a good as it is said, airport read.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
The Intruders
Michael Marshall
William Morrow, December 2008, $7.99, 416 pp.
ISBN: 9780061235030; ISBN10: 0061235032
When ex-cop and new author Jack Whalen gets a visit from a childhood friend, now a lawyer needing Jack's help, the former patrolman finds himself embroiled in more than an unofficial murder or missing persons investigation.
The family of a noted scientist has been senselessly, brutally murdered, and the scientist is nowhere to be found.
In the meanwhile, Jack’s wife, Amy disappears during one of her routine business trips to Seattle. He discovers she never checked into her hotel, and she isn't answering her cell phone. Where is she, where did she go? And why?
Then a third missing person, a little girl in Oregon, is found wandering the beach. But it soon becomes obvious that something isn’t quite ‘right’ with the child.
The strange events seem unrelated on the surface, yet inside each are kernels of truth lying dormant—a part of the human psyche often unexplored. For Jack, these ‘kernels’ reveal far more than he ever wanted to know.
Michael Marshall, author of the highly acclaimed crime noir The Straw Men, returns with a chilling tale that skirts the dark, hazy edges of horror and psychological thriller, pulling readers into the looking glass hidden within the story. The writing is amazing and all the more brilliant once you realize the author’s true intent. A must read for all fans of Thomas Harris or John Connolly.
Without Consent
Katherine Fox
Harper Collins Publishers, $7.99, 325 pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-125255-6
Dr. Anya Crichton is a physician and a forensic pathologist. Her specialty is rape survivors. Anya begins to see a pattern of assault that leads her to believe that they have a serial rapist on the loose, but soon that pattern escalates to murder. Some of her patients, who were raped, are days later murdered.
To complicate matters rapist Geoffrey Willard has just been released from prison after serving twenty years for rape and murder. Coincidently his release was prior to the rapes and murders. He is the chief suspect in these crimes and it doesn’t help that is not only odd but a bit of a pervert. His cousin and his friends are equally as odd.
Within the political arena of the police department and prosecuting attorney’s office there are also some wrangling going on. Games are being played, and those who suffer are the victims, especially when one of their SAI kit pictures hit the Internet. A mandate had come down about photographing all victims, which Anya thought was too violating. She felt it should be their choice not a mandate, and of course pictures have a way of getting out there --.
Anya is asked to look over the records of another pathologist only to discover that he cut many corners. And sadly one of his cases was Geoffrey Willard. Could Willard be innocent of those twenty year old charges? When Willard is arrested on the current rape murder charges, Anya and Hayden continue to investigate unsure he is their perp.
WITHOUT CONSENT is an intriguing thriller that takes a very real look at the pain and suffering of rape but in a way that is not depressing but rather informative and cathartic. It is a roller coaster of a ride through not only bureaucracy but who dun it. Kathryn Fox has written an intriguing mix of forensics and thrills.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.8.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
Dead on Arrival
Lori Avocato
Avon Books, 2007, $6.99, 261 pages
ISBN – 978-0-06-083708-2
Pauline Sokol has burned out on nursing and has gone to work for an insurance investigative firm. She has a crush on her boss Jagger. She lives with two charmingly delightful gay guys, Goldie and Miles. In this case, Jagger has her back in her scrubs as a flight and ambulance nurse investigating whether TLC is frauding in their charges.
Sky, no pun intended is their pilot and ER Dano is their senior paramedic. Buzz is the junior eager to please new EMT. Both Sky and Dano are gorgeous. Pauline barely gets to snoop when one of the two twin owners, Payne is murdered. And at the funeral of her brother, the other twin, Pansy is stabbed. She makes it only to go into a coma. Then who is frauding the government? Who killed Payne? Who tried to kill Pansy?
When ER Dano is injured on a call, he invites Pauline to stay up all night to wake him every hour. She does with growing attraction to him. Then there is Jagger. But who is that woman he is having lunch with, little Miss Airbrush?
Who went after the twins? Does Jagger care for Pauline in that, well that same fantasize way she does him? Is TLC frauding the government?
To find out you will have to read the book. DEAD ON ARRIVAL is a comedic mystery. Lori Avocato mixes comedy with the elements of who dun it to create the Pauline Sokol series. Some of the comedy would be slapstick if you were watching it and some made me chuckle. I enjoy any book that can bring a smile to my face much less make me chuckle of laugh out loud. The mystery is predictable but the charm of the characters make up for the predictability.
DEAD ON ARRIVAL is a light, enjoyable mystery read. Just plain fun.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.3.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
Set Sail for Murder
Carolyn Hart
William Morrow, $23.95, 278 pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-072403-0
Henri O. receives a call from an old friend for help. Jimmy once proposed to Henri but she declined and instead he married the very wealthy and showy documentarian Sophia. But someone may be trying to kill Sophia. She was married before and one of those husbands left her in charge of his children’s trust funds. His very grown children’s trust funds. Sophia has invited the children, her sister in law and her current husband Jimmy on a cruise to see if the children are capable of handling their own money. Jimmy buys Henri O. a ticket and asks her to do what she does best and see if she can figure out which one of the crew is trying to kill his wife.
The problem is Sophia is not a nice person. She is selfish and oblivious to anyone else’s feelings.
Henri O was an investigative reporter before she retired and is a delightful character. Sophia is egh! I wanted her to be murdered! The children are interesting collection of sad sacks, losers, depressed beings, etc., yet they are far more interesting and likeable than Sophia.
Carolyn Hart is a queen of cozy mysteries. Her Henri O series is delightful and an easy fun read. She writes with a great mix of comedy and who dun it!
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.1.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
What the Dead Know
Laura Lippman
Harper Collins Publishers, $24.95, 373 pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-112885-1
Thirty years ago sisters Sunny and Heather disappear after going to the Mall. The young girls ages 15 and 11 are never heard of again. That is until a car accident thirty years later has a woman leaving the scene of accident. When a police officer catches up with her, she says, “I’m Heather Bethany.” The cop being young doesn’t have a clue who she is supposed to be so he takes her to the ER for her injuries. And the questions are asked, can she really be the missing girl? Where is her sister? Where has she been for the last thirty years? But Jan Doe Heather isn’t very forthcoming about the previous thirty years. Kay, a hospital social worker procures an attorney for Heather Doe to protect her while the investigating officer begins the chase.
The book goes from present to past throughout the book. There are red herrings. We learn that Heather and Sunny’s mom Miriam was having an affair prior to their disappearance. Is this why the girl’s are missing? Were they taken because Miriam cheated? But the real question is, is Jane Doe the missing Heather?
WHAT THE DEAD KNOW is an interesting story about what if. However the constant jumping back-n-forth through time gets a but tiresome. The idea is great. Jane Doe Heather is either Heather or a very well read fake, and that is a great premise. But the story goes on a little longer than it needs too. Laura Lippman is a masterful story teller and I enjoy her books however I feel this one wasn’t as good as most of her work.
On a scale of 1 to 4, I give it a 4.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
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