FMAM MOSTLY MYSTERY REVIEWS
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THE FMAM MOSTLY MYSTERY REVIEW is the place to come
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May 2010
Fortuna
Michael R. Stevens
Oceanview Publishing, 2010, 290 pages
ISBN: 978-1-933515-779
Jason Lind is a nerdy college kid majoring in computer science. Actually, he is a computer science genius. He can write programming like few others, but he can’t get a date. He is totally hung up on this girl that barely knows he is alive – well she knows he’s alive when he gives her the papers he writes for her and that’s about it. Finally, fed up with being not seen and pretty much not heard, Jason joins thousands of others in playing an online fantasy game called Fortuna.
But Fortuna isn’t a simple game. The characters within the game (which are randomly assigned once you sign up and you credit card is approved) have to pay for everything from their clothes to tips to where to stay to information and more. Jason is a bit confused by this unsure by whether or not these charges within the games are actual real charges outside the game. Vowing to not take a chance he begins the game trying to minimize his fees. But before long he is mesmerized by the game and where it is taking him. He has been assigned the role of a priest, an assistant to the area his character lives in -- Father. And he must pay fees – fees to buy shoes, robes, hear confession, etc. Yes, he receives penance money from those he listens to, but it never seems to be more than he has to shell out. And then she comes in – she tells quite the tale and asks him to meet her – in the game.
In the meantime, people are amassing rather sizable debts by playing Fortuna, and Jason is not far behind. And what he thought he could control he cannot and his life spirals out of control.
FORTUNA is a fascinating tale of fiction within fiction. Is anyone who they seem? Michael Stevens has crafted a clever story. For those interested in computer gaming or in a clever story, FORTUNA fulfills the job!
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.5!
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
Revenge Served Cold
Jackie Fullerton
Thomas House Publishing, May 1, 2010, $8.99, 300 pages
ISBN: 978-0-984381500
Professor Elliott Spence, after having a drink with an old college friend is killed in a hit and run “accident.” His wife Kathy’s car is the murder weapon, and thusly Kathy is the number one suspect. Kathy’s friend Shirley doesn’t believe she killed her husband and asks Anne Marshall to clear Kathy. Anne is a court reporter by day and law student by night. In fact, she was taking a class with Professor Elliott. Anne also likes to play amateur sleuth and uses her study group to assist her, including homicide detective Maria, who is assigned to the case.
Who would want to kill Elliott and set up Kathy? That is the question? Who was the very handsome man that so upset Kathy prior to Elliott’s death? Anne embarks on finding out the truth but Anne has a secret weapon – her father, James Marshall. James is special because he has passed on and frequently visits his daughter. He is able to transcend both worlds and provide tidbits of information to Anne. However, every now and again those around her wonder why she is not only talking to herself but there is such a strong smell of cigar smoke.
The study group is comprised of a handful of characters who are fun and in the case of, for example, John are willing to do whatever they can to help Anne solve her case. Maria isn’t happy about Anne and the groups’ involvement because she’s the cop and they are not. As this is not their first case, it seems she understands – at least quietly.
REVENGE SERVED COLD is a fun, quirky story with a delightful cast of characters. Here and there it is a tad bit trite and cliché but that does not take away from the charm of the characters or the ease and delight of the read. Jackie Fullerton has crafted an easy, fun read.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.5.
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
Rescuing Olivia
Julie Compton
St. Martin’s Minotaur Hardcover, February 2010, 352 pages, $24.95
ISBN: 978-0312378769
Anders Erickson is head over heels in love. His life seems perfect until he and the love of his life take a ride on his motorcycle and are cut off. They go down. Anders is hurt, not badly but Olivia is seriously hurt. When Anders tries to see her in the hospital, her father won’t allow him to see her. A nurse smuggles him in. Later he returns to find an empty bed and is told that Olivia has died. Anders goes into a depression – on one hand he is in shock at her dying and on the other hand he can’t believe. But when two police officers arrive asking him questions about the accident and hint at him being not only charged with a crime but maybe sued by her father as well, he decides he must know if he caused the accident. His best friend’s ex wife works in medical records and after much negotiating makes a deal with her. And then gets yet another shock – the records have been removed. Is she alive or dead? Where are the medical records? When he goes to the police station to ask the two police men for a copy of the accident report he discovers – yes, they are not cops. So, who are they and what did they really want? What is going on?
Anders embarks on discovering the answers and not only does he find more questions but he makes several discoveries along the way.
RESCUING OLIVIA is an interesting premised book with an interesting journey to get there. Do we really know the person we fell in love with? I enjoyed it however there were some cliché moments. Even with them, all in all, the story and the ride to find the truth makes RESCUING OLIVIA a good read.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I give it a 4.5
Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., MHt
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