Review: Black Coral

Black Coral by Andrew Mayne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sloan McPhearson is one of my favorite sleuths--leaps into the depths, literally and figuratively, without much thought and comes close to disaster often. Still, she is determined to get the bad guy and is ably assisted by her boss and the new diver, Hughes. The UIU never seems to get credit for their work and are hanging on by a thread to even exist. Still, without their investigation of a van submerged near a car crash they are called out to examine South Florida would never have realized there was a serial killer operating in their midst for over 30 years. Sloan's invasion of Big Bill the alligator's lair is almost as hair raising as the climax of the book in which the killer has her almost passed out and destined for the graveyard he has established in the middle of the Everglades. How she gets out of these situations is exciting and satisfying.

The one criticism I have of this book is the lack of explanation of who exactly this guy was and how he knew his first victims or if he did. The questions of his place in the community are raised but never answered.

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Review: Brothers and Wives: Inside the Private Lives of William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan

Brothers and Wives: Inside the Private Lives of William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan by Christopher Andersen
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

As a sequel to Diana's Boys at least one third of the book is the first one with much of the repetition removed. Part 2 deals with the young princelings party-hopping, girlfriend hopping, alcohol and light drug taking interspersed with some forays into education establishments and military training and service. In some ways, not unusual behavior for teen into 20's young men, although these young men had unlimited funds and little responsibility. If there was any consequences for their sometimes unbelieveable faux pas it was meted out by the press and public opinion. I cannot believe that neither of them were aware of the despicable and unforgiveable use of a Nazi uniform at one of their uninhibited galas. Yet, Harry swore to ignorance, William said nothing and there was little in the way of apology or remorse on the part of any Royal. Still, Philip took great pride in his military career and the Queen Mother and her husband were well known for their remaining in London during the blitz and Elizabeth was lauded for her stint as a lorry driver during the War. Apparently, those things were not shared as family history with the Princes!!
Part 3 is basically an in-depth life story of each of the wives. Things changed with their arrival--even before the debacle of Megan, once William and Kate were married he became the Heir in all ways, including attitude toward his brother. All fell to pieces with the spectacle that is Megan and her theatrical ways. As Diana cried and cried and cried, so to does Megan cry and cry and cry.
I'm not sorry I read the books but I am happy that this one, at least, did not cost me anything but a review, having been sent me by Goodreads for that purpose!

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DI Hillary Greene is Rich--Sorta

Murder of the Bride by Faith Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The End Is Always A Surprise!

Love the characters,each one so distinctive and real. Love the plots. The crime is interesting, the cast of suspects well defined,the motive rarely obvious,the ending always a surprise and satisfying. The narrow boat is growing on me,too,despite being claustrophobic!

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Review: Diana's Boys: William and Harry and the Mother They Loved

Diana's Boys: William and Harry and the Mother They Loved by Christopher Andersen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

They married when she was too young and sheltered and he had a mistress he had no intention of leaving. The Queen prevented him from marrying her and the Queen continues to control much, though not all, of the lives of the Windsor family. She revolted and was cast aside completely but no one could prevent the influence she had over her sons, that is, until she died. A sad story but uplifting, too, though she was very young and conflicted, the love she bore her boys was strong. Still, her use of William as her confidante and advisor was a bit much. An interesting read that was written with respect toward all involved and without a touch of gossipy innuendo and meanness.

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Review: Dark Pattern

Dark Pattern by Andrew Mayne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This time Dr Cray is on the hunt for a nurse who is killing patients and then moving on. His computer skills and programs identify one male nurse and Theo is sure he's got him cold. Well, that is by page 107--needless to say, it's not so easy. This time, under the stress of worrying he may be carrying a virus just waiting to turn HIM into a maniacal murderer, and the fact that what he thought was a slam dunk seems to be a total mistake, Theo is driven to the brink of madness. By the time he has literally cuffed the killer, he has lost everything that is important in his life. On the final page, he is bailed out of jail by a new woman. Looking ahead, it seems Mayne is going to team Theo with an FBI agent. Think I'll rest a bit, before moving on with his new case. These are pretty intense plots but also quite interesting.

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Review: Duke Gone Rogue

Duke Gone Rogue by Christy Carlyle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Victorian romance that is more than a bodice ripper. The Duke has recently assumed the title and has set himself the task of redeeming the family name. His father was dissolute and his many infidelities led to his wife's death, his many betrayals and shady dealings have tarnished the name. By investigating these things and trying to make restitution and apologies, Will has caused many of his father's friends to fear being exposed as complicit. This causes strain in society that leads Will's sisters to urge him to take a vacation at their Cornish holdings and leave them free of his reputation as a dour boor.

Maddie is the only child of parents who established a nursery in Cornwall that she has inherited. She is, as she describes herself, a spinster. But as such she is a businesswoman in a village in which she has grown up. While London society would impose a great deal of rules on her life, she has an independence that she treasures. She does not need to worry a great deal about reputation and, while the business is stressful and not totally her life's ambition, she is content and a successful member of the community in which she serves in many capacities.

They meet fleetlingly in London but though they were attracted to each other, she has returned to Haven Cove and not thought over-much about him. When he finds himself in his father's manor where much of his debauched affairs took place, he is not prepared to meet this woman once more
But meet they do and find themselves caught up in preparations for the impending visit of Victoria's daughter to Haven Cove. Unfortunately, they have very different viewpoints on how much Will needs to be involved in those preparations.

The development of their friendship and the soul searching each does to determine what the future holds for them, individually and together, is an easy and enjoyable read.

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Review: Tooth and Nail

Tooth and Nail by Ian Rankin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having gained a reputation as an expert serial killer captor, Rebus has been summoned to London from Edinburgh to help in a gruesome investigation. Someone has been slitting the throats of women, slashing their anuses and leaving bite marks in a semi-circle on their abdomens. There appears to be no correlation among the types of women, the locations of the murders. And the killer leaves no clues--no fibers, no hairs, no blood, no DNA sources of any kind. Not only is this a tough nut to crack, but the London guys aren't too thrilled with the pro from the North of the Border.

As usual, Rebus also has his ex-wife and daughter with whom to deal, now that he is in London where they live. And as usual, there is a romantic plot line that goes nowhere.

Good addition to the series

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Survivor in Death

Survivor In Death by J.D. Robb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A little girl sneaks to the kitchen in the middle of the night to get an Orange Fizzy from the refrigerator. It is totally against the rules and she is all alone and silent since the friend who spent the night wanted to sleep instead of joining in the adventure. Her brother is also upstairs asleep; she thought about including him but then decided he would only tell on her. So, here she is in the dark, huddled in the corner drinking her fizzy drink, being quiet so as not to wake her parents or the live-in housekeeper.

Just as silently a shadow moves into the room and enters the housekeeper's room. Nixie, the little girl, thinks that it is a boyfriend and that Inga and he will be doing IT. So, still silently, she creeps to the door to spy and is terrified when she sees the man slit Inga's throat and blood gushing out. Quickly, she hides under the table as the shadow rushes out and upstairs. Going back into the roon she finds Inga's link and calls 911. She creeps up the back stairs--she wants her Mom! When she arrives in the room and crawls to the bed, she crawls through the blood of her parents. Shocked and unable to understand, she hides in the closet to await help.

Dallas and Peabody arrive shortly after the black and whites. Realizing all the family is dead but someone called it is, Dallas finds the little girls huddled in the closet. Seeing her immediately takes Dallas back to her own childhood, when covered in her father's blood after she stabbed him, she hid on the streets, alone and terrified. Amazingly, instead of causing Dallas to scoop Nixie in her arms, it causes her to recoil from her. But, she does have the sense to realize this was a finely plotted and executed crime and Nixie is most likely presumed dead. But it is not Nixie, but her friend who has had her throat slit like the others. Nixie must be secured and protected and so she is brought to Roarke's mansion and turned over to Somerset.

Now, it falls to Dallas and her team to discover Why such a seemingly happy family with no indication of illegal connections would have been executed in such a fashion and Who has the ability to override the high tech security system that should have prevented them from entering the home.

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Murder in an Irish Bookshop by Carlene O'Connor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Took A While But Knew Who Dunnit! But, Not Why!

Just a fan of this series. Like the family dynamic; the small town vibe; the Irish color; and the warm love between the Gardi. Add to that a mystery that is difficult to solve because the crime scenes have been contaminated and motives are impossible to identify. If I have any complaint, it is that in this installment there is a great deal of repetition, seemingly to pad the length of the book.

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Review: The Dark Heart of Florence

The Dark Heart of Florence by Tasha Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I either learn something new or remember something I'd learned in school or add more information to historical events of which I was aware whenever I read one of Lady Emily stories. This one is no different--early Florentine history of feuding sides such as those between guelfs and ghibellines, the rise of the d'Medici and the horrible desecration of art works, books etc by the mad friar Savonarola were not new to me. Tasha Alexander, however, weaves short chapters taking place during Renaissance Florence with its Botticelli era with chapters set in 1903 Florence, when Colin and Lady Emily Hargreaves have been sent by the Crown to investigate the death of one of the Crown's informants. Actually, of course, only Colin is entrusted to investigate along with another agent, Darius. Lady Emily is included in the trip to give Colin's visit the cover of a family holiday to his daughter, Kit's, Pallazzo. To further cover the intent of the visit, Lady Emily is encouraged to include her dear Parisian friend. Celine, in the party.

So, though it sounds confusing and is not, the book has three main mysteries and sleuths going with several minor threads and characters for added excitement. Always delightful and entertaining, the chapters engross the ready in the history, sights and mystery of 15th and early 19th Century Florence before the World Wars forever changed modern history.

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Good To The Last Page !

Murder at the University by Faith Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Good To The Last Page

If you like a mystery to last until the very end, this one's for you. If all leads are dead ends, this one's for you. And, if the final solution is a satisfying surprise, then this one's definitely for you!

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Taken in Nuala

Taken in Nuala by Harriet Steel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Eighth book in this mystery series set in 1930's Ceylon--under British rule it is isolated enough that the rise of Hitler in Europe is hardly making an impact on life there. Although any of the eight books can be read as a stand alone novel, this is one series that is best enjoyed by starting with the first book. The author starts each book with the same introduction, explaining her experiences visiting modern Sri Lanka and how much the place and its people appealed to her. Having planned on a detective series she decided to chose to 30's Ceylon as her setting.

This case involves the kidnapping of two young heiresses, one British, the other, American. During the botched abduction of the American she is killed and the persons responsible become the focus of Shanti de Silva and his officers. Hoping to solve the case rapidly and thus averting any further kidnappings they find themselves without any clues and are at a standstill when the second girl is kidnapped.

In each instance, the determination of the distraught families to pay the ransoms and regain their daughters further hampers the investigations. Still, hamstrung as they are Nuala's finest and the British officials are able to work with locals to make headway without alerting the kidnappers to their efforts.

Finally, the perps are caught in one way or another and Billy and Bella are ensconced in a home with roof and food.

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In the Shadow of Vesuvius: A Lady Emily Mystery by Tasha Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lady Emily and her husband, Colin Hargreaves with a friend, Ivy Brandon are exploring an excavated villa in Pompeii, when Ivy comments on the " sideburns" on one of the plaster-encased victims of the 79AD eruption of Vesuvius. At first, Lady Emily continues talking about the history of the place, until Ivy again states that this particular ancient could have stepped off a London street of the present time, 1902. Romans did not wear sideburns and Colin takes a penknife to the plaster, much to Lady Emily's dismay. What he finds is a very modern dead body encased in plaster to hide it. Needless to say, the authorities are called in, the man identified and his death determined to be murder. And so the Hargreaves embark on their next mystery.

The chapters alternate between the present investigation and the tale of a lady's maid, a slave, given her freedom upon her lady's marriage. Kassandra is a poetess and her former charges new husband entices her to begin secret meetings with him in which she passes him chapters of a poetic epic she is writing. She is torn between loyalty to the woman who has been like a sister to her and her desire to write. Her creative ambition wins out and so her tragedy is revealed alongside the tragedy of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

If you've not been to Pompeii, this book will give you a very good image of the place. If, like myself, you have been there, the memories of the place will become clearer than ever. The history of the Romans and Greeks who lived there and the way of life is as interesting as the details of the archeology digs that have taken place and the wonders they have revealed. Add to that the characters and the mystery of the man's death and this book is a winner!

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Review: Rough Time in Nuala

Rough Time in Nuala by Harriet Steel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse by Christopher Parker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This Kindle edition was provided by BookBrowse to review and discuss. A most unusual read. A most unusual read.The title brings to mind coastal beaches and sundrenched romps in the surf. While there is some sandy beach and dunes and even a Lighthouse Festival, that is not the chief backdrop of this story at all. The Lighthouse does play a significant role in the telling but not at all in any usual way! A young girl's mother has recently died and, not unexpectedly, she is devastated and unable to come to terms with her loss. Her father, too, has been thrown into the depths of grief. Their relationship has always been a bit strained, since he is a Detective in the State Police and has often been away either physically or emotionally from his family. Now, with both in such upheaval, there seems to be no way for them to connect and support each other. Her Uncle Jack, also a State Police Officer, convinces her father to take her to a small seashore town to help them to find a quiet place in which to work their way to peace.

And so Amy finds herself in a small hotel on Oregon's coast with a Lighthouse outside her window. While her father goes to the bar for a nightcap, she finds herself unable to sleep. Grabbing her father's sleeping pills she draws a bath and falls asleep as the tub fills. Suddenly, she is rudely awakened by a young man, who when passing her room, discovers the hall floor covered in water. He goes into the room to discover her. And so, the two central characters of the book meet for the first time.

Ryan, is the son of a ranch owner who lives about five miles outside town. He had come to the hotel bar for a drink as well. The Ranch is being foreclosed within days and his taking loans from the bank has brought this upon the family home. He hasn't told his father and so driven by guilt and anguish, he has tried to escape for a bit.

As Amy and Ryan get closer, sharing their secrets and their grief, it becomes apparent that Ryan has a bigger secret that even he is not fully aware of. What that secret is and how it will change the lives of both he and Amy as well as their fathers is an emotional ride of hope, love,despair and finally happiness.

And is totally unexpected and unlike any novel I've read before. Just wonderful.

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Review: Hide and Seek

Hide and Seek by Ian Rankin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Rebus, living alone, sleeping in his easy chair is called out to a squat in a run down housing development where the body of a young man is laid out in a ritualistic pose, a pentagram drawn on the wall, a jar of syringes and burnt down candles at his sides. A drug overdose among the young homeless of Edinburgh or is it?

The investigation brings him in contact with a series of characters and a young constable, Brian Holmes. From other street kids, to rent boys, to fancy private clubs, Rebus tries to piece together pieces of the puzzle, though he doesn't even feel he has ANY pieces. Maybe, he should just let it go--but he has a feeling and it drives him on until the mystery is solved.

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Review: Passage from Nuala

Passage from Nuala by Harriet Steel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Quite fond of Shanti and Jane--Inspector de Silva, a police inspector of Ceylon and his British wife. It is 1930's and the island is under British rule--it is sometimes hard for me to believe how far into the 20th Century European colonialism extended. But in this installment the de Silva's are away from home, at sea as a matter of fact. Shanti has purchased tickets for them to cruise though the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean and Egypt to see the Pyramids.

Unfortunately, though they are on vacation, as is his boss's boss, Sir William Petrie and his wife, Lady Caroline. murder never seems to take a vacation. Though the two couples do get a chance to socialize a bit in Cabin Class, the elegant expensive level in which the Petries are traveling, it is not long into the trip that a less than charming gossip columnists is found dead in his cabin. As the only two official government representatives aboard the two men find they are in charge of determining the ID of the murderer. Being at sea, there is no chance of escape, however, if the guilty party is not found before they reach Port Said on the Med, the chances of escape will increase.

Though there seem to be no viable suspects, the other passengers on the victim's corridor must be interrogated. This is a thorny situation since the murder took place among the affluent Cabin Class travelers. DiSilva and Jane are traveling Tourist Class but with his credentials he is able to move freely on a deck that would normally be closed to him. Jane, too, gets to enjoy its luxuries, since she and Lady Caroline have hit it off and manage lunch and deck strolls. Soon, however, even these social lulls become less frequent when the crooner at the evening gatherings is found dead in a supply closet!

Are the murders related? The men seem to have nothing in common nor do they seem to have been particularly friendly. Nor, do any of the passengers or crew have connection to either man. Not until the boat docks in Port Said is the mystery resolved. In the meantime, the cruise, the moonlight at night on a dark blue sea, the luxurious food and dress and the romantic dancing to a lovely orchestra keep the reader relaxed and curious in equal measure. And, in the end, jane and di Silva reach the Pyramids atop some rather interesting four-legged beasts.

( I have pictures of my Dad in the 20's in the same place atop one, too. The traditional USN Mediterranean cruise! And pix of Port Said etc as well. ) It was particularly interesting to enter the Med by way of the Canal instead of through Gibralter which my father described in detail.'

Looking forward to the next case when Shanti and Jane return to Ceylon.

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Review: Down the Hatch

Down the Hatch by M.C. Beaton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A review of an ARC provided by Goodreads for that purpose.

If you have not seen any of the TV programs based on Agatha Raisin, do not watch them. While I enjoyed this book with the slightly madcap sleuth, her ex-husband, James and the rest of the characters, it was very annoying to imagine them as the actors who play them, particularly since I am not fond of the blonde in the shows.

The story is very light, Agatha is very vain and self-centered, the murders are interesting and the solutions satisfying. Not very challenging but a nice read if you don't want to think too much and don't find the characters too one-dimensional. Don't get me wrong, many are fans of the series and it is fun, just not my cup of tea.

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Review: Down the Hatch

Down the Hatch by M.C. Beaton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Review: Murder on the Oxford Canal

Murder on the Oxford Canal by Faith Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A female cop of a certain age, with years of experience, finds herself living on a canal boat and hating it. Her deceased husband, also a cop and dirty, has left her, though getting a divorce, as a person of interest to the British version of IA. Was she complicit in his nefarious and money making side business? She is still on active duty and her cohorts, but for DI Ross do not for a moment think she is dirty. Still, she is given a murder to solve but once it appears to be part of a drug seller's action, she is made subordinate to a guy and ladies' man who is also making the moves on her young Sgt. The young DC in her group has a crush on her, though she seems unaware of this. One of the IA guys also seems interested and she finds herself attracted to the lead Vice investigator. Despite all these undercurrents, along with competition for advancement, Hilary Greene seems able to follow leads and eventually assist in a drug raid and also at long last determine who murdered the dead guy found mutilated in the Oxford Canal.

A fast read with a likeable DI who stays calm and sassy as she goes about the business of solving crime. I think I'll read some more, especially since the author makes her character a fan of James Burke's mysteries, as I am!

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Review: The Bat

The Bat by Jo Nesbø
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Alcoholic Norwegian police officer, Harry Hole, is sent to Sydney to observe the investigation into the murder of a young Norwegian girl. He pairs up with an Aborigine detective, Andrew Kensington, a former boxer. From Andrew, Harry Holy, as the Aussie's call him, learns the folk tales of the Indigenous people, including an origin story very similar to the Garden of Eden tale of Christians. He also learns of the treatment of the Native people by the European settlers and their descendents--also similar to the experience of others throughout the world.

As the investigation proceeds Harry becomes very familiar with an area of Sydney that is definitely seedy and the underbelly with its motley assortment of denizens. It also becomes evident that the girl's murderer is a serial killer with a preference for blondes and a wide area of predation. Many red herrings and false leads as well as the revelation that Harry isn't very fond of American cinema, in time, leads to the identification and apprehension, of a sort , of the perp.

In this first of a series, the character of Hole, with all its flaws is fully developed. He's likeable, intelligent, driven and terribly sad--he'd be awfully wearing if anyone spent too long in his presence but Harry is a rolling stone so he probably moves on before that happens. The cast of characters surrounding him are varied and interesting, too. All in all, a good book even if his binges are too long and drag the story out too much.

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Review: Pray for Silence

Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Set in the rural Amish farmland of Ohio, this murder mystery is horrendous in its depiction of the slaughter of a family of seven, including five children, one a toddler. For Kate Burkholder, the Chief of Police and excommunicated Amish woman, it is particularly emotionally devastating. Both teen girls have been viciously tortured and disemboweled. One of them has had her uterus removed and is not found. As the story unfolds, the similarities between Kate's life as a young Amish girl and that of this girl, Mary Planck almost destroy Kate. Without any evidence and with no immediate leads, Kate and her team, outsiders to the community, find it very difficult to get any information from the other farm families of the area. Who could want to so savagely destroy a quiet family with no obvious enemies in this small Ohio town? The search for answers is engrossing and the revelations almost worse than the crime scene itself.

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Review: Murder on Pleasant Avenue

Murder on Pleasant Avenue by Victoria Thompson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Victoria Thompson brings turn of the century NYC to life. This installment takes the reader to Italian Harlem-- how I wish my Mom were still here to fill me in on this neighborhood. I only knew of Black Harlem and Little Italy as locations but never of a large Italian presence in the Harlem area. As to the prejudice against Italians--oh, yes, I knew of that for even in my family there was displeasure when one of my aunts married an Italian fella. But, as can be seen in this story the bias moved in both directions--Gino's family is not thrilled that his " possible" love interest is neither Italian nor Catholic--a double whammy against our Maeve.

This over-riding bias and lack of trust among the Italian community for any outside it play a major role in the search for the murderer of the leader of the Black Hands and the subsequent murder of his wife. It would appear that the Black Hand group has been making money by kidnapping women and children of wealthy Italians for ransom. When the boss, Nunzio Esposito, is found stabbed to death in a flat he'd rented for his mistress, it is assumed the murderer might have taken revenge for this and/or other unjust demands, such as protection money, from the folks of Italian Harlem. Unfortunately, since Gino Donatelli was found in the flat with the dead body shortly after the murder, the police were happy to arrest him, despite his being a former policeman himself.

Malloy gets Gino out on bail and hidden away from the Black Hand. They might want to kill him out of revenge--a vendetta--or perhaps kill him so that the police will consider the murder solved and not go looking for any other possible perp--not that the police ever get very active investigating any crime involving the Italians! Stiil, Malloy, Sarah and Maeve all get involved in finding out what exactly is going on and who is truly responsible. With Gino in danger Maeve is forced to look a bit closer at what she wants from her involvement with him. Many plots thicken as always in the gaslights of New York

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Review: Fatal Finds in Nuala

Fatal Finds in Nuala by Harriet Steel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just love the setting and the characters in these books--30's in Ceylon. British rule is still there and Archie Clutterbuck is the chief poombah for the Brits. In this episode his snobbish wife, Florence, is off on a cruise so Archie can get out in the field and work closely with Inspector Shanti de Silva and his two officers. Shanti is Sinalhese Buddist married to his lovely English wife, Jane. Sgt Prasanna is in his 20's, recently married and also Sinalese while Constable Nadar, a Tamil Hindu, is a bit younger and a recent Dad.

On a dark and stormy night, LOL, de Silva find himself broken down on a muddy back road with no houses in sight. He is rescued by Clutterbuck's assistant who happens by, but not before he is spooked by strange sounds emanating from the surrounding jungle..

The next day Prasanna's wife comes with an older woman to the police station to report the lady's missing husband, a villager named Venu. Before long his body is found buried in the jungle not far from the site of Shanti's disabled car. There are old coins and pieces of what appear to be gold jewelry in the vicinity of the burial. What are they doing here, did Venu have them and if so, where did he get them? The investigation is is convoluted, the characters shady. The solution is surprising. All in all a good book for a rainy day!

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Review: The President's Daughter

The President's Daughter by Bill Clinton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fast reading and interesting. Not a pulse pounding as some other Black OPs books so wouldn't call it a thriller, as the cover says. Lots of InterAgency politics --lots of politics in general. Maybe some wishful thinking on the part of the real ex-Potus co-author but then it is fiction.

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The Whitby Murders

The Whitby Murders by J.R. Ellis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Beware Your Friends

This series is a favorite but I knew what happened in the escape room and who the murderer was right when it happened. Then, because Oldroyd insisted that all the friends had to be investigated, I began to doubt myself! Once the murderer was revealed, though I could not figure out the full crime or its motivation, I sort of felt like Andy. Lots of wasted time. But the characters, the team work and the personal relationships, the history and the setting made up for any weaknesses in the crime plot.


his daughter insisted

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Review: A Private Cathedral: A Dave Robicheaux Novel

A Private Cathedral: A Dave Robicheaux Novel by James Lee Burke
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Installment 23 of the Robicheaux-Purcell extravaganza but oh, how I hope there is not a 24th! Finished this one out of loyalty but it is as though the alcoholic brain destruction has gotten full blown for these two. If the timeline is right they are pushing 75-80 and the time has come to hang it up. Several reviewers have called the visions and plot supernatural--no, they are hallucinogenic and drugs and trips have never tempted me. I found it impossible to figure out what was real and what totally mental--and if we can believe, jLB, it wasn't much better for his imperfect heroes. I don't know if these guys are done but I pretty much am--will have to buy other books from my friend at Books Along the Teche.

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Review: Murder on Black Swan Lane

Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just started this series. The setting is Regency London, a time of great advances in Industry. The characters are intellectual, witty and daring. A widow living in the London ghettos has taken in two of the street ruffians, Raven and his brother, Hawk--who is simply adorable. With their shrewdness and familiarity with the alleys the boys are able to provide Charlotte Sloane with information she is able to use in her satirical cartoons which poke at the highest level of society and amuse the common folk. One of these cartoons attract the attention of Lord Wrexford, a chemist, who finds himself the principle suspect in the murder of a prominent clergyman, since said man seems to have been the victim of chemical burns and distortion. This combination of two intelligent people from different strata of society working together to clear Wrexford and the setting and the history of chemical science all combine to make this a very exciting and compelling mystery indeed!

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Review: The Book of Lost and Found

The Book of Lost and Found by Lucy Foley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Why do people lie? What effect does a lie have on the person to whom the lie is told? Would lives be different if the lie were not told or if the truth is eventually revealed? Will the truth make things better or worse? Can a lie ever be justified or selfless?

This book is filled with lies--mothers or step-mothers to daughters, lovers to lovers, the misinformed to searchers. Would the childhood sweethearts carried on their love affair that began as young adults if the secret one kept from the other had been revealed? Would he have become the accomplished and successful artist?

Would the Prima ballerina have worked so hard as a young child to reach the pinnacle of international ballet circles had her step-mother revealed the truth she learned from the mother, whose mother had lied to her at the child's birth? The mother who tried to keep shame and ridicule from her unmarried daughter--or was it to keep it from the family's reputation as much as the girl's? Did the step-mother keep the truth hidden to protect the same child or to keep her for herself--lest the now famous star sought out her mother and left her behind?

And would the misinformation much later in time, during the chaos of WW II , have brought the star-crossed lovers back together had it not been passed on to a distraught returning soldier?

Circle upon circle of lies, half truths, world upheaval, misinformation---all to be sorted through by a young woman who has lost her Mother and whose grand-mother on her death bed finally reveals the truth of the ballerina's birth. The story pivots back and forth between 1929 through the '40's and 1986, the story's present. From London, Paris, Corsica, New York it moves along with the artist and dancer and their families as the heroine hears from the two lovers the story of their lives.

Those questions, unanswerable bounce through my mind even now that the story has ended. A book, at times sad, at others bright and happy --much like life itself.

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Review: Memento Mori

Memento Mori by Ruth Downie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Forgotten how much I enjoy the escapades of Medicus Ruso and his British wife, Tilla! Having left the service of Rome, Ruso and Tilla with their adopted daughter, Mara, are visiting the native family farm of Tilla's family. No longer in Rome, the life is quite different for Ruso and Tilla's brother is not inclined to make his stay comfortable. When word reaches them that Valens, Ruso's best friend and also a doctor, is being sought as the murderer of his wife, Serena, Ruso wastes no time in deciding he must rush to Aquae Sulis ( modern Bath ) to investigate and clear Valen's name.

Needless to say, from the outset, the situation is almost impossible. First, Tilla will not hear of remaining at the farm. Naturally, that means Mara, the nursemaid, Nameem, as well as their slave must also go. This requires hordes of luggage and the means to get to the tourist mecca as quickly as can be. From the chaotic trip, to the limited lodging availabilities in a town soon to have a festival in the name of the Goddess and a visit by the Roman governor to the actual investigation--nothing goes smoothly until the final pages of this frustrating, funny, infuriating mystery fraught with lies and omissions leading to dead ends.

Good to be back in ancient Britannica once more!

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Review: Lord Seeks Wife

Lord Seeks Wife by Heather Barnett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Unique Take on Romcom Books

Sort of The Bachelor meets Regency romance. Contemporary Duke's mother is anxious for him to marry and provide an heir. Stuffy book worm,who loves the works of Willie decides to take out an ad in the local newspaper. His more widely brother assists in organizing the many rounds of interviews needs the cull the women ,and men, who apply for consideration as the lucky winner. Quite an assortment of contenders, both local and distant, descend upon the quiet village with hilarity and chaos galore!

This review is of a Kindle edition provided by Goodreads for that purpose.

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Review: Murder at an Irish Christmas

Murder at an Irish Christmas by Carlene O'Connor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: The Sunset Route: Freight Trains, Forgiveness, and Freedom on the Rails in the American West

The Sunset Route: Freight Trains, Forgiveness, and Freedom on the Rails in the American West by Carrot Quinn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story of Carrot's early life in Alaska was so devastating that it was necessary to take a break from reading. At first, also, the moving back and forth in time was a difficult adjustment but once I decided that that really is the way we think back over our lives, memories in random order many times within an hour's time, it became easier. The pain and loneliness and emotional toll of Carrot's life is stunningly described. For the first time it has become clearer to me why people would choose to live this nomadic, emotionally distanced, seemingly unfettered life style. No number of springtime flowers or star-studded skies would ever compensate for a lack of love and emotional bonds and the need to dumpster dive to eat. How she managed to pull anything resembling a life worth living is nothing short of miraculous.

This a BookBrowse provided ARC review.

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Review: An Irish Country Practice: An Irish Country Novel

An Irish Country Practice: An Irish Country Novel by Patrick Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Three years have gone by since a young doctor, Barry Laverty, arrived in Ballybucklebo to interview with Fingle Flaherie O'Reilly. Fingal, a widowed bachelor doctor, was in the process of physically ejecting a patient into a rose bush, tossing a shoe and sock behind the victim, as Barry walked up the path to the door. Barry, a young single doctor, who was applying to the practice as an addition, almost turned on his heel, got back into Brunhilde his ancient VW and headed back to Belfast . Instead, he was accepted by Fingle and now three years and eleven books later Barry is a partner and soon to be married to a local schoolteacher. Fingal is cutting back his hours and trying to get his new wife, Kitty to do the same. Another member of the practice, Dr Fitzgerald is dealing with a gambling addiction and a new Dr has come to intern for a year and is a unique addition as a result of his upbringing and experience finishing med school. Kinky, the intrepid housekeeper now lives in her own home with husband, Archie.
Ballybucklebo's residents, too, have seen changes, the aforementioned ousted patient now lives in California but now must find the wherewithal to return home to visit with his mother,Anne, diagnosed with cancer. Donal and his wife are expecting a new baby and Donal as usual has a lottery going on the delivery date. Fingal's brother, Lars and his female friend, the Marquis' sister are finding their relationship somewhat strained. As a result, Fingal and Kitty now have a new Lab, Kenny, who is being trained by the old boy, Arthur Guiness, in the fine art of birding and also the joys of a bowl of Smithwick's.

And so life in Ballybucklebo moves on as it does in all the world--with joy and sorrow, ups and downs, challenges and easy sailing, wins and loses, laughter and tears, achievements and failures, success and disappointments--all in all--a nice normal place to be.

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As Invigorating as a Hot Charleston

Murder on the SS Rosa by Lee Strauss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As invigorating as a hot Charleston

Just as fun Roaring Twenties Romp! TransAtlantic crossing on an elegant ocean liner.A few forays into steer age,with glimpses into a bit of the life of employees.Mostly,though, lavish clothing , bootleg booze,scandalous liaisons g,lamorous former spy, American film star, studious soon to be medical student, handsome Chief Inspector,oh,yes,AND a dead Ship's Captain in a pickle barrel! Who could ask for anything more?

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Sometimes Feeling Guilty is Unreasonable....

The Survivors by Jane Harper
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sometimes Feeling Guilty Is Unreasonable

...and making someone feel guilty is unforgivable . Found this book very difficult for several reasons.The initial premise ,that the loss of rescuers lives is somehow the fault of the survivor , didn't resonate with me at all. That being the case, the repetitive narration bored me and somber tone depressed me. I finished the book but felt no sympathy or empathy for any of the characters except the two victims. They were innocent women who lost their lives because of teen male angst.




.vivor

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Common Healthy Practices

Rewiring Tinnitus: How I Finally Found Relief From the Ringing in My Ears by Glenn Schweitzer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Common Healthy ACTIVITIES

Not a lot of new approaches to the achievement of a healthy life, no matter the individual' concerns or afflictions. Exercise, eat well, reduce stress, sleep well. Add in meditation, therapy, and the author's collection of guided meditation and sound tracks for $50, if so inclined. Glad I didn't buy the book!

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Review: Murder in an Irish Cottage

Murder in an Irish Cottage by Carlene O'Connor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MacDara's aunt is found dead in her cottage--did the fairies finally win??? Or did something more human murder her? Because the death occurs in a nearby village neither Dara nor his fiance, Guarda O'Sullivan can investigate officially but that does not mean they don't nose around unofficially. Paintings, a legally blind cousin, a stuttering storyteller and a pal from Garda academy among others play a part in the confusing situation right until the last few pages. One of the best in the series for red herrings.

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The Killer: Man or Beast???

The Naturalist by Andrew Mayne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bear Attacks?

Filled with scientific genetic data and computer analysis, this mystery is fascinating as well as perplexing. Two young women have been mauled to death by bears, or maybe a big cat. Law enforcement and Fish and Game in Montana agree. But Dr Theo Cray does not be!I've it. He thinks there is a human serial killer responsible and that there have been many victims before these.Now he must use his skills and eventually risk his life and those of family and friends to prove it. The statistics of the number of victims and serial killers exist is enough to produce nightmares!

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Review: Visions in Death

Visions in Death by J.D. Robb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Life moves on for Peabody and McNab, Mavis hasn't had her baby yet, Somerset gets a chance to help in an investigation and a psychic comes to Dallas with info on murder of a young woman in Central Park. Is her information true--does she have visions, has she seen the murder? Dallas is certainly skeptical but the woman seems to be legit and when she " sees " another murder Dallas pays more attention. A big guy--uses a gym? Ties a red ribbon around their necks and each of the victims are into crafts--does he scope them out at craft supply stores? He takes their eyes after beating them, and raping them and strangling them--where does the anger and hatred come from? Another race against time for Dallas and the gang. What a convoluted ending but our girl comes through as always!

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Exciting, Tragic, Upliftng , Remarkable

Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



One man's life and experiences in Milan during the last two year's of Nazi occupation of Italy. From guiding Jews through the Alps to safety in Switzerland to becoming a spy as driver for a high_ranking Nazi General , Pino's life was one of danger and excitement. Loss of loved ones, especially Anna, memories of Nazi inhumanity, the unjust treatment of the man he served all contributed to a postwar crises of faith_in God, in humanity, in the future. In time,by moving on and blocking the memories,Pink was able to live a life of happiness and accomplishment. By the time this book was written he was 90years old,living in the Italian Alps and most of the other players in the tale had died.

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Review: Presumed Dead

Presumed Dead by Mason Cross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fifteen years ago a serial killer terrorized the small town of Bethany , Ga. Since the bodies of eight of the supposed nine victims were found on and around Devil Mountain, naturally the name Devil Mountain Killer was attached to the crimes. One victim, presumed dead though body missing, was Adeline Connor. Her only relative, David Connor, a young Bethany man believes he saw his sister on a street in Atlanta. Now, after years of searching the woods around his home to find her body, he is convinced she is still alive and seeks help in finding her. Enter Carter Blake, whose life is dedicated to finding missing persons, including those who do not wish to be found.

Carter is not a welcome guest in Bethany where the small town would let sleeping dogs lie. The killer has moved on, died or gone to jail. No need to stir up old memories. Besides, David Connor had been considered a possible perp and, as an odd ball stoner, was looked upon as an outsider though a local. Still, the first investigator he'd hired to find his sister had been murdered in Atlanta looking for Adeline and though it appeared he'd been a stranger in a bad part of town who was victim of a carjacking gone bad, David did not believe that. As soon as Carter starts snooping, however, bodies start turning up and the method of death is two shots to the head with a .38--same MO as the DMK. Has the killer returned? If so, why? and is Adeline still alive?

As Carter and one of the Sheriff's deputies, Isabella Green, the daughter of one of the victims who died 15 years ago, delve further into the mystery, more people are killed. Some are locals, others are not--so are the killings related to the search for Adeline or not?

The trails and backroads of the area are not the only twisty traits of this compelling mystery. One thing though--I'm beginning to see a pattern to these Carter Blake plots that may give an early clue to the bad guys in the books. Not going to reveal my theory though, don't want to ruin the tales for other readers. Plus, I need to test the theory out on the next book. Hmmmmm

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Review: Murder on Trinity Place

Murder on Trinity Place by Victoria Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another series that I love. Not only are the stories set in a time when my grandparents lived in NYC but also around the time my parents were born. As a result, though well before my time, the places are familiar because of their stories and my own early days growing up in Manhattan. Still, the history that Ms Thompson includes in her murder mysteries is every bit as interesting as the locale, the characters with whom we are so familiar--Sarah and Malloy, their neighbors and families. As a science teacher and wife to an Ag teacher, the story of swill milk and the coming of pasteurization at the turn of the 20th century was so fascinating. So, too, the side argument--Was Dec 31, 1899 New Year's Eve for the 20th century? We had the same discussion on Dec 31, 1999 as I recall--lol Some things never change.

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Review: Divided in Death

Divided in Death by J.D. Robb
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Forgotten how much I enjoy this series--Rourke, Lt Dallas,Eve, Peabody, MacNab, Feeney--NYC in 2050's and crime on this and other planets.! Here Homeland Security plays a major role and it is scary to think what that organization may evolve into. Here, we see a possible scenario--trying to protect our security but also allowing incredible crimes to be committed without any interference in the name of global protection. Four people murdered, innocent people set up to take the fall. But, not on Eve Dallas' watch--they picked the wrong company and its employees, one owned by Rourke. But they also picked the wrong town--Dallas and her crew handle murder in this part of the city. It would appear that the development of a cyber weapon is at the center of this convoluted who done it and the pace and twists keep everyone on their toes. Don't know how Robb keeps coming up with these tales but they never get old and her characters are old friends by now in book 18! She throws in fun futuristic facts about the city, too, such as the Flatiron being the last skyscraper left! I'd miss the Chrysler but it is nice that the first skyscraper is still standing. Would not want to live in a time when only the wealthy can eat real meat or drink real coffee, etc. Soydogs do nothing for me! Time to get some more of the In Deaths to read this summer for sure

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Review: Don't Look For Me

Don't Look For Me by Mason Cross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Don't Look For Me by Mason Cross
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Engrosssing --Carter Blake, man of mystery, receives an email from an unknown person which sends him to Las Vegas. The person, Sarah, has found the address in a notebook seemingly left behind accidentally by a neighbor and husband, Rebecca and Dominic Freel, who disappered in the middle of the night. Their home is then broken into by two men, again in the middle of the night, leading Sarah to also check out the empty house, which appears to almost never to have been occupied. Worried about the missing friend, Sarah has taken a chance and emailed this unknown person for help. So begins a search that leads Sarah and Carter to a ghost town in Arizona, and into the tunnels beneath Las Vegas. Why have the Freel disappeared, who is the brute that broke into Sarah's home and attacked her--what is going on??

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Review: Invisible

Invisible by Andrew Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Paul McGrath is used to being invisible, having spent most of his young life as a Black Ops guy in all the hot spots of the world. But now, he is out of the service with a letter of reconciliation from his estranged father is his pocket. Unfortunately, the service being what it is--convoluted at best--the letter reached him two years after it was written. When he arrives home, ready to see his father once more and perhaps ready to mend the rift between them, he finds his father is dead and the death is a possible homicide. The father's business partner is suspected but though he was brought to court, the case was thrown out when some evidential material mysteriously disappeared.
With the subtle suggestion, from the lead detective, that he somehow find this folder, McGrath takes a janitorial job in the courthouse where the file is probably hidden. As his search progresses, Paul uncovers many situations, totally unconnected to the missing material and, yet, problematic. He shares the info with Atkinson, the detective, but when it is shelved as being out of his juristiction etc, Paul finds ways to rectify things himself, all the while continuing his own search.
Being a NYC gal it was a joy to follow him on the streets I so vividly remember as he covers Manhattan, on foot, on subway, etc and enjoys the beauty of its architecture and skyscrapers. The only thing that keeps me from a 5 star review is the cliffhanger ending. It would be fine if there were any indication that a subsequent book will carry on the story but the short preview of the next book does not provide one.

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Review: The New Iberia Blues

The New Iberia Blues by James Lee Burke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The New Iberia Blues by James Lee Burke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hard to believe I won this book in 2019 but I read the Robicheaux books in order and have finally caught up. I'm afraid I'm a biased reader for I love the New Iberia-Lafayette area of Louisiana and spend at least two weeks there every winter. As a result part of my enjoyment in the books is that I know where things are and when Dave and Clete head through the tunnel of oaks between New Iberia and St Martinsville I'm right there. I've explored all the way to Morgan City been along the Coast to Cameron etc--you get the picture. Still, I've come to love the characters as well and know how old they are getting--at some point Clete isn't going to recover from his wounds and Dave isn't going to be able to knock the shit out of some scumbag in a righteous attack. But, I like them , keep coming back for more. This time a series of seemingly unrelated murders with religious overtones has the gang and the reader at loose ends. Two new younger cops are part of the story--Bailey Ribbons, whose name I do NOT love, gives the aging Dave a chance to feel foolish in love and Sean McClain, who is wet behind the ears but eager to learn. There are the usual cast of abused and misused creatures who hang to life by their finger tips--doing whatever needs doing to survive. Also, the shadowy creatures who break the law and some who take lives without remorse. I keep telling myself there aren't really those people in the lovely Louisiana I enjoy--but I think some are probably real. Certainly the broke, poor and down and out are real and visible even to a visitor. And JLB in his prose paints the scenes, the people and the crimes with such clarity and realism you just have to keep turning the pages until you've experienced it all and then close the book and sit and think about the meaning of it all. The stories, the place, the people just stay with you as you imagine yourself sitting on the banks of the Teche in City Park across from Dave's office watching the Muscovey and Mallards swimming around.

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Review: Robicheaux

Robicheaux by James Lee Burke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Robicheaux by James Lee Burke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

These books are not easy reading but they keep you engrossed to the last page. Though for me, I need to break to absorb what I've read, I find you can't leave it too long before returning or you forget where you are at. The scrapes Dave and Clete find themselves in never fail to keep the reader to the last page. In this one, Dave has fallen off the wagon and has blacked out what may have been his murder of the driver who caused the death of his wife. Clete in the meanwhile finds himself the guardian of a young boy and a romantic involvement yet again with a woman who is not doing him any good. Add to this two aristocratic men Dave has known since childhood--one a politician with his eye on the big prize and an actor's poise that Clete despises and Dave accepts. The other the descendant of Confederate officers with a well-developed pride in his ancestry and a wife who has some serious problems. Eventually, a crooked cop from NOLA and a button man from Miami make the scene with assorted other common folk and low lives. It all comes to a head in the Superdome at a political rally 400+ pages later. Oh, yes, Alifair is home and gets tangled up in the mess, too. I'll take a few days rest and move on into #22. I'm catching up. JLB--time for a new installment!

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