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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