Review: Fires of Edo

Fires of Edo by Susan Spann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Does not disappoint--Hiro and Father Mateo have arrived in Edo to warn their fellow spies to return to Kyoto since their lives are in danger. Upon arrival they discover there is a fire raging and the fire brigade moving full speed to the scene. Sending Ana and Gato on ahead to their Inn, the two men join the brigade in an effort to help prevent the spread of flames to the surrounding wooden shops and homes. The head of the brigade is none other that Daisuke, a childhood foe and bully whom Hiro distrusts and dislikes despite his being a member of Iga ryu as is Hiro. It would seem this fire is the third in recent time to bedevil the shops of booksellers, calligraphers and bookbinders of Edo. While seemingly all the result of accidental events, this particular burned out shop turns up the body of another samuri and thus Hiro and Father Mateo, at the behest of the local magistrate, find themselves once more delayed on their journey home.


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Review: The Last Line

The Last Line by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Grrrrr- A short story that gives the backstory to Del's arrival in Seattle and his first case as lead detective on a homicide case. Loved it until it just ended and left me hanging--what happened to
Del? or Moss who set him up? Obviously, Del wasn't tainted as a crooked cop but how did that get resolved?? Is there a follow-up story I haven't located??? Help Mr Dugoni or others of his readers!

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Review: Right Behind Her

Right Behind Her by Melinda Leigh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My favorite of the series so far, though reading from the beginning is the best way to approach it. This one gave a far deeper revelation about Bree's background and developed the character of her father much more. A convoluted crime that kept me guessing exactly what happened and at the end made it clear why a young drug addict would choose to live in a deserted barn loft with a female skull instead of the elegant guest house his very rich brother provides for him. Looking forward to the next Crime Bree and Dan and company will face.

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Review: Close to Home

Close to Home by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a heartbreaker--the drug crisis is such a human tragedy that has touched the lives of so many of every race, creed and economic status. No one is immune and we are so grateful our child has not succumbed to its allure though many of her peers and our former students have or have had relatives addicted. Just sitting here for a minute to think about it, I can recall the loss of at least two within the last six months and four who are battling to kick the habit. The fact that the cartels have plowed the marijuana fields and turned them into poppy fields is devastating. How are we ever going to get out of this situation? Del and his new lady friend debate the issue but even though they come to the conclusion that arresting and jailing addicts is not solving the problem, I don't see that they came up with a solid new approach.

Though this is the underlying theme of the book it runs through the story of tragic deaths of kids--the first a 12 year old boy killed in a hit and run on his way home from playing basketball, the second the overdose of Del's niece and eventually two of her friends. Del's friend, a lawyer is the mother of another boy who overdosed before she relocated to Seattle. The hit and run and Allie's overdose are handled as two cases until it turns out that the driver of the car has a connection to both cases. How they overlap is convoluted and hard to untangle.

I don't know if I'm reading too much Dugoni or if I'm just a great investigator but when a piece of evidence disappears I knew immediately who had taken it though I could not figure out why. That is until the very first appearance of the main culprit,who I fingered within seconds of its--don't want to give any hints--entry into the room. I managed both ID's at the halfway point of the story BUT wasn't sure how it was all managed or the connection between the two. One could say, I didn't have any hard evidence--lol --so needed to finish the book--not a hardship at all.

On to the next installment--looks like Tracy and Dan's life will be changing soon!!

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love this series

Her Final Breath by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Terrific Series

Relatable characters, suspenseful plot, satisfying ending. Looking forward to more crime solving in Seattle with Tracey and Dan and the SPD.

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Crab Pots as Cement Shoes?

The Trapped Girl by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Crab Pots As Cement Shoes?

I love that Dugoni calls them cheaters! Another good mystery for Tracy and her team to solve . Two of the end of tale revelations I'd figured out very early in the story. If you've ever had the birds and bees lesson one of them was totally obvious. Still,why the victims were murdered and by whom was a complete surprise. Liked Tracy and Dan's wedding celebration,too!

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Love Surprise Endings! Though I Missed a Clue!

Drown Her Sorrows by Melinda Leigh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love Surprise Endings!

Bree and Matt are slowly building a relationship; Bree, the girls and her brother, are growing closer and recovering from her sister's death. Bree is more confident in her role as Sheriff and able to delegate more easily. Love the evolution and the character development in this series.These things are always woven around a crime both challenging and jarring. A good combination for several days' worth of reading!

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