Review: Until Death

Until Death by James L. Thane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, by page 2 I was very happy that we did not build a garage when we built our house. Second one of Thane's books I've read and in both within seconds someone gets killed in the garage! By page 9 I was annoyed by Sean's opinion that Maggie " at 38 ( 38!!!!!!!) remained extraordinarily attractive,"!
Give me a break--I guess at 38 a woman is normally an unattractive old bag. But by page 65, when Gina is sent a copy of Klute, starring Donald Sutherland who died that very morning, I was struck by the coincidence and was only slightly amused that Sean, only a couple years older than Maggs, knew both the movie and the star, when Maggs had no clue.

Also by Page 65 these little nits lost their importance as the murders increased and the poiice were totally at sea as to why these men were being killed, despite their connection to Gina, a physical trainer who, as Jennifer, was also a high end prostitute. Even more of a mystery was the murderer.

Two old sayings come to mind having read the book to its conclusion. I will not share them since they would give the plot away. However, the police followed using one of them as their theory for motive. Too bad, because it is the second that would have given them the solution. I kick myself for not remembering it before the murderer was revealed. Maybe because my mind doesn't work that way in such a situation. Hah!

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Review: No Place to Die

No Place to Die by James L. Thane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The book opens with a jolt--Beverly Thompson pulls into her garage, expecting to have a lovely dinner with her husband. But as the garage door begins to descend a man runs under it and she is trapped in her car. Immediately, she locks her doors and lays on the horn.The stranger forces her to stop the noise and pointing a gun at her forces her to open the car. Husband and dog immediately open the house door to investigate, the man shoots both. He then pulls her from the car, covers her face with a cloth soaked in probably chloroform and, as she fades from conciousness, greets her as an old friend.

Who are these people? What connects them and why did this guy kill her husband and dog and abduct Beverly Thompson? Within a few pages these questions continue to puzzle Beverly and the reader. As the story unfolds more people are murdered and Beverly finds herself trying to ingratiate her man who is obviously going to kill her as well. Her only hope she feels is to convince him that she is no threat and make him become careless enough to allow her escape.

Even as the initial questions are finally answered the game she plays and the attempts of police to solve the puzzle of seemingly unrelated murders keep the reader involved until the very last pages with an ending as explosive and the beginning. Headed to the next case involving Sean Richardson and his very competent partner, Maggie.

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Review: Stardust in Nuala

Stardust in Nuala by Harriet Steel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Leaving Nuala for awhile but must say the most recent stay at The Crown was quite an experience. First the excitement of having a new film being made in little Nuala. Archie was beside himself with excitement at the prospect of Nuala becoming famous and the subsequent influx of tourist dollars once the War is over. Unfortunately, Nuala will probably be more infamous for the fact that the star, a famous Pakistani actor, died while filming. Not just died , but was murdered!!
No lack of possibilities for the perp--one of his two stepsons, perhaps or maybe is personal assistant, who appears to be in love with his daughter. Not likely such a star would condone that relationship. Or, perhaps, his much younger wife with whom he seemed always at odds and with whom he was often heard arguing.
Shanti is totally flummoxed. Dev was killed using a syringe filled with the medicine he was taking for his heart condition. The injection caused an overdose which killed him. Could he have committed suicide--the production company was in financial straits. Did his nurse kill him--or at least provide the medicine to the murderer?
Each day, Shanti finds himself discussing the case with Jane, seeking her opinion about any new info he gleans. But, even Jane, who quite frequently is able to untangle the clues, is at a loss.
And just to make life more interesting, Archie's dog doesn't want to leave the Residence and seems quite frightened to venture out, even into the garden. Florence has lost her spectacles and teaspoons keep disappearing--what is going on??
Well, in the end, all was sorted and things settled back into normal. As for me, I'm on my way to Phoenix where a man and his dog have been found shot dead in his garage. Also his wife seems to be missing. Danger all over the world it seems--sigh

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