Review: The Word is Murder

The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you love Foyle's War and Midsomers Murders; if you enjoyed Magpie Murders on Masterpiece, then you will love this mystery written by the author of those programs. The most interesting thing about this book is that Anthony Horowitz is himself a character in the book! But there is much besides the murders to keep the reader interested--a look into the development of such filmed offerings, the writer's process and the production of the piece. There are also glimpses of the publishing of a book and again the writer's process in its composition.
Yet, for all that information, this book, The Word is Murder--not its original title--Detective Horowitz wished it to be called something else--is not a full-fledged product of Horowitz's mind, Oh, no, Daniel Hawthorne, fired from Scotland Yard but used by them as an investigator, has approached Horowitz to write a murder mystery that Hawthorne is currently investigating. He wants Horowitz to tag along throughout and then once the mystery is solved to organize the events leading up to the solution into a book starring Hawthorne. The deal is that Horowitz has no creative license but must adhere strictly to events and places and people precisely as they are. When the book is published the two will share the profits 50/50.
The murder mystery is intriguing--though I figured out the murderer about 3/4 of the way through. Could not for the life of me understand the motive, however. The interaction between the author and investigator is hilarious in many ways though in no way is this a comedy. As a matter of fact, it was sometimes difficult, even at the end, to determine if this is a Murder Mystery or a Detective Story. And at times, whether this is a true crime book or a fictional tale.

Horowitz is just incredible and the next book is on my shelf to read next.

View all my reviews

Review: Mystery at Apple Tree Cottage

Mystery at Apple Tree Cottage by Clare Chase
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sometimes a mystery without a lot of blood and guns is relaxing and entertaining and this series with its lady of a certain age finding herself in the midst of it does just that. In this one, a native son who was a terror as a teenager and now a ladies man entrepreneur with a horticulture business returns to town and gets himself killed. Why? Does someone hold a grudge from years ago? Maybe his mother's boyfriend with whom he has had a strained relationship has had enough. Or did he go to far with his arrogance and manipulating charm? Eve and Viv will just have to go on running the bakery and cafe and compare notes. As a free lance obituary writer Eve is perfectly placed to get some background info on the victim. Especially, since he was interested in getting her to write a short bio on him in Icon magazine and the editor is still keen on the idea.The busybody shop keeper across the Green will have her info too And then there is the mysterious gardener about town, a former policeman, who has a connection with one of the coppers investigating the killing and shares info with Eve as well. Lots of red herrings in this one and a nice surprising solution.

View all my reviews

Review: Dead Man's Wake

Dead Man's Wake by Paul Doiron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Doiron is the master of fore-shadowing! Ora's gut feelings have weight. Stacy's observations at the airport in Massachusetts should have given her pause. And at least one other, early in the book, which gave me the answer immediately as to who the murderer was. How the boating accident fit into the plot was problematic and once the operator was found the punishment was sadly lacking. Still, unraveling the two crimes was interesting and thank goodness ole Mike and Charley insisted on being in on the crime that was not theirs to solve. Otherwise, the reader would have had a very short book to read. In the end, the only thing lacking was a viable motive--thought it was pretty shaky myself. Still, whatever the reason, the captive was at least partially responsible for the deaths. If nothing else Doiron always gives several strands to follow and keeps his Warden and family busy. Interesting, now that Mike is in his 30's he is all of a sudden a font of wisdom and some self control--lol

View all my reviews

Review: A Venetian Reckoning

A Venetian Reckoning by Donna Leon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A tragic tale of sex trafficking in Europe, especially Italy, especially Venice and Padua. It is heart-breaking and sad but the saddest part of this book is the ending. Tragedy upon tragedy.

View all my reviews

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!

View all my reviews

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.

View all my reviews

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

View all my reviews