MURDER-GO-ROUND: REVIEWS BY HARRIET KLAUSNER
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Harriet Klausner, was chosen the number
one reader in the entire USA by BOOK Magazine. What does that mean
to you? She reads constantly and knows what's out there and wants
to let you know, too. Read on for tips to great books from the wonder
reader Harriet Klausner. |
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June 2006
RAIN
OF FIRE
Linda Jacobs
Medallion, Jun 2006, $6.99
ISBN: 1932815295
When the Utah Institute Director Professor Stanton suffers a debilitating
stroke, he wants geologist Kyle Stone to replace him. Instead ambitious
Dr. Hollis Delbert pulls a stunt and takes charge. He removes Kyle's earthquake
reading equipment slated for Yellowstone, which has had some activity
of late, and uses it for his study of the Salt Lake area though that has
been inundated with equipment since just before the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Still she defies Hollis and brings some portables to the area where her
parents died during an earthquake in 1959 when she was a little girl.
Desperate for help, she turns to her former lover volcanologist Dr. Nicholas
Darden, who assists her with some of his equipment. As the tremors increase,
Hollis manipulates the Institute brass leading to Kyle's firing even as
Ranger Wyatt Ellison and Nicholas heat the air as much as the geo-thermo
activities does the ground as they compete for her affection.
RAIN OF FIRE is an exciting thriller that grips the audience with the
tremors that threaten Yellowstone at a time when there seems to be an
increase of major natural disasters. The story line is action-packed but
driven by the rivalry between Hollis and Kyle in which he behaves totally
unprofessional while she is absolutely dedicated. The romantic triangle
is deftly handled, but the tale is more a cautionary thriller warning
people about the potential of natural disaster in a place where most people
fail to realize the danger.
Harriet Klausner
THE
SHADOW
Shelly Munro
Medallion, Jun 2006, $6.99
ISBN: 1932815503
With her father's health failing, Lady Katherine Fawkner knows she must
bring in income to maintain their standard of living and pay off a debt
to loan shark Richard Brauchamp, who is willing to accept her as remittance.
Ergo she trains to replace him as the family cat burglar, the Shadow.
Her first job stealing jewels from Perdita Moning starts off well until
she overhears the target talking to her apparent lover just before a shot
is fired. She finds the woman dead, takes her jewels, but also sees a
photograph of a family with a girl who looks like her daughter Amber.
Katherine has the first clue to identify who drugged and raped her six
years ago when she was eighteen years old.
Police Inspector Kahu Williams leads the homicide investigation. He has
met Katherine already and is attracted to her and though she reciprocates
she has doubts about a cop in her life especially with her family. As
she makes inquiries into the family photo she lifted, he begins to unwind
threads that could lead him away from a killer to a female thief.
Readers will think of To Catch a Thief as Katherine and Kahu play a game
of romantic cat and mouse. The two are a fun couple with her DNA baggage
and his occupation making for strange bedfellows. The dual investigations,
her amateur sleuth into who drugged and raped her and his into homicide
and theft, make for a fine courtship that fans of a lighthearted romantic
mystery will appreciate.
Harriet Klausner
THE
OTHER WOMAN
Diana Diamond
St. Martin's, June 2006, $24.95, 336 pp.
ISBN 0312352174
Pam Leighton works for the Electric Energy Institute lobbying group that
works to make sure no legislation inimical to the power companies is passed.
The head of the corporation is John Duke who is Pam's lover and has been
for two years. When John is being considered for a cabinet post as the
Secretary of Energy his wife says she will support him using her political
connections if he severs all ties to Pam and makes sure she leaves Washington
D.C.
Pam moves to New York where she plans to write a tell-all book about the
lobbying industry. She has the evidence to back up every claim she makes
which makes certain Washington power brokers very nervous. They want the
publication of the book stopped and they use all sorts of methods to intimidate
Pam into giving up getting her book published. When a good woman dies
because she helped Pam, the writer becomes even more determined to write
her book even if she has to go to outrageous lengths to keep from getting
killed.
THE OTHER WOMAN is a fascinating relationship thriller that has readers
guessing who is spying on Pam and reporting back to the power brokers.
The audience feels pity for John Duke, who broke many laws as chairman
of the EEI not because he an evil man but because he is a weak person
who allows his ambition and wife to make choices that destroy his happiness.
Diana Diamond has written a novel that shows the ugly and illegal relationships
between lobbyists and elected officials that come straight out of news
headlines.
Harriet Klausner
THE
RAPTURE
Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins
Tyndale, June 2006, $25.95, 384 pp.
ISBN 141430580X
The countdown to the Rapture has begin and though he doesn't know it will
happen soon, Nicolae Carpathia, is making plans with the help of his spirit
guide (Lucifer) to take control of the world. He blackmails the president
of Romania using intimidation and threats to his family into stepping
down from his post and the outgoing president declares to the people that
Carpathia should be the next president. Raymond Steele, enamored of flight
attendant Hattie Durham neglects his wife and his young son Jamie, thinking
they are fools for being so involved in the church.
Days before Carpathia makes his speech to the United Nations, the Rapture
occurs and his sprit guide shows him how to use the disappearances to
his advantage. Raymond's wife Irene has almost given up hope that her
husband will turn into the man who showered her with love. When the trumpet
sounds, Irene and Jamie are lifted into heaven given new bodies and minds.
There they are judged for how they lived their life after they received
salvation. They see and explore heaven and interact with God and his son.
Irene, happy at last still prays that Raymond and Chloe, her daughter,
will seek salvation through the Lord.
THE RAPTURE explores in depth the characters of the protagonists and the
antagonists of the Left Behind series. It is a fulfilling novel that answers
many questions not covered in the other books in the series like why Raymond's
first officer committed suicide and how Carpathia persuaded the president
of Romania to step down. The authors have written another fascinating
and revolutionary work in a series that most readers wish will never end.
Harriet Klausner
THE
ROME AFFAIR
Laura Caldwell
Mira, Jun 2006, $6.99
ISBN: 0778323099
In Chicago, architect Rachel Blakely struggles with the fact that her
plastic surgeon spouse Nick admitted that he cheated on her when he was
in California giving a talk. Nick is doing everything he can to regain
the trust of his "Golden Girl".
Randall Design sends employee Rachel to Rome on business. Since Nick cannot
get away from his work and besides she does not want him with her, she
takes her long time best friend Kit Kernaghan with her. In Rome, Rachel
meets artist Roberto who shows her a portrait he swears he made over ten
years of his fantasy woman. That person is Rachel.. When she learns that
Nick failed to go to work, she assumes he cheated on her and turns to
Roberto for comfort; they share a night of lovemaking.
Not long afterward, Kit begins blackmailing Rachel threatening to tell
Nick that his wife cheated on him. Kit's reason for this is that he has
no money to pay for her mom's cancer treatment. Rachel is willing to provide
for Kit's mom, but is outraged over the extortion attempts. However, she
pays anyway to keep the ROME AFFAIR quiet, but soon someone else decides
on a more lethal remittance.
This interesting suspense thriller acts at first somewhat more like a
marriage in trouble tale starring a desperate male seeking a second chance
until the first blackmail spin that twists into something more sinister
and climaxes with a shocking final gyration that will stun the audience.
No one will see it coming though clues are everywhere as Laura Caldwell
lulls her audience with delightful sleight of the hand plot tricks that
make sense with every turn. The lead threesome seems real though one must
wonder why Rachel failed to recognize the avaricious desires of Kit; still
fans will enjoy this superb dark tale.
Harriet Klausner
HURRICANE
Karen Harper
Mira, Jun 2006, $7.99
ISBN: 0778323072
Counselor Julie Minton has renovated her family's Osprey resort on one
of the 10,000 islands near Naples, Florida so that she can bring teen
cutters for a few weeks of therapy. The other counselor Kaylin McKenzie
"arranges" for Julie's fourteen year old daughter Randi to share
a water jet ski with seventeen years old Thad Brockman; the younger teen
has a crush on the older boy. When they fail to return with Hurricane
Dana bearing towards the islands, Julie panics.
Julie meets with Thad's dad charter fishing operator Zack, a former military
Special Ops soldier. The widower agrees that they should search for Randi
and Thad though he feels they are all right and probably out of gas on
one of the smaller islands. However, as they begin their search starting
with asking his estranged in-laws if they stopped there, Randi and Thad
are in deeper trouble than anyone can imagine, having been netted by drug
traffickers.
Karen Harper provides a powerful romantic suspense thriller that never
slows down until the final confrontation in the eye of the storm. The
storyline is action-packed as a frantic Julie and a calm but concerned
Zack search for their missing children before Hurricane Dana strikes,
but are unaware that the kids are in deeper water with the drug dealers
who they know. Though the romance seems inane, rushed and unnecessary
with so much else going on, fans will enjoy this exhilarating Type 4 drama.
Harriet Klausner
BELLE
POINT
Karen Young
Mira, Jun 2006, $6.99
ISBN: 0778323102
At a charity event to raise money in which her husband St. Louis Jacks
star pitcher Buck Whitaker is the featured speaker, a distracted Anne
knows she must tell her spouse that she is ten weeks pregnant. When she
starts bleeding, she informs Buck that she is carrying his child and needs
to go home; he persuades her to let him give his talk then they will depart.
On the way home he acts as if he does not want the child just before they
crash when he swerves to avoid a deer in the road. She miscarries.
Unable to forgive Buck for his behavior before the accident, Anne leaves
him to return to their hometown of Tallulah, Mississippi where she hopes
to heal and determine whether she should divorce him. To pass time, Anne
begins looking into the history of BELLE POINT, the plantation owned by
her husband's family. Her investigation begins to reveal secrets that
frighten her mother-in-law; who fears her standing as a pillar of society
would crumble so she will do anything to insure they remain buried. Buck
follows Anne home because he loves his wife and wants her back in his
life, but first he knows he needs to gain her forgiveness with how he
reacted when she announced her pregnancy.
BELLE POINT is an exciting regional romantic suspense in which much of
the action comes late in the story line as readers learn early what motivates
the lead couple, especially their separation and what inflames the key
support players. The story line starts out slow until Anne finds strange
connections between Viet Nam and 1985 involving the name Baker; As Anne
plays amateur sleuth, readers will wonder what she will ultimately uncover
and whether she and Buck, still in love, can reconcile in this fine Magnolia
State thriller.
Harriet Klausner
COPYCAT
Erica Spindler
Mira, Jun 2006, $21.95
ISBN: 0778323129
In 2001 in Rockford, Illinois, the Sleeping Angel Killer (SAK) murders
three preadolescent girls in their bedrooms while their parents were nearby.
He left his smothered innocent victims looking as if they were peacefully
asleep. Rockford Police Department Violent Crimes Bureau Detectives Kitt
Lundgren and Brian Spillare head the investigation. At the same time Kitt's
ten year old daughter Sadie dies from leukemia, which drives the cop to
drink and costs her an opportunity to catch SAK.
Five years later, SAK who was silent since Kitt failed, apparently has
returned as another young girl Julie Entzel is smothered in her bedroom.
Heading the investigation is ambitious Detective Mary Catherine "M.C."
Riggio; she does not want the loser Kitt on the case. Kitt, who has not
touched a drink in eighteen months in spite of a divorce, notices that
the hands of the victim is different than the case she worked on; this
leads to the cops wondering if a possible COPYCAT killer exists. Not long
after the media announces the return of the Sleeping Angel Killer, SAK
calls Kitt to insist that she take charge of the inquiry into what he
claims is a careless copy cat killer or else he too will return to murdering
the innocent.
The key to this tense serial killer thriller that makes for a fresh entry
is the dysfunctional relationship between the two female detectives. The
story line is action-packed from start to finish yet readers see deep
inside Kitt and M.C. to see what motivates each of them. The final twist
will stun the appreciative audience as Erica Spindler spins a fabulous
suspense tale.
Harriet Klausner
TAKEN
Chris Jordan
Mira, Jul 2006, $21.95
ISBN: 0778322939
In Fairfax, Connecticut, widow Kate Bickford watches her eleven years
old son Tomas stroke the winning hit in a Little League game. Afterward
he goes to purchase a sundae while his mom goes to their minivan to wait
for him. Her child never shows up. When a few minutes pass and no one
knows where he went, a stunned Kate heads home assuming a communication
mix-up, but Tommy is not who greets her.
Inside her home waiting for her is Tommy's kidnapper, former Special Ops
officer Steve Cutter, who coldly explains how to get her son back before
he departs. Complicating matters for the frantic mother is Cutter has
left her a mess in her basement freezer; the murdered corpse of Sheriff
Fred Corso, the coach of Tommy's baseball team. The police believe Kate
killed Fred in a probable lovers' quarrel and do little to search for
Tommy as they do not believe her that her son is in trouble. Kate knows
she needs professional help on her two-front war. She retains attorney
Maria Savalo to deal with the cops and child abduction recovery expert
Randall Shane to deal with Cutter; she needs both to rescue Tommy.
Chris Jordon pens a tense character driven chilling tale that grips the
audience from the moment that Kate meets Cutter who has already TAKEN
her son, invaded her home, and murdered the sheriff. Readers initially
believe that the kidnapper is only after some easy money and willing to
kill to obtain it, but soon realize that his motive is much stronger and
deeper than cash. Though the behavior of law enforcement seems odd with
the alerts on child abductions, fans will consider this one of the short
list novels for thriller of the year.
Harriet Klausner
EYE
OF THE STORM
Dee Davis
HQN, Jun 2006, $5.99
ISBN: 0373771630
In Corpus Christie, just after her soon to be former brother-n-law Martin
arrives to crash for a while, Simone Cooper-Sheridan receives the post
card warning her that a storm is brewing. Before the ex CIA Division 9
agent can flee, assailants attack shooting Martin. She gets him to another
family house where she works on his wound at the same time that her husband
Reese, a former Ranger turned lawyer, angrily arrives.
She finally explains her secrets that tore apart their marriage just as
another assault occurs. The three flee with Simone hoping to keep the
two men she loves safe while reaching her former superior. As the police
seek Reese for questioning on a potential homicide of his brother and
wife, Isabella Ramirez seeks revenge for a CIA incident several years
ago in Nicaragua that left most of her loved ones dead.
Though having Reese as an ex Ranger seems too convenient and Martin handles
rather easily being shot nearly drowned and other assaults like these
are an everyday occurrence, fans will appreciate this gender bending romantic
suspense thriller. From the first bullet, the audience will comprehend
how competent Simone is whether it is eluding the bad guys, removing a
bullet and stitching a wound, or fighting back against her opponents.
Reese is a strong ally as he begins to understand why his beloved hid
the truth though he resents what she has brought to Martin. EYE OF THE
STORM is a delightful Dee Davis thriller.
Harriet Klausner
EXPRESS
MALE
Elizabeth Beverly
HQN, Jun 2006, $6.99
ISBN: 0373771126
In Cleveland pianist Marnie Lundy dreams of playing at Carnegie, but for
now plays at Lauderdale's department store. One night after work in the
parking lot, a man arrives handing her a package; another man tries to
take the package; and a third man succeeds, but snatches her too. Marnie
has no idea what is going on, but each male called her Lila.
The third man says his name is Noah Tennant code name "Sinatra";
that the first individual was the Philosopher and the second the Sorcerer.
His top secret Office of Political Unity and Security (OPUS) has been
searching for Lila for five months and the Sorcerer for two years. She
insists she is not Lila, but Marnie. As he learns she is telling the truth,
he investigates why two women look identical and recruits Marnie to help
them find their best agent the missing for five months Lila and the lethal
treacherous Sorcerer.
Like Marnie readers will wonder who slipped that hallucinatory drug in
her water from the moment the frightened Philosopher dumps his "book"
on her until the final confrontation between her and Sinatra as she forces
him to sing what is in his heart. The story line is action-packed with
Elizabeth Bevarly lampooning espionage thrillers while providing a strong
romantic suspense thriller. The Lila-Marnie scenario is obvious yet the
audience will not care as fans will wonder if OPUS is what Homeland security
is all about in a fun sequel to YOU GOT MALE.
Harriet Klausner
KILLER
DREAMS
Iris Johansen
Bantam, Jun 2006, $26.00, 352 pp.
ISBN: 0553803441
Sophie Dunston is close to her parents so she and her son Michael are
spending time with them. Out of the blue her dad kills the wife he loves
and cherishes and points the gun at his grandson. Sophie gets shot when
she steps in between her two men. Later she learns that the sleep therapist
her father was seeing was a minion of her first employer, Sanborne. She
invented Rem-4, a drug that allowed people to be influenced into doing
things while they sleep. When Sophie realized that Sanborne plans to sell
the dangerous product to the highest bidder, she left him.
Sanborne believes that Sophie is a loose end that he intends to get rid
of starting with what happened to her dad. She proves difficult to kill
ever since Royd entered her life as he was once one of Sanborne's brainwashed
killers who broke through the conditioning. Like Sophie he plans to bring
Sanborne down and destroy Rem-4. Sophie and Royd are attracted to one
another, but they have a mission that needs to be finished before they
can consider exploring a future together.
Once again Iris Johansen writes a thriller that will grip readers so much
that they will ignore any other nearby activity. The story-line contains
so much action fans will believe they are on a looping roller coaster
unable to catch their breath before plunging into the next spin. KILLER
DREAMS is filled with adventure, but the romantic subplot between the
two protagonists feels right as a natural outcome of what they have suffered,
enhancing an adrenalin pumping thriller.
Harriet Klausner
THE
SERIAL KILLERS CLUB
Jeff Povey
Warner, Jun 2006, $24.95
ISBN: 0446578428
The serial killer attacks the man, but somehow he turns the tables and
kills his assailant. He goes through his adversary's wallet and finds
an invitation to a gala hosted by Errol Flynn. Curious with how a long
dead Hollywood actor could sponsor a party, the man decides to attend
as the guy he just killed.
At the murder celebration, the "intruder" quickly realizes that
the eighteen other attendees are killers, who somewhat disguise their
real identity by using the moniker of a Hollywood star. The newcomer insists
he is Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and makes plans to kill everyone of these
predators. Before he gets very far both an FBI agent and the survivors
notice their numbers shrinking. The Fed offers clemency if he eliminates
the gang while the killers search for the serial killer within their ranks.
THE SERIAL KILLERS CLUB is a terrific lampooning of the recent inundation
of serial killer novels. The dark thriller stars an anonymous storyteller,
who seems so killingly innocent yet once he joins the club becomes the
top gun serial killer ironically killing serial killers. Not for everyone
(especially fans of "Carole Lombard" or "Cher" to
name a few of the peers of "Fairbanks") "Doug's" take
on serial killing is a fresh brisk satire.
Harriet Klausner
THE
WRONG HOSTAGE
Elizabeth Lowell
Morrow, Jun 2006, $24.95
ISBN 0060829818
Recently divorced from billionaire Ted Franklin, California State Judge
Grace Silva is called by their son's school because their teenage son
Lane is being held prisoner at his exclusive Mexican prep school that
caters to the ultra wealthy. The ransom demand is simple, cold-blooded
killer druglord Hector Rivas Osuna demands that Ted return the millions
he stole from him with interest or Lane dies.
While the clock ticks away a frantic and stunned Grace tries to call Ted,
but he has vanished. Desperate and knowing that if she handed over the
demanded loot her son will probably die anyway as a warning to Ted and
others, Grace turns to another former spouse, kidnap specialist Joe Faroe,
who no longer does that work ever since a rescue failed to save the victim.
However, this case is personal and not just because he was Grace's husband
before Ted, but because he also may be Lane's biological father; ergo
Joe enters the fray.
This action thriller focusing on a mother's worse nightmare, a dangerous
event happening to her offspring, is made fresh by the deep look at the
Mexican drug trafficking. The action-packed story line is fast-paced but
character driven as fans will feel Grace's fears and anguish as she turns
to Joe as her only hope; though he has his troubles too. Elizabeth Lowell
provides a terrific tense tale that grips readers from start to finish
(set aside plenty of time as this is a one sitting read).
Harriet Klausner
INVISIBLE
GIRL
Tess Hudson
Mira, Jun 2006, $13.95
ISBN: 0778323145
In Manhattan Maggie Malone's brother Danny is shot and her Irish-American
father is murdered. She assumes the two incidents tie together with a
third that of her mother Vietnamese expatriate Mai dying years ago in
the East River.
Unable to ignore the tragedies that she also concludes are tied to her
late dad's mysterious work, Maggie investigates who shot her sibling and
killed her father because she feels that will reveal why her mother died.
However, as she begins to unravel a web of deceit that leads back to the
Viet Nam War era "Operation Babylift", someone wants Maggie
to stop digging for the truth. That unknown adversary makes it clear she
will die if she continues on her quest, but Maggie is beyond concern as
she is fixated on knowing all the players and whys.
This is a fascinating look at the impact of the Viet Nam War on a generation
of Amerasians but at times is difficult to follow with the constant switching
between the present and the 1960s. When the story line focuses on Maggie's
amateur sleuth investigation into her family history as opposed to shifting
eras, the tale is gripping and fun to follow, but before fully hooking
the reader a time transfer occurs and jolts the plot. This is still worth
reading by readers who do not mind a bit of disorientated time joggling
and the final spin is fabulous as Tess Hudson shines a light on a little
known poignant piece of history by showcasing its aftermath thirty plus
years later.
Harriet Klausner
THE
LAST ASSASSIN
Barry Eisler
Putnam, Jun 2006, $24.95
ISBN: 0399153594
Japanese-American killer for hire John Rain is euphoric to find out that
his former lover, Midori, is a single mom raising her fifteen month old
son, who might be his only progeny, in New York's West Village. John sees
this as an opportunity to reconcile with Midori and normalize his own
life within the folds of a family though he has been sharing a bed with
Agent Delilah.
However, Rain fails to grasp how much his enemies want him dead. While
he considers reuniting with Midori and spending quality time with his
child Koichero, she reminds him he killed her father. Besides lethal adversaries
also observe Midori as they see the civilian as bait to entrap Rain. The
mercenary hitman soon concludes that for him there is no way out except
death as he realizes the storms he brought upon Midori and his offspring.
Still he will not sit idly by while his perimeter is breached so with
the help of Japanese Agent Tatsu and peer Dox, he plays cat and mouse
with his unknown deadly opponents dangling himself as the lure to entrap
them.
This is a bittersweet thriller as Rain realizes the torrent he has brought
upon Midori and Koichero. The action never stops as he tries to clean
up the mess he caused because of his desire to see Midori and meet his
son. Fans will appreciate Barry Eisler's latest yarn that spins a more
humanized hit man who learns some life (and death) lessons in his quest
to have a family.
Harriet Klausner
TAKEDOWN
Brad Thor
Atria, Jun 2006, $25.00
ISBN: 0743271181
Bypassing government channels and working with Canadian Black Op Agents
who want Al-Qaeda terrorist Sayed Jamal in American hands, counterterrorist
agent Scott Horvath sneaks the killer across the border and gives him
to a waiting team. At the same time Al-Qaeda weapon's expert Mohammed
bin Mohammed who vanished two days before 9/11 is kidnapped from his Somalian
residence.
Mohamed is preparing to buy nuclear material that a contact will only
sell to him; the Americans want the material and those involved. The Al-Qaeda
leadership seeks Mohammed because he is there only member who can put
the nukes together. A daring plan is implemented when the terrorists learn
where the Americans are holding Mohammed. They blow up the tunnels and
bridge effectively closing Manhattan to all traffic, disable the subway
system and use missiles to keep boats and helicopters from leaving or
entering. They search the city for Mohamed while Scott who was in town
visiting a pal, chases after the terrorists with a group of ex-agents
to help him.
What makes TAKEDOWN an exciting yet frightening thriller is that the tale
seems plausible after the events of 9/11. Readers will picture what Brad
Thor describes happens in Manhattan and then see a city quickly dissolve
into chaos, death, and destruction. The protagonist is a patriotic warrior
risking his life to stop his country's enemies. Mr. Thor is a terrific
thriller writer and fans of Dan Brown and Thomas Harris will want to read
his latest masterpiece.
Harriet Klausner
DARK
TORT
Diane Mott Davidson
Harper Collins, May 2006, $24.95
ISBN: 0060527315
Caterer Goldy Schulz prepares breakfasts, snacks and occasional lunches
for the legal staff and clients of Hanrahan & Jule law firm in Aspen
Meadow, Colorado. However, when she arrives early to set up the dayâ€(tm)s
menu, Goldy finds the corpse of paralegal Dusty Routt, a victim of strangulation.
Dustyâ€(tm)s mom, already distraught over the recent death
of her son while in police custody, believes law enforcement will do nothing
to identify her daughterâ€(tm)s killer. Knowing that Goldy
has solved homicides, she asks the caterer to investigate. Though she
knows better, Goldy feels sorry for the grieving woman and agrees. With
help from her husband Tom the cop, gossipy clues from the caterers extended
network, and her son Arch the student driver, Goldy begins to find the
recipes for murder starting with the key ingredients of motive and opportunity.
This thirteenth Goldy culinary mystery is a delightful fresh and original
amateur sleuth tale that readers will enjoy (except for die hard dieters
â€" numerous recipes included). The story line is fast-paced
as Goldy quietly makes inquires and taps into the caterer network to learn
more about the law firmâ€(tm)s employees and partners. Archâ€(tm)s
driving lessons will hit home to parents of teens as Goldy ages gracefully.
Diane Mott Davidson is in top form with this tasty whodunit.
Harriet Klausner
THE
CHINATOWN DEATH CLOUD PERIL
Paul Malmont
Simon & Schuster, Jun 2006, $24.00
ISBN 0743287851
In 1937, best-selling pulp writers, William "The Shadow" Gibson
and Lester "Doc Savage" Dent work on real mysteries in an egotistical
effort to be crowned the best action-adventurer writer in the world. Gibson,
hearing whispers that pulp peer H.P. Lovecraft was murdered at the Providence,
Rhode Island waterfront, is in town making inquiries. At the same time
Dent investigates an impossible homicide in New York's Chinatown.
However, the two authors find their separate cases merge as they get caught
in the middle of a tong war and battle pirates. That might frighten off
most writers, but not the Shadow of Doc Savage as their inspections spin
further out of control with war in China chemical weapons as part of the
arsenal. At the rate Gibson and Dent are going they might miss spinning
the next installment of the Shadow and Doc Savage, but then again collaboration
in writing might prove novel.
Impossible absolutely; yet no one will care as Paul Malmont pays homage
to the great pulp fiction writers (others appear too) of the 1930s and
1940s. The zany story line is fast-paced and quite entertaining hooking
readers from start to finish even as the audience anticipates who will
show up next. THE CHINATOWN DEATH CLOUD PERIL is great escape fun as pulp
fiction is supposed to be.
Harriet Klausner
ON,
OFF
Colleen McCullough
Simon & Schuster, Jun 2006, $25.95
ISBN 0743286421
In 1965 in Holloman, Connecticut, Chubb University Professor Robert Smith
calls Police Captain Danny Marciano to inform the cop that the Hughlings
Jackson Center for Neurological Research assistants have found part of
a body of a woman in their dead animal refrigerator. Danny assigns his
best detective, Lieutenant Carmine Delmonico to lead the investigation
at Hughlings Jackson Center affectionately known by the research staff
as the Hug. Having just come off of solving a domestic double homicide,
Carmine knows he will miss breakfast unlike his two Sergeants, Corey Marshall
and Abe Goldberg since they ate already.
Carmine, Corey, and Abe head to the Hug to meticulously search for clues
left behind by an apparently vicious killer, but find little evidence
left behind by the clever culprit. As the cops keep digging, Carmine learns
of other recent victims of mixed racial females by a rapist-killer who
severs the heads of his victims probably as some form of a trophy. As
he dubs his target as being the "Ghost" because he leaves nothing
remotely identifying who he is, the media goes on "the Connecticut
Monster" frenzy.
ON, OFF is always on target as a terrific 1960s police procedural that
showcases an investigation into a serial killer at a time when the forensic
information database age was at best in diapers. The background, for instance
the outage in the Black communities over the profile of the targets adds
a sense of the era. Carmine is a fabulous lead character struggling with
an impossible case that he begins to believe has historical roots while
the killer seems frighteningly real and particularly vicious. Colleen
McCullough provides a superb historical serial killer thriller.
Harriet Klausner
PREY
FOR A MIRACLE
Aimee & David Thurlo
St. Martin's, June 2006, $24.95, 227 pp.
ISBN 0313322100
Jessica's daughter Natalie claims she sees an angel who stopped a car
that was about to run over a man in a wheelchair. The angel Samera told
Jessica that her friend's house was in danger and if her friend wasn't
watching, the house would have burned to the ground. The angel was right.
Natalie made no secret of having an angel always by her side but the resulting
media attention and the people begging Natalie to perform a miracle for
them wore mother and daughter down. Threatening letters and phone calls
made Jessica realize they would need to move if they are to have a peace.
Jessica is on her way to her brother, a priest's church to give him something
when a pick-up runs them off the road. Jessica is injured but before she
falls into a coma, she tells Natalie to run. After an extreme search,
Sister Agatha finds Natalie and brings her to the monastery as a safety
precaution. Agatha vows to protect her at all costs while she tries to
find the person who injured Jessica and who is seeking Natalie.
This is the best book in the Sister Agatha series and one of the best
books the Thurlos have written. Readers see how the nuns believe God watches
over them at the same time Sister Agatha has to deal with the outside
world in order to help Natalie who might actually see angels. Her faith
allows her to take risks confident that God is with her. She is the one
who figures out who the criminal is but not before he kidnaps Natalie
and puts her in danger. PREY FOR A MIRACLE is a great ecclesial mystery
reminiscent of the Father Dowling who done its.
Harriet Klausner
THE
ROOKIE CLUB
Danielle Girard
Signet, June 2006, $6.99, 320 pp.
ISBN 0451218744
It was fifteen years ago when first year female police officers formed
THE ROOKIE CLUB, a support group that the woman needed because they received
no respect or aid from the male hierarchy that is the power in the San
Francisco police department. In the present, one of the original rookies
Jamie Vail has dropped out of going to the meetings because she caught
her husband in bed with fellow club member Natasha Devlin.
Jamie is now an inspector in the sex crimes division and she is working
a case in which someone is targeting member of the Rookie Club, violently
raping them. Although Jamie knows who the rapist is, she has no evidence
to arrest him and he is too careful to give the police any leads. When
Natasha is murdered, Jamie wants nothing to do with the case but her rapist
hints that he saw the killing. Jamie finds she is working both cases in
order to ferret out the rapist who will give her the killer not realizing
she is putting her life in danger from a killer who won't let anyone take
him down.
THE ROOKIE CLUB is a police procedural thriller that shows how far women
have come in the police department and how far for they have to go. Jamie's
life is in turmoil as her ex-husband is arrested in Cassandra's death,
a homeless boy sees a police officer knife Jamie's dog and she is playing
"mommy" to an alcoholic who struggles to stay sober. She is
an admirable role model and the story line is very exciting because nobody
will guess the identity of the killer. Danielle Girard is a brilliant
crime writer whose works are on a par with Kay Hooper, Lisa Gardner and
J.D.Robb.
Harriet Klausner
DON
OF THE DEAD
Casey Daniels
Avon, Jun 2006, $6.99
ISBN 0060821469
Three decades ago in Cleveland someone killed crime kingpin Gus Scarpetti,
but no one was ever caught. Thus the Scarpetti murder is a cold case that
no one cares to revisit as the cops assume one wise guy murdered a not
so wise guy.
Pepper Martin provides tours of local cemeteries; a position that she
looks forward to leaving once she scores a job at a fashionable department
store like Saks. When she trips while walking in a cemetery, she bangs
her head against Gus's mausoleum. This leads to her ability to communicate
with Gus; worse she can see his ghost. He provides an offer she cannot
refuse as he demands she investigate his murder or he will haunt her forever;
going so far as entering the women's dressing room at Saks.
DON OF THE DEAD is an engaging paranormal romantic mystery that initially
lacks pepper, but once the heroine bangs her head, the story line explodes
into a terrific amateur sleuth whodunit. The beleaguered heroine and the
likable ghostly Gus make a fine pairing though ironically she is the less
substantive member of their team. In her debut Casey Daniels provides
a strong mystery that fans of chick lit cozies from the grave will want
to read.
Harriet Klausner
DEAD
IN VINEYARD SAND
Phillip R. Craig
Scribner, June 2006, $24.00, 224 pp.
ISBN 0743270444
On the surface Martha's Vineyard is a bright beautiful quaint place where
the rich go in the summer to vacation. However, there is another side
to the island one that is dark and crime ridden just like any other place;
soon former police officer J.W. Jackson will cross paths with some of
the most evil criminals he has ever known and he has known plenty before
he got injured on the job.
Radical conservationist Henry Highsmith would like to see only bicycles
driven on the island and a halt to building new golf courses. J.W. who
doesn't care either way gets into a fight with Henry when the environmentalist
wrongly accuses the ex cop. of almost running over his bike. A few days
later at the golf course J.W. and others find the buried body of Henry
murdered with a bullet in his head. A witness says they saw J.W. following
Henry's wife and run her off the road. Since J.W. becomes a person of
interest to the police, he starts his own investigation to clear his name.
The picture turns more complicated when Henry's wife is shot and is in
critical condition in the hospital. J.W. keeps digging and what he finds
make active and retired police officers like him sick to their stomach.
Readers see why year round residents and summer bird visitors love life
on Martha's Vineyard. Part of the charm of the series is the protagonist's
obvious love for his family that reader can verify by his interactions
with them. There are plenty of suspects who could be the killer but J.W.
and the police lack any credible evidence to get an arrest. Phillip R.
Craig is a witty storyteller who excels at creating believable characters
inside an exciting and entertaining who-done-it.
Harriet Klausner
ALL
U CAN EAT
Emma Holly
Berkley, May 2006, $13.00
ISBN: 0425209776
In Six Palms, California after five years together and one last sexual
encounter, Troy Wilcox informs Frankie Smith he is leaving her. At her
diner Frankie realizes why Troy suddenly dumped her when his caffeine
junkie boss Karen Ellis orders milk. Police Chief Jack West, who desires
Frankie offers to arrest Troy, but she says do not bother.
Frankie hires a new cook Michael True; they sleep together until they
hear a noise. They investigate and find the corpse of Tish Whittier in
her alley. Jack, who has worked homicide in Los Angeles, takes charge
of the official investigation. However, the feisty fighting Frankie takes
charge of the case as she knows she is the prime suspect. She plans to
uncover the real culprit's identity not realizing the trouble that will
bring to her from the residents who prefer secrets remain buried and from
Jack wanting to keep his beloved safe.
ALL U CAN EAT feels like a throwback to the 1930s lighthearted romantic
whodunit romps. The fun story line stars an enchanting courageous female
protagonist who will have the audience wonder whether she will turn to
Michael or Jack as she conducts an amateur sleuth investigation that drives
the Chief who loves her crazy for several reasons. Emma Holly cooks up
an amusing sexually heated (profanities included) romantic mystery that
has readers following the clues in and out of the heroine's bedroom from
start to finish.
Harriet Klausner
THE
LAST SPYMASTER
Gayle Lynds
St. Martin's, Jun 2006, $24.95
ISBN 0312301596
During the Cold War, CIA spymaster Jay Tice sold out his country to the
Russians, but was caught. Convicted, he was sentenced to spend the rest
of his life at the Allenwood Federal Correctional Complex in Allenwood,
Pennsylvania. No one has ever escaped from the prison so Tice is expedited
to one day die there.
However, Tice does the impossible and vanishes without a trace. CIA Director
of Operations Laurence Litchfield sends his best hunter, Elaine Cunningham,
to find the escaped spymaster and learn how he pulled the rabbit out of
the hat. Elaine wants to say no as she no longer has the passion especially
since her spouse died in Afghanistan, but accepts the duty. Elaine follows
clues that take her on a death ride of the east coast, but she soon concludes
this is not one clever espionage agent fleeing into the cold, but something
much greater in scope and diabolical, but what and who to warn remains
just out of her reach.
This is a terrific espionage thriller that grips readers because characters
like Tice, Cunningham, and former East German spy Raina Manhardt provide
passion to the complex well written plot. The action-packed story line
takes the reader and Elaine on quite an odyssey as she follows the death
trail in her quest to hunt down Tice. The relationship between Tice and
Manhardt adds depth as they were the ultimate star-crossed lovers during
the Cold War. Gayle Lynds writes a fantastic thriller that brings heart
to THE LAST SPYMASTER.
Harriet Klausner
TOUCH
THE DARK
Karen Chance
Roc, Jun 2006, $6.99
ISBN: 0451460936
Over three years ago Antonio the Mafioso vampire killed his parents who
were in the way when he went to abduct Cassandra Palmer so that he could
control her clairvoyance skills. She escaped and felt relatively safe
until now when she reads her obit on her computer screen. Deciding not
to wait for her death on Atlanta's Peachtree Street, Cass races home to
insure her roommate Tomas is safe. However vampires attack both of them.
They survive the assault with help from some of Cass' more spirited friends
and it helps that Tomas is a vampire too.
Tomas escorts Cassie to the Metaphysical Alliance for Greater Cooperation
(MAGIC) headquarters for a who's who of supernatural and mythological
species. She pleads with the vampiric Senate for protection against avenging
literally blood-thirsty hitman; instead the senators demand much more
unsafe escapades from her. Cass is beginning to comprehend for some unknown
reason she is the center of a supernatural war. As Cassie begins to understand
the scope of her power, she finds herself attracted to Senator Mircea,
but fears he just wants to make her dinner not take her to dinner.
TOUCH THE DARK is an entertaining supernatural thriller starring a bewildered
beleaguered brave woman struggling to survive in a world that makes no
sense to her, which is saying a lot since she regularly speaks with ghosts.
The action-packed story line never slows down for a nano second so wear
the seat belts and set some time as this is a one read thriller. The creatures
of the dark seem genuine whether they are vampire, ghost, or a were-species
and the senate is a fascinating mix of historical and literary figures
while a seemingly bittersweet star-crossed romance augments a strong tale
that will bring much acclaim to Karen Chance.
Harriet Klausner
SHAMUS
IN THE GREEN ROOM
A Cece Caruso Mystery
Susan Kandel
Morrow, Jun 2006, $23.95
ISBN: 0060581093
Mystery author biographer and noted fashion plate Cece Caruso is providing
consulting services to the In the Green Room movie production company
filming her work Dash! The star, Hollywood hunk Rafe Simic looks great
as and would make a dashing Dashiell Hammett or for that matter Sam Spade,
but the sexy actor refuses to read her book or any of the great late author's
works as he prefers surfing the waves. To help Rafe taste the part, Cece
agrees to escort him on a tour of Hammett's San Francisco.
Not long after they arrive in San Francisco, the Los Angeles Coroner's
Office asks Rafe to come home to identify a corpse of a woman who has
his card on her. He says the deceased is his former girlfriend Maren Levander
and sister of his best friend and manager. With Rafe a person of interest,
Cece investigates what the police suspect is a homicide made to look like
a suicide over the objection of fiancé, police detective Peter
Gambino.
Cece remains a refreshing protagonist who cherishes deceased mystery writers
and cannot help but get involved in clearing up ambiguities in their lives
(see I DREAMED I MARRIED PERRY MASON and NOT A GIRL DETECTIVE), and landing
in a modern whodunit. On top of a fine amateur sleuth investigation, Cece
has personal disputes with her adult daughter and Peter. When the author
tosses in Hammett to a superb tale it leads to readers admiring Susan
Kandel's amazing talent.
Harriet Klausner
THE
COLD MOON
Jeffery Deaver
Simon & Schuster, June 2006, $26.00, 404 pp.
ISBN 0743260937
NYPD Detective Amelia Sachs, while still assigned to police consultant
Lincoln Rhyme, a brilliant criminologist, is given her first case to work
solo. The official verdict concerning the death of Ben Creely is suicide
but his wife is convinced that he was murdered. As Sachs investigates
she learns he couldn't have hanged himself because he couldn't tie a knot
as his thumb was in a cast. She finds burnt papers in his fireplace that
lead her to a bar in New York City and the 118th precinct where rumors
persist that certain cops are corrupt making illegal money using their
badge.
She is also helping Rhyme try and track down the Watchmaker, a stone cold
meticulous killer who is targeting certain people and leaves a signature
clock behind. So far the bodies of two of his victims have been found
and a third one has gone missing. When they track the clocks to where
they were bought, the propitiator tells the police that he bought ten
clocks which means he is going to kill again. As they race against time
to stop him, Amelia discovers some horrible things about her father, which
makes her thinks she will have to quit the police force, an action Rhyme
is afraid will sever their professional and personal relationship.
Jeffery Deaver is one of the best police procedural writers on the market
today. The author keeps his series fresh by introducing new characters,
one of whom deserves her own series. There is much introspection of the
part of Sach as she ponders what to do about her future and Rhyme hopes
she stays on the force not only for her sake but for his. THE COLD MOON
is full of surprising twists and turns so that readers aren't certain
what is truth is and what is misinformation. This is a compelling and
exciting work that is heading for the bestsellers list.
Harriet Klausner
BLUE
SCREEN
Robert B. Parker
Putnam, Jun 2006, $24.95
ISBN: 0399153519
Buddy Bollen has made a fortune producing movies that are notoriously
known for their tastelessness; his work lands on the list of all time
worst movies. However, his flicks also sell as exploitation means ticket
sales, which in turn means money.
To keep his latest investment safe for movie stardom and his bed, Buddy
hires private investigator Sunny Randall to protect his girlfriend Erin
Flint. Sunny learns early on that the nasty rising star will make her
work difficult if not impossible. When Erin's sister Misty is found murdered
in Bollen's extravagant home in Paradise, Massachusetts, Police Chief
Jesse Stone searches the crime scene, but finds no clues. Immediately
feeling an affinity through their work and a sexual attraction Jesse and
Sunny team up in more ways than one but especially in search of a killer.
In her fifth appearance Sunny is at her best working for a sleazy client
who hires her to protect a sleaze. The story line is character driven
though it has the Robert B. Parker trademark of action and more action.
It is the support cast that drives Sunny nuts as her ward makes it almost
impossible to keep safe. The twist into a whodunit with Jesse, a terrific
protagonist who brings out both the woman and the sleuth in Sunny, add
to a fine tale as the two heroes investigate Bollen's sleazy film empire
filled with enemies willing to kill again.
Harriet Klausner
SEE
DELPHI AND DIE
Lindsey Davis
St. Martin's, Jun 2006, $24.95
ISBN: 0312357656
In 76 A.D. widower Caesius Secundus hires informer Marcus Didius Falco
to investigate the unsolved murder of his beloved daughter Marcella Caesius.
She vanished while attending the 213th Olympic competition three years
ago before her corpse was finally found. Officials assume the cold case
will never be solved.
With the Olympic Games starting soon, Falco figures that is the best place
to learn who abducted Marcella so he arranges a trip to Greece to attend
the gala and begin his investigation. He takes his wife Helena with him,
but leaves their young daughters (Julia and Favonia) with their grandmother;
Falco also recruits his nephews Gaius and Cornelius, Albia the Brit, and
Young Glaucus son of a trainer. Falco quickly learns that another young
woman, Valeria Ventidia, violently died on a sightseeing expedition sponsored
by the same party that Marcella went with, Seven Sights Travel. So he
joins their tour as he thinks let the games begin.
The seventeenth Falco Ancient Rome (and now Greece) investigation is a
terrific entry that uses the case to provide readers an incredible tour
(Olympia is the fifth stop). Long time fans will appreciate the clever
hero who still get distracted too easily and his brilliant wife who insures
they stay focused. The inquiry turns personal when suddenly Gaius and
Cornelius vanish in this wonderful whodunit that is part mystery and part
historical novel and all entertainment with quite a final twist.
Harriet Klausner
Harriets's Archived Reviews
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