DYING IN STYLE

Josie Marcus is a mystery shopper. She dropped out of college when she got pregnant with her daughter. Her mother is disappointed that she didn't marry a rich man and live the perfect surburban life. Mostly, Josie feels like she is doing okay until she has to review the famous Danessa boutiques. Josie is always honest in her reviews and the Danessa boutiques are a mess. After a screaming match with Danessa, Danessa and her boyfriend, Serge, are found dead and guess who is the main suspect? Josie, along with a little help from her friend, Alyce, and her pushy but well-meaning mother, Jane, work to solve the murders before Josie ends up in jail.

This was the first book that I've read by Elaine Viets. It's part of her dead end job series. Josie is a spunky and fun character. She is down-to-earth and gutsy when she has to be. Some of the circumstances surrounding the murders, like Serge dosing himself with rat poison instead of buying coumadin, didn't make much sense, but overall, this was a fun, light-hearted read.

Rating - 4.5 stars

DESIGNED TO KILL

Tim Gannon, an up and coming architect/engineer has just completed a big condominium project in Florida. At a celebration party, the top floor balcony collapses and two people die. The next day, Tim Gannon is found dead with what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His parents aren't buying it and they ask their friend, Greg McKenzie and his wife, Jill, to find out if their son's death was truly a suicide. Greg is retired from the Office of Special Investigations for the Air Force. He and Jill agree to check things out in Florida. Soon, they are caught up in investigating a scheme of building fraud and the greedy participants are trying to keep the McKenzies from learning the truth.

This is the first book that I have read by Chester Campbell. I enjoyed the retired couple of Greg and Jill investigating the suicide/murder. They were realistic and complimented one another well. Unfortunately, there is only one other book in this series and it doesn't sound like something I'd enjoy. This was an enjoyable book with some different twists than most mysteries I've been reading lately.

Rating - 4 stars

BODY IN THE VESTIBULE

Faith Fairchild, along with her minister husband and her 3-year-old son, Ben, are spending an idyllic month in France. Faith is especially enjoying the time as she is pregnant with her second child and she loves the warmth of France and the food! Everything is delightful until one night while taking out the trash, Faith finds a body in the trash dumpster. She immediately calls the police. When they get there, the body is gone. Faith can't let the incident go and as she tries to find the truth, more people seem to be in danger.

This is the first book that I have read by Katherine Hall Page. This is not the first book in the series but I didn't find that to be a problem. I was a little put off by all the French words. I know nothing of the French language or France and the constant use of French terms slowed the story down for me. Still, it was a good read and I think that I'll be picking up more of the Faith Fairchild books. I am hoping that the next one will center more around Faith's business as a caterer.

Rating - 4 stars

MURDER ON THE ROCKS

Natalie has recently moved from Texas to the coast of Maine to her dream job of owning a bed and breakfast. It looks like the Gray Whale Inn may not be in existence for long if a developer named Bernard Katz has his way. He plans to construct a huge resort which would wipe out all of the natural habitats and tear down Natalie's inn to build a parking lot. Natalie will do just about anything to protect her bed and breakfast, but when she finds Katz murdered, she is shocked. In a very short time, it seems that Natalie is the main suspect. Natalie decides that if she is going to stay out of jail long enough to keep the inn, she had better find the killer herself.

I had heard lots of great comments about this series by Karen McInerney but it took me awhile to get the book and start reading. What I had heard was right - this is a great series and I'll be looking for the next book very soon. I really enjoyed hearing about life on an island off the coast of Maine and the characters were very enjoyable, too. I'll be looking forward to my next visit to Cranberry Island and the Gray Whale Inn.

Rating - 5 stars

BLOODY MARY

Jack Daniel's life is way too complicated. Her mother is living in Florida and hospitalized after a fall. Jack is trying to convince to come live with her in Chicago. Her love life is complicated, too. She is in love with her new boyfriend but then her ex-husband shows up. Not only that, but a killer is on the loose and Jack suspects that the killer may be a cop. She and her partner, Herb, are trying to find the killer without giving away clues that a policeman with inside contacts would be able to use.

This is the second in the Jack Daniel's series by J.A. Konrath. Like the first, I found this to be a good mystery but I didn't really enjoy the parts about Jack's personal life. For someone who is so accomplished professionally, she seems to be such a loser in her personal life. I could be the only one who feels this way but I'm not sure that I'll continue the series. I do know that I won't be rushing to read the next book anytime soon.

Rating - 3.5 stars

THE FIRST WAVE

Billy Boyle finds himself in Algiers as the Allied Forces try to take control from the Vichy French supporters. In a very short time, Billy finds himself in prison and the girl he loves, Diana, is also being held captive. Billy has to find a way to save her. In the meantime, he is also called upon to investigate the murders of two people in the U.S. military hospital who die within a short time of one another. Following a trail of drug smuggling seems the way to find answers, but it is also dangerous.

This is the second in James Benn's series about Billy Boyle who finds himself as an investigator for the U.S. Army, thanks to his connections with "Uncle Ike". I enjoyed this book but I have to admit that at times I was confused by the various "bad guys" and their affilations. The book includes some fascinating things that were going on during the war including the importance of the introduction of penicillin. Billy Boyle is still a wisecracking guy but he was much more serious and angry in this book than the first. Overall, it was a good read and I'll be glad to continue this series.

Rating - 4 stars

GUARDIAN OF THE HORIZON

This book is based on the "lost files" of Amelia Peabody's diaries. The Emerson family has been contacted by a prince from the Holy Mountain that their presence is required. Their friend, the king Tarek, has been ill and he needs their help. The family embarks on a dangerous journey across the desert. The Holy Mountain is the place where they rescued Nefrette nearly ten years ago. She is eager to help her people in any way she can and the Emersons feel duty bound to help and keep Nefrette safe. As usual, none of their adventures are easy and when they get to the Holy Mountain, nothing is as it was supposed to be. Once again, it takes the combined wits of the Emerson family to overcome the forces of evil.

This book was somewhat out of order from the last several installments. It was odd to go back to the days before Ramses and Nefrette were married. The story, as usual, was chaotic and crazy with Amelia her usual know-it-all self, leading the charge. At least she thinks she is. Once again, we hear part of the "real" story from Ramses point of view and that is lots of fun, too.

Rating - 4.5 stars

NIGHT TRAIN TO MEMPHIS

Dr. Vicky Bliss is contacted by an agency to be a guest lecturer on a luxury cruise. It sounds too good to be true. The reason they want Vicky is because of her experience in spying and espionage to provide security. In other words, she is a special agent. Imagine her surprise when her on again, off again, lover shows up - with his new wife. In the meantime, things are getting pretty crazy on the cruise. Vicky's houseboy is found murdered and she feels terrible. She can't figure out for sure who is on which side anyway. Most of all, she's keeping an eye on John, her ex-boyfriend, because he has a history of stealing precious Egyptian objects and she is sure he is scheming to do it again. In the end, this book is full of unpredictable twists and Vicky is chased, shot at, kidnapped and more in her struggle to stay alive - a sort out who the real thieves are.

I have enjoyed Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody series and I have heard lots of good things about the Vicky Bliss books. This was not the first book in the series and I was pretty confused at times. I don't do well with lots of spy stuff and there was some history between the characters and their previous adventures that might have made this an easier read. Still, it was a wild and bumpy ride and I think I may be brave enough to try another before too long!

Rating - 3.5 stars