'TIS THE SEASON

Caroline Dixon is an heiress well-know to the public for her partying ways. Caro has gone too far, though, and now no one wants anything to do with her. When Caro decides to clean up her act, the only people who will have anything to do with her are her old nanny and a cowboy on the ranch where she was a camper at age thirteen. As Christmas approaches, these unlikely people come together in their attempts to help Caroline and get some surprises of their own.

Lorna Landvik has woven together a sweet Christmas story with a tale written only in letters and emails. The humor is delightful and the characters are warm and funny. Landvik is a master storyteller and this book is a fun and quick holiday read. The only sad part was that it was over too quickly!

Rating - 5 stars.

MURDER ON K STREET

Senator Lyle Simmons returns home after a party to find his wife, Jeanette, lying dead on the kitchen floor. It is obvious that she has been murdered. Before calling the police, Simmons calls his old friend and lawyer, Phillip Rotondi. Simmons and Rotondi were college roomates and Rotondi and Jeanette were sweethearts before Simmons stole her away. Rotondi finds that Simmons seems more interested in his career and possibly running for president than he is concerned about his wife's murder. Phil know that Jeanette has been drinking too much and that she has had concerns about her husband and her son's involvement with a lobbying group. Rotondi, along with his friend, Mackenzie Smith, set out to find the truth behind Jeanette's murder.

Margaret Truman was one of the first mystery writers that I ever read and I have enjoyed most of her books a great deal. This one was intriguing from the first page. I have always been a big fan of Mackenzie and Annabel Smith and their small role in this book was enjoyable. I also enjoyed Phillip Rotondi. Ms. Truman passed away earlier this year and I am sad that there is only one more of her Washington mysteries to enjoy.

Rating - 5 stars

THE WATCHMAN

Joe Pike is back and he is frantically trying to keep a young woman alive. The girl was involved with a car accident. When she tries to take responsibility for her actions, it seems that someone wants her to keep quiet - forever. Pike's old training officer convinces the girl's father that Pike is the man who can keep his daughter safe. Larkin Conner Barkley keeps Pike quite busy doing that and Pike has also decided that he has to do more than keep the girl safe. He also has to find out who is behind the plot to kill Barkley. In usual Pike style, there will be a few more dead bodies before he is done with the job.

Joe Pike is a fascinating character. He is strong and tough. He shoots to kill without regret and still, he is one of the good guys. It is interesting to see him appreciate and come to care for Larkin. As usual, Elvis Cole adds a lighter touch to the tense situation. He also offer perspective on Pike. I loved the tense drama and although the plot was sometimes a little convoluted, this was a book on CD that made me glad for a few extra minutes in the car.

Rating - 5 stars

THE BRASS VERDICT

Mickey Haller has been out of the practice of law, going through rehab due to an addiction to prescription pain killers. He is just thinking he might be ready to start again slowly when a colleague of his is killed and Haller is named to fill in his practice. Suddenly, Haller has 31 active cases and one is really big. A big-time movie producer has been accused of shooting his wife and her lover. Haller is thrown back in the limelight doing his best to defend his client and trying to figure out of the person who killed his colleague is also after him.

Micheal Connelly is one of my favorite writers. His protagonists are flawed heroes. Harry Bosch does appear in this book, but the spotlight is definitely on Haller. This was a good read, full of the complex issues that one expects in Connelly's novels. Of course, there is some old-fashioned smart-aleck commentary, not to mention sharp lawyering on Haller's part.

Rating - 4.5 stars

HIT AND RUN

Keller is a hired killer. He is supposed to be retired but he agrees to take on one more job. He finds himself in Des Moines, IA pursuing his favorite hobby of collecting stamps when he learns that a political figure has been murdered and this time, Keller didn't do it! Still, he's a man on the run as he tries to get home without being discovered. Eventually, Keller is forced to begin a new life and he certainly encounters some twists and turns along the way.

It is a little hard to imagine why we feel sympathetic towards a hired killer but I certainly wanted things to work out for Keller. I have read some in this series before by Lawrence Bloch. As in most of Bloch's books, this one included a great deal of introspection. This one, did include some other very good characters. In the end, Keller does end up with a good life and the reader is happy if not slightly fascinated by his cold-blooded killing ways.

Rating - 4 stars

MURDERES PREFER BLONDES

Paige Turner, (yes, that's her real name), is trying to become a writer. Unfortunately, her job at "Daring Detective" magazine is far from that as a writer. Instead, Paige spends her days fetching coffee, clipping newpapers and doing re-writes for the men in the office. In 1954, no one thought of women as having careers. When Paige learns of the murder of Babs Babcock, she is fascinated, and realizes that her is her chance to investigate and murder and write the story for the magazine. Paige is an amatuer detective for sure but she is determined and with her pluck and the help of her neighbor, Paige is on the trail of a killer.

This was a fun and amusing tale by Amanda Matetsky. I enjoyed following Paige around New York City in 1954. I wasn't sure that all of the speech was typical of the era but most of it seemed to ring true. I also liked it that Paige wasn't a fearless heroine. She was nervous and afraid but still willing to keep trying to get the true story. I'll definitely be looking for more books in this series.

Rating - 4.5 stars

DEAD AND BERRIED

Natalie is having a tough time. Her best friend is mad at her, her ex-fiance shows up unannounced and she has a guest who is dogging her footsteps trying to learn all she can about the bed and breakfast business, not to mention laundry piling up like crazy. That's when things really go wrong! Natalie goes to look for the gal who helps out with laundry and finds her dead. The police are sure that Polly's death was a suicide but Natalie isn't convinced. As she investigates Polly's death, she stirs about a hornet's nest. It's obvious that someone is trying to keep Natalie from the truth.

This is the second in the Gray Whale Inn series by Karen McInerney. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, just like the last one. There were a few weaknesses in the plot. The killer had a very minor role until the end. There weren't many clues pointing in his direction at all. The story surrounding Natalie's personal life was fun and amusing. Even though the reader was quite certain all along which choice Natalie would make, it was enjoyable to see her work it out. I'll be looking forward to my next visit to Gray Whale Inn.

Rating - 4.5 stars

CAPITOL THREAT

Ben Kincaid is finally married and just starting his career as the senator appointed to the position for Oklahoma. The President is coming to visit Oklahoma City and Ben, in his new role, is invited to meet him and speak at the event. A terrible tragedy occurs and once again, Oklahoma City is in the midst of a killing spree. As a result, Ben is asked to champion a new constitutional amendment that will increase the powers of the presidency and national security. Normally, Ben is a liberal and would never agree to such a measure but the assassination attempt nearly took his life and did take others. A shaken Ben is thinking that he should support the amendment. It takes the help of his wife, Christina, and the rest of his staff to figure out what is behind the recent killings.

I am a fan of the Ben Kincaid series and it is great that he finally married Christina. As with some of Bernhardt's books, his political views are very clear and at times nearly preachy. There was a great mystery going on behind all the politicking, so I was glad that I read the book and I'll be ready for the next chapter in Ben Kincaid's story.

Rating - 4 stars

L.A. Requiem

Elvis Cole is helping his girlfriend, Lucy, and her son, Ben, settle into life in L.A. He is in the process of moving her couch for the 100th time when he gets a call from his partner, Joe Pike, to help find a girl he used to date. Her father wants Elvis and Joe to find her because the police don't seem concerned. From there, Elvis and Joe get drug into a huge mess. Joe's past with the L.A. Police Department is still a raw subject and his reputation has him targeted for a crime he didn't commit. Elvis finds himself working with a sharp police woman who is angry at the men she works with who don't take her seriously. In the meantime, this case severely strains the relationship between Elvis and Lucy.

I have read a couple of Robert Crais' Elvis Cole books and I have liked them very much. This was my favorite. Until now, Joe Pike has been a strong, silent mysterious guy. In this book, we learn why Joe is they way he is and I liked him even more. The mystery was a good one and I found myself driving around a little extra to listen to the tape. Can't wait for the next Robert Crais mystery!

Rating - 5 stars