THE QUEEN MOTHER

This was the fascinating story of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. I confess to knowing very little of her history other than she was much loved by the people of England and that she died when she was 100+ years old. I also knew that she had been born in 1900 like my grandmother. I loved the story of a girl from a priveliged background who caught the attention of a prince and eventually became Queen of England. The story also had some sad times as her beloved husband died in his 50's and the present Queen of England was crowned when she was only in her mid-twenties. From then on, Queen Elizabeth became the Queen Mother.

I must admit that I read 729 pages of the 943 in the book. That doesn't include the family trees or the many, many pages of the index. It was a long, long book but overall it was fascinating and a great overview of England in the twentieth century.

Rating - 4.5 stars

THE CHRISTMAS LAMP

Nativity, MO, is a town that has always loved Christmas. Being close to Branson, tourists used to come during the holiday season and shop in the the little town. After the highway has changed its route, Nativity is no longer a stop off place for tourists. Roni has been in the city administrator's office since she was 18. She can't imagine any of the traditions that she associated with Christmas being changed. Jake Brisco is a consultant who has been hired to help save Nativity even if that means cutting out sacred traditions like the town Christmas tree in the middle of Main Street and the skating pond that costs a fortune.

This is the first book that I have read by Lori Copeland. I thought it was fun. I'm not a huge fan of novellas because it is hard to develop the story with much depth in a short book. Still, this was a fun holiday read and I enjoyed it.

Rating - 4 stars

TRIAL BY FIRE

Ali Reynolds is always up for a new challenge and when she is offered a temporary position as the media relations consultant for the Yavapai sherrif's department, she decides to give it a whirl. Things change quickly though, when a severely burned woman is rescued from a burning house. The victim doesn't know who she is or what happened to her. The hospital has Sister Anselm, a nurse specializing in pallitive care, work as a victim's advocate. Soon Ali is drafted to help the nun figure out the victim's identity and try to save her from whoever tried to kill her in the fire.

J.A. Jance is one of my favorite writers and the Ali Reynolds series never disappoints. I got caught up in this book and hated to put it down.

Rating - 4.5 stars

THE BIG STEAL

Sterling Glass is an antiques appraiser who has been sent to a Virginia estate which has had a burglary. Sterling soon learns that this house is very unusual for Virginia because the antiques and the whole house are more Victorian than southern. The estate also is in danger of being shut down because there are no funds to keep it running. Sterling thinks that some of the items in the home are real antiques and some are reproductions. Her job is to do an adequate appraisal for the insurance company but things at Wynderly are spooky in more ways than one.

This is the second in the series by Emyl Jenkins. This is the first one that I have read. I think that an antiques appraiser is an interesting profession for a cozy mystery. Something in the writer's style bothered me. Things seemed to be rather disjointed at times and I felt I had to fill in parts of the story on my own at times. I liked the story, though, and I think I'll try another soon.

Rating - 4 stars

THE CLEANER

Jonathan Quinn has an unusual job. He is sent in to clean up after someone is killed by "the Organization". He is very good at what he does but one night, his home is invaded and he is nearly killed. He escapes and goes to Vietnam where he seeks out an old friend and fellow cleaner. While there, he is contacted to go to Germany. He thinks this may help him clear up who tried to kill him. In Berlin, he learns that people are after him and they kidnap his friend, Orlando's son. It's a wild chase to straighten it all out and to save the world from bioterrorism.

Brett Battles was the author of this first book in the series. I liked the characters in the book but international espionage is really not my thing. I was ready for this book to be over long before it was. I may pick up the next in the series but I'm not in a big hurry!

Rating - 3.5 stars

MURPHY'S LAW

Molly Murphy is in big trouble. She has left Ireland after killing the landlord's son after he tried to rape her. She knows that no one will believe her so she is on the run. When she gets to London, a woman saves her from the police. She also asks her to take her children to America where her husband is waiting for them. The woman has TB and is too ill to travel but she needs Molly to take the children on the ship. For Molly, escaping to America sounds wonderful. Still, when Molly is a witness to a murder on Ellis Island, she is in danger herself and somehow, she must find a way to make a living in America.

This is the first book that I have read by Rhys Bowen even though I had heard about her for years. I loved Molly Murphy and I thought the book was quick-paced and fun. I'll be eager to read more of Molly and her adventures and I may check out further of Ms. Bowen's books.

Rating - 4.5 stars

INTENT TO KILL

Ryan is a young baseball player with dreams of making it to the big league. His wife has been trying to keep the family secure financially while her husband is in the minor leagues. She is teaching at an exclusive private school while going to night school to become a lawyer. Her husband begs her to come to his last game of the season. It will take tremendous juggling of her schedule but Chelsea plans to be there. In the middle of the game, Ryan learns that his wife has been hit by a drunk driver. He races to the hospital and learns that his wife has died. As a young widowed father, he struggles to put his life back together. On the third anniversary of his wife's death, he receives a message "It was not an accident". Suddenly, Ryan is thrown into an escalating situation where he must find out if his wife was murdered and who did it.

I have read quite a few books by James Grippando. I have enjoyed most of the Jack Swayntek series but some have been better than others. This standalone was delightful and perhaps, his best work of all. I am really glad I picked it up and I hope that Mr. Grippando continues to write more books in this vein.

Rating - 5 stars

THE NEIGHBOR

Sandy has disappeared from her home, without a trace it seems. Her 4-year-old daughter was sleeping down the hall when her father came home from work and found his wife gone. As the police investigate, it soon is clear that this perfect little family has plenty of secrets. The police are faced with too many suspects - is it the husband who seems a little too calm and distant? Is it the neighbor with a history as a sex offender? What about the 13-year-old computer whiz who obviously had a crush on his teacher, Sandy? Or maybe, it's Sandy's father who suddenly appears and wants custody of his granddaughter?

This is the first book that I have read by Lisa Gardner. I liked it very much. The subject matter was kind of tough to take. Each of the main characters have unsavory pasts and deep secrets but the reader finds that they want the family to be okay, no matter what they have done in the past. I believe that this is a stand-alone but with connections to other series, so I will definitely be looking for more of Ms. Gardner's books.

Rating - 5 stars

NEW TRICKS

Andy Carpenter is known to all as a dog-lover. That's why the judge has appointed him in a custody suit - involving a dog. Andy is just picking up the dog, when suddenly the house explodes and the widow, who has been claiming the dog is hers, is killed. Andy decides to defend the young man who is accused of the bombing, the son of the millionaire, who is also laying claim to custody of the dog. Things get very serious a few days later, when Andy's girlfriend, Laurie, is shot in their yard while she is tending the dog Andy has been taking care of for the custody suit.

I always enjoy David Rosenfelt's books and this was no exception. Andy is kind of lazy but nice. He is devoted to Laurie despite their long distance relationship and he is crazy about his dog, Tara. As always, the story begins rather simply, but soon becomes very complicated. All in all, this was a very enjoyable read.

Rating - 4 stars

TRUE COMPASS

Edward Kennedy spent his entire life in the spotlight. He was part of a famous family and went on to spend forty years as a U.S. Senator. When he learned that he had a brain tumor, he decided it was time to write his own memoir. I especially enjoyed the early parts of the book as he described his family while he was growing up. He was fifteen years younger than his brother, Jack, so he was only a young teen when Jack was first elected to the House. He also describes his hero worship when Jack returned as a war hero. He shared his families many joys and also their deep sorrows.

True Compass is a nice, clean version of Ted Kennedy's life. He was honest in admitting many of his failings. Still, it seemed that he made a point to be kind when it came to discussing his family. He never speaks of his family members in a way that is disrespectful. In that way, he may have omitted some of the details. He described how losing his brother, Bobby, not long after his brother, Jack, was killed was devastating for him. He spoke of his concerns for his own life and his reckless behavior. His descriptions of Chappequidick may not be entirely accurate but again, he admitted to poor judgement.

Most of all, it was wonderful to learn of Ted Kennedy's happy years with his wife, Vicki. He also wrote very fondly of his children and her children. This may be a whitewashed version of history in some ways but it was a very enjoyable insight into a very interesting man.

Rating - 5 stars

FIRST FAMILY

Sean and Michelle have been asked by the First Lady to investigate the murder of her sister-in-law and the kidnapping of her niece. The case is very strange and the clues seem to lead in all different directions. Meanwhile, there is an old man in Mississippi who is intent on getting his revenge on the people who ruined his daughter's life and he doesn't care who he might have to hurt to get the job done. While working the case, Michelle gets a call to come home because her mother has died. Michelle doesn't believe her mother died of natural causes and she must confront her old fears and hidden truths about her family.

I have read several books by David Baldacci featuring Sean King and Michelle Maxwell. I have enjoyed most of them. This was definitely not my favorite. I found it to be very slow going, even on audio. The story of Michelle's family is a distraction. It did finally wrap up in a satisfactory way but it was annoying at times. I also found the parts about Sam Quarry, the kidnapper, to be drawn out and in too much detail. I liked the ending but I am not sure if I will continue to read these books.

Rating - 3.5

BOOKMARKED FOR DEATH

Tricia Miles has invited a local author to appear at her bookstore, Haven't Got a Clue. Everyone is stunned when the author, Zoe Carter, is found strangled to death in the bathroom of the bookstore. Sherrif Wendy Adams seems determined to keep Tricia's business closed as long as possible without really doing much in the way of investigation. Tricia decided that if she wants to keep her business open she had better find out more about the elusive author and why someone might have wanted to kill her.

Stoneham, New Hampshire seems like an ideal place to live for book lovers and Tricia's bookstore sounds like a heavenly retreat. This is the second in Lorna Barret's Booktown Mystery series. I think I may have liked this one even better than the first. For one thing, the relationship between Tricia and her sister, Angelica, is much calmer and less acrimonious than in the previous book. I also like the relationship between Tricia and Russ, although it has its rocky moments, it is realistic. I will be looking forward to the next addition to this series.

Rating - 4.5 stars

BREAD ON THE TABLE

Lottie Porter lived through the Depression. Almost single-handedly, she managed to raise her large family and keep food on the table. Times were tough but for the most part, her family was happy and didn't realize all of the things that they were missing. She helped buy a farm and grew produce to trade and sell. She made clothes for her children. Maybe most important, her family never went hungry and often, she welcomed others to their table, too.

This memoir was written by my cousin, Renetta Burlage. I didn't know her Grandmother Porter, but I did hear stories about her. Renetta said that she didn't know her well, but she heard stories from her mother and her aunts and uncles. Renetta began collecting these stories and wrote them down as a family chronicle. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Most of it was set near Nichols, IA where I grew up so the setting was very familiar. I also loved reading stories of my aunt and her siblings, most of whom I know or had heard of growing up. I thought Renetta's telling of her grandma certainly described to hard work and morals of that generation of women. I am proud of my cousin and glad she wrote down these family memories.

Rating - 5 stars

CAPITOL OFFENSE

A man comes to Ben Kincaid's law office to ask questions about the legailities if he should happen to commit a murder. Needless to say, Ben tells him that he should not murder anyone under any circumstances. He worries about the conversation all night only to wake the next morning and find out that a murder has been committed and his client is being held. Dennis Thomas claims that his wife was missing for seven days. He pleaded daily with the police to begin a missing persons' investigation but they refused. Finally, his wife is found but she has had such serious injuries left unattended for so long that she dies in his arms. Dennis Thomas has sought justice for his wife by finding the policeman who refused to search for her.

Ben Kincaid has to be one of my favorite lawyers. This probably wasn't the strongest books in the series. Dennis Thomas makes it hard to like him much. He is too cocky and the reader, along with Ben and Christina, are taken aback by his attitude. Still, the story was engaging enough to keep the reader hanging on till the end to find out if Thomas was the murderer or if there is more going on. We also are afraid that the answers may come too late for Thomas after all.

Rating - 4 stars

ALL SHALL BE WELL

I listened to this book on audio several months ago but didn't get it recorded. The titles of Deborah Crombie's books are all very similar. Duncan Kincaid has grown close to his neighbor who is dying of cancer. It shouldn't have been a surprise when she is found dead. Still, for some reason, Duncan is reluctant to believe Jasmine's death was due to natural causes. Did his friend kill herself to end the pain or did someone find a need to hasten her death? Duncan must finally piece the story together using his friend's diaries.

I have read several books in this series and I have always enjoyed Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James. It was good to pick up some of the background in their relationship. Overall, this was a good book with haunting characters. I liked this book but I didn't love it.

Rating - 4 stars

THE SPIRE

Mark Darrow is a high school football star without a future. He isn't big enough or strong enought to play for a large school. His grades are too mediocre for a good scholarship. His parents are totally dysfunctional so he is living with his best friend's family. Imagine his surprise when a professor from a local college contacts him with an offer to play football and a full scholarhip. Mark insists that his best friend recieve a scholarship, too. He goes on to make the most of the opportunity to go to college and plans to go to law school. All of his success is marred when a black college co-ed is found murdered after a wild fraternity party and Mark's best friend is accused of the murder. Sixteen years later, Mark is invited to return to the university to solve it's latest scandal - embezzlement and maybe to solve the murder.

I haven't read anything by Richard North Patterson for years. The style of this book seems a little different. It isn't as deep as some of the previous novels. Still, I found some of the introspection by the characters to be a little tedious and unrealistic. I know that these are supposed to be very intellectual people but I don't this most people go around analyzing their lives in this manner. Still, I enjoyed the book and even though I suspected the killer, I couldn't put all the pieces together until the end.

Rating - 4 stars

EVIL FOR EVIL

Billy Boyle is called to leave Algiers to go to solve a mystery in Ireland. As much as he hates to leave his beloved Diana behind, the truth is that they are having some problems. She refuses to give up her dangerous work and Billy can't help but worry. He has heard about Ireland his entire life but he soons finds out that the Ireland of his ancestors has changed. He is immediately sucked into the ongoing strife between the Catholics and Protestants. Even more troubling is that people keep dying. Whenever Billy gets to know someone and start asking them questions, they end up being killed.

This is the fourth if the series about Billy Boyle, Eisenhower's nephew serving in WWII, written by James Benn. I liked most of the book but I found the parade of characters confusing. I also missed Diana and Kaz who have been wonderful supportive characters in previous books. I had to push myself a little to finish this book. I won't read another unless it is a little more straightforward and character based.

Rating - 3.5 stars

TOO CLOSE TO HOME

Derrick Cutter has the perfect plan. His best friend's family is going on vacation. He'll hide out in the basement and then spend the next week using the house as a "love nest" for him and his girlfriend. It doesn't take long for the plan to go awry. First he hears his friends' family return. Before he can figure a way out of the house, he overhears gunshots and realizes that his friend and the parents have been killed. Things get even worse when evidence suggests that Derrick himself may have been the killer. Or, did the killer confuse the neighbor's house with the Cutter's. Who did they mean to kill? And maybe, is an old computer with a book on it the cause of the murders?

This is the second book that I've read by Linwood Barclay and I have really enjoyed both. This was a great "family" mystery with plenty of twists and turns. The book is told from the point of view of the dad who is essentially a good man just trying to figure out why his son is being accused of murder and who had a motive to kill the Langley's. The characters aren't perfect but likeable and their reactions are completely believable. I will certainly be checking out other books written by Barclay.

Rating - 5 stars

FEAR THE WORST

Tim Blake and his 17-year-old daughter have a disagreement at breakfast. That night she doesn't come home. Tim is doing everything he can think of to find his daughter. The police aren't especially helpful - until Sidney's car is found and there is blood on it from a man who was found murdered. His ex-wife isn't so sure that Tim isn't to blame but eventually, she sees that there are things going on that cannot be explained and she is also frantic to find their daughter. The more Tim works to find Sydney, the more complicated things become and the more convinced the police seem to be that Tim isn't as innocent as he claims.

This is my first book by Linwood Barclay. I will certainly be looking for more of his books. This book was filled with plenty of twists and turns. Sometimes, the police seemed to be unusually stupid and suspicious but all in all, Barclay keeps the reader intrigued. There is always the thought in the back of the reader's mind. What would I do if my child were missing and no one would help me find her?

Rating - 4.5 stars

OUT OF THE DEEP I CRY

Debba is certain that the immunization that her son received at the Miller's Kill free clinic is the cause of his autism. She's been protesting at the clinic and one day nearly gets arrested for an assault on the doctor. Clare has gotten to know Debba and is trying to keep her out of trouble. Clare has trouble enough on her own. The roof is leaking at St. Alban's and one of her parishoners is offering to break a family trust to help pay for the repairs. Unfortunately, the interest from that trust has been helping to fund the free clinic for years. As Clare gets more involved, she learns a hidden family secret that is tied to the current problems at the free clinic, especially when the doctor running the clinic goes missing.

I have become a big fan of Julia Spencer-Fleming. I love both Clare and Russ Van Alstyne, the local chief of police. It wouldn't seem that an Episcopalian minister and the chief of police would have much reason to interact but that doesn't seem to be the case. Especially, when the two have an attraction for one another that they are doing their best to deny. The characters in this book are lovable and very human. I can't wait to dig into the next novel!

Rating - 5 stars

THE DEVILS PUNCHBOWL

Penn Cage feels that he has failed in his mission to improve the public schools to resurrect his hometown of Natchez, Mississippi. He has been mayor for two years and he's not sure that he can ever reach his goals. He has tried to bring new businesses and jobs to the area. The gambling riverboats weren't really what he had in mind but they are bringing money to the town. One night, Penn is contacted by an old classmate who is a dealer on one of the boats. He tells Penn that there is widespread corruption, including prostitution and dogfighting. Before Penn can decide how to deal with this information, his old classmate is murdered, leaving Penn to work things out.

I have enjoyed nearly all of the Greg Iles books that I have read and the Penn Cages are my favorite. In this one, Caitlin Masters comes back to Natchez. This book was intriguing, filled with twists and turns. At times it seemed a little too long but overall, I really enjoyed it. Parts are quite graphic but the reader can't help but hang on for the entire ride!

Rating - 5 stars

THE GIRL OF HIS DREAMS

Comissioner Guido Brunetti is trying to figure out how a young Gypsy girl could be found dead and that no one seems to be looking for her. He has also been asked to investigate a religious group that seems to be taking money from its followers. Through careful investigation, Guido is able to unravel the mystery.

This is the first book that I have read by Donna Leon. I really enjoyed Guido and his thoughtful and careful investigations. His wife, Paola, was fascinating, too. I listened to this book on tape and I do have to say that there were times I felt a little lost. I'm not sure if it was me or the book. For example, I never got a clear picture as to what was going on with the religious group. All in all though, it was a very interesting peak into life in Italy. I'm sure that I will try another book in this series.

Rating - 4 stars

BEAT THE REAPER

Dr. Pete Brown is a resident in one of the lousiest hospitals in New York City. It doesn't take the reader long to find out that Dr. Brown is a smart doctor but definitely a man with a past. One of the new patients in the hospital has stomach cancer but he also is a member of the mob and he recognizes Dr. Brown as Bear Claw, a ruthless killer for the mob. Dr. Brown has to do whatever he can to keep the patient from talking and ruining his position in the witness protection program. Dr. Brown isn't just any normal doctor, though, and he takes the readers on a wild and crazy chase as he tries to save his own life.

I believe the author of this book was Josh Bazill. I have to say that the book was much darker and grittier than I usually choose to read. Still, it was very suspenseful and kept the reader intrigued. From the killing to revenge the deaths of his grandparents, to finding out their true identities, to his tragic love affair with a girl named Magdelena to the very bloody and gritty ending of the book, it was a book the reader couldn't let go of. I didn't always like Peter Brown but in the end, I certainly wanted for him to live. I'm not sure if I'd try another of this author's books, but I think in 6 months or so I could!

Rating - 4 stars

SAND SHARKS

Deborah Knott is headed to a judge's conference at the beach. She has to go without Dwight and Cal but she is kind of feeling like it's time for a few days just to herself. Deborah is certainly not expecting to find herself in the midst of a murder investigation. Deborah finds Judge Pete Jeffreys strangled with a dog leash. No one thinks much of Judge Jeffreys - it doesn't take long for Deborah to realize that he was a pretty lousy judge, just looking out for his own best interests. Still, it is frightening to think that one of her colleagues could be a murderer. Things get even uglier when her friend Judge Fitzhume is run down on his way to a restaurant. Deborah is determined to do what she can to bring the killer to justice.

Margaret Maron is one of my favorite writers because she makes Deborah Knott so real and so likeable. I love her huge family and her relationship with Dwight is always a bright spot. We didn't get much of either of these but Deborah was at her best. Maron has a way of making her characters come to life for the reader. Southern living is at it's best here. It was also nice to have a break from Maron's protests against urban sprawl which have been a big piece of the last two or three books.

Rating - 5 stars

FIRE AND ICE

Joanna Brady is called to the scene of a murder of a man who manages a recreational area for ATV riders. At the same time, far away in Seattle, J.P.Beaumont and his wife, Mel, are investigating a series of deaths of young women who had been working as prostitutes. All of the previous victims had their teeth pulled before they died, so they couldn't be identified. Eventually, the latest victim is identified and she has ties to Bisbee, AZ. Working from both ends, Joanna and Beaumont work to find out who is murdering these women.

I always love J.A. Jance. Joanna Brady is my favorite character, but I have come to enjoy J.P. Beaumont, too. This book alternated from one to the other. It wasn't confusing but sometimes a little jarring to leave one place for the other. In ways, it didn't seem that the murder in Arizona really got solved to any satisfying degree. Still, it was a fun book, rich with details of both characters lives that makes Jance's books so enjoyable.

Rating - 4.5

THE SCARECROW

Jack McEvoy isn't having a good week. He is the latest person to be fired from his job at an L.A. newspaper. He will be replaced by a young woman who is barely out of college. As he begins to contemplate his new life, he gets a call from a distressed woman who insists that the paper has printed lies about her grandson, 16-year-old drug dealer in the projects who is accused of murder. Jack checks the story out a little further and realizes that the woman may be right. He also realizes that this is the kind of story that wins Pulitzer prizes. He decides that his last big story is going to be a great one that will make his bosses wonder if they fired the wrong man.

This Michael Connelly book started out a little slow for me. I was reading it in print and then I switched to audio. I think I liked audio a little better. As Jack and his friend and former lover from the FBI, Rachel, worked to untangle the mystery, the story continued to get better. This was a good read but maybe not my favorite of Connelly's. Still, there were plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged.

Rating - 4 stars

WICKED PREY

Lucas Davenport has his hands full. The Republican convention is being held in Minneapolis. Someone is robbing the "money man". These are the underwraps guys who pass out money to grease the wheels of the convention. Although no one wants it made public, so far, the robbers have made off with several million. It's Lucas' job to find them and stop them before more damage is done and more people are killed. In the meantime, Lucas' ward, Letty is having problems of her own. She finds out that Randy Whitcomb, a criminal who holds Lucas responsible for him being in a wheelchair, plans to abduct her. Letty takes matters in her own hands as she realizes that Lucas would kill the man and it could be very dangerous for him and his career.

I love John Sandford's Lucas Davenport books. It has been a while since I read one and I thought this one was hard to get into at first. The dialogue was very disjointed. Somehow, the writing was jarring for me. If I hadn't loved so many of the books in the series before this one, I think I would have given up. It did get better and I ended up liking the book quite a bit. I am looking forward to more of Lucas and it seems that Letty may be a main character in books in the future, too.

Rating - 4 stars

FINGER LICKING FIFTEEN

Stephanie Plum is back and life is chaotic as usual. She and Joe have broken up. Something to do with a fight about peanut butter. So, she is working part time for Ranger trying to figure out what has gone wrong in his top-notch security company. There have been several break-ins and that certainly isn't good for business. As one can imagine, sparks are flying between Stephanie and Ranger. Lula has problems of her own. She witnessed a murder of the Chipotle Barbeque Man. His head was knocked off right in front of her eyes. The men who did it are trying to kill Lula and Stephanie is doing her best to keep her alive. Of course, Morelli is on the case, too. Lula thinks the best way to capture the murderers is to enter a BBQ contest herself and Grandma Mazur is her assistant!

I love Stephanie Plum and Janet Evanovich. Some people complain because these aren't hard-core mysteries. I say, so what? If you don't like them, then don't keep reading them. I thought that Stephanie was her usual fun and kind of mixed up self. She did manage to stay out of Ranger's bed, if not his bedroom. I found this book to be a fun little romp and like always, I am looking forward to the next installment!

Rating - 4.5 stars

HORNSWOGGLED

Alafair Tucker keeps a close watch on her brood of children. That isn't easy when you have three lovely daughters of marriage age. Alice has always been her sharpest and most outgoing of her daughters. She seems to have her sights set on the town's barber who is a recent widower. Things get very interesting when Walter's wife is found in a lake by Alafair's sons, Charlie and Gee Dub while they are fishing. Alafair, along with Sherrif Tucker, are bound and determined to figure who killed the woman. Alafair is sure that Walter was involved somehow and she wants to find out before Alice loses her heart to the charming but somewhat smarmy barber.

As always, spending time with Alafair Tucker and her brood is like being part of a warm and loveable family from a simpler time. I love Donis Casey's descriptions of everyday life in Oklahoma around 1912. Some of the complexities of who killed the woman and how her body got where it finally was found seem just a little too convoluted. Still, the reader is ready to overlook any and all minor faults because the characters are so enjoyable.

Rating - 4.5 stars

THE GIRLS FROM AMES

Eleven girls grow up in Ames, Iowa and become the closest of high school friends. Some of their friendships began in grade school, some later but by high school, they are a very tight group. Nearly thirty years later, they are still very close friends. They manage to get together about once a year and they communicate frequently by email. Together, they remember their days in school and share their current joys and sorrows that are a part of all women's lives.

I loved this book for many reasons. I am an Iowa girl and very familiar with Ames. They girls are only a few years younger than me so many of their high school memories are things that I can relate to. I also am blessed to have friends from college that still get together and a group of adult women friends that I share many things with. We also try to travel together and we certainly share life's ups and downs together. Sometimes all the side notes about women's friendships got a little dull but I really enjoyed the snapshots of each of the girls' lives and how they related to one another.

Rating - 4.5 stars

ROADSIDE CROSSES

Kathryn Dance is tied up with an investigation of roadside crosses that a killer is putting out with dates in the future. The deaths seem to be tied to a blog. It all starts with a fairly innocuous post about an accident that killed two teenagers. The young man driving soon becomes the victim of cyberbullying and it seems he has run away from home and has begun killing anyone who has said ugly things about him on the blog. Kathryn is in totally unfamiliar territory as she tries to learn about the world of games that sometimes seem more real to its participants than the real world. At the same time, Kathryn's mother has been accused of a mercy killing at the hospital and is facing angry mobs and murder charges.

Jeffrey Deaver is one of my favorite authors and once again, he does not disappoint. I thought this book started out a little slow but as I got more caught up in it, I found it to be very intriguing. Kathryn Dance is a very likeable character. Her relationship with her partner, O'Neil, continues to hint at a possible romance but he remains married. The new character, a professor who helps with the computer aspects of this case, introduced in this book seems like a possible love interest, too. Some of the computer stuff is too far out of my reality but overall, I enjoyed the book.

Rating - 4.5 stars

DARK HORSE

Sherrif Walt Longmire has a woman in his jail who is accused of shooting her husband in the head six times after he started the barn with her horses on fire. All the evidence is there but still Walt isn't convinced that she did it. He decides to do some investigation of his own. Everyone agrees that the husband had plenty of enemies but that isn't making it any easier to find the answers as to how the murder happened. Walt finds himself in a small, unfriendly town where it seems that he may get beat up rather than get the answers he is looking for.

Craig Johnson is one of those people who just knows what it takes to tell a story. He weaves another tale of Sherrif Longmire and his friends with Walt searching for justice. There were a few things that I didn't like so well. The narrator kept switching back from the past to present tense. At times, this was very confusing. This is a more minor detail but I would have loved to have had more in the story about Henry Standing Bear, Bea, Walt's daughter and some of the other characters that have become favorites in the past few books. Overall, though, I can't wait for Johnson's next edition in the Walt Longmire series.

Rating - 4.5 stars

QUEEN OF THE BIG TIME

Nella is an Italian farm girl who longs to go to school so that she can be a teacher. Her parents feel that her seventh grade education is plenty. Nella's dream finally comes true and she is allowed to go on to high school. However, a family tragedy changes her life forever. When Nella is only fourteen years old, she meets Renato. He is handsome, exciting and seven years older. Nella and Renato's lives continue to intertwine in unexpected ways throughout their lives.

I love Adriana Trigiani's books. They are the kind of books where nothing seems to happen and still lots is going on. The characters become like family and friends and are always warm and funny people that I wish that I could know in real life. Unfortunately, this audiobook was an abridged edition. I absolutely hate those! I would love to listen to this book again in its complete version.

Rating - 4.5 stars

HEART OF DIXIE

Jake Gannon is a reporter who is working on the story of the disappearance of megastar, Devon Stafford. Devon was at the peak of her career when she walked away from Hollywood over a year ago and she hasn't been seen since. Jake has been doing tons of research and he decides to return to the area where Devon's mother grew up. His plans are stalled though, when his Porsche quits working in a remote little town. The female mechanic who picks him up is also the proprietor for the local cabins where Jake ends up staying. As fascinated as Jake is by figuring out what happened to Devon Stafford, he also finds himself becoming more and more attracted to Dixie, the mechanic and proprietor.

I have read several Tami Hoag books and have enjoyed them. They were thrillers that kept you on the edge of your seat. This was a new audiobook from the library. It didn't take long to figure out that this was a typical romance that Hoag had written before she changed her writing style. This was a fairly predictable romance novel. I did plenty skipping of the love scene descriptions. I found the story to be okay, but certainly not Hoag's best.

Rating - 3 stars

HEART AND SOUL

Dr. Clara Casey has the job of setting up the new heart clinic in a hospital in Ireland. Clara isn't exactly thrilled with the job but she throws herself into decorating it and staffing it with the best people possible. As Clara works usually uphill against the hospital administration, she manages to put together an amazing staff and they are changing the lives of the heart patients they work with. As usual, the staff seems to be very diversified but over time their lives intermingle and they become a family to one another.

Maeve Binchy is a wonderful storyteller. She tends to work in almost short stories, focusing on one character and then another. She does a great job of turning these short stories into a novel filled with people that you like and care about. The only thing that bothered me in this book is that many of the characters seemed to be from previous books. I had read Whitethorn Woods and recognized several characters from there. Some of the characters had obviously come from another story and I felt I was missing quite a bit of background info. Still, I liked the book and Maeve Binchy is always a treat.

Rating - 4 stars

THE OLD BUZZARD HAD IT COMING

Alafair Tucker isn't too well acquainted with her neighbor, Miz Day. Still, it seems like the kind thing to do by helping her prepare her dead husband to be buried. After all, he had been a miserable and mean drunk who was found dead out in the snow. No one had even missed him for three days after the snowstorm. Alafair is stunned when she finds a bullet hole behind the man's ear and realizes that he didn't freeze to death but instead, someone shot him. Alafair is quite concerned because the most likely suspect is the oldest son, John Lee Day, the boy her daughter, Phoebe, is smitten with. Alafair needs to find out who really murdered Harley Day and be sure that her daughter wasn't an accomplice.

This is the first in this series by Donis Casey. I loved the book from the minute I started it. Alafair Tucker is living in Oklahoma in 1912. She is the mother to eight children and keeps very busy as a farm wife on the prairie. It is kind of like Jessica Fletcher meets Laura Ingalls. Alafair is a good mother - kind and very protective of her brood. She isn't afraid to do a little snooping to find out who is responsible for the murder. I can't wait to dig into the next book in the series!

Rating - 5 stars

Lucia, Lucia

Lucia Sartori is a modern girl in 1951. She works downtown and has a career as a seamstress in the custom dress department at a famous store. She passes up the opportunity to marry Dante Dimetri because she knows that she will have to give up her career to live with her in-laws and help her fiance in the family business. Not much later, she meets her dream man, John Talbot. She and John fall in love and all seems to be well except that her Papa doesn't trust John. In the meantime, Lucia's life is filled with work and the excitement of living in a big Italian family.

I have loved everything that I have read by Adriana Trigiani and this is no exception. Lucia's story was filled with a warm and wonderful family. The presentation of the 1950's was a fun look to the past. Her descriptions of women's roles and the changes after the war were so entertaining and real through Lucia's life. It was also clever to have Lucia relating her story nearly 50 years later to the young playwright, Kate.

Rating - 5 stars

THE COLOR OF THE LAW

A. Scott Fenney was born poor but he was smart and he had tremendous athletic ability. Scott used his football heroics to help him at SMU and became a lawyer. His athletic accomplishments impressed the right people and by age 38, he is making $750,000 year, driving a Ferrari, living in a $3.5 million home with his beautiful wife and daughter. When he is appointed to defend a hooker who is accused of killing the Senator's son, his life begins to crumble around him. As much as Scott would like to avoid this case, he can't. As much as he would like to please all of the right people, he also finds that he can't fight for his client. It looks like that decision may cost him everything.

This is the first book that I have read by Mark Giminez. It as enjoyable and a quick read. In ways, it reminded me of a Grisham. In some ways, Scott seems too crooked to be believable. Only with his daughter does he show any signs of integrity. Later, as he decides to defend Schwanda and takes her daughter, Pajamae into his home, he seems almost too good to be real. His wife is definitely a very shallow person with no redeeming qualities except her beauty. Although this story was a little too clearly good vs. bad, it was a good book.

Rating - 4 stars

THE COLOR OF THE LAW

A FOUNTAIN FILLED WITH BLOOD

Reverend Clare Ferguson is an Episcopalian priest and a former Army Air Force pilot who is very concerned when several gay men in town have been viciously attacked. Is the small town of Millers Kill filled with anti-gays committing hate crimes. When Clare finds a victim who has been murdered, it appears to be another anti-gay crime. The more she finds out about the victim's life, it appears that he may have been murdered for another reason. Clare finds herself working with the chief of police, Russ Van Alstyne. Russ is a great guy and Clare is very attracted to him, however, Russ is also very married.

This is the first Julia Spencer-Fleming book that I have read. I have seen great reviews on some of her other books in this series and I am very glad that I gave it a try. Clare is a very real person with a sense of adventure and sometimes, a lack of common sense. Russ also seems very human. It is easy to understand the complexity of their relationship - why they are drawn together and why they must try to stay apart. This book had some elements of a cozy but a bit more of a traditional mystery. I definitely enjoyed it, except for maybe some of the description of the helicopter crash which was pretty technical and hard to visualize. I will be reading another book in this series real soon!

Rating - 5 stars

SOMEBODY OWES ME MONEY

Our hero, Chet, is a cab driver who likes to gamble. His luck hasn't been so good lately until a passenger in his cab gives him a tip on a horse race. Chet decides to go ahead and place a bet on the horse. To his delight, he ends up winning $930. When he goes to collect, his bookie is dead in the middle of his dining room floor. When Chet reports the murder, he immediately comes under the scrutiny of the police who believe he may be involved. The police are soon the least of his worries as two rival gangs plus the beautiful sister of the dead bookie all believe that Chet was involved in the murder.

This is the first book that I have read by Donald Westlake. This book was recommended on a reading list that I subscribe to. At first, I thought the book was a little slow. Gradually, I came to enjoy Chet and all of his bumbling attempts to get his money. Things got even more fun when he teamed up with Abby, the dead bookie's sister. It took me awhile to realize that even though this book was just recorded recently, it was written in 1969. Some things seemed out of date but there was really no allusions to the specific time period of the story. I thought this was a pretty humorous book.

Rating - 4 stars

THE QUIET GAME

Penn Cage brings his daughter, Annie, home to Natchez, Mississippi in hopes that they can both heal after the death of his wife. Penn hasn't been home long when he learns that his highly esteemed father, an old-time doctor, is being blackmailed. No sooner than Penn tries to resolve that issue when he is drawn into the thirty year old murder of a young black man that was never solved. Penn realizes that his involvement may endanger his family but he also feels compelled to make sure justice is done - especially when he begins to suspect that the man behind the murders nearly ruined his father's life and his own.

This is the third Greg Iles book that I have read and the second one featuring Penn Cage. Like his other books, this story is very complex with layers and layers of history complicating the plot and human frailities. In this book, Iles especially focuses on racial issues both past and present in the South. Penn Cage is a very sympathetic and intriguing protagonist. Livy and Caitlin were also fascinating women and the reader can't wait to see which one Penn might choose. There is a third Penn Cage book coming out this summer and I will eager to read it, too!

Rating - 5 stars

EGGS IN PURGATORY

Suzanne has recently been widowed. She is also part owner of a wonderful little cafe, bookstore and knitting shop with two of her oldest friends. The business keeps her happy and busy. When two people are murdered within a couple of days and Suzanne is the one to find them both, she is determined to help find the killer. Soon, it seems that someone is out to get her. She wonders if it could be the preacher at a nearby cult. Of course, one of the widows seems a little too dramatic and a little too short on real tears about her husband's murder. When her late husband is accused of embezzlement, Suzanne must find the answers.

This is the first in this series by Laura Childs. I had read one of her scrapbooking mysteries and thought it was okay. I haven't read anything by her since. I really thought there were too many characters in this book to keep track of. When the murderer was revealed, I really didn't remember who he was or how he was connected to the rest of the story. I did read this book in short segments over a couple of weeks which may have been part of the problem but I'm not so sure! I would probably try another in this series because I did enjoy Suzanne and the store.

Rating - 4 stars

MURDER MOST MAINE

Natalie Barnes is hard at work, hosting a weight loss retreat at Gray Whale Inn. She hopes that providing top notch service including all of the meals, she may gain new customers and hopefully lose some weight herself. She isn't thrilled when she finds out the group leader, size 0 Vanessa, is an old girlfriend of her boyfriend, John. When co-owner and trainer, Dirk, is found dead, John and another islander are prime suspects. The cause of the death was poisoning, so Natalie's kitchen is shut down. What else can she do but a little investigating of her own to try to clear the man she loves and hopefully save their romance?

A visit to the Gray Whale Inn on Cranberry Island in Maine is always a pleasant getaway. I had been looking forward to Karen McInerney's third installment in this series for quite awhile. For the most part, this was a very fun read. At times, I got a little frustrated with Natalie. She takes some dangerous chances when exploring on her own. She sometimes jumps to conclusions with very little evidence. Overall, there was a good mystery with a satifactory conclusion. I'll be looking forward to the next book in the series.

Rating - 4.5 stars

THE BATTERED BODY

Things are changing rapidly in James' life. Soon his father will wed Milla. Plans are in motion for the Christmas Eve wedding service. James is busy looking for a new place to live. Milla's sister, Paulette, is known as the Diva of Dough has come to town for the wedding. Apparently, Milla didn't get all of the cooking genes in her family and her sister is a well-known television cooking star. Unfortunately, Paulette isn't nearly as nice as Milla and manages to offend or insult everyone she meets. All of the family is in town when Paulette is found dead covered in the batter she was testing for Jackson and Milla's wedding cake. As usual, it is up to James and the Flab Five to figure out how the Diva of Dough was murdered.

This has been my favorite of the J.B. Stanley Flab Five series. Lots was happening in this book including a pretty good mystery. James makes a surprising discovery in his personal life. The twin librarians have romances of their own. There are lots of romances going on with the other Flab Five members. Even Murphy is back with a new mystery featuring the Flab Five, but the group is not described in the most flattering terms. This was one of those books that makes you crazy waiting for the next installment in the series to come out!

Rating - 5 stars

ROCCO

Bartolemeo DeCrespi is a decorator with a dream. He longs to redecorate his church, The Mother of Fatima. It would seem that Bartolemeo (B- for short!) has earned the honor. He has been a lifelong parishoner and has served in every capacity from altar boy to current floral designer and keeper of the linens. B. loves his work but he also loves his family. His sister, Toot, and her three sons are key people in his life. Toot has been divorced for years and now, she is determined to get out in the dating world before it is too late. B. finds that having a chance to fulfill your dream can be pretty scary stuff.

This is the second book that I have read by Adriana Trigiani. I loved it as much as the first. It is one of those books that is more about people and their relationships than actual events. I love B. and his family, Toots, Two, Christina, all of them were so real that they seemed like MY family. It is also entertaining that this book is set in 1970, a time of change in the Catholic church and the world in general. The only sad part of the book was B.'s determination to remain a bachelor. It seems that he would have been a wonderful husband and father. It is probably too much to hope that Ms. Trigiani would write a sequel about B. I would be the first in line to read it!

Rating - 5 stars

FATALLY FLAKY

Goldy is going crazy catering a wedding for the original Bridezilla. Bobbie has changed the menu, the date, and the location of the wedding several times! It's enough to push a caterer over the edge. To add to the stress, dear old Doc Finn is found dead in a car crash. He had become fast friends with Goldy's godfather, Jack. Jack thinks that Doc Finn was doing some investigation that may have had something to do with Gold Gulch Spa, the newest location for Bobbie's wedding. Goldy tries to juggle her catering duties, along with helping Jack, when Jack is suddenly murdered, too.

I had given up on Diane Mott Davidson's series a few years ago. I just got so tired of Goldy's ex-husband and Goldy's ongoing bitterness toward the jerk. This story was a little better than I remembered. Goldy still does some pretty rash things but at least this time, her son wasn't involved and some of the other things that made me upset in previous books. I may see what Ms. Davidson has to offer when another book rolls around.

Rating - 4 stars

OPEN SEASON

Joe Pickett is a Wyoming game warden. He's still kind of new to the job and living in the shadow of the warden who had the territory for many years. When a local outfitter is found dead on the woodpile outside of Joe's house, he thinks that something sinister is going on. When he is part of a search party team that finds two more outfitters dead, everyone is happy to pin the blame on a loner found in the camp. The old man gets shot during the search and is unable to tell anyone how the outfitters died. Joe continues to investigate, despite everyone urging him to let it go. Before long, it becomes apparent that Joe's search for the truth may hurt him and his family.

I recently read "Blue Heaven" by C.J. Box and I loved it. I was anxious to start the Joe Pickett series. This book started out kind of slow for me and I almost didn't finish it. As the story went along, I started to really like Joe and his family. I also have always been a fan of westerns and men who live up to old-fashioned ideals. I am certain that I will soon be hunting for the second in this series.

Rating - 4.5 stars

THE SHACK

Mack is a good father but one of his children was kidnapped during a camping trip and is presumed to have been killed by a serial killer of young girls. Mack has lived with a "great sadness" ever since Missy was abducted. He can't help it - he blames God. How could a good and loving God let someone harm little girls. Mack is blessed with a wonderful life and great children, but his life is still bleak with his angry relationship with God. Much to his surprise, he receives a note, asking him to meet Papa (his wife's name for God) at the shack where the killer took his daughter. Mack finally decides to go and the decision changes his life.

This was a beautiful book with a wonderful perspective of God. We are given a special look at Papa, Jesus and the Holy Spirit who appears a lovely spirit named Sarayu. Much to Mack's amazement, Papa is a warm motherly woman. During his time with the Trinity, Mack learns much about God's love for him and a different perspective on God's role in our lives. Much of the theories and theology went above my head - it was too abstract to absorb. Still, the book was lovely in many ways and made my think about my perceptions of God and how wrong they might be. Overall, it was a worthwhile read.

Rating - 4 stars

LOOK AGAIN

What would you do if you suddenly believed that the child you had legally adopted had been kidnapped and his birth parents were searching for him? This is the predictament that Ellen Gleeson faces. She gets a postcard in the mail with a picture of a missing child. The child's face is amazingly similar in appearance to her son, Will. Still, Ellen is sure that it can't be true. The picture haunts her and she seeks out her lawyer, only to find out the the woman committed suicide shortly after Will's adoption. The more Ellen digs, the more convinced she is that her son had been abducted in a carjacking and then abandoned in a hospital when he developed a serious heart condition. What can she do and how can she bear to lose him?

Lisa Scottoline has long been one of my favorite authors. I was disappointed to learn that this book was a stand-alone and not when of the books about Bennie and her team of female lawyers. I love all of those stories!!! This book was a slow start for me. I liked Ellen and was sympathetic to her plight but this was more of a thriller than a mystery. I also missed the legal aspects of Scottoline's usual works. Still, it was a good book and I will anxiously wait for Scottoline's next work.

Rating - 4.5 stars

STARVATION LAKE

Gus Carpenter was the goalie for the best hockey team his small town, Starvation Lake, had ever seen. When they are defeated in the state tournament, everyone blames the loss on Gus. Gus left town for college and then went to work for a newspaper in Detroit. After some legal problems for not revealing his sources in a huge story, he was forced to leave that paper. He returns to become the editor of his small town paper where no one ever forgets his past mistakes. Things begin to get interesting when the snowmobile of Gus's former coach, Jack Blackburn washes up in the lake. There are signs that maybe Jack's death wasn't an accidental drowning after all. As Gus digs deeper, he soon realizes that there are many secrets in the small town that he thought he knew well.

This is the first novel by Bryan Gruley. I picked it on based on some recommendations from an online reading group. I'm very glad I did. Sometimes it seemed that Gus would never put all of the pieces together. It was even harder for him as he realized that his mother and his deceased father may not have been the people that he believed them to be. Still, he remains a reporter, dedicated to finding the truth, even when it would be easier to let sleeping dogs lie as many of the townspeople have suggested that he do. I will be looking for the next Gruley novel and I sure hope that Gus Carpenter makes a return appearance also.

Rating - 5 stars

DOG ON IT

Chet is a dog who was trained for police work until he got distracted by a cat on the final exam and had to leave the program. Now, he is partners with a private eye named Bernie Little. Together, they are the Little Detective Agency. Chet and Bernie are hired to find a 15-year-old girl who seems to be missing. Things get complicated when the divorced parents of the missing girl disagree and feel that she may have just run away. Bernie has problems of his own with his ex-wife who hates him and Chet, his six-year-old son, Charlie, and financial problems of his own. Still, Bernie isn't one to let a case go easily, especially when he feels sure that the missing girl is not a runaway.

This book by Spencer Quinn was told entirely from the point of view of Chet, the dog. In ways, this was fairly amusing and funny. At times, though, it got a little old and tiring. It was especially frustrating when Chet knew what was going on and was unable to communicate with humans. Chet is something of a wonder dog, like Lassie and Rin Tin Tin. Still, it was a lighthearted and amusing book.

Rating - 4 stars

FIT TO DIE

James and the other members of the Flab Five have strayed away from their diets and aren't too proud of it. When a new fitness instructor comes to town and convinces the group to join her fitness and weight loss program, James reluctantly goes along with his friends. He thinks that Ronni is just too perky and perfect for her own good. Still, he is just as surprised as everyone when he and his friends find her dead. Lucy is still trying to get on at the sherrif's department as a deputy and is determined to find the killer. James and the gang join in to help her. At the same time, it seems that James and Lucy may finally have a chance at a romance of their own.

This is the second in the Flab Five series by J.B. Stanley. I inadvertantly read the third one before this one. It was good to fill in the gaps. These books have been enjoyable reads. Quick and fun with characters that are very likeable. I am looking forward to more of James and the gang. This book was fun because James' father was less of a grouch than in the first book.

Rating - 4.5 stars

Long Lost

Myron Bolitar is back. He has messed things up with his latest girlfriend and she has decided that it is best if she moves to Arizona. Myron gets a call out of the blue from Terese. She tells him that her ex-husband is missing and begs him to come to Paris. The mystery of Terese, along with her beauty, has always intrigued Myron, so he decides to find out what is going on. He finally hears Terese's story, and immediately he and Terese are under the scrutiny of the French police, not mention someone even more sinister. Even with Win's help, things are spinning out of control. Myron needs to protect Terese and see if it is possible that the daughter she believes to be dead might really be alive.

I love Harlan Coben and Myron Bolitar is one of my very favorite characters. I didn't love this book, though. I'm not a huge fan of international intrigue and there was too much confusion in this book. Terese has never been my favorite of Myron's girlfriends. She is always too cold and distant. I liked Myron as much as always but hopefully, Coben's next book will take us to a place where we can enjoy the Myron we know and love.

Rating - 4 stars

Cream Puff Murder

It's back to Lake Eden for more of Hannah Swenson and her family and friends. It took awhile to get to the actual murder but it's always fun to catch up with Hannah and her family. Ronni Ward is back in town and she is teaching fitness classes at Heavenly Bodies and also at the sherrif's department. As usual, she is making enemies among the women and cozying up to all of the men. Hannah is on a campaign to lose some weight to fit into a dress for her mother's book signing party and there is nothing to do but to start exercising with Andrea and go on a diet. Leave it to Hannah to stumble upon Ronni's dead body in the Jaccuzzi at Heavenly Bodies. This time she is getting plenty of help - since most of Lake Eden's sherrif's department is taken off the case due to their association with Ronni.

This is the first time that I have listened to a Joanna Fluke book on tape. I didn't like the narrator for Hannah's voice. She sounded too old. I did get used to it, though. As usual, I enjoyed Hannah and her pals as they tried to solve the murder. In this book, there is a definite tipping in the scales as to which man Hannah may choose. I didn't like Mike's voice in this book and he definitely made some mistakes that may help Hannah finally choose Norman. I can't wait till Joanna Fluke's cookbook finally comes out!

Rating - 5 stars

Always Looking Up

Michael J. Fox shares with readers what it is like to live a life with Parkinson's. He tells of his decision to leave "Spin City" and for the most part to leave his acting career behind. He also tells of his choice to become more of an activist for stem cell research. He reveals his own search for faith and how much he appreciates his wife and children. With humor and humility, he shares glimpses into his life, the everyday and the highlights over the past eight years or so.

I am of course touched by Michael J. Fox and his struggle with Parkinson's after watching my own dad struggle for so many years. In ways, it was comforting to read Fox's accounts and to see how truly optomistic he is in spite of the losses and challenges he has faced. I'm not sure that I agree with all of his points about stem cell research but I certainly have a better understanding of the subject. I hope that Fox's eloquent account of his view of life is a reflection of how my dad felt for the most part if he had been able to voice all of his feelings. I wish MJF all the best in facing the days ahead - he seems to have worked through so many things that he doesn't need my wishes but he would probably appreciate knowing that others are cheering for him.

Rating - 4.5 stars

Night and Day

Jesse Stone has a couple of unusual cases to deal with. First of all, the junior high principal is checking under the girl's skirts to make sure their underwear is appropriate. Jesse decides she isn't exactly breaking the law - but still, he agrees with the students and parents that her behavior was wrong. Then there is the Peeping Tom who calls himself the Night Stalker. Most Peeping Toms don't escalate their behavior but this one might be. Oh, and their is a swinging club in Paradise, too. As usual, Jesse's own love life is pretty hot and steamy but he is still brooding about Jenn who has gone to New York with her producer for a dream job. It's enough to drive a man to drink and Jesse already has problems in that department.

Robert Parker keeps turning out one good mystery novel after another. Jesse Stone is one of my favorite series. Jesse seems to be struggling with himself through most of this book. As usual, he does a great job as chief of police. In his personal life, though, he is drinking more and still obsessed with Jenn who once again has left him for another man in hopes of advancing her career. While we are rooting for Jesse to get to the bottom of the crimes in Paradise, we are rooting even more that he will win over his own demons. Finally, at the end of the book it seems like Jesse might be starting to make progress.

Rating - 4.5 stars

BLUE HEAVEN

Annie and her brother William decide to go fishing on an afternoon when then are out early from school. They aren't very happy with their mom and her new boyfriend. On their way to the river, they witness a murder in the woods. The murders, who are four retired policemen, see the two kids and try to catch them. Luckily, Annie and William escape. They get picked up by a man who takes them to his home. Annie overhears a phone conversation and realizes that this man, too, is involved in the killings. She and her brother run away and find themselves in the barn of a ranch owned by Jess Rawlins. At first, Jess doesn't know if the kids story can be true and most importantly, who he can trust to keep them safe. As Jess comes to believe Annie and William, he tries to figure out who the good guys really are these days.

This is the first book I've read by C.J. Box. I had heard lots of good things about this stand-alone. Usually, I love a series but I thought this book was great. It was action-packed with plenty of twist and turns. It was easy to like Jess, Annie, William and the others in the story. The side story with Eduardo Villatorro was also well plotted. All in all, this was a book that I enjoyed from start to finish. I know that some people are pretty critical of some of Box's other books but I'm willing to give them a try!

Rating - 5 stars

REVENGE OF THE SPELLMAN'S

Isabel Spellman is as goofy as ever. She has left the family private investigation business and is working as a bartender. It is her good fortune to have her brother ask her to housesit because she hates her little apartment. Her father continues to come in at least once a week to ask her to return to the family business. Her sister, Rae, is in trouble as usual because she is plotting against Henry's new girlfriend and her PSAT scores are so high that everyone is concerned that she cheated. While Isabel is trying to decide what to do with her life, Milo cuts her hours at the bar and a friend of Milo's asks Isabel to investigate his wife to see if she is cheating on him. If that weren't enough, Isabel is trying to get through her court appointed therapy sessions without really revealing anything about herself and her friend Morty's wife has run off to Florida.

This is the third installment in Lisa Lutz' Spellman series. I think it is hysterically funny. It might not be the right entertainment for everyone but to me it is laugh out loud funny. The whole family is crazy and dysfunctional but oh so much fun. I even thought this book was better than the last one. Can't wait for the next of the Spellman's adventures!!!

Rating - 5 stars

THE MONKEY'S RAINCOAT

Elvis Cole is a private investigator. On a quiet day, a woman and her friend come to his office. The quiet and very meek woman asks Elvis to look for her husband and her son. It seems that the couple has been having marital problems and the husband may have taken the son away with him. The wife is very reluctant to make any troubles for her husband but her pushy friend thinks that she needs help and she insists that the woman hire Elvis. To Elvis, this looks like a pretty easy little case. He expects that the husband has run off with his new girlfriend and taken his son with him. As he begins investigating, things get more and more complicated. The husband's friends are very strange. His girlfriend is missing, too, and she seems to be involved in some illegal things. The wife, Ellen, refuses to call in the police even when her house is ransacked and it is evident that someone thinks her husband is hiding something very important.

This is the first of Robert Crais' books featuring Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. I didn't find the characters to be much different than in later books in the series. That is a good thing, too, because I love both Elvis and Joe Pike. Maybe later in the series, we get a better look at the feelings that Elvis is reluctant to show, but as always, he is both wisecracking and kind. This book was a great start to this series. I'm just hoping for many more to come. The only mystery left - I'm not sure why the book was called "The Monkey's Raincoat".

Rating - 4.5 stars

WAITER RANT

I've always loved to hear about other people's jobs. The Waiter gives an inside tour of what it is like to work in a fancy New York restaurant. He didn't plan to be a waiter, especially in his late 30's. He thought of being a priest but left the seminary after a couple of years in college. He worked in a mental health facility and then in the corporate world. Finally, he began working temporarily as a waiter. He ended up as the manager of the restaurant for six years. He also began a blog about his experiences, his customers and how to be a good customer. His inside glimpses are sad and funny. His boss is a control freak and he frequently feels stuck.

"Waiter Rant" doesn't have an author listed, just "The Waiter". I enjoyed learning about the business but sometimes he became too philisophical and rambled along too long. It is interesting to see how our behavior in restaurants could be very annoying to waiters. He describes the lifestyle of late nights and crazy days off in the middle of the week. Overall, it was a fun peak into someone else's life. Like most readers, I'm sure, I was glad when the waiter finally decided what else he might want to do in life.

Rating - 4 stars

HELL BENT

Brady Coyne is adjusting to life without his longtime girlfriend. She has left him to go and take care of her dying father. She has told Brady to go on with his life but that is easier said than done. Brady is surprised when his old girlfriend, Alex, appears at his office unexpectedly, asking him to represent her brother. Alex's brother, a photojournalist, who returned from Iraq after losing a hand is going through some very rough times. His wife is divorcing him and he doesn't seem to care. Brady agrees to help the man, but shortly after, he is found dead in an apparent suicide. Alex can't accept that her brother would kill himself and Brady agrees to investigate.

This is the first book that I have read by William Tapply. Brady Coyne is a lawyer who loves to fish. I usually love books with lawyers but this one seemed a little slow to me. I may have made a mistake by jumping in with Tapply's latest book, but I the plot seemed intriguing. I liked the book but I didn't exactly love it. I'll have to decide if I want to try another Brady Coyne or not.

Rating - 4 stars

PLUM SPOOKY

Stephanie Plum is up to her usual craziness. She is busy doing her bounty hunter thing when out of nowhere, Diesel reappears. Stephanie knows that is never a good thing. He is searching for a very strange man who seems to be making rockets. Stephanie gets stuck helping Diesel, babysitting a monkey and trying to help Morelli whose lazy brother is living with him. The adventures take them to a desolate portion of the New Jersey countryside.

Some people complain because the Stephanie Plum books are light on plot and just plain zany. I wouldn't want it any other way. They are always a lighthearted and entertaining read. Not enough Ranger or Morelli in this book but as usual, there are car explosions and crazy scenes where Stephanie ends up a mess. As always, I'll be looking forward to Janet Evanovich's next segment in the Stephanie Plum series.

Rating - 3.5 stars

LETHAL LEGACY

Alexandra Cooper gets called to a very strange case. A woman has been attacked by a man who used chloroform to sedate her. The woman refuses all help. When another woman is found dead a few days later, there are many questions to be answered. Everything seems to lead back to the New York Public Libary and the Hunt family who have donated many items to the libary. Bill, Mercer and Alex dig into the world of rare books, old maps and the fascinating history of the New York Public Library.

Linda Fairstein's Alexandra Cooper series is truly one of my favorites. I loved learning about the New York Public Library. It seemed like there was something lacking in the details of Alex's personal life and the interaction with her partners. She is still romantically involved with Luc who seems like a great guy but all of the time, as a reader, you are rooting for her and Bill to get together! Maybe not the best in the series, but as always, Linda Fairstein knows how to keep me entertained.

Rating - 4.5 stars

BURGLAR ON THE PROWL

Bernie Rodenbarr is a burglar. One shouldn't enjoy hearing about his crimes and the life a a burglar but Lawrence Block makes it impossible not to love hearing about Bernie. As usual, Bernie is up to no good, in a good sort of way. He has planned a big caper but two nights before he goes on the prowl. He plans to do a quick little number and then go home. Instead, he finds himself hiding under the bed as the homeowner is being date raped. Bernie's sense of justice is disturbed and he goes about setting things right. Bernie also realizes that some pretty big things are going down when he is accused of a burglary and murder!

Lawrence Block is always entertaining. His dialogue is comical because it is so detailed and so true to life. The ending of this book got a little complicated as Bernie tries to wrap together all of the loose ends of a whole bunch of different things. Still, this was a very enjoyable read. I'll be glad to hear about more of Bernie's adventures! It's kind of fun to root for the bad/good guy!

Rating - 4 stars

VERY VALENTINE

Valentine is a 33-year-old single Italian woman who works with her grandmother making customized wedding shoes. They make shoes the way her grandparents and her great-grandfather did. No one seems to appreciate craftsmanship the way they used to. As Valentine's grandmother turns 80, Valentine's brother wants her to retire and to sell the wonderful building that has housed the business for years. Valentine wants to continue the family traditions and family business. She also falls for a wonderful Italian chef and struggles to balance her career and her love life. On a trip to Italy, Valentine learns some things about her grandmother and her own loves.

This is the first book that I have read by Adriana Trigiani. I loved the wonderful warm and funny characters. Valentine's family seemed very real and very human. The book is a change of pace from my usual fare of mysteries but I loved every minute of reading about making the shoes and Valentine's wonderful life. I will definitely be looking for Trigiani's other books!

Rating - 5 stars

CHILI CON QUESO

Once again, the Flab Five are fighting crime. They are enrolled in a Mexican cooking class for a break from dieting. One of the classmates agrees to help out with a field trip to a cave with one of Lindy's art classes. During the trip, the beautiful Parker is found dead. Lucy and James are no longer dating but both are working to solve the murder. James finds himself with a new girlfriend in Murphy and she's also super-sleuth to solve her friend's murder.

Sometimes, the beginning of these books getting to the murder seems a bit contrived. Still, one must just hang in there. The Flab Five seem like old friends as they struggle with their diets and still seek to achieve their dreams. It was kind of sad having Lucy and James split up and something leaves the reader to think that something more could happen there. It was fun to meet Milla, the cooking teacher and see how she becomes friends with James' father. I found out that I skipped the second in the series, "Fit To Die", so I'm sure that I will be picking it up again very soon!

Rating - 4.5 stars

TRUE EVIL

Alex Morse is an FBI agent, whose life has recently been turned upside down. Her father was shot in an accident while he was working as a private investigator, her mother is dying of ovarian cancer, Alex is seriously injured in an accident that killed a co-worker, and most recently, her sister died unexpectedly of a stroke. On her deathbed, Alex's sister Grace, insists she was murdered and begs Alex to save her son from his father, Grace's husband. As Alex learns more, she is certain that a certain divorce lawyer is killing off wealthy client's spouses to save them money they would lose in a divorce. When Alex approaches Dr. Chris Shepherd and tells him that she has reason to believe that his wife is trying to have him killed, Shepherd finds it hard to believe the distraught FBI agent. He is certain that her personal tragedies have impaired her ability to cope. Slowly, though, as more evidence comes to light, Shepherd realizes that Alex may be on to something and his life could be in danger.

This is the second Greg Iles book that I have read, and once again, I really enjoyed it. I did hate the part about the pathologist and his snakes. Snakes always creep me out but once again, the characters were complex but evoked sympathy. Iles books are long and in depth but it's worth hanging in to find out the conclusion. This one had me sitting in the garage listening for a few extra minutes because I was so hooked.

Rating - 5 stars

THE ASSOCIATE

When Kyle was an undergrad, he did some pretty heavy partying and some pretty stupid stuff. He is graduating with honors from Yale Law School now and the past if far behind him, or so he hopes. Those hopes are dashed one February night when he is blackmailed with a video tape of a drunken night that Kyle hoped was forgotten. The girl in the tape is now saying she was raped. Even though Kyle was not one of the accused, he had been present and a trial would be a very ugly thing for him and his friends. The blackmailers are obviously very connected and seem to know everything about Kyle's life. The plan is for Kyle to take a job in a large legal firm and sneak out confidential data to the blackmailers. It goes against everything that Kyle believes in but he feels he has no choice. He begins to plot to rebel against the blackmailers, but does he have any chance at all against their power?

I almost gave up on John Grisham after his last book. I absolutely hated it. I heard this one was closer to his earlier books, so I decided to give it a try. I am glad I did. For once, I was totally sympathetic to Kyle, the main character. He also had a very likable father and realistic friends. The situation that Kyle and his fraternity brothers found themselves in was also one that anyone would try to avoid. Bennie, the blackmailer and his organization, were pretty nebulous. I enjoyed the book, admired the main character for his guts and found the description of large law firms appalling. Still, it's a little frustrating that Grisham refuses to tie everything together in the end.

Rating - 4 stars

HAIL TO THE CHEF

It's the busiest time of the year for Ollie Paras. As the head chef at the White House, the season from Thanksgiving through the holidays is absolutely crazy. In the midst of holiday preparations, the head electrician is electrocuted. Ollie begins to think that it may not have been accidental. Next, there are bomb threats and of course, training for all the staff to be prepared in case to detect possible bombs. When the President's nephew is found dead, Ollie is sure it wasn't a suicide. He had been advising the First Lady about her father's business, and despite pressure from the other owners to sell, the First Lady doesn't want to do it. As usual, Ollie finds herself in the middle of all of the activities, even the ones that seem to involve murder.

This is Julie Hyzy's second White House Chef book. I think I enjoyed this one even more than the last. There wasn't any international intrigue in this one which is fine with me. It is fun to see Ollie as the head chef and the other characters are fun, if not as well developed. Ollie's job is certainly challenging and it is delightful for the readers to get a glimpse of life in the White House as a staffer, especially in the kitchen.

Rating - 4.5 stars

MURDER OF A SWEET OLD LADY

Skye has been visiting her grandmother after school each day to get her oral history of her family history. When she finds her grandmother dead in her bed, her family is sure that she died of old age. Skye isn't convinced and as usual, she's not afraid to stand her ground. That seems to be getting her in trouble in more ways than one. Her boyfriend is frustrated because she is reluctant to commit to a more serious relationship. She is in trouble with the superintendent because she won't change a student's evaluation to improve his ACT scores, plus a couple of other parents are angry, too. As Skye checks things out further regarding her grandmother's death, someone is pulling more and more pranks on Skye - or maybe, they are trying to keep her from learning the truth that someone in her family is responsible for her grandmother's death.

This is the second in Denise Swanson's Scrumble River series. Once again, this was a fun, quick read. Sometimes Skye is a little too outspoken for me plus her family and the student's families that she deals with seem a little over the top. On the whole, though, I enjoyed the book and I'll probably read the next book soon. I thought this book was a little more enjoyable than the last!

Rating - 4 stars

MAMA DOES TIME

Mace is used to dealing with wild animals but lately, there are some wild and crazy things going on in her small hometown of Himmarshee, Florida. It starts when her mother is put in jail as an accessory to a murder. It seems that a dead man was found in the trunk of her mother's old convertible. Mace and her two sisters decide that the only way to clear Mama's name is to find the killer themselves. They had better be careful as it seems there are plenty of suspects and someone is out to hurt Mace and her mama if they don't stop chasing down the murderer.

I believe this is Deborah Sharp's first book. It is a winner. Mace and her sisters are lots of fun. Best of all is there Mama. She wears pastel pantsuits and attends church services at Abundant Hope. When you add in the fact that she is thinking of marrying for the fourth time and that she does aromatherapy at the Hair Today, Dyed Tomorrow and you've got the makings for a fun Southern cozy.

Rating - 5 stars

MISS JULIA PAINTS THE TOWN

Miss Julia is in a tizzy. A developer from New Jersey has come in and want to build new condominums in Abbottsville. To clear the way, the historical old courthouse must come down. Miss Julia is determined to do whatever she can to stop this "progress". There are plenty of strange things going on in town besides the development. It seems that several husbands in town are missing. As usual, Julia is a counselor to her friends, even though she is convinced that one of her friends may have her eyes on Julia's husband!

This was one of my favorites in Ann Ross' Miss Julia series. For once, Julia isn't jumping to quite as many conclusions. The story of her and Etta May rescuing Lady Justice is absolutely a stitch. Overall, a trip to Abbottsvill with Miss Julia is too good to miss out on!

Rating - 4.5 stars

THE CROSSBEARER

Joe Esterhaus is addicted to booze and cigarettes. He also has throat cancer and if he wants to live, he needs to give them both up. Joe has enjoyed a career as a screenwriter in Hollywood, writing movies like Basic Instinct and Showgirls. He has lived the Hollywood life, too, filled with booze, women and drugs. All of his life, he has scorned religion. Until now - he realizes that only God can save him. Joe has a new wife and four young boys and he wants to live. He turns to God and returns to the Catholic Church he grew up in. To his surprise, his life is not over but only beginning.

This was a great memoir about a skeptic who regains his faith. I loved the fact that Joe was brutally honest. He admits to all of his past failings. He cannot accept the administrators who perpetuated the child abuse in the Catholic church and the high price that all now pay for the years of mistakes. Joe shares his walk as a "baby Christian" as he tries to walk the walk of Jesus by using his talents to do good for God. He shows that being a Christian doesn't always make us perfect. He still swears and he is too cynical for his own good. Still, Joe and his family find joy and the reader can't help cheering for Joe as he lets God lead his life.

Rating - 5 stars

THE LAST DETECTIVE

Elvis Cole is watching his girlfriend's son, Ben, while she is out of town. The 10-year-old is out in Elvis' yard for just a few minutes and then he is gone. Ben is frantic and so is Lucy. It doesn't help when Lucy's ex-husband comes to town and tells them that this is to be expected considering Cole's background and the career he is involved in. In the meantime, the clock is ticking and Elvis, along with Joe Pike, Carol Starkey of the L.A.P.D. are determined to do whatever is necessary to bring the boy home. A call from the kidnappers points to Cole's stint in Vietnam, taking Elvis back to a time he'd rather not remember.

As usual, the action is fast and furious. Elvis Cole is a likeable guy and on of my favorite characters. Joe Pike is also great here because for once, his physical best is a little less than perfect as he continues to recover from a gunshot wound. Pike is easier to relate to when he struggles a little. Sometimes the plot line in Robert Crais' books is a little too convoluted for me to follow but this one was pretty straightforward and I like it all the better for it. As usual, I can't wait to dig into the next of Crais' books, especially if it features Elvis Cole or Joe Pike.

Rating - 5 stars

CARBS AND CADAVERS

James has moved back to his hometown after the death of his mother to care for his father. His father is a reclusive unhappy man. James' wife has divorced him. He had to give up the job he loved as a professor to return home. Now he works in the town library. He feels his life has gone from dull to duller. Worse yet, James realizes that he is fat. By chance, he is invited to join a group of four other overweight people in town to form a supper club. The goal of the supper club is to encourage each other in their weight loss and to share a good meal once a week. James' life seems to be picking up when the town jock and former football hero is found murdered. The Supper Club is sure that Whitney, their favorite waitress, couldn't possibly be to blame and they set out to prove it.

This is my first book in the series by J.B. Stanley. This series was highly praised by quite a few in my online reading group, so I decided to give it a try. These are definitely in the "cozy" catagory, but it is interesting to have a male protagonist. The dieting angle adds some fun and poignant additions to the story. One can't help root for James as he starts to enjoy life. I will certainly be reading the next book to find out how everything turns out for James and Lucy and the rest of the Flab Five.

Rating - 4.5 stars

JULIA TO JULIE

Julie Powell is tired of her life. She is bored with her job. She works long hours only to bring home takeout to eat late at night with her husband. She has always dreamed of being an actress. It doesn't look like that dream is going to come true. As she nears 30, she feels her biological clock ticking but she really not sure she wants a baby. What does she decide to do to get out of her funk? She decides to cook every single recipe in Julia Child's "The Joy of French Cooking" in a year. It's not easy cooking gourmet food in a tiny New York City apartment kitchen and she has over 500 recipes to finish. Still, the project is intriguing and Julie shares the joys and the struggles to reach her goal.

This book started out as a blog of Julie's cooking adventures. I am not a cook, but I do love to bake, so I could kind of relate to Julie's thrill with cooking these challenging recipes. At times, I thought Julie was shallow and self-centered. I also hated her profanity! Still, some of the stories were absolutley hilarious as she described cooking her first lobster, eating calf liver or chopping open a bone to get out the bone marrow. I'm sure that at some point I would have thrown in the towel. I guess that's why I had to how Julie finished the project.

Rating - 4 stars

CRUEL INTENT

Ali is busy remodeling an old house. The whole event is being filmed for HGTV. She is desperately hoping to be able host Thanksgiving Dinner in her new home. Her son and his fiance announce their engagement. In the midst of this hubbub, her contractor is being accused of murdering his wife. Ali is very sure that he didn't kill anyone but it's not going to be easy doing it. As her friend begs to help him clear his name, Ali is drawn into a website that the murdered woman had been frequenting - Single at Heart. Soon Ali's own life is in danger.

As usual, J.A. Jance writes a wonderful mystery. Her stories are filled with warm loving characters that seem like the people we know and love. At the same time, she weaves in a great intriguing mystery. I'm a huge fan of the Joanna Brady series, but I like Ali alot, too. She is a little older and a little wiser than Joanna. As usual, I can't wait for the next J.A. Jance book!

Rating - 4.5 stars