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