SNOW BLIND

Right in the midst of the winter festival in the Twin Cities, during a snowman building contest, two men are found encased in snowmen. They are policemen and Gino and Magozzi need to figure out who is killing police and going to all of the trouble to build snowmen around them. It isn't before they get a call that another snowman with a body inside has been discovered in a small town away from the cities. There are a few complications, including a new female sherrif who is on her first day on the job and a city of women who are in hiding from their abusers. All in all, Gino and Magozzi are going to need all of the help they can get, including the Monkeewrench crew.

This novel featured less of the Monkeewrench group but it was a good mystery. I always enjoy the P.J. Tracy books and I will be looking forward to the next ones. I love her characters. They are kind, compassionate, flawed and human. I love the slow progression of Magozzi and Grace's relationship and how it has grown.

THE FAT MAN

Gumdrop Coal is the elf who has been in charge of the naughty list for years. When he gets fired, he is convinced that Candy Cane is behind it. He just can't stand to see the naughty kids taking advantage of Santa by expecting him to bring them toys even when they have been rotten all year. He decides to bring about his own kind of justice and that only gets him in more trouble!

This book was truly funny. It played on every Christmas legend, story, or song. It was filled with cliches and came off like a hardboiled detective story. All in all, it was quite amusing and a cute read for the holiday season.

Rating - B

MY COUNTRY

This was a great combination of excellent photography and interviews with country music stars. I loved the photos of singers in all different locations. I also loved reading the very short interview questions. The answers were very insightful and humbling. It was a short read but definitely worthwhile for any country music lover.

Rating - A

MORNING SHOW MURDERS

Billy is accused of murdering his old boss. It's true that they didn't always get along and his boss had threatened to cancel Billy's new show, but Billy is innocent. He has to help find the killer before the bad publicity ruins his restaurant and makes him lose his job as chef and entertainer on a national morning show. As Billy tries to investigate, he realizes that there are quite a few people who might have wanted his boss dead. It also seems that his last trip to Afghanistan was deadly, as nearly all of the men who went drinking together there one night are dying off one by one.

This book was written by Al Roker, along with a co-writer. International espionage is not my thing. I get too confused by all of the political actions. This book got confusing in places. There were so many characters that I sometimes got confused when a character returned after a chapter or two. Still, it was pretty amusing and I did want to finish it. Not sure if I'll try the second in the series or not.

Rating - B

TOUGH CUSTOMER

Dodge Hanley gets a call from the woman he never expected to hear from again. She is frantic and wants him to come to Houston to help her and the daughter he doesn't know. His daughter, Barry, claims that a former co-worker broke into her house, shot another colleague and theatened to kill her. Caroline, Barry's mother, is the one woman that Dodge has never forgotten and he isn't sure if he should rush to her side or stay as far away as possible.

I have never read anything by Sandra Brown before but she always gets good reviews. I really enjoyed this book. It had a good plot. I did figure out the twin thing quite awhile before it was revealed and I never figure out who the killer is in most situations. I could have done without some of the romance but overall, this was a good read.

Rating - B+

FLIPPING OUT

Mike Lomax and Terry Biggs are two of the funniest cops ever, making homicide in L.A. a recipe for laughs. This time, though, it seems that Terry's wife is in danger. She and a group of women, several who are cops' wives, have invested money in flipping houses. They remodel older homes and sell them. One of the women is a best selling author. She writes books about the houses featuring a murder that occurs there. It has been a very successful formula until someone starts murdering the women involved. Mike and Terry have to figure out who is killing these women before Marilyn is killed, too.

I truly enjoy Marshall Karp's Lomax and Biggs books. This is a very good mystery and it is even more interesting when three of the cops involved might be the murderers. They also happen to be friends of Mike and Terry's. The other characters in the book are warm and funny people that I am always glad to have back in the book. I'll be looking forward to the next book in this series.

Rating - A

GROWING UP LAUGHING

Marlo Thomas grew up in Beverly Hills with plenty of stars all around. She and her siblings got to watch their famous father and also his comic friends. Their home was filled with chaos and laughter. Marlo's grandmother was even a drummer in a little band. All of this comedy shaped and inspired Marlo. She learned from her dad but also struck out on her own to have a career without the help of her famous father. Throughout the book, Marlo interviews comedians of today, asking about the way they grew up and how it has influenced their comedy.

I loved the books that Marlo Thomas wrote called "The Right Words at the Right Time". This book was a wonderful description of her family and her father. I truly enjoyed the parts about St. Jude's hospital and learning more about Danny Thomas. He was a very talented man who raised a very talented daughter. I also enjoyed the interviews with other comedians. Some were very funny and some were raised in sad circumstances that influenced their lives and their humor.

Rating - A-

I STILL DREAM OF YOU

Maggie is a 60-year-old former Miss Alabama. Most people would say that Maggie has a great life but Maggie would disagree. Life just hasn't turned out the way that she planned. She spent way too many years as the mistress of a married man. She has loved working as a real estate agent but Babs Bingington is trying to shut her down. So, Maggie realizes that ending her life on her own terms makes the most sense. However, life has a funny way of changing Maggie's plans.

Fannie Flagg is one of my all-time favorite authors. Her books just always make you feel good about people and about life. This book was no exception. You couldn't help but love Maggie and you just kept hoping that she wouldn't go through with her plan to kill herself. In spite of being a serious subject, Ms. Flagg managed to keep things light-hearted and funny with plenty of Southern charm. The other characters, especially Hazel and Brenda, were great additions to the book. Can't wait for the next Fannie Flagg book to come out!

Rating - A

TO FETCH A THIEF

Chet and Bernie are on a rather crazy assignment. They need to track down an elephant and his trainer who have left a rather seedy circus. For some reason, not too many people seem concerned about the disappearance except one of the trainer's friends who insists that something is very wrong. Even after the trainer is found dead, the other circus performer insists that Chet and Bernie rescue Peanut, the elephant, from whoever has taken her. The search takes them to Mexico and they get involved in a very ugly situation. Bernie has also learned that his ex-wife's new fiance may be cheating on her and he has no idea what to do with that information.

The Chet and Bernie series by Spencer Quinn are always fun and enjoyable. Quinn does a great job of telling the story from Chet's point of view. Even though Chet is incredibly smart, Quinn keeps him realistic and a very sympathetic narrator.

Rating - B+

EIGHTH CONFESSION

The Women's Murder Club is hard at work. Suki is prosecuting a woman who is accused of beating her parents, killing the father and nearly killing her mother. Cindy is reporting on the murder of a homeless man named Bagman Jesus. She feels that his murder won't be investigated because he was homeless. Lindsay is investigating several mysterious murders of healthy and wealthy young local celebreties. Even Claire is stumped as to the cause of death. On a personal note, Joe is off on a security trip to Bagdad, leaving Lindsay to wonder about their relationship and if she really want to get involved with her partner, Richie.

I have quit reading most of James Patterson's books. I used to love Alex Cross but they got pretty strange and repetitive. Still, every once in awhile I reach for the Women's Murder Club books. They are pretty well written, with good enough plots to keep things working. Sometimes, the dialogue gets a little thin but overall, this is a fun series.

Rating - B

CHRISTMAS MOURNING

Deborah Knott is at the high school when it is announced that a young popular cheerleader was killed in a car crash. Unfortunately, this has been a much too familiar announcement in their small North Carolina town. Several accidents have claimed teens lives. At first, it seems that texting and driving, along with some alcohol, caused the accident. Dwight and Deborah continue to search for answers and learn that the accident may be related to incidents that occurred many years ago.

As usual, it is a delight to read another Margaret Maron story. The ending of this book indicated that Deborah may have a chance to meet Sigrid, Maron's other protagonist. As I was reading this book, I was thinking that I'd love to read this whole series again. It is so well written and Deborah seems so real that I'd love to get the whole picture in a cohesive way. As usual, I can't wait to see what is next!!

Rating - A+

CHRISTMAS M

CHRISTMAS

BLACK BEANS AND VICE

James and the Supper Club decide to try hypnotherapy to help them deal with their sugar cravings. James likes Harmony, the hypnotist, but there are some disturbing things going on in the Wellness Village. First, a councilman is found dead and then a very vocal animal rights protester is found dead in her home. Lucy needs the Supper Club's help in getting to the bottom of the mess. James' personal life is in change, too. Eliot has decided to become a vegetarian and James and Jane are renewing their relationship. Even things at the library are changing, with a new librarian who adds more life to the staff.

It has been mentioned that J.B. Stanley doesn't plan to add to the Supper Club mystery books for awhile. Perhaps that is why she seems to be wrapping the story lines up in a tidy way. Lucy is with Sullie. There is a hint that things will work out for Lindy and Luis. James and Jane are back together. Gillian and Bennet seem to be happy. Even the Fitzgerald twins seems to have found girlfriends. As usual, this was a fun read. At times, it seemed a little too dramatic or simplistic, but as always it was fun and amusing.

Rating - A-

BRYANT AND MAY ON THE LOOSE

The Peculiar Crimes Unit has been disbanded after the hierarchy of the London police department lost patience with their unusual approach to solving crimes. The members of the team have gone their separate ways and are trying to make new lives. However, when a headless body is found in a freezer in a developing area of London called King's Cross, the unit is pulled back together to fit all of the pieces and bodies together before the media ruins the project. Arthur Bryant is fixated on the layers of historical data in the area but John May is sure that the murders are unrelated to ancient tales. It will take the whole team to find the murderer.

This is the first book I have read by Christopher Fowler. I had heard lots of good things about the Bryant and May series and I have to agree that it is an enjoyable group of characters. I admit that starting late in the series made it difficult to keep some of the more minor characters straight. I do plan to continue with the series and I think I'll learn lots about London in the process.

Rating - B+

Cut, Crop and Die

Kiki Lowenstien and the other gals from Time in a Bottle are excited about the huge scrapbooking event that they are hosting with other scrapbooking stores. All seems to be going well until one of the guests, a recent winner in a huge scrapbooking contest, eats a tainted scone and dies of an allergic reaction. Every one is pointing fingers at the employees of Time in a Bottle and Kiki realizes that she needs to find the killer to clear her friends names. In the meantime, Kiki is busy trying to work out her relationship with Detweiler, meeting new men and getting along with her mother-in-law and a brooding teenager.

Joanna Slan writes a fun and lively story about Kiki and her scrapbooking adventures. Sometimes Kiki is klutzy and out of her element. At other times, it seems that she is totally focused on having a man in her life. Mostly, she is warm, funny and a very sympathetic character. All in all, it is usually it pretty fun ride.

Rating - B

THE REVERSAL

Mickey Haller has been asked to work for the prosecution on the re-trial of a man who was convicted of a murder 24 years ago. Some new evidence has come to light and the man must be tried again. Mickey agrees to take the case - if he can have ex-wife, Maggie McPherson, as his co-council and his stepbrother, Harry Bosch, as the lead investigator. Mickey knows he will have a fight on his hands, but even Mickey has no idea how many surprises the defense lawyer, Clive Royce known as Clever Clive, or the defendant will add to the trial.

Michael Connelly rarely disappoints, however the last book that I read by him, The Scarecrow, was nowhere near my favorite. This one was very, very good with both Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller working on the same team. Maggie McFierce was at her best too. Once the story got rolling it was really hard to put down. This was less dark and brooding than some with both Mickey and Harry focusing on their roles as fathers. As usual, though, with Connelly, the ending isn't the nice one that the reader would like to hope for.

Rating - A

WICKED WITCH MURDER

A woman named Diana has come to Tinker's Cove. She is a witch and she has opened a new store with various trinkets and the offer of psychic readings. Lucy Stone's friends are intrigued and the gals all go for a reading. Lucy doesn't believe in witches or psychics but it is a little disturbing when Diana sees nothing but bad things in Lucy's fortune. Sure enough, a couple of days later, Lucy discovers a dead body in the woods while walking with her dog. The man has been burned to death. A new neighbor, Ike Stoughton, is sure that Diana and witchcraft are to blame for the murder and everything else that is going wrong in the town. Ike's daughter, along with Lucy's girls seem caught up in the excitement of learning witchcraft, too.

I have really enjoyed the last couple of Leslie Meier books that I have read. Lucy Stone can be impetuous and find herself in dangerous situations but generally, she seems to have some common sense. Not in this book! She did some really dumb things. She also seemed to let Diana talk her into all kinds of things - staying at her house, doing witchcraft with her daughters, masquerading as her on Halloween night. The whole book seemed to have an underlying theme of tolerance for all religions which is fine but at the same time, the coven was having sex with all of the members and killing people. There is a time and place for tolerance! I was really disappointed. I'll give Lucy Stone another try but I think this was a reason I dropped this series a few years ago.

Rating - B-

ON THE LINE

Lydia Chin has been kidnapped and Bill Smith must find her before she is killed. The killer is someone from his past and he wants to play a game with Bill. Bill has to solve the clues to find Lydia. Bill seeks help from Lydia's cousin, Linus, who is a computer geek. Linus also has his friend, Trella, join the hunt. Together, the desperately race through New York, all the while eluding the police for a few transgressions and a Chinese pimp who thinks that Bill may be responsible for the death of one of his girls who was found while Bill is searching for Lydia.

This book was a thriller from beginning to end. Bill Smith's agony was palpable. The addition of the characters, Linus and Trella added lots to the story and I am hoping that they appear in future books. S.J. Rozan has a habit of switching perspectives from Bill to Lydia from one book to the next. This was Bill's book and it was very well done. I did miss Lydia, though. The book was a fast and exciting read and I can't wait for the next one!

Rating - A

SPRINKLE WITH MURDER

Mel and Angie, along with their good friend and partner, Tate, have created the business of their dreams. Their cupcake shop, Fairy Tale Cupcakes, seems to be taking off. Tate's fiance has asked them to bake 500 cupcakes for their wedding. Christie is not the girl that Mel and Angie would have picked for their friend. She is spoiled and demanding. Still, they want to support Tate and the large order will be good for business. Mel is sick and tired of dealing with Christie but she never expects to find her dead or to be the prime suspect in her murder.

This is a new series by Jenn McKinley. I had heard great things about it and they were all true. This is a fun read with a good mystery and great characters. I hear that there is a sequel and I can't wait to get my hands on it. There is a promise of romance between the characters and it will be fun to see if it develops.

Rating - A+

THE HANGING TREE

Gus is still in Starvation Lake. At times, his life seems to be stuck. His girlfriend, Darlene, is still married. He is still living with his mother who seems to be aging rapidly and dealing with memory issues. His job isn't going so well either as the paper seems to be constantly dealing with budget issues instead of big stories. Things change quickly, though, when Gus' cousin Grace is found hanging from the Shoe Tree just outside of town. Grace has always been wild, with a past filled with booze and men, but Gus is convinced that she did not kill herself. Gus is having a hard time convincing anyone that he is right and the town seems against him as he has been trying to clear Grace and stand up against an enterprenuer who has promised the town a new skating rink - with strings attached.

I loved Starvation Lake by Brian Gruley but it took me awhile to get into this book. I'm so glad that I gave it another chance. It really was a great story and it will stay with me for a long time. I'm looking forward to the next installment in this series. Gus is likable and so are his friends. They all have flaws but that makes them more human.

Rating - A+

61 HOURS

Jack Reacher hitches a ride on a tour bus in the middle of a cold South Dakota winter day. The bus crashes and Reacher finds himself in the small town of Bolton. The town has grown recently with the addition of a new federal prison. Reacher spends the night with one of the local policemen's families and is drawn into the drama that develops as the town faces the assault of a Mexican drug dealer. Reacher finds himself responsible for the safety of an old woman who is to testify against the drug gang.

I was not very impressed with the last Reacher book I read. However, I kept hearing that this Lee Child book was very good. I'm glad that I listened to this one because it was trademark Child with Reacher fighting for good. I can't wait to get the next book because this was a cliffhanger ending.

Rating - A

Rabbit Factory

The beloved Rambuctious Rabbit is found dead in the staff portion of an amusement park that rivals Disney World. At first, it seems that the murder may have been because the character was being played by a child molester. The staff is eager to cover up the murder to avoid bad publicity. In a very short time, the body count rapidly increases. Biggs and Lomax are the detectives assigned to the case and they are pressured to make a quick arrest before this huge enterprise collapses.

I had heard about this book for a long time and it was as good as advertiesed. Lomax is a very kind man who is struggling with the death of his wife and deciding if he is ready to date again. The characters were engaging and much of the story was very funny. I'll be looking forward to my next Marshall Karp read.

Rating - A+

Murder with Puffins

Meg and Michael decide to try to get away for a weekend. They decide to go to Meg's Aunt Phoebe's summer cabin on a small island. Who would want to go there in the off-season. Meg and Michael soon find that the whole family is there and that a hurricane is on the way. If the storm didn't add enough drama, an artist has built a large home that the local citizens hate. He is mean and ugly and so when he is found dead, it isn't hard to find possible suspects. Unfortunately, Meg's dad and her aunt are two of the people who most recently had problems with the artist. In the midst of a hurricane, Meg and Micheal need to solve the crime.

This is my second book that I have read by Donna Andrews. It was delightful. Meg and Michael are fun and enjoyable characters. Meg's family is loony but still loveable. It was nice to see the relationship between Meg and Michael progress. I think this is a series that I will by sticking with.

Rating - A

Nowhere to Run

Joe Pickett is headed for home after a week in the mountains. He has been reassigned to a district near his home. That's why it doesn't make much sense for him to put himself in harm's way to trace down whoever seems to be stealing wild game. When Joe runs into the Brothers Grim, he realizes that he has met up with a force like none he has ever seen. Joe manages to escape with his life with the help of a strange woman. When he gets home, people doubt the story he tells and Joe finds out that the enemy he is dealing with has many strange and twisted complications.

I have read a couple of books by C.J. Box before but this one caught my interest right away. It was quick, full of action and suspenseful. I never enjoy the parts where Joe is filled with self-doubt and recriminations. There was an underlying message of big government and the rights of civilians that was a little heavy handed to me but overall it was a great read.

Rating - A-

Sizzling Sixteen

Stephanie Plum, Lula and Connie have a dilemna. It seems that their boss, Vinnie, has been kidnapped and the ransom money is extremely high. Even though Vinnie is a despicable creature, the bond agency needs him to stay in business. As usual, it's a mad romp as Stephanie and Lula trace their boss among the mob in some very strange situations. Stephanie and Morelli are not together but there is still plenty of attraction there and Ranger is at the ready, will to help Stephanie in any way.

Of course, this was another predictable Stephanie Plum novel, but they are cute and entertaining. You just can't expect too much. I am still rooting for Morelli but Ranger seems to have a slight edge in this book.

Rating - B

PRIVATE PATIENT

Rhoda Gladwin has decided to have a disfiguring scar removed from her face which has shaped her life for over 30 years. She chooses the best surgeon and decides to have the procedure done in his country manor as a private patient instead of in a London clinic. Within hours after the surgery, she is found dead in her room. Adam Dagleish and his exclusive homicide team have been called in to investigate. It soon becomes apparent that there are plenty of people who had motive and opportunity for wanting Rhoda dead.

I have never read anything by P.D. James before but she is a master in the mystery genre. She is still writing at 90+ years of age. I enjoyed the plot and the characters were well developed. At times, things seemed to move rather slowly and build very gradually but overall, it was a good read. The long, slow style gave rich detail to the overall story. I would consider reading another of Ms. James' books, especially if it featured Adam Dagleish.

Rating - B+

Shanghai Moon

Lydia Chin has been asked to help a detective who is an old friend with a case involving jewelry that was recovered from Holocaust survivors. There is reason to believe that the jewels will be sold in Chinatown. Lydia has been on the job a short time when her detective friend is killed. She feels responsible and vows to find his killer. With the help of her old partner, Bill Smith, Lydia unravels the story of German Jews who flee Germany and go to Shanghai. Life for the immigrants is no easier in Shanghai and it is believed that their jewels were stolen or sold in the war in Japan. Lydia soon realizes that the sad story of the Jewish immigrants and their Japanese family still has power today.

I haven't read S.J. Rozan's books for several years and I really am not sure why. I had heard wonderful things about this book and all were true. It was a wonderful and compelling story with lots of rich history about Japan and the Chinese and the Europeans who immigrated their before WWII. I love the characters and was glad that Lydia and Bill have mended their disagreements. I can't wait to get my hands on the newest release in this story.

Rating - A

MONKEEWRENCH

Monkeewrench, a successful video game company, is set to release a new game that involves various murder scenes and the player has to solve the crimes. Someone has learned about the game and now is murdering people in the scenarios described in the game. Two detectives, Maggozi and Gino, have to work with the very eccentric members of the Monkeewrench team to prevent the next murders from occurring. It soon becomes obvious that one of the team members, Grace, has suffered a terrible experience in the past and the other team members will do anything to protect her from further trauma.

This is a late posting from a book I read earlier this year. I have heard over and over that the Monkeewrench books are wonderful. They are written by the mother-daughter team of P.J. Tracy. This book had such rich and wonderful characters. All are colorful, all are flawed, all are endearing. I hated to have the book end and I certainly will be reading the other books in the series.

Rating - A+

BACKSTAGE WITH JULIA

Julia Child was an amazing cook who changed the cooking world in America by bringing French food to the forefront and challenging everyone from chefs to housewives to learn more about cooking. Nancy Barr becomes one of Julia's assistants and for nearly 18 years, she worked backstage with Julia. She helped prep the food and prepared for TV shows. The work was challenging but she loved the opportunity to work and learn from Julia Child. Most interesting of all was what an amazing person and Julia was. Even in her 80's, she was vibrant, active and eager to work and learn about the culinary world.

This book was an engaging and entertaining look at the work involved in food production and television. I also enjoyed the discussion of writing cookbooks. Best of all were the warm and funny antics about Julia Child. I ended up loving Julia more than ever for her charm and zest for living.

Rating - A

LONG GONE

Will's brother was accused of raping and murdering his girlfriend eleven years ago. Will has always believed he was innocent. He also believes his brother is dead. Now, his dying mother tells him that his brother is still alive. Immediately after her funeral, Will's girlfriend, Sheila, runs away. Will is left to sort out the past and comes to realize that his girlfriend had secrets that he was unaware of.

Harlan Coben is one of my favorite authors. As usual, this book was filled with plenty of twists and turns as the main character sorts out the truth. Many of the things he has believed all of his life are challenged. Still, he remains a good man who just wants to find justice. At times, I found this book confusing and too unbelievable. I still love Coben, this just wasn't my favorite.

Rating - B

BLUE EYED DEVIL

Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch used to be the sherrif and deputy in Appaloosa. Now, a new sherrif is running the town with his twelve deputies. Cole and Hitch refuse to join his group and begin providing protection for the saloon owners who were being pinched by the sherrif if they wanted help when trouble breaks out. There also appears to be a gunslinger in town who has been hired to kill Cole. First, though, the gun slinger and Hitch and Cole need to head off an Indian war party headed for Appaloosa.

I had heard about Robert J. Parker's western series but I just happened to pick up this book on tape. It turned out to be a very good tale. It may be the second in the series, so I plan to find the first. Unfortunately, this will be the last in the series as Parker died early this year. Luckily, he leaves behind some wonderful characters.

Rating - A

SO GLAD WE HAD THIS TIME TOGETHER

I loved Carol Burnett when I was a kid. The sketches on her show were some of the funniest ones I can remember. I even had my kids check on U Tube for old clips of them. I loved hearing Carol Burnett tell stories of her career and family. Some of the stories were absolutely hysterical. Others were very touching, especially about the death of her daughter. There were sections that she could barely read through the tears. At other times, I thought that this very funny woman looked at the world in the most hilarious way, including laughing at herself. The only complaint I had about this book is that I wish it could have gone on much longer.

Rating - A

LIVE BAIT

Magozzi and Gino are working hard on a very strange case. Someone seems to be killing old people who were in the Nazi concentration camps. An old man is shot and the whole community is distraught. It seems he was loved by all, except maybe his son. When an old woman is killed in her home with a plate of cookies ready for her granddaughters, all of Minneapolis is upset. With the help of Grace and the Monkeewrench gang, the detectives link the murders in a way that is totally unexpected.

I loved "Monkeewrench" so I was eager to read a sequel. I think some might have enjoyed more of the Monkeewrench but I loved the police investigation of these murders. I was also pleased the Magozzi and Grace are making progress in their relationship. You can be certain that I'll soon be reading the next installment in the series.

Rating - A

THE VIRGIN OF THE SMALL PLAINS

Abby and Mitch were two teenagers madly in love. Late one night, Mitch nearly gets caught sneaking downstairs by Abby's father, a doctor who receives a late night call. Hiding in the closet, Mitch witnesses an unbelievable act that changes his life forever. The next morning, Mitch has been sent out of town and everyone is blaming Abby. There is also the mystery of a young girl who has been found naked and dead in the pasture of Abby's friend, Rex. Over the next years, the dead girl comes to be known as The Virgin of the Small Plains. There seem to be some who never want her true identity to be discovered.

I had heard many good reviews of this book but I was a little hestitant to jump in with an author I hadn't heard much about. I loved the book! I loved the setting of the Flint Hills as we drive through every time on our way to Caldwell. The characters were fantastic, some seemed unbelievably terrible but still it was a great story! I can't wait to read the follow up.

Rating - A+

CHASING DARKNESS

Elvis Cole helped prove a man was innocent in the murder of a young woman. A couple of years later, the same man is found dead with a photo album in his lap showing the death scenes of seven young women. One of them is the woman that Cole proved he could not have killed. Elvis feels terrible, but he is sure that he did a good job of proving the facts in the court case. There is nothing for him to do, along with his partner, Joe Pike, but to figure out who really is the one who is responsible for the murders.

Elvis Cole is one of my all-time favorite characters and so is Joe Pike. I started to read this mystery by Robert Crais a year or so ago but the graphic beginning made me stop before I got into the book very far. I'm glad I went back because I really enjoyed this book and of course, I can't wait for the next Elvis Cole book to come out!

Rating - A

MURDER WITH PEACOCKS

Meg Langslow has the dubious honor of being a bridesmaid in three weddings in a single summer. We quickly realize that each of the brides has probably selected very wisely when they chose Meg because she seems like the unofficial wedding planner getting all of the details done. Her best friend, Eileen, is scatterbrained and madly in love. Her brother's fiance, Samantha, loves to keep everyone on their toes. Lastly, her mother just loves giving orders and letting other follow through. After a typical madcap family gathering, Meg's the sister of her mother's fiance is found dead. Meg's father jumps right into the role of detective, but the body count is mounting and Meg and her friend, Micheal, are right in the thick of things.

I have heard people rave about Donna Andrews books for years but never got around to reading them. I thought they would be over-the-top like Stephanie Plum (whom I enjoy very much!). This story was delightful in so many ways. The family members were a hoot. Meg was funny and a delight. Best of all, was the story of poor Michael, who has been labeled as gay and is trying to get a chance to tell Meg that he is not.

Rating - A

THE HUNGER GAMES

Katniss and Peetra have been selected as the tributes from District 12 for this year's Hunger Games. Every year, each of the districts must send a boy and girl ages 12 -18 to fight to the death in the Hunger Games. This is to remind the citizens of the sacrificies that the Capitol has made for them and their well being. Actually, Katniss' sister, Prim, was selected but Katniss took her place. She is older and has learned to hunt and supply the family with food since her father's death. She is better prepared to participate in the Hunger Games which have become a national sport, televised for all of the citizens to watch. Still, the chances of Katniss remaining alive are very slim indeed.

I read this book only on my niece's recommendation. Actually, it was a gift and I felt it would be rude not to read it. Futuristic novels are not my cuppa tea. Still, Brae had loved it and so did the rest of her family. I started out reading it pretty slowly but it quickly grew on me and I had to finish it to see if Katniss actually survived. I was grateful to learn that there was a sequel which did give me hope. It was a very thought provoking book and I have encouraged my daughters to read it as well.

Rating - A

THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE

Dr. Monica Ferrell is a pediatrician who is being called on for her testimony regarding a miraculous cure of one of her patients. Someone wants to prevent her from finding out the truth about her adopted father's parents. When Monica is nearly killed, police begin an investigation to tie together several odd coincidences including the death of the mother of one of her patients. The one woman who can give Monica answers is found dead in her home.

I haven't read anything by Mary Higgins Clark for a few years. It seemed that her books had gotten stale and repetitve. This book was a great listen and I'm glad I gave it a try. I may have to try a few of her other recent releases.

Rating - A-

THE BURNING WIRE

Lincoln Rhyme is facing a new kind of challenge. Someone is terrorizing the city of New York with the use of electricity. Electricity is everywhere and it is what keeps the city of New York running 24/7. Lincoln and his crew must do what they can to apprehend the killer before he kills more. In the meantime, Lincoln is also helping the authorities in Mexico City try to capture his old nemsis, the Watchmaker.

Lincoln Rhyme is one of my very favorite characters. I love Amelia Sachs, Ron Pulaski, Lon Sellito, Mel Cooper, Thom, and the whole gang. Lincoln meets two people in this book who talk to him about his choices regarding his disability. It adds to the tension of the ending to see which direction sees his life taking him. As usual, I will be waiting anxiously for the next chapter in this great series to continue.

Rating - A

BOOKPLATE SPECIAL

Tricia isn't particularly happy to have her old roommate, Pammy, show up for a visit. Two weeks and after she has stolen $100, Tricia decides to kick her out. Of course, she feels absolutely terrible when Pammy is found a day or so later, stuffed in a dumpster. Tricia feels the need to investigate on her own. She soon finds out that Pammy was a "freegan" who took things from dumpsters. Tricia's own employee, Ginny, and her boyfriend do the same to help add to their income and Tricia learns more is happening in her hometown after dark than she can imagine. In other news, Angelica has opened her own restaurant and her older employee wants to get married in Tricia's store.

Once again, this was a pleasant, light-hearted read. It was good for Tricia to have a new love interest. (Sorry, this is a catch-up post, so I am forgetting names!) I never liked the reporter guy very much anyway. Sometimes, these books seem a little to cozyish, but I am always ready for the next installment.

Rating - B+

A RIVER IN THE SKY

Amelia Peabody is back! She isn't in Egypt this time. Ramses has been doing some archeological work in Jerusalem. The family follows him and Emerson has been asked to follow a fellow archeologist who is believed to be a spy. The world is changing and is on the brink of WWI. Ramses and David are kidnapped and it is up to Amelia and crew to save the day.

As usual, the plot of these books can be kind of convoluted and hard to follow. Still, one has to love all of the characters of these books and it was a delight to be with them and following their exotic adventures again. It was funny to read about Ramses and Nefrette as young people who had not become a couple yet. Still, I loved my time with the Emerson family once again!

Rating - A-

THE DIVA TAKES THE CAKE

Hannah's wedding is only days away and Sophie's house if filled with guests and Sophie is busy doing all the last minute details for the wedding. Craig's ex-wife shows up much to Hannah's dismay. She hadn't realized that Craig had been married before! In a few short hours, she is found dead. Craig is a suspect in Hannah's book, so she needs to solve the murder, prove she is right to Wolf and keep all of her guests fed and happy in the next day or so to stop the wedding.

Again, this was kind of a madcap story but I liked Sophie and it helped that many of the characters were returning from the previous book. There are still quite a few to keep straight but it was easier. At times, Natasha is still to annoying for words and the reader can't imagine how Sophie keeps her cool in the face of her ongoing critcism. Overall, I liked the book and will probably read the next one.

Rating - B+

THE DIVA RUNS OUT OF THYME

Sophie Winston is an events planner who has been asked to cater the engagement party for her sister. Sophie loves to plan parties but her sister, Hannah, is getting married for the third time so this is not exactly her first trip down the aisle. In addition, Sophie isn't really sure that she likes her sister's fiance, Craig, at all. In addition, Sophie's ex-husband is now living with her rival, Natasha, who believes that her party planning skills are way ahead of Sophie's. Her mother is crazy about Craig, who is a doctor, and is scheming to get Sophie back with her ex-husband.

This is a make-up listing, so I don't remember the details of the story. It was fun and pretty light-hearted. I liked Sophie but I found there were lots of characters to keep straight. At times, everyone seems a little too ditzy to tolerate but overall, I enjoyed the book.

Rating - B+

WHY MY THIRD HUSBAND WILL BE A DOG

This is a collection of essays by Lisa Scottoline. Lisa has been a favorite author of mine for a long time and I was surprised to learn that she writes a column for a Philidelphia paper, too. In her essays, Lisa is very funny. She describes her life as a middle-aged writer whose only child has graduated from college and is starting to make her way in the world. She tells hilarious stories about her elderly Mother Mary who is very frail but very spunky. She tells stories of her pets and her old home. All in all, she gives a well-rounded picture of her life and I ended up liking the author even more.

Rating - A-

HEROES FOR MY SON

I am not a huge Brad Metzler fan but this book caught my attention. It could easily be written for kids or teens. I loved the variety of heroes the author selected and the reasons he chose for selecting them. Many were obvious American favorites but others were new to me and a surprise. He chose famous historical figures but also people like Oprah and Charlie Chaplin. I appreciated how he described how each of these people prevailed against the odds, often becoming heroes in highly unlikely ways given the difficulties they overcame.

I loved this book and will read it again.

Rating - A+

A BAD DAY FOR PRETTY

Stella Hardesty is back and she has a problem. Goat, the local sherrif is finally showing some interest in her when his ex-wife, Bambi, shows up. She's a real piece of work and Stella isn't happy to have her around. She is also trying to help an old client. Neb had an addiction to oxycontin but seems to be doing fine now. That is, until a dead body is found at the fairgrounds under the snack shop that Neb was in charge of building. Did he really kill the woman and bury her and no longer remembers the incident at all? It kind of seems that way but Stella is trying to find out - all without raising Goat's suspicions.

This is another fun book by Sophie Littlefield. She keeps Stella real and fun with her penchant for justice meted out in her own way. Chrissy continues to develop as a character. There is lots of laughter and craziness. I think the plot was a little more straightforward than her first book. I will be looking forward to the next!

Rating - A-

SPLIT IMAGE

Jesse Stone has problems in Pardise. A man who has known connections to the mob is found murdered in the back of his van. Jesse soon realizes that the man is working for a local mobster. Interestingly enough, the mobster is married to a twin. The twin is also married to a mobster. The woman have been playing the twin game for years, even swapping partners, all the way into adulthood. Jesse isn't sure just how but he thinks their game may have been deadly for several men. In the meantime, Sunny Randall is tracking down a girl who seems to be part of a religious commune in Paradise.

This is one of Robert Parker's last books before his death. I'll miss his wit and sarcastic characters. For once, Jesse seems past all of his constant brooding over Jenn. Sunny is devasted when Richie and his new wife have a baby, but it seems that she, too, is ready to move on. What a pleasant change of pace and maybe for once, these two characters have actually decided on a future together. A nice way to end this enjoyable series.

Rating - A-

STORM PREY

Weather Davenport has alot on her mind. She is part of a surgical team that are separating Siamese twins. The surgery is complicated and the twins have health issues that are delaying the procedure. As Weather comes in early one morning, she inadvertantly sees a man who has been involved in the burglary of the hospital pharmacy. During the burglary, a man is killed and soon the hunt is on to locate the killers. The really scary part is that one of them is already working in the hospital and he has plans to kill Weather before she realizes what she has seen.

Lucas Davenport is awesome in this latest installment of the series. I love Lucas but the last book seemed kind of week with lots of voodoo type stuff. Lucas is real, he is gritty and he is at his best as he runs down the murderers. He has his old cast of pals working with him, including Virgil Flowers. Sandford is at his best in this book and as usual, I can't wait for the next.

Rating - A

ROUGH COUNTRY

All that Virgil Flowers really wants to be doing is fishing. However, a murder at a nearby resort calls him away from his fishing tournament. A woman has been killed out on the lake. As Virgil investigates, it becomes clear that the motives are quite complicated. The woman was a lesbian, spending time at a resort that caters to women only, especially lesbian woman. Virgil soon finds out that the murdered woman had become involved with a local woman in a band. Several other people seem to have motives, too, including the woman's lover and members of the band leader's family.

I didn't like the last Virgil Flowers book as much but I really liked this one. There were so many possible motives and Virgil stumble bumbles his way around, casually talking to all of the locals and sharing the information he has freely. At times, he seems way to casual in his approach to catching killers but it works for Virgil. I'll be looking forward to the next in the series!

Rating - A-

JUNKYARD DOGS

We are back in Absaroka County with Walt Longmire. The sherrif is trying to stay warm in the very cold Wyoming winter and still solve the crimes that go on in the county even in the dead of winter. An old man getting drug through the snow like a human sled by the family car because he had been tied to the bumper while he was cleaning the chimney is only the beginning of the Walt's troubles. Soon several men are dead and Walt and the gang are trying to get some answers. Sancho is making plans to quit the department and Vic is in a tizzy buying a house.

I have loved everyone of Craig Johnson's books and this one was especially fun. The Cherokee Nation is back but he doesn't play as big of a part as sometimes and we don't hear much about Cady either. Still, Walt's determination to solve the crime and do the right thing make this one of my favorite series.

Rating - A

Uniform Justice

Commandante Guido Brunetti is called to investigate the apparent suicicde of a young cadet at a military academy. Everyone seems to want to keep the situation very hush hush and no one wants the case to be investigated very clearly. Brunetti comes to believe that the boy was murdered and did not commit suicide but he must get past administrators of the school and his own bosses who want the case cleared as quickly as possible. In Brunetti's low-key way, he persists until he determines the truth of the boy's death.

I have only read one other of Donna Leon's books. I liked that one and I liked this one also. It does seem that she is bent on placing doubt about various institutions in Italy. This time it is the military and the government. Last time it was the Catholic church. I enjoy Brunetti and his family but I'm not sure that I appreciate all of the cyncism. However, I would probably be willing to try another book in this series.

Rating - B

CAUGHT

David Harwood is a small town reporter who believes that the people who plan to build a prison near town are a corrupt group. His opinion isn't popular with the owners of the paper who seem to be selling land to the prison owners. It is no secret that the newspaper is struggling and Harwood is concerned about his future but determined to print the truth. On a typical Saturday, he, his wife and his 4-year-old son go to an amusement park. One of them disappears and Harwood is made to look guilty. It takes everything that he has to sort out the situation and save his family.

Harlan Coben is one of those writers that I can't wait to gobble up everything he writes. "Caught" was well-written and lots of fun. It can be tough to see all of the odds stacked against the protagonist but somehow, Harwood seemed to be strong enough to take it and smart enough to keep his head throughout the ordeal. The most disturbiing part was his wife and her double life that was totally separate from her loving husband.

Rating - A

HEAT LIGHTENING

This is the second book in the series about Virgil Flowers. This time, he is investigating a series of murders where the victims are staged and have lemons stuffed in their mouths. Flowers soon realizes that these deaths are somehow related to an incident in Vietnam. In typical Flowers fashion, he becomes involved with the daughter of one of the suspects. The girl is beautiful and part Vietnamese. The killings continue and Virgil has to chase down the past history to figure out who the killer is.

I listened to this book and tape and it never really caught my interest. I could just have been distracted but I only finished it because I had already been listening for quite awhile and I just kept expecting to like it better. I had a hard time keeping some of the characters straight and Virgil was racing all over Minnesota which got a little confusing, too. I'll try another Flowers book but this one was disappointing for me.

Rating - B-

DARK OF THE MOON

This is the first in the series about Virgil Flowers. Flowers is a BCA agent in Minnesota. He works for Lucas Davenport following up on "the hard stuff". Flowers is an intersting guy. He loves to fish, writes for wild life magazines and has been divorced three times. He is called to a rural area in Minnesota when a rich old man is murdered in a fire. It soon becomes apparent that the old man was hated for good reason and that someone is trying to kill the heirs of his estate. More bodies are found and Virgil must dig back in time to find out how these people are related and what secrets they were hiding.

I didn't expect to like Virgil Flowers. I love Lucas Davenport and he is such a gentleman in so many ways. Flowers seemed like a poor substitute. As usual, though, Sanford weaves a great mystery and this small town setting filled with great characters and loads of possible suspects kept me intrigued till the end. I'll definitely keep on reading the Virgil Flowers books while I wait for the next edition from Lucas Davenport.

Rating - A

DOWN TO THE WIRE

Chris Turley is a news reporter just like his father was. However, Chris' dad was legendary and Chris' career has been much less spectacular. Until the day when he gets a call from a source to meet in a park. While Chris is waiting to meet his anonymous source, the medical building across the street blows up. Chris rushes in and helps save five people. Not only does he get the exclusive on the story, suddenly, he is a huge hero. A few days later, he gets another tip which implicates the mayor in a sex scandal. Once again, Chris has the exclusive story. His life has been changed forever. The next tip, though, makes Chris realize that he is being used as a pawn and that his life along with many others are in danger. Is the key something his dad reported on that angered someone, even all these years later?

I have read many of David Rosenfelt's books. I love his Andy Carpenter series. They are funny and wise-cracking. It took me awhile to get into this one because the style was different. Overall, I liked this book. Chris was a great main character and he was easy to like. The thing that bothered me most was the over-the-top killings and the threat to the whole free world thing that went on. It just seemed too much. Still, I'll check out David Rosenfelt's next book, whether it be in series or a stand alone.

Rating - B+

THE SPELLMAN'S STRIKE AGAIN

Well, things are never normal at the Spellman house but they are even crazier lately. Isabelle's mom doesn't like her boyfriend, so she is blackmailing her to date lawyers. Rae has been helping Maggie at her law firm and she's convinced that a convicted prisoner is truly innocent and she is pulling out all the stops to get him freed. Mr. and Mrs. Spellman are acting strange, too. There is a matter of Lost Wednesdays and also missing doorknobs and other hardware. It seems that Magie and David may have a secret of their own. Then there is Henry, who has been extra nice to Isabelle. What's up?

I'm sure that the Spellman's wackiness is not for everyone. I get a kick out of them and I look forward to each new edition. I think Isabelle has grown up a little and the change is nice. Can't wait to see what the Spellman's will be doing next.

Rating - A

NEVER LOOK AWAY

David Harwood thinks that he has some info for a great news story about the proposed new jail near his hometown. Some of the people at his newspaper seem to be discouraging him from getting his story printed. David also has problems at home. His wife, Jan, seems depressed and has said that he and his 4-year-old son would be better off without her. On a Saturday outing to a nearby amusement park, Ethan suddenly disappears. Things get even crazier when Jan also disappears. Soon David is fighting not only for his career but also his life.

I have read a couple of books by Linwood Barclay and I've liked them very much. This book, too, is a great story. It is unusual to have the female character be the evil one. I loved the pace and David's predicament was tough but never got ridiculously so, which I find annoying in other books. I'll be looking forward to Liwood Barclay's next book.

Rating - A

U IS FOR UNDERTOW

Kinsey Millhone gets asked to try to help a young man who believes he remembers some details related to an old case. About twenty years ago, a little girl was kidnapped and was never seen again. Michael Sutton believes that he may have seen some men burying the body. Kinsey is skeptical but once her curiousity is aroused, she is like a dog with a bone who must see the story to its finish. For awhile, it seems like Sutton is crazy with an agenda of his own. However, the more Kinsey investigates, she becomes convinced that he may have seen something after all. It takes some time to fill in the blanks, but Kinsey is the one to do it.

I haven't read Sue Grafton's books in a very long time. I think I quit somewhere around "M". I always planned to go back, though, and I kept hearing great things about this one. I listened to it on tape and other than the narrator sounding way to old for Kinsey, she did a good job of relating the story in a different way for each of the five points of view. All in all, this story was very intriguing and I was delighted to be reading a favorite old author once again. I may have to go back and get caught up in this series - or I may just wait for "V"!

Rating - A

THINK TWICE

Bennie Rosato has been tricked by her twin sister, Alice. Bennie and Alice have had a rocky relationship since Alice reappeared in Bennie's life several years ago. But now, Alice is in trouble herself, so she buries Bennie alive, leaving her for dead. She has also stolen Bennie's money, taken over her law firm and she's even reconnected with Bennie's old boyfriend. Bennie is frantically trying to convince everyone that Alice has pulled a switch but she can't get anyone to believe her. Finally, she discovers that anyone who is pushed far enough has the capacity for violence and a desire for vengence.

Lisa Scottoline is one of my very favorite authors. Her last stand alone was not my favorite. I am so glad to be back reading about Bennie and the all-girl law firm. The last story with Alice got a bit tedious but this one was a page turner right from the start. The chapters are short and the action was quick, keeping the reader absorbed in the storyline. I loved this book from beginning to end. There was also some great character development in the characters of Bennie and Mary. Can't wait for the next book!!!!

Rating - A+

BAD DAY FOR SORRY

Stella Hardesty but up with her husband, Ollie's abuse, until one day when she couldn't take anymore. Now, she has a sideline business helping other women deal with men who are hurting them. Stella uses very unusual methods for getting the attention of men who need to start treating women better. She thought that she had gotten Roy Dean in line until his wife, Chrissy, come to Stella and tells her that Roy Dean has taken her son. Chrissy needs help getting her little boy back and Stella is the only one who has the capabilities to help her, even in the sherrif has his eye on Stella already.

This is the first book by Sophie Littlefield. It was very funny and a quick read. Not for the faint-hearted, though, as Stella is a tough gal who is certainly not a cozy character. Her descriptions of her abusive husband and all she has endured are hard to read but much of the rest of the book is hilarious as Stella gets her man to behave. The story is set in the Ozarks and there are certainly some hillbilly characters that are quite funny. I'll be looking forward to Sophie Littlefield's next installment in this series.

Rating - A

HELL'S GATE

Alexandra Cooper gets called to a ghastly crime scene. A ship is wrecked just within the safety of New York and there are human trafficking victims aboard. It is Alexandra's job to sort out who might be responsible for bringing these women to America from the Ukraine. At nearly the same time, a local congressman is cited for drunk driving and it comes to light that he has a mistress and a love child. The repercussions are affecting local New York politics as everyone tries to spin the situation for their own gain. With the help of Mike and Mercer, Alex manages to sort out all of the pieces and tie together several seemingly unrelated crimes.

I love Linda Fairstein. In every book, she teaches the reader about New York history and landmarks. This book talked of Gracie Mansion and some of the old homes in New York. As always, Alex, Mercer and Mike are human and loveable characters. I keep hoping that Alex and Mike will finally become romantically involved. In this book, it seemed that Alex was leaning that way, too. Still, we are left hanging, waiting for the next installment in this awesome series.

Rating - A

APPLE TURNOVER MURDER

Hannah Swenson has her hands full. In addition to running the Cookie Jar, Mayor Bascomb's wife has asked Hannah and Lisa to bake thousands of apple turnovers for the town's charity festival. Hannah and Lisa are thrilled with the business - if they can keep their sanity while they fill the order. The last thing they need on their hands is a murder. Hannah finds her old professor murdered and she needs to find the murderer to save her own reputation and that of her younger sister, Michelle. Mike is on the trail of the murderer, too, but Norman seems to be distracted.

Joanna Fluke's Hannah Swenson series is one of my favorite cozy series. I like Hannah and I love all of her Cookie Jar recipes. I thought that the love triangle had taken a shift towards Norman in the last book. It seems to be tipping a little more towards Mike in this one. Ms. Fluke leaves us with something of a cliff-hanger, at least as far as Hannah's love life in the last pages. I, for one, can't wait to see where the story leads next.

Rating - A

Thereby Hangs a Tail

Chet and Bernie have been hired to provide protection for a dog at the Western Dog Show. At first, Bernie feels that this is a waste of time but soon he realizes that the dog, Princess, and her owner, Adrianna, are indeed in serious trouble. The story is once again told from Chet, the dog's, point of view.

This was the second in the Spencer Quinn Chet and Bernie series. It is always amusing to have the story told by a dog. It is mostly lighthearted fun but not so silly that it detracts from the story. I enjoyed this book and I'll certainly look forward to the next one.

Rating - A-

THE HELP

This book is filled with wonderful characters who live in Jackson, MS in 1962 where many of the old ways are still going on even though a man named Martin Luther King is doing his best to change things. Skeeter Phelan graduated from Ole Miss and came home with a degree instead of a husband, much to her mother's dismay. Aibilean has been working for forty years as "house help" and she raises white women's children until they begin to feel that whites are somehow superior. There is Minny who is too sassy to be a good maid. She's been fired from 17 jobs and she desperately needs another one. The maid who raised Skeeter, Claiborne, is missing and no one will tell Skeeter where she went or why. Elizabeth is a busy young mom who would rather let a black woman raise her children than to have to love them herself. Hilly Holbrook is president of the Junior League and her goal is to have everyone install separate bathroom facilities so the help won't be using the same toilets as the white people.

This book was recommended to me and everyone had good things to say about it. I believe it is the first novel that Kathryn Stockett has written. I loved it! It was poignant and funny. It really made me think about how complicated racial relations were in the South and how I hope we have gotten so far past all of this. It also made me think that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and that sometimes we all forget and feel that for one reason or another we are superior. This is a book that I will reccomend to other and that I won't forget for a long time.

Rating - A+

The Diva Runs Out of Thyme

Sophie Winston is trying to get ready for a houseful of guests for Thanksgiving. First, though, she plans to win a big contest with her famous stuffing. Her rival is Natasha Smith, her childhood enemy and the woman her ex-husband is now living with. Unfortunately for Sophie, a private detective is found dead at the grocery store right after talking to Sophie. The next day, at the contest, the judge is found dead after he asks Sophie out in front of the other contestants. Sophie looks like she might be guilty of a double murder, so with the help of some friends, she sets out to find who the real murderer is.

This is the first in the series of domestic diva books by Krista Davis. I had heard lots of good things about it and decided to give it a try. I was glad I did. There are lots and lots of characters to keep straight and sometimes that added some confusion. Still, it was a fun book with a great protagonist in Sophie. I'll be trying more books in this series.

Rating - A-

NOTHING TO LOSE

Jack Reacher has stopped in a little town in Colorado called Hope. He decides to continue west and comes to the town of Despair. He soon realizes that he is unwelcome and is thrown out of town. Reacher just can't leave it alone and with the help of the police officer from Hope, he is determined to find out the secrets that are being hidden in Despair and hopefully, to save the town.

I listened to this entry of Lee Child's Reacher series and didn't like it much at all. Sometimes, an audio book doesn't work for me because I am extra busy and distracted. That may have been the case here, I'm not sure. Still, I like Reacher and Vaughn, the female police officer he got involved with. Somehow though, I couldn't get wrapped up in the case they were solving. It seemed to drag on and on. I'm not sure how soon I will dig into another Reacher novel.

Rating - C+

BRAVA, VALENTINA!

Valentine Roncalli is in the business of making shoes. Custom-made shoes, made especially for brides, seem like a product that is out of step in this day and age. Still, Valentine's family has been making shoes for nearly a century and now that Valentine's grandmother has remarried and is living in Italy, the responsibility for keeping the business alive has fallen to Valentine. Gram has also added another burden to Valentine's shoulders, by making her brother, Alfred, CFO of the company. The two have never gotten along and Valentine resents his involvement. Then, there is the matter of love - Valentine thinks Gianluca may be the love of her life but she rejected him when he came to New York to see her.

Adrianna Trigiani is one of my very favorite authors. I love her characters and the dialogue is absolutely amazing. Valentine is a neat lady with a passion for creating shoes but she has much to learn about love. This sequel was as wonderful as the first installment. It's time for me to start reading Trigiani's Big Stone Gap series and keep waiting for her next book to come out!

Rating - A+

I SHALL NOT WANT

Clare Fergusson becomes aware of the needs of migrant workers when she meets a nun who has dedicated her life to helping migrants. Several of the workers have been found murdered and Russ Van Alstyne and his police force are hard at work to find the killers. Of course, this puts Clare and Russ back together to find the killers and to help the migrant workers. Russ' sister becomes involved as the migrant workers, both legal and illegal have been working on her farm. There is a killer on the loose and no one is quite sure who or what he is after.

Julia Spencer Fleming has become one of my favorite authors and this book in the series was one of the best yet. The relationship between Russ and Clare remains strained. Russ is still living with his mother and Clare has re-enlisted with the National Guard. Both are trying to live their lives and deny the attraction between them. Clare is trying to be the priest she strives to be and Russ is trying to heal the wounds after his wife's death along with his guilt for the break in their marriage before she died.

Rating - A+

THE FIRST RULE

Joe Pike is back. One of his former mercenery soldiers is found murdered in his home along with his family. Joe wants to know who killed his friend and avenge his murder. Soon, Pike realizes that it was the family's nanny who is Serbian who may have led the intruders to the home. The nanny dies of injuries from the shootings but her sister has information that can lead Pike to the killers. Pike and Cole are caught up in a web of mobsters who think nothing of killing and kidnapping to keep their role as leader of the mob.

I love Joe Pike. He isn't as funny or as quirky as Elvis Cole but he is still a great character. Robert Crais does a wonderful job of keeping Pike tough and still very human. It's a wonderful combination. Robert Crais is on my "must read" list of authors and he definitely stays in that catagory with this recent complex but fascinating read.

Rating - A

Paper, Scissors, Death

Kiki Lowenstein's husband has died of a heart attack, naked, in a hotel room. Kiki will be the first to admit that her marriage wasn't perfect. Still, she is shocked to learn that he has embezzled half a million from his firm and that all of the life insurance goes to his mother, who hates Kiki. Kiki decides that she must learn more about her husband's death and make a living for herself and her daughter. She takes a job in a scrapbooking store. With the help of her friends, she unravels the mystery of her husband's death.

This book came highly recommended by several of my online reading groups. I was not disappointed. I'll be reading the next in this series by Joanna Campbell Slan. Kiki was a delightful character and so were her friends. At times, Kiki is terribly naive but this is part of her charm and I think she will continue to grow. I loved the scrabooking descriptions, too.

Rating - A

TREASURE HUNT

A man who is very prominent in San Francisco's philanthropy circle is found dead and The Hunt Club's Mickey Dade is the one who found him. The Hunt Club has been struggling to find clients, so when a friend of Mickey's asks him to figure out who murdered the man and to help his sister who had been his driver, Mickey cooks up a scheme that will allow him to help the girl and to help the Hunt Club get back in the game. A reward fund is set up and people give their clues to the Hunt Club regarding the murder. The Hunt Club investigates and passes along all worthwhile leads to the police. Soon another body is found of another director of a social organization and there seem to be lots of suspects and plenty of danger for The Hunt Club.

John Lescroart is one of my favorite authors and has been for a long time. I thought this book started out a little slow even though the dead body was found in the first few pages. Still, the book picked up and the characters are very interesting people with well-formed relationships. This book didn't include Glitzky or Dismas Hardy but it did include some other favorites. I ended up enjoying this book very much and I'm eager for another Lescroart addition.

Rating - B+

SAY GOODBYE

Kimberly is an FBI agent who is getting mysterious calls about prostitutes that have gone missing. Kimberly can't help but get caught up in the case but it is worrying her husband because Kimberly is nearly six months pregnant. Kimberly and another agent soon realize that they are involved in a very complex case with a murderer who tortures woman and who also has several young boys in his home. The prostitute who is an informant has a twisted past of her own with loyalties that are hard for Kimberly to figure out. With the help of her father and step-mother, Kimberly and Sal finally begin to unravel the case and Kimberly decides what course her career must take.

This is a very intense novel by Lisa Gardner. This is the second book I have read by her. I actually had to skip parts of the CD that told the story of young boys being abused by the monster who had kidnapped them. At times, the story was fascinating but truly, some of the details were too gruesome for me. I'm not sure if I would read this author again or not.

Rating - B-

Yep, I am changing my rating scale. I'll see if I like it but for now, it seems like a good idea!

Wishin' and Hopin'

Felix Funicello is in 5th grade in Catholic grade school in the 1960's. His dad runs the diner at the bus depot and his mom is a finalist in the Pillsbury bake-off. School is pretty crazy, too. Sr. Dymphie is on leave after her breakdown and the substitute is a layperson who is determined to teach the class French. The new girl is from Russia and she isn't like the other girls in the class. Felix wants to know about the birds and the bees but his dad just says to be careful at the drinking fountain. Christmas will be here soon and the class is preparing for a Christmas pagent different than anything that's ever been seen before.

This was a fun and light-hearted read by Wally Lamb. It was a fun and light-hearted view of traditional Catholic school along with mean nuns and a warm and funny family. I enjoyed this quick holiday read.

Rating - 4.5 stars

BAKE SALE MURDER

Lucy Stone's neighborhood has changed considerably since a new addition was added very close to their house. She's especially not fond of Mimi, the neighbor who is threatening to have her lilac hedge cut down. Still, the Hat and Mitten Fund wants to raise money for school supplies for needy kids and it seems that the newcomers may be willing to help out with a community bake sale. When Mimi doesn't show up with her baked goods, Lucy goes to check on her and finds her stabbed in her own kitchen with a butcher knife.

I haven't read any of Leslie Meier's Lucy Stone books for a long time. I really enjoyed this one. Lucy is a very realistic character who seems like a real mom and working woman. I think I'll try to catch up in this series.

Rating - 4.5 stars

PLUM PUDDING MURDER

It's getting close to Christmas and Hannah is busy baking cookies for the entire town of Eden Lake. She has also been selling goodies to the Elf Tree Farm. She and Norman are totally stunned when she picks up her check and finds the owner, Larry, shot dead. By the way, so was his TV. Hannah wants to help solve the murder so that everyone can enjoy Christmas.

As always, it took awhile to get to the part about the dead body in Joanne Fluke's latest mystery. Still, I enjoy Hannah Swenson and the gang. I thought that the triangle between Mike and Norman had been pretty well cleared up in the last book but it was here again in this one. Still, it was a fun read.

Rating - 4.5 stars

ALL MORTAL FLESH

Russ Van Alstyne's marriage is in serious trouble. He has told his wife of 25 years, Linda, that he is in love with Clare. Linda has kicked him out of the house and he is living with his mom. When a woman is found dead and mutilated in his kitchen, he is the prime suspect in his wife's murder. An overeager state police woman is called in on the case. She is eager to pin the murder on Russ or even better, on his lover, Clare. As both fight to find the truth, there are many obstacles, not to mention broken hearts.

Julia Spencer-Fleming has fast become one of my favorite authors. She has managed to write a series about a married man in love with an Episcopalian priest that is poigant and real. Both Clare and Russ are good people trying to do the right thing. They make mistakes and they have their flaws but dealing with a love affair that cannot be is sad and the reader is very sympathetic to all of the parties, including Linda.

Rating - 5 stars