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-