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
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
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 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
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
Saturday, November 20, 2010
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+
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
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+
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+
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-
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-
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