EXPLOSIVE EIGHTEEN

Stephanie Plum is returning from a disasterous trip to Hawaii when her seatmate on the plane stashes a photo in her purse. Stephanie isn't willing to talk about what happened when she was gone but she has a tan line on her finger where a ring used to be and both Ranger and Morelli are unhappy. Stephanie soon finds out that alot of dangerous people are looking for the photo and they are willing to do her a great deal of harm to get it back.

It's another chapter in the Stephanie Plum saga by Janet Evanovich. Some people seem disappointed that Stephanie never seems to change and the romance triangle continues. At the beginning of this book, the reader has hope that something may be going on that will tip the scales toward one man and not another, but alas, it's still pretty much the same. Still, Stephanie is great light reading, again and again.

Rating - B+

TROPHY HUNT

Joe Pickett is dealing with a killer who is tracing down hunters in the Saddlestring area. The killer is vicious in the killings. Saddlestring is also dealing with Clamith Moore, a nationally known anti-hunting spokesman. It seems to Joe that he might be involved in the killings. Joe is also having to deal with an ineffectual boss but Joe is still reporting to the governor, who wants Joe on the case of finding the killers.

Once more, C.J. Box has written a very thought provoking book. Joe in his role as game-warden is pro-hunting but in a responsible way. Still, he has some sympathies for those who are outside of the law, including his friend, Nate Romanoski. This book was a thriller from beginning to end.

Rating - A

WINTER AND NIGHT

Bill's nephew, Gary, who he really doesn't know at all calls Bill to get him out of jail. Bill takes the boy home and before he can really find out what's going on, the boy runs away. Bill is determined to find him. Doing so, brings him back in contact with his sister whom he hasn't seen for years and his very hostile brother-in-law. He also finds himself in a small town where football is everything and the jocks run the town, no matter what. When a local girl is found dead, things get even more tense as it seems that Gary may have run away because he was involved in the murder.

I always love S.J. Rozan and this book was no exception. Bill is tense and brooding in much of this book but it does explain his family history and why he is the man he has become. Lydia is always at his side, keeping him sane and from stepping over the boundaries that will cause him to self-destruct as they figure out what Gary might be doing and what happened in their small town twenty-some years ago.

Rating - A-

HISSY FIT

Keely has a big old-fashioned hissy fit when she catches her fiance at their wedding rehearsal dinner with her best friend. A.J.'s family is wealthy and runs just about everything in town so things get pretty difficult for Keely for calling off the wedding. Her daddy gets kicked out of the country club and she and her aunt are losing decorating jobs left and right! So, when Keely gets an offer to restore an old antebellum mansion she can hardly turn it down - even though he witnessed her most embarrassing moment of her hissy fit which inclued keying A.J.'s car with the word "A-S-H-O-L-E". Besides, Will has problems of his own. He wants Keely to fix up the mansion so that a woman will fall in love with him and he has bought the nearly defunct Loving Cup Bra factory.

This is the second Mary Kay Andrews books that I have read and I loved this one, too. I loved the descriptions of the decorating process. Keely and Will were both fun, lovable characters. The rest of the town sounded so nice that I really wanted to visit there. The Southern charm just oozed from every page.

Rating - A

GOD'S GUEST LIST

I haven't read any of Debbie Macomber's novels but I have enjoyed her devotionals in my Daily Guideposts and other articles that I have read by her. Even though, Debbie was a cradle Catholic who later converted to a different Christian denomination, I enjoy her religious views. She emphasizes that God is kind and loving. This book focused on the different people God brings into our lives and how they teach us. She also talked about how we can deal with difficult relationships in family, work, etc. I don't think I had any "aha!" moments, but it was certainly a good way to look at the various people in our lives.

Rating - A

BOOK OF SAINTS - A VISUAL GUIDE

I finally read a book of saints. This one was very interesting because it had a short biography, about a page long and a picture of the usual depiction of the saint in church art. Some of the biographies seemed to doubt the miracles ascribed to the saints and in some cases, seemed to doubt the saint's very existence. Still, I'm glad I read it and hopefully, some of what I read will stay with me.

Rating - B

MAD MOUSE

Danny Boyle has put in an application for a full time position with the police department. It looks like he may get the job but before he can get started, he is the target of a sniper. He and his friends are having a fun night on the beach when someone starts shooting at them. At first, it's just paintballs but soon the sniper is using real bullets. It's up to Danny to help Ceepak figure out who the killer is and why he is targeting Danny and his buddies.

Once again, I absolutely loved this book by Chris Grabenstien. The writing still is so straightforward and Danny and Ceepak are such great characters. It's nice to see Danny growing and Ceepak have more human moments, too. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series.

Rating - A

DEEP DISH

Regina Foxton's Southern cooking show is about to be cancelled because her jerk of a boyfriend slept with the sponsor's wife. Suddenly, she is given a huge break. She and Tate Moody, the star of the popular local cooking show "Vittles", have been selected by the Cooking Channel to compete in a cooking challenge to decide who will get a new national cooking show. Gina is prepared to give her absolute best to win the challenge but she had no idea what obstacles she might encounter including working on an island with her wild younger sister and the "Tatester" himself.

I haven't read anything by Mary Kay Andrews but I used to love Kathy Trochek's Maggity series. This book was lots of fun. I'm really not reading lots of romance books these days but this had great characters and way more going on than just a focus on the romance. I'm looking forward to reading another of these.

Rating - A

CLASSIFIED AS MURDER

Charlie is a semi-retired librarian who is asked to help an elderly gentleman catalog his extensive rare book collection. Unfortunately for Charlie, that means he will be spending time with the man's eccentric and difficult family. Charlie is also surprised when his grown son appears on his doorstep with the announcement that he has quit his job and would like to live with his dad for awhile. It would be fine but Charlie and Sean's relationship has been strained since Sean's mother, Charlie's wife died four years ago. Things get even stickier when the elderly gentleman is found dead in his library and it appears someone has poisoned him.

This happens to be the second in this series by Miranda Bliss which I didn't realize until I was a ways into the book. Overall, I enjoyed the characters and the story was interesting enough. For some reason, I had some problems with the main character. It seemed that the female author didn't ring true in describing Charlie. His thoughts and actions often struck me as somewhat feminine. Sometimes, I have problems with when the main character is of the opposite sex of the author. It could just be me and I'm willing to try another in this series.

Rating - B

MISS JULIA ROCKS THE CRADLE

There's plenty going on at Miss Julia's house these days. Hazel Marie is expecting twins and when they arrive in the midst of a snowstorm, there is a very unlikely group to deliver them. Then, a dead man was discovered in the toolshed of one of Lloyd's teachers and the whole town is speculating who died there and why. There is also the matter of Miss Julia bouncing checks around town and of course, she is certain that it must be the bank's fault, not hers. Julia promised Sam she wouldn't get involved in other peoples' affairs but a promise like that can be hard to keep!

It's been awhile since I read a Miss Julia book and this one was lots of fun. Julia is so funny in her prim and proper ways. She is great when she finally decides to follow her heart and set aside the rules of decorum which seem so important to her at times. There seemed to be a little less whining in this book and things kept moving along at a good pace. I won't rush but I'm sure that I'll be reading another Miss Julia book in the future.

Rating - B

GHOST HERO

Lydia Chin has been asked to investigate a Chinese painter. He was supposed to have been killed at Tinneman Square but Lydia's client has reason to believe that there are new paintings being circulated. Is there some kind of fraud going on or is the painter really alive? Lydia and Bill jump into the investigation. They are soon joined by another Chinese private investigator who has ties to the Chinese art world. Besides getting shot at a few times, most of this case was settled over drinks - tea, coffee, cosmos, etc.

I love S.J. Rozan's series and Bill and Lydia seem like old friends. This book seemed to move a little slowly. It may have been because I read it in a choppy manner, just a little at a time or maybe it was because there never was a murder to solve. Overall though, I did enjoy the characters. Sometimes it was tough to keep the Chinese characters, thugs and diplomats alike, straight but it was enjoyable anyway.

Rating - B+

FULL

This book was written by Dr. Michael Schneider who is a well-known bariatric surgeon. He has spent a lifetime helping people lose weight by surgical means. He also believes that people can control their weight by learning when they are full. The author does have a diet bar that helps people to feel full quicker and I expected that he would be promoting that. He didn't mention it at all which I felt was a good thing. I really didn't want a commercial. He gave many "tools" to help people lose weight. I was a little frustrated, though, because he kept saying that his way wasn't dieting, which it wasn't counting calories and such, but still most of the "tools" he advocated are touted by most diet books. Overall though, it was a reasonable approach to weight loss based on scientific studies.

Rating - B+

EMBRACE THE STRUGGLE

Zig Ziglar has been a motivational speaker for many years and I've enjoyed his books and tapes. I was shocked to learn that he had sustained a head injury several years ago at the age of 80. He suffered a fall which has resulted in serious short term memory issues. This latest book describes his challenges to go on in spite of serious health issues. He is able to continue speaking in an interview style with the help of his daughter, Julie. Most touching were the interviews with family members as they describe the changes they have had to deal with as a result of the changes in their father's health. Needless to say, nearly everyone has to face some kind of struggle in their lives and Zig encourages us to do so with an upbeat spirit. This book is filled with quotes from the Bible and stories of many people who have had to deal with various challenges that life has thrown them. Overall, it was very enjoyable and worthwhile.

Rating - A-

TILT-A_WHIRL

Murder isn't a common thing in Sea Haven but a bigwig developer by the name of Hart has been shot multiple times on the Tilt-A-Whirl at the amusement park. His daughter, Ashley, escaped and luckily for her, John Ceepak, an Iraqi vet and his driver, Danny Boyle are on the case. Sometimes, Ceepak seems a little too straitlaced for this kind of town but Danny admires him because he follows his "code" no matter what. Ashley stands to inherit millions and millions and the number of people who might want to kill Hart are pretty staggering but Ceepak and Danny will find the answers, no matter how twisted they might be.

I have heard rave reviews about Chris Grabenstein's Ceepak and Danny series but finally, I got around to reading it. Indeed, this is a very good book and I am eager to snatch up all the books in the series and read them straight through. This was one of those books that I loved from the very first page.

Rating - A+

FOLLOWING POLLY

Alice Teakle is a Harvard grad but she's having trouble making it in the world. She gets fired from her job as an assistant casting director by a boss that she absolutely hated. Trying to figure out what to do next, she begins following Polly who was the golden girl at Harvard and has gone on to become a successful businesswoman married to a movie producer. Alice is good at following people without being noticed...until she finds Polly dead. Soon the police realize that Alice had been stalking Polly. Alice runs to seek help from the man she has loved for 14 years. The only problem is that he doesn't know Alice at all.

This is a debut book by Karen Bergreen and it was lots of fun. Alice is just plain weird. She is socially awkward, yet she is kind and very smart. When she finally gets a chance to meet her darling Charlie, he is adorable, too. Unfortunately, I didn't get quite as good of feel for the characters of Jean and Alice's mom. In a way, things tied up a little too neatly, but very sweetly at the end. Still, it was a very good story and I hope that we'll meet Alice again.

Rating - A

ZAPPED

Reagan and Jack return to town after their honeymoon. Their apartment is being remodeled so things are a mess. Reagan gets caught on the stairs to their roof when a blackout hits - and someone has locked the stairway door. That's only the beginning of a crazy evening. An actress is desparate to get into the hidden safe in the apartment that Reagan and Jack have bought. A contractor wants to break into the safe, too. He says it's a contractor's dream to find hidden riches. Kit is on crutches and gets left behind at a comedy club by a very strange girl, who has a thing about seeking revenge on men who remind her of her old boyfriend.

As usual, there are several different stories going on at the same time in this episode by Carol Higgins Clark. I seem to enjoy these books more in audio form. As usual, Reagan, Jack and Kit are a delight and as usual, all of the loose ends get tied together very neatly at the end. It's a little kooky and crazy but lots of fun.

Rating - A-

BUFFALO WEST WING

Ollie and her staff are dealing with a new president and his young family. Things get off to a bad start when Ollie refuses to give the kids a box of wings delivered to the White House without anyone knowing where they came from. It's a breach of security protocol and the kids are mad at Ollie. That's not all of her troubles. A new chef has been hired to cook for the family. He doesn't appreciate his role and wants to be in the limelight. Then there is Cyan's new love interest and Ollie's ongoing issues with her ex-boyfriend, Tom, who is now head of the Secret Service.

It's always fun to see what's brewing in the White House kitchen. It always makes me appreciate what really goes on behind the scenes. We didn't get as much food info as sometimes but it was nice to have Ollie begin a new relationship with someone who isn't always irritated with her capabilities. It seems like she and Tom were always at odds. I'll be looking forward to the next installment in this series.

Rating - A-

THE ACCIDENT

Glen Garber is a good guy who is having a very rough time. The economic situation has definitely taken a toll on his construction business. Then, his wife dies in a terrible car accident. Soon, it is determined that she was very drunk and that she was responsible for the deaths of two people. Glen finds this so out of character for Sheila and he can't help but be angry with her. He also learns that Sheila was mixed up in a very dangerous business arrangement that may end up ruining Glen and his business, not to mention putting his daughter in harm's way.

I was drawn into this book right away. Glen is a very nice guy who is understandably confused and angry. He starts putting together the pieces of the others involved in the scheme. I did have some problems with the ending. I don't mind being surprised by the killer but I really felt there weren't any clues at all. Plus, there was a medical inconsistency that really bothered me. As usual, though, Linwood Barclay's thrillers are quite a ride.

Rating - B+ (would have been an A, except for a serious medical error!)

SAVAGE RUN

Joe Pickett is part of the investigation of a terrible scene. An ecoterrorist and his bride are blown up by a cow that was wired to a bomb. When Joe has to tell the rancher whose cattle were involved, the man insists that he be reimbursed and seems to have little concern for the human lives that were lost. Joe is convinced that the rancher is also guilty of poaching but no one seems to want to accuse the wealthy and powerful man. Things get even stranger when Marybeth starts getting calls from the man who was supposed to have been killed in the explosion.

I really enjoyed this episode about Joe Pickett. There is one point where Joe should have sought backup before he went in to a dangerous situation, but that's the way Joe Pickett rolls, right? As usual, C.J. Box makes a good point about the extremes of ecoterrorists and those who have no consideration for the preservation of the earth and wildlife. I have enjoyed slowly making my way through this series.

Rating - A-

FACE TIME

Charlie McNally is a 48-year-old investigative reporter who is being pushed by the management of the TV station she works for to come up with a big story for sweeps week. Charlie has been approached by a group for crimminal justice that they believe a woman has been wrongly imprisoned for the death of her husband. There do seem to be certain facts which might lead Charlie to believe they are right but there is one main stumbling block - the woman confessed to the murder. There's another problem, too, the woman refuses to talk to Charlie. It's not going to be easy to get a story out of this mess.

I have been hearing about Hank Phillipi Ryan's stories for quite awhile. I didn't jump in because I absolutely loath reading from small paperbacks. Too much eyestrain. When this book was finally available in large print, I was eager to give it a try. For the most part this was a pretty good read. Charlie and her co-workers and friends are nice and pleasant people. Sometimes, things seemed a little weak but overall, it was a good story and I'll probably try to read the next one before too long.

Rating - B+

THE ALTO WORE TWEED

Hayden Gonig is the choir director for the Episcopalian church in a small town in North Carolina. He is also the chief of police. When the sector for the church is found dead in the choir loft, it seems that all of Hayden's roles have finally come together. Was it the communion wine that killed the sector or is something more sinister going on? Hayden has his girlfriend, Meg, to help him sort things out but mostly, it's a pretty mixed up mess in this small town where murder is practically unheard of.

There's lots of talk on my various mystery email lists about this series by Mark Schwiezer. I found this book to be lots of fun. Hayden's attempt at writing a novel is exaggerated silliness as Meg frequently points out. Some of the scenes in the church were as funny as anything I think I've ever read. I will certainly by reading another in this series very soon!

Rating - A

WORTH DYING FOR

Reacher is headed for Virginia after his last narrow escape in South Dakota. He is let out in a small crossroads in Nebraska. It doesn't take long for him to learn that a family named Duncan has everyone in their grips. Everyone is fearful and it has been going on for 25 years since a young girl disappeared. Reacher is the only one who seems committed to finding out the truth and standing up for what's right.

Lee Child has a great, detailed way of telling his Reacher stories. Sometimes the detail can be tedious and boring. This time, it wasn't quite as slow. Reacher is a hero. He searches for the truth no matter what the cost and he leads others to live the kind of life they want to instead of living in fear. I love listening to these books and I know there is a new one out there!

Rating - A-

NORTHWEST ANGLE

Cork and his daughter, Jenny, are caught away on an island in the Northwest Angle away from the rest of the family when a huge storm blows through. They are separated and Jenny finds an infant baby whose mother has been murdered. She commits to doing whatever is necessary to save the baby boy. Before long, she realizes that her decision has put her entire family at risk because someone wants the baby and will stop at nothing to get him back.

I love this series by William Kent Krueger and this one started out crazy and never let up. I enjoyed the increased involvement of Cork's children at an older age and I was very happy that Rose was finally married. These are great characters and as usual, Krueger tells a very compelling story that will stay with me for a long time.

Rating - A

TROPHY HUNT

Something strange and sinister is going on in Joe Pickett's part of Wyoming. Animals are being mutilated in very strange ways. First it is a moose, later cattle are found, a horse is nearly killed and then, two men are found murdered. A task force is formed and Joe is part of it. He soon realizes that no one really has a clue and he's not buying the theory that birds are part of it. He decides that the only thing he can do is investigate on his own. Joe doesn't believe in supernatural hocus pocus but even he is finding things that just can't easily be explained. Eventually, he realizes that his family is in danger.

I like Joe Pickett. He isn't the typical super confident hero. He has his flaws and he stumbles at times. This book included more of Marybeth and she was also likeable. The mutilations were pretty strange and graphic but overall, I enjoyed this book and I'll continue to read this series.

Rating - A-

SHOOT TO THRILL

Monkeewrench has been contacted by the FBI to help trace down a series of murders that are being filmed and shown on the internet. They are occurring throughout the country and the FBI realizes that only with help can they track down the killers. Of course, Maggozzi and Gino have troubles of their own. One of the online murder films happened in Minneapolis with a bride being drown in the Mississippi. The murders aren't stopping and it is going to take some help from the Monkeewrench gang to figure it out.

I love the Monkeewrench series and hope that P.J. Tracy keeps writing them. The characters are funny and committed to their jobs. I love that Maggozzi and Grace are slowly becoming a couple even though it isn't easy or a smooth path. The introduction of John Smith from the FBI to this series is also very interesting. He is a kind man, near retirement who is discovering that he hasn't really lived. I'll be looking forward to the next installment in the series.

Rating - A

A SMALL DEATH IN THE GREAT GLEN

Joanne works as a typist for the local newspaper. Her husband and mother-in-law think it's shameful for a woman to be working, much less riding a bike and wearing pants. Joanne has to deal with the shame that her husband is abusive. Then things in town are totally shaken up when a young boy is found dead in the canal. Joanne's daughters were playmates of the boys' and they insist that he was taken by the "hoodie crow". Joanne's co-workers at the newspaper are determined to follow the first real newstory in ages and help find the killer.

I am not sure that this first novel by A.D. Scott was a great mystery but it sure was a fun setting for the book. The time is the 1950's in Scotland. People are still recovering from the war. Women's roles are still pretty traditional. The characters were very enjoyable. I am hoping that this will be the beginning of a new series.

Rating - A-

BACK OF BEYOND

Cody Hoyt is a cop whose life is running of track. He smokes like a chimney and after finally getting sober, he finds his AA sponsor dead. It might look like an accident followed by a fire to most people but Cody isn't buying it. He vows to do whatever it takes to find out who killed the man who helped him so much. It seems like Cody's obsession with the case may ruin his career but that doesn't seem to be enough to scare him into following the rules.

I am a fan of C.J. Box's Joe Pickett series but I loved Blue Heaven and now this new standalone. Cody is certainly not a saint, nor an easy man to admire but he is loyal and a very good cop. The struggle to find a killer in Yellowstone included plenty of twists and turns and it took me quite awhile to figure out who the real killer was. I found it to be a great read!

Rating - A

MY LUCKY LIFE

Dick Van Dyke has had a very rich show business career spanning over 60 years. It was great fun to hear him talk about all of the different things he did before he got his big break in show business with "The Dick Van Dyke Show". He loved to sing, dance and make others laugh. Dick said he made a decision to make only movies and shows that he could watch with his kids and not be ashamed of. He is very frank about his issues with alcoholism. After a very long marriage, he got involved with another woman and spent nearly 30 years with her, too. The book is a very genuine look at his life and I found it very enjoyable.

Rating - A

BLOOD, BONES AND BUTTER

This is the story of a woman who became a chef somewhat by default. She learned about cooking and developed a love of good food from her French mother. The story is also about a very dysfunctional family. When her parents divorce, Gabrielle is pretty much left to fend for herself. She started working in restaurants at age 13. She grew up fast and made plenty of mistakes. Along the way, she tried college and even got her masters but found that cooking was her true love. The author also left her lesbian lifestyle to marry an Italian. Much of the book describes their summer visits to Italy with their children to stay with her husband's family.

I enjoyed listening to this book. The descriptions of food were wonderful, but often the foreign foods were not described so that I really knew what they were. Even at the end of the book, I wasn't sure if I liked the author. She was a very hardworking woman who obviously knew her craft but at times, I found her very demanding of those around her and very unforgiving.

Rating - B-

PURGATORY RIDGE

Cork and his wife are working at getting their marriage back together when some issues return. Protesters are trying to shut down the logging business which involves the reservation that Jo represents. When the protests turn violent and a man is found burned to death, Cork cannot help his desire to get involved. When people start talking about Cork running for sherrif, Jo is fearful because she knows it could bring up the secrets of her past. A kidnapping changes everything for both Cork and Jo.

I really do enjoy William Kent Krueger's books. Cork O'Connor and his family are very real. They are not perfect but they are very likable. This book was filled with drama and plenty of twists and turns. Once again, I'll be looking forward to the next in the series.

Rating - A-

10th ANNIVERSARY

Lindsay is involved in a case of a 15-year-old girl who recently delivered a baby and is found wandering. Lindsay is frantically trying to find the baby and get to the bottom of the girl's story. Yuki is trying a doctor for the murder of her husband. She is sure the woman is guilty but the case just isn't going the way it should. Cindy is investigating the case of three woman who had been drugged and raped. In the meantime, Lindsay has a new boss and has decided she wants a baby. Cindy and Conklin are living together and talking marriage and Yuki has a new man, the last one that Lindsay would recommend and Claire is her usual supportive friend self.

The Women's Murder Club by James Patterson has had its ups and downs but the last few in the series have been pretty good. This one was very enjoyable, too. For the most part, it was pretty believable. Once again, there was a TSTL moment but I guess one of these per book is not unexpected. It will be interesting to see if this series continues as some of the personal issues of the women were tied up pretty neatly in this book.

Rating - A=

DIVA PAINTS THE TOWN

Sophie is busy finishing up a huge event in town, Rooms and Blooms. She is looking forward to some peace and quiet, but Natasha is crushed when she doesn't win top designer awards. Natasha decides that their neighbor, Mordecai, who recently died has the perfect home for the Guild to redecorate for its annual tour. Of course, Sophie gets enlisted to redecorate a room. When she is cleaning, she sees the body of Kurt, the man who had been with her friend, Nina. And then, Kurt's body is gone.....and the hunt is on to find Kurt and figure out what had happened in Mordecai's house long ago.

This book had been on my TBR list for quite some time. I really liked this book better than some of the others in this series by Kyra Davis. I think the mystery may have been a little weaker. Way too many characters, lots of weird twists and turns, and such made the story a little hard for me to follow. However, the characters themselves were less annoying! Less of the Sophie-Mars-Natasha thing, less focus on Wolf and his missing wife and did he kill her, etc. I'm never quite sure if I'll continue with this series but I'm thinking I'll give the next one a try.

Rating - B

THE COMPLAINTS

Malcolm Fox works in the Complaints section of the police, investigating other policemen. It's nto the most popular place to work. He is asked to investigate another policeman who has allegedly been purchasing child pornography online. At nearly the same time, his sister's nasty boyfriend has been murdered. As Fox investigates both cases, he comes to realize that he and the other cop, Jamie Brecht, are caught up in a nasty scheme. It's a matter of who they can trust to get to the bottom of the the issue.

This is the first book I have read by Ian Rankin. For the most part, I really enjoyed it. The characters were compelling and I truly wanted to know what happened to them. That was the problem. The plot was unfolding and then, all of the sudden, it was over. I felt like I missed two or three steps to the conclusion. This may have been because I was listening, not reading the book.. At times, the English accents required more careful attention to what the narrator was saying. Overall, I like the book, but I was disappointed in the ending.

Rating - B

SMOKIN' SEVENTEEN

Stephanie is unhappy with how things are going. She is no closer to choosing between her longtime boyfriend, Joe Morelli, and the dangerous and exciting, Ranger. Now, her mother is throwing the former star of the football team at her. That is making her life crazy and so is her work. Someone has been leaving dead bodies in the parking lot of the bond enforcement agency. When they add notes, like "For Stephanie", she knows she is really in trouble. Not to mention that Joe's grandmother has given her the eye and a spell known as "vordo" that is really getting her in hot water.

Janet Evanovich's books are always a light and fun read. I know that lots of people have given up on them because they seem to be pretty much the same from book to book. Still, I love the characters and I keep on hoping that someday Joe Morelli will win for good. In the meantime, it's always a fun ride.

Rating - B+

HITCHED

Regan Reilly is only a week away from her wedding when the studio where her designer bridal gown is being made is burgalarized and three wedding gowns are stolen and another is ruined. Even though Regan has plenty to do, she agrees to help find the theives. Meeting the other brides whose dresses are missing turns out to be very interesting. One is devasted and threatening to sue, another one is jilted by her fiance and one more acts completely calm and cool. As usual, in Ms. Clark's books, there are stories upon stories before Regan and Jack wrap up the case.

I have read quite a few of Carol Higgins Clark's books and they are growing on me. Sometimes they seem kind of forced and trivial but this one was mostly just fun. In the end, the theives got what was coming to them and of course, Regan's wedding was perfect!

Rating - B+

HELL IS EMPTY

The action starts immediately in this book as Sherrif Walt Longmire and his deputy, Sancho, help in the transfer of prisoners. Two of the prisoners are run of the mill bad guys, but the third even scares the other prisoners. He tries to talk to Walt, saying they both hear voices of the dead. Even though it is May, there is a snowstorm in the mountains and before Walt and Sancho get far, they realize that the prisoners have overtaken the federal agents who were transporting them. Walt could just wait for more help to arrive but since there are hostages, he decides he has to try to track the prisoners down. Little does he know that he is in for the chase of and for his life.

I love Craig Johnson's books and this one was especially good. Unfortunately, we didn't get enough of Standing Bear, Cady, Vic and the other cast of characters. It was mainly Walt and Virgil White Buffalo taking on a mountain in a snowstorm against an almost "inhuman" being. Walt is very smart, but the killer in this case may be smarter and he has nothing to lose. I'm not usually the fan of supernatural stuff but Johnson has a way of making the Indian folklore work well. I'm sure this will be one of my favorite books this year.

Rating - A+

THE SEX CLUB

Kera Kollmorgan is passionate about her work at a local Planned Parenthood. She has recently lost her son in Iraq and her marriage is disinigrating, so work is very important to her. When a bomb rocks the clinic, Kera is relieved when no one is seriously injured. Shortly after, a young teenager is found dead in a dumpster. Kera is very concerned because the girl had seen her the same day as the bomb. Detective Jackson is on the case. He is very disturbed by the murder because the 14-year-old victim was a friend of his daughters. Kera and Jackson soon realize that there are church groups willing to do anything to force their morals on others and that a group of teens seems to be engaging in very risky sexual behaviour.

I really enjoyed this book for the most part. I didn't always agree with Kera's views on young teens and their sexual activities and abortion. Sometimes, the parents' group were described as very short-sighted in their views. I also thought that the "sex club" seemed a little unlikely given the background of the kids involved. I may be wrong but I'm not sure that all of the kids in very strict religious backgrounds would participate in a very open group sex club at such young ages. It seemed like a stretch to me. Still, I liked Kera and Jackson and I would be willing to try the next book in the series.

Rating - B

A LONELY DEATH

Ian Rutledge is called from Scottland Yard to assist in the investigation of several murders in a small rural town. All of the men murdered had served and managed to survive WWI only to be murdered in the night in their small hometown. Small ID discs are found in each man's mouth and each of the men have been garrotted. Needless to say, the town is frantic with worry and Ian must quickly figure out who and why these men are being killed.

This is the first book that I have read by Charles Todd (a mother and son writing team). I really enjoyed this book. Ian Rutledge obviously suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, which was not identified after WWI. He and the men who served bear scars that aren't visible to the naked eye. Rutledge must deal with the voice in his head of one of his former men, Hamish, who is dead due to Rutledge carrying out his orders. Sometimes Hamish offers good insights and other times, he seems only to cause Rutledge more guilt and grief. I think that I missed out by starting with a book that was not at the beginning of the series. I really enjoyed the book, but it was very dark and I'm not sure how many of these sad tales I can take.

Rating - A-

9th JUDGEMENT

The Women's Murder Club is back trying to solve two troubling cases. A cat burglar has been sneaking into wealthy people's homes while they are entertaining guests and stealing their jewels. This is serious enough but at one of the homes, the wife is shot and it appears that the burglar shot her. Still, there are enough questions to keep Lindsay wondering what really went on. In the second case, a shooter is killing women and their babies. There doesn't appear to be any motive and the women are being killed in parking lots of shopping malls. Claire and Lindsay are frantic to find the killer and stop the hideous killings.

I have given up on most of Patterson's books but I have continued this series. Sometimes, I find the characters a little flat but they were pretty good in this book. Lindsay seems to be a little more certain about her relationship with Joe instead of riding the fence. The ending had a catch that was a little annoying but otherwise, I really enjoyed the book.

Rating - A-

BURIED PREY

Lucas Davenport has had a successful career but when the bodies of two young girls are found nearly twenty years after they disappeared, Lucas is drawn back to the beginning of his career as a detective. The case was thrilling because it gave him a chance to get out of uniform but he felt pressured to go along with the opinions of the officer in charge instead of trusting his instincts. He now feels that he has a chance to partially correct the mistakes made twenty years ago and he is determined to find the killer. When one of his inner circle of friends dies, Lucas is frantic to set the record straight.

It took me a little while to get into this latest in the Lucas Davenport series and I'm not sure why. I love Lucas Davenport and this was a fun look back at him as a young man. I know some readers feel that Lucas, the married family man has lost some of his charm. I actually enjoyed both young and more mature Lucas and once again, I got completely caught up in the story. I'll be looking forward to the next book whether it features Virgil Flowers or Lucas Davenport. John Sandford always tells a great story.

Rating - A-

ONE WAS A SOLDIER

Clare Fergusson is finally home from her tour of duty in Iraq. Russ Van Alstyne has been crazy waiting for her to come home. It doesn't take Clare long to realize that as happy she is to be home, everything is not okay. She is drinking way to much and relying on pills to help her through the day. She is part of a counseling group for returning soldiers and it seems that each of them is having their own struggles coping. When one of them is found dead, Clare won't accept Russ' declaration that she committed suicide. She and her group, damaged as they are, set out to find the truth.

I have waited and waited for this book and it was so worth it. It wasn't easy seeing Clare as messed up as she was but I thought this book was pretty realistic. We cannot imagine how difficult it is for our soldiers to readjust when they come home. The various issues that the members of Clare's group faced seemed very true to life. Once again, this is one of my very favorite series and I can't wait for the next edition.

Rating - A

BELOW ZERO

Joe Pickett has been exiled to the outposts of Wyoming after his last encounter with the higher ups in Wyoming law when he let his friend, Nate escape. He is on the trail of someone who is killing animals at random when he gets a call that the girl who lived with his family and who he saw die in a fire has been texting his oldest daughter. Joe has always felt guilt that he didn't do more to save April. He just can't believer there is anyway she survived the terrible fire. Now, it seems that she may be with two men who are killing people as a way to balance out the earth's ecosystem.

Once again, C.J. Box and his character, Joe Pickett, provide high-octane drama and thrills. I liked this novel because even though Joe has his doubts about the case, he isn't feeling timid and remorseful as it seems in some of these books. I'll be looking forward to the next one!

Rating - A-

LOVE YOU MORE

Tessa is a highway patrol cop. One night she comes home from work, finds out her daughter is missing and shoots her husband. At least, that is the way that it first appears. Tessa is smart and sharp and she is doing everything possible to save her daughter. D.D. Warren and Bobby Dodge are going to have to be at their very sharpest to solve this case.

I have read a few of Lisa Gardner's books but this one really kept my attention. There were so many, many twists and turns. Tessa was smart and savvy. On one hand, you felt sympathy for this woman who appeared to be trying to save her daughter. Still, it appears she shot her husband in cold blood. What else will she do to save her daughter? Who else is part of the scheme that is wrecking her family?

Rating - A-

BOUNDARY WATERS

A young singer has run away from it all and it is believed that she is hiding out somewhere in the boundary waters area. Her father comes to Cork O'Connor and asks his help in finding her. The father is certain she is in danger and feels only Cork can help. Cork once again seeks the help of the Indian community to solve the case, including the missing guide who has been helping the singer.

It's been awhile since I listened to this book by William Kent Krueger but I certainly enjoyed it. Krueger is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and I'll be reading another of this series soon.

Rating - A

LACED

Regan and Jack Reilly are on their honeymoon in Ireland. What is supposed to be a peaceful and relaxing chance to get away soon becomes a frantic search for a pair of robbers who have eluded Jack Reilly for years. In fact, it seems as though they are taunting him by staging a fire and a robbery in the very castle the Reillys are staying. With some help from Regan's relatives and people they meet along the way, they manage to solve the mystery in a very Irish style.

Sometimes, Carol Higgins Clark makes her characters a little hokey. I tend to feel this way even more when I listen rather than read the books. Still, this was an entertaining book in the series and I found it enjoyable.

Rating - B+

THE BEST ADVICE I EVER GOT

Katie Couric has been invited to give many graduation speeches. She decided to ask a number of the various people that she has interviewed from all walks of life to share the best advice they had to give to young people as they graduate from high school and college. Some were short and sweet. Others were much more detailed. Most all were very worthwhile. This would make a great graduation gift but I'm afraid most young people would skip the book rather than to take the time to mine all the wisdom it has to offer.

Rating - B+

COLD WIND

Joe Pickett has never had a great relationship with his mother-in-law, Missy. Still, he can't believe that she would kill her husband, The Earl, and tie his body to a windmill on his wind farm. The local sherrif is a thug and is running for re-election. He seems determined to pin a murder conviction on Missy and suck as much publicity out of the situation as possible. Marybeth begs Pickett to do what he can to investigate the murder and so, Joe begins to do what he does best, ask questions and stumble around until he finds answers.

Joe Pickett is fast becoming one of my favorite protagonists. He is not extremely strong, cool or self-confident. He's a man who loves being outdoors, doing his job and taking care of his family. His relationships are very realistic from his loving relationship with his wife and two of his daughters to the troubled relationship with an adopted daughter and his out-and-out dislike of his mother-in-law who has done everything possible to ruin his marriage. I'll be looking forward to the next book by C.J. Box to see what Joe Pickett is up to next!

Rating - A

SEA BISCUIT

In the 1930's horse racing was incredibly popular and one of the most popular horses of all was Sea Biscuit. Sea Biscuit didn't appear to be the kind of horse who would be able to win races but with the right trainer and the right jockey he broke nearly all the records of the time and became a national favorite.

The book took us through all of the aspects that made Sea Biscuit a winner. His owner, his trainer, his jockey, the race tracks, and details of the sport itself. At times, I found this all pretty tedious but the descriptions of the races were detailed and thrilling. I found myself pulling for Sea Biscuit who most of the time was the underdog. This was an amazing look at the world of horse racing in the Depression Era.

Rating - B

PIONEER WOMAN

A city girl leaves Los Angelos and her boyfriend of four years to come home to Oklahoma for a month or so before moving on to Chicago. Sounds like a good plan, huh? But while she is at home, she meets "Marlboro Man" and her life is changed forever. Even though Ree grew up in Oklahoma, she is a doctor's daughter who lived on the golf course. She really has no idea about life on a ranch. Marlboro Man is about to change that forever. Still, can she really give up the glam of city life for a man who rides horses and works with cattle for a living?

Pioneer Woman is a popular blog. This is the love story about a city girl falling in love with a handsome cowboy. Sometimes, it is a little cheesy because Ree is so ga-ga for Marlboro Man and sometimes, Ree seems pretty immature for someone who has been living in California. She seems to hide from reality. I was also surprised how long she was willing to drift along without a job or a life plan. Still, this was a great love story and it reminded me that love in real life is sometimes very unpredictable and very sweet.

Rating - A

PLAYING THE GAME

Annette Remington was thrilled when a client came to her with a Rembrandt painting his client had inherited from his uncle. The auction was a huge success and now her client has located more artwork that he wants to sell. Annette's husband, 20 years her senior, controlling but her mentor, insists that she do a big interview to get her name out and keep the publicity going. Annette is reluctant but agrees to do one interview with Jack Chalmers, a young journalist who is known for being fair and a great writer. When Annette and Jack work on the interview, everything in Annette's seemingly perfect world begins to crumble. I have read quite a few books by Barbara Taylor Bradford but none recently. I enjoyed this story and learned quite a bit about the art world. As usual, her characters are very interesting and enjoyable. I felt that the ending of this story was quite weak. There was a big build up of the story and it seemed that a confrontation was inevitable. Instead, a main character dies and all is resolved. I found it kind of a let down after a strong storyline up to that point. Rating - B

LIVE WIRE

Myron Bolitar is trying to help one of his clients, former tennis star, Suzze T. Suzze is 8 months pregnant and her husband has disappeared. She asks Myron to find him and to figure out who wrote on her Facebook page that the baby was not her husband's. In searching for Suzze's husband, Myron sees a woman that he thinks is his sister-in-law. He hasn't seen his brother or sister-in-law for nearly sixteen years. Myron has always hated his sister-in-law but he would like to make contact with his brother. As Myron pushes harder to get to the truth, more secrets unravel and Myron realizes that learning the truth may cause more pain than he can handle. I love Harlan Coban's books and Myron Bolitar is my favorite. Myron is basically such a good and decent person. Still, he isn't afraid to get down and dirty to get to the bottom of a situation. This book features Win, Esperanza and Big Cyndi but Myron's fiance, Terese, is out of the picture in Angola. That is perfectly fine with me because the last book in the series featured her and was my least favorite. I loved how Myron has matured and how he realizes that many things are not as he wishes them to be. Rating - A+

IRON LAKE

Cork O'Connor is a man whose life seems to be falling apart. He is separated from his wife who is pushing for a divorce. He was the sherrif for years but got voted out of office on a vote for a lack of confidence. When Darlene LeBou asks his help in finding her son who didn't return after delivering newspapers, Cork is glad to help. He feels that his skills are finally needed. Tracing the boy's route in the midst of a snowstorm, Cork goes to the last house on the route and finds the old man, a retired judge, dead. The local officials seem quick to call this a suicide as the old man had cancer and they tell Cork that the boy is probably with his father, an alcoholic Indian. Cork isn't so quick to accept these easy explanations but the truth may get him killed. A couple of months ago, I listened to Vermillion Drift and I became a fan of William Kent Krueger. This book, the first in the series, was great. I loved how well the characters are drawn. There were many, but it wasn't confusing. Cork is a man who obviously has some serious flaws and is not in a great place in his life. Still, he remains a man of integrity, searching for the truth and accepting what is necessary for true justice. Can't wait to read the next in the series! Rating - A

SILENT MERCY

Alexandra Cooper, Mike Chapman and Mercer are all back together again and trying to solve some very strange cases. A body has been found in a Harlem Baptist church. However, the church used to be a synagogue and the body is headless. Soon, the head is found and another body is found in another church - with its tongue cut out. Alex, along with Mike and Mercer must find the connection to these murders with religious overtones. At the same time, Alex is in trouble with her bosses for her rigorous prosecution of a priest accused of molesting young boys. As always, I love Linda Fairstein's books. Some of this book made me stop and think because the Catholic church is very set in its views about women's roles and I have long disagreed with many of them. Other churches have their issues and this book brought out some of them. As usual, it was great to spend time with these three great characters. This time, there was little change in Alex's personal relationships. I am ready for her to get rid of Luc and start a relationship with Chapman, but there really wasn't progress in that direction in this book at all. In fact, there wasn't even a hint of jealousy as there had been in previous books. Rating - A

THE BEST LAID PLANS

Tru Newman is shocked to find out that her highly paid executive husband has been out of work for three months. Then, her best friend who is a TV anchor gets fired. Tru and her friend need to find work and fast, but Tru hasn't had a job for years. She's been busy being mom to her 14-year-old twins and maintaining herself in the most expensive way possible. She's also had some experience planning fundraising events. She cooks up the scheme to provide an escort service to men with older women. The business takes off immediately but how is Tru going to keep her husband from finding out what her new job really is?

This was a lighthearted, almost silly read by Lynn Schnurnberger. It was quick and enjoyable and lasted just long enough before the reader got totally bored. Things wrapped up just a little too neatly for Tru, her family and friends, but still for the most part, I thought it was fun. I won't be rushing out to read everything Ms. Schnurnberger has written, though. There are too many books of real substance to read first.

Rating - B-

BUTTERCREAM BUMP OFF

Mel's mother, Joyce, is thrilled to have a date after many years of being widowed. She picks out a stunning dress, a dress to "give a man a heart attack". When her date ends up dead - not from a heart attack, but murdered, Joyce is the prime suspect. Joyce insists she is innocent and it's up to Mel to find the murderer to clear her mom. Mel's main suspect may be the man's son, a rock star, who is crazy about her partner, Angie. Angie's new love has helped convince Tate that he has been overlooking Angie all of these years, but Mel is concerned that Angie may be in love with a murderer.

I absolutely loved the first book in this series. I wasn't quite as crazy about this one. A few things bothered me. First, there was this ongoing thing that all of Mel's friends and family kept commenting on the fact that she and Joe hadn't had sex yet. Eww! Who's mom brings up such things. I didn't think it was all that cute. Secondly, the murder plot was a little thin. Sometimes, Joyce was sure someone was following her. At other times, it doesn't seem like there is any danger at all. Still, I will probably read the next book. Oh, and the cliffhanger...kind of annoying since this was part of the storyline for the entire book.

Rating - B

THE SCENT OF RAIN AND LIGHTENING

Jody Lindner has returned to her hometown of Rose, Kansas to begin her job as a teacher. Everyone knows Jody. Not only are her grandparents owners of the largest ranch in the area, she is also the daughter of a man who was murdered and whose mother hasn't been seen since the night her dad died. Small towns don't forget such things, especially when Billy Crosby, the man who is accused of killing her father has been aquitted of the murder and is returning to town. All of the old memories are stirred up again and Jody is deteremined to know the truth once and for all.

I read Nancy Pickard's other novel, "Virgin of the Small Plains" last year and loved it. I was almost hesitant to pick up this one. I am so glad I did. More of a thriller than a mystery, I loved the way the past and present were woven together. I didn't guess the killer and was totally surprised and satisfied with the ending. The characters were realistic and human. I can't wait for Ms. Pickard to come out with another novel!!

Rating - A+

ORGANIZE YOUR CORPES

Charlotte Adams is a professional organizer who recently returned to her hometown to set up a business after being jilted by her fiance. Charlotte's first customer is Miss Henley, her nasty teacher from St. Judes' Grade School. Despite her friends attempts to convince her not to take the job, Charlotte is determined to help the woman clean up the old family mansion which is a hoarder's nest. Unfortunately, when Charlotte goes to meet Miss Henley, she finds her client buried in newpapers, her head smashed by a beam. Charlotte feels responsible for finding out how she died.

This is the first book in the series by Mary Jane Maffini. I had heard lots of good things about it and was looking forward to reading it. I found it pretty dull. I considered not finishing it several times. Even though the ending was good and I liked the supporting characters, I wasn't especially fond of Charlotte. Maybe she is too goody-goody or OCS. I'm not sure but I won't be rushing to read other books in this series.

Rating - B-

MAKING TOAST

Roger Rosenblatt and his wife, Ginny, had enjoyed a good life. He is a professor at SUNY and a writer. Their world is turned upside down when their daughter, Amy, a 38-year-old pediatrician and mother of three dies unexpectedly while exercising on the treadmill. They choose to move in with their son-in-law, Harris, who is a hand surgeon to help him raise the kids. They come to the realization that their lives will never be the same again. Still, they have an important job to do for their daughter in helping raise her children. In the case of the narrator, who is affectionately known as Boppo, his job is to make the toast in the morning and come up with the word of the day.

This story was very touching and describes clearly what it must be like to lose an adult child. Even though their lives were continuing on, it will forever be tinged with grief and sadness. I found the author's viewpoint especially sad because he doesn't believe in God or an afterlife. I think it would be most difficult to find any solace at all without faith in God. As sad as the subject was, I found the book uplifting as the children continued to grow and thrive.

Rating - B+

WRECKED

Regan and Jack Reilly decide to celebrate their first anniversary by getting away to Cape Cod for a romantic getaway in the off-season. They expect a quiet weekend to themselves and arrive in the midst of a terrible storm. The two busybody old ladies next door quickly barge in and make themselves at home since they have a broken window. Then, Skip, the caretaker, finds the body of a woman on the beach. When Jack and Regan go back with him to get the body, it appears that she has been washed out to sea. There are hints that Adele may not have been the nicest person after all as she had been buying gift pillows to give as apologies to people she had offended.

I started reading this book and then later picked up the audio book. I haven't read a Carol Higgins Clark for awhile and for the most part, I enjoyed the book. Sometimes, it seemed there were too many extra characters with their own side stories. There is humor in Ms. Clark's stories but at times the characters appear cartoonish or the sarcasm doesn't work very well.

Rating - B

SWIFT JUSTICE

Charlotte Swift, better known as Charlie, is the kind of person who likes to do things her own way. She has enjoyed running Swift Investigations as she likes and she has been pretty successful with her missing persons business. Her most recent case, though, is kind of strange. A woman claims that a baby was left on her doorstep with a note from the woman's daughter who she gave up for adoption at birth. Rather than being thrilled to be a grandmother, the woman is desperate to find her daughter and give the baby back. She wants Charlie to find the girl pronto! In the same week, Charlie's silent partner runs off with his girlfriend and his wife shows up, demanding to be a partner in the business. Charlie is frantic to send this woman back to the suburbs and her kids and have GiGi leave the business alone!

This seems to be the beginning of a new series by Laura DiSilverio. At first, Charlie seemed pretty tough and kind of unlikable but as the book went on, she seemed a little nicer. GiGi was a riot. She has a good heart but no experience as a private investigator. She bumbles her way along and somehow, in her ineptitude does just the right thing. Can't wait for the next installment. My only complaint was that at times this book just seemed to be setting things up for a series.

Rating - A-

BIG CHERRY HOLLAR

Ave Maria and Jack Mack have had their tough times. They lost their little boy, Joe, and Jack has learned that the mine is closing. He has been a miner his whole life. It's Ave Marie's way to try to fix everything but she soon finds that Jack Mack is insulted that she doesn't trust him to take care of her and their daughter, Etta. Ave Maria can't help but be concerned when she sees him talking to a woman that she doesn't know. After all, woman can sense these things, can't they? Ave Maria is determined to have a better marriage than the one her mother did and after the death of her son, she can't endure the loss of her marriage, too.

As usual, I loved every bit of this novel by Adriana Trigiani. Ave Maria and Jack Mack are great characters and it was heartbreaking to watch their marriage struggle. When Ave Maria meets another man in Italy, I kept hoping that she would make the choice that would keep her marriage together. As usual, all of the supporting characters in the book are rich and alive. I can't wait to read the last part of this series - and yet, I don't want it to be over!

Rating - A

BACK SPIN

Myron Bolitar finds himself in unfamiliar territory - on a golf course. He is at the U.S. Open with Win and is trying to sign new clients for his sports management company. He is quickly distracted when he is contacted to help with a kidnapping. The parents are both golf pros, in fact, the father is making a fabulous comeback after choking in the Open 23 years ago. Having your 16-year-old son kidnapped is enough to throw anyone's game off. Myron is frantically trying to locate the boy but he keeps finding more and more loose ends and puzzles to solve and this time, Win is unwilling to help him out.

I love Myron Bolitar and this is one of the older books in this series by Harlan Coben that was recently re-released. I enjoyed it. A couple of the latest books have kind of gotten off-course and Myron has been involved with some women who I didn't like much. This time, Myron is attracted to the female golf pro but he maintains his distance. In the end, he is glad he did. Once more, I was reminded why I enjoy this series so much!

Rating - A-

FATAL ERROR

Ali Reynolds is in the police academy and it's quite a challenge for a 40-something woman. One night, an old aquaintence who was also a newswoman, shows up to talk to Ali. Brenda obviously has some issues with alcohol and has lost her job. She is also begging Ali to help her locate her fiance who suddenly is missing. Brenda is sure that he must be in danger. With the help of B. Simpson, Ali's boyfriend, Brenda learns that her fiance is a man who was involved with multiple women online, promising each that he wants to marry them. Brenda is steamed but Ali doesn't believe that she is capable of murder.

I love J.A. Jance and look forward to each and every book. This one wasn't my favorite. I do like Ali Reynolds but this book had too many different things thrown in. Ali is at the academy but she doesn't get a job as a police officer. Ali covers the restaurant for her parents. Ali's son and his wife are expecting twins. Ali's old friend from her blog is dying and wants Ali to come to visit. We get a little about Ali and B. Simpson. I did enjoy this story but there was too much random stuff going on. Hopefully, the next book won't be quite so scattered.

Rating - B

BEAT UNTIL STIFF

Mary Ryan is the pastry chef in a popular San Fransisco restaurant. She is also angry and depressed following a bitter divorce. Her world is totally rocked when she goes into work early and while getting an apron from the laundry closet, discovers the body of one of the staff. Mary's ex-husband was a cop, so she knows a little about murder and police proceedings. Still, when the bodies start to pile up and then someone is after her, Mary realizes she is going to have to get some answers. She is also going to have to trust her husband's ex-partner, O'Connor.

I heard that Claire Johnson wrote good culinary mysteries. This was different than most because it didn't have a soft, cozy tone. Mary is sharp and sarcastic. Her world is messy from a divorce that she hasn't recovered from. At first, it was hard to even like her. We didn't get a real picture of a working day inside the restaurant because it was closed most of the time due to the murder. Still, there was plenty of food descriptions and the author definitely seemed to know her cooking stuff! I'll try the next one in the series.

Rating - A-

LONG WAY FROM HOME

Tom Brokaw was born and raised in South Dakota. The lessons he learned there and the midwestern work ethic of his parents shaped him as he grew up. He gives much credit to the way he lived as a boy making him into the man and the journalist he became. He told how he loves to return to South Dakota but in a way, no longer belongs there. His parents had rather difficult childhoods but went on to embrace family values to shape their boys into good men. "The Greatest Generation" was a great book. This one was interesting but less gripping since it only focused on Brokaw himself.

Rating - B

CRYING BLOOD

Shaw, his brothers and their sons, take off for a pheasant hunting trip in November. They decide to hunt an old farm owned by Shaw's stepfather. The land isn't being farmed and no one lives there. The hunting trip is disrupted when one of the dogs discovers a skeleton. That night, Shaw feels that a ghost is calling his name. He returns home very disturbed about the skeleton, who was obviously murdered and the haint that he can't forget. Not long after, a young Indian boy who has been following Shaw is captured. He wants to avenge the death of the skeleton that Shaw has found.

As usual, I loved this book by Donis Casey. I had long been waiting for the latest chapter in the family saga and it was well worth it. This book focused on Shaw and a little on G.W. I am hoping the next book will be about G.W. As always, Alafair and her brood are entertaining and their lifestyle and their values are some pleasant to spend time with. Just can't wait for another book in this series!!

Rating - A

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

Scout and her brother, Jim, are growing up in Southern Mississippi in the 1930's. There life centers around their small town and their lawyer father, Atticus Finch. The story is told through the eyes of young Scout who loves being a tomboy and playing with her brother and their pal. Their lives change, though, when their father defends a black man who is accused of raping a white woman. Suddenly, their peaceful hometown no longer seems safe and their life is not so simple and pure.

I have heard nothing but praise for this book for years. It is the kind of book that people say has changed their lives. It took a little bit for me to get into it but I did love it, too! Scout was so precocious and funny. Her brother, Jim, was a perfect brother, sometimes a brat and sometimes kind and loving. Atticus Finch represented all that was good and was determined to live by his moral code of doing the right thing. I am glad that I took the time to read this American classic.

Rating - A+

THE SENTRY

Joe Pike is filling his tires with air at a gas station when he realizes that a small sandwich shop is being burgalarized by a couple of gang thugs. In typical Joe Pike way, he manages to make the gang members wish they had never picked on this little shop. The shop owners are greatful and Pike is intrigued by the shop owner's niece. She seems to like Joe, too. The next day, the shop has been vandalized and the owner and his niece are nowhere to be found. Joe is on a mission to find them and no one dares get in his way, not gangs or the FBI or anyone else.

Robert Crais is one of my very favorite authors. This book features Joe Pike and has plenty of Elvis Cole, too. It seems that Joe is about to start a romance which is a huge change for him. He is definitely interested in the girl that he meets in the sandwich shop. It is heartbreaking as we realize that the girl is not really the person that she seemed to be. As always, this was a fantastic read and I can't wait for the next installment.

Rating - A+

DAMAGE

Wes Farrell has been elected to the position of District Attorney, a big step for a defense attorney with no political aspirations. On just his first day in office, things start to get crazy because a young man has been released from prison after serving for ten years for rape. When another woman who was connected with this last trial is found dead and the M.O. is the same, pressure is on to arrest him. The accused has a powerful family who owns one of San Fransisco's largest newspapers. They are accusing the D.A.'s office and Abe Glitzky of homicide of trying to frame their sons. When Abe's family is threatened and the wife of the former jury foreman is also found dead, the race is on to arrest the man before he harms anyone else.

I always enjoy John Lescroart's books and this is no exception. Wes Farrell has been featured in a couple of books but he was really in the spotlight here. I enjoyed him. Abe Glitzky is always a great character because he is so solemn but a very good man and a good cop. As always, I will be looking forward to the next book by this author!

Rating - A

MISS DIMPLE DISAPPEARS

Miss Dimple has been teaching first grade for over 40 years. She is the most dependable teacher imaginable. When she doesn't show up for school one day without letting anyone know that she will be gone, well, everyone knows that something is wrong. Charlie Carr and her friend, Annie, try to figure out where Miss Dimple might be. World War II is going on and everyone's lives are affected. Charlie's brother is missing and one of her boyfriends has decided to enlist. Could something related to the war be the reason that Miss Dimple is gone?

This is the first book that I have read by Mignon Ballard. I like WWII stories and this one was lots of fun. All of the characters were enjoyable but Charlie and Annie were especially fun. One got a very good sense of the time period and the worries that all of the families at home had for their loved ones fighting the war. Miss Dimple herself was the kind of teacher that everyone would like to have had.

Rating - A-

ABOUT FACE

I won't try to give a summary of this book because I was interrrupted listening to it and came back about a week later and finished it. Mostly, it focused on an intriguing woman that Brunetti met through his in-laws. The woman appeared to have had extensive plastic surgery done on her face to the point that her face was entirely unnatural. In the meantime, there has been a murder that Brunetti is investigating that appears to be related to some sort of Mafia connections.

I enjoy Donna Leon's descriptions of Venice and Brunetti and his family. I did get kind of confused with all of the characters and what was really going on with the mystery. Maybe it would be easier to keep things straight in print. I will try another one, though!

Rating - B

VERMILLION DRIFT

Cork O'Connor has been asked to help with security regarding nuclear waste being stored in an old mine. Cork also is asked to help find the sister of a wealthy businessman. Cork is no longer the sherrif but his private investigative services are well known. The sherrif's office asks him to work with them as they try to solve the disappearance and to figure out who is threatening mine officials. As Cork digs deeper into the disappearance, he finds himself involved in a forty-old mystery that leads him to question the actions of his father who was sherrif at the time of the incident.

I have often heard that William Kent Krueger's books describing life in northern Minnesota are well worth reading. I just hadn't gotten around to them. I am certainly glad that I did and I plan to go back and read some others. Cork is a very likeable character and although his Indian heritage is a central part of the story, it does not over power or preach.

Rating - A

BERRIED TO THE HILT

Natalie thinks that the scariest thing that she has to face is being the judge of the annual Cranberry Bake-Off contest for Cranberry Island. That soon changes when Adam and another fisherman find evidence of a sunken ship. Could it be a pirate ship that was captained by Davey Blue? Archeologists from the university are eager to find out but so is a private investigative team who search for treasures and sell them. When the owner of the private company is found dead, Natalie's friend, Eli, is charged with the crime. After all, he was overhead by everyone threatening the company for trying to loot the ship. Natalie is sure he is innocent but it won't be easy to prove it.

This is the fourth in the Whale Inn series by Karen McInerney. It is always fun to hear what it is like to live on a small island and to be an innkeeper. I enjoyed this book but the end did have a TSTL moment when Natalie went off on her own to try to stop the killer. Still, it was an enjoyable read and it is fun to have Natalie and John engaged. I'll be looking forward to the next installment.

Rating - B+

HUCKLEBERRY MURDERS

As usual, Sherrif Bo Tully has his hands full. He and his father decide to go hunt for huckleberries in a secret place that Bo is convinced he is the only one who knows about it. They encounter some women who are also hunting for huckleberries and found three young men, shot in the head. With the help of a pretty FBI agent, Bo has to find the killers. He also has a woman who insists that someone has killed her ex-husband. In the meantime, Bo seems to have the attention of more women than he knows how to deal with, including one who might be psychic.

This is the fourth in the Bo Tully series that I have read and I think it was my favorite. Patrick McManus has created quirky and fun characters who are fun to re-visit. In Bo's laid back and not always so brave way, he manages to solve the crimes that occur in his lovely part of Idaho. I'll be ready for another visit when Mr. McManus completes the next installment!

Rating - A

BLIND YOUR PONIES

Sam Pickett lost his wife six years ago in a random shooting in a Burger King. Since then, he has been trying to hang on but it seems that mostly, he is just trying to fight off despair. Sam is living in Willow Creek, Montana. He coaches the basketball team that has lost 93 games in a row. He is ready to throw in the towel when two new boys come to town. One is living with his Grandma while his parents go through a divorce. The other is a 6'11" foreign exchange student from Norway who has never touched a basketball in his life. Sam and the boys decide to try for one more season. With only six boys, their chances seem slim, but these are special boys, each with a story of their own, in a small town who desperately needs something to believe in.

This is the first book I have read by Stanley Gordon West and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love basketball stories anyway. This may have been a little too good to be true but it was a great journey. You had to love Sam, Diana, the boys and all of their families and supporters. It was a wonderful reminder that everyone is trying to do the best they can in a world that can be very cruel and most importantly, that we can never give up on life. "As long as she swims, I will cook!"

Rating - A

EDGE

Corte is a shepherd. His job is to protect his "principals" from people who are trying to get information from them. Those trying to get the information always want an "edge" or something to use as leverage to convince those involved to cooperate. Corte has the assignment of protecting a police officer, his wife and her sister plus their daughter. The man trying to get information, Henry Loving, is the best in the business. In fact, he killed Abe, Corte's mentor several years ago. Corte has to keep his principals alive and maybe, get his own revenge on Loving.

I am a huge Jeffrey Deaver fan. Lincoln Rhyme, Amelia Sachs and company are some of my favorite characters. I ended up liking Corte lots, too. At first, he came off as cold and distant. As we read on, we realize that he is brilliant (like Lincoln Rhyme!) and very focused on doing his job. Sometimes, it was difficult to keep up with all of the twists and turns, but it certainly stayed interesting. I hope that Deaver brings Corte back again. I especially loved the end of this book.

Rating - A-