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+