PRIVATE #1 SUSPECT

Jack Morgan comes home from a business trip to find his ex-girlfriend shot to death in his bed.  Needless to say, all evidence points towards him as the prime suspect.  Jack is desperate to prove his innocence and he is certain that his twin, Tommy, is behind the whole thing.  Jack is also busy on several other cases including helping a hotel owner who has had several guests over the past year found dead in their rooms.  Justine is working on taking care of a movie star who has been accused of raping an underaged girl.  Then, the team is busy paying back a debt to Noccia, the local mob boss. 

I have enjoyed both of the books that I have read in this series and I'll probably try to read the third one soon.  Jack Morgan is a likeable guy, even if he is a bit more of a player than I like in this one.  Women seem to be dropping at his feet and he can't resist them.  Still, this was a good story and James Patterson gets it right.

Rating  - A-

CURSED

Reagan Reilly is on her own for a few days.  Her parents are in Florida soaking up the sun and her husband, Jack, is away at a conference.  That's why when a friend in L.A. asks Reagan to come help find her missing boyfriend, it sounds like a nice getaway from cold New York.  Reagan's friend loaned $100,000 to her boyfriend who went missing.  Now, the girl's grandma is coming to town, expecting to use the savings to buy her granddaughter a new home.  She's frantic to get the money back before her grandma realizes what a fool she was to trust her boyfriend.  As usual in a Carol Higgins Clark book, there are several stories and subplots going on all at the same time which manage to be neatly wrapped up at the end.

I have come to be a bigger fan of Regan Reilly and Carol Higgins Clark over the years.  I especially enjoy listening to her books.  I have finally gotten used to the fact that there will be stories and to enjoy them rather than being distracted that there are so many loose ends that seem totally unrelated.  This was another good book and I'll be glad to listen to another one before long!

Rating - A-

THE SKELETON BOX

Gus' mom has been losing her memory bit by bit.  When her dearest friend is murdered in her home, Gus isn't sure if his mother might know more about it then she is telling.  Gus is facing the closing of his newspaper but that doesn't keep him from tracking down the murderer.  As he does, he uncovers a sad and sick story that involves his mother from the time she was a young teen.

I like the way Bryan Gruley writes a suspenseful story.  Most of his characters are flawed but we still end up caring about them.  I like Gus and I'll be looking forward to the next book in this series.

Rating - A

MIND SCRAMBLER

Danny and Ceepak are on a trip to Atlantic City for a hearing.  While they are there, Danny gets a note from his former girlfriend, Katie, that she needs to see him.   She is working as a nanny for a magician whose show is featured in the casinos.  After the show, when Danny goes looking for Katie, he finds her dead.  Danny is shocked by her death but also because she is dressed in a leather outfit and in a compromising position.  It seems that she may have been involved with another member of the show.  Danny soon realize that the magic show is hiding even more than the trick the audience is viewing.

Another great outing with Danny and Ceepak by Chris Grabenstein.  I always enjoy them and I can't wait for the next.

Rating - A-

Grant

This was the real story of the last year of General Ulysses S. Grant.  After his presidency, the General had retired to a financial business with his son.  Their partner stole their money and money of those who had invested with them.  This left the Grant family penniless.  Shortly after, Grant is approached with a proposal to write his memoirs.  Grant sees this as a way to provide for his family.  Within a month or so, Grant is diagnosed with throat cancer.  He manages to write a two volume book of his memories of the Civil War in order to provide for his wife and family.

This book was a fascinating look at Grant.  I had only known a little about his life.  I was struck by how highly regarded he was by both the North and the South following the Civil War because of his fairness and compassion in the surrender agreement.  I certainly came away with more respect for this military genius and former president.

Rating - B+

PRIVATE

Jack Morgan inherited his father's business, a top investigative agency called Private.  Jack's father was a notorious criminal but Jack has used his business to do as much good as possible.  One of the major obstacles in Jack's life is his twin who seems to be very much like their father.  Jack's firm becomes involved in stopping an NFL game fixing scheme, the serial murders of young girls and the murder of one of Jack's former girlfriends. 

I haven't read much James Patterson lately, but this book reminded me that I really do like his books.  Private was a fun read and I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.

Rating - A-

A GOOD MAN

Mark Shriver tells the story of his amazing father, Sargent Shriver.  I had only known a little about this man but through Mark's story, I have become a huge admirer.  He was a man of faith.  He was devoted to his family.  He helped start the Peace Corps and Special Olympics.  When he passed away, over and over, his son, Mark, heard from waitresses to politicians that his father was a good man.  After reading this book, anyone would be inspired to be a better person.

Rating - A

ROLLING THUNDER

Danny Boyle and John Ceepak think that they are going to be helping with security as a new roller coaster opens on the Sea Haven Boulevard.   When the wife of the owner dies on the ride, their roles quickly change to a rescue operation.  Soon after, a young girl is found dead.  It seems that she was having an affair with the owner of the roller coaster.  It's up to Danny and Ceepak to sort out the murder or murders, whatever may be going on.

I love Chris Grabenstein's series with Danny and Ceepak.  Ceepak is such a great example of someone who really lives a code of a good life.  Danny is much more human, but with each book in the series, he has grown and become more and more like his hero.

Rating - A

Danny and Ceepak are going to Atlantic City as in case they are needed to testify to put Ceepak's dad in prison.  In the meantime, Danny gets a call from his old girlfriend saying that she needs to see him immediately.  She is working as a nanny for a famous magician and his family.  Before Danny can find out why she wanted to see him, the girl is found dead and in some very compromising circumstances.  Danny and Ceepak join up with the local authorities to find out who killed her.

I read this book a month or so ago, so the details are a little fuzzy.  Still, I always enjoy Danny and Ceepak.  Both characters seem to be growing and maturing.  Danny has adopted more of Ceepak's code and Ceepak, since his marriage, seems to be able to enjoy life a little more.  This book dealt with some difficult topics but they were done in a good way to keep the reader thinking.  Can't wait to read the next one!

Rating - A-

BOND GIRL

Alex Garrett has dreamed of being on Wall Street since she was a young girl.  She loved going to work with her father when she was growing up.  She works hard and graduates from the University of Virginia and ends up with an offer to work on Wall Street.  Her illusions are quickly burst when she has to sit on a small folding chair and watch others and answer to "Girlie".  Alex learns quickly and gradually gains the respect of her mostly male co-workers.  Still, the economy is in trouble and life on Wall Street is changing.  Alex has to decide what matters the most to her.

This novel by Erin Duffy was a fun and amusing look at the financial world on Wall Street through the eyes of a young woman trying to make her way in a man's world.  Alex was a great character.  She tries hard to please but she still manages to maintain some backbone.  Some of her problems are heartbreaking but it is a fun read.  I certainly would never consider a career on Wall Street but I enjoyed the view through Alex's young eyes.

Rating - A

MERCY FALLS

Cork is attending to business on the reservation when he and his deputy are ambushed.  Marcia Dross is seriously injured and Cork is hot on the trail to find out who did it.  At nearly the same time, a man that Cork's wife, Jo, has been dealing with about gambling contracts for the reservation is found dead.  Cork isn't sure but it is possible that the two incidents are connected.  Cork is pretty certain that the shots fired at the reservation were meant for him.  When his family seems to be in danger, Cork knows he must do whatever is necessary to protect them and to find the killer.

I listened to part of this book and then a month or two later finished it up.  As usual, that kind of choppiness leads to some loss of the story.  I always love Cork O'Connor and this was no exception, that is, except for the ending.  I was really disappointed in this book for that reason.  I don't recall this happening in other books by William Kent Krueger.  I certainly plan to read the next in the series but I am hoping for a better conclusion.

Rating - B+

AS THE CROW FLIES

Walt Longmire is back and he has an important assignment.  He and Standing Bear have to make arrangements for his daughter, Cady's wedding.  He is nervous to start with but when he and the Bear witness a young woman fall from a cliff with a baby in her arms, Walt is torn in his loyalties.  Does he help out the young sherrif of the reservation who is surly, inexperienced and keeps trying to arrest him?  Or, should he for once put his personal life ahead of everything else and make sure that he has everything ready for Cady and her wedding?  As usual, Walt tries to do the right thing.

I love Craig Johnson's books with Walt Longmire.  Sometimes the Indian mysticism is a little strange for me but overall, I enjoyed the whole story.  We got plenty of Standing Bear this time.  No Vic but I'm sure she will be around for the next adventure.

Rating - A

After Camelot

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis compared the magical time of her husband's presidency to Camelot.  In the years that followed, it seemed that maybe the Kennedys were indeed cursed.  Another brother was assissinated and the younger brother was involved in an accident where a young woman was killed.  His delay in reporting the accident cost his chance to be president.  Other members of the younger generation had issues with the law and addictions.   Was Camelot over or did it ever exist at all?

I have been a long time follower of the the Kennedy legacy.  I have read many books on various members of the family.  I truly enjoyed this account by Randy Taraborrelli.  I was impressed by his balanced look at all the family of all generations.  He didn't whitewash anyone's mistakes but he also tried to point out when people had changed.  I found this book to be a quick read despite its hefty volume and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Rating - A

SO PRETTY IT HURTS

Bailey Weggins joins her friend, Jessie, at an exclusive weekend house party.  Bailey decides to go because her boyfriend, Beau, is out of town and to be with Jessie who has her eye on the host.  Devon Barr, a supermodel is also spending the weekend at the home, along with several of her entourage.  The model turns out to be very spoiled and soon - very dead!  When Bailey and the other guests get snowed in at the house, things turn very creepy because one of them must be the murderer.

I've read all of Kate White's Bailey Weggins books.  It's been quite awhile since the last one and I thought I'd enjoy another.  Hmmm.  It was just ok.  Once again, Bailey does a few TSTL moves that are pretty transparent.  At least this one didn't have such detailed comments about her sex life.  Bailey is alright but I'm not in a hurry to read another of these.  Maybe, in a couple of years, when I've forgotten that they are pretty average.....

Rating - B

THE SHOEMAKER'S WIFE

Ciro and his brother are abandoned as young boys and left to live in an Italian convent. Raised by the nuns, they grow to be wonderful young men. When Ciro sees the priest behaving innappropriately, he is banished from the convent and the nuns arrange to send him to America. Enza is a young Italian girl who leaves her beloved Italy to go make a living in America to help her family buy a new home. They both end up in New York City, he as a shoemaker's apprentice and she as a seamstress who works her way into a job as a costume designer at the Metropolitan Opera. The two cross paths several times and eventually marry. Their love story is a beautiful one, told only as Adriana Trigiani can tell it.

This is supposed to be the story of Adriana Trigiani's grandparents. It is a lovely story. Trigiani has a way of creating characters that are warm, human and so memorable. Ciro was a wonderful man and Enza an amazing woman and wife. I loved this book and I will treasure it's memories for a very long time.

Rating - A+

FORCE OF NATURE

Nate Romanowski has a secret that he has always thought might come back to do him harm someday. That day has come. Three innocent looking fishermen try to kill him. Soon Nate is on the run and he realizes that anyone that he cares about is potentially in danger. The people who are after him are well trained and would kill in a heartbeat if it would lead them to Nate. Nate fears for his friend, Joe Pickett and his family. Joe feels that Nate has helped him many times and this is his time to help his friend.

I am a pretty big fan of C.J. Box's books but this wasn't my favorite. The focus was all on Nate and all on killing. Even Joe wasn't as much of the stand up guy we are used to seeing. I'm sure I'll read the next one in this series but I hope the focus is more on Joe and his family plus Joe's work instead of violence just to be violent.

Rating - B

HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU

Ok, this was kind of a joke. One of the girls keeps falling for guys who don't seem crazy about her. I think that this philosophy seems a little harsh - guys always do the picking. Still, I think there are some very valid points. It seems that when men choose the women, they are willing to persue them and work at a relationship. When the women picks them, they tend to be kind of lazy and act like jerks. I think the author was encouraging women to let men do the choosing but for them to maintain high standards for what they will tolerate from men.

Rating - B+

STAY CLOSE

Three people are drawn together after an unforgettable night 17 years ago. A photojournalist who has sunk to the level of acting like paparazzi at Bar Mitzvahs is beaten and his camera is stolen. He realizes that someone is after a photo that may link to a man who disappeared recently. A soccer mom is a little bored with her suburban life. She gets a call that brings her back to Atlantic City where she worked as a dancer. A police officer has been working a case of a missing man for 17 years. When another man goes missing, he starts to put the missing pieces together.

I am a Harlan Coben fan but I prefer his series to his standalones. This was a good one but it took awhile to get rolling. Lots of characters coming from lots of different perspectives. It worked but it took awhile to really get hooked into the story. I liked the ending. The good husband who stood by his wife didn't get left high and dry. Others found a way to move on from their pasts. I'll be waiting for the next book!

Rating - A-

LEFT FOR DEAD

A young deputy making a routine traffic stop is shot and left for dead beside the road. A young prostitute is cut, burned, raped and thrown out in the desert. She, too, is left for dead but fortunately is found by a Border Patrol agent. Ali Reynolds knew the young deputy when she was in training. She decides to go help his pregnant wife and children while he is in the hospital. Sister Aslem has been called in as a patient advocate for the young girl who is in the same hospital. Before long, Ali and Sister Aslem realize that it was no accident that both of their patients were left for dead and that someone may still be trying to kill them.

At first, this book really was slow for me. There seemed to be too many storylines with no clue how they tied together. I am a long-time fan of J.A. Jance, so I stuck with the book and I was glad I did. As always, her books are great mysteries and I'll be looking forward to the next one!

Rating - A

THE DROP

Harry Bosch is working in the Open Unsolved Unit of the LAPD. He is pleased to learn that his retirement date or DROP date has been extended by a couple of years. He's also pleased to be working a couple of new cases. One case involves a woman found raped and murdered but the DNA evidence points to a convicted pediophile who was only 8-years-old at the time. The other case involves "high jingo", the term for a highly charged political case. One of the city councilmen who Harry has history with has asked him to investigate the death of his son. Harry is reluctant to do so because the father hates Harry and the LAPD. Still, he agrees to take it on if the man will accept his findings whether they be suicide or murder.

It's been awhile since I have read a Harry Bosch book by Michael Connelly. The Mickey Haller books seem to have a lighter tone. Harry is always pretty serious and often bitter. I did enjoy the parts with his daughter. Harry has a good relationship with her and he tries to keep some of the darkness away for her sake. I also appreciated how in this book Harry had to mend fences with his partner after realizing he was a little to harsh on the man. Sometimes, Harry seems a little too self-righteous and I liked this turn. As always, a good mystery and a good read.

Rating - A=

SHOCK WAVE

The small town of Butternut Falls is conflicted about the decision to build a Pyemart. Some feel that it will destroy many of the local businesses. When several bombs go off, killing innocent victims, Virgil Flowers is called in to investigate. As usual, it seems that all Virgil does is go around to talk to people and flirt with local women but he always seems to get results. Virgil has incentive because before long, it seems that he is one of the bomber's targets.

I've gotten really fond of John Sanford's Virgil Flowers books. I didn't think anyone could be more appealing than Lucas Davenport and I'm still a great fan of his, but I like Virgil, too. He is funny, laid back and very, very sharp. Nothing is going to get past him! This book was fun because Virgil didn't really have a love interest. Of course, he is checking out all of the women but for once, he wasn't jumping in bed with anyone. I'll be looking forward to the next in the series!

Rating - A-

CINNAMON ROLL MURDER

Hannah and her sister are on their way to deliver cinnamon rolls to the Lake Eden Inn when there is a terrible accident on the highway. Hannah and Michelle stop to see if they can help anyone. They board a tour bus of the famous Cinnamon Roll Six who were scheduled to play at the Inn. One of the band members is injured and the bus driver is dead. Things get even more lively for Lake Eden when the man with the injuries is found stabbed at the hospital. It's Hannah to the rescue to find the murderer. Hannah needs a distraction because Norman is supposed to marry Doctor Bev in a couple of weeks and her heart is broken just thinking about it.

I always enjoy a stop in Lake Eden with Hannah and her family. This book was a pretty good one in the series. It was a little unclear why Hannah got involved in this particular murder since it didn't really affect her or anyone in the community like her usual investigations. Her mother seems to have changed for the better since her involvement with Doc Knight but had way too easy access to medical records. Of course, I had to hang on to the end to find out what would happen with Norman and Hannah. It was worth the wait and although predictable, I'll look forward to the next book in the series.

Rating - B+

ROGUE ISLAND

Liam Mulligan is a tough Providence, Rhode Island newspaperman. He's one of a dying breed and he knows it. He's supposed to be writing nice stories about dogs instead of hard news but Mulligan prefers doing things his own way. Right now, he wants to know who is starting fires in his old neighborhood. The fires are destroying property but also killing people. The closer Mulligan gets to the truth, the more his life is in danger.

I saw a review that recommended this debut novel by Bruce DeSilva and saw that it had won a ton of awards. I have a soft spot for newspaper stories and I'm glad I picked this one up. Mulligan is a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan who knows and loves his hometown, warts and all. The characters in this book were amusing, tough and disappointing - all very true to life. I even took the time to see if there is a sequel in the works and I was delighted to find out there was. I'll be there, Mulligan!

Rating - A

WHISPER TO THE BLOOD

Talia MacLeod is a popular Olympic biathalon who has been hired by the gold mine to promote their presense in the region. She's trying to convince all of the local citizens that the mine will bring jobs and prosperity and that the changes will be progress. Kate Shugak isn't convinced and now she finds herself as the head of the N'nitna Native Association. Things start heating up when a man working for the mine is shot to death. Then Kate's ward, Johnny, and others are attacked on the river on snowmobiles. Kate starts to realize that she has been out of the loop and it's time for her to start righting some wrongs.

Kate Shugak is a rich and wonderful character. She's fascinating because she isn't afraid to do what needs to be done and she commands respect. Whether it's facing down a rival for her man or finding out who is causing problems for the locals, Kate is the woman to get the job done. This is fast becoming one of my favorite series. I'm glad to have another series of books that I love listening to.

Rating - A

HELL HOLE

Danny and his rookie partner for the night are called out to a residence for excessive noise. The partiers turn out to be ex-Marines. While Danny is there, they get a call that one of their group has been found dead at a nearby rest area. It appears that he is a junkie and that he committed suicide. Danny and his partner accompany the leader to identify the body. Danny doesn't pretend to be the detective that his regular partner, John Ceepak, is but he notices some things on the scene that make him wonder if this case really is an open and shut suicide. Ceepak soon joins Danny to make sure justice is done.

I am a huge fan of this series and I think it just gets better and better. Danny is still a young man who takes life as easy as he can but he's getting to be a better police officer all the time. He's learned lots from Ceepak and he is starting to live closer to Ceepak's code. And who couldn't love John Ceepak. Always a winner!

Rating - A

TAKEN

A wealthy women who is an illegal alien calls Elvis Cole for help when her daughter goes missing. The businesswoman thinks it may be a prank when her daughter calls asking for money. She's pretty sure that she just ran off with her boyfriend for a last fling before graduation. Still, the girl has everything going for her and it seems unlikely that she would decide to throw it all away and ask her mother for a few hundred dollars. Elvis Cole soon learns that the girl may be involved in an ugly ring of human trafficking. The stakes get even higher when Cole himself is taken and it's up to Joe Pike to find him.

As usual, Robert Crais' books draw you in from the very first page. I knew nothing about human trafficking and was appalled by the vivid descriptions. I always love Elvis Cole but this was a great combination of Cole and Pike. I raced through this book like I always do the books in this series and I can't wait for the next one!

Rating - A

MOBBED

A popular young actress rents a seaside home for a month and then leaves unexpectedly, leaving a number of her possessions behind. The home's owner takes advantage of the situation and decides to host a yard sale, advertising the actress' items to entice buyers to come to the sale. The owner has also decided to sell her home on a whim and her daughter is concerned. She contacts her old friend, Nora Reilly, to investigate. Nora and Regan soon become concerned about the actress who seems to have disappeared. It's a race to find her before all of the garage sale nut cases take over!

As always with Carol Higgins Clark's books, there are lots of different characters with a variety of story lines all going on at the same time. There are always plenty of wackos mixed in with some really nice ones. This used to make me a little crazy but I've learned to enjoy it - at least most of the time!

Rating - B+

BLOOD HOLLOW

A young girl has disappeared after a wild New Year's Eve party. Cork is part of the search party and nearly ends up as a victim of the snowstorm. He feels that maybe the girl's ghost helped save him. Maybe that's why he is so invested in helping a young Indian who is accused of murdering the girl. All of the evidence points his way but Cork is sure that there is more to the story than meets the eye.

As usual, this is a great book by William Kent Krueger. I really enjoyed most of this book. It's a great look at Rose and the girls. The murderer was very believable but I found a portion of the story just too strange to accept. Other than that section, I was so happy to be listening to another book in this series.

Rating - A-

A NIGHT TOO DARK

People have been disappearing in the Park and Kate is determined to find out why. She thinks that they disappearances are connected to the gold mine. It's no secret that Kate isn't a big fan of the fan or the progess it is bringing to the area. Kate is worried that those changes may ruin the Alaskan life that she knows and loves.

I haven't read anything by Dana Stabenow before even though I had heard she was very good. I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed the book. Kate is warm and funny. She is strong and opininated. I'll be reading more in this series.

Rating - A

CHOCOLATE COVERED MURDER

It's been a long, cold winter in Tinker's Cove and to make matters worse for Lucy Stone is that she is on a diet. The town begins to make plans for a celebration to help retailers with the slogan, "Love is better on the coast". Everyone is a little surprised when a new chocolate business beats out Fern's Fudge as the favorite candy in town. When Lucy meets Tamzin, the store manager, she decides that all of the men in town are buying fudge just to see all of the wares Tamzin is displaying. Still, the town can't help but be surprised when an ice fisherman is found dead, wrapped in his fishing line and when Tamzin is found dead, painted with chocolate. As usual, Lucy Stone can't help but investigate!

I haven't read a Leslie Meier book about Lucy Stone for awhile and the last one about the Halloween stuff was just UGLY! I didn't like it at all. Too much witchcraft and Lucy behaved so stupidly. This one was back on track with the every day stuff about Lucy and her family that makes these books so much fun. Now, I'll be waiting for the next one!

Rating - A-

BEST FRIENDS, OCCASIONAL ENEMIES

Lisa Scottoline is one of my favorite authors. I love her series about an all-female law firm. I have enjoyed a couple of her books of essays, too, and this was no exception. Lisa is a single 55-year-old woman who tells what it's like to be a middle-aged woman. Her daughter, Francesca, is 25-years-old, trying to make her life in New York City. I loved the essays written by Francesca. Then there's little Mother Mary in Florida. I think charm of these essays is the humor about every day life that we can all relate to and the loving family relationships that can also make us crazy.

Keep writing, ladies, and I'd love to keep reading.

Rating - A-

WHACK-A-MOLE

John Ceepak's vacation time with his sweet girlfriend, Rita, is disturbed when he and Danny start digging up some evidence of a serial killer who is burying heads along the beach. It all starts when a family discovers an ear displayed in the local museum. The killer seems proud of his work as he leaves detailed maps, taking Danny and Ceepak from one gruesome discovery to another. The question is - will they be able to catch him before he kills again? With too many suspects and too little time, the race is on.

I love Chris Grabenstien's novels. One can't help but want to be a little more like the honorable John Ceepak as you read the stories and one can't help but relate to the less-than-perfect Danny who knows that Ceepak has a Code that is worth following. Once again, this was a really enjoyable book and I'll be eager to read the next in the series.

Rating - A

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DRESS

This is a memoir written by fashion designer, Vicki Tiel. Vicki was a student at Parsons when she rebelled against the conventional system and started designing her own clothes. Along with a friend, she left New York for Paris. Vicki's tales are larger than life. She claims responsibility for the fads of the mini skirt, the hot pants and many others. Vicki was a wild girl of the '60's, experimenting with drugs and men. She finally met a man who was involved in movies and spent years with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, travelling in their entourage through Europe. Her tale continues after her marriage ends and she goes to Florida where she hooks up with a new man. It was all a little bit hard to believe - Vicki obviously believed she was one of the most beautiful women in the world who could have any man she wanted. Still, I found the book hard to put down.

Rating - B-

SUMMER RENTAL

Three high school girlfriends rent a house on the beach for the summer. Each of the girls is bringing some extra baggage. Ellis, the responsible one, has just been fired from her job. She's been divorced for years and is way too careful about her life. Dorie's husband was supposed to come with her. When he doesn't show up, it's not long before the other girls realize all is not well in paradise. Julia is the lovely model but she's feeling that her career is over and she needs to decide what to do about her long time lover, Booker. Things get even more interesting when Dorie rents the 3rd floor to a woman on the run from her husband and the cute guy in the garage apartment starts noticing the girls.

I really like Mary Kay Andrews. As always, her characters are warm and believable. This was probably one of my least favorite of her books. I think it was a case of too many characters and story lines. Also, even though I loved the romance between Ellis and Ty, it seemed a little too neat and tidy as did the solution to Ty's money problems. Still, it was a fun read.

Rating - B+

KILLLING LINCOLN: THE SHOCKING ASSISSINATION THAT SHOCKED A NATION

Bill O'Reilly tells the story of Lincoln's assissination as if he were writing a novel. All of the characters are made to seem real. He does a great job of tying up the details of the war and all of the various characters involved in the assissination plot. O'Reilly helps us see Lincoln as a man who well knew that he was hated by many and that he might be killed. Still, Lincoln took many risks and loved the people and being among the people and his troops. This book was very entertaining and readable. I liked it lots and so did Benjamin.

Rating - A

RED KNIFE

The young men of the reservation have formed a group called the "Red Boyz". Some think that they are re-establishing pride in the tribe. Others worry that they are bringing drugs and gangs to the rez. A young man who is the leader of the Red Boyz is found shot in the back of his head along with his wife. Cork and the sherrif's department are trying to figure out of the murder was done by someone after the Red Boyz or the family of a young girl who was found dead after she became involved in drugs supplied by a member of the Red Boyz. Cork soon finds that his loyalties are called into question and divided as he tries to find the answers to the murders.

I always enjoy William Kent Krueger and Cork O'Connor is one of my favorite characters. He is a genuine person, even though he sometimes makes mistakes, he is very real. I also enjoyed the descriptions of Cork's daughter, Annie, in this book. She is a very interesting and decent person. As always, the book was entertaining and made me think. I'm looking forward to the next installment in this series.

Rating - A

THREE DAY TOWN

Deborah and her husband, Dwight, finally get to take a honeymoon. Yeah, it's just for a week, but they have a chance to go to New York and stay in an apartment there. Deborah and Dwight are excited for the getaway. They have been asked to deliver a package to Sigrid Harald, who is the granddaughter of one of Deborah and Dwight's old friends from home. When the package is stolen during a party in the apartment next door and then dead bodies start turning up, including one in the apartment that Deborah and Dwight are staying in, their honeymoon soon turns into a working vacation.

I have always loved Margaret Maron's Deborah Knott books. I've never gotten around to reading the Sigrid Harald ones. This was a neat tying up the loose ends between the two. It wasn't quite as much fun to have Deborah and Dwight taking a back seat but I did enjoy getting to know a bit about Sigrid. She is certainly a much colder character than Deborah. The descriptions of New York were lots of fun, too.

Rating - A=