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The Art Thief by Noah Charney
It had been a rough night for Father Amoroso. His sleep was disturbed twice during the night by false alarms
at the church of Santa Giuliana in Rome. A bit sleepy in the morning, Father Amoroso opens the church. While genuflecting
before the altar, he awakens fully when he realizes that the Caravaggio altarpiece has been stolen. GeneviPve Delacloche is an expert on the works of suprematist painter Kasimir
Malevich. She is particularly enamored with Malevich’s series of paintings called White on White. However, Delacloche’s
professional skills do not prevent the theft of one of Malevich’s masterworks from an underground vault.
At one of Christie’s auctions in London, the National Gallery of Modern Art buys a Malevich White
on White painting for a tidy sum. Unfortunately, the painting is stolen within hours of being delivered to the gallery.
These three different thefts in three different countries are investigated by three different experts;
art investigator Gabriel Coffin in Rome, Inspector Bizot in Paris, and Inspector Wickenden in London. Can these acts of larceny
be connected? What conundrum of artistry creates a common focal point? Charney acquaints his
readers with the troubles associated with art theft, the ransom demands and the forgeries. Art Thief whisks its readers
from Rome to Paris to London and back again. Charney’s novel is entertaining and fast paced. However, some readers may
find the characters’ swearing offensive. L
Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs
Human and animal skeletal remains, often mixed with organic and inorganic debris, are an integral part of Temperance Brennan's
work. She is a forensic anthropologist who works both in North Carolina and Quebec. Tempe's latest case has been emotionally
draining because it consisted of tiny charred bones found in a wood stove. Now Tempe has to tell an old gentleman that his
daughter is missing and that his granddaughter is dead. Tempe needs a vacation. But the vacation will have to wait.
While at a picnic with daughter Katy and dog Boyd, Tempe is thrust into a new case when children's screams shatter the idyllic
picnic atmosphere! Boyd's find is aromatic, filling the immediate surroundings with a "stench like rotting meat." And the
macabre merriment is just beginning. Further investigation leads the authorities to the adjacent property where odd feathers
found in a rundown house and bones found in the privy add to the conundrum of the decomposed remains. Additionally, a small
airplane crashes nearby and the two people who died in the crash are covered with an unusual residue. Although
her vacation is on hold indefinitely, Tempe enjoys having her friend Andrew Ryan, a detective from Quebec, around for a visit.
It took a while, but Tempe and Ryan have grown from adversarial co-workers to friends to more than friends. And Tempe also
realizes that her daughter Katy has her own life to live and both of them practice the art of exasperated eye-rolling during
this novel. If the first sentence of this novel doesn't grab your attention, then don't read this thrilling murder
yarn. Kathy Reichs draws her readers into her novel and allows readers to vicariously participate in autopsies. Reichs, who
is a practicing forensic anthropologist, also allows herself some social commentary when Tempe says: "Sometimes I think goodness
and charity are racing toward extinction faster than the condor or the black rhino." Tempe Brennan is one of my favorite female
sleuths. L
The Bernini Bust by Iain
Pears
Much of the world’s so called art appreciates or depreciates in value depending upon the proverbial
"eye of the beholder." When opportunity knocked in the form of a private Los Angeles museum, Jonathan Argyll sold an overpriced
sixteenth century Venetian piece by Titian. There was only one catch. Argyll was required to leave Rome and accompany the
painting to Los Angeles. Now in L.A., Argyll wonders about the Moresby Museum's choice. But
it doesn’t matter as long as he gets paid. Then Argyll runs into an old acquaintance/nemesis, Hector di Souza, a Spanish
art dealer. It seems that sometimes Hector manufactures art pieces as they are needed. During an informal cocktail party,
the museum announces its latest acquisition, the portrait bust of Pope Pius V sculpted by the Roman Baroque master Bernini!
A few hours later, the museum owner is killed and the bust stolen. And the chase begins. This is my first time reading Iain Pears. I enjoyed his writing style and his development
of his characters. Jonathan Argyll is English and as such has a dry sense of humor. Pears lets Jonathan Argyll appear in several
art mysteries, all of which I hope to read.
Courting Trouble by Lisa Scottoline
Most men can't resist the redheaded, smart and devastatingly beautiful female known as Anne Murphy. Then they find out
that she is an attorney. Anne is the rookie in the law firm of Rosato & Associates in Philadelphia, she's just had a rotten
day in court and it is the July 4th weekend. On a whim, Anne decides to ask a friend to house-sit and watch her
cat while Anne escapes the city pressures by driving to the Jersey shore and hiding out. The weekend is relaxing until Anne
sees her own picture with the caption "Lawyer Murdered" on the front page of the newspaper. But Anne feels quite alive so
who was killed at her place and why? The "who" is unfortunately easily answered but the "why" takes some digging.
Anne secretively returns to Philadelphia and meets with the other ladies in her office. Together they discover that a former
stalker, Kevin, is after Anne again. The "Ladies" hatch a plan to trap Kevin but Anne is the bait. Courting Trouble
is entertaining and surprising. Scottoline keeps her readers off balance, changing the direction of the plot more than once.
She also adds snide remarks and gives her characters plenty of personality. I was surprised by the ending and I will read
Scottoline again. L
Deadly Decision by Kathy Reichs
Tempe Brennan, the forensic anthropologist who works
in both North Carolina and Montreal, is learning all about outlaw motorcycle clubs. Her first introduction to the subject
includes piecing together the blown apart bodies of two bikers. The next body to arrive is the body of nine year old Emily
Toussant. She was on her way to a dance class when she became a casualty of a biker shoot out. The outlaw motorcycle clubs,
OMC's, are dealing drugs and a turf war has erupted. Additionally, Brennan discovers a partial skeleton near an OMC clubhouse.
This skeleton belongs to a female teenager and Brennan is confused as to who this victim is. Eventually Brennan learns that
this victim was a teenager who disappeared from Myrtle Beach a few years ago. But how did her partial skeleton get buried
near Montreal? The biker war continues and Brennan's involvement exposes her to more violence and depravity than she really
cares to experience. Kathy Reichs is an excellent author. She writes better than Patricia Cornwell. KR's novels are
more in touch with current events and her characters are more real to me. Tempe and her colleagues use the latest technology,
including blood splatter analysis and ground-penetrating radar, to solve their cases. Any suspense or mystery reader will
appreciate Tempe Brennan and the work she does. L,V
Death Row by William Bernhardt
It was the most heinous crime ever to shake the state of Oklahoma. Tulsa's residents were shocked that such brutal killings
could take place in their city. A father and mother, with their six children, were butchered and mutilated while their seventh
child, fifteen-year-old Erin was shackled in the basement awaiting her own murder. But the killer didn't come back for Erin
and Erin, scared and hurt, escaped and called the police. Words can hardly describe the grisly tableau found by the responding
police officer. Homicide detectives found a prime suspect in Ray Goldman and arrested him. Ben Kincaid was Ray's defense attorney.
All through the trial, Ray proclaimed his innocence and the trial appeared to be going in Ray's favor when Erin took the stand.
Under oath and with full conviction Erin declared that she recognized Ray's voice as the voice of her family's killer. After
this scathing testimony, Ray was sentenced to death by lethal injection. Now seven years later, Ray has a date
with the Grim Reaper via lethal injection. Ray is strapped to a gurney and wheeled to the execution chamber. A nurse inserts
the IV needle into a vein, the warden reads the death warrant and the men of the chemical team are ready to push the buttons
releasing the deadly liquid into Ray's vein when the phone rings! Ray has been granted a thirty-day reprieve. This gives Ben
one more chance to prove his client's innocence. But where do you start after seven years when all your previous attempts
have failed? Then Erin visits Ben's office to clear her conscience. Erin lied seven years ago! Ben is ecstatic for now there
is hope for Ray. But Erin never has the chance to give an official statement. She is found dead in her home. Apparently, Erin
killed herself. There is more I could say about Bernhardt's Death Row but I don't want to give away too
much of the plot. This book is intense. Readers are treated to information about the fast food industry and to the workings
of a death chamber. Personal relationships also grow, albeit slowly, and Ben's character faces new challenges. Readers new
to Bernhardt's books will not be disappointed in Death Row and loyal fans will be sated until the next Kincaid novel
is ready. L
Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich
Most everybody has had a terrible job at some time or another. For Stephanie, it was
a job selling hot dogs on the boardwalk on the Jersey shore. However, Steph has finally had enough "fun" working for cousin
Vinnie as a bail bond enforcer. Stephanie quit! But what will she do for work? Of course,
finding a new job isn’t Steph’s only worry. Somebody uses her car for target practice, while she is driving the
car, and leaves threatening notes. There is also the small matter of minor fires and car bombs. And Steph’s new jobs
just aren’t working out. Meanwhile, Lula attempts apprehending a skip and the fun begins.
Morelli and other Trenton police officers have a mystery on their hands. Several old geezers, all semi-upstanding citizens
and businessmen, have gone missing. But that isn’t the only exciting thing happening in the Burg. There is also the
fiasco-in-the-making called the Plum-Kloughn wedding. Steph’s bridesmaid’s dress is an eyesore and Steph’s
mom doesn’t have enough ironing to do to calm her frazzled nerves. Evanovich’s Stephanie
Plum series is a guilty pleasure of mine. The novels are funny, risqué and highly
entertaining. I will admit that these novels are not for all readers because of subject matter. However for fans, all your
favorite characters make an appearance in Eleven on Top. Grandma Mazur is feistier than ever, and where did she get
a gun, again? The Ranger-Stephanie-Morelli love triangle only becomes more complicated. Sizzling with sexual tension and filled
with verbal zingers, Evanovich’s book will please her fans. I laughed throughout the book. L
Fig Eater by Jody Shields
The Volksgarten Park is an idyllic escape from the pressures
of life. Then on a hot August night, this serene beauty is marred by cold-blooded murder. Eighteen-year-old Dora is the unfortunate
victim. Who is she? What was she doing in the park late at night? Who killed her? These are the questions that the Inspector,
whose name the reader is never told, must answer. This Inspector has been schooled in rationalist criminology. His textbook
is the Enzyclopdie der Kriminalistik. He also takes advantage of photography to aid his criminal investigation. The year is
1910 and the place is Vienna, Austria. Erszbet, the Inspector's Hungarian wife, becomes intrigued and obsessed by the murder.
Her Gypsy superstitions may assist her snooping. One major clue presents itself during the autopsy when undigested figs are
discovered in Dora's stomach. There are no fresh figs grown in Vienna at this time of year. Jody Shields captured the
Zeitgeist of 1910 Vienna nearly perfectly. Women are the lower class, yellow homes denote former lodgings of royalty
and personal telephones in homes are scarce. The Inspector and his assistants employ the latest techniques in solving crimes.
And yet, superstitions are still plaguing some members of the populace. Fig Eater is written in a literary, lyrical
and artfully detailed style. "The city is totally silent as its streets are gradually buried by flying dull white powder,
as thick and purposeful as Pompeian ash." I quite enjoyed Jody Shield's novel. V, S
Grave Secrets by Kathy Reichs
Guatemala, once part of the great Mayan Empire, has a disturbing history. Years of civil war and slaughter, from 1962 to
1996, have marred Guatemala and its people. One of the more atrocious acts of war took place in 1982 on a summer morning.
Soldiers invaded a peaceful Guatemalan village and killed its women and children. Returning relatives, fearing the same fate,
quickly buried their dead in unmarked graves. Today, human rights groups are trying to identify the dead. And Temperence Brennan,
with her hard-earned knowledge of forensic anthropology, participates in this heart-rending task. Unfortunately, more
trouble is stirring. Two members of Tempe's team are assaulted while returning to the village. Will they survive? Tempe also
is asked to help in identifying a body found in the septic tank of a rundown motel in Guatemala City. Is this the body of
one of the four high profile girls missing from Guatemala City? Kathy Reichs' novels are excellent and Grave
Secrets only increases Reichs' popularity. She skillfully blends forensic scientific advances with a captivating story.
Reichs teaches and entertains her readers. I've always enjoyed Reichs' novels. Her real life experiences as a forensic anthropologist
bring authenticity to her writing. In my "humble" opinion, Kathy Reichs has easily outclassed Patricia Cornwell.
L
Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich
Tight pants are a fashion necessity for Stephanie Plum but when she can't get her handcuffs out of her tight pants, and
can't arrest a skip, her clothing choice becomes a liability. Of course, this is just a minor problem in Stephanie's life.
Her bigger problem is how to find Evelyn and her daughter Annie. Are they in danger from Steve, the despicable ex-husband/father?
Or are there deeper problems? If Stephanie doesn't find Evelyn and Annie, Mabel Markowitz will lose her home because the home
is collateral for the child custody bond. By the way, Mabel has been Stephanie's parents next door neighbor forever and this
missing mother/daughter case has "familial" obligations. Stephanie's biggest problem is Eddie Abruzzi, Evelyn's landlord and
all around scary guy. Both Ranger and Morelli warn Stephanie not to get involved in Abruzzi's affairs. But Stephanie doesn't
listen and soon her life becomes a nightmare of uninvited critters, a mysterious overgrown rabbit and other troubles.
On the funnier side, Stephanie and Morelli and Stephanie and Ranger still have their sexual flirting and beyond. Grandma Mazur
wants to see Ranger naked. And Lula and Connie experience hot flashes anytime Ranger makes an appearance in the office. Stephanie's
luck with cars has not improved, never lend her your car! Janet Evanovich pulls out all the stops for this latest laughfest
featuring Stephanie and gang. Hard Eight is racy, filled with double entendres and zingers from left field. The action
is fast, the bad guys are creepy and the sex is, well I'll let you read about that. Hard Eight is terrific escapist
reading. L, S
Hearse of a Different Color by Tim Cockey
Hitchcock Sewell is a Baltimore undertaker. He gracefully accepts all the funny looks his name inspires. Strangers just
can't help themselves upon hearing his unique moniker. A prominent, healthy and robust Baltimore heart surgeon has taught
the world about irony. He suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while performing bypass surgery. The fates can be so cruel.
Hitchcock and his Aunt Billie are presiding over the surgeon's viewing when a macabre surprise is dropped on the doorsteps
of their funeral home. What was this pathetic surprise? It was the body of Vickie Waggoner, a waitress. Hitchcock fancies
himself to be an amateur sleuth and therefore he decides to investigate Vickie's background. With his girlfriend Bonnie Nash
in tow, Hitch soon finds himself traipsing through the decadence of Vickie's life. Baltimore PD allows Vickie's murder to
slide to the back burner since they are also investigating the double murder of a well-known lawyer and his wife. Meanwhile,
the heart surgeon's family is also stirring up matters for Hitch. Of course, all this grisly business occurs during a bitter
winter cold enough to prompt a TV reporter to say: "I guess Mother Nature must have a new winter coat that she's been dying
to try out, huh?" I loved Hearse...! All our favorite characters return for this second Hitchcock outing. Hitch's
sexy ex-wife spreads her jovial sentiment peppered with double entendres every time she appears. Hitch loves playing one of
the Hardy boys and Bonnie Nash is as feisty as ever. I was surprised by the ending; Tim Cockey didn't disappoint me.
L, V
Hearse You Came In On by Tim Cockey
Hitchcock Sewell, who knows that his name is
a mouthful, is an undertaker. One day, a beautiful woman visits the funeral home. Her beauty was enough for Hitch to pay attention,
but her dress, a rather short white tennis dress, also caught his eye. This woman introduces herself as Carolyn James and
then inquires about making funeral arrangements, for herself. Within a couple of days, Carolyn James reappears at the funeral
home, as a corpse. Hitch had never met this Carolyn resting on his table. Meanwhile, Hitchs sex-starved ex-wife Julia has
a new boyfriend, Peter Morgan. He is a millionaire playboy. His twin sister Amanda is married to the police commissioner,
Alan Stuart. Alan is running for governor of Maryland, but he has a big problem. His wife Amanda stars in a homemade pornographic
video and somebody is blackmailing Alan with this video. Additionally, an undercover cop is killed while investigating a toxic
waste spill. How do all these events connect? Will Hitchcock ever make sense of this mess? Tim Cockey has created
fun characters in this debut novel. Julia the nymphomaniac is quite funny. Hitch has a dry sense of humor. Other characters
interact well with each other. HEARSE...is well written and funny. Cockey weaves a twisted tale, but he resolves all the plots
to my satisfaction. L,S
Hot Six by Janet Evanovich
Stephanie Plum, the intrepid bounty
hunter wih the Bermuda Triangle purse, is at it again. All the usual subjects are creating havoc in her life. Morelli and
Ranger are after her body, Grandma Mazur moves in with Stephanie, and Stephanie still has bad luck with cars. A member of
a gun dealing crime family has been murdered and Ranger is the prime suspect. But he has disappeared. Meanwhile, Morelli is
investigating this murder and Stephanie is dealing with a homicidal skip. This skip even sets Stephanies shirt on fire. Another
skip has a heart attack and dies as Stephanie tries to talk to him. Stephanie is not having a good time. Additionally, two
idiotic and mostly inept goons are following her around town in hopes of finding Rancher. Stephanie's life is more chaotic
than a three ring circus. Her love life also has its ups and downs, in more ways than one. By the way, Grandma Mazur snores
quite loudly. Hot Six, the latest Stephanie Plum laugh-fest had me giggling on the first page. Janet
Evanovich has a unique talent for hitting the reader with surprising zingers, for example "Dominatrix Barbie." Also, Grandma
Mazur is even more of a hoot than usual. Yes, I loved Hot Six! L,S
House of Seven Mabels by Jill Churchill
Her children are growing up, her household chores have lightened and Jane is growing restless. Then her neighbor Shelley
invites Jane to participate in decorating a rundown mansion. This mansion is an eyesore and a nightmarish renovation project.
But the new owner, Bitsy Burnside isn't daunted by this restoration challenge. Jane and Shelley quickly discover that
their contract is poorly written, some of the architectural drawings are miss-measured and Bitsy's work crew consists mostly
of women. There are also odd things happening around the work site and Bitsy's ex-husband appears to be vindictive. Then the
body of the recently fired contractor is found in the basement. Suspects abound for the killing and Jane and Shelley become
their usual busybodies in solving this crime. House . . . is a fine continuation of the Jane Jeffrey
series. It is just amazing how Jane and Shelley always manage to get involved in murder. They help Mel, the detective, solve
the case. Also, Jane's relationship with Mel carries on but neither is willing to commit to a permanent arrangement yet. I've
enjoyed all of Churchill's books and look forward to the next title.
In the Still of the Night by Jill Churchill
"For the idle rich, the Great Depression is
no reason to call off the merriment, mischief...or murder" The crash of 1929 was not kind to Lily Brewster and
her brother Robert. Their Dad had squandered the family fortune and then jumped out his fifth floor office window. After the
estate was settled, Lily and Robert moved into a small apartment and found jobs to support themselves. A couple of years later,
great-uncle Horatio died and left them Grace and Favor Cottage. This huge mansion along the Hudson River, just a short trip
from the metropolitan life of New York, and the accompanying estate are administered by Mr. Prinney. Lily and Robert have
to earn their keep and live in Grace and Favor for a few years before they may inherit Horatio's fortune. Well, how do two
formerly rich city dwellers earn money while living in a large mansion? Lily decides to invite a well-known author to their
home for the weekend. She also invites several acquaintances and friends, members of high society who retained their wealth,
to pay for the privilege of visiting with this author. As the guests arrive, it soon becomes evident that several guests have
had poor interactions in the past. Mrs. Ethridge with the husky voice apparently knew Julian West, the author, intimately
in their past. Cecil Hoornart wants to write a biography about Julian West. Formalities of polite society are soon set aside
when a corpse is discovered and Hoornart's manuscript goes missing. Who is the culprit? Robert and Lily aren't thrilled to
have a murderer in their home.
I thoroughly enjoyed In the Still of the Night. Jill Churchill's novel is as pleasant
as a genteel stroll through a park. She captures the feel of the Depression Era through her use of expressions, "goat's whiskers",
and her description of life in general. The town party at Grace and Favor also greatly adds to the period flavor. Keep writing
Jill Churchill. I can hardly wait for the next Grace and Favor novel.
Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich
Jersey winters are a far cry from any winter wonderland you might imagine. Instead, the end of February is
dismal, wet and cold. But it wasn’t the miserable weather alone that had Stephanie steaming. Ranger had asked her for
a simple favor involving Steph’s slime ball ex-husband, Dickie Orr. When it comes to
Dickie Orr, Stephanie’s temper flares up drastically. This temper, unfortunately, makes Steph’s visit to Orr’s
office a memorable event and public disturbance. Then Orr disappears from his home under suspicious circumstances and Stephanie
becomes the prime suspect. To further complicate matters, Stephanie is hounded by Joyce, a fellow bounty hunter who was involved
with Orr. But what type of shenanigans was Orr involved in? Stephanie’s life would be
fairly simple if these were the only complications she had to endure. But no, there is more. Grandma Mazur finds a new boyfriend,
Stephanie’s love life continues to be a three-ring circus, and somebody likes to dispose of enemies in a fiery way.
Once again, Janet Evanovich pleases her readers and adds to Steph’s adventures. L
Loot by Aaron Elkins
During WWII, the Nazis squirreled away as many stolen paintings as
they could. One truckload of paintings was stolen by the driver. These paintings disappeared until one of them surfaced fifty
years later at a Boston pawnshop. Ben Revere, a retired curator, authenticates the painting. A murder during a robbery attempt
at the pawnshop does not sway Ben from accepting the commission to locate the other missing paintings. As he follows the trail
of these art treasures, Ben has run-ins with a number of trouble makers including a Hungarian swindler and the Russian Mafia.
Who really hired Ben and what is that person's goal for the paintings? Is Ben being duped? I've enjoyed every
Aaron Elkins novel I have read so far. Loot is well written and presents a fun adventure in the art world. Aaron
Elkins creates believable characters and has fun twisting history for his novel.
Love for Sale by Jill Churchill
Election Day 1932 is just a few days away. If Roosevelt wins, will he be able to revive the economy?
The Great Depression still restrains the American economy. Jobs are scarce and businesses must, out of fiscal necessity,
accept any paying customers. With this in mind, Robert and Lily Brewster allow a strange group of men to rent several
rooms in the Grace and Favor Mansion in Voorburg-on-the-Hudson. The Brewster siblings inherited
this manor when their great-uncle Horatio died. There are a couple of clauses the siblings must fulfill before they
will receive the rest of their inheritance. One of the clauses is that the Brewsters must live in Grace and Favor and
earn a living with the mansion. Therefore, Robert and Lily have boarders, including the couple who are in charge of
the estate. When the new guests arrive on Friday night, they keep to themselves and insist on strict
privacy. The leader of the group calls himself James Smith but that likely isn't his real name. All is well until
Sunday morning when Smith's body is found in his bathtub. Smith was stabbed to death. Who killed him and why?
As the investigation progresses, the Brewsters and everybody else learn that Smith was actually Brother Mark Luke Goodheart,
a.k.a. Charles Pottinger, a flimflam artist pretending to be a radio preacher. His scam allowed him to live high-on-the-hog
while fleecing his innocent followers. Of course, now that Goodheart is dead who could benefit financially
from his death? Besides helping out with the frustrating murder investigation, Lily and Robert also substitute for a
missing teacher. And a woman in town receives a letter telling her that her husband may have died while working on Hoover
Dam. Jill Churchill brings the era of the Great Depression to life with historical factoids such
as Henry Ford laying off thousands of workers, Inauguration Day being in March and people boiling chicory as ersatz coffee.
All the Grace and Favor mysteries present a simpler, not necessarily more innocent, time. Many homes in Voorburg
aren't always locked and people still have worries including financial, ethical and moral difficulties. Churchill's novels are a pleasure to read. There is neither a boogeyman jumping out at readers nor a psychotic
killer pursuing his sadistic goals. Robert and Lily are typical siblings who tease each other and yet also clearly care
for each other. Love interests among the characters are slowly developing throughout the Grace and Favor books
and I look forward to future Grace and Favor titles.
McNally's Alibi by Vincent Lardo
Meeting his new client Claudia Lester, Archy decides that her face has seen cosmetic work but her body needs
no such labors. The lady is a flirt and tries to beguile Archy into accepting a dubious task. It is a simple job. Archy will
be a delivery boy and exchange a large amount of money for a questionable and inflammatory manuscript, the alleged complete
text of Truman Capote's Answered Prayers. Against his better judgement, Archy delivers the money and collects the
papers. Then he is knocked out and the manuscript is stolen. There also is a corpse in the motel room in which Archy made
the exchange and Archy is the prime suspect. So who has the manuscript, who is offering it for sale,
and who snuffed the stiff? Archy will eventually discover the answers, albeit, not without help. But first he has to deal
with Lieutenant O'Hara, who is quite the surprise. And Archy's girlfriend Garcia is being courted by a new hunk, Alejandro
Gomez y Zapata, who has plans to liberate Cuba. Archy's father is still ultraconservative, Archy's mom is genteel and Ursi
and Jamie, the McNallys' household helpers, provide Archy with juicy gossip. Palm Beach is the perfect setting for this baffling
mix of personalities. McNally's Alibi is a fine romp through a landscape of luxury, infamous manuscripts, ravishing
women and murder.
McNally's Chance by Vincent Lardo
Booze, drugs and randy college students are the yearly chaos called Ft. Lauderdale at spring break. It has been
that way for years, even thirty years ago when Sabrina Wright indulged herself. That indulgence resulted in a little bundle
of joy nine months later. Sabrina had a baby girl whom she gave up for adoption. Then Sabrina adopted her own daughter.
Well, since those days of early motherhood, Sabrina has become a renown author of "rags to riches Cinderella" type novels.
And Sabrina has let the proverbial cat out of the bag. She has told her daughter Gillian that she, Sabrina, is actually Gillian's
mother. So how does Archibald McNally, Archy to his friends, fit into the picture? Sabrina has hired Palm Beach's
favorite playboy to find her husband who himself was searching for Gillian who herself ran away to search for her natural
father. Sounds complicated? Yes, and it gets better but I won't reveal more. McNally's Chance isn't Lardo's
first McNally novel. He accepted the literary torch from Lawrence Sanders a few years ago and has accurately copied
Sanders' style for the McNally books. All of our favorite characters have returned for another stylish McNally
adventure filled with cheeky humor and sexual innuendoes. I relish the McNally books.
McNally's Folly by Vincent Lardo
In this latest McNally novel, Archy McNally again deals
with a cast of intriguing characters. For starters we have Serge Ouspenskaya who is at the epicenter of the latest craze to
hit Palm Beach. Serge peddles his talents as a seer and medium. He charges $500 per sance and doesnt lack customers. Desdemona
Darling, whose latest husband is Richard Holmes, is an ardent admirer and supporter of Serge. Desdemona used to be a movie
star in the Golden Age of movies. During that time she also made a smoker, ie. adult film, and somebody is blackmailing her
threatening to release this film. Desdemona wants Serge to either find the film or the blackmailer. Richard Holmes comes to
McNally and Son for the same purpose. He also considers Serge to be a flimflam artist. No case is ever simple when it comes
to discreet inquiries. Archy quickly learns that his girlfriends employer, Lady Cynthia Horowitz, plans to stage a production
of "Arsenic and Old Lace" with Desdemona as the star. This complicates the investigation since Serge also has stolen Lady
C's support. Wherever Archy turns, he finds strong support for Serge. Archy is roped into becoming the director of the play
but a cast party before the first day of rehearsal comes to a sudden halt when one of the actors dies. Meanwhile, the amorous
interests and advances of the other cast members to each other muddle Archys discreet inquiries. I have always enjoyed
the McNally novels. Lawrence Sanders is dead but Vincent Lardo carries on the work in the same style. Archy still dresses
flagrantly, "..I was wearing one of my favorite outfits. Fawn silk slacks, a plum-colored Sea Island cotton knit shirt, a
dark green linen sport coat and Cordovan loafers, sans socks", and has a roving eye. The risque humor is still evident as
is Archy's droll commentary. I will admit that I had part of the plot figured out early in the novel, yet I still liked McNally's
Folly.
Money for Nothing by Donald Westlake
The unexpected monthly $1000 checks started arriving seven years ago. At the time, Josh Redmont accepted this
surprising windfall without much qualms. Each check was issued by United States Agent and Josh figured that these payments
had something to do with his short military stint. Josh considered returning the payments but the return address was incomplete
and nobody ever answered the listed phone number. Time marched on, the months turned into years and the checks followed Josh
wherever he moved. Now Josh is happily married and has a young son named Jeremy. But Josh has never told his wife Eve about
his unusual additional income. Of course, as the trite saying goes, all good things must come to an end. "You are now active" are the innocent sounding words a stranger whispers to Josh and thereby shatters Josh's idyllic
life. This stranger, who claims to represent United States Agent, has a simple task for Josh. All Josh has to do is to make
his apartment available for foreign visitors while Eve and Jeremy are away on vacation during the week. Later, Josh will also
be storing some items for his odd guests. Unfortunately, Josh discovers the plot his guests have hatched and things look bad.
Then to muddy the waters more, another stranger accosts Josh with more disturbing news. I've never
read Donald Westlake before but I enjoyed his brisk style and storytelling. Money for Nothing was inventive and entertaining.
It included all the usual spy novel ingredients including gorilla-sized bad guys with foreign accidents, a femme fatale and
the duped innocent bystander. Who of us wouldn't enjoy extra money every month with no apparent strings attached? I'll be
reading more of Westlake's work.
Mulch Ado About Nothing by Jill Churchill
Most people love beautiful gardens and Jane and Shelley want to learn how to be better gardeners. They both signed up for
a summer gardening class. When Jane and Shelley arrive at Julie Jackson's home to deliver a bouquet of flowers which had been
delivered to Jane's home by mistake, they find a crime scene. Julie Jackson, the gardening class instructor, was attacked
in her home and the police have no immediate leads. Jane and Shelley talk with police detective Mel VanDyne, Jane's beau.
Mel and Jane have a minor tiff and Jane attempts to leave in a huff. Instead, she trips on the curb and brakes her foot.
When Jane and Shelley show up for the first class session, they are pleasantly surprised to learn that a guest instructor
has been found. Dr. Stewart Eastman, a pompous botanist, will teach the class. Jane is a menace to all animals and people
because she can't control her crutches. But this walking disaster doesn't impede Jane and Shelley in getting to know their
classmates. There is Ursula Appledorn, a quasi-flower child; Arnold Waring, a widower; Miss Martha Winstead, a librarian;
Charles Jones, an exacting and stern man and Stefan Eckert, a college student. Jane and Shelley, the resident busybodies,
quickly grasp that several skeletons are hiding in the closets of the instructor and fellow students. When Dr. Eastman's body
is found in his compost heap, Mel VanDyne still has no leads. But Jane and Shelley remember clues and scents which Mel doesn't
know about. Eventually, Jane even manages to control her crutches. Mulch Ado About Nothing is a pleasant addition
to the Jane Jeffry mysteries. The story lacked suspense but made for amusing reading. I have enjoyed every book in this series.
A Nasty Bit of Rough by David Feherty
When and where was golf invented? According to this funny novel, golf was invented by a monk, Brother Dick, who found himself
in need of a hobby. He invented this game of hitting small balls toward holes in the ground using different sticks. And now,
centuries later, two different golf clubs claim to be the birthplace of the game. These are Scrought's Wood, presided over
by Major General (Ret.) Richard Gussett, and the Tay Club, presided over by the McGregor Clan. Scrought's Wood
is a most difficult course with a most eccentric membership. However, the course at Tay has only three holes but it is a par
72! Every fifty years, the members of both clubs compete for golf's most prestigious price, the petrified middle finger of
the patron saint of Scotland, St. Andrew. Competition time has arrived again and the McGregors are heading to Scrought's Wood
to win back the Digit. From the randy dog, to the incompetent caddies, to the total goof-ball of a police officer, to
the colorful and eccentric geezers playing the game, A Nasty Bit of Rough is hilarious. David Feherty displays
his full comic talent in this book. However, not every reader may care for the novels adult language. L
Natural Suspect by William Bernhardt and friends
When you think of dysfunctional families, who comes to mind? How about the Hightowers?! Julia H. is the resident lush and
non-caring mother. Arthur, her husband, is blunt, gruff and a self-made millionaire. Neither has been very faithful to their
marriage vows. Morgan and Marilyn are their children, both leeching off the family fortune. Neither Morgan nor Marilyn has
ever worked for a living. Additionally, Morgan's wife Cecilia, with the unsatiable sexual appetite, only stirs the explosive
mix that is the Hightower family. Then a few weeks before Thanksgiving, Arthur trumpets that he will divorce Julia and cut
his children off from all financial support. Thanksgiving arrives without fanfare, without a feast and without Arthur.
A search for food discovers Arthur, stiff as a frozen turkey, in the basement freezer. So much for holiday harmony. Everybody
has a motive, avarice is quite compelling, but Julia immediately is tagged as the prime suspect. Now with the Hightower fortune
at her disposal, Julia could choose any prominent lawyer in town to defend her. Instead, she chooses an unknown lawyer, Devin
Gail McGee. Trent Ballard is the prosecutor and he is confident that Julia will be convicted. Of course, all the facts aren't
presented yet and the fates do enjoy a good joke. Natural Suspect is a terrific round-robin novel. William Bernhardt
starts this literary circus and each talented and well-known author friend adds to the emerging comic novel. Nobody is who
they at first appear to be. The proverbial skeletons in closets abound. Take the time to read this hilarious mystery. I especially
liked the fiendish, yet always polite, clown.
One For the Money by Janet Evanovich
Stephanie Plum is out of work. She was downsized from her job as a
lingerie buyer. Stephanie has pawned as many of her possessions as she can and the repo man is following her home. No car,
no job, what is Stephanie to do? Well, this sassy and brassy Trenton, NJ, girl goes to cousin Vinnie to get a job. Vinnie
is a sleazy and repugnant weasel whose sexual escapades are the talk of the town. Vinnie owns a bail-bond business and Stephanie
blackmails him into hiring her and giving her a recovery job worth $10,000. What skip is worth this sum? Joe Morelli, a vice
cop wanted for murder. Stephanie knows Morelli quite well. When Stephanie worked at a bakery as a teenager, she and Morelli
had an encounter behind the pastry case. Later, Stephanie attacked Morelli with her car. Apprehending Morelli and cashing
in on the finder's fee will be the highlight of Stephanies new career. However, she has few clues as to how to do her job.
But she gets help from her motley crew of co-workers. Stephanie Plum is on the case and life in Trenton, NJ, will never be
the same. One For the Money is a great debut for the Stephanie Plum series. I was chuckling by the second page.
Stephanie's adventures are hilarious. Grandma Mazur is a hoot. Just never lend your car to Stephanie. Also keep in mind that
Stephanie doesnt know how to shoot a gun. L,S
Second Wind by Dick Francis
What do the
following items have in common: horse racing, a hurricane, a mysterious island, two weather forecasters and a small airplane?
If your name is Dick Francis, these are the ingredients of your latest suspense novel. Kris Ironside and Perry Stuart
have been buddies for many years. Both decided to become television weather forecasters. Kris is the wild one, Perrry is the
more sensible one. Kris also loves to fly small airplanes and entices Perry with the opportunity to fly through the eye of
a hurricane. On route to the hurricane, Kris lands on a small island. The ownership of Trox Island is disputed and Kris doesnt
appear to find what he is looking for. Kris and Perry do reach the eye of the hurricane, but then Murphy's law plays havoc
with them. Dick Francis writes about what he knows. He's been a champion jockey, he flies small airplanes and he and
his wife have first hand experience with a hurricane. In addition, Francis peppers his writing with dry British wit and mannerisms.
His style is a little different for Americans to read, but his novels have universal appeal. I enjoyed this latest offering
by Dick Francis as much as his previous books.
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich
Stephanie is getting desperate. Her love life is in shambles, she is entertaining romantic thoughts about her electric
toothbrush, and her latest case involves finding cantankerous Eddie DeChooch. Stephanie says, "I'm not going after Eddie DeChooch.
He's old, and he kills people, and he's dating my grandmother." Speaking of grandma Mazur, she's even more outrageous and
outspoken in this newest Plum adventure. Stephanie's mom gets many opportunities to roll her eyes in exasperation and ask
"Why me?" Lula and Stephanie attempt to apprehend DeChooch at his home but the wily old coot escapes. The girls do discover
the rotting body of Loretta Ricci in DeChooch's shed. Oh man! When will Stephanie quit stumbling over corpses?
A missing heart and a mobster's funeral add to the confusion in Stephanie's life. Her triangle of love or lust with Morelli
and Ranger also complicates things. When Stephanie Plum is involved, everyday life in the Burg is never ordinary. By the way,
Stephanie often asks herself why she even bothers to lock her apartment since various people enter her home with impunity.
I can't say anything bad about Seven Up except that it was too short. Stephanie's escapades make a three-ring circus
look boring. I laughed and giggled, and then I laughed some more throughout the book. Seven Up is a terrific read.
L, S
Someone to Watch Over Me by Jill Churchill
How to make ends meet? You re-use materials and water down your tea or coffee. Lily and Robert Brewster have keenly felt
the Great Depression's grip on the country; it is July 1932. Grace and Favor Mansion is currently without any new tourists.
This leaves Lily and Robert to pursue other natters. "Waste not, want not!" is the motto of the land and Robert plans
to do his share of conserving resources. The old icehouse, sitting alone and forlorn some ways behind Grace and Favor, hasn't
been used in years. Robert hires a couple of local boys to help him tear down this eyesore and re-use the valuable wood. But
when he enters the abandoned building, Robert discovers a nearly mummified corpse! Meanwhile, Lily has become involved
with the Voorburg Ladies League. The Ladies earnestly desire to assist the less fortunate inhabitants of Voorburg-by-the-Hudson.
An enterprising and ambitious plan is developed but then placed on hold when a murder occurs. Two murders, one old and one
new, will keep the Brewster siblings busily sleuthing. Are the murders connected in some way? Jill Churchill always
draws her readers into her books. She skillfully distills details which create the atmosphere and flavor of the era and location;
be that upstate New York or Washington, D.C., or corsets and ladies of fine upbringing. The Grace and Favor novels
by Churchill are a delight to read.
Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith
It was a brief moment of terror and shock and as such, it was indelibly edged in Isabel’s memory. While
attending a concert at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, she made eye contact with a young man who plummeted past her to his death
from the balcony above. Was this an accident or was the man pushed? Isabel can’t put the death out of her mind and decides
to investigate. She learns this man’s identity, where he worked and who his flatmates were. Of
course, to begin with, you might like to know more about Isabel Dalhousie. She lives by herself, is an art connoisseur, and
is the editor of a journal about ethics and philosophy. Isabel has strong opinions about the value of various newspapers and
indulges in philosophical introspective commentaries. For example, Isabel claims that there was a "distinction between lying
and telling half-truths, but it was a very narrow one." Isabel also believes that she can positively meddle in her niece’s
life. And when it comes to gathering information about the victim, Isabel is devious and cunning without ever overstepping
her self-enforced boundaries of ethical behavior. Smith has created a likeable and unique
character in Isabel Dalhousie. Readers may find Isabel to be snobbish, frumpish, and somewhat self-serving, but she endears
herself to the readers. Her pining for lost love, her philosophical rambling, and her social commentaries all define Isabel.
The British terminology and dry humor add to the flavour of this book. Sunday Philosophy Club is not a page turner.
Rather, it is a restrained novel that lacks excitement but instead captures readers with its gently rolling plot.
Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich
Being in the wrong place at the wrong time is Stephanie’s specialty. Combine this hazardous trait with
the fact that Lula should never brandish a gun and you have the perfect setup for disaster. While discussing lunch choices
with Stephanie, Lula shows off her marksman skill, better known as non-existent skills, and demolishes a bicycle parked outside
a deli-mart. Of course, this wasn’t just anybody’s bike, but the getaway vehicle for the Red Devil who was robbing
the store. After a couple of minutes of confusion, chaos and pyrotechnics, the robber has fled and Stephanie’s car is
on fire. Stephanie did see the perp’s face but a search trough Trenton PD’s mugshots turnes up zilch. When
the fates provide an opportunity for Stephanie to identify the robber, she realizes just how deeply she is in the crapola
this time. The Red Devil is a prominent member of the Slayers, a rather violent gang. And the Slayers have hired a hitman
to solve the Stephanie problem. Where can Steph hide out without endangering her family? How about Ranger’s lair. He’s
already lend a new truck to Steph and the key-chain includes a key to what Stephanie hopes is Ranger’s lair. Just how
will Steph get out of this mess? Evanovich delivers another thrill-fest for all her ardent fans. Stephanie’s family
could provide fodder for family psychologists for years. And Stephanie’s love life is still as messed up as ever. Ten
Big Ones is great fun. L
To the Nines by Janet Evanovich
It's another glorious day in the glamorous life of bond enforcement for Stephanie Plum. Steph and Lula want to apprehend
Punky Balog but this little weasel has other plans. Punky parades his naked non-Chippendale body behind his apartment window
and taunts Steph and Lula to come and get him. And the fun begins. Back at the office, bail bondsman Vinnie, black sheep
of the Plum family tree, is agitated. He wrote a new type of bond, a visa bond, for Samuel Singh. Now Singh has disappeared
and the bond will expire in a few days. Stephanie and Ranger search for Singh and find few clues. Singh worked at TriBro,
a company that makes slot machine parts, but his bosses and co-workers know hardly anything about him. One of the owners of
TriBro has a shady past and after her visit to the company, Steph receives scary e-mails, curious flower deliveries and death
threats. Steph's apartment also is broken into but then that is nothing new. When Singh surfaces in Las Vegas, Stephanie,
Lula and Connie fly to sin city to apprehend Singh. Meanwhile, bedlam reigns at the Plum household which is bursting
with too many people: mom and dad Plum, grandma Mazur, pregnant and ready to pop Valerie with her two energetic girls, and
Albert Kloughn, Valerie's quasi-boyfriend. Steph's dad threatens to move out and Steph's mom will have a nervous breakdown
unless the crowded living arrangements change. How can Stephanie help? To the Nines is a slam-bam-thank-you-ma'am
Stephanie Plum adventure filled with all your favorite characters in all their quirkiness. The Ranger-Morelli-Stephanie love
triangle continues to befuddle, Grandma Bella has visions of disasters befalling Stephanie and a mysterious webmaster directs
a deadly game. Evanovich offers humor and naughtiness to her readers and delivers a rousing book in the process. And female
readers may just indulge their own fantasies when they find out what makes Stephanie feel like a "big contented cow."
L
Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich
Life with Lula never lacks entertainment or excitement. Of course, Stephanie might not always be interested
in Lula’s escapades. And this latest adventure has Lula dressing up in even more outrageous and ill-fitting costumes
than usual. But life and responsibilities also interfere with fun. Too many outstanding skips are creating a financial disaster
for Vinnie. But when Stephanie and Lula attempt to apprehend one of their skips, they almost become part of a gang war.
Meanwhile, an intense woman claiming to be Ranger’s wife is looking for Stephanie. Then a little
girl is kidnaped in Florida and Ranger becomes the prime suspect. This little girl actually is Ranger’s daughter but
very few people know about her. But why would Ranger abduct his own daughter? It doesn’t make any sense. The proverbial
plot thickens when Stephanie discovers that an identity thief is posing as Ranger. Life is
never simple when Stephanie is involved. From her love triangle with Ranger and Morelli to her favorite game of being bait
for the deranged bad guys, Stephanie’s days fill themselves with humor, sexual tension, episodes of dysfunctional family
life, scariness and downright chaos. Grandma Mazur and others just add to the deliriously frantic pace of Stephanie’s
life. Twelve Sharp continues Evanovich’s successful series and fans will not be disappointed. L, S
We'll Meet Again by Mary Higgins Clark
Fran Simmons is an investigative reporter who has decided to do a
follow up story on a local murder. Molly Lasch just spent five and a half years in prison for killing her husband. However,
Molly still swears that she is innocent. She wants to find the real killer. Molly even talks to her husband's mistress. Shortly
after their visit, the mistress is found stabbed to death and Molly is implicated in this murder. Dr. Lasch was the
chief executive officer of the local HMO at the time of his death. One of his partners, Dr. Peter Black, still practices at
the Greenwich hospital. But several patients have died mysteriously and Dr. Black seems to be involved. There are additional
skeletons hiding in the closets of some of Greenwichs residents. Mary Higgins Clark has a unique way of bringing together
her stories. She gives the reader multiple plots and then combines all the strands of action successfully. I hadn't read a
M.H. Clark novel in a couple of years but it was pleasant to return to her books.
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