BREAK NECK by Erika Spindler (St. Martin's)

Erica Spindler has again teamed homicide detectives, MC Riggio with Kitt Lundgren. In Copycat ,Copycat, Kitt was just trying to get back to work after suffering the loss of a child to Leukemia, the break-up of her marriage, and a bout with the bottle. If that weren't enough, a big case,’The Sleeping Angel’ case had eluded resolution. In that book MC wasn’t sure if she and Kitt could function as an effective team; however, they did and they solved the case and have now bonded to make one of Sal Minelli’s best homicide teams.

In this story, a young computer geek is murdered. There is evidence that the barrel of a gun was forced to the forehead of the victim--as if forcing him to reveal some information. And it looks as if after he gave up the information his neck was broken. The only item missing from his apartment is his computer! In quick order, MC’s fiancé, Dan, is murdered and so is her cousin, Tommy. Since Dan was killed while sitting in Tommy’s car, it is possible that he is collateral damage and the killer thought he was killing Tommy. Yet there are several more weird things, MC is getting nasty notes that question if she really knew much about Dan and Tommy’s computer is also missing! Spindler will keep you on the edge of your seat as we find the clues that will lead to the killer or killers.

--Steve Bank

DEATH LOVES A MESSY DESK by Mary Jane Maffini (Berkley)

Professional organizer Charlotte Adams keeps to a meticulously well-planned schedule, but occasionally even she encounters challenging days. When a new customer asks her to help with an employee's messy desk, Charlotte foresees no problem; but, when she's run off the road on the way to the job site and the sloppy employee is missing, she soon realizes she may have bitten off more than she can chew. Normally, Charlotte's friends provide support to one another when they're having one of those days, but one is hugely pregnant, one cuts her phone calls short, another has three kids, and still another is mysteriously tied up with a volunteer project.

Maffini defines her characters beautifully—I never once had trouble identifying any of them—and her pacing is superb. Messy Desk is a quick, fun read. Enjoy.

FLIPPING OUT by Marshall Karp (St. Martin's Minotaur)

DEBRIEFING (noun). A day of "hanging out" for LA detectives. "Naval debriefing" is, naturally, held on Reggie Drabyak's fishing boat. This particular debriefing session started out much like others—with sandwiches, beer, and poker. The next day's official briefing at the station, however, is much different: One of the detective's wife has been murdered. When another spouse is killed, it's not apparent whether someone is targeting cops' wives or the highly successful house-flipping business the wives operate with funding from one of their mothers (a highly successful mystery writer).

Throw in a nasty coyote business and a father who provides comic relief and you're in for a fast-paced mystery that's fun to follow. I read this between dinner and bedtime and was sorry when it ended. Add Marshall Karp to my must-read list!

Agatha Short Story Nominees

Thanks to Toni L. P. Kelner who posted the links to the short stories nominated for the Agatha Awards given at the Malice Domestic Conference! Read 'em fast, because once the conference is over, they'll be taken down from the website.

"The Night Things Changed" by Dana Cameron, Wolfsbane & Mistletoe (Penguin Group)

"Killing Time" by Jane Cleland, Alfred Hitchock Mystery Magazine - November 2008

"Dangerous Crossing" by Carla Coupe, Chesapeake Crimes 3 (Wildside Press)

"Skull and Cross-Examinations" by Toni L.P. Kelner, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine - February 2008

"A Nice Old Guy" by Nancy Pickard, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine - August 2008

Free Book Stimulation Plan

Wanda Jewell has a problem. After serving nearly 20 years as Executive Director of the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) she is overrun with books. All kind of books; finished copies and galleys, advance reading copies, advance reader editions, paperback and hardbound, slip-covered and not, limited editions, signed and unsigned, personalized and not. Books here, books there, books, books, everywhere…and each publishing season brings more. It was while she was contemplating the management of her extensive personal library, (with the television news on in the background) that Wanda had her “Aha!” moment: How to weed her collection and support her southern indie bookstores at the same time? In a flash of Obama-induced inspiration, Wanda created her own Free Book Stimulus Plan.

Buying a book at your local indie bookstore doesn’t just stimulate your reading, it stimulates your local economy. Shopping local is an investment in your own neighborhood and good karma all around. And because you can get a free book!

Hoping to stimulate sales at indie bookstores, Wanda is dismantling her personal library and offering it to shoppers one free book at a time. Beginning April 2nd, readers who purchase a book at a SIBA-member indie store and send her a copy of the receipt will receive book from her collection completely free of charge. Visit FreeBookStimulusPlan.com for details and a list of participating bookstores. Print out the request form on the site and mail it in with a copy of your store receipt (the receipt must include the name of the store). That is all you have to do to get a free book from Wanda’s personal library.

This offer is open only to consumers living in the contiguous United States. Completed form with receipt must be mailed to Free Book, 3806 Yale Ave., Columbia, SC 29205 and only while supplies last. Consider this a challenge to deplete Wanda’s library – she doubts it can be done!

Here is all that Wanda asks in return. Visit FreeBookStimulusPlan.com; Pass it on. Post to blog. Pay it forward. Print to press. Play the 411. Shout it out. Share the news. Spread the word. Soapbox it up. Tweet & Retweet. Facebook & Myspace. Get the word out. Free Book for Shopping Southern Indie Bookstores! Increase your karmic footprint!

A MATTER OF JUSTICE by Charles Todd (William Morrow)

It was a real pleasure to hear Caroline and Charles Todd talk about their latest collaboration last month when they visited McIntyre's Fine Books and Bookends at Fearrington Village.

"Be sure your sin will find you out." Two soldiers in 1900 Africa would have done well to heed Moses' dire prophecy. When payback comes twenty years later, it is up to Inspector Ian Rutledge to make sense of the bizarre murder of a London businessman. Suspects and motives abound in the case, from the usual to the village police inspector. Rutledge must, as always, discover the truth while dealing with his own demons—both from the Scottish sergeant who lingers in his mind after the Great War and his current superior, Chief Superintendent Bowles.

I've been a Charles Todd fan since I read Legacy of the Dead. A Matter of Justice is one of the best in this outstanding series.

A NIGHT AT THE OPERATION by Jeffrey Cohen (Berkley)

It's a good thing Elliot Freed owns and operates an all comedy movie theater because his personal life is full of stress and danger. In this third outing, Elliott's former wife (and current love interest) is missing, she's accused of murdering a patient, his theater is flooding (with complications), and one-third of his employees (okay, there are only three anyway!) is threatening to quit. As Elliott tries to solve these problems in order of priority—locating Sharon is first on the list, more challenges erupt to keep him busy and the reader involved.

Cohen's characters are well drawn and compelling and his humor seems effortless. I enjoy this series—and recommend it whenever possible.

Lambda Finalists

Thanks to Neil Plakcy for posting this on the Dorothy-L list-serv here's a list of the finalists for the Lambda Awards in mystery:

GAY MYSTERY
The Fisher Boy, Stephen Anable, Poisoned Pen Press
Sundowner Ubuntu, Anthony Bidulka, Insomniac Press
Mahu Fire, Neil Plakcy, Alyson Books
First You Fall, Scott Sherman, Alyson Books
Spider Season, John Morgan Wilson, St. Martin's Press

LESBIAN MYSTERY
Blind Faith, Diane and Jacob Anderson-Minshall, Bold Strokes Books
Whacked, Josie Gordon, Bella Books
Sweet Poison, Ellen Hart, St. Martin's Press
Losers Weepers, Jessica Thomas, Bella Books
Calling the Dead, Ali Vali, Bold Strokes Books

Congratulations to all!

THE BODIES LEFT BEHIND by Jeffrey Deaver (Simon & Schuster)

It started with a 911 call that had only one word, “this,” before being cut off. Still, Sheriff Tom Dahl thought it important enough to send a deputy to the location of the call— an isolated cabin near Lake Mondac, one of Kenosha county’s numerous lakes. Dahl decides to sends his best, Deputy Brynn McKensie.

And so starts Jeffrey Deaver’s latest thriller. Brynn finds two bodies and just evades becoming the third victim. As Brynn escapes, she notices that someone has shot out several of tires on the killer’s car. Brynn realizes there must be someone else hiding out in the woods. She locates the third person, a woman named Michelle, a guest of the homeowners. Now it becomes a race against time for the two women to escape and get help before the two killers eliminate the last witnesses.

Deaver is at his best at keeping you at the edge of your seat, always providing enough twists and surprises to make sure you are paying attention.

—Steve Bank

NEMESIS, THE FINAL CASE OF ELIOT NESS by William Bernhardt (Ballantine Books)

Steve Bank at the Cary (NC) Library has recently caught "review fever," so I asked him to share some of his favorites.

Al Capone is in jail. It is 1935 and Eliot Ness is still fighting illegal bootlegging, even though Prohibition has ended. Anxious to leave Chicago and fight crime in a new venue, he accepts when the mayor of Cleveland offers Ness the position of safety. He soon finds himself fighting several battles simultaneously: The Cleveland Police force is corrupt, illegal booze is still flowing and there are many young men out of work and looking for trouble.

Ness doesn’t realize he will soon be enmeshed in one of the nation’s most horrific crimes—a serial killer is loose in Cleveland. He wants nothing to do with the investigation, figuring this is for homicide detectives, but the public knows the great Eliot Ness is in Cleveland and they demand that he engage himself in the hunt for the killer. The mayor and the chief of police beg Ness to get involved . He accepts and is teamed with the best homicide detective in the city, Peter Merylo.

There are no clues, no leads, but dismembered bodies keep showing up in the poorest parts of Cleveland. The only clue is that the bodies seem to have been dissected with the skill of a surgeon or at least someone with a good medical background. Identifying the bodies is difficult because different body parts are found in different locations!
Although this is a spine-tingling novel,it is based on actual events that occurred in Cleveland in the mid-thirties. Bernhardt has done extensive research in order to tell the story as historical fiction. For those who enjoy the gruesome pursuit of some of our most heinous criminals, Nemesis will keep you enthralled.

—Steve Bank

Many Bloody Returns, edited by Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner (Ace Trade)

Malaika King Albrecht often brings her daughters with her to our writing group. One day she mentioned that Amani, the older, loved the Twilight series. I suggested that she might enjoy this new short story anthology. I was right! Here's what Amani said about Many Bloody Returns.


Each of the 13 stories in this anthology contains some sort of supernatural element and a birthday theme. I found myself wanting to look up the authors after each story. I liked the uncertainty of what I would read next, although once I got into a story, I didn’t want it to end. The theme that tied these stories together was a novel idea because vampires and birthdays are not normally associated with each other. Though this was a fun read, I wouldn’t recommend it for readers under thirteen years old. Amani Albrecht 6th grade

The stories and authors were:

"Dracula Night" by Charlaine Harris
"The Mournful Cry of Owls" by Christopher Golden
"I Was a Teenage Vampire" by Bill Crider
"Twilight" by Kelley Armstrong
"It's My Birthday, Too" by Jim Butcher
"Grave-Robbed" by P.N. Elrod
"The First Day of the Rest of Your Life" by Rachel Caine
"The Witch and the Wicked" by Jeanne C. Stein
"Blood Wrapped" by Tanya Huff
"The Wish" by Carolyn Haines
"Fire and Ice and Linguini for Two" by Tate Hallaway
"Vampire Hours" by Elaine Viets
"How Stella Got her Grave Back" by Toni L.P. Kelner

DEATH OF A WITCH by M. C. Beaton (Grand Central Publishing)

This is the 24th Hamish Macbeth mystery so by this time, we know quite a bit about Hamish. In some of the earlier Macbeth mysteries, the problems and Hamish’s actions in solving them are somewhat predictable. I’m happy to note that this mystery is much more complex and therefore much more interesting.

While the usual sub-plots abound, they are all cleverly related to the main mystery. As in most Hamish Macbeth novels, we know who will be the major victim—simply by the title. In this one, we also follow the challenges to Hamish’s love life that are caused both by the assorted women involved and by Hamish himself.

Those of us who know Lochdubh will be happy to see that things are alive (at least some of the characters are) and well and Beaton’s description of life in the small Scottish village in the midst of winter takes us there with all the feelings of cold and isolation.

Since the “witch” in the novel has made enemies of almost everyone in Lochdubh, the number of suspects is many. Despite the challenges placed on Hamish by his immediate supervisor, in the end, Hamish succeeds.

For those who enjoy a light-hearted mystery, this is one of M.C. Beaton’s best.

—Stephen Hennessey

A DEADLY SILVER SEA by Bob Morris (St. Martin's Minotaur)

My friend Stephen Hennessey has agreed to help review some books for Meritorious Mysteries. He's a former teacher and avid mystery reader. Welcome aboard, Stephen!

This was an excellent mystery. It was entirely different from the earlier ones in that the reader knew right from the start who were some of the criminals—but not all of them. It involved the high-jacking of an ultra-luxury small cruise ship. Not until well into the novel did we know the primary reason for the high-jacking.

The character of Zachary Chastayn was complex and very interesting. Characters and readers alike were kept in a state of high tension as we awaited the birth of Zach and Barbara’s baby on the ill-fated liner. Those of us who love to cruise will have anxious thoughts if we see crew members behaving strangely as they did on this ship. It all leads to an excellent conclusion. The plot was complex but not too complex for the reader to follow it with ease.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and look forward to reading more in this series.

OOLONG DEAD by Laura Childs (Berkley)

My friend Jane Dewitt looks for the Mystery Indigo Tea Shop every time she visits Charleston, South Carolina. Who better could I ask to tell you about one of her favorite series.

Theodosia Browning is asked to host a lavish tea for the Charleston Opera. During a race at the high society hunt club weekend in Charleston, the body of lovely Abby Davis (Theodosia’s arch enemy and the sister of her old flame Jory) is discovered. The following investigation takes Theodosia from the bubbling teapots in her shop to the opera house, to an elegant formal tea in an historic mansion to the low country thicket, and a darkened theatre. The ending was tied up quite nicely!

Like the previous nine in the series, this is a quick, entertaining read. It is delightful to meet again the charming characters from previous books: Dayton, Haley, Delaine, Det Burt Tidwell and of course Earl Grey. The Tea Shop is as quaint as ever, however as business it just won’t work. Somehow you don’t care as it is such beautiful little tea shop. The adventures in the low country thicket and the darkened theatre are improbable, exciting and fun.

Tea Shop mystery lovers will enjoy this one—along with the recipes and tea time tips.

Killer Jobs

Everybody thinks their job is a killer. The folks we talked about at the Cary Library recently have found their jobs really do lead them to killers. Check the handout list to see if you've read any (or all) of these authors.

Armed (or Not) and Dangerous

We had a good group of mystery readers at the Cary Library on Thursday. We discussed a lot of authors who were either new to me or who had a new series I thought folks might like. Basically, it's divided into hard boiled and traditional. I've uploaded the handouts.

Coming soon…

It must be my week for famous friends! I got a cool announcement about Rosemary Harris' new book, The Big Dirt Nap. Rosemary will be in North Carolina in May and June. Joining her will be Jane Cleland and Cathy Pickens. We'll be at several venues in the Research Triangle area. I'll post a schedule closer to the date.

Susan McBride is in the news

Once I've worked with an author, read the books, and hosted her in my home, she becomes one of my "mystery children." Today, Susan sent me the exciting news that she'd made the cover of "St. Louis Woman" magazine. Naturally, I was delighted for her. Susan's only drawback is that she still holds a grudge against Roy Williams for leaving the Kansas Jayhawks for my beloved Tarheels (where he belongs!); however, I don't hold that against her.

"Queen of Suspense" Jordan Dane

It's always fun to get notices from publicity directors at my favorite publishing houses. This week I received an email from Danielle Bartlett at Harper Collins announcing an exciting on-lineprogram with Jordan Dane. Jordan will talk about her new book Evil without a Face on "Authors on Air Romance Radio Show" on Thursday, February 26, at 2:00 EST.

To listen to the show, click here.

To browse the book, click here.

To call in to the show 347.826.9686

NEVER TELL A LIE - a reader's comment

In my mission to connect friends, relatives, and total strangers with great crime fiction, I don't just review books, I loan them, give them, and force people to buy them. When Pam Thorpe of The Rusty Bucket in Apex mentioned that she had just borrowed a book from the library but realized soon after she started it that she'd already read it, I dashed to my car to see if I had a stash that she might like. I did.

I gave her several titles, explaining a little bit about each author and the book itself. The one she began first was NEVER TELL A LIE by Hallie Ephron. The next evening, I got an email titled "You didn't tell a lie" from Pam that read, "Molly - you were right when you said 'Never Tell a Lie" was a good book. OMG—I finished it in less than 24 hours!!! I have NEVER finished a book that quick. What a good read—thank you so much for recommending it. I started it last night and finally put it down to go to sleep when Mack insisted that I was going to be tired today. I tried to read it between customers some at the store today and— blast them! those customers kept coming in and messing me up!! :)

"I got home tonight and finished it off. Loved it!

"Thanks again for the recommendation. It's going to be a hard act to follow."

Now, do you wonder why I love my job?

MURDER IN FOUR PARTS by Bill Crider (Minotaur)

I wrote this review as a draft on December 19, 2008, thinking that when I changed its status to "post," it would automatically move it to today's date. Wrong.

Anyway, this series is one of my favorites, and this new entry is great. Take a look. I'm sure you'll agree. 

LIVING THE VIDA LOLA by Misa Ramirez (Minotaur)

Move over, Stephanie Plum, there's a new kid on the block! Sacramento PI Lola Cruz who wanted to be an investigator since she was 14 is saucy, sassy, and competent. Unlike typical PIs though, she shares an apartment above her parents' home with her brother. Naturally, everyone in the family is involved in her life and none of them believes Lola should be a detective. Even though Lola refuses to carry a gun, she is a master (mistress) of martial arts, so she feels well able to look after herself. 

When her boss assigns her a missing person case, Lola is thrilled, and she tackles the case with enthusiasm. The case is complicated, nearly as much so as Lola's personal life. As Lola makes progress, she finds that someone is willing to harm her and her family to keep her off the case. 

Lola, her family, some of her co-workers, and her incredibly hunky high school crush are definitely folks I want to spend more time with. So will you.

THE WITCH'S GRAVE by Shirley Damsgaard (Avon)

If you think a small town librarian's life is dull, routine, and boring, you're wrong! Ophelia is a good, but reluctant, witch. Her septuagenarian mother, Abby, and her daughter, Tink, have Opelia sandwiched between them with their psychic capers making it impossible  for Ophelia to ignore her own talents. 

Ophelia is ready for romance with author Stephen Larsen, but he is shot on their first not-date. The sheriff wants her to butt out, but a second shooting leaves her no choice but to meddle. When she becomes a target herself, Ophelia begins to trust herself and her gifts. 

I like Ophelia and her family and would enjoy knowing more about their psychic abilities and the way they use them. Though this is my first book by Damsgaard, I will read more of them--especially if they have "witch" in the title. I do like witches!

Diane Esterly

PRIME TIME by Hank Phillippi Ryan (Harlequin Next)

It should come as no surprise that the winner of numerous journalism awards knows how to tell a story! Charlotte "Charlie" McNully is worrying that her age is endangering her career as an on-screen TV reorter. She and her producer are out to find a great story for sweeps week. Little do they realize that a series of email spam will send them both on a life-threatening journey.

This delightful book is populated with well-drawn characters who provoke strong feelings--both good and bad--from the reader. Here's hoping this will be a  l-0-n-g series!

Crime Beat Program

Another second Thursday, another program at the Cary, NC Library. This time our focus was on sleuths who are journalists. For a look at the authors we talked about, download the Crime Beat handout.

THE CASE OF THE DECEIVING DON by Carl Brookins (Five Star)

He's ba-ack! Twin Cities detective Sean Sean doesn't have to look for cases. Sometimes they almost literally drop in his lap. Case in point: A senior citizen from the nearby assisted living facility is wheeling about in his motorized wheelchair when he's blown up! Sean feels an obligation to look into his neighbor's death. When he realizes the deceased was actually a mafia don, it's too late to back out of the investigation. Suddenly Sean is having to look over his shoulder as well as into a case. 

Sean Sean has moved into my top ten of fictional detectives.

LEFTOVER DEAD by Jimmie Ruth Evans (Berkley)

Things should be settling down for Texas waitress Wanda Nell Culpepper. Her older daughter and grandson have moved out of Wanda's trailer and her new husband Jack has moved in. When Jack, who writes true crime books when he's not teaching, comes home from a morning run, he's bristling with excitement: The school custodian has just told him about a 30-year old murder that was hushed up by town officials. The newlyweds feel obligated to put a name to the unidentified dead girl. Their research, quite naturally, uncovers secrets that some folks wantto remain hidden.

The "Trailer Park" series is a welcome addition to the Southern traditional mystery genre.

News from Steve Brewer

I got an email from mystery author Steve Brewer about his weekly humor column. It's moved to aNewsCafe, an online magazine. If you've enjoyed his wild and wacky mystery novels, you'll probably like hearing about his life as a Mr. Mom.

DEAD MAN DANCING by Marcia Talley (Severn House)

Reading DEAD MAN DANCING on New Year's Eve was even better than dodging the happy revelers who used to bump into us when we went out on the busiest dance night of the year. Hannah's sister is getting married soon and wants to have a band at the wedding. In order to get a group rate for classes, she ropes in family members to join the lessons. 

Ruth's fiance competed in ballroom while in college, so the couple is quickly singled out to compete for a slot in the reality TV show "Shall We Dance?" Hannah relates their progress and problems (including a mugging and two murders) and gives a realistic view of dance classes (even though her characters learn extremely quickly!). As in all of Marcia's books, characters are well drawn and the dialogue crisp.

As Katherine Murray use to say, "Put a little fun in YOUR life: Try dancing."

DEATH OF A COZY WRITER by G. M. Malliet

I occasionally get emails with photos captioned something like, "If FDR married Marilyn Monroe, their kids would look like this:" Well, if Agatha Christie and P. G. Wodehouse wrote a book together, it would be something like this one. Malliet adheres to the traditional mystery framework endorsed by Christie and enriches it with high jinks worthy of Plum himself.

The setting is a house party in a Cambridgeshire mansion. Best-selling mystery writer Sir Adrian Beauclerek-Fisk has invited  his four not-so-successful adult children to his wedding to a widow with a dubious past. Naturally, the children are not pleased with the proposed alliance; neither is Sir Adrian's cook, Mrs. Romano. Murder is inevitable.

I was a bit skeptical when Donna Andrews almost forced me to buy this, but I'm oh, so happy she did. Save this for a Sunday afternoon in front of the fireplace—with a cup of tea by your side.

Authors YOU Should Know

We had a good time at the Cary Library last week when we talked about some of the authors I think everybody should be reading. It was fun not having any particular topic but just telling folks about some of the folks I've enjoyed reading—recently and over the years. If you'd like to compare likes, try downloading the handout. 

MURDER IN FOUR PARTS by Bill Crider (Minotaur)

Sheriff Dan Rhodes figures there's something fishy about an invitation to join a barbershop chorus. After all, he's not much of a shower singer. Before he can figure out the motive behind his invitation though, he's out on a call to catch the alligator in a drainage ditch. And the alligator leads to chickens…

Yep, it's pretty much business as normal in Blacklin County, Texas, and Rhodes has just about all he can handle even before a murder in the barbershop group. Once again, Dan manages to keep his wits about him despite continual heckling from his staff and misdirection from those he's sworn to protect and serve. 

I'll take a trip to this part of Texas any time!

NEVER TELL A LIE by Hallie Ephron (William Morrow)

Ivy Rose is in definite "nesting" mode. Eight months pregnant, she's having a yard sale to clear out the junk that came alone with her Victorian house. One of the customers is a former high school classmate of Ivy's and her husband David. Melinda White, also pregnant, manipulates David into letting her look inside the house—where she used to play as a child. Although David returns to the yard sale, Melinda doesn't come out of the house. When a full-blown police investigation centers on David, Ivy realizes that she doesn't know him as well as she thought. 

Just as I thought I saw where this truly creepy thriller was headed, Ephron snatched the rails of the roller coaster and twisted them into a whole new ride. Fortunately, I started this book early in an afternoon and was able to finish it before burning the midnight oil. I suggest you do the same. Don't miss Ephron's debut solo novel. It's on sale January 6, 2009.

A DOG AMONG DIPLOMATS by J. F. Englert (Dell)

Crime novels often require that the reader suspends disbelief for one reason or another. For instance, private investigators simply don't work on open murder investigations. Amateur sleuths rarely discover bodies. Animals don't talk.

Manhattan native Labrador Retriever Randolph doesn't talk. He communicates with his owner via Alpha-Bits cereal. He also reads and writes books, and he surfs the Web for clues to crime. In his second appearance, Randolph goes undercover at the U.N. as a therapy dog for a depressed diplomat. 

Beth says, "My dog is just as smart as Randolph, and I suspect that the cats alter the shopping lists. This is a fun read. I'm looking forward to another mystery with Randolph." 

GOODY GOODY GUNSHOTS by Sammi Carter (Berkley)

The fourth "candy shop mystery" set in the Colorado Rockies won't make you gain weight unless you indulge in the recipes at the end. In this outing, Divinity candy shop owner Abby Shaw witnesses a a man being gunned down, but there's no proof. Could a body that turns up days later possibly be related? Abby's got plenty to do running her store, training a new employee, and working with her nephew's basketball team, but she's always got time to ply her sleuthing skills. Interesting, well-drawn characters propel this well-paced story to the perfect ending.

--Beth Carroll

A New Reviewer is Heard…

We've all heard the phrase "so many books, so little time" often. I thought I'd have more time to read when I retired (I used to read about 250 mysteries a year), but I find I spend a lot of time now writing about books, talking about books, and getting ready to talk about books. Of course, I also spend considerable hours looking for books and other things I've misplaced. Recognizing my inability to keep up with all the reading I should do, I've begun asking friends to help out occasionally by sharing their thoughts.

Beth Carroll absolutely loves cozy mysteries. I've been loaning bags of them to her for years. She keeps a note in the bag explaining that "these books belong to Molly Weston" in case something happens and she doesn't get to return them. We laugh about that. Now, I've begun targeting new cozies that I think she'll like and she's agreed to let you know about them.

Welcome, Beth!

Harris & Kelner Updates

I just saw some great news on Publishers Lunch about two of my long-time mystery buddies:

"Charlaine Harris and Toni Kelner's Death's Excellent Vacation, an anthology crossing genres from the sci-fi/fantasy, mystery and paranormal genres, with each story revolving around death and a holiday, in the similar spirit of their earlier anthologies Many Bloody Returns (vampires and birthdays) and Wolfsbane & Mistletoe (werewolves and Christmas)…for publication in Spring 2010…"

and

"NYT bestselling author Charlaine Harris's Harper Connelly #4… for publication in Fall 2009."

It looks like the good times will keep rolling! Congratulations, gals!

SIBA Photos

I wasn't clever enough to get more photos placed where I wanted them in my SIBA report, so I'm sticking in a couple here.

On the left is Julia Spencer-Fleming; to the right is Charlaine Harris.

SIBA - Mobile, Alabama

I just got back from the Southeastern Independent Booksellers' Association (SIBA) meeting and trade show in Mobile, Alabama. It was a great show, as always, and I got to renew acquaintances with old friends and to meet a lot of new people.

On Friday, I gave a presentation to booksellers on marketing mysteries using lists from the library programs I've been doing over the years. We worked on ways to combine mysteries with mainstream titles and on planning tie-in events with outside agencies and businesses. 

After the marketing session, I moderated a thriller panel with four great authors, all of whom were new to me. What fun I had reading their books in preparation for the panel. It seems no matter how many books you read, you always miss somebody, and I had missed some good ones! The panelists were F. Paul Wilson, Erica Spindler, Kirk Curnutt, and Darden North. We had a good time, the authors related some great stories, and the folks in attendance asked insightful questions after the author presentations.

Wilson talked about his first book for young adults, Jack: Secret Histories. Repairman Jack adult fans will also grab this book because it tells the story of Jack as a teenager. He inscribed my copy, "Where it all begins."

Spindler's upcoming book, Breakneck, won't hit stores until January, but I can assure you it's a roller coaster ride from beginning to end! It's a totally current thriller dealing with computer hackers, identity theft, and ripping off the wrong person.

Breathing Out the Ghost, as you might expect from a college teacher was our literary thriller for the day. Curnutt explores the effects of  a missing child, not only upon his father, but the private detective hired to find the child. Not stopping there, he brings in other people who have suffered the same loss and parallels their stories.

Darden North, MD, writes what he knows: He's a practicing OB-GYN in Mississippi, and his third medical thriller, Fresh Frozen, explores new practices in fertility treatments. Because it's fiction, he takes the scenario a step further to include murder. 

We were all glad to see Julia Spencer-Fleming in the audience for our panel. She added some great marketing ideas for the booksellers.

I enjoyed seeing former mystery author, Susan McBride. Susan is now writing great books for the young adult market. Although she's as busy as ever, she still looks totally elegant! Her publisher, Random House, and Lily Pulitzer are sponsoring a great contest in conjunction with The Debs, which is in stores now. Details are in the back of the book and on Susan's website.

At the trade show on Sunday, one of the first familiar faces I saw was Charlaine Harris, who was totally excited about seven--count 'em--seven of her Sookie Stackhouse titles being on the NY Times Bestseller's List. Cathy Pickens was a blur at the elevator, but she took time to chat a moment about life and books. 

All in all, it was a great trip. I can't wait for next year's SIBA closer to home in Columbia, South Carolina.

THE CASE OF THE GREEDY LAWYERS by Carl Brookins (Nodin Press)

I'm a sucker for detectives who are throwbacks to the original hardboiled PIs—in fact, I stayed up late last night to watch a black and white Mike Hammer TV show. If the title of this one doesn't tip you off that this one would suit me, the cover artwork certainly would: a fedora-topped chisel-faced man, cigarette in mouth, stands in a dark alley.

Sean Sean narrates his story in the parlance of old, "You see, I'm a throwback. I'm passé, out of date, a lost cause. The world is no longer interested in me and my kind. I'm no longer needed. Or so they say." Thus, I was hooked on the first page.

Sean's cases are strictly contemporary, but his self-deprecating style reminds me of the 25¢ Pocket paperbacks I adored. The story is sound. The red herrings abound. But my favorite part of the book was the trip down memory lane.

Thank you, Carl Brookins, for taking me back!

PRODIGAL SON by Thomas B. Cavanagh (Thomas Dunne Books)

Now that retired police detective Mike Garrity's brain cancer is in remission, he realizes that he's got to get back in the work force. When he takes his teenaged daughter to the funeral of one of her classmates, the boy's father approaches him. "Victor didn't kill himself…He wouldn't. He didn't. I want you to find out what happened." Even without a PI license, Mike agrees to help the father.

Later that day, Mike meets Debbie Watson at his cancer support group. Debbie urges him to persue a job interview with a PI company. Surprisingly, the interview is quite short, culminating in "So, when can you start?" Mike's generous employment packages includes health insurance and a percentage of any work he brings to the company. When Debbie offers Mike another case, his new job looks even better.

As Mike starts working the two cases, he unravels more threads than he intended—and the threads lead to some very scary people. Add a Category 5 hurricane to the mix, and Mike is in 'way deeper than he ever invisioned. Fortunately, he gets support from a totally unexpected source. I look forward to more adventures with Mike Garrity!

STALKING SUSAN by Julie Kramer (Doubleday)

While investigative reporter Riley Spartz is recovering from heartbreak, her friend and police source hands her two homicide files which haunted him during his career. Garnett is retiring as a homicide detective. Both files concern young women named Susan who were murdered exactly one year apart.

Riley is desperate for a headline story—she's been on leave for three months— and she needs to be back on TV with a hard-hitting story. Unfortunately, her boss hands her some fluff pieces and gives them high priority, so Riley has to relegate the Susan files to the back burner. Just as the Susan stories begin to make sense, the fluff pieces take on a life of their own.

Stalking Susan is a great contemporary story about TV journalism told from an insiders' point of view. Kramer is a freelance TV news producer for NBC.

PAINT THE TOWN DEAD by Nancy Bell (Thomas Dunne Books)

I was a big fan of Bell's Biggie Weatherford series, mostly because I loved the voice. Now I'm a fan of the Judge Jackson Crain series mostly because I really like the characters and the way Bell includes the small Texas town as a character. Jackson, a widower with a teenaged daughter, is a close friend of Sheriff Gibs, who occasionally requests Jackson's sleuthing skills.

When a hotshot real estate tycoon is murdered, all eyes turn to his wife (whose money the deceased used to propel himself to wealth). Neither Jackson nor Gibbs is convinced of the widow's guilt, so Jackson probes deeper into the deceased former life—where he finds the glamorous evangelist, Sister McDermott.

While Jackson is busy solving the murder, life in Post Oak, Texas continues to evolve, introducing readers to delightful characters we'll want to get to know better.

THE GARDEN OF EVIL by David Hewson (Delacorte Press)

The back copy on the advanced reader's copy reeled me in: "Looming over the corpses is a haunting Caravaggio masterpiece…" What an opportunity for me—a modern thriller set in Rome with an opportunity to learn more about one of my favorite painters. 

A grisly murder scene leads Detective Nic Costa into a chase he'd much rather not make, one that leads to personal tragedy, to having to work outside police confines, and to confronting a society of wealthy aristocracy who have plunged into depravity. The Caravaggio painting is central to finding the answers to all Nic's questions. 

I found myself carrying this book with me from room to room until I'd finished!

SINGULARITY by Kahtryn Casey (St. Martin's Minotaur)

This debut thriller is everything I wanted: a protagonist I liked, a fast pace, and fair play from the author. Widowed mom Sarah Armstrong is a profiler for the Texas Rangers who faces antagonism from some local law enforcement officers and FBI personnel alike.

When a prominent businessman and his mistress are found murdered, Sarah suspects a serial killer, but the locals suspect the wife. Subsequent murders convince Sarah she's right, but there are enough differences that she can't convince her superiors. When Sarah becomes the target, her theory is proven—but is it too late?

I look forward to more from Casey, a former true crime writer.

Somebody Knows Your Mama (first printed in "Pomp and Circumstantial Evidence"

My husband and I made a two-week trip across the Deep South in May to visit daylily gardens and to attend the national daylily convention. As I planned our stops, I was reminded of an axiom familiar to everyone who grew up in the South (or probably in a small town anywhere else!): No matter where you go, somebody’s gonna know your mama!

Turns out, that is true in the world of mystery readers and writers, too. The first hint I got that I’d be in mystery company was when reading the list of gardens on the conference tour. One was in Alvin, Texas. A light bulb immediately flashed above my head—that’s the home of Bill Crider. If you’re not familiar with Bill’s Texas sagas (and he’s got several excellent series), you’re in for a reading good time. The garden was beautiful, but there wasn’t a mystery writer in sight. I was able though to get an opportunity to suggest his books to several gardeners.

Since our conference was held in Houston, I knew I’d absolutely have to make a pilgrimage to the bookstore Carolyn Hart used as a prototype for her wonderful Death on Demand series featuring Annie Darling. In fact, when I visited with Carolyn when she was in North Carolina in April, she reminded me to spend some time at Murder by the Book. Would you believe that Ben Rehder was speaking there the same night we were due to arrive in Houston? I had just finished reading and reviewing Holy Roller and was delighted to get the opportunity to meet him (and buy the early books in this hilarious down home series).

Ben Rehder was kind enough to pose for a photo with me.

I spent a couple of hours in the wonderful store, salivating over the huge selection of mysteries. Naturally I didn’t confine myself to buying just what was on my list. I knew they’d carry titles by Jimmie Ruth Evans aka Dean James. (He managed the store for many years.) I was right, and I thoroughly enjoyed Bring Your Own Poison, the latest entry in his Trailer Park series. I also bought several titles recommended by the knowledgeable staff. (I’m still working on reading that stack.) Noel just shook his head when I came out of the store. Could it be because I already had a huge tote bag stuffed with books to occupy me on the trip?

We really did have an unusually large number of books with us. I had offered to donate a mystery basket as an auction item for the conference. I arranged about twenty books, a cotton lap throw, assorted teas, and chocolate to tempt mystery readers— in a huge basket all tied up with crime scene tape. When Noel loaded the car, he awarded a spot in the back seat to the basket. (We had to put our bottled water in the trunk to assure the safety of the basket!)

As one always does at a national conference, we met people from all over the country. Often when I met someone, their name tag indicated they lived in a place where I knew a mystery writer or where a particular series is set. I didn’t find a soul who knew the writer in question, but I always assured them they would enjoy reading the author. Several actually took notes! When I saw someone from New Iberia, Louisiana, I merely said to her, “James Robichaux country.” She nodded her head enthusiastically.

When we rode by a Mississippi River levee, I was reminded of the wonderful mysteries set just after Hurricane Katrina. As we drove through Mississippi, Noel commented on the canals diverting water for barges for casinos. That reminded me of the library in Tunica where I gave a library talk on southern writers, “Sweet Tea and Murder.” One of the authors I featured was Charlaine Harris. Several of the ladies in the group said as one, “Tunica is her hometown!” Charlaine knows that wherever she goes, somebody’s gonna know her mama!

As we rode through Birmingham, Alabama, I craned my neck to see the statue of Vulcan that Anne George often mentioned in her Southern Sisters mysteries. I didn’t see him, but I relived many happy hours spent with the delightful Patricia Anne Hollowell and Mary Alice Crane. Going through Atlanta always recalls the work of Kathy Hogan Trocheck (and her new pseudonym, Mary Kay Andrews) and Patricia Sprinkle.

Surely the world of mystery is populated with folks I know and love—and I’d be proud to introduce them all to my mama!

MACAVITY NOMINEES

Mystery Readers International (Mystery Readers Journal) announces the Macavity Award nominations for works published in 2007. The awards will be presented during opening ceremonies at Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention (Baltimore, October 2008).

For more information on the Macavity Award, go to: http://www.mysteryreaders.org/macavity.html or contact: Janet Rudolph at janet@mysteryreaders.org

Best Mystery Novel
o Soul Patch by Reed Farrel Coleman (Bleak House)
o The Unquiet by John Connolly (Hodder & Stoughton*/Atria)
o Blood of Paradise by David Corbett (Ballantine Mortalis)
o Water Like a Stone by Deborah Crombie (HarperCollins)
o What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman (Morrow)

Best First Mystery
o In the Woods by Tana French (Hodder & Stoughton*/Viking)
o Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill (William Morrow)
o The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz (Simon & Schuster)
o Stealing the Dragon by Tim Maleeny (Midnight Ink)
o The Collaborator of Bethlehem by Matt Beynon Rees (Soho)

Best Mystery Short Story
o "A Rat's Tale" by Donna Andrews (EQMM, Sep-Oct 2007)
o "Please Watch Your Step" by Rhys Bowen (The Strand Magazine, Spring 2007)
o "The Missing Elevator Puzzle" by Jon L. Breen (EQMM, Feb 2007)
o "Brimstone P.I." by Beverle Graves Myers (AHMM, May 2007)
o "The Old Wife's Tale" by Gillian Roberts (EQMM, Mar-Apr 2007)

Best Mystery Non-Fiction
o Rough Guide to Crime Fiction by Barry Forshaw (Penguin Rough Guides)
o Chester Gould: A Daughter's Biography of the Creator of Dick Tracy by Jean Gould O'Connell (McFarland & Company)
o Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters, edited by Jon Lellenberg, Daniel Stashower & Charles Foley (HarperPress*/Penguin)
o Police Procedure and Investigation: A Guide for Writers by Lee Lofland (Howdunit Series, Writers Digest Books)
o The Essential Mystery Lists: For Readers, Collectors, and Librarians, compiled and edited by Roger Sobin (Poisoned Pen Press)

Sue Feder Memorial Historical Mystery
o Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen (Penguin)
o Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin (Putnam)
o The Snake Stone by Jason Goodwin (Faber & Faber*/ Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
o Consequences of Sin by Clare Langley-Hawthorne (Viking*/Penguin)
o The Gravediggers Daughter by Joyce Carol Oates (HarperCollins Ecco)

*UK publisher (first edition)

2008 NERO AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

The "Nero" is an annual award presented to an author for literary excellence in the mystery genre. The award is presented at the Black Orchid Banquet, which is traditionally held on the first Saturday in December in New York City.

This year, the finalists are:

GLASS HOUSES Jane Haddam, St. Martins Minotaur

BURNT HOUSES Faye Kellerman, Harper

IN THIS RAIN S. J. Rozan, Delta

ANATOMY OF FEAR Jonathan Santlofer, Harper

IN SECRET SERVICE Mitch Silver, Pocket Star

MURDER IN MINIATURE by Margaret Grace (Berkley Prime Crime)

Crafters will enjoy this look at the world of miniature. Geraldine Porter is chairwoman of her local dollhouse and miniatures fair. As often happens with retirees, the date of the fair corresponds with a visit from her young granddaughter. As if the two weren't enough, her friend Linda, whose exhibit adjoins Geri's, disappears on the first day of the fair. Linda seems to carry around a trouble magnet, so no one is surprised that her adopted son and n'er-do-well ex-husband are both on the scene. As Geri tries to help her friend, her investigations are hampered by trying to keep her granddaughter safe, threats on her own life, and her nephew, who just happens to be investigating the murder which may be connected to Linda's disappearance.

I SHALL NOT WANT by Julia Spencer-Fleming (Thomas Dunne Books)

The continuing saga of Episcopal priest Clare Ferguson and Police Chief Russ Van Alstayne improves with every outing. That said, I encourage new readers to begin at the first of the series and enjoy the journey. I SHALL NOT WANT begins with a flashback of a rookie policewoman at a bloody shootout which ensnares the reader and holds on until the book is finished.

Clare has become involved with working with Latino migrant workers and the farmers to whom they are essential. Conflict arises with people who assert the migrants are taking work away from US citizens.

As always, Spencer-Fleming allows bad things to happen to good people and forces her protagonists to look at all sides of a situation. Again, thhe relationship between Clare and Russ colors the situations and the way they make decisions.

The publishers consider this a "breakout" novel. I agree.

Lunch with an Author - Sylva, NC

I just picked up this notice on the NC Writers' Network calendar. I wished I lived about 3 hours closer to the mountains!


New!!! LUNCH WITH AN AUTHOR: City Lights Bookstore hosts a lunchtime meet-the-author event with Vicki Lane, author of the mystery series featuring Elizabeth Goodweather on her Western North Carolina farm, most recently “In a Dark Season,” at 3 E. Jackson St., Sylva, noon. Call 828-586-9499.

DeKOK AND MURDER ON BLOOD MOUNTAIN by A. C. Baantjer (Speck Press)

When attending a funeral, Amsterdam Inspector DeKok sees a man at the cemetery who is supposed to have been dead for some time (it's not the guest of honor at the funeral!). Vledder, his young partner and friend thinks the gray sleuth is mistaken, but hearing reports of sightings of other presumed dead men, DeKok's certainty is confirmed. The subsequent investigation leads the two policemen to the notorious Bloedberg (Blood Mountain) area of Antwerp. Can it be that a religious order is connected to the reappearance of the dead?

Count me among the fans of the most widely read author in the Netherlands. Baantjer and DeKok are great!

HOLY MOLY by Ben Rehder (St. Martin's Minotaur)

Pick a controversial subject and Ben Rehder will lampoon it, all the while making those in each camp think he's making light of the other side. In his follow-up to Edgar finalist GUN SHY, Rehder takes on television evangelists, conservationists, and academia. The setting once again is Blanco County, Texas and the wild and wacky cast includes Game Warden John Marlin, Sheriff Bobby Garza, and everybody's favorite good ol' boys Red O'Brien and Billy Don Craddock.

The trouble begins when backhoe operator Hollis Farley unearths a dinosaur bone while excavating for construction of "Pastor Pete" Boothe's new megachurch on the banks of the Pedernales River. Murder, mayhem, and mirth leave just enough room for romance—John and Nicole Brooks are planning a wedding, and you'll never believe who else gets lucky.

I started this series late, but I can't wait to get to Texas next week and pick up the earlier books in the series. Y'all have fun now!

THE DIRTY SECRETS CLUB by Meg Gardiner (Dutton)

During a San Francisco earthquake two members of a secret club enact a stunt that becomes the beginning of disaster. Soon afterwards, police lieutenant Amy Tang calls forensic psychiatrist Jo Beckett to a wreck to determine whether it was accident or suicide. Tang's concern is that similar events have ben recurring in 48-hour increments. The two women work frantically to determine who, why—and who's next. Jo's work is intensified when she becomes personally involved, both physically and emotionally.

Gardiner plays totally fair with the reader—the clues are there—but the twists are hidden. Fortunately, I began this one on Sunday afternoon, with plenty of time to reach the riveting climax before bedtime.

HOW TO WRITE KILLER HISTORICAL MYSTERIES by Kathy Lynn Emerson (Perseverance Press)

I knew Kathy was writing this book and I knew it would be good; but, I didn't know it would be THIS good! Kathy Emerson writes cracker-jack historical mysteries (two series), and she's sharing all her secrets in this short primer. Just glancing through the table of contents would help a novice writer avoid dangerous pitfalls—but the glancer would miss wonderful tidbits of information from some of the most widely-read historical mystery writers. Emerson doesn't limit her suggestions to her own; she's solicited input from writers, booksellers, reviewers, and readers. Her points are valid from multiple views.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who is considering writing mysteries (whether historical or not) or historicals (whether mysteries or not).

COUNT TO TEN by Karen Rose (Grand Central Publishing)

I don't usually review books by bestselling authors--I figure they're too easy to find, but Rose's publicist did a good job of follow-up with me, so I promised to read this one and give it a chance. Boy, I'm glad I did!

Arson investigator Lt. Reed Solliday isn't too happy with being teamed with brash, bossy Det. Mia Mitchell, but the rash of house fires has just accelerated into homicide. There's an obvious thread among the crimes, and Sully and Mia must define it before they can identify the perp. Even as the two make headway on their investigations (and their relationship) the crimes become more violent—and personal.

Rose really knows how to plot a page-turner! You'll find yourself looking over your shoulder as you read by the midnight oil.

THE MERCY OAK by Kathryn Wall (St. Martin's Minotaur)

I knew my cousin Ann Schafran was a big fan of Kathryn Wall, so I asked her to review this one for you. Here's her assessment:

Spring is my favorite time of the year. I love it because the long dark days of winter are gone, trees and flowers begin to bloom and leaf, and Kathryn Wall publishes another Bay Tanner mystery. Since reading her first book, I have become addicted. I love the thrill of the mystery and the way she weaves two or more into her books. I also lover Hilton Head Island, so I thoroughly enjoy reading about places I know and enjoy visiting.

In this outing, Bay is faced with a mystery that has touched very close to home—her very much loved housekeeper and her family are involved. While trying to find out what happened in a hit and run, Bay deals with an immigration problem, several holdups, the disappearance of her housekeeper and her family and even finds herself in danger along with her father’s longtime housekeeper Lavinia.

She has also found a stronger liking for Red, the deputy sheriff and the brother of her deceased husband. By the end of the book, all problems have been solved to the satisfaction of the reader; and, Bay, along with the Sheriff’s Department has solved the crimes.

EVEN CAT SITTERS GET THE BLUES by Blaize Clement (Thomas Dunne)

Don't let the turquoise cover with the cute cat picture scare you off reading this! Dixie Hemingway IS a pet sitter, and she does get around her barrier island home on a bicycle. BUT when the first sentence in a book is "Christmas was coming, and I had killed a man," you can put your money down that it's not going to be a light-weight cozy. It's a cozy, but it's got real murder, real drama, and an imaginative story line.

An ex-homicide cop, Dixie is burned out on dealing with dead bodies and crime, so she neglects to report the body of a dead man while she's out on her pet-sitting rounds. Naturally, she's seen and tied to the crime. Did I mention that the body was at the home of her newest client or that the client has a mystery of his own?

I look forward to my next visit to Florida to spend time with Dixie!

EASY INNOCENCE by Libby Fischer Hellmann (Bleak House)

There's a new female PI in Chicago! Suspended cop Georgia Davis isn't afraid of a challenge. When a mentally retarded man is about to be railroaded for the murder of a beautiful high school girl, Georgia signs on to help, even though his attorney is ready to accept a plea bargain. There's plenty rotten in the case—and it's not just the fish guts that make two cameo appearances. From dirty politics to lazy cops to teenage hazing, this case is bad from beginning to end. Georgia Davis, however, is one tough cookie, and she's not about to let a little personal danger (well, a lot of personal danger) deter her from following her leads. Welcome, Georgia Davis, to the world of crime fiction!

THE ANATONISTS by Hal McDonald (Harper)

McDonald pays homage to the great one and his chronicler in this tale of two medical students in Victorian London. Forced to apply to a "ressurectionist" for a body to complete their anatomy studies, Edward Montague (Watson) and Jean-Claude Legard (Holmes) find themselves compelled to solve a crime before they can perform an autopsy—and before their medical school is brought down for sanctioning grave-robbing. Sit back and enjoy the game!

McDonald is the winner of the truTV "Search for the Next Great Crime Writer" and a professor of English at Mars Hill College in North Carolina. I was delighted that McDonald bestowed encomium without writing a pastiche.

DEATH WILL GET YOU SOBER by Elizabeth Zelvin (Thomas Dunne)

You guessed it! The protagonist in this book is drying out in rehab. There's a lot of death going on--first Bruce stumbles on a body in the laundry room and then his new friend dies in front of him. And they're just the first two! Fortunately, Bruce has a strong support team--Jimmy, his best friend from childhood (also a recovering alcoholic) and Jimmy's girlfriend Barbara who's a counselor. There are plenty of deaths for the team to investigate, and Bruce quickly realizes that he will have to stay sober to keep hold of all the threads.

This first Zelvin outing is filled with compelling characters and a solid story line even if a bit overladen with twelve-step rules. I look forward to future adventures with Bruce, Jimmy, and Barbara.

SLEEPING DOGS by Ed Gorman (Thomas Dunne Books)

What could be more appropriate at this time than a political whodunnit? Dev Conrad is a political consultant who admires the policies of his candidate while abhorring the man. Dev was hired to run Sen. Warren Nichols' reelection campaign after the former manager's suicide. All of Dev's resources are called to the front when Warren collapses at a televised debate. Gorman skillfully weaves reality into his fast-paced story filled with warm fuzzy and truly sleezy characters. This one could be, almost literally, "ripped from the headlines."

SLEIGHT OF HAND by Robin Hathaway (Thomas Dunne Books)

This Agatha winner just gets better and better! In her third outing, Dr. Jo Banks interrupts a country bike ride to investigate a sound from her childhood: the hum of an old printing press. The printer is surprised by her visit and catches his hand in the press. He refuses to go to the hospital and insists that Jo treat him in his home. Guilt overwhelms her, so she also provides follow-up treatment. She soon becomes entangled with the printer, his child-like daughter, and the woman who mysteriously abandoned them.

The story is engrossing, the characters compelling, and the read delightful.

THE KILLING ROOM by Peter May (Thomas Dunne)

Autopsies are considered gruesome for most of us, but 18 bodies in a mass grave in Shanghai chill even the professionals—these bodies appear to have been autopsied while alive. The grisly murders appear tied to an unsolved case in Beijing, so the whole mess becomes the responsibility of Beijing Detective Li Yan. He calls for the help of his estranged lover, American pathologist Margaret Campbell and the hunt is on. If the case were not difficult enough, the young deputy head of Shanghai's serious crime squad sets her eyes on Li, Margaret is just back from burying her father, and Li's young niece is kidnapped.

This was my first Peter May read, but it certainly won't be my last! I enjoyed the portrayal of China and its customs and being with characters who, while flawed, are good people performing badly under pressure.

GUN SHY by Donna Ball (Signet)

If you like dogs, mysteries, and stories set in the North Carolina mountains, you'll like this one. Raine Stockton has many parts: kennel owner, consultant for the Forest Service, dog trainer for search and rescue operations, wife, and full-time dog lover. Her two-time marriage with Deputy Sheriff Buck is loose, but ardent during on-again times, and that relationship is one reason she is called into emergencies for search and rescue operations. She is now called to resuce a trapped and wild-with-terror dog who's ferociously barking in a remote and unused cabin. If she can't help this Labrador Retriever, he will need to be shot. He's frantic because the body of his murdered mistress is in the bedroom of the cabin and the dog has been in there for several days. Dog lovers will understand the depth of this dog's pain and suffering.

The plot in this mystery is good with a surprise ending that couldn't be imagined. The labyrinthine trail to owner's identity is interesting. While superbly trained, the dog is understandably gun shy. The cast of characters in this small town is interesting, the plot is good, and the descriptions of the mountains during peak leaf season is great. This is a quick, satisfying read-especially on a cold North Carolina day.

--Diane Esterly

FRIEND OF THE DEVIL by Peter Robinson (William Morrow)

Although DCI Alan Banks and DI Annie Cabbot are no longer a couple, they're still tied together through their work, even when Annie is out on loan to another area. Annie's challenge is the murder of a quadriplegic in a wheelchair. Banks is faced with the brutal rape and murder of a teenager. Normally these cases wouldn't overlap, based on type of crime and divergent locations; however, Robinson is a master at intertwining story lines, so even without the jacket copy, the reader knows to pay attention.

I particularly like the way Robinson uses different formats in his writing. No one can ever accuse him of writing the same book over and over. This one had me finding excuses to eat alone in order to read!

STATE OF THE ONION by Julie Hyzy (Berkley)

Ok, it IS another culinary mystery—but this one is something more. Olivia "Ollie" Paras is an assistant chef at the White House, and in the running for executive chef. Along with Ollie, the reader meets the president and first lady, members of the Secret Service, and international terrorists. The story is current, edgy, and laden with calories—the kitchen staff is preparing for a state dinner. Did I mention that Ollie's competition for the new position is a cooking show star? Onion is a worthy entry to the ranks of engrossing cozies.

CONSEQUENCES OF SIN by Clare Langley-Hawthorne (Penguin)

All modern women need to be reminded now and again of the women who came before us--those who lobbied for women's rights. Ursula Marlow is a daughter of privilege in 1910 London, but she's also Oxford educated and a member of the Women's Social and Political Union. When she gets a middle-of-the-night phone call from a WSPU friend, she knows it's trouble. Finding the naked body of one's lover in one's bed is indeed trouble. Ursula does the only thing she can think of that will help Freddie--she calls in her father's business advisor and King's Counsel Lord Oliver Wrotham. Just getting an attorney doesn't help Freddie because Ursula is the only one who believes her friend is innocent. Ursula's fight to free Freddie takes her on an arduous adventure which brings to light wrongs from long ago and twisted relationships that continue over time. Overlaying the contorted mystery is the enormous struggle for women's rights.

Readers who enjoyed Miriam Grace Monfredo's series tracing the US women's rights movement from the Senecca Falls conference will relish Langley-Hawthorne's work.

PEPPERMINT TWISTED by Sammi Carter (Berkley Prime Crime)

Of all people, I should know better than to judge a book by its cover. Sometimes, though, I have to be reminded. Seeing a wagon made of candy, filled with candy, and the words "recipes inclulded" on the front, I thought this one would be mostly fluff. Instead I found a solid cozy mystery that was well written and thoroughly enjoyable.

Anyone who's ever been involved with a volunteer event will empathize with Paradise, Colorado's local artist guild when wealthy Felicity Asbury manages to get herself named director of the annual arts festival, replacing a dedicated, well-organized volunteer. As expected, Felicity throws her weight around and chaos ensues, followed by murder. Candy shop owner Abby Shaw finds herself not only more involved with the festival than she'd planned, but also a prime murder suspect.

Bonus: The recipes appear to be simple and tasty.

MURDER IN GOTHAM by Isidore Haiblum

This fun, fast-paced PI mystery is a throwback to the hardboilded thrillers I devoured from the 1950s.Haiblum puts in his own twists--Weiss, his likeable PI is Jewish, and his characters' speech patterns are straight from Damon Runyon. The mystery is clever, the people likeable, and the chapter headings from "The Casebooks of Morris Weiss" are not to be skipped. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Gotham!

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES by Maggie Barbieri (St. Martin's Minataur)

For a small Catholic college English professor, Alison Bergon has a lot of murder and mayhem in her life. In her first outing(Murder 101), she was suspected of murder. This time, she finds a victim in her kitchen, another in her neighbor's yard, and there's a mob boss popping up all over the place. Her boyfriend is not-quite divorced; her best friend, the priest, is trying to fix her up with his brother; and her next-door neighbor had an affair with Alison's husband. Did I mention the elderly deli owner who's got a crush on her?

Barbieri is writing mysterious chick lit at its best. You'll see why I sat up 'way too late finishing this one.

DYING TO BE THIN by kathryn Lilley (Obsidian Mystery)

In the first "Fat City" mystery, young Kate Gallagher comes to Durham NC to change her life. She's just out of a job (even having won an award as a TV producer; she's without a boyfriend; and she's up 50 pounds. She's investing part of her severance pay into a live-in diet program, and she's convinced a local TV station to let her do an ongoing segment about her progress on the air. Her plans change almost as soon as she checks in--not only does she find the director's body, but she realizes that there are many inconsistencies within the program. I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced romp through the world of weight loss and local TV programming.

STRING OF LIES by Mary Ellen Hughes (Berkley Prime Crime)

The second in the "Craft Corner" mysteries was just as enjoyable as the first (Wreath of Deception). When local developer Parker Holt begins buying up small businesses on her street, craft store owner Jo McAllister has reason to be concerned. Her worries escalate when her dear friend and husband of her best friend is the prime suspect in Parker's murder. Once again Jo galvanizes her customer-friends in her beading class to ferret out clues which will clear Dan's name.

I like Jo and her friends.The mystery is reasonable, with fair clues, and the tips on beading add color to the pages. I'd recommend this series to any cozy-reading crafter.

SONNETS by Robert K. Brown (Brown Books Publishing Group)

A small college town newspaper holds a poetry contest. The first week's winner is a sonnet. Turns out the poem is the clue to a murder victim. Subsequent poems arrive at the paper entirely too fast. Folks in this Georgia town aren't ready for a serial murderer. A young English professor at the college has recently published a volume of—sonnets. Is he an expert in deciphering the clues or a suspect? Brown leads his reader on a gruesome chase that twists, turns, and cleverly misleads.

This first mystery is a real page-turner. I've recommended it every time I've spoken to a group.

Senior Sleuths Handout

I posted an invalid link to my "Senior Sleuths" handout for a library program. I'm sorry for the inconvenience it caused. I emailed the pdf file to everyone who let me know about the problem, but I hope others will still be interested. Anyway, I'm reposting a corrected link.
Download PDF here

LITTLE FAITH by Michael Simon (Penguin)

Austin, Texas had a lot happening in 1995. A former child star turned porn actress is murdered. A 13-year-old boy runs away from his foster home. The new governor is a man who helped bankrupt an oil CEO who is now forced to be just the husband of an ardent pro-lifer whose preacher said of her, "The church's resources come from God. But…Mrs. Wade signs his checks." And. The Austin Police Department has a huge banquet to announce promotions. Dan Reles knows he should be promoted to lieutenant, but as the only Jew on the force (and a loose cannon to boot), he's not surprised when he doesn't hear his name called. Dan doesn't have long to worry about his rank--especially when his home life changes quickly, he's assigned a new partner, and he's suspected of murder.

This is a fast-paced police procedural which exposes the bad side of several strata of society. Block out some time to finish this one.

THE ALEHOUSE MURDERS by Maureen Ash (Berkley)

I thought I was burned out on Templar Knight mysteries, but Ash proved me wrong. This book isn't about far-fetched conspiracies; rather, it's a good, old-fashioned mystery featuring Bascot de Marins, a Templar Knight who is recovering from wounds suffered during and escape from imprisonment by the Saracens. Just before a midsummer fair is to begin, an woman discovers four bodies in the alehouse. Lady Nicolaa de la Haye, wife of the sheriff and owner of Lincoln Castle charges de Marins with solving the crime. Before he can finish his initial inquiries, a priest is stabbed. Then, nearly every time new evidence is uncovered, a new murder complicates the puzzle.

The gentle history lessons about life in thirteenth century England are skillfully wrapped in an excellent mystery. I look forward to more from Maureen Ash!

CASHED IN by Jackie Chance (Berkley)

After becoming an instant Texas Hold 'Em winner, Belinda Cooley splurges on a gambling cruise for herself, her new man, her twin brother, and her parents. Her recent win in Vegas awarded her a free buy in for the "Sea Gambler's" tournament, but she'd have been much better off going to Disney! Things start to go wrong even before she gets to her cabin: Her lover is a no show, her girl crazy brother surrounds himself with sweet young things, and her mother starts talking (loudly!). When champion poker players start disappearing, things get crazy fast.

Chance does a good job of identifying the huge cast of characters so the reader doesn't spend much time thinking about who is who. Poker players and light cozy fans should have fun with this light-hearted series.

IN COLD PURSUIT by Sarah Andrews (St. Martin's)

Nobody every said I can't take a hint. My friend Diane Esterly has told me several times that Sarah Andrews is one of her favorite authors. When this new book arrived in my mailbox, I asked Diane to tell you about it. She was happy to comply. I know you'll enjoy what she says.

Andrews has written another mystery, but with a new sleuth. Valena Walker is an acquaintance of Em Hansen. I happen to an Em Hansen fan, but I found Valena to be a worthy successor. The setting of this mystery is Antarctica. My dislike of frigid weather, notwithstanding, I found myself fascinated by her account of this severe and strange land. As usual, the author has admirably combined education and entertainment. There is no mistaking her intent to teach. Her passion for geology and teaching is evident, and her research for this book is thorough. She combines science, suspense and female sleuthing easily and has a style that is compelling, even when your natural curiosity does not include either the setting or the content. I was fascinated by the information she conveyed about glaciology and geology and their relevance to current issues such as global warming, politics, overpopulation, and our consumeristic lifestyle which uses fossil fuels at an alarming rate despite scientific evidence that it is depleting the earth’s resources. Most fascinating was the amount and kind of information that can be gathered from this frigid land and her glaciers. Her main character again reveals the author’s interest in women who are struggling with their non-conformist lives at the fringe, their struggles to come to terms with themselves, and their innate strength and intelligence which eventually overcome their inner doubts.

Sarah Andrews is a woman of integrity and her books show her to be passionate about her interests and field of knowledge, geology. All of her books have this mark of integrity, but this latest one is most compelling. She describes “the last continent” as painfully, astonishingly, joyously, and severely beautiful. Her descriptions ring true and this book, like the author, is authentic and powerful.
--Diane Esterly

GUN SHY by Ben Rehder

I wouldn't have thought it could be done. Ben Rehder pokes fun at both sides of the gun control issue while spinning a first-rate crime story. The National Weapons Alliance is holding a rally at country crooner Mitch Campbell's Texas ranch this coming weekend. That is, if all the outside forces don't combine to make a hilarious mishmash of the event: Mitch Campbell isn't really Mitch Campbell. Dale Stubbs, director of the NWA, has something going on the side. There's a dead Mexican immigrant to explain. And then there's the team of good ol' boys who just want a little recognition. Blano County, Texas is the place you'll want to be this summer. I surely enjoyed my trip!

THE CHOCOLATE JEWEL CASE by Joanna Carl (Signet)

It's now a well-known fact: Chocolate is good for you. Personal study (I've read the entire series) has shown that reading Carl's delightful chocolate-themed mysteries provides everything necessary for a well-crafted cozy. Lee and Joe should be on their honeymoon at a cool resort; instead, they're in the middle of remodeling a house during a Michigan heat wave, hosting several house guests, and dealing with business crises. To add more tension to the situation, a man turns up claiming to be Joe's dad (presumed dead for 30 years), Lee and Joe are dinner guests where the entertainment is a major jewel robbery, and one of the house guests is a prime suspect for murder. The metaphor must be made--the "chocoholic mysteries" offer a delightful sampler of crime fiction at its best.

DIARY OF A SERIAL KILLER by Ed Gaffney (Dell)

Ed Gaffney always puts defense attorneys Zack Wilson and Terry Tallach in untenable positions--they just have a knack for having the wrong clients. Even Zack acknowledges it this time when he admits to Terry this one "might be something of a challenge." It is, in fact, a petition for a retrial of a convicted serial killer who's been requesting a retrial for nearly 20 years. A recent killing nearly identical to the earlier crimes has convinced a bar association committee that the request has merit. You don't need me to tell you that our intrepid team will take the case. The reader soon follows not only the defense team and the police, but also the killer as he stalks future victims. I don't usually like to see the killer's viewpoint nor attend the crime, but I was mesmerized. Put Ed Gaffney on your list of "must read" legal thrillers. I certainly have.

REDUCED CIRCUMSTANCES by Vincent H. O'Neil (Thomas Dunne Books)

Winning the St. Martin's Press/Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Contest may turn suspense and thriller readers away from O'Neil's works, but they'll be missing a bang-up read! O'Neil proves that gratuitous sex and foul language aren't essential to a compelling thriller. Frank Cole is facing bankruptcy after his high-tech business failed. He's living under the radar in Florida, working as a taxi dispatcher at night and a computer fact checker by day. When a young boy who flagged down a Midnight Taxi near a hotel drug bust disappears, things start happening fast and Frank's visitor list explodes—from a sexy teenage girl to a couple of thugs to a private investigator to the godfather of the Southern mafia. Cole is definitely a sleuth who uses his brain. I look forward to visiting the Florida Panhandle again--from the comfort of my easy chair.

THE CLIFF HOUSE STRANGLER by Shirley Tallman (St. Martin's Minotaur)

Sarah Woolson faces a severe challenge. 19th century San Francisco simply isn't ready to embrace a female attorney. Her brother faces a totally different challenge: The son of a well-to-do judge has to keep his occupation secret—he's an investigative journalist writing under a pseudonym. When Sarah attends a seancé to gather information for a story for Samuel, she gets more than either of them had planned. A murder at the spooky Cliff House not only brings clients to her law practice, but repercussions from the crime involve their family in political scandal. Tallman brings a different outlook to a familiar 19th century theme. I look forward to more visits with Sarah Woolson.

MURDER ON THE MENU by Miranda Bliss (Berkley)

The "cooking class" mysteries are fun, light, well-plotted reads for culinary lovers. Nose-to-the-grindstone Annie and drop-dead-gorgeous Eve make a great pair of amateur detectives as they join forces to help their former cooking school teacher make a go of his new restaurant. In this second outing, the two discover a body which the police assume is suicide. The friends, however, believe differently, and set out to prove it. Washington politics, tempting restaurant fare, and a well-plotted mystery make this paperback original essential in beach bags and travel carry-ons. There's an added bonus: recipes for a full-course gourmet meal are included at the back.

SAFE AND SOUND by J. D. Rhoades (St. Martin's Minotaur)

Bounty hunter Jack Keller is totally goal oriented. While this dedication makes him the best in the business, it frequently interferes with his personal relationships. A missing child—the daughter of an AWOL member of the Army's Delta Force—claims his focus as strongly as a bail jumper. The resulting chase leads him to the mountains of North Carolina and into combat with hit men worthy of 007. Body count is high, but psychological damage may be even higher, not only for Keller, but for those closest to him. If you think you're having a bad day, spending a few hours with Jack Keller will make you reconsider. Don't start this book at bedtime!

Culinary Mystery List

A discussion on Dorothy-L about culinary mysteries prompted me to offer to share the handout sheet I gave to folks who attended my "Cooking Up Murder" lecture at a local library. As promised, here's the link to the PDF. I hope you find some new authors.


Download PDF here

BRUSH WITH DEATH by Hailey Lind (Signet Mystery)

This delightful "Art Lover's Mystery" series will have a wide audience even beyond the art world. Annie Kincaid is a talented artist who's outside the realm of respectibility--partly because of her own talent and partly because her grandfather is a world famous forger. Annie's trying to stay on the straight and narrow, but her faux finishing business just doesn't bring in enough capital. When an opportunity for a profitable job arises, she has to take it, even if it is in a columbarium adjacent to a graveyard. Grave robbers, suspicious suicides, and a missing Old Master provide the framework for a crackerjack mystery. A hunky art thief, a drop-dead goodlooking security expert, and an unscrupulous developer add romance and suspense. Quirky sidekicks and genuinely likeable cameo characters "kick things up a notch." Finally, there's Annie, a hard worker who frequently finds herself between a rock and a hard place. BRUSH WITH DEATH not only escapes the dreaded third book curse, it is surely the best yet! Hailey Lind is a must read.

DEATH AT THE OLD HOTEL by Con Lehane (Thomas Dunne Books)

Serendipitity plays a big part in my life. On the same day I received an early copy of DEATH AT THE OLD HOTEL by Con Lehane, I got an email from Rene Martin at Quail Ridge Books asking if I'd like to introduce him when he came to the store. I'm so glad of this opportunity. Con will be at the store on Tuesday, June 19, at 7:00.

Con's protagonist is Brian McNulty, a bartender in NYC. The hotel where Brian works is old, and the workers are not adequately represented by their union. After a strike begins, murders ensue, a baby is kidnapped, mobsters intervene, and the IRA extends its reach.

Lehane knows his characters well, and so will his readers. This third book in the series will have you begging for more.

OLD WOUNDS by Vicki Lane (Dell Mystery)

Vicki Lane doesn't churn out four books a year; rather, she writes carefully worded Southern sagas that pull the reader into the lives of her characters in the manner of Lee Smith. In this outing, Elizabeth Goodweather is about to put widowhood in her past; she's ready to begin a new relationship. Her daughter Rosemary changes that when she is compelled to investigate the sudden disappearance of her childhood friend more than 20 years ago. Once again Lane explores the lives of people who keep their own council--Cherokee and Appalachian mountain folk. OLD WOUNDS is not just a cracking good mystery; it's a worthy piece of Southern literature. If you can't visit the North Carolina mountains in person, enjoy this literary journey.

FORESTS OF THE NIGHT by David Stuart Davies (Thomas Dunne Books)

When London policeman John Hawke volunteered for duty during World War II, he dreamed of serving his country. He never considered the possibility of being wounded during training, losing an eye, and, consequently losing his ability both to serve his country and to return to his profession. Chosing to make virtual lemonade from life's lemons, he sets up as a private investigator. A job investigating the disappearance of a young woman offers an opportunity to prove his skills in his chosen profession. A chance meeting with a runaway boy awakens him to his humanity. More Johnny Hawke, please!

THE STAR by David Skibbins (Thomas Dunne Books)

What's an aging hippie to do? After being underground since 1970, Warren Ritter is still trying to keep a low profile in Berkeley. But when the daughter he never knew he had until this year asks for help, he knows he has to be there for her. After all, her underlying problem, bipolar disorder, is his problem too. Fran's marriage to a police officer is going down the tubes, and Orrin is trying to get custody of six-month-old Justin. Warren pulls out all the stops in his efforts to help Fran—including allowing his therapist to drive his prized Aprilia motorcycle. When I saw "A Tarot Card Mystery" on the front cover, I was skeptical. Once I met Warren, I was in for the ride. Now I'm going back to the bookstore to find EIGHT OF SWORDS and HIGH PRIESTESS.

So many books, so little time!

THE BLIGHT WAY & AVALANCHE by Patrick McManus (Simon & Schuster)

Stuck in a doctor's waiting room about 20 years ago, I idly leafed through a "Field and Stream" magazine trying to find something to fill the time. An article's title struck me as vaguely funny, so I began reading. In that few moments, I was hooked. I wrote the name Patrick F. McManus in my Palm Pilot and began searching for anything he had written. I devoured every book of outdoor essays and read them aloud to anyone who would listen.

Later, I drove an hour to hear him speak at a booksigning. The store was packed. He was an hour late but nobody left. We knew, from reading his books, that he'd probably gotten lost.

When I learned he'd moved on to write mysteries, I immediately ordered them from Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh. Meeting Sheriff Bo Tully was much like being introduced to an old friend. Once again, I reveled in being in the wild Rocky Mountains with a competent yet self-deprecating guide. Even as I laughed aloud, I appreciated the strength of the story-telling and the skill of dropping clues and placing red herrings. Welcome to the mystery world, Mr. McManus!

TRIAL AND ERROR by Paul Levine (Bantam)

When a new Soloman and Lord novel appears in my mailbox, I clear my docket for the rest of the day. Their cases are always wacky, always clever, and always endearing. Steve Soloman will try almost anything to win acquital for his clients; Victoria Lord will follow the law to the letter. When they're together, pandemonium is always waiting in the wings. What elevates this series, for me, is the overriding love they both have for Steve's brilliant nephew who has autism. This time, Bobby brings the case to his uncle—somebody has freed the dolphins from Cetacean Park. Of course, it's not that easy, and there's much more to it than appears on the surface.

Drag out your hammock, pour yourself a cool one, and kick back and relax with Florida's most loveable law team.

JIGSAW by Jerry Kennealy (Thomas Dunne Books)

Imagine Drew Carey as the entertainment critic for a San Francisco newspaper. Give him a zany mother, a dashing father, and a set of emails from someone giving clues to Alfred Hitchcock movies. Then watch as the clues foretell the murder of an industry friend. Imagine Drew's, er— Carroll Quint's, consternation as he investigates, only to find indicators that point him to his mother as the killer, while the police think they point to him. JIGSAW is a wonderfully plotted, charming look at murder. I hope to see more of Quinn.

BEADS OF DOUBT by Barbara Burnett Smith & Karen MacInerney (Berkley Prime Crime)

Family name and old money don't necessarily isolate one from trouble. Just ask Kitzi Camden, former Texas state senator and daughter and granddaughter of Texas governors. On the first day of a huge weekend fundraiser that she will host at her 8000 square foot mansion, she learns her cousin is trying to evict her from the family home and that a body was found in a nearby dumpster. Throw in a handsome man, a terminally ill friend, and an aging mother, and Kitzi has just about all she can handle.

Barbara Burnett Smith was nominated for an Agatha for the first in this series, BEAD ON TROUBLE, as she was for her first cozy several years ago. Sadly, she was killed in an accident before finishing this entry. Kaaren MacInerney did a fine job of completing the manuscript.

Barbara's sister died with ovarian cancer months before Barbara's accident. BEADS OF DOUBT was an attempt to raise awareness of the disease and, at the same time, to pay tribute to her sister. I miss my email correspondence with Barbara and miss seeing her at conferences. Still, this book brought back warm memories of my friend.

Highly Recommended

THE FINISHING SCHOOL by Michele Martinez (William Morrow)
Federal prosecutor Melanie Vargas has a tough new case: Two dead teenaged girls in a Park Avenue penthouse. Melanie also has a tough home life. She's not quite divorced and her baby daughter is sick. This one is a nail biter--don't start it at bedtime!

PIECE OF MY HEART by Peter Robinson (William Morrow)
Robinson frequently pairs an old crime with a contemporary one. In this outing, a young woman is murdered at a 1969 rock music festival and DCI Alan Banks and DI Annie Cabbot investigate the murder of a freelance journalist who's writing a story about one of the bands that played the weekend of the festival. As always, Robinson ties the stories together beautifully, revealing that the 60's weren't all peace and flower power--and that the past is always with us.

THE SPELLMAN FILES by Lisa Lutz (Simon and Schuster)
This quirky novel isn't really a mystery, but it is about a family-run detective agency in San Francisco. Family members follow each other, pick locks on bedroom doors, and leave the house through windows, but they rally round when one of their own is in peril. If you'd be embarrassed by laughing aloud, don't read this in public.

MURDER AMONG THE OWLS by Bill Crider (St. Martin's Minotaur)

Don't you hate it when you have to start work before you even get there? Sheriff Dan Rhodes' day began when a cat slipped into his back door. When he tried to return it to his elderly neighbor, he found--well, you know what he found. Who on earth would want to kill a member of the Older Women's Literary Society? Rhodes soon found that like in academia, the battles in clubs are often extremely bitter because the stakes are so low. Rhodes learns a lot about his town and the people who populate it when he investigates this murder. Dan Rhodes is my number two favorite sheriff of all time--right behind Andy Taylor!