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!