RED CAT by Peter Spiegelman (Alfred A. Knopf)

Shamus-Award-winner Spiegelman brings back private detective John March in a gritty New York novel. Even though John's brother (who followed the family business path) still openly despises him, he needs him. David is being harassed by a young woman whom he met online and subsequently had a seedy affair. Soon after John takes the case, a body washes up in the East River and David becomes the chief suspect. Family secrets unfold about not only the victim, but about David, and even John. The stark white New York winter provides a fitting backdrop for red hot crime.

SNIPPED IN THE BUD by Kate Collins (Signet)

It seems that my favorite florist isn't everybody's favorite! When Abby Knight delivers a special order to an old law school professor with whom she's had a recent altercation, he is murdered—and she's the chief suspect. Somebody's seeing to that. Abby's troubles don't end with the police. Her air-headed cousin Jill has moved in temporarily, crowding Abby and her roommate beyond endurance. Plus, Jill's started a home fashion business, with her entire inventory in the apartment. When Abby has to go undercover to find other suspects, Jill proves her worth. SNIPPED has plenty of action, nice touches of romance, and enough red herrings to confuse us all. I enjoy this refreshing series.

BERMUDA SCHWARTZ by Bob Morris (St. Martin's Minotaur)

It's not just an invitation to a seventieth birthday party that draws Zack Chasteen to Bermuda. It's not even the opportunity to sell the birthday gal eight palm trees at an exhorbitant price. Mostly, it's the opportunity to drink rum on the island with Barbara Pickering. Zack ignores the old adage, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." Before he even unpacks his suitcase, he's discovered a body. Soon he's tangled up with not only a local treasure-finding legend but the local mafia. Bob Morris proves that writing about brutal murder can be done with a light hand. I'm going back and reading this series from the beginning!

"Baby, It's Cold Outside"

For once, the North Carolina weather cooperated with the topic for a program. Everybody was shivering as we came into the Eva Perry Library in Apex Sunday afternoon. It wasn't quite snowing, but the rain was COLD--especially since we'd been in the 70's four days earlier. I'm posting a pdf file of the handouts for the program here:


Cold.pdf


Free file hosting from File Den

THE CHEMISTRY OF DEATH by Simon Beckett (Delacorte Press)

Nobody in the rural English village asked David Hunter about his past. Most of him accepted him as their physician when the couldn't see his employer. When two young brothers discover a young woman's remains, Hunter is forced to reveal some of his former skills. He was, in fact, one of London's leaders in forensics. As more murder follow, Hunter is drawn more closely into the investigation, first as a suspect, later as a target. CHEMISTRY provides a chilling look at village life and a grisly look at human remains.

BONES TO PICK by Carolyn Haines (Kensington)

Sarah Booth Delaney's mama "raised her right," but she also taught her to think for herself. It's hard for Sarah Booth to conform to Southern Belle standards, but when a finishing school graduate is horribly murdered (Quentin McGee had just launched a scandalous tell-all book before her death), Sarah Booth has to resort to conservative clothing and panty hose. Sunflower County (Mississippi) Sheriff Coleman Peters is on leave, the acting sheriff arrests Quentin's lesbian lover for murder, and the suspect's brother hires Sarah Booth to prove her innocence. This is one of the Delta Darling's most dangerous cases, but, in my humble opinion, one of her most rewarding. Sarah Booth is my kind of gal!

METRO GIRL and MOTOR MOUTH by Janet Evanovich

Ms. E. certainly doesn't need any help from me, but I thought I'd mention her new series featuring Alexandra Barnaby. The debut, METRO GIRL, is out in paperback. Barney, as she's called, gets a frightening call from her brother BIlly which compels her to rush to Florida to come to his aid. Evanovich readers know there's nothing simple about any quest, and Barney is plunged into a side-splitting rampage that puts her life at risk in nearly every chapter. Hooker, a definitely dreamy racecar driver ensures there will be romantic tension on nearly every page. MOTOR MOUTH takes up where METRO left off, with Barney and Hooker trying desperately to help a friend while getting rid of an incriminating body. This new series is perfect for fending off the winter blahs.

GRAVE WRITER by Mark Arsenault (St. Martin's Press)

Billy Povich has lost a lot in his life: his wife (because of his gambling), his job as a journalist (he now writes obituaries), his money, and his home. He's gained a couple of people though—his disabled father and his 7-year-old son. Billy's consuming force in life is to kill the man he holds responsible for ending his ex-wife's life in an auto accident. Well, it's the consuming force until he is summoned to jury duty. Billy very quickly becomes involved in an incident that will not only change his focus but change his entire outlook on life. I look forward to watching Billy Povich, his crusty father, and his charming son Bo. (First in a new series.)

COPPER RIVER by William Kent Krueger (Artris)

Kruger's third Anthony winner, MERCY FALLS, left lawman Cork O'Conner painted into a really bad corner. Because I'd read it in advance form, I was left in trepidation until COPPER RIVER came out in hardcover. O'Conner had, if you will, jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. He is wounded, but the unwelcome guest with a cousin. Some people draw trouble like a dog draws fleas, so it's no surprise that Cork is quickly involved in another nasty scene. A young girl's body washes ashore, Cork's young cousin and his friends are in deadly peril, and professional hit men haven't given up on collecting their bounty for Cork's life. This is another stellar offering from one of my favorite writers.

FLESH AND BONE by Jefferson Bass (William Morrow)

Following the NY Times bestseller CARVED IN BONE, which was a great forensic mystery, Bass has produced one of the best forensic stories I've ever read. In this outing, Dr. Bill Brockton and his University of Tennessee's body farm are at the center of the crimes—in more ways than one. The crimes themselves will appease the most blood-thirsty reader, and the peril will stump the most avid suspense reader. I'm not going to give a hint of the story—you'll just have to take my word for it: This newe series is NOT TO BE MISSED!

Virginia Festival of the Book

I just got off the phone with the great folks at the Virginia Festival of the Book. I'm totally excited to announce that I'll be moderating the panel "Small Towns are Murder" during their "Crime Wave" session on Saturday, March 24, at 2:00. The panelists will be Sharon Short (MURDER UNFOLDS), J. B. Stanley (A FATAL APPRAISAL), Denise Swanson (MURDER OF A BOTOXED BLONDE), Marcia Talley (THROUGH THE DARKNESS), and Heather Webber (A HOE LOT OF TROUBLE). Needless to say, I'm really looking forward being with these great authors.

There will be a plethora of mystery authors at the Festival—Raymond Austin, John Billheimer, Ellen Crosby, John Lamb, Vicki Lane, Frankie Bailey), Louis Bayard, Cordelia Biddle, Dana Cameron, Jane Cleland, John Hart, David Rosenfelt, Kermit Roosevelt, Tess Gerritsen), Laura Lippman, Twist Phelan, George Pelaconos, Lee Child, and Willetta Heising. My only problem will be deciding whether to catch up with old friends or to try to meet new folks. I know, I know—that's not really a problem!

The Festival runs from Wednesday, March 21 through Sunday, March 28. Check it out—I've added a link. Oddly enough, I've put it in the "Links" box at right.

Upcoming Events

Feb. 5, 2007 - 7:00 Jefferson Bass at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh (919.828.1588).

Feb. 15, 2007 - 2:00 Molly will present "Old Murder" (antiques theme) at the Cary (NC) Public Library. PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE.

Feb. 18, 2007 - Molly presents "Also Known As" (authors with pseudonyms) at the Eva Pery Library in Apex, NC.

Feb. 22, 2007 - Tim Dorsey at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh (919.828.1588).

March 1, 2007 - Sarah Shaber Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh (919.828.1588).

SUN STORM by Asa Larsson (Delta)

I read this winner of Sweden's Best First crime Novel Award when it came out in English in hardcover. The book's beginning reminded me somewhat of THE DIVINCI CODE's: a man watches himself die in a place where murder has no place—this time in a church. Attorney Rebecka Martinsson doesn't want to return to her hometown, but it's her best friend's brother, the charismatic leader of the church, who was murdered. The story is one of contrasts in red and white, not only of blood and snow. Rebecka soon learns that little in her hometown is what it seems, and she must fight—not only for her friend, but for her life. A thoroughly compelling read from the land of snow and ice.

DEAD DAYS OF SUMMER by Carolyn Hart (Wm. Morrow)

It's always amazing to me that an author with a long-running series can keep making them fresh and better. This is the 17th in the Death on Demand series--and it's one of the best! While Annie and Laurel are planning a surprise blowout birthday party for Max, he takes on a new case. Even though he doesn't like the secrecy his new client imposes, he goes along with her. Bad move. When he disappears and a body turns up near his car, even friendship with the chief of police can't control the fallout: Max is suspected of murder. Annie has to uses all her resources, including faithful customers at her bookstore, to get Max back and clear his name. It's going to be a cold winter--warm up with DEAD DAYS OF SUMMER.

MRS. HUDSON AND THE MALABAR ROSE by Martin Davies (Berkley)

When someone messes around with Sherlock Holmes, they'd better do a good job for me to finish the book. Although Mrs. Hudson is the detective in this pastiche, the narrator is her young protege Flotsam, an effective "Watson." All of London is talking about two events: the unveiling of a gift to the nation, a rare jewel known as the Malabar Rose, and the debut performance of the Great Salmanazar, a reknown magician. When the Home Secretary requests Holmes to ensure the safety of the stone, the great detective naturally doesn't have time to investigate the disappearance of a young husband, so Mrs. Hudson takes on the case. Although I didn't like the portrayal of Holmes, and Mrs. Hudson seems a bit condescending, the puzzles are first-rate and worthy of Doyle himself.

DOLLED UP FOR MURDER by Deb Baker (Berkley)

Gretchen Birch's life is in a downward spin: she'll soon turn 30, her seven-year relationship with Steve is cooling rapidly, and she's just lost her job to downsizing. Now, her mother is missing in Arizona and Aunt Nina has been calling every hour on the hour urging her to come to Phoenix--in July. Seems a member of the local doll club has fallen to her death from a mountin behind Caroline Birch's home. Caroline is not only a doll collector, she runs a highly successful doll repair business. By the time Gretchen arrives in Phoenix, Caroline is not only missing but suspected of murder. Like any other hobby, doll collecting has its dark side. Nina's business of training purse dogs injects an element of humor to the stories and the facts about dolls elevate the book to educational. What more can one ask? Good humorous, educational mystery is enough for me!

THE DOCTOR ROCKS THE BOAT by Robin Hathaway (Thomas Dunne Books)

Hathaway won the Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Contest and the Agatha for the first book in this series and she hasn't slowed down yet. In this outing Dr. Fennimore succombs to spring fever and renews his membership in a rowing club on Philadelphia's Schuylkill River. The first person he sees at his old club is a medical school classmate who had to quit rowing because of a heart defect. Fennimore is dismayed to learn that his old friend is living his own thwarted ambitions in his son's success. A death on the river and a nearly successful attempt on Fennimore's life combined with an effort to pull down the historic boat houses for a new marina make for a very successful who-done-it. Enjoy your cruise!

WREATH OF DECEPTION by Mary Ellen Hughes (Berkley)

Jo McAllister hopes a new craft store will help change her life after the sudden death of her husband. A jewelry designer with a degree in art, she feels qualified to teach all manner of craft workshops, especially with the help of long-time friend Carrie who's a needlework whiz. After the highly successful grand opening, complete with clown and circus music, Jo's celebration pales when she discovers a body in the store room. The police, quite naturally, look at Jo as the most obvious suspect. Over the next several days, Jo, aided and abetted by her workshop students, realizes she'll have to find an alternate suspect on her own. Another death only ups the ante. I suspect this light cozy will make its way into many craft bags.

MURDER 101 by Maggie Barbieri (St. Martin's Minotaur)

After Professor Alison Bergeron's old Volvo is stolen, she's shocked to find two detectives in her English Department office days later. Her surprise is appropriate—the're from homicide; her car has been found, with a student's body in the trunk. Alison loses her suspect status when she becomes the target of kidnappers—twice. In a non-traditional-cozy way, Alison doesn't succumb to terror, she fights back. Barbieri inserts several twists that prevent die-hard mystery readers from knowing who-done-it until the very end. This excellent debut mystery should be in the running for several major awards.

THE CHOCOLATE BRIDAL BASH by Joanna Carl (Signet)

This great chocoholic series is always on my "must read" list. I've followed former Texas beauty queen Lee McKinney since her debut in THE CHOCOLATE CAT CAPER, and I've always found the books well written and well plotted. The only drawback to the series is the mouth-watering descriptions of chocolate delights made in the TenHuis Chocolade which often require copious intake of lesser treats! In this outing Lee is getting ready for her wedding—and trying her best to keep it small. While dealing with Aunt Nettie's plan for redecorating the house (it's to be a home wedding) and Joe's mom's determination for a blow-out reception, Lee is completely blindsided when she learns of an earlier family wedding. Her mother ran away on the night before she was to be married—and the groom was found dead—an apparent suicide. Once again, the crimes of the past lead to the present, and Lee is right in the middle of murder.