Get Maitland
James Patrick Hunt
Five Star, May 6 2011, $25.95
ISBN 9781594149658
Affluent New York City antiques dealer Max Glendenning offers his Chicago based peer Evan Maitland with a deal the latter cannot refuse. Glendenning explains that he was working a deal to purchase a matching chair to one he owns worth a million each. Knowing Maitland was a former cop and bounty hunter as well as an antique expert, he wants Evan to travel to London to track down the chair stolen just before the deal was completed.
The vicious gangster brothers Ian and Ken Shivers believe Maitland is in town to pull a stunt on a deal they made with Windy City mobsters to sell million in stolen bearer bonds. The siblings frame Maitland for murder, which has the mob and the cops searching for him. On his own he must prove his innocence and turn the table on the ruthless brothers who bring shivers to anyone who knows of them even the police.
Tropospheric over the top of Big Ben, this is a fun mistaken identity caper as the hero and the adversarial siblings come across as satirical noir. The story line is fast-paced from the moment the readers meet the Shivers brothers who believe the Chicago visitor is scamming them so send their minion to get him; Maitland's Reply is to fight back. Their confrontation makes for an exciting entertaining but improbable thriller.
Harriet Klausner
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The Fairie Hills-Susan McDuffie
The Fairie Hills
Susan McDuffie
Five Star, May 6 2011, $25.95
ISBN 9781594149610
In 1373 on Colonsay, eight years old Niall vanishes without a trace while searching for the mythical fairy gold. Colonsay Laird Gillespic leads a desperate search for the lad he fostered, who is the grandson of the Lord of the Isles. Desperate, Gillespic sends for his nephew Muirteach MacPhee, who solved A MASS FOR THE DEAD case to investigate.
Muirteach leaves for Colonsay immediately. He interrogates the villagers who mostly believe the Fairie took Niall. His inquiry leads to the finding of an infant’s bones in a cave, but is no closer to learning what happened to the child as he fears each passing day makes it more likely the lad has been murdered. He sends for Mariota Beaton who helped him with A MASS FOR THE DEAD inquiry.
This is a terrific late fourteenth century Hebrides amateur sleuth mystery with a touch of romance in the windswept damp air. The key to the investigation is that most of the islanders believe in their heart that the Fairie abducted the child, which in turn anchors time and place. The few who think otherwise are mostly reticent when interrogated by the hero. Medieval mystery fans will want more collaborative whodunits between the M&M sleuths.
Harriet Klausner
Susan McDuffie
Five Star, May 6 2011, $25.95
ISBN 9781594149610
In 1373 on Colonsay, eight years old Niall vanishes without a trace while searching for the mythical fairy gold. Colonsay Laird Gillespic leads a desperate search for the lad he fostered, who is the grandson of the Lord of the Isles. Desperate, Gillespic sends for his nephew Muirteach MacPhee, who solved A MASS FOR THE DEAD case to investigate.
Muirteach leaves for Colonsay immediately. He interrogates the villagers who mostly believe the Fairie took Niall. His inquiry leads to the finding of an infant’s bones in a cave, but is no closer to learning what happened to the child as he fears each passing day makes it more likely the lad has been murdered. He sends for Mariota Beaton who helped him with A MASS FOR THE DEAD inquiry.
This is a terrific late fourteenth century Hebrides amateur sleuth mystery with a touch of romance in the windswept damp air. The key to the investigation is that most of the islanders believe in their heart that the Fairie abducted the child, which in turn anchors time and place. The few who think otherwise are mostly reticent when interrogated by the hero. Medieval mystery fans will want more collaborative whodunits between the M&M sleuths.
Harriet Klausner
Sentenced to Death-Lorna Barrett
Sentenced to Death
Lorna Barrett
Berkley, Jun 7 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780425241868
Stoneham, New Hampshire celebrates the Founder’s Day weekend. Happy Domestic owner Deborah Black provides the welcoming speech. However, as she talks a small plane accidentally crashes in the gazebo where Deborah is giving her presentation. Deborah is killed.
The victim’s husband David immediately sells the store and refuses to see his toddler Davey. Grieving for the death of her friend, Tricia Miles, owner of the Haven't Got a Clue mystery bookstore, is stunned by the behavior of David and her mother Elizabeth Crane. Additionally someone is trashing the Happy Domestic. So unable to remain on the sidelines, Tricia investigates.
Sentenced to Death is am entertaining regional amateur sleuth (see Chapter and Hearse) as Deborah’s death seems like a horrific accident as no motive appears for anything otherwise. In fact the heroine investigates the odd reactive behavior of her late friend’s family rather than a death. With Angelica the sib and romantic hints besides Russ the stalking reporter, sub-genre fans will enjoy this fine New Hampshire mystery.
Harriet Klausner
Lorna Barrett
Berkley, Jun 7 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780425241868
Stoneham, New Hampshire celebrates the Founder’s Day weekend. Happy Domestic owner Deborah Black provides the welcoming speech. However, as she talks a small plane accidentally crashes in the gazebo where Deborah is giving her presentation. Deborah is killed.
The victim’s husband David immediately sells the store and refuses to see his toddler Davey. Grieving for the death of her friend, Tricia Miles, owner of the Haven't Got a Clue mystery bookstore, is stunned by the behavior of David and her mother Elizabeth Crane. Additionally someone is trashing the Happy Domestic. So unable to remain on the sidelines, Tricia investigates.
Sentenced to Death is am entertaining regional amateur sleuth (see Chapter and Hearse) as Deborah’s death seems like a horrific accident as no motive appears for anything otherwise. In fact the heroine investigates the odd reactive behavior of her late friend’s family rather than a death. With Angelica the sib and romantic hints besides Russ the stalking reporter, sub-genre fans will enjoy this fine New Hampshire mystery.
Harriet Klausner
Before I Go to Sleep-SJ Watson
Before I Go to Sleep
SJ Watson
Harper, Jun 14 2011, $25.99
ISBN: 9780062060556
At twenty-nine year of age Christine Lucas survived the car crash, but her ability to store short term memories was shattered. She can only recall 24 hours and no more. Dr. Nash recommends Chrissie keep a journal so she can scan what has recently happened, which she diligently maintains.
Every morning she awakens as if her brain was an etch-o-sketch. She has no idea who the man living with her is or if she has children. When she looks in a mirror she sees a middle aged face not the youthful one her mind says. Her journal and pictures on the mirror enable her to know the man is Ben her husband and that she is published novelist. However, she wonders why Ben conceals truths from her and what Nash wants from her.
Although there is an obvious connection to 50 First Dates, Before I Go To Sleep takes a much darker with no humor look at the loss of short term memory; making the story line more aligned with Memento but in a domestic setting. Chrissie holds the plot together from her opening awakening in bed with a married man she fails to recognize and never slows down as she begins to question those who allegedly care about her. Filled with twists, readers along with the beleaguered heroine will wonder why her loving husband hides truths from her.
Harriet Klausner
SJ Watson
Harper, Jun 14 2011, $25.99
ISBN: 9780062060556
At twenty-nine year of age Christine Lucas survived the car crash, but her ability to store short term memories was shattered. She can only recall 24 hours and no more. Dr. Nash recommends Chrissie keep a journal so she can scan what has recently happened, which she diligently maintains.
Every morning she awakens as if her brain was an etch-o-sketch. She has no idea who the man living with her is or if she has children. When she looks in a mirror she sees a middle aged face not the youthful one her mind says. Her journal and pictures on the mirror enable her to know the man is Ben her husband and that she is published novelist. However, she wonders why Ben conceals truths from her and what Nash wants from her.
Although there is an obvious connection to 50 First Dates, Before I Go To Sleep takes a much darker with no humor look at the loss of short term memory; making the story line more aligned with Memento but in a domestic setting. Chrissie holds the plot together from her opening awakening in bed with a married man she fails to recognize and never slows down as she begins to question those who allegedly care about her. Filled with twists, readers along with the beleaguered heroine will wonder why her loving husband hides truths from her.
Harriet Klausner
White Shotgun-April Smith
White Shotgun
April Smith
Knopf, Jun 21 2011, $25.95
ISBN 9780307270139
On leave from the FBI, Special Agent Ana Grey and her lover private security expert Sterling McCord are in London when her handler Mike Donnato calls from Los Angeles asking her to visit the Embassy. The FBI Legat in London Sheila Kuser asks her go to Siena, Italy to meet her half-sister Cecilia Maria Nicosa nee Sanchez of El Salvatore, who Ana had not known existed until the Fed call. The FBI wants Ana to meet Cecilia in order to investigate her wealthy coffee importer spouse Nicoli whose mistress vanished allegedly due to a White Shotgun murder.
Meanwhile Siena prepares for the Palio gala culminating with the legendary horse race between the city’s wards. Someone stabs Nicosa’s son Giovanni and Cecilia vanishes. Ana and Sterling trust no one local as they prepare to locate and rescue Cecilia before she becomes a White Shotgun victim.
The latest Agent Grey FBI thriller (see Good Morning Killer and Judas Horse) is an exciting European caper starting with a mass shooting in London and continuing on the continent. The complex story line is fast-paced and filled with suspense as the paternal siblings meet while family war breaks out in Italy. Though connecting the dots seem a bit convoluted, readers will appreciate Ana’s European vacation.
Harriet Klausner
April Smith
Knopf, Jun 21 2011, $25.95
ISBN 9780307270139
On leave from the FBI, Special Agent Ana Grey and her lover private security expert Sterling McCord are in London when her handler Mike Donnato calls from Los Angeles asking her to visit the Embassy. The FBI Legat in London Sheila Kuser asks her go to Siena, Italy to meet her half-sister Cecilia Maria Nicosa nee Sanchez of El Salvatore, who Ana had not known existed until the Fed call. The FBI wants Ana to meet Cecilia in order to investigate her wealthy coffee importer spouse Nicoli whose mistress vanished allegedly due to a White Shotgun murder.
Meanwhile Siena prepares for the Palio gala culminating with the legendary horse race between the city’s wards. Someone stabs Nicosa’s son Giovanni and Cecilia vanishes. Ana and Sterling trust no one local as they prepare to locate and rescue Cecilia before she becomes a White Shotgun victim.
The latest Agent Grey FBI thriller (see Good Morning Killer and Judas Horse) is an exciting European caper starting with a mass shooting in London and continuing on the continent. The complex story line is fast-paced and filled with suspense as the paternal siblings meet while family war breaks out in Italy. Though connecting the dots seem a bit convoluted, readers will appreciate Ana’s European vacation.
Harriet Klausner
English Tea Murder-Leslie Meier
English Tea Murder
Leslie Meier
Kensington, Jul 1 2011, $24.00
ISBN: 9780758229311
Winchester College Professor George Temple sponsors a tour of England. Tinker‘s Cove, Maine newspaper reporter and surprisingly good sleuth Lucy Stone and her three close friends excitedly join his group. However, while still in the air crossing the ocean, George dies from anaphylactic shock. Another member of the tour Dr. Cope tries to save Temple, but fails.
Lucy is sad by the professor’s death, but did not know him so she, her BFFs and the rest of the group tour the country. After a while, Lucy notices an odd vibe amongst the group excluding her pals. There is a lack of passion towards the deceased and in fact she thinks there is general sigh of relief. Then there are the strange dangerous accidents including a student falling off Brighton Pier and someone tried to push Lucy’s friend Pam into oncoming traffic. Lucy has a theory to what is happening, but Metropolitan Police easily explain an alternative to her concerns.
Leslie Meier writes a complex cozy in which life imitates art. Fans of the long running series will enjoy the first book outside of Maine, as armchair travelers will appreciate the tour that provides timely insight into British history. The characters are believable as American tourists who have to get used to a new culture very different than in the United States. The whodunit is clever as Lucy Stone amateur sleuth investigates once again.
Harriet Klausner
Leslie Meier
Kensington, Jul 1 2011, $24.00
ISBN: 9780758229311
Winchester College Professor George Temple sponsors a tour of England. Tinker‘s Cove, Maine newspaper reporter and surprisingly good sleuth Lucy Stone and her three close friends excitedly join his group. However, while still in the air crossing the ocean, George dies from anaphylactic shock. Another member of the tour Dr. Cope tries to save Temple, but fails.
Lucy is sad by the professor’s death, but did not know him so she, her BFFs and the rest of the group tour the country. After a while, Lucy notices an odd vibe amongst the group excluding her pals. There is a lack of passion towards the deceased and in fact she thinks there is general sigh of relief. Then there are the strange dangerous accidents including a student falling off Brighton Pier and someone tried to push Lucy’s friend Pam into oncoming traffic. Lucy has a theory to what is happening, but Metropolitan Police easily explain an alternative to her concerns.
Leslie Meier writes a complex cozy in which life imitates art. Fans of the long running series will enjoy the first book outside of Maine, as armchair travelers will appreciate the tour that provides timely insight into British history. The characters are believable as American tourists who have to get used to a new culture very different than in the United States. The whodunit is clever as Lucy Stone amateur sleuth investigates once again.
Harriet Klausner
Dead Reckoning-Charlaine Harris
Dead Reckoning
Charlaine Harris
Ace, May 3 2011, $27.95
ISBN: 9780441020317
In Bon Temps, Louisiana, Sookie Stackhouse helps her cousin Claude the Fairy and Great-Uncle Dermot clean out the attic cluttered with generations of junk. Sookie becomes excited with finding a letter from her grandmother to her accompanied by a buried treasure.
Someone tosses a Molotov cocktail into Merlotte’s when the place is filled with customers. The police believe the motive is to get at the owner Sam Merlotte who has recently come out as a two-natured person. Sookie thinks the cops are wrong with their looking at the anti-shifter fanatics, but she has no idea who or what the motive is. At the same time Victor the vampire is causing problems for Sookie’s lover Eric Northman and his “child” Pam as the evil one’s antic is leading to business loss at Fangtasia. Eric and Pam plan to kill their master while Sookie joins them to keep them safe.
This a terrific transition thriller as several subplots are closed and new ones seem started. Super Sookie the sleuth has come a long way trusting in her abilities, but still is unable to read what makes others tick especially her lover the vampire who her instincts screams is about to embark on a dangerous quest. Fans of the series will relish this True Blood entry as Charlaine Harris provides another strong Cajun fantasy.
Harriet Klausner
Charlaine Harris
Ace, May 3 2011, $27.95
ISBN: 9780441020317
In Bon Temps, Louisiana, Sookie Stackhouse helps her cousin Claude the Fairy and Great-Uncle Dermot clean out the attic cluttered with generations of junk. Sookie becomes excited with finding a letter from her grandmother to her accompanied by a buried treasure.
Someone tosses a Molotov cocktail into Merlotte’s when the place is filled with customers. The police believe the motive is to get at the owner Sam Merlotte who has recently come out as a two-natured person. Sookie thinks the cops are wrong with their looking at the anti-shifter fanatics, but she has no idea who or what the motive is. At the same time Victor the vampire is causing problems for Sookie’s lover Eric Northman and his “child” Pam as the evil one’s antic is leading to business loss at Fangtasia. Eric and Pam plan to kill their master while Sookie joins them to keep them safe.
This a terrific transition thriller as several subplots are closed and new ones seem started. Super Sookie the sleuth has come a long way trusting in her abilities, but still is unable to read what makes others tick especially her lover the vampire who her instincts screams is about to embark on a dangerous quest. Fans of the series will relish this True Blood entry as Charlaine Harris provides another strong Cajun fantasy.
Harriet Klausner
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