Crime Fiction | Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

THE CLOUD COLLECTOR by Brian Freemantle

November 11, 2015

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Brian Freemantle comes out with an intricate novel concerning attacks on both the U.S. and Great Britain by Al Qaeda. An Iranian computer genius launches attack after attack on both countries via the Internet and social media.

Sally Hanning, a brilliant MI5 agent, is seconded to the CIA task force to help in finding and stopping the Iranian attacks. She meets with and works with the CIA’s master code cracker Jack Irvine in finding answers to the continued onslaughts. The pair find an unusual communality in that Jack’s father instigated an ambush in which Sally’s parents were killed. In spite of this past event while in the course of foiling attack after attack the two develop a sort of love affair, which while attractive to both, does not develop into something major.

Attack after attack by the Iranian terrorist and master computer expert is defeated until it appears that one final attempt looks like it is going around MI5 and the CIA’s best efforts and will be successful.

I found that Freemantle’s propensity to delve deeply, very deeply into the thought processes of the protagonists becomes a spoiler when one deviation after another is described ad infinitum losing me at times in the wordage. The action that should be constant and breathtaking is not present in a plot that calls for it.

A book that in the hands of an author with the talent of Brian Freemantle should be an exciting read, but is held down by the overabundance of description after description.

11/15 Paul Lane

THE CLOUD COLLECTOR by Brian Freemantle. Thomas Dunne Books (November 3, 2015). ISBN 978-1250066237. 352p.

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HOSTAGE by Kristina Ohlsson

November 10, 2015

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The Fredrika Bergman Series (Book 4)

In a bit of a departure from the police procedurals featuring Fredrika Bergman and Alex Recht, Ohlsson moves her characters into different jobs and creates a thriller based on the 2010 terrorist attack on Stockholm, making this a much more personal book, which she addresses in the afterword.

Bergman is now working for the Justice department and Recht has moved to the National Bureau of Investigation which is investigating several bomb threats throughout Stockholm, including one at the Rosenbad, a government building. Sweden’s security force, Sapo, takes the lead on the investigation that also includes Eden Lundell, the head of the counter-terrorism unit.

They don’t find any bombs, but the next day there is another threat, this time aboard a flight from Stockholm to New York. The U.S. is hypervigilant of a terrorist attack and is at odds with the Swedish government, whose priority is trying to protect its citizens on board the flight. To complicate things further, Recht’s son is the captain on board.

The two governments need to find a way to work together before the plane’s fuel runs out or it enters U.S. air space. This is a tense, complex story that will satisfy fans of this series and Scandinavian thrillers.

11/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

HOSTAGE by Kristina Ohlsson. Atria/Emily Bestler Books (November 10, 2015). ISBN 978-1476734033. 400p.

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TENACITY by J.S. Law

November 5, 2015

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Lieutenant Dan (Danielle) Lewis is a special investigator in the Royal Navy. Her assignment is to investigate a suicide on the submarine “Tenacity,” which occurred immediately after the man’s wife was beaten, raped and killed.

Submarines are notoriously inhospitable to women, and this one is no exception – one hundred hostile men and Dan, who isn’t much of a team player anyway. But investigate she does, despite the fact the captain refuses to stay in port and sets out on their next mission, with Dan on board.

The crew aboard are not happy nor helpful, and Dan is in danger every step of the way. Law, a former Royal Navy Submarine engineer, ups the tension significantly as he brilliantly recreates the claustrophobic feel of living on a submarine. The unusual setting adds a great deal of interest but never slows the action in this fast paced nail-biter.

This is the first book of a series featuring this flawed but dynamic character, and shows great promise as the series moves forward.

11/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

TENACITY by J.S. Law. Henry Holt and Co. (November 3, 2015). ISBN 978-1627794565. 320p.

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A SPECTER OF JUSTICE by Mark de Castrique

November 4, 2015

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Sam Blackman Series

Two little boys are orphaned when their parents are killed during a domestic violence trial. The people of the small town of Asheville, North Carolina pull together and plan a fundraiser for the boys.

Private investigator Sam Blackman had been testifying when the murders occurred and feels guilty, so he agrees to help out when his girlfriend Nakayla asks him to work with the Asheville Apparitions, who want to create a fundraising ghost tour of the town, using members of the group as reenactors. Sam agrees to act as storyteller at the bridge where a woman hung herself years earlier and her spirit is seen from time to time.

When the first tour group comes by, an actual woman tumbles down from the bridge dangling from a noose and very much dead. Then another of the reenactors dies in a recreation across town in an old hotel, and the hunt is on for the killer.

Sam and Nakayla work with the police to help solve the murder, while more of the town’s history unfolds. Lots of interesting characters and some nice twists help make the pages fly by, and readers who enjoy small town mysteries and ghost stories should enjoy this.

11/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

A SPECTER OF JUSTICE by Mark de Castrique. Poisoned Pen Press (November 3, 2015). ISBN 978-1464204746. 252p.

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THE CROSSING by Michael Connelly

November 3, 2015

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Bosch Series

This is the beginning of a new Harry Bosch. Connelly has gone where he swore he wouldn’t go and Harry is working for his half brother, the Lincoln Lawyer himself, Mickey Haller.

After being forced into retirement – can’t say early, Harry’s been a cop longer than most – but nonetheless there is a lawsuit pending. He’s bored. Working on an old motorcycle just isn’t enough to make him happy.

Enter Mickey, who asks him to look into a murder. Harry balks, he considers defense work as going over to the dark side. But as Mickey explains the case, and swears his client is innocent, Harry agrees to look at the discovery evidence and see if there are any holes in the investigation.

Of course he finds some, he is not the legend of the homicide department for nothing. As uncomfortable as he is working for a defense lawyer, even his brother, he is more uncomfortable with a shoddy investigation and a man in jail who may not belong there. And more importantly, a killer on the loose in his town.

As far as I’m concerned, Connelly is the best crime fiction writer out there, and his latest just proves it. Don’t miss it.

11/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE CROSSING by Michael Connelly. Little, Brown and Company (November 3, 2015). ISBN 978-0316225885. 400p.

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NO GOOD DEED by Allison Brennan

November 3, 2015

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Lucy Kincaid Novels (Book 10)

All hands are on deck when former DEA agent turned murderer Nicole Rollins escapes on her way to testify against drug lord Tobias, leaving several dead law enforcement officers and a bus load of frightened children who narrowly escaped a bomb on board the bus.

Lucy Kinkaid and Sean Rogan are just two of the agents trying to find Collins amid a massive manhunt, but there is contention about who the real mastermind is behind her escape. The general consensus is that she has fled the country but Kinkaid has her doubts about that too. Most of the agents believe Tobias is running the show, but Kinkaid, a psychological profiler, is leaning more towards Collins being in charge.

Brennan turns the tables a bit in this 10th entry into this terrific series, offering up the antagonists’ point of view, and the tight plotting and all the action make this a true page turner. This chilling, twisty tale of revenge is the denouement of the last few books of the series, but there is enough explanation to allow new readers to be able to enjoy this latest entry on its own.

11/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

NO GOOD DEED by Allison Brennan. Minotaur Books (November 3, 2015). ISBN 978-1250064332. 480p.

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BLUE VOYAGE by Diana Renn

November 2, 2015

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Zan’s not exactly a bad kid, but things haven’t been easy of late and it’s caused her to act out a bit. So her mom decides they could both do with a change. A blue voyage cruise in Turkey with Zan’s aunt is an opportunity to get away while offering support to the recently widowed Jackie.

Zan’s uncle was killed in an unfortunate hiking accident and, though there’s no evidence to suggest otherwise, it seems Jackie has become convinced it wasn’t an accident at all. Jackie was to accompany her husband on the cruise where he would lead a group on a tour of archaeological sites. Now the cruise is a chance for Jackie to officially say goodbye.

In spite of the fact that the area is under increased watch thanks to a boom in antiquities smuggling, Zan’s trip begins well enough. The small boat is tight, but the scenery is gorgeous and even Zan can’t resist the pull of the blue ocean and the ancient cliff walls. She even makes a friend in fellow traveler Sage. But Zan’s trip to paradise soon turns dangerous when she becomes entangled in the smuggling ring’s plans, forcing her to risk everything in order to save the people she loves most.

Blue Voyage is a teen mystery that’s actually quite perfect as a cross over for adults. Renn’s pacing and plotting are spot on. There are hints of the danger to come as we embark on the tale, but the main focus in the beginning is on setting the scene and giving the reader a chance to get to know Zan and her family.

The story moves from the cruise to Istanbul and eventually Cappadocia with Renn taking readers on a tour of their own through Turkey’s archaeological history. This history, it should be noted, is something Renn herself has taken great pains to portray as accurately as possible. And it’s this history paired with the current political tension and Zan’s own family drama that provides a tense framework for the story.

Between the exotic locale, the promise of a treasure hunt, and a possible underlying murder mystery to connect it all there’s not much more you can really ask for here. Blue Voyage comes together as a fabulously fun read for anyone looking for a great adventure.

11/15 Becky LeJeune

BLUE VOYAGE by Diana Renn. Viking Books for Young Readers (October 13, 2015). ISBN 978-0670015597. 464p.

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THE THEORY OF DEATH by Faye Kellerman

October 28, 2015

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Decker/Lazarus Novels

Former Los Angeles detective Peter Decker is living and working as police chief in Greenbury, a small town in upstate New York. A local college student, Eli Wolf, is found dead in the forest, an apparent suicide – or is it?

Decker investigates with the help of visiting Harvard law school student Tyler McAdams, (who was introduced in Murder 101) and is staying with Peter & Rina, ostensibly to study for his final exams without distraction, but the distractions mount as the investigation continues.

Wolf was Mennonite and estranged from his father. He’d been in a bad car accident several years earlier resulting in some kind of brain damage that left him obsessed with math to the exclusion of a family or personal life. Wolf’s one social connection is another math student who has had a crush on Tyler since they were teenagers, but that doesn’t leave her out as suspect.

There was not enough Rina and way too much math theory here and it slowed the story down considerably. Math geeks will love it while fans of the series may be disappointed.

10/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE THEORY OF DEATH by Faye Kellerman. William Morrow (October 27, 2015). ISBN 978-0062270214. 384p.

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CORRUPTED by Lisa Scottoline

October 27, 2015

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A Rosato & DiNunzio Novel, Book 3 (sort of)

I adore Lisa Scottoline, but I don’t understand why her publisher has “rebranded” her series. I think this is actually the 14th book in the series. And it’s terrific!

Bennie Rosato, founder of the Rosato & Associates law firm, is a very private person, even with her staff. When she takes on a low profile murder case, she tells them she’s been appointed by the court.

The truth is very different; thirteen years earlier, Bennie had represented the same defendant, Jason Leftavick, but in juvenile court. While those records were sealed, she never forgot him or the only case from which she’d ever been fired. Carrying around years of guilt leads her to represent him in what seems like an open and shut case of first degree murder.

Bennie had been fired for dating Declan Mitchell, whose nephew Richie was incarcerated along with Jason. The boys were enemies; Richie bullied Jason until he finally snapped and shoved Richie. A no-nonsense judge sentenced them both to juvie and Jason’s father hired Bennie to free his son, who had recently lost his mother.

Declan and Bennie fall in love and spend one weekend together before circumstances force them apart, but Bennie never forgot the man she considered the love of her life. But now they are on opposite sides of a murder case; Jason is accused of killing Richie. Both the juvenile case and the murder case are compelling on their own, but the combination and the glimpse into Bennie’s younger self make this a wonderful addition to the series.

10/15 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

CORRUPTED by Lisa Scottoline. St. Martin’s Press (October 27, 2015). ISBN 978-1503945807. 368p.

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THE QUEST by Richard Ben Sapir

October 21, 2015

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Richard Ben Sapir passed away several years ago, leaving a legacy of exceptionally engrossing novels. Among these was The Quest, first published in 1987 and currently being reprised for today’s reader. It is still a novel that grabs the reader and carries him or her into a story that is unusual, exciting, and definitely informative about the world of precious stones.

Queen Elizabeth I commissioned the construction of a Saltcellar, which was completed while the mighty Spanish Armada was defeated by the English fleet changing the makeup of world powers. Spain lost its place as the master of the seas while England began several centuries of eminence on the oceans of the world. A Saltcellar was a decorative piece designed to hold the salt on dining tables. In many cases it was built incorporating precious stones making it an item too valuable to actually be used for the containment and sprinkling of salt.

Elizabeth’s Saltcellar was hidden by her in a safe place, and not seen for centuries. The action of the book opens when a man attempts to sell it in New York and is killed in the process. His daughter, Claire Andrews. travels to New York from her home in the midwest and finds herself in a conspiracy beginning with Elizabeth I and traveling to present day New York. She consults with detective Artie Modelstein of the New York police Frauds/Jewels squad and the two form a mutual attraction leading to love.

Claire researches the Saltcellar and learns a great deal about the world of rubies, diamonds, emeralds and other precious stones in the process. Ben Sapir obviously did a great deal of research in this area and imparts this knowledge through Claire to the reader. It is, by itself, a fascinating topic described in an interesting manner by the author.

The question of how the Saltcellar was taken from England and ends up in the collection of a man from the United States midwest, and what the piece really covers are skillfully woven into a very unusual plot. Certainly, an all nighter for the reader and the definite prelude to looking for additional works by Ben Sapir either republished or found at a bookstore or library.

It is newly available as an ebook.

10/15 Paul Lane

THE QUEST by Richard Ben Sapir. Open Road Media Mystery & Thriller (October 13, 2015) ASIN: B0141UPCRU. 404p.

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