Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

T IS FOR TRESPASS by Sue Grafton: I have enjoyed to a greater or lesser extent each of the previous nineteen Kinsey Millhone crime novels, but number twenty left me disappointed. Kinsey’s elderly neighbor, Gus Vronksy, is injured in a fall and she gets involved in his care. After Gus’ great-niece hires a home aide, Solana Rojas, Kinsey begins to suspect something isn’t quite right with this picture. We know what the problem is, since we have already learned that Rojas is an imposter. So there really isn’t a lot of mystery here, other than the final outcome. Grafton’ writing skills make the book worth reading, but again, not her finest . 01/08 Jack Quick

T IS FOR TRESPASS by Sue Grafton: The twentieth installment of the Kinsey Millhone series is finally here. T begins with Kinsey facing something of a dry spell in her normally exciting career. She’s serving up subpoenas, handing out eviction notices, and working on an accident investigation, all things that bring in money but are a bit ho-hum for our favorite PI. She should enjoy the quiet while it lasts, though. One morning as she is leaving for work, Henry and Kinsey find that their elderly neighbor Gus has fallen and dislocated his shoulder. With no one around to help, Gus is pretty banged up by the time they get to him. His great-great niece lives in New York and has to get back to her job so she places and ad in the paper for a part-time home health care provider. Solana Rojas seems to be perfect for the job. Gus’s niece asks Kinsey to run a basic background check on the woman and everything comes back clean. After just a few days though, Gus seems to be getting worse. Kinsey becomes suspicious and starts to dig a little deeper. She stirs up a hornet’s nest when Solana, a woman who has made a career out of identity theft, embezzlement, and elder abuse, discovers that Kinsey has been snooping around. Solana has no intention of getting caught and will do whatever is necessary to make sure Kinsey stays out of her way. Amazing that there are only six more to go in this series and Grafton is still just as good as she was in the beginning. 12/07 Becky Lejeune

Tagged for Murder by Elaine Flinn: Flinn’s newest is a worthy sequel to her first effort, Dealing in Murder. Molly Doyle is back and this time her estranged sister Carrie shows up with her twelve year old daughter in tow. Molly can’t stand her sister, but she won’t take that out on her new niece. Good thing, too, because she no sooner meets her then Carrie drops her off for a few hours – which turns into quite a bit longer than that. Seems that Carrie has moved to Japan. Meanwhile one of the antique dealers in town has a heart attack and dies at a show, but police chief Randall is acting mighty strange about a heart attack victim. There’s much more here than meets the eye, and Molly is determined to find out what’s going on once again. Carmel, California and the antique business make a very interesting background in this terrific page turner. Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

Take Me, Take Me with You by Lauren Kelly: Lara Quade is a research assistant at Princeton University and a very lonely woman. A childhood accident left her physically and emotionally scarred and eventually estranged from her family. When she receives a ticket to a concert from an anonymous benefactor, she meets her seatmate, a man named Zedrick Dewe, who was also gifted with a ticket. Theirs is an uncomfortable yet synergistic meeting during which Lara invites Zedrick back to her apartment. While their intimacy ends in violence, Lara becomes nearly obsessed with Zedrick; she tracks him down, nudging their relationship further along. As they embark on the process of learning about each other, Lara gradually gains the courage to confront her painful past. But it’s the relationship between Zedrick and Lara that is at the crux of this haunting and beautifully written suspense novel. Kelly is the new pseudonym of Joyce Carol Oates as she steps into the suspense genre. 05/04 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch Copyright © 2004 Cahners Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. Reprinted with permission.

TAKEDOWN by Brad Thor: Scot Harvath, covert counter terrorism operative for the Department of Homeland Security abducts an Algerian bomb-maker out of Montreal while another U.S. team snatches the head of al-Qaeda’s weapons of mass destruction committee from Somalia and stashes him in a secret facility in New York City. All hell breaks loose when Al-Qaeda operative Abdul Ali comes to New York to rescue his Al-Qaeda cohort. Before its over the President’s daughter is seriously injured while bullets fly, bombs explode, and thousands are killed. Another post 9-11, “don’t get mad, get even” treatment which is more awash in blood that most. I wouldn’t pay much for the Arabic translation rights on this one. 11/06 Jack Quick

TAKEN by Robert Crais: This latest entry in the Elvis Cole & Joe Pike series features both protagonists on fairly equal footing. Cole is the featured subject in a newspaper magazine spread which gets him a phone call from a woman who is convinced her daughter has run off with her boyfriend. Cole investigates and finds that they have been kidnapped as part of an illegal immigrant mass gang kidnapping. Competing international gangs bring truckloads of illegals into California, only to have them kidnapped by rival gangs. They are held for small ransom amounts which are repeated on a weekly basis until the ability to pay has been exhausted, then the victims are murdered. Cole ends up held hostage as well, and Pike brings in fellow mercenary Joe Stone to help find Cole. Crais delivers lots of action with only occasional touches of humor, but that palpable tension is what really propels this terrific story. 1/12 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

TAKEN by Robert Crais: Taken is the fifteenth Elvis Cole and Joe Pike novel and it’s the first to feature them both equally. Elvis Cole “The World’s Greatest Detective’ is hired to find a young Latina and her Anglo boyfriend who are kidnapped by bandits along the Mexican border. Cole soon discovers what has happened to her and he enters into a risky arrangement with a Korean organized criminal. It’s a desperate move and Cole knows it. When the plan doesn’t work out, Cole is seized by the bajadores and Pike must come to his rescue. Pike follows the trail left by his captors and holds nothing back from search for his best friend. The feds are also on the hunt for Cole and Pike must find him first before the federal agents make mistakes that could blow Cole’s cover – and his life. 9/12 Jack Quick
TAKEN by Chris Jordan: Kate Bickford’s worst nightmare has just come true. Her eleven-year-old son has been kidnapped. Stephen Cutter, an ex-military man and the brains behind the kidnapping plot, promises Kate that if she follows his very careful instructions, she will have her son back in twenty-four hours. Kate awakens to find police on her doorstep and a dead body in her basement. Just as Cutter planned, Kate is arrested and accused of the murder. No one is inclined to look for the boy in light of these developments and he is free to carry out the remainder of his plot. Kate’s time to find her son is quickly running out for both of them. Chris Jordan’s debut thriller is a hit that will have readers guessing until the end. 07/07 Becky Lejeune

TAKEOVER by Lisa Black: Forensic scientist Theresa MacLean knows all too well the dangers that come with being romantically involved with a fellow member of law enforcement. She knows all about the long work hours and the interrupted dates, but when her fiancé, Detective Paul Cleary is taken hostage in a bank robbery, Theresa must face her worst nightmare. Theresa is not willing to sit by and do nothing, and she’s also not willing to leave everything in the hands of hotshot negotiator, Chris Cavanaugh. In fact, Theresa is sure that her talents in the field of forensics may be the only thing that can help Paul. At the very least she hopes that her skills as a forensic scientist can help identify the perps’ motives and identities. Then an opportunity presents itself: Paul, has been shot and Theresa trades places with him. Her new position on the inside gives her a better chance of figuring the whole thing out and hopefully escaping with her life. Takeover is a good first effort. Overall, the book is an interesting mix of police procedural and forensic mystery with a believable plot and an interesting lead character. The twist ending will probably come as no surprise to any savvy mystery fan, but it’s an entertaining read. 08/08 Becky Lejeune

A TALE OF TWO SISTERS by Anna Maxted: Bestselling author Maxted (Being Committed) hits a home run with yet another delicious story about relationships, this time between sisters. Successful barrister Cassie is younger, prettier, and appears to be happily married, and Lizbet, who writes a sex column for a men’s magazine, is chunky and, along with her boyfriend Tim, the potty king, has her head in the clouds. Despite these cavernous differences, the sisters are somehow as thick as thieves, even when Lizbet accidentally gets pregnant while Cassie, after a year of trying, finds that she can’t conceive. Perhaps it is the strength of siblings struggling together to survive their blundering parents that keeps the two so close, despite the revelation of shocking secrets that threaten to tear them apart. Written in alternating voices, their stories are compelling and heartfelt while still displaying Maxted’s trademark humor. If you have a sister, you’ll want to share this book with her, and if you don’t, you’ll wish you did. 08/06 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch Copyright © 2006 Cahners Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. Reprinted with permission.

TALLGRASS by Sandra Dallas: Unfortunately the liner notes for this book evoke TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Although good, I doubt TALLGRASS will be among Amazon’s top 500 books in 2054 as 1960’s TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is today. The time is World War II; the location is eastern Colorado. Thirteen-year-old Rennie Stroud is Scout Finch, and her dad Loyal plays the part of Atticus, although as a beet farmer instead of a lawyer. Japanese-Americans from California have been forcibly re-located to the Tallgrass internment camp near the backwater town of Ellis, Colorado. When young Susan Reddick is raped and murdered suspicion is placed on the internees, although there is no evidence to support such a contention. The who and why of the murder itself is illuminating. A good read but not on the scale of TKAMB. 12/07 Jack Quick

TAN LINES by J.J. Salem: This is a Jacqueline Susann–style thriller that would shock even Ms. Susann. Three young women spend a wild Hamptons summer reinventing themselves. Liza Pike is an unhappy fashionista feminist and political media pundit contemplating divorce. Kellyanne Downey is a former actress and current mistress of wealthy businessman Walter Isherwood. Indie rock chick Billie Shelton finds herself on a downhill slide. Put these three together in a posh Hamptons summer rental – let the estrogen flow and don’t take any prisoners. What is it they say in the movie ratings – contains nudity and adult language. You betcha. Elsewhere, the end of summer is capped with a leisurely Labor Day weekend, but in the Hamptons summer isn’t over without a grisly murder, a premature birth and a public meltdown. If you are looking for fine literature it’s not here – but if you are in the mood for a steamy summer beach read – it fills the bill. 07/08 Jack Quick

TANNER’S TIGER by Lawrence Block: First published in 1968, this is the fifth book in the series featuring Evan Tanner, “whose sleep center was destroyed in Korea” but who remains “not merely conscious but energetically and productively awake 24 hours a day.” Set firmly in that era, Tanner is investigating the Cuban Pavilion at the Montreal Expo where a kidnapping occurs. He gets involved with Quebec nationalists, especially a bright and beautiful young woman named Arlette, who teams up with Tanner to sort out the Cuban plot, rescue the kidnapped Minna and frustrate the militants with Block’s normal wit and wisdom. Dated, but still enjoyable. 03/06 Jack Quick

A TAP ON THE WINDOW by Linwood Barclay: Barclay delivers another book characterized by lots of permutations and combinations in the plot guaranteeing the total attention of the reader. In all of his novels, that which seems to be apparent is not, and we are always led on a fascinating round about trip to a satisfying ending. This is again the case in his latest book. Cal Weaver and his wife Donna have moved to a small town in New York State after Cal was asked to leave a police force in another town due to an incident involving violence in an arrest. Two months prior to the opening of the book their son Scott was killed in what is described as a tragic accident. The couple drift apart faced with the horror of losing their son and just go through the motions of living while trying to work through the tragedy. Cal now makes his living as a private detective and Donna has a clerical position with the local police department thanks to her brother who is the chief of police. One evening while Cal is driving home after working a case he stops at a light and hears a tapping on the passenger side window. The tapper is a young girl that he knows is in high school and knew his dead son. Both to get her off the street and also possibly find out if she knows anything more about Scott’s death he lets her into the car . The girl asks if he can stop at a restaurant so that she can go to the bathroom. Cal does so, but after waiting for her for quite a while goes inside and does not see her anywhere. He returns to his car and apparently the girl returns and sits down again. Problem is that it is immediately apparent that she is not the same girl that he first picked up, and that entered the restaurant. As the title suggests this action opens up a round of events that includes murders, corrupt cops, public scandals and political intrigue. Each twist and turn turns into another set of possibilities and brings up more questions that require answers. Every action is logical based on the facts presented by Barclay and keeps the reader glued to the book. The ending is not an all’s well that ends well finish but is in line with the sequence presented. A very engrossing read which will keep the reader glued to the book until finished. 8/13 Paul Lane

TARGET by Simon Kernick: Thriller writer Rob Fallon had a little too much to drink. Otherwise he would never have ended up in the apartment of the ex-girlfriend of his best friend. His memories afterward indicated two men broke into the apartment, abducted Jenny and tried to kill him. He barely escaped with his life and eventually made it to the police station in London’s West End. After telling his story to a sympathetic female DS, he returns with her to the scene. They find no evidence to support his claim, the doorman didn’t see him, the surveillance tape doesn’t indicate Rob and Jenny were there, and both the doorman and Jenny’s father say she is out of country on holiday. When a fearful Rob, knowing Jenny’s life is in danger, can’t let things go, he becomes the target of faceless killers. What is it they are so desperate to hide? How does an ordinary girl like Jenny get involved? Answers or death. It’s that simple. 04/09 Jack Quick

TARGET LANCER by Max Allan Collins: Everyone of a certain age knows exactly where they were when they got word that President Kennedy had been shot and killed in Dallas and many of us saw Jack Ruby kill Lee Harvey Oswald in the assassination’s aftermath. Long before November 22, 1963, Nathan Heller, “P.I. to the Stars,” knows that a conspiracy is in the works. Several years earlier, Heller had been involved with the Kennedys, the Mob, and the CIA in the early stages of a plan to assassinate Fidel Castro. Heller now realizes that he is the only one who knows all the players and may be the one person who can prevent a devastating political assassination of the man known to the Secret Service as “Lancer,” John Fitzgerald Kennedy. 12/12 Jack Quick

TARGETS OF OPPORTUNITY by Jeffery S. Stephens: It was a match made in hell – actually Pyongyang, North Korea. A ruthless South American and Kim Jong-Il’s North Korea have joined forces in a diabolic plot against the US. In a classic case of mid-direction, they have made it look like the plotters are operatives of the Middle East. The fanatics stage a stunning diversion in the Caribbean, mercilessly downing a passenger jet and unleashing an assault on a French intelligence installation. Its up to Jordan Sandor to get to real enemy in North Korea. A small team sent into the area provides intel that plunges Sandor into a frantic race against time, struggling to defeat a shadowy figure—a master terrorist with a plan of destruction so perfectly disguised that even with the new knowledge he has gathered, Sandor cannot guess where or how he will strike. A page turner, for sure. 9/12 Jack Quick
TARNISHED BEAUTY by Cecilia Samartin: Jamilet is a beautiful young woman from a small town in Mexico. Throughout her life she has been shunned by local townspeople because of a horrible birthmark that taints her back and part of her legs. She flees to Los Angeles illegally in order to seek treatment for her birthmark and begins working at a local mental institution. Her patient is an elderly man named Antonio, a difficult and angry man from Spain. Antonio steals Jamilet’s illegal immigration documents and promises to return them upon the condition that she listens to his story. Jamilet agrees, and thus begins an unbreakable bond. Antonio’s story details his pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago in Spain with his friend Tomas prior to joining the priesthood. Inspired by Antonio’s story, Jamilet learns that her mark does not define her as a person. Beauty is more than skin deep. She breaks herself free of the shell that has been preventing her from opening up and allowing herself to love. The ending of the story was a bit sudden; several aspects were left hanging, but this doesn’t detract from the powerful storytelling. 05/08 Jennifer Lawrence

TARNISHED ICONS by Stuart Kaminsky: After ten outings there has now been significant change in the life of Chief Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov:: His son Yosef has come to work in his department,; Colonel Yakovlev is Rostnikov’s new boss after the promotion of his former boss; and, he has had his bad leg amputated below the knee and is getting used to a new prosthetic leg. On the home front, Yosef has proposed to Elena Timofeyeva (the former Procurators niece) and wife Sarah has begun to have ‘episodes’ that might be related to the brain tumor she had removed. The latest crimes? Well there’s a murderer of Jews, a serial rapist, and a serial bomber, all to be identified and apprehended. Another awesome outing for Moscow’s most interesting cop. 03/08 Jack Quick

TAROKO GORGE by Jacob Ritari: A rambling first person stream of consciousness narrative about a disillusioned American reporter, and three Japanese schoolgirls who disappear into a dense and imposing Taroko Gorge, Taiwan’s largest national park. The journalists-who are themselves suspects-investigate the disappearance along with the girls’ distraught teacher, their bickering classmates, and a seasoned and wary Taiwanese detective. I just couldn’t get into the stream of things, but maybe others will find it satisfying. I came away feeling I had learned too much about things I didn’t care about and too little about the things I did care about. 02/10 Jack Quick

A TASTE OF MAGIC by Tracy Madison: Elizabeth Stevens has admittedly not been having the best of times lately. Her ex, after revealing that he was leaving her for another woman, has hired Liz and her bakery, A Taste of Magic, to make his new wedding cake. It probably wouldn’t be so bad if Liz had had anything resembling a relationship of her own for the past year, but sadly she has not. So when her grandmother gifts her with magical abilities on her 35th birthday, Liz has a lot to look forward to. Turns out Liz is descended from a gypsy witch and her own power shines when combined with her baking prowess. Soon she’s whipping up a batter of revenge for her ex, lust for her hunky neighbor, and even a little confidence for her friends. But of course, Liz is about to discover that the old adage, be careful what you wish for, is ever so true, and it could be that her greatest wish is closer than she thinks. This contemporary romance debut with a sweet touch of magic is the first in a new series — a cute and light read. 04/09 Becky Lejeune

THE TASTE OF NIGHT: THE SECOND SIGN OF THE ZODIAC by Vicki Pettersson: The Las Vegas Shadow troop has been awfully silent since the events of The Scent of Shadows. Joanna Archer knows that they are preparing for something big. As the Kairos, a star sign of Zodiac legend who is equal parts light and dark, Joanna fears that revealing what she knows will put her position in the troop at risk. Zodiac legend states that the Kairos will choose to fight for either light or shadow and that in choosing she will determine the outcome of the war. Joanna’s father, the Tulpa – a being brought into existence through thought alone – leader of the Shadows, believes that she can be turned. The leader of Troop 175 fears that this may be the case if Joanna cannot learn to control her Shadow abilities. When the Shadows unleash a terrifying virus on the citizens of Las Vegas, Joanna is finally forced to disclose her knowledge of the plans. Her admission leads to her exile from the troop. Now, Joanna must fight alone to save the people she loves and once again earn the trust of her team. Pettersson has created a brilliant mythology to support her Zodiac series. As each new part of the legend is revealed the story becomes more and more intriguing. Part X-Men and part Heroes, this series is incredible and I can’t wait to see what happens next. 04/07 Becky Lejeune

Tear This Heart Out by Angeles Mastretta: By turns violent yet tender, naive yet sexual, heartrending yet boisterously funny, feminist writer Mastretta takes us on a tour of post-revolutionary Mexico as we watch the coming of age of Catalina Guzman. At 15 she marries General Andres Ascencio, a highly ambitious, ruthless man more than twice her age, who has met his match in his smart, spunky child bride. Their life together is so hot it sizzles in this fascinating read. Translated by Margaret Sayers. Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THE TECHNOLOGISTS by Matthew Pearl: Matthew Pearl has earned a reputation as a master constructor of historical novels based on excellent research. The Technologists follows quite well in this path. It is set in the city of Boston in 1868 at the time that the newly chartered Massachusetts Institute of Technology is ready to graduate it’s first class. The situations, conversations, thoughts and behavior of the characters involved must certainly match the actualities of the day. And an underlying rivalry with the revered Harvard University is probably based on actualities of the day, when the Harvard emphasis on educating via liberal arts and molding the whole man (no women) was seen to make the technical emphasis featured at MIT suspect.
A series of events beginning with ships in Boston Harbor having their instruments fail at the same time causing chaos there and than having glass melting around the city causing injuries and one death leads to fear among the residents and visitors to Boston. A Harvard professor offers his services to the police to find the causes of these events, but Pearl pictures him as more than a little bumbling in spite of the actuality of his academic reputation of the time. The graduating class of MIT takes it upon themselves to look into these and following events as a means of proving that technology is useful in solving real problems based on scientific methodology.
Pearl introduces us to several characters that actually were at MIT and Harvard at the time, including Ellen Swallow who was the first woman to be allowed a technical education, and who in real life married one of the members of the first class, and than taught at MIT. Miss Swallow is pictured as she probably was due to the circumstances of her admittance and is interesting as her place at MIT indicates she should have been. The group eventually encounters the causes of the disasters, and are left as they receive their diplomas from the school. Absorbing reading and the obvious product of a good deal of right on research. 2/12 Paul Lane

TARGETS OF DECEPTION by Jeffery Stephens: Former CIA agent Jordan Sandor is reluctantly drawn back into action, when a series of violent events leads him to search out a new al-Qaeda conspiracy to initiate a new wave of cataclysmic assaults with poison gas. Sandor follows the deadly trail from New York to Florida to Paris and, ultimately, to the small town of Portofino on the Italian Riviera. Never sure who he can trust and who may be an enemy, Jordan relies on his experience, instincts and skills as he risks his life to uncover plans for attacks against the United States and its allies. When Sandor discovers a rogue agent behind the plot, he realizes he is the one man who can prevent the catastrophe. 6/12 Jack Quick

TEARS IN RAIN by Rosa Montero: By 2109, the countries of Earth have come together as the United States of Earth. Cloning and teleportation technology are regularly used and first contact with extraterrestrials is a thing of the past. Bruna Husky is a private investigator. She’s also a replicant, or rep, with just over four years left of her limited life span. After Bruna is nearly killed by another rep in her building, she’s hired by the Radical Replicant Movement to investigate a series of similar cases. Bruna’s neighbor fell victim to an illegal memory implant, a common element in a growing number of rep deaths. In the beginning, the deaths appeared to be suicides. The latest cases, however, have all happened in public places and in each instance the reps have managed to take out a number of others around them. Certain factions of the public have always been prejudice against the reps and with this new threat the tension becomes worse. Reps are now being perceived as a very real threat to the humans around them. The leader of the RRM hopes that Bruna can find who is behind the implants while also uncovering the purpose of what seems to be a plot aimed specifically at the reps themselves. Tears in Rain is both inspired by and also pays homage to Blade Runner. It’s an interesting mystery with a great sci-fi twist. This is Rosa Montero’s first book to be released in the States. 12/12 Becky Lejeune

A TEENY BIT OF TROUBLE by Michael Lee West: This is the sequel to Gone with a Handsomer Man, which was a delightful light mystery filled with quirky characters and humor. I didn’t find the sequel quite as engaging, probably because the surprise of these original characters was gone, but nonetheless it was still a terrific read. Teeny gets engaged but her high school boyfriend comes back into town and is trying hard to get her back, reminding me a bit of Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum’s triumvirate of love. Teeny accidentally witnesses what she thinks is a murder, and all kinds of craziness ensues, with more quirky characters like a child and a future mother-in-law, both seemingly spawns of the devil, to a creepy doctor, a self centered pharmacist and a computer geek bodyguard. More dead bodies turn up, but the darkness is lightened by all the humor and Teeny’s essential sweetness. All the story lines are skillfully woven together by the very satisfying ending, making this a successful sequel and the wait for the next volume that much more difficult. 6/12 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

Tell No One by Harlan Coben: The definitive page turner; this book had me wired until I finished it. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! A great story that just keeps building and building along with believable, sympathetic characters makes this a winner. Don’t miss it. Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

TEMPEST RISING by Nicole Peeler: Jane True has always known that she didn’t fit in in Rockabill, Maine. Until now, however, she’s not known that there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for this: she’s half selkie. Yes, strange but true, Jane’s mother, the woman who appeared in town one night totally nude and then disappeared without a trace, abandoning Jane and her father, was a selkie. But Jane doesn’t learn this until after she discovers a dead body floating in the ocean. Turns out, the dead man wasn’t quite what he seemed and this is when Jane is finally told the truth about the “others” who live among us. While working alongside the vampire investigator sent to solve the case, Jane will gets crash course in the supernatural and readers are taken along for the amazing ride. If you’re looking for fresh, new urban fantasy, you’ll definitely want to get your hands on Tempest Rising. Nicole Peeler’s debut is clever and fun, and Jane True is a totally loveable heroine. First in a new series with Tracking the Tempest due out next year. 10/09 Becky Lejeune

THE TEMPLAR SALVATION by Raymond Khoury: After 4 years, Khoury’s follow-up to his very popular The Last Templar begins in the year 1203. Constantinople is under siege; a small band of Knights Templars has snuck into the city and stolen valuable documents from the imperial library. After taking refuge in a monastery, the Templars are murdered, never having learned the contents of the documents. Now in the present day, an Iranian history professor is given an ultimatum: finish his work on a certain historical artifact, or his family will be killed. Meanwhile, FBI agent Sean Reilly is compelled to smuggle ancient documents out of the Vatican archives if he wants to see his lover, Tess, again. A warning – if you have not yet read The last Templar, you may be at a loss for some of the nuances, although Khoury does an adequate job of relating the back story. Overall, this very well constructed blend of historical mystery and present-day thriller doesn’t break any new ground, but there’s no denying Khoury is among the best of the Da Vinci Code clone writers. 11/10 Jack Quick

Temporary Sanity by Rose Connors: This is the sequel to Absolute Certainty, a first novel that was really superior. Connors has developed a character, Marty Nickerson, who is as real as it gets – flawed and fabulous. A single mom living on Cape Cod, in the first book she was a district attorney, but by the end she switched tables; in this new one she is now a practicing defense attorney, and the transition is smooth and believable. She is partnered with her lover, a former public defender named Harry Madigan. Her client is in a rather precarious position; he murdered the man who raped and murdered his seven year old son, and did it on live TV. This is no ordinary legal thriller; Nickerson has to tangle with both the moral and social implications and how a jury will deal with the situation. To further complicate things, she takes on another client, a woman who has been a victim of severe physical abuse by her lover, an upstanding citizen of the community – a parole officer. When he turns up dead, she stands accused and Nickerson has another volatile case on her hands. This is a gripping, emotional read with strong, believable characters from the lawyers and judges to the kids in the novel, and a wonderful sense of place to boot. Legal thrillers don’t get much better than this – don’t miss it. Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

TEN by Gretchen McNeil: Meg and Minnie have never been invited to a party at White Rock House before. This weekend is different. Not only have they received the coveted invite, but the weekend promises to be the party of a lifetime. No parents, just a bunch of teens hanging out and drinking in a lavish house on a remote island. The first ten to arrive are stranded when a massive storm hits. Even the host has yet to show, but these ten are ready to make the best of it until everyone else arrives. Then they find the video. And then they start to die. The first death seems to have been a suicide. But then there’s another and another after that. There’s no denying now that something terrible and dangerous is happening. Somewhere on the island, a killer is hiding, and time is running out as the kids fall, one by one. Inspired by Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, McNeil has created a dark and twisted teen horror/mystery, reminiscent of the Christopher Pike books I read in my own teen days. McNeil’s second release is a satisfying read that left me guessing—and second guessing—until the very end. 11/12 Becky Lejeune

TEN BEACH ROAD by Wendy Wax: The title refers to an address on one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida, Pass-a-Grille. Madeline, Avery and Nicole have all been swindled out of their life savings by a Bernie Madoff type Ponzi scheme and the court awards these three strangers a share in a beachfront home. When the women show up to see their property, they find a beautiful old house that has been severely neglected and taken over by the elements. None of them has the resources to renovate, but the a local contractor agrees to front the money for a share of the profits, providing the women do all the grunt work. Without any other options, they move in and get to work, forming a new friendship along the way. They each have interesting stories; Madeline has just found out her husband lost his job six months previously, and has been pretending to go to work every day. Avery, a licensed architect, is in the middle of a divorce from her co-starring husband on a HGTV show, from which she has just been fired. Nicole has a millionaire matchmaker business that goes belly up when her funds vanish. The reader can’t help but care for these characters as they work to rebuild their only asset, and the ending has an unexpected twist. A very enjoyable, light read, rather like a HGTV reality show fleshed out on the page. 08/11 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

Ten Little Indians by Sherman Alexie: This new collection of short stories meets the high standards Alexie previously set in The Toughest Indian in the World. The stories are all engaging as his Indian characters all deal with the problems of life presented on and off the Rez.
Every reader who has a relationship with books will relate to the Corliss, the young Indian woman in the first story, who is seriously in love with books. She bemoans only having a “mirage library” in the school on the reservation where books have covers like all the classics but turn into cookbooks and auto repair manuals when you pick them up. She fantasizes about being buried in a coffin full of books. One day, she finds a book that talks to her and feels a need to track down the author, another Spokane Indian, in order to understand where he found his voice. And therein lies the tale.
The remaining stories are shorter but equally compelling and filled with a humor that is alternatively sly and generous.
Some reviewers have criticized Mr. Alexie’s universe as being too small. I disagree. Each of his stories is different and gives a new insight. If one can see the universe in a grain of sand, surely one can spend a long time taking a close look at the efforts of the Spokane tribe to survive, advance and yet preserve the best of their heritage. ~This review contributed by Geoffrey R. Hamlin.

THE TENDERNESS OF WOLVES by Stef Penney: Penney’s stark portrayal of the Canadian wilderness is just one of the highlights of this literary debut. In 1860, two young girls went missing while on a day trip to pick berries. People in the small communities of Caulfield and Dove River still whisper theories of what happened even now – that’s because it’s the worst event in the history of the small colonial village until the murder of French trader, Laurent Jammet. Mrs. Ross, a woman with a questionable past, discovers the body while looking for her teenage son, Francis. Francis has been missing for two days and Mrs. Ross believes that the coincidence may cause people to suspect him of the crime. Her worst fears are realized when a team of inquirers is sent by the Hudson Bay Company to look into the murder. Jammet was not an employee of the Company, but it appears that he may have been conspiring to create his own competing trading company. Could this have been motive for his killing? As the newest addition to the nearest Company outpost, Donald Moody, has a lot to prove to the more seasoned members of the investigative team. He thinks that Francis could be a very important witness, at the very least. In an attempt to protect her son, Mrs. Ross sets out across the wilderness to find him first. What they all discover leads to a much larger conspiracy at hand. Both the deliberate pacing and the vivid portrayal of the unforgiving atmosphere make this one of the most interesting literary debuts of the year. Interestingly enough, Penney was battling agoraphobia at the time that she penned this novel. Some of that emotional turmoil no doubt played a part in the intense air of the novel. 07/07 Becky Lejeune

THE TENTH CASE by Joseph Teller: Early on in Joseph Teller’s debut legal thriller, a character borrows her husband’s Lamborghini for a ride down Park Avenue. When she decides she needs to return, she attempts a U-turn in mid-block where there are concrete median dividers. The result – a $400,000 one car accident and charges of driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, driving without a license, refusal to submit to a blood-alcohol test, and the clincher – failure to yield to a stationary object. Harrison J. Walker, Jaywalker, manages to get Samara Tannenbaum out of this mess, but now the stakes are much higher as the beautiful young ex-prostitute is accused of murdering her aging billionaire husband. It’s a first rate tale and the start of what should be an exciting series. 04/10 Jack Quick

THE TENTH GIFT by Jane Johnson: Julia Lovat’s lover has decided that its time to call it quits; he wants to make a go of it with his wife. As a parting gift, he gives Julia a book called the “The Needle Woman’s Glorie,” a centuries-old tome that is filled with embroidery patterns popular in the 1600s. It’s also filled with the writings of the original owner, Catherine Anne Tregenna, Cat for short, who was captured by Moroccan corsairs in 1625. Cat was to be taken back to Africa and sold into slavery, and she used the book to keep track of her story. The more Julia learns of Cat’s life, the more enthralled she becomes with the tale and the more questions she has about Cat’s eventual fate. Cat’s story has a profound effect on Julia, and sends her on her own adventure to Morocco in an attempt to learn more. Johnson’s book about a book is part mystery, part adventure, part history, and part romance. Throw in some pirates and ghosts of the past and you’ve got a surefire recipe for a summer hit. This book lived up to every expectation I had for it given its literary counterparts. Johson’s Tenth Gift is similar in style to Carol Goodman’s literary mysteries. 05/08 Becky Lejeune

THE TENTH WITNESS by Leonard Rosen: This is the prequel to All Cry Chaos (2011) featuring Henri Poincare. Set in 1978, Poincare is a brilliant engineer who has devised a way to allow divers to hunt for deeply buried treasure at sea. Lloyds of London had insured a ship that sank two hundred years earlier and hires Poincare and his partner to try to recoup their loss. While researching the area, Poincare falls in love with Leisel, who works with her brother for the huge Munich steel company founded by their father, Otto Krauss. When Poincare’s favorite uncle passes away, he is driven to learn about his uncle’s Holocaust experience. Poincare is shocked to learn that he worked at a Nazi steel factory run by Kraus, causing Poincare to really start digging into his girlfriend’s family. The Krauss family is quite protective of their past, which seems to have been rewritten, and they do not take kindly to Poincare’s interference. The Argentinian government is also interested in Poincare’s technology, and when he visits that country he finds himself in a nest of German ex-patriots. This is a complex story based on some history; however there are fictional liberties taken. Poincare’s character is deeply developed here, following his journey from engineer to Interpol, but there is plenty of action as well. This is a dark and disturbing story but an important one. 8/13 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch Copyright © 2013 Booklist, a division of the American Library Association. Reprinted with permission.

Tepper Isn’t Going Out by Calvin Trillin: Welcome to the quintessential, pre-9/11, New York novel. Only in Manhattan could a man like Tepper, who enjoys sitting in his parked car reading his newspaper and refusing to give up his spot, become the toast of the town. Charming and quirky, always a nice combination. Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

TERMINAL by Andrew Vachss: The Internet and societal changes have interfered with Burke’s ability to make a living in Vachss’s 17th Burke novel. That makes him vulnerable when white supremacist Claude Dremdell ropes Burke into a plot to extort money from three wealthy men who years earlier committed a brutal murder. The money is required to pay for a pricey experimental Swiss treatment for Dremdell’s “terminal” illness. This leads Burke into the world of intelligence and an Israeli operation working covertly in the United States. While still gritty and unrelenting, Vachss seems to have become more politicized than in previous efforts. It’s violent, it’s ugly, it’s not for everyone, but that’s Burke – and Andrew Vachss. 11/07 Jack Quick

TERMINAL FREEZE by Lincoln Child: When a group of scientists studying the effects of global warming in the Arctic Circle discover a strange creature frozen in the ice, the group funding their expedition immediately swoops in to film it. The scientists aren’t all that pleased that their backing comes from a television production company, there’s not much they can do. The channel in question is set to make this discovery their biggest docu-drama ever and they plan the thaw the creature on live television. But then the creature vanishes and the TV execs are sure that one of the scientists must be responsible. Paleoecologist Evan Marshall knows that this isn’t the case and fears that a local tribe of native Tunik may have been right in warning the group away from the site. The team is joined by self-proclaimed enigmalogist Jeremy Logan who has discovered evidence that over fifty personnel located at the base where all of this is occurring died under mysterious circumstances years ago, an incident that has been kept quietly under wraps ever since. Could the two events be linked? That is what Logan and Marshall are determined to find out. When the bodies begin piling up, though, they know that their time is quickly running out. Child always uses the most up-to-date and sometimes hard-to-imagine scientific theories in his novels. It works, though, and he makes you believe that all these things are possible, and who knows, maybe they really are. I do wish the characters were a bit more developed. Logan in particular is one that I would love to see more of in Child’s work. 02/09 Becky Lejeune

THE TERROR by Dan Simmons: In 1845, the John Franklin Discovery Expedition set off from England in search of the illusive Northwest Passage. The expedition’s two ships, HMS Terror and HMS Erebus, were better equipped for the voyage through this hostile environment than any before. The ships’ hulls were fortified against the ice and there was enough tinned food to last for five years. In 1947, the ships became frozen in the ice. Suffering from malnutrition as a result of the poorly prepared food, scurvy and lead poisoning, the men set off, on foot, across the ice. Evidence suggests that the men ultimately resorted to cannibalism in a desperate attempt to survive. Dan Simmons draws on an abundance of historical documents and adds his own signature twist to this gruesome and tragic tale. The story begins in October 1847, nearly two months after the ships become trapped in the ice. An unknown predator is silently stalking the sailors, killing them one by one. This is a very hefty and dense read. My hand literally fell asleep holding the book up. Simmons has brilliantly made over a fascinating tale of one of the most famous failed expeditions into a horrific and frightening fiction read — a great accomplishment for any author and just one more sure win for Simmons. 01/07 Becky Lejeune

TERROR TOWN (#9) by Stuart Kaminsky: Problems continue for Edgar-winner Kaminsky’s two favorite Chicago cops, Abe Lieberman and Bill Hanrahan. They are dealing with the robbery-murder of a young mother in South Side whose last words are “Abe Lieberman, the sudden unprovoked attack on a former Chicago Subs baseball player, and religious fanatic whose true calling is extortion. Top it off with Lieberman’s on-going fight against cholesterol and threats to Hanrahan’s pregnant wife Iris, and its business as usual. It’s a pity this is the next to last Lieberman published thus far by Kaminsky. 06/08 Jack Quick

TETHERED by Amy MacKinnon: Clara Marsh had an atypical childhood. As soon as she was old enough, she escaped her old life and began anew, embracing her chosen career as an undertaker. Clara lives her life surrounded by the dead, a life that is much more comforting to her than one that would include attempts at socializing with the living more than is absolutely necessary. When Clara discovers a little girl playing in the funeral home, she is immediately uncomfortable with the idea. Her boss encourages her to help the child, but it takes a shocking discovery before Clara understands just how much help this little girl needs. When it appears that the girl may be a link to an unidentified body that was found three years ago, Clara decides that she must do whatever she can to help protect the child and to help the officer still struggling to close the cold case. Her efforts may prove to be Clara’s breaking point and may even mean the end of the life she has so carefully built for herself. Amy MacKinnon’s strong debut is both haunting and eerily touching. MacKinnon’s style and tone are very reminiscent of Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects. I found Tethered was much less brutal than Flynn’s debut, but it was an equally gripping thriller. 08/08 Becky Lejeune

THAT OLD CAPE MAGIC by Richard Russo: Russo won a Pulitzer Prize for Empire Falls, but this book just isn’t in that category – think of it as Russo-lite. It’s the story of a marriage, a family and a man’s fear of becoming his parents. Jack Griffin is in his late 50’s, a college professor and former screenwriter married for thirty years to Joy. They are heading up to Cape Cod, albeit in separate cars, for their daughter Laura’s best friend’s wedding. Laura announces her engagement then, and the book is framed by the two weddings, a year apart. Griffin has been riding around with father’s ashes in the trunk of his car for more than year, and his mother a constant annoyance on his cell phone. How he deals with his parents and his inner monologues about life comprise a good chunk of the novel, and a very revealing look at aging and familial relationships along with Russo’s trademark humor. This book actually seemed a throwback to his earlier books, smaller in scope and size, and more academic. It’s thought provoking yet fast reading and should be popular with book groups. 09/09 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston: This book was originally published in 1937 and brought back into print because of an article in MS Magazine written by Alice Walker in 1975. It is considered a classic now, and is often required reading in South Florida high schools, and elsewhere I suspect, as well as being the book selected for Read Together Palm Beach County and for Read Together, Florida, a statewide reading project. Hurston was a member of the Harlem Renaissance movement, but was abhorred by Richard Wright who criticized her severely. Nonetheless, this book was an alternate pick of the Book of the Month Club when originally published. A short time later, some very ugly charges were leveled against Hurston; she eventually cleared her name but she never really got over it. Her books went out of print and she died, penniless, and was buried in an unmarked grave. Alice Walker found what was presumably Hurston’s grave and erected a monument that reads, in addition to her name and dates, “Genius of the South.”
Their Eyes Were Watching God has quite a bit of Hurston’s life, and more importantly, her beliefs invested in the main character of Janie Crawford. The novel is framed by Janie’s return to Eatonville, the first all black incorporated city in the United States. Everyone in town is gossiping about her, and Janie tells her story to Pheoby, her best friend, and asks her to tell the townsfolk. Janie was raised by grandmother, Nanny, a former slave, who marries her off to an older farmer, Logan Killicks, when she’s 16. She’s not happy in that marriage and she leaves and marries Joe Starkes, who takes her to the new town of Eatonville. He becomes mayor there, and builds a store that becomes the center of town life. Twenty years later he dies, and she hooks up with the love of her life, Tea Cake, who is much younger than she is. He takes her to the Everglades where they survive the hurricane of 1928 that wiped out the ‘glades, but Tea Cake gets bitten by a rabid dog in the process. After his death, Janie returns to Eatonville, completing the frame.
This is the story of a strong black woman’s search for happiness and independence in a time when neither of those things was easily attainable. It is written in dialect, and is not an easy read. I listened to the beginning of the book on CD, produced by Recorded Books and read by Michele-Denise Woods, which it made it much easier to read on my own. It is also available on audiocassette read by Ruby Dee. Reading it aloud also helps – hearing the dialect makes it much easier to read. It’s a terrific story and the language is incredibly beautiful, making the life of Janie Crawford a memorable one. Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch
THEN CAME YOU by Jennifer Weiner: India Bishop has completely reinvented herself and reached her goal of becoming a trophy wife to a hedge fund billionaire, Marcus Croft. Bettina, Marcus’s twenty-something year old daughter, is pretty sure that her new stepmother is not who she says she is and hires a private detective to find out. Annie is also twenty-something, but from the other side of the tracks. She married her high school sweetheart and has two children already, and is just barely getting by. Jules is a brilliant, beautiful Princeton scholarship student whose father has some horrendous baggage. She is determined to earn enough money to get him the help he needs. All these women have compelling stories on their own, but their lives intersect and overlap when India decides she wants a baby, but at 40something it just isn’t happening. Science steps up for India, financial need moves Jules and Annie, and a tragedy moves Bettina. This book has been hit by the recession as a strong motivator for most of these characters. Shades of Jodi Picoult here as Weiner leaves her comfort zone of light, funny and romantic and moves to warm, occasionally humorous yet always compelling, contemporary women’s fiction. 09/11 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THERE’S CAKE IN MY FUTURE by Kim Gruenenfelder: Nicole, Seema, and Melissa have been friends for years and they each have very definite plans for their futures. Nicole is about to marry the man of her dreams and wants to get her career back on track. Seema is in love with her best friend, but is afraid to make a move. Melissa has been dating her boyfriend for six years and is ready for a wedding of her own. Nic’s wedding shower is the perfect opportunity to make sure that everyone gets exactly what she wants, with a traditional cake pull rigged so that each person pulls a very specific charm. But somehow, the charms get switched and nothing goes according to plan. There’s Cake in My Future is a hilarious read—just the right mix of sarcasm, laugh-out-loud humor, and heart. Gruenenfelder’s latest is chick lit at its very best. 12/10 Becky Lejeune

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HERE by Cecelia Ahern: Ever wonder where those missing socks go? Sandy Shortt does. It all began with Jenny-May Butler. When Sandy was ten years old, Jenny-May vanished without a trace. Jenny-May and Sandy were not friends, in fact, far from it. Jenny-May was a bully who made Sandy’s life miserable. Her disappearance, however, awakened a need inside Sandy, a thirst that could not be quenched. Where did Jenny-May go? Where does anything that is missing go? Not the things that are lost, those things can eventually be found. No, where do the missing things go? The answer is Here. One day, Sandy herself goes missing and she finds herself Here. Here is a place like our own, only nothing ever goes missing Here. Nothing, except Sandy’s watch. This one tiny event threatens to upset the precariously balanced lives of all the missing who have settled and made their homes here. The question then becomes this, if no one has ever left Here, can Sandy every return home? Ahern’s delightfully charming book is a very loose and modern play on The Wizard of Oz. It’s chick-lit laced with sweet undertones of fantasy. Each of her books is fun and heart-wrenching and I love every minute of every one. 01/08 Becky Lejeune

THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR STOMPING by Julie Kenner, Jade Lee, and Marianne Mancusi: This charming trio of tales all center around shoes. Not just any shoes, either, but shoes that can give their wearer some sort of power to help them along in life. In Kenner’s A Step in the Right Direction,” a pushover who lives her life in comics buys a pair of shoes that give her superpowers and allow her to finally live the life she’s always yearned for. In Lee’s “Kung Fu Shoes,” a mild-mannered teacher is suddenly endowed with ninja-like abilities that help her get her man and inspire her students all at the same time. Finally, in Mancusi’s “Karma Kitty Goes to Comic Con,” a comic book creator morphs into her own character when she puts on a special pair of golden boots. All three tales are sweet and funny as hell. Each story is just the right length for quick reading and is a great way to introduce new readers to some fantastic authors. Stomping will be followed next month with These Boots Were Made for Strutting where three more authors will show off their talents using the same sort of theme. 04/08 Becky Lejeune

THEY NEVER DIE QUIETLY by Daniel M. Annechino: In this aptly title debut, San Diego homicide detective Sami Rizzo is obsessed with her new assignment – leading a task force searching for a brutal serial killer. If she succeeds, she thinks this will give her the respect of her male colleagues. She lets her obsession get the best of her and she ultimately is captured by the villain. Now she is no longer fighting for respect, she is fighting for her life. The villain, Simon, is one of the spookiest perps I can ever recall, who is trying to purify the world by crucifying young women to free them from sin. Simon is so evil that it is impossible to generate much sympathy for him, however, the real villain in this matter is obviously Simon’s mother whose actions against him as a child led to the creation of the current misguided monster. A note with the book promises an even more bizarre follow-up from the author, which may be more than my fragile psyche can handle. Leave the lights on and have a lantern handy in case the power goes out. 05/10 Jack Quick

THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON’T THEY by Horace McCoy: Number Two in an awesome anthology entitled CRIME NOVELS: American Noir of the 1930’s and 40’s. This book was the basis for the 1960’s film of the same name. Ostensibly about the experiences of Couple #22, one of 144 couples who compete in a depression era dance marathon, the book is unrelentingly grim, but interestingly moves along at a faster pace than do the dancers. At the end of the novel, the 144 couples have dwindled down to twenty, after almost 900 hours of dancing with only a ten-minute break every two hours. You feel as numb as their feet probably are from the unrelenting merry-go-round, which is, of course, the metaphor for life among the less privileged. It is depressing, but actually quite beautiful in its own way. 07/07 Jack Quick

THICK AS THIEVES by Peter Spiegelman: Carr was let go by the CIA but has now found a much more lucrative career. He has become a criminal of sorts. He, and his bunch of seasoned pros steal from those who are unable or unwilling to invoke the authorities – drug sellers, arms smugglers, money launderers — anyone with un-reported cash or jewels. But now there is a problem. Carr’s mentor was killed in what Carr suspects was s setup. Now he is trying to hold his gang together for one big score. A planner, this is exactly the kind of role the CIA felt Carr was unsuited to handle. Adding to his problems are few of his crew are what they seem to be, and even his own past will turn out to be built on a lie. Nicely done. 12/11 Jack Quick

THICKER THAN BLOOD by Penny Rudolph: Give Penny Rudolph points for originality. Her heroine, Rachel Chavez, is recovering from alcohol and drug addiction, so maybe its not surprising that she lives in an LA parking garage. What is surprising is that Chavez owns the garage, which she inherited from her grandfather after her gambler father had bet away the family farm and her tuition money for Stanford. Like Barbara Serenella’s beloved “Munch”, Chavez is living one day at a time and trying to stay sober when she discovers a damaged car in her garage with what looks like blood on the fender. Then she learns that a hit-and-run driver has killed one of her regulars, an executive at nearby Interurban Water District. Is this the car? Who was driving? It is left to Rachel and her merry band of misfit companions to solve the crime and make Rachel’s garage safe for future adventures. 11/07 Jack Quick

Thicker Than Water by P. J. Parrish: This terrific tale captures the reader from the first chapter and doesn’t let go until the final pages. Jack Cade took the plea bargain of 20 years for the rape and murder of a teenage girl. Shortly after his release from prison he’s arrested once again, this time for the murder of his defense attorney. His son hires ex-cop/private investigator Louis Kincaid to prove his father’s innocence, but when Louis starts digging into the original rape conviction, he becomes almost obsessed with the victim and the case. There are lots of twists in this swift paced novel and an ending that is sure to shock in this latest in the Louis Kincaid series. Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THIEVES LIKE US by Edward Anderson: Number Three in an awesome anthology entitled CRIME NOVELS: American Noir of the 1930’s and 40’s, this was the basis for Nicholas Ray’s They Live by Night, one of the seminal noir films of the 1940s. Bowie and Chicamaw have just busted out of the Alcatona Penitentiary and have hooked up with T-Dub. Now they are prowling the Oklahoma countryside. It’s a time and place where a raw onion, some fried eggs and yellow cornbread make a good meal, almost as good as stolen plums pulled off the tree. They are a bunch of thieves but there’s not that much to steal. Nevertheless they try, but as old T-Dub says “Laws never did worry me. It’s the fellers you thought was your friends that beats you. And a woman mad at you. They are what beat you.” You know how it’s all gonna end up, but its still a heckuva ride to get there. 07/07 Jack Quick

THINGS I WANT MY DAUGHTERS TO KNOW by Elizabeth Nobel: Barbara Forbes, mother of four, is dying of terminal cancer. Barbara is the glue that holds the family together; they all need her to survive. Barbara realizes that her daughters will be forced to embark upon life’s many journeys without her there to guide them. So she writes each of them a letter, endowing upon them a bit of motherly truth and wisdom. Lisa is oldest daughter. In her mid-thirties, she’s afraid of commitment. Jennifer’s marriage is just steps away from falling apart. Amanda, the world traveler, never seems to stick around long enough to form any type of relationship with her sisters. Hannah, a teenager, seems to be suffering the most. She’s entering the rebellious streak that hits most teens and doesn’t have a mother to reel her back in. The girls allow the letters to guide them through their grieving process. Each girl deals with the grief differently. Their reactions aren’t sugar-coated and that adds to the honesty and believability of this book. 07/08 Jennifer Lawrence

THE THINGS THEY CARRIED by Tim O’Brien: I bought this book in 1990, read the first few chapters/stories and then came to “On the Rainy River”. It upset me so much that I put the book down and didn’t pick it back up again for sixteen years. I don’t think most people would pick that story as the most upsetting, or the hardest to read, because it’s not about the horrors of Vietnam; it’s about the horrors of a young man getting his draft notice, and as that was a much more personal recollection for me, it packed an enormous emotional wallop. For me. I’m sure others had a much harder time with “The Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong”, about a soldier who smuggles his girlfriend in from the states and what happens to her during her stay there, or with “The Man I Killed” or with “The Ghost Soldiers”.
This book is a novel, a memoir, a collection of stories, a series of vignettes, the seminal work of fiction on the Vietnam War – take your pick, it’s all of these and more. The title page emphatically states that it is fiction, and indeed, there is even a chapter/story entitled “How to Tell a True War Story”, yet it is also dedicated to men with the same names as the characters in the book, and there is even a character named “Tim O’Brien”. But as O’Brien points out, the truth is a slippery thing, and if calling it fiction works best for the author, especially in light of the recent brouhaha over creative nonfiction writing, I certainly won’t argue the point.
Several of the chapters were previously published as short stories, including the title piece, “The Things they Carried”, an amazing piece of writing either on its own or as the opening to a novel. O’Brien lists the physical items that men carried with them in Vietnam, from the mundane like canteens and a toothbrush, to the war necessities of “…the three standard weapons – the M-60, M-16, and M-79 – they carried whatever presented itself, or whatever seemed appropriate as a means of killing or staying alive.” They carried good luck charms, a rabbit’s foot, a pebble sent from a girl back home. They carried diseases, and “…all the emotional baggage of men who might die. Grief, terror, love, longing –”
The stories are often tellings and retellings of the same event from different perspectives, again proving how difficult it is to nail down the truth. They flow, never moving linearly but rather back and forth through time, before the war, during the war, and homecoming. All in all, a very emotional read for me and I’m very glad I finally finished it. And I suspect it will be a book that I will read again. 04/06 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
THINK OF A NUMBER by John Verdon: Though retired detective Dave Gurney would never have considered college classmate Mark Mellery more than an acquaintance, when the new inspirational guru contacts Dave in regards to a puzzling series of letters, Gurney is intrigued. The letters, threatening in nature, imply that Mellery has somehow offended the sender. Fearing that the sender will escalate beyond simple correspondence, Gurney urges Mellery to contact the police. Mellery refuses and Gurney’s fears are soon realized when the man turns up dead. Gurney’s name and involvement in the case prompts the local authorities to make him an official consultant. As Gurney uncovers clues pointing to the killer’s identity, the case becomes even more complicated and the detective finds himself once again drawing on his unique skills to bring a twisted killer to justice. Verdon’s debut is fantastic. He’s earned the praise of some of the biggest in the industry, and deservedly so. Think of a Number is a smart mystery and the first in the series. 07/11 Becky Lejeune

THINK OF A NUMBER by John Verdon: Quite an auspicious debut by John Verdon. Dave Gurney is a retired NYPD detective having difficulty in restoring the “oomph” to his marriage. (There is a reason for the tension between Dave and wife Madeleine). So he views the intrusion into his life from a former college acquaintance as being a mixed blessing. On the one hand, he is intrigued by the taunting letters that end with a simple declaration, “Think of any number…picture it…now see how well I know your secrets.” On the other hand, he knows the police are much better prepared to deal with the completely baffling killer who is fond of rhymes filled with threats and warnings, whose attention to detail is unprecedented, and who has an uncanny knack for disappearing into thin air. This is one of those works that are bigger than the “genre’”, reminiscent in some ways of the best of James Lee Burke, although totally different in style. 08/10 Jack Quick

THINK TWICE by Lisa Scottoline: Scottoline (Look Again) takes us back to Bennie Rosato’s all-female law firm and the warm, witty women who work there. Bennie’s twin sister, Alice, shows up, and if we weren’t sure she was evil before, now we know: Alice drugs Bennie, buries her alive, then impersonates her sister in a scheme to steal her money. She almost gets away with it, running the show at the law firm while the wheels turn to move Bennie’s money offshore. In the interim, Mary is house-hunting with Anthony, creating additional stress for their relationship, and Mary’s parents are having their own relationship troubles. Bennie finds herself in a nightmare that brings out a side of her she never knew she had, and the tension keeps ratcheting up until the very end. VERDICT Readers who enjoy warm, believable characters, a touch of romance with their suspense, and a bit of humor will be delighted with the gang at Rosato’s and Scottoline’s intricate plot will keep thriller fans turning those pages. 03/10 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch. Copyright © 2010 Cahners Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. Reprinted with permission.

THE THIRD BULLET by Stephen Hunter: This is the book that Hunter has been building up to to write for many years. Most of his previous novels have involved action based upon duels between world class snipers using rifles, and in one case swords. His knowledge of guns and ballistics is encyclopedic and supplies fascinating explanations for the actions of the protagonists in his books.
Bob Lee Swagger has figured in many of the novels, and in this one is now 66 years of age, apparently quite content to stay at home with his family and enjoy his life. A woman approaches him asking Bob to investigate the death of her husband that, although classified as an accident, she feels was murder. Her husband had been researching a novel based upon the assassination of President Kennedy now 50 years in the past. Bob becomes interested when it is revealed that her husband found an overcoat in a building across the way from the Texas Book Depository where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed Kennedy. The overcoat has a strange stain on it’s back almost as if a bike ran over it. Bob is galvanized to start an investigation based on that fact alone.
This discovery plunges Bob into an adventure investigating the past and taking him into a world of possibility not coinciding with the findings of the Warren Commission who named Oswald the sole perpetrator of the Kennedy murder. The book is filled with Swagger’s findings of the impossibility of Oswald being alone in the crime and postulates a scenario that could have really happened. Stephen Hunter’s knowledge of ballistics comes to the fore in explanations of possibilities not coinciding with prior theories of the assassination. Hunter launches into a first person narrative by the supposed planner of the murder which sets up the thinking and planning of those involved in the killing. This is not something Hunter has done before, but it is very successful in entering the mind and thoughts of a very intelligent, but twisted individual. The Third Bullet is not Stephen Hunter’s normal fare, and does provide an excess of information concerning the ballistics involved in the plot, but it is very fascinating reading. The ideas linger long after the reader finishes the book and allows the concept of conspiracy instead of individual crime to make it’s presence felt again. There is a great deal of material that postulates the existence of a larger conspiracy than original findings, but this is the first effort to utilize an approach using the ballistics of the day to describe a very possible alternative to other ideas currently prevalent. 1/13 Paul Lane
THE THIRD BULLET by Stephen Hunter: Former Marine sniper Bob Lee “The Nailer” Swagger is back in a thriller fifty years in the making. Swagger is interested in the events of November 22, 1963, and the third bullet that ended the life of John F. Kennedy and set the stage for one of the most enduring controversies of our time. Swagger begins his slow stalk through a much-traveled landscape, but soon he is right in the middle of the decades old controversy. As Bob investigates, another voice enters the narrative: knowing, ironic, almost familiar, that of a gifted, Yale-educated veteran of the CIA Plans Division. Hugh Meachum has secrets and the means and the will to keep them buried. When weighed against his own legacy, Swagger’s life is an insignificant expense—but to blunt the threat, he’ll first have to ambush the sniper. May be Hunter’s best ever. 2/13 Jack Quick

THIRD DEGREE by Greg Iles: Transpiring over the course of a day, Iles has written a disturbing thriller about a family in crisis. Laurel Shields is living the American dream; her husband Warren is a doctor, they have a beautiful home and two healthy children. Yet that isn’t enough, and Laurel finds herself falling in love with David, the father of one of her autistic students. Duplicitous as she is beautiful, Laurel juggles her affair for about a year before David ends it just weeks before Laurel discovers she’s pregnant. Meanwhile Warren’s partner at work is defrauding Medicare to make extra money, and soon Warren’s Boy Scout code of ethics crumbles and he wants in. As things start unraveling at work, an anonymous email leads Warren to find a letter from Laurel’s lover, and everything just flips into surreal as he takes his wife and children hostage, demanding to know who her paramour is. Despite the soap opera-ish sounding plot, Iles manages to create a page turner out of the angst; relentless and impossible to put down. 11/07 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THE THIRD GATE by Lincoln Child: This is a very readable novel following in the general pattern of Lincoln Child’s books that deal with events that are just on the other side of normal. He has also partnered with Douglas Preston on various tales that follow the same off beat but logical plans. The Third Gate introduces Jeremy Logan, a man that might become a continuing protagonist for Child due to his profession of enigmalogist, described as being an expert in the inexplicable. He is also a professor at Yale University in order to earn money between looking at the inexplicable. Dr Logan is invited to take part in an expedition that is unearthing the tomb of the first pharaoh to unite upper and lower Egypt more than 5000 years ago. The tomb of the God-king Narmer is thought to also contain an archeological find so valuable that no price can be put on it.

The dig is covered by the mud and silt of the Sudd, a unique area far away from the normal Valley of the Kings near Cairo. To reach the tomb below such a formidable barrier the organizer of the expedition, Porter Stone, has constructed a floating marvel of engineering and staffed it with a group of foremost experts in Egyptology. Child logically describes the reaching of the tomb and its area through the morass of the Sudd. Strange happenings during the dig seemingly all have logical explanations, and the climax, while macabre in nature also might be something that could really be normal. Or could it? 8/12 Paul Lane

THE THIRD RAIL by Michael Harvey: I have now finished the first of what I am certain will be one of my top ten books for 2010. When Chicago commuters are being assassinated everyone gets involved – the Chicago PD, the Mayor, the FBI, the Archdiocese, Homeland Security and tough Chicago PI Michael Kelly around whom the action seems to be revolving. Kelly witnesses the first murder, and gets a taunting telephone call after the second. Aided by his buddy Detective Vince Rodriquez and newly found friend (maybe) FBI agent Katherine Lawson, Kelly digs into the situation which initially focuses on the transit system with which Kelly has a very personal history. Before it is over he will see a good friend dead and his girl friend Rachel Swenson become a victim. Its classic Chicago and Harvey captures all the nuances perfectly in this non-stop tale. Try to start it on a Saturday so you won’t have to put it down until the very last page. 05/10 Jack Quick
THE THIRD SECRET by Steve Berry: Another Da Vinci Code-like thriller – fast paced of course, but this one is very well written. The Third Secret is driven by the events of the miracle at Fatima, Portugal and a conspiracy in the Catholic Church, if you can imagine such a thing. The intricacies and politics of the Vatican are examined while the story races along, and coming on the heels of the latest conclave and installation of the new Pope just makes this book even more irresistible. Fascinating history, meticulously researched (as always by this author) and spellbinding to boot. 06/05 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THIRD STRIKE by Zoe Sharpe: Charlie Fox thought she had severed the ties with her family back in the U.K. when she moved to New York with boyfriend Sean Meyers. Imagine her surprise when she sees an interview with her surgeon father in New York, where he is under investigation for the death of a patient. Despite the animosity between father and daughter, is going to stand by and allow her father to become a scapegoat for what she learns is a coverup involving a shadowy government agency and the testing of a controversial new medical treatment. This is Charlie’s wildest adventure yet with ugly villains, lots of action, and plenty of “sax and violins”, as they say. Definitely recommended. 04/09 Jack Quick

THIRST by Pete Larson: Better not use the old “name your poison” line in Stu Carlson’s Longhorn Lounge in Travis City, Texas. Not after someone served Andrew Washburn a cyanide and soda along with his Glenfiddich at a local arts festival. What a waste of single malt scotch. Its unbelievable, even though Washburn holds the dual titles of Dean of Fine Arts and Resident Asshole. Then the sheriff arrests meek and mild-mannered Daniel Lackland for the crime. How could it be? Well, Lackland had the big three – means, opportunity and a huge motive. Two years earlier, Washburn stole Lackland’s wife. So is it chickens coming home to roost or is there more here than meets the eye. An excellent first effort with some truly interesting characters, like ex-minister now barkeep, Stu Carlson who is determined to clear Lackland. As the book blurb says, “Set in Texas this debut novel explores the relationships between love, faith and cyanide.” And does it well. 06/07 Jack Quick

THIRTEEN by Richard K. Morgan: For fans of SF, and particularly, J.D. Robb, this new stand alone from British author Morgan is a winner. Titled THIRTEEN in the US and BLACK MAN elsewhere, it tells the story of a soul-weary hit men, Carl Marsalsis, who is hired to help track down a genetically manipulated sub-human who has escaped from exile on Mars. Both the sub-human and Marsalis are “Thirteens” a variant that is an aggressive and ruthless throwback to pre-civilization. Marsalis may be the next century’s version of Evanovich’s “Ranger” or Parker’s “Hawk.” Although he is more empathetic than the normal people around him, they can see him only as an untrustworthy killer. Overall, the question may be are any of us as we seem or are we better or worse? Remember Dr. Zaius in PLANET OF THE APES, “To suggest that we can learn anything about the simian nature from a study of man is sheer nonsense. Why, man is a nuisance. He eats up his food supply in the forest, then migrates to our green belts and ravages our crops. The sooner he is exterminated, the better. It’s a question of simian survival.” 01/08 Jack Quick

THE THIRTEEN by Susie Moloney: Paula was just a teen when her mother sent her away from Haven Woods. Pregnant and sure that her mother was ashamed, Paula hardly ever returned in the following years and she never revealed the truth about her daughter’s father. When Izzy Riley calls telling her that her mother is very sick and needs her to return to Haven Woods, Paula is hesitant. Their current situation certainly allows for the trip – Paula recently out of a job and her daughter suspended for the remainder of the school year – but something about Haven Woods never felt right. Little does she know, something dark and sinister waits for them, something that has lived in Haven Woods for a long time. Moloney’s witches aren’t pc Wiccans or prankster dabblers, they’re full on dark and twisty women willing to sacrifice anything to get what they want. The Thirteen makes for a nice blend of horror and snarky suburban satire. 3/12 Becky Lejeune

TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY by Jay Asher: The “thirteen reasons” translate to thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah, a teenage girl who has committed suicide. Each tape is dedicated to one person who in some way contributed to the feelings that led Hannah to take her own life. We hear the stories as Clay, who is featured on the ninth tape, is listening to them. The lightest note in the book is when Hannah finds a way to create these cassette tapes, and the lengths necessary for Clay to find something to play them on in this age of digital recordings. A lot of the stories are interwoven, but as Clay listens, his emotions are in turmoil. He had a crush on Hannah and the guilt he feels for not being strong enough to overcome his shyness and be there for her is almost overwhelming. In a way, it reminded me of Erich Segal’s Love Story (1970) where you know from the beginning that the main character is going to die but you can’t help being hopeful that somehow it won’t be true. But this is no romance; this is a searing, emotional read that deals with difficult subject matter, including teen suicide, drinking and driving, rape and the aftermath and repercussions that go along with such horror. This debut novel was published in 2007 but continues to grow in popularity via word of mouth, especially among young adults. From the author’s website: “Universal Pictures and Strike Entertainment have acquired film rights for Thirteen Reasons Why with Selena Gomez signed on to star! Stay tuned for more information…” 07/11 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THE THIRTEENTH TALE by Diane Setterfield: Every so often, readers get to experience a truly amazing story – this is one of them. Bestselling author Vida Winter has never been forthcoming about her past. For years, she’s done what she does best; told stories. Now, with her health failing her, she’s decided it’s time to tell the truth. Biographer Margaret Lea has spent her life immersed in classic literature. When she receives a letter from Ms. Winter requesting that she pen the author’s biography, her first instinct is to refuse. She becomes intrigued after reading Winter’s most famous novel Thirteen Tales of Change and Desperation, a novel that has gained almost cult status due to the fact that there are only twelve stories. What follows is a tale of tragedy, ghosts, twins and, ultimately, family. By using elements found in classic gothic literature, Diane Setterfield has created a truly phenomenal debut. Her vivid story captures readers from the very beginning. This is perfect rainy day reading. 10/06 Becky LeJeune

THIS CASE IS GONNA KILL ME by Phillipa Bornikova: For a student straight out of law school, a position with a White-Fang firm is almost out of reach. Ishmael, McGillary, and Gold is one of the best and Linnet Ellery is lucky enough to have an in—her vampire foster happens to be great friends with Shade Ishmael himself. Of course this connection gets Linnet nothing but scorn from her fellow employees. Linnet is assigned to work with a lawyer who has just one case on his books, and it’s a doozy: a mother and her kids are suing for control of a company started by the woman’s dead husband. Problem is the company founder was turned into a werewolf and left control of the company to his own werewolf heir. The family never saw a penny and in spite of settlement offers, they want nothing less than full control of said company. The case has been on the firm’s books for almost two decades. Despite of her lack of enthusiasm at diving into seventeen years’ worth of paperwork, Linnet knows that she’s fortunate to have the job at all, but when her boss is murdered by a rogue were, she’s not so sure the position is worth it. With the help of an elf private eye, Linnet will have to find out who had it in for her boss. If it’s tied to their case, she could find herself a target as well. Phillipa Bornikova, aka Melinda Snodgrass, has launched a unique and thrilling new series with This Case is Gonna Kill Me. The combination legal thriller and urban fantasy is a great mix and the vampire, werewolf, and Alfar (elf) hierarchy and lore is like nothing I’ve read before. 10/12 Becky Lejeune

THIS CHARMING MAN by Marian Keyes: Paddy de Courcy is a rising political star in Ireland, with the good looks and charisma of the Kennedy clan. Unfortunately, he uses and discards women as he furthers his political ambitions, culminating with his engagement to the correct political wife-to-be, Alicia. The story alternates between four of his women, and their distinct voices – Lola writes without the use of pronouns, for instance – makes this somewhat complicated story much easier to follow. For this is Marian Keyes, queen of chick-lit with a purpose, and this time around that purpose is a myriad of women’s issues, primarily abuse and power. Lola is a fashion stylist, dressing the richest and most influential women in Ireland, and Paddy’s most recent discard. Grace is a journalist in a healthy relationship, but who also has a past with Paddy, as does her sister, Marnie, who is married with children and in the midst of some sort of breakdown. Their stories form a sort of cacophony, until the individual melodies are woven together, creating a lovely, yet engrossing story with an ending that should inspire women everywhere. 06/08 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch Copyright © 2008 Cahners Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. Reprinted with permission.

THIS HOUSE IS HAUNTED by John Boyne: The author of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is back and this time it’s with a gothic-esque ghost story. Eliza Caine is all alone in the world. Her beloved father has just died and the young woman is left with nothing. So it’s fortuitous that she comes across an ad listing a live-in governess position in Gaudlin. Eliza is immediately hired and makes her arrangements, but when she arrives she finds there are no adults in residence. The children appear to be living alone and report that their previous governess left the very same afternoon Eliza was set to arrive. As Eliza tries desperately to find out more about the Westerleys, her efforts are seemingly thwarted at every pass: the family attorney who supplies her salary is never available and even the townspeople of Gaudlin are tightlipped when it comes to the family. Then strange things start to happen at Gaudlin Hall. At first Eliza thinks they might be accidents but as she pieces together the bits of information she does manage to gather on the family and the house, she realizes these accidents are the result of something much more malicious. I love a good Victorian ghost story and Boyne has truly nailed it with This House is Haunted. 10/13 Becky Lejeune
THIS IS RAGE by Ken Goldstein: A novel about goings on in Silicon Valley: somewhat tongue in cheek, or is it? Two would-be entrepreneurs in an attempt to get funded for a business they want to start kidnap the two CEOs of a large software company and accidentally kill someone in the process. While holding the two, pending their demands, they are joined by a radio commentator just fired from his spot due to a much decreased listener base. Kimo Balthazar, the commentator, encounters an unexpectedly successful niche going on the internet and discussing the kidnapping and the demands of the kidnappers. The kidnapper’s demands are a trip to Shanghai, and funding for a new business there. Goldstein paints his characters well including their individual motivations towards resolution of what is taking place. We travel from California to Hawaii, meet the FBI and a Senator that embodies the worse attributes of that group in looking only for her own advantage and to heck with the needs of the people she represents. A new business is developed by the participants during the action, and the drop in company stock caused by the kidnappings of the twin CEOs is reversed by the anticipated success of the new launch in progress. Goldstein is well versed in the goings on and actions in 21st century Silicon valley and certainly launches himself successfully into the literary world with this, his first novel. Looking forward to his future books with a great deal of interest. 10/13 Paul Lane

THIS IS W.A.R. by Lisa Roecker and Laura Roecker: Willa Ames-Rowan is dead. The police are ready to call it an accident but her friends all know who’s responsible. In their town the Gregory family is pretty much above the law, but Willa’s friends aren’t going to let them get away with it this time. They’re going to make sure the Gregorys pay, no matter what. Because the story begins with Willa’s murder – and everyone seems to know who is responsible – the real mystery becomes how the group will take down the Gregorys. The book is divided into sections, each narrated by a different character, with the story playing out according to each of those characters’ perspectives. Each adds their own observations about the night of Willa’s death, eventually allowing the reader to see that the story isn’t as clear as it may have seemed in the beginning. Revenge among the country club set makes for the perfect teen summer read. This latest from the Roeckers is another great addition to SOHO’s teen mystery imprint – a winning tale of murder and revenge. 8/13 Becky Lejeune

THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU by Jonathan Tropper: Tropper writes very funny novels about dysfunctional Jewish families and he does it very, very well. This one starts off with the Foxman family patriarch’s death and his final request for his family to sit shiva for him. [Shiva is like a wake, only after the burial and with lots of food, but no alcohol] His four kids are stunned; their father was a sworn atheist and only went to synagogue once a year or so. But their mother insists that they carry out his dying wish so four grown children and their families move home for a week and a laugh out loud story begins, yes, with a death.
Judd is the only child to come home alone. He’s left his wife after catching her in bed with his boss in one of the funniest scenes I’ve every read. His brother Paul runs the family business and he’s there with his wife Alice, who is having fertility issues. Wendy, the only sister in the family, is there with her big money, workaholic husband and her three small children. The baby of the family, Phillip the charmer, shows up with a surprise; a fiancée who’s fifteen years older than he is. And in case you’re thinking the kids are the only dysfunctional members of this family, meet the mom, a world famous psychologist who authored a bestselling book on parenting. Put all these people in an old house with everyone they’ve every known walking through the door to pay their respects and you get a laugh out loud, totally engrossing novel. Don’t miss it. 02/10 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THIS WICKED WORLD by Richard Lange: In my proto-type favorite crime fiction novel, the hero gets no breaks, has the absolute crud beat out of him repeatedly and loses the girl in the end. But he has some small satisfaction in knowing that he was trying his best to do the right thing. Richard Lange’s debut novel, This Wicked World, fits that description so well that I felt that he had written it for me.
Lange’s protagonist, Jimmy Boone, is a tough guy – Marine veteran, former bouncer/bodyguard, currently tending bar in Hollywood and working as a handyman in a apartment complex, while he is on parole.
Jimmy agrees, reluctantly, to help a friend from the bar look into the death of a poor Guatemalan from dog bite wounds. Soon, he is on a quest. That quest embroils him in drugs, dog fighting, counterfeiting, general thuggery and beaucoup violence.
What really makes the story a success though is not all the bodies falling from being gut-shot, but that Lange has taken the time to develop his characters into believable people that the reader can get concerned about. Three are especially notable – Taggart, the middle-aged, but still scary serious badass who is looking for one big score so that he can retire and build his dream home; Simon, the weasely owner’s son who manages the club where Jimmy tends bar; and Amy, the love interest in the story.
Reviewers will make comparisons of this book to Raymond Chandler because of the L.A. settings, but it is even more consistent with his description of the detective in his essay, the “Simple Art of Murder”. 08/09 Geoffrey R. Hamlin
THISTLE AND TWIGG by Mary Saums: Thelma and Louise, move over, there’s a new pair on the block. Widows Jane Thistle and Phoebe Twigg now call Tullulah, Alabama home, but their home is threatened when they find a dead body, an event that just ruins their otherwise pleasant walk in the woods near Jane’s new house. Jane, originally from England and a military widow, is having none of this, and when she finds a neighbor is being harassed as well, she is determined to get to the bottom of what is going on. Phoebe Twigg is the product of a lifetime in Tullulah, and has all the classic Southern social graces, bless your heart. Even a firebomb in Phoebe’s kitchen doesn’t dissuade them from finding the truth. Along the way, they also answer that burning question, can you serve country ham biscuits at an English high tea? If you loved the Anne George Southern Sisters mysteries, you will find Thistle and Twigg a sparkling replacement. Mary, Mary, when is number two due????? Thath’s eathy for you to thay… 04/07 Jack Quick

THOSE ACROSS THE RIVER by Christopher Buehlman: This is Buehlman’s first novel, and the genre seemingly not what a writer of poetry should do. It is a horror story, but so well done that it held me in its grasp from start to finish. The principal character, Frank Nichols and his girl friend, soon to be wife, move to a small town in Georgia in order that Frank who has lost his position in Academia might resurrect his career via writing a book about an estate that is in his family, located in that town: and where an ancestor of his was killed during the Civil War by enraged slaves due to that individual’s extreme cruelty towards them. The time is after WWI with the great depression shaping the economy and the political climate.
The town turns out to be the very opposite of what a sleepy little Hamlet should be. There is an unspeakable horror that has permeated the lives of the townspeople for many years and blossoms due to their actions coinciding with Frank’s arrival. He and his girlfriend Eudora are thrown into the terror in spite of not wanting to be involved. Frank is a veteran of fighting on the western front in 1917, and flashbacks to these combat experiences are mixed with the reactions to what he feels when facing the events going on around him. Scenes of mass murder from the war juxtapose with the killings in the town as a result of the unleashing of the terror. The mood of horror is enhanced by the descriptions of trench warfare.
The story is very well told, and logical, if the horrors described were to really exist. The characters, Frank, Eudora, and townspeople are fleshed out nicely and react logically to the events depicted. I don’t know if Mr Buehlman will stick to the horror motif but I can’t help but feel that whatever he decides for the genre of his subsequent book or books will be interesting and well done. 10/11 Paul Lane
THOSE WHO SAVE US by Jenna Blum: This is a first novel that came out in 2004 and is growing legs – word of mouth is putting this at the forefront for reading groups. Trudy is a German history professor in Minnesota who has a fascinating family history herself – only she doesn’t know it. Her mother, Anna, was from a small town in Germany and emigrated to the US after WWII when she married an American soldier who was willing to take on a beautiful German wife and her small daughter. Trudy grows up on a farm and ends up teaching a course about women’s roles during the Holocaust, but she doesn’t know about her own mother’s role. The book unfolds in alternating sections so the reader learns Anna’s history while watching Trudy’s frustration with her uncommunicative mother. The author worked for Steven Spielberg’s Shoah Foundation, and survivor interviews play a strong part in this story as well. It’s a very thought provoking, heartbreaking story that easily lends itself to discussion; in fact, it begs for it so read it, then give it to a friend to read. 08/07 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THREAT WARNING by John Gilstrap: It starts with “terrorist” attacks. Caught in the crossfire of one of the attacks, rescue specialist Jonathan Grave spies a gunman getting away-with a mother and her young son as hostages. To free them, Grave and his team must enter the dark heart of a nationwide conspiracy. But it is not all it seems. While everyone is trying to blame Islamic terrorists, they real culprits are a fundamental religious cult in Wets Virginia. Another nicely done thriller featuring the hostage rescue specialists created by Gilstrap. 11/11 Jack Quick

Three Junes by Julia Glass: I was not as enamored of this book as most of the critics – especially those who gave it the National Book Award. The book is written in three distinct sections that all get neatly tied together with a bow at the end. The first section deals with Paul McLeod, a recent widower who has left his home in Scotland and is wandering around the Greek isles. The middle, and longest section, deals with his son, Fenno, a gay bookstore owner in Manhattan. Fenno’s relationships with his family are explored here, as well as his relationship with Mal, his friend/neighbor who is dying of AIDS. The last section is devoted to Fern, who is so newly impregnated she hasn’t had a chance to even tell the father, who is out of town. Fern is staying with Tony, an ex-lover of Fenno’s, and somehow all the characters in the book come together in this relatively short section. The descriptive writing is beautiful, and the relationships under glass are interesting, but it is a slow moving, forgettable story. Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THREE KISSES by Heath Daniels: Up until this point, I think the longest debut book I have ever read was Marshall Karp’s The Rabbit Factory, 550 pages in paperback, which read so quickly you wanted more at the end. Mr. Daniels debut novel runs 631 pages in small print trade paperback. Think Michener writing about Al Qaeda with Russians, the DIA, CIA, FBI, etc. all flowing through Syria, Mexico, Cuba, Iraq, the U.S. and Canada, involving current events – a major al Qaeda terror plot foiled in Canada, a war in Lebanon. It is truly an odyssey, and somewhere in there is probably a decent book of about 300 pages. Edit, edit, edit. 08/09 Jack Quick

THREE STATIONS by Martin Cruz Smith: Having another Arkady Renko novel almost makes up for no more Porfiry Rostnikov from Stuart Kaminksy. Renko is pursuing the murder of a woman whom everyone wants to dismiss as a “mere prostitute”. Meanwhile, Zhenya, the young street genius with whom Renko has established a connection, is trying to help a youthful mother whose baby has been stolen. All the action centers around Three Stations (aka Komsomol Square). The contrast between the bare bones existence of most Russians and the excesses of the wealthy at the Club Nijinksy show just how far the country has yet to advance. Although I wouldn’t want a steady diet of the melancholy of these settings, it is an interesting change of pace from “normal” American crime settings. 09/10 Jack Quick

THREE WEEKS TO SAY GOODBYE by C.J. Box: Denver couple Jack and Melissa McGuane are stunned when they receive a disturbing call from their adoption agency. Eighteen months ago, the McGuanes were chosen by their daughter’s biological mother to be the adoptive parents of her child. At the time, the agency attempted to contact the child’s father but received no reply. Now, nine months after the birth, the father wants his daughter back. Unfortunately, the law seems to be on his side. The McGuanes meet in secret with their case handler who tells Jack that under no circumstances would she want any child left in the care of this teen. The bad news is that this kid’s dad is a high-powered federal judge who seems dead set on gaining custody of his granddaughter. Jack and Melissa agree to meet with the boy and his father and attempt to plea their case, to no avail. They are given three weeks in which to say goodbye and prepare to hand their daughter over. Three weeks, is it enough time to dig up enough dirt on this family so that they can keep their daughter? They’re about to find out. This stand-alone from Box, author of the Joe Pickett series, really pulls at your emotions. An edge of your seat read that will leave you literally breathless all the way from the surprise beginning to the shocking conclusion. 01/09 Becky Lejeune

THE THREE WEISSMANNS OF WESTPORT by Cathleen Schine: Betty has been married to Joseph Weissmann for 48 years and cannot comprehend what is happening when he comes home one day and tells her he wants a divorce because of “irreconcilable differences.” What he doesn’t tell her is that he has fallen in love with his manipulative secretary, the much younger Felicity. She convinces Joseph that it would be totally unfair to saddle Betty with the upper West Side apartment they live in, so Joseph throws Betty out and cuts off all her income. Her cousin Lou takes her in, offering her a small cottage in Westport, Connecticut that had been rented out for many years until the tenant died. It also hasn’t been updated in many years, but nonetheless it is a roof over her head and Betty has no choice. Her daughter Annie is a single mother whose sons have both moved away. She’s a librarian and in love with an author with an overly possessive family. Miranda is a book agent specializing in memoirs whose career has hit the skids. It seems that a few of her clients have been caught telling outrageous, egregious lies in their memoirs, and Miranda is being sued by everyone in publishing. Both daughters decide that Betty cannot survive on her own and move in with her. This is the story of three grown women living together again after many years apart and dealing with the breakup of a family, a business, and a couple of romances. This book is both humorous and sad, quirky and sage, and most importantly, a very entertaining read. 03/10 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THRESHOLD by Bonnie Kozek: Bonnie Kozek’s debut novel, Threshold, is the first book in her Honey McGuinness series. The second book in the series, Just Before the Dawn, will be in print in 2009. The third book, The Story of Why, is scheduled for publication in 2010. Let’s just hope Honey McGuinness survives that long. She’s spit in the Devil’s eye and paid the price for it. Trying to escape her past becomes impossible when she finds her friend Billy lying in a pool of blood with a tape recorder strapped to his waist. Her hunt for he killer leaves her more battered and bruised but also leads to a big lug of a cop who just may be man enough to save her. Adult language and frontal nudity (at least in words). This gritty tale will pull you in deeper than you ever dreamed. First rate. 04/09 Jack Quick

THRILLER: Stories to Keep You Up All Night, edited by James Patterson: If you can’t make the convention in Phoenix then you must have this first publication from a new professional organization — International Thriller Writers, Inc. It’s the first short story collection ever dedicated strictly to thrillers and it is an outstanding anthology of 32 new stories by such top genre names as Lee Child, James Grippando, Denise Hamilton and David Morrell. Patterson provides an introduction to each story that could be a model about research and technique for would-be thriller writers. The stories themselves are first-rate, ranging from mysteries to pure thrillers and everywhere in between. Lovers of crime fiction in general and well-told action tales in particular will be well rewarded by the monster 576 page compilation with its dream list of genre superstars. It’s a genuine publishing event and, one hopes, just the beginning of many more collections of adrenaline-laced nail-biters. Don’t miss this masterful anthology! 06/06 Jack Quick

THROUGH TO YOU by Emily Hainsworth: Cam is lost without his girlfriend, Viv. It’s been two months since the accident—two months since Viv’s death—and Cam’s not getting over it. He can’t stop thinking about her and he can’t seem to be bothered caring about anything else. Then Cam discovers something amazing: a tear between his world and another very similar world. And in this other world, Viv is still alive. Cam’s best friend in this other world is a girl named Nina and she’s concerned that Cam is spending too much time with this alternate Viv. But Nina’s keeping secrets from Cam, secrets that might make Cam reconsider trading in his life for another. Hainsworth’s debut is an interesting blend of science fiction, mystery, and romance and an intriguing “what if” scenario. 11/12 Becky Lejeune

TIGERHEART by Peter David: Paul Dear has a very vivid imagination, thanks in part to the tales his father spins about The Boy. Paul sometimes even wonders if he actually is The Boy. With the loss of his newborn sister, though, everything in Paul’s world begins to change. His mother has asked his father to leave and has banned all stories involving The Boy. Paul comes to believe that the only hope is for him to enter the Anyplace and find a new sister. It’s fortunate then that he finds the mummified remains of Fiddlefix, The Boy’s pixie cohort. After reviving her, the two fly off to Anyplace in search of The Boy. Unfortunately, Anyplace has suffered greatly since the death of Captain Hack. Gwenny has returned to find The Boy a different person, and Fiddlefix is dead-set on revenge since it was The Boy’s proclamation that he didn’t believe in pixies that caused her death. Paul is immediately tagged as being the one to help set things straight. Will he succeed in his quest? Can he help save Anyplace and reunite his family at the same time? This whimsical story is, of course, a sort-of sequel to Peter Pan. It’s a fun tale that the truly young at heart will enjoy. Although it’s Peter Pan through and through, for this Gen Y girl, it’s also reminiscent of The Neverending Story and Return to Oz (or books 2 and 3 in Baum’s series). 06/08 Becky Lejeune

TILT-A-WHIRL by Chris Grabenstein: If the action is in an amusement park in a second ranked New Jersey seaside summer resort, then it would logically follow that the two police protagonists would not be run of the mill. John Ceepak is nearly a parody of the “24/7” super cop, a former military policeman who spends his spare time watching true-crime shows on television and studying forensics. Danny Boyle, his 24-year-old partner is a part time summer cop who joined the force to meet and impress college girls. Tied together by their love for Bruce Springsteen (did I say New Jersey?), the two are suddenly in deep waters with the stabbing death of a Donald Trump wannabe who was meeting his young daughter at the Tilt-A-Whirl ride in the town’s closed amusement park. (Tilt-A-Whirl, get it?) Anyway, Boyle tells you all about what is going on in his own naïve meandering way, and lo and behold the two unlikely cops (not ready to call them heroes yet) solve the crime and prepare for their next adventure. Could you ask for anything more? Well, Dirty Harry it isn’t but overall I’d say it’s no more fanciful than that other New Jersey bastion of the law, one Stephanie Plum. 11/06 Jack Quick

The Time Traveler’s Wife by by Audrey Niffenegger: This is a powerful love story with a twist of fantasy. Clare has been in love with Henry for most of her life, and she is the center of his world. Henry suffers from a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel, yet he always seems to find his way to Clare. While his life moves in a chaotic, zigzag fashion, hers proceeds linearly, creating an unusual roadblock on their journey to love, yet one that they manage to overcome. Because this is a complicated storyline, it requires close and careful reading, but fortunately the prose is so beautiful that it makes you want to linger over each line. 12/03 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THIS DAME FOR HIRE by Sandra Scoppettone: Faye Quick is not my mother, but perhaps she could have been. Faye starts as a secretary, learns everything her sleazy but charming boss knows about being a detective, then assumes charge of the agency after her employer is drafted. A female PI working in New York City on her own – in 1943. “Even though I looked like any 26-year-old gal ankling round New York City in ’43, there was one main difference between me and the rest of the broads,” Faye tells us. “Show me another Jane who did my job and I’d eat my hat.” After Quick discovers the body of a missing young woman, the victim’s parents hire her to find the killer. It’s a tough time and a tough city, but Faye is a tough broad. 01/07 Jack Quick

THIS FIERCE SPLENDOR by Iris Johansen: Johansen is at her best when writing about an all consuming love affair centered around a major event. Such is This Fierce Splendor: the event being a search for the lost city of Kantalan.
Elspeth MacGregor grew up in Scotland filled with her father’s talk about an ancient city destroyed by a curse and the gold fortune still there. Upon her father’s death she feels herself free to go and search for it looking for a man named Dominic Delaney who her father indicated knows where it is. . She encounters Dominic in Arizona finding him a drunk, a wastrel and a good for nothing. He, also is not at all partial to her. In true Johansen fashion they fall in love, Dominic matures, they marry and go searching for the city which they do find.
The two travel with secondary characters who are described by the author, and one is killed in the search fulfilling a prophecy concerning the finding of Kantalan. A flaw in the book is the lack of interactions with the secondary personnel who in brief descriptions are very interesting. The city is of course found and the gold is used to pay off Delaney’s father’s home, and to set Elspeth and Dominic up in their own home in Arizona. Johansen wrote several books about the Delaney family about the same time as writing this one, and perhaps it is the intention of the publisher to re release all of them. Published July 1990, there are about 20 years between this book and present day and Johansen, has of course developed as a major author sufficiently to notice a stylistic difference between the Iris of 1990 and 2011. 09/11 Paul Lane

A THOUSAND BONES by P.J. Parrish: This was my first P. J. Parrish but certainly will not be my last. Actually this is the first in a new series that evolves from their previous Louis Kincaid series. In A Thousand Bones, Kincaid’s lover Joe Frye, the only female Miami-Dade Police Department homicide detective tells him about her experiences thirteen years earlier as a rookie in the Leelanau County, Michigan sheriff’s department. The discovery of human bones in the woods of Echo Bay leads to the hunt for a serial killer. Well written and interesting, I look forward to more of the new series but also want to catch up on the backlist. 07/07 Jack Quick

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini: I loved The Kite Runner so much that while I wanted more from this author, I also had some serious trepidation. Would I like anything else? Could he deliver another story as powerful? The short answer is yes. In fact, this new book may even be better than The Kite Runner, and I never thought that was even an option.
The story is once again set in Afghanistan, but this time it stays there. The main characters are two women, and it spans thirty years of their lives against the backdrop of all the political upheaval and war that Afghanistan experienced since the 1970’s. Mariam is the bastard child of a wealthy businessman and a very bitter mother. When she turns fifteen, circumstances change and Mariam is forced to marry forty-year-old Rasheed, a struggling businessman in another city. He is very old fashioned and forces Mariam to wear the burqua. All he wants is a son, and when Mariam fails to produce, he becomes quite brutal with her. Many years later, he takes another child bride, Laila, when her parents are killed in a bombing. The fourteen-year-old really has no options in that world – starvation, prostitution, or marriage, and Rasheed capitalizes on that. These two women live lives in constant peril, both from the world around them, and from the man they married.
A Thousand Splendid Suns is a brutal story that is beautifully told, and is simply captivating reading. This is my pick for Book of the Year. Don’t miss it. 05/07 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch
THREE by Jay Posey: When the world has all but ended, it’s best not to get too involved with others. Easier, too. At least, this is how Three has always felt. He can survive alone. But when he’s approached by a woman with a young son in desperate need of help, he finds he can’t turn them down. The woman calls herself Cass and she and her son are on the run from some pretty bad people. Three doesn’t know who they are and he doesn’t know why they’re after Cass. Her own explanation is full of holes and Three is more than aware that she’s keeping things from him. What he does know is that he’s probably the only person with the resources and the know-how to keep them safe. Three kicks off Jay Posey’s Legends of the Duskwalker series, which – based on this debut – promises to be a post-apocalyptic science fiction epic. Three does feel like a prologue to a much larger story, from the outset there are a lot of things left unexplained about the world and the characters. I’m not at all certain where Posey will be going next with the series, but I do know that if Three is anything to go by, it will be excellent. 8/13 Becky Lejeune

THREE PARTS DEAD by Max Gladstone: Alt Coulumb exists in a world run on Gods. The people of the city trade faith for Kos Everburning’s power, which is used for the heat and steam that run the city and surrounding areas. And now Kos is dead. Tara Abernathy has trained as a Craftswoman. Her unique set of skills has led to employment with Kelethras, Albrecht, and Ao, the firm hired to represent Kos and the church’s interests. With the help of one of Kos’s Novices and one of Justice’s Blacksuits – the policing force of the city – Tara is tasked with finding the cause of Kos’s death. It’s possible that the Old God can be resurrected but time is quickly running out. Mystery, fantasy, and legal thriller collide in this debut. Gladstone deftly combines these elements and brings to life a truly exceptional world with an intricate history and strong characters. 10/12 Becky Lejeune

THRILLED TO DEATH by L J Sellers: Ms. Sellers has a delightfully twisted mind and the talent to take her unsuspecting readers down trails that fork and bend back and curve and twist until at the end, you have a sense of satisfaction coupled with a pleasant mental exhaustion as your mind wanders back to how you got there. In her third outing for Eugene, Oregon’s Detective Jackson, she has concocted a particularly fiendish assignment. It begins with Jackson being diagnosed with a rare but treatable serious health problem. As he begins to cope it seems the whole world is following apart. Kera, the nurse he met in The Sex Club and has been seeing, has a grandson by her son (who was killed in Iraq) and his girlfriend who was pregnant when he went overseas. The grandson’s mother, Danette, goes missing after an appointment with a psychologist. Within twenty four hours another young woman about Danette’s age also goes missing. The difference is the second young woman, Courtney Durham, is the daughter of a woman who owns half the town – literally. Long days and sleepless nights continue unabated after Courtney’s body is found. Autopsy results are inconclusive, and as importantly, is there a connection between the two disappearances. You are gonna love this one. 07/10 Jack Quick

THRILLER 2 edited by Clive Cussler: Members of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) team up once again to bring fans another gripping anthology of short stories. In this all-new collection, a whole different set of authors has been chosen to thrill and chill readers of the genre. Simon Wood, Marcus Sakey, Lisa Jackson, and Tim Maleeny are just a few of the twenty-three contributors to this collection of tales. Bestselling author R.L. Stine cooks up a surprising tale of revenge in “Roomful of Witnesses,” Spanish author, Javier Sierra shows readers just why he’s an international success in “The Fifth World,” and David Hewson breaks from his Rome series with a shocking story of terrorism in “The Circle.” Some of the authors may be old favorites and some may be completely new to you, but one thing’s for sure: each of these tales is guaranteed to keep you in suspense to the very end. 05/09 Becky Lejeune
THROUGH THE CRACKS by Barbara Fister: Over 20 years ago, Jill McKenzie was the victim of the Lincoln Park Rapist, who also savagely beat her and killed her dog, a crime for which 16-year-old African American Chase Taylor was quickly charged. After Taylor’s conviction is thrown out decades later, McKenzie, now a sociology professor, finds rape cases much like hers and believes her assailant is still out there attacking women. She hires Chicago PI Anni Koskinen (In the Wind, 2008) to look for the real offender. Koskinen, an ex-cop herself, teams with Jerry Pozorski, the retired detective who had worked the McKenzie case, to build a new scenario despite resistance from the police and the politically ambitious state’s attorney, who convicted Taylor. All in all its another strong outing for Anni who is fast becoming a strong competitor to the likes of V.I. Warshawski, Chicago’s more famous female PI. Would it not be awesome to see them team up on a future case? Note to Barbara….. 10/10 Jack Quick

THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT by Veronica Rossi: While Aria and Perry found themselves separated in the end of Under the Never Sky, Through the Ever Night picks up with their reunion after some months apart. Perry has taken up the reigns as Blood Lord of the Tides and Aria has begun her search for evidence of the Still Blue, the rumored piece of land that remains untouched by the massive Aether storms that now plague the planet. Pods like Aria’s old home, Reverie, are no longer secure from the storms and the citizens are showing signs of Degenerative Limbic System, an illness Aria’s mother had been studying before her death. The same man who banished Aria from her home now holds her responsible for finding salvation for the people of Reverie. If she succeeds it means saving Perry’s nephew. If she fails it could mean the end for the people she once held dear. The story progression in Through the Ever Night was fantastic. It was everything I’d hoped for in finishing Under the Never Sky. All of the great character development and world building of book one were still present but there was so much more going on to move along the trilogy as a whole. That plus the killer ending leaves me itching for the release of book three. 1/13 Becky Lejeune

THUGS AND KISSES by Sue Ann Jaffarian: California-based paralegal Odelia Grey is living large and in charge. Its Class reunion time and while wheel chair bound boyfriend Greg stays home, attractive widower Devin Frye escorts Odelia. After 30 years Odelia has forgotten just how miserable her high school years were but she is quickly reminded just how cruel people can be. Then Donny Oliver, her tormentor, winds up dead, and next her boss, Mike Steele, vanishes just before a major trial. Is Odelia cursed or is there something else afoot. An excellent follow-up to 2003’s The Curse of The Holy Pail, Odelia shows once again why she is an original and very funny character. Enjoyable. 04/08 Jack Quick

THE TIGER’S WIFE by Téa Obreht: This debut novel is both a wondrous and languorous read. Natalia is a doctor practicing somewhere in the Balkans, trying to help orphans. War breaks out and she is caught on the wrong side of the fighting. Meanwhile her grandfather has died far from home. Natalia is very close with her grandfather as she grew up on his stories. She shares those of the “deathless man,” an immortal, and the “tiger’s wife,” a deaf-mute woman who managed to care for a tiger that escaped from the zoo after it was bombed by the Germans. The book meanders back and forth between her childhood and these stories to present day, where Natalia is living a life that will give her stories to someday share with her own grandchildren. This is a lovely, poignant mystical book well worth the adoration it has been receiving. 03/11 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch
TIME FLIES by Claire Cook: What I love most about Claire Cook are her characters, and Time Flies is no exception. Melanie left her Massachusetts beach town when her husband was transferred to Atlanta, and their two boys grew up there. Melanie’s way of coping with the change was to become a sculptor, and when her husband leaves her for another woman, she carves up their bed, turning the mattress coils into some sculpture. Her best friend B.J. is still up in Massachusetts, and she insists that Melanie come up for their high school reunion. Melanie is reluctant until an old boyfriend contacts her to ask if she’s going. Figuring she could use a change of scenery, off she goes on a giddy road trip with B.J., working through all their problems as only two old friends can. If you’re looking for light and breezy, then you’ve found it; small, too, and easy to tote to the beach, even in hard cover. I loved it. 7/13 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

A TIME FOR WAR by Michael Savage: Generally unsatisfying thriller featuring Jack Hatfield, a popular television host hounded from his position by left-wing forces in the media for speaking the truth. A rogue element in Chinese intelligence has developed an electronic magnetic pulse weapon capable of causing catastrophic electrical failure in aircraft and surface vehicles. With the help of Dover Griffith, an idealistic young woman staffer at the Office of Naval Intelligence, Hatfield pursues a trail leading to a billionaire American electronics entrepreneur who has sold out his own country with the help of officials at the highest level of the American government. If the author had spent half the time developing plot and character as he did spouting political rhetoric to the right of Fox News, the book would have been much more enjoyable. 3/13 Jack Quick

THE TIME OF MY LIFE by Cecelia Ahern: Lucy Silchester is ignoring her life. He’s a bit frumpy and he’s kind of a mess and when he schedules an appointment to talk, Lucy goes out of her way to avoid him. She’s not even sure why her life is calling. It’s not like she’s unhappy. But Lucy has spent so long skating by and hiding things from those around her that she’s not even sure what she wants anymore. She’s lied about her breakup with her ex, she’s lied on her resume and has a job she’s not quite qualified for, she’s even kept her apartment off limits to her friends and family. She says that she was the one who dumped the ex, she’s secretly outsourced the Spanish portion of her job to someone else, and she claims the apartment is her personal space. The reality is, Lucy is in need of a change and whether she likes it or not, life is going to make it happen. This is probably one of my favorites from Ahern. For an author who never disappoints, she has managed to surprise me with something completely new and different. The idea that life is a real entity who forces Lucy (who’s pretty fantastic, I must say) to face facts is so much fun. Another hilarious and heartfelt read from one of my favorite authors. 5/13 Becky Lejeune

TIME OF MY LIFE by Allison Winn Scotch: One of my favorite books is Replay by Ken Grimwood, about a 40 year old man who dies and wakes up the next day as his 18-year-old self with all his memories intact, leading to that eternal question, if you could do it all over again, what would you do differently…or the same? Scotch takes that premise and gives it a little twist. Her heroine is Jillian Westfield, a thirty-something who feels stuck in her boring suburban marriage and stifled by full time mommyhood to a precocious almost two-year-old. When she learns that her ex-boyfriend is getting married, she feels her body tense up and runs to the hunky neighborhood masseuse. He opens up her chi, and she finds herself seven years in her past, all memories intact. She’s living life again, before her marriage, before her child, and she gets to see how different choices can make a different life, but is it a better life? Jillian struggles with the weight of all these decisions and we get a fascinating glimpse at the shoulda, woulda, coulda that we all sometimes wonder about. An interesting premise but perhaps not all that it could have been. 10/08 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

TIME OF MY LIFE by Allison Winn Scotch: Have you ever wondered what would have happened if you had made a different decision somewhere along the way? Jillian Westfield has. Married some six years and the mother of a toddler, Jillian often wonders what her life would have been like if she hadn’t given up her career and moved the suburbs. Her husband is often gone on business and she’s constantly trying to breathe new life into what she thinks is their dying love life. When her masseuse, Garland, unblocks her chi, Jill wakes to find herself in her old apartment. In fact, she seems to be in her old life with her old boyfriend, just months before she would meet the man who would become her husband. The question is this: can Jillian really do things differently this time? And if she does change something, will it be for the better? A sweet story about fate and the ramifications of each decision you make. Jill recounts her relationship with her husband even as she vows to do things differently and discovers that she is more responsible for their situation than she originally thought. Her personal revelations are refreshing and a bit different for this kind of “what if” story. An overall fun read. 10/08 Becky Lejeune

THE TIMER GAME by Susan Arnout Smith: I met the author in Phoenix at ThrillerFest 2006 and she gave me goosebumps in July with this one line synopsis of her new novel: “It’s about a woman being stalked by a very bad man, who targets her through her 5-year old daughter, and then he grabs the kid and forces the mother to play the kid’s favorite game, called The Timer Game, to get her back.” Great synopsis, but one line really can’t do justice to the intricacies of this plot. Grace Descanso is a brilliant pediatric heart surgeon who goes down to Guatemala to work among the poor. But her life is forever changed there, she gives up her career and comes back to the states and takes a job in San Diego as a crime scene tech. A recovering alcoholic and mother of a 5 year old, she invents the “timer game” to get her daughter moving in the morning. Using a kitchen timer and scavenger hunt type clues, her daughter dresses herself with each article of apparel in record time, with a prize at the end. Then someone takes her daughter, and challenges Grace to play the “timer game” to get her back. This is a frenetic, crazy game that propels the story forward at high speed towards the startling, yet believable ending. 01/08 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THE TINROOF BLOWDOWN by James Lee Burke: The two seminal events of the new Millennium for those of us in the United States are 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. Lawrence Block, S. J. Rozan, and others have written very poignantly about 9/11. Now James Lee Burke weighs in on the impact of Katrina on his beloved south Louisiana and New Orleans in the 16th Dave Robicheaux novel. It starts with Detective Robicheaux’s department investigating the shooting of two looters in a wealthy neighborhood. The house they had ransacked is the home of New Orleans’s most powerful mobster. Now he must locate the surviving looter before others do. As the story unfolds, we see both sides of the people affected by this national disaster as well as the good and the bad that resulted. Thank goodness there is a basis for optimism from all this, as the experience is a draining one. 08/07 Jack Quick

TINY LITTLE TROUBLES by Marc Lecard: Aaron Rogell has it all, gobs of money from the first techno-bubble (he got in and out in time), a nanotech startup in San Francisco that is about to go super nova, a beautiful ex-lawyer wife, a brand-new baby, a new Mercedes, a beautiful home, excited venture capitalists and a major zipper problem. From an up-scale call girl named Aphrodite to a toothless Tenderloin hooker of indeterminate sex, there seems to be nothing he won’t try. Aaron’s doing a pretty good balancing act until he comes to the attention of one of Aphrodite’s lowlife acquaintances – and then its lots of tiny little troubles for Aaron ad everyone associated with him. The book is not laugh out loud funny like an Evanovich, but you can’t help but chuckle at the antics of some of the characters while you try to reconcile scientific genius with social stupidity. Another winner from the author of Vinnie’s Head. 08/08 Jack Quick

TKO by Tom Schreck: No sophomore slump here. In fact, I liked this one so much better than Schreck’s first outing (On The Ropes) last year that I am now really excited about the planned continuation of this series. Duffy Dumbrowski is a Schlitz-drinking, Elvis-loving social worker and amateur boxer. He could easily become a cliché except for Schreck’s writing skills. Consider this opening line from Duffy, “Just because a guy slits the throats of two high school cheerleaders, axes the back of the quarterback’s head and runs down the class president in his mom’s LTD doesn’t make him a bad guy.” After an uncertain time in prison, Howard “Hacker” Reinhart is released and his case is assigned to Dombrowski. Soon, local high school VIPs start showing up dead. Coincidence or ?? Duffy is going to ask Howard about it, as soon as he can find him. Oh, wait there is also a huge upcoming boxing match, a new hormonal girlfriend, and the ongoing misadventures of Allah-King, his Muslim basset hound. One minor irritant in the ARC I read. There seemed to be some question of time placement. Reinhart served twelve years of a thirty-year sentence for crimes committed twenty five years ago and has been locked away for thirty years??? Hand me another Schlitz, would you. 08/08 Jack Quick
TOO DARN HOT by Sandra Scoppettone: In this sequel to This Dame for Hire (2005), Faye Quick, the New York steno who turns private eye after her boss goes off to fight in WWII is persuaded by. Claire Turner, a blonde beauty who works as a salesgirl at Wanamaker’s department store, to look for Claire’s missing GI boyfriend, Charlie Ladd. Not only is Charles too good to be true, butt here’s murder afoot and other foul play as well. It takes a tough dame to survive in this environment and Fay has all the right stuff, including a great name. My kind of broad. 01/07 Jack Quick

TO BEGUILE A BEAST by Elizabeth Hoyt: I’ve been told by an avid romance reader that Hoyt is one of the best writers today, so I took a shot at book three in The Legend of the Four Soldiers series. Definitely a step up from some of the others I’ve read, the storyline makes sense, the writing is intelligent yet the sex is still hot. Obviously a takeoff on the classic Beauty & the Beast story – who knew that fairytales were such fodder for grownup romance? Well, probably lots of romance readers knew, but I’m a neophyte and just learning.
I liked this book about an Englishman who is a famous naturalist writer/illustrator who was captured by the Indians in Colonial America, tortured, and left scarred for life. He returns home to his castle, where a beautiful young woman with a couple of young children turns up on his doorstep, announcing that she is his new housekeeper, sent by a mutual friend. His house, or rather his castle, has been long neglected, but this new hire is not really a housekeeper. She is the mistress of a Duke, and has run away with her children, planning to hide in this new role. The history told here is interesting, as are the royal machinations, and it was a believable story. Hoyt has written a very entertaining and interesting book, and I’d bet the rest of the series is just as good; here’s another romance that I can recommend. 9/10 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

TO DESIRE A DEVIL by Elizabeth Hoyt: This is the final book in the “Legend of the Four Soldiers Series,” and the second one I’ve read. Beatrice Corning lives with her uncle, the Earl of Blanchard, in his home in London after losing her parents. There is a painting hanging in the house of Reynaud St. Aubyn, the previous Earl, who was killed in the Colonies, that Beatrice moons over. Except seven years later he shows up on their doorstep, demanding his title and his home back. Turns out he was captured by the Indians and enslaved for all those years. He looks like a wild man and acts like one too, until Beatrice slowly tames him. This book brings closure to the mystery hanging over all four books in this series; who was the traitor that got these men captured and many of them killed? Lots of angst, love, sex and some nice twists make for a good way to spend a few hours reading. I am planning on going back and reading the first two books of the series now that I’ve found a romance author I really enjoy. 09/10 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch
TO HELL AND BACK by Lilith Saintcrow: The final installment of the Dante Valentine series begins with our heroine’s release from hell. In an attempt to regain control over Japhrimel, the fallen demon who was once his right hand man, Lucifer kidnapped and tortured Danny. He may find that he has messed with the wrong girl this time. The truth about the fallen is finally revealed and Danny learns that she is the only one who can wield the weapon that could finally destroy the devil himself. It will be a fight to the death as the gates of hell are ripped open and the devil’s minions escape onto Earth. Friends will become enemies and enemies will become reluctant allies in a battle that could mean the end for everyone involved. Saintcrow’s amazing series, self-described as tech noir/urban fantasy, draws inspiration from numerous fictional, mythological, and certainly religious sources. Imagine my delight, though, when Saintcrow herself named one of my teenage favorites L.J. Smith’s Forbidden Game trilogy, as being among those inspiring works. Smith’s work attained almost cult status among my peers and I imagine Saintcrow soon will as well. It will be well deserved and I can’t wait to see what she does next. 01/08 Becky Lejeune

TO SPEAK FOR THE DEAD by Paul Levine: This is the first book in the Jake Lassiter series, which I read back in the day – it came out in 1990, I believe. So why am I rereading a book I read so long ago? Simple. Paul Levine’s next book is called Lassiter, which will be available 9/13/11, and continues one of my favorite series. Let’s call this a nostalgic read and a memory jogger. Paul Levine is one of my favorite writers; I love his characters, his sense of humor and his pacing. I know I loved this series and read them all, but it’s been several years since there’s been a Lassiter book and I’ve probably read a couple of thousand books since then. All that said, I fell in love all over again with this series. In this book, we meet Jake Lassiter, former football player turned tough as nails Miami attorney. Ex-stripper Melanie Corrigan is suing the surgeon she blames for her husband’s death for malpractice, whom Lassiter successfully defends. When that doesn’t work, she frames him for murder. Or did she? This book has more hairpin turns than Lombard Street, plus Miami crazy funny. And best of all, it’s available on ebook for only $2.99. I can’t wait for Lassiter. 08/11 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

To the Nines by Janet Evanovich: Stephanie Plum, inept bounty hunter extraordinaire, is back and the Burg is safe from bail jumpers. Or is it? Simon Singh, in this country on a work visa backed by a Vincent Plum bond, disappears along with his fiancée’s dog one week before his visa, and his bond, expires. This case is so important that it takes both Ranger and Stephanie to work it, much to Joe’s displeasure. They eventually track Singh down to Las Vegas, but Ranger has some legal issues there, so Stephanie, Lula and Connie are dispatched to pick up Singh and bring him home. Tom Jones impersonators, a riot at the blackjack table and other fun ensues as the trio takes Vegas by storm. And this time around Stephanie doesn’t lose a single car – but Ranger’s men are dropping like flies. Another fun read by Evanovich. Note from Geoff Hamlin: “On page 137, Joe tells Stephanie that Ollie is handling the case. She says ‘Oh great. Blubber-butt Ollie. The Bain of my existence…’ I take it that this is an insider reference to Ed McBain’s Fat Ollie’s Book.” Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

TO THE POWER OF THREE by Laura Lippman: This is a gripping standalone mystery from the author of the wonderful Tess Monaghan series. There is a high school shooting but with a twist – the shooter & the victims are girls. Three girls, friends since elementary school, are locked in the girl’s bathroom. One is dead, one has a self-inflicted life threatening injury and the third has been shot in the foot. Lippman delves into teenage angst, rivalries, and family problems until a believable story emerges. The story moves back and forth between the present day shooting and how the girls met and formed a friendship over the years, making these characters come to life. Despite some criticism about incorrect evidence gathering which I certainly wouldn’t question and frankly didn’t notice, it’s a very interesting page turner that I read in one sitting. 11/05 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

TOKEN OF DARKNESS by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes: Cooper Blake was an all-around average teen until a car wreck changed everything. Cooper was lucky just to be alive. Though football is now out of the question, the teen has been working hard to recuperate and heal. But something else came out of the accident. Something followed Cooper. Her name is Samantha and only Cooper can see her. As Cooper sets off to find out who the ghost is and how he might be able to help her, not to mention how he ended up being able to see her, he’ll discover that there is much more to the world than he is aware of. Fellow teens Delilah and Blake both know all too well what strange things surround them. They will each try to help Cooper along the way, but even they aren’t sure exactly why Samantha is here or what she wants. In her latest, Atwater-Rhodes presents some interesting ideas and a plot that will no doubt please YA readers looking for something different in the genre. I would have liked more depth to the story, but I think it’s just the right balance for younger readers. 02/10 Becky Lejeune

TOKEN OF REMORSE by Michael Stone: Richie Moats could be a fugitive from John Dortmunder’s gang. His mask falls off in mid-robbery revealing his face to the two people he’s robbing of the weekly take from a string of massage parlors. Richie’s uncle then hires Denver bounty hunter Streeter to find the lad. He isn’t in Mexico as thought, so Streeter comes home empty handed. But then Richie’s partner gets involved and Streeter is back on the case that gets a little complicated. You may need a diagram to keep track of the double-crosses, but two things are perfectly clear throughout: everybody’s into everybody else, and everybody’s going to get burned. 02/06 Jack Quick

THE TOMB by F. Paul Wilson: Repairman Jack doesn’t deal with electronic appliances. Instead, he fixes situations for people, situations that usually involve putting himself in deadly danger. This Block’s Matthew Scudder sober or Child’s Jack Reacher living in New York City. The current project involves recovering a stolen necklace, which alleged carries an ancient curse. In addition he must protect Vicky, the daughter of his girlfriend, Gia. Assuming Jack survives this outing, I am looking forward to new adventures. P.S. He does survive so there is bound to be a sequel. 07/06 Jack Quick

TOMMY GUN TANGO by Brant Randall and Bruce Cook: Marshall Ichabod Petrarch Lawe has lost his job as Marshall of Potemkin County in Peony Springs, Massachusetts and is headed toward Los Angeles. The County Supervisors let him keep his Ford police car complete with police radio as “mustering out” pay, although he had to sand off the Potemkin County Marshall decals on the doors. You immediately know this is a work of fiction when he fills up his tank with gas for $2.18. But then again, maybe that’s not too bad for 1932. Shortly thereafter he picks up a hitchhiker named Aloysious “Al” Haine, a big red headed Mick from Northern Ireland who is a gambler and an ardent Marxist who carries a knife strapped to his leg. Upon arrival in Los Angeles Lawe takes a job as a stuntman in Gower Gulch, the home of low budget western movies, which eventually leads him to a job in studio security at RKO. Haine picks up work at various studios as an extra and helps organize a labor movement among the actors. His union activities get him beaten by union-busting thugs and Lawe comes to his rescue. When Jean Harlow’s husband turns up dead from a gunshot wound to the temple, Lawe suspects that murder has been committed, which puts him on the wrong side of the most powerful executives in Hollywood as well as corrupt local police. Reminiscent of Stuart Kamisnky’s Toby Peters series and nicely done. 10/09 Jack Quick

Tonight I Said Goodbye by Michael Koryta: The Cleveland police would charge private investigator Wayne Weston with murdering his wife and daughter except that their bodies can’t be found and he’s dead, apparently a suicide. Weston’s father isn’t buying it, however, and he hires private investigators Lincoln Perry and Joe Pritchard to clear his son’s name and find his family. Perry is a former cop whose cheating ex-fiancé set him off on a bender that cost him his job. Pritchard, his old partner, is ready to retire and become what all retired cops become, a P.I. The hard-boiled cliché works beautifully here as these two men find themselves chasing Russian Mafiya, a real estate mogul, and an ex-Marine while dodging bullets, cops, and the FBI. The Cleveland setting is a nice change from the usual East Coast/West Coast locales, and the 21-year-old author excels at building characters and story, making this one of the best mystery debuts this year. Winner of the 2003 SMP/PWA Prize for Best First PI Novel, this is highly recommended. A student at Indiana University, Koryta lives in Bloomington. Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

TOO BIG TO MISS by Sue Ann Jaffarian: “From the first time Adam noticed the shrinkage and explained it to Eve, men have been trying to tell women that size didn’t matter.” (And women have been saying the same thing to men). Hopefully this series will get the attention it deserves. Odelia Grey is forty-something, five-foot-one, and weighs in at 230 pounds. More importantly she is smart, determined, busy, and generally happy. She becomes an investigator when a fellow large person, fat woman activist Sophie London allegedly commits suicide, in full view of subscribers to the X-rated web site she operates. Odelia can’t believe this and perseveres through Girl Scout cookies (frozen thin mints are best) and other trials and travails to get to the bottom (poor word choice) of the matter. What the world needs is more plus sized detectives, even if they do eat Fig Newtons as an appetizer. 03/07 Jack Quick

TOO CLOSE TO HOME by Lynette Eason: Billed as Book One of the Women of Justice series, this is another chic lit romantic mystery with lots of excess estrogen. The plot: Samantha Cash, an FBI computer forensics expert and overall superwoman is sent to a small South Carolina town after several missing teens turn up dead. There she meets and immediately starts to have romantic feelings for Connor Wolfe, Chief Detective on the case. Compounding the emotional turmoil is the fact that Cash looks exactly like Wolfe’s late wife. Wolfe’s teenage daughter, Jenna get involved and then like any normal sixteen year old, thinks her Dad is being overly protective. But is he? The killer seems to be taking closer interest in Jenna as Cash and Wolfe race toward identifying the killer and dealing with their own burgeoning relationship. Throw in a heavy dose of contemporary Christianity and then wrap it all up in 327 pages. A treat for some but it left me wanting to brush the sweet taste out of my mouth. However, I will give Ms. Eason credit. She lives in South Carolina, as I once did, and seems to be one of the few authors who understand the role of SLED – South Carolina Law Enforcement Division – politically and operationally. 06/10 Jack Quick

TOO PRETTY TO DIE: A Debutante Dropout Mystery by Susan McBride: Tupperware parties are no longer. Now there are “pretty parties”, where a bunch of Dallas socialites get together and get shot up with Botox or whatever the latest anti-aging wrinkle filler is, by Dr. Sonja Madhavi. Except the cream of the crop, Miranda DuBois, former beauty queen and current news bunny, has a problem with Dr. Sonja; her injections have left Miranda with an eye won’t stop twitching and a droopy mouth, definitely not television-worthy. She shows up at the latest pretty party drunk, brandishing a gun and ends up taking a wild shot at Dr. Sonja. She misses, but gives the girls plenty to talk about and effectively breaks up the party. Our heroine, Andy Kendricks, was dragged to the party by her close friend, a society reporter for the local rag, who now really has a hot story. Andy ends up taking Miranda home, where she passes out on the couch. The next morning, Andy decides to check up on her and finds the neighborhood swarming with cops because Miranda is dead, apparently by suicide. Or is it? Do former beauty pageant queens off themselves? Andy doesn’t think so, and the fun really begins. This latest entry into a terrific series is back on the murder track – it’s light, fast, and a great way to while away a winter afternoon. 01/08 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

TOO RICH AND TOO THIN: NOT AN AUTOBIGRAPHY by Barbara DeShong: Psychologists aren’t crazy – they are on the other side of the line. Don’t mean they can’t act crazy, just that you can’t lock them up for it. Dr. Jessica LeFave is summoned to profile the killer who drove a spike through the heart of the notorious Bernice Jackson, which is kind of interesting since Bernice was a psychiatry patient of Jessica’s husband’s at the time of his death Jessica is convinced her husband was murdered to bury a secret revealed in therapy. Not that bad an assumption since her husband was found at the bottom of Lake Austin, complete with hotel receipt and another woman’s wedding rings in his pocket. So the stage is now set for a wacky wade into a truly bizarre situation, complete with dopes and dopers, eating disorders, obsessions, anxiety, psychotic dreams, and maybe in the middle of all these, some answers. 10/09 Jack Quick

THE TOOTH TATTOO by Peter Lovesey: Lovesey has constructed a wonderful backdrop for this latest Peter Diamond outing. It seems that one of the finest string quartets in the world has had its violist disappear. Mel Ferran, an unattached concert violist, is recruited by them in a mysterious fashion. One by one, he is vetted by each of the other members who are fascinating character studies in their own way. He wins the job and the group accepts a residency at the Bath Spa University while they learn to play together and develop their repertoire. However, a young string quartet groupie is killed, so Diamond, who is head of the Bath CID is called in to investigate. (Who knew string quartets had groupies?) The investigation is complicated by the return of the long-missing violist and the resemblance to a similar death which occurred while Diamond and his woman friend Paloma were on a Third Man tour of Vienna. I have always enjoyed the Peter Diamond stories, but I think that this one had more sheer fun than any of the others I recall offhand. And I was always humming as I read, whether it was the Third Man Theme or the more classical efforts of the Quartet. This is a perfect summer read. 6/13 Geoffrey R. Hamlin

TOP DOWN by Jim Lehrer: Van Walters was a secret service agent working as part of the Kennedy motorcade moving through Dallas on November 22, 1963. Van made the decision to leave the bubble top off of President Kennedy’s car due to the pleasant weather, and because it was not bullet proof. After the assassination Van lapses into a protracted melancholy blaming himself for the President’s death due to the decision to leave the bubble top off. At the same time fledgling newspaper reporter Jack Gilmore covered the motorcade for his paper and remembers asking Van if the bubble top would be put up. Jack retains the memory and wonders if the decision to keep the top off was the right one. Five years after the assassination Jack is called by Van’s daughter Marti asking for help with her father who has lost the will to live due to his feeling that he allowed Kennedy’s death. Marti picks Jack due to his presence on the site on November 22, 1963. Still consumed by his own curiosity he agrees and meets with Marti. Together they begin to try and reach Van and bring him back to the realization that he bears no fault for the murder. Nothing helps, including the work of a psychiatrist hired by Van’s wife until Jack conceives of an idea that may provide Van with a means to come back to reality. The ending of the book is excellent and is rewarding in itself for the reader. A book that will capture the reader and provide for an all nighter and an interest in exploring more books by Lehrer. 10/13 Paul Lane
TOP PRODUCER by Norb Vonnegut: Vonnegut’s financial thriller debut features Grove O’Rourke, a major player in the cutthroat world of Wall Street’s most talented stockbrokers. O’Rourke is among the hundreds who witness the bizarre murder of Charlie Kelemen, in a huge salt water tank at the Boston Aquarium where Keleman’s wife’s birthday is being celebrated. When O’Rourke tries to help Kelemen’s widow sort out some financial questions, the process leads him deeper and deeper into a labyrinth of deceit. As fallout from Charlie’s death and dealings start to taint O’Rourke, sharks even more vicious than those that beheaded Keleman, smell blood and begin to circle. O’Rourke won’t go down without a fight, and not all the blood in the water will be his. If you enjoy Christopher Reich, you will love this one. 11/09 Jack Quick

TORPEDO JUICE by Tim Dorsey: At the beginning of the Coen Brothers’ movie, The Big Lebowski, Sam Elliott, the narrator, says that sometimes there is a man that is just right for his time and place. In The Big Lebowski, it is “The Dude” in Los Angeles just before the turn of the century. In Torpedo Juice, it is Tim Dorsey’s homicidal hippy history buff, Serge, in Key West, Florida, just after the turn of the century. This fit is so perfect, it makes you wonder why Serge hasn’t tripped across this weird corner of the Sunshine State before now.
The plot of this comic mystery loosely involves a psychotic serial killer (no, not Serge) traveling around Florida pursued by the law and others. Woven into this is Serge’s decision that it is time for him to marry and experience that rich adventure.
The somewhat scattered development of this and other plot lines is more than compensated for by the non-stop madness of discrete comic episodes worthy of the Marx Brothers. Serge and Coleman’s adventures in grocery shopping are the stuff of which legends, or perhaps cult movies, are made. Day old pizza. Half-price chicken. “We must be in the Guy Section.”
Serge’s bewilderment at the turnings of the female mind and the tradeoffs of marriage are also memorable. They are equal parts humor and truth and worth reading out loud to the right evil companions.
Now that Serge is on the road and out of the Tampa area again, I would sort of like to see him expand his horizons by traveling further afield. Like maybe to Bisbee, Arizona.
If you are looking for a book to take on Spring Break, this is it. Enjoy. 03/05 ~This review contributed by Geoffrey R. Hamlin.
TOTALLY DEAD by Michael Stone: Would-be mobster Alphonse Lucci needs protection from genuine tough guys muscling in on his restaurants. Mitch Bosco, a klutzy crook who listens avidly to self-help tapes and keeps a “Prosperity Journal,” tries to torch Lucci’s house but mistakenly burns a neighbor’s place. Bosco moonlights as a police informant, helping the cops sting a junkyard owner with a lucrative trade in stolen televisions and cars. These cases converge when Bosco’s boss, Freddy Disanto, decides to blow Bosco’s cover and steal the hot car money. Enter bounty hunter Streeter and his bondsman partner to pick up all the pieces. A delightfully twisty ending. 02/06 Jack Quick

TOUCH & GO by Lisa Gardner: The Denbe family of three has their problems like everyone else, despite their wealth and magnificent home. But things really take a turn for the worse when the entire family is kidnapped and disappear. The Boston police and the F.B.I. are at a loss until the ransom demand comes in a couple of days later. Justin Denbe owns a multi-million dollar construction company and carries insurance against such an event. Tessa Leoni, former Boston cop, is now a private investigator for corporate security, and she’s been assigned the Denbe case. As the clock clicks down, Tessa works hard to figure out what happened to this family in time to save them. Meanwhile the Denbe’s are trying to stay alive, and learning more secrets about each other than they ever wanted to know. These are characters the reader can empathize with, and the story is very twisty with an ending that hits from the blindside. I couldn’t put it down. 2/13 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THE TOUCH OF TWILIGHT: THE THIRD SIGN OF THE ZODIAC by Vicki Pettersson: This third book in Pettersson’s amazing and inventive series finds Joanna facing the possibility of her shadow side finally rearing its ugly head. The third sign of the zodiac states that the dormant side of the Kairos will finally awaken. The Kairos being Joanna Archer, agent of the light, daughter of shadow, and the tipping point in the battle between good and evil. After proving her loyalty to the team, most of Zodiac Troop 175 is finally convinced of Joanna’s pledge to fight for good. Unfortunately, a doppelganger has broken through to our dimension and is dead set on taking over Joanna’s identity. Joanna may find herself forced to fight alongside her father in order to get rid of a seemingly common enemy. In addition to that, Joanna’s attempts to set her true love’s mind at ease has upset the balance of their world and has left him an open target for a vengeful shadow agent. With each new installment, Pettersson’s series becomes more intense and elaborate. Pettersson draws on world legends and myths (changelings, the Tulpa, and now doppelgangers) as well as the classic superhero/comic book mythos to make this the most exciting and original series in urban fantasy today. Anyone not reading the Signs of the Zodiac is seriously missing out. 05/08 Becky Lejeune

TOUGH LUCK by Jason Starr: Mickey Prada is a good Brooklyn kid. He is living at home, taking care of his widowed father, a victim of Alzheimer’s, and working at the fish market, saving his money to go to Baruch College and become an accountant. His troubles start when a new customer, Angelo Santoro, asks Mickey to place a few sports bets for him. Santoro seems to be a Made Guy, so Mickey doesn’t feel he can refuse. But Santoro never makes good on his losses. As Mickey quickly plunges into debt, he grows desperate for a way out, even agreeing to go in on a house robbery with his pal Chris and some guys from his bowling team. From that point on, his downward slide is steep and seemingly unstoppable. Quite a ride and a great read. 12/08 Jack Quick

TOWER by Ken Bruen and Reed Coleman: Nick is classic Irish bad – his mother says he “has the bad drop.” Todd is Nick’s best friend from boyhood and while both start down the path to being hoods, Todd gets pulled away to the legal side. The friendship, although increasingly strained, remains intact even when Nick kills cold eyed enforcer Griffin who works for the Bible quoting Boyle. Looming symbolically over both their worlds is the North Tower at which Nick’s Dad works. Presented in two parts, it is a testament to the skill of both these fine authors that you can’t discern who wrote which part. Outstanding. 12/09 Jack Quick

THE TOWER by Simon Clark: Fabien has always been a lucky one. Raised with money and all the opportunity it affords him, he has become something of a control-freak. When he lands a cushy job as a house sitter for The Tower, a home dating back to early colonial times now under contract to be renovated into condos, he drags his band mates and his girlfriend along for the ride. His idea is that the band can spend the month secluded and without distraction so that they can concentrate on learning his songs, songs he’s sure will get them on the fast track to a record deal and the big leagues. His band mates are just hoping for a little fun and relaxation in the countryside. The Tower has other ideas for the group, however. The Tower has a taste for blood and it has been far too long since that craving has been satisfied. Simon Clark is great at creating atmosphere. The whole tone of the book is very gothic and creepy, but I was left wanting more. The history of The Tower was one aspect in particular that was touched on but not as in depth as I would have liked. I was left unsatisfied with the catch-all “just because it’s evil” explanation, or lack thereof. It would be great if another book featuring The Tower were around, but not so as of yet. 05/09 Becky Lejeune

TOWER HILL by Sarah Pinborough: The danger of succumbing to temptation is the driving theme in this latest horror release from British author Sarah Pinborough. It’s the beginning of a new semester and the quaint town of Tower Hill is welcoming its latest influx of students. Two strangers have also just arrived in Tower Hill. One is posing as the enigmatic new history professor, Gray Kenyon. The other has taken the identity of the local clergyman, Father O’brien. From these two positions of power, the men begin to take hold of the town, transforming members of the community into entities that will become gateways to this world for spirits of the worst kind. Roommates Steve Wharton and Liz Clapton are both typical freshmen, hoping that college will offer them new lives and futures far away from the lives they’ve previously known. Neither of them is prepared for the evil that is about to be unleashed, but they may end up being Tower Hill’s last hope. There seems to be a running theme in horror these days, this Needful Things type scenario where the whole town is placed in grave danger and only a few outsiders are left immune to the evil. Tower Hill is one of the best ones I have come across lately. Pinborough tells a great story, it’s as plain as that. Her plot and her characters are interesting, and the twist is quite original. Anyone thirsting for something new and exciting in the genre should definitely check out Tower Hill. 07/08 Becky Lejeune

THE TOWN THAT FORGOT HOW TO BREATHE by Kenneth J. Harvey: In the past few weeks, there have been some changes in the town of Bareneed. Fisheries officer Joseph Blackwood had hoped to give his daughter Robin a nice vacation while sharing a bit of family history. The Blackwoods were once part of the town’s long line of fishermen, that is, until Joseph’s father moved his family to the city. Today, the cod industry has all but been eliminated with government sanctions and many of the townsfolk are out of work. Strange things are starting to happen. It begins when a handful of townspeople die of apparent asphyxiation. Soon the hospital is overcome with more people suffering from this strange ailment that affects their ability to breathe. They also seem to be suffering from a strange sort of amnesia. Other people in town begin to suffer from uncontrollable rage. Then, dead bodies begin to float to the surface of the lake and there are reported sightings of mythical sea creatures. Military officials appear and the town is subsequently, unofficially, quarantined. Just what is happening in the town of Bareneed? Can the people survive this nightmare? Canadian author Kenneth J. Harvey’s eerie debut will stay with readers long after they finish reading it. This is not a story to rush through, but one that should be savored. 11/06 Becky LeJeune

TRACE EVIDENCE by Elizabeth Becka: Evelyn James is a forensic scientist in the Cleveland, Ohio Medical Examiner’s Office and a single mom. Her newest case involves a young woman found in the river with her feet encased in a bucket of concrete. Then the daughter of her former boyfriend and now Cleveland’s mayor is found dead under similar circumstances. James starts her own crime solving but soon becomes fearful for the safety of her own daughter. Although certainly derivative of Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reich, I found it to be an interesting read and look forward to sequels, which, hopefully will show a little tighter editing and fewer cumbersome procedural details. 08/06 Jack Quick

TRACKERS by Deon Meyer: Deon Meyer is a South African author that has had several books already released in the United States successfully. His forte has been excellent character development coupled with good plots and looks into the political scene in post apartheid South Africa. Trackers is a stand alone novel as opposed to most of his books that have revolved around a police officer in his country.
Meyer successfully combines three apparently non related story lines, each of which is so well delineated that they could have been developed into separate novels. In keeping with his normal writings, the three stories combine excellent and very believable character development. The reader is brought into all three story lines wondering what they have to do with each other, and more important what they have in common with an underlying threat of an imminent attack on South Africa by Al Queda. What does the smuggling of two endangered black Rhinos into South Africa have to do with a search for a missing husband and the theft of valuable jewelry. And where does the attack by Al Queda come into play.
Meyer, in an almost magic scenario answers these questions while keeping his readers glued to the book. This is one that is almost impossible to put down. All three story lines meld into a logical ending coupled with an intriguing move by Al Queda which is one of those “was this really possible” developments. We are not going to see three fairy tale endings, but we are going to be satisfied that questions have been answered. Come on Deon – get cracking on your next book. You have a growing audience in the U.S. waiting for it with baited breath. 10/11 Paul Lane

THE TRAFFICKERS by W.E.B. Griffin: It seems like I have been reading Griffin books all my life – and enjoying everyone of them, so it is good to see that his son William E. Butterwoth IV is beginning to get equal billing, and will hopefully follow in his father’s footsteps. In this latest outing, Philadelphia Homicide Sergeant Matthew Payne is involved with multiple murders that all seem (to him) to be related to the burgeoning drug trafficking trade in the city. Joined by a long lean Texas Ranger who has been pursuing the matter from the other end of the country, the two set out to disable El Gato – the Cat, a twenty one year old Hispanic psycho from Dallas whose modus operandi includes cutting off the heads of young girls with a machete. Plenty of violence and shooting and a satisfactory ending. Now I am ready for another Griffin/Butterworth. 09/09 Jack Quick

TRAIL OF THE SPELLMANS by Lisa Lutz: The Spellmans are back, again. The Blakes want the Spellmans to follow their college-age daughter and make sure she’s on her best behavior. Adam Cooper has hired them to follow his sister. Margaret Slayter wants a report of all her husband’s comings and goings. And Walter Perkins needs someone to check in on him time to time. Each of the cases presents its own challenges and opportunities for hijinks, something the Spellmans specialize in. Meanwhile, the family has some unexpected visitors and some unique ways of dealing with them. Five books into the series, Lisa Lutz has managed to keep her plots and characters fresh and entertaining (laugh out loud entertaining). Readers can jump in at any time and fans will be pleased with this latest return to the quirky and slightly dysfunctional PI family. 3/12 Becky Lejeune

Train by Pete Dexter: Pete Dexter is again exploring the attitudes of racism in America in his new novel, Train. He forces us to take a hard look at where we are now and whether things have really gotten any better since the time of this tale set in Los Angeles of the 1950’s.
The protagonist, Miller Packard is an interesting, but not fully-realized, character who we must judge by his actions, since we are not permitted to share his emotions and can only guess at his motivations. We do know that he is a wounded man, both from W.W. II and from barroom brawls that he instigates.
Perhaps this is why he takes other wounded persons under his wing. One is a young Black caddy named Lionel (“Train”) Walk. He reminds us that many behaviors are just survival techniques reinforced by years of unconscious and deliberate cruelty. In his spare time, Train practices and he is good. Much better than the abusive county-clubbers that he bags for.
Another is Norah, who newly-wed is the subject of a vicious, mindless rape after the murder of the husband.
Packard gives both a place to live, the opportunity to re-invent themselves and even what may be affection.
Ultimately, the world has beaten them all up very badly and they cannot escape the character, feelings and responses that they have developed in response to those hurts.
Especially if you haven’t read anything by Pete Dexter before, I would recommend this book. ~This review contributed by Geoffrey R. Hamlin.

TRAIN DREAMS by Denis Johnson: Denis Johnson is a fine contemporary writer and I try to keep a close eye on his work. I thought that the stories in Jesus’ Son were evidence of a very special talent and that Tree of Smoke was a fine novel. But the novella Train Dreams surpasses them both and is likely to be the work that he is remembered for. Train Dreams is the story of Robert Grainier, a man whose life has been shaped by the presence and the sound and the demands of trains as they make their way across the Western Frontier. His earliest memories were being sent by himself on the train to Idaho to live with his aunt’s family. As an adult, he supports himself by working on crews building railroad bridges, laying track and preparing timber for shipment. A loner for most of his life, he enters into marriage and has a daughter, only to lose them in a forest fire while he is away working. But Grainier is at a place and time to see special things as America goes through its growing pains. As impressive and compelling as the story is, what really makes this book special is the author’s command of language. I would describe the writing in this book as elegiac. The writing and the story reminded me a lot of John Williams’ Stoner, an American classic not read often enough. This is a book for people who like history, people who are dreamers and people who love language. 10/11 Geoffrey R. Hamlin

TRANSGRESSIONS edited by Ed McBain: Ten novellas in this hefty volume, each by a master. Start with Donald E. Westlake’s Dortmunder in Walking Around Money. Go on to Anne Perry, Walter Mosley, McBain himself, Lawrence Block, Joyce Carol Oates, Sharyn McCrumb, Stephen King and still two more to go. Pound for pound a great read for the holidays. 11/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

TRANSGRESSIONS, Volume 3 – Actually three novellas in one volume. MERELY HATE by Ed McBain, WALKING THE LINE by Walter Mosley, and WALKING AROUND MONEY by Donald E. Westlake. Three excellent stories by three great authors. The McBain is a classic 87th precinct job involving Muslim cab drivers (right out today’s paper (?). Mosley features Archibald Lawless and Felix Orlean, a New York City journalism student, and Westlake –who else but our old pal John Dortmunder, who gets involved with a crime no one is supposed to ever know what happened. Copyrighted in 2005, it refers to additional volumes in this series with other featured authors including Lawrence Block, Anne Perry and Jeffery Deaver. 02/07 Jack Quick

THE TRAVELER by John Twelve Hawks: In this world, there is a faction called The Tabula. For centuries, The Tabula – or The Brethren as the call themselves – have worked to create a world in which every decision is chosen for you, a world in which individuality has been nearly eliminated. Modern technology: computers, security cameras, cell phones and the like, have all helped to bring them closer to their goal. Our only hope against this bleak and lies with a group called The Travelers and their sworn protectors, Harlequins. Travelers have the ability to travel between the six realms – worlds that exist parallel to our own. The Tabula have been fairly successful in eliminating their enemies – only a few Harlequins remain and there are no known Travelers in existence, until now. Maya was raised and trained as a Harlequin life but has rejected this lifestyle as an adult. This has kept her safely out of the radar of The Tabula and off their elimination list. After receiving a message from her father, she travels to Germany where he reveals that there may be two living Travelers in the States. Maya refuses to help but soon changes her mind after her father is brutally murdered by Tabula mercenaries. Her last minute attempt to save her father has not gone unnoticed.
Michael and Gabriel Corrigan know nothing of their possible Traveler talents but that doesn’t stop the Tabula from kidnapping Michael. Now, Maya and Gabriel must work together to infiltrate the Tabula network and save Michael before it is too late. This paranoid vision of the future is reminiscent of both the Matrix and the more recent V for Vendetta – a very compelling debut. 07/07 Becky Lejeune

TRAVELS IN ELYSIUM by William Azuski: A mystery, awash with metaphysical discussions about history, the meaning of life, and if the witnessing of a white light by people that have had a near death experience means that there is another existence after dying. Nicolas Pedrosa, a recent university graduate living in England is stuck in a dead end job when he comes upon a newspaper ad looking for an archaeological apprentice for work on a dig on the Greek island of Santorini. Nick applies for the job and in spite of no real credentials, gets it. Upon arrival he begins work with the director of the project, Marcus Huxley, who is fixated with proving that the buildings, artifacts, paintings and writings that have been unearthed so far prove that the fabled city of Atlantis has been discovered by the team he heads up. The writings of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato talk of a cultured city in the Atlantic destroyed by an earthquake, and one of the areas that scientists believe might have been Atlantis is Santorini. Nicolas and others in Huxley’s team fall under the spell of the director’s philosophies and ideas and begin to imagine that they had separate lives in Atlantis as well as those they live today. Scenes of Atlantis become real to them, and the presence of spirits permeate their thoughts. Huxley leads the team also in the direction of thinking that the Greek concept of Charion ferrying the dead to another land is real and the portal to that land is in the area they have excavated. There are discussions of different concepts between the characters often leading them into following Marcus Huxley onto subjects which are completely metaphysical in nature and sufficiently well presented to carry the reader into analyzing what is discussed. Azuski’s concept of Atlantis existing on Santorini and being destroyed by a titanic earthquake is a fascinating one, and his juxtaposition of events in the present with those that may have taken place in the past is unique. A very original and enjoyable adventure into past and present events vividly presented. 05/13 Paul Lane

THE TREATMENT by Mo Hayder: In the second book to feature DI Jack Caffery, Hayder pulls out all the stops. At the start of The Treatment, Jack has been tasked to investigate a strange home invasion and kidnapping in Brockwell Park. A family was held, chained up without food and water for days until a passerby knocked on the door and interrupted the gruesome crime that was occurring inside. The perpetrator then took off with the family’s eight-year-old son. Jack and his fellow officers are convinced that the boy will be found somewhere in the park, but it will be days before they finally make the grisly discovery. Caffery and his girlfriend, Becky, have survived the horrific occurrences of Birdman but have yet to move on. Becky has blocked all memory of the event and the resulting stress endured by Caffery, coupled with this new case, has become almost too much for the man to handle. The relationship between Caffery and Penderecki, the pedophile Jack suspects is behind his own brother’s abduction years ago, has taken a strange turn with Penderecki leaving cryptic notes regarding his crime. Then, Jack discovers Penderecki’s dead body and a package arrives with information that could not only reveal the truth about Jack’s long lost brother, but could lead to a break in the current case as well. This emotionally charged thriller is possibly one of the most disturbing books I have ever read. The end is especially unsettling, but Hayder’s ability as a storyteller is magnificent. Readers will find some comfort in knowing that Hayder’s latest release, Ritual, also features Caffery and may offer some closure in regards to final pages of The Treatment. Highly recommended but definitely not for the squeamish. 03/08 Becky Lejeune

TREE OF SMOKE by Denis Johnson: Winner of the National Book Award for Fiction, 2007. The Philippines, 1963, “Last night at 3:00 a.m. President Kennedy had been killed. Seaman Houston and the other two recruits slept while the first reports traveled around the world.” Thus begins a saga that, if you lived through it as I did, will trigger all manner of emotions and memories – the Tet Offensive, the deaths of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy, the fall of Saigon, and the continuing impact of the Vietnam war on the baby boomers of the United States and elsewhere. An exceptionally large cast of characters, some colorful, some vaguely chalked in, surround the primaries – CIA officer Skip Sands and GI’s Bill and James Houston, along with Sergeant Jimmy Storm – “We’re on the cutting edge of reality itself,” says Storm. “Right where it turns into a dream.” In some ways this book is like Apocalypse Now – just too bold and too big to wrap your arms around. The book ends, in 1983, in a heartbreaking soliloquy from relief worker Kathy Jones (fittingly, a Canadian) on the occasion of a war orphan benefit in a Minneapolis Radisson. Her last words are: “yes, yes, all will be saved. All will be saved. All will be saved.” Let’s pray she is correct. 12/07 Jack Quick
TRIAL AND ERROR by Paul Levine: Round four of the sparring match between Steve Solomon and Victoria Lord is a bit over the top but still thoroughly engaging and enjoyable. Steve’s autistic nephew Bobby has found a new passion, talking with the dolphins. Unfortunately, this passion leads him to sneak out of the house at night to visit his dolphin friends, until the night an ecoterrorist group decides to free the dolphins. In the melee, one man ends up dead, another accused of murder. Solomon represents the murderer, and somehow Lord ends up as a special prosecutor on the same case, keeping the tension running high. Take this quick read to the beach and enjoy. 06/07 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THE TRIALS OF ZION by Alan Dershowitz: Abe Ringel, a Dershowitz-like lawyer/celebrity, returns (after Just Revenge) in this legal thriller set in Israel. A fictional Palestinian state is the site of a bombing that kills its newly elected leader, the U.S. President, and the Israeli prime minister. Ringel’s daughter Emma, a recent Yale law school grad, joins the team defending the suspected bomber, who wants to be convicted and die a martyr. Ringel is forced into the situation when Emma is kidnapped by the suspect’s brother, who threatens to kill Emma unless his brother is acquitted. There is also some subterfuge going on with Ringel’s wife, a former spy, and her friend, a former Secret Service agent. Dershowitz uses a forbidden romance between the Jewish Emma and her Palestinian boss as a teaching vehicle to shed light on the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict. VERDICT One-dimensional characters and awkward dialog mar an engaging premise, but legal fans will enjoy learning about the differences between American and Israeli law. Fans of Richard North Patterson’s Exile might also like this. 09/10 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch Copyright © 2010 Library Journal, a division of Media Source Inc. Reprinted with permission.

THE TRICKING OF FREYA by Christina Sunley: In Christina Sunley’s amazing debut, Freya Morris attempts to chronicle her family’s story, one that stretches from Iceland to Canada and through decades of vivid history, for a cousin she has only just discovered exists. Freya begins her tale with her first trip to meet her family, the same visit when her mother suffers an accident from which she never truly recovers, an accident that Freya believes is all her fault. Birdie, Freya’s aunt, turns out to be a true force to be reckoned with. Freya is too young to understand the woman’s manic episodes and idolizes the energetic woman. Events following the summer of Freya’s thirteenth year change everything for the family, though, and as Freya’s anger and later her own guilt prevent her from returning to Canada, she attempts to move on with her own life. It is only upon finally returning to Canada that she again finds purpose in life, purpose in telling her family’s tale and in finding her missing relative. Like the famed poet within, Sunley’s writing is truly poetic. She brings here settings alive in a way that will make you believe that you have been there and experienced it all yourself. 03/09 Becky Lejeune

Tricky Business by Dave Barry: I have to preface this review by saying that I absolutely adore Dave Barry. I read his columns religiously, and have tremendous respect for his talent. His nonfiction books are generally collections or expansions of his columns, and are so hilarious that I must read them in small doses or I can literally laugh until I am in pain. That said, I was very excited when his first novel, Big Trouble came out. However, it was a disappointment, although I attributed that to the fact that I listened to an abridged version of the audio book. When this new one came out, one review claimed that if you like the humor of “I Love Lucy”, you will enjoy this book. I’m a huge Lucy fan, but I didn’t understand the comparison here.
I read this one, not trusting the abridgement. But despite that, it was very uneven, alternating between one liners and moments of horrific violence, which just didn’t work for me. Carl Hiaasen, Elmore Leonard and Tim Dorsey pull it off, but sadly, Barry doesn’t. Some of the humor was terrific, like the local news station that kept getting it’s employees killed in search of TV footage of Hurricane Hector. But most of the characters were no more than just caricatures, which made it difficult to care about them or what happened to them, and I think that is the big trouble here. Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch
TRIGGER CITY by Sean Chercover: The facts are simple – A lonely woman was murdered by her disturbed coworker. The police have investigated. The case is closed. Truth is, however, far more complicated. PI Ray Dudgen is hired by the woman’s father to find truth, or at least more facts. Ray really doesn’t want the job but his shoulder (injured in Chercover’s debut novel, Big City, Bad Blood) needs surgery and he needs money. Before he knows it, Ray is earning the money, dodging would be killers and getting pulled into the shadowy realm of covert intelligence. In the process he comes face to face with the competing interests of those involved with the War on Terror. No sophomore slump here for Chercover, as Ray Dudgen is beginning to look like a modern day Mickey Spillane. 10/08 Jack Quick

TRIGGER POINT by Matthew Glass: Trigger Point is an extremely interesting and timely book even though it is set in the near future. Events depicted, while featuring characters that are active in 2018. could be those that follow paths in existence today. A group of American Aid workers are killed in Uganda by a terrorist group and the US president decides to exact revenge by attacking the terrorists in return. China has interests in the Sudan which is neighboring Uganda and makes it known that they would be against any incursions into that country. At the same time a critical election is to be held in South Africa in which England has an interest in opposition to China’s interests. The US sides with England and makes their position clear to the Chinese. The most critical event is the manipulation of a huge investment bank which is 25% owned by the Chinese government causing it to declare bankruptcy and fostering panic and crisis in the US securities markets. The Chinese are blamed for allowing the bank to fail for reasons known only to them.

As a result of the three theaters of conflict between the US and China a naval battle off the coast of Uganda moves towards an inevitable climax and possibly an initiation of global war.
Mr Glass is extremely knowledgeable about movements in the stock and bond markets and presents an attention grabbing description of the back and forth actions of these markets as they move towards crashing and wiping out fortunes as well life savings of share holders. The analysis of the financial market movements is by far and away the strongest portion of the book, although the other conflict areas are very well melded into the work. 3/12 Paul Lane
TRIPLE CROSS by Mark T. Sullivan: In this era of Bernie Madoff, AIG bonuses, government bailouts and the collapse of institutions like FannieMae and FreddyMac, Chrysler and General Motors, Sullivan has written a novel that might strike a chord with many. Half a dozen of the richest men in the world are celebrating New Years at the Jefferson Club, a spectacularly exclusive private club in the mountains of Montana when the Third Position Army, a group that says it is revolting against “corporate tyranny” takes over. After freeing most of the guests, they hold a people’s trial for the financial barons that is webcast live. After the evidence is presented the group invites the viewers to decide – guilty or innocent. Those who are voted “guilty” are then dispatched—on camera—in novel and grisly ways. Terrorism meets reality TV. Obviously politically incorrect, but on a certain level, it felt good. 06/09 Jack Quick

TRIPTYCH by Karin Slaughter: triptych: a picture (as an altarpiece) or carving in three panels side by side. Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent Will Trent and Detective Michael Ormewood are working on the case of an Atlanta area serial killer whose M.O. is biting off his victim’s tongue. They are joined by Angie Polaski, a vice squad undercover agent Will first knew in an orphanage where they were both placed after suffering severe abuse. A parallel story line involves John Shelley, an ex-con who has recently been released after serving twenty years for his teenaged conviction of the murder of a female classmate. Slaughter pulls all the threads together, ratcheting the tension as they tighten. Different in feel from her Grant County, Georgia series, this one still explores Slaughter’s connection of intimacy and violence. It will be interesting to see where Slaughter goes from here, back to Grant County, or further adventures in the bigger pond of Atlanta. 09/06 Jack Quick

THE TRIUMPH OF EVIL by Lawrence Block: Originally published under the name Paul Kavenagh, Block tells the tale of Miles Dom, a man whose sole function is to kill, and the role he plays in a series of assassinations designed to bring a demagogue into power. You’ll never guess where. The usual Block excellence. 05/06 Jack Quick

TROGLODYTES by Ed Lynskey: Troglodytes are members of a fabulous or prehistoric race of people that lived in caves, dens, or holes. P.I. Frank Johnson has been hired to locate American diplomat Sylvester Mercedes who has turned up missing in Turkey. Johnson will search high and low before finding the answer literally under his feet. Lynskey does a good job of wisely using the exotic locale without letting it interfere with a solid PI yarn. Highly recommended. 12/09 Jack Quick

TROJAN ODYSSEY by Clive Cussler: The 17th swash buckling adventure by the buckler of all swashers – Dirk Pitt. This time Cussler has him foiling a dastardly plot by outlandish villains to launch a new ice age, and at the same time demonstrating that the Achaeans were not Greeks but Celts, and that Troy was a town in what’s now England. Drawn into the web of danger are Pitts twin son and daughter as well as pal Al Giordino and assorted other NUMA stalwarts but good eventually prevails and Cussler himself makes an appearance in the final two pages. For pure escapism its hard to beat Cussler, even though Pitt is growing long in the tooth and is even thinking, egad, of finally settling down. But so long as there still villains left afloat in this world I suspect we will continue to see more of Mr. Pitt et al. Nicely done. 05/11 Jack Quick

TROUBLEMAKER, BOOK ONE: A BARNABY AND HOOKER GRAPHIC NOVEL by Janet Evanovich, Alex Evanovich, and illustrated by Joelle Jones: I tried this book because like most of the people who are going to try this, it had Janet Evanovich’s name on it. Several years ago she wrote two books, Metro Girl and Motor Mouth, featuring these same characters. Hooker is a Nascar racer, and Barnaby is a girl in his pit crew, his romantic interest, and features the typical Evanovich humor now taken to the graphic novel. I’m just not a huge fan of the genre, but like other genres I don’t particularly love, I keep trying. This is a short story set in Miami replete with voodoo, a missing woman who rolls cigars, her missing boss, and the Nascar racer’s hot mom/cougar. It ends in the middle of the story, to be continued in Book Two. I doubt I’ll read it, but maybe Evanovich will find a new audience here. 10/10 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

TRUE BLUE by David Baldacci: Mace Perry was a kickass cop – before she became a con. Actually she was just an inmate serving all but the last 48 hours of her two year sentence, before being released into the custody of her old sister Beth, chief of the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police. Mace had been seized by bandits, drugged and taken along on a series of armed robberies around Washington. Now she is willing to risk everything to clear her name and reclaim her life as a cop by cracking a big case on her own. The rape-murder of a powerful lawyer and the killing of a prominent U.S. attorney provide Mace an opportunity to vindicate herself. Full of non-stop action this one bodes well for the planned series featuring the Perry gals. 01/10 Jack Quick

TRUE LOVE AT SILVER CREEK RANCH by Emma Cane: This was my first Cane romance, and I enjoyed it. Set on a working ranch in a small town in the Colorado Rockies, Brooke Thalberg runs the place with her brothers and some assistance from her father, who is busy these days taking care of her mother who suffers from MS. Her illness is a minor plot point, but it is handled very well. Returning war veteran Adam Desantis is staying with his grandmother, a widow who lives in a boarding house with other widows. She feigns feebleness, hiding her feisty nature and good health in hopes her only grandson will stick around. He does, landing a job at the ranch where he tries to deal with his war injuries, both physical and mental. Brooke and Adam fall in love, but fight it every step of the way. Like most romances, this is a fast read and I enjoyed it. Looking forward to more from this author. 1/13 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch
TRUST NO ONE by Greg Hurwitz: Imagine being awakened in the middle of the night, torn from your home and helicoptered to talk to a terrorist threatening to blow up a nuclear power plant. Those are the circumstances that Nick Horrigan finds himself in. He has no idea why this is happening until he finally speaks with the terrorist, but before he can get the whole story, the terrorist is killed. Nick sets off on a journey to find the truth, that somehow involves his Secret Service agent stepfather’s murder seventeen years earlier and the current political fracas involving the two men running for president. While there are a few holes in the story, nonetheless this is a tightly written, action packed political thriller of the best kind. 8/09 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

TRUST YOUR EYES by Linwood Barclay: Thomas and Ray Kilbride are two brothers brought together again after years apart by the death of their father. Thomas is schizophrenic and has rarely ventured out of the house that the brothers now own in common left to them by their father. Ray’s first inclination is to settle up the estate and provide for his brother’s well being either in the house or in a situation where he can be cared for by professionals. Things become quite complicated when Thomas, pursuing the work that has kept him completely occupied for years, discovers a crime which may be a murder. Thomas has spent his entire waking hours exploring cities through the vehicle of a computerized program based on previously filmed footage that allows moving up and down the streets and avenues of cities via the computer. In his fantasy he believes that he is doing this to be ready for an eventual virus which will wipe out all maps both computerized and on paper and doing so at the behest of the CIA. He writes them e-mails outlining the work and indicating that he will be ready when he is called upon to guide CIA operatives around the world after the virus strikes. Thomas prevails upon Ray to go to New York and check out the apartment seen for him. Ray uses a business trip he schedules for the area to go to the building and that activity starts a chain of events that Barclay makes sure that the reader gets completely wrapped up in. There was a murder in the apartment and Ray’s checking out the site begins the activity and the interactions of those involved in the crime, Ray and Thomas, and further victims that fall prey to the need for the original crime to be covered up. The only real fault in the novel is the ending which is obvious for a long time and is not a typical Linwood Barclay twist. This does not detract from the enjoyment of the read and the interest in keeping up with the plot. 9/12 Paul Lane

THE TRUTH ABOUT STYLE by Stacy London: Stacy London is the co-host, along with Clinton Kelly, of TLC’s What Not To Wear. If you are not familiar with the show, a poorly dressed woman with a good life story is nominated by friends and/or family for a makeover, and she is ambushed by the stylistic twosome, whisked away to NYC with all their clothes. The clothes are trashed, the lucky makeover has her style trashed and then is given $5000 to spend on a new wardrobe, which must be purchased by following Stacy & Clinton’s fashion rules. Tears are almost always invoked, along with a lot of resistance, but in the end the makeovers usually entail not only a new look, but new insight into why they were dressing so badly and an uplift in self esteem. I am a fan of the show, and this book Stacy tackles nine “startovers”, her word for makeovers with a variety of women of different ages, body sizes, and lifestyles. These are personal, uplifting stories and best of all, Stacy includes pages of places to shop for different types of clothes, different designers to look for in all price ranges, from Manolo Blahnik to Target. Also included is a glimpse of Stacy herself, her challenges growing up with a severe skin disorder and why she ended up a stylist. This book is a must read for anyone who feels helpless shopping, needs a lift or just enjoys fashion. 10/12 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

TSUNAMI by Gordon Gumpertz: With a name like Gumpertz, it has to be good. Sorry, and my apologies to the author, I just couldn’t resist it. Actually, this is a very good book. What would happen if there were another Mt St Helens type volcanic eruption – but this time deep in the mid-Pacific. Seismologist Dr. Leilani Sanches is alarmed by an ancient volcano’s rumblings but no one wants to believe it could cause a tsunami on the Southern California coast that would make the 2004 Asian event a minor happening. There’s a Coast Guard love interest, some Chinese gangsters involved in gun smuggling, the FBI, an unscrupulous land developer and plenty of action. If you enjoy Cussler type adventures, this one is up your alley. 12/08 Jack Quick

TUESDAY’S GONE by Nicci French: After her involvement with the Dean Reeve case, therapist Frieda Klein is a little surprised to get another request for help from the police. Sure the Reeve case closed fairly successfully with the kidnapped child recovered safely, but Frieda is facing a complaint from a patient’s wife thanks to the case. What’s more, Frieda soon learns that Reeve’s wife is releasing her version of the story in a published memoir that doesn’t necessarily paint the therapist in the greatest light. But when a social worker finds a dead man being served tea at one of her appointments, Karlsson decides that Frieda may be able to make some sense out of the whole thing. Frieda isn’t at all certain that the woman entertaining the dead man is actually responsible for his death, but the cops aren’t so sure. When the therapist expands her involvement beyond a simple consultation, however, she does manage to uncover evidence to support her theory. In spite of her success, Frieda is still unsure she wants any involvement in police work at all, and the continued scrutiny of both her professional and private lives complicates things further. This follow up to Blue Monday is excellent. The characters – Frieda in particular, but the more peripheral characters as well – are all quite quirky and, now that the series is beyond the introductory phase, are all beginning to grow in really intriguing ways. Although Tuesday’s Gone can stand alone, I have to recommend reading the books in order. The bit of continued plot from Blue Monday is something I particularly enjoyed and would definitely lose effect if readers jumped in at the second installment. 4/13 Becky Lejeune

THE TUNNELS by Michelle Gagnon: FBI agent Kelly Jones has no family, no real friends and no ties. Her only real motivation is her job, and the tragedy in her past that led to her career. Now, the bodies of two coeds have been found in an abandoned tunnel system below her alma mater. The first body, that of Anna Varelas, is found mutilated and posed before an odd image painted in blood. The blood belongs to Lin Kaishin, the second body discovered in the tunnels. Kaishin is also posed before the same strange image. This time, the blood is that of an unknown pregnant female. Further investigation leads to shocking revelations regarding the symbolism of each site. Everything from the positioning of the bodies to the way that they were killed leads Jones to believe that their suspect is anything but the textbook definition of a serial killer. Gagnon’s debut is sure to be a hit with mystery lovers. Jones is an appealing heroine and the plot is truly original. I really thought I had it figured out, too, but I was completely wrong in the end. I hope book two in the series is soon to follow. 06/07 Becky Lejeune

TURN OF MIND by Alice LaPlante: Dr. Jennifer White is a “person of interest” in the murder and mutilation of her best friend and neighbor, Amanda. What makes this debut so unique is that the story is told from Dr. White’s point of view, and she is the ultimate unreliable narrator: Jennifer has Alzheimer’s disease. The story moves beyond the genre and into a fascinating look at a person that is slowly slipping away from the people who love her, as this progressively worsening disease takes over. Her son and daughter share financial and legal guardianship over their mother, who is a retired orthopedic surgeon who specialized in hand surgery, which is what makes her the logical suspect when Amanda is found dead with four of her fingers surgically removed. We have to follow this unreliable narrator as her mind shifts from present to past, through good days and bad. This is a most compelling story that meanders with surprising twists and revelations until the final pages, making this a very special mystery indeed. I couldn’t put it down. 07/11 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THE TURNAROUND by George Pelecanos: The very talented Pelecanos may have written his best book yet with what Publishers Weekly called “urban noir.” This is not part of any series, so if you haven’t read this talented author yet, now’s your chance to savor what the rest of us have been enjoying for years. The setting is Washington D.C. – not the White House/political side, but the streets, where you can find a laugh amid the ruined lives with a yummy dessert named “Marionberry Pie”. This story starts in 1972, when integration was on the cusp, but the reality was that white boys drove past black neighborhoods screaming epithets, just for fun. And sometimes, when that happened, boys of both colors ended up dead or injured, with the kind of injuries that take a lifetime to heal. Pelecanos explores such an event, perhaps with touches of his own past, as one of the white boys is Greek and works in his father’s luncheonette. The story moves forward to present day, and we follow the lives of the boys who are left and how that one day affected all their lives. This is dark, troubling crime fiction at its best – don’t miss it. 8/08 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THE TURNING by Francine Prose: Two months on the remote island of Crackstone’s Landing, cut off from the outside world, would be torture for most teens. The sizable salary involved is enough to convince Jack that it’s worth it. He’s been hired to fill in as nanny for siblings Flora and Miles for the duration of the summer. The two young children are a bit peculiar, but they’re well behaved and Jack needs the money for college. What begins as a promising and quiet summer soon turns to terror as Jack experiences increasingly strange things on the island. The secret glances between brother and sister, once quirky, have become sinister. Jack has also seen a man and a woman lurking about the property, but no one else has reported them. As Jack’s summer progresses, he becomes ill and is soon convinced that things aren’t quite right at the house. Is it his imagination or something worse? The Turning is a modern, teen adaptation of Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw. While it might work for a teen reader unfamiliar with James’s tale, the story lacks the atmosphere and menacing quality of the original. Prose has chosen to relay the story through letters, which could be to blame. The reader never gets a good feel for Crackstone’s Landing or the occurrences there. A missed opportunity in my opinion. 10/12 Becky Lejeune

TURNING ANGEL by Greg Iles: Do middle aged married men really want to have affairs with their teenage babysitters? Hell, yes! That’s not news, of course, but Iles takes that premise and runs with it. Kate Townsend is a 17 year old Harvard bound high school senior who ends up raped and murdered. Chief suspect is town golden boy Dr. Drew Elliot, 23 years her senior and her lover. Natchez, Mississippi is a hotbed of racial politics and Elliot becomes the prize winning pawn, especially after he calls on his close friend Penn Cage to represent him. Iles claims that all his books are stand alones, but apparently Penn was the protagonist of The Quiet Game and there are references to past events in this book. Penn, a former prosecutor, is retired from law and writing Pulitzer prize winning novels but nonetheless he takes a $20 retainer and starts investigating the murder. Drugs, murders, teenage violence and sex brings a small Southern town to its knees in this twisty torrid tale. 01/06 Stacy Alesi, the BookBitch

THE TWELVE by Justin Cronin: The highly anticipated sequel to The Passage is finally out and it’s another whopper! Peter, Alicia, Amy, and the others have managed to take down their first target in the The Twelve, but before they continue readers are brought back to the beginning of the outbreak. Lila Kyle is pregnant and after losing her first child, she’s determined this one will make it. She’s holed up in Cherry Creek, a high-end suburb of Denver close to the heart of where the end has begun. Lawrence Grey isn’t sure how he survived the recent events at the facility where he was working, but when he meets Lila he knows that he should help. With the voice of Zero in his head, Lawrence will do everything he can to protect Lila and her unborn child. Nearby, Bernard Kittredge, aka Last Stand in Denver, has banded together with another group of survivors traveling to a refugee center at Fort Powell. Almost a century later, their fates will greatly affect what comes next for Peter and the rest of the group. As they plot their continued strategy for taking down the remainder of The Twelve, big changes are coming for them all. So far, Cronin’s series is among the best of the best in apocalypse fiction—and I would add general fiction as well. The story is intricately plotted and the characters are all fantastically drawn. What’s more, Cronin’s style encourages quick reading, making these doorstoppers intense and fast-paced reads. 11/12 Becky Lejeune

Twelve Mile Limit by Randy Wayne White: This is one of his best. I have to reiterate that he is the heir to John D. MacDonald. Anyone else is just a pretender. Doc Ford is like Travis McGee and Meyer combined into one person, but with a hippy, psychic sidekick and a Jamaican Ya-Ya woman as a “sister.”
The book is full of local color and marine detail. More so than usual and the presentation of the manatee debate is even-handed and impressive. (Although the manatees come in second.) Pay attention to the octopi as well.
Ultimately, Doc Ford, after a series of McGee-type encounters with women, journeys into a South American Apocalypse Now.
My only complaint is that the foreshadowing in the book is a little heavy handed. I kept hearing Lloyd Nelson in the back of my head saying “Little did I know…” But that is a minor problem.
Sooner or later, this guy is going to be discovered big-time and we will be able to say “We knew him when and he belongs to us.” ~This review contributed by Geoffrey R. Hamlin, hopefully the first of many.

TWELVE SHARP by Janet Evanovich: When you need a quick escape from the daily grind, immerse yourself for a few pleasurable hours in the latest adventures of ditzy bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. People complain about this series because there’s really never anything new, but Evanovich knows what her audience likes and she provides it: a steady diet of Stephanie, Ranger & Joe, Grandma Mazur, Lulu, insanity at the funeral home, cars blowing up, and as always, lots of laughs. This time out Stephanie is trying to round up crazy bail jumpers, Ranger is accused of kidnapping his daughter, and a woman claiming to be his wife is stalking Stephanie. It’s laugh out loud funny and I was sorry to turn the last page. I don’t ask for any more than that from Evanovich. This is vintage Plum; if you’re a fan, you’ll love it. 06/06 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

TWELVE SHARP by Janet Evanovich: Stephanie Plum, who freely admits her failings as a hunter of fugitives, faces a growing work backlog that threatens the continued existence of her job. Now, in addition to bounty hunter wannabe Lula, she has a new colleague – a forlorn shoe salesman who Stephanie talks off a ledge with the offer of a position as file clerk in her cousin’s office. Ranger or Joe, Joe or Ranger, Stephanie’s tangled love life remains convoluted even after Ranger is accused of kidnapping his own daughter. Oh, there is another funeral parlor fiasco as well. Okay, its not great literature, but it can be funny. 03/07 Jack Quick

THE TWELFTH CARD by Jeffery Deaver: Sixteen year old Geneva Settle is doing research on one of her civil war era ancestors in the library. This man was a freedman who was accused of thievery and dishonored in the turbulent times after that war. Then Geneva is the subject of an apparent rape attempt, but the rapist kills the librarian she has consulted in making his getaway. Who is the real target. It quickly become evident that Geneva is being stalked by a serial killer. Who is UNSUB 109? Who hired him to kill this teenager and why? Is Geneva a target because of the historical research, research that may possibly have profound effect on current laws. Another strong entry in Deaver’s Lincoln Rhyme series. 09/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

TWENTY WISHES by Debbie Macomber: Anne Marie Roche is a recent widow. Despite having several close friends and owning a successful bookstore, she feels alone. Anne Marie’s close friends also feel the loneliness of widowhood. Lillie Higgins lost her husband in a plane crash, the same crash that took the life of the husband of her daughter, Barbie Higgins. Elise Beaumont lost her husband to cancer. Anne Marie and her friends get together and celebrate their lives. They discuss their hopes and dreams. Each decides to create a list of twenty wishes, dreams that they’ve had all their lives but have never fulfilled. In subsequent months, all of the women start acting on their wishes. Anne Marie’s first wish: Find one good thing about life. To her, it seemed to be an admission of how depressed and low she really felt. She finds that Ellen is the key to her happiness, and together Anne Marie and Ellen quickly fulfill their twenty wishes. This was my first “Blossom Street” book and I absolutely loved it. Macomber’s characters come alive and I feel like they are a part of my life. Finishing the book, I felt a sense of loss, but I have plans to pick up the rest of the “Blossom Street” books and continue on with these truly amazing women. 05/08 Jennifer Lawrence

TWICE A SPY by Keith Thomson: I won’t say TWICE A SPY is twice as good as its predecessor – ONCE A SPY, but I will echo Christopher Reich’s blurb “Utterly original…Think Carl Hiaasen taking on John Le Carre.” The action picks up days after the end of the first book with Charlie Clark, his girlfriend and former NSA operative Alice and his father, Drummond Clark, who after a career as a CIA agent is sinking into the throes of early Alzheimer’s, but who’s able, when the occasion demands, to revive his old skills and save their skins, all on the lam in Switzerland. Alice is kidnapped and Charlie and Drummond have to travel to Martinique to locate one of the washing machine/ nuclear bomb detonating devices that Drummond had been selling for years to various terrorist groups. The hook? The devices are defective, by design, so they can never be used to actually cause the big bang. Let’s hope that the revolutionary treatment Drummond is taking for his Alzheimer’s is effective so this story can go on and on. 04/11 Jack Quick

TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer: This book is so bad that I have to see it as a parody of an actual book because if I take it seriously, my brain will explode. The main character, Bella, is so whiny that in just about every paragraph you can find her complaining about something, like her clumsiness. She has all these guys that like her, but she has no interest in them because she’s so interested in Edward Cullen. She’s obsessed with Edward, and he with her, going so far as to stay outside her room at night and watch her sleep. He doesn’t mind staying up all night as he doesn’t sleep because he’s a vampire. Apparently vampires have no need of sleep or even breathing. They can’t go out in sunlight because they sparkle. Really.
Bella is like every other spoiled teenage girl in that she doesn’t appreciate what she has. She has no interest in school because of her obsession with this boy that she’s known for a few weeks. Their relationship gets too serious too fast and the timeframe doesn’t make sense. Meyers breaks every vampire myth in popular fiction, which may not necessarily a bad thing, however in this case it is just ridiculous. Edward is perfect beyond measure; he’s good looking, of course, he runs really fast, and he’s super strong. He also happens to listen to all the music Bella likes, and he tries to protect her by constantly warning her of how dangerous he is. I found this novel to be comical and ultimately annoying. I don’t understand what so many teenage girls find appealing here, because I found nothing. 11/08 Ariel Alesi
TWIST by Colby Hodge: Abbey Shore is an architecture student who flips houses to earn a living. When an object hidden in the walls of her latest project house catapults her one hundred years into the future, she’s in for a big shock. It seems an outbreak of bird flu has drastically changed life on Earth. A group of beings called the Cronolotians – the ones who are responsible for all those vampire stories – had been feeding off of humans for quite some time and the pandemic forced them to come out of hiding. In the future, humans are at constant war against these beings in a desperate attempt to survive. The humans do have one thing on their side, though, a doctor who was changed before the infection fights with them. He knows Abbey and is convinced that she is the cause of everything. Abbey learns that this is not an altogether false accusation. The truth about what she is and where she comes from is the only thing that may finally save all of mankind. An action, suspense, romance about time-travel, a cataclysmic future, and aliens who are vampires – trust me, Twist is a fun, uncomplicated, and original one-sitting read that’s perfect when you need to unwind after a long day. 01/08 Becky Lejeune

A TWIST OF ORCHIDS by Michelle Wan: Third in Wan’s Dordogne based mystery series finds designer Mara Dunn and boyfriend Julian Wood poking into local mysteries once again. Julian, an orchidologist, is still searching for the elusive orchid photographed by Mara’s dead sister. As a side project, however, he ends up trying to help a Turkish couple find their missing son. Julian first approaches the couple to confront them about a product they are selling in their shop that contains ground up orchid root as a main ingredient. The production of the item in question has caused Turkish orchids to be put on the endangered list and Julian is determined to do what he can to at least prevent it from being sold in his area. The couple thinks that Julian may be able to talk some sense into their son, as he is enamored with “western” culture and rebelling against his more traditional parents. Meanwhile, Mara is concerned that their recently widowed and ailing neighbor may be in danger, not from himself, but from someone with sinister motives. Wan just keeps getting better and better. I’m so invested in these characters and the tight-knit community that surrounds them, that I just can’t get enough of this series. Twist is currently available in Canada and is slated to hit shelves in the US in June. 04/09 Becky Lejeune

TWISTED by Andrea Kane: A childhood friend of Sloane Burbank is one of several young women who have disappeared without a trace. Burbank, a 30 year old former FBI agent, is now a special consultant after almost being killed herself. Penny Truman’s mother hires Sloane to look into the matter of Penny’s disappearance and then Sloane learns that Derek Parker, her former lover is the FBI agent in charge of the case. Parker and Burbank had split after the stabbing that almost took Burbank’s life just over a year ago. Will the two get back together or will the stress of the case force them apart irrevocably? One of the better romantic suspense efforts of late and the start of a new series. Looking forward to number two. 04/08 Jack Quick

TWISTED by Andrea Kane: After an injury leaves Sloane Burbank without the full use of her right hand, she’s determined to regain her strength and rejoin the FBI. In the meantime, though, she’s been working as a private consultant in some high profile cases. When the parents of a childhood friend contact her asking for her help to find their missing daughter, Sloane can’t refuse. Though the case is almost a year old, Sloane and the girl’s father are able to get the FBI to renew their efforts, and that means that agent in charge Derek Parker must drop everything in order to reopen the cold case. Sloane’s digging does uncover new evidence, however, evidence that connects a string of missing women back to Sloane herself. Twisted is a total thrill-ride from beginning to end. Sloane and others return in Kane’s latest, Drawn in Blood. 10/09 Becky Lejeune

A TWISTED LADDER by Rhodi Hawk: Madeleine LeBlanc has made a career out of studying schizophrenia. As a child, Madeleine and her brother were often left to fend for themselves as their father disappeared for days at a time. When he was around, his crazy mood swings and behaviors remained completely unpredictable. Today, however, Madeleine believes that she has him under control on a strict regimen of medication. But when Madeleine becomes plagued by visions of her own, she will have to rethink everything. As she traces her roots she finds that River Magic, what she has always attributed to the schizophrenia, has long been a part of her family’s history. But can medicine and psychology truly explain the LeBlanc legacy? Rhodi Hawk’s debut is a pretty amazing read: she twists her story in such a way that the reader is completely enthralled from the very first line to the very last, and she captures the essence of Louisiana completely, adding a dark and foreboding layer over the rich atmosphere she’s created. 11/09 Becky Lejeune

TWISTED TRIANGLE by Caitlin Rother: Rother is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated former journalist for the San Diego Union Tribune. In this work of “faction” she tells the true story of Margo Bennett, a married FBI agent. Her husband Gene, also an FBI agent, kidnapped and attempted to kill her when she tried to obtain a divorce. A precipitating action in the story was Margo’s secret love affair with Patricia Cornwell. Stranger than fiction, this story describes the strange marriage, the makings of Gene’s complex plan for revenge, his insanity defense, and the trial that ultimately vindicated Margo and sent Gene to prison. Today, Margo Bennett lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she is a captain of the University of California, Berkeley, campus police department. Gene Bennett is incarcerated in Virginia, not far from the Washington DC area, where most of the events of this narrative took place. No real mystery but an interesting look at the forces and pressures that can affect and shape people, particularly those in law enforcement. 07/08 Jack Quick

THE TWO DEATHS OF DANIEL HAYES by Marcus Sakey: Sakey hits it out of the park with this twisty tale of a man’s dilemma; he’s not sure who he is and even worse, if he’s killed his wife. A man wakes up naked in the ocean off the coast of Maine. He doesn’t know who he is, what he’s doing there or how he even got there. He does know enough to get himself onto land and into the only car in the area. He sets off on a journey of self discovery and tries to learn what happened in his life to bring him to that point. We, as readers, get to follow along and we learn more as he does. This is a great story written by a terrific writer and I couldn’t put it down. Sakey has become one of my favorite authors; if you haven’t read him yet, you should and this is a great place to start. 8/11 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THE TWO DEATHS OF DANIEL HAYES by Marcus Sakey: He wakes up on a deserted beach, cold, naked, and half-drowned. He manages to crawl away from the water and to an empty BMW. Inside he finds clothes that fit perfectly, shoes, a Rolex, a bank envelope stuffed with cash and an auto registration in the name of Daniel Hayes, resident of Malibu, California. Who is he? And who is Daniel Hayes? Is he Daniel Hayes? Why can’t he remember? Then things turn even darker. Why are the police after him with drawn guns? What has he done? All he can remember is a woman’s face and he sets out to find her. Will he succeed? And most importantly, what will he find out? You had better enjoy a mystery if you are going to read this one. Sakey has taken the “amnesia” thing beyond anything you’ve ever read. Definitely recommended. 07/11 Jack Quick

TWO DOLLAR BILL by Stuart Woods: Stone Barrington meets new client Billy Bob Barnstormer from Texas at Elaine’s in New York City, which proves Woods could probably tell a tale even after a couple of Stone’s hits of Knob Creek. Billy Bob’s trademark is the two-dollar bill he uses for tips, but Stone soon learns they might as well be three dollar bills. The Justice Department is after Billy Bob, so is the Secret Service and the CIA. All think Stone is helping the other agencies. Throw in ex-partner Dino of NYPD, some gun play, a dead hooker in Stone’s guest room, large sums of money, national security, and Stone’s usual penchant for attracting beautiful women and you have Woods’ eleventh Barrington adventure. Like Mom’s meat loaf and mashed potatoes – no real surprises but very comforting. 04/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

THE TWO MINUTE RULE by Robert Crais: The author of the wonderful Elvis Cole series pens another standalone after Hostage (also a film with Bruce Willis) and Demolition Angel. Max Holman, the “Hero Bandit”, has just finished serving ten years in prison for bank robbery. Holman is a career criminal, now middle aged and finally understanding that he has to change his ways. His estranged son is killed on the day of his release, shattering any hope of a reconciliation. Turns out his son was a police officer and was killed along with three other cops, but when the Los Angeles police department quickly closes the case by blaming a junkie who then kills himself, Holman is unconvinced. He persuades the FBI agent who originally arrested him (and is now retired) to help him find the killer and the story takes off at breakneck speed. Crais creates a world that is totally believable with a likeable ex-con, while good and evil are turned upside down and spin out into a superb story. 02/06 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch Copyright © 2006 Cahners Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. Reprinted with permission.

THE TWO-MINUTE RULE by Robert Crais: Two minutes, in and out, that’s the rule for robbing banks. Break that rule and you can end up in trouble like Max Holman who got caught during a robbery after he stopped to perform CPR on a bank customer who had a heart attack. About to leave prison on parole, the 48-year-old Max hopes he can establish contact with the cop son he never really knew, but the son is murdered. Max suspects crooked cops and the only person he figures can help him is Katherine Pollard, the fed who nabbed him, who’s now ex-FBI and a struggling single mom. This odd couple give a new twist to the classic bank robbery caper story. 03/06 Jack Quick

TWO TRAINS RUNNING by Andrew Vachss: Written by Vachss but reads like a Swagger adventure by Stephen Hunter. First rate, either way. Its 1959 and the mob is trying to muscle in on the good old boys who have been running vice in Locke City for years, turning it into a tourist destination. Boss Royal Beaumont ups the ante by bringing in a hired killer, Walker Dett – but that is just the first of a number of wild cards that get played including the local police, the FBI, the IRA, black militants, neo-nazis and the press. Then there’s Nixon versus Kennedy. Other authors have speculated but Vachss postulates an actual arrangement between the IRA and the mob to assure a Kennedy victory in the 1960 presidential election. What plays out in Locke City is the nation in microcosm. Fasten your seat belts for this one boys, it’s quite a ride. Recommended. 07/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

U IS FOR UNDERTOW by Sue Grafton: U is for Undertow takes place in 1988, with flashbacks to 1967, the “Summer of Love.” What makes this case unusual for the thirty-seven year old private investigator – “In my ten years as a private eye, this was the first case I ever managed to resolve without crossing paths with bad guys. Except at the end, of course.” The case involves Michael Sutton, who claims that he recently recalled an event that occurred when he was just six years old. In July of 1967, four-year-old Mary Claire Fitzhugh was abducted from her home in Horton Ravine, California. Although her parents agreed to pay the ransom demanded by Mary Claire’s kidnappers, the money was not picked up and the child was never seen again. Sutton remembers playing in the woods when he saw two men digging a hole and burying a bundle in the ground, and he cannot help but wonder if the pair was burying the corpse of little Mary Claire. Michael hires Kinsey to reconstruct the past and find out if his memories are accurate. Although not the greatest who-dun-it, this may be the best overall Grafton, with its insights into current and new characters and the overall plot does offer some interesting insights once all the facets are revealed. Let us hope Ms. Grafton has few more arrows in her quiver. 1/11 Jack Quick

U IS FOR UNDERTOW by Sue Grafton: Number twenty-one. I tell you, it’ll be a sad day for me when the Kinsey Millhone series comes to an end. Until then, there should be at least five more to go. In this latest, Kinsey is hired for one day, investigating the decades-old memory of a possible burial site. Over twenty years ago, Mary Claire Fitzhugh was kidnapped. There was a ransom demand, but the drop was botched and the girl was never seen again. Michael Sutton was only six years old at the time, but after seeing a newspaper article on the anniversary of the case, old memories begin to surface. Sutton becomes convinced that he saw two men burying the body of Mary Claire and is even able to give Kinsey instructions to the site. The dig turns up the body of a dog rather than the missing child, but in spite of growing questions regarding the credibility of her client, Kinsey can’t help but dig deeper. The flashbacks in this one really threw me for a loop at first; they seemed disconnected until more of the story was revealed. Once I was able to get into the usual flow I expect from Grafton, U is for Undertow became a very satisfying addition to the series. 12/09 Becky Lejeune

UGLY DUCHESS by Eloisa James: James, a Shakespeare scholar and professor at Fordham University, continues her fairy tale series with this latest entry, based on the Hans Christian Anderson classic, “The Ugly Duckling.” Theodora Saxby is the ugly duck in question, but she’s loaded, making her fair game for the Duke of Ashbrook. He insists his gorgeous son James marry the girl, but James is torn. Theodora’s father was the Duke’s best friend, and when he passed away the Duke helped raise her, leaving James and Theodora to feel more like brother and sister than possible marriage partners. But James has been away for a few years and once his father tells him how he has embezzled from the girl, he acquiesces and convinces her to marry. But this is a romance novel and the course of true love never runs smoothly. Lots of interesting history here along with a hot love story. Another terrific read from one of my favorite romance writers. 1/13 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

AN UNACCEPTABLE DEATH by Barbara Seranella: One time drug addict, prostitute, and motorcycle mama, Munch Mancini is about to become a wife and she and adopted daughter Asia will have a more normal existence. But first Munch’s fiancé, detective Rico Chacón, has to take care of the little matter of a bounty put on Munch’s head by the newly reformed Satan’s Pride Motorcycle gang (whom Munch had helped take down years back). In the process he is shot dead by other cops in a drug bust gone bad. To compound matters, the police department is withholding Chacón’s pension from his family, claiming that he was corrupt. Determined to clear his name and to get revenge, Munch sets out on a dangerous investigation of her own. It just doesn’t get any better. Thank you, Barbara. 04/06 Jack Quick

THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin: When Mara wakes up in the hospital, she’s told that her friends have died in a building collapse. Mara has no memory of the events that led up to the tragedy. Her friends and her past haunt her nonetheless. Plagued by nightmares and hallucinations, she convinces her family that she can heal in a new environment—it’s her last desperate attempt to avoid the possibility of being institutionalized. But as she tries to cover up the increasing visions and horrors around her, she begins to wonder if she really is going mad. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is great for so many reasons. It’s a teen mystery with a big, big twist and so many questions left unanswered that readers will be scrambling to get their hands on the second book. 3/12 Becky Lejeune

UNBOUND by Kim Harrison, Jeaniene Frost, Vickie Pettersson, Jocelynn Drake, and Melissa Marr: Urban fantasy fans will definitely want to add this anthology to their must read lists. Whether you’re a long-time fan of any (or all) of these authors, or it’s your first introduction to them, this collection is perfect. Readers familiar with the various series characters will love to get a little extra taste, but the tales can serve as a great preface for new fans as well. In Harrison’s “Ley Line Drifter,” Jenks is approached by a fellow pixy with a possession issue. Frost’s “Reckoning” takes Bones to the Big Easy where he must track one of the town’s most notorious couples. Pettersson’s “Dark Matters” is a look at a story that’s only been hinted at in the series. Drake’s “The Dead, The Damned, and The Forgotten” has Mira investigating the death of a fellow nightwalker. And Melissa Marr’s “Two Lines” marks the popular teen author’s debut adult tale. Each story makes for a fun one-sitting read and will surely give readers something to tide themselves over with until the next books in each series is released. 09/09 Becky Lejeune

AN UNCOMMON EDUCATION by Elizabeth Percer: Naomi Feinstein knows exactly what she wants out of life. She will attend Wellesley College and she will become a cardiac surgeon. Her idea comes about after witnessing her father’s near-fatal heart attack. Just nine at the time, Naomi believes that this is what she needs to do and what she needs to become. A few years later, Naomi loses her best friend. The two events and her mother’s frequent bouts of depression become more motivation in Naomi’s ultimate goal to save people. When she finally makes it to Wellesley, however, Naomi finds herself reevaluating those old ideals and wondering if she’s on the right path after all. Percer’s debut is heartfelt and thoughtful and Naomi’s story is one that I could easily sympathize with. 5/12 Becky Lejeune
UNCOMMON GROUNDS by Sandra Balzo: A mystery set in a coffee shop – I grabbed a latte and started reading. Three women form a partnership and open a trendy coffee shop in a small town, but on opening day, one of the partners is found dead, electrocuted by the espresso machine. A hunky new sheriff in town adds a romantic spark to this first novel filled with gentle humor and easy pacing. 05/05 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THE UNDEAD KAMA SUTRA by Mario Acevedo: Felix’s latest adventure begins with the death of the alien who has been masquerading as long-time friend Gilbert Odin (see Nymphos of Rocky Flats for more on this particular case). The alien more or less hires Felix to find his killer, cryptically telling him to find Goodman and save the women of Earth before giving Felix a set of coordinates for disposing of his remains and finally dying. Felix complies with the disposal part and then, thoroughly confused, resumes his search for an ancient manuscript that is said to have the ability to psychically heal vampires. His search for this book, The Undead Kama Sutra, was what led him to Florida in the first place. He tracks rumors of the manuscript back to Carmen Arellano, leader of the Denver vamps, who has been recreating and translated the ancient work. As it turns out, Carmen is also missing a chalice – a human who willingly gives blood to vampires. The woman in question turns up in the local morgue, dead as a result of a blast from one of the aliens’ own weapons. Felix is back on the case and even manages to track down the mysterious Goodman. Where the case leads next, though, is completely unexpected. Readers who are not familiar with Acevedo’s quirky series should definitely begin at the beginning. There is history between Felix and the aliens, all laid out in the previously mentioned Nymphos. Fast plots, strange occurrences, and conspiracy theories are par for the course with any Acevedo title, when you combine that with his twisted sense of humor, you end up with a pretty great paranormal PI series that I highly recommend. 03/08 Becky Lejeune

UNDER A RAGING MOON by Frank Zafiro: Ed McBain had his 87th precinct in Isola. Zafiro has created River City, Washington and a group of very human cops who police it. But whereas McBain’s people were able to generally stay above the fray, these cops get right down into the gritty, dirt ugly world. In this case, they are dealing with a serial gunman who is robbing convenience stores. With each stickup he becomes more violent and dangerous. Unless he’s taken down soon, it’s going to really get nasty. Chisolm,. McLeod, Kopriva and Ridgeway, along with the rest of the gang, are determined to make it happen. Not McBain caliber yet, but a lot of potential here. 08/06 Jack Quick

UNDER FIRE by Margaret McLean: Senegalese immigrant Amina Diallo lives above her small African grocery store and lunch spot with her fifteen year old son. What started as a typical immigrant makes good in America story takes a turn for the ugly when her husband is deported and her home and business face foreclosure. Then the building goes up in flames, trapping Amina and her son upstairs. Firefighters passing by stop and one of them is shot and killed while trying to save the Diallo family. They are rescued, but Amina is arrested and charged with arson and murder. Former prosecutor Sarah Lynch is talked into working with her defense lawyer uncle Buddy, but Amina’s Muslim and wears the traditional Hijab, making her an easy target for racial profiling. The Boston fire department turns out in droves for the funeral and the trial, and Sarah has her hands full, not to mention that her life is in danger. VERDICT: This is a fast paced legal thriller with an interesting immigrant twist. 07/11 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch Copyright © 2011 Library Journal, a division of Media Source Inc. Reprinted with permission.

UNDER THE DOME by Stephen King: Dale Barbara was on his way out. He’d had enough of Chester’s Mill and was ready to move on. But then the dome came down. Just a few more minutes and he might have made it out. Now, he’s trapped inside with the other townsfolk, some who are desperate to survive and some who are actually a little pleased to have their town closed off from the rest of the world. No one knows where the dome came from or who could be responsible, but as days pass things in Chester’s Mill go downhill fast, and what was once a typical small town becomes the setting for a mad battle of neighbor versus neighbor. While some will come together to try and help one another make it through, others will find that keeping their dirty secrets hidden under the dome is becoming harder and harder. In the fourteen years since I read my first Stephen King, he has not disappointed me as a fan. Under the Dome is certainly no exception. King’s characters and settings come to life, reaching out and grabbing readers for over 1,000 pages of incredibly fast-paced, horrific and twisted, roller-coaster fun. 11/09 Becky Lejeune

UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi: Aria and her friends in Reverie have always led a peaceful and sheltered life. When a night of adventure ends in death, however, Aria is banished. Death in the outer world is almost certain, but Aria is saved when she comes across Perry. Perry has lived his whole live on the outside. Aria is reluctant to rely on an outsider given everything she’s always been taught, but Perry is her best chance for survival. Perry has no love for Dwellers, or Aria, either. It was Dwellers that stole his nephew and now Aria is his only hope for getting him back. This debut from Rossi is an inventive twist on the utopian/dystopian, post apocalyptic trend. While Under the Never Sky was somewhat unique and certainly engrossing, much of this first in the series is focused on set up in the world. Hopefully book two will move the plot along with more action. 1/13 Becky Lejeune

UNDERCURRENT by Paul Blackwell: Callum Harris wakes up in the hospital with almost no memory of how he got there. Apparently he fell into the local Crystal Falls and everyone says he’s lucky to even be alive. For Callum, though, things since his accident have gotten a little strange. For one, he remembers his parents being separated. While he might be able to assume they’ve reconciled recently because of his accident, it’s just the first of a slew of strange things he’s noticed. He recalls never having any interest in sports, but he’s apparently wrong about that as well: Callum is one of the stars of the high school football team. People he remembers ignoring him in the halls at school are now his best friends and the people he thought were his friends either don’t know him or hate his guts. Unless he wants to be sent back to the hospital, Callum has to go along with this new reality, but maybe if he can remember his accident he can figure out what’s going on. This is probably a fine read for the younger teen set. Unfortunately, Callum never quite rounds out as a whole character and his story becomes a bit predictable the further the book progresses. 7/13 Becky Lejeune

UNDERTOW by Peter Corris: Cliff Hardy is hired by an old friend, retired senior policeman Frank Parker, to look into a case from early in his (Parker’s) career involving two doctors, one of whom was convicted of hiring a hit man to kill the other and was found guilty of the crime. The convicted, now dead doctor may have been innocent, and Parker had been the lover of that doctor’s wife. As Hardy begins to track down the now ageing names and faces, he uncovers more than he or Frank ever suspected, and there are still those who are trying to hinder the search for the truth. Classic PI, well written with interesting characters and an unusual premise. My first Peter Corris, but I am looking forward to many more. Does Aussies really say fair dinkum? 09/07 Jack Quick

Underworld by Don DeLillo: Follow the bouncing ball from the Brooklyn Dodgers through the 20th century. A whole lotta book here.

UNDONE by Karin Slaughter: Slaughter combines her Atlanta/ Georgia Bureau of Investigation series with her Grant County series in this latest outing. Dyslexic GBI agent Will Trent and partner Faith Mitchell are working a case involving a psycho who is kidnapping and brutally torturing women. Mitchell is in the emergency room being seen by Dr. Sara Linton, who left rural Grant County after her husband’s murder, for a new life at the underfunded Grady hospital in Atlanta, when the first victim is brought in. . While Mitchell and Trent are the main focus, Linton becomes involved in the investigation, even as it dredges up painful memories from her past. If books carried warning labels this one would have the excessive violence tag, but you have to admire Slaughter’s ability. On a personal note, after having dealt with diabetes for the last 16 years, I found the sequence regarding Mitchell’s first self injection of insulin to be spot on. However, my experience has been that low blood sugar levels, not high, lead to irritability and anxiousness. 08/09 Jack Quick

UNFINISHED BUSINESS by Barbara Seranella: Our ace mechanic, Munch Mancini, is upset when a customer is found dead on the side of the freeway with electrocution marks on her body. The details resemble a rape case that Mace St. John, her cop friend, is working on. Then a third victim, who is also a customer at Munch’s garage, shows up and the rapist begins to make threatening phone calls to Munch. Delightfully twisty and yes, good does prevail at the end. 03/06 Jack Quick

UNHOLY DOMAIN by Dan Ronco: Very interesting techno-thriller based on the premise that the conflict between fundamental religious extremists (the Church of Natural Humans) and those pressing for technological expansion, particularly in the areas of bio-medicine, artificial intelligence, robotics and nano-technology will eventually lead to open warfare between the two. The year is 2022 and the world is still feeling the effects of the Internet shutdown in 2012 allegedly caused by software expert Ray Brown. Brown’s son David has undertaken an investigation to clear his father’s name while Brown’s sister Claire has become a “showcase” member of the Church of Natural Humans. The creators of illegal technology, the Domain, have decided to take over the government. Who will prevail? This is the second book of a proposed trilogy; so don’t expect a “final” solution. 09/08 Jack Quick

UNLEASHED by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié: When Katelyn McBride is left orphaned in the wake of a tragic fire, she is sent to Wolf Springs to live with her only living relative. Her grandfather’s home lies in the middle of nowhere, miles from the small Arkansas town, and surrounded by woods. His only rule is that Kat never go out alone at night. When Kat learns that another teen was recently found mauled to death in the woods, she begins to understand that her new home offers up something more dangerous than her California upbringing. But she has no idea just how dangerous Wolf Springs can be. Holder and Viguié do a great job building up the suspense for the big reveal in this one and then leave readers hanging on the edge of their seat in anticipation of book two of The Wolf Spring Chronicles. Kat was a great character. She comes across as a stubborn teen on the brink of adulthood, something I find doesn’t always come through smoothly in teen reads. 11/11 Becky Lejeune

UNLEASHED by David Rosenfelt: This is the latest installment in the Andy Carpenter series, and while it is a little darker than some, the humor is still here as are the terrific characters in the Paterson, New Jersey world that Rosenfelt has created. Andy is happily enjoying retirement, spending more time with his beloved dogs at the shelter his foundation created when his long time friend Sam Willis, asks him for help. An old friend of Sam’s needs a criminal attorney, but before Andy can meet with him, the prospective client dies and his wife is accused of murder. Andy takes on her case but things don’t go as planned – Andy has his suspicions about his client. Meanwhile a string of murders is occurring around the country and a scary plot is emerging that somehow has ties to Andy’s case. Lots of twists keeps the pages turning and Rosenfelt’s humor lighten the load. Another terrific story in one of my favorite series. 10/13 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

UNLIMITED by Davis Bunn: A well done story of a man that lost himself through a transgression against a good friend and mentor and was able to find himself through prayer and love. Simon Orwell, a brilliant electrical engineer, is in a state of personal despair after harming the reputation of his friend in order to save himself from a prison sentence. Out of the blue he receives a message from his mentor requesting that he come down to Mexico to help finish a project the two had been working on. The aim was to supply unlimited free energy to the public via equipment the two have been developing. With no apparent future Simon makes the trip but on arrival at the border town his friend was living in he lands in the midst of trouble with a Mexican drug cartel. To help himself he comes to an orphanage that his mentor was aiding, and finds that his friend has been killed. He meets several very talented people that are dedicated to making the orphanage a success, including the director, a man that walked away from a career with NASA to work at the orphanage, and a beautiful woman that has been educated in the United States but has found her way via aiding the orphans. With proximity to these dedicated people Simon is able to resurrect himself while working on finishing the energy device. A love interest is found with the lady he meets at the orphanage and he is able to rebuild his beliefs in himself and his religion. A charming story that will bring the reader into the changes that Simon goes through while returning to life and make him into a whole person again. 9/13 Paul Lane
AN UNMARKED GRAVE by Charles Todd: As WWI wages on in this fourth book of the series, Bess Crawford is posted at a battlefield hospital in France. The flu is spreading, making things worse for everyone on the Front and Bess herself soon falls victim, but not before an orderly has a chance to alert her to an unaccounted for body amongst the dead. Bess believes she recognizes the dead soldier but becomes ill before she can raise any alarms. She’s sent home to England to recover and almost believes the incident was a fevered dream, until she learns that the soldier’s wife has received a letter informing her of her husband’s death. Bess’s suspicions are raised when she realizes that the letter claims the soldier was killed by shrapnel. The body Bess saw had no wounds other than a clearly broken neck. She soon learns that the orderly who first brought the body to her attention has committed suicide. But Bess knew the orderly well and is certain that he would never have killed himself. Bess returns to France in hopes of clearing up matters and soon finds herself a target. Her only hope is in unmasking the murderer before becoming a victim herself. I have to say I feel I’ve been missing out in only just discovering this series. Though there are three other installments preceding this one, I found that it stood quite well on its own. An Unmarked Grave is an excellent historical who-done-it with a wonderfully appealing heroine. 1/13 Becky Lejeune

Unpaid Dues by Barbara Seranella: Munch Mancini is not the typical heroine of a murder mystery. For one thing, she’s a mechanic – a grease monkey, and she’s a recovering drug addict, clean for several years. Her best friend is a cop who’s not happy that she’s also having an affair with another cop – who’s involved with someone else. And did I mention she has a young daughter? All in all, there’s some heavy baggage here which makes for a very real, very interesting protagonist. Unfortunately, the story isn’t quite as interesting. A woman is murdered and dumped in a storm drain, and in trying to identify her, Munch’s name comes up. Turns out they share some history, the woman in question was part of the crowd Munch ran with in her druggie days. Then another piece of history ends up on her doorstep in the form of the teenage son of another addict friend, and Munch has to deal with more of her past than she ever wanted to. There’s a nice twist at the end but this gritty saga lagged. This is the sixth installment in the Munch Mancini series, but my first crack at it and I will be back for more. Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

UNSEEN by Nancy Bush: When someone tries to run down a pedophile in a small Oregon town, Deputy Will Tanninger is reluctant to admit that there are no solid leads. Their one possible suspect is a woman who was admitted to the hospital the same day the event occurred. The woman in question, Gemma LaPorte, has suffered minor head trauma but has no memory of the days leading up to the event. Worse for Gemma is the fact that she has almost no memory of her life before the incident either. As her memories begin to return, even she wonders if she could be the person behind the attempted murder. Will Tanninger hopes she’s not as he seems to be falling for the mysterious woman on top of everything else. Nancy Bush, author of the Jane Kelly series, really delivers in this stand-alone romantic suspense. There is also just a hint of paranormal, enough to lend an intriguing twist, but not too much to overwhelm what is otherwise a traditional thriller. Readers unfamiliar with Bush will definitely be looking for more from her. In addition to her series, Bush is the co-author of the recently released Wicked Game, written with her sister, Lisa Jackson. 04/09 Becky Lejeune

THE UNSEEN by Heather Graham: Heather Graham is an extremely prolific author of more than 100 novels spanning many subjects including romance, horror and paranormal. During the early 1800s, a very valuable diamond known as the Galveston Diamond is brought into Texas and won in a poker game by a young man. He gives it to his girlfriend to hold and eventually sell, so that both of them can leave the area to find their fortunes elsewhere. The girl, Rose Langley, is attacked, raped and killed by an assailant seeking the stone. Rose had hidden in it in her hair and the diamond is not found, Rose ends up being buried with it. Flash forward to our era when several women are found murdered in the very same room in the Longhorn Saloon where Rose was killed. Texas Ranger Logan Raintree cannot refuse the assignment to head a group of paranormal investigators looking into these murders, especially in view of his extraordinary ability to communicate with the dead. One of his investigators is Kelsey O’Brien, who in her own right has the ability to see the past unfolding in the present. Together Raintree and his group travel to the Alamo in San Antonio and the newly reopened Longhorn Saloon where their abilities allow them to solve the problems besetting the Saloon. It is no doubt Ms. Graham’s intention to use both Raintree and O’brien in additional novels involving paranormal situations, and I look forward to reading these over time. 4/12 Paul Lane

THE UNSEEN by Alexandra Sokoloff: Alexandra Sokoloff’s latest paranormal thriller is a masterful blend of fascinating fact and chilling fiction. From 1927 to 1965, Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, had its very own parapsychology department. Just recently, 700 boxes of material from this department have been opened up to the public for viewing. Dr. Laurel MacDonald has only just relocated to the university’s psychology department and she finds herself drawn to these files, curious about what seems to have been the rather sudden closure of what was such a renowned program. Her search leads to evidence of a shocking experiment that may have ended to multiple deaths, an experiment that was expertly covered up and remains a secret even today. Laurel is surprised to discover that her own family has a connection to this incident and she decides that this will be the subject of her scholarly research. As she gets closer to the truth behind the events of 1965, however, she also finds herself closer to an evil that must never be released. Sokoloff never fails to surprise me with her tales. Her fabulous choice of setting and the original twist on what is essentially a true story (the experiment is fiction) make this an unsettling and highly entertaining horror/thriller read. 05/09

THE UNSEEN by Katherine Webb: Cat Morley has been offered a second chance. Born into a tough situation, she was given a job in service after her mother’s death. But Cat wants more than a life of servitude earned only by birth. An active suffragette, she serves time for supporting the cause and her imprisonment has left her with more than just a black mark on her reputation. Hester Canning agrees to take on Cat as a maid in her household. The wife of Cold Ash Holt’s vicar, Hester is dealing with her own issues. While she strives to be a good and supporting wife to her husband, Albert, she longs for a family. Her husband becomes increasingly distant and obsessed with theosophy, going so far as to seek out elemental spirits and bringing theosopher Robin Durrant into their home. Cat and Hester both know that Durrant is not to be trusted and he brings discord to Cold Ash Holt. One hundred years later, the War Graves Commission in Belguim discovers the body of an unknown soldier bearing letters written by Hester. Leah Hickson agrees to investigate and travels to the small village in hopes of identifying the soldier. But that’s only part of the mystery. Hester alludes to a crime that’s been committed. One that she helped cover up. One that Leah hopes to find out more about. The Unseen is a wonderfully atmospheric tale that alternates between 1911 and present day. Cat, Hester, and Leah are excellently drawn characters and their stories are compelling and well plotted. 6/12 Becky Lejeune

THE UNTHINKABLE THOUGHTS OF JACOB GREEN by Joshua Braff: This almost-coming-of-age story follows Jacob Green’s life from age 10 through 15 as he attempts to deal with his learning disabilities and his dysfunctional, Orthodox Jewish family in 1970’s suburban New Jersey. Jacob idolizes his older brother Asher, an artistic rebel, but is scared to death of his tyrannical father. His mother is so busy trying to escape her life that she has almost no presence in her son’s life. Jacob expresses himself well, especially in his thank you notes for his Bar Mitzvah gifts and his letters to Meagan, the babysitter whose seductive ways leave a lasting impression on Jacob in this funny yet poignant novel. 05/05

UNTIL IT’S OVER by Nicci French: Astrid Bell has been really unlucky lately. It started with an accident in which she was knocked off her bike by a distracted neighbor. Then the neighbor turns up dead, murdered that same afternoon. Of course Astrid is not a suspect. Just days later, Astrid, a bike messenger, gets sent out for a pickup and discovers that the client in question has been murdered. While giving her official statement, Astrid makes a comment about the first murder that does not go unnoticed by police. Again, Astrid is not considered a serious suspect, but the police are starting to wonder if she could be the connection between the victims. Then Astrid discovers a third body, the girlfriend of her landlord, a woman who was getting Astrid and her friends evicted from their home. This time it’s hard for investigators not to believe that Astrid is behind it. Astrid’s story is just part of the book, though. After the investigation into the third murder, the story begins again from the killer’s perspective and I guarantee you’ll be dying to know who is behind it all. A clever new mystery from husband and wife team, Nicci Gerrard and Sean French. 03/09 Becky Lejeune

UP FROM ORCHARD STREET by Eleanor Widmer: This is the story of the Roth family, headed by the beautiful and talented cook/matriarch, the Bubbe, Manya, who has managed to raise a rather self-centered son who marries a very self-centered wife, leaving the Bubbe to raise their daughter. Lots of anecdotes about life on the Lower East Side of New York during the early 1900’s, but not a whole lot of plot here. This is the author’s first novel, and her last. She was 80 years old when this very autobiographical work of fiction was published, and she has since passed away. 02/06 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

Up in the Air by Walter Kirn: Interesting story about a man with an unusual quest; to garner one million air miles. Along the way he collects women, collects relationships and collects words, which was my favorite part.

URGENT CARE by C.J. Lyons: First came Lifelines, C.J. Lyons’s knockout debut medical thriller that introduced readers to the ladies of Angels of Mercy Medical Center. Lyons’s follow-up, Warning Signs, continued the drama and delved deeper into each of the women’s stories. Now, Nora, Lydia, Gina, and Amanda are back in this third installment to the series. Nora has been hiding a terrible secret from everyone around her. Two years ago, she was brutally assaulted. After escaping, she focused on getting her life and her career back to normal, but she never told the police. When a fellow hospital employee is found murdered, Nora is sure that the same man who attacked her is responsible, and she truly believes that if she had told authorities, she could have prevented the woman’s death. Meanwhile, Lydia learns more about her own past, Gina struggles to hold her own against her domineering family, and Amanda is faced with a true medical mystery that so far has left her stumped. I love Lyons’s work. I really do. Each new book is smart and intriguing, and her character development is so incredible that she leaves me literally breathless waiting to see what will happen next. 10/09 Becky Lejeune

USER I. D. by Jenefer Shute: Protagonist Vera de Sica is a risk-averse, single, 38-year-old from New York and antagonist Charlene Cummins is a 38-year-old Southern Californian with an abusive con-man boyfriend, a bad credit rating and a penchant for living on the edge. The two women come together when Charlene’s boyfriend, Howard, steals Vera’s rental car finding enough information to max out Vera’s credit cards, draw cash advances and open bank accounts. The psychological interplay between the victim and victimizer is intense as each develops fantasies about the other. As the story unfolds, it raises interesting issues about what is identity and the degree to which we control it. 02/06 Jack Quick

UTTERLY MONKEY by Nick Laird: Mis-titled. Should have been: Utterly Boring. Laird, a poet, former lawyer and husband of Zadie Smith, probably should focus on his day job and leave the mysterious to those who do mysteries. In this debut, Danny Williams is a well-paid lawyer at a prestigious London firm. Geordie Wilson, his boyhood chum from Northern Ireland, is “officially an unemployed labourer” who’s just showed up on Danny’s doorstep desperate for a place to stay. Geordie’s in trouble with the Ulster Unionists back home, primarily because he has a sack full of their cash. There should be a plot here, but all I could think of was Katherine Hepburn starting a car on a cold morning. You know, urrrrrrrrrgh, uurrrrrrrrrrrrrgh, urrrrrrrrrrrrgh, urrrrrrrrgh, urrrrrrrrgh. Would that this book could be that exciting. 01/07 Jack Quick

V by Thomas Pynchon: I kept reading and reading, waiting for some semblance of a plot to emerge but it never did. I didn’t care about the characters either. My guess is with Pynchon you either you love him or you hate him. I forced myself to finish it, drudging though every page. Sorry to disappoint all the literati, but did I mention I hated this book?

V IS FOR VENGEANCE by Sue Grafton: An ex cop and a private investigator, Kinsey Millhone is not the kind of person who can witness a crime and let it go. When she sees a shoplifter in action at a local department store, she reports it. Simple. The shoplifter is caught, but her partner gets away. Then, the arrested woman dies in a reported suicide after being released on bail. Her fiancé hires Kinsey to find out why—why was his wife-to-be shoplifting in the first place and why would she have killed herself. Kinsey’s investigation soon leads to an apparent shoplifting ring and a number of secrets that certain people would kill to keep. As a long-time fan of the series, I go into each new installment with great anticipation. Unfortunately, I thought this latest was a little dry and Kinsey was kind of off putting for the first time that I can recall. She seemed to be very self-righteous, not something I remember from past books. Overall, V Is For Vengeance is ok, but it wasn’t a favorite. 11/11 Becky Lejeune

V IS FOR VENGEANCE by Sue Grafton: Kinsey Millhone is trying to find out who a shoplifter was working for prior to her being killed. Was it murder or suicide. In the process she attracts the attention of the bad guys as well as getting involved in various sundry details of other lives. Somehow this one just didn’t work for me. Too many threads and not enough substance. But I still look forward to the “W” book. 5/12 Jack Quick
VACATION by Matthew Costello: After the water ran out and the crops began to fail, a new breed of predator emerged. They call then Can Heads—vicious cannibals that attack and eat people. No one knows what caused it but the Can Heads are an increasing threat to what remains of society. Jack Murphy, a cop with the NYPD, barely survives an attack in the line of duty and is immediately ordered to take a vacation. But vacations these days aren’t what you might think. In upstate New York there is a place that is heavily guarded and surrounded by electric fences. It’s expensive, but the Paterville Camp offers families a chance to relax. There’s boating and swimming, games, and even locally grown fresh food. But there’s something strange about Paterville and Jack isn’t certain that his family is safe. Vacation is great fun. It’s creepy, post-apocalyptic, non-zombie (but zombie-esque) fabulousness. The story is so simple—a family vacation goes south in the most horrific way—and that’s exactly what makes it so great. 10/12 Becky Lejeune

THE VALHALLA EXCHANGE by Jack Higgins: One of the best of Jack Higgins’ thrillers is now available as an ebook from Open Road Publishing. The year is 1976, thirty one years after the Allies closed in on war-ravaged Berlin, and Hitler’s personal secretary, Martin Bormann, made his escape. A journalist has begun to finally piece together Bormann’s cunning getaway. The trail has led to La Heurta, Bolivia where a stranger with considerable cash and multiple passports has died. Could this be Bormann? Five allied POW’s played an unwitting role in Bormann’s escape and the one survivor now a retired General, helps the journalist uncover the truth. One of the best, from an author who has sold over 250 million copies of his 60 plus thrillers worldwide. 09/10 Jack Quick

THE VALLEY OF FEAR by A.C. Doyle: Number 63 in the Hardcase Crime series was the last of the Sherlock Holmes novels published by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and originally appeared in “Strand Magazine” serially between September 1914 and May 1915. The novel concerns the real-life activities of the secret Irish organization, the “Molly Maguires”, and of Pinkerton agent James McParland who investigated them. The two part novel is first concerned with Holmes investigation of an apparent murder victim whose identity is mistaken and secondly with the story of the man originally thought to be the murder victim. Notable for its involvement of Professor Moriarty, which seems to contradict the timeline of the other Sherlock stories, “The Valley of Fear” was one of the last great chapters in the literary legacy of Doyle’s most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes. 01/10 Jack Quick

THE VALLEY OF JEWELS by Mary Saums: Is there anything more southern than homemade biscuits and country ham? How about a for real killing in the midst of a civil war reenactment? Willi Taft has returned to north Alabama for a summer job teaching at Faulkner College but it turns out to be music and mayhem as first her department head is stabbed to death during a reenactment and a singer who Willi has always admired receives threatening notes. Mix in the KKK, a romantic interest, and the still wet behind the ears former singer and now part-time private eye has her hands full. Think Southern Fried Kinsey Millhone or an early Sharon McCone on a treasure hunt and in peril. Recommended. 05/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick, Alabama boy and connoisseur of the South.

THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOWS by Mark Terry: Derek Stillwater, troubleshooter for the Department of Homeland Security, is facing a security nightmare. Two laptops recovered from a raid on a Pakistan al-Qaeda cell indicate that al-Qaeda has planned a series of simultaneous attacks in five U.S. cites involving potential dirty bombs, biological weapons, and maybe even a nuclear weapon – on Election Day. Stillwater is assigned to one of the multijurisdictional Special Terrorism Activity Response Teams (START) tasked with locating the weapons and terrorists in Los Angeles and preventing the attack. They have only two days and as they close in on their targets, Derek begins to think that the intelligence they gathered is a sideshow to distract them from the real target – one of the two candidates for president of the United States. Almost prescient with the news that computer files were recovered during the mission to kill Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. Let us hope it is all a flight of Mr. Terry’s imagination. 06/11 Jack Quick

THE VALLEY OF SHADOWS by Mark Terry: This is a fast moving action novel about a plot by AL-Qaeda to launch several attacks on the United States. To fully enjoy the book the reader has to suspend logical thinking about cause and effect of physical violence while reading it. Mark Terry’s protagonist is a Homeland Security operative named Derek Stillwater who has appeared in three additional books by the author. Derek holds a PhD, is an ex-army officer, is completely anti-social, does not work or play well with others, recovers from beatings and shootings without benefit of hospital care and seems to come up with solutions out of thin air. Evidence is found in Pakistan that indicates five attacks on different U. S. cities will be launched in just two days time from the finding of the documentation. Several teams consisting of agents from different US government departments are formed to find and stop the attacks. Derek is put on one team which is headed by an ex-girlfriend of his who he dumped in the past due to the slight problem of her being married. They hate each other with a passion but cooperate in order to catch up to the enemy.
In arriving at answers in the two days given Derek has physical altercations with the body guards of several “persons of interest” who inflict physical damage on him; he is also shot but continues on with his quest for the truth without stopping or resting. Several of the actual attacks on the US fail due to bad luck or poor planning on the part of the terrorists, but the main objective seems about to be accomplished and the pace of the action revs up several notches. Derek, in addition to fighting the enemy, also is involved with thwarting the desires of all of the friendly agencies helping in the search who seem to want to arrest him for various and sundry crimes.
Valley of the Shadows is a good read if one is looking for a lot of very fast paced action without really fleshing out the characters. The only individual that seems real is the chief villain called Kalakar, who experiences obstacles just like he would have in real life and drives on to his objective. Don’t look for anything other than fast paced, more than slightly incredulous action but read it to just sit back and be pulled along. Oh yes – Derek and his ex girlfriend do manage to recuperate from their respective injuries together on the boat that he lives on. So there! 10/11 Paul Lane
VAMPYRES OF HOLLYWOOD by Adrienne Barbeau and Michael Scott: Scream queen Ovsanna Moore is a Hollywood film legend – in more ways than her fans could ever imagine. Ovsanna is one of the vampires of Hollywood. She is also the top vamp in LA. Lately, though, someone has been using her creations for vampire target practice. Enter Detective Peter King. He was raised on celluloid dreams, but in spite of his mother’s hopes he followed in his father’s footsteps and became a cop instead. Now he serves and protects Hollywood and its denizens and the case of the Cinema Slayer has landed smack dab in his lap. When the pieces all come together, Ovsanna seems to be the most common link between the victims, especially when one of her special effects crew is killed next. Peter knows something is up, but he’s in for a real surprise when he discovers what it is. It seems someone has declared war on Ovsanna and she must team up with Peter to discover who or this role may turn out to be her very last. Fun and entirely original! Barbeau, a scream queen in her own right, teams up with Michael Scott to create a smart and amusing mystery that is addictive reading. Vampyres is unlike anything else I’ve read of late. 07/08 Becky Lejeune

VANILLA RIDE by Joe R. Lansdale: It has been eight years since Joe Lansdale has written a “Hap and Leonard” novel. The daring duo are back, taking names and kicking ass. For those unfamiliar with the series, these two East Texans find themselves in situations that require a lot of fighting and, in Vanilla Ride, a lot of killing. In this installment, Hap and Leonard take on some cracker drug lords known as the Dixie Mafia. Lansdale brings back Jim Bob and Marvin while introducing a new character, Tonto. What makes this series shine is the dialog–it crackles right off the page. Hap is a reformed drinker; Leonard, a flaming homosexual. Together, they trade witty banter while watching one another’s backs. Don’t mess with either…unless you want a knuckle sandwich. Vanilla Ride is, at times, crude, juvenile, and sophomoric, but beneath the non-stop cartoon violence, Lansdale poses the unanswerable question: can murder be justified? Highly recommended for fans of Carl Hiaasen and Tim Dorsey. 08/09 Dan Cawley

VANISH by Tess Gerritsen: A group of young girls smuggled into the U.S. for a sexual slavery ring are massacred. Thus opens the newest thriller from Gerritsen and the action doesn’t stop until the last page is turned. Dr. Maura Isles has the dubious distinction of finding a living body in the cooler of her morgue. “Jane Doe” is moved to the hospital where she proves to be one tough patient to keep in a bed; she manages to take several people hostage. Detective Jane Rizzoli is also a patient in the hospital because her baby is over due, and she won’t stay in her bed either. While she goes wandering, looking for her doctor, she ends up as one of the hostages. The Boston police and the FBI get involved, including Rizzoli’s husband, FBI agent Gabriel Dean, and the tension just continues to mount as Rizzoli goes into labor during the hostage negotiations. Then the word “terrorist” is uttered, National Security starts pulling strings and Agent Dean, feeling supremely frustrated, decides to do his own investigation and uncovers a conspiracy that he wasn’t supposed to find. Vanish is a very topical, very tense, top drawer thriller, summer reading at its finest. Don’t miss it! 08/05

VANISHED by Joseph Finder: It’s been almost two years since Finder’s last book, and I’m happy to report that Vanished was worth the wait. Lauren and Roger Heller are enjoying a rare dinner out in Georgetown, in upscale Washington DC. After dinner, Lauren is attacked by what appears to be a mugger, but Roger simply vanishes. Their son Gabe calls his uncle Nick, an ex-Special Forces private investigator, who isn’t really on speaking turns with his brother but nonetheless, agrees to help find him. Thus begins this superbly written, startling tale of intrigue, violence, and greed. This one kept me turning pages through the night, and as an added bonus, Nick Heller is coming back – this is the excellent first book of an exciting new series. 08/09 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

VANISHED by Joseph Finder: After penning s number of excellent stand-alone thrillers, Finder has undertaken a series featuring Nick Heller, an elite corporate intelligence specialist and former Special Services badass. This one starts with Heller returning home to Washington, D.C., from a job in California to find his sister-in-law in a coma his older brother Roger vanished without a trace. Heller’s normal high energy approach is revved up even higher as family is involved. He soon learns that not all is at is seems with his brother, from home he has been estranged. A Blackwater type private military company is involved and the stakes are obviously enormous. If you are looking for a good adrenalin fix, and something to keep you awake at night, do like I did, climb aboard, fasten your seat belt and open up a large Red Bull. This one rocks. 09/10 Jack Quick

THE VANISHING ACT OF ESME LENNOX by Maggie O’Farrell: Imagine being locked in an asylum for most of your life. Imagine if the reason for this imprisonment is nothing more than being a headstrong teenager in a time when women were supposed to be submissive creatures bred to please their husbands. Now, imagine that your whole family has forgotten about you. This is what happens to Esme Lennox. At sixteen, Esme was committed to Cauldstone, a psychiatric facility that is on now on its last leg. Esme has two remaining relatives, her sister Kitty, and Kitty’s granddaughter Iris. When her grandmother is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Iris Lockhart is assigned power of attorney making her the primary contact now that Cauldstone’s closure is imminent. Iris is reluctant to take on the burden of a certifiable relative especially considering the fact that she had no idea Esme even existed. Is she a danger to others? Is she a danger to herself? Why would Kitty have kept her only sister a secret from her entire family? The story unfolds from three points of view. Iris is a constant and reliable narrator, but she has her own personal demons and will never know the full extent of the story. Kitty’s choppy memories reveal the ultimate of betrayals. Esme’s own version bridges the gaps between the two as she herself discovers the real reason she was erased from her family’s history. I loved this book – it’s a sort of family drama with a taste of gothic undertones. O’Farrell’s prose will rouse in readers an almost desperate need to know the truth. 12/07 Becky Lejeune

VANISHING ACTS by Jodi Picoult: A story that is literally about finding oneself. Delia, along with her bloodhound, Greta, does search and rescue work. She lives in a small town in New Hampshire with her four year old daughter, Sophie and her father, Andrew. One night she has an odd dream about planting a lemon tree, and mentions it to her best friend, a journalist. He starts doing a little digging and the next thing you know, Delia’s whole world is turned up side down. Her father is arrested, and she finds out the mother she thought dead is very much alive. The story istold in the alternating voices of half a dozen of the main characters, a format that mostly works here. The story does get bogged down a bit with Native American folklore and tales of prison, but all in all this is what Picoult does best; another compelling story ripped from the headlines. Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THE VANISHING OF KATHARINA LINDEN by Helen Grant: The disappearance of Katharina Linden is the beginning of an adventure young Pia has craved for ages. Her small town of Bad Münstereifel is nice, but boring, until Pia’s own grandmother combusts in a terrible holiday accident. All eyes have been on Pia since and she’s been fodder for horrible school jokes and gossip. But when fellow classmate Katharina Linden vanishes, seemingly into thin air, Pia is convinced that there are strange forces behind it. And as a distraction from the everyday, Pia and her friend Stefan begin their own investigation. A teen mystery in the UK, The Vanishing of Katharina Linden is really a wonderful read for all ages. Pia is a charming and intelligent lead that allows the reader to see the happenings through her young eyes, while still getting insight into the views and fears of the adults around her. Grant’s debut release includes elements of mystery and folklore, a fabulous combination that makes for an atmospheric and entrancing read. 08/10 Becky Lejeune

VANISHING POINT by Marcia Muller: Sharon McCone and boyfriend Hy Ripinksy finally take a few days to go to Reno for a tasteful (no Elvis impersonators) wedding but its quickly back to work for both. McCone is hired to follow up on a cold case of a woman missing over 20 years. The initial evidence she and her team turn up indicates the woman may not have been the devoted wife and mother that her daughter remembers. Another excellent McCone outing, which reads easily and continues the string of McCone successes. It’s probably not all coincidence that Muller’s real life husband is Bill Pronzini and that both are among the best for contemporary mystery fiction. 08/06 Jack Quick

VANITY FARE: A NOVEL OF LATTES, LITERATURE AND LOVE by Megan Caldwell: Molly Hagan is in a precarious position—she’s just learned that her ex has been laid off. Not only can he no longer provide child support, but Molly will be losing her insurance benefits as well. She needs to find a job and quick. Fortunately an old friend comes through with a temporary solution: copywriting for a new bakery being launched by a celebrity chef. Since the bakery is to be located near the New York City Library, the investors are looking for something that combines literature and baked goods. With her English Lit background, Molly is the perfect person for the job. But when she meets chef Simon and his business partner Nick, things start to get complicated for the newly single Molly. Caldwell’s debut is heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny and it combines two of the things I love most: books and pastries. Definitely recommended for readers looking to lose themselves in a quick and adorable tale. 1/13 Becky Lejeune

VELOCITY by Alan Jacobson: FBI profiler Karen Vail is barely hanging on in this follow-on to CRUSH. Her lover, Detective Robby Hernandez, has disappeared in California’s Napa Valley while she’s busy catching John Wayne Mayfield, the notorious Crush Killer. Vail is convinved Mansfield knows what has happened to him but Mansfield is in a medically induced coma after being shot by fellow officer Ray Lugo, who himself took a fatal shot in the neck during the operation Then Karen learns that. Robby had been investigating drug cartel kingpin Carlos Cortez and his associates, including the CFO of a mobile wine bottling company, César Guevara. The action is non-stop with a heroine reminiscent of Catherine Coulter’s FBI series. A little touchy-feely, but overall a nice written procedural. 08/11 Jack Quick

VELVETEEN by Danny Marks: For Velveteen Monroe, death was not the end. After being murdered by a neighborhood psychopath nicknamed Bonesaw, Velvet landed in the City of the Dead, an inbetween place for spirits with unresolved issues. Now she works as a Salvager, tracking down lost souls and punishing those who aren’t where they belong. In her spare time, she returns topside to haunt her killer, a big no-no as far as the City powers are concerned. And the City is suffering – cracks are appearing in their world and a riot is brewing. It’s up to Velvet and her team to find the cause and hopefully prevent the destruction of their world. With Velveteen Danny Marks has created not only a uniquely imagined world but a wholly original premise and a cast of characters any fan of dark fantasy will love. This is Marks’s teen debut, but it definitely has huge cross over appeal for adults. 10/12 Becky Lejeune

VENDETTA’S VICTIM by Alex Matthews: I am not anti-cat. I am anti-psychological animals with extraordinary powers that make us humans look really dumb. Matthews’ cats have no super powers, but they are everywhere, to the point of interfering with what otherwise is a well-written mystery. Chicago psychotherapist Cassidy McCabe learns that a man using her name is going around injecting HIV positive blood into at least two women. After Cassidy is unable to get the victims to go to the police, she and boyfriend reporter Zach Moran set out to find the perp who calls himself Cliff Connors. Crisp pacing and realistic Chicago ambience remind you of Sara Paretsky and Robert Campbell. Unfortunately Cassidy is not as hard-boiled as V.I. Warshawski, or as laugh out loud funny as Jimmy Flannery. Still, all in all, an excellent effort, recommend for anyone without cat allergies. (Third in the series). 10/06 Jack Quick

THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL by Steve Berry: All the characters we met before when secret agent-turned-bookseller Cotton Malone was chasing the Templars are back in The Venetian Betrayal. This time they’re after the long lost tomb (and body) of Alexander the Great. And it’s as much of a tour de force as we’ve come to expect from Berry, though he manages here to one-up himself in terms of spectacular scenery and exotic locale, as everyone ends up somewhere to the Northeast of Samarkand.
My favorite character is the bad guy, who in this case is a woman, and whatta woman! Described as a sort of cross between Genghis Khan (a possible ancestor) and Rosie O’Donnell, Irina Zovastina heads up a Central Asian Federation that makes so much sense, I wish we really had one. Maps are provided, a thoughtful touch since the fictional federation covers countries that have been so troubled for so long that hardly anyone goes there, i.e. countries ending in -stan, such as Uzbekistan etc. Since I adore Venice and its complex history, I had hoped for more of that. But no matter, Steve Berry has given us another winner. For someone who tells us he tried for 12 years, with 85 rejections of 5 different manuscripts before selling his first book, his persistence is being rewarded. As are we, the readers, who get to come along on his fast, historically fascinating rides. 12/07 Dianne Day

THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL by Steve Berry: The latest release by the master of action and suspense finds Cotton Malone and company on a desperate search for the lost tomb of Alexander. Legend has it that Alexander may have discovered an ancient cure-all, a draught whose secret followed him to his grave. The leader of the Asian Federation, Supreme Ministre Irina Zovastina, has plans for Alexander’s draught that do not include saving the world. She and her cohorts have been working to develop the ultimate virus to be used in biological warfare and secure her place and the helm of this new empire. Her efforts would have impressed the great Alexander himself. Malone, along with Cassiopeia Vitt, Henrik Thorvaldsen, and Stephanie Nelle must discover Alexander’s final resting place before Zovastina gets her hands on it and succeeds in becoming the world’s most powerful dictator. Berry never disappoints. His use of important modern day issues and the mystique of unexplained and strange historical events are the secrets to his success as a great novelist. Readers who pay close attention just might catch Berry’s nod to fellow author James Rollins and his own Sigma series. 12/07 Becky Lejeune

VENETIAN HOLIDAY by David Campbell: Cat burglar and art thief Kate Fujimori is in trouble at two levels. Her attempt to steal a phony Mona Lisa from a gallery in Venice is interrupted by two other thieves after the same painting. Kate blames her planner, Freddy Doloreux. Although he had nothing to do with this debacle he has sold her out to a mobster who wants payback for a theft she committed earlier. Throw in a police inspector with a voodoo-practicing ex-girlfriend, a pair of monks looking for the corpse of their abbot and all you’re lacking are a couple of animal acts. A fast and fairly pleasant read. Too violent to be considered a cozy, it brings to mind the 1999 Sean Connery, Catherine Zeta-Jones movie – Entrapment, but not as slickly done. Overall, a bit gimmicky. 09/06 Jack Quick

VENGEANCE by A.J. Scudiere: FBI agent Owen Dunham is following the trail of the ‘Grudge Ninja’. What he doesn’t realize is that all his evidence is false. The profilers can’t get their heads around anything except the obvious fact that the Ninja is extracting a deadly revenge for an old wrong. As the Ninja gets bolder and far more dangerous, Owen begins to question whether the Ninja may be a force for good that he, Owen, should not attempt to stop. On the other hand, he knows this case will make his career. No shortage of mayhem and mishap in this bloody but interesting outing. 01/09 Jack Quick

VENGEANCE ROAD by Rick Mofina: Reporter Jack Gannon is the first to respond for a call regarding the discovery of a body in a local park. He thinks it might lead to a story, but he can’t even imagine how big it’s going to get. Gannon stumbles on a lead that his bosses are none to pleased to see in print, however, and soon he finds that he must solve this one in order to save his own reputation. Meanwhile, Jack has also been approached by a mother whose daughter is gone missing. As Jack digs deeper into the murder, he finds that the missing girl may be connected and if she’s still alive, the time to find her is running out. This first in a new series from Mofina is a fast-paced read with a superb plot. True edge-of-your-seat material. I’ll definitely be looking forward to the next installment of Gannon’s story. 09/09 Becky Lejeune

THE VENGEFUL VIRGIN by Gil Brewer: Hard Case Crime #30 is a reprint of a 1958 classic. Bill Pronzini calls it one of his favorites, so how could it not be good. Shirley Angela is 18, but far from sweet and innocent. What she wants to be is rich, and she has a plan for that – all it takes is bringing in the right man. Jack Ruxton had his eyes open as well as….well, lets just say he and Shirley Angela worked very closely on how to rob the old man of his life and his money. At least that was their intention. Thank you, Hard Case Crime, for another golden oldie. 04/07 Jack Quick

THE VENICE CONSPIRACY by Sam Christer: Suspend your disbelief and immerse yourself in Venetian history, secret societies, Satanism, symbolism, art and the Estrucans. Since this purports to be a thriller, there are also lots of gruesome ritualistic killings as well as plenty of short chapters. The main protagonist is a former priest, Tom Shaman, whose very name is a symbol. After accidentally killing a man while defending a woman’s honor, Tom feels the need to get away and goes to Venice. There he finds the body of a young woman who was ritualistically murdered, and the local police want his priestly help in solving the case. Despite the fact that Tom speaks no Italian, and the Italian cop he spends the most time with freely admits that her English is sub-par, they communicate beautifully. The story constantly jumps back and forth in time from the symbolically important 666 BC to 1777-1778 to present day, with the dramatic ending neatly tying up all the loose ends. Fans of Dan Brown and Steve Berry will be enamored. 11/12 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch Copyright © 2012 Booklist, a division of the American Library Association. Reprinted with permission.

THE VENONA CABLE by Brent Ghelfi: In this third outing, contemporary Russian criminal and spy Alexei Volk Volkovoy has been told all his life that he is an orphan. His mother died giving him birth, and his father was an Air Force Officer, who disappeared in 1974. The body of Everett Walker, an elderly U.S. cinematographer who was blacklisted by Hollywood, turns up in a Moscow warehouse where Volk used to make pornographic videos, and Volk gets charged with Walker’s murder. Walker, who came to Russia to look for Volk, was carrying a microdot copy of the Venona cable as well as a photo of himself with Volk’s disgraced father. To clear himself, Volk must go to the U.S. to determine whether Stepan was a bona fide agent of the GRU (military intelligence) or a defector and traitor. Neither the Russians nor the Americans are sure which agents are real and which are double, and the doubt goes all the way back to WWII. The partially decoded Venona cable from 1943 appears to be relevant to the search if Volk can only figure out who the missing parties are not named in the cable. Nicely done in a series that begs to be read in order. 11/11 Jack Quick

THE VENUS FIX by M. J. Rose: Dr. Morgan Snow, a sex therapist with a list of clients drawn to mayhem and murder, is back in her third outing in this terrific series. Morgan is treating clients with Internet porn addiction to live web cam performances. One is a powerful judge who has been hiding his identity, until he ends up being a suspect when the girls he is watching start dying live on camera, one after another. Patient confidentiality puts Morgan at odds once again with Detective Noah Jordain, and their relationship is feeling the strain. Creepy letters from the serial killer are interspersed throughout the book, escalating the tension to the riveting finale. The Venus Fix is one twisted, terrific thriller. 07/06 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

Vernon God Little: A 21st Century Comedy in the Presence of Death by D. B. C. Pierre: I suppose that it is hard to argue with a book that won the Man Booker Prize, but here goes. VGL is a teenage Benny Hill TV episode set in an Englishman’s idea of Texas. If you like that sort of thing, fine. But it ought not to be winning prestigious awards. Particularly in a year when The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time should be winning everything in sight. Read that first.
That out of the way, VGL is the story of a teenager, living in small town Texas, whose best friend has gone on a shooting spree at their high school and then killed himself. Anxious to blame somebody besides themselves, the locals arrest young Little. As he struggles to prove his innocence, circumstances and a cable TV news guy who is sleeping with his mother conspire to make matters much worse for Vernon. Like death penalty worse. The book is amusing, but no classic. Its real value is that behind the cheap and silly humor, it does an excellent job of capturing teenage angst, suffering beneath the lethal smothering of southern women and small town life. And it does have a happy ending.
Probably a good idea to rent “Bowling for Columbine” after reading this, just to regain a little perspective. ~This review contributed by Geoffrey R. Hamlin.

A VERY SIMPLE CRIME by Grant Jerkins: Brothers Adam and Monty Lee have overcome a troubled past to become successful adults—or so it seems. Monty is a criminal attorney and the town’s most eligible bachelor. Adam is unhappily married to a mentally unstable heiress. Their son, Albert, has never developed past the emotional age of a five-year-old. When a teenaged Albert viciously attacks his mother, he is placed in an expensive, private institution where he ends up killing his roommate. Meanwhile, Adam and Rachel are barely getting along, and in addition to her other problems, she has become agoraphobic. After Rachel begs Adam to bring Albert home for a visit, Adam goes off for the weekend with his mistress. Rachel is murdered, and Albert is assumed to be her killer. But a rogue attorney in the D.A.’s office isn’t so sure. Soon, Adam is arrested, and Monty defends him, with startling results. Verdict: No one in this novel is as they appear to be, and the twists and turns never let up until the very last page. This dark, chilling debut, which has been optioned for film by screenwriter Nicholas Kazan (Reversal of Fortune) is a real page-turner in the best sense of the term, and should especially appeal to legal thriller fans. 11/10 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch Copyright © 2010 Library Journal, a division of Media Source Inc. Reprinted with permission.

THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU by Rosie Alison: WWII saw thousands of children evacuated from London. They were placed in homes around the country, to keep them safe from the impending attack on the city. Anna Sands was one of these children. Sent to Yorkshire, the eight-year-old ends up at Ashton Park as part of a larger group of children who will be housed and schooled there for as long as necessary. Thomas Ashton, the last in the Ashton line, and his wife Elizabeth, have longed for children of their own. Their marriage is on the rocks and the evacuees offer a welcome distraction. Anna is fascinated by them—Thomas in particular—and the things she sees and experiences while at Ashton Park will stay with her for the rest of her of her life. The Very Thought of You starts out promising, probably because at eight, a child’s own life is full of promise. What comes later, however, just made me sad. People dissatisfied with life and marriage… maybe not what every reader will come away with, but definitely the points that stuck with me. Critically, Alison’s book has been praised, even earning her a coveted nomination for the Orange Prize. 07/11 Becky Lejeune

VERY VALENTINE by Adriana Trigiani: One of my favorite authors starts a new trilogy with this book introducing our heroine, Valentine Roncalli. Valentine is an apprentice to her grandmother, a cobbler in New York City. The Angelini Shoe Company was started by her grandfather in 1903 (sort of) and upon his death, her grandmother, Teodora, took it over. They make custom wedding shoes, a very specialized niche for sure, but unfortunately the most successful part of their business is the prime real estate in Greenwich Village that they work and live in. The women are a part of a large Italian-American family, with all the love, chaos and good food that implies. Valentine’s older brother wants his grandmother to retire by selling the building, but that will make Valentine homeless and jobless. She’s fallen in love with the business, and when an opportunity comes up to compete for Bergdorf Goodman’s window display, she’s determined to win and keep her business. Meanwhile, she’s met a man, Roman Falconi, who’s the hot new chef in Little Italy but they are both a bit too career driven for much romance. Introducing all the characters and setting makes this book a slow starter, but then it takes off like a rocket, bringing laughter, tears, and best of all, a trip through Italy. Another fabulous read from Trigiani, and personally I can’t wait for the next installment. 03/09 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THE VIADUCT by Grace F. Edwards: Harlem, 1972. Marin Taylor is an African-American Vietnam veteran trying to put his war experience behind him and start a new life. Then he has a very bad day. The owner of the print shop in which he works has a heart attack and closes down the business. On his way home to his pregnant wife Margaret, he is accosted by two men, brothers, wearing stockings over their face. He tries to defend himself and the severance money in his pocket. In the ensuing melee, he manages to push one over the ten story viaduct, but the other one stabs him several times. Marin wakes up in hospital, no money, but still alive. Marin slowly recovers and is relatively well when his wife gives birth to a baby daughter. In the meantime Conroy, the surviving brother, who has been hiding out, learns from his mother that she has borrowed the money from a local loan shark to bury his brother and that it will be up to him to repay the loan and vig. Conroy hatches a misguided scheme, partly for revenge and partly as means of satisfying his loan shark debt, to kidnap Marin and Margaret’s new born child. Although I can’t attest to the accuracy of the depiction of Harlem, I would say, as one who lived through this time period that Edwards has nailed the era perfectly in this stand-alone from the author of the popular Mali Anderson mystery series, which I definitely want to try soon. Somewhat different from James Ellroy and Walter Mosley, but equally well done. 06/10 Jack Quick

THE VICIOUS DEEP by Zoraida Córdova: Tristan Hart is your everyday, average teenage boy. He’s a star swimmer and a lifeguard at Coney Island alongside his best friend, Layla—a girl he wishes was more than just a friend. But when a sudden storm strikes Coney Island, everything in Tristan’s life changes. He thought he saw a girl in the midst of the sudden churning waves, and without thinking twice he jumped in to save her. Three days later, Tristan washed up on shore with no memory of where he’d been. The Vicious Deep is mermaids like you’ve never seen then Córdova’s debut is a fresh spin on the paranormal teen trend. Her characters are unique and her writing is fun and snarky, making The Vicious Deep just as much fun for adult paranormal fans as it is for it’s intended audience. 5/12 Becky Lejeune

VICTORY AND HONOR by W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV: World War II in Germany is over, except for some few people like Colonel Cletus Frade and his colleagues in the OSS who find themselves up to their necks in battles every bit as fierce as the ones just ended. The first is political as every department from Treasury to War to the FBI are campaigning for its being dismantled and their agents and assets turned over to them. The second is preparing for the possible next world war, against Joe Stalin and his voracious ambitions. To get a jump on the latter, Frade has been conducting a secret operation, one of great daring-and great danger. If it is discovered, he and his men may all become a casualties of war. 09/11 Jack Quick

VICTORY AT YORKTOWN by Newt Gingrich & William R Forstchen: This is the third in a trilogy about the Revolutionary War, culminating with the siege of Yorktown and the emergence of The United States of America as an independent nation. The authors have done a considerable amount of research in presenting their interpretation of events and people of those times. The books are set as novels with historical and fictional characters shown as real people with both the strengths and weaknesses of all individuals. George Washington is central and is readily portrayed as a man placed by circumstances into a position that requires the fortitude to overcome normal human doubts, leading a rag tag army of volunteers against the mightiest army in the world. It is obvious the authors admired him as a great patriot and leader in the fight for freedom and liberty. Washington is beset by a Congress that vacillates back and forth in helping the army, as well as desertions by many soldiers, an incompetent general (Gates) who plots to take command away from him and the treason of his once friend Benedict Arnold. There is a sympathetic treatment of the capture and execution of Major John Andre, a British officer caught behind the American lines out of uniform. He is portrayed as a gallant foe and in actuality caused the military court that convicted him of spying to petition Washington for clemency. Faced with the rules of war Washington must have the death sentence carried out in spite of his own feelings of sympathy for Andre. The authors underscore the feelings of the Americans in attempting to win liberty and freedom for themselves and their new country. These are our founding fathers and the people they surrounded themselves with. The reader is made to feel the pride in their achievements and their overcoming of adversity in founding our nation. 12/12 Paul Lane

THE VIGILANTES by W.E.B. Griffin: The latest Griffin returns to the Philadelphia police force where Homicide Sergeant Matthew Payne is involved in a way of murders that involve local low lifes. Things get much more complicated when several so called vigilante groups begin claiming credit for the killings. The targets keep getting bigger and Payne realizes that soon the entire situation will be completely out of control unless he and his fellow officers can’t get to the bottom of the matter. With Griffin, there are never any major surprises, and you can almost predict the dialogue and the outcome, but like a well worn pair of shoes, that threadbare sweatshirt, or the “favorite” pair of jeans, a Griffin book always comforts and provides an outlet from your everyday turn of the mill frustrations. I am glad that his son is involved in these books so that hopefully there will always be one in the works. 09/10 Jack Quick

VINNIE’S HEAD by Marc Lecard: When you are having a bad time, and Johnnie LoDuco is definitely having a bad time, sometimes it helps to go fishing. But if your fishing line hangs up on a severed head, and when the head is (was) that of your good friend – no former friend – Vinnie, well a bad day just got worse. Not only for Vinnie McCloskey-Schmidt, a computer-savvy con artist who had recently promised to bring LoDuco into his business, but said friend LoDuco and Vinnie’s girlfriend Jennifer. Arguably this book contains some of the funniest violence ever as well as a complicated plot and some first rate writing like this exchange between Vinnie and Johnnie:
Whatever happened to that screenplay you were writing?
Oh that, I discovered a problem with it.
What was the problem?
It was a piece of shit.
Complete with mobsters, shysters, bounty hunters, serial killers, and who knows what else, this one rocks. 07/08 Jack Quick

THE VINTAGE CAPER by Peter Mayle: Peter Mayle’s latest wining and dining romp, The Vintage Caper, begins in Hollywood, but inevitably moves to the South of France as former corporate lawyer, gourmand and lively bachelor Sam Levitt seeks to track down 45 cases of very expensive wine stolen from the cellar of exceedingly obnoxious Hollywood entertainment lawyer, Danny Roth.
As always, the story is light and charming, but the real appeal of this book is the language. You can savor it just like the characters savor their wine and their food. Describing Danny’s choosing what to wear, Mayle writes “Something conservative (he was, after all, a lawyer) but with a devil-may-care touch of informality – he was, after all, an entertainment lawyer.” And even better is his description of Marseilles – “Sam had never been to Marseille, but he’d seen the French Connection and read one or two breathless articles by travel writers, and he thought he knew what to expect. There would be villainous characters-undoubtedly trainee Mafia executives – lurking on every street corner…In every respect, it would echo Somerset Maugham’s summing up of the Cote d’Azur – ‘a sunny place for shady people.’ It sounded interesting.”
In summary, this is one happy read. Think The Thomas Crown Affair – either version. 12/09 Geoffrey R. Hamlin
VIOLENT SATURDAY by W. L. Heath: Even if you miss the 1955 publication date, the language tells you quickly that this one has been around for a while. Morgan, Alabama is like most small towns on Friday night – a little innocent flirting, some outright adultery, drinking both legal and illegal, even a little larceny. All this gets swept aside on Saturday afternoon when three strangers carry out their intentions of robbing the Bank of Morgan. Some altered plans yield violent death, unusual heroism, and profound change for the sleepy little town. An easy read. 08/06 Jack Quick

VIOLET ON THE RUNWAY by Melissa Walker: Thoroughly enjoyable if implausible fairy tale about Violet, the 6’1″ high school senior who’s embarrassed about her height and naturally thin body. That is, until she is “discovered” while working in the local movie theater by a high powered New York agent who’s always looking for the next IT girl. Shy, wallflower Violet is whisked away to New York City, given a makeover and hits the runway, finding that popularity she’s always wanted, not to mention free Prada boots. But while success brings its rewards, it also brings a snarky bitch of a bulimic roommate with a coke addiction, difficulty in dealing with her two best friends back home, and a sharp dose of reality. Geared toward the teen crowd, so buy it for your teen, then borrow it for yourself. 10/07 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

VIRTUALLY DEAD by Peter May: An over the top state of the art thriller. Michael Kapinksy enjoyed his job as a crime-scene photographer, but his wealthy wife convinced him to give it up so they could have more “play time”. Now she is dead and Michael Kapinsky is at loose ends personally and financially. As he struggles to come to terms with Mora’s death, he decides to return to his old job, although it doesn’t seem to make a difference. Then his psychologist persuades him to enter a virtual world called Second Life to participate in a new kind of group therapy. Once there, his persona, Chas Chesnokov, discovers that victims whose crime scenes Michael has attended in the wealthy Southern California resort of Newport Beach have had their avatars clinically executed in the virtual world. Co-opted into the Twist of Fate Detective Agency, Chas embarks on an investigation with an exotic dancer and escort girl. They uncover a series of killings and a financial scam that is netting the murderer millions of dollars. When Michael is tempted by money that mysteriously appears in Chas’s Second Life account, both his real and his virtual lives are in danger. A mind stretcher and quite entertaining. 03/10 Jack Quick

VIRUS THIRTEEN by Joshua Alan Parry: In a future where science and medicine have made great progress, James and Linda Logan are about to announce a massive breakthrough. Until now, the cancer resistant genes implanted into each newborn could not be passed down generation to generation. James and Linda have solved that problem. Before they can finish their announcement, however, James collapses and has to be rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery and the removal of an impossible brain tumor. James, like everyone these days, has the cancer resistant gene. Or so his records say. A quick test proves otherwise and a confused James must find out why. Meanwhile, a strange flu epidemic threatens the nation’s safety and Linda is tagged as part of the team responsible for finding a cure. Parry’s debut shows great promise—the science is intriguing and the setting is excellent. The overall execution of the story left a bit to be desired, though. The action is quick but without much detail and the characters are somewhat flat and predictable. 3/13 Jack Quick

VISIBILITY by Boris Starling: Its 1952 and the Cold War plus the Korean conflict are keeping everyone jittery. Herbert Smith, “once of the British Army, latterly of MI5” and now a detective with “the Metropolitan Police’s Murder Squad,” draws the case of a drowned man found in a Hyde Park pond in the thick London fog. The victim, a young biochemist and son of a highly placed government official, in the hours before his death had claimed to be in possession of a discovery that could change the world. Smith soon discovers that his inquiries are creating a panic in the covert world as agents from his own MI5 as well as the Soviet Union and U.S. (along with a renegade Nazi mad scientist) surface. Reminiscent of le Carre and Forsyth, Starling stands equal to them with this great period English police procedural. 06/09 Jack Quick

A VISIBLE DARKNESS by Jonathon King: In this second outing, former Philadelphia cop Max Freeman spends much of his days and nights driving his pickup truck down the seedier streets of West Palm Beach, instead of the Everglades. He is looking for whoever is knocking off a bunch of very old African-American ladies who sold off their insurance policies early. Freeman’s lawyer chum, Billy Manchester, a genius who stutters in public, is back along with a new love interest, a sad-eyed lady cop. It is interesting to see the subtle evolution of Freeman as he transitions from a policeman, whose life was shattered by a shootout that left him wounded and a young man killed by one of his bullets, into someone who has found at least some peace with himself. 05/07 Jack Quick

Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich: If you haven’t read Evanovich, I beg you not to start with this one; if you don’t know the characters, you will be lost. Stephanie’s latest bail jumper has the unlikely name of Sandy Claws, and he owns a toy factory. There’s no Ranger, but there is a mysterious hunk named Diesel who appears at will, adding additional havoc to the already over-wrought love life of our heroine. Grandma Mazur has a new “studmuffin” who emits electrical charges and Valerie is throwing up regularly, courtesy of Albert Kloughn. I read this on my lunch hour – there’s not much of a plot, no real laughs and an overload of cavity inducing sticky-sweet-cuteness. I hate to say it, but bah humbug. What a disappointment.

VISITATION STREET by Ivy Pochoda: If you’re the type that only reads one book each summer, look no further. This latest from the Dennis Lehane imprint at HarperCollins is a tour de force, an unputdownable, powerful read, garnering starred reviews from Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, Library Journal and Booklist, as well as being the pick of week at People magazine and Entertainment Weekly and An Amazon Best Book of the Month, July 2013. Usually when there is this much hype about a book, it is almost impossible for it to live up to it, but Pochoda manages to pull it off. Set in Red Hook, Brooklyn, an area divided into the projects and the “neighborhood”, with some crossover bound to happen, especially with school age kids, this waterfront community takes a hit one hot summer night. June and Val are best friends, fifteen years old and in that gray area between childhood and adulthood, looking for some fun. They have a pink inflatable raft and decide to take it out on the bay, but that decision has devastating consequences. Jonathan, their music teacher, finds Val unconscious, washed up on the shore, but June has disappeared. Chief suspect is Cree, a young black man from the projects that was seen in the area that night. Cree has a guardian angel, of sorts – a young, homeless graffiti artist has decided to befriend him and protect him. Jonathan is a Julliard drop out, drinking too much and spending all his free time in the neighborhood bar. Fadi is a Lebanese shop owner trying to assimilate into the community, and wants his store to become the center for information on the missing girl. All of these characters are fully brought to life, and Red Hook itself becomes yet another character in this tightly written and moving story. This is ostensibly a mystery, but the story revolves around the characters, and they are wondrous. This is a memorable read, beautifully written and imaginatively conceived. Don’t miss it. 7/13 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

VIXEN by Ken Bruen: In this follow-up to The White Trilogy Inspector Brant must match wits with Angie James, “the Vixen”, a female psychopath who gets her jollies from setting off bombs and ruthlessly manipulating men and women. Brant is on a tear and it is a race to determine which implodes first – Brant, the Squad, or Ms. James. With each outing, Bruen just gets better and better and if his prose becomes any more spare and stark, he will be producing single page novellas. 10/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

VOICES OF THE DEAD by Peter Leonard: Peter Leonard is Elmore Leonard’s son, and an accomplished writer in his own behalf. Elmore Leonard writes the introduction for the book but this does not take attention away from Peter’s skill. This is Peter’s third book, and while I haven’t had the opportunity to read the first two I am certainly a fan of his now.
Harry Levin is a survivor of the Holocaust, due to his escape from a forced march of 600 people to an area where they are to be shot. Harry witnesses the massacre, and then over time makes his way to Detroit where he enters a scrap metal business with an uncle that took him in after the war. His wife passed away before the action of the story begins in 1971 and Harry, raising their daughter sends her to college in Washington DC. She is killed by a drunken driver and Harry learns that the man driving is a diplomat with the German embassy and entitled to diplomatic immunity. In seeking justice for what is really vehicular homicide Harry learns his identity and travels to Munich to look for him. Munich was Harry and his parent’s home prior to the Holocaust and scenes of the past run through his mind while there.
Peter’s writing is almost stream of consciousness in its pace. The reader is grabbed immediately and dragged full force into the continuous action. It is a book that is almost impossible to put down before finishing it. Some of the changing situations are a bit disjointed, but this in no way detracts from the full force of the book. Harry and the German diplomat are fully fleshed out and the back and forth descriptions of their thoughts and actions are quite true to form. Read this one when you have an evening to devote to it because you are not going to fall asleep without finishing it. 1/12 Paul Lane
VOLK’S GAME by Brent Ghelfi: Alexei “Volk” Volkovoy is a brutal killer maimed in Russia’s war against Chechnya, who is both a powerful gangster with a hand in virtually all underworld rackets, as well as a covert military operative. Although a stone-cold killer, Volk is, in the context of his world, not that bad a guy. He refuses to use children under 14 years of age in his pornography operations, stays away from arms sales and slavery, and only kills those who deserve killing. In this initial outing Volk gets the chance to steal a previously unknown Da Vinci painting, Leda and the Swan, which has been concealed beneath another painting in a St. Petersburg museum. It turns out to be a delightfully twisty adventure of betrayals and counter betrayals. Lee Childs “highly recommends” this series and so do I. 10/11 Jack Quick
VOLK’S SHADOW by Brent Ghelfi: Ghelfi’s second Russian thriller (after Volk’s Game), featuring Alexei Volk Vokovoy, an ex-army colonel with a prosthetic leg who does the dirty work for a paranoid Kremlin official known as the General, involves something old and something new. The old – a missing Fabergé egg; the new – control over Russia’s immense oil reserves. Volk is your basic Russian Rambo with nothing left to lose other than his self respect. He steals, he kills, he works for the Army, and he supports widows and former soldiers. You may not have much sympathy for Volk, but you better not cross him. Dark prose reminiscent of Andrew Vacchs with a lot of the same sexual ugliness. You will either enjoy it or hate it. If you are going to try it, read in series order for maximum enjoyment. 10/11 Jack Quick
VOODOO LAWS by Jim Hansen: Do you read mysteries for the characters or for the plot? Coffee drinking serial womanizing Denver homicide detective Bryson Coventry is back with all his quirks and talents. He is frantically searching for a missing woman after finding the second member of a local law firm dead with implications of voodooism and death curses. At the same time local attorney and budding author Mackenzie Lee has her own challenge. Her newest client, Erin Asher, is convinced that she was being stalked. A man who looked like a pirate followed her during an evening of in downtown on Saturday. The same man is apparently the primary suspect in one of Coventry’s murder cases that occurred across town at the same time. Lee’s client is the suspect’s alibi, but if Lee allows her to come forward, will they be clearing the man from one murder so that he can commit a different one – that of Asher. Then there is the missing woman and the fact the Coventry has had a voodoo death curse placed on him. Oh, did I mention that Lee formerly worked with the same law firm as the two victims that are the object of Coventry’s efforts? How are they all interconnected? Bottom line – great characters in a wild plot that somehow all comes together. The Laws series just keeps getting better and better. 03/09 Jack Quick

VOWS, VENDETTAS & A LITTLE BLACK DRESS by Kyra Davis: The fifth Sophie Katz novel opens with an engagement, and a shooting. Mary Ann is getting married. Her boyfriend proposed with a ring set inside a Tinkerbell box and the two are planning a fabulous fairy tale event at Disneyland, something she’s about to reveal to friends Sophie and Dena when Dena goes down like a brick. Not sure what’s happened at first, the girls quickly realize that Dena’s been shot. Now it’s uncertain whether the dominatrix will even walk again and Sophie’s determined to use her own detective skills to find the person responsible and make them pay. Of course this causes problems with Sophie’s boyfriend, PI Anatoly Darinsky, who’s well aware that Sophie’s nosing about usually lands her in a heap of trouble. Funny and suspenseful as ever, Kyra Davis delivers yet another entertaining addition to her fabulous mystery series. Be warned, these are highly addicting and this one comes with a cliffhanger of a revelation in the end. 06/10 Becky Lejeune

VULTURE CAPITAL by Mark Coggins: Venture Capitalist Ted Valmont is informed that the brains behind a biotechnology start-up he’s funded called NeuroStimix is missing. Valmont engages PI August Riordan to help find the missing man and we soon learn that the disappearance is part of a larger conspiracy to use NeuroStimix technology for dastardly purposes. To complicate matters, the missing man is Valmont’s buddy and Valmont’s own brother, as a spinal injury patient, would benefit from the NeuroStimix discovery. Co-founder of a failed Internet start-up, Mark Coggins injects lots of local color into his work, even dedicating the book to the Pets.com Sock Puppet. 12/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

VULTURE PEAK by John Burdett: Royal Thai Police Detective Sonchai Jitpleecheep may be the only honest policeman in Bangkok. Thus far, he has kept his Buddhist soul intact—more or less—despite the fact that his job shoves him face-to-face with some of the most vile and outrageous crimes and criminals in Bangkok. But for his newest assignment, everything he knows about his city—and himself—will be a mere starting point. He’s put in charge of the highest-profile criminal case in Thailand—an attempt to bring an end to trafficking in human organs. He sets in motion a massive sting operation and stays at its center, traveling to Phuket, Hong Kong, Dubai, Shanghai, and Monte Carlo. Each succeeding character seems even more bizarre, particularly the mysterious, diabolical, albeit gorgeous co-queenpins of the international body-parts trade: the Chinese twins known as the Vultures. Mordant, funny, propulsive, entertaining. Not an easy read but one that will stay with you long after the final pages. 3/12 Jack Quick

Waiting by Ha Jin: I loved this deceptively simple story about a man trying to get a divorce to marry the woman he loves. A fascinating look at life in contemporary China. Winner of the Pen-Faulkner & National Book Awards. Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WAKE OF THE BLOODY ANGEL by Alex Bledsoe: Taking on a case that’s two decades cold is not something Eddie LaCrosse is looking forward to. But the client is his landlord, Angelina, an old friend and bartender who says her long lost love went off to sea and never returned. When Angelina fell for Edward Tew, she vowed to wait while he took to the seas to gain his riches the old-fashioned—and illegal—way, through piracy. One famed score was all it took for Tew to earn his name—Black Edward. And that one score was his last. Rumor has it the captain and his treasure went down with the ship but some say The Bloody Angel still sails. Eddie, along with ex-pirate captain Jane Argo by his side, will have to take to the high seas himself to find out the truth, but will he succeed in solving the mystery of Black Edward and The Bloody Angel? Wake of the Bloody Angel is fourth in Bledsoe’s Eddie LaCrosse series, but can easily be read as a standalone or serve as a good jumping in point for readers new to Bledsoe’s work. Wake is fast paced and action-packed, satisfying both fantasy and mystery cravings. 9/12 Becky Lejeune
WAKING BRIGID by Francis Clark: Celtic mythology, voodoo and Christianity collide in this supernatural debut. During the potato famine in Ireland, seven-year-old Brigid Rourke was sent by her family to join ranks with the Catholic church. It was the only way they could ensure that she would survive the blight. It was important that Brigid survive because she is an hereditary, someone born with powers that are passed down from generation to generation. Brigid, now a full-blown nun, is stationed in Savannah, Georgia. She and the city both survived the Civil War but are now faced with an even greater challenge. A prestigious group of town citizens has been dabbling in the occult, calling forces that even they cannot control. The church first becomes aware of the issue when a patient in the mental asylum is killed within his locked cell. Brigid is one of the nurses on sight and that single event is enough to awaken the power that has been sleeping within her for almost three decades. A secret group of white mages within the church hierarchy is called to Georgia to exorcise the demon and Brigid must quickly learn to harness her gifts or they could all die in the fight. Clark’s use of an historical setting for this supernatural thriller makes it stand out amongst the many that have been released in recent months. Unfortunately, Clark passed away just last year after penning only two complete novels. I look forward, with some regret, to his second and last novel’s release. 02/08 Becky Lejeune

WAKING THE WITCH by Kelley Armstrong: Savannah Levine has been technically working for her adoptive parents’ PI agency for five years. And she’s been waiting all that time for the opportunity to run her own investigation. With Paige and Lucas out of town on vacation, now is finally Savannah’s chance. A fellow PI has been hired by the family of a murdered girl and wants Savannah’s help on the case. In all, three women have been found dead and the small town PD in charge is pretty much stretched to its limit. Though the cops have a suspect in mind, the link between the three girls is questionable, making the case even more difficult to solve. Savannah is definitely up for the job, but soon finds that no one can every truly be prepared for the unexpected. Waking the Witch is first and foremost a fantastic mystery. This is the latest in the Women of the Otherworld series, and although there are hints of Savannah’s past—and a twist that ties that in even more—readers new to the series will have no trouble jumping right in. I loved Armstrong’s characters and will definitely be seeking out more titles in the series. 08/10 Becky Lejeune

WALL STREET NOIR edited by Peter Spiegelman: Probably the only street in the world about which an entire anthology can be written, this entry in Akashic’s noir anthology series includes a stellar cast of 17 crime genre hitters, many with financial backgrounds. Included are Megan Abbot, Richard Aleas, Peter Blauner Henry Blodget, Tim Broderick, Reed Farrel Coleman, John Burdett, Jim Fusilli, James Hime, Richard Light,. David Noonan, Twist Phelan, Stephen Rhodes, Lauren Sanders, Mark Haskell Smith, Peter Speigelman, and Jason Starr. Although the stories are centered on the world’s financial center the action ranges from lower Manhattan to the Gulf Coast to Bangkok. Greed and desperation truly know no bounds. 12/07 Jack Quick

WALKING DEAD by Greg Rucka: Atticus Kodiak has settled down in Georgia with his lover Alena Cizkova, the former professional assassin. That’s Georgia, as in the former USSR. When three members of a neighbor’s family are murdered and their 14 year old daughter abducted, Atticus goes on a mission – to find the girl. It may cost him his relationship with Alena, but do less would cost him his soul. With each outing Rucka reveals more and more insight into character of the once bodyguard, now more accustomed to taking an active role rather than waiting for danger to come to him. As Johnny Cash sang “I walk the line,” so does Atticus. Very nicely done. 07/09 Jack Quick

THE WANDERING GHOST by Martin Limon: In 1972. I served in the US Army’s Second Infantry Division at Camp Casey, Korea. During part of my tour, my superior officer was a WAC – Women’s Army Corps – the first WAC to serve in a combat division in the modern era. Can you believe, in their fifth outing, agents George Sueno and Ernie Bascom, of the Eighth Army Criminal Investigations Division in Seoul, Korea, are sent to Camp Casey, on Korea’s Demilitarized Zone. Their assignment:, find a female MP—the second Division’s first female MP—who has gone missing. Although I don’t recall the atmosphere of sexual harassment as portrayed in the book (who was there to harass?), most everything else rings true with my own memories of a poor Korea dependent on U.S. dollars and military presence. Limon also captures the ill will between “the Division” and the REMF’s at Eighth Army Headquarters in Seoul. We lived under combat conditions. They had dependents, school activities, PX and Commissary, all the comforts of home – and they were distressed when soldiers from the Second came down out of the hills because it reminded the dependents that they were always less than an hour away from being in a war zone. Oh well, enough rambling. Read the book. It’s great. 02/08 Jack Quick

WANNA GET LUCKY? by Deborah Coonts: Can’t afford a weekend jaunt to Vegas? Plunk down your $25 and be transported. Lucky is the customer service manager, AKA the workaholic who reports to “The Big Boss,” of the Babylon Hotel, the newest, lushest, plushest hotel on the strip. When an ex-hooker takes a dive out of the Babylon’s helicopter and ends up dead, Lucky’s job gets considerably more complicated. Lucky also has to juggle a swingers convention, a high tech convention, and a porno award banquet – just another day in Vegas. Throw in Mona, her bordello owning mother, her best friend Teddie, a female impersonator extraordinaire who wants to be more than friends, and a hunky, flirty security guard and you’ve got a rollicking fun read. First book of a series, and I can’t wait for the next installment. 06/10 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

A WANTED MAN by Lee Child: Jack Reacher is back, and this time he starts off hitchhiking with his broken nose and banged up face. An hour after he sticks out his thumb, he is picked up by two men and a woman, all wearing matching shirts. Reacher figures they are coming from some sort of corporate retreat, and doesn’t think much about hitting the first police road block. This is a different approach for Child; the first half of the book or so is just Reacher in the car with these people while he tries to figure out their story. It could have been slow going except for the rest of the story going on behind him, making for an unusual and very interesting book. Not as much action as is typical in a Reacher novel but the tight writing and well developed secondary characters keeps things moving along nicely. Sure to please fans of the series; newcomers would be better off starting elsewhere. 9/12 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch
A WANTED MAN by Lee Child: The hitchhiker is almost a cliché in crime fiction. Don’t pick up hitchhikers. You may be letting a serial killer into your vehicle – or don’t hitchhike, you may be getting into a vehicle with a serial killer. Now if you are Jack Reacher, even a slightly battered broken nosed Jack Reacher, you don’t really worry that much about encounters with serial killers. Been there, done that. So when he hitches a ride in Nebraska heading east to Virginia he soon discovers he has hitched more than a ride. Two men in the front seat – one with his eyes on the road, the other telling stories that don’t add up. In the back, a woman, silent and obviously nervous. It seems there has been an execution style killing, and the two professionals responsible for the murder have commandeered a car and taken its owner (a woman) hostage. They know law enforcement will be looking for two men alone, so by adding Reacher with their hostage, they figure they can deflect attention until safely outside the killing zone. And that’s just the beginning of what may be the best Reacher yet. Just can’t see Tom Cruise meeting this challenge. 10/12 Jack Quick

THE WAR MAKERS by Nick Carter (John L. Chabliss): originally published in 1936, available as free e-book from http://www.blackmask.com. In this action thriller, secret agents have stolen the Army’s new laser gun just when Europe threatens to boil over into a new armed conflict. Journalist Jack Duane and Moses, his Negro servant, witness the theft and must work with Detective Nick Carter to retrieve the weapon before it is used against the United States with devastating effect. Note again the original publication date – 1936. Interesting read. 12/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

WARNING SIGNS by CJ Lyons: Lyons returns to Pittsburgh’s Angels of Mercy Medical Center in her follow-up to last year’s debut, Lifelines. Where Lifelines was essentially Lydia’s tale, this time it’s Amanda’s turn. Med student Amanda Mason is looking forward to her neuro rotation until a strange case presents itself. A woman turns up in the ER with mysterious symptoms: dehydration, elevated sodium levels, and descending paralysis that leaves her unable to move or respond while still being completely conscious and aware. Amanda learns that in the days leading up to her trip to the ER, the woman’s symptoms were shockingly similar to symptoms Amanda has noticed in herself. Worse yet, the woman’s symptoms were also shared by two other women who subsequently died while at Angels. Amanda tells herself that it’s just med school jitters, but even her supervisor, Dr. Lucas Stone, is concerned. Meanwhile, Lydia is in trouble once again when she tries an experimental procedure on a very young trauma patient, Nora thinks she’s being stalked, and Gina has still not recovered her wits or her drive after being shot at while working with the ambulance team. The drama continues in this excellent series. If you’re a fan of shows like ER and Grey’s Anatomy, you’re going to love Lyons’ books. 01/09 Becky Lejeune

WATCH THEM DIE by Kevin O’Brien: It starts with a video – one portraying the choking murder of a woman just like in a famous film sequence. Hannah is a single mom, working in a Seattle video store, trying to stay under the radar because of a rich and abusive husband back in Minneapolis. She finds the unmarked video in the store return box and takes it home to check it out. Then there is another video and another. Apparently she is being stalked and her “admirer” is sending her videos – videos that contain a murder. Then he re-creates the murder in real life. Hannah is afraid to go to the Seattle police, unsure whom she can trust, and sees the body count mounting. Through it all there is her young son to be taken care of. Nicely done. 10/12 Jack Quick

WATCHLIST by Jeffery Deaver, et al: Cleverly disguised as a book, this is a veritable library of modern thriller authors. There are 22 different authors (plus a prologue by M. J. Rose) who have banded together to produce not one, but two great tales starring former war crimes investigator Harold Middleton. In The Chopin Manuscript (part one of WATCHLIST) Middleton is trying to uncover the secret contained in the handwritten notes of composer Chopin. Afterwards, in The Copper Bracelet, he is thrust into an international terror plot which could lead to nuclear war between India and Pakistan, igniting World War III. If you are fan of Deaver, Childs, Finder, Scottoline, Lynds, Rozan, or any of the other of today’s great thriller writers, you’ve got to have this one. A word of warning, however, either pick up on Friday as I did or plan to call in sick the next day. 12/09 Jack Quick Note: The Chopin Manuscript & The Copper Bracelet were originally released as downloadable audiobooks through Audible.com, and The Chopin Manuscript won Audiobook of the Year in 2007 from the Audio Publishers Association. This is the first time either title has appeared in print.

THE WATCHMAN by Robert Crais: This one is Joe Pike’s story. Pike, a former marine, LAPD officer, and mercenary, is hired to protect Larkin Barkley on the word of his former police partner. Barkley, a troubled L.A. woman from a wealthy family, has the misfortune of witnessing something which causes her to be targeted for death, and Pike is immediately in the cross hairs. Partner Elvis Cole starts digging and targets a drug cartel’s money-laundering network as the source of the death squads and identifies Barkley’s father as the possible link. As the book goes forward, Pike and Barkley, so opposite at he beginning come to identify more and more with each other, and this becomes more than a job. Interesting change of pace from the on-going Elvis Cole series, but certainly as excellent, maybe one of the best. 05/07 Jack Quick

THE WATCHTOWER by Lee Carroll: Garet James’s introduction to the world of the fey was sudden, to say the least. After learning that she is descended from the fey herself—she is the latest in a line of women sworn to protect humans—falling in love with a centuries-old vampire, and defeating the evil John Dee, Garet’s new love betrays her, stealing a box that can open a door to the Summer Country. Will Hughes is cursed with immortality and longs to be human once again. In spite of his actions, Garet is ready to forgive Hughes. She travels to France in hopes of following him to that mythic land. But first, she must appeal to a number of local fey, for they hold the key to getting to the other side. The Watchtower not only continues Garet’s story from Black Swan Rising, but alternates chapters with Will’s origin tale as well. I loved the additional characters introduced in this second of the trilogy, but was not as impressed by Hughes’s backstory. The twist in the end was a little too expected and abrupt, but obviously leads straight into the concluding installment of the series. 08/11 Becky Lejeune

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen: This is the kind of book that I kept picking up and putting down, I just wasn’t sure I wanted to read it. A book about the circus? It really didn’t appeal to me, but after hearing so many people rave about it, I finally succumbed and started reading. I was immediately hooked. The main character is Jacob Jankowski, a ninety-something year old man: “I am ninety. Or ninety-three. One or the other.” He narrates the story from the “assisted living facility,” a lovely euphemism for a nursing home, where his children have parked him. Talk in the dining room is a mad buzz about the circus that has come to town, and they are able to watch the tents going up outside their window. A new resident of the home declares that he used to “carry water for elephants” and Jacob calls him a liar, creating the springboard for Jacob’s story to be told.

Jake’s parents are killed in a tragic car accident just weeks shy of his graduating veterinary school. He goes home to find out that they have mortgaged everything to pay his Cornell tuition, and that his father, a successful vet himself, has been paid in food and dry goods for his services during these depression years. Jake is broke and homeless and returns to school to sit for his exams, but his mind wanders so he leaves, jumps a train, and finds himself among the workingmen of a second rate circus. He wrangles himself a job tending the menagerie, all the animals, working for the sadistic August and things really get complicated when Jake falls in love with August’s wife, Marlena. This is an incredibly rich story, detailing life during the depression and behind the scenes at the circus – the language sings, the history is incredibly well researched, making this a fascinating story with an incongruous, yet somehow fitting ending indeed. I read the hardcover, and each chapter includes a historic circus photo from various archives; I’m not sure if those were reproduced in the paperback that is now available. Either way, don’t miss this book. I was so captured by this story that I am now planning a trip to the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida. 01/08 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

A WAY WITH MURDER by R.J. Jagger: Set in the early 1950’s, Denver PI Bryson Wilde is first cousin to LA’s Philip Marlowe and New York’s Mike Hammer. So when a curvy young thing brings him an envelope of money and asks for his help in finding a killer, he flicks the butt of his Camel out the open window and starts earning the dough. How could he know just how complicated a maze he was entering. There’s lots of lovely ladies, action, adventure, treasure – all interwoven to produce a heck of a tale that will keep you up reading all night – at least it did me. At the end I was totally exhausted by the twists and turns, but highly satisfied with the read. 3/12 Jack Quick NOTE: Available as e-book only until August, 2012 when hardcover goes on sale.

WE ALL FALL DOWN by Michael Harvey: In Harvey’s continuing series featuring Chicago cop turned private investigator Michael Kelly, Kelly is racing to save his city from a deadly new foe: a biological weapon unleashed underground. When a lightbulb falls in a subway tunnel, it releases a pathogen that could kill millions. While the mayor postures, people begin to die, especially on the city’s grim West Side. Hospitals become morgues. L trains are converted into rolling hearses. Finally, the government acts, sealing off entire sections of the city—but are they keeping people out or in? Meanwhile, Michael Kelly’s hunt for the people who poisoned his city takes him into the tangled underworld of Chicago’s West Side gangs and the even more frightening world of black biology—an elite discipline emerging from the nation’s premier labs, where scientists play God and will stop at nothing to preserve their secrecy. Harvey just keeps betting better and better. LA has Connelly, and Chicago has Harvey. Both are must reads. 09/11 Jack Quick

WEB OF SCRETS by Ernesto Patino: A reasonably well written book with a terrible premise. In 1965, a woman living outside Miami dies in child birth. Thirty years later, Sarah Baker, a married adoptee, receives a phone call. A man claims to know shocking facts about Sarah’s past that he will keep secret for a one-time $4,000 payoff. The secret – that Sarah is bi-racial, with a white mother and black father. This is where the train leaves the tracks. Sarah and husband Mark agree to pay off the blackmailer because of fear that if the blackmailer goes public (in 1995) it will ruin her husband’s career. I’m sorry, but I have lived in the southern United States most of my life, and as we say here, that dog don’t hunt. In 1895 maybe, but not in 1995. Husband Mark starts physically avoiding his wife, tensions mount, and eventually she hires Ex FBI investigator turned P. I. Joe Coopersmith in an attempt to find confirmation and closure. Sarah and Mark eventually settle their issues but, it turns out there are three siblings, one of whom is a Rush Limbaugh clone and another is a spoiled rich man’s wife. Like Sarah, they are approached by a blackmailer. The remainder of the book runs the usual course with Coopersmith in various levels of jeopardy and the mystery eventually being solved. 05/10 Jack Quick
THE WEIGHT by Andrew Vachss: After the very disappointing stand-alone Haiku (at least I hope it was a stand alone) it was good to see some of the old Vachss back in this one. Professional thief Tim “Sugar” Caine finds himself caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. The police have arrested him after a rape victim has mistakenly identified him as her attacker. He can’t clear himself, as he was participating in a jewel robbery at the time. Caine ends up serving a five-year sentence for sexual assault before he’s back on the New York City streets, where he reconnects with Solly Vizner, the man who put the jewel heist together. That is when he finds that one of the crew on the heist may be a threat to the future of Vizner and, ultimately Caine. It is up to Caine to neutralize the threat. Not vintage Vachss but acceptable. 02/11 Jack Quick

THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE by Heather Gudenkauf: One Iowa morning, two families wake up to find their 7 year old girls are missing. The girls, Calli, a selective mute, and Petra, are best friends. A search ensues, but it is the families’ stories that are so captivating and engrossing. The book is written in short chapters that alternate first person viewpoints amongst almost all the major characters. It makes for a rather unusual dichotomy of careful reading that is somehow very quick, perhaps because it is such a compelling story.
Petra’s father is much older than her mother, and they consider her to be their little miracle. Calli is a sweet girl, but she hasn’t spoken in several years, and as her story unfurls the reasons become less murky. Her father is an abusive alcoholic, but luckily for the family his work on the Alaska pipeline keeps him away from home for extended stretches of time. She has an older brother who is usually kind to her, and their mom is loving and fun. Because she doesn’t speak, her best friend Petra is her voice. The search goes on, lots of old wounds are reopened, and we are drawn into this world in a way that makes this book impossible to put down. A compulsively readable first novel. 04/10 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THE WEIRD SISTERS by Eleanor Brown: The Weird Sisters is a reference to the witches in Macbeth, but here they are the three grown Andreas sisters, who have always had some difficulties in getting along. One still lives at home, the others return when they learn their mother has breast cancer. In reality it is an excuse for the women to get their lives out of disarray. Their father is a college professor and Shakespeare scholar, and they all communicate best in Shakespearian phrases, which Brown kindly translates and/or puts in context for us. Don’t let that scare you off, it is no hardship to read this book, but rather a pleasure, with the added benefit of making this reader feel positively cerebral without the least bit of effort.
They live in Barnwell, a small college town where Rose, the eldest who still lives at home, is a math professor. She’s engaged but her fiancé accepts a teaching assignment in London, forcing Rose to come to terms with what she wants out of life. The middle girl is Bianca, called Bean, who has returned home from the big city, NYC, after being fired for embezzling at her law firm, mostly for shopping purposes. The youngest is the hippie/gypsy Cordelia, who returns home pregnant and not sure what to do about it.
The Weird Sisters is a charming novel filled with warm, fully developed characters who we can’t help caring about, a lovely setting and an interesting, quirky story. I continue my love affair with all books Amy Einhorn (The Help, The Postmistress) with thanks to Neil Nyren who suggested that if I liked one book from a particular editor, I might like another. So far I’m 3 for 3. Count this as another gem from Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam. 1/11 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WERELING by Steve Feasey: Trey Laporte was orphaned at a young age. He was left to be raised at a halfway house for teens, and never knew much about his parents or his heritage. But everything is different now. Trey is a werewolf, the last of his kind. On the day after he undergoes his first change, Trey is taken under the wing of Lucien Charron, old friend of his father’s, a man who isn’t a man at all but an ancient vampire whose own brother is his mortal enemy. Now Trey must learn to harness his new abilities quickly so that he can defend himself, and the world, against an evil that is rising. I like that Feasey’s approach to the first in this series seems to be a more mature level of writing that doesn’t talk down to the teen audience. The beginning of the book is not a stand out amongst the genre, but by the end, Feasey has built the foundations of a series that could indeed be very different from the other teen paranormal offerings out there. Originally released in the UK as Changeling, and the first in a series of four, Wereling marks Feasey’s US debut. 05/10 Becky Lejeune
WEST OF HERE by Jonathan Evison: I have heard raves about this book since they gave out the advance reader copies at Book Expo last summer, so I was delighted to finally get my hands on a copy. I started reading, put it down, picked it up, put it down and eventually slogged through it. It was not an easy read for me and I found it slow going for sure, but ultimately I did like the book. It follows two timelines, both set in the fictional town of Port Bonita, Washington. The first starts in the 1890s with the earliest settlers; the other is 2006 with a cast of characters mostly descended from the first group. The town is built along the Elwa River, and the damming of that river sort of defines the whole story. It reminded me a bit of one of my favorite books, Wallace Stengel’s Angle of Repose, but I just didn’t find it as gripping. Best I can say is I’m not sorry I read it, but I didn’t love it. 02/11 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WEST SIDE by John Mackie: Two gay men pick up and kill a look alike for one of them in an insurance scam. Their success causes them to decide to make a career of this activity. It is up to Detective Sergeant Thorn Savage and his Manhattan South Homicide squad to solve the case before there are even more victims. It is a gritty walk through New York’s underbelly told by someone who obviously has been there. It’s a world where even the potholes are dangerous to your health and you never know what the next day – or night – will bring. Excellent police procedural. 01/06 Jack Quick

WHACK-A-MOLE by Chris Grabenstein: Ex-military straight shooter John Ceepak is back, partnered with young pup Danny Boyle, and the beaches are crowded once again down on the Jersey shore. A family of tourists find out that an idyllic summer is just too much to ask for when they find a jar containing a body part sitting on a shelf in the local museum. Things just get complicated from there, with runaway teenage girls missing, more body parts unearthed, and the very real possibility of a serial killer on the loose in this small town. Not to mention Doyle can’t seem to get a date, although Ceepak is doing nicely in that department. The storyline is interesting, there are some nice twists, but as always with this series, it’s the characters that make this book well worth reading. The first beach read of the summer is a winner. 05/07 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHACK-A-MOLE by Chris Grabenstein: It starts with a class ring, long lost but now recovered by Sea Haven super-Cop John Ceepak, practicing his beach combing metal detecting skills, and ends with a serial killer.. When Ceepak and Danny return the ring to its owner, he nervously tells them that he had given it to a girl who had long ago left him. He claimed to even have trouble remembering her name. The few clues he gives them eventually become crucial when human ears in glass jars appear in a tiny, little-visited museum, and human skulls are unearthed on the beach. They soon learn that the body parts date back to the 1980’s and it appears the killer is about to start again. Once again, Grabenstein nails the summer seashore scene replete with aging boardwalk, tacky souvenirs, unhealthy food, and overindulgence in alcohol. Another winner and third in the Jersey Shore series. All that’s missing is Granny Mazur but I expect her to show up any day now, probably with Lula and Stephanie Plum in hot pursuit. 09/08 Jack Quick

WHACKED by Jules Asner: Dani Hale is a writer for a TV series, a CSI-type clone called Flesh and Bone. Her boyfriend Dave is a director on another TV series, and is a bit of a control freak. Dani has some interesting co-workers; her boss, Steve, who boyfriend Dave is sure is hot for her, Rich Pisani, the retired LAPD cop advisor to the show, and Evil Janet, another writer who Dani is sure is out to get her. Dave is directing hot actress Chloe Johnson in his series, and Dani finds out he is cheating on her with Chloe. How does she find this out? Because Dani is nuts. She drives past his house when he tells her he can’t see her, she hacks into his AOL account and reads his email, and so forth. But just when you think this is another one of those chick-lit books about a woman obsessing over some guy who is obviously wrong for her, this book takes a sharp turn down a very dark alley and redefines the surprise ending. Asner was a regular on the E! Entertainment channel, and is married to director Steven Soderbergh, who makes a cameo in this book. All that reality adds another dimension – a frighteningly real one – to this chilling tale. 7/08 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHAT ALICE FORGOT by Liane Moriarty: Alice Love is a control freak with a gym fetish until the day she falls off her bike during spin class. She knocks herself out, and wakes up having forgotten the last ten years of her life. She’s 39 and thinks she’s 29, thinks it’s 1998 instead of 2008. What Alice forgot is that she’s in the middle of a very nasty divorce; instead, she thinks she’s still madly in love with her husband. What Alice also forgot is her three children, instead she thinks she is pregnant for the first time, and she forgot how far apart she has drifted from her sister. She is released from the hospital, diagnosed with a bad concussion and told that her memory will come back soon. “Old Alice” isn’t too happy with what she starts learning about “new Alice” and the person she has become, and finds it all rather traumatic. Moriarty puts her anguish on the page and the reader can’t help but be immediately drawn into the story.
This is also an epistolary novel; while Alice’s story is told by an omniscient narrator, interspersed are letters her sister writes to her therapist, and her grandmother writes to a long gone fiancé, adding depth to the story. These are wonderfully drawn characters thrust into a most unusual situation. Somewhat reminiscent of Replay by Ken Grimwood, or even the movie Groundhog Day, but with a twist; it begs the question, what would you do if you could relive the past ten years of your life. I loved this book and couldn’t put it down – it is another winner from Amy Einhorn Books at Putnam. Don’t miss it. 08/11 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHAT BURNS WITHIN by Sandra Ruttan: This should be labeled as a Friday evening start – since you will likely read all night. Three RCMP “that’s Mounties” once worked a case that left bitter memories with each one. Although they are still in British Columbia they are now working in separate areas. Constable Tain is focused on a series of child abductions, Constable Ashlyn Hart is working arson, and Constable Craig Nolan is handling sex crimes. But when the body of one of the missing girls is found in a building that had been set fire by an arsonist and the wife of a police officer becomes a rape victim – it seems that all three are working a common thread. Ruttan captures the intensity of the streets and daily police work while vividly pointing out that it’s not just the victims that get damaged by criminal acts. Those who uphold the law also pay a price. Very well done – and when’s the next one? 06/08 Jack Quick

WHAT HAPPENED TO GOODBYE by Sarah Dessen: When McClean’s mother leaves her father for the town hero, the college basketball coach, McClean’s life is shattered. The scandal is embarrassing and heartbreaking, and McClean makes the decision to go live with her father. He takes a job as a restaurant consultant, forcing them to move every few months. By her senior year of high school, McClean has been to several schools and has reinvented herself at each, going so far as to change her name, drawing on her middle name for inspiration. She keeps her distance and doesn’t form attachments. But this last move she unwittingly ends up as herself, and makes some good friends, and even possibly a boyfriend. Lots of teen angst among these well drawn characters makes for a moving, touching story with the requisite happy ending. I can see why Dessen is so popular with the teen set. 06/11 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHAT I DID FOR LOVE by Susan Elizabeth Phillips: Georgie York co-starred with Bram Shepard on a hugely successful sitcom for years, even though behind the scenes they fought like cats and dogs; that is, until Bram’s Hollywood exploits led to the show being cancelled. His career bombed, and Georgie married gorgeous movie star Lance Marks, who in a very Hollywood way, quickly leaves her for an equally gorgeous movie star/do-gooder. My gut tells me the story was inspired by the Jennifer-Brad-Angelina tableau, which just makes it that much more interesting. Flash forward several years to Las Vegas, where Georgie & Bram run into each other, get drunk, and get married. Both quickly realize that this may the opportunity they both need to repair their reputations; Bram, as the unreliable actor and Georgie, as the jilted ex-wife. The problem is that they are still fighting like cats and dogs, only they have to hide it from the public and their families and friends. This brings up two problems; can a fake Hollywood marriage survive, and will Georgie & Bram find true love? Phillips has penned yet another humorous and sexy romp that is perfect escape reading. 04/09 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHAT LOOKS LIKE CRAZY by Charlotte Hughes: Kate Holly sucks at solving her own problems. As a practicing psychologist, it’s probably not the best thing to let on that her own life is a shambles as she tries to help others mend theirs. Course her patients are part of the problem. A typical morning in Kate’s office seems to involve at least one attempted suicide, public meltdowns, and even dramatic death threats. Now her neighbors are protesting yard art created by her own mother and her soon to be ex-husband is finally calling for another chance, six months too late. Poor Kate has enough on her plate when she begins to receive threatening phone calls on top of all of this (and in addition to the patient who threatened to blow up her office with his insulin vial). It’s no wonder that Kate can’t seem to get her life straight with so much working against her. Charlotte Hughes, co-author of the Full House series with Janet Evanovich, begins what promises to be a fluffy and fun new series with an adorably hilarious leading lady. Book two in the series, Nutcase, is set to hit shelves this month. 02/09 Becky Lejeune

WHAT THE DEAD KNOW by Laura Lippman: An intriguing storyline about a mysterious woman who claims to be a girl who had gone missing thirty years earlier. The narrative shifts back and forth and through the decades leading up from the 1970’s through present day in a powerfully written, intricate story. The cops aren’t convinced, her lawyer just seems content to let her ramble on, and frankly, it was a little difficult to follow – but eventually it worked. This book is definitely a mystery rather than the stand alone thrillers I’ve come to expect from Lippman, and moves much more slowly than I tend to like. There is a terrific twist at the end that I never saw coming. Not my favorite of her works, but I can definitely see why the reviews have been so favorable. 04/07 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHAT THE DEAD KNOW by Laura Lippman: Baltimore’s PD’s homicide team is in for a big break when a woman involved in a hit and run accident claims to be one of the long missing Bethany girls. In 1975, sisters Sunny and Heather Bethany caught the bus to the local mall. When their father arrived to pick them up that afternoon, they were nowhere to be found. There were no suspects and no clues as to their whereabouts, until now. The woman quickly clams up, refusing to provide any information that may compromise her current identity. Gradually, however, she begins to give investigators small pieces of the puzzle. Although it remains unclear whether the woman really is who she claims to be, it is apparent that she does have knowledge of the unsolved crime. Through flashbacks, readers are given insight into the lives of the Bethany girls and how this one horrible day ruined the lives around them. Lippman’s third stand-alone proves that she truly is a master of suspense. Like Every Secret Thing and To the Power of Three, she holds her cards close, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The best part is trying to figure out what the twist will be and she never fails to surprise every time. 04/07 Becky Lejeune

WHAT THE ZHANG BOYS KNOW by Clifford Garstang: In DC’s Chinatown lies a building called the Nanking Mansion. An assortment of people live within the condos that make up the building: there is Feng-qi who has recently lost his wife. He wants to find a new mother for his two young sons and has brought his own father over from China to help out. There are Susanna and Thomas, the young couple who seem to be inseparable until one day everything changes. Aloysius, a recent divorcee, whose condo shares a wall with the couple, has plans for his new home but hasn’t even bought furniture. Calvin, an unhappy painter, and Daniel, the sculptor, are both artists and both have their own demons to face. Charles and Craig live together with their dog, Sascha, but all is not well in their seemingly happy home. Everyone notices that Claudia has gotten much thinner, but none of her neighbors is really aware of the struggles she faces. Nathan, the author whose place is being sublet by Susanna, has recently returned. And then there’s Sam Artoyen, the building manager, using the basement for illicit napping. Each of these neighbors is as different as can be and each of them has a story to tell. Clifford Garstang’s collection of interconnected short stories makes for an interesting read. His talent lies in creating rich and flawed characters. Each story serves as a fascinating look through a different set of eyes. 11/12 Becky Lejeune

Waiting by Ha Jin: I loved this deceptively simple story about a man trying to get a divorce to marry the woman he loves. A fascinating look at life in contemporary China. Winner of the Pen-Faulkner & National Book Awards.

WAKE OF THE BLOODY ANGEL by Alex Bledsoe: Taking on a case that’s two decades cold is not something Eddie LaCrosse is looking forward to. But the client is his landlord, Angelina, an old friend and bartender who says her long lost love went off to sea and never returned. When Angelina fell for Edward Tew, she vowed to wait while he took to the seas to gain his riches the old-fashioned—and illegal—way, through piracy. One famed score was all it took for Tew to earn his name—Black Edward. And that one score was his last. Rumor has it the captain and his treasure went down with the ship but some say The Bloody Angel still sails. Eddie, along with ex-pirate captain Jane Argo by his side, will have to take to the high seas himself to find out the truth, but will he succeed in solving the mystery of Black Edward and The Bloody Angel? Wake of the Bloody Angel is fourth in Bledsoe’s Eddie LaCrosse series, but can easily be read as a standalone or serve as a good jumping in point for readers new to Bledsoe’s work. Wake is fast paced and action-packed, satisfying both fantasy and mystery cravings. 9/12 Becky Lejeune
WAKING BRIGID by Francis Clark: Celtic mythology, voodoo and Christianity collide in this supernatural debut. During the potato famine in Ireland, seven-year-old Brigid Rourke was sent by her family to join ranks with the Catholic church. It was the only way they could ensure that she would survive the blight. It was important that Brigid survive because she is an hereditary, someone born with powers that are passed down from generation to generation. Brigid, now a full-blown nun, is stationed in Savannah, Georgia. She and the city both survived the Civil War but are now faced with an even greater challenge. A prestigious group of town citizens has been dabbling in the occult, calling forces that even they cannot control. The church first becomes aware of the issue when a patient in the mental asylum is killed within his locked cell. Brigid is one of the nurses on sight and that single event is enough to awaken the power that has been sleeping within her for almost three decades. A secret group of white mages within the church hierarchy is called to Georgia to exorcise the demon and Brigid must quickly learn to harness her gifts or they could all die in the fight. Clark’s use of an historical setting for this supernatural thriller makes it stand out amongst the many that have been released in recent months. Unfortunately, Clark passed away just last year after penning only two complete novels. I look forward, with some regret, to his second and last novel’s release. 02/08 Becky Lejeune

WAKING THE WITCH by Kelley Armstrong: Savannah Levine has been technically working for her adoptive parents’ PI agency for five years. And she’s been waiting all that time for the opportunity to run her own investigation. With Paige and Lucas out of town on vacation, now is finally Savannah’s chance. A fellow PI has been hired by the family of a murdered girl and wants Savannah’s help on the case. In all, three women have been found dead and the small town PD in charge is pretty much stretched to its limit. Though the cops have a suspect in mind, the link between the three girls is questionable, making the case even more difficult to solve. Savannah is definitely up for the job, but soon finds that no one can every truly be prepared for the unexpected. Waking the Witch is first and foremost a fantastic mystery. This is the latest in the Women of the Otherworld series, and although there are hints of Savannah’s past—and a twist that ties that in even more—readers new to the series will have no trouble jumping right in. I loved Armstrong’s characters and will definitely be seeking out more titles in the series. 08/10 Becky Lejeune

WALL STREET NOIR edited by Peter Spiegelman: Probably the only street in the world about which an entire anthology can be written, this entry in Akashic’s noir anthology series includes a stellar cast of 17 crime genre hitters, many with financial backgrounds. Included are Megan Abbot, Richard Aleas, Peter Blauner Henry Blodget, Tim Broderick, Reed Farrel Coleman, John Burdett, Jim Fusilli, James Hime, Richard Light,. David Noonan, Twist Phelan, Stephen Rhodes, Lauren Sanders, Mark Haskell Smith, Peter Speigelman, and Jason Starr. Although the stories are centered on the world’s financial center the action ranges from lower Manhattan to the Gulf Coast to Bangkok. Greed and desperation truly know no bounds. 12/07 Jack Quick

WALKING DEAD by Greg Rucka: Atticus Kodiak has settled down in Georgia with his lover Alena Cizkova, the former professional assassin. That’s Georgia, as in the former USSR. When three members of a neighbor’s family are murdered and their 14 year old daughter abducted, Atticus goes on a mission – to find the girl. It may cost him his relationship with Alena, but do less would cost him his soul. With each outing Rucka reveals more and more insight into character of the once bodyguard, now more accustomed to taking an active role rather than waiting for danger to come to him. As Johnny Cash sang “I walk the line,” so does Atticus. Very nicely done. 07/09 Jack Quick

THE WANDERING GHOST by Martin Limon: In 1972. I served in the US Army’s Second Infantry Division at Camp Casey, Korea. During part of my tour, my superior officer was a WAC – Women’s Army Corps – the first WAC to serve in a combat division in the modern era. Can you believe, in their fifth outing, agents George Sueno and Ernie Bascom, of the Eighth Army Criminal Investigations Division in Seoul, Korea, are sent to Camp Casey, on Korea’s Demilitarized Zone. Their assignment:, find a female MP—the second Division’s first female MP—who has gone missing. Although I don’t recall the atmosphere of sexual harassment as portrayed in the book (who was there to harass?), most everything else rings true with my own memories of a poor Korea dependent on U.S. dollars and military presence. Limon also captures the ill will between “the Division” and the REMF’s at Eighth Army Headquarters in Seoul. We lived under combat conditions. They had dependents, school activities, PX and Commissary, all the comforts of home – and they were distressed when soldiers from the Second came down out of the hills because it reminded the dependents that they were always less than an hour away from being in a war zone. Oh well, enough rambling. Read the book. It’s great. 02/08 Jack Quick

WANNA GET LUCKY? by Deborah Coonts: Can’t afford a weekend jaunt to Vegas? Plunk down your $25 and be transported. Lucky is the customer service manager, AKA the workaholic who reports to “The Big Boss,” of the Babylon Hotel, the newest, lushest, plushest hotel on the strip. When an ex-hooker takes a dive out of the Babylon’s helicopter and ends up dead, Lucky’s job gets considerably more complicated. Lucky also has to juggle a swingers convention, a high tech convention, and a porno award banquet – just another day in Vegas. Throw in Mona, her bordello owning mother, her best friend Teddie, a female impersonator extraordinaire who wants to be more than friends, and a hunky, flirty security guard and you’ve got a rollicking fun read. First book of a series, and I can’t wait for the next installment. 06/10 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

A WANTED MAN by Lee Child: Jack Reacher is back, and this time he starts off hitchhiking with his broken nose and banged up face. An hour after he sticks out his thumb, he is picked up by two men and a woman, all wearing matching shirts. Reacher figures they are coming from some sort of corporate retreat, and doesn’t think much about hitting the first police road block. This is a different approach for Child; the first half of the book or so is just Reacher in the car with these people while he tries to figure out their story. It could have been slow going except for the rest of the story going on behind him, making for an unusual and very interesting book. Not as much action as is typical in a Reacher novel but the tight writing and well developed secondary characters keeps things moving along nicely. Sure to please fans of the series; newcomers would be better off starting elsewhere. 9/12 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch
A WANTED MAN by Lee Child: The hitchhiker is almost a cliché in crime fiction. Don’t pick up hitchhikers. You may be letting a serial killer into your vehicle – or don’t hitchhike, you may be getting into a vehicle with a serial killer. Now if you are Jack Reacher, even a slightly battered broken nosed Jack Reacher, you don’t really worry that much about encounters with serial killers. Been there, done that. So when he hitches a ride in Nebraska heading east to Virginia he soon discovers he has hitched more than a ride. Two men in the front seat – one with his eyes on the road, the other telling stories that don’t add up. In the back, a woman, silent and obviously nervous. It seems there has been an execution style killing, and the two professionals responsible for the murder have commandeered a car and taken its owner (a woman) hostage. They know law enforcement will be looking for two men alone, so by adding Reacher with their hostage, they figure they can deflect attention until safely outside the killing zone. And that’s just the beginning of what may be the best Reacher yet. Just can’t see Tom Cruise meeting this challenge. 10/12 Jack Quick

THE WAR MAKERS by Nick Carter (John L. Chabliss): originally published in 1936, available as free e-book from http://www.blackmask.com. In this action thriller, secret agents have stolen the Army’s new laser gun just when Europe threatens to boil over into a new armed conflict. Journalist Jack Duane and Moses, his Negro servant, witness the theft and must work with Detective Nick Carter to retrieve the weapon before it is used against the United States with devastating effect. Note again the original publication date – 1936. Interesting read. 12/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

WARNING SIGNS by CJ Lyons: Lyons returns to Pittsburgh’s Angels of Mercy Medical Center in her follow-up to last year’s debut, Lifelines. Where Lifelines was essentially Lydia’s tale, this time it’s Amanda’s turn. Med student Amanda Mason is looking forward to her neuro rotation until a strange case presents itself. A woman turns up in the ER with mysterious symptoms: dehydration, elevated sodium levels, and descending paralysis that leaves her unable to move or respond while still being completely conscious and aware. Amanda learns that in the days leading up to her trip to the ER, the woman’s symptoms were shockingly similar to symptoms Amanda has noticed in herself. Worse yet, the woman’s symptoms were also shared by two other women who subsequently died while at Angels. Amanda tells herself that it’s just med school jitters, but even her supervisor, Dr. Lucas Stone, is concerned. Meanwhile, Lydia is in trouble once again when she tries an experimental procedure on a very young trauma patient, Nora thinks she’s being stalked, and Gina has still not recovered her wits or her drive after being shot at while working with the ambulance team. The drama continues in this excellent series. If you’re a fan of shows like ER and Grey’s Anatomy, you’re going to love Lyons’ books. 01/09 Becky Lejeune

WATCH THEM DIE by Kevin O’Brien: It starts with a video – one portraying the choking murder of a woman just like in a famous film sequence. Hannah is a single mom, working in a Seattle video store, trying to stay under the radar because of a rich and abusive husband back in Minneapolis. She finds the unmarked video in the store return box and takes it home to check it out. Then there is another video and another. Apparently she is being stalked and her “admirer” is sending her videos – videos that contain a murder. Then he re-creates the murder in real life. Hannah is afraid to go to the Seattle police, unsure whom she can trust, and sees the body count mounting. Through it all there is her young son to be taken care of. Nicely done. 10/12 Jack Quick

WATCHLIST by Jeffery Deaver, et al: Cleverly disguised as a book, this is a veritable library of modern thriller authors. There are 22 different authors (plus a prologue by M. J. Rose) who have banded together to produce not one, but two great tales starring former war crimes investigator Harold Middleton. In The Chopin Manuscript (part one of WATCHLIST) Middleton is trying to uncover the secret contained in the handwritten notes of composer Chopin. Afterwards, in The Copper Bracelet, he is thrust into an international terror plot which could lead to nuclear war between India and Pakistan, igniting World War III. If you are fan of Deaver, Childs, Finder, Scottoline, Lynds, Rozan, or any of the other of today’s great thriller writers, you’ve got to have this one. A word of warning, however, either pick up on Friday as I did or plan to call in sick the next day. 12/09 Jack Quick Note: The Chopin Manuscript & The Copper Bracelet were originally released as downloadable audiobooks through Audible.com, and The Chopin Manuscript won Audiobook of the Year in 2007 from the Audio Publishers Association. This is the first time either title has appeared in print.

THE WATCHMAN by Robert Crais: This one is Joe Pike’s story. Pike, a former marine, LAPD officer, and mercenary, is hired to protect Larkin Barkley on the word of his former police partner. Barkley, a troubled L.A. woman from a wealthy family, has the misfortune of witnessing something which causes her to be targeted for death, and Pike is immediately in the cross hairs. Partner Elvis Cole starts digging and targets a drug cartel’s money-laundering network as the source of the death squads and identifies Barkley’s father as the possible link. As the book goes forward, Pike and Barkley, so opposite at he beginning come to identify more and more with each other, and this becomes more than a job. Interesting change of pace from the on-going Elvis Cole series, but certainly as excellent, maybe one of the best. 05/07 Jack Quick

THE WATCHTOWER by Lee Carroll: Garet James’s introduction to the world of the fey was sudden, to say the least. After learning that she is descended from the fey herself—she is the latest in a line of women sworn to protect humans—falling in love with a centuries-old vampire, and defeating the evil John Dee, Garet’s new love betrays her, stealing a box that can open a door to the Summer Country. Will Hughes is cursed with immortality and longs to be human once again. In spite of his actions, Garet is ready to forgive Hughes. She travels to France in hopes of following him to that mythic land. But first, she must appeal to a number of local fey, for they hold the key to getting to the other side. The Watchtower not only continues Garet’s story from Black Swan Rising, but alternates chapters with Will’s origin tale as well. I loved the additional characters introduced in this second of the trilogy, but was not as impressed by Hughes’s backstory. The twist in the end was a little too expected and abrupt, but obviously leads straight into the concluding installment of the series. 08/11 Becky Lejeune

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen: This is the kind of book that I kept picking up and putting down, I just wasn’t sure I wanted to read it. A book about the circus? It really didn’t appeal to me, but after hearing so many people rave about it, I finally succumbed and started reading. I was immediately hooked. The main character is Jacob Jankowski, a ninety-something year old man: “I am ninety. Or ninety-three. One or the other.” He narrates the story from the “assisted living facility,” a lovely euphemism for a nursing home, where his children have parked him. Talk in the dining room is a mad buzz about the circus that has come to town, and they are able to watch the tents going up outside their window. A new resident of the home declares that he used to “carry water for elephants” and Jacob calls him a liar, creating the springboard for Jacob’s story to be told.

Jake’s parents are killed in a tragic car accident just weeks shy of his graduating veterinary school. He goes home to find out that they have mortgaged everything to pay his Cornell tuition, and that his father, a successful vet himself, has been paid in food and dry goods for his services during these depression years. Jake is broke and homeless and returns to school to sit for his exams, but his mind wanders so he leaves, jumps a train, and finds himself among the workingmen of a second rate circus. He wrangles himself a job tending the menagerie, all the animals, working for the sadistic August and things really get complicated when Jake falls in love with August’s wife, Marlena. This is an incredibly rich story, detailing life during the depression and behind the scenes at the circus – the language sings, the history is incredibly well researched, making this a fascinating story with an incongruous, yet somehow fitting ending indeed. I read the hardcover, and each chapter includes a historic circus photo from various archives; I’m not sure if those were reproduced in the paperback that is now available. Either way, don’t miss this book. I was so captured by this story that I am now planning a trip to the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida. 01/08 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

A WAY WITH MURDER by R.J. Jagger: Set in the early 1950’s, Denver PI Bryson Wilde is first cousin to LA’s Philip Marlowe and New York’s Mike Hammer. So when a curvy young thing brings him an envelope of money and asks for his help in finding a killer, he flicks the butt of his Camel out the open window and starts earning the dough. How could he know just how complicated a maze he was entering. There’s lots of lovely ladies, action, adventure, treasure – all interwoven to produce a heck of a tale that will keep you up reading all night – at least it did me. At the end I was totally exhausted by the twists and turns, but highly satisfied with the read. 3/12 Jack Quick

WAYWARD by Blake Crouch: The second book of the Wayward Pines Series about a paradise set in a period 2000 years from now. Problem is that the paradise is anything but, and is more like a hell on earth. The town was planned for a group of people in the 21st century, and those people went into suspended animation willingly in order to wake up to a society with all wants provided and perfect happiness available to all. In book one Ethan Burke was introduced and was kidnapped and put into suspended animation without requesting it. He awakens and rapidly finds that the town of Wayward Pines and it’s residents are actually subjected to 24 hour surveillance of every word and gesture, an electric fence around the town and snipers on guard everywhere. He becomes one of the few that knows what is going on, and is made the Sheriff of the town by people that have put themselves in charge on an arbitrary basis. Ethan must help enforce a leadership that can tell everyone where they will work, who they will marry, and how children will be educated without knowledge of their parents. He is one of the few that knows what is outside the fence and the dangers that this represents. In a coincidence Ethan meets an old love of his and with her and his present wife begins planning to change what is going on and get rid of the despot that has placed himself in charge due to having funded Athe entire operation. The writing is crisp and events move rapidly keeping the reader totally glued to the pages and wanting more. M. Night Shyamalan is producing a major television program called Wayward Pines for 2014. In addition, book three will be published in 2014. Wayward is a rewarding adventure into a different world than the norm, but one that is a logical outgrowth of today’s society and a logical projection of events moving forward. 9/13 Paul Lane

WE ALL FALL DOWN by Michael Harvey: In Harvey’s continuing series featuring Chicago cop turned private investigator Michael Kelly, Kelly is racing to save his city from a deadly new foe: a biological weapon unleashed underground. When a lightbulb falls in a subway tunnel, it releases a pathogen that could kill millions. While the mayor postures, people begin to die, especially on the city’s grim West Side. Hospitals become morgues. L trains are converted into rolling hearses. Finally, the government acts, sealing off entire sections of the city—but are they keeping people out or in? Meanwhile, Michael Kelly’s hunt for the people who poisoned his city takes him into the tangled underworld of Chicago’s West Side gangs and the even more frightening world of black biology—an elite discipline emerging from the nation’s premier labs, where scientists play God and will stop at nothing to preserve their secrecy. Harvey just keeps betting better and better. LA has Connelly, and Chicago has Harvey. Both are must reads. 09/11 Jack Quick

WEB OF SCRETS by Ernesto Patino: A reasonably well written book with a terrible premise. In 1965, a woman living outside Miami dies in child birth. Thirty years later, Sarah Baker, a married adoptee, receives a phone call. A man claims to know shocking facts about Sarah’s past that he will keep secret for a one-time $4,000 payoff. The secret – that Sarah is bi-racial, with a white mother and black father. This is where the train leaves the tracks. Sarah and husband Mark agree to pay off the blackmailer because of fear that if the blackmailer goes public (in 1995) it will ruin her husband’s career. I’m sorry, but I have lived in the southern United States most of my life, and as we say here, that dog don’t hunt. In 1895 maybe, but not in 1995. Husband Mark starts physically avoiding his wife, tensions mount, and eventually she hires Ex FBI investigator turned P. I. Joe Coopersmith in an attempt to find confirmation and closure. Sarah and Mark eventually settle their issues but, it turns out there are three siblings, one of whom is a Rush Limbaugh clone and another is a spoiled rich man’s wife. Like Sarah, they are approached by a blackmailer. The remainder of the book runs the usual course with Coopersmith in various levels of jeopardy and the mystery eventually being solved. 05/10 Jack Quick
THE WEIGHT by Andrew Vachss: After the very disappointing stand-alone Haiku (at least I hope it was a stand alone) it was good to see some of the old Vachss back in this one. Professional thief Tim “Sugar” Caine finds himself caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. The police have arrested him after a rape victim has mistakenly identified him as her attacker. He can’t clear himself, as he was participating in a jewel robbery at the time. Caine ends up serving a five-year sentence for sexual assault before he’s back on the New York City streets, where he reconnects with Solly Vizner, the man who put the jewel heist together. That is when he finds that one of the crew on the heist may be a threat to the future of Vizner and, ultimately Caine. It is up to Caine to neutralize the threat. Not vintage Vachss but acceptable. 02/11 Jack Quick

THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE by Heather Gudenkauf: One Iowa morning, two families wake up to find their 7 year old girls are missing. The girls, Calli, a selective mute, and Petra, are best friends. A search ensues, but it is the families’ stories that are so captivating and engrossing. The book is written in short chapters that alternate first person viewpoints amongst almost all the major characters. It makes for a rather unusual dichotomy of careful reading that is somehow very quick, perhaps because it is such a compelling story.
Petra’s father is much older than her mother, and they consider her to be their little miracle. Calli is a sweet girl, but she hasn’t spoken in several years, and as her story unfurls the reasons become less murky. Her father is an abusive alcoholic, but luckily for the family his work on the Alaska pipeline keeps him away from home for extended stretches of time. She has an older brother who is usually kind to her, and their mom is loving and fun. Because she doesn’t speak, her best friend Petra is her voice. The search goes on, lots of old wounds are reopened, and we are drawn into this world in a way that makes this book impossible to put down. A compulsively readable first novel. 04/10 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THE WEIRD SISTERS by Eleanor Brown: The Weird Sisters is a reference to the witches in Macbeth, but here they are the three grown Andreas sisters, who have always had some difficulties in getting along. One still lives at home, the others return when they learn their mother has breast cancer. In reality it is an excuse for the women to get their lives out of disarray. Their father is a college professor and Shakespeare scholar, and they all communicate best in Shakespearian phrases, which Brown kindly translates and/or puts in context for us. Don’t let that scare you off, it is no hardship to read this book, but rather a pleasure, with the added benefit of making this reader feel positively cerebral without the least bit of effort.
They live in Barnwell, a small college town where Rose, the eldest who still lives at home, is a math professor. She’s engaged but her fiancé accepts a teaching assignment in London, forcing Rose to come to terms with what she wants out of life. The middle girl is Bianca, called Bean, who has returned home from the big city, NYC, after being fired for embezzling at her law firm, mostly for shopping purposes. The youngest is the hippie/gypsy Cordelia, who returns home pregnant and not sure what to do about it.
The Weird Sisters is a charming novel filled with warm, fully developed characters who we can’t help caring about, a lovely setting and an interesting, quirky story. I continue my love affair with all books Amy Einhorn (The Help, The Postmistress) with thanks to Neil Nyren who suggested that if I liked one book from a particular editor, I might like another. So far I’m 3 for 3. Count this as another gem from Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam. 1/11 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WERELING by Steve Feasey: Trey Laporte was orphaned at a young age. He was left to be raised at a halfway house for teens, and never knew much about his parents or his heritage. But everything is different now. Trey is a werewolf, the last of his kind. On the day after he undergoes his first change, Trey is taken under the wing of Lucien Charron, old friend of his father’s, a man who isn’t a man at all but an ancient vampire whose own brother is his mortal enemy. Now Trey must learn to harness his new abilities quickly so that he can defend himself, and the world, against an evil that is rising. I like that Feasey’s approach to the first in this series seems to be a more mature level of writing that doesn’t talk down to the teen audience. The beginning of the book is not a stand out amongst the genre, but by the end, Feasey has built the foundations of a series that could indeed be very different from the other teen paranormal offerings out there. Originally released in the UK as Changeling, and the first in a series of four, Wereling marks Feasey’s US debut. 05/10 Becky Lejeune
WEST OF HERE by Jonathan Evison: I have heard raves about this book since they gave out the advance reader copies at Book Expo last summer, so I was delighted to finally get my hands on a copy. I started reading, put it down, picked it up, put it down and eventually slogged through it. It was not an easy read for me and I found it slow going for sure, but ultimately I did like the book. It follows two timelines, both set in the fictional town of Port Bonita, Washington. The first starts in the 1890s with the earliest settlers; the other is 2006 with a cast of characters mostly descended from the first group. The town is built along the Elwa River, and the damming of that river sort of defines the whole story. It reminded me a bit of one of my favorite books, Wallace Stengel’s Angle of Repose, but I just didn’t find it as gripping. Best I can say is I’m not sorry I read it, but I didn’t love it. 02/11 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WEST SIDE by John Mackie: Two gay men pick up and kill a look alike for one of them in an insurance scam. Their success causes them to decide to make a career of this activity. It is up to Detective Sergeant Thorn Savage and his Manhattan South Homicide squad to solve the case before there are even more victims. It is a gritty walk through New York’s underbelly told by someone who obviously has been there. It’s a world where even the potholes are dangerous to your health and you never know what the next day – or night – will bring. Excellent police procedural. 01/06 Jack Quick

WHACK-A-MOLE by Chris Grabenstein: Ex-military straight shooter John Ceepak is back, partnered with young pup Danny Boyle, and the beaches are crowded once again down on the Jersey shore. A family of tourists find out that an idyllic summer is just too much to ask for when they find a jar containing a body part sitting on a shelf in the local museum. Things just get complicated from there, with runaway teenage girls missing, more body parts unearthed, and the very real possibility of a serial killer on the loose in this small town. Not to mention Doyle can’t seem to get a date, although Ceepak is doing nicely in that department. The storyline is interesting, there are some nice twists, but as always with this series, it’s the characters that make this book well worth reading. The first beach read of the summer is a winner. 05/07 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHACK-A-MOLE by Chris Grabenstein: It starts with a class ring, long lost but now recovered by Sea Haven super-Cop John Ceepak, practicing his beach combing metal detecting skills, and ends with a serial killer.. When Ceepak and Danny return the ring to its owner, he nervously tells them that he had given it to a girl who had long ago left him. He claimed to even have trouble remembering her name. The few clues he gives them eventually become crucial when human ears in glass jars appear in a tiny, little-visited museum, and human skulls are unearthed on the beach. They soon learn that the body parts date back to the 1980’s and it appears the killer is about to start again. Once again, Grabenstein nails the summer seashore scene replete with aging boardwalk, tacky souvenirs, unhealthy food, and overindulgence in alcohol. Another winner and third in the Jersey Shore series. All that’s missing is Granny Mazur but I expect her to show up any day now, probably with Lula and Stephanie Plum in hot pursuit. 09/08 Jack Quick

WHACKED by Jules Asner: Dani Hale is a writer for a TV series, a CSI-type clone called Flesh and Bone. Her boyfriend Dave is a director on another TV series, and is a bit of a control freak. Dani has some interesting co-workers; her boss, Steve, who boyfriend Dave is sure is hot for her, Rich Pisani, the retired LAPD cop advisor to the show, and Evil Janet, another writer who Dani is sure is out to get her. Dave is directing hot actress Chloe Johnson in his series, and Dani finds out he is cheating on her with Chloe. How does she find this out? Because Dani is nuts. She drives past his house when he tells her he can’t see her, she hacks into his AOL account and reads his email, and so forth. But just when you think this is another one of those chick-lit books about a woman obsessing over some guy who is obviously wrong for her, this book takes a sharp turn down a very dark alley and redefines the surprise ending. Asner was a regular on the E! Entertainment channel, and is married to director Steven Soderbergh, who makes a cameo in this book. All that reality adds another dimension – a frighteningly real one – to this chilling tale. 7/08 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHAT ALICE FORGOT by Liane Moriarty: Alice Love is a control freak with a gym fetish until the day she falls off her bike during spin class. She knocks herself out, and wakes up having forgotten the last ten years of her life. She’s 39 and thinks she’s 29, thinks it’s 1998 instead of 2008. What Alice forgot is that she’s in the middle of a very nasty divorce; instead, she thinks she’s still madly in love with her husband. What Alice also forgot is her three children, instead she thinks she is pregnant for the first time, and she forgot how far apart she has drifted from her sister. She is released from the hospital, diagnosed with a bad concussion and told that her memory will come back soon. “Old Alice” isn’t too happy with what she starts learning about “new Alice” and the person she has become, and finds it all rather traumatic. Moriarty puts her anguish on the page and the reader can’t help but be immediately drawn into the story.
This is also an epistolary novel; while Alice’s story is told by an omniscient narrator, interspersed are letters her sister writes to her therapist, and her grandmother writes to a long gone fiancé, adding depth to the story. These are wonderfully drawn characters thrust into a most unusual situation. Somewhat reminiscent of Replay by Ken Grimwood, or even the movie Groundhog Day, but with a twist; it begs the question, what would you do if you could relive the past ten years of your life. I loved this book and couldn’t put it down – it is another winner from Amy Einhorn Books at Putnam. Don’t miss it. 08/11 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHAT BURNS WITHIN by Sandra Ruttan: This should be labeled as a Friday evening start – since you will likely read all night. Three RCMP “that’s Mounties” once worked a case that left bitter memories with each one. Although they are still in British Columbia they are now working in separate areas. Constable Tain is focused on a series of child abductions, Constable Ashlyn Hart is working arson, and Constable Craig Nolan is handling sex crimes. But when the body of one of the missing girls is found in a building that had been set fire by an arsonist and the wife of a police officer becomes a rape victim – it seems that all three are working a common thread. Ruttan captures the intensity of the streets and daily police work while vividly pointing out that it’s not just the victims that get damaged by criminal acts. Those who uphold the law also pay a price. Very well done – and when’s the next one? 06/08 Jack Quick

WHAT HAPPENED TO GOODBYE by Sarah Dessen: When McClean’s mother leaves her father for the town hero, the college basketball coach, McClean’s life is shattered. The scandal is embarrassing and heartbreaking, and McClean makes the decision to go live with her father. He takes a job as a restaurant consultant, forcing them to move every few months. By her senior year of high school, McClean has been to several schools and has reinvented herself at each, going so far as to change her name, drawing on her middle name for inspiration. She keeps her distance and doesn’t form attachments. But this last move she unwittingly ends up as herself, and makes some good friends, and even possibly a boyfriend. Lots of teen angst among these well drawn characters makes for a moving, touching story with the requisite happy ending. I can see why Dessen is so popular with the teen set. 06/11 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHAT I DID FOR LOVE by Susan Elizabeth Phillips: Georgie York co-starred with Bram Shepard on a hugely successful sitcom for years, even though behind the scenes they fought like cats and dogs; that is, until Bram’s Hollywood exploits led to the show being cancelled. His career bombed, and Georgie married gorgeous movie star Lance Marks, who in a very Hollywood way, quickly leaves her for an equally gorgeous movie star/do-gooder. My gut tells me the story was inspired by the Jennifer-Brad-Angelina tableau, which just makes it that much more interesting. Flash forward several years to Las Vegas, where Georgie & Bram run into each other, get drunk, and get married. Both quickly realize that this may the opportunity they both need to repair their reputations; Bram, as the unreliable actor and Georgie, as the jilted ex-wife. The problem is that they are still fighting like cats and dogs, only they have to hide it from the public and their families and friends. This brings up two problems; can a fake Hollywood marriage survive, and will Georgie & Bram find true love? Phillips has penned yet another humorous and sexy romp that is perfect escape reading. 04/09 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHAT LOOKS LIKE CRAZY by Charlotte Hughes: Kate Holly sucks at solving her own problems. As a practicing psychologist, it’s probably not the best thing to let on that her own life is a shambles as she tries to help others mend theirs. Course her patients are part of the problem. A typical morning in Kate’s office seems to involve at least one attempted suicide, public meltdowns, and even dramatic death threats. Now her neighbors are protesting yard art created by her own mother and her soon to be ex-husband is finally calling for another chance, six months too late. Poor Kate has enough on her plate when she begins to receive threatening phone calls on top of all of this (and in addition to the patient who threatened to blow up her office with his insulin vial). It’s no wonder that Kate can’t seem to get her life straight with so much working against her. Charlotte Hughes, co-author of the Full House series with Janet Evanovich, begins what promises to be a fluffy and fun new series with an adorably hilarious leading lady. Book two in the series, Nutcase, is set to hit shelves this month. 02/09 Becky Lejeune

WHAT THE DEAD KNOW by Laura Lippman: An intriguing storyline about a mysterious woman who claims to be a girl who had gone missing thirty years earlier. The narrative shifts back and forth and through the decades leading up from the 1970’s through present day in a powerfully written, intricate story. The cops aren’t convinced, her lawyer just seems content to let her ramble on, and frankly, it was a little difficult to follow – but eventually it worked. This book is definitely a mystery rather than the stand alone thrillers I’ve come to expect from Lippman, and moves much more slowly than I tend to like. There is a terrific twist at the end that I never saw coming. Not my favorite of her works, but I can definitely see why the reviews have been so favorable. 04/07 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHAT THE DEAD KNOW by Laura Lippman: Baltimore’s PD’s homicide team is in for a big break when a woman involved in a hit and run accident claims to be one of the long missing Bethany girls. In 1975, sisters Sunny and Heather Bethany caught the bus to the local mall. When their father arrived to pick them up that afternoon, they were nowhere to be found. There were no suspects and no clues as to their whereabouts, until now. The woman quickly clams up, refusing to provide any information that may compromise her current identity. Gradually, however, she begins to give investigators small pieces of the puzzle. Although it remains unclear whether the woman really is who she claims to be, it is apparent that she does have knowledge of the unsolved crime. Through flashbacks, readers are given insight into the lives of the Bethany girls and how this one horrible day ruined the lives around them. Lippman’s third stand-alone proves that she truly is a master of suspense. Like Every Secret Thing and To the Power of Three, she holds her cards close, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The best part is trying to figure out what the twist will be and she never fails to surprise every time. 04/07 Becky Lejeune

WHAT THE ZHANG BOYS KNOW by Clifford Garstang: In DC’s Chinatown lies a building called the Nanking Mansion. An assortment of people live within the condos that make up the building: there is Feng-qi who has recently lost his wife. He wants to find a new mother for his two young sons and has brought his own father over from China to help out. There are Susanna and Thomas, the young couple who seem to be inseparable until one day everything changes. Aloysius, a recent divorcee, whose condo shares a wall with the couple, has plans for his new home but hasn’t even bought furniture. Calvin, an unhappy painter, and Daniel, the sculptor, are both artists and both have their own demons to face. Charles and Craig live together with their dog, Sascha, but all is not well in their seemingly happy home. Everyone notices that Claudia has gotten much thinner, but none of her neighbors is really aware of the struggles she faces. Nathan, the author whose place is being sublet by Susanna, has recently returned. And then there’s Sam Artoyen, the building manager, using the basement for illicit napping. Each of these neighbors is as different as can be and each of them has a story to tell. Clifford Garstang’s collection of interconnected short stories makes for an interesting read. His talent lies in creating rich and flawed characters. Each story serves as a fascinating look through a different set of eyes. 11/12 Becky Lejeune

WHAT WE SAW AT NIGHT by Jacquelyn Mitchard: Xeroderma Pigmentosum is a rare genetic disorder that results in a dangerous sun allergy. For people who suffer from XP, even bright light can be fatal. Allie Kim and her two best friends, Rob and Juliet, all have XP. They sleep during the day and live by the dark of night. And they live each day to the fullest. When Juliet begins to teach Allie and Rob Parkour, the trio become heavily involved in the practice. But when one of their evenings of sport leads to their witness of what appears to be a crime, they quickly find themselves in a strange position. Allie is particularly fearful of the danger they could be facing. Juliet seems less willing to accept the fact and Rob isn’t quite sure, which leaves Allie alone in proving what they saw and in hopefully keeping them safe. Mitchard’s latest is the inaugural title in SOHO’s new Teen imprint. What We Saw at Night is a suspenseful teen mystery with an interesting premise and a cliffhanger ending – a promising start to the new imprint and one that will leave readers anxious for the follow up, What We Lost at Night. 1/13 Becky Lejeune

What’s Wrong with Dorfman by John Blumenthal: An entertaining read about a whiny hypochondriac. Well written and funny.

THE WHEEL OF DARKNESS by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child: Agent Pendergast is back. Pendergast and Constance Green have sought out the most reclusive monastery in Tibet. Here, Pendergast hopes that Contance will finally come to peace with the death of her manipulative captor, his own brother, Diogenes. Upon learning that Pendergast is an investigator, the monks present him with a problem and a task. Their monastery had been assigned the responsibility of keeping watch on a very dangerous and holy item, an item that has been recently stolen. They have asked Pendergast to retrieve the item before its evil can be set loose on the world. Pendergast follows this item from Tibet to England and traces it to the ocean liner Brittania, a massive ship about to make its maiden voyage to New York. He secures passage for himself and Constance and, true to form, maneuvers his way into the reluctant graces of the ship’s staff. Shortly after the ship sets sail, passengers come up missing. Then, passengers begin to show up dead and Pendergast must find the item in question in order to stop the madness that has only just begun. Although the authors are adamant (and right) that each of the titles featuring Pendergast can be read as stand-alones, I personally recommend reading them in order. Pendergast, a strange FBI agent who first appears in The Relic grows more and more captivating with each new book. This title especially draws some of those characteristics that fans know and love about the character into question making it a wholly absorbing and thrilling read. 01/08 Becky Lejeune

THE WHEELMAN by Duane Swierczynski: On the back flap of the jacket it says: “A receipt for This Here’s a Stickup, Duane’s nonfiction book on American bank robbery, was found in the getaway car of a San Francisco bandit who’d hit at least thirty California banks.” The leap to fiction wasn’t that bold – this is the story of the very quiet Lennon, the getaway driver for a big bank robbery gone awry in Philadelphia. It’s always interesting when the hero is the bad guy, and this book is no exception to that. Throw in a loosely knit community of bank robbers, the Russian mob, the Italian mob, and crooked cops who are all chasing the money and you start to get the picture of this fast paced, violent yet funny book. Swierczynski may well be the future of crime fiction writing. 11/05 Stacy Alesi

WHEN THE DARK MAN CALLS by Stuart Kaminsky: Ten-year old Jean Kaiser discovered her parents murdered in their bed in North Carolina. Now, twenty-five years later, Jean, a Chicago radio talk-show host with a daughter of her own, is being stalked by a man she knows only by a slow, sinister voice on the telephone. Soon she discovers that the man who killed her parents 25 years ago has been released and is now in Chicago. Reminiscent of Play Misty for Me and just as intriguing. 12/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

WHEN A MAN LOVES A WEAPON by Toni McGee Causey: Bobbie Faye is back and in the biggest trouble ever. After she and Trevor Cormier survive their run-in with Sean MacGregor, Bobbie Faye is in need of some domestic bliss. Though Trevor has proposed (and she’s accepted, of course), the two only have a short time playing house before Trevor is sent out on a new op. He’s supposed to be back in two, three days tops, but it’s been seven and Bobbie Faye’s more than a little antsy. Convinced that MacGregor couldn’t possibly be a threat—and so not caring at this point if he is—Bobbie Faye sets out to find (and save) her fiancée. Unfortunately, the only person she can really trust to help her just happens to be her ex, Cam Moreau. His skills as a detective make him perfect for the job, but Cam’s determined to win Bobbie Faye back and won’t let a little diamond ring stand in the way. And although MacGregor, the Irish mobster, has been MIA, he’s been waiting for his chance and is not going down without a fight. Add in a bomb expert with a major grudge, and our favorite Contraband Queen doesn’t stand a chance. This outing is much darker than the previous titles in the series, and though the humor is still there, When a Man Loves a Weapon pushes the series into more of a romantic suspense category than before. I think it shows that Causey is just going to continue to get better and better. A must-read. 08/09 Becky Lejeune

When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka: This tiny book packs a big emotional wallop. This is a story about a Japanese-American family living in Berkeley, California during World War II. The father is arrested and sent to a New Mexico prison. A few weeks later, the mother and children are sent to an internment camp in Utah, and they, like the reader, never knows why any of this happens. We are never told the family member’s names, and the story is told very matter-of-factly and without too many grisly details, which just made it all the more powerful for me. Their day-to-day existence is bleak while in the camp, but the harsh realities of freedom don’t come any easier after they are released. The lyrically written final chapter sadly illustrates that this family’s story is really the story of every Japanese-American family that was living in America during the early 1940s. When the Emperor Was Divine is a beautiful homage to an ugly and shameful piece of American history. Don’t miss it.

WHEN THE LAST MAGNOLIA WEEPS by Mary Saums: Willi Taft has multiple challenges this Christmas – a series of warehouse thefts, a murdered priest, and a defaced statue of a civil war general. Who says being a PI is boring? Decisions, decisions, decisions. Okay, lets set the warehouse theft case aside for the next book, focus on the murdered priest since a friend is a suspect there, and in the meantime be on the lookout for anyone dastardly enough to paint a Santa Claus suit on the general, and put wooden reindeer antlers and a shiny red nose on his horse. The plot thickens. The priest isn’t who he said he was, and neither are some of the others. All the mysteries eventually are solved, except the warehouse thefts, and Willi’s life is forever changed. Lets just hope this is not the last we see of her. Recommended. 06/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

WHEN WILL THERE BE GOOD NEWS? by Kate Atkinson: Jackson Brodie was trying to return to London after a secret trip north to meet the boy he believes is his son. He hops a train, but soon finds that he’s headed in the wrong direction, then the absolute worst happens. The train is derailed and Brodie almost dies. Sixteen-year-old Regina (Reggie) Chase just happens to be in the area when the accident occurs. With her quick thinking and first-aid training, she manages to revive Brodie long enough for the paramedics to arrive. Meanwhile, Reggie’s employer, Dr. Joanna Hunter has learned that the man who murdered her family thirty years ago has just been released from prison. Detective Chief Inspector Louise Monroe is the sad bearer of that news and suggests that Joanna leave town until the expected media frenzy runs down. Louise’s involvement though, is a result of Joanna’s husband and the investigation into his business practices. All four of their stories collide in a most unexpected way. This carefully constructed mystery is a complete surprise for readers. Each character and their respective tales are like pieces of a puzzle, by the end of the book they fit together perfectly. This is my first Kate Atkinson, but it is the third to feature Brodie. It can, as far as I can tell, be read as a complete stand-alone quite easily. 09/08 Becky Lejeune

WHERE THE DEAD LAY by David Levien: PI Frank Behr returns in this follow-up to Levien’s debut, City of the Sun. When Frank discovers his Jiu-jitsu mentor dead, murdered in his own studio, he becomes blinded to everything but the case. Meanwhile, a high-end agency has hired Behr to look into the disappearance of two of its agents. Behr discovers that the two cases share a common link and becomes determined to solve it, no matter the cost. The investigation leads him to a ring of illegal suburban gambling houses and one twisted family hiding a secret. Levien’s sophomore release is a good mystery and a worthwhile read. Where the Dead Lay doesn’t quite pack the punch that City did, but in some ways it is a heavier read. Levien adds more layers to his hero and will leave readers wondering what comes next. 07/09 Becky Lejeune

WHERE WE BELONG by Emily Giffin: I listened to the audio book version, read by Orlagh Cassidy, who did an excellent job. Marian Caldwell has it all; fantastic job producing a hit TV show, a gorgeous NYC apartment, a good looking and powerful boyfriend. Her life takes a sudden turn with a late night knock on her door; the baby she gave up for adoption eighteen years earlier has found her. Kirby is 18 and legally gains access to her file. She decides she wants to meet her biological parents but only gets her mother’s name. Turns out Marian never told the father she was pregnant, in fact she lied and told him she wasn’t. Meeting Kirby has stirred up all sorts of problems; Marian never told her boyfriend about having a baby, and he’s pissed, especially when she tells him the father never knew either. The only one she told was her mother, who swore she wouldn’t tell her father. This bed of lies starts unraveling, turning their lives inside out and forcing Marian and Kirby to appreciate each other and their families. I couldn’t put it down but was disappointed with the ambiguous ending. 7/13 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE by Maria Semple: Bernadette Fox is a world renown, award winning architect who disappears into the Seattle suburbs with her equally brilliant husband, a Microsoft guru. Their daughter Bee chronicles most of this epistolary novel with first person narrative interspersed with emails, legal documents, and such. Bee attends a private school, and when she aces her semester claims her prize; a trip to Antarctica. Bernadette is getting progressively more agoraphobic, and the thought of traveling frightens her. She’s hired a woman in India via the Internet as a sort of personal assistant to handle all of the things Bernadette no longer can bear to do. But as the trip approaches, Bernadette’s behavior becomes so odd that her husband is forced to act, which ultimately triggers Bernadette’s flight. She disappears, leaving her daughter heartbroken but determined to find her. Bee’s voice is charming and compelling, and this is ultimately the story of a mother daughter relationship in a world gone mad. I loved it. 1/13 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHICH BRINGS ME TO YOU by Julianna Baggott & Steve Almond: The debate rages on: can you call a book “chick lit” when the author is a guy? How about if only one of the authors is a guy? This is an epistolary novel about Jane and John, who meet at a wedding. Just as they are about to get intimate, he decides he likes her too much to go through with it, and they decide to try and get to know each other first – through letters. Not even email, but through regular snail mail letters. They return to their respective homes in NY and Philadelphia and commence writing. They tell each other everything, and still they continue. Lots of sexy letters, some amateur psychoanalysis and frankly, it’s rather like being a voyeur, peering over someone’s shoulder and reading their mail. Lots of fun. 06/06 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHILE DROWNING IN THE DESERT by Don Winslow: Another “Don Winslow Lite” outing for Neal Carey. Cary is a reluctant operative for the Friends of the Family, a private investigation firm owned by “The Bank” in Providence, R.I. for the benefit of their wealthier clients. This time Neal is sent to Las Vegas to pick up one 86 year old Nathan Silverstein and return him to his California home. Turns out Silverstein is actually the aging, legendary vaudeville comedian Natty Silver. Neal thinks the most dangerous part of the assignment is being forced to listen to Silver’s shtick nonstop. (Says Silver, I was the one who taught Costello the Who’s on First? Routine). Turns out there are some bad guys after Silver – Heinz, a German money-launderer, and his Lebanese sidekick, Sami, who’s dumber than wood. Meanwhile, Neal’s girl, Karen, is in a raging hurry for marriage and motherhood; and Hope White (billed as “The Great Hope White”), a Vegas performer no longer as young as she once was, is rekindling an old torch for Natty. Neal isn’t a tough guy, but he’s pretty lucky. Lucky enough to find water in the sand and ferry the irascible Natty to safety. 08/10 Jack Quick

WHILE GALILEO PREYS by Joshua Corin: The bodies pile up faster than you can count in this serial killer thriller with political and religious overtones. Former FBI profiler Esme Stuart is caught in the middle after closing the door on her promising FBI career with her marriage to Rafe Stuart and move to Long Island to start a family. Her mentor and ex-boss Tom Piper needs her back to find the link to this madman. Doing so endangers her marriage, her life, and the lives of her husband and daughter Sophie. Corin overplays the career versus family conflict but all in all an acceptable thriller with a deliciously twisty ending. 08/11 Jack Quick

WHILE I DISAPPEAR by Ed Wright: In his second outing, John Ray Horn, a disgraced former movie cowboy and ex-con walks the mean streets of post-WWII Los Angeles in search of the brutal killer who snuffed out the life of Rose Galen, a faded leading lady who co-starred in one of Horn’s films. A shameful secret from the victim’s past forces Horn to challenge the official theory of the crime-that the killing was a random act. Aided by his current boss (and former faithful movie sidekick) Joseph Mad Crow, Horn pounds the pavement and reaches out to old friends to identify the source of Galen’s guilty conscience. 04/06 Jack Quick

WHIPLASH RIVER by Lou Berney: Shake Bouchon has left behind his life of crime and is the proud owner of his very own restaurant. Located in tropical Belize, Shake is confident that he can make it work – and he has to considering he owes a ton of cash to the local drug boss, Baby Jesus, in return for the loan it took to buy the restaurant in the first place. So when someone comes in shooting up the place, Shake knows it’s going to be bad for business. Unfortunately, after playing hero in the event, he finds himself the target of an assassin. When the restaurant goes up in flames, literally, Shake knows he’s got to get out of town quick. Thankfully he has made one friend in the ordeal: Quinn, the man whose life he saved in the shootout. It’s Quinn who turns Shake onto a heist that could bring in some big bucks. Unable to resist, Shake calls on his ex to lend a hand and soon finds himself and his entourage in Egypt planning said job. But can Shake shake those who are after him and get the girl and the cash? This is the second in Berney’s new series but it reads just fine on its own. His style is quick and the dialogue in particular is snappy and funny. Whiplash River is a fun caper mystery that begs to be read in one sitting. 8/12 Becky Lejeune

WHISPERS UNDER GROUND by Ben Aaronovitch: The murder of a US Senator’s son in London stinks of something supernatural, so of course Peter Grant has been called in to investigate. As a representative of the Folly, Peter’s job involves anything with a suspected magical slant. With the newly apprenticed Lesley by his side, Peter follows the leads straight to London’s underground and beyond. But according to his governor, there’s nothing strange in London’s multitude of below ground tunnels. Even the River sisters whose waterways crisscross the very same tunnels have reported nothing untoward in their territory. Undeterred, Peter soon finds evidence of something very strange indeed, something that places this case firmly in Folly purview. Aaronovitch continues to gain traction as the series continues, adding to an already fabulous premise and also expanding on the overall arc of the story with the mystery of the faceless man and the continued investigation into Folly enemies. 8/12 Becky Lejeune
WHIRLWIND by Joseph Garber: Charlie McKenzie is the best – even though he is now disgraced, dismissed and discarded, he is still the best. So when a secret weapon called Whirlwind is stolen by a gorgeous Russian spy Irina, the establishment has no choice but to bring him back. Charlie and Irina are the main characters but there is no absence of villains including a corrupt national security adviser and an evil South African mercenary who are also pursuing Irina. It’s pure escapism, but very nicely done and suspenseful to the very end. Of course there are plot holes if you look closely enough, and enough coincidences to also strain credibility, but hey, when a guy moons the national Security Advisor and threatens to do the same with the President, why can you not go along. Highly recommended. 10/08 Jack Quick

WHISKEY AND WATER by Nina Wright: Not a bad cozy once you get past the cutesy names. The protag is Realtor Whiskey Mattimoe who has a new shitzapoo pup named Velcro and an Afghan hound named Abra (cadabra?). Then, there’s MacArthur the hunky Scotsman, self help author Fenton Flagg, and one Jeb Halloran, who promotes a hormonal reaction from Whiskey, along with other assorted characters. The town of Magnet Springs, Michigan is already uneasy, what with the sightings of former mayor Gil Gruen who drowned last winter (in a previous Whiskey Mattimoe outing) when Abra happens on a crime scene on the shores of Lake Michigan. The victim is Twyla Rendel, newly hired cashier at the Food Duck grocery and tenant in one of Mattimore’s properties. Was Twyla the victim of a rip tide or some other cause? As with most series cozies, all is well at the end in preparation for round five. 06/08 Jack Quick

Whiskey Sour: A Jack Daniels Mystery by J.A. Konrath: I wanted something to escape into, that would make me laugh but even more importantly, keep me turning the pages, and this sure fit the bill. This new series features a Chicago police lieutenant named Jacqueline Daniels, Jack for short – she’s single, middle-aged, and definitely has some history. The story revolves around a serial killer called The Gingerbread Man, who is not only is on a killing spree, he is torturing his victims before killing them, a definite gruesome and gore alert. The secondary characters are well drawn and real, the setting somehow makes Chicago seem intimate, and the story flows. Konrath did a great job, it is so well written that it is hard to believe this is a first novel. Check out the author’s website, http://www.jakonrath.com/ for an excerpt.

WHISKEY SOUR by J. A. Konrath: Chicago Police Department Lieutenant Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels has a particularly gruesome series of homicides on her plate. The “Gingerbread Man” is torturing and killing attractive young women, and then leaving their bodies in very public places. Somewhat uneven and certainly not breaking any new ground, hopefully Konrath, like good Tennessee whiskey, will improve with age. 05/06 Jack Quick

A WHISPER TO THE LIVING by Stuart Kaminsky: Unfortunately Stuart Kamisnky died in the fall of 2009, so A Whisper to the Living is probably our last look at Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov, an honest policeman in a very dishonest post-Soviet Union. Rostnikov and his team are searching for a serial killer who has claimed at least 40 victims. Also on their plate is the job of protecting a visiting British journalist who is working on a story about a Moscow prostitution ring. In the middle of all this Rostnikov and his team uncover a chain of murders that lead to a source too high to be held accountable if the police want to keep their jobs or their lives. A typically good Kaminsky read with an eerie title, under the circumstances. If this is the end of the series, it is a fitting one. 01/10 Jack Quick

THE WHISPERER by Donato Carrisi: Mila Vasquez’s specialty is finding the missing. And so, when a mass burial site containing six human arms is discovered, Mila is called in to help. Each of the arms belongs to one of five missing girls. No one knows who the sixth might be. Criminalist Goran Gavila and his team are assigned the case, but Mila is expected to be the key to solving it. Together they will work to unravel a crime that is so heinous and twisted, it will turn all their worlds around. The idea of a killer who never lifts a finger in the act of the crime is disturbing and Carrisi’s twists make it even more so. The Whisperer is dark – really, really dark. It’s definitely one that stays with you long after you put it down. Originally published in 2009, The Whisperer has made its way around Europe before landing on shelves in the States. Hopefully we’ll all be seeing more from this author very soon. 2/12 Becky Lejeune

WHITE by Christopher Whitcomb: This is a follow-up to Whitcomb’s first novel, Black. Hopefully he has good color sense because this is another first rate techno-thriller. Three simultaneous bombings rock the United States. As the President goes on the air to calm the nation, three foreign airline jumbo jets crash at different American airports. In Indonesia, a CIA black operation against a terrorist cell is successful, but three of the six terrorists are good old- fashioned American boys. Post 9/11 elevates to a higher gear with evidence that active support for the Islamic Jihad is coming from within the United States. Special Agent Jeremy Waller from Black has his work cut out for him in this one, as the trail leads all the way to the White House. 09/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

The White by Deborah Larsen, Knopf: Larsen is a poet and short story writer. This is her first novel. Mary Jemison’s capture in 1758 by a Shawnee raiding party is a story that is well known, but under Larsen’s skilled hand it is fresh, intriguing, full of life and beautiful details. I loved the authenticity that Larsen brought to living on the land. The destruction of Mary’s family and her adoption into the world of the Seneca will challenge you . . . and would make a great book to discuss with a group. PS: Larsen herself is an interesting story: she was a nun who left the convent in the 1960’s and her next book will be a non-fiction memoir which I can’t wait to read! ~This review contributed by Ann Nappa

A WHITE ARREST by Ken Bruen: This 2003 offering from Ken Bruen has stood up well in the past decade. Two cops, sixty-two year old Chief Inspector Roberts and his partner, the gleefully brutal Detective Sergeant Brant, after looking for the policemen’s dream: the White Arrest, a high-profile success that makes up for all their past failures. When a bat-wielding lunatic starts lynching drug dealers, Roberts and Brant find the publicity they were looking for. They’ll get their arrest—no matter who they have to pummel through on the way. As with all Bruen, not for the faint of heart, this is not so much a police procedural as a crime procedural, and a good one. 2/13 Jack Quick

THE WHITE DEVIL by Justin Evans: Andrew Taylor screwed up. His college acceptances have been revoked and now he’s given one last chance to clean up his act and get back on track when his father sends him overseas to Harrow School. The four-hundred-year-old British private school has played host to foreign statesmen, eight former Prime Ministers, even royalty… and Lord Byron. It is this famed alumni who is the subject of a play in progress at Harrow and Andrew, who everyone says looks remarkably similar to the poet, is picked to play the lead. But when Andrew witnesses the murder of a friend and classmate, everything at Harrow starts to go wrong. The coroner says the dead student was very sick, but Andrew knows what he saw. And when the murderer appears to him again, Andrew decides he must find out the truth—the truth about the famous Lot ghost and the truth about his friend’s death. This is just Evans’s second novel, but as with A Good and Happy Child, he’s managed to create another completely enthralling tale this time in a modern gothic style with a supernatural twist and famous literary characters. 05/11 Becky Lejeune

WHITE HORSE by Alex Adams: They called the virus White Horse, in honor of the apocalypse it brought with it. Most of the population died of the infection, a small portion appeared to be immune, and the rest became horribly mutated creatures, barely resembling the humans they once were. Before it all came crashing down, Zoe Marshall was just a cleaner at Pope Pharmaceuticals. Recently widowed, Zoe’s main concern was what to do next. Then the jar appeared. An innocent enough container slipped into her apartment while she wasn’t there. The appearance coincides with some of the first deaths, but Zoe is too afraid to see what’s inside. Now, not only does she seem to be immune, but she’s also carrying a child. In the wake of the outbreak, Zoe travels to Europe, following the small shred of a clue that may lead her to the father of her unborn baby. White Horse is an amazing debut. The tale transitions back and forth between the beginning of the outbreak—what led up to Zoe’s current quest—and Zoe’s present. Alex Adams’s writing is poetic even at the most horrific moments of the story. 4/12 Becky Lejeune

THE WHITE LEAGUE by Thomas Zigal: Paul Blanchard and Mark Morvant are college roommates at Tulane University in New Orleans, when both are involved in a tragedy which they cover up. Now in the 1990’s, Blanchard is the respected CEO of the Blanchard family coffee business and a progressive Southerner. Morvant is a white supremacist candidate for governor who threatens to tell all, unless Blanchard not only supports his effort, but enlists the wealthy businessmen from the White League, a secret society that wields great behind the scenes power in New Orleans to back him as well. I’d call this modern Southern gothic if I had to categorize it with overtones of Greg Isles and just a hint of James Lee Burke. With lines like, “New Orleans – The Catholics built it, the Jews own it and the niggers enjoy it,” it’s not pretty but I found it an interesting read which perhaps would have been even better as a prequel to Burke’s The Tinroof Blowdown. 08/07 Jack Quick

THE WHITE MARY by Kira Salak: Marika Vecera is a young war reporter driven by the danger experienced during her assignments. During a trip to the Congo, she is held captive by rebel soldiers and barely escapes with her life. She returns to the States, battered and beaten, mentally worn. Upon her return, she discovers that her idol/mentor Robert Lewis, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, has committed suicide. She devotes her life for the next several months to writing his biography. During her research, she discovers evidence that indicates Lewis is still alive, living in a remote village in Papua New Guinea. Drawn to the possibility that Lewis is still alive, Marika embarks on a journey not knowing what she will find. Her guide is Tobo, a medicine man, provides her with guidance along the way. During this journey, Marika learns a lot about humankind, and more importantly, herself. The White Mary is an incredibly powerful and empowering tale about one woman’s dedication to her career. While the scenes detailing the atrocities that are occurring clear across the world are difficult to read at times, the end result gives you an appreciation for all that we have as inhabitants of the “civilized” world. 08/08 Jennifer Lawrence

THE WHITE MARY by Kira Salak: Journalist Marika Vecera has made her career traveling to some of the world’s most dangerous war-torn countries in search of her next story. When she learns that her idol, famed journalist Richard Lewis, has died as the result of a suicide, she decides to write his life story in hopes of learning what could possibly have caused him to take his own life. Just a few months into her project, however, Marika receives information that leads her to believe that Lewis may in fact still be alive. A missionary stationed in Papua New Guinea had attempted to contact Lewis’s sister claiming that he had seen Lewis in the jungles of New Guinea. Lewis’s sister had written the man off as a flake, but Marika is not so sure. Marike decides to travel to Papua New Guinea herself in an attempt to learn the truth. Her journey is harrowing and at times utterly gruesome. It’s scary and humbling to think that much of Marika’s adventures both in Papua New Guinea and in her job as a journalist are actually based on Kira Salak’s own experiences. Salak alternates chapters between Marika’s current journey and her experiences that led her there, allowing the reader insight into her emotional motivations as well as her physical travels. An amazing read that will absorb and consume readers. 08/08 Becky Lejeune

WHITE NOISE by Don DeLillo: When I first read White Noise twenty-five years ago, I felt that it was an important book and Don DeLillo was an author I should follow. The novel seemed to me to be an amazingly clever and effective satire of our society in the United States in general and of the academic community in particular. I have read most of what Mr. DeLillo has written since that time and not felt myself as moved by these subsequent books. So I was particularly anxious to read White Noise again upon its 25th anniversary re-publication. I am pleased to report that not only has it withstood the test of time, but its messages may be even more relevant to our current society.

The main character in the novel, Jack Gladney, is a college professor in an archetypical small town. He is the creator and head of the Department of Hitler Studies within the college’s cultural studies division. He is envied by his peers for having created an entirely new discipline (despite his secretly never having learned to speak German). The interactions of Jack and his colleagues underline the potential for vacuity in such studies – a seminar in car crash movies, for example. And although these academics speak with heavy portent, the content of their discussion is almost always without significance. Surely, that has relevance to our present society in which the communications industry wants “content” rather than ideas and financial institutions are selling “product” rather than investments.
One theme of the book is the ever-present noise in our society. The “white noise” discussed by DeLillo’s book involves television and radio and commercial messages. Surely, the noise level is even higher (and less meaningful) today with the internet, social networking, iPods, texting and twittering. In this day and age, White Noise seems not just relevant but prescient.
A second major theme is the fear of death. Jack is exposed to probably lethal chemicals during an “airborne toxic event.” This airborne toxic event is at the core of the story – Jack and his family first hear about it simply as a part of the noise, then they can see it drawing closer, then they are ordered to evacuate. Subsequently, Jack is told by his doctor that, at some point, the substance he has ingested will kill him.
Jack’s wife, Babette, has an obsessive fear of death of her own. This leads her to submit to a sad and sleazy affair with the manufacturer of an illegal drug designed to control the fear of death. The juxtaposition of “white noise” and the fear of death poses the question of whether we generate this white noise simply to avoid that fear.
I don’t know if I would call White Noise a classic, but it is a good work-out for your brain and surely a book that you should read. 03/10 Geoffrey R. Hamlin
WHITE MEAT by Peter Corris: “She’s a blonde, thin, a bitch and a bloodsucker. She acts freaked out, you know? But she’s really ice-cool. Know what we call her down here?” Hardy shook his head. “White Meat.” Noni is the missing, beautiful, spoiled daughter of Hardy’s bookie, Ted Tarleton. Tarleton wants her found and is willing to pay for his wishes. Hardy is in that business and can stand a few knocks if it keeps him in tobacco and booze, even if it means taking on a killer of a case. Another strong outing for Australia’s foremost private enquiry agent. 12/07 Jack Quick

The White Road by Robert DeMaria: Set in the 1950’s, this finely written novel of friendship and love is both moving and thought provoking. The depth and personality of the characters were extremely satisfying, as were the historical references to the time period. A truly lovely book. Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHITE SHADOW by Ace Atkins: I have tried the Nick Travers series twice and couldn’t get into them. I thought this one would be different. It’s about the unsolved murder of real-life Tampa crime boss Charlie Wall in 1955. The plot turns on the quest to find the killer, taking detective Ed Dodge and a local reporter on a journey from Tampa’s Latin Quarter to pre-revolutionary Havana. I don’t know whether it’s my prior experience, excessive detail, too many characters or just my own Tampa experiences conflicting with Atkins’ remembrances, but I just couldn’t ever get into this one either, so laid it down near the half way point. 07/07 Jack Quick

WHITE SHOTGUN by April Smith: In the language of the mafias, a murder where the body is never found is called lupara bianco, or white shotgun. It is such a murder combined with the surfacing of a previously unknown half-sister that sends Ana Grey down the rabbit hole of an FBI undercover operation into one of the ‘mafias.’ Nicoli Nicosa, a new breed mafia associate who operates as a coffee magnate, is a primary person of interest for the FBI. When it becomes known that Nicosa’s wife, Cecilia, is a half-sister Ana never knew existed, and has reached out to Ana for an unknown reason, the FBI brass force Grey into a deep-cover op to gather intelligence. When Cecilia is kidnapped, Ana finds that a red sense of family inspires her to step outside the FBI and risk her career by working “off the books” with her sister’s mobster husband to bring Cecilia home. Enlisting the help of her ex-Delta-Force boyfriend, Sterling McCord, and a tactical force of recruited mercenaries, Ana hangs her life and career over the edge to recover her sister, dead or alive. Nicely done. 07/11 Jack Quick

White Teeth by Zadie Smith: Amazing first novel but didn’t live up to it’s hype, at least not for me. But then again, what book does? (Harry Potter excluded!) This book has been short listed for what seems like every award, without a win yet.

THE WHITE TIGER by Aravind Adiga: If not a “must read”, Aravind Adiga’s debut novel, The White Tiger, certainly qualifies as a “should read.” It was the recipient of this year’s Man Booker prize in the face of very stiff competition. (Salman Rushdie was not even short-listed). Adiga, who describes himself as influenced by Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, tells the story of Balgram, a precocious but extremely poor Indian child, who through use of his wits and a disturbing crime of opportunity, converts himself into a successful entrepreneur in the New India. The story is told in epistolary fashion in a series of letters to the premier of China in order to facilitate the premier’s understanding of India before he comes to visit. While it is told in humorous fashion, the magnitude of Indian poverty, corruption, and class restrictions are starkly outlined and a reminder to us all that even during times of economic miracles, many are left behind. And after his success, Balgram remains as invisible to the authorities as he was as a poor child in the keeping of a corrupt school master. 12/08 Geoffrey R. Hamlin

WHITE TIGER by Michael Allen Dymmoch: In 1992, Michael Allen Dymmoch won St. Martin’s contest for “best traditional mystery” for THE MAN WHO UNDERSTOOD CATS, which was anything but a “traditional” mystery. From the start, I’ve been a fan of this author and her series featuring John Thinnes and Jack Caleb.
Why isn’t it traditional? For one thing, a major focus of the book is the very real and hard-won friendship between the two men. Caleb, a psychiatrist is gay and Thinnes, a pretty traditional sort of guy, is a Chicago police detective. The stories often delve into real life issues, real life people and they have always made me think.
The newest book in the series is WHITE TIGER which was just nominated for a “Lammy Award” in the category of “Gay Men’s Mystery” from the Lambda Literary Foundation. The issue is Vietnam, which for many Americans still has enormous influence and consequence. Hue An Lee is found dead; twenty-five years ago, she mattered to Thinnes back in Saigon, where he served as an MP. His connections to her and her son Tien Lee, mean that he’s too close to investigate the murder. Caleb served as a medic, and the alternating stories of then and now from the perspectives of the two men, are at times fascinating, at times sorrowful. If you have no interest or understanding of this period of American history, WHITE TIGER might not appeal. But it’s not a diatribe, it’s not for or against the war or the Vietnamese people, it’s just a story of a time in people’s lives that had a huge impact, and how they all, separately and together, dealt with it and the ways in which the conflict still affects people.
Dymmoch always knows what she’s doing when she writes. The series isn’t flashy, but the books never fail to impress me and WHITE TIGER is no exception. 03/06 Andi Shechter

WHITEOUT by Ken Follett: When you are Ken Follett, even an “off work” is still pretty darn good. The setting is Scotland and the action revolves around Christmas at a pharmaceuticals company that makes antiviral drugs. Two doses of an experimental drug are missing, a technician and a lab rabbit are dead, the owner’s estranged son is planning to break into the lab because of his gambling debts, the female head of security is falling for the widowed owner whose daughter’s are on the edge of a husband swapping episode. In the middle of this soap opera a pretty good actual mystery breaks out and is eventually resolved. Unfortunately the characters are not as fully developed as they could be and the plot is quite predictable. Not his best effort, but still readable. 10/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

WHITEWASH by Alex Kava: Sabrina Galloway’s once close-knit family has crumbled in the wake of her mother’s death. Her father has had himself committed to an institution and her brother has seemingly disappeared, so Sabrina has dropped everything to move to Florida and be closer to her father. A position in the lab at EchoEnergy and participation in what could be the greatest scientific achievement of the century is something Sabrina is excited to be a part of. EchoEnergy has come up with a way to accelerate oil production through special processing of meat by-products. This new technology promises to free the United States from its dependency on other countries for oil. Sabrina is surprised and worried, however, when she discovers that EchoEnergy’s innovative processing plan may not be working quite as expected. Her boss, the man who developed the technology, has gone missing and no one else seems to be concerned with her discovery. Then, Sabrina witnesses the murder of a co-worker and news reports are calling her the killer. It looks as if someone has taken her suspicions seriously after all and means to shut her up permanently. Kava is well known for her profiling series featuring FBI agent Maggie O’Dell. Whitewash, an eco/political thriller, is her first stand-alone. The plot is interesting and the political aspect is not so heavy that the average reader will feel bogged down. Fans will love it and it’s the perfect opportunity for new readers to give Kava a try. 06/07 Becky Lejeune

WHO IS SHAYLA HACKER? by Evan Kilgore: Five different people – a lonely systems analyst in a large city, a 17 year small-town girl abandoned by an older brother, a groom who is a self mutilator who abandons his wife on their wedding day, a retiring police detective, and a female blue collar contractor working to renovate an airport terminal. All are connected by a single question – Who is Shayla Hacker? Thus begins a strange journey in a book I personally found fascinating. Driven by an obsession the five strangers don’t fully understand they cross the country and the world, passing through each other’s lives, in search of a girl and an answer. In spite of being warned off by authorities they continue until the answer is finally revealed, or is it? An unusual and very enjoyable outing. 07/07 Jack Quick

THE WHOLE TRUTH by David Baldacci: Viral marketing is a marketing technique that uses pre-existing social networks to achieve marketing objectives through self-replicating viral processes, analogous to the spread of pathological and computer viruses. It can be word-of-mouth delivered or enhanced by the network effects of the Internet. When the huge advertising and lobbying budget of mega-defense contractor, Ares Corporation, seem to be losing its effectiveness, Nicholas Creel, the billionaire founder of the company, decides to use viral marketing to generate new demand. As he says, “I’m not interested in wars that stop at a hundred days or devolve into gloried gangland street fights. That doesn’t even pay the light bill.” Starting by planting fake news stories on the Internet about Russian atrocities, the propaganda campaign soon turns violent with the massacre of the members of a London think tank, the Phoenix Group, apparently by a Russian hit team. It’s all high tech and high suspense, with only a shadowy operative named A. Shaw and a disgraced female journalist to thwart Creel’s evil plot. Better leave the lights on for this one which is reminiscent of some of the early Robert Ludlum thrillers. 05/09 Jack Quick

WICKED APPETITE by Janet Evanovich: For the past few years, Evanovich has been serving up a smaller, lighter version of her Stephanie Plum books called “Between the Numbers” novels, all based around holiday themes, i.e. Plum Spooky, Visions of Sugar Plums, and so forth. The major differences between the regular Plum books and these were size (these were 200 page books) and a supernatural character named Diesel. This new book is based on that character.
Diesel is an “unmentionable” giving him certain powers like the ability to open any locked door by merely touching it. He’s also a very hot blonde, with a dark, sexy cousin, Gerwulf Grimoire, who is his evil counterpart. In this novel he shows up in Salem, Massachusetts, at the home of Elizabeth Tucker, cupcake baker extraordinaire. Turns out she’s an unmentionable too, only she didn’t know it. Diesel is on the search for stones that represent the “7 Deadly Sins” so that he can keep them safe from his cousin. The first, gluttony, is supposed to be in Salem. Lots of Plum-inspired hijinks ensue as they hunt down the stone.
I enjoyed this book as it showcased Evanovich humor without the usual cast of characters. I liked the new characters; Tucker, a young, single woman who has inherited an old ramshackle house from a dead relative; Clara, her boss at the bakery; Glo, a co-worker who keeps trying out spells from a book she bought, instead creating havoc; and the setting. Salem, home to the infamous witch trials and now a tourist trap replete with magic shops on every corner, seems like yet another character in this light, funny book. Whether or not you’ve grown tired of the Plum books, but still enjoy Evanovich humor, then this book is for you. 09/10 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WICKED AUTUMN by G. M. Malliet: When one of my favorite authors, in this case, Mary Kay Andrews, personally recommends a book, I tend to take it seriously and get that book quickly. Wicked Autumn is the first book of a new English mystery series featuring Max Tudor, a former MI5 agent turned vicar of St. Edwold’s in the charming little village of Nether Monkslip. Tudor is an intriguing character as are the rest of the inhabitants of this sleepy little town. When Wanda, the unpopular leader of the Women’s Institute, is found dead in the village hall during the Harvest Fayre, the annual charity she arranged, no one really seems to mourn her but her husband, leaving a list of suspects that looked suspiciously like the census list. This is a traditional cozy English mystery with a touch of humor found in these characters and a well constructed plot that for me gets bogged down a bit by all the description. Nonetheless, it is a charming story. 3/12 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WICKED BUSINESS by Janet Evanovich: This is the continuing saga of Lizzy and Diesel, those other-worldly characters in search of the missing stones representing each of the deadly sins. We met Diesel years ago in a “between the numbers” Stephanie Plum book but he has moved from New Jersey to Massachusetts. Part romance, part fantasy and part mystery, these books are entertaining if you are easily entertained. Luckily this was my week for mindless fluff and this worked for me. This book centers on the search for the stone representing Lust, but despite that there is no sex in this book, just a hint of longing now and then. There are regular characters, and in this case by regular I mean reoccurring, because there is nothing regular about Wulf, Diesel’s evil cousin, Glo, who thinks she is a wizard, and of course Diesel’s pet monkey who is brighter than most people I know. There is also a new character, Anarchy, a wild woman who is also after Wulf’s powers and the stone and has a penchant for torching buildings. The plot is simple, the mystery forgettable but there are some laughs here if you like Evanovich’s broad sense of humor, and I do. 8/12 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WICKED CITY by Ace Atkins: “WELCOME TO PHENIX CITY, Alabama, population 23,205. Located across the Chattahoochee River from Columbus, Georgia we offer all the basic amenities of small town Southern life. There’s Cobb’s Barber Shop, where kindly grey-headed gentlemen discuss local politics and current affairs between the buzz of the clippers and local radio ag reports. And we have the friendly Elite Café, where Mr. Ross Gibson will cook you up the best plate of eggs and grits with red-eye gravy you ever tasted. We have a Bentley’s Grocery Store, the Phenix City Pharmacy, and the wonderful Palace Theatre, where on Saturdays a kid can get in for fifty cents and watch the latest B westerns or the new adventure of Francis the Talking Mule. Phenix City also boasts Idle Hour Amusement park – you can take a miniature train from downtown into the hills and roller-skate, bowl, and swim. There is even a little zoo there with bears and lions and monkeys. All of this mixed with dozens of churches, Christian and civic clubs, and one of the best hospitals in east Alabama make Phenix City an ideal place for the family. Not to mention the world-famous nightclubs, clip joints, and brothels. Phenix City is probably best known for its whores.” Thus begins Atkins’ fictional account of the cleanup of Phenix City, which began after the state Attorney General-elect Albert Patterson, was shot and killed on June 18, 1954, after running a campaign to clean up Phenix City (He was succeeded by his son who carried out his father’s plan). Larger than life characters include Ex-boxer and appointed sheriff Lamar Murphy, opposed by crooked Deputy Bert Fuller, Madame (in the traditional sense) Fannie Belle, and the redneck mafia determined to keep Phenix City sinful and profitable. Although the ending is obvious, the journey is most enjoyable, particularly if you have a personal interest in the area, as I, a native Alabamian do. 05/08 Jack Quick

WICKED PREY by John Sandford: All books give you a sense of time and place, sometimes generic and sometimes specific. Sandford’s latest is very specific – the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, MN. For Lucas Davenport the headaches are just beginning. In addition to the usual assortment of protestors and hangers-on associated with this kind of event, Lucas has a crew of professional stickup men in town who’ve spotted several lucrative opportunities, ranging from political moneymen with briefcases full of cash to that armored-car warehouse with the weakness in its security system. A while back, a stray bullet put a pimp and petty thief named Randy Whitcomb in a wheelchair, and, ever since, the man has been nursing his grudge into a full head of psychotic steam. He blames Davenport for the bullet, but it’s no fun just shooting him. That wouldn’t be painful enough. Not when Davenport has a pretty fourteen-year-old adopted daughter that Whitcomb can target instead. And then there’s the young man with the .50 caliber sniper rifle and the right- wing-crazy background, roaming through a city filled with the most powerful politicians on earth. This may be the wildest “prey” yet, certainly one of the most adrenaline filled. Go for it, even if you are a Democrat. 07/09 Jack Quick

WIDE OPEN by Deborah Coates: Hallie Michaels has just ten days to find out what happened to her sister, Dell. Rumor has it that Dell committed suicide, but Hallie knows that can’t be the case. With Dell’s ghost trailing along, Hallie becomes determined to discover the truth behind her sister’s death. As more ghosts follow, it becomes clear that something strange is going on in Grand Rapids. While Wide Open has its own clear conclusion, it helps knowing that it’s just part of a larger story. What comes next for Hallie and her ghosts is unclear, but Coates has definitely created an intriguing heroine and a “wide open” range of possibilities for the follow up titles. 3/12 Becky Lejeune

THE WIDOW’S STRIKE by Brad Taylor: Number four in a series about a secret US government group designated as the Taskforce and Pike Logan who leads one of the squads in that group. Like the first three books Widow’s Strike is fast, engrossing and presents an operation described by a retired Delta Force officer that infuses it with a reality not available in many other novels about Special forces clandestine work. Pike, and his partner Jennifer Cahill own a business that designs protective systems for companies around the world which really gives them entree to travel freely doing Taskforce work. There is a developing romantic interest between Pike and Jennifer, but so far in the series is in the background. Jennifer works with Pike’s squad on missions and does the work of others in the group and with her fellows puts herself in harm’s way. A mutation of a deadly virus has fallen into the hands of a rogue group of Iranians who are determined to use it against the United States as punishment for daring to prohibit their country from developing nuclear weapons. Their chosen method of delivery is to use a Black Widow, a Chechen woman part of a group of suicide bombers, with a reputation for mass slaughter unrivaled in other groups. Pike and his group follow the Black Widow and her control officer across Southeast Asia and eventually into the US in order to stop them. Action is constant with no let up in chasing down the threats and working around the many obstacles placed in the Taskforce’s path. Brad Taylor has been in many of the places that his characters go to, and is very conversant with black operations and the reactions of the people taking part in them. A plus in this book is the characterization of the woman who is the Black Widow. Taylor goes into her thoughts and feelings and does a very credible job of fleshing out a person that is going to kill herself in order to kill others to life. We manage to get an idea of why she is there and why she continues to move towards her mission with the certain knowledge that she will not survive it. Book five in the series is a given and will undoubtedly prove as exciting as the first four when it comes out. 7/13 Paul Lane

WIFE 22 by Melanie Gideon: This book has garnered quite a bit of buzz and it is most deserving. And if the title, Wife 22, brings to mind that classic, Catch 22, it should; in “Q&A with Author Melanie Gideon” on Amazon.com, Gideon says she thinks of marriage as a “catch 22”. And so it is in this quirky epistolary novel about a couple who have been married for almost twenty years. Alice is feeling sort of stuck in a rut; she knows William loves her but is he bored with her? Is she bored with him? When Alice receives an email asking her to participate in a marriage study, she signs up and is assigned the anonymous moniker, “Wife 22” and is asked questions, via email, by the also anonymous “Researcher 101”. As the study goes on, Alice gets to relive the highlights and lowest points of her marriage and starts to have feelings for her researcher. Will they meet? Is she ready for an affair? Using emails, Facebook postings and such to propel the story along brings a fresh twist to this examination of marriage in the twenty-first century, along with a lot of laughs, and a lot of heart. These characters spring to life on the page and we can’t help but get emotionally invested. I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. 6/12 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WIFE 22 by Melanie Gideon: Alice and William have been married for almost twenty years. The spark has become something of a fizzle of late and Alice isn’t sure what to do. When she receives an email regarding participation in a survey study on marriage in the 21st century, Alice signs up. Her anonymous contributions as Wife 22 allow Alice to look back at her relationship and remember the things that brought her and William together. Her online conversations with Researcher 101 (her anonymous contact at the study) makes Alice realize what’s missing in her relationship—just the kind of interest and attention Researcher 101 has been paying to her. Is Alice’s marriage reaching its end or is it possible to start again? Wife 22 is a truly sweet and heartwarming read. I loved Alice and all of her quirks and paranoia. Gideon’s whole cast of characters shines. 6/12 Becky Lejeune

WILD LAWS by Jim Hansen: The ninth entry in the Laws series sends Denver homicide detective Bryson Coventry half way around the world to the mean streets of Hong Kong seeking a killer who has targeted a mysterious woman for death. It doesn’t take Coventry long to hook-up with a beautiful young Hong Kong detective. As his Denver homicide partner, Shalifa Netherwood says, “You’ve done this a thousand times, Bryson…you meet a woman and – bam. – everything else in the universe disappears.” Together Bryson and his Hong Kong cohort travel from the highest of high society haunts to the seediest underground hideaways to catch their prey. Throw in art and money, and s-e-x and you have the wildest Laws adventure yet. Not only is Coventry’s life potentially at stake – he may also lose his job in Denver. That would be a real bummer. And to top it off, Coventry isn’t even trying to solve the right crime. Can’t wait for the sequel to this one. 03/10 Jack Quick

THE WILD ROAD by Marjorie Liu: A woman wakes in a smoky hotel room with no memory of how she got there – no memories at all, actually. There are three dead bodies on the floor and a note pinned to her jacket that reads simply, “Run.” With nowhere to go and no other options, she escapes into the world outside. She ends up bumping into Lannes Hannelore, one of the few remaining gargoyles in the world. In spite of Lannes’s fear of letting anyone get to close, for reasons of his own, he feels compelled to help this woman. They soon find themselves on the run from an unknown assailant who seems to be able to find them anywhere they go. Their only solution is to track him down themselves and try to unravel the mystery of the woman’s identity along the way. The Wild Road is a steamy paranormal romance/mystery that reads like an adult fairytale. It is also the latest installment to Liu’s Dirk and Steele series. Dirk and Steele is a paranormal detective agency that links each book together. However, each title seems to focus on a new set of characters – readers can jump into the series at any point and skip around as much as they like without feeling at all lost. 11/08 Becky Lejeune

WILD THING by Josh Bazell: You should have no problem picking out this book at your local library or bookstore. Its the one with the international orange cover trimmed with bright white and egg yolk yellow. Inside the contents make the cover look tame. Dr. Lionel Azimuth, aka Dr. Peter Brown, aka former mob hit man Pietro Brnwa, is hired by a reclusive billionaire to go on an expedition looking for a legendary Loch Ness type monster in Minnesota. He sends along a sexy but self-destructive paleontologist to “assist” our hero. After working their way through an army of murderers, mobsters, and international drug dealers will they find the elusive lake monster? Better yet, will they even survive? If you enjoyed BEAT THE REAPER, you will love this follow-up. 3/12 Jack Quick

WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW? by Ed Gorman: Richard Conners, a notorious liberal in the small Iowa town of Black River Falls where PI and lawyer Sam McCain makes his living, shows up at McCain’s door, near death, and succumbs without naming his attacker. McCain has no faith in the investigative ability of local law enforcement, so he proceeds on his own. In short order, he’s also confronted with the deaths of a former FBI agent now fronting an anti-Communist organization and two other right-wing activists. Just as Ed McBain made the fictitious 87th precinct famous, Gorman has created a microcosm of late 1950’s America and populated it with interesting and sometimes offbeat characters who reflect the thoughts and conflicts of that time. A most enjoyable series. 01/10 Jack Quick

WILLING SPIRITS by Phyllis Schieber: Jane Hoffman and Gwen Baker have been friends for decades. Jane was there for Gwen when her husband, Theodore, left her to raise two young children alone. They’ve raised their children together and through the years their friendship has endured as well. Now, they are in their 40s and are facing larger, more painful crisis. Jane comes home early to find her husband, Arnold, in bed with another woman. Their marriage has never been a strong one. Arnold’s always been an empty shell of a man, more concerned about his needs than hers. And when Arnold attempts to walk right back into her life, rather than conceding to him like she’s done for their entire marriage, Jane begins to think first about what she wants. And when their daughter, Caroline, comes to her with news that will change their lives, Jane must be there to support her in a way her own mother was never able to do. Gwen has been in a relationship with Daniel, a married man, for several years. When he tells her that he’s going to leave his wife, she begins to wonder if this is what she really wants. She’d become used to having her own space, but now Daniel wants to move in with her. She can’t help but flash back to her marriage to Theodore and all she was forced to give up for that relationship. Is she ready to give up her independence again? Schieber tells an endearing tale about the friendship of two women. Despite the many challenges they each suffered in life, they never take for granted their friendship. Through the years as their friendship grows, they both discover a bit about themselves as well. Shieber’s lesson is an important one: value the needs of others but never forget the value of one’s self. 03/09 Jennifer Lawrence

THE WIND THROUGH THE KEYHOLE: A DARK TOWER NOVEL by Stephen King: As Roland, Eddie, Susannah, Jake, and Oy make their way from the Green Palace to Calla, they find themselves stuck in a massive stormfront. The Starkblast is so rare that it’s the stuff of legend: always headed up by an unusually warm front, the storm is a sudden and sharp drop in temperature paired with massive winds that leaves destruction and death in its wake. As Roland and his ka-tet take refuge in an abandoned city hall, Roland regales the group with two stories from his youth. The first is one of his earliest adventures as a gunslinger, tracking and facing down a murderous skin-changer. The second is a story called “The Wind Through the Keyhole,” an old tale Roland’s own mother used to read him as a child. In series order the book falls between Wizard and Glass and Wolves of the Calla, but it brings very little to the series itself. Instead, The Wind Through the Keyhole is a small taste of Mid-World but it’s a welcome return to the series nonetheless. 1/13 Becky Lejeune

WINDWALKER by Natasha Mostert: In an attempt to escape from the memory of her brother’s recent death, photographer Justine Callaway takes a job as the caretaker of the English manor called Parradine Park. She knows nothing of the house’s dark history but is immediately drawn to the neglected estate. Justine soon finds herself becoming obsessed with events that took place in the home nearly a decade ago. Parradine Park was once the not so happy home of the Buchanan family. One evening, eldest son Adam snapped and murdered his own brother. Adam was never seen again. Unable to deal with the loss of her favorite son, their mother committed suicide and Adam’s sister abandoned the home shortly thereafter. Justine is haunted by this tale and to learn as much as she can about Adam Buchanan and the event that tore his family apart. Thousands of miles away, in a town called Kepler’s Bay, Adam Buchanan has made a new life for himself. He lives in almost complete solitude and never forgets the crime that caused this punishment. He does dream, however. Adam has long believed that his soul mate awaits him somewhere, in this life or the next. By strange coincidence, he happens across a magazine carrying and article about Justine. From that moment forward, he knows that she is the one. Will these two fated lovers meet or will their own tragic pasts keep them forever apart? As someone who does not typically read romance, I must say that this melancholy tale is very atypical to the genre. Mostert’s style is much more suitable to literary fiction and I think she would be much more appreciated there. I highly recommend Windwalker if you are looking for a great modern gothic read. 06/07 Becky Lejeune

WINGS TO THE KINGDOM by Cherie Priest: Eden Moore has been trying to keep her talent under wraps, but those seeking to connect with their dearly departed keep tracking her down anyway. When a friend mentions a recent spectral appearance at the Chickamauga battlefield, Eden’s curiosity is piqued. The area has always been host to a bevy of ghost stories but this latest stands out. A pair of professional ghost hunters has even come onto the scene to investigate. Then very real—and deadly—gunshots begin to once again ring out across the battlefield and Eden is caught in the crosshairs. Cherie Priest is admittedly one of my favorite authors. Her debut, and first in this series (Four and Twenty Blackbirds), was a chilling Southern ghost story and she doesn’t lose any steam in this second installment. Eden is a fantastic character and Priest makes excellent use of actual history and folklore in her tales, with some creative license of course. 12/10 Becky Lejeune

A WINTER HAUNTING by Dan Simmons: It’s been four decades since the summer when Dale and his friends fought evil in Elm Haven. Four decades since Duane McBride was murdered. Dale’s memories of that year are hazy at best, but after a failed suicide attempt, he’s decided that it’s time to return. His plan is to rent Duane’s old farmhouse and spend the next nine months writing his latest novel. But the farmhouse holds secrets as well as a lingering presence and Dale’s visit to his childhood hometown is plagued by strange events. Dale doesn’t believe in ghosts, but the alternative, that he might be finally losing his mind, is even worse. Simmons’s tales run the gamut from science fiction and horror to historical fiction and mystery, and each one I’ve read so far has been a complete masterpiece of fiction. I particularly love the atmosphere he’s able to build, which makes books like A Winter Haunting and its companion (they can each be read alone), Summer of Night, particularly chilling and exceptional horror reads. 03/11 Becky Lejeune

WITHER by Lauren DeStefano: After conquering cancer and creating a stronger, healthier generation of children through genetic manipulation, life expectancy strangely plummets: boys live to be twenty-five and girls live to be only twenty. No one has found a cure and many have lost hope altogether. To make matters worse, girls are being kidnapped and sold into polygamist marriages. Rhine and her twin brother Rowan have been taking care of each other since their parents died. At sixteen, they know that Rhine is at risk and their fears are realized when she is taken and forced to marry a wealthy Florida man. But Rhine is unwilling to play the role of token wife and breeder, and from day one, she begins hatching a plan for her escape. But Rhine never counted on becoming attached. She finds friends and allies in her fellow brides and a boy who works in the house, placing all of them in danger. A post-disaster, futuristic teen book that’s impossible to put down, Wither is definitely worth all of the hype. This first in the trilogy will leave readers breathless with anticipation of what will come next. 05/11 Becky Lejeune

WITHOUT MERCY by Lisa Jackson: Julia “Jules” Farentino is an unemployed twenty-five-year-old teacher battling the memories of her father’s murder. The nightmares and headaches were terrible enough to cause her issues at work, but it’s her sister who’s suffered the most. Shaylee’s behavior in recent years has landed her in enough trouble that she’s now been ordered to attend the Blue Rock Academy, a boarding school cut off from the outside world that is said to turn problem children around. In fact, the testimonials from past students and their parents would make the place seem like the perfect solution for Shay, but Jules is not convinced. A recent scandal involving one of the Academy’s teachers paired with a missing student who disappeared without a trace makes Jules certain that the school is hiding something sinister. Jules manages to obtain a teaching position at Blue Rock and arrives the same day that two students are attacked and left for dead on campus. Can Julia unravel the mystery of Blue Rock in time to save her sister or will she herself become a victim of whatever is stalking the campus? Lisa Jackson can always be relied upon for a thrilling read with plenty of twists. The surprise ending was bit expected and predictable, but didn’t make Without Mercy any less enjoyable. 04/10 Becky Lejeune

WICKED BREAK by Jeff Shelby: In his second outing, San Diego surfer PI Noah Braddock is hired by Peter Pluto to find Pluto’s brother Linc, a college student whose apartment has a stash of guns. In short order, Linc’s neighbor is shot, Pluto is killed, and Braddock is severely beaten. From there on out, its gangbangers and skinheads and lots of manly action. Throw in some love interest and a problem parent and you have a good fast read with some humor and plenty of action. Kind of what you would expect from a surfer PI. 08/06 Jack Quick

WICKED GAME by Jeri Smith-Ready: Ciara Griffin is a con-woman looking for a real job. She manages to get hired on as a Sales and Marketing intern at WMMP Radio. Unlike many stations out there today, WMMP’s djs really care about the music. You see they’re all vampires. Apparently, the vamps have a hard time letting go of the era in which they were alive and the station was set up to help them deal with the change in times – the music provides them something concrete that they can hold on to, which makes it easier for them to cope with the time that has past. The problem is this, the owner, a vamp herself, is looking to ensure her retirement and a big corporate conglomerate has offered to buy out the station which would leave the rest of the undead djs out of a job. Ciara is supposed to help figure out a way to boost the station’s popularity and bring in enough cash to discourage the sale. She does, but her plan involves outing the vamps themselves in hopes that it will prove to be a great marketing gimmick without actually convincing people that the undead really do walk among us. Unfortunately, her campaign is not so popular with other area vamps. Smith-Ready’s urban fantasy is both sharp and witty, Ciara is a spunky and sarcastically funny heroine, and the whole book is a fresh spin on the classic vampire mythology making it a stand-out title amongst its peers. 05/08 Becky Lejeune

WILD CRIMES edited by Dana Stabenow – Nicely done paperback anthology of eleven short stories of mystery set in the wild. Authors include Stabenow, Loren Estleman, Laurie King, and S.J. Rozan. A good “waiting room” book to kill those odd few minutes. For sure, it takes you away from “street crime.” 08/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

Wild Justice by Phillip Margolin: Very scary, gruesome thriller that kept me up half the night reading, then too scared to sleep! What more could you want from a book? Definitely his best work yet.

WILD JUSTICE By Phillip Margolin: Somebody gave me a well read paperback of this and told me I’d like it…
I did. This one is made a good read by the fact that it’s very much an ensemble piece. No one character in the thread of the story stands out. In fact, you actually find yourself rooting for the bad guy here in spots!.
No brief synopsis could describe what goes on in this one. Imagine part legal stuff, vs. some truly sick and motivated people, all with their own agendas and risks. Think along the lines of a print Robert Altman movie.
I have to admit that I figured out who the bad guy was early on.. But that’s only because I’ve been reading this stuff for nearly four decades. I know the signs when I see ’em. But this is a really good yarn, skillfully told from both the legal and action standpoints. And the interaction between all the sets, and subsets, of players makes this a unique thriller, one that does not depend on a sole hero, but allows ALL the players in the tale to have their fame or misfortune. This is a good one. 05/06 DOC

THE WIND-UP BIRD CHRONICLE by Haruki Murakami: First, Toru Okada’s cat goes missing. Then, Kumiko, his wife goes missing as well. Toru is told, both by Kumiko and her family, to leave her alone and grant her wish for a divorce. He is told that she has been seeing another man. Toru believes, however, that something is amiss. He believes that Kumiko is being held, against her wishes, and he vows to continue to search for her and win her back. Along the way, Toru meets some very unusual characters including his teenage neighbor who is recovering from an accident that caused the death of her boyfriend, a pair of psychic sisters, and an ex-military man who is finally ready to tell his story. All of the people that Toru meets will prepare him in some way for what ultimately needs to be done to discover the true fate of his wife. Murakami’s prose is both lyrical and bewitching. Each new character has his or her own tale to tell, creating little vignettes or breaks from Toru’s own story. This strange, and sometimes confusing, tale is one that will leave you guessing until the end. 03/07 Becky Lejeune

THE WINTER GHOSTS by Kate Mosse: Freddie never recovered from the loss of his older brother. In fact, Freddie found himself temporarily installed in a sanatorium after a nervous breakdown. When his car goes off the road in a remote part of the Pyrenees, Freddie manages to find shelter at an inn in a small mountain town. That evening, he attends a local celebration and meets an entrancing young woman. The following morning, however, all evidence of the woman is gone and Freddie finds himself in the throes of a terrible fever. No doubt others believe Freddie is of a delicate mental state, but surely the girl was not his imagination. As with Mosse’s other books, the inspiration for The Winter Ghosts lies in actual French history. This time, it’s the fourteenth-century massacre of the Cathars that is the basis for the tale. The Winter Ghosts is written in the style of a classic Victorian ghost story and is an intriguing read. 12/11 Becky Lejeune

WINTER MOON: Three novellas by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee and C. E. Murphy: This is one of those books that I would suggest, not facetiously, that if you like this sort of thing, you’ll like the book. Mercedes Lackey’s “Moontide” is a totally enjoyable story about a kingdom where power is up for grabs, marriages are made to cement relationships and the lead character, the king’s daughter, isn’t having any of it. There are overtones of Celtic/Irish lore and a “saturnine” “bearded” ally who seems vaguely Arabic, but it’s an interesting realm and a good adventure It didn’t need to be as long as a novella; I got it long before the story ended.
C.E. Murphy’s story, while set in my home of Seattle, bugged me; the character seemed far too young, whiny and immature to be a cop. The story relies too much on references to events that happened before this tale began and there are measly little errors that should have been fixed; “Tetris” does not involve anyone “dying horribly” and Indians do not have skin “as red as brick” – which any adult, especially a Seattle-based cop, should know. We have Indians here in Seattle. Go look. Okay, it’s in her imagination but I lost patience with her. And naming your car and insisting It’s a “her not an it”? Please.
And I apologize to the Tanith Lee fans; while her “The Heart of the Moon” seemed well-written as far as I got, it’s too spiritual and goddessy for my taste and I could not finish it. If you like stories about spirituality and power, if you were into moon goddess stuff back when, or even now, you’ll likely enjoy all of these tales more than I did. 10/05 ~This review contributed by Andi Shechter.

WINTERWOOD by Patrick McCabe: This disturbing novel is the story of one man’s sick obsession and eventual downward spiral into madness. Redmond Hatch hails from the mountain village of Slievenageeha, a place where it’s not unusual to hear more urban Irishmen refer to folk as being inbred and country, amongst other things. Redmond, a reporter for a Dublin paper, has returned to cover a story on mountain folklore. While writing the story he befriends a man named Ned Strange, who the locals lovingly call Auld Pappie. Ned has been teaching the young children the art of ceilidh – a sort of barn dance with folk music – and also entertains the villagers with tales of the old times. Ned is revered for keeping the culture alive but he is not the pure soul he first appears to be. Under the influence of some pretty heavy homebrew, Ned reveals to Redmond some startling information about his past. Years later, Ned is imprisoned after sexually assaulting and killing a local boy. Redmond becomes fixated on Ned and his crime to the point that he soon destroys his own family. Redmond’s own life even begins to resemble Ned’s stories and the two become somewhat indistinguishable from one another. Although the use of a non-linear storyline certainly lends belief to Redmond’s crumbling sanity, it also makes the story very hard to follow. This is ultimately a bleak and depressing, not to mention somewhat confusing, book. 01/08 Becky Lejeune

WISHFUL SINFUL by Tracy Dunham: After losing a highly publicized capital punishment case, attorney Tal Jefferson leaves her big city law firm and hectic life, returning to the small Georgia town where she was raised. For a while she finds comfort in memories and booze, but when a childhood friend is accused of a brutal murder, Tal must quickly clean up her act as she finds her own life in danger from the consequences of small town secrets with big time implications. First in the series. A little uneven but shows promise. 04/06 Jack Quick

THE WITCH’S DAUGHTER by Paula Brackston: Elizabeth Hawksmith has been running for such a long time. For centuries she’s been tracked by Gideon Masters, an evil sorcerer who was once her only hope. After her family was killed by the plague, Elizabeth and her mother were accused of witchcraft. Gideon was her savior but he wished to keep her as his own. Elizabeth has narrowly escaped him throughout the years, hiding in plain sight and adopting new identities, always using her powers to help those around her. But when Elizabeth finally decides to take on a pupil of her own, she will be forced to choose: continue running or take a stand. The Witch’s Daughter is a wonderful combination of historical fiction and paranormal. Brackston’s story alternates between past and present as she mixes tales of Elizabeth’s early life with the present day, tying in historical events including Jack the Ripper and the horrors of WWI. I did find the ending to be a bit brief considering the build. Overall, a really enjoyable read, though. 1/11 Becky Lejeune

WITCHLING by Yasmine Galenorn: The D’Artigo sisters are half fae, half human. Each has their own ability, but their human genes have an inconvenient effect on their powers. Camille is a witch whose spells don’t always come out just right, Delilah is a shapeshifter who transforms into an orange tabby when she’s stressed, and Menolly is having a hard time adjusting to life as a vampire. But they’re all doing their best and they’ve been working in the human realm as agents with the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. When a fellow otherworlder is murdered, all signs point to a new and evil boss in the Subterranean Realm. If he’s able to get through the natural barriers between the worlds, all hell would surely break loose. The D’Artigo sisters learn that there were nine spirit seals created ages ago as protection for the realms. Defending the seals is the only way the sisters can ensure that the realms remain safe. This first in the series has a wonderful fairy tale feel about it that sets it apart from others in the paranormal romance/mystery genre. It’ll be interesting to continue the stories and learn more about the sisters as well as the realms and other creatures introduced. 05/10 Becky Lejeune

WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE by Sally Koslow: While some people are lucky enough to hang onto friends for a lifetime, others find that life can sometimes lead friends in different directions. Talia, Chloe, Quincy, and Jules are all facing big life changes. And when two of the friends betray each other in ways that seem unforgivable, it starts to look unlikely that the group will make it through and remain close. Quincy is house hunting for the perfect home when luck finally comes her way in the form of a fantastic apartment that’s an even more fantastic deal. Problem is, Jules’s boyfriend lives in the same building and wants the place for himself. Meanwhile, Talia is finding it hard to make ends meet when she accidentally intercepts a call for Chloe from one of New York’s best headhunters. Sally Koslow’s story is one concerning the tricky balance of true friendship, something that many women can and will relate to. A bit snarkier than Leah Stewart’s The Myth of You and Me, With Friends Like These touches on the same issues in a much lighter way. 09/10 Becky Lejeune

WITH THIS KISS by Eloisa James: This is a three part, e-book only novella. The main character is Lady Grace, the daughter from The Ugly Duckling. Lady Grace has grown up with Colin Barry, but when she turns into a teenager, she falls in love with him. He is in the Royal Navy and hates it, and Grace writes him upbeat letters about their families and all the gossip. Eventually, he comes home but he falls in love with Grace’s younger sister, a natural siren who has men falling at her feet right and left. He goes back to sea, Grace stops writing, and she eventually meets a man from Scotland who falls for her. She agrees to marry him even though her heart belongs to Colin. Lots of angst and several twists keep the pages turning until the requisite happy ending. This is a fast, fun read and Eloisa James fans won’t want to miss it. Right now you have to buy each part separately for $.99 each. Amazon does list the complete book for $2.99 but it won’t be available in that format until 6/25/13. 5/13 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch
With This Puzzle, I Thee Kill by Parnell Hall: As a cruciverbalist of long standing, I have really enjoyed Parnell Hall’s series about The Puzzle Lady. As readers of these books know, the Puzzle Lady is not really Cora Felton whose picture appears on the Puzzle Lady’s publications, but her attractive young niece, Sherry, who really constructs the puzzles. The efforts of both of them to conceal this deception is a basis for on-going hilarity in all of these stories since Cora has no idea how to solve a crossword, much less create one.
This story begins as the oft-wed Cora is about to commit matrimony one more time. Of course, this time it is Mr. Right. As we start across and down, we can guess two things. First, that he will turn out to be Mr. Wrong and secondly, that his chances of actually making it to the altar are slim to none. Correct on both counts.
The complication in the plot is Sherry’s ex-husband who physically abused her. He is now engaged to her best friend. He suggests that they have a double wedding with Cora and her intended so that Sherry can serve as the Maid of Honor in both weddings simultaneously. This cannot be good.
Everything that can go wrong, does. With very funny results.
One word of caution, this time out Mr. Hall has eschewed crosswords in favor of cryptograms and letter substitution. Nonetheless, this is a great holiday read and will be enjoyed by all of us who worship at the altar of Will Shortz.
Readers who enjoy wrestling with language may also enjoy Reginald Hill’s last two books, Dialogues of the Dead and Death’s Jest-Book, although they are lengthier and more complex than Mr. Hall’s delightful tales. 12/03 ~This review contributed by Geoffrey R. Hamlin.

Without Fail by Lee Child: I couldn’t put down this gripping thriller involving an attempted assassination of the Vice President. I’ve never read Mr. Child before, but I loved his main character, Jack Reacher. I am looking forward to catching up on his backlist.

WITHOUT MERCY by Jack Higgins: Either you enjoy Higgins as a “comfort read” or you don’t. Personally I do, and if his characters aren’t the deepest or his plots the most complex, he still knows how to tell a tale and involve the reader. Sean Dillon–former IRA enforcer now working for British intelligence–seeks revenge on the Russian agents responsible for murdering his colleague Hanna Bernstein. Meanwhile the Russians are trying to salvage their plan to obtain a steady supply of oil from Iraq. It probably isn’t possible, but there is always the underlying thought that maybe there is something to this premise, after all. 01/06 Jack Quick

WITHOUT WARNING by Eugenia Lovett West: Now in her late forties, with her children grown and gone, Emma Streat should be looking forward to starting the next chapter of her life, but she never counted on that next chapter beginning with her husband’s death. Just before their latest trip to London, Emma’s husband begins acting jumpy: nervous and snapping at her for seemingly no good reason. After an abrupt departure back to the States, Emma’s husband is killed in what is initially thought to be a hit-and-run accident. Emma’s discovery of a note regarding one of his coworkers is just the first clue that something is amiss. As Emma digs into her husband’s death, she uncovers a web of intrigue involving spies, dangerous weapons developments, and state secrets that those in power are dying to keep under wraps. This first in Lovett West’s series is a surprisingly different read than one would initially expect. Much darker than a cozy, Without Warning is a mystery edging into the world of political thrillers. An exciting start to what promises to be a smart new series. 11/09 Becky Lejeune

WIVES AND SISTERS by Natalie R. Collins: I’m always intrigued by books about a different culture, and this one is an in depth look at the Mormons told from the perspective of a woman who feels her whole life has been lived under a cloud, and with good reason. The author knows her subject; she was raised in a Mormon home in Utah.
I loved the opening line of this book: “I was six years old the first time I had an inkling God would not always protect me.”
And I couldn’t put it down until I read the last line.
Six year old Allison Jensen and her best friend are playing in a field when they hear a gun shot. The shooter, an older man with a beard, yells at the girls to take off their clothes. Instead, they take off running, hand in hand. But when Allison turns to look behind them to see if they are being chased, she falls and is knocked unconscious. When she awakens, her friend is gone and never is found. But that is just the tip of the iceberg of Allison’s problems. As she grows older she also has to deal with a religion she doesn’t understand and doesn’t quite believe in, an abusive father, the deaths of loved ones and a rape, but most devastating of all is the suspected cover up of these tragedies by her family and her church. It makes for a most heartrending and compelling story that will not be easily forgotten. 02/05

THE WOLF AT THE DOOR by Jack Higgins: Higgins’s 17th Sean Dillon thriller (after A Darker Place), starts with a bang. Presidential advisor Blake Johnson is shot at the dock of his place off Long Island. In London, General Charles Ferguson, who’s just left a late-night meeting of Commonwealth ministers, is walking toward his car when it explodes, killing his driver. In New York City, Major Harry Miller, who’s in the U.S. to attend a U.N. meeting, goes for a stroll in Central Park, where he neatly turns the tables on another hired hit man. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is behind all this as payback for their being such a thorn in his side over the years. Good eventually triumphs as it always does in Higgins outings but not before there is some heart stopping action and even a wee bit of whisky drinking. Another good one. 02/10 Jack Quick

WOLFBREED by S.A. Swann: 1221, Eastern Europe: An outpost of Christian knights from the Crusades is attacked and wiped out by what appears to be a giant wolf. One knight survives, killing the wolf and discovering her lair—and her offspring. For the next eighteen years, the Order of the Hospital of St. Mary will train these creatures to be their own beasts of battle. Their single goal is to kill the enemies of their masters. Lilly was raised to be a powerful weapon, but the knights will soon discover that she is not a mindless creature. It is 1239 when Lilly finally escapes, but her master and his fellow knights will not give her up so easily. In fact, Lilly’s escape may be the catalyst in a conflict that’s been brewing between the nearby landowners and the knights who have ruled them with an iron fist for over a decade. Whether Lilly’s protectors will stand by her once the truth of her identity is revealed is the biggest question, though. I really enjoyed this blend of historical fiction and paranormal. Wolfbreed is a great standout amongst the werewolf titles of late. The sequel, Wolf’s Cross, is due out this month. 07/10 Becky Lejeune
THE WOLFMAN by Nicholas Pekearo: Marlowe Higgins is a bit of a loaner. He moves from town to town, never settling down in one place. You see, Marlowe Higgins is a werewolf. For years the Wolf existed, uncontrolled and killing at random. Until Marlowe trained the Wolf to only kill those he deemed bad enough to die. A serial killer, The Rose Killer, has begun to kill young women in the small town where Higgins is currently residing. He works closely with Daniel Pearce, a local police detective, to obtain details regarding the crimes and focuses his attention on alleviating the small town of this horrible killer. Pekearo did a wonderful job with this amazing thriller/horror novel. The descriptions of the Wolf’s actions were downright gory and added to the intensity of this book. This is definitely a book that would attract readers from several different genres, ranging from paranormal thrillers to true crime. The Wolfman was Pekearo’s first and only published work. Pekearo was a volunteer for the NYPD Auxiliary Police Officer and was killed in the line of duty in 2007. 06/08 Jennifer Lawrence

WOLVES EAT DOGS by Martin Cruz Smith: Senior Investigator Arkady Renko is investigating the death of Pasha Ivanov, the wealthy president of Moscow’s NoviRus Corporation, who plunged 10 stories to the pavement from his designer apartment. Renko’s boss, Prosecutor Zurin declares the death a suicide but Renko, being Renko, isn’t so sure and wonders about details like the 50 kilos of salt in Ivanov’s closet and the fact that he was clutching a salt shaker at the moment of his death. Renko’s persistence causes him to be sent to Chernobyl and the Zone of Exclusion. Can he solve the case before the radiation permanently affects him? Dark and brooding, but very well written. 11/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK by Susan Hill: As a young man, Arthur Kipps experienced unspeakable horror. For decades, he’s attempted to put the events at Eel Marsh House behind him, but now it’s time to once again dredge up the past and face the truth. One of Kipps’s first assignments as a solicitor was to help with the handling of Alice Drablow’s estate. Alice, a widow who had recently passed away, had no one else to close out her affairs. Arthur was sent to Eel Marsh House, a dreary estate in the midst of a marsh and accessible only during low tides, as a representative of the firm where he’d recently been hired on. The locals were of no help and Kipps knew that there was more to Eel Marsh House and Alice Drablow than anyone would admit. Still, he was determined to do the job right. But Arthur would soon find that there are some forces that cannot be reasoned with. The Woman in Black is a chilling and atmospheric ghost story, recently adapted for the big screen. The book is wonderfully dark and creepy and I can’t wait to see what the movie has in store. 2/12 Becky Lejeune

A WOMAN TO BLAME by Marthanne Shubert: Gin Ritchey is the re-incarnation of Travis McGee. She lives on the Blue Jasmine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and works as a private detective when she feels like it. She is financially secure as the result of the books her husband published before his untimely death. Would be singer Agnes Stierholz, AKA “Bunny” is having it on with Nick Rossano, one of the retired New Jersey snowbirds about three times her age when her fiancé arrives from Flint, Michigan, at Ritchey’s door, or boat slip, as it were. A couple of weeks later when Nick, a diabetic, is found dead in bed, Ritchey begins to wonder if there might be more here than meets the eye. Not bad for a beach read, but nothing challenging. 02/09 Jack Quick

THE WONDER BREAD SUMMER by Jessica Anya Blau: It all begins with a dressing room and some coke. Allie Dodgson is flat broke after loaning her boyfriend all of her savings and her scholarship money. He said it was a guaranteed return – he just needed the funds to buy out a local bar and then he’d pay her back with interest. Then he dumped her. Tuition is due and Allie’s behind on rent but her boss keeps promising her he’ll pay up and then reneging on the deal. Spurred on by the drugs, Allie decides enough is enough. She steals a Wonderbread bag loaded down with cocaine and hits the road. Now with her boss’s henchmen on her tail, Allie’s becoming desperate. Convinced her folks can help, she drives to LA where she runs into an old friend, a paraplegic porn producer, and Billy Idol. This latest from Jessica Anya Blau is a blast. It’s a quirky read set in the 80s and loosely based on Alice In Wonderland – if you’re easily offended you probably won’t like it, but if you’re into oddball humor and overall fabulously fun stories Wonder Bread Summer is not to be missed. 6/13 Becky Lejeune

WONDROUS STRANGE by Lesley Livingston: In Central Park lies the Samhain Gate, a thin connection between the worlds that King Auberon tried to seal and failed. Each year at Halloween, the gate opens and Auberon’s Janus guards — changelings chosen specifically to guard the gate — are set to work. Sonny Flannery, Auberon’s favorite Janus, can sense beings from the realm of the fey, comes in handy tracking down troublemakers as part of his job. One night, though, he senses something else, something he is not familiar with. His search leads him to a teenage girl, by all appearances a normal human. He leaves her to begin his duties, only to discover later that there is something very special about this mortal. He is able to track her, but will he be able to figure out what she is and can he protect her from what is to come, or will he even need to? This is a fairy story, but not a fairy tale. The fey are not cute or sweet, in fact, this tale draws from just about every dark myth there is, and, of course, from Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream as well. Wondrous Strange is a great teen read but is fun for adults as well. If you enjoy mythology and stories of the fey, then I’d recommend snagging this one for yourself before passing it along. 03/09 Becky Lejeune

THE WOODS by Harlan Coben: This book came out several months ago and I wasn’t really planning on reading it; I gave up on Coben after the ridiculous ending in No Second Chance. But so many people raved about this new one, I decided to give him another try. Coben writes these twisty, gripping thrillers, taking ordinary people and putting them in extraordinary circumstances, but he inevitably winds up writing himself into a corner with endings that are either too neatly tied up or even worse, don’t make sense. With The Woods, he’s redeemed himself. The premise is the stuff legends are made of – Paul Copeland was working in a summer camp and was supposed to be on night duty, but instead, snuck off into the woods with his girlfriend. But four teenagers were murdered that night, including Paul’s sister. Spring forward twenty years and Copeland is now a county prosecutor with political ambitions. He’s asked to identify a body that he believes to be one of the teenagers that was supposedly killed that night at camp, unraveling twenty years of history and then some. Tons of suspense, lots of twists and intricate plotting overcome the shallow characters to make this a furiously fast, fun read with an ending that made sense. 09/07 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THE WOODS by Harlan Coben: Paul “Cope” Copeland was the counselor on duty the night his sister and three other campers were killed. Years later he still lives with the guilt he associates with that night. It was his responsibility to make sure the kids were safe and he failed. Maybe, if he hadn’t been on duty they would have lived. The bodies of two of the campers, his own sister and a boy named Gil Perez, were never found. Two decades after the murders Cope is once again being questioned by police. A man calling himself Manolo Santiago has been found murdered. In his pocket, he carried a magazine article about Cope. Cope believes the man may actually be Gil Perez. Faced with this, and the possibility that his own sister may have survived, Cope begins to reinvestigate the crime that so devastated his family and changed his life forever. Oh, Harlan Coben, you keep me up so late at night! Though regrettably this is not one of my favorites, The Woods is still a guaranteed edge of your seat thriller that will satisfy Coben fans until next year. 06/07 Becky Lejeune

The Wooden Nickel by William Carpenter, Little Brown: I read this book for two simple reasons. First I have an interest in Maine (grandparents). Second I have an interest in lobsters (live ones, no butter). I got what I wanted and I got Lucky Lunt. I loved the main character Lucky. He was so politically incorrect, so crazy, so fierce, and so wrongly named! I kept thinking “he’ll stop now- he’s gotta” but he never did and I was glad he didn’t. Lucky lives in Orphan Point, Maine and spends his summer, when he ought to be watching his health and looking after his family, turning his life upside down. Carpenter’s writing is terrific and it was fun to be out on the ocean with Lucky or having a Rolling Rock with him. Here is your comp title: if you like Richard Russo (and I do) you will like this book. A great read and an unforgettable character. I’ll leave it to the scholars to explain the meaning of the rogue whale, or you can when you read it.

PS: William Carpenter has written one novel and three books of poetry. He is a professor at College of the Atlantic in Maine. He lists American Psycho and The Satanic Verses as some of his favorite novels – – gotta love that. Check out his bio on the Little Brown website. ~This review contributed by Ann Nappa

WORKING FOR THE DEVIL by Lilith Saintcrow: Dante Valentine is a Necromance – she has the ability to raise the dead. She uses her talent mostly to aid her clients in tying up legal matters and various loose ends. Occasionally, she also offers her services as a bounty hunter. Now she’s been given an assignment that’s a bit different. She’s been hired by the Dark Prince himself to track down and assassinate a rogue demon. Dante is not inclined to accept the assignment until she discovers the identity of said demon. Vardimal Santino almost killed Dante last time they met. He did kill her best friend. Now, Dante is literally hell-bent on getting her revenge. The first in this complex new urban fantasy series is sure to grab readers’ attentions. Dante is a gritty and tenacious heroine with a somewhat mysterious past who lives in a bleak future incarnation of our world. Saintcrow combines elements of mystery and fantasy to bring readers an exceptional page turning read. Although Working for the Devil was originally published last year, it has been reprinted and released simultaneously with the second and third books in the series, which is a good thing because I promise you will be scrambling to pick up the next book. Books four and five will follow in November and January, respectively. 09/07 Becky Lejeune

WORLD WAR Z by Max Brooks: Okay, so as usual I have to start with a disclaimer—EVEN IF YOU HATE ZOMBIES, YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS BOOK ANYWAY. I mean, of course, everyone hates actual zombies, but I like stories about them and I’m sure a lot of people don’t.
Anyway. I finished reading this book on the same day I saw the movie I Am Legend, and I have to say I was a bit twitchy when walking into dark places for the rest of the week, but this is not really a horror novel. It’s actually told as an oral history (many people compare it to Studs Terkel, who I haven’t read, so I can’t speak to that, but if that sounds cool to you, go for it). According to the book, (and the jacket copy and everything is completely written as if this was a TRUE STORY) there was this major zombie war sometime in the near future, and the author has traveled all over the world interviewing people about their experiences during the conflict. It’s absolutely realistic in terms of what might really happen if a huge army of zombies started attacking people all over the world. Really unusual and creative. Jenne Bergstrom 03/08

THE WORST KIND OF LIES by John Patrick Lamont: Billed as the first of the Sum of Life Trilogy, The Worst Kind of Lies is a tell-all about greed, deceit, betrayal and even murder (??) in the modern insurance industry. At 500 pages it contains more minutiae than most would care for about that industry. Moreover the fact that the company being dissected is Titanic Insurance Company of Kansas should tell you most of what you need to know. If you get your kicks watching MSNBC and the stock market ticker, you will love this one. Otherwise, might want to stick to lighter fare. 05/09 Jack Quick

WORST NIGHTMARES by Shane Briant: Best-selling and award-winning author Dermot Nolan has a problem. It seems the well has run dry, at least for now. Nothing is inspiring him and he has already run through his million-dollar advance, with no possible way of paying it back. When he first receives the Dream Healer’s journal, Dermot is annoyed and disgusted. Annoyed that yet again someone has approached him to get their book published, and disgusted with the writing and the story. The “journal” recounts the murders of victims chosen based on their worst nightmares. Each of these people approached the Dream Healer through his website, thinking that he would cure them of the dreams that plague them. Instead, they were brutally murdered and all of it has been recorded for Dermot to read. He and his wife, Neela, never thought that it was real, though. In fact, when the author kills himself, it is Neela who convinces Dermot to take the story and make it his own. But Dermot never told his wife what he found at the so-called murder sites. And then someone dies in a scene straight out of Dermot’s new bestseller. Briant’s debut, a thriller/horror reminiscent of both King’s Secret Window, Secret Garden and Saw, is a twisted read. I would have liked more from the Dream Healer’s perspective, but given that he dies in the beginning… or does he? 05/09 Becky Lejeune

WORTH DYING FOR by Lee Child: Child continues to prove that a series can keep getting better with this 14th entry of the Jack Reacher series. Reacher is still recovering from the ending of 61 Hours; he can barely lift his arms and moves like a man in pain. He ends up in a small town in Nebraska, where he overhears a conversation in a bar where a doctor won’t attend to a woman with a bloody nose that won’t stop bleeding. He intervenes, driving the inebriated doctor to the woman’s house, setting off a course of events that could not have been foreseen.
It’s obvious to Reacher that this woman was beaten by her husband and not for the first time. Reacher, with his unflappable sense of justice, seeks out her husband and breaks his nose. The Duncan family runs this small part of Nebraska, and a punch in the face will most certainly be retaliated. After Reacher takes care of the two ex-football players sent to teach him a lesson, the whole thing just escalates into what it really is: something illegal is underfoot and making the Duncan family rich, and there is a decades old cover-up of a missing child. Reacher decides to hang around and right these wrongs. Lots of action, some interesting characters, and a small town with that sense of desolation that Child does so well makes this a book that I couldn’t put it down. 10/10 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch
WORTH DYING FOR by Lee Child: Physically, Reacher is recovering from the after effects of his adventures in 61 Hours. Mentally, he is in the “Don’t Mess With me, I Am An Angry Bear” mode. In an isolated Nebraska town where he has been dropped off from a hitchhike, he comes across an alcoholic doctor that he takes to Eleanor Duncan, who’s married to the abusive Seth, for a “nosebleed”, the result of Seth’s anger. Turn about is fair play, so Reacher breaks Seth’s nose after disposing of his bodyguard. This prompts members of the Duncan clan, who are involved in an illegal trafficking scheme, to seek revenge, which leads to two more would-be heavyweights lying in the dust. Now firmly committed, Reacher winds up trying to solve a decades-old case concerning a missing eight-year-old girl. With each succeeding book Reacher assumes even greater superhuman capabilities, but he remains entertaining as he goes from crisis to crisis. Continue to recommend this series. 12/10 Jack Quick

THE WOUNDED AND THE SLAIN by David Goodis: Hardcase Crime #31 is a reprint of 1955 classic. Although not as widely known as his contemporaries – Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammet – Goodis was noted producing some first rate fiction, turning out some five million words for pulp magazines, as well as serial novels and scripts for radio adventure shows. This one is the tale of a troubled married couple who fly to Jamaica for a last chance at patching things up. James ends up in a Kingston slum battling for his life, while Cora falls victim to another man. And to top it off, it has an awesome cover. Very much recommended. 05/07 Jack Quick

THE WRECK OF THE TWILIGHT LIMITED by Joe Formichella: I had just assumed the position of Program Director at a Dothan, Alabama television station when the Twilight Limited Amtrak train plunged off a bridge deep in the Alabama bayou near Mobile on September 22, 1993. Forty-seven people were killed in the tragedy; which was ultimately determined to have been caused by a barge striking a railroad bridge on a foggy night, displacing the rails. Our television station was one of the first on the scene providing coverage to the nation. Joe Formichella tells the story of the accident, alternating between the time of the wreck and five years later. I enjoyed the book because of my personal connection to the event, but would not recommend it for everyone. 06/10 Jack Quick

WRECKER’S KEY by Christine Kling: Nestor Frias calls tugboat Captain and owner Seychelle Sullivan for help after he runs a millionaire’s yacht aground in Key West. Nestor insists the GPS navigation system was somehow compromised, but while Seychelle is towing the yacht to Fort Lauderdale, Nestor is killed in a windsurfing accident that his pregnant widow insists was murder. An unexpected reunion with an old childhood friend, Ben Baker, once a nerd, now a hottie, provides some romantic tension while Seychelle tries to get to the truth behind Nestor’s accidents. Go ahead, admit it, the ending surprised you, right? 04/07 Jack Quick

THE WRITING CLASS by Jincy Willett: Amy Gallup has pretty much succeeded in cutting herself off from the world. Her last remaining connection, and only significant human contact, comes from the creative writing class she teaches. It’s an extension course – continued education for adults, some of whom are actually interested in writing; some of those are actually good. Amy is enthusiastic about this group and grows to like them more than most. But then one of her students reveals a strange critique she received after sharing a piece with the class. The following week it happens again with another student. Soon what seems no more than a mean prank escalates to something violent and terrifying. Amy and her class are determined to continue, against the odds, and discover the culprit behind these terrible acts. Willet’s whodunit is packed with witty sarcasm and clever humor. She’s also managed to give a significant voice to each of her characters which makes the reading (and the readings in the reading) that much more interesting and believable. A light mystery full of dark and sarcastic humor. 06/08 Becky Lejeune

THE WRITING ON MY FOREHEAD by Nafisa Haji: In the aftermath of 9/11, Saira Qadar is forced to make some tough decisions. As she faces the recent death of her sister, she recalls the stories that have accompanied her throughout the years. Stories of bravery, pain, and secrecy shared by many of the members of her family, stories that have affected each decision in her life. See, even from a young age, Saira had the ability to get others to tell her their tales and gossip. Through them, she learned about one grandfather’s torrid love affair — an event that literally ripped his family apart — and another grandfather’s attempts to change the world. She also learned about her great-aunt’s decisions to go against the expectations of a woman to marry and raise children. Consequently, it is her story that has most influenced Saira’s decisions to follow her own heart, a choice that has sometimes left her on the outs with her own family and culture. But Saira’s own story also shows a profound love of family and, through its telling, an understanding of her culture and the way each generation has helped to shape it. A touching debut from a very talented author. 03/09 Becky Lejeune

THE WRONG KIND OF BLOOD by Declan Hughes: LA private eye Edward Loy has returned to his boyhood home of Dublin for his mother’s funeral. On the way home from the service a friend asks him to find her missing husband – leading to bodies, danger, and a fearsome organized crime gang. Loy is hampered by the fact that the Dublin he grew up in no longer the Dublin of today. This should please fans of Dennis Lehane and George Pelecanos – as it did me. 03/06 Jack Quick

XOMBIES: APOCALYPSE BLUES by Walter Greatshell: Lulu Pangloss lives a bit of a nomadic life: off the grid and sometimes relying on the kindness of others for basic necessities. As a result, she and her mother miss the news reports about the outbreak and spread of Agent X, a highly infectious contagion that has turned much of the population into zombies, or xombies. It’s discovered that the outbreak began with women, but Lulu seems to have a rare genetic disorder that leaves her immune. Her mother is not so lucky. Lulu barely escapes, hitching a ride with a man who could very well be her father as he races toward a nuclear sub set to carry top-secret information that could be mankind’s last hope. The ship’s crew, a handful of soldiers and boys barely trained for service, are suspicious of Lulu, but she soon proves herself to be an important and resourceful asset to the survivors. As the sub treks north, towards a destination known only to the captain, Lulu and her fellow travelers fight against all odds to avoid infection and live another day. Greatshell’s zombie apocalypse tale was originally published in 2004. Now retitled and reprinted, with a sequel on the way, Xombies: Apocalypse Blues makes for an amusing zombie-filled read with a bit of a twist and a cliffhanger of an ending. 11/09 Becky Lejeune

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What’s Wrong with Dorfman by John Blumenthal: An entertaining read about a whiny hypochondriac. Well written and funny.

THE WHEEL OF DARKNESS by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child: Agent Pendergast is back. Pendergast and Constance Green have sought out the most reclusive monastery in Tibet. Here, Pendergast hopes that Contance will finally come to peace with the death of her manipulative captor, his own brother, Diogenes. Upon learning that Pendergast is an investigator, the monks present him with a problem and a task. Their monastery had been assigned the responsibility of keeping watch on a very dangerous and holy item, an item that has been recently stolen. They have asked Pendergast to retrieve the item before its evil can be set loose on the world. Pendergast follows this item from Tibet to England and traces it to the ocean liner Brittania, a massive ship about to make its maiden voyage to New York. He secures passage for himself and Constance and, true to form, maneuvers his way into the reluctant graces of the ship’s staff. Shortly after the ship sets sail, passengers come up missing. Then, passengers begin to show up dead and Pendergast must find the item in question in order to stop the madness that has only just begun. Although the authors are adamant (and right) that each of the titles featuring Pendergast can be read as stand-alones, I personally recommend reading them in order. Pendergast, a strange FBI agent who first appears in The Relic grows more and more captivating with each new book. This title especially draws some of those characteristics that fans know and love about the character into question making it a wholly absorbing and thrilling read. 01/08 Becky Lejeune

THE WHEELMAN by Duane Swierczynski: On the back flap of the jacket it says: “A receipt for This Here’s a Stickup, Duane’s nonfiction book on American bank robbery, was found in the getaway car of a San Francisco bandit who’d hit at least thirty California banks.” The leap to fiction wasn’t that bold – this is the story of the very quiet Lennon, the getaway driver for a big bank robbery gone awry in Philadelphia. It’s always interesting when the hero is the bad guy, and this book is no exception to that. Throw in a loosely knit community of bank robbers, the Russian mob, the Italian mob, and crooked cops who are all chasing the money and you start to get the picture of this fast paced, violent yet funny book. Swierczynski may well be the future of crime fiction writing. 11/05 Stacy Alesi

WHEN THE DARK MAN CALLS by Stuart Kaminsky: Ten-year old Jean Kaiser discovered her parents murdered in their bed in North Carolina. Now, twenty-five years later, Jean, a Chicago radio talk-show host with a daughter of her own, is being stalked by a man she knows only by a slow, sinister voice on the telephone. Soon she discovers that the man who killed her parents 25 years ago has been released and is now in Chicago. Reminiscent of Play Misty for Me and just as intriguing. 12/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

WHEN A MAN LOVES A WEAPON by Toni McGee Causey: Bobbie Faye is back and in the biggest trouble ever. After she and Trevor Cormier survive their run-in with Sean MacGregor, Bobbie Faye is in need of some domestic bliss. Though Trevor has proposed (and she’s accepted, of course), the two only have a short time playing house before Trevor is sent out on a new op. He’s supposed to be back in two, three days tops, but it’s been seven and Bobbie Faye’s more than a little antsy. Convinced that MacGregor couldn’t possibly be a threat—and so not caring at this point if he is—Bobbie Faye sets out to find (and save) her fiancée. Unfortunately, the only person she can really trust to help her just happens to be her ex, Cam Moreau. His skills as a detective make him perfect for the job, but Cam’s determined to win Bobbie Faye back and won’t let a little diamond ring stand in the way. And although MacGregor, the Irish mobster, has been MIA, he’s been waiting for his chance and is not going down without a fight. Add in a bomb expert with a major grudge, and our favorite Contraband Queen doesn’t stand a chance. This outing is much darker than the previous titles in the series, and though the humor is still there, When a Man Loves a Weapon pushes the series into more of a romantic suspense category than before. I think it shows that Causey is just going to continue to get better and better. A must-read. 08/09 Becky Lejeune

When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka: This tiny book packs a big emotional wallop. This is a story about a Japanese-American family living in Berkeley, California during World War II. The father is arrested and sent to a New Mexico prison. A few weeks later, the mother and children are sent to an internment camp in Utah, and they, like the reader, never knows why any of this happens. We are never told the family member’s names, and the story is told very matter-of-factly and without too many grisly details, which just made it all the more powerful for me. Their day-to-day existence is bleak while in the camp, but the harsh realities of freedom don’t come any easier after they are released. The lyrically written final chapter sadly illustrates that this family’s story is really the story of every Japanese-American family that was living in America during the early 1940s. When the Emperor Was Divine is a beautiful homage to an ugly and shameful piece of American history. Don’t miss it.

WHEN THE LAST MAGNOLIA WEEPS by Mary Saums: Willi Taft has multiple challenges this Christmas – a series of warehouse thefts, a murdered priest, and a defaced statue of a civil war general. Who says being a PI is boring? Decisions, decisions, decisions. Okay, lets set the warehouse theft case aside for the next book, focus on the murdered priest since a friend is a suspect there, and in the meantime be on the lookout for anyone dastardly enough to paint a Santa Claus suit on the general, and put wooden reindeer antlers and a shiny red nose on his horse. The plot thickens. The priest isn’t who he said he was, and neither are some of the others. All the mysteries eventually are solved, except the warehouse thefts, and Willi’s life is forever changed. Lets just hope this is not the last we see of her. Recommended. 06/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

WHEN WILL THERE BE GOOD NEWS? by Kate Atkinson: Jackson Brodie was trying to return to London after a secret trip north to meet the boy he believes is his son. He hops a train, but soon finds that he’s headed in the wrong direction, then the absolute worst happens. The train is derailed and Brodie almost dies. Sixteen-year-old Regina (Reggie) Chase just happens to be in the area when the accident occurs. With her quick thinking and first-aid training, she manages to revive Brodie long enough for the paramedics to arrive. Meanwhile, Reggie’s employer, Dr. Joanna Hunter has learned that the man who murdered her family thirty years ago has just been released from prison. Detective Chief Inspector Louise Monroe is the sad bearer of that news and suggests that Joanna leave town until the expected media frenzy runs down. Louise’s involvement though, is a result of Joanna’s husband and the investigation into his business practices. All four of their stories collide in a most unexpected way. This carefully constructed mystery is a complete surprise for readers. Each character and their respective tales are like pieces of a puzzle, by the end of the book they fit together perfectly. This is my first Kate Atkinson, but it is the third to feature Brodie. It can, as far as I can tell, be read as a complete stand-alone quite easily. 09/08 Becky Lejeune

WHERE THE DEAD LAY by David Levien: PI Frank Behr returns in this follow-up to Levien’s debut, City of the Sun. When Frank discovers his Jiu-jitsu mentor dead, murdered in his own studio, he becomes blinded to everything but the case. Meanwhile, a high-end agency has hired Behr to look into the disappearance of two of its agents. Behr discovers that the two cases share a common link and becomes determined to solve it, no matter the cost. The investigation leads him to a ring of illegal suburban gambling houses and one twisted family hiding a secret. Levien’s sophomore release is a good mystery and a worthwhile read. Where the Dead Lay doesn’t quite pack the punch that City did, but in some ways it is a heavier read. Levien adds more layers to his hero and will leave readers wondering what comes next. 07/09 Becky Lejeune

WHICH BRINGS ME TO YOU by Julianna Baggott & Steve Almond: The debate rages on: can you call a book “chick lit” when the author is a guy? How about if only one of the authors is a guy? This is an epistolary novel about Jane and John, who meet at a wedding. Just as they are about to get intimate, he decides he likes her too much to go through with it, and they decide to try and get to know each other first – through letters. Not even email, but through regular snail mail letters. They return to their respective homes in NY and Philadelphia and commence writing. They tell each other everything, and still they continue. Lots of sexy letters, some amateur psychoanalysis and frankly, it’s rather like being a voyeur, peering over someone’s shoulder and reading their mail. Lots of fun. 06/06 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHILE DROWNING IN THE DESERT by Don Winslow: Another “Don Winslow Lite” outing for Neal Carey. Cary is a reluctant operative for the Friends of the Family, a private investigation firm owned by “The Bank” in Providence, R.I. for the benefit of their wealthier clients. This time Neal is sent to Las Vegas to pick up one 86 year old Nathan Silverstein and return him to his California home. Turns out Silverstein is actually the aging, legendary vaudeville comedian Natty Silver. Neal thinks the most dangerous part of the assignment is being forced to listen to Silver’s shtick nonstop. (Says Silver, I was the one who taught Costello the Who’s on First? Routine). Turns out there are some bad guys after Silver – Heinz, a German money-launderer, and his Lebanese sidekick, Sami, who’s dumber than wood. Meanwhile, Neal’s girl, Karen, is in a raging hurry for marriage and motherhood; and Hope White (billed as “The Great Hope White”), a Vegas performer no longer as young as she once was, is rekindling an old torch for Natty. Neal isn’t a tough guy, but he’s pretty lucky. Lucky enough to find water in the sand and ferry the irascible Natty to safety. 08/10 Jack Quick

WHILE GALILEO PREYS by Joshua Corin: The bodies pile up faster than you can count in this serial killer thriller with political and religious overtones. Former FBI profiler Esme Stuart is caught in the middle after closing the door on her promising FBI career with her marriage to Rafe Stuart and move to Long Island to start a family. Her mentor and ex-boss Tom Piper needs her back to find the link to this madman. Doing so endangers her marriage, her life, and the lives of her husband and daughter Sophie. Corin overplays the career versus family conflict but all in all an acceptable thriller with a deliciously twisty ending. 08/11 Jack Quick

WHILE I DISAPPEAR by Ed Wright: In his second outing, John Ray Horn, a disgraced former movie cowboy and ex-con walks the mean streets of post-WWII Los Angeles in search of the brutal killer who snuffed out the life of Rose Galen, a faded leading lady who co-starred in one of Horn’s films. A shameful secret from the victim’s past forces Horn to challenge the official theory of the crime-that the killing was a random act. Aided by his current boss (and former faithful movie sidekick) Joseph Mad Crow, Horn pounds the pavement and reaches out to old friends to identify the source of Galen’s guilty conscience. 04/06 Jack Quick

WHIPLASH RIVER by Lou Berney: Shake Bouchon has left behind his life of crime and is the proud owner of his very own restaurant. Located in tropical Belize, Shake is confident that he can make it work – and he has to considering he owes a ton of cash to the local drug boss, Baby Jesus, in return for the loan it took to buy the restaurant in the first place. So when someone comes in shooting up the place, Shake knows it’s going to be bad for business. Unfortunately, after playing hero in the event, he finds himself the target of an assassin. When the restaurant goes up in flames, literally, Shake knows he’s got to get out of town quick. Thankfully he has made one friend in the ordeal: Quinn, the man whose life he saved in the shootout. It’s Quinn who turns Shake onto a heist that could bring in some big bucks. Unable to resist, Shake calls on his ex to lend a hand and soon finds himself and his entourage in Egypt planning said job. But can Shake shake those who are after him and get the girl and the cash? This is the second in Berney’s new series but it reads just fine on its own. His style is quick and the dialogue in particular is snappy and funny. Whiplash River is a fun caper mystery that begs to be read in one sitting. 8/12 Becky Lejeune

WHISPERS UNDER GROUND by Ben Aaronovitch: The murder of a US Senator’s son in London stinks of something supernatural, so of course Peter Grant has been called in to investigate. As a representative of the Folly, Peter’s job involves anything with a suspected magical slant. With the newly apprenticed Lesley by his side, Peter follows the leads straight to London’s underground and beyond. But according to his governor, there’s nothing strange in London’s multitude of below ground tunnels. Even the River sisters whose waterways crisscross the very same tunnels have reported nothing untoward in their territory. Undeterred, Peter soon finds evidence of something very strange indeed, something that places this case firmly in Folly purview. Aaronovitch continues to gain traction as the series continues, adding to an already fabulous premise and also expanding on the overall arc of the story with the mystery of the faceless man and the continued investigation into Folly enemies. 8/12 Becky Lejeune
WHIRLWIND by Joseph Garber: Charlie McKenzie is the best – even though he is now disgraced, dismissed and discarded, he is still the best. So when a secret weapon called Whirlwind is stolen by a gorgeous Russian spy Irina, the establishment has no choice but to bring him back. Charlie and Irina are the main characters but there is no absence of villains including a corrupt national security adviser and an evil South African mercenary who are also pursuing Irina. It’s pure escapism, but very nicely done and suspenseful to the very end. Of course there are plot holes if you look closely enough, and enough coincidences to also strain credibility, but hey, when a guy moons the national Security Advisor and threatens to do the same with the President, why can you not go along. Highly recommended. 10/08 Jack Quick

WHISKEY AND WATER by Nina Wright: Not a bad cozy once you get past the cutesy names. The protag is Realtor Whiskey Mattimoe who has a new shitzapoo pup named Velcro and an Afghan hound named Abra (cadabra?). Then, there’s MacArthur the hunky Scotsman, self help author Fenton Flagg, and one Jeb Halloran, who promotes a hormonal reaction from Whiskey, along with other assorted characters. The town of Magnet Springs, Michigan is already uneasy, what with the sightings of former mayor Gil Gruen who drowned last winter (in a previous Whiskey Mattimoe outing) when Abra happens on a crime scene on the shores of Lake Michigan. The victim is Twyla Rendel, newly hired cashier at the Food Duck grocery and tenant in one of Mattimore’s properties. Was Twyla the victim of a rip tide or some other cause? As with most series cozies, all is well at the end in preparation for round five. 06/08 Jack Quick

Whiskey Sour: A Jack Daniels Mystery by J.A. Konrath: I wanted something to escape into, that would make me laugh but even more importantly, keep me turning the pages, and this sure fit the bill. This new series features a Chicago police lieutenant named Jacqueline Daniels, Jack for short – she’s single, middle-aged, and definitely has some history. The story revolves around a serial killer called The Gingerbread Man, who is not only is on a killing spree, he is torturing his victims before killing them, a definite gruesome and gore alert. The secondary characters are well drawn and real, the setting somehow makes Chicago seem intimate, and the story flows. Konrath did a great job, it is so well written that it is hard to believe this is a first novel. Check out the author’s website, http://www.jakonrath.com/ for an excerpt.

WHISKEY SOUR by J. A. Konrath: Chicago Police Department Lieutenant Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels has a particularly gruesome series of homicides on her plate. The “Gingerbread Man” is torturing and killing attractive young women, and then leaving their bodies in very public places. Somewhat uneven and certainly not breaking any new ground, hopefully Konrath, like good Tennessee whiskey, will improve with age. 05/06 Jack Quick

A WHISPER TO THE LIVING by Stuart Kaminsky: Unfortunately Stuart Kamisnky died in the fall of 2009, so A Whisper to the Living is probably our last look at Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov, an honest policeman in a very dishonest post-Soviet Union. Rostnikov and his team are searching for a serial killer who has claimed at least 40 victims. Also on their plate is the job of protecting a visiting British journalist who is working on a story about a Moscow prostitution ring. In the middle of all this Rostnikov and his team uncover a chain of murders that lead to a source too high to be held accountable if the police want to keep their jobs or their lives. A typically good Kaminsky read with an eerie title, under the circumstances. If this is the end of the series, it is a fitting one. 01/10 Jack Quick

THE WHISPERER by Donato Carrisi: Mila Vasquez’s specialty is finding the missing. And so, when a mass burial site containing six human arms is discovered, Mila is called in to help. Each of the arms belongs to one of five missing girls. No one knows who the sixth might be. Criminalist Goran Gavila and his team are assigned the case, but Mila is expected to be the key to solving it. Together they will work to unravel a crime that is so heinous and twisted, it will turn all their worlds around. The idea of a killer who never lifts a finger in the act of the crime is disturbing and Carrisi’s twists make it even more so. The Whisperer is dark – really, really dark. It’s definitely one that stays with you long after you put it down. Originally published in 2009, The Whisperer has made its way around Europe before landing on shelves in the States. Hopefully we’ll all be seeing more from this author very soon. 2/12 Becky Lejeune

WHITE by Christopher Whitcomb: This is a follow-up to Whitcomb’s first novel, Black. Hopefully he has good color sense because this is another first rate techno-thriller. Three simultaneous bombings rock the United States. As the President goes on the air to calm the nation, three foreign airline jumbo jets crash at different American airports. In Indonesia, a CIA black operation against a terrorist cell is successful, but three of the six terrorists are good old- fashioned American boys. Post 9/11 elevates to a higher gear with evidence that active support for the Islamic Jihad is coming from within the United States. Special Agent Jeremy Waller from Black has his work cut out for him in this one, as the trail leads all the way to the White House. 09/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

The White by Deborah Larsen, Knopf: Larsen is a poet and short story writer. This is her first novel. Mary Jemison’s capture in 1758 by a Shawnee raiding party is a story that is well known, but under Larsen’s skilled hand it is fresh, intriguing, full of life and beautiful details. I loved the authenticity that Larsen brought to living on the land. The destruction of Mary’s family and her adoption into the world of the Seneca will challenge you . . . and would make a great book to discuss with a group.

PS: Larsen herself is an interesting story: she was a nun who left the convent in the 1960’s and her next book will be a non-fiction memoir which I can’t wait to read! ~This review contributed by Ann Nappa

THE WHITE DEVIL by Justin Evans: Andrew Taylor screwed up. His college acceptances have been revoked and now he’s given one last chance to clean up his act and get back on track when his father sends him overseas to Harrow School. The four-hundred-year-old British private school has played host to foreign statesmen, eight former Prime Ministers, even royalty… and Lord Byron. It is this famed alumni who is the subject of a play in progress at Harrow and Andrew, who everyone says looks remarkably similar to the poet, is picked to play the lead. But when Andrew witnesses the murder of a friend and classmate, everything at Harrow starts to go wrong. The coroner says the dead student was very sick, but Andrew knows what he saw. And when the murderer appears to him again, Andrew decides he must find out the truth—the truth about the famous Lot ghost and the truth about his friend’s death. This is just Evans’s second novel, but as with A Good and Happy Child, he’s managed to create another completely enthralling tale this time in a modern gothic style with a supernatural twist and famous literary characters. 05/11 Becky Lejeune

WHITE HORSE by Alex Adams: They called the virus White Horse, in honor of the apocalypse it brought with it. Most of the population died of the infection, a small portion appeared to be immune, and the rest became horribly mutated creatures, barely resembling the humans they once were. Before it all came crashing down, Zoe Marshall was just a cleaner at Pope Pharmaceuticals. Recently widowed, Zoe’s main concern was what to do next. Then the jar appeared. An innocent enough container slipped into her apartment while she wasn’t there. The appearance coincides with some of the first deaths, but Zoe is too afraid to see what’s inside. Now, not only does she seem to be immune, but she’s also carrying a child. In the wake of the outbreak, Zoe travels to Europe, following the small shred of a clue that may lead her to the father of her unborn baby. White Horse is an amazing debut. The tale transitions back and forth between the beginning of the outbreak—what led up to Zoe’s current quest—and Zoe’s present. Alex Adams’s writing is poetic even at the most horrific moments of the story. 4/12 Becky Lejeune

THE WHITE LEAGUE by Thomas Zigal: Paul Blanchard and Mark Morvant are college roommates at Tulane University in New Orleans, when both are involved in a tragedy which they cover up. Now in the 1990’s, Blanchard is the respected CEO of the Blanchard family coffee business and a progressive Southerner. Morvant is a white supremacist candidate for governor who threatens to tell all, unless Blanchard not only supports his effort, but enlists the wealthy businessmen from the White League, a secret society that wields great behind the scenes power in New Orleans to back him as well. I’d call this modern Southern gothic if I had to categorize it with overtones of Greg Isles and just a hint of James Lee Burke. With lines like, “New Orleans – The Catholics built it, the Jews own it and the niggers enjoy it,” it’s not pretty but I found it an interesting read which perhaps would have been even better as a prequel to Burke’s The Tinroof Blowdown. 08/07 Jack Quick

THE WHITE MARY by Kira Salak: Marika Vecera is a young war reporter driven by the danger experienced during her assignments. During a trip to the Congo, she is held captive by rebel soldiers and barely escapes with her life. She returns to the States, battered and beaten, mentally worn. Upon her return, she discovers that her idol/mentor Robert Lewis, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, has committed suicide. She devotes her life for the next several months to writing his biography. During her research, she discovers evidence that indicates Lewis is still alive, living in a remote village in Papua New Guinea. Drawn to the possibility that Lewis is still alive, Marika embarks on a journey not knowing what she will find. Her guide is Tobo, a medicine man, provides her with guidance along the way. During this journey, Marika learns a lot about humankind, and more importantly, herself. The White Mary is an incredibly powerful and empowering tale about one woman’s dedication to her career. While the scenes detailing the atrocities that are occurring clear across the world are difficult to read at times, the end result gives you an appreciation for all that we have as inhabitants of the “civilized” world. 08/08 Jennifer Lawrence

THE WHITE MARY by Kira Salak: Journalist Marika Vecera has made her career traveling to some of the world’s most dangerous war-torn countries in search of her next story. When she learns that her idol, famed journalist Richard Lewis, has died as the result of a suicide, she decides to write his life story in hopes of learning what could possibly have caused him to take his own life. Just a few months into her project, however, Marika receives information that leads her to believe that Lewis may in fact still be alive. A missionary stationed in Papua New Guinea had attempted to contact Lewis’s sister claiming that he had seen Lewis in the jungles of New Guinea. Lewis’s sister had written the man off as a flake, but Marika is not so sure. Marike decides to travel to Papua New Guinea herself in an attempt to learn the truth. Her journey is harrowing and at times utterly gruesome. It’s scary and humbling to think that much of Marika’s adventures both in Papua New Guinea and in her job as a journalist are actually based on Kira Salak’s own experiences. Salak alternates chapters between Marika’s current journey and her experiences that led her there, allowing the reader insight into her emotional motivations as well as her physical travels. An amazing read that will absorb and consume readers. 08/08 Becky Lejeune

WHITE NOISE by Don DeLillo: When I first read White Noise twenty-five years ago, I felt that it was an important book and Don DeLillo was an author I should follow. The novel seemed to me to be an amazingly clever and effective satire of our society in the United States in general and of the academic community in particular. I have read most of what Mr. DeLillo has written since that time and not felt myself as moved by these subsequent books. So I was particularly anxious to read White Noise again upon its 25th anniversary re-publication. I am pleased to report that not only has it withstood the test of time, but its messages may be even more relevant to our current society.

The main character in the novel, Jack Gladney, is a college professor in an archetypical small town. He is the creator and head of the Department of Hitler Studies within the college’s cultural studies division. He is envied by his peers for having created an entirely new discipline (despite his secretly never having learned to speak German). The interactions of Jack and his colleagues underline the potential for vacuity in such studies – a seminar in car crash movies, for example. And although these academics speak with heavy portent, the content of their discussion is almost always without significance. Surely, that has relevance to our present society in which the communications industry wants “content” rather than ideas and financial institutions are selling “product” rather than investments.
One theme of the book is the ever-present noise in our society. The “white noise” discussed by DeLillo’s book involves television and radio and commercial messages. Surely, the noise level is even higher (and less meaningful) today with the internet, social networking, iPods, texting and twittering. In this day and age, White Noise seems not just relevant but prescient.
A second major theme is the fear of death. Jack is exposed to probably lethal chemicals during an “airborne toxic event.” This airborne toxic event is at the core of the story – Jack and his family first hear about it simply as a part of the noise, then they can see it drawing closer, then they are ordered to evacuate. Subsequently, Jack is told by his doctor that, at some point, the substance he has ingested will kill him.
Jack’s wife, Babette, has an obsessive fear of death of her own. This leads her to submit to a sad and sleazy affair with the manufacturer of an illegal drug designed to control the fear of death. The juxtaposition of “white noise” and the fear of death poses the question of whether we generate this white noise simply to avoid that fear.
I don’t know if I would call White Noise a classic, but it is a good work-out for your brain and surely a book that you should read. 03/10 Geoffrey R. Hamlin
WHITE MEAT by Peter Corris: “She’s a blonde, thin, a bitch and a bloodsucker. She acts freaked out, you know? But she’s really ice-cool. Know what we call her down here?” Hardy shook his head. “White Meat.” Noni is the missing, beautiful, spoiled daughter of Hardy’s bookie, Ted Tarleton. Tarleton wants her found and is willing to pay for his wishes. Hardy is in that business and can stand a few knocks if it keeps him in tobacco and booze, even if it means taking on a killer of a case. Another strong outing for Australia’s foremost private enquiry agent. 12/07 Jack Quick

The White Road by Robert DeMaria: Set in the 1950’s, this finely written novel of friendship and love is both moving and thought provoking. The depth and personality of the characters were extremely satisfying, as were the historical references to the time period. A truly lovely book. Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WHITE SHADOW by Ace Atkins: I have tried the Nick Travers series twice and couldn’t get into them. I thought this one would be different. It’s about the unsolved murder of real-life Tampa crime boss Charlie Wall in 1955. The plot turns on the quest to find the killer, taking detective Ed Dodge and a local reporter on a journey from Tampa’s Latin Quarter to pre-revolutionary Havana. I don’t know whether it’s my prior experience, excessive detail, too many characters or just my own Tampa experiences conflicting with Atkins’ remembrances, but I just couldn’t ever get into this one either, so laid it down near the half way point. 07/07 Jack Quick

WHITE SHOTGUN by April Smith: In the language of the mafias, a murder where the body is never found is called lupara bianco, or white shotgun. It is such a murder combined with the surfacing of a previously unknown half-sister that sends Ana Grey down the rabbit hole of an FBI undercover operation into one of the ‘mafias.’ Nicoli Nicosa, a new breed mafia associate who operates as a coffee magnate, is a primary person of interest for the FBI. When it becomes known that Nicosa’s wife, Cecilia, is a half-sister Ana never knew existed, and has reached out to Ana for an unknown reason, the FBI brass force Grey into a deep-cover op to gather intelligence. When Cecilia is kidnapped, Ana finds that a red sense of family inspires her to step outside the FBI and risk her career by working “off the books” with her sister’s mobster husband to bring Cecilia home. Enlisting the help of her ex-Delta-Force boyfriend, Sterling McCord, and a tactical force of recruited mercenaries, Ana hangs her life and career over the edge to recover her sister, dead or alive. Nicely done. 07/11 Jack Quick

White Teeth by Zadie Smith: Amazing first novel but didn’t live up to it’s hype, at least not for me. But then again, what book does? (Harry Potter excluded!) This book has been short listed for what seems like every award, without a win yet.

THE WHITE TIGER by Aravind Adiga: If not a “must read”, Aravind Adiga’s debut novel, The White Tiger, certainly qualifies as a “should read.” It was the recipient of this year’s Man Booker prize in the face of very stiff competition. (Salman Rushdie was not even short-listed). Adiga, who describes himself as influenced by Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, tells the story of Balgram, a precocious but extremely poor Indian child, who through use of his wits and a disturbing crime of opportunity, converts himself into a successful entrepreneur in the New India. The story is told in epistolary fashion in a series of letters to the premier of China in order to facilitate the premier’s understanding of India before he comes to visit. While it is told in humorous fashion, the magnitude of Indian poverty, corruption, and class restrictions are starkly outlined and a reminder to us all that even during times of economic miracles, many are left behind. And after his success, Balgram remains as invisible to the authorities as he was as a poor child in the keeping of a corrupt school master. 12/08 Geoffrey R. Hamlin

WHITE TIGER by Michael Allen Dymmoch: In 1992, Michael Allen Dymmoch won St. Martin’s contest for “best traditional mystery” for THE MAN WHO UNDERSTOOD CATS, which was anything but a “traditional” mystery. From the start, I’ve been a fan of this author and her series featuring John Thinnes and Jack Caleb.
Why isn’t it traditional? For one thing, a major focus of the book is the very real and hard-won friendship between the two men. Caleb, a psychiatrist is gay and Thinnes, a pretty traditional sort of guy, is a Chicago police detective. The stories often delve into real life issues, real life people and they have always made me think.
The newest book in the series is WHITE TIGER which was just nominated for a “Lammy Award” in the category of “Gay Men’s Mystery” from the Lambda Literary Foundation. The issue is Vietnam, which for many Americans still has enormous influence and consequence. Hue An Lee is found dead; twenty-five years ago, she mattered to Thinnes back in Saigon, where he served as an MP. His connections to her and her son Tien Lee, mean that he’s too close to investigate the murder. Caleb served as a medic, and the alternating stories of then and now from the perspectives of the two men, are at times fascinating, at times sorrowful. If you have no interest or understanding of this period of American history, WHITE TIGER might not appeal. But it’s not a diatribe, it’s not for or against the war or the Vietnamese people, it’s just a story of a time in people’s lives that had a huge impact, and how they all, separately and together, dealt with it and the ways in which the conflict still affects people.
Dymmoch always knows what she’s doing when she writes. The series isn’t flashy, but the books never fail to impress me and WHITE TIGER is no exception. 03/06 Andi Shechter

WHITEOUT by Ken Follett: When you are Ken Follett, even an “off work” is still pretty darn good. The setting is Scotland and the action revolves around Christmas at a pharmaceuticals company that makes antiviral drugs. Two doses of an experimental drug are missing, a technician and a lab rabbit are dead, the owner’s estranged son is planning to break into the lab because of his gambling debts, the female head of security is falling for the widowed owner whose daughter’s are on the edge of a husband swapping episode. In the middle of this soap opera a pretty good actual mystery breaks out and is eventually resolved. Unfortunately the characters are not as fully developed as they could be and the plot is quite predictable. Not his best effort, but still readable. 10/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

WHITEWASH by Alex Kava: Sabrina Galloway’s once close-knit family has crumbled in the wake of her mother’s death. Her father has had himself committed to an institution and her brother has seemingly disappeared, so Sabrina has dropped everything to move to Florida and be closer to her father. A position in the lab at EchoEnergy and participation in what could be the greatest scientific achievement of the century is something Sabrina is excited to be a part of. EchoEnergy has come up with a way to accelerate oil production through special processing of meat by-products. This new technology promises to free the United States from its dependency on other countries for oil. Sabrina is surprised and worried, however, when she discovers that EchoEnergy’s innovative processing plan may not be working quite as expected. Her boss, the man who developed the technology, has gone missing and no one else seems to be concerned with her discovery. Then, Sabrina witnesses the murder of a co-worker and news reports are calling her the killer. It looks as if someone has taken her suspicions seriously after all and means to shut her up permanently. Kava is well known for her profiling series featuring FBI agent Maggie O’Dell. Whitewash, an eco/political thriller, is her first stand-alone. The plot is interesting and the political aspect is not so heavy that the average reader will feel bogged down. Fans will love it and it’s the perfect opportunity for new readers to give Kava a try. 06/07 Becky Lejeune

WHO IS SHAYLA HACKER? by Evan Kilgore: Five different people – a lonely systems analyst in a large city, a 17 year small-town girl abandoned by an older brother, a groom who is a self mutilator who abandons his wife on their wedding day, a retiring police detective, and a female blue collar contractor working to renovate an airport terminal. All are connected by a single question – Who is Shayla Hacker? Thus begins a strange journey in a book I personally found fascinating. Driven by an obsession the five strangers don’t fully understand they cross the country and the world, passing through each other’s lives, in search of a girl and an answer. In spite of being warned off by authorities they continue until the answer is finally revealed, or is it? An unusual and very enjoyable outing. 07/07 Jack Quick

THE WHOLE TRUTH by David Baldacci: Viral marketing is a marketing technique that uses pre-existing social networks to achieve marketing objectives through self-replicating viral processes, analogous to the spread of pathological and computer viruses. It can be word-of-mouth delivered or enhanced by the network effects of the Internet. When the huge advertising and lobbying budget of mega-defense contractor, Ares Corporation, seem to be losing its effectiveness, Nicholas Creel, the billionaire founder of the company, decides to use viral marketing to generate new demand. As he says, “I’m not interested in wars that stop at a hundred days or devolve into gloried gangland street fights. That doesn’t even pay the light bill.” Starting by planting fake news stories on the Internet about Russian atrocities, the propaganda campaign soon turns violent with the massacre of the members of a London think tank, the Phoenix Group, apparently by a Russian hit team. It’s all high tech and high suspense, with only a shadowy operative named A. Shaw and a disgraced female journalist to thwart Creel’s evil plot. Better leave the lights on for this one which is reminiscent of some of the early Robert Ludlum thrillers. 05/09 Jack Quick

WICKED APPETITE by Janet Evanovich: For the past few years, Evanovich has been serving up a smaller, lighter version of her Stephanie Plum books called “Between the Numbers” novels, all based around holiday themes, i.e. Plum Spooky, Visions of Sugar Plums, and so forth. The major differences between the regular Plum books and these were size (these were 200 page books) and a supernatural character named Diesel. This new book is based on that character.
Diesel is an “unmentionable” giving him certain powers like the ability to open any locked door by merely touching it. He’s also a very hot blonde, with a dark, sexy cousin, Gerwulf Grimoire, who is his evil counterpart. In this novel he shows up in Salem, Massachusetts, at the home of Elizabeth Tucker, cupcake baker extraordinaire. Turns out she’s an unmentionable too, only she didn’t know it. Diesel is on the search for stones that represent the “7 Deadly Sins” so that he can keep them safe from his cousin. The first, gluttony, is supposed to be in Salem. Lots of Plum-inspired hijinks ensue as they hunt down the stone.
I enjoyed this book as it showcased Evanovich humor without the usual cast of characters. I liked the new characters; Tucker, a young, single woman who has inherited an old ramshackle house from a dead relative; Clara, her boss at the bakery; Glo, a co-worker who keeps trying out spells from a book she bought, instead creating havoc; and the setting. Salem, home to the infamous witch trials and now a tourist trap replete with magic shops on every corner, seems like yet another character in this light, funny book. Whether or not you’ve grown tired of the Plum books, but still enjoy Evanovich humor, then this book is for you. 09/10 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WICKED AUTUMN by G. M. Malliet: When one of my favorite authors, in this case, Mary Kay Andrews, personally recommends a book, I tend to take it seriously and get that book quickly. Wicked Autumn is the first book of a new English mystery series featuring Max Tudor, a former MI5 agent turned vicar of St. Edwold’s in the charming little village of Nether Monkslip. Tudor is an intriguing character as are the rest of the inhabitants of this sleepy little town. When Wanda, the unpopular leader of the Women’s Institute, is found dead in the village hall during the Harvest Fayre, the annual charity she arranged, no one really seems to mourn her but her husband, leaving a list of suspects that looked suspiciously like the census list. This is a traditional cozy English mystery with a touch of humor found in these characters and a well constructed plot that for me gets bogged down a bit by all the description. Nonetheless, it is a charming story. 3/12 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WICKED BUSINESS by Janet Evanovich: This is the continuing saga of Lizzy and Diesel, those other-worldly characters in search of the missing stones representing each of the deadly sins. We met Diesel years ago in a “between the numbers” Stephanie Plum book but he has moved from New Jersey to Massachusetts. Part romance, part fantasy and part mystery, these books are entertaining if you are easily entertained. Luckily this was my week for mindless fluff and this worked for me. This book centers on the search for the stone representing Lust, but despite that there is no sex in this book, just a hint of longing now and then. There are regular characters, and in this case by regular I mean reoccurring, because there is nothing regular about Wulf, Diesel’s evil cousin, Glo, who thinks she is a wizard, and of course Diesel’s pet monkey who is brighter than most people I know. There is also a new character, Anarchy, a wild woman who is also after Wulf’s powers and the stone and has a penchant for torching buildings. The plot is simple, the mystery forgettable but there are some laughs here if you like Evanovich’s broad sense of humor, and I do. 8/12 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WICKED CITY by Ace Atkins: “WELCOME TO PHENIX CITY, Alabama, population 23,205. Located across the Chattahoochee River from Columbus, Georgia we offer all the basic amenities of small town Southern life. There’s Cobb’s Barber Shop, where kindly grey-headed gentlemen discuss local politics and current affairs between the buzz of the clippers and local radio ag reports. And we have the friendly Elite Café, where Mr. Ross Gibson will cook you up the best plate of eggs and grits with red-eye gravy you ever tasted. We have a Bentley’s Grocery Store, the Phenix City Pharmacy, and the wonderful Palace Theatre, where on Saturdays a kid can get in for fifty cents and watch the latest B westerns or the new adventure of Francis the Talking Mule. Phenix City also boasts Idle Hour Amusement park – you can take a miniature train from downtown into the hills and roller-skate, bowl, and swim. There is even a little zoo there with bears and lions and monkeys. All of this mixed with dozens of churches, Christian and civic clubs, and one of the best hospitals in east Alabama make Phenix City an ideal place for the family. Not to mention the world-famous nightclubs, clip joints, and brothels. Phenix City is probably best known for its whores.” Thus begins Atkins’ fictional account of the cleanup of Phenix City, which began after the state Attorney General-elect Albert Patterson, was shot and killed on June 18, 1954, after running a campaign to clean up Phenix City (He was succeeded by his son who carried out his father’s plan). Larger than life characters include Ex-boxer and appointed sheriff Lamar Murphy, opposed by crooked Deputy Bert Fuller, Madame (in the traditional sense) Fannie Belle, and the redneck mafia determined to keep Phenix City sinful and profitable. Although the ending is obvious, the journey is most enjoyable, particularly if you have a personal interest in the area, as I, a native Alabamian do. 05/08 Jack Quick

WICKED PREY by John Sandford: All books give you a sense of time and place, sometimes generic and sometimes specific. Sandford’s latest is very specific – the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, MN. For Lucas Davenport the headaches are just beginning. In addition to the usual assortment of protestors and hangers-on associated with this kind of event, Lucas has a crew of professional stickup men in town who’ve spotted several lucrative opportunities, ranging from political moneymen with briefcases full of cash to that armored-car warehouse with the weakness in its security system. A while back, a stray bullet put a pimp and petty thief named Randy Whitcomb in a wheelchair, and, ever since, the man has been nursing his grudge into a full head of psychotic steam. He blames Davenport for the bullet, but it’s no fun just shooting him. That wouldn’t be painful enough. Not when Davenport has a pretty fourteen-year-old adopted daughter that Whitcomb can target instead. And then there’s the young man with the .50 caliber sniper rifle and the right- wing-crazy background, roaming through a city filled with the most powerful politicians on earth. This may be the wildest “prey” yet, certainly one of the most adrenaline filled. Go for it, even if you are a Democrat. 07/09 Jack Quick

WIDE OPEN by Deborah Coates: Hallie Michaels has just ten days to find out what happened to her sister, Dell. Rumor has it that Dell committed suicide, but Hallie knows that can’t be the case. With Dell’s ghost trailing along, Hallie becomes determined to discover the truth behind her sister’s death. As more ghosts follow, it becomes clear that something strange is going on in Grand Rapids. While Wide Open has its own clear conclusion, it helps knowing that it’s just part of a larger story. What comes next for Hallie and her ghosts is unclear, but Coates has definitely created an intriguing heroine and a “wide open” range of possibilities for the follow up titles. 3/12 Becky Lejeune

WIFE 22 by Melanie Gideon: This book has garnered quite a bit of buzz and it is most deserving. And if the title, Wife 22, brings to mind that classic, Catch 22, it should; in “Q&A with Author Melanie Gideon” on Amazon.com, Gideon says she thinks of marriage as a “catch 22”. And so it is in this quirky epistolary novel about a couple who have been married for almost twenty years. Alice is feeling sort of stuck in a rut; she knows William loves her but is he bored with her? Is she bored with him? When Alice receives an email asking her to participate in a marriage study, she signs up and is assigned the anonymous moniker, “Wife 22” and is asked questions, via email, by the also anonymous “Researcher 101”. As the study goes on, Alice gets to relive the highlights and lowest points of her marriage and starts to have feelings for her researcher. Will they meet? Is she ready for an affair? Using emails, Facebook postings and such to propel the story along brings a fresh twist to this examination of marriage in the twenty-first century, along with a lot of laughs, and a lot of heart. These characters spring to life on the page and we can’t help but get emotionally invested. I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. 6/12 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

WIFE 22 by Melanie Gideon: Alice and William have been married for almost twenty years. The spark has become something of a fizzle of late and Alice isn’t sure what to do. When she receives an email regarding participation in a survey study on marriage in the 21st century, Alice signs up. Her anonymous contributions as Wife 22 allow Alice to look back at her relationship and remember the things that brought her and William together. Her online conversations with Researcher 101 (her anonymous contact at the study) makes Alice realize what’s missing in her relationship—just the kind of interest and attention Researcher 101 has been paying to her. Is Alice’s marriage reaching its end or is it possible to start again? Wife 22 is a truly sweet and heartwarming read. I loved Alice and all of her quirks and paranoia. Gideon’s whole cast of characters shines. 6/12 Becky Lejeune

WILD LAWS by Jim Hansen: The ninth entry in the Laws series sends Denver homicide detective Bryson Coventry half way around the world to the mean streets of Hong Kong seeking a killer who has targeted a mysterious woman for death. It doesn’t take Coventry long to hook-up with a beautiful young Hong Kong detective. As his Denver homicide partner, Shalifa Netherwood says, “You’ve done this a thousand times, Bryson…you meet a woman and – bam. – everything else in the universe disappears.” Together Bryson and his Hong Kong cohort travel from the highest of high society haunts to the seediest underground hideaways to catch their prey. Throw in art and money, and s-e-x and you have the wildest Laws adventure yet. Not only is Coventry’s life potentially at stake – he may also lose his job in Denver. That would be a real bummer. And to top it off, Coventry isn’t even trying to solve the right crime. Can’t wait for the sequel to this one. 03/10 Jack Quick

THE WILD ROAD by Marjorie Liu: A woman wakes in a smoky hotel room with no memory of how she got there – no memories at all, actually. There are three dead bodies on the floor and a note pinned to her jacket that reads simply, “Run.” With nowhere to go and no other options, she escapes into the world outside. She ends up bumping into Lannes Hannelore, one of the few remaining gargoyles in the world. In spite of Lannes’s fear of letting anyone get to close, for reasons of his own, he feels compelled to help this woman. They soon find themselves on the run from an unknown assailant who seems to be able to find them anywhere they go. Their only solution is to track him down themselves and try to unravel the mystery of the woman’s identity along the way. The Wild Road is a steamy paranormal romance/mystery that reads like an adult fairytale. It is also the latest installment to Liu’s Dirk and Steele series. Dirk and Steele is a paranormal detective agency that links each book together. However, each title seems to focus on a new set of characters – readers can jump into the series at any point and skip around as much as they like without feeling at all lost. 11/08 Becky Lejeune

WILD THING by Josh Bazell: You should have no problem picking out this book at your local library or bookstore. Its the one with the international orange cover trimmed with bright white and egg yolk yellow. Inside the contents make the cover look tame. Dr. Lionel Azimuth, aka Dr. Peter Brown, aka former mob hit man Pietro Brnwa, is hired by a reclusive billionaire to go on an expedition looking for a legendary Loch Ness type monster in Minnesota. He sends along a sexy but self-destructive paleontologist to “assist” our hero. After working their way through an army of murderers, mobsters, and international drug dealers will they find the elusive lake monster? Better yet, will they even survive? If you enjoyed BEAT THE REAPER, you will love this follow-up. 3/12 Jack Quick

WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW? by Ed Gorman: Richard Conners, a notorious liberal in the small Iowa town of Black River Falls where PI and lawyer Sam McCain makes his living, shows up at McCain’s door, near death, and succumbs without naming his attacker. McCain has no faith in the investigative ability of local law enforcement, so he proceeds on his own. In short order, he’s also confronted with the deaths of a former FBI agent now fronting an anti-Communist organization and two other right-wing activists. Just as Ed McBain made the fictitious 87th precinct famous, Gorman has created a microcosm of late 1950’s America and populated it with interesting and sometimes offbeat characters who reflect the thoughts and conflicts of that time. A most enjoyable series. 01/10 Jack Quick

WILLING SPIRITS by Phyllis Schieber: Jane Hoffman and Gwen Baker have been friends for decades. Jane was there for Gwen when her husband, Theodore, left her to raise two young children alone. They’ve raised their children together and through the years their friendship has endured as well. Now, they are in their 40s and are facing larger, more painful crisis. Jane comes home early to find her husband, Arnold, in bed with another woman. Their marriage has never been a strong one. Arnold’s always been an empty shell of a man, more concerned about his needs than hers. And when Arnold attempts to walk right back into her life, rather than conceding to him like she’s done for their entire marriage, Jane begins to think first about what she wants. And when their daughter, Caroline, comes to her with news that will change their lives, Jane must be there to support her in a way her own mother was never able to do. Gwen has been in a relationship with Daniel, a married man, for several years. When he tells her that he’s going to leave his wife, she begins to wonder if this is what she really wants. She’d become used to having her own space, but now Daniel wants to move in with her. She can’t help but flash back to her marriage to Theodore and all she was forced to give up for that relationship. Is she ready to give up her independence again? Schieber tells an endearing tale about the friendship of two women. Despite the many challenges they each suffered in life, they never take for granted their friendship. Through the years as their friendship grows, they both discover a bit about themselves as well. Shieber’s lesson is an important one: value the needs of others but never forget the value of one’s self. 03/09 Jennifer Lawrence

WINDWALKER by Natasha Mostert: In an attempt to escape from the memory of her brother’s recent death, photographer Justine Callaway takes a job as the caretaker of the English manor called Parradine Park. She knows nothing of the house’s dark history but is immediately drawn to the neglected estate. Justine soon finds herself becoming obsessed with events that took place in the home nearly a decade ago. Parradine Park was once the not so happy home of the Buchanan family. One evening, eldest son Adam snapped and murdered his own brother. Adam was never seen again. Unable to deal with the loss of her favorite son, their mother committed suicide and Adam’s sister abandoned the home shortly thereafter. Justine is haunted by this tale and to learn as much as she can about Adam Buchanan and the event that tore his family apart. Thousands of miles away, in a town called Kepler’s Bay, Adam Buchanan has made a new life for himself. He lives in almost complete solitude and never forgets the crime that caused this punishment. He does dream, however. Adam has long believed that his soul mate awaits him somewhere, in this life or the next. By strange coincidence, he happens across a magazine carrying and article about Justine. From that moment forward, he knows that she is the one. Will these two fated lovers meet or will their own tragic pasts keep them forever apart? As someone who does not typically read romance, I must say that this melancholy tale is very atypical to the genre. Mostert’s style is much more suitable to literary fiction and I think she would be much more appreciated there. I highly recommend Windwalker if you are looking for a great modern gothic read. 06/07 Becky Lejeune

WINGS TO THE KINGDOM by Cherie Priest: Eden Moore has been trying to keep her talent under wraps, but those seeking to connect with their dearly departed keep tracking her down anyway. When a friend mentions a recent spectral appearance at the Chickamauga battlefield, Eden’s curiosity is piqued. The area has always been host to a bevy of ghost stories but this latest stands out. A pair of professional ghost hunters has even come onto the scene to investigate. Then very real—and deadly—gunshots begin to once again ring out across the battlefield and Eden is caught in the crosshairs. Cherie Priest is admittedly one of my favorite authors. Her debut, and first in this series (Four and Twenty Blackbirds), was a chilling Southern ghost story and she doesn’t lose any steam in this second installment. Eden is a fantastic character and Priest makes excellent use of actual history and folklore in her tales, with some creative license of course. 12/10 Becky Lejeune

A WINTER HAUNTING by Dan Simmons: It’s been four decades since the summer when Dale and his friends fought evil in Elm Haven. Four decades since Duane McBride was murdered. Dale’s memories of that year are hazy at best, but after a failed suicide attempt, he’s decided that it’s time to return. His plan is to rent Duane’s old farmhouse and spend the next nine months writing his latest novel. But the farmhouse holds secrets as well as a lingering presence and Dale’s visit to his childhood hometown is plagued by strange events. Dale doesn’t believe in ghosts, but the alternative, that he might be finally losing his mind, is even worse. Simmons’s tales run the gamut from science fiction and horror to historical fiction and mystery, and each one I’ve read so far has been a complete masterpiece of fiction. I particularly love the atmosphere he’s able to build, which makes books like A Winter Haunting and its companion (they can each be read alone), Summer of Night, particularly chilling and exceptional horror reads. 03/11 Becky Lejeune

WIRED by Liz Maverick: L. Roxanne Zaborovsky, Roxy, is having a bad night. While walking to the neighborhood convenience store, Roxy is interrupted by two men who seem to be fighting over her. One of the two men, Mason Merrick, just happens to be her ex-roommate’s old boyfriend. She decides to trust Mason, for now, but what he reveals to her may be just a little too much to handle. Mason is a wire crosser, he travels through time attempting to restore the original lines of fate altered by Leonardo Kaysar, the other man in the fight. Roxy soon discovers that Mason’s motives may not be so altruistic after all. It seems that each man is trying to manipulate the future to benefit his own cause. Unsure who to trust, and unable to rely on even her own memories, Roxanne is forced to play this deadly game through to the end. This pulse pounding, nonstop race through time is like no romance novel you’ve ever read before.
Maverick’s title is the first to be published by Dorchester under their new SHOMI imprint – am imprint devoted to cutting edge romance for a less traditional, and younger, romance audience. 07/07 Becky Lejeune

WITHER by Lauren DeStefano: After conquering cancer and creating a stronger, healthier generation of children through genetic manipulation, life expectancy strangely plummets: boys live to be twenty-five and girls live to be only twenty. No one has found a cure and many have lost hope altogether. To make matters worse, girls are being kidnapped and sold into polygamist marriages. Rhine and her twin brother Rowan have been taking care of each other since their parents died. At sixteen, they know that Rhine is at risk and their fears are realized when she is taken and forced to marry a wealthy Florida man. But Rhine is unwilling to play the role of token wife and breeder, and from day one, she begins hatching a plan for her escape. But Rhine never counted on becoming attached. She finds friends and allies in her fellow brides and a boy who works in the house, placing all of them in danger. A post-disaster, futuristic teen book that’s impossible to put down, Wither is definitely worth all of the hype. This first in the trilogy will leave readers breathless with anticipation of what will come next. 05/11 Becky Lejeune

WITHOUT MERCY by Lisa Jackson: Julia “Jules” Farentino is an unemployed twenty-five-year-old teacher battling the memories of her father’s murder. The nightmares and headaches were terrible enough to cause her issues at work, but it’s her sister who’s suffered the most. Shaylee’s behavior in recent years has landed her in enough trouble that she’s now been ordered to attend the Blue Rock Academy, a boarding school cut off from the outside world that is said to turn problem children around. In fact, the testimonials from past students and their parents would make the place seem like the perfect solution for Shay, but Jules is not convinced. A recent scandal involving one of the Academy’s teachers paired with a missing student who disappeared without a trace makes Jules certain that the school is hiding something sinister. Jules manages to obtain a teaching position at Blue Rock and arrives the same day that two students are attacked and left for dead on campus. Can Julia unravel the mystery of Blue Rock in time to save her sister or will she herself become a victim of whatever is stalking the campus? Lisa Jackson can always be relied upon for a thrilling read with plenty of twists. The surprise ending was bit expected and predictable, but didn’t make Without Mercy any less enjoyable. 04/10 Becky Lejeune

WICKED BREAK by Jeff Shelby: In his second outing, San Diego surfer PI Noah Braddock is hired by Peter Pluto to find Pluto’s brother Linc, a college student whose apartment has a stash of guns. In short order, Linc’s neighbor is shot, Pluto is killed, and Braddock is severely beaten. From there on out, its gangbangers and skinheads and lots of manly action. Throw in some love interest and a problem parent and you have a good fast read with some humor and plenty of action. Kind of what you would expect from a surfer PI. 08/06 Jack Quick

WICKED GAME by Jeri Smith-Ready: Ciara Griffin is a con-woman looking for a real job. She manages to get hired on as a Sales and Marketing intern at WMMP Radio. Unlike many stations out there today, WMMP’s djs really care about the music. You see they’re all vampires. Apparently, the vamps have a hard time letting go of the era in which they were alive and the station was set up to help them deal with the change in times – the music provides them something concrete that they can hold on to, which makes it easier for them to cope with the time that has past. The problem is this, the owner, a vamp herself, is looking to ensure her retirement and a big corporate conglomerate has offered to buy out the station which would leave the rest of the undead djs out of a job. Ciara is supposed to help figure out a way to boost the station’s popularity and bring in enough cash to discourage the sale. She does, but her plan involves outing the vamps themselves in hopes that it will prove to be a great marketing gimmick without actually convincing people that the undead really do walk among us. Unfortunately, her campaign is not so popular with other area vamps. Smith-Ready’s urban fantasy is both sharp and witty, Ciara is a spunky and sarcastically funny heroine, and the whole book is a fresh spin on the classic vampire mythology making it a stand-out title amongst its peers. 05/08 Becky Lejeune

WILD CRIMES edited by Dana Stabenow – Nicely done paperback anthology of eleven short stories of mystery set in the wild. Authors include Stabenow, Loren Estleman, Laurie King, and S.J. Rozan. A good “waiting room” book to kill those odd few minutes. For sure, it takes you away from “street crime.” 08/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

Wild Justice by Phillip Margolin: Very scary, gruesome thriller that kept me up half the night reading, then too scared to sleep! What more could you want from a book? Definitely his best work yet.

WILD JUSTICE By Phillip Margolin: Somebody gave me a well read paperback of this and told me I’d like it…
I did. This one is made a good read by the fact that it’s very much an ensemble piece. No one character in the thread of the story stands out. In fact, you actually find yourself rooting for the bad guy here in spots!.
No brief synopsis could describe what goes on in this one. Imagine part legal stuff, vs. some truly sick and motivated people, all with their own agendas and risks. Think along the lines of a print Robert Altman movie.
I have to admit that I figured out who the bad guy was early on.. But that’s only because I’ve been reading this stuff for nearly four decades. I know the signs when I see ’em. But this is a really good yarn, skillfully told from both the legal and action standpoints. And the interaction between all the sets, and subsets, of players makes this a unique thriller, one that does not depend on a sole hero, but allows ALL the players in the tale to have their fame or misfortune. This is a good one. 05/06 DOC

THE WIND-UP BIRD CHRONICLE by Haruki Murakami: First, Toru Okada’s cat goes missing. Then, Kumiko, his wife goes missing as well. Toru is told, both by Kumiko and her family, to leave her alone and grant her wish for a divorce. He is told that she has been seeing another man. Toru believes, however, that something is amiss. He believes that Kumiko is being held, against her wishes, and he vows to continue to search for her and win her back. Along the way, Toru meets some very unusual characters including his teenage neighbor who is recovering from an accident that caused the death of her boyfriend, a pair of psychic sisters, and an ex-military man who is finally ready to tell his story. All of the people that Toru meets will prepare him in some way for what ultimately needs to be done to discover the true fate of his wife. Murakami’s prose is both lyrical and bewitching. Each new character has his or her own tale to tell, creating little vignettes or breaks from Toru’s own story. This strange, and sometimes confusing, tale is one that will leave you guessing until the end. 03/07 Becky Lejeune

THE WINTER GHOSTS by Kate Mosse: Freddie never recovered from the loss of his older brother. In fact, Freddie found himself temporarily installed in a sanatorium after a nervous breakdown. When his car goes off the road in a remote part of the Pyrenees, Freddie manages to find shelter at an inn in a small mountain town. That evening, he attends a local celebration and meets an entrancing young woman. The following morning, however, all evidence of the woman is gone and Freddie finds himself in the throes of a terrible fever. No doubt others believe Freddie is of a delicate mental state, but surely the girl was not his imagination. As with Mosse’s other books, the inspiration for The Winter Ghosts lies in actual French history. This time, it’s the fourteenth-century massacre of the Cathars that is the basis for the tale. The Winter Ghosts is written in the style of a classic Victorian ghost story and is an intriguing read. 12/11 Becky Lejeune

WINTER MOON: Three novellas by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee and C. E. Murphy: This is one of those books that I would suggest, not facetiously, that if you like this sort of thing, you’ll like the book. Mercedes Lackey’s “Moontide” is a totally enjoyable story about a kingdom where power is up for grabs, marriages are made to cement relationships and the lead character, the king’s daughter, isn’t having any of it. There are overtones of Celtic/Irish lore and a “saturnine” “bearded” ally who seems vaguely Arabic, but it’s an interesting realm and a good adventure It didn’t need to be as long as a novella; I got it long before the story ended.
C.E. Murphy’s story, while set in my home of Seattle, bugged me; the character seemed far too young, whiny and immature to be a cop. The story relies too much on references to events that happened before this tale began and there are measly little errors that should have been fixed; “Tetris” does not involve anyone “dying horribly” and Indians do not have skin “as red as brick” – which any adult, especially a Seattle-based cop, should know. We have Indians here in Seattle. Go look. Okay, it’s in her imagination but I lost patience with her. And naming your car and insisting It’s a “her not an it”? Please.
And I apologize to the Tanith Lee fans; while her “The Heart of the Moon” seemed well-written as far as I got, it’s too spiritual and goddessy for my taste and I could not finish it. If you like stories about spirituality and power, if you were into moon goddess stuff back when, or even now, you’ll likely enjoy all of these tales more than I did. 10/05 ~This review contributed by Andi Shechter.

WINTERWOOD by Patrick McCabe: This disturbing novel is the story of one man’s sick obsession and eventual downward spiral into madness. Redmond Hatch hails from the mountain village of Slievenageeha, a place where it’s not unusual to hear more urban Irishmen refer to folk as being inbred and country, amongst other things. Redmond, a reporter for a Dublin paper, has returned to cover a story on mountain folklore. While writing the story he befriends a man named Ned Strange, who the locals lovingly call Auld Pappie. Ned has been teaching the young children the art of ceilidh – a sort of barn dance with folk music – and also entertains the villagers with tales of the old times. Ned is revered for keeping the culture alive but he is not the pure soul he first appears to be. Under the influence of some pretty heavy homebrew, Ned reveals to Redmond some startling information about his past. Years later, Ned is imprisoned after sexually assaulting and killing a local boy. Redmond becomes fixated on Ned and his crime to the point that he soon destroys his own family. Redmond’s own life even begins to resemble Ned’s stories and the two become somewhat indistinguishable from one another. Although the use of a non-linear storyline certainly lends belief to Redmond’s crumbling sanity, it also makes the story very hard to follow. This is ultimately a bleak and depressing, not to mention somewhat confusing, book. 01/08 Becky Lejeune

WISHFUL SINFUL by Tracy Dunham: After losing a highly publicized capital punishment case, attorney Tal Jefferson leaves her big city law firm and hectic life, returning to the small Georgia town where she was raised. For a while she finds comfort in memories and booze, but when a childhood friend is accused of a brutal murder, Tal must quickly clean up her act as she finds her own life in danger from the consequences of small town secrets with big time implications. First in the series. A little uneven but shows promise. 04/06 Jack Quick

THE WITCH’S DAUGHTER by Paula Brackston: Elizabeth Hawksmith has been running for such a long time. For centuries she’s been tracked by Gideon Masters, an evil sorcerer who was once her only hope. After her family was killed by the plague, Elizabeth and her mother were accused of witchcraft. Gideon was her savior but he wished to keep her as his own. Elizabeth has narrowly escaped him throughout the years, hiding in plain sight and adopting new identities, always using her powers to help those around her. But when Elizabeth finally decides to take on a pupil of her own, she will be forced to choose: continue running or take a stand. The Witch’s Daughter is a wonderful combination of historical fiction and paranormal. Brackston’s story alternates between past and present as she mixes tales of Elizabeth’s early life with the present day, tying in historical events including Jack the Ripper and the horrors of WWI. I did find the ending to be a bit brief considering the build. Overall, a really enjoyable read, though. 1/11 Becky Lejeune

WITCHLING by Yasmine Galenorn: The D’Artigo sisters are half fae, half human. Each has their own ability, but their human genes have an inconvenient effect on their powers. Camille is a witch whose spells don’t always come out just right, Delilah is a shapeshifter who transforms into an orange tabby when she’s stressed, and Menolly is having a hard time adjusting to life as a vampire. But they’re all doing their best and they’ve been working in the human realm as agents with the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. When a fellow otherworlder is murdered, all signs point to a new and evil boss in the Subterranean Realm. If he’s able to get through the natural barriers between the worlds, all hell would surely break loose. The D’Artigo sisters learn that there were nine spirit seals created ages ago as protection for the realms. Defending the seals is the only way the sisters can ensure that the realms remain safe. This first in the series has a wonderful fairy tale feel about it that sets it apart from others in the paranormal romance/mystery genre. It’ll be interesting to continue the stories and learn more about the sisters as well as the realms and other creatures introduced. 05/10 Becky Lejeune

WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE by Sally Koslow: While some people are lucky enough to hang onto friends for a lifetime, others find that life can sometimes lead friends in different directions. Talia, Chloe, Quincy, and Jules are all facing big life changes. And when two of the friends betray each other in ways that seem unforgivable, it starts to look unlikely that the group will make it through and remain close. Quincy is house hunting for the perfect home when luck finally comes her way in the form of a fantastic apartment that’s an even more fantastic deal. Problem is, Jules’s boyfriend lives in the same building and wants the place for himself. Meanwhile, Talia is finding it hard to make ends meet when she accidentally intercepts a call for Chloe from one of New York’s best headhunters. Sally Koslow’s story is one concerning the tricky balance of true friendship, something that many women can and will relate to. A bit snarkier than Leah Stewart’s The Myth of You and Me, With Friends Like These touches on the same issues in a much lighter way. 09/10 Becky Lejeune
With This Puzzle, I Thee Kill by Parnell Hall: As a cruciverbalist of long standing, I have really enjoyed Parnell Hall’s series about The Puzzle Lady. As readers of these books know, the Puzzle Lady is not really Cora Felton whose picture appears on the Puzzle Lady’s publications, but her attractive young niece, Sherry, who really constructs the puzzles. The efforts of both of them to conceal this deception is a basis for on-going hilarity in all of these stories since Cora has no idea how to solve a crossword, much less create one.
This story begins as the oft-wed Cora is about to commit matrimony one more time. Of course, this time it is Mr. Right. As we start across and down, we can guess two things. First, that he will turn out to be Mr. Wrong and secondly, that his chances of actually making it to the altar are slim to none. Correct on both counts.
The complication in the plot is Sherry’s ex-husband who physically abused her. He is now engaged to her best friend. He suggests that they have a double wedding with Cora and her intended so that Sherry can serve as the Maid of Honor in both weddings simultaneously. This cannot be good.
Everything that can go wrong, does. With very funny results.
One word of caution, this time out Mr. Hall has eschewed crosswords in favor of cryptograms and letter substitution. Nonetheless, this is a great holiday read and will be enjoyed by all of us who worship at the altar of Will Shortz.
Readers who enjoy wrestling with language may also enjoy Reginald Hill’s last two books, Dialogues of the Dead and Death’s Jest-Book, although they are lengthier and more complex than Mr. Hall’s delightful tales. 12/03 ~This review contributed by Geoffrey R. Hamlin.

Without Fail by Lee Child: I couldn’t put down this gripping thriller involving an attempted assassination of the Vice President. I’ve never read Mr. Child before, but I loved his main character, Jack Reacher. I am looking forward to catching up on his backlist.

WITHOUT MERCY by Jack Higgins: Either you enjoy Higgins as a “comfort read” or you don’t. Personally I do, and if his characters aren’t the deepest or his plots the most complex, he still knows how to tell a tale and involve the reader. Sean Dillon–former IRA enforcer now working for British intelligence–seeks revenge on the Russian agents responsible for murdering his colleague Hanna Bernstein. Meanwhile the Russians are trying to salvage their plan to obtain a steady supply of oil from Iraq. It probably isn’t possible, but there is always the underlying thought that maybe there is something to this premise, after all. 01/06 Jack Quick

WITHOUT WARNING by Eugenia Lovett West: Now in her late forties, with her children grown and gone, Emma Streat should be looking forward to starting the next chapter of her life, but she never counted on that next chapter beginning with her husband’s death. Just before their latest trip to London, Emma’s husband begins acting jumpy: nervous and snapping at her for seemingly no good reason. After an abrupt departure back to the States, Emma’s husband is killed in what is initially thought to be a hit-and-run accident. Emma’s discovery of a note regarding one of his coworkers is just the first clue that something is amiss. As Emma digs into her husband’s death, she uncovers a web of intrigue involving spies, dangerous weapons developments, and state secrets that those in power are dying to keep under wraps. This first in Lovett West’s series is a surprisingly different read than one would initially expect. Much darker than a cozy, Without Warning is a mystery edging into the world of political thrillers. An exciting start to what promises to be a smart new series. 11/09 Becky Lejeune

WIVES AND SISTERS by Natalie R. Collins: I’m always intrigued by books about a different culture, and this one is an in depth look at the Mormons told from the perspective of a woman who feels her whole life has been lived under a cloud, and with good reason. The author knows her subject; she was raised in a Mormon home in Utah.
I loved the opening line of this book: “I was six years old the first time I had an inkling God would not always protect me.”
And I couldn’t put it down until I read the last line.
Six year old Allison Jensen and her best friend are playing in a field when they hear a gun shot. The shooter, an older man with a beard, yells at the girls to take off their clothes. Instead, they take off running, hand in hand. But when Allison turns to look behind them to see if they are being chased, she falls and is knocked unconscious. When she awakens, her friend is gone and never is found. But that is just the tip of the iceberg of Allison’s problems. As she grows older she also has to deal with a religion she doesn’t understand and doesn’t quite believe in, an abusive father, the deaths of loved ones and a rape, but most devastating of all is the suspected cover up of these tragedies by her family and her church. It makes for a most heartrending and compelling story that will not be easily forgotten. 02/05

THE WOLF AT THE DOOR by Jack Higgins: Higgins’s 17th Sean Dillon thriller (after A Darker Place), starts with a bang. Presidential advisor Blake Johnson is shot at the dock of his place off Long Island. In London, General Charles Ferguson, who’s just left a late-night meeting of Commonwealth ministers, is walking toward his car when it explodes, killing his driver. In New York City, Major Harry Miller, who’s in the U.S. to attend a U.N. meeting, goes for a stroll in Central Park, where he neatly turns the tables on another hired hit man. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is behind all this as payback for their being such a thorn in his side over the years. Good eventually triumphs as it always does in Higgins outings but not before there is some heart stopping action and even a wee bit of whisky drinking. Another good one. 02/10 Jack Quick

WOLFBREED by S.A. Swann: 1221, Eastern Europe: An outpost of Christian knights from the Crusades is attacked and wiped out by what appears to be a giant wolf. One knight survives, killing the wolf and discovering her lair—and her offspring. For the next eighteen years, the Order of the Hospital of St. Mary will train these creatures to be their own beasts of battle. Their single goal is to kill the enemies of their masters. Lilly was raised to be a powerful weapon, but the knights will soon discover that she is not a mindless creature. It is 1239 when Lilly finally escapes, but her master and his fellow knights will not give her up so easily. In fact, Lilly’s escape may be the catalyst in a conflict that’s been brewing between the nearby landowners and the knights who have ruled them with an iron fist for over a decade. Whether Lilly’s protectors will stand by her once the truth of her identity is revealed is the biggest question, though. I really enjoyed this blend of historical fiction and paranormal. Wolfbreed is a great standout amongst the werewolf titles of late. The sequel, Wolf’s Cross, is due out this month. 07/10 Becky Lejeune
THE WOLFMAN by Nicholas Pekearo: Marlowe Higgins is a bit of a loaner. He moves from town to town, never settling down in one place. You see, Marlowe Higgins is a werewolf. For years the Wolf existed, uncontrolled and killing at random. Until Marlowe trained the Wolf to only kill those he deemed bad enough to die. A serial killer, The Rose Killer, has begun to kill young women in the small town where Higgins is currently residing. He works closely with Daniel Pearce, a local police detective, to obtain details regarding the crimes and focuses his attention on alleviating the small town of this horrible killer. Pekearo did a wonderful job with this amazing thriller/horror novel. The descriptions of the Wolf’s actions were downright gory and added to the intensity of this book. This is definitely a book that would attract readers from several different genres, ranging from paranormal thrillers to true crime. The Wolfman was Pekearo’s first and only published work. Pekearo was a volunteer for the NYPD Auxiliary Police Officer and was killed in the line of duty in 2007. 06/08 Jennifer Lawrence

WOLVES EAT DOGS by Martin Cruz Smith: Senior Investigator Arkady Renko is investigating the death of Pasha Ivanov, the wealthy president of Moscow’s NoviRus Corporation, who plunged 10 stories to the pavement from his designer apartment. Renko’s boss, Prosecutor Zurin declares the death a suicide but Renko, being Renko, isn’t so sure and wonders about details like the 50 kilos of salt in Ivanov’s closet and the fact that he was clutching a salt shaker at the moment of his death. Renko’s persistence causes him to be sent to Chernobyl and the Zone of Exclusion. Can he solve the case before the radiation permanently affects him? Dark and brooding, but very well written. 11/05 ~This review contributed by Jack Quick.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK by Susan Hill: As a young man, Arthur Kipps experienced unspeakable horror. For decades, he’s attempted to put the events at Eel Marsh House behind him, but now it’s time to once again dredge up the past and face the truth. One of Kipps’s first assignments as a solicitor was to help with the handling of Alice Drablow’s estate. Alice, a widow who had recently passed away, had no one else to close out her affairs. Arthur was sent to Eel Marsh House, a dreary estate in the midst of a marsh and accessible only during low tides, as a representative of the firm where he’d recently been hired on. The locals were of no help and Kipps knew that there was more to Eel Marsh House and Alice Drablow than anyone would admit. Still, he was determined to do the job right. But Arthur would soon find that there are some forces that cannot be reasoned with. The Woman in Black is a chilling and atmospheric ghost story, recently adapted for the big screen. The book is wonderfully dark and creepy and I can’t wait to see what the movie has in store. 2/12 Becky Lejeune

A WOMAN TO BLAME by Marthanne Shubert: Gin Ritchey is the re-incarnation of Travis McGee. She lives on the Blue Jasmine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and works as a private detective when she feels like it. She is financially secure as the result of the books her husband published before his untimely death. Would be singer Agnes Stierholz, AKA “Bunny” is having it on with Nick Rossano, one of the retired New Jersey snowbirds about three times her age when her fiancé arrives from Flint, Michigan, at Ritchey’s door, or boat slip, as it were. A couple of weeks later when Nick, a diabetic, is found dead in bed, Ritchey begins to wonder if there might be more here than meets the eye. Not bad for a beach read, but nothing challenging. 02/09 Jack Quick

WONDROUS STRANGE by Lesley Livingston: In Central Park lies the Samhain Gate, a thin connection between the worlds that King Auberon tried to seal and failed. Each year at Halloween, the gate opens and Auberon’s Janus guards — changelings chosen specifically to guard the gate — are set to work. Sonny Flannery, Auberon’s favorite Janus, can sense beings from the realm of the fey, comes in handy tracking down troublemakers as part of his job. One night, though, he senses something else, something he is not familiar with. His search leads him to a teenage girl, by all appearances a normal human. He leaves her to begin his duties, only to discover later that there is something very special about this mortal. He is able to track her, but will he be able to figure out what she is and can he protect her from what is to come, or will he even need to? This is a fairy story, but not a fairy tale. The fey are not cute or sweet, in fact, this tale draws from just about every dark myth there is, and, of course, from Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream as well. Wondrous Strange is a great teen read but is fun for adults as well. If you enjoy mythology and stories of the fey, then I’d recommend snagging this one for yourself before passing it along. 03/09 Becky Lejeune

THE WOODS by Harlan Coben: This book came out several months ago and I wasn’t really planning on reading it; I gave up on Coben after the ridiculous ending in No Second Chance. But so many people raved about this new one, I decided to give him another try. Coben writes these twisty, gripping thrillers, taking ordinary people and putting them in extraordinary circumstances, but he inevitably winds up writing himself into a corner with endings that are either too neatly tied up or even worse, don’t make sense. With The Woods, he’s redeemed himself. The premise is the stuff legends are made of – Paul Copeland was working in a summer camp and was supposed to be on night duty, but instead, snuck off into the woods with his girlfriend. But four teenagers were murdered that night, including Paul’s sister. Spring forward twenty years and Copeland is now a county prosecutor with political ambitions. He’s asked to identify a body that he believes to be one of the teenagers that was supposedly killed that night at camp, unraveling twenty years of history and then some. Tons of suspense, lots of twists and intricate plotting overcome the shallow characters to make this a furiously fast, fun read with an ending that made sense. 09/07 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

THE WOODS by Harlan Coben: Paul “Cope” Copeland was the counselor on duty the night his sister and three other campers were killed. Years later he still lives with the guilt he associates with that night. It was his responsibility to make sure the kids were safe and he failed. Maybe, if he hadn’t been on duty they would have lived. The bodies of two of the campers, his own sister and a boy named Gil Perez, were never found. Two decades after the murders Cope is once again being questioned by police. A man calling himself Manolo Santiago has been found murdered. In his pocket, he carried a magazine article about Cope. Cope believes the man may actually be Gil Perez. Faced with this, and the possibility that his own sister may have survived, Cope begins to reinvestigate the crime that so devastated his family and changed his life forever. Oh, Harlan Coben, you keep me up so late at night! Though regrettably this is not one of my favorites, The Woods is still a guaranteed edge of your seat thriller that will satisfy Coben fans until next year. 06/07 Becky Lejeune

The Wooden Nickel by William Carpenter, Little Brown: I read this book for two simple reasons. First I have an interest in Maine (grandparents). Second I have an interest in lobsters (live ones, no butter). I got what I wanted and I got Lucky Lunt. I loved the main character Lucky. He was so politically incorrect, so crazy, so fierce, and so wrongly named! I kept thinking “he’ll stop now- he’s gotta” but he never did and I was glad he didn’t. Lucky lives in Orphan Point, Maine and spends his summer, when he ought to be watching his health and looking after his family, turning his life upside down. Carpenter’s writing is terrific and it was fun to be out on the ocean with Lucky or having a Rolling Rock with him. Here is your comp title: if you like Richard Russo (and I do) you will like this book. A great read and an unforgettable character. I’ll leave it to the scholars to explain the meaning of the rogue whale, or you can when you read it.

PS: William Carpenter has written one novel and three books of poetry. He is a professor at College of the Atlantic in Maine. He lists American Psycho and The Satanic Verses as some of his favorite novels – – gotta love that. Check out his bio on the Little Brown website. ~This review contributed by Ann Nappa

WORKING FOR THE DEVIL by Lilith Saintcrow: Dante Valentine is a Necromance – she has the ability to raise the dead. She uses her talent mostly to aid her clients in tying up legal matters and various loose ends. Occasionally, she also offers her services as a bounty hunter. Now she’s been given an assignment that’s a bit different. She’s been hired by the Dark Prince himself to track down and assassinate a rogue demon. Dante is not inclined to accept the assignment until she discovers the identity of said demon. Vardimal Santino almost killed Dante last time they met. He did kill her best friend. Now, Dante is literally hell-bent on getting her revenge. The first in this complex new urban fantasy series is sure to grab readers’ attentions. Dante is a gritty and tenacious heroine with a somewhat mysterious past who lives in a bleak future incarnation of our world. Saintcrow combines elements of mystery and fantasy to bring readers an exceptional page turning read. Although Working for the Devil was originally published last year, it has been reprinted and released simultaneously with the second and third books in the series, which is a good thing because I promise you will be scrambling to pick up the next book. Books four and five will follow in November and January, respectively. 09/07 Becky Lejeune

WORLD WAR Z by Max Brooks: Okay, so as usual I have to start with a disclaimer—EVEN IF YOU HATE ZOMBIES, YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS BOOK ANYWAY. I mean, of course, everyone hates actual zombies, but I like stories about them and I’m sure a lot of people don’t.
Anyway. I finished reading this book on the same day I saw the movie I Am Legend, and I have to say I was a bit twitchy when walking into dark places for the rest of the week, but this is not really a horror novel. It’s actually told as an oral history (many people compare it to Studs Terkel, who I haven’t read, so I can’t speak to that, but if that sounds cool to you, go for it). According to the book, (and the jacket copy and everything is completely written as if this was a TRUE STORY) there was this major zombie war sometime in the near future, and the author has traveled all over the world interviewing people about their experiences during the conflict. It’s absolutely realistic in terms of what might really happen if a huge army of zombies started attacking people all over the world. Really unusual and creative. Jenne Bergstrom 03/08

THE WORST KIND OF LIES by John Patrick Lamont: Billed as the first of the Sum of Life Trilogy, The Worst Kind of Lies is a tell-all about greed, deceit, betrayal and even murder (??) in the modern insurance industry. At 500 pages it contains more minutiae than most would care for about that industry. Moreover the fact that the company being dissected is Titanic Insurance Company of Kansas should tell you most of what you need to know. If you get your kicks watching MSNBC and the stock market ticker, you will love this one. Otherwise, might want to stick to lighter fare. 05/09 Jack Quick

WORST NIGHTMARES by Shane Briant: Best-selling and award-winning author Dermot Nolan has a problem. It seems the well has run dry, at least for now. Nothing is inspiring him and he has already run through his million-dollar advance, with no possible way of paying it back. When he first receives the Dream Healer’s journal, Dermot is annoyed and disgusted. Annoyed that yet again someone has approached him to get their book published, and disgusted with the writing and the story. The “journal” recounts the murders of victims chosen based on their worst nightmares. Each of these people approached the Dream Healer through his website, thinking that he would cure them of the dreams that plague them. Instead, they were brutally murdered and all of it has been recorded for Dermot to read. He and his wife, Neela, never thought that it was real, though. In fact, when the author kills himself, it is Neela who convinces Dermot to take the story and make it his own. But Dermot never told his wife what he found at the so-called murder sites. And then someone dies in a scene straight out of Dermot’s new bestseller. Briant’s debut, a thriller/horror reminiscent of both King’s Secret Window, Secret Garden and Saw, is a twisted read. I would have liked more from the Dream Healer’s perspective, but given that he dies in the beginning… or does he? 05/09 Becky Lejeune

WORTH DYING FOR by Lee Child: Child continues to prove that a series can keep getting better with this 14th entry of the Jack Reacher series. Reacher is still recovering from the ending of 61 Hours; he can barely lift his arms and moves like a man in pain. He ends up in a small town in Nebraska, where he overhears a conversation in a bar where a doctor won’t attend to a woman with a bloody nose that won’t stop bleeding. He intervenes, driving the inebriated doctor to the woman’s house, setting off a course of events that could not have been foreseen.
It’s obvious to Reacher that this woman was beaten by her husband and not for the first time. Reacher, with his unflappable sense of justice, seeks out her husband and breaks his nose. The Duncan family runs this small part of Nebraska, and a punch in the face will most certainly be retaliated. After Reacher takes care of the two ex-football players sent to teach him a lesson, the whole thing just escalates into what it really is: something illegal is underfoot and making the Duncan family rich, and there is a decades old cover-up of a missing child. Reacher decides to hang around and right these wrongs. Lots of action, some interesting characters, and a small town with that sense of desolation that Child does so well makes this a book that I couldn’t put it down. 10/10 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch
WORTH DYING FOR by Lee Child: Physically, Reacher is recovering from the after effects of his adventures in 61 Hours. Mentally, he is in the “Don’t Mess With me, I Am An Angry Bear” mode. In an isolated Nebraska town where he has been dropped off from a hitchhike, he comes across an alcoholic doctor that he takes to Eleanor Duncan, who’s married to the abusive Seth, for a “nosebleed”, the result of Seth’s anger. Turn about is fair play, so Reacher breaks Seth’s nose after disposing of his bodyguard. This prompts members of the Duncan clan, who are involved in an illegal trafficking scheme, to seek revenge, which leads to two more would-be heavyweights lying in the dust. Now firmly committed, Reacher winds up trying to solve a decades-old case concerning a missing eight-year-old girl. With each succeeding book Reacher assumes even greater superhuman capabilities, but he remains entertaining as he goes from crisis to crisis. Continue to recommend this series. 12/10 Jack Quick

THE WOUNDED AND THE SLAIN by David Goodis: Hardcase Crime #31 is a reprint of 1955 classic. Although not as widely known as his contemporaries – Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammet – Goodis was noted producing some first rate fiction, turning out some five million words for pulp magazines, as well as serial novels and scripts for radio adventure shows. This one is the tale of a troubled married couple who fly to Jamaica for a last chance at patching things up. James ends up in a Kingston slum battling for his life, while Cora falls victim to another man. And to top it off, it has an awesome cover. Very much recommended. 05/07 Jack Quick

THE WRECK OF THE TWILIGHT LIMITED by Joe Formichella: I had just assumed the position of Program Director at a Dothan, Alabama television station when the Twilight Limited Amtrak train plunged off a bridge deep in the Alabama bayou near Mobile on September 22, 1993. Forty-seven people were killed in the tragedy; which was ultimately determined to have been caused by a barge striking a railroad bridge on a foggy night, displacing the rails. Our television station was one of the first on the scene providing coverage to the nation. Joe Formichella tells the story of the accident, alternating between the time of the wreck and five years later. I enjoyed the book because of my personal connection to the event, but would not recommend it for everyone. 06/10 Jack Quick

WRECKER’S KEY by Christine Kling: Nestor Frias calls tugboat Captain and owner Seychelle Sullivan for help after he runs a millionaire’s yacht aground in Key West. Nestor insists the GPS navigation system was somehow compromised, but while Seychelle is towing the yacht to Fort Lauderdale, Nestor is killed in a windsurfing accident that his pregnant widow insists was murder. An unexpected reunion with an old childhood friend, Ben Baker, once a nerd, now a hottie, provides some romantic tension while Seychelle tries to get to the truth behind Nestor’s accidents. Go ahead, admit it, the ending surprised you, right? 04/07 Jack Quick

THE WRITING CLASS by Jincy Willett: Amy Gallup has pretty much succeeded in cutting herself off from the world. Her last remaining connection, and only significant human contact, comes from the creative writing class she teaches. It’s an extension course – continued education for adults, some of whom are actually interested in writing; some of those are actually good. Amy is enthusiastic about this group and grows to like them more than most. But then one of her students reveals a strange critique she received after sharing a piece with the class. The following week it happens again with another student. Soon what seems no more than a mean prank escalates to something violent and terrifying. Amy and her class are determined to continue, against the odds, and discover the culprit behind these terrible acts. Willet’s whodunit is packed with witty sarcasm and clever humor. She’s also managed to give a significant voice to each of her characters which makes the reading (and the readings in the reading) that much more interesting and believable. A light mystery full of dark and sarcastic humor. 06/08 Becky Lejeune

THE WRITING ON MY FOREHEAD by Nafisa Haji: In the aftermath of 9/11, Saira Qadar is forced to make some tough decisions. As she faces the recent death of her sister, she recalls the stories that have accompanied her throughout the years. Stories of bravery, pain, and secrecy shared by many of the members of her family, stories that have affected each decision in her life. See, even from a young age, Saira had the ability to get others to tell her their tales and gossip. Through them, she learned about one grandfather’s torrid love affair — an event that literally ripped his family apart — and another grandfather’s attempts to change the world. She also learned about her great-aunt’s decisions to go against the expectations of a woman to marry and raise children. Consequently, it is her story that has most influenced Saira’s decisions to follow her own heart, a choice that has sometimes left her on the outs with her own family and culture. But Saira’s own story also shows a profound love of family and, through its telling, an understanding of her culture and the way each generation has helped to shape it. A touching debut from a very talented author. 03/09 Becky Lejeune

THE WRONG KIND OF BLOOD by Declan Hughes: LA private eye Edward Loy has returned to his boyhood home of Dublin for his mother’s funeral. On the way home from the service a friend asks him to find her missing husband – leading to bodies, danger, and a fearsome organized crime gang. Loy is hampered by the fact that the Dublin he grew up in no longer the Dublin of today. This should please fans of Dennis Lehane and George Pelecanos – as it did me. 03/06 Jack Quick

XOMBIES: APOCALYPSE BLUES by Walter Greatshell: Lulu Pangloss lives a bit of a nomadic life: off the grid and sometimes relying on the kindness of others for basic necessities. As a result, she and her mother miss the news reports about the outbreak and spread of Agent X, a highly infectious contagion that has turned much of the population into zombies, or xombies. It’s discovered that the outbreak began with women, but Lulu seems to have a rare genetic disorder that leaves her immune. Her mother is not so lucky. Lulu barely escapes, hitching a ride with a man who could very well be her father as he races toward a nuclear sub set to carry top-secret information that could be mankind’s last hope. The ship’s crew, a handful of soldiers and boys barely trained for service, are suspicious of Lulu, but she soon proves herself to be an important and resourceful asset to the survivors. As the sub treks north, towards a destination known only to the captain, Lulu and her fellow travelers fight against all odds to avoid infection and live another day. Greatshell’s zombie apocalypse tale was originally published in 2004. Now retitled and reprinted, with a sequel on the way, Xombies: Apocalypse Blues makes for an amusing zombie-filled read with a bit of a twist and a cliffhanger of an ending. 11/09 Becky Lejeune

Y: THE LAST MAN by Brian K. Vaughn: I’m not much of a fan of graphic novels—they don’t seem to work with my reading style at all. But this one had such a good premise that I had to at least give it a try, and six volumes later I am completely hooked.
What happens is that all the men (and male animals) in the world suddenly die, all at the same time, for no explainable reason. Except one guy, an escape artist and general slacker named Yorick (and his pet monkey). He meets up with a Secret Service agent who has been ordered to protect him at all costs, and a genetic scientist who may have invented a way to continue the species, even without men.
Their adventures in the post-apocalyptic landscape of the US are totally kickass and also make some interesting points about the roles of women in society and their (our?) expectations of each other. 01/07 Jenne Bergstrom

THE YARD DOG by Sheldon Russell: Near the end of Word War II, one-armed yard dog (railroad detective) Hook Runyan is investigating the death of a harmless indigent Spark Dugan who winds up dead in the Waynoka, Oklahoma rail yards. In spite of everyone pressuring him to close the case, Hook decides Dugan’s death was no accident, particularly after he learns that mild-mannered Dugan may have been involved in a local ring smuggling army goods. With the help of the camp cook and community moonshiner as well as the POW camp’s English teacher, Runyon and his friends are soon ensnared in a dangerous investigation that’s anything but routine railroad detective work. This one was particularly poignant for me as my Dad was a railroader in World War II prior to being killed in a train wreck in 1947. 1/11 Jack Quick

YEAR OF THE DOG by Henry Chang: In a disappointing follow-up to Chang’s 2006 Chinatown Beat, Detective Jack Yu has been redeployed to the Ninth (Manhattan South) precinct, where he’ thinks he is leaving Chinatown behind. But within days he is involved in a murder-suicide that kills and entire Chinese family and the brutal killing of a Chinese-American honor student, barely in his teens, beaten to death for sneaker money. Whereas Chinatown Beat reflected the vibrancy and undercurrents of excitement of this unique portion of New York City, Year of the Dog tends to plod along, overly detailed with frequent digressions that cause the reader to lose focus. Hopefully, Chang can re the magic next time out. Unless you are really into the minutia of New York and its Chinese-American inhabitants, I’d give this one a pass. 01/09 Jack Quick

YELLOW MEDICINE by Anthony Neil Smith: Deputy Billy Lafitte is not a rogue cop so much as he is a maverick cop. His rule-breaking and bribe taking cost him his Gulfport, Mississippi job after Katrina and led to his divorce. Fortunately his ex-brother-in-law is the sheriff in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, and offers him a chance for redemption. Booze and young women continue to plague him until one day he is speeding down a snowy Minneapolis road with a severed head in the cab of his truck and no idea how this outing is going to end. Terrorists, meth dealers, homeland security – Billy can sure get into a mess. You may remember the author as the long tim editor of the online noir journal Plots With Guns. 05/08 Jack Quick

THE YIDDISH POLICEMEN’S UNION by Michael Chabon: An interesting experiment by Mr. Chabon and he almost pulls it off. Probably he could have gotten away with simply writing his noir crime fiction story about a Jewish detective solving the death of a crackhead chess player all by itself. (I would note that Mr. Chabon, like Mr. Collins, appears to appreciate the link between noir fiction and pulp comic literature.)
Unfortunately, Mr Chabon thought that his book would be enhanced if it were set in Sitka, Alaska. (If you want mysteries from Alaska, go back and dig out John Straley’s superb books.) My belief in the importance of setting was offended by not only this, but the further leap of proclaiming Sitka the Jewish homeland after a failed effort to establish a state in the Middle East. That would probably have made a good book too, but he didn’t write it either. The lack of discussion of this background left me at loose ends throughout much of the book he did write. I simply couldn’t suspend my disbelief.
Having said all that, I still give Mr. Chabon high marks for writing well and trying something no one else has. Sometimes our greatness is measured by what we have dared. 07/07 Geoffrey R. Hamlin
YOU ARE SO NOT INVITED TO MY BAT MITZVAH! by Fiona Rosenbloom: Every once in a while I read a book aimed at the young adult market and this one just beckoned me, probably because my daughter became a bat mitzvah a little more than a year ago and the memories are still fresh, plus the main character’s name is Stacy. And I just saw the very funny movie (to anyone who’s gone through this process), Keeping Up with the Steins, about a bar mitzvah. I couldn’t resist this book – but I should have. This was whiny New York Jewish American Princesses at their worst. Stacy has a crush on Andy, is embarrassed by her overweight brother, her parents are separated and her plastic surgeon father is dating a Barbie doll look-alike. Typical teenage angst brought to a head when her best friend starts dating Andy. Will Stacy win Andy back, not that she ever had him? Will her brother lose weight? Will her parents get back together? It all culminates at the bat mitzvah where Stacy finally does realize that becoming an adult means more than whining about your problems. Made me glad I moved to Florida. 02/07 Stacy Alesi, AKA The BookBitch

YOU BET YOUR LIFE by Stuart Kaminsky: Toby Peters, Private Eye to the Stars, is away from his usual Beverly Hill haunts in this third outing. Chico Marx has gotten himself into a problem with gambling debts and Toby has been sent to correct the situation. Freezing cold, Frank Nitti, and Chicago Mayor Daley combine to give Toby a very unpleasant experience in the Windy City. This series just keeps getting better. 04/09 Jack Quick

YOU COULD CALL IT MURDER by Lawrence Block: Private eye Roy Markham has been hired by a good friend to find his missing college student daughter. What starts as a routine investigation in the remote winter bound college town of Cliff’s End, New Hampshire quickly becomes dark and dangerous. Pornographic photos and blackmail cause a brutal and baffling murder, and no one is safe, including Markham. I don’t know if Block wrote any other Markham books. If not, it’s a pity, as Markham reminds the reader of Pronzini’s Nameless Detective – an outstanding series. 07/06 Jack Quick

YOU SUCK: A LOVE STORY by Christopher Moore: Jody, Tommy and supporting cast are back in this somewhat belated sequel to Bloodsucking Fiends. It’s been just a few weeks since the events of Fiends, the Animals – those turkey bowling stockboys from the Safeway – have run to Vegas with their part of the money earned from hocking the old vampire Elijah’s artwork (see the end of Bloodsucking Fiends) and hired a blue, that’s right blue, hooker. Meanwhile, Jody and Tommy have decided to take the next step in their relationship. Yep, Tommy is now a fellow bloodsucker. Tommy and Jody are faced with even more everyday relationship hurdles, like finding a minion to do their bidding during the day and keeping a handy food supply, all the while keeping their new secrets under wraps and staying out of trouble. Everything is working out fine until the Animals, and their hooker, get wind of Tommy’s recent transformation. Then, Elijah gets loose, the blue hooker gets her way, and the city is once again under siege. If it is at all possible, this book is even funnier than the last. Be warned, Moore is a very twisted man and his books are the ultimate guilty pleasure. 01/07 Becky Lejeune

YOU’VE BEEN WARNED by James Patterson: Reading Patterson has become similar to eating cotton candy. You know its bad, but occasionally you have to try it again. Kristin Burns wants to become a major fashion photographer. In the meantime she is working as a nanny for two children, as well as being the mistress of their father. Then she starts having nightmares that begin intruding into her daytime hours as well. Is reality real, or is the real world what is seen only through her camera? I found the whole thing unsatisfying, but then again, so is cotton candy. To each their own. 01/08 Jack Quick
ZEN ATTITUDE by Sujata Massey: Rei Shimura has found herself a new Scottish lawyer boyfriend and a new profession as a Tokyo-based, Japanese-American freelance antiques buyer. She finds herself with an overpriced, ersatz Edo-period tansu. Bad karma comes with this to-die-for chest of drawers, and Rei becomes, in rapid succession, murder suspect, then murder target. Confused, Rei runs from her boyfriend and takes refuge on the grounds of the famous Zen temple Horin-ji. She must now discover what a young monk, a judo star and an ancient scroll have in common in order to save her life. 07/06 Jack Quick

ZERO COOL by John Lange: “From the moment I arrived in Spain,” Ross said, “things were very dangerous.” He sighed. I found myself with a girl who thought I was a square, and said I had zero cool…: Thus begins #41 from Hardcase Crime. All American radiologist Peter Ross wanted was a vacation. After four years working continuously in the hospital to earn his certification, he came to Spain for a month in search of beer, beach and broads. What he got was involvement in a murderous crossfire between two criminal gangs and included in the search for a lost artifact that had already caused the deaths of many. Fast paced and well written. 03/08 Jack Quick

ZERO DAY by David Baldacci: In writing a review of one of David Baldacci’s books I must confess that I have been a fan of his since he first started being published. With this said, Zero Day is one of his strongest and most engrossing to date. John Puller the principal character of the book is a professional soldier that has seen plenty of action in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He is currently assigned to the army’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID). The initial action sees John sent by his supervisor to a small coal mining town in West Virginia to investigate the murder there of an active duty officer, his wife and two children while on furlough. Point is made that in dealing with such a crime the CID would normally send a cadre of experts in to help with pinpointing the facts in the investigation. This is not done and John is sent in alone with the explanation that he should try and establish the facts before the army sends in groups of experts. More on this as the book develops. John teams up with a female sergeant of the local police force and together they begin to ferret out great gobs of seemingly interrelated facts about the crimes. In looking around Puller and Samantha (Sam) Cole quickly discover that two other individuals living across the street from the army officer and family were also killed. Puller seems to be getting closer to what the reason for the killings is, and bombing attempts on his life are made. There are enough permutations and combinations to keep anyone guessing and the reason for the killings is not what the reader would think until the ending; which is truly a surprise and so well documented in it’s own right that this alone would have required more research than any other portion of the book.
Puller is brought to life quite well by Baldacci, and this novel has got to be the first involving him and his very discerning investigations. He is not painted as completely superhuman which would not have done the character justice and has more than enough romantic feelings towards his partner Sam Cole to show him as very human. 12/11 Paul Lane
ZERO DAY by David Baldacci: John Puller is Jack Reacher’s cousin who elected to stay in the U.S. Army’s Criminal Investigative Division. Not really, but if you are a Jack Reacher fan, Puller is cut of the same cloth. His father was an Army fighting legend, and his brother is serving a life sentence for treason in a federal military prison. He is called out on a case in a remote, rural area in West Virginia coal country far from any military outpost. Someone has stumbled onto a brutal crime scene, a family slaughtered. The local homicide detective, a headstrong woman with personal demons of her own, joins forces with Puller in the investigation. As Puller digs through deception after deception, he realizes that absolutely nothing he’s seen in this small town, and no one in it, are what they seem. Facing a potential conspiracy that reaches far beyond the hills of West Virginia, he is one man on the hunt for justice against an overwhelming force. One of Baldacci’s best. 2/12 Jack Quick

ZOO STATION by David Downing: Back in the 19060’s our local television station would air black and white “B” features after school each afternoon. This one is evocative of those movies and when I visualize the action my visualization is in sepia tints. John Russell is a British journalist in Germany in 1939. Although Russell despises the Nazis and thinks war is war inevitable, he wants to remain in Germany to be near his girlfriend, beautiful actress Effi Koenen, and his son, Paul, from whose mother he’s divorced. After 15 years working in Germany he also has many contacts on all sides of the potential upcoming conflict. Specifically, he is asked by the Soviet NKVD to write a series of articles praising Nazi achievements. While he doesn’t care for this, the money is good, and he finds a way to make the job palatable by involving the British consulate and their chief intelligence officer. Soon he is a player within the espionage web of not only the Russians and British but also the Germans. The outstanding plotting left me looking forward to further Russell adventures. 09/09 Jack Quick