Another Nailbiter from Norma Rawlings
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This is a gripping story about a family in England that finds a surprise when investigating their parents' past, of which, even the parents weren't aware!
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I love all of Karin Slaughter's books.  Ever since I picked up one of her books on a whim from the sales pile at Barnes & Noble I have been unable to put down her books.  I actually mark on my calendar when new books of hers are coming out!
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Mama Says:
Another wild ride from Aria Michaels is in store for readers of the Icarus series. Continuing their harrowing journey following the events in Killshot, Liv, Zan, Ty, Ry, and the rest are thrown one nasty slime-coveredcurve ball after another in this emotionalsecondinstallment.
Though there are characters which exhibit some growth, I still can't stand Christa, but it makes sense to have some people survive that aren't necessarily your favorites, because isn't that rather realistic?
A good balance of fast paced and wasteland wandering, stopping now and then to pause for you to really soak in the details of the devastation, Ballistic is one of those books that reminds you that you can love a book even if it makes you cry. In fact, maybe even more so because of it.
Furthermore, there are still a number ofmatters by which I remain perplexed, but I'm hoping thosequestions will be answered in the book yet to come.
In the end I greatly enjoyed my time spent in this particular collection of pages. I loved being so wrapped up in the words of another that I completely lost sight of myself and became immersed in the reality of the characters, something which happened with both books in the Icarus series, but more often in Ballistic due to the tension ratcheting up a few more notches. The stakes are higher than ever and I just can't wait for the next book after that ending.
4 scritter-slaying stars and many thanks to the author and tour host for the review opportunity!
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This authors gift of writing gruesome scenes along with also having a good dose of humor always amazes me when I read her books. It might make me a bit morbid, but the combination works for me.

This is the third book in the Thomas family series and its opening scene of a murdered woman posed in a religious fashion grabs your attention and doesnt let go until the very end. Texas Ranger Will Thomas is the first called in. Its not long though before FBI Agent Savannah St. Germaine shows up saying shes been chasing this murderer for a couple years and wants in on the case. Will and Savi team up to try and figure out how the women who are taken and killed are related and to also try and create a profile of the man doing it.  The killer is one sick religious fanatic.

Each of the books in this series has multiple plots going on. Cody Thomas who is also an FBI agent and the hero from the second book has a pretty decent amount of face time in this book when he is asked to look into a case that happens to coincide with a Russian mafia case he has been working on. Even though Cody and Will have no page time together their two cases end up intersecting in a surprising way.

As there isn't really any back story given on the previous characters I recommend reading this series in order. As I was reading this book I realized the author is leaving more and more threads open at the end of the books and even having some cases that were thought closed in a previous book reopened.  There is always closure on the main case of the book  these are not cliffhanger books  but it looks like some threads are defiantly going to be crossing over from book to book.  Bonus of this is it means we get to see more of the previous characters!!
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Anabel is chatty. With the people she knows, with people she doesnt know, even with the voices in her head. I had noticed this as a complaint in many of the reviews on the first book, but really, its just Bels nature. Just as its in her nature that her highly refined sense of female justice will land her embroiled in another harebrained scheme to right the wrongs done to an innocent woman. Its a good thing she has a big posse with wide and varied skills to help her: especially her very own Dark Knight. Having come at this book from further down in the series, I cant help but sit back and marvel at Lukes genius using her relationship rules against her. And I love watching the pair of them spar for the upper hand. I cant wait to see what Bel lands herself in next.
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I absolutely loved the first book in the Sister4Sister Empower Ourselves series, "Other People's Skin." I've been searching for the right fedora ever since. Now I'll have to shop for a pair of righteous blue suede shoes!" I like how shoes weave into the plot of each story the same way hats did in the earlier book that explored relationships and choices. Desiree Cooper's story, Breakin' It Down, deals with an abusive mother daughter relationship, where the daughter doesn't have a choice. Growing up with a rageaholic mother I could relate. That's the gift of good fiction, you find another kernel that helps heal a dark spot in the soul. Both Desiree and Elizabeth Atkins have ranked a my favorite writers for years, Des's columns in the Detroit Free Press, and Elizabeth's marvelous mysteries, especially White Chocolate.
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Anna Dennis is back with THE PUREST OF PAIN.  Ms. Dennis has written another page-turner, as you'll soon discover with her main characters - Devin and Taylor Harris.
Taylor has achieved success in her professional career, but struggles with holding together her marriage. Devin spends more time building his business, than with his family.
They both struggle to make their relationship work. Several things are against them, mainly lack of trust and time. Taylor battles with the knowledge that Devin cheated on her.  Her internal battle causes her to do things out of the ordinary.
An earth-shattering event occurs that causes Devin to take stock of his life. He realizes what's important and promises to make changes in his life- starting with his marriage.
Is it too late to savage his marriage? Is Taylor's pain too deep for her to forgive? Can they learn to trust and love one another again?
These answers can be found in Dennis' exhilarating sophomore novel. The Purest of Pain should gain Ms. Dennis more fans.
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Let me just say, this new book by Laine Boyd was just as good, if not better than her first! Again, I was on the edge of my seat reading this mystery. The lines of this book were filled with suspense, love and humor. Laine blends these emotions throughout the book in an effortless and elegant way. One minute we are following Detective Trent to interrogate murder suspects, the next moment we are seeing him interact with his lovely wife and outgoing daughter Amy, or traveling around the city of St. Louis. The insight she gives to the St. Louis region is wonderful. As a St. Louis native, I love how the author brings in many landmarks of the St. Louis area and describes them in such detail. I feel I am right there with Adam while he travels through the city that I love. This book is such a great mystery and the way it is set, is even better. The book starts out in the middle to late 1800's and picks up in present day. This is a must read, page-turner. Every page you read leaves you wanting more and just when you think you know who the killer is, another suspect or clue is thrown into the mix and you just have to read on! I would highly suggest this read. Also, I cannot wait for the next series!
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The latest in Gail Bowens popular Regina-based crime series, Whats Left Behind finds Joanne Kilbourn and her husband Zack happily immersed in plans for a lakeside wedding for their son Peter and his fiance Maisie Crawford. The even is scheduled to be held at their lakeside cottage, but Simon Weber, a junior member of Zacks law firm, has different plans. Hes become obsessed with Maisies sister Lee Crawford, who will be the maid of honour. More disturbingly, hes just checked himself out of a clinic where hed been being wrestling with a drinking problem and suicidal threats, and is likely to head their way.

Meanwhile Zack has his own issues. As the newly elected mayor of Regina hes putting together a plan to develop the city in a responsible way, rooted in a set of bylaws which will require a city-wide referendum. It doesnt sit well with a conglomerate of planners, developers, and others who have dominated the expansion of the city for over a decade, and who are fighting it tooth and nail. An opposition group called Citizens for Planned Growth is forming, but the stakes are high and the attitudes are hardening. Maisies sister Lee is leading the support for Zacks plan, and the development group is conducting a smear campaign to discredit her and the citizens movement.

Despite these obstacles, on the day of the wedding all seems to be going well, the lakeside ceremony coming off just as planned. But a mere three hundred metres from shore Simon is seen sitting in a canoe, quietly observing the events. He seems calm enough, and makes no effort to draw nearer; but all that may change when he learns that Lee has just accepted a marriage proposal from a neighbor shes known for years. It is a volatile mix of events, and one that will turn lethal before it is ended.

Having penned sixteen previous novels in the Joanne Kilbourn series, Gail Bowen has carved out a special niche in what might be termed Prairie Thrillers. Her stories are always carefully crafted and perfectly paced, her characters believable and (mostly) engaging, her use of setting and dialogue skillfully rendered. Bowen has a loyal and growing fan base who are always clamouring for more, and they will not be disappointed by this latest entry in the canon.

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Jim Napier is a professional crime-fiction reviewer based in Canada.  His book reviews and author interviews have been featured in several Canadian newspapers as well as on such websites as Spinetingler Magazine, The Rap Sheet, January magazine, Reviewing the Evidence, Crime Time, Shots Magazine the Montreal Review of Books, and the Ottawa Review of Books, as well as on his own award-winning site, Deadly Diversions. He can be reached at jnapier@deadlydiversions.com
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This is a fun book if you have ever had a curiosity about what life is like for a madam and the women she employs.  Norma Wallace is quite a character with her witty sense of humor, gumption and moxie along with her outlook on life (and men).  Her world was not for sissies.  You will also catch a glimpse of how New Orleans operated in the shadows of corruption and get a sense of history in the making. The ending was not what I anticipated but I won't ruin it for you.
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The Temp Brennan book serious by Kathy Reich's is my favorite. Years before the show Bones, which does not correlate much with the books, I began reading them. It's the type of read that'll keep you up late into the night trying to finish. I have re-read her books many times and each time find a nuance or foreshadowing that I previously had missed. Love them all really.
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I am a big fan of Gillian Flynn, having read and loved her first two novels. She does not disappoint this time. You probably have already heard about the plot, which revolves around the strange disappearance of Amy Dunne on the day of her fifth wedding anniversary to Nick. There is no need to give more plot detail as that will spoil the twists and turns.  The writing is excellent and engaging.  Flynn continues to explore the darker side of humanity, although I did not find this book as wrenching and disturbing as her first two. But there is plenty of nasty stuff in here, don't worry!

This is a great read and definitely recommended. I am already looking forward to her next book.
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How well she depicts the grave damages that constrain her characters!  Often those damages are a source of strength and resolve as well as pain.  The author has the skills to draw us into these characters and their lives and the skills to shock us as well.  While this is a "stand-alone", I would be happy to see these characters evolve in future books.
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Kathy Reichs has struck gold once again in, Bones Never Lie! She has done an excellent job of bring in some of her old cases from Montreal, Canada. Of course her best friend and former lover, Andrew Ryan is with her. With her? Well, yes, but first she had to go after him while he was in Central America. The murders of young girls from ten to fourteen are now happening in Vermont and North Carolina! Are these murders connected to those in Canada? Dr. Temperance Brennan is called to work with cold cases detectives in her area. Brennan, Ryan and detective Slidell, try to figure out just who is killing these children. DNA is found and it is connected to a female killer from Canada. Ryan returns to Canada to try and locate Pomerleau but has no luck. A body of a fully grown woman is found in Vermont in an old home that was once used to make maple syrup. The syrup has preserved the body of this woman. Who is she? There are so many different roads leading to the end of this mystery it will keep you reading till the small hours of the morning. But wait, there is a surprise ending to this great book. Don't miss it. Read it today! Rated "R" for those in late teens. DP, Castro Valley, Ca.
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I am a fan of the Sisters of Slaughter, and had a great time reading these two short stories, as I knew I would. The redoubtable team of Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason have a knack for conjuring up interesting, down-on-their-luck characters who are suddenly confronted with extreme horror, giving them an appreciation that maybe their previous life wasn't so bad after all. While their stories are intense and horrifying, I often detect a sly wink of humor lurking just behind the action. I remember a Gary Larson Far Side comic depicting an airplane traveler heaving a sigh of relief that a monstrous looking co-traveler has passed by the vacant seat beside him, heading for the rear of the airplane. What he doesn't see is a larger, doubly monstrous co-traveler coming up the aisle behind the first one. It is just this kind of "well, you think you have it bad now? We'll show you!" suggestiveness in the tales of the Sisters of Slaughter that I find delectable.

The story loaded into the first barrel is "Just a Few". A junkie tries to convince police that during a residential break in to steal some percocet tablets he saw a hideous monster roaming through the home of an 80-year old church deacon and his wife. The excitement starts when he convinces the police to investigate. The second barrel is loaded with "Tenant Rights". Down on her luck newly divorced Sharon can't get any sleep in the low-rent Arizona house that she has leased from a slum lord. The lights and air conditioner keep malfunctioning, something keeps making scratching sounds in the ceiling, and she is getting covered by bites from vermin. She has put in 15 calls to her "lazy fat-ass" landlord Neal to no avail. She finally gets a call back from the repentant Neal, who offers to break the lease. Unfortunately for Sharon, while Neal is explaining to her the  horrors of the house that he somehow forgot to reveal to her before she put down her money, Sharon is experiencing those very horrors in person.

This book is highly recommended to readers looking for an hour or so of extreme horror and fun.
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Easy Rawlins is back with a vengeance. He is not the same person though; he has lost his closest friend and feels that he will never recover from the hurt. Easy has settled into life as a family man, with a normal 9-5 job and a paycheck at the end of the week. In his opinion, his days as the unconventional private detective Easy Rawlins are well behind him.
 One day out of the blue Easy gets a call from his old friend John, it turns out that John's stepson Brawley Brown has disappeared and is running with members of a radical political group. Brawley's parents feel that  he is entangled in a web of violence and will be harmed in the process. John has always helped Easy without question, so even though Easy doesn't want to look for Brawley, he does.
 As Easy begins his investigation, he finds himself in the midst of danger. He also discovers that this case is about much more than locating Brawley and returning him home. People in this novel are not always who or what they portray themselves to be.
 Life for Easy goes beyond being a private detective. In addition to the difficult case, he is dealing with potential problems brewing at home concerning his children. Also the loss of his best friend is on Easy's mind daily and sometimes overwhelms him.
 Bad Boy Brawley Brown is an intriguing mystery that keeps you guessing. Just when you think you know who the villain is, author Walter Mosley throws a curve ball that will have you thinking otherwise, and in my opinion that makes for the best stories of mystery. I must confess this is my first Walter Mosley novel, but it will not be my last because I enjoyed it. I highly recommend this book.
Reviewed by Simone A. Hawks
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As always Norma hits it out of the park again. So far she is the best Y/A writer there is this is the second series of books that I have read of hers and I love it.