Solid launch to an excellent suspense series
599597
It's winter already, deep winter, as Christmas approaches in Aurora, Minnesota. On the shore of Iron Lake, former Tamarack County sheriff Corcoran O'Connor lives alone in the back rooms of a Quonset hut where, in summer, he runs a burger joint. His wife has asked him to leave the family home, which is actually the house where "Cork" O'Connor grew up. He met Jo during his years as a Chicago cop, and after they married and Jo finished law school they moved to Aurora to raise their family. The oldest of their three children is a teenager now, and it looks as if Cork and Jo's marriage may be broken beyond repair. As far as Cork knows, this is the result of a traumatic on-the-job incident from which he is only now starting to recover. He's now considering breaking off his affair with another woman, for whom he has deeper feelings than he has for Jo, because he's worried about his children and would rather put his marriage back together - if it can be saved - than pursue his love for Molly.

That's Cork O'Connor's personal situation when Judge Parrant, a prominent but definitely not beloved local figure, apparently commits suicide. Parrant's body is first discovered by a newspaper carrier, a Native American teenager who vanishes immediately afterward. Cork is drawn in by the boy's mother, who asks for his help because Cork had an Ojibwe grandmother and is therefore far easier for "the People" to trust than the current sheriff. Cork isn't impressed by that current sheriff's investigation. He can't help pursuing the case on his own. Soon he's attracting the wrong kind of attention from men who trash his Quonset and beat him as a warning, and not long after that someone else dies violently. And then there's the warning delivered by an old man who's a member of the Ojibwe Grant Medicine Society, who says he has heard the Windigo - an evil spirit that hunts humans - calling certain names. There's the rumored return of the missing newsboy's long vanished, alcoholic father, and the mysterious comings and goings of the local Roman Catholic priest - whom Cork treats as a friend, although Cork hasn't practiced his faith in years.

All of this introduces readers to a series from which I've already read a couple of later books. "Iron Lake" suffers a bit from the need to set up Cork's world, and from a bit of uncertainty as the author discovers characters who will settle firmly into their identities as that world develops. Nevertheless it's a slam bang suspense novel, although the mystery elements were a bit too easy for me to figure out. A terrific first novel as well as solid launch to a series that I am enjoying thoroughly.

--Reviewed by Nina M. Osier, author of 2005 science fiction winner "Regs"
1603017
Full disclosure: I read Clarissa Draper's latest mystery in exchange for an electronic copy of the book. The fact that I spent the next three days immersed in the world of MI5 was just a bonus. (American friends, MI5 is kind of like the British FBI. It's also a darn good TV show, if you're into suspense--and if you don't mind seeing Americans as the bad guys now and again.)

The Electrician's Code: An Evans and Blackwell Mystery blends old fashioned police work with MI5 analysis: specifically code breaking. The plot heated up pretty quickly, and it had me turning pages until the end--which, by the way, I did not see coming.

The book becomes available on Amazon on June 24.

Here's the teaser:

An elderly man with only one leg is murdered and left in a pool of his own blood outside his house. To add to the mystery, a note found in his pocket says, 'Why Run Backwards You'll Vomit.' London Detective Chief Inspector Theo Blackwell can't understand the motive for killing the old man, or the meaning of the cryptic message.
Later, a woman is stabbed on her doorstep. The two seemingly unrelated cases have two things in common: apparently random victims and suspects with alibis.
As DCI Blackwell works on solving the cases, he requests the help of code-breaker Sophia Evans, who is battling a personal and tricky case of her own.

The cases happen in two different worlds. Blackwell's backdrop of police investigations was more comfortable for me to inhabit, even if it did involve murder investigations.

The MI5 world carried some emotional baggage, and the characters who lived there were dealing with some severe guilt. Evans was a smart, conflicted woman who had obviously faced some hard choices, and there were more to be made before the end of the book.

Blackwell's world revolved around getting justice for victims. I enjoyed seeing the world through his eyes--he was a decent, fair man. His partnership with Evans was voluntary, and her skill broke the case. The unraveling of the mystery was as compelling as the suspense.

I came into this series without reading the first installment, and I was able to follow the plot with no trouble. I want to read the first book to better understand the tension between the characters, though.

Reader's advisory: There are some grown-up situations, rough language and closed-door sex. These were handled tastefully, and they didn't detract from the plot for me. But be warned: that first scene is pretty disturbing, and you may wonder for a while if it relates to the rest of the book. (It does.)

The one thing I wished for as I closed the book was a more fully-drawn ending, especially in one of the action scenes. But the mystery delivered what I came for: a story that entertained me while it made me think.

Four stars out of five.
1222918
This is part of a terrific series and well worth reading if you enjoy suspense.
4542176
Debra Webb continues the amazing Faces of Evil series with Still Waters.  The different levels of evil theme is strong here as a team of serial killers targets a local news celebrity / investigative journalist, Amber Roberts.  Though it starts by one of them framing her for the others murder.  The murder investigation brings in Jess Barnett into the mix as her firm is hired to provide protection and look into the case.  Sean Douglas spent many years as the private bodyguard to the stars. When one of his clients overdoes and dies he takes it very personally.  Though Jess is initially reluctant to assign Ambers protection to Sean, his credentials win out.

Amber is a tough heroine that takes an active part in the investigation, even though shes very rattled by the events  as any sane individual would.  Sean wants to prove himself to Jess and the team, but his protective instincts soon take over and he just wants to keep Amber safe.

The suspense plot definitely drives this novel.  As with most of Webbs novels it is highly complex and there are some great character moments interspersed.  The familiar faces all make at least brief appearances, but this is really Sean and Ambers story.  The romance is a slow build, but definitely driven by the events of the plot.  Those unfamiliar with the Faces of Evil world will not be lost when picking up this book.  It might just entice them to go back to the beginning.  Long-time fans will be very pleased by this latest installment in the series.

Copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review.
3247992
The first installment of this series is a strong one, as our crew solve the murders of a serial killer who selects young women and then 'warns' them by sending them a picture of the object he'll use to kill them. After this pattern is detected, the police set up a trap, but it doesn't fully work, thus forcing the killer to speed up his plans and strike back quickly. Well-written and with an edge-of-your-seat suspense, this book really makes the reader involved in the story. A few too many characters, IMO, but having the X-Ray feature in my Kindle helps refresh my memory as to who is who as the story brings back characters from earlier chapters. Overall, a fast-paced and intense book, and this adds yet another series to my must-read list. Sigh! LOL
113652
This is a series that has been on my radar for a while, but I finally forced up towards the top of my "To Be Read" pile (more like mountain) once I came back from Romantic Times. The idea of superheroes and supervillains duking it out in Vegas in a zodiac inspired Heroes-like mashup grabbed my interest a bit. It spoke not only to the urban fantasy reader in me, but the comic book reader as well. Of course that places me firmly in the camp of the "shifty eyed adults," but I get ahead of myself.

The first of a series (book five released just recently), is what I would expect from a first book. A few chapters of getting used to the characters and introducing the world and setting they will be playing in. For me, that is the hardest part of a book. At the same time, by the point I was sitting around page 60 or so, I was seeing an evolution to the character that was drawing me into her story.

As we follow Joanna Archer in her adventures I am drawn more and more in by her duality - a damn near self-destructive personality that fights at odds with the good natured person she wants to be. In short, she is broken. Much like the characters I love in Mark Henry's books or on the show True Blood, Joanna is broken in some of the most interesting ways.

What I would like to see more of is the description of Krav Maga and how it pertains to Joanna. Krav Maga is a brutal, unforgiving martial art, but as The Archer it seems that the conduit that she inherits from her mother is at odds with her fighting style. In some ways it shows the duality of the character, but I would honestly like to see a bit more bone-popping from her.

Overall, it was a solid read and a good opening book for the series. It took me all of 30 minutes to download the second book in the series to my Nook. Book 4 and 5 are still sitting on my too be read mountain. For a beginning novel in a series I will give it a B+ for sure. Well worth the investment and also available in audiobook form.
3075583
Shoot to Thrill is the fifth book in a series featuring the very successful software company Monkeewrench, its eccentric owners, and the Minneapolis police department.  I have been a fan of the series since the beginning, and this latest installment shows the writing team P.J. Tracy at their best!

The foundation of Shoot to Thrill is the dark side of what people can do with the Internet and social networking sites.  Almost everyone is aware that pornography, violence, and scams are rampant on the Internet, but evil is taken up a step when people begin filming murders and anonymously posting them online.

Once the FBI and Minneapolis Police Department realize that this may be a chain of murders committed by a serial killer or a connected group, they reach out to a group of computer hackers who have the skills and ability to explore some avenues forbidden by law to the enforcement agencies.  This brings Monkeewrench into the story, which is tasked with creating an algorithm to identify real versus fake murder videos.  Monkeewrench, of course, has capabilities beyond this, and is soon technically deep into the investigation.

The owners of Monkeewrench have worked with the Minneapolis police department before, including Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth, who are assigned to this case.  An FBI is sent from Washington, and due to the sensitive nature of the information involved, works out of the Monkeewrench offices, leading to believable scenarios where all the characters interact.

The personal lives of the characters run in parallel to the investigation, adding layers to the overall story.  Leo Magozzi is having a romantic yet distant relationship with Grace, one of the owners of Monkeewrench.  Grace is beginning to feel restricted by the necessity to keep everyone at arm's length for her, and their protection.  The FBI agent is having a mid-life crisis, and a dishonored judge is creating trouble on the fringes of the investigation.  Along with these more dramatic situations, details of everyday life--Rolseth's happy marriage, Internet dating by another police officer, a change in attire by one of the Monkeewrench owners create a contrast between evil and ordinary.

Shoot to Thrill grabs and holds the reader's attention with a chilling mystery, fast action, and a wealth of characters and situations that personalize the story and make it easy to believe this could happen anywhere.  I highly recommend this book to fans of mystery, police, or thrillers, as well as fans of P.J. Tracy.
4164743
Dead Girl Running is the first novel in a new series by Dodd that introduces us to Kellen Adams, a skilled, determined young woman with a past rife with secrets, violence, and memory loss and a present filled with stolen artifacts, ruthless smugglers, and dead bodies.

The writing style is intricate and intense. The characters, including the hardworking, scarred heroine are multi-layered and mysterious. And the plot, including all the subplots, unravel and intertwine into a compelling tale filled with mixed emotions, red herrings, deception, abuse, manipulation, romance, friendship, and murder.

Dead Girl Running is an intelligent, entertaining, action-packed tale thathas all the elements you look for in a romantic suspense novel and is an excellent start for the newCape Charade series.
2131718
Part cozy, part police procedural Into the shadows by Shirley Wells is a solid British mystery with one serial killer, several victims, and lots of suspects.  This first book in the series featuring forensic psychologist Jill Kennedy and DCI Max Trentham is set in the small English village of Kelton Bridge where Jill, formerly a police profiler, has retreated from assisting the police force and is now writing self-help books.  Max, her ex-boyfriend, has just been promoted to Detective Chief Inspector of the region so, when the vicar's wife is found at home in Kelton Bridge with her throat slit and her son holding the murder weapon, as senior investigating officer Max is under pressure to close the case quickly.  Meanwhile, the serial killer known as Valentine is still on the loose after four years of fruitless pursuit by both Max and Jill.  To add to the tension, Jill has been receiving anonymous messages that appear to come from Valentine.  There is plenty of mystery crammed into this hybrid crime novel as the bodies and suspects multiply.  A solid series debut from 2007, Into the Shadows creates a strong foundation that can grow in several directions.  I look forward to reading the next three books to see if they live up to the promise of this first one:  A Darker Side (2008), When Petals Fall (2009), and The Broken Circle (2010).

Edited June 20, 2010, to remove non-functioning HTML coding.
1181554
The new Jonathan Kellerman novel, Killer, is an excellent addition to the Alex Delaware series.  Its also a bit different from the standard installment.  There is no grand crime to precipitate the action.  Alex has some time on his hands and he agrees to do some courtroom consultancy work.  He will handle family law cases, principally custody cases.  In the first case, he walks into an ugly clash between two women.  The first, Cherie Sykes, is a blue collar, single mom who sings occasionally for a cover band called Lonesome Moan.  Her sister Connie is a wealthy pathologist.  Cheries daughter is named Rambla.  Connie files suit to be awarded custody, on the grounds that her sister is unfit for the task.

Alex deflects the unpleasantness and begins with the awareness that the courts are highly unlikely to take a child away from its mother, assuming that the mother is competent and decent.  Alex quickly sees that Cherie is both committed and loving, even though Connie could offer much more, financially.  When he sees how nasty Connie actually is, the decision is easy.  Cherie should keep Rambla.  He makes the recommendation and the judge so rules.

Then things become sticky.  Connie turns up dead, brutally stabbed and strangled.  Then one of the cover bands members (one of Ramblas possible fathers) turns up with a .25 round in his skull.  Then Cherie and Rambla disappear.

Alex investigates, with Milos help.  The plot is very linear and very straightforward.  We see very little of Alexs private life.  This is a basic detective story and its long suit is the characterization that Kellerman executes along the way.  We encounter a series of characters, including a diabetic gangster who was originally Alexs patient.  Each speaks in a unique voice and the spare and pointed dialogue is very impressive.  The late Elmore Leonard would have been pleased.

A relatively brief book (335 pp.) for the series, the plot moves right along and the story unfolds quickly and plausibly.  The ending is very satisfying, even if a little somber.  This is a long running series that sometimes draws criticism for failing to sustain a certain standard.  Not to worry.  Killer is a strong addition to that series.  Highly recommended.
299264
After reading and thoroughly enjoying book one in The Killing Game series, I was keen to get back into the action. Book two, The Chase did not disappoint. Packed full of suspense, intrigue, passion and romance which might appear a strange combination for a conspiracy based thriller. However, it works very well because the characters continued to develop and grow since my initial meeting and getting to know them in book one. The signs and signature touches of a well-written novel in this novel are demonstrated by firstly, the urge to keep reading even when time and other commitments dictate otherwise. It is not a book to be rushed as the intricate precise details of events, locations and emotions are too good to not to be savored. Secondly, the plot demands your utmost attention and although you may try to predict the twists and turns the author cleverly manages to surprise you.
A highly recommended read!
3080460
The first installment of a series usually starts out simple, introducing the "star" and giving him/her something interesting-enough to do that we'll come back for more. Not L.A. Outlaws. Parker gives us not one, but two compelling POV characters: the somewhat naive rookie cop Charlie Hood, joining the L.A. Sheriff's Department after a shattering tour in Iraq; and the beautiful, self-destructive, thrill-seeking outlaw/schoolteacher Suzanne Jones, who as Allison Murietta is a Robin Hood-esque media darling.

Their collision over a fortune of stolen diamonds and ensuing passionate affair lend heat and light to what could have easily become a routine cops-and-bangers story. Both Hood and Suzanne rapidly become fully-rounded, flawed, wounded, compelling characters, and their connection enhances both while illuminating each one's persona. It's not often the guest star gets to outshine the series lead in the series opener, but it works.

The action is vivid and immersive, and the Southern California settings are rendered sparingly but convincingly even to a native reader. Parker's prose has become more economical over the years but comes across as clean rather than scanty. With all this, Charlie and Suzanne are the real reasons to read this book, and L.A. Outlaws kicks off Charlie Hood's adventures with the bang of fireworks.
2282194
Overall: 4.25 stars

Plot/Storyline: 4.5 stars
I was pleasantly surprised by the fast start to this first book in the series. It was followed by the common but plot-delaying and (in this case) mercifully brief flashback revealing Daphne's background, and Trent managed the seemingly-obligatory character introduction without making me feel overwhelmed. More important, the plot-driven storyline grabbed me and never let go, even when I realized "this must be the murderer, I'm almost to the end of the book." (And I was wrong about whodunit, always a plus.) Trent even managed to add a soap-opera-quality secondary plot without turning the book into Peyton Place. There were a couple of minor plot holes, such as how the murderer obtained the murder weapon and how a broke divorcee managed to purchase a house, but Trent made up for them with an ending that didn't involve the police barging in to rescue a damsel in distress. I definitely look forward to reading more of this series, although I never figured out the series title. Amazon's listing shows this as "Daphne Reynolds Cake Mysteries" but the heroine's name is Daphne Martin. Finishing the book did not clear up this contradiction; possibly a future book will. And I still liked the book enough that I bought the next in the series as my Kindle Special Offers $1 mystery/thriller selection.

Characters: 3.75 stars
The main characters are mostly likable and believable. Daphne starts out a little whiny but straightens up quickly. Violet is a caring sister and devoted mother. Her twins border on too-cute-for-words but fortunately they aren't major elements in the story. Former beau Ben is a bit too perfect, and next-door-neighbor Myra seems a little two-faced. Daphne's mother Gloria is cold and detestable even before the soap opera starts. The not-quite-major characters on the suspect list are weaker. Uncle Hal is hard to read, but since we see him from Daphne's POV, that is believable. It didn't ring true that pet-shop owner Kellan would have two women desperate for his attention. Peggy is suspiciously understanding for a possible relative. Peggy's daughter Joanne doesn't even appear but is a constant source of rumors, mostly unpleasant and damaging Daphne's reputation. Produce-manager-turned-bagger Fred is suitably creepy.

Writing style: 4.5 stars
Sentence structure was fine. Dialogue flowed well and rang true to the characters. Description was a bit scanty but I prefer it that way as my mind pictures the events and settings; those who like to see the author's view may be a little disappointed.
1143726
As the story opens on a Friday afternoon.  A man has been found hanging from a tree in the midst of an idyllic woods.  The lead detective in the case, Annie Cabbot,  manages to quickly establish his identity despite the victim having no identification on him and since the crime is an obvious suicide, which gives her hope that her entire weekend will not be lost.  All too soon though she discovers that one crime leads to another when another body is found.  Her superiors are still ready to dismiss the crimes as a murder and suicide but Cabbot and Banks are not so certain.  Their investigations lead them to spies, drug dealers and Shakespearean tragedy as they ferret out the truth.

This is the 18th novel in this series featuring Yorkshire police officers Banks and Cabbot.  There are numerous references to previous cases and situations that are a bit distracting for a reader new to the series.  Still this is just a minor distraction to an overall well written mystery/suspense thriller.  The plot has lots of twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing until the last page.  Fans of the series will also be interested in the latest developments in the detectives' lives while those new to the series will probably be seeking out the pair's earlier adventures.
775648
There is a growing trend in series fiction for authors at some point to write an "after-the-fact prequel," a book that is written after one or more of the others in the series but comes first chronologically. Diane Capri's "Fatal Enemy" is a longish short story (or short novelette) that introduces her series character Jess Kimball. Although newcomers to the series like me may be a bit flustered at times trying to figure out some of the details about Kimball that I would assume are made clearer in later books, "Fatal Enemy" is still a solid, albeit quite short thriller about an unconventional heroine.

According to the blurb on the Amazon page, Jess Kimball is an investigative reporter who helps the cause of victims rights in difficult situations. However, in Fatal Enemy, she functions more as an unlicensed private investigator. In this story, the man shes investigating is Richard Martin, an ex-boyfriend who raped here years earlier and left her pregnant. Martin moved on and settled in on another target, whom he married. However, when Martins wife finally kicks him out, he tries to retaliate by kidnapping his daughter. Jess foils his scheme but decides to let him go, since she has photographic evidence of his crime if he ever comes near his daughter again. That decision proves spectacular wrongheaded, and Jess soon has to rescue the child from an even more dangerous situation.

Theres not a lot of investigation or journalism in Fatal Enemy, just a fairly straightforward thriller in which the only question is how Jess is going to get the child out of her fathers clutches. The solution that Capri comes up with is rather elegant, especially considering that the entire scheme unfolds in a matter of only a few pages. Capri is quite a skilled writer and her word usage is very economical yet effective here. She also manages to give enough background on Jesss character to explain how she became the highly motivated character described in the Amazon blurbs.

Obviously, a book like Fatal Enemy could easily have been expanded to novel length, as this story completely glosses over details such as how Jess managed to get close to Martins wife before the first attempted abduction, while Martins flight and disappearance aren't the least bit mysterious. And, its quite possible that much of this story was originally part of an earlier book that the author decided to edit out. But, for what it is, Fatal Enemy is an effective shorter story.

Having said that, the fact remains that Capri charges $2.99 for this story as a standalone volume, and, many people may not feel its worth that much money for a story that most will finish in under an hour. However, Capri does make this story available for free or at a substantially reduced price in other volumes that are easily available on Amazon. Readers who are interested in Capri or Kimball might be advised to do a bit of searching to find it in another collection. My own rating for the book is 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4, on the merits of the story alone, without regard to price. However, if I had paid $2.99, I would not have been as favorably inclined. Still, Fatal Enemy introduces a character who could easily become the readers literary friend.
3833702
Peter James ' Roy Grace police procedural series became a favorite of mine after reading this series debut book a few months ago (and forgetting that I intended to write a review) . This author is among the British mystery /thriller writers that sadly are relatively unknown to many U.S. readers of the genre. It us also frustrating that several middle books in this series are not available on kindle.  (which for continuing developing personal storyline should be read sequentially but not absolutely necessary,  just suggested)

DEAD SIMPLE reads like a movie. It is suspenseful. I will not recap the plot which can be read on book blurb and other reviews.  While I think that this should be a must read book and worth investing a few hours curling up with in comfy chair .  I would have given it five stars,  except for plausibility issue in the major story premise  which causes reader to suspend credibility. It would have been nice if author addressed in an afterword,  any research that he might have done regarding whether problematic plot issue is at all possible.
2207853
Threads of Suspicion is an excellent suspense novel. Procedural, comprehensive and delightful, it was a pleasure to sink within its pages and join the investigators as they search for answers.

Evie Blackwell has officially joined the Missing Persons Task Force. Their first case load takes them to Briar County, Illinois, where Evie begins investigating the disappearance of a college student. Meanwhile, Evie's new partner, David Marshall is investigating a missing PI. When their cases unexpectedly connect and then take a very personal turn, Evie and David will have their work cut out for them if they are to close both cases.

This is the second book in the Evie Blackwell Cold Case series. In the first book we met Evie Blackwell as she began a trial investigation for the newly created Missing Persons Task Force. Now that task force has official begun work and Evie, along with her new colleagues, are travelling to a new county within Illinois to investigate a series of cold cases. Despite this being the second book in the series, readers could easily begin their adventure with Evie with this book or read the books in any order, as they each feature a separate set of crimes and investigations. That said, it was lovely to rejoin Evie, reunite with a range of familiar faces from Dee Henderson's previously published books, and meet some new characters. David, Evie's new cold case partner is a particularly lovely new character, as is his girlfriend. I'm looking forward to getting to know them both a little better in future Evie Blackwell novels.

There is just something so consuming about Dee Henderson's writing. I know that when I am about to start reading a new Dee Henderson book that I should clear my calendar and prepare to hunker down and hide within its pages. Dee Henderson's books deserve to be savoured. Fortunately, thanks to holidays and a large weather event, clearing my calendar was exactly what I was able to do and I devoured this novel. I love the intricate way everything is pieced together. I love the steady pacing and focus on internal musing, and the hit of tension at the end as the case very quickly comes together. I love the twists in the case that I never saw coming. It feels like a real criminal investigation, where Evie and David follow the discovery of information and are hindered by the time in takes to pursue and crunch that information.

I also particularly love the characters. While sometimes the main characters feel incredibly perfect - flawed but flawed in a perfect way - they are nonetheless wonderful characters with whom to spend time. As mentioned before, there are plenty of familiar faces. Ann and Paul Falcon make a number of appearances, as do Bryce and Charlotte Bishop. Even a certain arson investigator named Cole gets a mention. Unfortunately, the character I most wanted to see, Gabriel Thane, did not make an appearance. While nothing romantic ever developed between Evie and Gabe in book one of this series, I was hoping it would in this second book. However, Evie is happily dating Rob Turney. While she is questioning her future with Rob, there was no mention of her reconnecting with Gabe. Sigh. It's not that I don't like Rob, he's an all-round great guy, I just preferred Gabe. But then, there is always the next book... Here's hoping.

I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series, as Evie, David and the rest of the Missing Persons Task Force travel to a new county and begin a new set of cold case investigations. It is sure to be just as exciting and wonderful as this book.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.