Honolulu Heat by R & L Mild
Readers ae in for a treat! In addition to the wonderful stories Rosemary and Larry Mild contribute to Mysterical-E on a regular basis, this writing pair also produces some fine mystery novels. Their latest, Honolulu Heat, is another good example of their longer works. This sequel to Cry Ohana returns readers to the families in Hawaii whose adventures they enjoyed. They face hardships, accept new challenges, and manage to find love. Leilani and Alex Wong must deal with their idealistic teenaged son Noah’s brushes with the law. After meeting Nina Portfia, Noah finds himself facing a murder charge and caught in the middle of a gangland feud. The writing is strong, as readers have some to expect from the Milds. Well drawn, engaging characters help make the book one that holds attention. The plot is well developed which keeps readers turning pages. The lush setting is detailed and vivid – another reason to enjoy this book. Honolulu Heat is a book readers will want to put on their list.
Desert Kill Switch by Mark S. Bacon
Vintage cars and mystery – this book has them both and readers will clamor for more. When ex-cop Lyle Deming finds a vintage mint-condition 1970s Pontiac Firebird on a deserted road, he also finds a bullet-riddled body with it. But when he returns to the road with sheriff’s deputies, the car and the body are not there. Deming suspects that the answer can be found in Nostalgia City, the retro theme park where he works. The story gets even more complicated as readers find themselves immersed in Nostalgia City and the people who run it, own it and make it run. Nostalgia City VP Kate Sorensen, finds herself mixed up with a Las Vegas auto dealer doesn’t follow best practices when it comes to clients who don’t make payments on time and more. When Kate is accused of murder in Reno, Lyle Deming is forced to help his girlfriend and both find themselves tangled in plenty of suspects and motives. The second novel in this Nostalgia City series, will satisfy fans. Plenty of action and cars from another age.
The Sussex Downs Murder by John Bude
The peaceful rural life at Chalklands Farms in Sussex, of brothers, John and William Rother, is shattered John disappears and his abandoned car is found. Is it a kidnapping or was he getting to familiar with his brother’s wife? Superintendent Meredith arrives to investigate and suspects the worst when human bones are discovered. His careful detecting slowly untangles the clues and zeroes in on one suspect after another. This novel from the 1930s is republished for the first time, with an introduction by Martin Edwards. Cleverly plotted this book will satisfy lovers of mysteries of all kinds but especially those wonderfully crafted British mysteries from another era. Suspects, misdirection, characters that can only be found in this genre, and a wonderful peek into an earlier age are all hallmarks of this book. Readers looking for a mystery with a slower pace and plenty of well-drawn and realized characters will find this a delight.
Murder in Piccadilly by Charles Kingston
Another charming entry in the Golden Age of British mysteries, Murder in Piccadilly finds Bobbie Cheldon, member of the wealthy Cheldon family, yearning for a life outside of Galahad Mansions in Fulham. Bobbie, 23 and unemployed, he also hopes to inherit the Cheldon fortune carefully guarded by his uncle. Then Bobbie falls in love with a young dancer at the ‘Frozen Fang’ in Soho, and his need for more money becomes even more frantic. When he falls under the influence of an ex-boxer, Nosey Ruslin, all the elements for a good mystery are set. And when a murder does occur, Chief Inspector Wake of Scotland Yard uncovers a nest of love affairs, a Soho underworld, and plenty of motive for murder. As atmospheric as it is filed with suspense, this book will delight readers of this genre and even others who may want to try something different. A product of its time, the book gives readers a good taste of what London and English society was like in those days.
Burning Ridge by Margaret Mizushima
Mattie Cobb and her K-9 police dog partner Robo, star in this entry in the series and it’s a book fans will enjoy. Mattie and Robo make a grisly discovery on a Colorado mountain ridge an then become the targets of a ruthless killer. Mattie and Cobb are appointed to head the investigation. It becomes clear that Mattie has a close connection to the dead man. A local veterinarian, Cole Walker, joins Mattie and the pair searches the area for evidence. While doing thatm, they make another discovery: the skeletal remains of two adults and a child. As the investigation proceeds, Mattie is tormented by the deranged killer who uses a list of Mattie’s dark secrets that throw her off her game. This thriller pulls the reader in and keeps them glued to their seat until the book is finished with them. Fast paced, with interesting characters, and a dog who is a real part of the plot, this book is a sure bet. Readers will want to catch up on earlier entries in the series
Written Off by Sheila Lowe
Set to conduct an interview in Maine in the middle of winter, handwriting expert Claudia Rose is ready for her work with a serial killer but is not prepared for what she finds outside the confines of the interview. Things that seemed routine turn deadly. Things that should be simple are complicated. One thing mounts upon another until Claudia has a suspenseful mystery on her hands. Crossing genres from mystery into suspense, this book will certainly maintaining a level of excitement enough to keep readers turning pages. Surprise after surprise, twist after twist, this is a book that readers won’t put donw until they’ve finished. Fans of the genre will not be disappointed.
A Deadly Éclair by Daryl Wood Gerber
Mimi Rousseau’s dream to open her own bistro comes true in the Napa Valley community of Nouvelle Vie with the help of investor Bryan Baker. All she has to do is work her bistro and the accompanying inn until she pays off the investor. After that it’s all hers. Her newest addition to the bistro/inn offerings is doing weddings and Mimi is in the midst of throwing the first ever at her business. Her client bride? A famous talk show host and a relative of her investor. No worries. That is not until her investor is found dead shortly before the wedding. There are clues that point to Mimi, the biggest of which is the investment Bryan made into her business is forgiven in the terms of his will. Now it’s Mimi’s job to clear her name and resume running her dream business. This is a great cozy read and one which will not disappoint fans of the genre. Readers will be kept guessing as they enjoy the antics and the setting. The characters are easy to relate to and the storyline is engaging. Of course, the recipes included in the book are kitchen tested and will help readers produce some sweet treats.
The Innocents by David Putnam
New LA County detective, Bruno Johnson, lands a dangerous assignment: infiltrate a sheriff’s narcotics team that may be involved in murder. Johnson must gain their trust and be brought into the most dangerous levels of the group. If he does, he will be required to arrest then testify against his fellow deputies. Adding to an already stressful situation, before leaving home for his first day undercover, he is confronted by an ex-girlfriend who hands him a weeks old baby girl. The child is his. Complications abound and Johnson is faced with dilemma after dilemma as he slides deeper and deeper into the corrupt and dangerous world he must bring down. Action, pacing, characters, and a strong sense of place make this one rip-roaring read. Suspenseful with plenty of twists and lots of fast moving events, readers will hardly be able to put this book down. slipped that much closer to the other side, to the evil I’d dedicated my life to chasing.”
White With Fish, Red With Murder by Harley Mazuk
It’s 1948 and Frank Swiver, a down-and-out private eye accepts an invitation from General Thursby to attend a wine tasting aboard the general’s private railroad car. What could be better for a wine enthusiast? Accompanied by his secretary/lover Vera Peregrino, Frank notices an old flame, recently widowed, Cicilia O’Callaghan owner of Chez Cici, among the guests. Thursby has an ulterior motive for inviting Swiver, he wants Swiver to find the murderer of his friend, Rusty O’Callaghan, whose death from a poison mushroom omelet the cops wrote off as accidental. But someone shoots Thursby before the tasting has even begun. Locked into the private carriage, everyone speculates about who among them could be the killer. When the police arrive, they arrest Vera for Thursby’s murder. Unfortunately, while she sits in her cell, Frank carries on with Cici. But he doesn’t abandon Vera entirely. While spending his nights with Cici, he uses his days to question the guests from the tasting. He wants to find Thursby’s killer and get Vera out. But another murder occurs and serves as a wakeup call for Swiver. A sexy, PI novel, Mazuk covers a lot of territory and interesting venues. There’s humor, romance, and plenty of action to keep the pages turning.
The Last Girl by Danny Lopez
Dexter Vega, laid off from reporter, is hired by a wealthy retiree to find the retiree’s daughter, who is supposed to be attending a local college. Easy. But when Vega delivers the news that the daughter is in Mexico, Vega discovers the man has been murdered and Vega’s prints are all over the murder weapon. With the police building a case against him, Vega goes to Mexico City to locate the daughter, hoping she will help him find the murderer and thus clear his name. But when he finds her, she tells him a very different story. Vega returns home and finds himself caught in a web of blackmail, greed, and revenge. Lots of action and plenty of twists make this a good read for fans pf the genre. Readers will enjoy the characters and even more the situation the author puts them through.
Where Privacy Dies by Priscilla Patton
An executive’s corpse is discovered in a Minneapolis wetland, and with it the photo of a girl. Detective Erik Jansson takes on the investigation and is assigned a new partner, Detective Deb Metzger. They quickly learn that the murdered man worked for a reputation management firm serving wealthy clients. A corporate cover-up hides the fact that other employees from the firm have also vanished. The detectives then pursue leads about the girl in the photograph. The leads take them to a family and a Northwoods cabin, which may or may not be dead-ends. Delving deeper, they find the case becoming more unsavory and filled with dangerous secrets. Plenty of twists and turns and good pacing make this a book readers will enjoy. Solid characters and a believable setting give readers what they’re looking for in a suspenseful work.
Irontown Blues by John Varley
Christopher Bach, a policeman in one of the largest Lunar cities when the A.I. Lunar Central Computer had a breakdown (known as the Big Glitch) which turned into a raging war. When order was restored, Chris turned to private investigation, assisted by his genetically altered dog Sherlock. He works at his craft and emulates the tough guys in the noir books and movies that he loves. Bach takes the case of a woman involuntarily infected with an engineered virus and must track down the biohackers in the Irontown district. He has his work cut out for him especially because he must also confront his own demons to solve the case. Varley is a giant in the genre and this book shows why. Part of his “Eight World” series, this work is a great read and will certainly please Varley’s fans. Action, surprises, and fun characters make this book one to read. For readers new to Varley, a treat is in store. For mystery lovers, this is something different but highly enjoyable.
Deadly Dram by Melinda Mullet
With her wheaten terrier, Liam, by her side, Abi Logan, freelance photographer, returns to the Scottish village of Balfour to check in on Abbey Glen, the celebrated whisky distillery she inherited. But her homecoming takes a sour turn after she unearths an unseemly bit of village history, not to mention the group of Japanese whisky enthusiasts, and an unexpected flock of sheep. Still, murder is even more stressful. Local rock star celebrity Rory Hendricks enters the picture. He’s Abi’s girlhood crush who she finally meets in person and she finds she can’t say no to anything he asks, like photographing his upcoming show or finding out who’s trying to kill him. Turns out that someone’s been killing his old bandmates. With the drummer and keyboard artist sidelined, and having received a series of threatening messages, Rory thinks he’s next on the chopping block. The band has any number of broken-hearted groupies and old disputes, which provide Abi with a huge batch of suspects. This is a fun series. The characters are great to read about and the setting is beautiful. The book is suspenseful and the plot twisty enough to keep the pages turning fairly fast. Entertaining, romantic, and fun – this book is a winner. This is the second in the series and readers may want to start with the first one.
Midsummer Mayhem by Marty Wingate
Once again Pru finds herself in the middle of a mystery. Pru’s friends and neighbors are buzzing with the news that as troupe of actors will put on an outdoor performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Famed actor Ambrose Grant is on everyone mind except for Pru, who can’t wait to see the spectacular gardens of the private estate where the play will be performed. Her luck gets even better when the estate’s gardener quits—angry with actors trampling his plants. Pru, her gardening expertise well-known, is called in to save the gardens. She creates magical flowery scenes and is also drawn into the excitement of putting on a play. But the play’s suddenly off, when one of the actors turns up murdered. Pru’s husband, Detective Inspector Christopher Pearse, is called in to investigate and relies on Pru’s knowledge to help solve the case. Pru uses rehearsals to investigate. But playing private eye could prove dangerous for Pru, as she closes in on a murderer. A rollicking cozy with Shakespeare to boot, this book will charm readers and have them cheering. This is the seventh book in the Potting Shed series and it’s one of the best.
Run and Hide by Alan McDermott
Eva Driscoll is being chased by thugs who won’t stop until they kill her. After her brother is killed, Driscoll teams up with ex-soldier Rees Colback, who she knows is the one person who can help her find answers. Together they’re also determined to uncover why members of his Special Forces squad are dying in mysterious circumstances. But they are forced to flee before they can find answers. But they can’t run forever. With a large character list and an action-packed plot, this book will keep readers up all night following Driscoll as she flees across the US. Strong writing, tough plotting, and characters readers will find attractive are what makes this book a winner.
