Some Capsule Reviews

Reviews by Montiese McKenzie

Corruption's Child by J.R. Lindermuth

Swatara Creek , Pennsylvania has some problems. There's been a body found on a playground, a young woman, and she is the first murder the town has seen in too long to recall. Then a local Mennonite, Amos Funk, comes to the police station to report a rash of robberies in the local Amish community. The secretive sect intended to keep their business to themselves, but when Amos' cousin Teddy was nearly beaten to death during one of the incidents, they wanted police involvement. New police Chief Aaron Brubaker suddenly has more than a few mysteries on his hands. He calls in retired chief, Daniel “Sticks” Hetrick, to help his small team of police officers handle the problem. They have to figure out if the cases are connected, though no one knows what a dead waitress would have to do with money and antiques disappearing from homes. Brubaker also has another problem he's trying to keep a lid on, missing money from the evidence locker. Could one of his own be up to their neck in something illegal? This book is fast-paced. The characters, like Officer Flora Vastine, her lover Harry Minnich, the new guy Brent Taylor, and Jimmy Inch are all working together on the two cases while other police distractions like raves, snitches, and a pig farm on the edge of town all come together as part of the mystery. Brubaker is also doing an internal investigation on the people he trusts to see just who's stealing and if they are using the money for nefarious means. As the police delve into the world of religious sects, antiquing, used cars, and drug dealers, the reader gets pulled along on a big adventure. It's a well-written and short book but it leaves readers wanting more of these characters and this town. From one page to the next, you aren't sure just what's going to happen but in a good way. There is a buildup to a slightly predictable but no less exciting climax and when the mystery is solved, it's breathless and fantastic. Mr. Lindermuth needs to visit Swatara Creek again as soon as possible. There will probably be plenty of readers who want to travel with him.

Deadly Affairs by Collette Thomas

As the town of Todd Hollow is reeling from the mistrial of a possible serial killer, they are smacked with an arson that kills one of the town's oldest residents. Could this be a new killer or are the cases connected? Medical examiner Meghan Doyle, her boyfriend Detective Jon Walker, along with fire chief Aidan McKay and police officer Miranda Gonzalez all work together to find out if they are looking for one killer, more, and to stop the bodies from piling up in their small town. They aren't the only characters in Todd Hollow though. Like your typical small town, it has its share of interesting people. The Manheims run the local funeral home, which is getting plenty of business these days. Martin Manheim loves what he does, giving solace to those in grief. He loves it almost as much as he loves the ladies. His kinky and hinky habits are going to get him in a lot of trouble, his twin brother was the prime suspect in the serial case, and his lover Audrey Symington turns up dead in the second fire that rocks the town. Secrets unravel quickly, like an episode of One Life to Live on speed. Old secrets, new secrets, and buried secrets that people attempt to keep hidden as lovers contemplate becoming something more and old lovers try to be anything but. The plot moves quickly but is driven more by the characters than the mystery, which plays almost as an afterthought. The characters are likable though so it is a page turner, though there are so many characters and so few pages it can be a tad confusing at times. Things wrap up a little too quickly; it's a short book at 256 pages. Some characters seem to be introduced too late or haphazardly as a way to finish the deepening mystery. There is a decent resolution to the crimes, a little surprise as well, which is always good. But a resolution for the characters you've come to know and like is either lacking or not there at all. While you may be left wanting, Deadly Affairs pulls itself together into a satisfying read.

Hell in a Handbasket by Beth Groundwater

Murder on the ski slopes of Colorado get gift basket designer Claire Hanover embroiled in another mystery in Beth Groundwater's new novel, Hell in a Handbasket . When Stephanie Contino is murdered while out for skiing fun with the Hanovers and their daughter Judy, Claire plays amateur sleuth to find out what happened to the young girl. Was it an accident at the hands of an irresponsible snowboarder or something much more sinister? The police don't know what to make of it, or Claire's assertion that there was a second set of ski tracks in the snow at the scene. As she does her best to comfort the Contino family, whose son Nick is in a serious relationship with her daughter, Claire slowly comes to realize that no one is safe from what is lurking behind the door of their palatial home. She immediately begins to investigate with a weary Sheriff's Deputy unable to stop her from getting to the bottom of what happened before something happens to her own child. There is murder, conspiracy, suicide, mobsters, and a love story all wrapped into a small number of pages. Young Judy doesn't want to lose Nick but she can't be sure if he's a murderer, a victim, or something even worse. Well, her mother can't be sure as Claire scrambles to solve the case while her husband stands around and the sheriff tries to keep them all from getting hurt. The young lovers eventually try to run off together with the bad guys hot on their trail. There's a climax in the snowy woods of Denver and then a pat ending as everything is sewn nice and neat with a bow.

The Dead Man Review

Former FBI Agent Jack Davis has problems. He was forced to retire at 50 due to a medical condition that requires him to relax. His colleagues think he's crooked, and knee deep in a plot to steal $2 million dollars in drug money, and the real owner of the house he's subletting in Kansas City just showed up and told him to get out. Just when he doesn't think it can get any worse, he needs to stop thinking that. His friend Simon gives him a freelance job, investigating the murders of people participating in a dream study at the Harper Institute of the Mind. Milo Harper, Simon's old college roommate, runs the institute. He has enough problems and he wants this solved immediately. Jack is in, he doesn't want to just sit around and relax, though that's what he should be doing not to aggravate his “tics”. While in the middle of that case, he is called in by his last friend in the FBI, Ammara Iverson, when a dead mailman is found clutching the envelope of a letter his daughter wrote to him before she died. The mailman was a part of the dream experiment and the missing letter could hold the key to Jack's guilt or innocence of corruption. While the bodies don't stack up in this novel, the suspects surely do. Every page has a new set of twists and turns as Jack, his friend Simon, girlfriend Kate, and new landlord, ex-cop/ex-con Lucy try to exonerate Jack and solve the mystery of people dying from their worst nightmares. Harper and his sister Sherry surely have their own secrets to keep and endless fountains of money to do just that. Could they really be killers or just another pair of suspicious individuals in a building full of them? While the ending is slightly predictable and there's a ninth ending kick in the knees that leaves the reader baffled with no more pages to turn, The Dead Man is still a worthy read.

Reviews by J. DeMarco

The Blue Moon Café

Recently laid off from his job, Thad Matthews's self-esteem is low. After hours and days of watching TV and cruising the Internet, Thad is bored and lonely in Seattle . On a lark, he goes out and finds himself at the Blue Moon Café where he meets Sam Lupino, the proprietor. Sam is Thad's dream man, handsome, sexy, and sensitive. The background for Thad's story includes the fact that Seattle is being haunted by a serial killer preying on the gay community. The killings look like the work of a mad animal and a rumor spreads that it's a werewolf. While Thad is happy with his newfound passion, he's also stumped because Sam disappears like clockwork once a month. And he stays away for days. Thad also notices that Sam's disappearances neatly match up with the killings taking place. That's got a problem and it's a furry one. Reed combines the paranormal with mystery and a big dash of sexy romance in The Blue Moon Café. If you like werewolves, and I know they're a favorite of mine, you'll enjoy this quick page-turner of a shapeshifting tale. Reed is able to frighten the hell out of you while making sure that you refuse to put the book down. The characters are fun, the city plays a part (it's Reed's home base), and the romance is hot. It's also frighteningly horrifying. This may be a furry tale but it's not cuddly.

The Secret Keeper by Dorien Grey

Dorien Grey is at it again. This book is the umpteenth entry in the Dick Hardesty series which is a series that details not only mysteries the protagonist must solve but also the changes in his life and the realities he must fathom in order to grow. In The Secret Keeper, Hardesty, his partner Jonathon, and ward Joshua are all back in a well plotted mystery that unfolds carefully and with craft. Hardesty is hired to investigate a suicide, but he manages to uncover murder and even a missing will as he delves into the lies, greed, and resentments of his client's family. Like all of Grey's work the Hardesty mysteries are enjoyable reads with characters you want to know and for whom you root and cheer as they go about their various activities. The mystery here, as in other of Gry's books, is also well-crafted and will keep a reader's attention. Faithful followers of the series will be delighted to see more of Hardesty's personal life and the developments in that life. This time, Jonathan knows Hardesty's clients and is able to give the sleuth some insight into the workings of that dysfunctional bunch. The plot is unpredictable and the writing is tight. The Secret Keeper is a fun read that will keep you puzzled and intrigued. It's a satisfying read on many levels.

Sawdust Confessions by William A. Sievert

Sievert has penned a good comic novel. Something that isn't easy. Humor is a delicate thing and often falls faster than a soufflé. But not in Sievert's hands. He gives readers lot of laughs as well as an interesting story. Is it campy? You bet. Is that a good thing? Certainly. But it's also a page turner of a book and you won't want to put it down until you've finished. It's a screwball comic mystery that never fails to entertain. Sievert has created characters that are very real, complete with flaws, charm, and humor. His protagonists are not the least of his creations. Philip and Franklin decide to move to Sawdust Pines, a gay/lesbian campground and trailer park in Green Swamp , Florida . A mistake? Yes, but a riotously fortunate one for readers. Also living at the Pines is Rusty Rhodes, a drag queen/cabaret singer, also known as Dusty Rose. The camp director just doesn't see things as Rusty does and continually gives him a hard time. That's the backdrop. When Dusty disappears in the middle of a special performance, Philip and Franklin, newcomer outsiders, are immediately suspect. Mary Angelique, a former nun, implicates the boys but no one who lives at the camp has any desire for the police to enter their little world. Information is hidden from the deputy sheriff and once a group of wannabe police officers arrive, the chaotic fun begins. Unpredictability is the key in this book and that serves the reader well. The outcome is never clear until the book's last page. A fun read that will help you get that tan or enjoy the summer breeze without thinking about it. You'll be too engrossed in the book.

Reviewed by Vero Caravetta

Devil's Island by Carl Brookins

This is the third in Carl Brookins's Mary Whitney and Michael Tanner series. Their relationship is a mature one and it is fascinating to watch them negotiate the byways of love and acceptance. This installment sees Mary on a sailing vacation on Lake Superior and waiting for Michael who is scheduled to arrive later because of work. Before he arrives, Mary investigates some leads about her family's interest in logging in the Great Lakes area. This has her exploring the abandoned Devil's Island and avoiding her ex-husband who is not one of the good guys. A fast paced thriller, this book keeps the action going and the reader breathless until Mary discovers what she is after.

Justice in June Barbara Levenson

Two phone calls on one day threaten to change life as Mary Magruder Katz knows it. Someone close to her boyfriend's family, who was arrested after a flight from Argentina , is arrested and detained in the U.S. Whereabouts of his confinement are unknown. Mary, a Miami criminal defense attorney, discovers that he is being held on charges of terrorism. Then, a judge calls, requesting Mary's assistance. Just when she thinks she may be making some headway, her boyfriend, Carlos, becomes entangled with the law and his livelihood is in jeopardy. Mary is a tough, clever, and crafty attorney who gets through situations that would undo lesser beings. Mary is a well-drawn character who is highly intelligent but very human. The various intertwined plots are well-developed with lots of twists and turns and good pacing.

Collision of Evil by John J. Le Beau

Le Beau is an ex-CIA agent and definitely knows his material. An American tourist in the Bavarian Alps happens into the wrong place at the wrong time. Hiking in the mountains during a rainstorm, Charles Hirter stumbles upon a cave contaning a stack of old crates. On the way back down the mountain, he is murdered. Franz Waldbaer is in charge of the investigation. His life becomes complicated when Hirter's brother, Robert, shows up to bring the body home and to help in the investigation. Their investigation reveals a terrifying plot built to jolt German society and Western society in general to its very core.
The plot of the novel is most definitely a strong point and there is lots of plot.

Red Planet Noir by D.B. Grady

Private eye Mike Sheppard has lots of personal and professional problems, and lots of incentive to go to Mars to investigate the murder of a beautiful woman's father. But he has no idea what he's getting into. This story takes the hard-boiled detective story into outer space. Sheppard is a wisecracking PI who finds himself investigating a case on the Red Planet. Sheppard can be likable for both his humor and his vulnerability. Grady has written a story that will make you think twice. All the hard-boiled elements are there - a femme fatale, a down-on-his-luck private detective, burly henchmen, bartender informants, corrupt police, powerful mobsters, and, of course, murder. Only this time it's all on Mars.

Wyatt's Revenge by H. Terrell Grifin

Matt Royal is a relaxed kind of guy. A retired lawyer and ex Green Beret living a life of ease on Longboat Key in Florida, Matt is shocked out of his fantasy life by the murder of his best friend, Laurence Wyatt. Matt easily decides to set out on a quest for Wyatt's Revenge. Matt is tight with the police Chief of Longboat Key who will do everything to solve this case. But for Matt, this is personal and he is determined to find Wyatt's killer himself and starts on a secret investigation assisted by Logan Hamilton and Jock Algren, old friends from his Army days. As Matt and friends learn the truth about Wyatt's death they find things bigger than any of them dreamed. Matt and his friends travel from Longboat Key to Europe and more following leads and clues. Griffin has written three other Matt Royal mysteries which readers will also enjoy.

Reviewed by Dawn Dowdle

mysterybks@yahoo.com and www.mysteryloverscorner.com

Murder Takes The Cake By: Evelyn David

Rachel Brenner discovers caskets are missing from the funeral home where she works. She asks Mac Sullivan, a private detective and her boyfriend, to look into it. Mac is also trying to protect his goddaughter who thinks someone is trying to kill her. It doesn't take long for Mac to really believe her. J. J. Whiskey, Mac's office manager, sets out to help with the cases. By being in the right place at the wrong time, she discovers the thief of the caskets and sets out to help put him back on the straight and narrow. Mac and Rachel's relationship keeps getting mixed up in everything and there is plenty of humor to go around. Mac's goddaughter's fiancé and his family are rich and want everyone to know it. But could there be a tie-in to what is going on? Evelyn David is the pseudonym for Marian Edelman Borden and Rhonda Dossett, who have never met in person. Reading the book, you would never know two different people wrote it. It is well crafted and full of humor. The characters are a lot of fun. You will laugh out loud and not want to put it down so you can turn the page!

Fire And Ice By: J. A. Jance

A woman is found murdered in a dense forested area by Cle Elum. J. P. Beaumont investigates. Five other women have been found similarly, but this one had her teeth. Might be the big break in the case. She is identified as Marina Aguirre (aka Marcella Andrade) missing from Bisbee , AZ. This brings in Joanna Brady. One of Joanna's homicide detectives is the missing woman's sister. Joanna's office is investigating a suspicious hit and run accident in an out-of-the way ATV recreation spot. It is later thought that the two cases are connected. Joanna is also involved in a hotly contested abuse case at an Alzheimer's home where a patient went missing and a mysterious death occurred. A couple of bodies need to be exhumed to solve this case. Marina/Marcella might have worn expensive clothing, boots and jewelry, but she worked at Denny's. She lived in a trailer park that was in reality a halfway house owned by a benevolent former hooker with HIV, who won the Powerball and lives in a mega-mansion. Marina/Marcella stole $50,000 from a drug cartel and left her son in Arizona . The investigations switch between Seattle and Arizona and Beau and Brady. They interact mostly via phone.

Death at Hilliard High By: Carole Shmurak

Susan Lombari, professor of education at a college in Connecticut , is asked by Elaine, a friend, to observe in a class taught by Shauna, Elaine's former student. No reason is given, except that strange things are going on. Susan agrees things are strange, but she can't pinpoint whether they are serious. Is this just an innocent prankster at work? Susan ends up discovering, with the head of Shauna's department, a colleague's dead wife and that the colleague himself is now missing. Could he have killed his wife? Why? Where is he and why can't anyone find him? Things are unsettled at home for Susan as well. Her husband, Michael "Swash" Buckler," has become a househusband and rarely leaves the house due to an inheritance and a knack for online investing. When Susan arrives home to fabulous dinner smells but no husband, she finds he hasn't gone far. But what he has bought is a total shock. And his interest in and devotion to this item totally surprises Susan. Is this a midlife crisis? The author does a great job of taking ordinary life experiences and working them into her story. I love these characters as they seem so down to earth and real. She does a wonderful job of seamlessly weaving these stories together and bringing everything to a close in a realistic way.

The Body In The Gallery By: Katherine Hall Page

Caterer Faith Fairchild's friend Patsy Avery suggests she take over the café at the local Ganley Art Museum since business has been slow. Plus Patsy wants her to figure out who switched the priceless piece she lent the museum with a fake. Faith stumbles upon a mysterious corpse one morning that stirs up the already murky history of the museum. Who is she and could have killed her and why? As if that weren't enough, Faith's middle school aged son, Ben, is being more secretive and defiant than normal. Where did her little boy go? What is he up to? Why aren't he and Josh, who was his best friend for many years, no longer hanging out? Can Faith unravel the mysteries without putting herself in danger?