Mysterical-E

Book Reviews

The Limping Dog by J.R. Lindermuth

Gavin Cutter, an artist in an isolated town in New England, witnesses the foundering of a sailing ship onto a reef. Just before the ship hits the reef, he sees a woman walking along the beach, another witness to the ship’s problems. Cutter is the first to board the ship and rescues a dog which limps toward him, the only creature found alive. The rest of the crew and passengers have disappeared without a trace. Evidence Cutter finds indicates the ship belonged to an entrepreneur and inventor in the microprocessor field. But without anything more to go on, Cutter returns to his life in the town, adopting the dog and continuing his work. When insurance investigator TJ Flood questions Cutter, he learns that everyone else denies the existence of the woman on the beach. He also discovers that the microprocessor entrepreneur may have developed a new system so different that it might be worth killing for. Cutter decides to help Flood determine just what happened. This is a well plotted, nicely written mystery that fans of the genre will enjoy. Plenty of atmosphere and suspense, good characters, and more than a few twists.

Face of the Enemy by Dobson and Myers

New York is the scene for this World War II mystery. Japanese Americans are being swept from the streets of the US for supposed national security reasons as the outbreak of war seizes the nation. Louise Hunter, a nurse, forced to room with an aspiring journalist, Cabby Ward, due to the housing shortage, finds her life turned upside down by events playing themselves out around her. One of those rounded up Masako Fumi, an artist whose husband is being cared for by Hunter. To add to Fumi’s troubles the bludgeoned corpse of the gallery owner, who is displaying Fumi’s work, is discovered posed under Masako's signature canvas. The woman is promptly charged with murder and Hunter finds herself trying to help discover who actually killed the gallery owner. Forces on every side take advantage of this situation while Hunter teams up with New York police Lt. Michael McKenna to help Masako. The novel is well written, well researched, and satisfying. There are plenty of characters to follow and any number of plot twists to enjoy. With shifting points of view and a character-based story, this is a gripping read that will not disappoint.

Death in the 12th House by Mitchel Lewis

With three aging rock stars murdered astrologer detective David Lowell is called to solve the case. Plenty of suspects and lots of characters keep Lowell moving to find the murderer. Helped by his staff, Sara, Mort, and Andy, Lowell does his characteristic astrological search finding plenty of clues and uncovering motives. Lowell’s Starlight Agency has made a name for itself and now he must prove himself once again as the third murdered rock star still has a devoted following and they demand justice. The star’s ex-wives, other band members, along with agents are all suspect. When Lowell comes to some preliminary conclusions, he calls in police Lieutenant Roland warning that considering the astrological charts, more murders are likely if they don’t act quickly. This is a fun second installment in this astrological series.

Target Tinos by Jeffrey Siger

This is another exciting and informative episode in the Inspector Kaldis novels. Like other of Siger’s works in this series, the reader is treated not only to the beauties of Greece, it’s history people, but also to well developed characters and some exciting plotting. This time the action takes place on the island of Tinos where two charred bodies are found at a religious site. When the victims are determined to have been gypsies, no one wants to touch the case and even the government would like to forget about it. But Kaldis has a sense of honor and duty and justice which drive him to investigate. In his usual way, Kaldis uncovers lots more than anyone would suspect and faces plenty of opposition and danger. This is a fun and interesting series which is well worth reading.

Dante’s Circle by Dorien Grey

To the delight of his fans, Dorien Grey’s series of Elliott Smith and John books keeps growing and now includes Dante’s Circle. In this fourth book of the series, Dante Benevetti, a handsome, talented, and unfortunately arrogant pianist is murdered but visits Elliott and demands that his killer be found. There are suspects, people like Benevetti seem to accumulate them easily and Elliott has his work cut out for him. As with the other books in this series, the characters are well developed and their personal stories continue from book to book. Each installment is carefully plotted to include not only the mystery but also the various subplots that make this series what it is. Navigating suspects is just as important to Elliott as is navigating the relationship he is developing which make the book interesting in several levels. Well written with plenty of plot twists to satisfy any reader, this is a book that will entertain any mystery lover.

Rent by Rick Reed

Wren Gallagher wants to forget the day he’s had and steps into Tricks to drown his sorrows in drink. Jobless and with little money, he’s approached by a stranger who offers Wren the opportunity to solve his problems. The stranger owns an escort agency and wants to include Wren in his stable of men. The hapless Wren figures it’s better than nothing and agrees. But instead of solving problems, his new job presents him with a new one. He meets Rufus another escort and falls in love. That's not the end of Wren’s difficulties. One of the agency's escorts is murdered and Rufus is in trouble for it. Wren finds himself beset by the need to save Rufus as well as deal with his other problems. Plenty of plot twists and romance will keep readers reading.

Blood of My Blood by Ralph Pezzullo

Smokey Annicelli, a former policeman, is called to the scene of a crime by a friend on the force. When he arrives, he finds Ricky, his godson, dead. Tormented by guilt, both over his godson and an incident in his own past, Smokey must investigate. This is a complex mystery with plenty of material to satisfy any fan. Violence, drugs, the music world, and lots of twists and turns, this book will keep readers guessing. This is the second in the Smokey Annicelli series.

I Murdered the Spelling Bee by Wendy Dager

Daphne is a mom and a budding rock star whose band has finally hit it big. Back from a long tour, she returns to her mom-duties and must attend the national spelling bee in Los Angeles, where her 13-year-old daughter is a competitor. But where Daphne goes, things happen. At the spelling bee, she gets into a row with the spelling bee mascot – seems not so bad until this tussle leads to a double murder in a run down hotel. Daphne is a likely suspect in the eyes of some, so she finds herself having to prove someone else did the crime. There are plenty of suspects from lawyers to ex-wives, to others. This second in the series is a fun read.

Cupcakes, Sales, and Cocktails (Kindle edition) by Pamela DuMond

After her first adventure with a ghost as her guide, Annie Graceland doesn’t think she wants much more of that (although her ghost friend has not yet disappeared). Annie wants to get back to her old cupcake life and her friends try to help her do just that. While shopping for a new outfit, Annie encounters a clerk who, on the surface, is obnoxious. But that’snot all there is to her. Unfortunatley Annie doesn’t have a chance to get to know Edith because the clerk is killed. Of course, Edith wants her killer found even if she can’t do it herself, so she materializes and gets Annie to do an investigation. In doing so, Annie learns lots more about Edith and the retail world she inhabited. A novella, this is a follow-up to ______’s fort in the “Cupcakes” series and is a lot of fun. One missing ingredient is the ghost from the first volume. An enjoyable read with some quirky characters, and a lot of appeal.

Murder in the Dojo by Sue Star

Karate instructor Nell Letterly gets off to a bumpy start in her new work. Her predecessor is found dead, killed with Nell’s own weapons. She’s the only suspect and her boss is not around to take up her cause. Mix in a few personal problems, some great action, along with twists and turns and you have a fun read.

Vengeance by Benjamin Black

When Victor Delahaye, Irish businessman, decides to commit suicide, he does it on his boat far out to sea. But he does it in the presence of his business partner’s son, the only witness to this act. The strange circumstances attract the attention of the police and before long, Detective Hackett and his sidekick, police consultant Quirke, are delving into the case. There are plenty of people to question and more than a few thrills along the way. When a second mysterious death happens, Hackett suspects that more killings may follow. This is the fifth installment in the series based in Dublin and, with it, the series gets better and better. Action, suspense, and characters with depth are what fans of this series have come to expect and they get that and more in this book.

The Johnny Casino Casebook 1 by G.B. Pool

Johnny Casino, a character with a history as a mob player, has ditched all that and is trying to make it as a private investigator in Holllywood. His background gives him lots of what he needs to know to succeed in his new line of work but it also gives him a few hedaches. Casino is tough and direct but, like all tough guys, he’s got a soft spot. Casino is also a real blend of interests and behaviors that makes him one interesting character. This series of interconnected stories tells Johnny’s story as he tries to put his mob past away and do something to make up for his misdeeds.

Swann’s Landing Douglas Quinn

Set in the outer Banks, this is the third Webb Sawyer mystery. When the mother a one of Sawyer’s friend is missing then found dead, he jumps quickly into the case. Dependable as usual, Sawyer does his best to track down the killer and finds himself in big trouble as a result. Fast moving, well developed characters and setting, with plenty of suspense and some humor, this is a novel that fans of the series will like and might introduce some new readers to this work.

Frame Up by James Phoenix

This debut novel offers readers, Fenway Burke, a Boston private eye. Living on a rusting boat in Marblehead Harbor, Burke is street wise and clever but also a borderline alcoholic and muddling through a divorce. When a bookie asks Burke for help in freeing a kid who’s been framed for murder, Burke can’t turn the case down. But he quickly finds himself in over his head and up against forces who are much better equipped. Twists and turns and a good helping of action and suspense make this a book you won’t want to put down.

I Have A Secret by Cheryl Bradshaw

Class reunions are always trouble. A group of high school friends decide to reunite on a cruise. But soon one old classmate is stabbed and thrown overboard. The wife of the victim enlists the help of Sloane, another classmate and a P.I. who’s good at her job. Sloane does her best to round up suspects as well as the evidence that will point to the killer. But they return to land before the crime is solved and yet another murder takes place. The third in the series, this books is even more exciting if that’s possible. This is a mystery with a number of twists and turns which make the story one you’ll want to finish in one sitting.

Murder in the Air by Marilyn Levinson

This cozy mystery has everything the cozy reader is after including romance. Lydia Krause, a resident of the Twin Lakes senior community, seems to be a crime magnet. In this installment f the series, she is present when the remains of a teen, missing more than seventy years before, are discovered. Before she allows this mystery to consume her, Lydia dives back into community affairs and forgets crime. Until her neighbor is murdered. A neighbor who intimated he had knowledge of a crime committed long before but isn’t sure what to do about it. Lydia seems to have no choice but to follow leads she uncovers, whether by investigation or accident. She does so even in the face of possible danger to herself.

The Goddaughter by Melodie Campbell

This book will give you a quick taste of Campbell’s work and it’ll be a fun taste. The protagonist, Gina Gallo, a gemologist and a member of a mob family, stars in this exciting story. When her cousin is bumped off by a rival mob, the gems he was found carrying must get to their illicit destination. Gina is recruited to do the job. Unfortunately for Gina, the hot gems get stolen leading to the escapade that follows. This is a quick fun read with good characters and a fun situation. Fast paced and nicely plotted, this is a book you’ll enjoy from the start.

A Purse to Die For by Melodie Campbell

After the Goddaughter whets your appetite, this book, second in a series, will help satisfy your craving for more of Campbell’s mysteries. Gina Monroe, celebrity fashionista, returns to her hometown for her grandmother’s funeral. When the will is read, she finds that there are a number of unanswered questions and a few puzzling developments. She can’t let things like that pass without getting involved. Before you know it, problems mount and Gina is hot on the case. A fun read.