THE CHASE

5 stars out of 5

I was a fan of legendary steeplechase jockey turned horse racing focused author Dick Francis for many, many years, and since his death, I’ve continued that enthusiasm for books written by his son Felix. This one, I’m happy to say, continues that tradition of excellence in fine fettle – another good one in the books, so to speak.

One thing, however, left me wondering if I’d missed something. The description on Goodreads, where I always post my reviews, says the book features investigator Sid Halley (e.g., “Sid Halley is back to investigate”) – a familiar character. But for the life of me, I don’t recall ever even reading his name on any of the pages here. Oh well, no matter. If I somehow skipped over those mentions, so be it – honestly, in the end I didn’t miss him a whit.

The story finds Westminster art gallery owner Fabian Tulley in a bit of a bind; he’s just sold a painting by Alfred Munnings, and now the police are at his door because he’s been accused of fraud; the buyer, it seems, claims the painting is a copy and insists Fabian was well aware of it. Problem is, Fabian is certain he sold an original, authentic work – but especially since the police have confiscated the painting, how on earth will he prove its provenance? And if he doesn’t, it’s likely his entire business – already in a somewhat difficult financial state – would cease to exist (in fact, several seem to have already flown the customer coop).

As if that weren’t enough, Fabian’s landlord has issued him an eviction notice, claiming he now needs the building for a different type of development. To help with that, Fabian “hires” a retired barrister who agrees to a big discount on a painting he wants in exchange for helping Fabian get to the truth behind his lease (not knowing, of course, exactly where that will lead).

The buyer of the suspected fake Munning is billionaire Jack Lofthouse from Yorkshire, who subsequently filed a lawsuit against Tulley. But the question is, why would he want to discredit Fabian? Getting to the truth requires Fabian and a couple of friends to venture to (surprise!) the racetrack at Cheltenham, where he’s also a frequent vendor. There, he encounters even more serious attacks – one that ends with the ruin of several of the paintings he was displaying for sale there, thus adding to his financial woes and hopes for the future.

Needless to say, either the fraud or the eviction could cost Fabian his livelihood at the very least – so he’s eager to get both issues resolved. The eviction is mostly up to his attorney, but unless he gets to the bottom of the fraud accusation and puts it to rest, he won’t be able to afford his lease anyway, making that issue moot. So off he goes to get to the bottom of things, with a little help from some friends and employees. Details, of course, I cannot reveal, but suffice it to say it’s nonstop action right up to the end (which I also won’t reveal). Getting there, though, is exciting and fun, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for letting me in on the adventure by way of a pre-release copy. Another one well done!

The Chase by Felix Francis (Crooked Lane Books, September 2026); 304 pp.

DEATH OF AN EX

4 stars out of 5

I missed the first book in this series, but I certainly enjoyed the heck out of this, the second - an easy one to read as a standalone. That said, I'll be watching for the installment for sure.

The main character, Evander (Vandy) Myrick, is a cop turned private investigator who's come home to ply her trade in Queenstown, New Jersey - the only Black P.I. in the community. Years ago, she was married for a brief time to Phil Bolden, with whom she had a daughter Monica, who died close to three years ago in a fraternity house as a student at nearby Rutgers University. After their marriage broke up, Phil remarried and has become a prominent Queenstown resident, businessman and philanthropist; he and his wife have a son, Tyriq, a star athlete with an artistic bent and a chip on his shoulder.

Vandy is befriending Ingrid Ramirez, a student at the town's prestigious Rome School. It's the school of choice for the town's wealthier folks, with scholarships available to the less financially fortunate (read: Blacks). Accompanying Ingrid to an awards dinner where the girl will get an award that's a first for a Black student, Vandy learns that Tyriq and Ingrid have a "thing" - and that Vandy's ex, Phil, is getting some kind of award. But when Phil gets up to give his presentation, what he says seems to be not only unexpected, but not, shall we say, well received.

Later, Phil - who is married to another school employee and private college guidance counselor, Melinda - later reconnects with Vandy, who starts having second thoughts about why they divorced. The next morning, Vandy gets the surprise of her life as the police knock on her door.

From that point on, I can't divulge much without spoiling the thrill for other readers (tempting though it may be). Suffice it to say that Vandy becomes part of an investigation that for me conjured up memories of a certain "Full House" star, bribery and money laundering. The whole thing ends with a bang as well as my vow, as I mentioned at the beginning, to not miss another of the books in this series. Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for introducing me to it by way of a pre-release copy of this book. 

Death of an Ex by Delia Pitts (Minotaur Books, June 2025); 306 pp.

SOCIETY OF LIES

4 stars out of 5

At the outset, I'll say that if I got nothing else out of this book, it was confirmation of my decades-ago decision when I started college that "going Greek" just wasn't for me. Whew!

Maya Banks, though, didn't get the memo. In fact, when she was a student at Princeton a decade or so ago, she jumped into the social club thing with both feet - participating in all of what I'd have called "Rush Week" activities at her desired Sterling Club and hoping for acceptance into the ultra-secret Greystone Society imbedded in the club. She was, she said, trying to pave the way for her younger sister, Naomi, who would (hopefully) follow in her footsteps. And for the most part, all that went as planned; now, Maya is back for her 10-year college reunion - when she also expects to see Naomi's graduation.

Alas, that's not to be; before the big event, Maya - now married with a 5-year-old daughter Dani - gets word that Naomi won't be graduating; no, she didn't fail her last class - she's dead. And while it's initially ruled accidental, some things just don't add up - like the drugs in her system and no logical reason for her to be found covered in snow far from the lodge at which she was staying. Maya, understandably, is frantic; but very soon she begins to wonder if some things that happened and people she knew back when she was a student had some impact on the reason for Naomi's death.

Chapters, which flip back and forth among time frames and the perspectives of Maya and Naomi almost fast enough to give me whiplash, provide readers with a look at what went on in the worlds of both young women - all coming together, of course, to make a complete and attention-holding story. Definitely worth a read, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown (Bantam, October 2024); 366 pp.

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER

4 stars out of 5

When I started to write the review for this book, it occurred to me how few I read that are not part of a series. I can't refer to changes in the life of a recurring character or two or compare this one with another or point out inconsistencies. Well, then; it seems I'll have to be straightforward in my approach, which is that I enjoyed the book even though the constant jumps in perspective and time made it a little hard for me to follow without backtracking now and again. 

The story begins when a college student named Cleo comes to visit her mother Katrina for dinner, despite the fact that they're close to estranged. When she arrives, she finds the Brooklyn brownstone trashed, blood all around and her mother nowhere to be found. Immediately, she calls the police, setting off an investigation. Readers then learn that Katrina is an attorney at a prominent law firm - one that has taken on a high-profile client in an even higher-profile class action lawsuit - and that she and her husband Aiden are about to split.

Little by little, clues as to what really happened - and what Katrina really does to earn her substantial paycheck - are revealed by way of chapter those aforementioned shifts in perspectives and time frames. There are some notable twists and surprises, though nothing that reached the "blew me away" level. All in all, though, it was an interesting story that held my attention quite well, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Like Mother, Like Daughter by Kimberly McCreight (Knopf, July 2024); 320 pp.

TREASURE STATE

4 stars out of 5

The sixth in the series featuring private investigator Cassie Dewell puts her in the middle of two very different cases and pulls in a tie with the author's other popular series about Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett. The tie-in is simply this: Cassie hires April Pickett, the daughter of Joe and his wife Marybeth, as an intern at her office in Bozeman, Montana, much to the annoyance of Cassie's hippy dippy blabbermouth mother, Isabel. April isn't seen much, although she and Cassie's son, Ben, do play roles in helping to solve one of the cases.

One of the cases involves a poem left in a restaurant that alludes to an alleged $3.5 million in gold known as Sir Scott's Treasure. It's quite the mystery, both as to who sneaked in and wrote the poem and where the treasure is hidden (if, in fact, it exists at all). Cassie remains uncertain even after she receives a call from the person who claims to be the author - not only can she not tell whether it was a man or woman, the caller challenges Cassie to find not the treasure itself, but the person who hid the treasure and wrote the poem. If she does, the caller says, she'll get a reward of $25,000.

Not long thereafter, Cassie gets a call from an older woman who's been taken to the financial cleaners by a charming con artist; the previous private eye she hired has gone missing, she says, and she still needs someone to try and get her money back. Since she's still got enough money to pay Cassie's retainer, they seal the deal - and Cassie ends up in the old mining town of Anaconda. Right away, she bumps heads with local law enforcement jerks who don't like outsiders (especially female) poking their nose in their business.

But she persists, even if getting to the bottom of things takes her all over Montana - with readers getting an extensive look at the lay of the land. Her investigation also puts her back in touch with a character who should be familiar to readers of previous books and, of course, smack dab in the middle of liars, cheaters and murderers (nope, no details - read the book for yourself). I'll just end with thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with a pre-release copy to read and review. Another good one!

Treasure State by C.J. Box (Minotaur Books, September 2022); 280 pp.

CAMINO WINDS

5 stars out of 5

This, the author's second adventure set on

Camino Island, puts some of the characters from the first (appropriately titled Camino Island) back in the eye of the storm. This time, though, it's literally; not long after the story begins, Hurricane Leo threatens to disrupt the festivities honoring successful author Mercer Mann that are to take place in Bruce Cable's Bay Books store. Mercer, who has a college teaching gig, has returned to the island with her latest boy toy, Thomas, expecting to be wined and dined by her old friends.

But it's not long before all those plans are blowin' in the wind; Leo, it seems, has set his eye on the island's downtown. Evacuations are ordered, but Bruce and a couple of his friends decide to ride it out. Luckily, they survive the devastation; but no such luck for Nelson Kerr, a thriller writer and one of Bruce's friends. He's found dead at his damaged home; but an up-close-and-personal look determines that Leo may not have been the killer.

Since Nelson died in the storm when debris was flying everywhere, the local police aren't quite ready to buy the murder angle - and even if they did, they're up to their eyeballs in clean-up efforts and making sure looters don't start running rampant. Bruce, though, is positive he's right. As he and his friends, including Mercer and Thomas, put their heads together, the consensus is that somebody, somewhere, didn't want Nelson's not-yet-published manuscript to see the light of print.

But who might that be? Surely not one of their own - each of whom has a background and secrets that are slowly revealed as the story unfolds - and issues are resolved - over a period of a year or so. As was the first book, it's told in a narrative style, although there seems to be more dialogue here (and, maybe because of that, I think I slightly prefer this one). Those expecting courtroom theatrics will be disappointed, although lawyers do get involved in some of the goings-on. All in all, this one is thoroughly enjoyable - and I've definitely taken a liking to this series. More, please!

Camino Winds by John Grisham (Doubleday, April 2020); 290 pp.

STRIKE ME DOWN

5 stars out of 5

It's not often I stay up later than usual and finish a book in bed, even if there are just a couple of chapters to go. Add this one to the short list of those that made the trip upstairs.

Mostly that's because the story is so unique - when was the last time you saw a character who's an international kickboxing phenom (female, no less)? Ditto for one who's a cracker-jack forensic accountant (also a female)? Throw in the the sudden disappearance of $20 million and husbands and wives who, let's say, don't seem well suited to each other, and you've got the makings for a page-turner.

The company at which the money went missing is Strike, a multimillion dollar joint creation of that aforesaid phenom, Logan Russo, and her husband, Gregory Abbott. The company is wildly successful, cashing in big-time on Logan's fame. Now, they're throwing a huge tournament with $20 million in prize money plus the chance to replace Logan as the new "face" of the company. But therein lie a couple of issues: First, Gregg suspects Logan has the hots for one of their young trainers and wants him as her replacement. Second, and most pressing, is the disappearance of all that prize money.

Enter Nora's firm, which has built a reputation for digging through numbers to expose corporate theft and fraud. Gregg contacted them, knowing of their expertise through a prior meeting (and one-night stand) with Nora away from their Minneapolis base. Understandably, Nora - who's also a member of the local Strike gym and can hold her own with a kickboxing bag - is hesitant to accept Strike (and Gregg) as a client. But her partner gives her the green light and she gives in - despite concerns expressed by her husband, Mike, with whom she has a self-described "open marriage" as well as a 10-year-old son.

Her hardest task may be determining who to believe; Gregg and Logan are pointing fingers at each other. Nora's investigation becomes central to the story, which shifts in perspective from Nora to Gregg. By the end, the whole thing took a couple of very dark turns, all leading up to an exciting ending that showcases all of Nora's considerable talents.

Honestly, I'll be the first to say I probably wouldn't want to hang out with any of this crew; I love strong women, but Logan and Nora take it to a whole 'nother level. Neither is even close to perfect (although they're at the top of their respective games career-wise) - but then neither are any of their male counterparts - not at Strike and not at Nora's firm. Still, there's something riveting about each and every one, adding interest, intrigue and hints of unspoken love interests that may be lurking in the background (or perhaps just in my own mind).

All in all, I found it well worth reading. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Strike Me Down by Mindy Mejia (Atria/Emily Bestler Books, April 2020); 348 pp.

WHEN I WAS YOU

4 stars out of 5

I read a ton of pre-release books, and when I get them gratis or at low cost from publishers, I figure I owe it to my benefactors to finish them no matter what. And if I've learned one thing over many years and many more books, it's that I'm right to not be too hasty to call it quits.

Such is the case with this book, which I got through Amazon's First Reads program. Somewhere around the 10% mark, I was ready to call it a day. The main character, Brienne Dougray, depicts the kind of woman who, for the most part, I simply want to smack upside the head - the kind who refuses to listen to reason yet complains about her lot in life and can out-second-guess a paranoid schizophenic.

It didn't take long, though, for me to be glad I hung in there. You guessed it: Not only was I pleased (and surprised) by the turn of events, but in spots I was so close to the edge of my seat that I nearly fell off. I won't say Brienne and I could ever be best buds, but the whole thing kept getting better by the chapter.

The survivor of an attack, Brienne has holed up in the old, spacious home she inherited. Just so she won't constantly be alone, she advertises for a tenant; goodness knows she's got the extra room. The ad is answered by Dr. Niall Emberlin, who turns out to be the caring friend and helper she needs. But then, she learns that her identity may not only have been stolen, but another woman is actually living her life: Same name, same car, same physical characteristics. That's puzzling, to say the least - especially since no one seems to have tinkered with Brienne's substantial bank accounts or credit cards.

Gradually, readers begin to suspect there's much more going on here (as does Brienne). But what? And who? And why? Alas, my review must of necessity stop right here; otherwise, I'd be revealing too much. Suffice it to say it's an enjoyable roller coaster ride complete with a few surprise bumps that make it even more interesting.

When I Was You by Minka Kent (Thomas & Mercer, February 2020); 282 pp.

A COLD TRAIL

4 stars out of 5

It's always a treat to dive into a new book in a favorite series, and it's even sweeter when it's another good one. Such is the case here (I even stayed up half an hour past my bedtime to finish it). This is the seventh appearance of Seattle homicide detective Tracy Crosswhite, but I warn other readers that near the end of the book, it was touch and go as to whether it would be her last.

Of course, no reader is likely to think she won't survive - this series is far too popular to knock off the lead character, for goodness sake; so the devil here is in the details. Tracy and her lawyer husband Dan have moved back to their home town of Cedar Grove, Washington, while their home in a Seattle suburb is being remodeled. They bring with them their two-month-old daughter Daniella and Irish nanny Therese (a likable character in her own right, a bit reminiscent of Mary Catherine, the very Irish nanny and housekeeper for James Patterson series character Michael Bennett). 

Tracy and Dan are living in Dan's parents' old house, but it is the small town itself that brings back the most memories - and not pleasant ones. This is the place where Tracy's younger sister, Sarah, went missing while she was in high school; years later, her body was found and the killer identified. Now, Dan has taken on the defense of a local man who's fighting the sale of his long-time family store to the city, which is buying up other small businesses and reselling them to buyers who pledge to remodel and reopen. Tracy is for the most part happy to be with her new daughter, but she also misses the fulfillment of her job (from which she's still on maternity leave). So when the local acting police chief makes her an offer she can't refuse, she doesn't - agreeing to help solve the murder of the current chief's wife, a reporter who was working on a story that someone doesn't want told.

As most readers will suspect, it's not long before parallels show up between Tracy's investigation and Dan's client's case; but the nearly impossible part is finding real evidence. A lot has happened in Cedar Grove over the years, much of which the locals don't want to revisit even if it means catching a murderer.

The action here is pretty much nonstop, although a few too many, and too lengthy, speculative discussions among the players about who may have done what to whom slowed the pace here and there. That aside, it was an interesting plot with plenty of twists and a satisfying conclusion, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-publication copy. Now all I can do is sit back and wait till the next one!

A Cold Trail by Robert Dugoni (Thomas & Mercer, February 2020); 355 pp.