5 stars out of 5
A new series from a favorite author? I'm on it! And although I've just finished, I'm already eager to read the next installment.
That is not to say, however, that FBI Special Agent Atlee Pine totally won me over. I like that she's strong (both mentally and physically) and thus able to handle just about anything that comes her way. That she's carrying around a traumatic childhood - her own almost death and the kidnapping of her twin sister, Mercy - is less intriguing; for me, it simply provides another dimension to the story and, most likely, a recurring theme for the series. As I read, I was reminded of another series character: Jane Hawk, the feisty heroine conceived by another favorite author, Dean Koontz. Both women live and work on the fringes of credibility - both in what they are able to handle physically and in terms of a sometimes hard-to-believe plot. But I'm one of those who go with the flow and accept a story for what it is - a story - and this is a good one.
At age 35, nearly 6 feet in height and an almost-Olympic weightlifter, Atlee has joined the FBI and now happily heads up a remote office near the Grand Canyon National Park. At the beginning, she remains fixated on finding out what happened to Mercy; believing that a prolific serial killer was involved, she visits him in the no-mercy federal prison in which he's expected to spend the rest of his life. But then comes a distraction; one of the mules that transports tourists up and down the steep canyon trails is found dead - gutted with two seemingly meaningless letters cut into its hide. But as she and local park rangers begin to investigate, she's suddenly called off the case in no uncertain terms by folks way above her pay grade. Then, the two park rangers who were helping her are abruptly reassigned.
When Atlee and her capable secretary, Carol Blum, forge ahead despite orders from on high, they find themselves the targets of some very nasty men. Narrowly escaping death, the two now are certain that something rotten in those canyon walls besides a decaying mule. But rather than concede victory to the higher-ups (and probably more bad guys), the pair decide to go rogue. From this point on anything I write would spoil things for others, so I'll just say they face a number of other close calls before they figure out what's really going on and decide what to do about it.
In my book, it's an adventure well worth reading - highly recommended.
Long Road to Mercy by David Baldacci (Grand Central Publishing, November 2018); 417 pp.
4.5 stars out of 5
Although this book has recurring characters from the author's first two terrific books - The Widow and The Child - it's billed as a standalone. There's a reason for that; reading through this one, I literally forgot any familiarity with the central character, journalist Kate Waters, until very near the end. In fact, both she and detective Bob Sparkes appeared in those two earlier novels. I mention this to make it clear that readers who may have missed the first two should feel comfortable starting here (although I highly recommend reading those first simply because they're great - I gave both well-earned 5-star ratings).
This one is excellent as well; as proof, I'll note that I was happy that the few TV shows I watch with regularity were in reruns for the Christmas holidays so I could keep my nose in the book with fewer interruptions. At the same time, I must admit I enjoyed it a teeny bit less than the first two (emphasis on teeny). Timelines and perspectives jump all over the place in this one, although they're easy to follow; in the beginning, two girls take a time-out before heading to college to visit Thailand (why they picked that country escaped me, but if they'd wanted to get themselves in trouble fast, they certainly picked the right place). Now their parents have reported them missing, and Kate is all over the story - no doubt feeling a sort of kinship with the parents because her own son Jake abruptly left home to head out to "find himself" two years earlier and hasn't been seen by them since.
Gradually, bits and pieces of what happens to the missing girls are revealed and the story isn't pretty (nor, in some respects, does it seem totally believable - hence my ever-so-slightly lower 4.5-star rating). And as readers might assume early on - and Kate learns soon thereafter - they have a connection with Jake. Exactly how they're linked is for Kate and her detective friends to find out, and it may not be what Kate wants to learn. There are a number of twists and turns before the final chapter (and there's a bit of a surprise near the end that could, I suppose, come back to bite in a future book). Overall, it's quite an enjoyable book that I highly recommend, and I once again thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.
The Suspect by Fiona Barton (Berkley, January 2019); 412 pp.
4 stars out of 5
Our two children, born nearly five years apart in the 1960s, were dedicated "Sesame Street" and "Electric Company" kids. But that was long enough ago that every once in a while they'd catch an episode or two of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" as well. And while I, too, tended to prefer the blinkin' lights, in-your-face constant action of those first two, I admit that the calmness and serenity that Fred Rogers brought to his show was very welcome. Whether or not it was our favorite, though, there's no denying the positive impact that Rogers and his show had on millions of children. For that reason alone, I was delighted to get my hands on a copy of this book.
Through interviews and tons of other records, the author does an outstanding job of pulling together an inside look not only at the development of the TV shows in which Rogers was involved (yes, there's more than one), but also of the man himself. I already knew he was from an hour or so across "my" Ohio border in Pennsylvania, for instance, but I didn't know he was an only child of very wealthy parents, nor that his trademark cardigan idea came because his mother knitted him a new one every year for decades. I was also impressed to learn that he earned a degree in music and has written something like 200 songs and, most surprisingly, 14 operas.
For the record, there's a substantial amount of information here about people who played instrumental roles in Rogers's life - sometimes more than I really cared to know - and there's a fair amount of repetition throughout the book. But overall, it's an interesting, well-laid-out portrait of a man who to me, at least, is an educational television icon. Thanks for the memories!
The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King (Abrams Press, September 2018); 320 pp.
4 stars out of 5
I really enjoyed this book, but I admit it's a rather strange one. The title "burglar" is Elle, who has been on her own almost since she can remember - surviving by becoming adept at the ins and outs of theft (more to the point, how to get in and get out without getting caught). By now, she's got it down to a science; her powers of observation and tricks of the trade at times nearly obliterating the line of credibility. And then, she enters a house looking for goodies, finds three murder victims in an upstairs bedroom, and life as she knows it goes belly up.
The strange part, I guess, comes because the entire book is done in a matter-of-fact, narration style with very little dialogue. It's certainly not uninteresting - in fact, it's quite easy to read and entertaining enough that I was reluctant to put it down. But neither can I call it thrilling; most of the way through, it felt more like I was reading an instruction sheet on how to commit burglary than a murder mystery. Not a bad thing, mind you - as I said, I quite enjoyed the reading experience and thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy. But on the other hand, at no time did I get close to the edge of my seat.
Elle's discovery of those aforementioned bodies was accompanied by discovery that the murders (and a few more tawdry moments involving the two woman and a man) were caught on a camcorder. Always striving to stay ahead of whatever game with which she's not already well acquainted, she quickly surmises that what's on the tape might be valuable to the police. So, she steals the camera and makes copies of what's on it - minus, of course, any hint that she was ever involved (or so she thinks) - and re-burglarizes the place to return the camera for the police to find. If nothing else, she's a burglar with a conscience; she's never stolen more than she needs nor harmed anyone and insists that she never will.
That assumption is challenged, though, when Elle learns that not only do some very nasty characters know she was there, they're intent on tracking her down and, most likely, subjecting her to the same fate as the victims she found. That notion really hits home when someone she cares for is put down for the count (keep in mind that she's a loner who doesn't care for much of anybody, so this is a major milestone).
So it is that she decides to investigate on her own in hopes of finding out who committed the murders that got the whole ball rolling and, more important, why. That not only puts her in an unfamiliar world of shady fine art deals, upper-crust snobs with whom her only connection is the goodies she's stolen from people like them in the past and those who will stop at nothing - including killing her - to make sure their own illicit plans don't go awry. In the end, perhaps the real question is, who's the better burglar? Read and find out!
The Burglar by Thomas Perry (Mysterious Press, January 2019); 304 pp.
4 stars out of 5
If melodrama's your thing, you'll absolutely love this book. But even if it isn't, chances are you'll enjoy it anyway. I did, getting so caught up in it that I read for nearly two hours straight just because I "had" to get to the end before putting it down.
The reason isn't that I loved the angst-ridden characters who have almost unbelievably over-the-top "secrets" they've been trying to hide (and lie about) for years; rather, it's an artfully written story that draws the reader in and simply won't let go. It's much the same feeling I had at the conclusion of another of the author's books, The New Neighbors, which I also very much enjoyed and, nearing the end, couldn't put down. And you can be sure that I'll be chomping at the bit to get the next one as well.
This one centers on Susanna Fenton, who for a reason unknown at the beginning left her former self in the wind some 14 years earlier, studying to become a mental health counselor. She's got a daughter Emily (who, hint, hint, is around 14 years old), and good friend Ruth, a dentist who has a practice right next to Susanna's counseling office. One day, Susanna opens her door to a mysterious but vaguely familiar-looking young man who's made an appointment for help. But quickly, the roles change - and it's no longer Susanna who is in charge. Worse, he knows way more about Susanna's carefully hidden past life than she's willing to remember. But remember it she must if she's to save her precious daughter.
Chapters shift between what's happening with Susanna and Emily (in their past and present), all leading up to revelations and admissions about what happened in Susanna's life 14 years ago and why she tried so hard to escape. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review it.
The Liar's Room by Simon Lelic (Berkley, January 2019); 352 pp.
4.5 stars out of 5
What happens when every single character in the pot is unsavory? Things get stirred up in a hurry, with nasty flavors like paranoia, deceit and sociopathic tendencies fighting for dominance. Nothing is certain except that it probably won't turn out as one might expect.
For readers, that makes for an exciting - dare I say thrilling - experience. For reviewers, less so; it's nearly impossible to describe what happens without giving away too much. But what the heck - I'll give it a go. Susannah, the widowed youngish mother of a teenage boy, is now married to Max. He once gave a TED talk on art that went viral, propelling him to the top of the lecture circuit. From the outset, it's clear that both are carrying around heavy-duty secrets from their pasts (which, of course, I dare not reveal). Son Freddy seems to be a typical adult-hating teen, although he does take a liking to his stepdad.
The relatively new family now lives in Burlington, Vermont, where Max has landed a short-term position at a local college. While they miss the hubbub of New York City, they've pretty much settled in and are enjoying the more laid-back setting. That is, until Susannah finds a note tacked on their front door: I Know Who You Are, it read. Susannah nearly panics, but Max doesn't seem worried - or if he is, he refuses to admit it to Susannah. But in truth, both think there's cause for concern. Problem is, neither knows which one is the note intended for (don't feel bad; readers are left guessing for quite some time as well).
Told from alternating perspectives of Susannah and Max - during which the layers of their earlier-life secrets are peeled back - the story moves forward as the couple try to figure out what's going on that threatens their future. There are "mysterious" deaths, both past and present, all leading up to a grand finale. Whether or not it leaves you satisfied, I suppose, depends on which of the characters you think is the best liar (or perhaps is lying the least). For my part, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down, so extra thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.
The Perfect Liar by Thomas Christopher Greene (St. Martin's Press, January 2019); 288 pp.
4 stars out of 5
Ah, what could be better than another get-together of two of my favorite characters - police consultant and psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware and his curmudgeonly but lovable cohort Milo Sturgis? In this one, their back-and-forths seemed more frequent and provided greater insights into their characters (and their relationship) than usual - for me, much appreciated. Besides that, Alex's long-time love and guitar-maker Robin landed a more featured role - still another plus.
As the title suggests, this one begins with a wedding guest who didn't appear on the invitation list - not even as a plus one - and who for sure didn't get a great reception. In fact, she turns up dead; murdered with a combination of injected knockout drug and wire garrote reminiscent of a guitar string. No one can come up with an identity, and Milo calls Alex for help with the case. Fairly early on, it is learned that the somewhat unconventional venue used to be a seedy bar known for its equally seedy pole dancers, thus expanding the search beyond the rich and not-so-rich who enjoyed wedding guest-list status.
Despite their denials of anything connected to the victim, the families of the bride and groom - and the bride and groom themselves - remain on the suspect list (some very near the top). That in turn leads Alex and Milo down a number of aisles, most of which don't lead to blissful solutions. Finally, a previous case comes to light that rings bells in harmony, lifting the veil under which the real killer has been hiding.
And that brings me to the part that bothered me just a tiny bit. I can't be specific without spoiling things, but the ending seemed somehow disjointed - as if the usual suspects just weren't cutting it and a new ending was needed to deliver a more effective punch. That said, I enjoyed the book as a whole as always - Alex is in absolutely zero danger of dropping off my Top 10 list of all-time favorite book heroes. Given that this is the 34th in the series (all of which I've read), that's gotta be some kind of record. My undying gratitude goes to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.
The Wedding Guest by Jonathan Kellerman (Ballantine Books, February 2019); 384 pp.
4 stars out of 5
Who could possibly be deranged enough to brutally murder a mother right in front of her baby boy? And follow that up with another bloody murder, once again leaving a young child without a mother? Figuring that out is the task of Detective Natalie Ward and her team of police officers in Samford, U.K. The only clues are the words "why" and "who" written in the victims' own blood - and, partly because they're written out of the usual who-what-where-when-why journalistic sequence, they don't provide much help.
There is, however, no shortage of suspects - ranging from first victim Charlotte Brannon's dicey husband, Adam, to Adam's ex-con friend, a couple of young thugs, a teenage babysitter, a rock star and an estranged sister who triggers unpleasant memories of Natalie's relationship with her own sister. But every single one denies committing the crimes, and several have seemingly ironclad alibis. Or do they?
Later in the book, readers get a glimpse at what's on the culprit's mind through interactions with a psychologist. And as if she doesn't have enough on her plate, Natalie is wondering if her husband David, who is becoming more morose every day since losing his job as a practicing attorney, has gone off an all-too-familiar deep end from which, this time, there may be no recovery.
Well-developed characters, a fast-moving plot and plain old solid writing make this - the second in a series - a don't-miss book. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance copy. I'm already looking forward to the next one, reportedly due out early in 2019.
Last Lullaby by Carol Wyer (Bookouture, December 2018); 361 pp.
5 stars out of 5
Is it possible to "read" a fine art painting? The practical, show-me-the-facts side of me would say no, but that's exactly the feeling I got when I finished this exquisitely written book. Part folklore, part fantasy, part romance and part mystery, this one's got it all - and then some.
In the beginning, I must admit, I wasn't sure of anything except that I wouldn't be able to breeze my way through (not exactly what I needed at the beginning of a busy holiday season). And at first, I had a little difficulty keeping the characters, and facts from fiction, straight. But the writing drew me in - and in - and very soon I was totally hooked (make that enthralled) and more than a little eager to get to the finish line.
Central to the story, set in ancient times, is the River Thames; in the beginning, revelers at the nearby inn in the midst of their usual storytelling when without warning, a seriously injured stranger barges in, carrying the body of a very young girl. Believing her to be dead, they put her in a cold room and call in local nurse and midwife Rita. At first, she confirms the death and tries to patch up the man - a photographer - who brought her in. But then, the unthinkable happens; Rita notices a slight pulse. Wonder of wonders, the girl is alive. Now, besides wondering how that possibly could have happened, they want to know who she is.
There are three possibilities: One local family's child was kidnapped about two year earlier, another man's daughter is believed to have been drowned by her mother, and another local woman - one who keeps to herself and lives a mysterious and solitary life - claims the child is her younger sister (never mind that because of the age difference it's a virtual impossibility). Thrown into the mix are tales of river gypsies and Quietly, a ferryman who is believed to save those whose lives the river threatens to take (or, in the alternative, usher them to their final destination).
The story follows, both past and present, the lives of these characters and those who play major roles in their lives as they try to find the child's identity and what really happened to her. It's an emotionally charged journey interwoven with superstition, deception, love and sadness - all revolving around that all-knowing, all-consuming river.
In short, highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield (Atria/Emily Bestler Books, December 2018); 480 pp.
5 stars out of 5
The late Ian Fleming's James Bond novels are among my all-time favorite books - and have the distinction of being the only books I've read more than once (for the record, the same is true for the Bond motion pictures). So when the first of the "new" Bond books by Anthony Horowitz, Trigger Mortis, was released in 2015, I was more than a little apprehensive. But that one came through with flying British colors, earning a 5-star rating from me. Apparently, Fleming's estate agreed; he was asked to write another - this one - and by golly, I like it even better than the first.
In a different sense, this one is the first; it takes place as Bond has been called up from the ranks to replace the former 007, who's been killed in the line of duty. When asked by chief M what number he preferred, he responded that keeping the 007 would, among other things, send a message to the enemies that the British service might be down, but never out. Bond's first assignment, however, will put that message to the test.
Not knowing exactly what lies ahead, Bond is looking forward to earning his license to kill; he's headed for the south of France, where his predecessor was shot three times (definitely overkill) while investigating the Corsican underworld and super-corpulent bad guy Jean-Paul Scipio. Known for their abundant profits by manufacturing and distributing quality heroin, it's a puzzlement as to why the Corsicans suddenly brought that activity to a screeching halt. Add in the intrigue of a beautiful former agent who seems to have gone rogue, and Bond has his work cut out for him well before he leaves England.
Once in France, Bond meets up with Reade Griffith, a CIA agent with whom he, well, bonds. He also learns that the gorgeous femme fatale is now involved with Irwin Wolfe, a beyond wealthy businessman who's making a killing (no pun intended) in the manufacture of color film for the motion picture industry (as an aside, one of the interesting parts of this novel is the time setting - not long after World War II and long before the Digital Age we've all come to know and love).
It wouldn't be a Bond novel, of course, if Bond himself didn't narrowly escape mortal danger at least once (and since we all know he made it well past the initial license-to-kill stage, it's not a spoiler to say he doesn't get bumped off in this one). He does get roughed up now and again - and again and again - as he pits his many skills against everything from a high-stakes casino blackjack game to the wiles of a clever but possibly deceitful woman to several unscrupulous bad guys. It's all a high-stakes game that Bond is intent on winning - and for readers, a delightful prequel to what's already come. Good job!
Forever and a Day by Anthony Horowitz (Harper, November 2018); 290 pp.
5 stars out of 5
This is the fifth book in a series with which I'm unfamiliar, but the description sounded right up my alley. It got that close and then some; I absolutely loved it and am hoping the next one will be heading up my street before too long. Private detective Rick Cahill is the perfect combination of a flawed (sometimes seriously) but likable character, and the straightforward, no-nonsense plot is a refreshing change from the head games of many of today's thrillers that leave you thinking, "What just happened here?"
At no time, I must add, did I feel the least bit left out because I hadn't read the previous books; in fact, I was impressed with the subtle effectiveness in which the author provides background details (that's not to say, however, that finishing this one didn't make me wish I'd heard about the series much earlier). In this one, told in first-person narrative, we first "meet" Rick as he listens to the sultry, soothing voice of "Naomi at Night" offering consolation and advice to midnight callers to her popular radio show. She's been the subject of somewhat veiled threats, and the station's bigwigs have hired Rick to investigate as surreptitiously as possible to avoid negative media attention.
As the story progresses, we learn that he's a former Santa Barbara, California, cop who once managed a restaurant. As for Naomi, it seems she, too, has a background that she doesn't want anyone else to know about; although the police were shown the latest threatening letter, they claimed there was insufficient evidence to take on the case - making Naomi, who has gone to great lengths to protect her real identify - very happy. When the gun she owns illegally is stolen, she of course doesn't file a police report and insists that Rick keep her secret as well.
Meantime, Rick is forced to deal with issues from his own past - a detente with a Russian mobster and his viciously dangerous daughter suddenly returns to haunt him, demanding repayment of a favor owed. Especially given that he's no fan of the local police, he's limited in who he can call for help (happily, one of his old buddies, Moira, still likes him enough to help with both his investigations, albeit reluctantly). But when Rick's actions result in a young woman's abduction, he's got no choice but to go to the cops - and they're not thrilled to have his nose in their business again.
As Rick's investigation continues with help from Moira, his lack of a perfect moral compass rears its head on several occasions (making the story, and Rick, far more interesting, IMHO). Finally, both cases come to exciting, though not necessarily happy, endings - leaving me, as I mentioned earlier, wanting more. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read an advance copy.
Wrong Light by Matt Coyle (Oceanview Publishing, December 2018); 352 pp.
5 stars out of 5
Sometimes, you just want to sit back and be entertained - and this series, one of my favorites, never fails to satisfy. This one I finished in the equivalent of one day not long before the Thanksgiving holiday, providing a much-needed respite before my anxiety over whether the turkey and mashed potatoes will be done at the same time kicks in.
Five years earlier, a prominent physician is murdered - shot just as he returned home from work. His emotionally distressed wife, Kendra, was upstairs sleeping; no one saw the shooting take place, and the killer was never found. Now, the doctor's hoity-toity parents, who are convinced their daughter-in-law somehow masterminded the murder, are demanding that Laurie Moran, producer of the popular TV show "Under Suspicion," feature the case on the show. Years ago, Laurie turned down their offer, largely because Kendra refused to cooperate.
For whatever reason, she's on board this time around; so while Laurie is still a bit reluctant, she agrees that the show must go on. In the middle of trying to gather background information and people to interview, she's making plans to marry her fiance Alex, a district attorney who's about to be sworn in as a federal court judge, and find a new place where she, Alex, and her young son can live.
Quickly, she learns that what appears on the surface isn't necessarily true. Kendra has some serious issues, and her dead husband had some secrets of his own. Digging deeper, Laurie finds herself in danger as well, but is it related to the doctor's murder or something else? Good question, but one for me to know and you to find out by reading it for yourself. Another good one!
You Don't Own Me by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke (Simon and Schuster, November 2018); 288 pp.
5 stars out of 5
What can I say about a 160-page story without giving too much away? Not a lot, except that it's by Stephen King. For me, that's quite sufficient.
Beyond that, though, I can't go far. Scott Carey, who lives in Castle Rock, has started to lose weight at an alarming rate - like a pound a day or more (fortunately, he's a pretty big guy; otherwise, the story would have been over almost before it started). He's also a bit annoyed with one of the married lesbians who live next door; a runner, she heads out with her two large dogs, who make his yard a potty stop, but she refuses to acknowledge their behavior. She's become a royal pain in his butt (and in most of the townspeople's as well - many of whom simply don't support her lifestyle and are openly shunning the restaurant she and her partner have opened and are trying desperately to make a success).
Despite her rebuffs, Scott is determined to seek at least friendly coexistence with the couple - after all, the partner is pleasant enough. At the same time, he's consulting with a local retired doctor friend about his perplexing weight loss. You see, although the pounds are coming off, he has more energy than ever; even stranger is that he weighs exactly the same with or without clothing, and even if he holds a heavy object while standing on the scales. Early on, that unexplained weight loss brought to mind another Stephen King favorite of mine: Thinner, published in 1984 and written under the name of Richard Bachman (if nothing else, that's proof that I've been an S.K. fan almost forever).
This one, though, lacks his usual creepiness - it could, in fact, almost be classified as a "feel-good" story. At this time of year in given the current political climate, that's not a bad thing.
Elevation by Stephen King (Scribner, October 2018); 160 pp.
5 stars out of 5
Without doubt, this is one of the saddest and most haunting books I've read in a while (close to downright depressing, in fact). What's more, about a third of it was so unsettling that insofar as possible, I skimmed through it. It is written matter-of-factly, without emotion - but the emotion comes through loud and clear nonetheless. Did I love it? In many ways, no; but in the overall scheme of things, it's pretty darned awesome.
Let me clarify. The depressing part came near the end, when facts not previously in evidence were revealed (let's just say that O Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" came to mind). The unsettling part came in the middle, when details of the World War II military life of Pete Banning, one of the main characters, was outlined in all-too-vivid detail. If there's anything in this world I'd rather not read about, see, or listen to, it's the horrors of war. And the entire middle section of this book, Titled "The Boneyard," lays it all out. Yes, it's a very important part of the story - but had I known it was coming I'd have left sneaker tracks on the sidewalk running the other way.
That said, what a story it is. Set in small-town Clanton, Mississippi, after World War II has ended and Pete, thought to have been killed, returns home to his extensive cotton farm as a decorated hero. His wife, Liza, is in a mental institution - at Pete's orders - and their son and daughter are grown. In 1946, at the age of 43, Pete is about to do something virtually unthinkable, especially for a man of his stature; commit a cold-blooded murder. He freely admits to his guilt; what he refuses to admit, though, is his motive. He will, he insists, go to his death - a very real possibility if he's convicted by a jury - with his secret intact. His long-time family lawyer, nor his sister Flora, who lives on the farm, nor his children will ever hear the reason behind his action - at least never from his lips.
From that point on, much of the narrative focuses on Pete's family background and what and how his children are doing, all of which takes place in a deep-South setting in which "coloreds" handle menial tasks and are not allowed to sit on the front porch of any home nor anywhere in a courtroom except the balcony. And of course, let's not forget the section that details what happened to him in the war when he was part of the historic Bataan Death March in the Philippines. Even though I didn't want to read it, I can't imagine the research it took to pull all that together. In the final section, "The Betrayal," readers, along with Pete's two children - find out what really happened.
The Reckoning by John Grisham (Doubleday, October 2018); 417 pp.
3.5 stars out of 5
Only twice in my life have I ever seen a real, live Broadway play; it happened sometime in the early 1980s when my husband and I accompanied a group of college business students who went to New York City to learn more about the garment industry. We managed to get discount tickets to two plays: "Noises Off," and "A Chorus Line." Both were awesome (the latter falling into the "OMG, I've died and gone to heaven" category). And while I've seen many Broadway touring company productions locally since then, nothing ever will compare to the "real" experience.
It was with that meager but thrilling experience in mind that I looked forward to reading this book, in which the author provides an inside look at some of the productions that have made an impact in ways far beyond simple entertainment. From "Angels in America" to "Hamilton," he examines how and why various shows have tried to shed light on societal issues like AIDS, slavery and divisive politics. It was interesting to learn, for instance, of Broadway's overall disdain for then-President Ronald Reagan, who refused to even acknowledge the existence of AIDS or, perhaps more importantly, approve funding for AIDS research. Also noteworthy, to me at least, was that when New York City virtually came to a halt after the horrific events of 9/11, city leaders including then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani ordered theater owners to reopen as a sign that the show - and in the broader sense the entire city - must go on.
In part because the book isn't very long, I'll leave the details of the plays to the author and you can read them for yourself. I must, however, note that I'm hoping it underwent a more thorough copy-editing before its release. I read an advance copy courtesy of the publisher (via NetGalley), for which I'm very appreciative. But I found numerous errors (it's Harriet TUBman, not TAUBman, for instance), and there's enough of what I'll call "jumping around" within the chapters that at times it's a little hard to follow. Overall, though, the author has put together an excellent history with insights that should enlighten theater-lovers everywhere.
Rise Up! by Chris Jones (Methuen Drama, November 2018); 240 pp.
5 stars out of 5
Let's get the good stuff out of the way early on: This is a fantastic book; giving it the top rating of 5 stars is a no-brainer.
Apparently, this is the third book in the series featuring Detective Lucy Harwin (although in the author's notes, she mentions that it's a prequel, presumably to the first two books, neither of which I've read). In any event, I had zero problem following along with nary a "Huh?" along the way, so it stands alone perfectly. And did I mention that it's a fantastic book?
Lucy, who's recently split with her husband because of his philandering and is the mother of a teenage daughter, is called to an abandoned church. There, she finds a dead woman, the victim of an horrific murder. The cause of death is evident, but there are no clues nor evidence pointing to a motive. Conventional thinking is that it could be the work of a devil worshipper, but none of the investigators are buying into that theory at this point. Lucy intends to give it her all, though, if only because it's her first major solo case.
Lucy's regular partner, Detective Sergeant Matthew Jackson (Mattie) takes off on a pre-scheduled vacation, leaving her to partner up with an officer in whom she has little confidence. As she's grousing about that, another woman, a church volunteer, turns up murdered in similar grotesque fashion. This one, however, hits close to home: She's the elderly mother of Lucy's police force boss. Sympathy aside, that adds another dimension to the case; like it or not, her boss must be added to any list of potential suspects.
Hints as to the killer's identity are slowly revealed through flashback chapters that reveal a child and his mother horribly abused by a Bible-thumping father/husband. Back in the present, Lucy's daughter reluctantly gets involved in volunteering at the church, where she lands a job babysitting the daughter of another volunteer - a beautiful woman who's caught the eye of the vicar, whose spouse is married to a truly wretched person. As the investigation continues, Lucy becomes worried not only for the future of her career, but for her daughter - who just might be on the killer's hit list.
The action-filled story moves along quickly, and I have no doubt that those who really can't put it down will be able to start and finish it on the same day. Personally, I'm delighted not only to have read such an enjoyable book, but also to have found a new series. Already, I'm looking forward to the next one. Meanwhile, many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this one.
Last Light by Helen Phifer (Bookouture, November 2018); 296 pp.
5 stars out of 5
Generally speaking, I shy away from short stories. But once in a while, especially if it's coming from a favorite author, I relent. Recent releases by Dean Koontz and Jonathan Kellerman come to mind - short stories they wrote as lead-ins to upcoming books. In fact, I've even read a shorty by this author, who's also on my list of favorites -- albeit one co-written with M.J. Rose for the anthology FaceOff a few years back (an outstanding compilation that I highly recommended, BTW). So when I got a chance to read an advance copy of this one, I didn't hesitate.
I'm actually glad it's very short, because I really didn't want to put it down and could finish it in one sitting. As it begins, Detective D.D. Warren is at home with her crime scene analyst husband Alex and their son Jack after a day that began with a very much alive man coming to the station to insist that really, he's very much dead. Believing him to be a bit deranged, the cops send him home. That belief turns upside down a couple of hours later, though, when they get a phone call: It seems the man was on the right track but spoke a bit too soon. Now, his claim is official - and the knife in his back is a dead giveaway that someone else helped him prove his point.
Sections of the book shift back and forth from the after-work discussion to the police station and the beginning of D.D.'s day, from announcement of the man's death to the progress and conclusion of the investigation. Much of that takes place inside the man's ostentatious home, wherein live the man's widow and several exceptionally well-paid servants - all of whom are suspects. Because everything happens in such short order I can't say more without giving away too much, but it's all cleverly written with overtones of the game of Clue: We know it was a knife, but was it the chef in the kitchen? The doctor in the bedroom? The wife in the sitting room? In the end, I'm glad I didn't put money on my chosen culprit; had I done that, I'd be eating ramen noodles for the rest of the week.
After the case wraps up, readers can take a peek at the author's next D.D. Warren book. Me? Thanks, but I prefer to wait for the whole thing and go in cold turkey - but it's there for inquiring minds who want to know ahead of time.
The Guy Who Died Twice by Lisa Gardner (Penquin Group, January 2019); page length not listed.
5 stars out of 5
After I finished the first book in this series that brings together retired LAPD detective Harry Bosch and current detective Renee Ballard, I knew I wanted to read more. Admittedly, I wasn't all that taken with Ballard in The Late Show, but the aging Harry has never failed to reel me in. It's much the same here; I'm still not an all-out Ballard fan, but by golly, the story is so good that it didn't matter. And, the more I learn about Ballard the more appealing she's becoming (I very much like the way she interacts with Bosch). In fact, by the end of this one I felt more attuned to Ballard than to Bosch.
After her complaint of sexual harassment at her old job fell flat, she was reassigned to the night shift, where she's been for three years now. With her partner on bereavement leave, she's been working solo. One night, Bosch wanders in, claiming to be looking for information on the murder of 15-year-old Daisy Clayton nine years earlier. Intrigued by both the case and Bosch himself, Ballard decides to help and gets permission to look into what's now a cold case - pretty much working in her spare time.
Of course, both Bosch and Ballard are working on other cases, and those stories get interwoven via chapters that shift in perspective from one to the other. Readers also learn more of what has shaped each of their characters, from Ballard's childhood to Bosch's shaky standing with the LAPD.
As the spare-time investigation of Daisy's murder gets under way, it's interesting to watch the evolution of their interactions as Ballard at first takes issue with Bosch's so-what attitude toward bending the rules (unlike her, he's got nothing much to lose). Concurrently, Bosch gains a bit of respect for her position - and in the end, they meet in the middle in a sort of tentative acceptance (and a partnership that, I presume, will continue in future books). There's nothing tentative about my opinion of that: Bring 'em on!
Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown and Co., October 2018); 448 pp.
5 stars out of 5
After 56 years of marriage, my husband and I are still getting along just fine, even though we don't always agree. But we're both long-time fans of Felix Francis (and his prolific author-father, Dick, before him). And after reading this one, we are in total accord: This is perhaps the best of the son's lot so far.
The star of the show is Harrison "Harry" Foster, an attorney who focuses on crisis management at a prominent London firm. Despite his total lack of interest in and knowledge of horse racing, his boss taps him to head to Newmarket, where a fire at Chadwick Stables has resulted in the devastating loss of several horses, including one owned by Foster's firm's client that's considered a shoe-in to win the upcoming Derby. When Harry arrives, he's greeted by a totally dysfunctional family, plenty of mud, and the unexpected discovery of human remains amid the ashes.
Who the victim turns out to be turns the Chadwick family upside down - from Patriarch Oliver (who's mostly handed the thoroughbred stables over to son Ryan), to other son Declan, who has set off on his own horse-racing venture. Throw in another son, an estranged daughter and all of their significant others and it's a volatile mix that turns more deadly every day. Clearly, though, there's a major family secret that started the infighting - and as the fire investigation heats up, it threatens to bring everyone to his or her knees - including Harry.
Will he live to see his interest in new love - the sister of the woman who runs day-to-day operations at Chadwick Stables - come to fruition? Of course, my lips are sealed. All I'll say is it's a race to an exciting finish. Well done!
Crisis by Felix Francis (G.P. Putnam's Sons, October 2018); 384 pp.
5 stars out of 5
I'm not a huge fan of cozy mysteries, but I warmed up to this one almost from the first page. By the time I finished, I was positively toasty!
This is the sixth in the author's "Fixer-Upper" mystery series, and since I've not read any of the other five, I went in with a bit of trepidation. But at no time did I feel at the slightest disadvantage; this one stands on its own beautifully (although finishing it did make me wish I'd read the rest - yes, it's that good). The author does an outstanding job of filling in background from the previous books - which should make series fans who may have forgotten a detail or two happy as well as those of us new to the game.
Part of the reason I enjoyed this so much is because I saw a bit of myself in lead character Shannon Hammer, who BTW has the perfect last name for a building contractor, which she is. I, too, fondly remember childhood years following my father around as he pounded nails, screwed screws and tackled home remodeling projects (once in a while letting me help). Unlike Shannon and her younger TV-star sister Chloe, though, I forgot everything I ever learned from dear old dad once I left home for college.
As this story begins, Chloe is returning home to Lighthouse Cove for the first time in a while, bringing with her the cast and crew of her very popular home improvement show. The intent is that Chloe and her co-star, Blake Bennett, will film their restoration of one of the elegant Victorian homes for which Lighthouse Cove is known. Included in the cast of characters is the show's particularly nasty producer - who "fires" cast and crew members with regularity, Chloe and her husband- the latter of whom just happens to be her husband.
Because of Shannon's building expertise, she'll be working alongside her sister on the show. Just before starting to film the first segment in which one of two homes will be selected for a redo, the sisters go for an inside look at the one they're hoping will be chosen and find something that can't be repaired: A dead body. Someone, it seems, had it in for producer Bree. But who? After all, virtually no one involved in the production liked her, except possibly her husband.
But the show must go on - and so it does, as does the investigation led by the local police chief, who seems to have put Chloe on his list of prime suspects. As filming begins, though, still another murder victim turns up and an extension ladder suddenly collapses with Chloe at the top. Clearly, someone's ratcheted up the action in Lighthouse Cove - and it's up to the police, with help from Shannon (who, for the record, has found several dead bodies over the course of the series), to identify the perpetrator before someone else bites the sawdust.
I especially enjoyed the details involved in filming the TV show as well as the strong characters like Shannon, Chloe and Shannon's handsome, ex-Navy SEAL boyfriend, Mac Sullivan. One of my objections to cozies is the headstrong, overbearing females who can't keep their noses where they belong and run off willy-nilly despite protests and outright warnings from law enforcement. There's almost none of that here; Shannon respects the police chief (a childhood friend), is quite capable and always does her "thing," but she does it sensibly without alienating everyone around her. That alone, I hasten to add, makes me eager to read more in this series. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this one.
A Wrench in the Works by Kate Carlisle (Berkley, November 2018); 303 pp.
4 stars out of 5
Billed as a "contemporary novel with a strong suspense element," I must first and foremost warn those who, like me, aren't into "bodice-rippers" that this book is littered with the stuff. "He was envious of the strands of [her] hair for their right to caress her face at will," is a mild example; most of the rest is far, far more graphic. The suspense part didn't rear its much-anticipated head until the 50% mark (and boy, was I ever happy to see it).
Suffice it to say, then, that had I not received an advance copy for review (which I'd requested because the author is an award-winning actress I admire), it's likely that I'd have called it quits early on. But I didn't; and given the excellent writing and almost edge-of-seat action (once it got going), I must say that overall, this is a very good book with which anyone who loves romance combined with suspense should be absolutely delighted (put another way, just because the romance genre isn't my cup of tea doesn't mean it isn't well done).
It begins with 27-year-old Maggie Harris getting dumped by her five-year fiance the day before the wedding. As they've been running a successful business together, Maggie insists that he buy her out or else she'll sell her interest to someone else. To get some much-needed "me" time, Maggie agrees to her sister Eve's proposition to take a three-week getaway on Solace Island off the Washington coast. On the ferry trip to the island, a distraught Maggie is noticed by hunky Luke Benson, a baker who lives on the island and sells his popular breads at the weekly market. When Maggie gets lost trying to find their rental cottage in the dark, she once again encounters Luke - a meeting that, as readers might suspect, arouses Luke's prurient interest in getting to know her better.
Also as readers might suspect, there's many a slip between the cup and Maggie's lips; when Luke fails to show up for a "thank you" dinner at Maggie and Eve's place, the sisters are, well, not happy. Because they've decided to try selling Maggie's sweet treats at the market but are thwarted by the local rules and regulations, they ask Luke for help with getting their feet in the door. Wanting to spend more time with Maggie, Luke agrees.
As mentioned above, at about the half-way mark, the plot thickens as Maggie is nearly run down by a car. In fact, it's likely she'd have been killed on the spot without a last-second shove by Luke (which in turn brings into question who he really is and what he's doing on the island besides baking). His background comes to the forefront even more when, for their safety, Maggie and Eve move into his high-tech, spectacular home on the island. By now, Maggie has pretty much decided that she shares Luke's lust, but given what she doesn't know about him, can she trust him? Of course, readers learn the answer to that question as the story - and more attempts on Maggie's life - play out. Everything leads to an exciting finish, part of which I expected and part I missed by a country mile. My conclusion? Except for the focus on body parts and innovative ways they can be utilized, this really is a riveting book.
Solace Island by Meg Tilly (Berkley, November 2018); 301 pp.
4 stars out of 5
This is, I believe, a first book for the author and the
first of a series. Now that I've finished it, I'd say congratulations to the former and it's off to a good start to the latter. Put another way, I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Julia Ainsworth is a 25-year-old lawyer in London. Her father, a lawyer and prominent politician, asks her to represent a teenage boy named Michael, the son of his friends Tom and Nicole Bradley. Although Michael claims to be innocent, he is accused of shooting a man who was out hunting with the Bradleys on their vast property - a man considered a top candidate for Chancellor of the Exchequer (as is Julia's father).
Julia gets help from her inexplicably wealthy friend Danny, who in turn suggests an alliance with Chris Carter, a hunky ex-M15 agent who now runs his own business and is well-versed in "cognitive empathy" (a.k.a. software that analyzes behavioral clues). After reviewing videotapes of Michael, he concludes that the boy's insistence that he shot a deer and not a human is the truth; no, he's not the killer. But knowing isn't proving - and all the hard evidence continues to point to Michael.
Julia remains convinced of Michael's innocence, though, and insists that she'll keep digging to get to the truth. But clearly, someone isn't thrilled about that prospect; and when an horrific accident turns out to be meant for Julia, everything starts to go south in a hurry. Bit by bit, more clues are unearthed - some literally - leading the three teamsters to a prime suspect. But except for her growing romantic interest in Chris, Julia grows more and more unhappy with the direction the investigation is going; it's heading way too close to home for comfort.
Although I enjoyed this relatively short and fast-paced book, I do hope to see a bit more expansive transition throughout and greater character development in subsequent efforts (the chapters here seemed a bit "jumpy," and truth be told, I never felt much of a connection with the main characters, including Julia). But as I said at the beginning, this is a solid first effort that I'm sure other readers will enjoy as much as I did. Many thanks to the author for offering me an advance copy for me to read and review.
Dying for Justice by Pauline Isaksen (Amazon Digital Services LLC, December 2018); 185 pp.
4 stars out of 5
After reading several of the author's books featuring Jessica Daniel without really relating to the Greater Manchester, England, detective investigator, I think I've finally warmed up to her. To be clear, all the books I've read have been very good - it's just that Jessica herself wasn't a character I would be eager to sit down with at a bar and share drinks. This installment, though, won me over; so Jessica, if you ever cross the Pond and land in northeastern Ohio, I'm buying.
How that mental switcheroo came about is a sort of yin-yang thing, actually. There are so many different "plots" going on in this one that it's almost hard to keep the players straight (and the bits with the rock star who thinks a ghost is out to get him and bridezilla-to-be whose fiance has gone missing are, quite honestly, borderline silly). On the other side of the equation, all those story lines provide greater insights into Jessica's background and personality, thus allowing me to get to know, and like, her better - so all's well that ends well. And speaking of endings, as is the author's norm in this series, there's a cliffhanger - but it's not nearly as in-your-face as in previous books.
Jessica is still struggling with the loss of Adam, the love of her life and the victim of a car bombing meant for Jessica. He's been in a hospital in a coma from which he's not expected to recover for quite some time, pitting her hope against reality. She's also desperate to find her teenage friend Bex, a runaway who's been living with Jessica but suddenly went missing. The primary story, though, is the release from mental hospital custody of Damian Walker, who abducted and gruesomely murdered several women 17 years earlier. Deemed "safe" for society, he's been stashed in a sort of witness protection program under a new name. Not long afterward, another woman is murdered in a similar fashion, raising suspicions that Walker is neither safe nor sane. Problem is, he wears a leg monitor 24/7 and clearly never left his house. Among those most upset is Anne, one of Walker's years-ago targets who managed to survive with serious physical and mental injuries.
After yet another woman turns up dead, Jessica and her team are charged with finding out whether Walker is somehow escaping or someone else is trying to frame him. In between, she has to deal with that very annoying bride-to-be - who's managed to make a media spectacle of herself and the cops who aren't helping her - and that rock star who seems to have taken a shine to Jessica. Oh yes, and worry that Bex flew the coop because of something Jessica said or did.
All in all, another satisfying series entry. I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review it.
Eye for an Eye by Kerry Wilkinson (Pan Macmillan , January 2018; Bookouture, November 2018); 321 pp.
5 stars out of 5
What a clever, thoroughly delightful book!
At the outset, though, I wasn't so enthusiastic; set in Victorian England, with language and customs to match, I realized I wouldn't be able to breeze through this one as I'm accustomed to doing with other mysteries and thrillers. But a couple of chapters into it, I realized I didn't want to.
This is, for the record, the third in the author's "Lady Sherlock" series (and the first, but definitely not the last, for me). The star of the show, Charlotte Holmes, is a consulting detective in Sherlock Holmes fashion - operating a business at 18 Baker Street - with a Mrs. Watson as a helper when needed. Lacking the standard social graces of the times, she and her sister, Olivia, are estranged from the parents they "disgraced" and on their own (a third sister, Bernadine, is disabled and still lives at home but plays a role in this story as well). The Sherlock nemesis, Moriarty, gets frequent mention as an archenemy.
When a home construction disaster forces participants at a party there (Charlotte included) to relocate to the mansion of her friend and love interest, the handsome Lord Ingram, things don't quite go as planned. Early on, a young servant who's sent to fetch ice from the ice house makes a gruesome discovery: The body of Ingram's estranged wife, who's been missing for a time but thought to have run away of her own accord. Scotland Yard comes running, and the subsequent investigation points to Lord Ingram as the perpetrator. Charlotte, of course, is certain that he's innocent and, mostly disguised as "Sherrinford" Holmes, Sherlock's brother, puts her powers of deduction to work to unearth the real killer (even as she loses her usual "power" to chow down, especially sweets).
Along the way, there are too many twists, turns and sleights of hand and mind to mention, and everything is resolved in the end including Charlotte's appetite (well, almost everything; this is, after all, a series). Thus, I'm already yearning to read the next installment. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this one and introduce me to a wonderful series.
The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas (Berkley, October 2018); 335 pp.
5 stars out of 5
Starting a book by an author with whom I'm not familiar always makes me nervous. Will it make me eager to read another or want to toss it in the garbage? In this case, knowing I'd promised the author to write a review when I finished added another layer of distress; goodness knows, the last thing I want to do is hurt anyone's feelings. But I'm happy to say that within the first couple of chapters, my worries went out the window. Not only did I enjoy it thoroughly, I've found a new series that hit the ground running.
While she and partner Tony Francisco are trying to track down a particularly nasty serial killer in and around Eugene Falls, Florida, Detective Rebecca Watson gets called into court as a witness for the prosecution. A man convicted of murdering his girlfriend five years ago gets that original trial thrown out on a technicality and is granted a retrial. Watson's former partner was killed in an accident on his way to deliver evidence from the crime scene back then, and now the defense is determined to prove that the evidence was tainted by either the partner or Rebecca herself.
Early on, readers learn that Rebecca has a contentious relationship with her mother. And surprise: that same mother now has a relationship with the defendant, occupying a prominent seat behind him while Rebecca tries to focus on her testimony. Worse, mommy dearest may have provided fodder to the defense attorney that he can use to discredit her daughter.
As an aside, after years of reading books in the mystery/thriller genre, I've concluded that somewhere it must be written that female lead characters must have lurid backgrounds; just once, I'd love to find one who had a relatively normal childhood like my own. My most "awful" memory, in fact, is the scent of cow manure wafting over the fields as I waited at the end of our farmhouse lane for the school bus to pick me up each morning. On the other hand, messy childhoods do make for more intrigue (not to mention plot twists), so I concede that if I were a fiction writer, I'd want my heroines to have endured something more soul-scarring than animal odors. To that end, Rebecca doesn't lack in that department; in addition to the aforementioned estranged mother, she's got a former husband who broke her heart plus years of dealing with far more psyche-damaging experiences - all of which jump to the forefront when she least wants them to.
It is the search for the serial killer, though, that occupies center stage throughout most of the book. Victims keep turning up with indications of particularly gruesome torture - but what fails to turn up is any connection among them. Rebecca is frustrated that the trial is making her miss out on some of the investigation, although her hunky partner, together with Jerry Carrubba of NCIS, seem to have that situation well in hand (amid a bit of levity provided by Rebecca's two "aunties" and her sweet dog). Finally, a link to the victims is unearthed, Rebecca's trial comes to an end (you really don't expect me to tell you how, do you)? From that point on, the case begins to pick up speed and, from the reader's perspective, edge-of-seat excitement.
Clearly, this series is off to a great start. To the author, thank you - and please, sir, may I have some more?
Stone Cold by James Glass (The Wild Rose Press Inc., October 2018); 202 pp.
5 stars out of 5
Virgil Flowers is back! And while he may be a bit more mellow than before he hooked up with girlfriend Frankie Nobles - who's pregnant with their baby, by the way - he hasn't lost much of his irreverent edge. Flashes of humor are here as always, this time nailing politics, frozen potpies and even visions of the Virgin Mary. Also sprinkled liberally throughout is the "f" word (fans of Virgil won't be shocked at all, but I mention it as a caution to those who might be).
In my eyes, though, Virgil can do no wrong (well, let's say that when he does, it just makes him more lovable). In fact, I learned here that we have a new special bond; apparently, both of us are good at distinguishing the smells of manure from various farm animals (cows, chickens, pigs and horses in particular). I don't know about Virgil, but it's a skill I honed by spending my 18 formative years on a farm and at county fairs.
As this story begins, Virgil is called to a tiny town in Minnesota, where a random sniper may be at work. Not long ago, the town became a tourist attraction, thanks to mysterious sightings of a "floating" Virgin Mary image at the local Catholic church. So far, two victims have been targeted - but as luck (or bad aim) would have it, neither was killed. That changes, though, when one of the town's socialites takes a fatal bullet.
The only clue is that all were shot at precisely 4:15 p.m., but no one can figure out why. Virgil and his cohorts, including Jenkins and Shrake, keep working the case, which early on leads to a local shooting range (after all, regular customers would be expected to know their way around guns). Nothing turns up - not even the owner - until the investigative team gets another unwelcome surprise. That the community also serves as home to a group of Nazi sympathizers adds more possibilities to the mix.
More details I can't reveal without spoiling things for others, but I will say (grudgingly) that the person I was certain was the shooter was way off the mark. The identity of the real killer - and the motive - came as a complete surprise (and the ending brought a surprise of a totally different sort). All told, this is yet another Flowers book that comes up roses. Good job!
Holy Ghost by John Sandford (G.P. Putnam's Sons, October 2018); 400 pp.
A new series from a favorite author? I'm on it! And although I've just finished, I'm already eager to read the next installment.
