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.
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.
