HEARTBREAK BAY

4 stars out of 5

Another new-to-me author and series - and after finishing this one, I'm wishing I'd started earlier. In part, that comes amid the sad knowledge that the author passed away from a particularly aggressive form of cancer in November 2020 so this, the fifth, is her last.

There are two "stars" of this show: Gwen Proctor, a private investigator and the ex-wife of a now-dead serial killer, and Kezia Claremont, a local detective and Gwen's good friend who knows Gwen (not her original name) had nothing to do with her ex-husband's penchant for murder. Both women must deal with adversity - Gwen because many people still believe she helped her ex do his dirty work, and Kezia because she's relatively young and Black in a small Southern community near Knoxville, Tennessee, that isn't exactly welcoming to people of color.

As this one opens, Gwen gets a call from Kezia, who's at the scene of a crime near Stillhouse Lake (where Gwen and her ex once lived). A car has been found half-buried in the lake, with two young girls secured in the back seat. It's a grizzly sight, to be sure, and questions arise immediately as to the whereabouts of the girls' mother, who's apparently on the lam. 

Around the same time, though, Gwen's past begins to haunt her - or perhaps more accurately, taunt her. She's never felt free from the "hold" her ex-husband had on her while they were together - even though he's quite dead. Now, his presence once again begins to loom large in her family's life, frightening and threatening her partner, Sam, a flight instructor who has adopted both of Gwen's now mostly-grown children, as well as Gwen and the kids.

Told through alternating viewpoints of Gwen, Kezia and Sam, events - which include more murders, more threats and life-threatening situations - lead to an exciting end that yes, kept me on the edge of my seat. And for the record, I had no trouble following this one even though I had not read any of the previous four books in the series.

In short, well done - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. R.I.P., Ms. Caine.

Heartbreak Bay by Rachel Caine (Thomas & Mercer, March 2021); 335 pp.

A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH

4 stars out of 5

This new-to-me series features attorney and former professional fighter Robin Lockwood as she takes on a case of a man charged with murder who's facing the death penalty. He claims he was set up, and after reviewing what few details are known, Robin smells a rat as well. 

The client, Joe Lattimore, is a former boxer with a wife and young daughter - and they're homeless. Desperate for money, he reluctantly agrees to participate in an illicit street fight  in exchange for cash. The fight easily goes Joe's way until it doesn't; Joe is told that his blows killed his opponent and that there's a video of the fight. Later, he's asked to commit a high-end home robbery - with the threat of releasing the video if he refuses. Believing he has no choice, he does as asked - only to find a brutally murdered woman inside the home. Terrified, he runs out - leaving his finger and hand prints behind. To make matters worse, his victim's husband, a prominent local judge, returns home just in time to see Joe running away.

An anonymous call to the police conveniently identifies Joe's whereabouts, the and he's picked him up and tossed in jail. Joe knows of Robin from their days in the fight game, so he contacts her and begs for help. As she searches for evidence of Joe's innocence, nothing of substance turns up - but the smell of that rat doesn't subside. She keeps digging, expanding the hole to include several shady characters, more blackmail and yes, more murders - all adding up to an adventure with plenty of twists and turns.

If I have to nit-pick, I'll point to a little too lengthy and basic explanations of legal issues that we die-hard "Law and Order" or "Perry Mason" fans could recite by heart and that at times, it seemed as if Robin was playing a secondary role here. But overall, this is a well-written, exciting way to spend an afternoon or two (and for the record, even though this is the fifth in the series, it stands alone very well). Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

A Matter of Life and Death by Phillip Margolin (Minotaur Books, March 2021); 281 pp.

WIN

5 stars out of 5

How did I love thee? Let me count the ways. Well, for openers, how about 5 stars?

Mostly, that's because of the brash, ballsy character, Windsor Horne Lockwood III (Win to his family and friends), who never misses an opportunity to articulate his vast wealth and abilities. A braggart? Yep. Arrogant? No doubt. A undeniable success at everything he does? Sure - as he'll be glad to remind you of that at every opportunity.

And to be sure, he gets plenty of those in this book, which, I hope, signals the beginning of a series just for him. He's also appeared in the author's Myron Bolitar series, so those who have read those books know who I'm talking about (but not having read any has no effect on enjoyment of this one). 

As this begins, Win is finishing up some payback business with a particularly nasty dude (oh, did I mention that he doesn't hesitate to take the law in his own very capable hands when he feels it's appropriate)? Mission accomplished, he heads back to New York and the scene of a murder, where in addition to a very dead body he spots an ultra-valuable painting that was stolen from his family many years earlier. Could it be that the victim was the art thief? If so, how, where and when did he acquire it? Complicating matters is that another family-related item is discovered in the dead guy's posh penthouse - one that could pose serious questions and open old wounds within Win's tight-knit, uber-protective family. When the victim is finally identified, even more questions are raised - mostly relating to possible ties to a 1970s radical group dubbed "The Jane Street Six." 

And that's where I'll stop. The twists, turns and nosedives come hard and fast from this point on, and needless to say I won't reveal anything except to say that nothing - and I do mean nothing - came between me and my Kindle until I'd reached the very last page (with all due respect, Mr. Coben, I admit to saving the acknowledgements section to read the next day). I'm a diehard Coben fan, so I can't say I'm surprised at how good this book is, but I will say it exceeded my already in-the-sky expectations. Kudos, and thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. 

Win by Harlan Coben (Grand Central Publishing, March 2021); 384 pp.

THE POSTSCRIPT MURDERS

4 stars out of 5

I've read only one other book by this prolific author, and more's the pity. With this one - an advance review copy courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley - I've become a fan. This is the second installment of her series that centers around Detective Sergeant Harbinder Kaur, an interesting character who is 36, gay, and still lives with her parents (who don't know she's gay). She's contacted by Natalka, a caregiver for elderly Peggy Smith, who found the woman dead. But there are no signs that anything is amiss, and since Peggy was 90 years old, Harbinder doesn't see a problem. The only thing remotely strange is that Peggy has business cards indicating that she's a "murder consultant" and is listed in the acknowledgements of books by several authors of crime books that apparently are favorites of the much-read Peggy.

That soon changes when Natalka and her friend, barista and former monk Benedict, return to Peggy's flat to start clearing out some things left by Peggy's son - who seemed in a hurry to sell his mother's flat - and encounter a gun-wielding masked person who grabs a book - one that's out of print - and runs. When Harbinder still seems reluctant to pursue the case seriously, Natalka, Benedict and Peggy's elderly neighbor of several years, Edwin, set off to investigate on their own. They begin by visiting a crime writers' conference in a not-too-distant town, where they run into several of the writers who have credited Peggy for suggestions they've incorporated in their books.

Then comes another murder; at that point, Harbinder begins to suspect that Peggy may have been murdered after all. From different locations, she and Natalka's competent team start sharing their findings, all of which lead up to a mostly surprising conclusion. Overall, well-written with intriguing characters whose interactions held my interest throughout. I'm already looking forward to the next one!

The Postscript Murders by Elly Griffiths (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, March 2021); 284 pp.

FAITHLESS IN DEATH

5 stars out of 5

It's New York City. The year is 2061. Cars are hovering about the city streets looking to "go vertical" for a parking spot, drivers using their wrist "links" to get directions and communicate. Back at the office, police Lt. Eve Dallas is fussing with required paperwork, probably drinking real coffee, or maybe even a slice of pizza, she programmed into her Auto Chef. She's almost relieved to get the call announcing a homicide.

When she and quirky partner Delia Peabody head out, they find a woman in her artist's apartment - on the floor with her head bashed in. Oddly, the apparent murder was called in by a female friend - at least an hour after the woman discovered the body. That, of course, prompts Dallas and Peabody to wonder what took her so long.

The caller, an ultra-wealthy woman named Gwen Huffman from the hoity-toity Upper East Side, comes up with a story that simply doesn't ring true, giving Dallas and Peabody cause to dig a bit harder. For openers, they learn that Huffman's parents are involved with a highly successful and highly secretive organization called the Natural Order that carries with it all the ugly trappings of white supremacy.

That's the beginnings of a tale that's tied in to current events, with a couple of not-too-discreet political slams I guess I'd rather do without (even though I'm totally on the same side). Dallas's hunky husband Roarke plays his usual role in sleuthing out the finer financial points while impeccably dressed and soothing out Dallas's ruffled feathers. The rest of the usual suspects get brief shining moments - as always, Dr. Mira not quite enough to suit me. The end is as expected, too, in the sense that both the good and bad guys and gals get what they deserve (with one pair getting a surprise opportunity that will bode well for their future). 

All told, an enjoyable way to wile away a few hours. Good job!

Faithless in Death by J.D. Robb (St. Martin's Press, February 2021); 383 pp.

OCEAN PREY

5 stars out of 5

Two of my favorite characters in the same book? No way this one won't be a winner, I said to myself as I happily opened it on my Kindle. And in no way was I disappointed.

Well, maybe a titch in one respect; mostly because of asthma and a little bit of claustrophobia, I'm not a fan of putting my head under water at all - not even in the shower. So, the mere thought of scuba diving gives me hives. That's a big part of this story, so I was on the edge of my seat throughout, trying not to hold my breath and hoping that no human would be harmed in the process (close calls, however, not only are acceptable, but expected).

The two characters are Lucas Davenport, now with the U.S. Marshal's Service, and his buddy Virgil Flowers, an agent with the Minnesota Department of Criminal Apprehension. They've had books all to themselves for years (with the occasional cameo appearance by one in the other's), and I'm pretty sure I've read them all. This time out, the balance of power gives a slight edge to Lucas, but Virgil certainly makes his often irreverent presence known. The story begins in Florida, after three National Guardsmen are murdered by what appear to be drug smugglers. Lucas gets called in, agrees to investigate, and convinces Virgil to join his team of expert cohorts. That leads to some serious confrontations, at least one of which doesn't turn out well.

The trail leads from Florida to New Jersey and back again, putting both Lucas and Virgil on dangerous ground (well, in Virgil's case, that would be in water). In between are the usual quips and one-liners that never fail to make me chuckle - here, it's double the fun - and plenty of excitement as the rush is on to identify and catch the bad guys before they get away. All told, another great adventure with double the usual appeal - highly recommended! Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Ocean Prey by John Sandford (G.P. Putnam's Sons, April 2021); 432 pp.

A GAME OF CONES

4 stars out of 5

For the most part, cozy mysteries get notice by me only every once in a while as a respite from the tension brought on by the mind-twisting, gruesome mystery/thrillers that comprise my usual (and preferred) fare. I simply have no stomach for the typical whining, paranoid heroines who don't listen to reason, get themselves in trouble and - miraculously - manage to solve the crime du jour (just once, I'd like to find a male in that role; can't help wondering if he'd be made out to be as brainless and exasperating as most of the females are).

I needed such a respite a year ago when I read the first book in this series
, A Deadly Inside Scoop. What piqued my interest? Well, I'm a big ice cream fan; a chain that started in 1945 right in my backyard of Youngstown, Ohio - Handel's Ice Cream  - is a special favorite that gets plenty of my business and has amassed fans all over the country. But the big reason I was curious is that it's set in Chagrin Falls, Ohio - about 50 miles from my backyard not too far from Cleveland that I've visited many times.

The story this time out is similar to the first book, and I must note that plenty of space is allocated to "remembering" events from that one so new readers shouldn't feel lost. Bronwyn Crewse has returned to her Ohio roots from a too-hectic job in too-hectic New York City to renovate, and run, her family's ice cream shop in the picturesque city known for - surprise - its waterfalls. All of the cohorts from Book One are back, and in this case, more's the pity; her friend and employee, Maisie, was downright obnoxious in the first book. Despite my hopes that she'd drop by the wayside, she's back - and this time manages to drag the rest of the bunch down to her level before it's all over.

Bronwyn's family is close, though - from her elderly grandfather to her parents - and it really is a treat to watch their unique personalities interact. New to this one is Aunt Jacqueline, who left town to pursue other interests but has returned with, apparently, a big interest in taking over the ice cream shop and undoing much of Bronwyn's hard work. Needless to say, that causes more than a little headache for Bronwyn, who's sunk a ton of money into turning the shop into a very successful venture and is on the cusp of expanding.

But early on, Bronwyn's concerns turn to a different problem; an "outside" company appears to be buying up land in the close-knit, quaint downtown with the intent of building a (gasp!) shopping mall. Quite a few of the townspeople are upset, to put it mildly, and a public meeting with the developer's representative ends in a shouting match. The representative's personal end, though, comes shortly thereafter; his body is found in a downtown alley - and the primary suspect is one of Bronwyn's best friends who's visiting from New York.

After her experience trying to solve a murder in the first book, Bronwyn is reluctant to get involved in another one. Enter the ever-persistent Maisie, who probably wouldn't be able to sit down and shut up if she were tied to a chair and gagged (please, God, make it happen). She soon convinces Bronwyn and their other close friends and relatives that they and only they can get to the bottom of things (leave it to the police? Fuhgettaboutit). The rest of the book focuses on their plans, some of which don't go much beyond the talking stage, and still others lead up to a conclusion that adds another notch in the belts of the Crewse crew. 

Beyond the ending comes a special treat I expect will continue: recipes for three of the unique homemade flavors of ice cream mentioned within the pages. All told, another mystery that I'm sure will please cozy readers (especially those from the Buckeye State). Thanks once again to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

A Game of Cones by Abby Collette (Berkley, March 2021); 352 pp.

EVERY LAST FEAR

5 stars out of 5

Even though my Spidey sense kicked in early on with a suspicion of how it would turn out (and I was right), this action-packed book was a real treat. By the halfway point, I started to plow through it like a crazy woman, stopping only after my usual bedtime when I couldn't keep my eyes open a minute longer. 

At first, I was a bit skeptical; this is one of those books in which chapters switch both from individual characters' perspectives and chronology - a trend that seems to be a favorite of mystery-thriller authors these days, but in general not by me. This one, though, is especially well done, with each chapter building on background that led up to the death of an entire family - father, mother and two children - in Mexico. At first, it's thought to be an accident caused by a gas leak; but when the FBI gets involved, thoughts turn to suspicions of murder.

Two members of that family remain alive: Matt Pine, a filmmaking student at New York University, and his older brother Danny, who's been in jail ever since he was convicted of murdering his teenage girlfriend Charlotte. After a team of producers released a video reminiscent of "Proven Innocent" in which Matt's father goes off on a rant about his son's innocence, the townsfolk shunned the entire family and forced them to move from the small Nebraska town to Chicago.

Meanwhile, the FBI - in the person of agent Sarah Keller - has been investigating the Chicago accounting firm for its possible ties to a Mexican cartel. As it turns out, Matt's father Evan worked there as an accountant. There's no discernible connection to the family's deaths, but needless to say, it raises a few suspicions in Sarah's mind as she tries to collect enough evidence to successfully prosecute bigwigs at the accounting firm.

And that, friends, is all I'm going to tell you - except that this is an intricately woven story that's a delight to read. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get an up-close-and-personal look prior to release. 

Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay (Minotaur Books, March 2021); 368 pp.

THE BOUNTY

4 stars out of 5

From the first page to the last, I kept thinking that this would make a terrific action-packed motion picture. As for the book? Well, it would make a terrific action-packed movie.

Mind you, I haven't read any of the six preceding books in this series that feature FBI Special Agent Kate O'Hare and professional con man Nick Fox. But I'm intimately acquainted with virtually all of author Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books and am a big fan of author Lee Goldberg, who co-wrote the first five in this series. And, I've read and enjoyed two books by the co-author of this one. So when I got the chance to read and review a pre-release copy, I was delighted.

Now that I've finished, though, I'm a little less enthused; the whole thing struck me as a bit shallow. To be sure, the action never stops (think Indiana Jones on steroids) which, generally speaking, is a good thing - certainly in a movie. In written form, though, it just seemed to be too much, too fast. Beyond that, the limited conversation among the various characters - especially between O'Hare and Fox, despite a few humorous and sexually suggestive one-liners - failed to give me any real insights into their characters or entice me to develop anything close to camaraderie with any of them. 

The plot itself is intriguing; it begins at the Vatican Museum, as Kate and Nick try to thwart a robbery in progress. They're told the target is a priceless diamond-encrusted ring; but turns out it was a very old map which, rumor has it, leads to $30 billion in gold supposedly hidden after World War II by a group of Nazis called the Brotherhood. As it also turns out, the thief - who gets away in fine James Bond fettle - is someone very familiar to Nick.

The resulting chase takes Nick and Kate - who also gets help from a familiar figure - to historic locations in several countries, each adventure fraught with almost unimaginable danger. In fact, what impressed me most about the book is the attention to detail with regard to their surroundings at each new venue; clearly, effort was put into research and making those parts very interesting (at least to me). At each spot, the goal is to find the next piece of the map - hopefully leading to the final piece and, of course, the gold.

Was anyone harmed in the process? Several (but my lips are sealed). Did the gold really exist and did they find it? Still not talking. Overall, it's a thrill-a-minute adventure that most likely will be enjoyed most by those who read the previous books. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for this one.

Now when can we expect that movie? I've got a few ideas for casting (hint: call me).

The Bounty by Janet Evanovich and Steve Hamilton (Atria Books, March 2021); 320 pp.

THE BLAME

4.5 stars out of 5

If I could pick an overarching theme for this intriguing book, it's a line that's repeated a few times throughout: "People change, and then they change again." It's certainly true in real life, and it's manifested in several of the characters herein. The story is narrated by Harry Curtis, who left his small hometown of Mackleberry, England, to live and work in Canada a couple of decades ago. It's his first time back, and he's more than a little reluctant to return. But an old school chum - Richard - has been arrested for the murder of one of their teachers; another friend, Paige, called to beg Harry to help her find out what really happened and help Richard's case. Since Harry and his wife are separated, he decides to head across the Pond and give it a go.

Harry soon finds he's surprised at the changes in the still-insular community he once loved - some of them for the better, others not. Paige herself certainly isn't her former self; among other things, she's in the midst of a divorce from Richard's elder brother, Oliver. Harry's sister, Evie, lives in their old family home; while she's not enthused to see her younger brother, she allows him to stay with her for the duration of his stay.

Early on, readers learn of a long-ago incident involving another of their school friends, Graham. Almost as quickly, it appears the local police are trying to tie that incident to the current murder. That, both Harry and Paige agree, simply isn't the case. But then again, Harry's memory of how things happened back then aren't exactly clear; and as their investigation - and that of the police - gets more serious, some of the relationships Harry once thought were rock solid begin to crumble.

The ending brings everything - well, almost everything - to closure, though not necessarily with a "God's in his heaven, all's right with the world" feel. A well done, insightful and thought-provoking read that I definitely recommend. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

The Blame by Kerry Wilkinson (Bookouture, February 2021); 317 pp.

SOMETHING BLUE

4 stars out of 5

This series continues to enthrall, "forcing" me to set aside other books I need to read and review just to find out what happens next in the adventures of Lord and Lady Hetheridge (this is the third installment). This one begins as the couple - Tony and Kate - have set a wedding date three weeks away but have turned over the planning to a good friend. Meantime, Tony - Baron of Wellegrave and chief superintendent of the New Scotland Yard - and Detective Sergeant Kate Wakefield, must deal with a murder (with help, and one-liners that kept me chuckling throughout, from Kate's capable partner Paul Bhar).

This time, the victim is the head honcho of an oil company that has taken heat for a recent major oil spill. He's thrown a big party to divert attention from the damage, and sometime after the guests have gone, he was poisoned. The killer may well be one of the guests, which include Duncan Godington - a suspected serial killer who's managed to evade conviction on other occasions in past books.

To be sure, there's no shortage of suspects, most of them quirky. Riley, for instance, insists she was engaged to the still-married victim - and she claims to be a full-blooded Comanche as well as a "spiritual practitioner." Then there's the other fiance, who also claims the victim was planning to marry right after his divorce was final. Meanwhile, the actual wife - who will inherit the man's fortune - insists he wasn't planning to divorce her at all. Also factoring in is Jules, the daughter Tony didn't know he had until the previous book; she has, it seems, developed a fondness for Tony's old nemesis, Duncan.

Scotland Yard powers-that-be are also gunning for Tony - egged on by a jealous department rival. It doesn't hurt that Tony is about to marry a "common" woman - one who not only half his age but on the department payroll. All that, and a big wedding neither Tony nor Kate really want, must get sorted out by the end of the book - and they do, in the usual fine fettle. Another very good book in this highly entertaining series!

Something Blue by Emma Jameson (Lyonnesse Books, May 2013); 246 pp.