DOOMED LEGACY

5 stars out of 5

In this series installment, the ninth, P.I. Rick Cahill is struggling with the worsening effects of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE for short) and not so happily earning his keep mostly behind a desk. His wife Leah and young daughter Krista live with him in San Diego, but Leah's successful business remains in Santa Barbara - a bit too far away for commuting very often. They're trying to make things work, but clearly, the only one truly happy with the situation is Krista, who's too young to care. Rick is especially worried, since he has yet to tell Leah about the frightening direction his disease seems to be taking.

While Leah and Krista are back in Santa Barbara, where they live with Leah's parents, Rick gets a call from Sara Bhanderis, his contact at Fulcrum Security, a client for which he conducts background checks on potential employees. She tries to convey her concern over some altered background reports done by a newly hired but suspiciously shady company, but for the most part Rick blows her off because he's worried about the future of his marriage. Shortly thereafter, Sara is murdered - with all clues pointing to her being the victim of an on-the-loose serial rapist.

Soon thereafter, Sara's sister, who (like Rick) isn't convinced the serial rapist is the culprit, hires him to investigate. Once he starts to dig in at Fulcrum, though, the company fires him as a P.I. firm on what Rick knows is a trumped-up reason. That, in turn, gets him fired by Sara's sister - but Rick being Rick (and needing something to occupy his time while he worries about the status of his marriage), he calls in old friend and partner Moira to help.

I can't exactly say all's well that ends well, but the case gets both involved and resolved as a result of some highly effective sleuthing by Rick and Moira. All told, it's another easy-to-read, attention-holding story. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. Another one well done!

Doomed Legacy by Matt Coyle (Oceanview Publishing, November 2022); 359 pp.

HIDDEN SCARS

4 stars out of 5

It's safe to say that Detective Inspector Kim Stone has been around the block a few times - this is the 17th book in the series, for goodness sake - but this time she's struggling to get back in the swing of things after being savagely beaten and way too close to death. 

There are several concurrent plot lines going on here, and more than a few characters (and all their relatives and coworkers) to keep straight. Among the first casualties is Jamie Mills, who is found hanging from a tree in what initially is ruled a suicide by an officer in Kim's department who is intent on finding high-profile cases to work on that will better serve his career mobility. That and the fact that he's racist, sexist and homophobic mean he really rankles his co-workers, who are not only enlightened but very loyal to Kim (who despises him also).

Meantime, a distraught wife asks Kim's team buddy Stacey to find her missing husband; that, too, doesn't rise to the promotion-oriented officer's level of interest and, were it not for Stacey's instincts, would have been swept under the rug. 

With help from her trusty partner and good friend Alan Bryant, Kim digs in her heels (no matter how much they, along with the rest of her body, still hurt) and broadens the investigation into Jamie's death. That in turn leads to a clinic that purports to use conversion therapy methods to  "change" gay people back to what they insist nature intended. The methods they use are no less than horrific, but the owners continue to tout the clinic's exemplary success rate. The pro-LBGTQ perspective is a strong focus throughout, by the way - almost overkill, in my mind, given that in this day and age most readers (at least those who want to be) already are aware and accepting of the facts with regard to the basic issues thereof.

When another victim is murdered and has connections to the clinic, though, Kim and her team redouble efforts to dig into what's really going on - forcing Kim to push the limits of her post-injury physical and mental condition to get to the truth. All in all, another one well done - many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. I'm ready for No. 18 - bring it on!

Hidden Scars by Angela Marsons (Bookouture, November 2022); 356 pp.

THE CLOISTERS

5 stars out of 5

This one hooked me from the first chapter and didn't let go till I'd finished. It's not that it was edge-of-seat action, it's just that the subject matter is super-entertaining - the history of divination with emphasis on tarot cards - and the story is well-written. The conclusion is far less a big surprise than a, well, it couldn't/shouldn't have ended any other way finale.

Ann Stilwell traded a troubled past in Walla Walla, Washington, for a chance to spend the summer working as a sort of curator intern at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Circumstances beyond her control changed where she would spend her time - instead at The Cloisters, a vast gothic museum with extensive gardens and expansive medieval art collection. There, she works with chief curator Patrick Roland and another summer intern, Rachel Mondray - both of whom are into researching the origins of tarot and the cards and their earliest relationship, if any exists, to divination, or predicting the future (raising the age-old question of whether whatever happens to us humans is because we have free will or because every move we make is predestined).

Early on comes the triangle of Ann, Rachel and Patrick, the latter of whom is obsessed with tarot; into the midst add hippie-like museum gardener named Leo, a charismatic man whose motives are always suspect. What is the "glue" that binds these four characters together? What secrets do their past lives hold and how do they affect their futures, individually and collectively - and what role, if any, do the tarot cards play in their yesterdays, todays and tomorrows?

The answers are slowly, enticingly revealed along with a ton of intrigue and a few twists, keeping me turning pages as fast as I could and wishing I could finish the book without life's necessary interruptions. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this wonderful book. Highly recommended!

The Cloisters by Katy Hays (Atria Books, November 2022); 320 pp.

RACING THE LIGHT

4 stars out of 5

It's been a while since I last connected with private investigators Elvis Cole and Joe Pike, and the reunion via this book - the 19th in the series - was a very enjoyable one. They're both in fine form, although Elvis is still trying to recover from his amicable split from girlfriend Lucy Chenier and her son Ben. Then an obviously wealthy elderly woman, Adele Schumacher, visits their Hollywood office (preceded by a couple of burly bodyguards) to ask his help in finding her son, Joshua, who's gone missing. Josh, it seems, is also known as Josh Shoe - a popular but controversial podcaster who, with his partner, is a bit hung up on the UFO scene.

Adele's reasons for her son's disappearance  lean toward mostly unsubstantiated conspiracy theories, which Elvis mostly disregards, but when Josh's father Corbin calls to approve of Elvis's hiring, he decides to take the case. A bit of detecting leads Elvis to Josh's podcast partner and a woman who's made a name for herself in the adult film business - who, surprise, has gone missing as well. In the midst of all this come Lucy and Ben, putting Elvis on edge wondering if her visit is positive or negative. 

Of course, when the going turns tough, Elvis turns to Joe and a couple of other characters from previous books (for the record, though, this book stands on its own just fine). There's a bunch of technology "stuff," some mild but welcome yuck-yucks and plenty of action that, if not handled properly by the two heroes, could spell the end of this series. All told, it's another fun adventure I wish I'd had the free time to read without putting it down. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. Well done!

Racing the Light by Robert Crais (G.P. Putnam's Sons, November 2022); 368 pp.

SIGN HERE

4 stars out of 5

With much of this story taking place in Hell, there's clearly a dark side - but it also offers a touch of humor and intrigue as well as the not-so-secret revelation that life on earth can be just as bad on occasion if not worse. Much of the focus is on a guy called Peyote Trip, who has progressed through the truly awful "floors" to the Deals Department on the fifth floor. Torture at this level is far less Hell-like than the lower floors; there are bars, for instance, but the only thing served in them is Jagermeister. 

Peyote's working hard to reel in one last member of the Harrison family back on Earth; if he gets that one to sign here - i.e., sell his soul - he'll get a "redo" on Earth by virtue of collecting a full set of deals from his own heirs. He'll do his best, but he could use some help, so even though he doesn't trust her for a second, he turns to coworker Calamity - who has an agenda all her own cultivated by a life on Earth that fits her name like a glove.

Her backstory, though, which is sprinkled in between what's happening with Peyote and the Harrison family down on Earth, just didn't click with me. There's a truly awful man called The General who seems to get his jollies from torturing young boys, but I never quite got the connection to Calamity (as in, who was he really?) Clearly, what happened to Cal back then made her who she is today (and where she ended up), but even by the end of the book I didn't fully understand what that was.

The Harrison family's story, on the other hand, starts with a father, two mostly grown children and a mother who is basically living a lie that's rooted in the past (plus another big one in her present). Gradually, all the secrets and relationships are peeled back like onions, revealing some pretty ugly stuff that could threaten Peyote's chances of signing up the last soul. Details, of course, I can't reveal, so I'll just say this is a very clever, entertaining book. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Sign Here by Claudia Lux (Berkley, October 2022); 416 pp.

THE LAST CHAIRLIFT

4 stars out of 5

It's been a long while since I've read a book by this author, but I remember enjoying those I did and looked forward to diving into this one. It took awhile, but it's well worth it - interesting and well-written.

I'm not even going to try to provide many details; basically, it's a life story told by Adam, the son of slalom skier Rachel Brewster. Back in 1941, in Aspen, Colorado, to participate in championship downhill and slalom races, Rachel ends up with no medals but instead a euphemistic bun in the oven - Adam, born in 1942. Years go by, and Adam returns to Aspen and the Hotel Jerome (where reportedly he was conceived by a still-unknown father). Despite a reasonably supportive rest of the family and friends, Adam understandably wants to know who his father was; the story follows Adam's experiences and observations (told as only this author can do) over a period of 80 years and many, many intriguing characters, not a few of whom are ghosts. As with many lengthy books, it gets repetitious in spots, but that really doesn't get in the way of enjoyment and awe of the author's considerable writing talent.

If you enjoy a really good story and have plenty of time, this book really is worth the effort. I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

The Last Chairlift by John Irving (Simon & Schuster, October 2022); 908 pp.

QUARTER TO MIDNIGHT

4 stars out of 5

Romantic anything is about half a dozen genres away from what I enjoy reading, but "suspense" brings it more into line with my liking. More daunting, at least for me, is that this one is just over 600 pages in length. That said, once I finally made it to the end, it's really not bad at all. It features ex-Marine Molly Sutton, a former law enforcement officer in North Carolina who join her former commanding officer Burke Broussard in his private investigation firm.

Meanwhile, in New Orleans, Gabe Hebert has emerged as a top chef in the French Quarter. But then his father dies and it's deemed a suicide - not, Gabe insists. So, he turns to Burke, his late father's best friend. That puts Gabe in tune with Molly, and from the start, it's music for their hearts (and those of readers who are into such things).

Apparently, Gabe's father, a former police officer, had spent years digging around the edges of a cold case murder that happened during Hurricane Katrina. When he got too close to the truth, he was warned off; when he didn't pay attention, he paid with his life. The rest of the story follows the details of Molly's investigation and the sometimes steamy relationship between Molly and Gabe. All in all, it's a solid, action-packed story that would be perfect for a summer beach read or in front of a roaring fireplace when the snow flies. I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review it.

Quarter to Midnight by Karen Rose (Berkley, August 2022); 604 pp.

HANDS DOWN

4 stars out of 5

Jockey-turned-private eye Sid Halley was last seen in Refusal after losing his left hand in a nasty fight with even nastier opponents; for his troubles, he ended up with a prosthetic hand and a wife who who insisted that he quit his detecting work. Now he's back - decked out with a new but real hand courtesy of a donor that, with the help of anti-rejection drugs, is working better every day. His marriage, on the other hand (pun intended), isn't working quite so well; in fact, his wife Marina has taken their nine-year-old daughter, Saskia, with her to stay with her elderly parents - in part because her father is dying and in part because she needs to get away for a while.

As he's stewing over how to handle the situation, an ex-jockey friend calls to ask for help with a serious issue involving racing. With his mind elsewhere, Sid poo-poos the situation and puts the guy on hold at least for a couple of days. As it turns out, he should have been more fired up; the next day, the guy's stable and a few horses go up in flames - and then, not long after he meets with Sid to explain what's going on, the man himself is found hanged. The police deem it death by suicide, but given what Sid knows, he's not so sure.

At that point - with no resolution of the situation between he and his wife - Sid sets off to investigate what appears to be corruption at the track that involves "dirty" agents, blackmail and race fixing. Needless to say, that takes Sid to a couple of racetracks he once frequented as a jockey and pits him against several heavyweight nasties who would love nothing more than to get rid of him for good. The details, of course, I can't reveal - nor whether he wins back the two loves of his life. Suffice it to say the story held me captive for a few good hours - well written with plenty of action. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy - and keep me in mind when the next one drops. Try it - I think you'll like it too!

Hands Down by Felix Francis (Crooked Lane Books, November 2022); 304 pp.

LIVID

5 stars out of 5

Maybe it's because it's a timely topic with more questions than answers that's intrigued me for at least a couple of years now. Maybe it's because forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta doesn't seem quite as paranoid as usual (even though in this case, her suspicions may be rooted in fact). Whatever the reason, this, the 26th book in the popular series, is another one I really didn't want to put down. 

It begins with Scarpetta's testimony at a contentious murder trial - and her scientific evidence and methods not-so-politely challenged by a defense attorney determined to win and sully Scarpetta's reputation in the process. The judge, Annie Chilton, is Scarpetta's long-time friend; but this time out, her rulings are falling outside the norm. Later, Scarpetta - who not that long ago returned to Virginia to serve in her old job as chief medical examiner - is called out to a murder; the victim is none other than the judge's sister, Rachael, who's been living with her sister at the run-down family estate. When she and her longtime friend and investigator Pete Marino arrive, they're struck by the stricken; everywhere are dead bugs, birds and what appears to be finely tuned destruction. That, in turn, leads to suspicion of the method of the murder - a really scary one that Scarpetta and her FBI husband Benton and niece Lucy are well acquainted with by way of their seats on the federal Doomsday Commission (and for readers, it's an issue, albeit controversial in some circles, that's made national news in recent years).

In between trying to solve the motive and means for the murder - plus, of course, identify and capture the culprit - all the major players must dodge the slings and arrows of protestors (think: Jan. 6, 2021, but with different targets). One clue leads to another to revelations about the death of a former colleague - one who has ties to the trial at the beginning of the book. All told, it's a fast-paced, well-researched story and a great addition to the series. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Livid by Patricia Cornwell (Grand Central Publishing, October 2022); 369 pp.

A HEART FULL OF HEADSTONES

4 stars out of 5

Having read another in this series featuring Inspector John Rebus, I was looking forward to this one. And alas, I felt lost almost from the beginning and struggled to get through it. There were just too many characters and scenes that shifted far too often for me to keep it all straight. That said, my bet is that long-time readers of this popular series will enjoy it thoroughly.

Retired and not in the best of health, Rebus finds himself on the wrong side of the law - on trial for committing an undisclosed crime. From that beginning, the rest of the book goes back in time - to his old stomping grounds at Tynecastle, where "dirty" cops were the order of the day - to piece together what happened. Although he doesn't deny that he may have participated in more than a few shady operations himself, he can't quite make himself believe his actions were all that serious - mostly, they consisted of simply looking the other way. When one of the cops from back then ends up murdered, readers get to see Rebus's former protoge, now Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke, do her thing amid colleagues, some of whom still think women really don't belong in the police department.

The ending is a cliffhanger that suggests there will be a follow-up - and I'll be waiting for that one. For those new to this series, I must say this isn't the place to start - back up a bit and get more of a feel for some of the characters from an earlier time. Rebus is an interesting character who's time may be up, and I'm curious as to how it all will end for him. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

A Heart Full of Headstones by Ian Rankin (Little, Brown and Co., October 2022); 353 pp.