THE RESCUE

4 stars

As soon as I got far enough along in this book to get to know the lovably loyal drug-sniffing pooch Joe - and the dangerous life he's been leading for most of his life - my first thought was this: please, please don't let anything worse happen to him. Of course, I won't say whether I got my wish or not - that would spoil things for others - but suffice it to say I spent quite a bit of reading time on the edge of my seat.

When they're well written, dog stories tug heartstrings to the breaking point; one of the best books I've ever read, for instance, is Garth Stein's The Art of Racing in the Rain. This book isn't like that at all - there's far too much crime and mayhem - but still, it's impossible not to sympathize with Joe as he gets shuffled (willingly or otherwise) from owner to owner through no fault of his own. He starts out with a kid, Teddy, who is forced to give him up to a man who trains dogs to help DEA agents locate drugs. When that job doesn't pan out properly, he goes to Dan Strickland, who runs a successful self-defense training center and secretly involved with a dangerous drug cartel in Tijuana. It is there that Joe is injured and found by Bettina Blazak, a journalist who came looking for a human interest story and ended up with a dog - who she renames Felix.

From that point on, the story - often told from Felix/Joe's perspective - explores the experiences of the characters from different time periods, weaving them all together amid plenty of action into a tapestry that's framed as the ending. It's mostly satisfying, but it's also the most likely scenario given what readers learn about the characters along the way. Overall, I found Joe to be a bit too perceptive (despite his obvious smarts)and Bettina too little given hers, but it all worked out well. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. Another one well done by this talented author.

The Rescue by T. Jefferson Parker (Forge Books, April 2023); 352 pp.

HOW I'LL KILL YOU

5 stars out of 5

Of the more than 100 books I read and review each year, probably 99% are in the mystery/thriller/crime genre. And although it's unusual for me to find one I really, really don't much like, it's a downright cause for celebration to find one that's really, really something I haven't read before. That it is also riveting makes it even more special. Where else, I ask, might you find a set of serial-killing triplets?

But they're here, and they've been on a deadly path for a while now. Moody, Iris and Sissy - not necessarily their real names - emotionally scarred by years of abandonment, separation and abuse in foster care, are on a revenge rampage that focuses on identifying and coercing a lover and then doing him in. Moody and Iris have their first kills under their belts, with Sissy expertly handling clean-up chores. Now, it's Sissy's turn - but her experience takes a turn of a different sort: she falls in love with her intended victim. Now, she's torn; she loves her sisters, toward whom loyalty is never questioned - till now.

Woven in between are backstories of the sisters' lives, interactions with each other and Sissy's thoughts as she navigates new emotional territory with her new guy, all while trying to remain under the radar so they can continue their life of taking life from others. Readers get an in-depth look at Sissy's dilemma: if she betrays her sisters, will they betray her in the worst possible way?

All of that leads up to an exciting ending, although I confess I'm a little disappointed with it. As the climax approached, you see, my mind conjured upat least two scenarios for what I considered to be fitting under the circumstances, and both were just as macabre - maybe even more so - than the rest of the story. Neither came to pass, and what actually did was somewhat of a letdown in my mind. That aside, though, this whole adventure was a heck of a ride, and I offer more than one thank-you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me on the train via a pre-release copy to read and review. Definitely a winner in my book!

How I'll Kill You by Ren DeStefano (Berkley, March 2023); 352 pp.

WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN NOW?

4 stars out of 5

Although I'm fairly sure I read the late Mary Higgins Clark's Where Are the Children? many years ago (1975??), I have to be honest and say I don't remember a thing about it  - heck, I can't even remember where we lived that long ago, much less a book that's been superseded by hundreds of others I've read over the ensuing years. So I'm glad that this one, billed as a follow-up, has enough explanatory references to that one to keep me from being totally lost. But despite being thoroughly engrossing, it's not on my Top 10  list of favorite MHC books.

In part, that's because it's not a favorite topic; I've never really enjoyed reading about children who have been kidnapped, murdered or otherwise abused. But here we are, and in this case, history seems to be repeating itself. Speaking of repetition, I must say there's plenty of that here, although in fairness some is necessary so readers can relate both to this story and its predecessor. In that book, the two children of a young Nancy Harmon were murdered, and she was convicted of killing them. While she "got off" on a technicality (a good thing because she really didn't do it), few believed in her innocence, and ultimately she relocated from California to Cape Cod, remarried and had two more children, Mike and Melissa - who would themselves become the victims of a cruel kidnapper.

That was something like 40 years ago, and now grown-ups Mike and Melissa are leading their own lives - Melissa as a lawyer with a successful podcast, a relatively new husband she loves and a 3-year-old stepdaughter Riley she adores and Mike as a charter boat captain. They're all getting together to help their mother Nancy move to a swanky spot on Long Island. Readers soon learn, of course, that all this sweet bliss is about to turn sour.

And it does, when Riley goes missing right from under Melissa's nose as she sleeps in her mother's new house. Of course, for Melissa and Mike, it's sort of deja vu all over again - and for her husband Charlie, it's the continuation of a nightmare that started with the unexpected death of his first wife, Riley's mother, from a freak accident not all that long ago.

The police, though, follow a path similar to the one police carved with Nancy's case all those years ago; Melissa, the evil stepmother, must be the prime suspect (aided and abetted by all those awful experiences from her childhood). Even Melissa's good friend and podcast assistant, attorney Grant Macintosh, gets in on the act, but we've all heard about the road to good intentions. 

For the most part, Melissa second-guesses herself and everybody else with more fervor than I'd expect from a competent attorney, but then wishy-washy, questioning females just aren't my thing no matter what their background. The only characters who seem reasonably tuned into reality in this one are her brother Mike and her mother Nancy. As for the ending, well, once again not exactly what I'd expect from a successful professional, but there's something to be said, I guess, for Melissa's mantra that happiness is a choice. All in all, it's an enjoyable experience, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

Where are the Children Now? by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke (Simon & Schuster, April 2023); 288 pp.

GONE AGAIN

4 stars out of 5

Told mostly from the perspectives of sisters Celia and Genevieve and in two different time frames - when they were kids living with holy-rolling parents from hell and the present, 25 years later - the details on both ends of the quarter-century span are engrossing, but disturbing. Once out of high school, Celia finally escapes to build a life elsewhere - leaving her beloved younger sister Genevieve and even younger sister Celeste to the not-so-tender mercies of their father and mother.

Not too long ago, Celia and Genevieve reconnect; in fact, thanks to Celia's generosity, Genevieve and her husband relocate to be near Celia and her husband. Celia has just celebrated her 40th birthday with a big bash, many gifts and a card with a nasty message that rattles her brain. Who would hate her enough to spoil her birthday? Unable to sleep, Celia wanders off to clear her head and disappears off the face of the earth. The rest of the story centers on efforts to find Celia and flashbacks to the sisters' childhood secrets - including one that's a whopper. Of course, I must keep it all a secret as well so as not to spoil it for others.

Now that I've finished, though, I must say it's rare for me to advise an author to lengthen a book - more often than not, books tend to be padded with pages of trivial details that are marginally significant to the plot. In this case, however, there are holes are big enough to drive a snowplow through with room to spare. I won't dwell on them, but say only that many readers, including myself, will be left with some heavy-duty questions that another 50 or so pages could have answered without making this almost-too-short-to-be-a-book too long.

But despite my leftover questions, I enjoyed the reading experience - to the point that I held up starting to make dinner because I was too close to the end to put it down willingly. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

Gone Again by Minka Kent (Thomas & Mercer, March 2023); 239 pp.

NOW YOU SEE ME

4 stars out of 5

Of the 17 previous books in this series, I've read only two - the most recent two years ago. Here, lead characters Sheriff Jenna Alton and her hunky deputy David Kane are married, living and working in small-town Black Rock Falls. As this one opens, local bartender Maisy Jones goes missing and is feared to be yet another victim of a long-time and prolific serial killer. Jenna and David find her abandoned truck and a backpack, but there's no sign of Maisy and the backpack contents belong to a young teaching assistant who - wait for it - has gone missing as well. Uh, oh, this could spell double trouble (at least).

Other characters from other books quickly get involved - such as FBI agents Carter and Jo Wells and Medical Examiner Shane Wolf, along with lovable but skilled canines Duke and Zorro. And the team will need all the help it can get: There are virtually no clues and no actual bodies; then, the unthinkable happens and a couple of other prominent people go missing.

The action - and there's plenty of it - focuses on the investigation (which, at one point becomes a life-and-death situation for Jenna and her husband) as well as snippets from the perspective of one of the victims. Who is the kidnapper/killer? Where is he (or she) stashing the victims, and are they dead or alive? Those questions, and others, are answered as this edge-of-your-seat story unfolds. All in all, another satisfying addition to the series, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

Now You See Me by D.K. Hood (Bookouture, March 2023); 305 pp.

GOOD DOG, BAD COP

4 stars out of 5

Unhappy that I'd missed quite a few books in this series after reading "Holy Chow" last year, I was looking forward to this, the next in the now four-book series. While it was enjoyable, but I'm somewhat unhappy again. Why? The character that made me love that one, retired criminal attorney Andy Carpenter of Paterson, New Jersey, is conspicuous in his absence.

The focus here is on the K Team, comprised of Corey Douglas, Laurie Collins, Marcus Clark and their K-9 partner, Simon Garfunkel (who really doesn't get to shine as much as I'd have liked, but at least he's in it). The team members aren't employees of the Paterson Police Department, but they've been hired by the Police Chief as sort of consultants to investigate cold cases. Their pick of the litter is the death of two people - a woman and a cop generally thought to be "dirty." But that man was a mentor to Corey, who never believed the rumors. They also plan to investigate murder of another guy who was shot while in his car in a parking lot.

The investigation sort of wanders all over the place as hunches are followed up and leads go not much of anywhere except to hint at local mob connections and a possible event that could bring part of the country to its knees. But here and there, connections are made, giving the team incentive to keep digging. It's quite a chase, and in the end, all's well that ends well. As for me, I'm ready for the next one (hopefully with Carpenter back in action), and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a prerelease copy of this one.

Good Dog, Bad Cop by David Rosenfelt (Minotaur Books, March 2023); 288 pp.

DRESSED TO DRILL

4 stars out of 5

Although I came a little late to the party, I've read and thoroughly enjoyed four books in this cozy series - this is the 10th - featuring building contractor Shannon Hammer (it's hokey, but yes, that really is her last name). This one, honestly, is my least favorite of the bunch - but it's still entertaining, in large part because of Shannon's wonderful live-in love, successful writer Mac Sullivan (put another way, should he ever decide to dump Shannon, I certainly wouldn't turn him away if he knocked at my door).

Anyway, after spending some time with her sister Chloe, a TV home renovation show host and producer, Shannon and Mac return to northern California and their Lighthouse Cove home, where Shannon's team is starting a major project involving a local church that's 160-plus years old. It's been in use until just recently, when the congregation relocated to new quarters; now, it's slated for use as a museum. But no sooner than restoration preparation begins, it stops - with Shannon's discovery of a dead body in one of the small chapels inside the building. The chief of police may be Chloe's boyfriend, but he insists that Shannon - who's got a history of finding dead bodies and getting way more involved in investigations than civilians are supposed to - keep her nose out this time. The dead young woman is a key worker at the church, and both Shannon and the chief have good reason to believe the killer is someone they all know. But who did the dastardly deed? And why? 

As always, the story is fleshed out with details of the investigation and the church renovation project (the latter a little too much so to suit me - I may not be familiar with all the proper terms for major parts of a church, but I really don't need instruction on how to spell them). But overall it's a don't-want-to-put-down adventure, right up to an ending that makes me even more eager than usual to read the next book. And for those who might be concerned, all the books, including this one, stand alone well enough for new readers to jump in at any time. As for me, it's always a pleasure to find a cozy heroine who isn't a ditsy paranoid female who never listens to reason, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy once again.

I will add, however, that I was left with a few questions, most notably what denomination the church was. Here and there the word Catholic appeared and several of the interior features like Stations of the Cross, ornate vestments and chalices and Virgin Mary icons were mentioned. But the many-year church leader is called "Reverend," not "Father" and he's married (as was his predecessor) and I'm pretty sure the Catholic Church still considers spouses a no-no. I'm leaning toward Episcopal, but inquiring minds really want to know.

Dressed to Drill by Kate Carlisle (Berkley, May 2023); 336 pp.

DARK ANGEL

5 stars out of 5

When Lettie Davenport, the adopted daughter of U.S. Marshal Lucas Davenport and his surgeon wife, Weather, used to make an occasional appearance in one of Lucas's books, I never warmed up to her much. Then when she got her own series with last year's The Investigator, I started to take her a bit more seriously. With this, her second book, I started to like her a lot. Seriously.

At this point in her life - she's 25 - she's an investigator for Homeland Security, at least on the surface; under it, she works for a powerful U.S. Senator. Through him, she's asked to go under cover to try to infiltrate a ransomware hacking group known as Ordinary People, ostensibly to prevent another attack; in the process, she meets another hotshot investigator and crack sharpshooter, Barbara Cartwright, and they hit it off. Their camaraderie leads to both friendship and, when Lettie needs more help on her assignment, a professional assist (just for the record, I liked her too). Lettie also picks up an undercover "partner" named Rod Baxter - another very likable dude (the repartee between the two can get quite amusing).

It doesn't take too long, though, for Letty and Rod to figure out there's more to their assignment than they were led to believe - and the difference between the assumed adversaries and the real ones can become a matter of life and death with the slightest of missteps. All in all, it's another fast-paced book with an intriguing, timely plot that kept me entertained throughout. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. Don't miss this one!

Dark Angel by John Sandford (G.P. Putnam's Sons, April 2023); 384 pp.

I WILL FIND YOU

5 stars out of 5

Granted, this one stretches the believability factor past its upper limit, but so what? It's definitely worth sitting back and enjoying the ride, and hey - this is fiction, after all. At the heart of the story is David Burroughs, five years into his life sentence in prison after being convicted of murdering his young son Matthew. He and his wife Cheryl are divorced, Cheryl is remarried and pregnant and he's refused to see any visitors ever since his first day of incarceration. From Day One, of course, he's insisted that he's innocent.

Suddenly, his entire world - or what it has become - is turned upside down. He gets a visit from Cheryl's sister, Rachel, who brings a photograph that brings them both to tears; taken at a theme park, it's a current photo of a boy roughly eight years old who is the spitting image of Matthew. What's more, he has the same distinctive birthmark on his face as David and Cheryl's beloved - but years-ago dead and buried - son. With just one look, David and Rachel are convinced that the mangled body David found on the day of the murder wasn't Matthew. So now what?

The what, of course, is what the rest of the story is about. For openers, there's David's plan to escape from prison (ah, whatever could go wrong with that), followed by the intent to visit the witness whose testimony sealed the jury's verdict and learning who the real victim and killer were and - most important - finding Matthew. Standing smack-dab in David's way are FBI agents Max Bernstein and his partner, Sarah - characters who can be somewhat amusing in a work of fiction but in real life would be two of the most obnoxious, reprehensible officers of the law I'd never want to meet.

From that point on, it's an action-packed chase - but I can't reveal any of the details without spoiling it for other readers. I'll just say it kept me turning the pages (well, thumbing my Kindle) right up to the end that comes with a well-deserved twist. Very enjoyable, and many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

I Will Find You by Harlan Coben (Grand Central Publishing, March 2023); 336 pp.

THE ANGEL MAKER

4 stars out of 5

Ever read a book and wonder most of the way through how anyone can possibly concoct such a complex story? Well, this is one of those - and well, it's maybe a little too complex. Put another way, this isn't an easy read, in large part because there are many characters and timelines to keep straight.

But it is worth it - at least for those who have any interest in the pros and cons of what we old-time Presbyterians would call "predestination" (a topic of heated debate back in the 1960s, when I was a Sunday School teacher). In its simplest form, if you believe in it, you believe that every single thing we do has been pre-ordained. Needless to say, it's often discredited simply because that would mean everything is inevitable (so why try to be "good?") This story doesn't really resolve that debate, but it does showcase the downside of believing that what people say and do are guided by a higher power who knows what's going to happen before it does - and that they have a responsibility to carry out that inevitability.

Anyway, Katie Shaw is all grown up and married with a young daughter, but she's never shaken the notion that she's responsible for the attack on her brother Chris back in their growing-up years. Since then, the disfigured young man has struggled with addiction and basically disappeared from his parents and Katie. Now, it appears he needs her help - but no one seems to know where he is. Meanwhile, Detective Laurence Page and his partner, Caroline Pettifer, are investigating the murder of wealthy but dying Alan Hobbes, whose only child died in a house fire years ago. Video footage shows Chris in the man's home while he was still alive, thus making him a suspect. 

Cut to Edward Leland, Alan Hobbes's older brother, who used to help his father "make angels" as, his father says, "God has written." In the center of it all is an old book written long ago by one of the predestination believers; how it ties in with all the characters - including a big secret known only to Katie's mother - consumes most of the story from that point on. All told, it's quite an adventure - one I recommend to those who don't mind expending a little more effort than usual to get through. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. Well done!

The Angel Maker by Alex North (Celadon Books, February 2023); 336 pp.)