MIND GAMES

4 stars out of 5

A titch scary. A little hard to believe. A lot sappy. But dang it all, I didn't want to put it down.

The scary part comes early on with the gruesome murder of 12-year-old Thea Cox's parents - a horrible incident that Thea and her grandmother, Lucy, both "see" as it happens. Thea and her younger brother, Rem, then go to live in Redbud Hollow in rural Kentucky, Thanks to Thea's visions, the killer was caught, convicted and sentenced to life in prison - and since then the children have for the most part thrived. But it seems the killer himself has the vision - and from his prison cell, he uses it to torment Thea by entering her mind. Over the years, she's learned to shut him out for the most part, but he finds new ways to burrow in again.

While in college, Thea learns how to develop computer games, which she turns into a highly profitable business. Grandma Lucy is a businesswoman as well, making handmade soaps and similar items from her home workshop in Kentucky. Over the years, Thea keeps her gift alive by helping police solve otherwise unsolvable cases - much as she did to bring her parents' murderer to justice. 

Things take a new turn when an elderly neighbor passes away, leaving her property to an on-hiatus rock star and his adorable young son. As chance would have it (yeah, right!), Thea once had a huge crush on the guy, which of course is rekindled when they meet. The romance heats up - until her gift collides with his way-over-the-top reaction (at which point I'd have kicked the idiot to the curb, but then that's just me). 

Finally, Thea reaches the limit of her tolerance and vows to bring the head games to a halt - hopefully without losing herself in the process. It all makes for an exciting ending. Definitely worth reading, and for the record, I wouldn't be opposed to reading more on the adventures of Thea and her grandmother. Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one. 

Mind Games by Nora Roberts (St. Martin's Press, May 2024); 352 pp.

THINK TWICE

4 stars out of 5

Three words I'll use to describe this book: complex, confusing (a little bit) and sad. The complex and confusing, I think, come because there's a ton of characters to keep straight - making it a bit confusing when I couldn't remember who someone I'd read about six chapters earlier was. The sad part I'll get to in a bit, so bear with me.

Attorney and former basketball great Myron Bolitar has returned to his agency that represents celebrity clients, mostly those in sports, which he shares with partner Win Lockwood in New York City. One fine day, a couple of Feds march in demanding to know where to find Myron's former friend and client, basketball star Greg Downing. And they won't take Myron's word when he tells them Greg has an excellent reason for being missing: he's been dead and buried for three years.

Needless to say, all this is news to Myron and Win, both of whom were at Greg's funeral. The Feds, however, offer compelling evidence to the contrary; Greg's DNA was found at the scene of the recent murder of Cecelia Callister and her son Clay. So back to the original question - where is Greg, really? 

The case is further complicated by the fact that Greg "stole" Myron's girlfriend away years ago, leaving her as his widow when he "died." He also left a grown son, Jeremy, who actually is Myron's son but who believes Greg to be his biological father (all this has been revealed in previous books in the series, of which this book is the 12th). So while Myron and Win have mixed feelings about Greg including whether or not he's found, they feel a responsibility to locate him - if in fact he's really alive - and represent him if he's arrested for the murders.

From this point on, almost anything I'd say would be too much; but trust me, there's plenty of action as well as some surprises. And that brings me to the end (well, almost), which is where the aforementioned sad part comes in. Here, too, I can't get specific, but suffice it to say I was plenty worried (and remain so days after I finished the book). To be sure, I'm already hoping the next installment will be forthcoming sooner rather than later. Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one. 

Think Twice by Harlan Coben (Grand Central Publishing, May 2024); 362 pp.

THE INSTRUMENTS OF DARKNESS

5 stars out of 5

One thing is certain when you're dealing with private investigator Charlie Parker - there'll be some other-worldly "stuff" in it. This is the 21st book in the series - I've read several others - and this one certainly doesn't spoil the pattern.

When Colleen Clark's son Henry goes missing, as is customary, the parents are early-on suspects. When evidence appears to not only confirm that the young boy is dead, Colleen - who by her own admission suffered from post-partum depression - is arrested for his murder. That her husband, and just about every former friend and neighbor, are convinced of her guilt as well doesn't help her case.

But Charlie's long-time friend and attorney, Moxie Castin, will; he'll serve as her attorney. And of course, he enlists Charlie's help. At the outset, both are suspicious of the husband, who even without the evidence seemed convinced that his wife did the dirty deed. 

Even with the evidence, though, a body certainly would bolster the case on one side or the other. Enter into the picture a remote cabin deep in the woods of Maine that seems to harbor those aforementioned other-worldly secrets and that isn't far from a cult-like settlement of Fascists. In the midst of the investigation comes Sabine Drew, a psychic who claims to have heard Henry's plaintive cries from somewhere nearby. No one believes her, of course, except possibly Charlie - who knows firsthand what it's like to be in touch with those who've gone on (somewhere) before. 

As he investigation progresses, another of Charlie's old enemies, Bobby Ocean, pops up, opening up the necessity of bringing in Charlie's bodacious friends and bodyguards, Angel and Louis (love these guys). That, in turn, brought up what perhaps is the best-ever description of a thug-style bodyguard, who "probably barely emerged from the womb before the obstretrician offered him twenty bucks to watch the surgery door."

There's plenty more murder and mayhem from this point to the end, and I loved every minute of it. Many thanks once again to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to binge on a pre-release copy of this latest installment of a favorite series.

The Instruments of Darkness by John Connolly (Atria/Emily Bestler Books, May 2024); 508 pp.

IT HAD TO BE YOU

4 stars out of 5

All the books in this series have been entertaining, and this one - the eighth - is no exception. Laurie Moran, producer of the "Under Suspicion" true crime TV show, is trying to work her magic despite ongoing squabbles with boss Brett Young and the show host, attorney Ryan Nichols. 

Laurie gets an opportunity to revisit the unsolved case of a wealthy couple who, while celebrating the college graduation of twin sons Ethan and Simon, were brutally murdered in their home a decade ago. Thanks in part to an eyewitness, the police - and just about everyone else - are convinced that one of the twins did the dirty deed, but there's insufficient evidence to bring charges (and besides, the twins are identical, so who's to say which one it was)? The twins themselves, once very close, have become estranged - mostly because each thinks the other one is guilty.

An intriguing case for sure; but convincing everyone involved back then to revisit unhappy memories isn't an easy task. But it's one Laurie has taken on many times in the past, and she manages to corral most of the still-living people to be interviewed for the show in the hopes that new evidence will turn up to make the cold case (and her TV show) hot.

As the investigation continues, with help from Laurie's former-cop father Leo Farley, secrets from the past are revealed - some dead ends, others not. The end is a bit of a mess, actually - and a little hard for me to swallow. The characters, though, seemed to have little problem with the outcome, so I guess that's what counts most. Laurie's family gets a boost or two as well, but that's a secret other readers will have to learn for themselves. So until next time, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one. 

It Had to Be You by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke (Simon & Schuster, April 2024); 268 pp.

THE SECRET LIVES OF BOOKSELLERS AND LIBRARIANS

4 stars out of 5

It's safe to say that I'm a voracious reader; every year for the past half-dozen or so, I've read more than 100 (mostly mysteries and thrillers, if anyone cares to know). During the years our children were, well, children, and I had little free time to read for my own pleasure, I read to them - until they learned to read and took matters into their own hands. The point is, I've more than paid my dues at libraries and bookstores, and I have nothing but respect and admiration (and a little bit of envy) for those who own, manage or work in them. This book, then, was fun to read - listening in, as it were, to insights and inspiration from those who are being there, doing that and telling us why they think what they do is important - which, in fact, it is. 

Several spoke of the special satisfaction that comes from interacting with children (an issue near and dear to my own heart). As Mary Terry of a Barnes & Noble in Beaumont, Texas, noted, "A kid who reads is a kid who thinks."

At the Cleveland Public Library, Erica Marks says she's always on the lookout for books written by and speakers who are people of color - to better serve her community. Meg Wasmer, owner of Copper Dog Books in Beverly, Massachusetts, sees herself as a "detective" as much as a bookseller; she once located a book primarily based on the customer's report that the book she wanted had a blue cover. I can relate; I've lost count of the times over the years that I've advised people who need questions answered to check with the reference librarian at their local library (hint: they're s-m-a-r-t, and they know things).

More than one respondent spoke of another issue that has reared its ugly head again of late - attempts to ban books. The book professionals maintain, and I couldn't agree more, that parents can choose what their own children read; but they absolutely, positively do not have the right to choose the books anyone else's kids do.

The bottom line? If nothing else, this relatively short book is a nice tribute to some hard-working, dedicated and often under-appreciated professionals - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann (Little, Brown and Co., April 2024); 333 pp.

EXTINCTION

5 stars out of 5

Well, it's hard to get more timely than genetic manipulation - and when it's rooted in fact and jazzed up with murder and mayhem, it makes for a hard-to-put-down story (even if parts are a little implausible). Chalk up another one I stayed up past my bedtime to finish.

The story begins at the Erebus Resort, an exclusive and uber-expensive safari-like place at which guests can see animals that became extinct eons ago (think: woolly mammoths). That came about as a result of the aforementioned genetic manipulation, done at an onsite laboratory, coupled with backing from the billionaire owner. But all things that must pass aren't good; the son of another billionaire and his bride who are honeymooning at the lodge suddenly disappear with no trace except an overabundance of blood left outside their tent.

Enter Colorado Bureau of Investigation Agent Frankie Cash, who is called in amid what experts called a kidnapping until hard evidence - meaning bones - proves the honeymooners were murdered. Cash pretty much runs the investigative show from that point on, together with personable and very capable Colorado Sheriff James Colcord. Their job is far from easy, though; not only are there other lodge guests to consider, but there's a motion picture being shot on other parts of the Erebus-owned land (if I'm honest, that part of the story seemed a little more like filler-upper than relevant, but it did make for some tense moments). 

Amid the investigation come sightings of unidentified beings that seem to appear from nowhere and disappear to the same place - but whoever or whatever they are, it's clear they're not there to make friends. Finally, it's determined that they may hang out in one of the abandoned gold mines located in the hills of the property. But who are they, and maybe more to the immediate point, who are they really out to destroy and why? Readers learn the grisly details, sometimes in grisly fashion, as the investigation plays out - and they may be more sinister with more far-reaching implications that anyone possibly could have imagined.

After you read the book - and if you enjoy a good thriller, I recommend that you do - be sure to read the author's notes at the end for some interesting and factual background. In some ways, it's even scarier than the book. And in the end, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. Well done!

Extinction by Douglas Preston (Forge Books, April 2024); 384 pp.

PAY DIRT

4 stars out of 5

In the early years of this series - this is the 22nd book therein - I never missed an installment. The author was a favorite, and edgy V.I. Warshawski was a private eye after my own heart. But then life intervened - my kids needed both parents and I'd returned to work and finishing the college education I'd put on the back burner for too long - and we lost touch. Happily, we've reconnected in recent years, this one being the most recent - and it seems both of us have grown, well, older.

But Victoria still has it, although maybe not quite together at this point. main squeeze, archeologist Peter, has dropped off the face of her earth following a particularly traumatic event - maybe never to return. Vic herself was psychologically impacted by said event and is still struggling to get her own head back on straight while dealing with Peter's disappearance from her life. When the roommate of one of Vic's college basketball "stars" goes missing, she agrees (albeit reluctantly) to hang around and track her down. Vic finds her - in what appears to be some kind of party house where drugs are the main attraction - and the girl's mother freaks out and suspects Vic of aiding, abetting and lying. The local police and FBI seem to be of the same opinion - with possible murderer thrown in, and they put up roadblocks to her investigation in the fervent hope that she'll go back where she came from (which, for the record, is Chicago).

Things go from bad to worse when Vic discovers the dead body of another young woman in the same house - but now Vic is determined to see it through. Complicating matters is the potential start-up of a nearby coal-fired power plant at the very historical site of a proposed resort that raises all kinds of questions - most notably, why would a resort need that much power? Even more to the point, why would someone put so much effort into keeping Vic from looking for the answers?

From that point on, it's pretty much nonstop action all the way to the end. If I have a criticism, it's that my aging brain struggled to keep the plethora of characters - some from long-ago days - straight in my head. But the plot won out, "forcing" me to stay up past my bedtime to get 'er done. Now that I did, I must say thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. Well done!

Pay Dirt by Sara Paretsky (William Morrow, April 2024); 391 pp.

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE DEVLINS

4 stars out of 5

Honestly, I really enjoyed this book - even stayed up 45 minutes later than my bedtime to finish it. That said, if I had parents like the couple in this saga, I'd have bailed out of house and home before I was even in kindergarten. Yowsa!

Everyone in the Devlin family is a lawyer - following, of course, in the footsteps of their illustrious father and mother. That is, John and Gabby did; T.J., the youngest, went in an entirely different direction. Plagued by alcoholism that led to a stint in prison, he's always been the black sheep for whom all the others in the family tried to not only compensate for, but cover up. Now, he's out but on parole, staying on the wagon with help from AA meetings. Of course, his parents took him in at their prestigious law firm, where he functions as an unlicensed private investigator and gopher. His drunken actions also cost him his wife and daughter, so as far as the world is concerned, he's walking around with a big "L" on his chest (he even sees himself that way).

But one night, brother John tells T.J. that he "accidentally" murdered an accountant who works for their biggest client - one whose company is in the final stages of acquisition that will make the owner - and the Devlin firm - a boatload of money. John apparently discovered proof of serious embezzlement at the company and confronted the accountant - who then reacted badly.

Against T.J.'s better judgment, he agrees to keep everything secret from the parents, who would be devastated at best to learn that their golden boy was tarnished (and certainly not happy that the murder wouldn't set well with the company that's acquiring their client). But T.J. also pledges, at least to himself, to investigate; when the accountant's body isn't where it's supposed to be, questions arise. Even more questions surface the following day, when the accountant turns up in a different location, shot dead by a bullet - definitely not the rock John claims to have used as a weapon.

As T.J.'s investigation - and that of the police - move forward, it becomes clear that the parents will do anything to keep their law firm's good name intact, including throw T.J. under the bus (he's the black sheep, after all; hopefully, nobody will spot him under there). Meantime, to pay his bills, T.J. helps his sister Gabby as she prepares a precedent-setting lawsuit on behalf of former prisoners on whom life-altering drugs were tested during their incarceration. Pro bono work looks good on a law firm's books, don't you know, and her parents can turn her loose and let their golden son shine in the "real" courtroom.

The rest of the book follows T.J.'s investigation, which quickly begins to turn dangerous, as well as the fallout that threatens the family dynamics. It's nonstop action right up to the end, when all the issues get resolved (and I almost - almost - begin to somewhat sort of warm up to the parents kinda). Very entertaining, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. 

The Truth about the Devlins by Lisa Scottoline (G.P. Putnam's Sons, March 2024); 379 pp.

TOXIC PREY

5 stars out of 5

As I said back in 2022 when Letty Davenport, the adopted daughter of U.S. Marshals Service officer Lucas Davenport and his physician wife, Weather, got a starring role for the first time in The Investigator, I enjoyed the book but kind of hoped it was a one-off. That's because I never really connected with Letty - maybe because I loved her dad (and mom and their friend Virgil Flowers) so much that I saw and resented her as some kind of intruder. Well, after reading the second book, both Letty and I grew up (well, she got older and wiser; as an octogenerian, I was already there physically, at least) and now we're cool.

Anyhow, this story hits a timely - and frightening - topic of biological warfare. Early on, we see Dr. Lionel Scott, a fervent believer in "Gaia" - the theory that all living things on the planet interact with each other to create and maintain a synergetic system. Now, he is certain, the human side of that equation has gone out of control, thus threatening its delicate balance. To that end, he's come up with a deadly solution.

But oops, he's nowhere to be found. Fortunately,
Letty is reachable; she's called in to find him even before anyone realizes the consequences of his disappearance and the potential fallout thereof, so to speak. Since Scott is British, Letty is first sent to London, where she meets hunky (well of course!) M-15 agent Alec Hawkins, who will accompany her to Scott's alma mater, Oxford, to learn more about the guy - plus a few hangers-on who have drunk Scott's version of Kool-GaiAid. And what they learn is terrifying; immediately, Letty calls in the big guns including her father, Lucas. From that high-level meeting of the minds comes a plan to contain a deadly virus before it kills millions of unsuspecting and innocent people - even if it means killing more than a few unsuspecting and innocent people in the process.

The rest of the book, really, is Lettie and all the "good" guys and gals trying to figure out how to outwit the "bad" guys and gals before they set loose a viral killer that could wipe out half of the world's population. Pretty heady stuff that sure grabbed my attention. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Toxic Prey by John Sandford (G.P. Putnam's Sons, April 2024); 400 pp.

THE RULE OF THREES

4 stars out of 5

Given an ending that left me bewildered, a rather unrelatable main character and a plot I'd describe as disjointed, I'm almost surprised that overall I enjoyed reading this so-called novella - the latter a description I also don't understand since it's only a few pages shorter than many of the books I read these days. But aside from all that, while it's far from my favorite book by one of my favorite authors, the "stuff" in between the covers was enticing enough to keep me flipping through the pages almost nonstop. And yep, he's still a favorite author.

Special Agent Constant Marlowe - yes, you read that first name right - comes to Illinois small-town Clark Valley to commandeer an investigation into the brutal murders of a couple of local women. Not surprisingly, I spent a quite a bit of reading time wondering who on earth would give a name like that to a child, but I never found out (apparently, there are a few earlier books that include her in which it may have been explained, but I've not read them). Also not surprisingly, the local tobacco-chewing Sheriff resents her presence - don't they always? There's a contingent of Native Americans living in the area, one of whom, Zo Eventide, works with the sheriff and, partly because she's a female with a fierce sense of justice and fairness, forms an immediate bond with Constant.

Also in the mix is a group of neo-Nazis, who mostly keep to themselves; but at the moment, they're at a standoff with the aforesaid Native Americans over ownership of a plot of land. For whatever reason, Constant finds herself in the middle of that brouhaha as well - as if she doesn't have enough to do trying to track down a killer who leaves precious few clues. At least she can hold her own physically; she's been a professional boxer, and I have to say some of the scenes in which that comes into play are satisfying.

One local family (a husband, wife, daughter and son plus an older son who mysteriously went missing) become the focus because they were in the same area of the park as one of the murders at the same time and thus may have seen things they shouldn't have (even though they say they didn't). The hope is the killer will return to eliminate the potential witnesses and the cops will nab him (or her) before that happens.

There are several surprises along the way, keeping the story moving along - right up to that ending that I still don't "get." But I do know I'll be keeping a constant lookout for the next Constant - I can't say she'd ever be my BFF, but she sure is an interesting character. Many thanks to NetGalley, via the publisher, for the opportunity to get to know her by way of a for-review copy.

The Rule of Threes by Jeffery Deaver (Amazon Original Stories, March 2024); 261 pp.

GRANITE HARBOR

5 stars out of 5

I've not read other books by this author, but if this one's any example, I'd enjoy them thoroughly. Despite my intense dislike of reading when I go to bed at night, I was so engrossed and close to the exciting end that I just couldn't wait till morning to finish it.

The coastal Maine small town of Granite Harbor isn't large, but one of its attractions is The Settlement, an archaeological historic site that employs docent-reenactors to guide visitors. But one not-so-fine day, they get an unexpected, and certainly unwelcome, visitor: a dead body hanging in one of the structures - clearly a murder - complete with a clue that suggests this death may not be a one-off. To the scene comes relatively newbie Detective Alex Brangwen, a British transplant and sometime novelist whose writing hasn't been sufficient to pay the bills.

Alex has troubles of his own, including dealing with a rebellious teenage daughter, Sophie, who mostly lives with his ex-wife Morgana. Sophie is friends with Ethan, the son of Isabel Dorr, one of the Settlement reenactors, and two other local teens, Jared and Shane. Understandably, everyone is particularly devastated when the murder victim turns out to be one of the teens. Needless to say, the parents of the other teens - including Alex and Morgana - are on pins and needles wondering which child might be next.

And then their worst fears become real.

Chapters follow the progress of the investigation, with flashbacks to show prior events leading up to the murders (but leaving readers, of course, clueless as to who did the dirty deeds until the very end). All told, it's an exciting adventure complete with some rather gory details and hints of the occult - certainly well worth reading. Many thanks to the publisher, via a Bookish First raffle win, for a free copy of this book to read and review.

Granite Harbor by Peter Nichols (Celedon Books, April 2024); 320 pp.

A CALAMITY OF SOULS

5 stars out of 5

More than anything else, this story - which the author says he started to write more than a decade ago - provides an unsettling look at a part of our history that these days, IMHO, many folks seem to want to shove under the rug where, also IMHO, it doesn't belong. And yes, it tends to get a bit "preachy" in spots, but if the message brings edification to just a few readers, that's fine by me. Set in 1968 in Virginia, where some residents are trying to live with new laws that protect the rights of some others (some accepting, others not so much), it centers on Jack Lee, a white lawyer who finds himself representing a Black man charged with the gruesome murder of a wealthy, elderly husband and wife. The second the man was found near the dead bodies, he was presumed guilty by virtually all the powers-that-be; so without hard evidence to the contrary, the man is destined for a lifetime behind bars at best.

And while Jack is a talented, experienced attorney, he's never dealt with a capital case - much less the blowback from those who believe his client has no real standing as a human being and therefore doesn't deserve someone to defend him (certainly not a white man). The situation gets what could be a bit of a break with the appearance of Desiree DuBose, a seasoned Black lawyer from Chicago who's made a name for herself with exactly this type of case. She and Jack form a somewhat uneasy alliance, both knowing that without the other, the defendant cannot possibly get a fair trial.

Quickly, though, they realize that outside of a couple of personal friends, the two of them are the only ones inside the courtroom who give a rip about fairness. To everyone else, their client is Black, guilty as charged and deserves to die - the sooner the better. As do, apparently, those who dare to try to prevent that from happening.

Of course, the backstories of the client, Jerome Washington, Jack and his family and Desiree add enlightenment to this complex story - as do the efforts of the aforesaid powers-that-be to "convince" Jack and Desiree to back off and allow the natural order of things to remain the status quo (this is the deep South, after all). More than that I can't say without giving too much away except that it's an exceptionally well-written book that's worth reading. Especially now.

A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci (Grand Central Publishing, April, 2024); 496 pp.

STILL SEE YOU EVERYWHERE

5 stars out of 5

After I finished wonderful book, I learned that the author took a year off starting in 2021 to travel. She says she resisted any calls for writing - producing no book last year - but got many ideas for books to come. If this one is an example of what she churns out after a respite, I encourage her to get outta Dodge whenever the urge strikes.

Actually, this is the third in a series; I haven't read the others, but I had no trouble following this one and insofar as possible warming up to a the rather standoffish Frankie, who's a recovering alcoholic and ace finder of missing people. When Kaylee Pierson's attorney asks Frankie to meet with Kaylee - dubbed the Beautiful Butcher because she violently murdered 18 men - just 21 days before she's to be executed for her crimes, Frankie is skeptical. But Kaylee's pleas for Frankie to find her long-lost younger sister Leilani and the billionaire who "kidnapped" her touched a nerve, and Frankie agrees to give it a try (albeit reluctantly).

The trail leads to a remote atoll in the Hawaiian Islands owned by said billionaire, where she'll join a team of workers who are trying to make the island habitable while not disrupting the abundant flora and fauna including large killer crabs and (gulp!) arachnids with bodies bigger than a Sumo wrestler's fist. Those tasks are difficult enough, but it soon becomes clear that something else is afoot, making it hard for Frankie (and readers) to know who to trust. Communication with the outside world is quite limited in this remote place to begin with, and a violent storm that starts rolling in not long after the billionaire and his young lady friend arrive threatens to reduce it to zero and wreak havoc on everything and everyone in its path. But alas, the storm isn't the only danger threatening human life - and Frankie, assuming her decision of who to trust is spot on,  may be the only hope for survival.

All told, it's an exciting adventure with more than a few surprises along the way. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Still See You Everywhere by Lisa Gardner (Grand Central Publishing, March 2024); 409 pp.

BABY X

5 stars out of 5

What a treat to read! If they're done well - and this one certainly is - nothing is more entertaining to me than a tale set in the future with the requisite bells-and-whistles (and only dreamed about in my life) technology. Add in a plot stolen from the headlines - IVF facilities and the uses/misuses thereof - and I'm hooked. Suffice it to say I stayed that way from page one to the end.

An act passed by the government in the late 2030s green-lighted the right to reproductive autonomy; now, a would-be parent or parents could choose a child by desired genetic characteristics, and in vitro storage and implant labs are in high demand. They also bring the potential for crime, such as stealing DNA from selected individuals. That's a big concern for superstar singer Trace Thorne, who seems to be the target of one of the black market mills called the Vault. In fact, he's had to ante up ransom money to get his removed, and he's had it; to prevent it from happening again, he hires Ember Ryan, a self-styled bio-security guard. She seems to be doing a great job - that is, until a very pregnant woman and surrogate mother named Quinn Corrigan shows up to claim he's the father. Oops!

The story shifts from the perspectives of Quinn, Ember and a young journalist named Lily; the latter is a bit different from her peers in that she's not one of the in-vogue "selected" babies; her parents had her the old-fashioned way. Now, she's trying to make a byline for herself by writing a story detailing some of the evils of the IVF process by using her own parents as examples. Problem is, they aren't cooperating, leaving Lily to wonder why - and her career hanging in the balance.

It's hard to say much more without spilling too many beans, but needless to say, the action - and twists - just keep coming until a real surprise at the end. Definitely a winner in my book, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to get in on the action by way of a pre-release copy. Outstanding! 

Baby X by Kira Peikoff (Crooked Lane Books, March 2024); 324 pp.

MURDER ROAD

4 stars out of 5

I'm a big fan of this author, and once again, she didn't disappoint. This story is a little bit ghostly, a little bit thriller and a whole lot entertaining.

Mind you, I've got to be honest; the ghostly part was a tough sell. It's not that I don't believe in "connections" with those who've gone before us; it's that this story relied a little too much on seeing things that couldn't possibly (in my mind) have been there. Still, it was impossible not to get caught up in the goings-on - especially when there are more than a few twists to keep things interesting.

Newlyweds Eddie and April Carter are off on their honeymoon (well, she hasn't had time to officially change her name to his, but she's planning to do that when they get back home to Ann Arbor, Michigan). Eddie once served in Iraq, and he still suffers from PTSD of sorts. While driving to their rental cabin upstate, he apparently misses a turn and ends up on remote Atticus Line Road. As they drive along, they spot an odd light; soon afterward, they see a body at the side of the road. It turns out to be girl who says her name is Rhonda Jean and that "He's coming!" Oh, and one other little thing: she's covered in blood. They manage to get her to a hospital, though not before a truck nearly runs them down.

But their good Samaritan efforts go for naught when the victim dies and the local police consider them the top suspects - not only for the murder of the young woman who died, but of several other hitchhiking victims who have met with foul play along this desolate road. But as they're finally in the clear - sort of - they're accosted by another victim; this one convinces them to hang around and try to find the real killer (or killers). As the story progresses, readers learn that both Eddie and April are victims of their own pasts - pasts that hold secrets they haven't shared with anyone including each other and that might hold answers to some of the mysteries they're encountering.

As I said at the beginning, it's an entertaining adventure from start to finish, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

Murder Road by Simone St. James (Berkley, March 2024); 350 pp.

The #1 LAWYER

5 stars out of 5

Payback can be a you-know-what. Nobody knows that better than hotshot Mississippi defense attorney Stafford Lee Penney, when he finds himself on the receiving end after his latest courtroom win that means a suspected murderer walks out a free man. Shortly thereafter, he becomes the primary suspect in the murder of his estranged wife Carrie Ann and the man found beside her in her bed, and he has a new client to save - himself. But if he didn't do it, who did? 

Finding out is a monumental undertaking that's fraught with danger, but Stafford Lee has a great team to help him including his lawyer friend Mason Burnett and investigator Jenny Glaser. But first, he's got to get his own act together; devastated by Carrie Ann's death, his work ethic and personal life take a nosedive all the way to the beach, where he's forced to take a job as a lifeguard just to make ends meet. Along that path, he finds a law student named Rue, who's the sister of one of his former clients; she interns at his office and crashes at his place at night.

As the investigation progresses, several anomalies turn up as part of the police investigation of Carrie Ann's murder. Stafford Lee and his cohorts are threatened (and worse), and then another person related to Stafford Lee's original case turns up dead. Forget Carrie Ann, the police say, claiming they have an abundance of evidence to prove Stafford Lee is the culprit in the more recent murder. He's arrested, charged and hauled into court for what will be the trial of his life.

Despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Stafford Lee, of course, doesn't buy his own guilt - nor do his office colleagues. So the race is on to at the very least find evidence that will give the jury reasonable doubt. Doing that means pretty much nonstop action, with at least one gobsmacking surprise along the way. Definitely a fun read, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

The #1 Lawyer by James Patterson and Nancy Allen (Little, Brown and Co., March 2024); 432 pp.

GHOST ISLAND

4 stars out of 5

The latest in the adventures of homicide detective Nessica Niemi - the fourth in the series - puts her sanity to a bit of a test. She's on leave after a devastating encounter that made headlines and her boss eager to be rid of her for a while. As luck would have it, her getaway of choice is a remote island that once housed an orphanage - and for a time, young refugees from Finland who were forced to leave their homes and families during World War II. As Jessica stays at an inn near the shore owned by the elderly Astrid and her son, Ake, some elderly guests show up; she's told they are the only ones remaining of those Finnish children - known as the "birds of spring" - who have gathered annually. At their advanced age and failing health, this may well be their last meeting.

Gradually, as Jessica's natural curiosity and sometimes schitzophrenic mind (she's long been prone to "visions") conjure up strange happenings, she learns about the local legend of Maija - one of the orphans who went to the dock and watched the water every night, wearing a blue coat. That is, until she didn't; one night, she never returned to the orphanage. But out of home doesn't mean out of sight; for years, people on the island have "seen" her at the dock.

But then, one of the "birds" is found dead - in a manner similar to other deaths in years past. Something is amiss - Jessica is sure of it - but she has no legal right to investigate, and there's another police officer who isn't exactly welcoming her help. Asking for assistance from her own department isn't really an option, either - and even if she could, cell phone service is spotty at best on the island.

Chapters shift from present to the time the children were at the orphanage, and that can be a little hard to keep straight. I'd also say I'm glad that I'm familiar with the other books in the series, because without that background, this one might be a little hard to follow. It all works out in the end, but not without at least one zinger of a surprise that pops up around the midpoint. All in all, it's a fact-paced, entertaining adventure - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

Ghost Island by Max Seeck (Berkley, February 2024); 380 pp.

KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE

3.5 stars out of 5

Of a similarly themed book, I once wrote that it would be hard to find more dysfunctional, unlikable characters. Well, apparently it's not that hard. 

Put another way, it took about a third of the way through the book for me to decide that it didn't matter whether any of these folks were friends or foes - I didn't want them anywhere around me, let alone held close. But that said, it was kind of fun to watch as Mary Haywood, a journalist-turned mom who's in the middle of a divorce from her needy, greedy, domineering husband George, tries to make a life in Brooklyn away from him with their young son, Alex. George, of course, isn't making things easy - and with a mother and sister too far away to help, Mary sure could use a friend. She finds one at a local park in Willa, an unmarried stepmom to a boy near Alex's age - and the connection was so immediate and strong that for way more than a New York minute I suspected they'd end up as a romantic couple.

But no; in fact, not long after they meet and seriously bond - and Mary reveals some dark thoughts about her hopefully soon-to-be ex - Willa disappears from the face of the earth; no return phone calls or texts and no park visits. Some friend, huh? But wait, there's more; not long after Mary relocates to a small town she hopes to call her new home, who to her wandering eyes should appear? You guessed it - Willa. Only now there's a complication; when Mary confronts her with the intent of learning why she was ghosted, Willa claims she's not Willa, but Annie - and she's never laid eyes on Mary before.

Mary's head was full of confusion and doubt before the encounter, but readers ain't seen nuthin' yet. Now, she's questioning her own sanity and why such a once-close friend would fail to respond. It gets worse; her husband George, who tracks her down with the intent of convincing her to return to him despite all the abuse he heaped upon her, shows up. And wonder of wonders, he's close to succeeding as Mary starts brain-waffling yet again (still). That is, until there's no more need; suddenly, George turns up dead. And now, Mary has a whole host of other issues to waffle over - like will his parents try to gain custody over their beloved grandson, or will George's nasty brother Henry try for retribution, or is Willa avoiding her because she's a murderer, or will the police, who she thinks think she's the killer, arrest her?

By now, my own head is starting to spin, so you can imagine that Mary's is whirling like a school playground merry-go-round at recess. The real happenings are eked out to readers as chapters shift perspectives and time frames from Willa to Mary - complete with little "surprises" that lead up to the big reveal (and a little bit beyond, which those who finish the book will understand). Overall, I'd call it a fun romp rather than a nail-biting journey with things working out in the end. For that, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Keep Your Friends Close by Leah Konen (G.P. Putnam's Sons, February 2024); 380 pp.

THREE-INCH TEETH

5 stars out of 5

For sure, this is one of the most violent and dark of the books in this series that I've read - this is the 24th, and I'm pretty sure I haven't missed any of them. But it all comes together to make this one hard to put down as well as introduces possibilities for new and exciting directions to come.

Early on, trouble shows its ugly face in the form of a gigantic grizzly bear - an animal not common to the Wyoming territory served by game warden Joe Pickett. The bear has its deadly way with the son of a local landowner, instilling fear in the community and sparking efforts to find the critter before it finds another victim. Concurrently, readers learn that Joe's old nemesis, former champion rodeo rider Dallas Cates, has been released from prison. Apparently, he's gathered some followers who share his mindset and formulated a plan to get even with all the folks who've wronged him over the years, with Joe and his good friend Nate Romanowski at the top of the list. Nate is, shall we say, a rugged individualist and falconer who now owns a professional bird abatement company that employs Joe's daughter Sheridan, a master falconer in her own right.

The motive of Dallas's gang may be clear, but their method is nothing short of unorthodox - not to mention confusing, given the flurry of grizzly bear activity of late. Meantime, Nate sends Sheridan to handle a big bird problem at a client's farm, where she gets an unexpected revelation that will give Joe and his wife, local library director Marybeth, reason for even more concern.

Chapters flip back and forth among the various scenarios - Joe and his crew trying to find the errant grizzly before it strikes again, Dallas and his buddies working their way down his list of victims and Sheridan's experiences on the bird rout. It's all fast-paced, right up to the end - when it gets downright frantic (not to mention sad). In fact, it was so abrupt that it felt sort of like somebody smacked me in the brain and ran away before I could catch my breath and ask the questions that immediately came to mind.

Oh well, as I said before, I expect to get some answers with the next book - which hopefully will come sooner rather than later. Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity once again to read and review a pre-release copy of this one. 

Three-Inch Teeth by C.J. Box (G.P. Putnam's Sons, February 2024); 384 pp.

THE ATLAS MANEUVER

4 stars out of 5

Ah, what a tangled web! In this case, tangling the old with the new: old gold, new Bitcoin. Two cases, two sets of investigators and several possible outcomes - almost all not for the good of the country or retired Justice Department operative Cotton Malone and his small cadre of close friends and colleagues. I feel compelled to say that while both scenarios are extremely intriguing and entertaining - and I've been chomping at the bit for a long time to understand why everyone is so hot to trot (or not!) over Bitcoin - much of the very detailed explanations were way above my intellectual pay grade (that said, I know quite a bit more now than I did when I started the book).

But even if I couldn't quite grasp the complexities of something I can't see, touch or feel (a condition, I believe, called acatalepsy), there's plenty here that kept me fingering through my e-reader pages of this, the 18th book in one of my favorite series. And the ending - for which I'll provide no clues whatsoever - leaves a door wide open for the next installment. Mind you, I'm not totally sure how I feel about the specifics (regular readers of the books, I think, will understand what I mean when they finish this one).

The first (old) situation involves Yamashita's Gold, a stash reportedly worth billions of dollars that was hidden underground in the Philippines near the end of World War II. Some was recovered secretely by the U.S. government and has remained a secret known to only a few ever since; whether there is more - and where it is hidden - is a matter of conjecture. On the newer side, high-level employees at a Swiss bank have gained control of the aforementioned Bitcoin - also secretely - and are planning to wreak havoc on the world economy. Complicating the situation is that a woman who once was, shall we say, close to Cotton is a high-stakes player.

Working on the gold side is Cotton's old friend Derrick Koger, a European CIA operative who's tuned into the reports of buried treasure. He ends up working alongside Cassiopeia Witt, who now is, shall we say, close to Cotton. That in and of itself makes for an interesting situation, to say the least; but it is the action-packed goings-on (and danger) of the two scenarios - and how they end up coming together - that made me not want to put this one down. It's another exciting adventure, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

The Atlas Maneuver by Steve Berry (Grand Central Publishing, February 2024); 400 pp.

THE DIABOLICAL

4 stars out of 5

Bruno Johnson is one of those guys you almost hate to love; a former LAPD officer who got in serious trouble (and spent time in jail as a result) who's now happily married to Marie but living with her and their 14 kids - mostly rescues - in exile in Costa Rica. He's also prone to reverting to his former self, even after he's promised his cherished wife that he's done with that phase of his life.

This installment of the series - the 11th - begins after a deadly shoot-em-up in a local nightclub that included a dear friend of Bruno and Marie, the police chief - who is aware of Bruno's real identity despite his "cover" as a bartender at a local tourist hotel - asks for help in solving the murders. When the chief goes so far as to threaten him with turning him over to U.S. authorities, Bruno feels he has no choice but to try despite his dislike of the chief.

Bruno's good friend Karl Drago, who recently married the dead friend's daughter, has taken his bride on a honeymoon, leaving Bruno in charge of his loyal Rottweiler, Waldo - and, as readers become acutely aware of as the story progresses, Waldo is not a Bruno fan. Neither, apparently, are some very bad guys who seem to be out to get him, nor is his boss, the hard-nosed Darla, who rules the hotel with an iron fist (any just about anything else she can get her hands on). One who's sold on Bruno, though, is a rotund guy named Otis Brasher who sits at the bar all day drinking grasshoppers and insists on hiring Bruno as a bodyguard (it seems some very bad guys are out to get him as well).

Confused? Well, so is Bruno - especially when more dead bodies pile up and it starts to look as if Otis's predicament and that bar shoot-out may be connected. It's also starting to look as though Bruno may have to relocate his entire brood elsewhere lest he be found and returned to the United States, where he's wanted on charges of kidnapping and murder (how that hasn't happened long before this, especially since just about everyone in Costa Rica seems to know who Bruno really is, remains a mystery to me, but hey, it's all in good fun). All told, it's another fun romp - and of course, you'll have to read it for yourself to get down to the nitty gritty. Great series, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review another pre-release copy. 

The Diabolical by David Putnam (Oceanview Publishing, February 2024); 345 pp.

LONE WOLF

4.5 stars out of 5

The only disappointment I have with this series is that I didn't get started earlier; my first encounter was the sixth installment (this is the ninth), and I haven't missed one yet. I must say it's probably my least favorite of the four I've now read, but that's not to say I didn't enjoy the heck out of it.

But I do love Evan Smoak, otherwise known as Orphan X and the "Nowhere Man." The former government assassin escaped that program and now operates from a high-tech, high-security penthouse, helping people who have nowhere else to turn. He didn't escape the assassin part, though - when necessary, he doesn't hesitate to take care of business on a permanent basis. But this time, he sort of fell into a case reluctantly, after getting a phone call from his half-brother Andre's young daughter Sophia, who begs him to find her missing dog Loco, Evan ends up in the home of a professor who's been murdered. The man's daughter, a singer, has been shot as well - and in danger of not making it. Evan chases, and loses, the killer - another professional assassin - a woman - known as the Wolf. Clearly, he needs to put her out of business, so early on, the chase is on.

Trying to find her embroils him in other murders and a high-stakes battle between a couple of powerful billionnaires over a product that threatens the future of the world. For help, Evan calls in his super-competent team that includes his young friend Joey, the tech wizard who's growing up fast and starting to explore a "normal" life. All the while, Evan has to keep looking over his shoulder to make sure the Wolf hasn't set her gun sights on it.

It's a complicated investigation that puts Evan's considerable skills to the test way more than once and forces him to deal with emotions he never knew he had (and isn't sure he wants). The chase to the finish reveals an ending twist that really rocks his world - and provides, I'm guessing, fodder for the next installment (to which, of course, I'm looking forward). Meantime, I once again thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this one.

Lone Wolf by Gregg Hurwitz (Minotaur Books, February 2024); 400 pp.

LETHAL VENGEANCE

5 stars out of 5

Another year (well, give or take a few months), another installment of a favorite series. And as always, it doesn't disappoint. This time out, Detective Chief Inspector Erika Foster is out and about with her main squeeze, Igor, for a rare posh dinner. Worried about why he set up such a special occasion, she takes a time out at the loo and returns by way of a wrong door that puts her up close and personal with a dead body that's been left in a, shall we say, compromising position. Of course, Erika's not one to tiptoe away from a scene like that - but maybe she should have. Turns out the dead dude is a Conservative member of Parliament. Quicker than you can say trussed up, another top cop moves in, claiming the case for himself.

And it's downhill from there. Despite Erika's keen interest in pursuing what clearly was a murder, she's shut out at just about every level; clearly, someone high in the pecking order wants this case squelched. Facing obstacles at every turn, what's a DCI to do? She backs off - mostly - but her interest reignites with the discovery of another well-known body - and then another - both done in with the exact same M.O. Now, it's harder for the powers-that-be to shove things under the rug, although Erika must remain vigilant since she suspects her department has been infiltrated by a puppet whose strings are controlled by the aforementioned powers.

Besides some important clues found (left) at each crime scene, the best the investigation can turn up is a group of five females, dressed identically in all black, who appear to have been present at or around the time of the murders. But who they are, where they are now and whether they have any real connection to the deaths remains a mystery. With the higher-ups still insisting that Erika and her team back off, finding answers becomes a real challenge. And in between all this, Erika must deal with a boyfriend who isn't terribly happy with taking a back seat to the investigation for a variety of reasons.

It's a scramble to the finish, which leaves an intriguing cliffhanger that likely will carry over to the next one up (at least I hope so). I'll be waiting - and meantime I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one. Well done!

Lethal Vengeance by Robert Bryndza (Raven Street Publishing, February 2024); 407 pp.

FIRETRAP

5 stars out of 5

For my reading pleasure, nothing makes me happier than a good old shoot- 'em-up police story with no annoying flashbacks in time or character perspective - just a straightforward investigation with plenty of action. And when the main character is as, well, unorthodox as Washington, D.C.-based Marko Zorn, it's a special treat. I've read the first two in the series, and my reaction to both was exactly the same (this one, the third, can be read as a standalone, though).

This one begins as Marko, who's almost always at odds with his department superiors, visits a grisly scene at which a human has been incinerated along with the car in which he (or she) was sitting. As what's left of the body is extricated from the ashes, Marko is called elsewhere: Sister Grace, elderly leader of a sort of Washington crime underworld, wants to see him immediately. It's not a request, but a command; and when he's escorted in to see her, she issues another one: Marko is to rid the city of a rival criminal element that is bringing in a deadly drug known as Speedball - thereby encroaching on Sister Grace's territory and giving her neighborhood a bad name.

When it turns out that the body in the car belongs to a biochemist who owned a prominent drug company, some of the puzzle pieces begin to fall into place; this leads to discovery of an off-label and extremely dangerous drug produced by a company owned by two elderly - and elusive - twin brothers. Marko's drive to find the twins for a "come to Jesus" meeting is fraught with danger, especially after he discovers their possible connection to the theft of a priceless work of art.

Yes, it's a rather complicated story, but one that's quite easy to follow and hard to put down. Will Marko once again emerge triumphant, or will he finally push the patience of the powers-that-be over the line with his unorthodox methods? Well, you'll just have to read the book to find out as I did. Now I'm looking forward to the next installment, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one. Well done once again!

Firetrap by Otho Eskin (Oceanview Publishing, January 2024); 276 pp.

TWENTY-SEVEN MINUTES

3.5 stars out of 5

Honestly, I don't think I've ever found so many unsavory characters in one book - much less in the same small town. They come in both sexes as well as different ages, sizes and backgrounds, but they share one thing in common: not a single one is a person I'd ever want to hang out with (even the official description calls the town "claustrophobic"). That they all have hung around this long is a mystery in and of itself. Add that to the constant chapter shuffles between time periods and character perspectives - many of which seemed more repetitive than revealing - and a rather abrupt ending, and the result was less than totally satisfying.

That said, what was happening was well-written enough to keep me flipping the pages of my e-reader and even taking it to bed to finish (an important point since that rarely happens). It begins interestingly enough; ten years earlier, a beautiful, talented and seemingly "perfect" young woman named Phoebe Dean met her death when the truck her older brother Grant was driving smashed into the guardrail of a dangerous bridge in the town. Now, 10 years down the road (so to speak), Phoebe's mother is holding a memorial ceremony for her daughter, and the townspeople soon will vote on whether or not to remove the bridge (why they waited so long to do that is beyond me, but hey).

At issue over the decade, too, is why Grant, who was seriously injured in the crash, waited so long to seek help; the 27-minute gap between the crash and his call meant the difference between life and death for Phoebe - for which many folks in the community still blame him. Another truck passenger, Grant's friend Becca Hoyt, was injured as well; but while she claims to have no memories of the accident beyond the initial crash, she knows Grant has a secret - one that she's been keeping all this time. The events of 10 years ago impacted other families as well, including that of June Delroy; her brother Wyatt, a friend of Grant's, left home the night of the crash and never returned. At the epicenter is a decade-old wild party and the unhealthy liaisons that were present even then that resurface as everyone comes together for Phoebe's memorial service.

All told, it's an intriguing read with a number of twists. I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate (Poisoned Pen Press, January 2024); 377 pp.

THE GHOST ORCHID

4 stars out of 5

Sometimes, even psychologists get the blues. This, the 39th book in the series, opens with Dr. Alex Delaware not quite sure how to deal with his longtime friend, Los Angeles Police Detective Milo Sturgis. As they worked together on a previous case, Alex was seriously injured, and Milo feels responsible and has been keeping his distance by not calling Alex in to help with investigations as he usually does. That changes a little bit, though, when he does need help at a crime scene in Bel Air; two victims, a man and a woman, have been shot through the heart, and Milo doesn't yet know who to blame.

The man, part of a family that owns a ritzy Italian shoe company, lives here, and the woman - who's married to someone else - lives in an even more oppulent home just down the street. With the bodies found outside and no signs of anything missing from the house, both Milo and Alex suspect that their presumably illicit affair could be a motive. But the husband, a successful businessman who's on the road far more often than at home, insists he knew nothing about the affair.

Little by little, clues pile up that suggest the dead woman might not be who she's been claiming to be - thus raising the possibility of an entirely different motive and an expanded search for the killer. Ferreting out her background, though, is no easy task - and Milo brings in other trusted department colleagues who are familiar to fans of the series to help. In the midst of the investigation, another body turns up - further complicating matters. A major turning point comes when Alex's longtime main squeeze, guitar restorer Robin, identifies an important clue (one that relates to the book title). To that end, I must say it was a treat to see Robin play a bit greater role than usual in this installment - as well as a little less of the descriptions of every street that Milo and Alex drive down (don't get me wrong - I enjoy that part, but sometimes it gets to be a bit much).

Of course, everything works out in the end, as does a potentially nasty situation with one of Alex's private patients that's a secondary thread throughout the latter part of the book. And oh yes, for those who haven't read other books in the series, don't sweat it; this one stands on its own. As for me, I'll just thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me once again to read and review a pre-release copy. Now bring on the next one!

The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman (Ballantine Books, February 2024); 304 pp.

FACE HER FEAR

4 stars out of 5

This book - the 19th in the series - is a bit of a departure from the usual case-solving procedural featuring Denton Police Department Detective Josie Quinn. Here, she's more than a little bit out of her usual element, taking part in a trauma recovery program at an isolated Pennsylvania retreat after losing a dear friend and colleague and having a meltdown of sorts that involves her husband Noah.

There are six participants in all - five women and one man - led by a Zen-like therapist named Sandrine, who organized the retreat and loves helping everyone get in touch with their feelings. Everyone there is a victim of some kind of trauma, which they're invited to share either in group sessions or with Sandrine privately. To spook things up a bit, no cell phones, laptops or other communication devices are allowed, nor is Josie allowed to bring a weapon - she's not there as an officer of the law, and besides, she's no longer within her jurisdiction. Amid all that, a huge snowstorm appears out of nowhere (with all of today's technology, I must say I found it implausible that any meterorologist worth his or her salt could possibly have missed a storm of that magnitude, but hey).

In really short order, everyone becomes snowbound and virtually unreachable on a mountaintop with enough food, burnable wood and generator-produced electricity to last the week - if they're prudent. By now, you know what's coming next: one of the participants, a woman named Meg, is found dead in the woods; and although Josie knows Meg was murdered, she has no authority to investigate - and worse, no way of contacting anyone in the outside world.

From that point on, Josie tries to put her crime-solving skills to work while knowing there's little she can do even if she does identify the killer - one who almost certainly is among them. Problem is - at least for me - she just can't seem to get her own act together; much of her time is spent amid self-doubt and unfounded speculation. While I understand her personal conflicts and the reasons she's at the retreat in the first place (well, except for her knee-jerk interaction with Noah, which I honestly couldn't relate to at all), that constant second-guessing didn't grab me much. Happily, enough facts and hard evidence were interspersed to keep things interesting and hold my attention throughout (to that end, another of the retreat participants turning up missing and Josie's revelation that cameras have been hidden throughout the buildings certainly helped).

By the finish line, everything gets resolved, and although it's no secret to series followers that Josie will live to see another installment, exactly how it all comes together is for me to know and other readers to find out (yes, there are a few surprises). All in all, an entertaining read once again - for which I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the pre-release copy.

Face Her Fear by Lisa Regan (Bookouture, January 2024); 385 pp.