THE LIST

5 stars out of 5

Well, one of my favorite authors has come through again - most likely, at around 14 years, setting a record for the longest time a book sat in a drawer before being updated and actually seeing the light of print. It just goes to show, I guess, that excellent writing is timeless.

The story itself could have been taken straight from a John Grisham playbook; the relatively young lawyer at the heart of the story in many ways seemed interchangeable with Mitch McDeere, who kicked off Grisham's popular "The Firm" series that debuted in 2010. But the hero here, Brent Walker, is definitely his own man (even if he's not quite sure who that really is). He's just left his 10-year job in Atlanta to return home to central Georgia small-town Concord to take the job of assistant general counsel at Southern Republic Pulp and Paper Co., which accounts for the lion's share of the local employment base. Originally, he left right after his soon-to-be ex-wife died, almost smothered in guilt that somehow he was responsible.

But after his father's unexpected death - he was retired from his long-time job at the paper mill - Brent's mother's health is failing and she needs his help. So, he packed up his things and returned to the family home and a new job that puts him right at the start of negotiations for labor contracts with all three of the company's unions. The lead negotiator, Hank Reed, is an old friend; but can they maintain that close relationship when they're now on opposite sides of the bargaining table?

As it turns out, that's not their biggest concern. It seems that the three company owners, over a period of years, engineered and put into practice a deadly plan to keep the self-insured company financially afloat (unbeknownst to either Hank or Brent, of course). But one of those owners - in fact, the one who originally devised the plan - is in the midst of his own health crisis. And not only does he want to unburden his soul before he exits this world, he wants to take down his partners in the process.

For their part, Hank and Brent are free to deal with their changing relationship and Brent's rekindled one with Ashley, who happens to be Hank's daughter. But that all changes when that third partner seeks private help from Brent and Hank's illicit sleuthing in company computers turns up a list of numbers neither of them understand (and certainly were never expected to have in their possession). That, in turn, puts Brent, Hank and their families in the sights of some very powerful and dangerous people who wll do anything to keep their good thing going.

It's a wild ride right up to the end, and while I can't provide details, I can say I'm very happy that the author decided to save the story from the circular file. It's definitely a winner in my book, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in on the action by way of a pre-release copy.

The List by Steve Berry (Grand Central Publishing, July 2025); 384 pp.

PARTY OF LIARS

4 stars out of 5

Make no mistake: Throughout the entirety of this book, I really did hang on every word - even staying up extra late to make it to what was an exciting twist of events. That said, by somewhere around the 70% mark, I was so tired of the back-and-forth chapters that offered perspectives of the main characters that I violated my normal bedtime to read so it would be over almost more than because I wanted to learn the "truth." That writing technique is popular and certainly can be effective, but for me, at least, it also gets very old very fast.

The gist of the whole thing is this: Ethan and his third wife, Dani, are living in an expensive, eye-popping historic home, the entire back of which is a glass sheet that overlooks a steep ravine (think of your doll house as a kid that had no back on it so the contents can be seen and played with). They have an infant daughter, Charlotte, and an Irish nanny named Orlaith, the latter because Dani seems to be mentally unstable - perhaps a bit beyond postpartum depression. Ethan is a psychiatrist with partner Curtis, a childhood friend (kind of surprising that everyone refers to him as "Mr." and not "Dr." - hmmm, is that some kind of clue)?

Ethan's second ex-wife, Kim, is a disgraced veterinarian and mostly functioning alcoholic; together, they had daughter Sophie, who lives with mom and is very popular and drop-dead gorgeous. It's her Sweet Sixteen party at her dad and stepmom's big house that's the focus of the story; besides all three parents, Sophie's long-time best friend, mousey Mikayla, will be there with countless others, some of whom actually wish Sophie well. Not a single character, in fact, is without flaw - apparently, no one nice lives in Comal County, Texas.

And oh, did I mention that the house is rumored to be haunted?

As you might expect - well, I did, anyway - things go horribly wrong at the party almost immediately. Readers don't know exactly what happened, or to whom, though - the purpose of those character perspective switchbacks is to provide hints and clues that will keep us guessing right up to the end. Trust me, it's a doozy - I just wish it had happened a little sooner. But all told, it's a terrific read, and I definitely recommend it. Thanks go to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox (Minotaur Books, July 2025); 325 pp.

RAGE

5 stars out of 5

My initial interest in this wonderful series began mostly because of the location; I'm familiar with the part of Ohio in which the stories take place. I also have an interest in the Amish, often making trips to another section of the Buckeye State that gets mentioned in the books once in a while (in fact, in this, the 17th book of the series). That said, I wouldn't keep coming back for more unless the books are really, really good; they are, and this one carries on that honored tradition.

Now-veteran Painters Mill Police Chief Kate Burkholder is the primary reason for my enthusiasm, a unique character because she was born and grew up Amish but left the order in her late teens. Needless to say, that didn't sit well with anyone in the community where she later returned to work in law enforcement as an "English" - the term used for anyone who isn't Amish. Over the years, though, she's built up a healthy relationship with her family and neighbors, for the most part earning their respect. Kate's hunky husband, FBI agent John Tomasetti, complements her and adds both personal interest and professional help when needed - and he gets quite a bit of page time here, much to my delight.

This one begins with a grisly find - the dismembered parts of a young Amish man Samuel Eicher, who's been murdered and half buried not far from his landscaping business. According to a few sources, he and his best friend Aaron Shetler had been involved with some pretty shady characters, including a beautiful young woman named Cassidy, but by all accounts he was returning to the Amish fold. The search for Aaron takes up more of Kate's team's time, and that, too, ends in tragedy with the discovery of his body in a barrel that's been rolled down a ravine.

What on earth were the two friends into? And where is Samuel's reported girlfriend Cassidy? The search takes Kate to a couple of local bars and private clubs in which pole dancers and sex trafficking may be at play, so to speak - places in which Kate and her questions clearly are not welcome. When Kate's unrelenting investigation and yet another murder brings her way too close to the truth, she becomes the target and threatens to make a widower out of Tomasetti. It's a whirlwind finish that kept me on the edge of my recliner for sure. In short, it's another winner, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to stay tuned in by way of a pre-release copy. Bring on the next!

Rage by Linda Castillo (Minotaur Books, July 2025); 296 pp.

THEM BONES

5 stars out of 5

Jumping into a series for the first time usually brings mixed emotions for me. If I like the book, I'm happy I found it but sad that I missed those that came before (in this case, 21 of them). The happy side, though, brings another plus: the book can stand alone well enough that I "got" it without feeling left out - otherwise I'd have been frustrated.

This book is one of the happy ones. And yes, I hope to meet up with private investigator Rushmore McKenzie again (and again). This story has extra appeal to me because it involves some real science and a missing dinosaur skeleton (well, not the whole animal, just the skull). I mean, who on earth knew there's a market for dinosaur heads? 

The whole caper started as a return favor; some time ago, Angela Bjork saved McKenzie from almost certain death somewhere in the desert. Now, she's working on a Ph.D. in palentology. On an archeological dig in the Great Plains of Montana - where she rescued McKenzie - she unearthed an Ankylosaurus fossil at the center of the story. Okay, not a critter I've ever even heard of. So other than for history's sake, why is it a story? Well, because somebody - or a couple of somebodies - made off with the skull that had been placed in a truck for transport to a museum. 

Besides the historical significance, some estimates place its value in the millions, so getting it back (and hopefully in the process catching the thieves) is important - especially to Angela. So, she asks McKenzie to help. He agrees, and in turn taps some of his friends and a couple of acquaintences who owe him favors to join the investigation. Some of these folks, no doubt, I'd have appreciated more had I read previous installments, but not having done so really didn't impact my enthusiasm. The rest of the book follows the attempts to locate the skull and return it to its rightful owners. It's quite an undertaking, with more than a few twists and turns (not all in the right direction). Of course, how it all turns out is for me to know and encourage other readers to find out for themselves. Well done, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to discover a new, very enjoyable series by way of a pre-release copy.

Them Bones by David Housewright (Minotaur Books, June 2025); 317 pp.

DOGGED PURSUIT

5 stars out of 5

For at least a half-dozen years, I've bemoaned the fact that I found this wonderful series late in the game; I've read only the most recent six, and this is the 31st. More's the pity; but I'm also not one to go back and read dozens of books that came before the one with which I started. That doesn't mean, though, that I'm not interested in how it all began. Well, that itch has now been scratched. This installment basically is a prequel to the others - answering a ton of questions as well as being a doggone good book all on its own.

As it begins, former prosecuting attorney Andy Carpenter is nearing 30 years of age, newly married and, according to his retired highly regarded prosecutor father, heading for the dark side to start his own firm as a defense attorney in Paterson, New Jersey. Readers are introduced to Tara, Andy's lovable golden retriever (and, I assume, the force behind the dog rescue Tara Foundation that keeps Andy busy in his retirement years). We're also introduced to Laurie Collins, who serves as his bodyguard (but who followers of the series know comes to play a much different role in future books).

Tara the dog, in fact, is directly responsible for the beginning of this tale. When Andy goes to the shelter to look for a small-ish dog for himself, he finds her and loses his heart. But when he sees that Tara and her shelter companion, Sunny, seem inseparable, he can't resist taking them both home. Problem is, Sunny isn't up for grabs; his owner, Frank Tierney, is in jail, awaiting trial for the murder of his former boss. Unless Frank gives the go-ahead, Sunny must stay right where he is.

Not wanting that to happen to the poor pup - and a bit curious about Frank's situation - Andy visits him in jail (Frank, that is). One thing leads to another, and poof - Andy has taken Frank's case - and as he soon learns, a difficult case to win it will be. Frank meets all the requirements for conviction: he has means, motive and opportunity - some of which has been documented by the very capable prosecution. But for whatever reason - maybe Frank's penchant for dogs - Andy is pretty sure they're barking up the wrong tree and his client is innocent. Proving that, however, will be a challenge for his entire team, and ultimately put his own life in danger.

All of this, of course, is laid out for readers like me to enjoy right up to the end - and enjoy it I did. Many thanks once again to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get my eyes on a pre-release copy. Series lovers, heads up - this one's a don't-miss. And it seems to me to be a great beginning for those who want to start reading a wonderful, thoroughly entertaining series.

Dogged Pursuit by David Rosenfelt (Minotaur Books, July 2025); 288 pp.

HIDDEN NATURE

5 stars out of 5

Inquiring minds want to know: Could this be the start of a new series? If it is, count me in; Maryland Natural Resources police officer Sloan Cooper won me over from the git-go, and I warmed up to the rest of those I'd expect to be recurring characters almost as fast.

For most of the book, though, I almost felt like I was channeling another favorite series - Kate Carlisle's Shannon Hammer. Both lead females are strong women, and both are heavily involved in the construction industry (Shannon owns her own company, while Sloan's family, including her sister Drea, are in that business here in a place called Heron's Nest while Sloan focuses on the business of being a cop. I'll also say construction is a subject near and dear to my own heart after growing up with a DIY father who could build just about anything; what that means is for the most part I really enjoyed all the details about home construction and remodeling that might be a bit of a turn-off for others.

But that part aside, the plot centers on Sloan's returning to her family's home to recover from gunshot wounds when she was off-duty and unexpectedly attacked in a convenience store. As she begins to recover, she's afforded an opportunity for a promotion and relocation right where she is - an offer that takes on a whole new meaning when both she and her sister run into very intriguing - and very hunky - guys who relocated here to start a (what else!) construction business.

But duty calls as well; a young woman who's vanished under very mysterious circumstances catches her attention - and a search for similar disappearances is a great way to spend time while she's on limited duty. Soon, though, it becomes almost an obsession as several other cases turn up in three states; all vanished with no trace, no evidence and no apparent connection. Sloan, though, believes otherwise and sets out to find one while she's in the midst of kindling a new love as well as redoing a fireplace so she can kindle a fire on cold winter nights.

And so it goes, with chapters detailing progress on the building projects, Sloan's investigation and insights from a couple of very psychologically damaged people. Everything gets resolved by the end, though with no shortage of edge-of-seat action. It was a thoroughly enjoyable journey for me, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of another book by a long-time favorite author.

Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts (St. Martin's Press, May 2025); 448 pp.

THE GHOSTWRITER

5 stars out of 5

When I first started to read this book, my heart sank. What a fine mess this one will be, I said to myself. Here's a character - Olivia Dumont - who has spent an entire life trying to escape someone who treated her miserably. But now, she suddenly capitulates when that despicable someone offers the potential for a bunch of money. Granted, she's broke and may lose her house, but still - do I, a person who traces her unwaivering support of strong women back to the '60s - really want to spend my precious time reading about someone who has no backbone?

But I sucked it up and dove in; after all, I'd accepted a copy from the publisher in exchange for a review, and I take that obligation seriously. Well, let me tell you this: insofar as everyday life would allow, once I started I didn't stop till I'd finished, even giving up my hotly guarded "me" time an hour or so before I hit the sack just to git 'er done. Like Olivia's decision to do her estranged father's bidding or not - and the jury's still out on that one - the story itself (and the expert crafting thereof) was irresistible. In fact, I'll go so far as to say this is one of the best books I've read so far this year.

The someone from whom Olivia has been estranged for years is her aging father, Vincent Taylor - a highly successful writer of horror novels who is dying of Lewy body dementia. Something like 50 years earlier, his two teenage siblings, brother Danny and sister Poppy, were found brutally murdered in the family home. The killer was never identified and the case long since went cold, but most of the locals believed - and still do to this day - that Vincent was the killer.

Before he dies, he wants to write a memoir that outlines what really happened. And since he's incapacitated he wants his daughter, a highly accomplished ghostwriter, to do the actual writing, using only a copious manuscript he's compiled combined with personal interviews. But at this point his memories, even those he's able to recall, are highly suspect - and as Olivia well knows, Vincent is known for his nefarious, manipulative ways and, of course, his ability to craft works of fiction. Is what he's sharing with her this time the truth?

From that point on, readers learn of Olivia's relationship (if you can call it that) with her father as well as flashbacks to what was going on prior to the event that changed the entire family's lives forever - all building up to an ending that will, for many readers, be a bombshell (I'll say only that I had an inkling, but suspecting and knowing are, of course, two different things). In any event, I'm left with the recollection of reading something quite special. Highly recommended!

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark (Sourcebooks Landmark, June 2025); 359 pp.

BADLANDS

4.5 stars out of 5

Make no mistake: this is one of my favorite series, and even if it weren't, if I've ever passed up an opportunity to read anything written by either (or both) of these super-talented authors it was an accident. So why only four-and-a-half stars? Simply because the subject matter, while extremely interesting (I can't imagine the amount of research it must have taken to write the book) it crosses just a hair over the line of credibility for someone like me who is certain my late parents lied and I really was born in Missouri.

Still, except maybe for that one part that encompassed only a couple of pages, I loved it. And I'm pretty sure other fans of the series will love it as well. If nothing else, it once again brings together New Mexico FBI Agent Corrie Swanson and archaeologist Nora Kelly - both interesting yet very different characters. That happens following the discovery of a female skeleton in a remote section of the Navajo Nation badlands - a woman who appears to have been there all alone of her own volition. She'd inexplicably shed her clothing in the terrible desert heat, but she had with her a pair of extremely rare stones Knowing Nora likely would know more about them, Corrie solicits her advice; as it turns out, Nora is more than intrigued - and at that point, let the adventure begin.

Intrigued by the stones, Nora takes her younger brother Skip to meet Edison Nash, the wealthy dude who owns the two known stones. They take an immediate liking to one another - and bottles of expensive tequila - but Nora worries that Nash may have acquired some of his extensive collection of artifacts by not-so-legitimate means and could be a negative influence on Skip. While that's going on, Corrie's team identifies the woman's body and finds a connection to a local university professor and his loyal group of accolytes - most definitely worth checking out, especially since the professor seems to have disappeared. To confuse matters even more, yet another body is found in the badlands - another female who died under almost identical circumstances.

Many more strange discoveries later, everything comes crashing together as Skip and his new best bud go missing and Nora and Corrie head out to find them. Needless to say, everything from that point on I read from the edge of my seat - until I lugged my Kindle to bed just because I wasn't about to wait till morning to finish and that seat edge was getting uncomfortable. It was definitely worth the loss of a little sleep, though, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to tag along on this latest ride. I'm ready for next adventure, in fact, so bring it on soon, please!

Badlands by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (Grand Central Publishing, June 2025); 368 pp.

A DEAD DRAW

4 stars out of 5

Admittedly, for one reason or another I've missed at least a couple of books in this series - this is the eleventh - and for those I missed I'm sorry just because I enjoy them so much. Tracy Crosswhite, a detective in the Seattle Police Department's Cold Case Unit, is more like an old friend than a character in a book; I'm warming up to her husband, prosecuting attorney Dan O'Leary (their young daughter, Daniella, doesn't get anywhere as much page space as her parents, but she sounds adorable.

This one touches - no, make that pounds - on an old nemesis - the man who murdered Tracy's sister Sarah years earlier. As Tracy interviews Erik Schmidt, a nasty sort whom Tracy believes murdered two girls in one of the cold cases she's trying to heat up, believes Sarah's killer to be some kind of hero. Needless to say, that does not endear him to Tracy. 

But any charges against Schmidt go poof in the night following an evidence screw-up, and he makes it clear he's out to get Tracy. What follows is a whirlwind chase (in both directions, as Tracy tries to get to Schmidt before he can get to her and her family), plenty of head games and an action-packed finish. In some ways, Schmidt is almost too ingenious to be believed, but it makes for a fun  adventure anyway. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to be part of another exciting installment by way of a pre-release copy.

A Dead Draw by Robert Dugoni (Thomas & Mercer, May 2025); 373 pp.

FDR DRIVE

4 stars out of 5

New York City Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Nora Carleton, at least for me, wasn't an immediately lovable character when I "met" her in the first book of this series (this is the third). But by now, I enjoy her so much that I'd be delighted to sit, chat and have a beer or two with her (accompanied, hopefully, by her investigator Benny Dugan, whom I adored from the git-go).

With Nora are her mother (who, BTW, has a particularly special love interest) and young daughter Sophie. The plot centers around a wildly popular radio show host/podcaster who makes Paul Harvey sound like a flaming liberal. Samuel Buchanan is known for singling out specific people he believes are so far left that they'd fall off the earth if it were square, but even coming from one of those flaming liberals like me, so what? He's got a right to speak his opinion. Except, perhaps, when those people he names turn up dead almost immediately after he singles them out. That's the challenge for Nora and her team, then - to convince a judge Buchanan should face trial and, if that happens, offer up enough evidence to get him convicted. Meanwhile, the police - some of whom are Nora's good friends - will try their best to find who's actually committing the murders.

It all adds up to an intriguing (not to mention timely) situation, making the pages fly by. Admittedly, I'm a fan of legal thrillers, so anything that happens in a court of law always gets my undivided attention. At times, I'll admit I felt a bit "talked down to" with explanations of things that really didn't need explaining, but on the other hand, making sure everyone who reads the book fully comprehends what's going on isn't a bad thing. Along the way readers get an up-close-and-personal look at the workings of the legal system as well as a closer look at Nora's personal life (complete with an event that bodes well for the next book in the series).

And speaking of that, I hope another one will be forthcoming soon. Meantime, I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review this one. Well done once again!

FDR Drive by James Comey (Mysterious Press, May 2025); 334 pp.

FLEX YOUR FEELINGS

5 stars out of 5

When I requested this book, it was mostly because I've been a student of psychology most of my life; so much so, in fact, that my undergraduate degree is in the subject. Little did I know, however, that the direction my life would take at the time I started to read it would bring a few much-appreciated insights. Those life events, alas, also meant I was late in finishing and reviewing the book - a pre-release copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, for which I'm thankful (and very apologetic). But now I've finished, and with a little help from the book, I'm working to get my personal life back in order once again.

For openers, while it's easy to read, this isn't what I call a "pop-psych" book; you won't find cognitive distortions like "stinking thinking" or "analysis paralysis" (although I'll give the author, a clinical psychologist, points for tidbits like, "You only need to get up one more time than you fail"). Rather, she outlines seven steps for achieving emotional fitness: mindfulness, curiosity, self-awareness, resilience, empaathy, communication and playfulness. And she follows that up with a discussion of why we need to get better at each and presents specific steps for getting there.

That doesn't mean it will be a walk in the park. As she puts it, "Every single thing you want in your work and personal lives lives on the other side of discomfort." Examples taken from her personal experiences as a therapist are helpful, and exercises make it easier to put the suggestions to work in your own life so you can become, as the book description suggests, the best leader, entrepreneur and human you can be. At the end are resources like related books and the author's sources that back up what's in each chapter. I certainly learned from it, and I'm sure other readers will as well.

Flex Your Feelings by Dr. Emily Anhalt (G.P. Putnam's Sons, May 2025); 288 pp.

TOM CLANCY LINE OF DEMARCATION

5 stars out of 5

The late play-by-play announcer at a local high school's football games was known for his occasional on-air promotion: " Buy a program - you can't tell the players without a program." Well, as is customary with the Clancy books, this one begins with a list of players. And I'm here to tell you that it really didn't matter much. Even with that list, it was almost impossible to tell the good guys and gals from the bad except for the "stars" of the show.

Another hallmark of the series, of course, is nonstop action. Here, you can't catch a break for a second - starting with an opening salvo fired - with dire consequences - at a U.S. Coast Guard cutter on patrol near oil rigs off the coast of Guyana. It is an act that, depending on politics, diplomacy, negotiations and who's willing to start a war, has the potential to rock world order. 

A perfect setting, then, for Jack Ryan Jr., son of U.S. President Jack Ryan, and his band of brothers and sisters who work both the "white" and "black" sides of their company, Hendley Associates. As the story unfolds, Jack is plying his "white" side activities (meaning legitimate business) in nearby Georgetown, looking to land an export license from the Guyana government - totally unaware of the Coast Guard cutter disaster - when he runs into a situation involving some really nasty characters that requires him to hang around and ply his considerable "black" side skills.

Chapters shift from one scenario to the other - the oil rig involving U.S. security forces at the highest level - and before too long (as most readers will suspect) it becomes clear that the two situations are connected. Still, the danger is real; Jack's life is in danger, as is that of one of The Campus's most accomplished undercover agents and Jack's fiance, Lisanne (also a top agent). As I mentioned at the beginning, it's pretty much nonstop action as usual, but that's a large part of what makes this series so good. As for me, I'll heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. Well done once again!

Tom Clancy Line of Demarcation by M.P. Woodward (G.P. Putnam's Sons, May 2025); 396 pp.

SOMETHING I KEEP UPSTAIRS

4 stars out of 5

Okay, this one's pretty creepy. I'm not a huge fan of the paranormal just because I have to put my "scientific" brain on hold; on the other hand, I can't totally discount the possibilies. I guess what that means is I got quite a kick out of this book once I decided to just go with the flow.

It starts off innocently enough; after his grandmother dies, teenager Billy Hasler's best friend David Spivey inherits her Wood Island home off the coast of New Castle, New Hampshire (apparently granny wanted to bypass her daughter, David's mother). What a great place to hang out, the boys assert as they gather friends together for some pre-college partying.

But in books like this, nothing is as it seems. To be sure, the house isn't; and all too soon, it becomes evident that none of the people associated with the house aren't, either. There are quirky house "rules," appearances, disappearances and reappearances and tons of things that go bump in the night - all signaling a danger that no one understands nor want to believe.

But this story isn't mine to tell - it's for other readers to discover just as I did. And once I get my head back to some semblance of normal I'll thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to get creeped out by way of a pre-release copy. If "yikes" is your style, don't hesitate to give it a go.

Something I Keep Upstairs by J.D. Barker (Hampton Creek Press/Simon & Schuster, May 2025); 492 pp.

NIGHTSHADE

4 stars out of 5

I've been a big fan of this author for quite some time (just for grins, I counted reviews of those I've posted since I started my book blog in 2013, and there are 13 in there). So getting the chance to sample the first in a new series put a smile on my face for days. Now that I've finished reading, the smile is still there and I'm looking forward to the next installment, but I have to say I'll need more time to really warm up to the new guy in town - if for no other reason than I just can't trust anyone who apparently doesn't have a first name (or maybe that's a plot hook reminiscent of Leroy Jethro Gibbs).

Actually, Stilwell is on an island - Catalina Island, to be exact. Once a detective for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, he irritated the powers-that-be there enough that they deported him to the island where all the department misfits go - a place where they figured he couldn't get in much trouble (and if he did, it wouldn't be their problem).

To kick things off, he responds to a report of a female body that's been found at the bottom of the harbor; she's in pretty bad shape and is devoid of any identification except for the purple streak in her hair. At the same time, a buffalo turns up in even worse shape at a local preserve - the victim, presumably, of a poacher. Immediately, Stilwell takes charge of both investigations (with a bit more emphasis on the human victim, understandably). And in short order, he runs afoul of some of his former LA colleagues who now would like nothing better than to kick him to the curb. If that weren't enough, the investigation leads right through the doors of an exclusive men's club on the island - and wealthy, snooty males don't take kindly to having their domain invaded by common folks like the police. 

The rest of the book is focused on the two investigations, both of which have the potential to end Stilwell's career (if not his life) as well as fleshing out his character and that of several key characters I assume will play central roles in future books. The plot held my attention - as have those of every other book I've read by this author - so I'll definitely be watching for the next one. Meantime, thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in at the beginning.

Nightshade by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown and Co., May 2025); 352 pp.

THE CHILDREN OF EVE

4 stars out of 5

Perhaps what struck me the most about this, the 22nd in the author's Charlie Parker series, is that Charlie clearly isn't a spring chicken anymore. His old injuries still give him fits, and the new ones fit him too close to for comfort.

I'll also say of all the Parker books I've read so far (seven since I started my book blog), this is only the second one to which I'm not giving a 5-star rating. It's hard to explain why, exactly, except that it seemed a little "jumpy" and hard to follow and the subject matter just didn't "grab" me like the others. Still, it's Charlie - and his wonderful friends Louis and Angel, who simply can't appear in the pages often enough to suit me - so I certainly recommend it to others.

It begins as quirky artist Zetta Nadeau asks Charlie to find her missing boyfriend Wyatt Riggins, who took off in a flash. Left behind was his cell phone, on which he'd received a one-word message: Run. Through not a small amount of investigation, Charlie learns that Riggins was somehow involved in the kidnapping of four children that belonged to Mexican cartel leader Blas Urrea. It's not hard to understand why he'd do anything to get them back, except for the fact that his children are alive and well and still with him in Mexico. So who are the missing kids, and why is Urrea so determined to do whatever it takes to get them back?

The questions dogs Charlie throughout the story, but at least one of the obstacles between Charlie and the children is a dangerous man named Eugene Seeley, who's been hired by Urrea to do the dirty work to find and rescue them. And, it appears he's hooked up with an even more evil cohort - an unidentified woman. 

Along the way - as is a common occurrence in other books - Charlie stays "in touch" with his dead daughter Jennifer, and his live daughter Sam, who also "sees" Jennifer from time to time, plays a role as well. In fact, aside from the race to find the missing children, something more sinister is afoot; someone, or some thing, has been trying to find Jennifer and Charlie. Who, or what, is it, what's the reason for the search, and will it be successful? Hmmm, I'll never tell. From this point on, all I'll say is thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read a pre-release copy of this book. Another good one!

The Children of Eve by John Connolly (Atria/Emily Bestler Books, May 2025); 464 pp.)

HUNGER LIKE A THIRST

5 stars out of 5

This book is far from my usual fare of mystery, crime and thriller novels, but when I saw the subject matter, I just had to read it. Mind you, I'm far removed from the author's noteworthy standing among professional restaurant critics/food writers, but I do pen a local restaurant review blog and for several years wrote a review column and other food-related articles for a regional business newspaper. Thus, I'm super-interested in the topic. And indeed, reading it was a pure delight.

Mind you, this is not a book of restaurant reviews (and certainly not recipes); it's a look at the author's look through her own eyes from the time she immigrated to the United States from Australia at age 14 to the present, when she's come full circle to return to the land of her birth. Along the way, needless to say, she's encountered many challenges as a woman in a man's world (quick: how many female restaurants critics can you name?) and as an "outsider" everywhere except in her native country as well as racked up almost too many achievements to count. Wedged somewhere in between those is dealing with a husband - himself a chef - and child as careers collide, money ebbs and flows and publications willing to pay someone to write about food drop like dumplings in hot broth.

All told, it was a very engaging and enjoyable journey - and I thank the publisher for giving me the chance to tag along. Well done!

Hunger Like a Thirst by Besha Rodell (Celadon Books, May 2025); 272 pp.

PARENTS WEEKEND

4 stars out of 5

The author is a favorite of mine, so I was eager to get this one started. Now that I'm done, I'm a pretty happy camper. The only thing that gave me a little trouble is that the cast of characters is pretty large, so it was hard to keep track of who's who. But by the mid-point I'd pretty much gotten with the program, so from that point on, it was just sit back and try to figure out how it would end.

It begins with what I'd guess is a bugger for most of us who went to college right after high school - the annual Parents' Weekend (or whatever the event was called at your school). It was punctuated by a dinner at which parents and their "kids" could eat and drink well and chat - or at least that's what was expected to happen. This time, it didn't; five of the kids, in fact, were no-shows. That, of course, had parents' emotions running from anger to worry; did they skip out just to be ornery, did they all forget (not likely) or did something more sinister happen to them?

Chapters shift among the five students: Blaine, who was abducted as a child and whose mother is a hot-shot in the State Department; Stella, whose father is a doctor and her mother not a happy person; Libby, whose father is a Superior Court judge in Arkansas who made controversial headlines for a recent trial decision; Mark, who has a checkered past and is Blaine's good friend; Felix, a single mother who works at the college;  Overshadowing the whole affair is the supposedly accidental death of Natasha Belov, another student and a friend of Stella. Also in the mix is Sarah Keller, an FBI agent readers may be familiar with by way of other of the author's books including The Night Shift.

Of course, suspicion lingers that Natasha's death in a sea cave wasn't an accident, but there's no proof. And efforts to find out where the missing kids went use up many pages, highlighted by Agent Keller's stellar investigative skills. I wish I could say I guessed the ending, but that didn't happen. All in all, though, reading it was an enjoyable experience as expected. Many thanks once again to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review an advance copy.

Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay (Minotaur Books, May 2025); 320 pp.

SOUTH OF NOWHERE

5 stars out of 5

Remember that old Barbara Mandrell song, "I was Country when Country wasn't Cool?" Well, that sort of applies to this series, which began with The Never Game in 2018 - well before the smash hit TV show, "Tracker," which debuted on Oct. 13, 2024. I haven't missed a book - this is the fifth - nor an episode of the show, but just between you and me, the books are better.

The star of the show, Colter Shaw, spends most of his time doing work similar to that of a bounty hunter; when people need help finding other people and offer a financial reward, if the case sounds worthwhile, he'll take it on. Other times, as happens here, he plies his trade pro bono. Colter's sister, Dorion, makes her living as a disaster response specialist; when something goes horribly wrong, she comes in to direct cleanup of the mess. This time, a levee has collapsed in the tiny town of Hinowah in northern California, and she asks Colter to join her to help find a family whose car has been swept away in the rushing water with them still in it.

That's a tragic situation, but even more so is the real possibility that the rest of the levee will collapse, sending a torrent of water that could obliterate the town. Residents are being asked to evacuate and most do - the most notable exception being an elderly native Ohlone woman who refuses to budge. As the responders do their thing to shore up the levee and get residents out of harm's way, Colter learns that the collapse may not have been an accident. But if that's the case, who was behind the dastardly deed and what was the motive?

As if that weren't enough to deal with, writings from Colter's late survivalist father, Ashton, suggest a heretofore unknown family connection that could rock Colter, Dorion, his brother Russell and his mother Mary Dove right to the core - and bring the threat of physical danger. But here too, what's real and what isn't? And can Colter figure it all out in time?

I don't think it's a spoiler to say the star of the series lives to see another day, but the devil is in the details - and the book is full of them as well as plenty of action. Certainly it's another winner in my book, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to catch up with one of my favorite heroes. Well done!

South of Nowhere by Jeffery Deaver (G.P. Putnam's Sons, May 2025); 416 pp.

25 ALIVE

4.5 stars out of 5

Would you believe my last book in this long-running series was the 19th? I'll concede that it helps that I didn't miss any of those that came before, but it still came as a surprise when I was able to zip through this one - the 25th - as if I hadn't missed a beat. 

Well, with a couple of relatively minor exceptions. San Francisco detective Lindsay Boxer, who arguably is the star of the show, had a daughter Julie, who is now five years old. She and the rest of the so-called Women's Murder Club - medical examiner Claire Washburn, San Francisco Examiner crime reporter Cindy Thomas, assistant district attorney Yuki Castellano - are more experienced and wiser. Otherwise, it's basically same old, same old, but that's certainly not a bad thing.

This one begins with the unthinkable - and a happening that ain't happening in my review. Suffice it to say there's a single clue - the words "I Said, You Dead" left at the scene. That happening rallies all the troops, including Lindsay's boss, Jackson Brady, Cindy (who can smell a great story a continent away). Close on the heels of that one comes another one - and again, those same words.

Meantime, Yuki is prosecuting a murder case against a member of a Mexican cartel, who's also a suspected serial killer. Almost immediately, it becomes clear that someone - most likely others in the cartel - are intent on making sure the trial never takes place, and their methods take jury tampering to a whole new level.

On that front, Lindsay's husband, FBI agent Joe Molinari, gets involved, and readers begin to suspect a link between the "I Said" events and the trial. Bringing both to a close, though, takes up most of the pages and leads readers through another nail-biting adventure right up to the end. With which, I'm satisfied. I'm also happy to thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get back in the game via a pre-release copy. Good job once again!

25 Alive by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Little, Brown and Co., April 2025); 336 pp.

HEARTWOOD

5 stars out of 5

No question readers will run the gauntlet of emotions in this one, from sadness to trepidation to fearfulness to elation and more - but one thing clearly pulls them all together: Stellar writing.

Basically, the story centers around Valerie Gillis, a 42-year-old nurse and hiker (trailname: Sparrow) who went missing about 200 miles from her destination on the challenging Appalachian Trail. Once that fact is established, the spotlight begins to shine on other characters, first and foremost Lt. Beverly Miner, a Maine game warden to whom falls the job of locating Valerie. Then there's the elderly Lena, an assisted living resident in Connecticut, who spends much of her time on her computer and initially believes Valerie is her estranged daughter, and Santo, Valerie's wacky, oversized hiking buddy who left her on the trail believing she was close enough to the finish line that she'd be fine even if he wasn't there to cheer her on.

Readers see what's going on in the hearts and minds of all these characters and a couple of others, including Valerie's husband, who tracked her progress along at least part of the way. We get to know their backstories as well as present circumstances - most notably Valerie's written "letter" to her mother as she documents her feelings and physical deterioration as she tries to survive the wilderness alone and without much food or shelter.

Details, of course, I cannot provide, but except to say my heart was beating faster and faster toward the end and the whole experience was well worth the time it took to read it. Oh, and one other thing: thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me the chance to enjoy it via a pre-release copy. Outstanding!

Heartwood by Amity Gaige (Simon & Schuster, April 2025); 320 pp.

THE MAID'S SECRET

5 stars out of 5

Gotta admit to getting a little teary-eyed at this one, sometimes happily, sometimes bittersweet. As the infamous Molly the Maid, head maid at the swanky Regency Grand Hotel, prepares to marry her fiance and Regency chef Juan Manuel, she gets up-close-and-personal insights of her ancestors by way of a diary written by her beloved Gran.

More surprisingly, though, is that Molly has noticeably morphed from a socially inept neat freak with OCD to a loving partner and beloved co-worker (well, most of the neat freakiness is still there). I haven't quite preferring the original version - but it works for this story, since the focus is on Molly's family history. As she and Juan try to plan their wedding with very little money to spare, Molly decides to take a box of her Gran's things she's saved and cherished over the years to the airing of a popular TV program similar to "Antiques Road Show" that's to be filmed at the hotel. Maybe, she thinks, one of them might be worth a little something.

As it turns out, one of them is worth far, far more than a little. But right after the winning bid is announced, it's discovered that the prized possession has somehow disappeared - making Molly a 5-minute millionnaire and dashing all hopes for a halfway decent wedding. But when Molly discovers that an old key unlocks her Gran's diary, family secrets Molly never knew - and clues as to who's behind the theft - are unlocked as well. And not a minute too soon; whoever is behind the theft has made it clear that Molly's life is in danger.

All the rest is the thrill of the chase, and it's another engaging and entertaining journey. Now, I eagerly await the fourth installment - and once again thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this one. Well done!

The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose (Ballantine Books, April 2025); 336 pp.

SALTWATER

4 stars out of 5

By the end of this book, my head was spinning from all the twists and turns, and that's a good thing. But most of them crossed the credibility line, and besides that, I really didn't like any of the characters enough to care much about how things turned out for them. 

Despite those misgivings, though, I did enjoy the book. It's got all the right (write??) stuff in it, and I admire anyone who can come up with a plot this complex in the first place and then keep all the details straight. 

The focus is on the uber-wealthy Lingate family and the death of Sarah Lingate, a relatively new mother of Helen, in 1992. From that point on, the case of Sarah's body being found at the bottom of a cliff was long since closed by local police, but suspicions lingered. The most common belief is that she was murdered by Richard, her husband and Helen's father. But over the years, the family closed ranks as only the snobby rich can do (and this bunch is as snobby as they come), so the rumors have remained, well, rumors.

Today, Helen is a grown-up, and she's returned to the island of Capri with the family, for what I guess is summer R&R. This time, they're accompanied by Richard's "assistant," Lorna, who has the role of rich-boss gopher honed to a fare-thee-well (but clearly has an agenda of her own). Soon after the return to Capri, they get a surprise welcome back gift that's less than welcome: a box containing the necklace Sarah was wearing when she died - and a demand for a huge sum of money.

The rest of the book follows the events on Capri - complete with another disappearance - and glimpses of what led up to Sarah's death (chapters shift among characters and time frames). The end, of course, pulls it all together, and readers learn the truth about what happened all those years ago. Now that all those loose ends have been tied up, I'm ready for the next book by this talented author - and thanking the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

Saltwater by Katy Hays (Ballantine Books, March 2025); 336 pp.

HIDDEN IN SMOKE

4 stars out of 5

Wow - the plot of this book, the third in the series featuring arson investigators Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker, sure has a lot of "legs." I guess that's another way of saying it was much more complex and hard to follow than that first two, at least until I'd passed the halfway point. After that, it everything started to mesh, though, and by the end, I realized how well it's written and how much I enjoyed it.

There are three situations involved from the beginning: the torching of several parking garages at apartments in Hollywood on just one night, a major fire that wipes out a major section of a busy freeway and destroys illicit businesses and homeless camps littered below the overpass, and an old "connection" of Walter's - Danny Cole - who for whatever reason has formulated a plan to steal a $40 million, one-of-a-kind wristwatch from it's high-security location in Japan. Fairly early on, Walter and Andrew are called away from the garage fires to the more potentiallyl devastating freeway - but there's still a possibility the same perp could be behind both.

How Danny fares with the theft - and why he's doing it - I'll leave for readers to learn for themselves. I will say, though, that I'm one of those who, while sympathetic, rarely believe the end justifies the means. And what that means is I lost a little bit of respect for one of the characters in the book even though his actions can be deemed justifiable (and most certainly address an important issue of national concern).

As the freeway investigation begins, Walter and Andrew hook up with Lost Hills homicide detective Eve Ronin and her sidekick Duncan Pavone - always guaranteed to add some spice to the series. When the man suspected of engineering the horrific blaze turns up dead, well, that adds even more intrigue. And that's as far as I'm willing to go to not risk revealing too much - I'll just say alls well that ends well, especially when it leaves an ember or two smoldering and ready for rekindling in the next installment. Soon, please?

Meantime, many thanks once again to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one. 

Hidden in Smoke by Lee Goldberg (Thomas & Mercer, April 2025); 300 pp.

HUSBAND MISSING

4 stars out of 5

Let me get to the nitty-gritty right away: The missing husband, as loyal readers of this series (like me) would suspect, is Denton, Pa., police detective Josie Quinn's hunky police officer husband Noah Fraley. One not-so-fine day, she returns home from a murder scene to find their home totally ransacked, blood everywhere and Noah gone. Alas, Josie isn't the only one to miss him - he's a major reason I love the series, so not having him around was more than a small disappointment. And after awhile, reading about his absence started to get a bit tedious; put another way, I can count too, so I really didn't need an update on how long he's been gone on every third page.

Nitpicking aside, I will say that the happenings in this book bring a good measure of closure to Josie's horrific life before the police department and Noah (after 21 previous books, long-time readers will be familiar with her story and reconnection with her twin sister Trinity Payne as adults). Trinity, a well-known TV journalist who's engaged to FBI agent Drake Nally, of course is around to lend support and investigative expertise to her sister - as is the usual police force team that includes the rather obnoxious officer Kyle Turner (though here, too, the ongoing snarkiness between Kyle and Josie got old fast).

Josie herself is officially sidelined throughout most of the book, given her connection to Noah (she can't be the one leading the investigation to find her own husband). Then, the case she was called to right before returning to her ransacked home takes a turn for the bizzare. At the scene, the daughter of a prominent contractor is killed, and prints are found. Great for helping find the killer, perhaps, but for Josie, not so much; the prints match those found in the mess at her place. Whoops - off the case she goes once again.

Josie being Josie, of course, she manages to call in a few favors and do some surreptitious digging around on her own (in between telling readers how long Noah has been missing and trading barbs with Kyle). Finally, the whole thing - which is directly tied to the mother Josie knew to be a monster - comes together to reach a rather surprising conclusion. As for Noah, nope, you ain't gonna hear it from me. Go read the book for yourself!

Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with a pre-release copy - I enjoyed it and look forward to the next one!

Husband Missing by Lisa Regan (Bookouture, March 2025); 423 pp.

THE UNLUCKY ONES

4 stars out of 5

While in the end I quite enjoyed this book, it was a little hard to slog through for the first half or so, at least; I think that was a result of my having read the first book in the series but not the two I somehow missed in between then and now. Once I realized what was going on, though, I got more into it.

The first book, Hello, Transcriber, introduced us to professional police report transcriber Hazel Greenlee, who could type more than 100 words per minute virtually error-free. Back in the day, I - who in high school aspired to be an executive secretary - I could do the same (but on a manual typewriter). In that book, the relationship between Hazel and Black Harbor, Wisconsin, police detective Nikolai Kole was heating up despite her disintegrating marriage to Tommy Greenlee. In the intervening books, Hazel apparently bolted from Black Harbor for Brooklyn, N.Y., establishing herself as a writer of novels.

Now, though, she's back - lured by the discovery of her former husband Tommy's dead body that's been riddled with bullets, covered with bleach and wrapped in a garbage bag. While Hazel has little affection left for Tommy, she can't help but wonder who murdered him and why.

That's a question shared by Kole and his team of officers. But although Hazel and Nik had a "thing" going back then and both still wonder what might have been, each is wary of seeing the other again. But of course, it's inevitable; the only question is how each will handle the reconnection - and what they'll find out about Tommy's murder.

The rest of the story follows their interaction and the investigation into a complicated web of lies, deceit and crimes that have had serious impact on both of their lives. Well done, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

The Unlucky Ones by Hannah Morrissey (Minotaur Books, March 2025); 304 pp.

NOBODY'S FOOL

5 stars out of 5

This is the second book in the author's "Detective Sami Kierce" series, and despite thinking I'd never read the first, I took it on just because I've read and loved several of his other books. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. But after I finished, I looked back through my old reviews, and surpise - I did read the first one, Fool Me Once, back in 2016. No surprise, then, that I don't remember a thing from that one. But rereading my review of it did leave me thoroughly confused, because nowhere in that review did I even mention Sami Kierce - nor, I found after I checked, did his name appear in any reviews by other readers I checked. Huh?

Anyway, no matter where Sami was hidden in that first book, he's moved front and center here. A former cop who got thrown off the force for transgressions, he spent time in Spain right after college and before medical school, where he met and had a serious fling with a girl named Anna, he wakes up in a post-drug fog with her bloody body next to him and a blood-covered knife in his own hand.

More than 20 years later, he's happily married to Molly, with whom he has a young son Henry, teaching true crime night classes and doing private detective work for a law firm that specializes in divorce. One night, a woman shows up at the class - and she catches Sami's eye immediately: it's Anna, the woman he is certain he murdered all those years ago. She runs away, but when Sami and his class of true crime clue-hunters learn she was a victim of a supposed kidnapping years ago, Sami goes to meet the uber-rich family, who hire him to find out what really happened to her.

Amid all this, the man who was convicted of killing Sami's former fiance (yeah, Sami gets around) has just been released from prison; while and Sami and class of true crime clue-hunters think the guy is guilty as sin, the guy wants Sami to clear his not-so-good name by finding the real killer. 

If you think all this is complex, it is; but I assure you it's easy to follow, especially as clues start falling into place - right up to the ending (a cliffhanger of sorts; to be continued, methinks). All in all, an entertaining read - and I'm already looking forward to seeing the next installment. For now, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

Noody's Fool by Harlan Coben (Grand Central Publishing, March 2025); 352 pp.

LETHAL PREY

4 stars out of 5

My usual 5-star rating has dropped a notch on this one, almost entirely because of just one thing: the gobsmacking cliffhanger ending. I'll not explain further, of course, but after I kept flipping through the acknowedgements to see if the last few pages of the last chapter somehow got buried there, I got really, really annoyed - leaving readers hanging is one of one of the biggest no-nos an author can do, in my book.

But it is what it is. I guess I'll console myself with the thought that resolution may become the impetus for the next book in the series - this is the 35th - so I'll be watching. Other than that, I always look forward to the adventures of Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers - two of my all-time favorite characters. They meet up this time during the reinvestigation of a cold case: the murder of accounting firm employee Doris Grandfelt two decades earlier. It's been reopened because her surviving twin, Lara, is determined to find her sister's killer before she, too, dies - she's been diagnosed with terminal cancer. She's sweetened the pot with a $5 million reward for information that leads to the killer

One of those bloggers, in fact, somehow manages to dig up the murder weapon, which does provide some clues. Lucas gets the call when the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in St. Paul gets the case. Shortly thereafter, Bureau agent Virgil gets a similar call while he's out playing golf. Despite needing to work on his latest novel (plus spend time with his partner Frankie and their twins), he figures Lucas will be involved and agrees to be part of the investigation.

As Lucas and Virgil hone their investigative skills, they also must run interference to keep at bay the proliferation of true-crime bloggers who didn't exist back then and would kill each other for a scoop - or, failing that, turn their enthusiasm into an asset. Fairly early on, readers learn who the killer is, making it even more fun to watch Lucas and Virgil go from spinning their wheels to closing in. All told, another one well done. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Lethal Prey by John Sandford (G.P. Putnam's Sons, March 2025); 400 pp.

ELEVEN NUMBERS

5 stars out of 5

I'm not normally a fan of short stories, but I am a fan of this author - so I decided to give it a go. It is, after all, only 33 pages, so how bad could it be? Well, not bad at all; not only did I polish it off in less than half an hour, the story itself is five-star worthy in my book. 

Very short stories do, however, make reviewing nearly impossible; what can you say that won't give away the farm? That said, here goes anyway: Nathan Tyler, a math professor somewhere in the United States, is prepping to head to Moscow for a meeting of mathematic minds when he gets a strange phone call. That, in turn, puts him in a strange alliance with U.S. powers that be (at the highest level), who want him to deduce a password that would allow entry into a Kremlin system that could change the course of history. Since the Moscow mathematician who created it will be attending the same conference in his city, they want Tyler to do a meet-and-greet, get to know the guy, somehow figure out the password and pass it on.

Needless to say, all doesn't quite go as planned - and that's as far as I'll go except to recommend that others who find the description intriguing go get it. My thanks go to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read it.

Eleven Numbers by Lee Child (Amazon Original Stories, February 2025); 33 pp.

SISTER, SINNER

5 stars out of 5

For a variety of reasons - none of them religious - I've always been fascinated by the "Come let me wrap ye in the cloak of the Lord" televangelists who pretty much ruled the Sunday-morning airwaves back in my day - names like Rex Humbard, Ernest Angley and Dr. Robert Schuller. Watching them spit out their fire-and-brimstone messages, invite viewers to come to the altar to be "saved" (or healed) and, of course, make pleas for money was, if nothing else, always a hoot.

But years before their time was an evangelist who I'd call a trailblazer for a variety of reasons: Aimee Semple McPherson. Although her ministry was going strong on the radio when I was a youngster, I never heard her (she died in 1944, when I was but a toddler). But I certainly heard of her, if only that there was some kind of scandal involving her ministry; so when I got the chance to read the story of her life, I threw my arms to the sky and offered thanks (in this case, to the publisher, via NetGalley).

And what an interesting ministry - and life - she had. Plagued with scandal, intrigue, and, yes, love (at least for all things heavenly), her story just kept getting more intricate and involved as the pages flew by. Among the initial revelations are that she was married twice despite preaching so-called "old-time religion; she was 35 years old in 1926, when thousands flocked to her Angelus Temple (a.k.a. Million Dollar Temple) in California; her sudden disappearance, and presumed drowning in the ocean, most likely was faked and has never been fully resolved.

It's the parts before and after that disappearance, though, that are fascinating, at least to me - especially the complicated relationship between Aimee and her "stage mom," Minnie Kennedy, and her two children with first husband Robert Semple at age 17, Rolf and Roberta - the latter presumed to continue Aimee's ministry had those ocean waters actually claimed her life. 

Along her life's somewhat erratic journey, she became wildly popular on the born-again Christian circuit - being dubbed, mostly by her detractors, as the P.T. Barnum of Christianity. It is the "stuff" of that journey, of course, that fills the pages of this book - but also of course, I'll leave it up to other readers to find and enjoy them, hopefully as much as I did. Oh, and there's an extensive list of sources at the end as well.

Sister Sinner by Claire Hoffman (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, April 2025); 384 pp.

THE BOOK SELLER

4.5 stars out of 5

For openers, while it's not the most pressing issue in the world, I wish the various book sites would decide whether "bookseller" is one word or two (as a mostly retired journalist, I'm opting for the former). It would make locating this book on listings much, much easier.

That aside, only one thing took away a little enjoyment from this book: the star of the show, Helen Appleby, is overly paranoid; a little of that goes a really, really long way with me. But on the other hand, some of it is totally understandable; after all, she's just been released early from prison after a manslaughter conviction - and most of the folks around her are aware of that. So even an askance glance, I guess, could be enough to arouse her suspicions. Still...

Now that she's been sprung, she's determined to put her past behind her and start a new life. She's got a much-older brother and sister with whom she was never close, although the sister, Sarah Drew, is back in her life and for the most part trying to be helpful. Sarah is less than enthusiastic, though, when Helen buys a delapidated old building to refurbish as a used bookstore. She's an avid reader and doesn't need a ton of money to have a happy and productive life, so it's a chance she's willing to take.

Almost from the git-go, though, things go wrong; the building is closer to a money pit than a solid structure. Next door, she's got a pizza shop - handy  for lunches and such, but something about the twin owners gives Helen the creeps. As she starts the refurbishing and stocking process, other oddities crop up - like sounds that go bump in the night and outright break-ins that cost her double the prep work. As while she's happy to meet local people - hoping they're avid readers, of course - she always finds something that prevents her from trusting them fully. Amid all that, her start-up efforts are hindered a bit by an overly aggressive parole officer, Moira Manson, who fluctuates from threatening to send her back to prison to wanting to be her best friend.

For the most part, readers see everything through Helen's eyes, so it isn't till the end when the good guys and gals are separated from the bad and all's as right with the world as it can be. It's an enjoyable journey, though, with a couple of unexpected twists along the way. I'm happy I took the tour, and thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the chance to read a pre-release copy.

The Book Seller by Valerie Keogh (Boldwood Books, March 2025); 287 pp.