IRONWOOD

5 stars out of 5

I first met Detective Sergeant Stilwell – first name not revealed – in “Ironwood,” the first of what is now a series of two books. Despite my misgivings about that lack of name (hmmm, what is he hiding?), I took a liking to him; so when I got the chance to read the follow-up, courtesy of a pre-release review copy from NetGalley, I didn’t hesitate. That proved to be a sound decision, and now I’m looking forward to reading the next installment.

“Stil,” as he’s known, lives and works on Catalina Island; banished there by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after irritating the powers-that-be to the point that they sent him to a place where all the department “misfits” go. Most of the time, that keeps Stil out of their hair, other times, like now, the two locations get a bit tangled up. As the story begins, Stil and his troops are watching a suspicious plane land on a remote island airstrip. As a duffel bag of drugs is dropped as expected and Stil’s team advances, but then everything falls apart. The drop-off guy runs and disappears into the mountains, shots are fired from somewhere and someone catches a deadly bullet.

Despite being told by his superiors he’s off the case, Stil keeps up the investigation without their knowledge. As he digs around in his own turf, he finds a backpack still in evidence that hasn’t been claimed. Curious, he learns it belongs to a woman who went missing on the island four years ago while hiking. Not surprising in and of itself, but the backpack was recovered just two months earlier. More curiosity leads him off the island to the LAPD’s Open-Unsolved Unit and (surprise!) a character familiar from another series by this author, Detective Rene Ballard. Turns out they’re something of a match made in heaven; it’s a team I hope we’ll see again soon.

The rest of the book focuses on that investigation, but Stil being Stil, he can’t back off that runway shooting case despite warnings from his superiors. Both cases get resolved, but it is the latter that brings serious ramifications for Stil and hints at the direction of the next book in the series. Can we see it soon, please? Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to immerse myself in another enjoyable mystery by way of a pre-release copy. Another one well done!

Ironwood by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown and Co., May 2026); 336 pp.

A VIOLENT MASTERPIECE

4 stars out of 5

Gritty, brutal and not for the squeamish or those opposed to “street” language, this book was more than a little challenging just because of the writing style – which is close to magnificent, by the way, but certainly not something that speedy readers like me can fly though; the sentences need to be savored. At first, I was a bit put off by chapters shifting from one character’s perspective to another – usually indicative of a slogfest that can be confusing to wade through – but there aren’t that many to deal with here and it’s always clear which one is taking center stage.

The characters themselves aren’t all that likable, but that doesn’t make them uninteresting. Each has a backstory with some kind of “secret” – but it’s pretty clear from the start that eventually their lives will intersect. Put another way, it’s a familiar formula but with very different circumstances and outcomes that make for a unique story.

The stars of the show include Jake Deal, who earns somewhat of a living as a night owl and podcaster who follows police activities and other tips to get to – and publicize - the most horrific crime scenes he can find; Douglas Gibson, a defense attorney for the less-than-well-heeled who (perhaps mistakenly) takes on a wealthy Hollywood mogul accused of pedophilia (think: Harvey Weinstein meets Jeffrey Epstein) and Kara Delgado, whom I’d describe as an event planner for, shall I say, a Dark Web-style crowd (think: Ghislaine Maxwell). Fun people? I guess it depends on which side of the aisle you’re sitting on.

Anyway, Kara’s friend Phoebe has gone missing, possibly a victim of the so-called LA Ripper serial killer who’s been around long enough that there are public tours of homes at which his victims once lived. Because of his talent for finding “dirt” that others miss (but mostly because he can use the money), Jake accepts an anonymous offer to gather secrets of well-known people who, supposedly, will be blackmailed if anything substantial turns up.

The book follows these characters’ efforts to, in large part, learn what happened to Phoebe and figure out the LA Killer’s identity and who may be next on his list. As their individual worlds connect, what actually happened, and who made it happen, is revealed. I, of course, can offer no such revelations without giving away any of those aforementioned secrets and spoiling the surprises for other readers. What I can say is that I enjoyed it thoroughly, highly recommend it to other mystery fans and heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read a pre-release copy. Outstanding!

A Violent Masterpiece by Jordan Harper (Little, Brown and Co., April 2026); 384 pp.

CAT ON A HOT TIN WOOF

4 stars out of 5

I like Bernie Little. I love his dog Chet a lot. I’m way more fond of cats than dogs (sorry, Chet), and it’s a cat, after all, that gets this story rolling. But this particular adventure somehow needed another wheel or two to keep it on its usual entertaining fast track.

That doesn’t mean, however, that it moves along slowly; just like all the other books in this wonderful series (this is the 16th), it’s always a treat to get Chet’s take on the situation, and Chet isn’t known for dragging his feet (wagging his tail, maybe, but that means something entirely different). And when was the last time you got to see the world of a private detective through the eyes of a pooch who flunked out of K-9 school on the last day of training (blame that, too, on a cat)? No, it’s more that the plot itself was a bit less interesting to me than most of the others.

Here, Bernie’s Little Detective Agency has taken on the job, albeit reluctantly, of finding a missing cat. Miss Kitty, though, is no average feline; she’s a social media sensation, thanks to her owner, teenage Bitty. She lives with her mother Evelyn, and together they’re looking at raking in some serious and much-needed cash from sponsors. Up to now, Miss Kitty has had purrfect attendance in her media appearances, but suddenly she’s nowhere to be found. Bitty and her mom have been diligent in keeping doors and windows locked, so how on earth did she get out? More to the point, where did she go, and can Bernie and Chet find her so Bitty can sign a big contract worth even more money?

At the outset, there’s one primary suspect, but that turns out to be the wrong choice. So, Bernie and Chet take off once again to follow clues that lead to unexpected encounters with still another four-legged critter – one whose unfamiliar sniffs and snorts put Chet on high alert while Bernie focuses on following the evidence left by humans who might have a grudge against Miss Kitty or her owners.

It is, as always, a merry chase that leaves readers chuckling in spots as the irrepressible Chet shares his point of view as only he can. All in all, it’s another perplexing mystery solved in a very entertaining fashion with a bit of a bang-up ending. And once again, my thanks go to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in on the action by way of a pre-release copy.

Cat on a Hot Tin Woof by Spencer Quinn (Minotaur Books, April 2026); 320 pp.

JIGSAW

5 stars out of 5

Wow – can it be that this is the 41^st book in this wonderful series? I’ve been there almost from the beginning, though I’ve reviewed only 16 since starting my book blog. And you know what? I enjoyed every single one and looked forward to the next – and this one’s no exception.

The case started out like a slam-dunk; a young woman was found strangled in her own home, and strong evidence pointed to her ex-boyfriend, who was to be rounded up and charged. Until, that is, his hotshot, in-your-face attorney comes to his rescue, insisting he has an iron-clad alibi. So for homicide lieutenant Milo Sturgis, it was back to the drawing board (or should I say the murder board), and he calls in his long-time trusted friend, psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware, who’s a long-standing police consultant.

Just as they’re getting their heads together trying to poke holes in the suspect’s alibi, another murder happens; this one, an elderly woman whose body turned up in the freezer in her garage – appendages disengaged and rearranged. The house itself lends no clues; turns out she’s a big-time hoarder; just moving from room to room poses the threat of an avalanche. Complicating things is that she’s someone Milo used to know, and stuffed in between all that mess are envelopes full of cash – clearly more than a person like her would be likely to earn legitimately.

Then a third dead body turns up, and little by little, clues pile up – eventually suggesting that the cases may be not only related, but connected to a really nasty bad guy. But how? Learning that adds an additional dimension to the investigation, keeping both Milo and Alex busy (which, despite their protestations, means doing what they both love in sunny California and gives Alex’s long-time main squeeze, Robin, time to work on her professional guitar restoration projects. Of course, it all works out in the end – with a bit of a twist that wasn’t obvious along the way. Another winner in my book, for which I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get up close and personal by way of a pre-release copy. Now bring on the next one!

Jigsaw by Jonathan Kellerman (Ballantine Books, February 2026); 256 pp.

COYOTE HILLS

5 stars out of 5

If you're looking for a good mystery series, this father-son team has come up with one I've thoroughly enjoyed (this is the sixth installment). And IMHO, it's the best of the lot so far. For those who don't want to start at the beginning (always my recommendation with any series), this book easily stands on its own.

Private-eye friend Regina Klein calls Clay Edison, a former coroner turned private investigator, to ask for help with a case. Adam Valois, who earlier went missing, has turned up dead in a park in Coyote Hills, California. Apparently, he hit his head and drowned, but especially since he had drugs in his system, the question of accident or murder comes into play. 

Adam's wealthy parents are sure it's not an accident, so Clay goes to work - in between spending time with his wife, Amy, and kids Charlotte and Myles (it was not lost on me that Clay's children have the same names as two of my four grandkitties, not that it matters much on the book review side of things). Digging around turns suspicion on Adam's former girlfriend, Olivia, as well as a sketchy childhood friend, Trevor Vogel, who's a known druggie. But then Clay recalls an old case of his in which the victim died in a similar manner and, more importantly, with the same drug combination in his system at the time of his death. Followed by another, and another. Coincidence? Possibly, but Clay isn't so sure.

The rest of the book follows the investigation, and I while it gets a bit convaluted in spots, the generous heaping of humor sprinkled throughout more than makes up for it (hint: Regina is positively a hoot). Bottom line? Easy to read, easy to love and I'm ready for the next one. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in on the action once again by way of a pre-release copy.

Coyote Hills by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman (Ballantine Books, October 2025); 352 pp.

THE KNIFE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

3.5 stars out of 5

Despite not being a huge fan of cozy mysteries, this series is a favorite - largely because for once the main character is a real woman, not a ditzy female who never listens to reason, and the stories always are intriguing and relatively fast-paced. This one, too, was enjoyable, but it was noticeably lacking in the usual pizzazz. 

Yes, there's a murder in the small California coastal town of Lighthouse Cove (make that two murders, in fact); but those events take up a only a few pages - the rest mostly filled with characters running around talking about how much they like (or dislike) each other. Even the relatively brief reference to a current real-life trend (a particular concern for online shoppers) ends up with a not-quite-realistic conclusion and seems more like an afterthought than part of the plot.

Shannon Hammer is an accomplished builder with her own construction firm (for those not familiar with the series, yes, that's her real last name). It won't be long till she marries her true love, MacKintyre Sullivan, who's a successful writer of mystery novels (though it's a mystery to me when he finds the time to do much writing). This book takes place a few weeks before Christmas, so the small town is gearing up for the season. That's especially true at the Cliffs Hotel, a restored Victorian mansion (much of it by Shannon and her team) owned by Bill and Lilian Garrison, who apparently have money to burn and are by all accounts the most lovable people on the planet. Bill has asked Shannon to create a "Fun Zone" to entertain locals and tourists for the holidays, and there's plenty of enthusiasm and hoopla surrounding that.

The Garrisons have three grown children, all married to other characters - some of them are perfect like the parents/in-laws, some way at the other end of the lovable spectrum. One beloved son, Logan, has been away as an officer in the U.S. Navy and just returned home, to the delight of everyone.  His wife, Randi, is one of the nasties - she can't seem to tolerate anyone except herself, and Shannon is at the top of her enemy list. Since she's married to the son of the resort owners, though, she's been given a relatively cushy job despite everyone's dislike of her (and she of them). No big surprise, then, when she turns up as the first murder victim.

At this point, I can't reveal much more without spoiling things for others, so I'll say simply that, like almost all cozy mysteries, there's a happy ending (well, except for those two dead people). If you're already a fan of this series, do read it - it may not be my favorite, but it's definitely worth it. If this will be your first, I suggest starting with an earlier book (but then that's what I suggest to all new-to-a-series readeers). As for me, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

The Knife Before Christmas by Kate Carlisle (Berkley, October 2024); 287 pp.

THE LOST COAST

4 stars out of 5

By now, I'm well acquainted with coroner-turned-private-eye Clay Edison - this is the fifth book in the series and I haven't missed a single one. I'd have to say the subject matter of this one isn't something I'm personally very interested in, but the story held my interest just fine. Better yet, Clay meets up with a P.I. "buddy" who turns out to be a hoot.

An old friend calls to say a friend of his is serving as executor for the estate of a recently deceased elderly lady, but "things" just aren't adding up; for one thing, payments have been made for many, many years to an entity known only by an acronym - but what it stands for and what the payments signify have proved elusive. Clay agrees, albeit reluctantly, to look into it - and learns the deceased woman owned a home in a remote area of California with initials similar to those of the payment destination. Could it be one and the same? If it is, trouble could be brewing; after a little digging, Clay finds that several disgruntled property owners have taken their gripes against the remote property owners to court.

Early on, it becomes clear to Clay that he needs to visit the property to see what's going on; turns out it's far more remote than he ever could have imagined. It's also clear that what few residents actually do live there are less than hospitable; in fact, he may well have a target on his back. To get to the truth, Clay must put his best sleuthing skills to the test, his weapons at the ready and his eyes on his newfound enemies. The rest of the story follows the investigation through to the bitter end, with plenty of action and a few surprises along the who-can-you-trust scale. All told, it was both an enjoyable and satisfying adventure for which I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

The Lost Coast by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman (Ballantine Books, August 2024); 368 pp.

SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN

3.5 stars out of 5

It's sappy, predictable, too often plays into stereotypes and is reminiscent of the old "Moonlighting" TV show except with constantly bickering PIs who are black instead of white. Despite all that, it's a fun story that's a perfect beach read for those who can weather this year's awful heat. But for me, the back-and-forths got tiring after a short while, and if this is the first in a planned sequel - and the ending suggests that may be the case - I'm not exactly chomping at the bit to read another one.

The plot, though, is not bad - and if private investigators Jackson Jones and Mackenzie Cunningham could only figure out whether it's best to knock each other senseless or get hook up, I'd be fully on board. It begins with both characters - working from their own offices in different but nearby areas of California - are approached by a lawyer named Raymond Patterson. For a substantial retainer and a big reward for success, he wants both to drop whatever else they're doing and concentrate on finding a woman named Ashley, whose mother is dying and desperate to reunite with her daughter. Problem is, Patterson doesn't tell Jackson or Mac that he's hired the other - which means the turf war begins shortly after they begin their investigations and realize they're both vying for the same financial payout.

As the investigation (and the tension between Jackson and Mac) heats up, readers learn about their backgrounds and personal peccadilloes. Both come from different backgrounds - Jackson a former police officer - and both are clearly skilled at their current jobs. Working independently, they constantly intrude on each other's turf, where sparks are inevitable. Being highly competitive certainly isn't unexpected - and for the sake of the story, neither is their obvious attraction to each other (but for the love of heaven, either get it on or get on with it already). 

Their investigations take them to some seedy, dangerous places, and both Mac and Jackson put their considerable self-preservations skills to the test - a must after a dual murder that changes everything . They realize they've both been had - and if they both want to come out of the whole thing alive, they'd better start working together. From there it's just following the clues and trying to get the bad guys before the bad guys get them. All in all, it's a good romp - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Sounds Like a Plan by Pamela Samuels Young and Dwayne Alexander Smith (Atria Books, July 2024); 320 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.

DREAM TOWN

5 stars out of 5

Reading a new book in a series you've been following for at least three or four installments is sort of like getting glimpses into the life of old friends. And that's exactly what it should be, IMHO; you want the continuity of familiarity tinged with a few surprises - none of them, in the case of the mystery/thriller genre, life threatening to the characters you've come to know and love (or even, in some cases, dislike intensely).

Such is the case with Los Angeles Sheriff's Department detective Eve Ronin and her near-retirement partner, Duncan Pavone (this is the fifth book in the series; for those who missed the earlier editions, it stands alone fairly well, but as always, I suggest starting to read any series from the beginning, or as close to that as possible). The setting here is mostly in the uber-rich area of Hidden Hills in Los Angeles County - no doubt gorgeous, although nothing much about the place has much appeal to a Midwestern-through-and-through gal like me. 

Eve's life has remained pretty much a mess, although she does have a fairly steady man in her life and is at least on speaking terms with her mother and father (both of which, though, could change at any given moment). Her much-publicized detective skills are being documented in a reality TV show, much to her chagrin (though in fairness, she agreed to let it happen). Her mostly estranged father is producing it, with her mother in a prominent role. But for her part, Eve tries to keep her distance.

Crime, though, still gets her attention; this time, the star of another popular reality show filmed in Hidden Hills becomes a murder victim in the family complex. Exterior cameras catch sight of masked mauraders leaving the scene - suspected to be members of a local Chilean gang. Meanwhile, Eve's main squeeze, forensic anthropologist Daniel Brooks, is engaged in finding and identifying bodies buried on a preserve not far from Hidden Hills. These, too, may be gang members - or not and may be related to the reality star's demise - or not.

Surprise - all these scenarios get visited and revisited as the connections among them become evident; it isn't till near the end that the truth - which, oddly also is interconnected - sort of smacks Eve right between the camera angles. All in all, another totally enjoyable read - and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to learn that by way of a pre-release copy. Good job as always!

Dream Town by Lee Goldberg (Thomas & Mercer, January 2024); 300 pp.

ODYSSEY'S END

4 stars out of 5

Private investigator Rick Cahill isn't having a great time of it, what with fighting what probably is a terminal brain disorder and missing the heck out of his wife Leah, who chose to get out of the line of fire that's all too common in his line of work and take their young daughter Krista (whom he misses even more) with her. His disease seems to be worsening a bit, with the accompanying rages of violence cropping up when he least needs them as he fights his urges to save humanity.

From out of nowhere, he gets a visit from an adversary who once inexplicably saved his life. Now, it seems, an aging Peter Stone has kidney failure and wants Rick to find his daughter in hopes that she can be a donor and save - or at least prolong - his life. Problem is, Stone, who opted out of the Witness Protection program to contact Rick, has no idea where the daughter is - and the daughter has no idea he's her father. Rick finds the job downright repugnant, at least until he learns that he'll be paid $50,000 for the job - money he can set aside for Krista's future.

Compounding the issue is that another deadly adversary, Russian mobster Sergei Volkov, is about to get out of prison much earlier than expected. Volkov has axes to grind with both Rick and Stone, albeit different ones; Stone's testimony helped seal Volkov's prison sentence, while his beef with Rick is more of a family matter. Either is quite capable of ending Rick's life at any given moment - either personally or by ordering their minions to do the job.

Rick really doesn't know who to trust - including the daughter - except for his loyal partner Moira, who agrees to help and plays a big role in the investigation that tries to get somewhere fast but for the most part gets bogged down in motel rooms and endless speculation. Alas, I can't be more specific without giving away too much, except to say that getting to the end isn't without serious complications for all the characters in this, the 10th installment of the series. As for me, I'll be waiting for the next one as usual - with these books, there's rarely a dull moment. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review this one.

Odyssey's End by Matt Coyle (Oceanview Publishing, November 2023); 321 pp.

CALICO

5 stars out of 5

No matter what the topic or genre, I'm always up for reading any book by a guy who's one of my favorite authors.That said, it pays to pay attention: had I noticed the genres in which this one is included (e.g., Science Fiction and Time Travel), I wouldn't have been quite so perplexed when it turned out to be quite different from what I expected. But once I got into the groove, I was hooked - and I marveled that anyone could come up with such an intricate plot that doesn't have holes in it large enough to drive a spaceship through (and happily, one that leaves the door open for more to come).

It's hard to cough up a review without spoiling things for other readers, but the story centers on homicide detective Beth McDade, who managed to land a job with the somewhat remote San Bernadino County Sheriff's Barstow Station after being dumped from the LAPD for doing something that comes naturally once or twice too often. These days, she spends a bunch of time at a local pub called Pour Decisions (gotta love it) but solving crime not so much. That changes when she's called to the scene after a screaming man ran right into a van driven by an elderly couple on their way to Las Vegas (an accident; they were sent on their way). But the dead guy has no identification; a bigger mystery, though, is why he's wearing clothing from the 1800s and is in poor health. But wait, there's more: not long afterward, construction workers unearth human bones that are quite old - except for the titanium implants in the elbows. Whoops!

As Beth and local coroner Amanda Selby try to figure out what's going on, readers get the full monty by way of chapters that provide timely (or maybe I should say untimely) insights into the past. By the end, of course, everything comes together, complete with a twist I sure didn't see coming. The whole thing is entertaining and kind of mind-blowing, and for sure I'll be watching for the next installment. Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the privilege of reading a pre-release copy.

Calico by Lee Goldberg (Severn House, November 2024); 415 pp.

A LONESOME BLOOD-RED SUN

4 stars out of 5

I've read three other books by this talented author and looked forward to checking out the adventures of "Bone Detective" Dave Beckett in this series - of which this is the second installment. Honestly, neither he nor the story grabbed me much till at least halfway through, but after that, my interest picked up and I enjoyed the rest of the ride. It helped to learn - albeit after the fact - that most of the adventures are based on the author's real-life experiences in law enforcement.

Basically, Beckett, a homicide detective in San Bernadino County, California, has earned a reputation for noncompliance with the rules - even to the point of writing his own. For years, he's gotten away with his offbeat, borderline illegal words and actions, mostly because he also gets his man (or woman) - or at least more often than the other detectives in his department. Still, his antics are enough to try the patience of Job (and certainly didn't endear him much to me). The plot is a sort of compilation of his adventures and misadventures over four or so years, centering primarily on the father he barely got to know, his emotionally disturbed partner and his attraction to a pretty female officer named Judith "Jimmie" Poe. Throw in his own penchant for shooting himself in the foot (usually after loading the gun himself), and you've got a real mishmash of back-and-forths that at times can be a little hard to follow (or, in some instances, really care much about).

Eventually, though, it all comes together with a gruesome find unearthed - literally - by a local dog. The rest of the story isn't much less gruesome, but it does bring closure of at least one major case that pretty much assures a follow-up. Will I? Yes, I think - if for no other reason than to see what beat of whose drum this guy will follow next time out. Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the pre-release review copy of this one.

A Lonesome Blood-Red Sun by David Putnam (Level Best Books, October 2023); 333 pp.

OBSESSION

4 stars out of 5

Although I've never considered myself to be a big fan of ex-CIA operative Teddy Fay (at least not in comparison to the related Stone Barrington series), this one is in my mind the best of the lot so far (it's the sixth). Teddy, who by most accounts is considered to be dead, is trying hard not to be resurrected and takes on the persona of three different characters (yes, his ability to switch identities so quickly without anyone suspecting defies rational thought), so it's sometimes a little hard to keep them all straight. But somehow, it works.

The story takes place primarily in and around Santa Barbara, California, where Centurion Pictures and a Croatian billionaire are close to a deal on a joint venture. Centurion is owned by Ben Bachetti, and a film starring Mark Weldon - one of Teddy's alter egos - is being directed by Peter Barrington (both names will be familiar to readers of the Barrington series so I won't bother with details). Early on, the billionaire's wife is kidnapped, and Teddy agrees, under one of his other identities, that his "friend" (secretly the real Teddy) will try to rescue her. Meantime, another bad guy has the hots for Ben's dazzling model wife Tessa, and his quest to win her over turns from stalking to something way more threatening.

The rest of the story follows those two themes all the way to their conclusions, with plenty of action - and a lot of help from familiar friends including Stone - along the way. One hallmark of both series is that it's rare for any of the main characters to meet an untimely end - at worst, one might get roughed up a little - so I and other readers can stay on the edge of our seats without biting our nails to the quick. While situations certainly get serious and there are several casualties of war, so to speak, things tend to work out in the end, as they do here. All in all, it's another enjoyable romp and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. 

Obsession by Stuart Woods and Brett Battles (G.P. Putnam's Sons, October 2023); 315 pp.

TO DIE FOR

4 stars out of 5

A cutthroat world of real estate agents and brokers? Who knew? In and of itself, that doesn't sound too exciting. And for the most part, it wasn't. But my lack of enthusiasm mostly happened because the plot seemed lacking in transition; while the technique of jumping from time period to time period - allowing readers to gradually see what happened before that led to the current situation - can be effective, it just didn't work well for me in this case (maybe my opinion was colored by the fact that the identity of the murder victim wasn't revealed until way past the halfway point). Besides that, it was a bit of a letdown to realize that real estate really wasn't the issue at all.

Despite the aforementioned caveats, it's an entertaining story that's worth reading. Once I got used to the presentation and the changes in perspectives no longer required me to go back to my notes to re-discover who was who, I became more involved in the details. Basically, Andi Hart is a realtor whose firm has landed a representation contract for a $50 million Malibu beach home - clearly a financial boon to the firm and the agent who reels in the buyer (to the tune of a cool million dollars - hardly chump change). Needless to say, competition turns ugly; the firm's agents and the husband-and-wife owners are, understandably, hot to trot to get it done and apparently willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.

The story is complicated by the fact that each of the characters, Andi included, carries secrets they'd rather no one else knows. An already bad situation takes a turn for the worse when, during an posh post-staging party for brokers, a dead body turns up in the swimming pool. But who is the victim, what was the motive for the murder and - most important - who did the dirty deed? Little by little, readers get hints about both, until all is revealed at the end (which I'd describe as mostly satisfying). For the details, though, you'll have to read it for yourself; as for me, I'll just say thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read a pre-release copy.

To Die For by Lisa Gray (Thomas & Mercer, August 2023); 329 pp.

MALIBU BURNING

5 stars out of 5

There are a handful of authors whose books I always look forward to reading, and Mr. Goldberg is one of them. And with this book, he once again doesn't disappoint; it's a real barn-burner. Besides that, I absolutely loved the main characters, the super-skillful arson investigator Walter Sharpe and his new partner, Andrew Walker - so much so that I'm hoping we'll see them again (and again) in a series.

For this nonstop adventure, they're hot on the trail of ex-con Danny Cole, a clever thief who, during his prison time, volunteered for the prison's firefighter squad. The work is challenging and dangerous, but to Danny, it beat being stuck in a prison cell and trying to avoid payback from people he'd scammed. But living out in the wilderness sparked not only his expertise with wildfires, but also his desire for another big payoff - along with getting revenge on behalf of a friend who was terribly wronged. Almost as soon as he walked out the prison door as a free man, he began putting together an air-tight plan and assembling his team of experts.

Chapters shift back and forth between Danny's efforts to get rich and what's going on in the lives of the arson team's effort; it's no surprise when everything and everyone come together amid an out-of-control wildfire that threatens multi-million dollar California mansions. Along the way Andrew - himself a seasoned detective - soaked up Walter's extensive knowledge of wildfires (as do readers, BTW). Good thing, because it'll take all that, and more, if they want Danny's grand plan to go down in flames.

Suffice it to say there's never a dull moment from the first page to the rather unexpected ending, whether it be chuckles, gasps or nail-biting angst over which character might not make it to the next chapter. That's another way to say this is another sizzler, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. Good job!

Malibu Burning by Lee Goldberg (Thomas & Mercer, September 2023); 286 pp.

YOU CAN TRUST ME

4 stars out of 5

"I couldn't put it down" and "It's a little too contrived" typically don't co-exist in the same book review, but I have to be honest: Both descriptors are appropriate based on my experience. The couldn't put it down part was almost hypnotic (although not totally accurate - I did take time off to cook dinner and go to bed). But the story, and out-of-the-ordinary characters, did grab me from the start and didn't let go.

Even the main characters' names avoid run-of-the-mill: Summer and Leo (both female), an unlikely pair of friends who have bonded together while trying to escape growing-up years that were unsettling at best. They live off the grid, technically homeless and nonexistent to the "normal" world, in mostly sunny California - living on their wits and expertise with a variety of activities generally frowned upon by society, like picking pockets. Summer, the older of the two, pretty much dominates their money-making activities, but Leo is eager to even the score. It'll happen, she claims, after she hooks up with a technology billionaire and he showers her with gifts she and Summer can offload for a boatload of cash to share. Early on, she's off to a great start, using her many charms to finagle an invitation to his private island for the weekend.

Except that it doesn't quite turn out that way. In fact, Leo - who typically would be in almost constant touch with Summer - fails to check in. Worried that something's seriously amiss, Summer finds a way to do some finagling of her own - an invitation to visit the island as the guest of one of the billionaire's technology buddies. Problem is, everyone on the island - including the billionaire - deny ever knowing or seeing Leo. So what's a best friend to do?

Find her, of course - but that brings all sorts of problems since security on the island, which includes a top-secret research laboratory, may be even higher tech than what's being developed there. Cell phones are verboten, drones and human watchdogs are over and around every tree and every single person on the island has pledged undying loyalty (in some cases, dying loyalty) to the billionaire host.

Needless to say, there's more going on here than meets the eye - and if prying eyes should happen to see too much, well, there are consequences. Is Leo even still alive? If she is, can Summer find her before that's no longer true? It's a thrilling chase to the end, with a question every step of the way as to which characters, if any, will cross the finish line alive. Even with a few "you've gotta be kidding me's" along the way, I certainly enjoyed the trip, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

You Can Trust Me by Wendy Heard (Bantam, June 2023); 304 pp.

DRESSED TO DRILL

4 stars out of 5

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

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

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

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

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

DOOMED LEGACY

5 stars out of 5

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

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

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

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

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

MOVIELAND

5 stars out of 5

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the first three books in this series, I was of course delighted to get my hands on a review copy of this one. I love Eve Ronin, the youngest-ever detective in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, who has a take-no prisoners attitude, and her more seasoned partner, Duncan Pavone, who does a great job tempering her forays into left field (while acknowledging that she's almost always right).

But there are issues, the first of which is that Duncan is on the cusp of retirement; even Eve is reluctant to think about what she'll do without him. That's especially because she's got little support from her co-workers and supervisors, most of whom resent her lightning boost to the top following a high-profile case that also resulted in the making of a TV series based on her professional life.

But for the moment, she's got more to worry about; in Malibu Creek State Park, the former setting for countless Hollywood movies, two women were shot. One ended up with extensive injuries, but the other one was killed. The murder was up close and personal, but it soon becomes clear that it could be connected to a string of shootings over more than a year - almost all of which have been swept under the park police department's rug in an effort to keep tourism alive and well. Duncan knew of some of the prior incidents, and he now blames himself for not speaking up.

Now, both he and Eve want to go public with the potential threat to park visitors and residents who live nearby, but once again, their pleas go nowhere. Eve, of course, has never worried about stepping on toes - she's mashed quite a few along the way - so while she doesn't blame Duncan for his reticence, she takes advantage of it by enlisting his help in finding what now appears to be a serial sniper. When another murder happens with a similar M.O. and they manage to convince a higher-up to let them continue their investigation, though, they put a target on their backs that even Eve's special Kevlar vest may not adequately protect.

All in all, it's another action-packed adventure that's sprinkled with humor and interesting descriptions of the composition and history of the area (clearly, the author is familiar with the setting, and he says the story itself is based on a real-life case). It's entertaining, engrossing and just plain fun, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review it. 

Movieland by Lee Goldberg (Thomas & Mercer, June 2022); 351 pp.