THE WEDDING WEEK

4.5 stars out of 5

I’ve been a reasonably prolific reviewer of pre-release books (ARCs) through NetGalley for some time now, and it’s always a thrill to have one of my requests approved by publishers. Even more thrilling is getting an email from a publishing house agent offering me a book without my having to ask for it. With one caveat: most of the time, those are written by authors I’ve never heard of. Sometimes, the description is enough for me to decline the offer; other times – as was the case with this one – the book sounds intriguing, but my concern that it might be a big waste of my time lingers.

Well, I’m delighted to report that it turned out to be a winner in my book, despite not being too sure when I started to read. Admittedly, I’m not at all familiar with much of anything related to South Asian or Middle Eastern culture except maybe some of the food (and even that when it’s been “Americanized”), so I sort of felt out of my element from the beginning. Names? Wrote ‘em down so I’d remember who’s who just because most of my friends have names like Jim or Mary, not Hena or Reza or Nasir. But curiosity I have plenty of; I love learning about other cultures and customs. It just takes a little longer to adjust to the unfamiliar. A for-instance? This story focuses on a “desi” wedding. Say what? As confirmed on more than one online source, a desi wedding is a traditional South Asian wedding (including Pakistani, as are the families here). Such events are elaborate, with dancing, singing, choreographed performances, henna paintings, cultural clothing and yes, vows, taking place over multiple days.

This story begins as Hena Mirza, who’s in California, gets a call from her younger sister Lulu, who’s 21 and getting married. The event will be held at Lulu’s luxurious resort in the Everglades – a place Hena left in a rush a few years back in the midst of a similar wedding of her own that went sideways before any vows were spoken. Her intended, Nasir, suddenly disappeared – never to be seen since. Worse, Hena became a suspect in that disappearance, with some relatives (especially on his side) believing she somehow did him in. And since Lulu is marrying Khaled, who is close friends with Nasir’s parents, who are among those believers  – and Nasir’s sister Irum is Lulu’s maid of honor - they’re all expected to be at the wedding as well.

It’s all sounds like a recipe for another disaster at best, so Hena isn’t expecting ooey-gooey wedding cake and roses and hesitates to go. But it’s her sister, after all, and their mother, Ammi, has Stage 4 lung cancer, so it may be the last time they will see her alive. Reluctantly, Hena agrees to give it a go.

Sure enough, she gets the expected responses from relatives on both sides, but for the most part she’s able to handle them. And when on the first day she meets handsome hunk and groomsman Reza, she begins to think she’ll make it through all eight days of elaborate, themed and highly choreographed celebrations.

Well, think again. At almost every turn, she encounters something unexpected – some that actually are life-threatening. As the story moves along, chapters flash to years-earlier experiences of various characters, all building up to the realization of what really happened to Hena’s fiancé and prompted her to flee the Sunshine State. Needless to say, I can’t relate any of that without spoiling things for other readers, but suffice it to say it’s an interesting journey with a few surprises at the end. All told, it’s an enjoyable adventure that’s a bit off the beaten path, and I’m appreciative of the offer of a pre-release copy to read and review (by way of NetGalley). Well done, definitely recommended.

The Wedding Week by Aishia Saeed (Bantam, July 2026); 352 pp.

STORM WARNING

3.5 stars out of 5

After reading and enjoying three other books by this author, I was of course looking forward to this one. But while it's an interesting plot, overall it left me a bit disappointed. Set in the midst of a hurricane on a small island off the Florida coast, it's got an abundance of wind, rain and (gasp!) murder. But it's long on second-guessing and short on substance - and an ending that's not only abrupt but that absolutely screams for a more in-depth explanation.

Jake Powell, it seems, has been living on the island for about six months, trying to find himself after leaving his wife and teenage daughter back home on the mainland. There are very few residents on the island, most living in apartment buildings that are almost falling down around them - and a developer wants to finish them off and build anew. But now, Jake wants to go home; in a hurry to get across the short causeway before a big storm rolls in, he tells his plan to his landlord and friend, Dallas, and sets off to make sure the top-floor tenant - an elderly lady - is safe. When he returns to say his final goodbye to Dallas, he gets quite a shock; in the short time he was gone, someone has killed Dallas. But who?

Jake jumps in the car and barely makes it to the mainland with the intention of telling the police and then heading on to his wife and daughter. But when the police, who are well trained in disaster protocols, say they're helpless until the storm - now a certified hurricane - passes, Jake inexplicably decides to put friendship with those he's known for half a year ahead of concern for his famiily and heads back to the almost-wiped-out causeway. He makes it, of course, but now he's stuck on an island with people he doesn't know all that well - one of them most likely a murderer.

Gathering his little group of apartment dwellers together thinking there's safety in numbers, from that point on, it's mostly a matter of speculation of how bad the hurricane might get mixed with more speculation as to who that killer may be rather than finding any real evidence or clues. There's a surprise that complicates the situation a bit, but for the most part, that only leads to more second-guessing. At the end, readers get a peek at what the future holds, but only a peek. All told, though, it's a very readable book - I could have polished it off in a single day, I'm sure, had life not intervened (think chaise lounge on a sunny beach). And I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Storm Warning by David Bell (Berkley, June 2024); 448 pp.

DANGER IN NUMBERS

3.5 stars

After having read and enjoyed two of the author's other books, I have to say that this one - while enjoyable in many ways - doesn't quite measure up. The subject matter - ritualistic murders and a secretive religious cult - always makes fodder for a good story, and this is no exception. The main characters, though, just seem a bit too "perfect" to be totally believable - the budding relationship between Florida State Police Special Agent Amy Larson and FBI Special Agent Hunter Forrest was a forgone conclusion from the moment she met and disliked him.

While it in no way factored into my rating, I confess to being very bothered by the frequent and glaringly incorrect references to the Bible book that's the basis for the cult's beliefs. It is "Revelation," not "Revelations" (plural). Although I'm reading a pre-release galley and a few errors can be expected - publishers almost always contend these things will be caught and corrected in the final version - but this mistake is so pervasive that someone should have caught it long before this. If it hasn't been fixed before you get a copy, well, you read it here first.

All that said, this is still an engrossing story, with twists and turns that held my interest all the way to the end. It begins with the exceptionally gruesome murder of a young woman that clearly has religious overtones. Amy has been called in, and she's surprised when Hunter - a Fed - shows up unannounced (and, as far as she's concerned, unauthorized). Despite her wariness, they manage a truce of sorts; as the investigation moves along, the truce begins to turn to trust. 

And time is of the essence when suspicions turn to what's outlined in that Bible book - predictions of four murders - one by sword, one by starvation, one by disease and one by animal attack. Given the nature of this murder, could it represent the first of four? If so, can Amy and Hunter and members of their teams find who's behind it before he or she strikes again? 

The chase takes the pair through some of Florida's most remote parts as they meet up with some small-town locals who put a very different spin on what faith is all about. The search continues right up to an action-packed ending that makes the whole thing well worth reading. Thanks very much to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy. 

Danger in Numbers by Heather Graham (MIRA, March 2021); 266 pp.

OCEAN PREY

5 stars out of 5

Two of my favorite characters in the same book? No way this one won't be a winner, I said to myself as I happily opened it on my Kindle. And in no way was I disappointed.

Well, maybe a titch in one respect; mostly because of asthma and a little bit of claustrophobia, I'm not a fan of putting my head under water at all - not even in the shower. So, the mere thought of scuba diving gives me hives. That's a big part of this story, so I was on the edge of my seat throughout, trying not to hold my breath and hoping that no human would be harmed in the process (close calls, however, not only are acceptable, but expected).

The two characters are Lucas Davenport, now with the U.S. Marshal's Service, and his buddy Virgil Flowers, an agent with the Minnesota Department of Criminal Apprehension. They've had books all to themselves for years (with the occasional cameo appearance by one in the other's), and I'm pretty sure I've read them all. This time out, the balance of power gives a slight edge to Lucas, but Virgil certainly makes his often irreverent presence known. The story begins in Florida, after three National Guardsmen are murdered by what appear to be drug smugglers. Lucas gets called in, agrees to investigate, and convinces Virgil to join his team of expert cohorts. That leads to some serious confrontations, at least one of which doesn't turn out well.

The trail leads from Florida to New Jersey and back again, putting both Lucas and Virgil on dangerous ground (well, in Virgil's case, that would be in water). In between are the usual quips and one-liners that never fail to make me chuckle - here, it's double the fun - and plenty of excitement as the rush is on to identify and catch the bad guys before they get away. All told, another great adventure with double the usual appeal - highly recommended! Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Ocean Prey by John Sandford (G.P. Putnam's Sons, April 2021); 432 pp.

THE KEY LIME CRIME

5 stars out of 5

I am not, as a rule, fond of cozy mysteries; give me plenty of blood, life-threatening action and bang-up endings any day of the week. But I'll also say this: There's nothing like a well-written cozy to take the edge off all that gore and angst and provide an enjoyable few hours of reading.

And this is just such a book. Admittedly, I'm new to the series; this is, I've read, the 10th featuring the personable and delightfully unobnoxious Hayley Snow, a food critic in Key West, Fla. I suppose my interest initially was piqued by the setting; honestly, I've never really wanted to visit anywhere in too-hot Florida except for one spot (you guessed it). Maybe it's the Hemingway connection (one of my retired English teacher husband's favorite authors); maybe it's the six-toed cats; maybe it's the chance to be Buffeted by some of my favorite music - I can't say for sure. And I can't discount being able to indulge in one of my favorite desserts, key lime pie. 

Of the latter, there's plenty to go around here (although I must admit that after reading the book I'm more enthralled by the key lime martini, for which the author provides a recipe - among others - at the end). For those wondering if they'll be lost starting with a book so far into a series, my answer is an unequivocal no; I had no trouble whatsoever understanding what is going on.

Hayley, newly married to Key West cop Nathan Bransford, is covering some of the food events being held on the island during the tourist-crowded week between Christmas and New Year's. While their houseboat is being renovated, she and Nathan are living with a somewhat kooky next-door neighbor. All that suddenly becomes complicated when Nathan's mother announces an unplanned visit - starting the very next day. She and Hayley have never met, this is Nathan's busiest time of the year and the houseboat is overcrowded as it is. Not the best time, then, for Hayley to witness a nasty incident involving one of the bakery-submitted key lime pies - and certainly not to find a dead body.

Hayley's innate curiosity kicks in, of course, aided and abetted by that of her mother-in-law and their elderly houseboat hostess. Nathan (also of course) doesn't take kindly to their intrusion into the investigation, but readers of cozies know that only serves as an incentive for the heroine to dig in her heels. Will she learn the murderer's identity without putting herself and her friends in mortal danger? Will Nathan forgive his bride for ignoring his advice? You'll just have to read the book to find out. All I'm willing to do at this point is say thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for letting me read and review this very entertaining book.

The Key Lime Crime by Lucy Burdette (Crooked Lane Books, August 2020); 320 pp.

CAMINO WINDS

5 stars out of 5

This, the author's second adventure set on

Camino Island, puts some of the characters from the first (appropriately titled Camino Island) back in the eye of the storm. This time, though, it's literally; not long after the story begins, Hurricane Leo threatens to disrupt the festivities honoring successful author Mercer Mann that are to take place in Bruce Cable's Bay Books store. Mercer, who has a college teaching gig, has returned to the island with her latest boy toy, Thomas, expecting to be wined and dined by her old friends.

But it's not long before all those plans are blowin' in the wind; Leo, it seems, has set his eye on the island's downtown. Evacuations are ordered, but Bruce and a couple of his friends decide to ride it out. Luckily, they survive the devastation; but no such luck for Nelson Kerr, a thriller writer and one of Bruce's friends. He's found dead at his damaged home; but an up-close-and-personal look determines that Leo may not have been the killer.

Since Nelson died in the storm when debris was flying everywhere, the local police aren't quite ready to buy the murder angle - and even if they did, they're up to their eyeballs in clean-up efforts and making sure looters don't start running rampant. Bruce, though, is positive he's right. As he and his friends, including Mercer and Thomas, put their heads together, the consensus is that somebody, somewhere, didn't want Nelson's not-yet-published manuscript to see the light of print.

But who might that be? Surely not one of their own - each of whom has a background and secrets that are slowly revealed as the story unfolds - and issues are resolved - over a period of a year or so. As was the first book, it's told in a narrative style, although there seems to be more dialogue here (and, maybe because of that, I think I slightly prefer this one). Those expecting courtroom theatrics will be disappointed, although lawyers do get involved in some of the goings-on. All in all, this one is thoroughly enjoyable - and I've definitely taken a liking to this series. More, please!

Camino Winds by John Grisham (Doubleday, April 2020); 290 pp.

CROOKED RIVER

5 stars out of 5

Plots that border the implausible and characters who do the impossible make this series especially appealing to me. The star of the show, FBI special agent Aloysius Pendergast, and his young, mysterious ward, Constance Greene, are so intriguing that I simply can't get enough. In this one, it's clear from the outset that something grisly is afoot - literally; but while Pendergast performs his usual feats of mental brilliance, it is Constance who steals the action scenes this time around.

Enjoying some rare downtime, Pendergast is annoyed to get a call ordering him to a crime scene on Florida's Sanibel Island. There, he learns that dozens of identical green sneakers are floating ashore with the tide - all containing human feet. But from whence did they come? Are the rest of the bodies still intact and alive, and if so, where?

Other police and Coast Guard officers and FBI agents (the latter including Assistant Director Walter Pickett, with whom I developed an immediate affinity given that Pickett is my maiden name) are there to help. Theories run all over the map, for a time centering on a Cuban prison. But only when Pendergast commandeer's the research boat of a Dr. Gladstone and her capable tech-savvy assistant do they discover the true origin - and it's too close to home for comfort. Meanwhile, a local hot-shot reporter finds a clue and sets off on his own to get the scoop - putting his own life in peril - and Pendergast calls on another of his cohorts, Agent Coldmoon (a Native American who will be familiar to readers of previous books), to kick in his special brand of assistance.

But the more the investigation gets a leg-up on the truth, the more the powers-that-be insist that Pendergast and his team to toe the official line. Needless to say, stay the course has never been part of Pendergast's crime-solving strategy, and it certainly rankles him this time around. But this case just might the one to do him in; and it will be up to Constance, with some help from Coldmoon - to keep this, the 19th book, from becoming the end of the series. But no, I never really believed that was a possibility, and a cliffhanger at the end assured me there will be a 20th. Bring it on!

Crooked River by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (Grand Central Publishing, February 2020); 416 pp.

BLOOD AND SAND

5 stars out of 5

This series has long been a favorite of mine - discovered quite a few years back. I admit I've skipped a handful in more recent years (to be honest, I own them all, but with all the read-to-review books I get through NetGalley, I simply haven't found time to work them in). The current Christmas-New Year's holiday season brought a brief respite from that must-read list, though, so I jumped on the opportunity to start this one. And happily, I finished it the same day just because I didn't want to stop.

Although it's the 23rd in the series, this entry stands alone quite well (as evidenced by my not getting even a little bit lost even though I haven't stayed up to date). This one begins as central character John Jordan, an investigator for Florida's Gulf Coast Sheriff's Department, on a Florida beach - invited there to present a series of lectures. Recently, the prison at which he served as chaplain was decimated by a hurricane; rather than move his wife, Anna, and their young daughter, Taylor, to the area in which the destroyed prison's inmates were transferred, he resigned.

But John had another reason to accept the invitation to lecture; he hopes to find time to look into the disappearance of three-year-old girl named Magdalene Dacosta about a year ago (the book is, for the record, "inspired" by the real-life case of Madeleine McCann). Not long before she went missing, she'd been adopted out of foster care by gay couple Keith and Christopher. Overjoyed at getting a child, the two managed to win over most of the local residents who, let's say, resisted the concept of a child having two dads. They also were instrumental in bringing John in for the lectures, hoping he'd help them find out what happened to their precious daughter (even if it's not what they want to hear).

The first lecture goes well, and the parents, who own a rather spooky bed-and-breakfast and hold an annual Winter Solstice party for select guests, are thrilled that John agrees to poke his nose in the case. It was the night of that party, in fact, that Magdalene disappeared, never to be seen again. John's wife, Anna, though, is less than happy that John is once again (in her view) putting work ahead of family. Quickly, the relationship becomes strained, although both continue to dote on their daughter.

In a sense, the investigation is more clear-cut than most; it would have been impossible for anyone except those at the party (including her parents) to have taken Magdalene from the home that night, all those involved - even the police - agree. That means, of course, that the kidnapper - and possibly murderer - is someone they all know and love. But who? And how? And when? Readers are introduced to all the party-goers, making it an ongoing guessing game as to who the culprit might be. Worse, the closer John gets to the truth, the more he puts his own family in danger and further alienates his already distressed wife.

Most issues get resolved by the end, but the tension doesn't let up a bit till then. Happy to report this remains a favorite series, and one of my New Year's resolutions is to make sure I don't miss any more of them. Highly recommended!

Blood and Sand by Michael Lister (Pulpwood Press, November 2019); 278 pp.

THE GUARDIANS

5 stars out of 5

As a long-time Grisham fan, the moment I got my hands on this book I bookmarked the one I'd almost finished reading, set aside the one lined up to be read next and got down to business. My only disappointment? That real-life business (like eating and sleeping) prevented me from polishing it off in one sitting; it was engrossing from the first page to the last.

The story outlines the efforts of nonprofit Guardian Ministries, a small, close-knit group of like-minded individuals whose mission is to move legal mountains to free wrongly convicted prison inmates. Narrated by firm investigator, attorney and Episcopal priest Cullen Post, the book primarily details the investigative and legal progress as related to two of the firm's six clients - both of whom have been serving time for years for crimes they did not commit. The primary focus is on Quincy Miller, a black man who was sent to prison for life for murdering a young lawyer in a small north Florida town.

Fast-forward 22 years, when Cullen meets with the man and, after reviewing the scant evidence that suggests Quincy was framed, decides to take on the case. Getting to the truth, though, requires hundreds of interviews, exhausting research and travel wherever the evidence leads - not easily accomplished by a firm that operates on a shoestring budget. But the more they investigate, the more convinced of Quincy's innocence they become and the more determined Cullen is to prove it (and maybe, although it's not the prime directive, unearth the real killer in the process).

Time-consuming? Obviously. Dangerous? Not so much, except when it is; not everyone is eager to set the record straight. Some, in fact, will go to any lengths to keep long-buried secrets as dead as the lawyer they murdered all those years ago - and now they've got Cullen in their sights. Will he get out alive? And if he does, will he get his client out of jail? Read it and find out - you'll be glad you did.

The Guardians by John Grisham (Doubleday, October 2019); 371 pp.

MY LOVELY WIFE

5 stars out of 5

"Full of twists, well-drawn characters and riveting suspense," they said. "Clever, manipulative, dark and disturbing," they said. What do I say? If you have but one book in this genre to read before the end of this year, make it this one. Yeah, it's that good. 

Narrated by a man known only as Tobias, the plot follows his "love story" with his wife Millicent; at the beginning they were a perfect couple with a run-of-the-mill life. But before long, Millicent's job as a successful realtor in Woodview, Florida, and his as a club tennis pro turn boring; clearly, the marriage fire needs a bit of  rekindling. Fanning the flames evolves into a murderous joint effort, and because they choose their victims with care, the plan works beautifully until one of the victims turns up unexpectedly. 

It's only a temporary setback, though; recalling the dastardly acts of years-ago local serial killer Owen Riley (who's no longer in jail and hasn't been seen in years), Tobias and Millicent decide to walk in his bloody footsteps in the hope he will get the blame.

And get the blame he does. The local community, egged on by a persistent and competent journalist (and a little help from Tobias),  is all a-titter (and a little bit scared), over the probability that Riley is back and on the prowl. Things couldn't be going better, until they don't; Tobias and Millicent failed to foresee the effect their clandestine activities would have on the lives of some of their friends and, worse, their beloved son and daughter.

So now they face yet another dilemma: What to do, what to do? It's back to the drawing board for a new plan, and the only thing they know for sure is that it won't include giving up the extracurricular fun that's brought them closer together.

Or not.

My conclusion? Whew! It's a thrilling ride - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review it. 

My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing (Berkley, March 2019); 384 pp.

STONE COLD

5 stars out of 5


Starting a book by an author with whom I'm not familiar always makes me nervous. Will it make me eager to read another or want to toss it in the garbage? In this case, knowing I'd promised the author to write a review when I finished added another layer of distress; goodness knows, the last thing I want to do is hurt anyone's feelings. But I'm happy to say that within the first couple of chapters, my worries went out the window. Not only did I enjoy it thoroughly, I've found a new series that hit the ground running.

While she and partner Tony Francisco are trying to track down a particularly nasty serial killer in and around Eugene Falls, Florida, Detective Rebecca Watson gets called into court as a witness for the prosecution. A man convicted of murdering his girlfriend five years ago gets that original trial thrown out on a technicality and is granted a retrial. Watson's former partner was killed in an accident on his way to deliver evidence from the crime scene back then, and now the defense is determined to prove that the evidence was tainted by either the partner or Rebecca herself.

Early on, readers learn that Rebecca has a contentious relationship with her mother. And surprise: that same mother now has a relationship with the defendant, occupying a prominent seat behind him while Rebecca tries to focus on her testimony. Worse, mommy dearest may have provided fodder to the defense attorney that he can use to discredit her daughter.

As an aside, after years of reading books in the mystery/thriller genre, I've concluded that somewhere it must be written that female lead characters  must have lurid backgrounds; just once, I'd love to find one who had a relatively normal childhood like my own. My most "awful" memory, in fact, is the scent of cow manure wafting over the fields as I waited at the end of our farmhouse lane for the school bus to pick me up each morning. On the other hand, messy childhoods do make for more intrigue (not to mention plot twists), so I concede that if I were a fiction writer, I'd want my heroines to have endured something more soul-scarring than animal odors. To that end, Rebecca doesn't lack in that department; in addition to the aforementioned estranged mother, she's got a former husband who broke her heart plus years of dealing with far more psyche-damaging experiences - all of which jump to the forefront when she least wants them to.

It is the search for the serial killer, though, that occupies center stage throughout most of the book. Victims keep turning up with indications of particularly gruesome torture - but what fails to turn up is any connection among them. Rebecca is frustrated that the trial is making her miss out on some of the investigation, although her hunky partner, together with Jerry Carrubba of NCIS, seem to have that situation well in hand (amid a bit of levity provided by Rebecca's two "aunties" and her sweet dog). Finally, a link to the victims is unearthed, Rebecca's trial comes to an end (you really don't expect me to tell you how, do you)? From that point on, the case begins to pick up speed and, from the reader's perspective, edge-of-seat excitement. 

Clearly, this series is off to a great start. To the author, thank you - and please, sir, may I have some more?

Stone Cold by James Glass (The Wild Rose Press Inc., October 2018); 202 pp.

COLD BLOOD

4 stars out of 5

Not to sound like a broken record, but I do love a good series - especially when I'm fond of the main character. John Jordan, senior chaplain at the Gulf Correctional Institute in Florida and an investigator for the Gulf County Sheriff's Department, certainly fills that bill. He works two jobs, BTW, simply because he loves doing both and can't decide which to give up. 

This is the 13th in the series; I've read several others, although I have to admit I've skipped at least two before picking up this one. No matter; I've read enough that there was no problem catching up. At this point, John has an ex-wife and child, a live-in fiance, Anna, and their very young child.

In 2005, a 21-year-old student at the University of West Florida went missing; apparently, the car she was driving crashed in a remote area near the Gulf of Mexico. According to passers-by, the woman - Randa Raffield - was very much alive when they saw her at the scene of the accident. But then, she vanished - leaving her still-drivable car locked and in a spot many miles from the place she'd told others she'd be. A police investigation ensued, but no conclusions were reached (and since she was considered to be a troubled young woman, many believed she committed suicide).

It's 12 years later now, and true crime podcast reporters Merrick and Daniel are looking into the cold case in hopes of getting to the truth. They're both friends with John and ask him for help; after getting permission from the Sheriff (who has close ties to one of the reporters), he agrees. As new details turn up, though, the investigators get threatening messages telling them to back off or else. Needless to say, they don't listen - leading up to a surprise ending that's a real cliffhanger.

And that, perhaps above all else, was what soured me a tiny bit on this one - we're talking a doozy of a cliffhanger, and I'm just not enthralled with that tactic no matter who's doing the writing or how good the book otherwise is. Add in a few too many "coincidences" and an overload of praise laid on John for his wonderfulness, both personally and professionally (to the point of sappiness), and the whole thing just missed being perfectly enjoyable. But it's still well worth reading, and I've already got the next two just waiting for me to find time to read. For those who haven't read this series, I highly recommend that you go for it.

Cold Blood by Michael Lister (Pulpwood Press, February 2017); 306 pp.

JACK OF HEARTS

4 stars out of 5

This is the first book I've read in this series, but when I had the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review, I checked out the description. That, and learning that all the books can be read as stand-alones in any order, convinced me to give it a go.

And by golly, I enjoyed it. It's got a solid plot with enough action to keep things interesting, although I'd describe it as much closer to a cozy mystery than a "thriller." There's the requisite cozy romance - this time between the hero, detective Jack Stratton, and the woman he wants to marry, investigator Alice - but I must say for two people who supposedly are in love, I sensed no real romantic vibe between the two of them. There's also a group of elderly ladies who can't keep their noses out of police business despite being told repeatedly that they'd just gum up the investigation (also a cozy requirement in some form or other). And inexplicably, Alice - supposedly a professional investigator herself - goes along with the hijinks they concoct. There's zero sex, no graphic violence even though murders happen and even the barest of hints of religion. All that said, the whole thing comes together in a fun, fast-paced adventure that made me look forward to reading the next one.

The story begins as Jack is taking Alice to Florida to meet his parents for the first time. They get stuck bringing Lady, his oversize King Shepherd, along for the ride (stuck in the cargo hold, where she's none too happy). Jack is a bit nervous, although mostly because when he popped the question to Alice recently, she didn't give him an enthusiastic response. Not surprisingly, Jack's parents welcome Alice with open arms - but notably, also with separate sleeping quarters. And immediately, they are taken to Lady as well (bless their hearts -I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be that welcoming to a brute the size of Lady in my house, no matter how sweet she is).

Soon, Jack and Alice learn of a series of petty thefts carried out by someone known in the retirement community as the "Orange Blossom Cove Bandit" and meet a group of ladies who belong to a book club who are determined to catch the perp. Meantime, another story line takes shape as Curtis Dixon, under the watchful eye of his evil elderly aunt, commits robberies that culminate in murder in the same community. Surely, I thought to myself, murder would be the first topic of discussion for Jack's parents and the other elderly folks who live here rather than trinkets like gone-missing solar-powered crowing roosters - but then that's just me; pink flamingos are the only non-living thing allowed to set foot in my yard, and who'd even consider stealing them? In the midst of all this isn't enough, unbeknownst to Alice, Jack has been trying to track down information on her family; her parents, it seems, were killed in an automobile crash many years ago that she alone survived. 

So insistent are the book club ladies that Jack, a former policeman, find the garden thief that he just can't say no to their demands for help - especially since one of them is his mother, for goodness sake. He's got a week before he and Alice must return to their normal lives; can they solve the case in time? And will the robbery/murder incidents somehow tie into on their efforts, perhaps putting lives of people they love on the line? And maybe most important, is there anything Jack can do to convince Alice to say yes?

Like a jar of Prego spaghetti sauce, it's all in there - but you'll just have to open the jar and find it for yourself. 

Jack of Hearts by Christopher Greyson (Greyson Media LLC, August 2017); 260 pp.

CAMINO ISLAND

5 stars out of 5

If I could change the title, I think I'd rename it Anatomy of a Heist. The writing is very matter-of-fact - nothing very thrilling or exciting - that begins with the theft of five one-of-a-kind F. Scott Fitzgerald manuscripts from the bowels of the Princeton University Firestone Library. From there, it follows the day-to-day (often minute-by-minute) lives of the thieves and those who want to find them and bring the manuscripts back to their rightful home. It's divided into sections, each of which details the relevant characters and events pretty much on a minute-by-minute basis.

"The Heist," the opening section, brings readers an up-close-and-personal look at the robbers and how they planned the job and carried off the loot. "The Dealer" focuses on Bruce Cable, owner of a popular bookstore on Florida's Camino Island who collects rare books and, despite having a gorgeous French wife who deals in antiques, is quite the ladies' man. That's followed by "The Recruit," which introduces Mercer Mann, a semi-successful novelist and current teacher at the University of North Carolina. She's desperately trying to get out of a writing slump, hoping to get published and sell enough books to pay off her massive student loans and live the life of a successful writer.

In earlier days, Mercer was a frequent visitor to Camino Island and thus is familiar with its small tourist town of Santa Rosa, where Bruce's bookstore is located. When powers-that-be suspect that Bruce somehow may be involved in the theft of the manuscripts, which are insured for a whopping $25 million, she's considered the perfect "spy" and is offered the job of getting close enough to Bruce to learn his secrets. What they're willing to pay for her services is mind-boggling; but she wonders if its worth selling her soul as a snitch. Even if she can get over that hump, does she have what it takes to convince Bruce that she's just a curious, temporary island resident who has an interest in old books? And what if it turns out that Bruce has no secrets at all?

From there, the story unfolds bit by bit, section by section - always in a mostly narrative, little dialogue fashion. For readers, that means no nail-biting or edge-of-seat balancing, which may not sit all that well with those who demand knock-'em-dead action (nor will, perhaps, the lack of courtroom drama). But as with any writer worth his or her salt, the devil is in the details - and in that respect, Grisham is as good as it gets. It was fascinating to see how deftly he weaves together all the bits and pieces into the whole story that builds to the ending - which, as might be expected, is understated as well. Good job!

Camino Island by John Grisham (Random House LLC, June 2017); 304 pp.

DEAD GONE

5 stars out of 5

It's always a pleasure to read a straightforward crime novel that doesn't have so many characters that it's impossible to remember who's who or chapters that flip back and forth in time so often that I give up trying to figure out what year it is. While I might take a bit of an issue with the description that calls it a "gripping thriller with an explosive ending" - especially since the ending didn't come as a big surprise to me - I really, really enjoyed this book. So much so, in fact, that I'm happy to know it's the first book in a new crime series that takes place in south Florida. For sure I'll be in line when the next one comes out.

Actually, I've never been to Florida, even though my husband and I have so many relatives and friends there that we could stay for free for at least a couple of months (all of whom, BTW, would break our kneecaps if we didn't cheer for the Florida State University Seminoles). So even if we haven't been there person, the ins and outs of Rookery Bay, a vast nature preserve dotted with brackish creeks seem somehow familiar and make the perfect setting for this book. And from the get-go I was intrigued by the main character, detective Tom Lange, who's joined the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He's hoping to do the best job he can under difficult circumstances (everybody resents a rookie, after all). He's also still trying to cope with the trauma of his childhood years; the only family he has left is an older brother Nick, who lives in the area as well.

Tom's first case comes with the discovery of an unidentified woman's body in a mangrove; the only clue is her butterfly tattoo. His boss, Lauren Blythe, is a seasoned detective who likes to be in control and is willing to cut a newbie only so much slack - even when it's likely that he's on to something. Stir in a medical examiner who, shall we say, won't win any awards for his sparkling personality, and Tom realizes early on that his opinion probably won't count for much. As if that case weren't bothersome enough, he not only must contend with a neighbor's abusive boyfriend, hints of drug dealing and prostitution but also his brother, who has a few issues of his own.

The near nonstop action and easy-to-follow plot kept me engrossed from beginning to end - to the point of being oblivious to what was on TV (well, except for the Alabama-Clemson national title football game - go Tigers)! I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review it. Well done!

Dead Gone by T.J. Brearton (Joffe Books, December 2016); 337 pp.

RISE THE DARK

5 stars out of 5

Absolutely electric! Hee, hee, see what I did there? No? Well, if you read this book, you will. And read it you should: It's a real sizzler.

I will, however, make two observations, the first of which is that the ending is a cliffhanger - definitely not something I like to get smacked in the teeth with when I get there. Yes, I knew there's a previous book featuring one of the main characters, but I didn't connect the dots and make the assumption that there'll be more until it was too late. The other is that the story touches on what I'll call the occult; some may find those bits a little hard to believe. As a result, my actual review is 4.5 stars, but since most review websites don't do half-stars, I rounded up to 5 because overall it's that good.

The title refers to the words attorney Lauren Novak wrote in her notebook just before she was murdered. She and her investigator husband, Markus, were in a small and offbeat town in Florida when it happened; Markus is sure who the killer is, but although he was in jail, he's back out and Markus is intent on tracking him down and getting revenge.

Meanwhile, up in Montana, it's lights out - literally. Sabrina Baldwin and her husband, Jay, moved to the remote mountain area after her brother - a high-voltage lineman like her husband - was electrocuted while trying to restore power. Jay was with him at the time and was so traumatized that he accepted a transfer that would keep him in the electricity industry but safely on the ground. When Jay is called out to help with a power outage, he returns home to find that Sabrina has been kidnapped.

And that's where the two story lines converge; turns out Sabrina's kidnapper is  the same man Markus believes murdered his wife. Markus and Jay don't even know each other, and they're coming at the situation from two very different perspectives. Standing in their way is a really nasty cult-like figure who's intent on destroying America's way of life forever by disrupting (you guessed it) the nation's electrical grid.

It seems to be a fair amount of research went into the writing of this book - I know I learned some new things. I also found one of the best lines I've read in years - one that's especially meaningful for someone like me who complains about the weather extremes here in northeastern Ohio but wouldn't leave it for the world:

"If you don't have to work to get through winter, what difference does spring make?"

Highly recommended - and I thank the author and publisher (via NetGalley) for providing me with a copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

Rise the Dark by Michael Koryta (Little, Brown and Co., August 2016); 401 pp.

THE WHISTLER

4.5 stars out of 5

Quandary time: I really enjoyed this book - in fact, perhaps more than the last two or three from this popular author. For openers, there's a noticeable absence of the industry-bashing that's been common of late (much to my dislike), and the focus is almost entirely on legal procedure that's reminiscent of earlier and, IMHO, more enjoyable works. 

On the other hand, it struck me as different enough that it may not sit well with die-hard fans. Can I call it, for instance, a "high-stakes thrill ride" as claimed in the description? Simply put, no.

Don't misunderstand; there's plenty of action, beginning the minute Lacy Stoltz, an attorney and investigator for the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct, is contacted by Greg Myers, a lawyer who claims that a Sunshine State judge is the most successful judicial thief in U.S. history. The judge, he reports, for years has been taking huge cuts from a large casino operated by the Tappacola Indian tribe, construction of which was financed by a secretive organization called the Coast Mafia. But there are complications; first, Myers was at one time disbarred, so his reputation is questionable. And, he's representing the whistle-blower only by way of an unknown intermediary, whose name he refuses to reveal (he insists he doesn't even know the name of the whistle-blower). Because of the threat to his own life, he's been on the lam for years (Myers isn't his real name); and he admits his only motivation for coming forward now is that he and his client stand to rake in millions by filing a complaint with the Board of Conduct.

Painfully aware of those limitations as well as touchy jurisdictional issues between Florida law enforcement and Native American property, Lacy and her partner, Hugo, tentatively begin to investigate. Some of the dirt they dig up early on suggests that the FBI should be called in to help, but Myers threatens to back out if that happens. So, the partners set off to learn what they can given the legal restrictions - and from the git-go run smack dab into a hornet's nest that quickly turns deadly.

As I said before, the action is pretty much nonstop after that. So why isn't it a nail-biter? I'm not sure, except to say it's the style of writing. Dialog makes the characters seem real, but everything in between is pretty much a narrative so matter-of-fact that it's almost - but not quite - to the point of bland. This "just the facts" approach keeps the plot interesting as all get-out to me, but at the same time I never felt any particular excitement or sense of imminent danger; in other words, nothing that put me on the edge of my seat. That said, though, I finished the book in a day and a half just because I didn't want to put it down - hence my dilemma in writing a review. 

In the end, I come down strongly on the side of well done. But in the final analysis, I guess other readers will just have to decide for themselves. Sorry, guys and gals, but it's the best that I can do.

The Whistler by John Grisham (Doubleday, October 2016); 384 pp.

BEST. STATE. EVER.

5 stars out of 5


From my days as a spring chicken to now, when I'm officially an old hen, one thing has been a constant: I love to laugh. And one person on whom I can count to make me yuck it up - whether via a syndicated newspaper column or one of his books - is Dave Barry. So when the publisher offered me the chance to read and review an advance copy of his newest effort, I said bring it on.

It is, thank goodness, rather short - I finished the whole thing in a couple of hours. Had it been much longer, I'm sure I'd have been banished to the basement while I read. Almost from page one, my chortles and guffaws started - annoying the heck out of my husband, who sat in his easy chair across from me trying to watch TV or read a book of his own. 

This time, Barry takes on Florida, where he's lived for 30 years. Much of that time, he says, he's been getting calls asking what's wrong with the Sunshine State, and the laughing has grown even worse since the 2000 Presidential election fiasco. So, he's decided to clear things up, taking himself - and now readers - to the best that Florida has to offer. He includes a brief but enlightening history ("...nothing much happened in the seventies, unless you count disco, which sucked as much in Florida as it did everywhere else," he writes).

Actually, one big event did happen in the '70s - Walt Disney World - and tourism hasn't been the same since as visitors began heading straight to the Orlando paradise, skipping the once-popular roadside attractions. Now, though, we learn what we've been missing lo these many years: Places like Cassadega, known for ghosts and all things spiritual; The Villages, the world's largest retirement community that's chock full of tricked-out golf carts; and Gatorland, the Allligator Capital of the World (no further explanation needed).

The places on the list are almost as offbeat as his humor, which is sometimes tongue-in-cheek and often irreverent - just the way I love it. Put another way, Dave, you've still got it - it's been 24 hours since I reached the end and I'm still chuckling. 

Best. State. Ever. by Dave Barry (G.P. Putnam's Sons, September 2016); 240 pp.

I SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN MOROCCO

4 stars out of 5

In 2010, if my research is accurate, Scott Rothstein - managing shareholder, chairman and CEO of Florida law firm Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler - received a 50-year prison sentence for masterminding a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme involving the purchase of fabricated "structured settlements." Rothstein "fingered" several others he claimed were involved in the scheme, including Stephen Caputi, author of this book. The Ponzi scheme, it should be noted, has been called one of the largest since the early 1700s.

Throughout the book, a copy of which I was provided at no cost in exchange for a review, Caputi maintains he had no knowledge of the Ponzi scheme, how it was executed or how much money was involved, even though in retrospect he admits he should not have carried out some questionable orders from his long-time friend Rothstein. And, because he knew nothing, he insists he was wrongly convicted. Whether readers believe him or not - clearly, the court did not, sentencing him to five years in prison - this book (which I received at no cost in exchange for a review) is worth reading if only to get an eye-opening look at what can be the harsh reality of life behind bars as well as the inner workings of at least one U.S. prison.

Caputi also describes his life before the fall - one filled with nightclubs, beautiful women and just about anything money can buy. He also paints a vivid picture of Rothstein, who was richer than God and routinely tipped champagne glasses with heavy-hitter names like Bush, McCain and Trump. What he doesn't describe, however, are details of the Ponzi scheme - understandable, I suppose, since spilling the beans in a book after the fact would suggest he really did know what was going on.

Along the way, he did make a couple of statements that to me were revealing, starting with, "Identifying and recognizing the upstream and downstream of payola as it flowed throughout the scammed infrastructure was second nature to me." Later, in reference to his 30 years in the nightclub business, he wrote, "One of my special practiced skills...was to read people and situations in an instant." It seemed to me, then, a bit of a stretch to believe he didn't have at least an inkling that something was rotten in Rothstein-land. On the other hand, they'd been fast friends for years (or so Caputi thought), and clearly, Rothstein was nothing if not a manipulator of people to the nth degree. 

Released from a halfway house in December 2014, Caputi says his goal today is working to bring about prison reform. To be sure, the picture he paints isn't even close to pretty: Spoiled food, withholding of "rights" such as exercise, showers and phone calls, the costs of sundry items like batteries that far exceed the going rate on the "outside" - not to mention cells for two barely bigger than a breadbox. Given my picky eating habits and claustrophobia (albeit relatively mild), I have no doubt I'd have become a total basket case within a day or two. In fact, Caputi came close on more than one occasion, so no wonder he rails about the lousy conditions - often in very colorful language, in case that matters to anyone.

That's not the only thing that's got a bug in his bonnet; he also tackles the issue of marijuana legalization (of interest to me because, with a couple of days of writing this review, voters will be deciding whether or not it will be allowed for both medical and recreational purposes in my state of Ohio). Privatization of prisons is another issue, as are legal reforms and overall government practices he says are designed to keep regular Joes and Jills (and their businesses) in line and make huge profits in the process. Through it all, he serves up tons of figures and statistics to prove his points. Some of them  I agree with and others I don't, but either way, it's all quite interesting and a makes for a very readable, thought-provoking book. 

I Should Have Stayed in Morocco: My misadventures with billionaire Ponzi-Schemer Scott Rothstein by Stephen Caputi (Twilight Times Books, October 2015); 304 pp.

THE GIRL WITH A CLOCK FOR A HEART

3.5 stars out of 5

It's not an issue here on my own book review blog, but other websites at which I post reviews don't have an option of fractional ratings, so for them I rounded off my real rating of 3.5 stars to 4 instead of going the other direction - although to be honest, the latter crossed my mind. What didn't I like? For one thing, everything that happened seemed more than a little too contrived. For another, I can't imagine a real-life grown man being so gullible - time after time after time - no matter how head-over-heels in lust he thinks he is.

Apparently, the book has been optioned for a motion picture, though - and when I envision that, I'm pretty sure it would make a decent one. Looking back, most of the scenes would, I think, translate well to the silver screen (I'll vote for Ben Affleck as love-struck "boyfriend" George Foss.

I put "boyfriend" in quotes, BTW, because the word barely qualifies. Back in college in Boston, George had a brief fling with fellow student named Audrey - a fling he clearly took far more seriously than she. Now, 20 years after she vanished from his life, he sees a woman who looks like her and flips out all over again. Surprise: Turns out it's really her, although she now goes by the name of Jane. The bigger problem is that she's wanted by the police as the prime suspect in a long-ago murder (yes, George has known that fact for years but - another surprise - he shoves it aside in the hope that he can rekindle the college relationship that flamed out when she disappeared).

From there, for George, at least, it's downhill all the way. Not just once, but several times, Jane (who George now knows really is a woman named Liana from Florida) begs him to help get her out of a bind - and he agrees despite knowing that the long-ago murder he's now convinced she really did commit may be just the tip of the iceberg. 

The chapters shift from present to that brief college fling, and I found myself almost looking forward to the earlier periods. On reflection, I decided that anticipation was in part because I could understand the college-student hormones that were in play back then and wasn't constantly mumbling, as I did in the present, "For God's sake, George, grow a set!" each time Audrey/Jane/Liana made her latest demand and he quickly acquiesced. The ending, which in a very real sense isn't an ending at all (another bit of a sore point), was totally predictable.

Still, as I said at the beginning, the book is very well written and it all flows smoothly (well, except perhaps for those college-year chapters that are in all italics and thus more of a chore to deal with on the Kindle). It's definitely worth reading - keep in mind it's relatively short as books go - and it's for sure I'll be among the first to go see the movie if and when it happens.

The Girl with a Clock for a Heart by Peter Swanson (William Morrow, February 2014); 304 pp.