THE QUIET KILL

4 stars out of 5 

This is described as a standalone thriller, but it seems to me to have all the makings for the start of a series. That would make me happy because I found the main character, police detective Jamie Day, to be quite interesting. To be sure, I enjoyed this one, although I’d describe it as gritty and sexually explicit.

The year is 1987, and the “star” of the show, Jamie Day, is a police detective who’s just come to West End London Central Police from a relatively quiet seaside town. Not only must he learn to navigate a huge city with which he’s unfamiliar, his first day on the job, the 22-year-old runs smack dab into a dead body – one that’s been chopped up in pieces, no less. Worse, more dead bodies turn up in relatively short order – a clear sign a serial killer is having a gay old time.

Readers follow Jamie as he finds housing, works on not getting lost in and around the city and on the developing relationships with department co-workers (some decent, others a bit shaky, at least at the start). In between those chapters are those that focus on the victims and the killer, so readers know what’s going down long before Jamie and his team get a clue.

Things work out in the end in a way that, as I mentioned before, hints at more to come – so I’ll be watching to see if that happens. Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to get in at the beginning by way of a pre-release copy. Thoroughly enjoyable!

The Quiet Kill by Robert Bryndza (Raven Street Publishing, July 2026); 390 pp.

THE LOST VICTIM

5 stars out of 5

Police detective turned private investigator Kate Marshall makes her fifth appearance here, and I'm happy to say I've followed her from the start. That said, this book stands alone well (although as always, I'll advise starting any series from the beginning, which in this case is Nine Elms). I'm even happier to say I've enjoyed every single one.

Just as Kate and her agency partner, Tristan Harper, are wondering where the money will come from to pay the bills, Kate is contacted by an agency wanting help with a true crime podcast focusing on Janey Macklin, a young school girl who went missing three decades ago from a not-so-nice part of London. The would-be producer chose Kate because of her investigative skills, of course, but also because of the suspicion that the so-called Nine Elms Cannibal serial killer (one who made Hannibal Lecter look like a saint) might have had an appetite for Janey as well. More to the point, Peter Conway is in jail for other similar crimes and in failing health, but he and Kate have a history that produced their now-grown son, Jake. She, in fact, is the one who discovered his deadly secret and is responsible for his arrest and conviction.

Kate wants nothing to do with Peter, understandably, and while Jake is a bit more accepting of his father, he feels much the same. But the podcast producer can put her and Tristan up in a place she owns near the place at which Janey disappeared, and then there are those bills to consider. So, Kate reluctantly agrees to take a look - and what she sees isn't pretty. Fairly early on, several suspects are identified, but proof remains elusive.

By all accounts, though, Peter may well have known Janey - and even if he didn't do the deed, it's quite likely he knows who did. And that means Kate will have to do something she's refused to even think about since Peter went to prison. After that, it's following leads and patching together clues that lead to a really grand finale and open a path to the next adventure. I'll definitely be ready when it arrives - and meantime I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this one. Good job!

The Lost Victim by Robert Bryndza (Raven Street Publishing, July 2024); 322 pp.

FEAR THE SILENCE

4 stars out of 5

This is an enjoyable standalone novel by one of my favorite authors, although I do think it stretched the limits of human endurance a little beyond believable limits. Basically, it tracks physician Maggie Kendall's attempts to find out what really happened to her beloved husband Will, who was brought into her emergency room with a gunshot wound that turned fatal. The official word is suicide; but Maggie is convinced that something more sinister happened and sets out to prove it.

Will, a former doctor who exchanged his profession to one rooted in architecture and design, built them a gorgeous vacation "smart" home on an island off Croatia. To shore things up there, Maggie makes a visit - and receives a letter from a man who claims to be Will's solicitor (a surprise in and of itself). It's a cryptic message that, at least to Maggie, bolsters her belief that Will's death was murder, not suicide - even though it raises more questions than it answers.

Shortly thereafter, Maggie is involved in suspicious "accidents," adding more fuel to the murder theory fire and nearly ending her quest for the truth the hard way. Re-reading Will's letter, and a chance encounter, bring even more clues - and more danger. From that point on, it's a race to see whether the truth will be uncovered (and whether Maggie will live to see that happen). The whole thing is a fast-paced adventure, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a prerelease copy.

Fear the Silence by Robert Bryndza (Raven Street Publishing, July 2023); 330 pp.

WHO CRIES FOR THE LOST

5 stars out of 5

True story: Back in the day when I took History 101 class in college, I hated it so much that I marched out of my last class and headed straight for the registrar's office to change my major to something - anything - that didn't require me to take another history class (I'll spare the rest of the details, but suffice it to say it turned out very positive). And for the most part, I avoid historical novels of any kind. So what am I doing reading books in this series? Well, surprisingly (especially to me), enjoying the heck out of them.

I'll chalk most of that up to the tremendous talent of the author, who pulls together intriguing, entertaining stories in my favorite mystery/thriller genre while weaving in relevant, well-researched and equally intriguing and entertaining details about the time period (in this case, the fairly early 1800s). Right off the bat, there's a dead guy; but not just plain dead, mind you, nor just any old guy. The corpse has been mutilated, and he's now on the exam table of Paul Gibson, who serves as a sort of medical examiner and conducts autopsies. Identifying the corpse turns out to be the easy part; he's the ex-husband of Gibson's current lover, Alexi Sauvage (to be fair, she claims to have been tricked into the marriage).

Gibson is a good friend of series "star" Sebastian St. Cyr, a.k.a. Viscount Devlin, an investigator who at the moment is recovering from a recent wound that nearly did him in. Wishing that he could join his comrades to fight Napoleon as he drives his troops to Waterloo, Sebastian decides to do some sleuthing in the hope of finding the killer. Early on, he gets help from his pregnant writer-wife, Hero - whose father, Lord Jarvis, is on the suspect list - as are any number of women the dead guy has "seduced" over the years including Alexi. On top of that, the man - Major Miles Sedgewick - apparently was "into" the history of witches and the occult and an island that was used for prisoners and all manor of torture.

Add in a previously secret list of prominent and not-so-prominent Londoners who at one time were spies for Napoleon, and Sebastian and Hero have their work cut out for them. Other bodies that start to pile up - some mutilated, others not - create even more confusion to confound the usually competent investigators. Worst of all is that suspicion falls mostly on the his friend, the medical examiner, and his lover - so it becomes a race to find the real killer before they're carried off to the gallows. All told, it's another exciting, nail-biting adventure, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review another pre-release installment of this terrific series.

Who Cries for the Lost by C.S. Harris (Berkley, April 2023); 352 pp.

OVER MY DEAD BODY

4 stars out of 5

When I read any book that I'm planning to review, I jot on a 3 x 5 lined pad notes of important characters and events to refresh my memory when I've finished. Well, for this book I ended up with nine pages - far exceeding my usual three or four. That should tell you that if you read this one, you'll need to pay close attention because there are a ton of characters and subplots that switch at the drop of a paragraph. That said, I found it to be quite enjoyable, and it stands alone well despite being the fourth in a series (coming from one who didn't read the first three).

The London Metro Police's Unsolved Murders Unit includes several top-notch investigators such as Detective William Warwick - basically the star of the series - and the more offbeat Ross Hogan, who recently was pulled in to help after some years as an undercover agent. They've got no shortage of cases, though at the top of the list is tracking down Miles Faulkner, a millionaire art collected who's gone afoul of the law. Problem is, he turned up dead a couple of months earlier, as attested to by officers who attended his funeral. Warwick, though, is convinced the death was faked - aided and abetted by his long-time and super-loyal attorney, Booth Watson. To help, Warwick turns to his museum-employed wife, Beth, who's an air-kissing friend of Faulkner's greedy ex-wife, Christina.

While the Warwicks are on a vacation cruise, the detective meets the grandson of a family business dynasty. The young kid hopes to emulate William and go into law enforcement, so they do a bit of bonding - especially after the iron-fisted grandfather turns up dead. Back in the office, other members of the team are trying to bring down a loan shark who doesn't take it lightly when borrowers can't pay up and a husband who may be trying to add his new wife to the list of former wives the team think he also murdered.

Each of these scenarios brings its own set of characters and locales and transition among them all isn't always clear (thus underscoring the caution I made earlier about the need to pay close attention). But the tension - and the team's moving their investigations along to a successful end - kept me reading and, I must say, warming up to Warwick and Hogan (emphasis on the latter) to the point of looking forward to their next adventure. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for introducing me to this series by way of a pre-release review copy. Well done!

Over My Dead Body by Jeffrey Archer (HarperCollins, October 2021); 354 pp.

THE NEW HOME

4 stars out of 5

If there's any character in any book who personifies the old maxim, "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you," it's Freya Northcott, the main character in this book. But honestly, knowing that didn't decrease my urge to throttle her most of the way through the story. In fact, when other characters urged her to take anxiety-relieving drugs, I kept hoping they'd ignore her refusals, tie her down and get 'em in her one way or another.

But paranoia also can make for a don't-want-to put-down adventure, and this tale qualifies. Freya and her fiance Jack have moved to a fixer-upper home in the London suburb of Waybridge, which is closer to the hospital where he works as a cardiology consultant. Freya is a developer/producer of video documentaries, but she has no projects in the works at present, in part because the pandemic has put the brakes on most parts of the economy. She also has a vivid imagination, which can be helpful in her professional endeavors. In her private life? Maybe yes, maybe no.

When she and Jack first meet Emily and Michael, the couple next door, for instance, Freya gleans a hint that Jack and Emily aren't strangers. When they meet the elderly Cathy, the neighbor on the other side of the house, Freya intuits that life isn't all roses for Emily and Michael. When Emily and her young daughter Thea go missing, then, it's an easy leap for Freya's ever-suspicious mind to conclude that Michael is the culprit.

Something else that happens to Freya sends her paranoid genes into overdrive; after that, she vows not to stop until she's found Emily and Thea even though logic tells her they're dead. From that point on, she pretty much goes bonkers - going places and doing things that "normal" people - including the police and her fiance - consider both illogical and downright illegal. All the while, she rationalizes that she's doing it in the best interests of her close friend Emily (whom she's known for all of a few days total).

Needless to say, at least some of Freya's illusions may be real; as readers learn along the way, several characters aren't exactly who they claim to be (i.e., they have secrets they'd rather not be revealed). So how does Freya sort out truth from fiction (maybe more to the point, how can readers know who's who and what's what)? By the somewhat surprising end - in fact, even after it - I'm not totally sure any of us has a good answer. But getting there certainly was an engaging adventure - as expected from this talented author - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

The New Home by Chris Merritt (Bookouture, September 2021); 302 pp.

WHAT THE DEVIL KNOWS

5 stars out of 5

A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of reading the first (for me) of the many books in this wonderful historical thriller series. So when I had a chance to request a pre-release copy of this one, I wasted no time doing so. And once again, I loved it - this coming from someone who isn't fond of history in any format.

What I am fond of, though, is a great story and intriguing characters - no matter what the time period. And there's no shortage of both here, from gruesome murders to wealthy investigator Sebastian St. Cyr, a.k.a. Viscount Devlin, Earl of Hendon and his delightful and competent in her own right wife, Hero.

The year is 1814, and Sebastian, who has been trying to find the mother he was told had died, has traced a woman he believes is her to Vienna (at a time when Napoleon had just been defeated and European bigwigs are meeting in the city to agree on a peace plan going forward). But he's interrupted when he's called to the scene of a back-alley murder - one that's eerily similar to two murders not long ago. But a man was convicted of those two murders and subsequently hanged himself while in jail, so clearly, he cannot have committed this latest one. Meantime, Hero is busy working on a story about the lives of the very young prostitutes who ply their trade in the streets just to survive - a sad but common occurrence back in the day. 

From the beginning, Sebastian suspects all the murders are somehow connected; but finding proof - if there is any - is quite another matter. He also suspects that the young man convicted of the two murders is innocent; but here, too, evidence proving that to be true is elusive. The chase takes him from the homes of the wealthy (some of whom are his own relatives) to some of London's seediest and most dangerous places. And clearly, there are forces that will stop at nothing - even bringing harm to Sebastian and his family - to stop him from further investigation.

It is, all told, a thoroughly researched, engrossing tale that's tied to real places and events, a delight to read and a highly recommended book (and series). Many thanks once again to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

What the Devil Knows by C.S. Harris (Berkley, April 2021); 329 pp.

AN EXTRAVAGANT DEATH

5 stars out of 5

Oh my - what a delightful book! I requested it from NetGalley just because I suspected it would be a nice change of pace for me - a detective story, yes, but set in London in the late 1870s. What I got was history blended with superb (for the times) detective work interspersed with decidedly British witticisms that made me smile throughout. Alas, I didn't read any of the 13 preceding novels featuring detective Charles Lenox, but for sure I don't intend to miss another one. And for those who, like me, aren't familiar with the character, I assure you I had no trouble following this one.

Lenox is living in London with his wife, Lady Jane, and young daughters Sophia and Clara (to put the setting in perspective, the Prime Minister, with whom Lenox is well acquainted, is Benjamin Disraeli). It is Disraeli, in fact, who challenges Lenox's comfort level: He asks him to leave his successful detective agency and travel to America to make nice and share his considerable detective expertise with police in several major U.S. cities. Reluctant at first despite his longing to travel, Lenox caves in and sets off by boat - arriving first in New York, where his insights on New York society are a real treat. 

But on his way to Boston, the train is stopped so Lenox can be handed a personal letter asking him to stop in Newport, Rhode Island, to look into the death of a beautiful young debutante. At first blush, it's thought that she committed suicide; but some insiders, including the young woman's best friend, are convinced she was murdered. In hoity-toity Newport, Lenox gets an up-close-and-personal look at how society of the era operates as he tries to figure out what happened and, more importantly, who did it.

Needless to say, Lenox gets there - but there's many a slip between cup and lip, and one of them threatens his very existence (as well as provides fodder for the next book). My overall assessment? Thoroughly entertaining, and I thank the publisher for providing me with a pre-release copy to read and review.

An Extravagant Death by Charles Finch (Minotaur Books, February 2021); 288 pp.

KNOCK KNOCK

4 stars out of 5

This is the first in a series featuring London Detective Inspector Dan Lockhart and psychologist Dr. Lexi Green, and while I enjoyed it (the serial killer's modus operandi is unique and wonderfully gruesome), I have to say I never felt a real "connection" between the lead characters. Of course, they're just getting started - and both have baggage from their past lives that weigh down the chances for successful relationships with anyone else. And near the end they both showed a little more emotion, so I do think there's hope for a solid friendship if not romance in future editions.

The two actually met when Dan, whose wife disappeared but so far hasn't been found, began counseling sessions with Lexi. Not knowing whether she's alive or dead has turned Dan into an alcoholic druggie of sorts, although he's able to slog through work when needed. But then, he's called to investigate the murder of a wealthy woman, and the similarities to an earlier murder are almost identical: choked by a metal ball, both women's ring fingers were oddly scratched. Not everyone on Dan's team, including his boss, are convinced that a serial killer is at work, so Dan decides to ask Lexi for professional input as to an overall profile and motive.

Lexi goes to work, coming up with a theory that's linked to an online community of women-hating men. At first, she's paid; but when no one, including Dan, take her work seriously, she decides to show them the error of their thoughts by continuing her work on her own because she's convinced the killer is lurking in the shadows of the Internet "mansphere." Even if neither she nor Dan foresee any danger in that going off the deep end approach (as professionals, it's a mystery to me why neither of them did), readers can see right away where the story is headed.

Meantime, interspersed with the investigation are glimpses into the killer's mind - and the awareness of from whence his inspiration comes. The action leans toward frenetic near the end, which brings a near end to at least one character (nope, not gonna tell). All told, it's a solid start to a new series. I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with a pre-publication copy for review.

Knock Knock by Chris Merritt (Bookouture, March 2020); 416 pp.

NINE ELMS

5 stars out of 5

As a die-hard fan of this author - especially his Detective Erika Foster series - I was delighted to learn of his newest venture, of which this book marks the debut. I was thrilled when I snagged a copy through Amazon's First Reads program, and now that I'm finished, I'm over-the-top happy; in many ways, I like "new" heroine Kate Marshall even better than Foster.

Adding plenty of background "baggage" is, I'm pretty sure, Rule No. 1 in the Heroines 101 class; and to be sure, Kate has more than her share. A former police detective who was working on the case of the "Nine Elms Cannibal" some 15 years earlier, unsavory details about her personal life emerged, resulting in her leaving the force. Now, she lectures on criminology at a small university on England's South Coast; her parents have custody of her 14-year-old son. As the story begins, she's on her way home when she gets a call from her former boss, who tells her a girl's body has been found with bite marks and other similarities to the M.O. of the original serial killer. But it can't be him - he's still in prison ever since he was convicted 15 years ago. 

Apparently, then, there's a copycat killer on the loose. But while he (or she) is successfully mimicking the original killer's techniques, further evidence is virtually nonexistent. Kate, though, is not about to walk away; enlisting help from her university research assistant, Tristan Harper, she sets out to put the bite on the copycat. But unbeknownst to her, those efforts may put her in the crosshairs of a murderer who is equally intent on taking a bite out of her.

Exciting, fast-paced from beginning to end, this is one of the best new-series entries I've read in a long time. Now I'm eagerly awaiting the next one, which, the author says, is titled "Shadow Sands." Bring it on!

Nine Elms by Robert Bryndza (Thomas & Mercer, December 2019); 392 pp.

THE SENTENCE IS DEATH

5 stars out of 5

Jolly good fun!


The more books I read by this author, the more of them I want to read. No matter who's involved - Sherlock Holmes, James Bond or, in this instance, the author himself - they're clever, witty and thoroughly engrossing. Throw in a little murder, and it  just doesn't get better than that. 

This one is the second in what I presume will be an ongoing series featuring rather obnoxious private detective Daniel Hawthorne. Horowitz, known as "Tony" to Hawthorne, is the writer of a popular TV series titled "Foyle's War" (one of his real-life accomplishments, by the way) and somewhat reluctantly teams up with the fictional Hawthorne when the latter is called in by the police to help solve a crime. He's also writing a three-book series about Hawthorne, for which he's got a contract even though the first one has yet to be published. Now, Anthony is working on the second - so he's taking copious notes about what happens here - starting with the murder of well-known London divorce attorney Richard Pryce.

It isn't a pretty murder; Pryce was smacked in the head numerous times with an unopened bottle of very expensive wine (and then stabbed with the broken bottle). The only clue is the number 182 that's been left on the wall with green paint from an ongoing refurbishing project. But wait, there's more: Pryce recently represented the now ex-husband of a famous writer, who wasn't happy with the outcome and threatened to hit him with a bottle of wine the last time she saw him in a local restaurant. 

For all intents and purposes, that would put her at the top of the suspect list. Hawthorne, though, isn't convinced. He's eager to start investigating, with Anthony's help, of course - but the local police, led by irascible Detective Investigator Cara Grunshaw, are determined to get the credit for solving the crime and insist that the "outsiders" keep them informed and stay out of their way.

Shortly thereafter, another man dies as a result of falling in front of an oncoming train - possibly an accident, possibly a suicide and possibly a murder. After a bit of sleuthing, a connection between him and the wine bottle victim turns up - together with the death of a third man some years earlier. But does that connection have any real meaning, or is it just happenstance? At that point I had no idea, but fittingly, one of my favorite quotes from one of the late Ian Fleming's Goldfinger popped into my head: "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times it's enemy action."

Now that I do know, of course, I'm not saying anything except that I really, really enjoyed this book. Hearty thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

The Sentence is Death by Anthony Horowitz (Harper, May 2019); 384 pp.

WILD CARD

4 stars out of 5

Admittedly, I keep reading this series mostly as a sort of respite from books that challenge my mind in some manner - whether that be thrilling, thought-provoking or educational. The lead character here, filthy rich New York attorney Stone Barrington, is a likable chap, but over the years the books - this is the 49th - for the most part have become rather banal. Once in a while, though, a gem pops up - and this is one of them. The plot is intriguing and attention-holding, and there seemed to be a bit more of the wry humor I always enjoy sprinkled throughout the pages.

This one opens as Stone is entertaining (euphemistically speaking) his most recent love interest, Jamie Cox, at his home in England. Jamie is polishing up the book to hand off to her editor (when she's not putting her hands all over Stone, that is). As they dawdle the time away, Stone gets a call from his pal, New York Police Commissioner Dino Bacchetti, informing him that the FBI has decided not to prosecute family members for their alleged computer crimes Jamie has written about, largely because almost all the evidence was destroyed in an explosion and fire. One of the family chieftains, however, is certain that Stone was behind the explosion and is intent on payback, hopefully sooner than later.

When one of Stone's dinner guests - a well-known movie star - and his trainer meet Stone later for a gym workout, the actor takes a bullet to his backside; Stone is convinced the shot was meant for him so it's off to the mattresses (meaning other of Stone's many homes - from Key West to Maine to New York City) while Bacchetti and other cop-type friends try to gather enough evidence to ensure indictments. Rest assured, though, everyone is well entertained, wined and dined at every turn - as long as they're properly dressed for the occasion, of course.

All told, it's a rather fun romp that kept me reading almost nonstop (short chapters and not much over 300 pages make that even easier). Enjoyable!

Wild Card by Stuart Woods (G.P. Putnam's Sons, March 2019); 319 pp.

WHO SLAYS THE WICKED

5 stars out of 5

Choosing the word "enthralled" to describe my feelings toward this historical mystery - especially since it's full of murder, mayhem and some very nasty people - might seem a bit strange, but that's exactly how I felt from the first page to the last. It's also my first of 14 books in this series, so another prime emotion I felt when I finished is sadness that I hadn't read the predecessors. What an attention-holding, well-written book!

It's also well-researched, and that adds substantially to the "flavor." Set in London circa 1814, the story is greatly enhanced by descriptions of the city, what was happening elsewhere in the world (Paris had just sent Napoleon packing, for instance) and terminology appropriate to the time. The characters spoke and acted the way I'd expect from that time period - although I must say that Sebastian St. Cyr and his wife, Hero, are far less stodgy than their family and friends (which only made me like them all the more). 

As this one begins, Sebastian is called in to help find out who murdered and pretty thoroughly mutilated Lord Ashworth, a man who not long ago married Sebastian's young niece Stephanie. Ashworth has a long history of abusing anyone who tickles his fancy (or refuses to) - most notably children and young ladies - so while no one owns up to the murder, neither does anyone express sorrow that he bit the dust. That widespread attitude, of course, makes the suspect pool grow as each new clue is revealed; the consensus, though, is that the killer is female (with Stephanie, who recently gave birth to twins but is estranged from Ashworth, at the top of the list).

Sebastian desperately hopes to prove her innocence, but first he must convince himself. Complicating matters is that other dead bodies are turning up, thought to be somehow connected to Ashworth's murder. Besides that, a Russian delegation, including a snobbish high-ranking princess, is in town for what may be nefarious purposes - and before long, entanglements with Ashworth are unearthed and members of their entourage are added to the suspects' list as well. The more Sebastian digs in, the more it becomes clear that the hole he's creating may be the perfect size for his own grave. 

This story stands alone well, although there were a few allusions to people and events that no doubt would be better understood by those who read previous books. Also, the fact that some of the characters were called by different names or titles here and there was a bit confusing to me at times(Sebastian is also known as Viscount Devlin, for example). But honestly, none of that really got in the way. I found this book absolutely delightful - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

Who Slays the Wicked by C. S. Harris (Berkley, April 2019); 352 pp.

CRISIS

5 stars out of 5

After 56 years of marriage, my husband and I are still getting along just fine, even though we don't always agree. But we're both long-time fans of Felix Francis (and his prolific author-father, Dick, before him). And after reading this one, we are in total accord: This is perhaps the best of the son's lot so far.

The star of the show is Harrison "Harry" Foster, an attorney who focuses on crisis management at a prominent London firm. Despite his total lack of interest in and knowledge of horse racing, his boss taps him to head to Newmarket, where a fire at Chadwick Stables has resulted in the devastating loss of several horses, including one owned by Foster's firm's client that's considered a shoe-in to win the upcoming Derby. When Harry arrives, he's greeted by a totally dysfunctional family, plenty of mud, and the unexpected discovery of human remains amid the ashes.

Who the victim turns out to be turns the Chadwick family upside down - from Patriarch Oliver (who's mostly handed the thoroughbred stables over to son Ryan), to other son Declan, who has set off on his own horse-racing venture. Throw in another son, an estranged daughter and all of their significant others and it's a volatile mix that turns more deadly every day. Clearly, though, there's a major family secret that started the infighting - and as the fire investigation heats up, it threatens to bring everyone to his or her knees - including Harry. 

Will he live to see his interest in new love - the sister of the woman who runs day-to-day operations at Chadwick Stables - come to fruition? Of course, my lips are sealed. All I'll say is it's a race to an exciting finish. Well done!

Crisis by Felix Francis (G.P. Putnam's Sons, October 2018); 384 pp.

DYING FOR JUSTICE

4 stars out of 5

This is, I believe, a first book for the author and the

first of a series. Now that I've finished it, I'd say congratulations to the former and it's off to a good start to the latter.  Put another way, I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Julia Ainsworth is a 25-year-old lawyer in London. Her father, a lawyer and prominent politician, asks her to represent a teenage boy named Michael, the son of his friends Tom and Nicole Bradley. Although Michael claims to be innocent, he is accused of shooting a man who was out hunting with the Bradleys on their vast property - a man considered a top candidate for Chancellor of the Exchequer (as is Julia's father). 

Julia gets help from her inexplicably wealthy friend Danny, who in turn suggests an alliance with Chris Carter, a hunky ex-M15 agent who now runs his own business and is well-versed in "cognitive empathy" (a.k.a. software that analyzes behavioral clues). After reviewing videotapes of Michael, he concludes that the boy's insistence that he shot a deer and not a human is the truth; no, he's not the killer. But knowing isn't proving - and all the hard evidence continues to point to Michael.

Julia remains convinced of Michael's innocence, though, and insists that she'll keep digging to get to the truth. But clearly, someone isn't thrilled about that prospect; and when an horrific accident turns out to be meant for Julia, everything starts to go south in a hurry. Bit by bit, more clues are unearthed - some literally - leading the three teamsters to a prime suspect. But except for her growing romantic interest in Chris, Julia grows more and more unhappy with the direction the investigation is going; it's heading way too close to home for comfort.

Although I enjoyed this relatively short and fast-paced book, I do hope to see a bit more expansive transition throughout and greater character development in subsequent efforts (the chapters here seemed a bit "jumpy," and truth be told, I never felt much of a connection with the main characters, including Julia). But as I said at the beginning, this is a solid first effort that I'm sure other readers will enjoy as much as I did. Many thanks to the author for offering me an advance copy for me to read and review.

Dying for Justice by Pauline Isaksen (Amazon Digital Services LLC, December 2018); 185 pp.

THE WARNING

5 stars out of 5

Within a few chapters after starting this book, I had a bad feeling. Oh no, I said to no one there, not another woman with a bone in her teeth who refuses to let go and can't listen to reason. Now that I've finished, I've changed my attitude to so what? This book is WAY too good to get hung up on a single character (especially one who does, for the most part, have good reasons for being so obstinate). The story is riveting and truly hard to put down; I actually asked my sweet husband to record one of my favorite TV shows so that I could finish the book and watch the show later.

Three years earlier, Zoe Monaghan and her husband, Jake, lost the younger of their two sons. Ethan, age 14, and his best friend Josh somehow fell into a nearby river and drowned after inexplicably sneaking out in the middle of the night; both deaths were deemed accidental. Unable to deal with the emotional upheaval, Zoe, Jake and their remaining son, Harley, move to London, leaving Josh's parents, Roberta and Adrian - who simply can't afford to relocate. At their new location, Jake and his friend Liam are working hard to get their business going, so Jake isn't around to offer much emotional support for his wife and son.

Out of the blue, Zoe - a nurse at at a fertilization clinic - gets an anonymous email claiming that Ethan's death wasn't an accident. While Jake is dismissive (and isn't willing to stir the coals of an old and very destructive fire), Zoe is determined to get to the bottom of the message. She's not sure it isn't a prank at this point, but neither is she willing to disregard it. Ignoring advice from Jake and the local police, she sets out to contact anyone and everyone who knew Ethan and Josh back then to at the very least find out why they went to the river in the first place. By all accounts, Josh is headstrong almost to the point of incorrigible; but her son, she insists, had his head on straight and wouldn't have gone along with anything he felt was wrong.

As time - and more mysterious emails - go along, readers learn that just about everyone involved has secrets (some much darker than others). Some offer clues to the drownings, while others threaten to disrupt the lives of the major characters for totally different reasons. Thrown in the mix are chapters from the perspective of another anonymous character - an apparent stalker of an unknown victim. Who both turn out to be provides yet another twist to a road already filled with unexpected turns.

In short, outstanding - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

The Warning by Kathryn Croft (Bookouture, October 2018); 351 pp.

NOTHING BUT TROUBLE

4 stars out of 5

My experience with the Detective Jessica Daniel series has been both warm and lukewarm so far, but this latest entry - the 11th - is one of the better ones. I must note, though, that the customary honker of a cliffhanger rears its ugly (to me) head at the end. That's because by the time the next book comes out, I'll have forgotten where this one stopped. But that said, I'll be at the ready to start a new one all the same.

After a tantalizing prologue, this story reverts to three weeks earlier, when a van transporting prisoners is hijacked and two of them escaped. Not long afterward, one is found hanging from a bridge - quite dead. This is a puzzlement for the entire Manchester Police Department, Jessica included; why on earth would someone go to the trouble of setting a prisoner free only to kill him?

Jessica's personal life is in a bit of a turmoil as well; her fiance, Adam, has been hospitalized and in a coma for months now with no sign that he'll ever recover. That notwithstanding, she's been keeping overnight company with one of her police cohorts (although in fairness, she at least has the good sense to feel guilty about it every once in a while). She's also got Bex, an abused about-to-be 18-year-old girl who's been living with Jessica while she tries to get her life back together. That takes a maudlin turn, though, when it appears a mysterious woman may be stalking Bex (or is it Jessica)? Add to the mix infighting (and a couple of murders) among casino owners - "mob" types who of course deny any involvement and don't want to play nice with the coppers - and you've got a stew of oddball situations going on at once. The fact that any one of them could go south in a New York minute keeps the action moving along quickly.

Honestly, although I do enjoy this series, I've never cared a lot for Jessica; and for sure, I don't much like Archie, her stand-in love (who comes across as more of a dolt than anything). But hey, for better or worse, it's Jessica's life - and that she's a competent enough police detective makes up for what she may lack when she finally calls it a day and goes back home. All told, then, this is a strong, easy-to-read entry in what already is a good series. Many thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review it.

Nothing But Trouble by Kerry Wilkinson (Bookouture, August 2018); 367 pp.

LORD OF THE PIES

4.5 stars out of 5


Although I've never been a huge fan of cozy mysteries, they're perfect for when I've grown weary of blood, gore, shoot-'em-ups and books with "girl" in the title. But usually, by the 50 percent mark - sometimes even sooner - the heroine has annoyed me so much by poking her nose (and the rest of her body) where it doesn't belong that I'm more inclined to smack her upside the head than finish the book. What a joy it was, then, to read about the delightful, entertaining and very capable Carrie Ann Cole, an American chef who works for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (think: William and Kate) at Kensington Palace.

It is, I must add, not the first in the series; but I had no problem whatsoever following this one despite not having read the other. In fact, Chef Cole isn't a stranger to murder - she once found an assistant dead under a bed of kale. Here, though, everything seems to be going smoothly, at least until she sees a man peeking into her kitchen window. Not long thereafter, that man is found not only dead, but apparently from an unusual cause: Poisoning by eating one of Carrie Ann's delicious pies. He was found in the Orangery at Kensington Palace following a bridal shower that Carrie Ann had been called in to cater.

Readers, of course, know Carrie Ann is innocent; still, with her fingerprints on the pie pan, she's got to find a way to prove she's not a murderer lest the Royal Family sends her packing. For the moment, she's got support from a couple of hunky guys (oh, did I mention Carrie Ann is beautiful and single?), namely the palace head of security, Ian Gordon, and Jasper Feldman, the kitchen gardener. But following a pie-making contest that generates jealousy from her chef peers, her primary rival and a few of his staff become ill (another suspected poisoning). And when yet another chef is iced, guess who becomes a prime suspect once again?

Through it all, Carrie Ann's behavior never once insulted her intelligence (or mine), nor did the story challenge credibility (though I do wish the characters could find another way to react to situations besides wincing - roll their eyes once in a while, perhaps?) And if I must nitpick, I'd say there was an overabundance of the characters' speculating about whodunit and why. But the twists, turns and kneads were plentiful and fun (no, I didn't guess the ending), to the point that unquestionably, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read it in exchange for an honest review.

Lord of the Pies by Nell Hampton (Crooked Lane Books, April 2018); 320 pp.

THE NEW NEIGHBORS

5 stars out of 5

For openers, rating this book isn't easy; it's just different enough to leave me a little bit unsure of whether I loved it or simply liked it a lot. But for sure the plot is intriguing and the story well written - and in the end, after I'd stayed up an hour beyond my usual bedtime because I wanted (make that needed) to finish it, I had to go with 5 stars.

Chapters switch between "writings" by London friends with benefits Jack Walsh and Sydney Baker; together, they've bought a house and are striving for a life like any other couple. Except, that is, they're not; even the purchase of the house - a surprise since they were far from the most qualified bidders - isn't what it appears to be. Jack has misgivings from the start, especially when it comes to all the "junk" left behind by the former owner (like stuffed birds, things that go bump in the night and a few beyond-strange things in the attic that he keeps secret from Syd because he doesn't want to upset her). 

That's only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to secrets, though. Jack encounters issues (of his own making) at his job as a social worker; Syd comes from an horrific childhood, the details of which she's never shared with Jack. While she has few misgivings about the house - loves it, in fact - she's seeing her childhood play out before her eyes in the form of Elsie, a 13-year-old neighbor who lives with her ne'er-do-well father. Bottom line? Jack needs Syd and Syd needs Jack - but each is afraid of alienating the other if their former and current lives are fully revealed.

It is when a dead body turns up near their back door that they decide to keep journals, of sorts - resulting in the chapters that reveal bit by bit what really happened, how it all relates to the here and now and depicts a fast-unraveling relationship. The ending isn't too surprising - and for some (in particular, those who view life in right or wrong, black or white terms), I suspect it may not be a satisfying outcome. 

But as they say, hey, it works for me. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. 

The New Neighbors by Simon Lelic (Berkley, April 2018); 349 pp.

THE SIXTH DAY

5 stars out of 5


Mix in a dash of Dan Brown's DaVinci Code, a splash of James Patterson's Private and a whole lot of originality from two very talented co-authors and what do you get? A page-turner of history-linked chills, thrills and intrigue that will keep you engrossed from beginning to end. In fact, I highly recommend the entire "Brit in the FBI" series (this one, I believe, is the fifth).

Primary characters and friends with benefits Nicholas Drummond and Michaela Caine are on the special Covert Eyes FBI team - one that plays well with the FBI's British counterpart (Nicholas is the first British agent to join the FBI). They've been called in amid what is thought to be assassinations of a couple of business and political bigwigs in London, with the hope that the team can  sort things out and, needless to say, catch the culprit(s). As readers learn early on, the killings may be linked to the Castle of Vlad Dracul III in 1448 and a mysterious Voynich Manuscript that involves cryptophasia (a.k.a., a language of twins); the occasional chapter flips to days of old to trace the manuscript's footprint throughout its elusive history.

The trail extends far and wide but seems to be tied to Roman Ardelean, the uber-wealthy owner of a cybersecurity firm that provides software to governments and businesses worldwide. Not insignificantly, he's also a descendant of Vlad the Impaler (often believed to be Dracula), and his twin brother, computer genius Radu, suffers from a particularly nasty and incurable form of hemophilia. The brothers are convinced that pages in the Voynich Manuscript - pages that have just turned up at a London historical museum after having been mysteriously "discovered" by Romanian expert Dr. Isabella Marin - spell out what Radu needs for a complete recovery.

In between are real and threatened attacks by a cadre of seriously high-tech drones and seemingly low-tech but deadly falcons; whether or not they're all connected to the Ardeleans and the manuscript will put to the test the considerable computer skills of Nicholas and his team-member friend Adam in what might be called a battle of the programmers. Non-techies needn't worry, though; everything is explain well enough that even an aging grandmother like me can understand it (well, enough that it all made sense, at least). 

Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review - which is that this is a very exciting, well-written story you don't want to miss. Another winner!

The Sixth Day by Catherine Coulter and J.T. Ellison (Gallery Books, April 2018); 528 pp.