DELUSIONAL

4 stars out of 5

I read most of the books in this series for quite some time (this is the 18^th), but somewhere around a decade ago I gave up. Truth? At that point, NYPD detective Michael Bennett was a widower with 10 adopted kids. He and his uber-competent nanny, Mary Catherine, were fighting the urge to get it on, hesitating mostly for religious (Catholic) reasons. And at that point not-so-religious me had enough of the “will they or won’t they” nonsense  got turned off.

Still, I loved the stories, so when I had the opportunity to request a pre-release copy from NetGalley, I went for it. And now that Michael and Mary Catherine are legally wed (and I assume blissfully so, since she’s pregnant with their first child), and from my perspective, all’s right with the world once again.

This one begins as Michael and his partner, Rob Trilling, are at the scene of a bombing. It’s the second such event recently – the other involving the death of a fellow police officer - so concern is high that a serial bomber may be on the loose similar to the real-life Ted Kacznski (a.k.a. Unibomber of the 1990s). The only real clues are that the bomber apparently had two missing fingers and the recent theft of explosives at a New Jersey arsenal.

As the investigation gets under way, partner Rob has to deal with a potentially serious family matter; his brother, who owns a car dealership in Bozeman, Montana, is facing threats because he refuses to sell the property to a developer who won’t take no for an answer. Michael tells Rob to go West; when that situation takes a turn for the worse, Michael heads that direction as well to lend a helping hand.

Essentially, the story moves between the two cases, with suspension building over which will result in the greatest tragedy. The Montana developer, it seems, will stop at nothing even murder - to get what he wants; the bomb crew, who will stop at nothing to make the world a better place (not even mass murder). Caught in between are two partners who are doing their best to make sure none of those murders actually happen – especially their own.

All told, it’s another riveting adventure and one that held my attention throughout. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in on the action once again by way of a pre-release copy. Good job!

Patterson and James O. Born (Little, Brown & Co., August 2026); 368 pp.

FINAL VICTIM

4 stars out of 5

Is a serial killer on the loose? That's a question detective Megan Carpenter, with help from her partner detective Ronnie Marsh, must answer - and time, of course, is of the essence. And as the investigation continues, it looks more and more like Megan herself is in the killer's sights.

Being a target is certainly not new to Megan; in fact, she's been running from one awful situation to another most of her life. So far, she's made it out alive, although most of the time because she's taken matters into her own hands. Now, though, she's on the side of the law - a person who's trying her best to take down people like the one she used to be. 

Her very troubled and background formed the beginning of this series - this is the sixth - and she continues to "find herself" amid memories of a horrific and violent past (to that end, she is not a particularly lovable character, but she's making progress). She's got a solid place to live, a main squeeze she thinks she'll marry, a great job and - gasp! - a handful of real friends.

As she deals with the fallout from the particularly gruesome murder of a police detective followed closely by the murder of another in similar fashion, she's also dealing with memories of her own past. It doesn't help that she's getting messages from someone who seems to know all about her and everyone close to her - someone who readers get a glimpse of by way of chapters from his perspective. As her investigation progresses and the body count grows, more ties to Megan's past turn up - as does the heat on the messages from that unknown person known only as "Wallace."

Needless to say, it's not long before Megan begins to suspect that her murder investigation and may be connected somehow to her past life, and finding the killer has the potential to change the course of her life once again. The details, of course, I'll leave to other readers to discover. As for me, I'll just thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read another exciting installment by way of a pre-release copy. 

Final Victim by Gregg Olsen (Bookouture, January 2025); 288 pp.

THE HOUSE OF CROSS

4 stars out of 5

Like many readers, I often look forward to books in various series; over several, I become familiar with a particular character or characters and am confident that I'll enjoy the latest installment. But after a period of time - say 10 or 15 years - it's also likely I'll take a break. Most of the time, it's just a feeling of ennui; the latest story's setting may be a little different, but otherwise, it's become sort of same old, same old. It's happened with every series I've ever followed to any extent; and it's true of the Alex Cross series, which I read from the beginning until fairly recently. When I compiled a list of all-time favorite Top 20 book heroes a decade or so ago, detective Cross was on it.

And he still is. So given a little extra breathing room on my list of for-review books and the opportunity to snag this one (the 30th in the series), I took it; and I'm glad I did. Besides reviving old familiar faces and an engaging, edge-of-my-seat story, taking that break refreshed my outlook and I'm once again looking to cross paths, so to speak, with the good Dr. Cross, his family and friends. The story hits the ground running with the murders of some top-level judges in different parts of the country. Alex is a consultant on the FBI's high-profile investigations unit, so he gets an SOS from the agency.

Meanwhile, Alex's wife Bree is looking into an auto crash authorities have ruled accidental; she suspects the dead guy may be an old nemesis - a dangerous man known as "M" and leader of a dangerous vigilante group known as Maestro (he'll be familiar to regular readers). She and Metro PD's John Sampson head off in a different direction - the site of the man's demise - to do their own investigating, leaving the wonderful Nana Mama, who's now over 90, to hold down the home fort.

Alex and Ned aren't exactly setting the world on fire, but they make some progress; Bree and John's investigation, though, goes off track right out of the starting block. Suddenly, Alex and Ned must switch gears to go look for the missing couple, hoping to finding them still alive. From that point on, it's nonstop action - I had trouble putting it down to the point of staying up something like 45 minutes later than my usual bedtime to finish it. The bottom line? I'm hooked on the series once again, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for bringing me back into the fold by way of a pre-release copy.

The House of Cross by James Patterson (Little, Brown and Co., November 2024); 410 pp.

A LONESOME BLOOD-RED SUN

4 stars out of 5

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

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

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

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

TO CATCH A STORM

4 stars out of 5

If I'm honest, I have to say I enjoyed this book more than I should have; it lacks flow, is more than a little disjointed, making reading somewhat of a slog. Still, the plot is clever - despite some shredding of the credibility line - and two of the main characters were quirky enough to make me want to read about them again (which it seems may be possible since I've read this is the first of a series).

University of Iowa physics professor Eve Roth is knocked for a loop when she learns her husband's car has been found abandoned and consumed by fire - in the middle of a snow and ice storm, yet - but her husband (a currently suspended chemistry prof at the same university) is nowhere to be found. Not long afterward, a desheveled man named Jonah Kendrick shows up, claiming he's "seen" her husband Matthew - he claims to be a psychic detective. Eve's "prove it" mentality, though, won't allow her to believe a thing Jonah says.

Acting as a sort of middleman is local police detective Max Sanderlin, who's back on the job after being injured during a confrontation that involved a rather freaked-out Jonah, who's now persona non grata with the department and, for the most part, Max. For her part, Eve reminded me a bit of a combination of Patricia Cornwell's Dr. Kay Scarpetta and her helicopter-flying niece, Lucy). Jonah is pretty much odd man out; his behavior is erratic and sometimes annoying, but his visions - while freaky - usually are spot on. He's not so much consumed with helping Eve as finding his missing niece - and he's pretty sure the two cases are somehow connected.

As the story progresses, it comes as no surprise that Eve begins to see things through Jonah's visions and begins to apply her more rational thinking to the whole situation. That, in turn, leads to more trouble - and an exciting, and surprising, wrap-up (with a few loose ends left for the next adventure). All in all, a good effort, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to get in at the ground level by way of a pre-release copy.

To Catch a Storm by Mindy Mejia (Atlantic Monthly Press, August 2023); 352 pp.

BLACK DOG

5 stars out of 5

Prolific author Stuart Woods passed away July 22, 2022, I'm sorry to say - just a few days before this book was released. But I'm comforted by knowing he wrote more than 90 novels in his 84 years and that I've read most of those in his popular Stone Barrington series (of which this is the 62nd). I'm sure I speak for other readers when I say he'll be missed.

As far as the Barrington books go, while I've grumbled about the somewhat boring content of some (at one point, I referred to him in my reviews as Stone Yawnington), the last few have been quite enjoyable. And I must say this one is notable to me because of the humor - yes, I out-loud chuckled my way through it, polishing it off in the equivalent of maybe half a day just because I wanted to.

This time out, Stone's uber-efficient secretary, Joan Robertson, plays a leading role. For openers, she brings her mother's youngest sister, Annetta Charles, into Stone's prestigious law firm as his client. An extremely wealthy recent widow, she wants to make a new will - and the firm gets the potential to earn a goodly amount of "rain," as Stone puts it (methinks he's become quite woke since the last book). It also puts Stone in contact with Annetta's stepson, a young man she dubs "Black Dog" because he's "too awful" to be a black sheep. To say he's an obnoxious pest would be a kindness; unfortunately, it just may be he's dangerous to boot.

As the story progresses, Stone (and Joan) try their best to keep him at bay and themselves alive, but most of the time the best they can do is play clean-up. No one is safe - not Stone, nor Joan, nor even Stone's friend and police commissioner Dino Bacchetti. But despite everybody's suspicions, the jerk somehow manages to elude detection and certainly arrest - even when murder is involved. Throughout it all, Stone and Dino don't miss a beat - and neither do they miss many of their nightly dinners at some of New York's finest restaurants. Stone's well-known penchant for bedding beautiful women seems turned down a notch, but that's probably more from lack of opportunity than desire.

I can't say the rather abrupt ending was satisfying to me, but for Stone, all's well that ends well as usual. All in all, it's another fun romp that loyal readers should love. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with a pre-release copy. 

Black Dog by Stuart Woods (G.P. Putnam's Sons, August 2022); 299 pp.

OVERBOARD

4 stars out of 5

I've been reading about detective V.I. Warshawski for so long that she feels like an old friend I don't see often enough. This is the 21st book in the series, and yes, I was very happy to bump into her again.

This one takes place during the Covid pandemic, and I'll give kudos up front for the author's handling of the masking issue (i.e., making the importance thereof up close and personal throughout the book). Victoria not only wears one herself on just about every out-of-home venture, but she insists that others around her do the same.

Following an all-night job for a client, Vic's two boisterous dogs go nuts on the banks of Lake Michigan - leading her to a crevice where a seriously injured young girl is (presumably) hiding out. The girl manages to utter a single word - something with no meaning to Vic or later the police - before she's taken to a hospital. She's treated and put in a room, but before anyone can talk to her or determine her identity, she disappears. One of the investigating police officers in particular seems unusually upset that she's gone missing - a long-time officer who has a history of unchecked violent behavior that's been overlooked by his higher-ups. Thwarted, he turns his full wrath toward Vic - to the point of trying to make her life miserable (often with more than a modicum of success).

As this is happening, a very old local synagogue is defaced, upsetting the elderly congregation, several of whom are Vic's friends. At this point, the corruption for which Chicago's political elite are known rears its ugly head; someone seems to be intent on getting ownership of the synagogue for unknown reasons. More investigation turns up more political corruption (a revolting development, so to speak), but not before hitting close to home with a nod and wink to some of Vic's family members that she's almost forgotten she had and almost certainly can do without. Along the way, she got support when she needed it most from old friends Lottie Herschel and her helpful elderly neighbor Mr. Contreras. Notably missing - off on assignment - is her significant other, archaeologist Peter Sansen, who is thousands of miles away. 

By this time, the sheer number of characters grew far beyond the number of my brain cells; I finally gave up trying to keep them all straight and decided it all would work out in the end. It does, of course, but not without more than one nail-biting chapter in which Vic's own life is put on the line. All in all, very satisfying - and a big thank you goes to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to meet up one of my fictional BFFs once again. Can't wait till she comes for a visit again (soon, please)?

Overboard by Sara Paretsky (William Morrow, May 2022); 400 pp.

THE GIRLS IN THE FIRE

4 stars out of 5

When I read the first book in this series last year, I noted that the star of the show, the very flawed Detective Harlow Durant, was carrying way too much baggage for my liking - even though I very much enjoyed the book. Well, it's ditto for this one; I'm still not a big Harlow fan, but despite that it's another good story well worth reading. That's due in no small part to the fact that I love her partner Lucas, who pretty much has her number (and takes "supportive" to a whole 'nother level). Happily, they make quite a few joint appearances here.

The dynamic duo get sent to Saranac Lake in upstate New York (not far from their home base), where a woman's body has been found; it's so badly burned that it's impossible to tell whether the victim is male or female. Not far away in a wilderness area, efforts are under way to find a presumed serial killer of several people, with those efforts being led by a nemesis of Harlow. Of course, the two bump heads, but Harlow insists she has no interest in sticking her nose in his case (and means it, although she has no reservations about digging in her heels should the two cases be related in any way).

Finally, the crispy dead woman is identified, but a motive remains elusive. Not long thereafter, another body turns up with the same M.O. Could it be that a serial killer is on the loose here as well? Could all the murders be somehow connected, and is it possible they're looking for the same serial killer?

Amid all this, Harlow's past comes out of hiding; as the daughter of an imprisoned serial killer and a nasty woman who's a mother only because she gave birth, Harlow has been forced to pull up stakes when the media and local folks get wind of her background. Worse, if that's possible, she's been dogged by her estranged mother, who tends to find her at the worst possible moment.

As a result of the serial killer angle, Harlow's current case triggers all sorts of childhood nightmares, many of which are laid out in interspersed chapters that let readers know what's going on in her head. I know I should be more sympathetic, but honestly, I grew a bit weary of those background checks (i.e., you're a stellar detective, Harlow, so get on with your life already). In reality, though, that may prove difficult - Harlow herself, it appears, has become a target.

The rest you'll just have to read for yourself, and series fans should know there's a twist at the end that no doubt will carry over into the next book. I'll be waiting, but for now I'll thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

The Girls in the Fire by Dea Poirier (Bookouture, March 2022); 313 pp.

ABANDONED IN DEATH

4 stars out of 5

As a longtime fan of this series, it seems to me that the stories are becoming a bit less edgy and the characters a bit more mellow than in years past. That's not to say either is any less appealing, though - they're still set in the future (this one in 2061) amid all the fun gizmos like meals programmed into a machine and vehicles that can land and take off vertically, calls for homicide detective Eve Dallas to draw on childhood experiences to help solve a couple of murders and prevent another - not pleasant recollections given what she was forced to endure.

Eve's salvation came in large part by way of her now husband, the Irish hunky and filthy rich Roarke (who, happily, gets to put his considerable expertise to good use in helping to solve the case). It begins with a woman's body that's laid out on a bench at a New York City playground. Clearly, she was murdered - but just as clearly, the killer arranged her body with great care. She sported a new tattoo and body piercings, but the clothing didn't quite fit and looked to be vintage. The real puzzlement, though, was the note left on the body: Bad Mommy.

The working premise is that they're dealing with an older killer - most likely male - who, like Eve, endured a traumatic childhood that involved a mother who was less than mother-like - but with no other clues, how will they find him? Readers get some glimpses by way of flashbacks into the lives of the "bad mommy" and her child, but it isn't till a second woman's body is found in a similar fashion - and Roarke puts some of his high-tech research tools to good use - that Eve begins to think positive. From there, it's a race to the finish, with a big twist (which, of course, I won't reveal). All told, another one well done, and I'm already chomping at the bit for the next.

Abandoned in Death by J.D. Robb (St. Martin's Press, February 2022); 361 pp.

FIND ME IN THE DARK

5 stars out of 5

I've been fortunate to get in at the beginning of several new series of late, and I've concluded one thing: It's impossible to find a central character, male or female, who isn't carrying around a ton of personal baggage from his or her past, whether physical or emotional or both. Nowhere is that more true than in this one, in which New York state detective Harlow Durant keeps moving from job to job, staying only long enough for her colleagues to learn that her father, a psychologist, was a prolific serial killer. Her supervisors always know her background, but she believes - rightly or wrongly - that once the truth comes out she'll no longer be accepted by her peers or the community and bolts to territory where her secret will remain secret for a while. Amid her angst, she's never developed any real or lasting friendships or romances in the belief that those attachments will turn sour once her past is discovered.

Now she's in Plattsburgh, an upstate New York community with a SUNY campus. Fairly new at the job and constantly heckled by other officers just because she's female (an indication that all her problems are not in her past), she and partner detective Lucas Park - for whom she's reluctantly begun to respect for his work ethic and acceptance of hers as well - learn about a dead body dumped in one of the winter's snowbanks. The victim is identified as a college student, and at first the investigation centers around an ex-boyfriend. But then, after Harlow suffers an injury at the hands of a suspect and is forced to sit it out longer than she'd like, the unthinkable happens: Another woman's dead body is found in a snowbank and then another. Clearly, they're dealing with a serial killer - bringing the case far too close to memories that have dogged Harlow from early childhood on and turning it into an emotional challenge.

The story is narrated by Harlow, who doesn't hesitate to lay out exactly what she's thinking and how that was influenced by her childhood (some chapters revert to what happened in the past, giving readers a closer look inside those steamer trunk-sized visions that have shaped her life). And, as if tracking down a murderer isn't enough of a job, Harlow also is plagued with text messages from an unidentifiable source that threaten her very life if she doesn't stop meddling in the case.

Little by little, clues are unearthed along with the bodies, bringing a satisfactory end to the story for readers (along with a little surprise that, of course, I won't reveal). I can't say I'd ever want Harlow for a best friend, but for sure she's an intriguing character I'd love to read more about. Until that happens, I'll just say thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one. Well done!

Find Me in the Dark by Dea Poirier (Bookouture, October 2021); 300 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.

IT'S A WONDERFUL WOOF

5 stars out of 5

Any tale narrated by a pooch - even one who flunked out of K-9 training on the final day - is just too good to pass up, IMHO. And for sure I haven't; several entries in this series (this one makes a dozen) have kept me entertained for years now. Kept in check - well, for the most part - by Bernie Little, owner of the Little Detective Agency, the intensely loyal and intelligent-beyond-his-species four-legged Chet goes about his business of helping his owner solve crimes.

This one immerses the dynamic duo in the world of art - admittedly not a familiar subject for either of them. On top of trying to keep the business afloat, Bernie is hoping that his relationship with beautiful police sergeant Weatherly Wavneka will pick up steam (on this issue, Bernie has Chet's unwavering support even if it means he has to deal with her dog Trixie). The whole mess begins when Bernie turns down a job from what would be a new client and refers the guy to an old friend, Victor Klovsky. Not long thereafter, Victor's mother calls Bernie to say her son has gone missing - and adds that Victor had just started working on the case Bernie sent his way.

The obvious place to start is to find Victor's new client - the one who originally wanted Bernie to take his case. Problem is, that guy has turned up missing as well. With some digging - pun intended - Bernie and Chet find themselves at the ruins of an old Spanish mission, now just a crumbling building and the site of informal archeological digs. That, in turn, leads Bernie into the unfamiliar world of art history (not to mention some serious danger and a dead body or two). 

Throughout it all, there's Chet's ongoing "take" on what's happening, providing doggie insights and a few chuckles. Chalk up another fun adventure well done. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

It's a Wonderful Woof by Spencer Quinn (Forge Books, October 2021); 272 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.

DEADLY CROSS

4 stars out of 5

Psychotherapist and FBI/D.C. Metro Homicide consultant Alex Cross never left - this is the 28th book in the series; but somehow, it feels like he's back - to basics, that is. It's pretty much a straightforward police procedural interspersed with interactions among, and impact on, Alex's wife, kids and indefatigable Nana Mama. And from my perspective, that's a good thing; I like everyone in Alex's inner circle, but I prefer that the main be on detective work.

As this one begins, Alex's police commissioner wife, Bree Stone, calls to ask for his help on a brand-new murder case: the bodies of a man and woman found in a convertible near a charter school. Complicating matters is that both victims were high-profile community personalities - one very much still married to another woman and the other the ex-wife of a high-ranking government leader. In the midst of all this, there's a serial rapist and murderer on the loose; Bree's boss is not happy with the progress of the investigation, making her rethink her own priorities.

At one time, the car victim (Kay) was Alex's patient, and she has a storied history of mental issues. Alex's Metro partner, John Sampson, is dealing with serious personal issues, so Alex and FBI Special Agent Ned Mahoney set out to learn more about Kay's Alabama background. Back home, Sampson begins to follow a few leads on the serial murder investigation that just may signal light at the end of that tunnel. 

Everything comes together in the end, bringing a couple of surprises - one of which, no doubt, will take future plots in a new direction that could be the jolt that this series, while still enjoyable and by far my favorite of all the Patterson offerings, needs to get back to firing on all cylinders. Fingers "Cross"ed!

Deadly Cross by James Patterson (Little, Brown and Co., November 2020); 416 pp.

BONE CANYON

5 stars out of 5

The first book in this series - Lost Hills - didn't disappoint, and neither did this one (in fact, I think it's better). Los Angeles Sheriff's Department homicide detective Eve Ronin isn't perfect - nor is she likely to become besties with most of her department colleagues - but she gets the job done even if she has to step on some really big toes to do it.

It begins as Eve and her almost-retired partner, Duncan Pavone, are called to investigate human remains discovered in the rubble of a wildfire in the Santa Monica Mountains. As it turns out - with help from hunky and single forensic anthropologist Daniel Brooks - the tidbits belong to a woman who went missing several years ago not long after she'd reported a crime to police that somehow, in intervening years, got lost in the system.

That, of course, makes Eve's ears perk up and her nose twitch. Despite warnings to cool her heels from a few of the aforementioned colleagues - most of whom are convinced she got her homicide job by grandstanding - she plods on with the help of Duncan, who says he has nothing to lose by ruffling a few feathers. Good thing, because some of those feathers not only get ruffled, but totally bent out of shape.

The investigation goes slower than Eve would like - patience isn't one of her virtues - with roadblocks coming from unexpected places that bring a whole new meaning of dead end. The conclusion brings a twist; I was expecting one that I hoped was wrong, and, happily, I was (sorry, my lips are sealed). All told, another winner, for which I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for a pre-release copy.

Bone Canyon by Lee Goldberg (Thomas & Mercer, January 2021); 287 pp.

BURIED ANGELS

4 stars out of 5

This is one of those series I can count on when I want to settle in with a fast-paced whodunit with interesting, and for the most part likable, characters. So it's hardly surprising that I enjoyed this one (the eighth featuring Detective Inspector Lottie Parker). Once again, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

Lottie is older now - a relatively young grandmother, in fact - and she's found a new love - also a detective - after losing her beloved husband a while back. She and her extended family are living in a too-small house in Ragmullin, and although she loves all her relatives dearly, she's more than happy to go to work. As this book opens, she's called to a railroad track, beside which two young boys spotted - by way of the drone they were flying - what appeared to be a body. As it turns out, that's only partially true; it's the torso of a young woman who at first glance appears to have been murdered and frozen. 

Readers also learn that concurrently, a pregnant woman who's trying to get her fixer-upper in better shape before the baby arrives is shocked to find the scull of a child that's been hidden behind a fireplace for who knows how long. The baby's father, though, is insistent that they keep the discovery a secret.

Chapters flip back and forth to show what's going on in the lives of some of the characters who are suspects (and to mysterious events of two decades ago), and gruesome murders in the here and now make Lottie and her police cohorts wonder if there could be a connection between long-ago murders and those of today. But despite their best efforts, the investigation seems to be going nowhere fast (further irritating Lottie's new supervisor, who clearly isn't her fan to begin with).

As I've said with the other books in the series, the very large number of characters makes it hard to keep them all sorted. But if you just sit back and go with the flow, it all works out in the end very well. And in this instance, the ending hints that Lottie could be headed in a new direction next time out. That sounds exciting to me - bring it on!

Buried Angels by Patricia Gibney (Bookouture, May 2020); 451 pp.

FIND HER ALIVE

5 stars out of 5

Count on this series to be consistently good,

and this one - the eighth - fits the pattern well. The story is a bit more "far out" than the others I've read, but it doesn't matter - I stayed up late to finish the last four chapters just because things were moving so fast at that point that I didn't want to wait till morning to find out what happened.

Josie Quinn, a detective in rural Denton, Pennsylvania, has twin sister Trinity. It's been only recently that they discovered each other (background on all that is in previous books); and even now, their interaction can be a bit tense. Trinity, who is a well-known TV news anchor, came to visit Josie and her significant other Noah Fraley, also a police officer. Convinced she was about to be fired, Trinity was on the trail of a major breakthrough story that would revive her TV career big-time.

But about three weeks ago, the twins got into an argument and Trinity stalked out - renting a remote hunting cabin for a reason known only to her. When she can't reach her sister, Josie heads to the cabin, where she encounters a gruesome sight: human bones neatly arranged outside the cabin. Needless to say, she's terrified that the bones are Trinity's, although it seems unlikely that total decomposition could have happened this rapidly.

When the police team come in to investigate, Josie is relieved; dental records confirm the remains are not Trinity, but rather a missing woman from a nearby town. Now, the investigation expands, but it seems to go nowhere fast. Gleaning some clues from a handwritten message Trinity apparently left on her car - which was found outside the cabin complete with her purse and cell phone - Josie determines that Trinity's big story involved an as-yet-unidentified serial killer known for his "artistry" with human bones.

Along the way, other bone formations are found, adding urgency to the investigation. Is Trinity still alive, and if she is, can they find her before it's too late? Josie is hot to trot with ideas and suggestions, but not all are taken seriously simply because of her obvious personal interest in the case. 

And tttthhhhhaaat's all from me, folks, except to say it's a dash to an exciting finish with a couple of twists thrown in. Those who are familar with this series will enjoy this one too, I'm sure - and to those who aren't, well, what are you waiting for? Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

Find Her Alive by Lisa Regan (Bookouture, April 2020); 300 pp.

LAST DAY

4 stars out of 5

When I look at the sum of the parts, it was Gestalt. The individual parts, however, sometimes left a bit to be desired.

At an art gallery in a small community along the Connecticut shore, Beth Lathrop and her slightly older sister Kate lost their mother - and nearly their own lives - during a robbery at the gallery 23 years ago. Young detective Conor Reid managed to save the girls, but the gruesome circumstances left an imprint on his mind that he could never forget - nor could the sisters; their own father was convicted of masterminding the crime, which included the theft of a special painting, and he has been in prison ever since.

In the present day, Beth is running the museum, married and has a teenage daughter Sam. Her husband, Pete, helps with the gallery and has an ongoing not-so-secret affair with a young woman who subsequently gave birth to his child. Not a pleasant time for Beth and Sam, needless to say. But then, the unthinkable happens: Beth is found murdered - strangled in horrific fashion - and that special painting that was stolen and found years ago has gone missing once again. Bringing the story full circle is that Reid, now a seasoned detective, is once again assigned to the case.

It's helpful that Reid needs little when it comes to background; goodness knows he's followed the lives of Beth and Kate ever since the case 23 years ago (if it had been in any other book, I'd have called him a low-key stalker). But it comes in handy during his investigation, as does the help he gets from his Coast Guard brother, Tom. But early on, Reid has only one real suspect: Beth's lying, cheating, mean, mistreating husband, Pete, who, alas, has an unshakable alibi. So what's a detective to do?

Well, for starters, I'd suggest that someone decide what to call him. All the other characters are referred to by their first names; not so the detective, who goes by "Conor" and "Reid" when the mood strikes, I guess. Besides being a frustrating inconsistency, it actually made me wonder whether his name is Conor Reid or Reid Conor.

As the investigation moves along, readers get a glimpse of the relationship among Beth, Kate and their long-time female friends Scotty and Lulu - who call their collective selves the Compass Rose. Best buds since childhood, they shared secret after secret; but as it turns out, all four may not have been privvy to all of them, much to the disappointment of Kate, who carved a life for herself outside of the art world by becoming an in-demand private pilot and now feels left out.

All of that brings me to another frustrating aspect: an overabundance of detail, whether it be on works of art, history, or even the characters' backgrounds, quite a bit of which wasn't all that relevant to the plot. I won't call it uninteresting - I found much of it was educational, in fact - but it just seemed to overwhelm what could (should?) have been a shorter book.

Somewhere around the middle, I began to suspect the identity of Beth's killer - and that was more than enough incentive to keep me glued to the pages from then on (for the record, I was right). I admit to losing a bit of enthusiasm at the ghostly appearance of one of the characters - what the heck is that all about, I asked myself - but as I said early on, overall this is a solid effort that I'm sure will please many readers, including me. Good choice for the Amazon First Reads program!

Last Day by Luanne Rice (Thomas & Mercer, February 2020); 402 pp.

NEVER FORGET

4 stars out of 5

Why the decision was made to translate to English the third book in this series instead of the first remains a puzzle to me, but I'm sure my enjoyment of it suffered as a result (as well as from a few glitches in the translation). While this book stands on its own fairly well, knowing more about the main characters' backgrounds and previous interactions would have made my reading more enjoyable. Nor was I comforted by the author's suggestion that readers are "not to worry" about the lack of background because we "will be able to learn more" when the first two books are translated later this year and next. Sorry, but it's rare that I go back and read prior books in any series.

So for the first half or so, I struggled. But I hung in there, and for the most part, my overall experience was positive as the pace - and my understanding of the rather complex plot - picked up. Detective Victor Lessard of the Montreal Police is an interesting and, for the most part, likable character; hints reveal that he's been shaped, for better or worse, by his background (hence the desire to learn more about what that was). Fighting demons of his past and dealing with two grown children and a new love - a woman named Nadja - keep him on the edge of self-destruction throughout.

His partner, Jacinthe Taillon, doesn't fare so well in my eyes. She and Victor have a contentious yet cautiously respectful relationship, which certainly adds spice. On the other hand, I couldn't help the feeling that considerable effort went into making her unappealing - and I must say that for the most part it succeeded. She's mouthy, irreverent, impatient and basically portrayed as a fat slob who never saw a French fry she wouldn't eat (at one point, for instance, she "came up behind him [Victor] with the grace of a dump truck." Maybe it stems from my feminist leanings, but the overweight digs seemed a bit excessive (pun intended).

The plot is complicated mostly by rather abrupt shifts and an abundance of characters - sometimes called by their first names, sometimes by their last and sometimes by something entirely different - but it's definitely intriguing. At the beginning, a woman's body turns up in a warehouse sporting some very strange markings; later, it's discovered that she was a retired psychiatrist. Then, a homeless guy jumps off a roof, leaving behind a couple of wallets. One belongs to a recently murdered man (also a psychiatrist), and the other to a ritzy corporate attorney who has gone missing.

While constantly dealing with Jacinthe's disagreeable nature, Victor has to work around a few health issues of his own. And unbeknownst to Victor, his son Martin finds trouble of his own, putting him in danger and causing friction between Victor and Nadya. As the police investigation into the suicide and murder victims and missing lawyer continue, evidence of an almost unbelievable conspiracy with ties to the United States begins to emerge, and even more bodies turn up - done in by a fiendishly wicked weapon.

In the end, things are wrapped up rather nicely, making this is a worthwhile read (albeit not an easy one to wade through). Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for introducing me to a new series by way of an advance review copy.

Never Forget by Martin Michaud (Dundum, January 2020); 544 pp.

COLD HEART CREEK

5 stars out of 5

If I ever made a list of my 10 favorite book "heroines," Josie Quinn would be in there somewhere. Yes, she's got emotional baggage as a result of an extremely abusive childhood, but unlike way too many other lead characters with similar backgrounds, she doesn't whimper and whine about it and gets on with her life in fine fettle (excepting perhaps those awful nightmares). That life, for the record, includes her duties as a detective in largely rural parts of Pennsylvania and Noah, a partner both professionally and personally (for the record, I like him a lot as well).

As this episode begins, Josie and Noah are called out when two bodies are found at a remote campground about half a mile from Cold Heart Creek. At first blush, it appears that they were poisoned - even, perhaps, in a suicide pact. But further investigation changes the outlook in two ways: They are murder victims, and there was a third camper at the site who is inexplicably missing.

The search for clues makes a significant stop at a fenced-in section of private property called The Sanctuary, a haven for societal misfits who, according to commune leader and property owner Charlotte, need to find themselves. Although all the residents are willing to answer questions, Josie and Noah are pretty sure they're not being totally honest. Then, on the drive home, Josie nearly collides with a very pregnant woman staggering out of the woods - who proceeds to give birth in Josie's car. When she's finally identified and hospitalized, the woman claims to have been kidnapped two years ago and held captive in some of the remote caves that dot the region. The plot thickens even more when a young girl Josie met at the commune turns up dead.

Admittedly, there are bits and pieces that stretch credulity a bit, but overall this is a book I really didn't want to put down and could have finished in a day had the facts of my personal life not intervened. And while I have read and enjoyed other books in the series, this one stands quite well on its own. I do thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Cold Heart Creek by Lisa Regan (Bookouture, December 2019); 1969 KB).