THE FRENCH ILLUSION

5 stars out of 5

Well, this is a bit of an unusual situation – I’m not sure whether I’m happier to have read and finished this intriguing, edge-of-seat story or the expectation that there’s another one (or two, or three or more) in the making? The latter isn’t a certainty, but since it’s billed as “The French Illusion #1,” logic tells me a #2 will follow.

Anyway, it took a while for them to show up, but I already love leading man Stuart Nash and his “future wife,” Rae-Claire Russo – even though, contrary to almost every other book I’ve read by this author, there’s no courtroom action. Nash is an ex-military man and an assistant U.S. attorney in North Carolina, though, and the soon-to-be dynamic duo “accidentally” meet each other at a cybercrime seminar in Washington, D.C.

Behind the scenes – at least the public ones – Paul and Chelsea Tanner head for Paris for their honeymoon. It’s a dream come true, till it turns into a nightmare for the couple and both sets of parents when they go missing – and said parents get ransom calls from what appears to be a network of criminals asking for millions. The money isn’t a huge issue for Chelsea’s parents – dad is an orthopedic surgeon who is financially savvy – but it’s beyond hope for Paul’s less financially well-off mother and father. And of course, all are warned not to tell anyone what’s going on, especially law enforcement.

As the story progresses, readers see what’s happening from the points of view of both the parents and the victims – and, down the road a bit, of the FBI and CIA, which agree to hold hands for once in an effort to shut down what appears to be a long-running and highly successful operation. Enter Nash and Russo (nope, not gonna explain how that came to pass), and from that point on, the action never stops – and neither did my reading about it.

All told, it’s edge-of-seat exciting, and I hope we’ll be seeing this pair again. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this one!

The French Illusion by John Grisham (Doubleday, September 2026); 352 pp.

ONE SPLIT SECOND

5 stars out of 5

Seattle police detective Tracy Crosswhite has come a long way since I met her 11 books ago (My Sister’s Grave, 2014). Back then, her mission was to find out what really happened in the disappearance of her sister, Sarah. Fast-forward to this latest book, when Tracy – long since married to attorney Dan O’Leary and with a five-year-old daughter - works exclusively with cold cases.

But it’s a new case that has caught her attention this time; her old friend, Sheriff of Klickitat County Jennie Almond, has just been charged with the murder of local military veteran Anthony Alvarez, who apparently suffers from PTSD. Jennie swears Alvarez had a gun, but evidence – including a gunshot from another angle – tell a different story.

Tracy is sure her friend is innocent, but proving it is another issue entirely. Since she’s so familiar with cold cases now, this one reminds Tracy of one Jenny’s late father was involved in as a police investigator something like 45 years earlier. At that time, a teenage babysitter disappeared, and the prime suspect was – you guessed it – the man Jenny is charged with killing. Jenny’s father, though, always believed Alvarez was innocent.

From that point on, chapters shift from the time of the babysitter’s disappearance to the present, as Tracy tries to connect the dots and her husband prepares to defend Jenny in court. Helping out is young autistic girl Lydia, who has become a friend of Tracy’s because of her shooting and video game skills. She is, BTW, an interesting character whom I suspect readers will be reading more about in upcoming installments – and to which I’m looking forward.

The rest of the book follows Tracy’s investigations of both past and present – the latter of which put her in more than a bit of danger – and Dan’s very capable defense of their friend. Of course, I can’t provide details without spoiling things for other readers, but I can say thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to catch up on the latest happenings in the life of a favorite character. Well done once again!

One Split Second by Robert Dugoni (Thomas & Mercer, September 2026); 387 pp.

THE SHADOW FRIENDS

5 stars out of 5

This book brings together former CIA agents Maggie Bird, Ingrid  Slocum, Ben Diamond and Declan Rose – all over the age of 60 – who live in small-town Purity, Maine, in the shadows of their former lives. It’s the third in a series (of which I read and loved the second and vowed to not miss any more). New readers won’t have trouble following the story, but I always advise starting at the beginning with any series if possible (and this one’s definitely worth doing exactly that).

Although all the members of the so-called Martini Club are quite happy to be living their lives without worrying who’s just around the corner waiting to kill them, their past has a tendency to slip into the present when they least expect it. This time, Ingrid is the lead organizer at a local conference at which a speaker mentions a facility in Russia where live smallpox virus is stored; releasing it would result in a high mortality rate. Surprisingly, Rodrigo Estrada appears on the scene – a former agency cohort with whom Ingrid once had a “thing.” He and Ingrid stay for a few drinks after the conference to discuss old times and beg Ingrid to join forces with him in his private security company. She’s reluctant – in part knowing her husband Lloyd, a former agency analyst, would not be pleased to know her life would once again be in danger.

But when a server at the conference suddenly turns up dead, Ingrid – with input from former flame Rodrigo – realizes there’s a possible connection between the woman’s death and Ingrid’s nearly losing her own nearly 30 years ago. With that knowledge, and Ingrid’s desire to get to the truth, the thrill of the chase apparently overcomes Ingrid’s devotion to making Lloyd feel secure, and she suddenly disappears. Lloyd, of course, is shattered – never having fully believed a woman like Ingrid could possibly be attracted to a sort of computer nerd like him (and besides, she went off with the still-handsome hunk with whom she once was seriously connected.

Lloyd and Maggie are just as determined to do their best to keep Ingrid safe, so they start doing some serious digging of their own by putting their investigative skills to work once again. The details of from what happens from that point forward, of course, are not mine to reveal – but I assure you it’s quite an exciting, action-packed adventure filled with unexpected twists and an ending that suggests another installment will be forthcoming (soon, I hope)? Meantime, thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read the latest in this series by a long-favorite author. Well done!

The Shadow Friends by Tess Gerritsen (Thomas & Mercer, August 2026); 293 pp.

HOPE RISES

5 stars out of 5

Any book series, I’ve long maintained, is best enjoyed from the beginning. No matter how well the author provides sufficient information from the previous book(s) to make the current one completely understandable, readers still stand to miss a lot of the backstory that makes the current book more enjoyable. This is a case in point, perhaps more so than others; yes, it stands alone well, but since I’d read its predecessor (Nash Falls) fairly recently, I’m sure I enjoyed it a bit more for having read it. That said, I loved this one and am looking forward to the next installment to see if a couple of things sort of left hanging here get picked up again.

For those who missed the first one, Walter Nash spent most of his adult years as a Clark Kent of the business world – happy with his job, his wife Judith and their daughter Maggie. Then one day the world as he knew it crashed right before his eyes – with not the least of the issues being his wife having an affair with his uber-wealthy boss, Rhett Temple. The end result was that Walter necessarily transformed himself into a Superman, with help from his friend Shock – perhaps the only man in the world he really trusts, becoming a lean, mean fighting machine totally unrecognizable to those he knew in the past. He adopts a new name as well – he’s now known as Dillon Hope.

And he’s laser-focused on a single task: taking out crime queen Victoria Steers, who took away his primary reason for living – and not far down his list is his former boss. But Victoria, too, has an axe to grind; it was Dillon who became an FBI informant against her and her very powerful crime organization. And, she’s no slouch in the fighting machine department; she’s an expert in several forms of lethal combat. Should the twain ever meet, it’s a toss-up as to who would emerge “Victori”ous.

And then it happens: Dillon is called to meet with Victoria’s emissary, who relays to him that the dragon lady, who has heard of his formidable skills, wants to meet up. Dillon agrees, knowing that his new physique and “look” makes him unrecognizable as the Walter Nash she’s so eager to kill. Happily for him, he’s right; turns out she suspects nothing and wants him to spring her mother, the formidable woman who built the criminal empire Victoria now runs, out of a high-security, secluded prison in Myanmar – a virtual impossibility, but Victoria claims she has a plan. If he fails, it’s almost certain he’ll die in the process. Even if he survives and accomplishes his assignment, though, given Victoria’s devious ways there’s no guarantee she’ll let him live to see another day.

But since his conversion to a whole new man, Dillon is used to uncertainty – so off he goes. And it’s here that I sign off as well – I can’t reveal more without spoiling the anticipation for other readers. I’ll just say it’s exciting and edge-of-seat action to the end and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to take it all in by way of a pre-release copy. Terrific series!

Hope Rises by David Baldacci (Grand Central Publishing, February 2026); 432 pp.

ROBERT LUDLUM'S THE BOURNE ESCAPE

4 stars out of 5

It's kind of like Yogi Berra's deja vu all over again: Memory lost and found, falling in and out of love (and beds) and, of course, danger lurking in the doorways of every restaurant, hotel and "safe" house. If I'm honest, it's getting a teeny bit ho-hum after all this time (this is the 21st book in the series) - but on the other hand, I certainly can't say I wasn't on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

One thing I do like is that this installment brings together several of the characters from his past, some to haunt on-the-run former paid assassin Jason Bourne, others to love him, others to deceive him and still others to kill him outright (including no less than Russian President Vladimir Putin). After a period of relative calm with lover Johanna in which he regains some of the memories he's lost over a ton of previous books, his situation takes a dark turn when the boat they are on suddenly goes boom - taking Jason, Johanna with it. 

When he's somehow rescued, he finds that the blast took his memories with it as well - so he's pretty much starting from scratch once again. Johanna, he believes, is dead. One memory that remains intact, sort of, is his former relationship with Treadstone and its founder, David Abbott - who's been dead for awhile. But turns out that's not true; when he reunites with Shadow, a beautiful woman who now heads up Treadstone, he learns the truth. His old mentor and employer - the man who made him the efficient assassin he is - is alive and missing, and his enemies will leave no stone unturned until they find him. If they find Jason in the process, so much the better.

Or, maybe it's Jason they really want. Shadow has betrayed Jason before; is she doing it again? One of Treadstone's rules was to "trust no one" - a rule that has so far kept Jason alive. But Shadow is relentless - and irresistible. When she reveals her secret reason for finding and rescuing Abbott, it makes sense - but is she telling the truth? And what, if anything, does her quest to find him have to do with a very powerful government leader?

It's all part of an intricate and deadly game - a common theme for the books in this series. This is another good one, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Escape by Brian Freeman (G.P. Putnam's Sons, July 2025); 400 pp.

GRAVE WORDS

3 stars out of 5

I missed the first book in this series, but when I learned of this one, the concept was interesting just because the main character - a woman named, believe it or not, Winter Snow - is by profession a writer of obituaries. And as a former journalist a bit familiar with that process, I simply couldn't pass it by. My verdict? An interesting plot and a book I'd unhesitatingly call a good beach read, but way too many continuity slips and grammatical errors plus a heroine who simply refuses to listen to reason took this one down a notch or two in my eyes.

The whole thing begins as Winter, resident of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and owner of a slobbering Great Pyrenees rather appropriately named Diva, learns that somehow one of her client's paid-for obits ended up published with her name on top - but of course she's very much alive. As she tries to have the name corrected before the local newspaper is published - more so people won't think she's dead than to make sure the deceased person gets proper notice, it seemed to me - a popular local businesses catches fire and the body of a reportedly homeless man was found inside. To make matters worse, her newspaper reporter friend  Kevin ("Scoop") Blake has become the prime suspect since he reportedly was the last to see the guy alive.

As she's exhausting attempts to learn the deceased man's last name, she becomes frustrated and irritated that her detective boyfriend Kip Michaels refuses to share details from the police investigation with her - never mind that he could lose his job if he did. And he's frustrated and irritated that she continues her unauthorized sleuthing in the case, even involving her uncle Richard - the man who is like a father to her - and his good friend Horace, who lives nearby. Also in the mix is her friend Carla, a gum-chewing funeral home employee who seems to have the inside scoop on much of the town's goings-on.

As the story progresses, other arsons take place, as does the murder of a man known to be the homeless guy's friend. The latter death gives Winter a bit of an information boost, in that she's been hired to write the guy's obit and (this time legitimately) needs to get details on his life. As for more details, I won't tell, except to note that they include at least one uplifting experience and fodder for what I expect to be the next book in the series. Overall, it's an enjoyable book, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

Grave Words by Gerri Lewis (Crooked Lane Books, June 2025); 330 pp.

NOBODY'S FOOL

5 stars out of 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

BATTLE MOUNTAIN

5 stars out of 5

Long a favorite series of mine - this is the 25th installment - this one puts Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett in more of a background role, centering more on his falconer buddy Nate Romanowski. After Nate got married and had a daughter, he put his raptor talents up for sale in a legitimate business - aided by Sheridan Pickett, daughter of Joe and his wife Marybeth. But Nate's situation changed dramatically in the previous book (what happened I won't say to spoil things for those who haven't read it), and he turned the business over to Sheridan, his daughter Kestral over to Joe and Marybeth and once again headed off the grid. 

Actually, Nate is out to find Axel Soledad, the man responsible for his troubles and return to the wild. As it turns out, Nate wasn't the only one hurt by the guy, though; his friend Geronimo Jones is also on the hunt. So, they team up, hoping to eliminate Alex outright - or at least render him incapable of harming anyone else.

As their quest gets under way, Joe's is just beginning; his old friend, once again the governor of Wyoming, calls him in to ask a favor. His son-in-law, it seems, went off on some kind of elk-hunting expedition and seems to have gone missing. To avoid worrying his daughter and aggravating his wife for recommending the excursion, the governor wants Joe to track him down on the Q.T.

The story follows both search efforts (mostly those of Nate and Geronimo), until - no surprise here - they begin to merge. Of course, everything takes place in remote places, where cell phone coverage is spotty at best and not watching where your feet are going can prove dangerous (as can some nasty folks with powerful weapons and no qualms at all about who they're pointed at). All told, it's an exciting adventure with a few edge-of-seat moments and an ending that promises fodder for the next installment - to which, of course, I'm looking forward. For now, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

Battle Mountain by C.J. Box (G.P. Putnam's Sons, February 2025); 368 pp.

ROBERT B. PARKER'S BURIED SECRETS

4 stars out of 5

This is, I believe, the author's first go-round at continuing the legacy of the late Robert B. Parker's popular series featuring Paradise, Massachusetts, police chief Jesse Stone - a complex character if there ever was one. And although Jesse's darker moment return to the forefront more often in this one, it definitely has the Parker "vibe." For those who keep count, this is the 22nd installment in the series.

It begins as Deputy Chief Molly Crane, Jesse's friend and protector and no-nonsense advice-giver, asks Jesse to make a welfare check on an elderly resident. The department is short on staff for several reasons, so Jesse draws the short straw. What he finds is a dead body - but only by following the smell; the man was a serious horder, and wading through his collection is a daunting task. On the way in, he met a "concerned friend," Matthew Peebles - who mysteriously disappeared by the time Jesse came back out.

Jesse and his deputy, Luther "Suitcase" Simpson, find a ton of revealing photos (by accident), suggesting that the dead man may not have been an upstanding citizen. On top of that (more accurately, closer to the bottom), they find a cool $2 million in cash. It's a puzzlement, at least till the department's discoveries become known - attracting unwanted attention from hitmen for hire who really don't want the world to learn their secrets. They'll do whatever it takes to put the kabosh on those photos and get their hands on the money - and since Jesse and his department are standing in their way, well...

On top of all that, Jesse must deal with a new hire named Derek Tate, a total jerk who thinks his police officer status gives him the right to bully anyone who crosses his path. This storyline was to me a bit of a stretch, in fact; even though Jesse may feel sorry for him and believe in second chances, the guy is way off the rails and there's no way he'd have lasted more than a day and a half under the Jesse I've come to know and love.

The hitmen, though, do pose a serious risk, and even Jesse is concerned - as he should be. Unbeknownst to Jesse, a couple of them have decided to hold hands long enough to take Jesse out, destroy the evidence and grab the money. Will they be successful, or do Jesse and his team have some counter-measures up their sleeves? Well, you'll just have to read it to find out. I sure did - taking the last handful of chapters to bed with me to finish because I couldn't wait till morning. Good one - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Robert B. Parker's Buried Secrets by Christopher Farnsworth (G.P. Putnam's Sons, February 2025); 352 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.

THE KNIFE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

3.5 stars out of 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

ROBERT LUDLUM'S THE BOURNE SHADOW

5 stars out of 5

Wow! I've always enjoyed books in this series, but this one is a real barn-burner! Besides that, the story clears up a good bit of previously murky background on main character Jason Bourne, who has been treading water, so to speak, after running from the spy-laden Treadstone organization and trying to revive deeply buried memories of who, and what, he once was.

For none of which, alas, I can reveal specifics; you'll just have to read the book for yourself. I can, however, provide something of an outline of events that officially begin as Jason is in Paris for the summer amid riots surrounding a major government election and a dangerous neo-Nazi organizers. Months earlier, he'd reluctantly left his latest love, Abbey Laurent, in Quebec City under a cloud; in Paris, he's hoping she'll contact him so they can reconnect once again. Instead, he gets a message from a Treadstone colleague that someone is hunting the man known as Cain - the person the original David Webb, a.k.a. Cain, a.k.a. Jason Bourne. 

Eventually, he's found by a woman who claims to be related to Monika Roth, the woman at one time he was going to marry (insert backstory here). Monika, it seems, had disappeared supposedly for good with Jason's help; now, her sister insists that finding her is urgent. Jason, who desperately wants to remember details from his complicated past, agrees to help.

From there, it's the thrill of the chase; as clues turn up as to Monika's whereabouts, Jason and Joanna find themselves chased by baddies intent on taking them out - or find said baddies are ready and waiting for them at their next destination. Along the way, Jason has to rely on people who may or may not be on his side - and hope some of his long-lost memories will return to help him figure out if there's anyone he can trust. It all leads to a bang-up (and surprising) ending and hints of a new direction with a too-familiar ring.

All told, this is one I had trouble putting down and one of the best I've read of the post-Ludlum installments. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Shadow by Brian Freeman (G.P. Putnam's Sons, July 2024); 400 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.

DEADLOCK

5 stars out of 5

If I knew "gatekeeper" Desmond Aloysius Limerick personally, I'm sure I'd be smacking him upside the head at least once an hour. He's so used to being physically bashed about that he wouldn't feel anything, of course - and he's so amiable that all he'd say in return is something like, "Aye, love - ye caught me nappin' on that one!"

And also of course, I'd forgive him for whatever transgression he made and we'd start the cycle all over again, just because he somehow manages to be so endearing (and funny enough to make me giggle) while irritating the heck out of everyone around him - at least when he's not beating them to a pulp, blowing them up, or outright killing them. I fell in love with the guy in The Gatekeeper, the first book in the series, and if anything, I love him more after reading this one.

Basically a retired mercenary who's loyal to the core and has a side gig as a musician, Dez is now in Los Angeles and basically retired. But when he gets a call from old friend Raziah Swann claiming her reporter sister Laleh is in trouble (in fact, she's in the hospital after being attacked), he heads north to Portland to offer assistance. There, he learns that Laleh was writing a story that involved a local technology company - second in size and influence only to Nike - called Clockjack. Could that somehow be related to the attack? 

Dez sure thinks so - but suspicion and proof are two different animals. But it seems the powers-that-be at this behemoth company, including an influencial female CEO, have more than enough power to put the cabosh on formal investigation by all federal agencies. If Dez is going to get to the truth and, if necessary, bring down the bad guys and gals, he'll have to go it alone (well, with some help from old friends and yes, even enemies).

There's no shortage of murder and mayhem here, much of it coming by way of Dez himself (yes, he rather often exceeds the limits of human capability, but then that's half the fun - apparently, for him as well as for readers). The ending is satisfying and leaves fodder for the next book, for which I'm already chomping at the bit. At any rate, this one is a hoot and a half - and once again, I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the privilege of reading and reviewing a pre-release copy.

Deadlock by James Byrne (Minotaur Books, August 2023); 359 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.

NIGHT CANDY

4 stars out of 5

This is the fifth book in the series featuring ex-con Colleen Hayes, who's now out of prison - convicted of killing her husband - and working as a private eye (albeit unlicensed). It's also the first one I've read, but it certainly won't be the last; I'm intrigued by Colleen's rather unconventional approach to her work - sort of the means-justifies-the-end attitude. Often, ethics is far less important than outcome.

She does not, for instance, feel remorse for the murder she committed; he was, after all, seriously abusing their daughter Pamela, with whom Colleen is trying to reestablish a working relationship (with mixed results; not long ago, Pamela once again disappeared from Colleen's life). A bit of remorse there? You bet.

Meantime, a serial killer known as "Night Candy" has been targeting sex workers in San Francisco in the late 1970s. It's almost 1980 now, and Colleen's cop friend Owen - in jail for the murder of his wife Alice - needs her help (his police department colleagues seem to have washed their hands of him, and their disdain extends to Colleen as well). But she's convinced that Owen was railroaded and sets out to prove it despite doubts of her friends and colleagues.

Needless to say, that puts her squarely in the sights of the SFPD as well as police departments of surrounding communities to which her investigation takes her. Fairly early on she identifies her prime suspect, but pinning down the required evidence isn't the easiest of tasks (and certainly isn't without more toe-stepping and outright danger). By the end - and at least two more murders - she's frustrated enough to throw caution to the wind (again) to bring the case to a close. It's an action-packed adventure, although a little repetitive here and there - and there's plenty left to carry over to the next installment. I'm looking forward to reading it, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

Night Candy by Max Tomlinson (Oceanview Publishing, July 2023); 385 pp.

DARK CORNERS

4.5 stars out of 5

After having read and enjoyed The Night Swim, the first book in this series, I was delighted to snag a pre-release copy of this, the next installment. And if anything, I enjoyed it more.

In part, I suppose, that's because the focus is on social media influencers - a "job" that's fascinated me pretty much from the first time I learned that it not only existed, but can be quite financially lucrative. But as a writer and former journalist, I identified with - and liked - the star of the show, true crime podcaster Rachel Krall. As this one begins, she's called by the FBI to visit prisoner Terence Bailey, a suspect in the disappearance and presumed murders of six women, in hopes that she can get him to reveal something meaningful before he's released in a couple of days (he's incarcerated as a result of a different crime). Specifically, a popular influencer named Maddison Logan visited Bailey recently, only to go missing a few hours later.

Alas, Rachel's visit raises more questions than answers, so now the FBI, led by hunky agent Joe Martinez, turns to Plan B - which doesn't include Rachel. Now intrigued by the circumstances, though, Rachel refuses to go quietly; instead, she signs up - under a fake identity - for Daytona Beach's BuzzCon, a big convention for influencers. Figuring Maddison would have been there had she not disappeared, Rachel hopes she can get some scoops that will beef up her planned podcast (and perhaps help the FBI in the process).

All does not go well with that plan, though, and Martinez worries not only that Bailey may be in cahoots with a partner on the "outside" but that Rachel may become a target as well. Then, another body turns up with a mysterious snake tattoo - one that may provide the link they need. Through interspersed chapters, readers begin to see what's really going on - and begin to understand why Martinez may be spot on with his concerns for Rachel's life. From that point on, there's never a dull moment (and I learned enough about the life of an influencer that I decided to give up any notion of doing it myself). Very entertaining book with some possible carryovers to the next one, and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review it.

Dark Corners by Megan Goldin (St. Martin's Press, August 2023); 352 pp.

THE 9TH MAN

5 stars out of 5

As a fan of co-author Steve Berry's Cotton Malone series, I was delighted to see Malone's protoge Luke Daniels, a U.S. Department of Justice Magellan Billet agent, get a book all his own. Joining forces with co-author Grant Blackwood, Berry says in the Acknowledgements, meant he'd have the time he needs to get 'er done and still work on the Malone books. Count me as one who's delighted (and for the record, looking forward to the next books in both series).

If action is your "thing," you won't go wrong with this one. It kicks in from the beginning - when old friend Jillian Stein calls to say she's in serious trouble - and he zips to Belgium to see how he can help. There, he finds a death which, apparently, isn't sufficient for a few determined killers - apparently, he and Jillian are next up. Keeping his assistance off the company books, Luke sets out with Jillian to find what her elderly grandfather and a couple of his friends were secretly working on for many years. That, in turn,  leads him to nonegenarian and Washington, D.C., "fixer" Thomas Rowland, who continues to wield power (but definitely not in a good way). That, in turn, puts the hunt - by now a collision course between Luke and Thomas, a former CIA agent - back on the official Magellan Billet books and takes him and Jillian back in time to the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

It's a battle of not only of wits, but firepower; Thomas's is virtually unlimited; but once Luke's boss, Stephanie Nelle, gets involved, the playing field levels off a bit. Still, how many battles can Luke win when he's outnumbered at every turn? Can he get to the truth - and then to Thomas - before Thomas and his for-hire goons get to him? Of course, I won't spill the beans; suffice it to say I had trouble putting the book down until I knew the outcome (which, BTW, includes a rather big, and unwelcome, surprise). Terrific book, for which I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for a pre-release copy to read and review.

The 9th Man by Steve Berry and Grant Blackwood (Grand Central Publishing, June 2023); 367 pp.

AN EVIL HEART

5 stars out of 5

Holmes County, Ohio, has highest concentration of Amish in the world, and the largest in the Buckeye State, according to several reputable sources. Heading northeast a bit, Geauga County boasts Ohio's second largest settlement. By way of more than a nodding acquaintance in proximity to both, I was attracted to this series, which is set in Holmes County. But that was just at the outset; it's the stories that keep bringing me back for more (this is the 15th installment). For those who care about such things, I'll say that it's more graphic than the others I've read, but to me, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Kate Burkholder, who grew up Amish but officially left the fold nearly two decades ago, is the police chief in Painters Mill in Holmes County. As this story begins, she's about to be married to the guy she's been living with for a couple of years, FBI agent John Tomesetti, with the wedding held at her brother and sister-in-law's home in mostly Amish fashion. But not long before that happens, a 20-year-old Amish man is found dead along a rural roadside - shot twice with a crossbow. There's no acceptable version of murder, of course, but this was a particularly gruesome way to go. 

The death of Aden Karn is even more surprising in that he had a steady girlfriend everyone (including her) thought he'd marry, a job and an almost stellar reputation as one of the good guys. Why, then, would anyone want to kill him? Is this just a random act by a madman (or woman) who's out for no reason other than wanting to kill someone? It's a puzzlement, or at least until the investigation starts getting legs of its own; Aden, it seems, may not have been the quintessential Amish lad. Gradually, new facts emerge - some of them quite disturbing - to reveal a far more sinister side that may have sparked a motive. But getting to the whole truth also may have sparked a killer's desperate need to bring the investigation to a halt, thereby putting Kate in mortal danger.

All told, it's another intriguing and entertaining adventure that's well worth reading. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy. Well done!

An Evil Heart by Linda Castillo (Minotaur Books, July 2023); 320 pp.

CLOSE HER EYES

4 stars out of 5

No, no, no - not an ending I saw coming and decidedly not one I wanted to bring to a close the 17th installment of this very entertaining series. A few other surprises were in store near the end as well, but this one is a doozy.

Other than that observation, upon which I will not expand, I'll say that books in this series stand pretty well on their own, although I do think it helps to have read at least some of the others first (I've had seven on my Kindle in addition to this one). The focus is on Denton, Pennsylvania, Detective Josie Quinn and her very competent team. As this one begins, she's at home with her twin sister, Trinity Payne, Trinity's boyfriend Drake Nally (an FBI agent from the New York City Field Office) and her husband, Denton police Lt. Noah Fraley. After dinner, Josie gets a call from another of her team members, Finn Mettner, explaining that a woman's body has been found along nearby Kettlewell Creek.

During the initial inspection by Medical Examiner Dr. Anya Feist, it's discovered that the woman has a cattle brand on her hip - a horrifying sight that terrifies the good doctor for an equally horrifying reason: She's got an identical brand on her hip, inflicted by her former husband from whom she ran away to Denton (and has been on edge ever since wondering where and when he'll find her). Problem is, there's zero evidence tying Anya's ex-husband, or his equally mean father, who's somewhat incapacitated by a stroke, to the new murder. 

Trinity, a TV journalist who does stories on unsolved, or questionable, crimes, is in Denton to gather more information on a different case. When a second woman's dead body turns up - with that same brand on her hip - the action starts to heat up and, not unsurprisingly, so does suspicion that the story Trinity is working on has ties to the current murders. But suspicion isn't proof, so Josie and her team keep digging despite the threat - which too often extracts physical and mental tolls - until the exciting conclusion that includes that unforeseen, and most unwelcome ending. I have to say I enjoyed this one a teeny bit less than most of the others I've read, in large part because a little too much of it just seemed a little too contrived. But I'm also sure most fans of the series will love it (well, except for, you know...) As for me, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for once again allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

Close Her Eyes by Lisa Regan (Bookouture, May 2023); 389 pp.